Le Journal

Rockets center Steven Adams suffered a left ankle sprain in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s win over New Orleans and had to be helped off the court with assistance, notes Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter). Head coach Ime Udoka told sideline reporter Vanessa Richardson after the game that Adams’ ankle already had a significant amount of swelling but X-rays were negative. Adams looked to be in a great deal of pain when the injury occurred (YouTube link). He rolled his left ankle contesting a layup from Zion Williamson. The 32-year-old big man has made 32 appearances this season, averaging 5.8 points and 8.6 rebounds — including a league-high 4.5 offensive rebounds — in 22.8 minutes per game. We have more from around the Southwest: Rockets star Kevin Durant became the sixth-leading scorer in NBA history during Sunday’s game, passing Dirk Nowitzki (31,560), tweets Iko. It was an uncharacteristically off shooting night for the 37-year-old forward, who scored 18 points but was just 5-of-18 from the field, though he also contributed eight assists and six rebounds. Mavericks legend Nowitzki said in an interview with Sports Illustrated Germany that he’s not interested in becoming the team’s general manager, as Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com relays. The Mavericks currently have Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi operating as co-interim GMs after firing Nico Harrison. They’re expected to hire a permanent replacement for Harrison as head of basketball operations, though that’s reportedly “several months” away from happening. New Orleans Times-Picayune columnist Rod Walker weighs the pros and cons of the Pelicans pursuing a Ja Morant trade. While he admits he’s “not completely sold on the idea,” Walker says the Pelicans should consider a deal with division rival Memphis if they can acquire the two-time All-Star point guard at a heavy discount. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype recently reported that the Pels have a level of interest in Morant, Walker notes.

Tyrese Maxey, who is having a fantastic season for the Sixers, was just named an All-Star starter for the first time (it’s his second overall appearance). Speaking to reporters on Monday, the 25-year-old guard said he’d be thrilled to represent Team USA in the future if he’s given the chance. “I would love to play for Team USA…If that’s something that I have the opportunity to do, then I’ll definitely be there for it,” Maxey said (Twitter video link via PHLY Sixers). Maxey is posting career-best numbers in several statistics in 2025/26, including points (30.3), assists (6.7), rebounds (4.4), steals (1.9) and blocks (1.0) per game. He also leads the NBA with 39.3 minutes per contest. Here are a few more odds and ends from around the basketball world: Former NBA guard Shake Milton has a broken bone in his left hand and has traveled to the United States to undergo surgery, according to Pedrac Saric of Serbian outlet Meridian Sport (hat tip to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando). Milton, who plays for Partizan Belgrade, is expected to miss around three months. The 29-year-old is having a disappointing year for the Serbian club in his first stint in Europe, Carchia notes. Veteran point guard Cory Joseph signed with AS Monaco at the beginning of December after 14 years in the NBA. However, as Alex Molina of Eurohoops writes, Joseph has yet to play for Monaco, which was assessed a transfer ban because of outstanding financial issues. Aris Thessaloniki is interested in acquiring the 34-year-old, but the Greek team has not yet made an offer Joseph finds appealing, per Molina. While EuroLeague CEO Paulius Motiejunas isn’t happy about the NBA’s proposed European league, he’s also not worried about it. “We’ve only heard the plan or the fireworks of how amazing it will be, how much potential there is,” Motiejunas told Ken Maguire of The Associated Press. “But having a theory is one — and making it work is two. We’ve been here for 26 years. We know how Europe functions.” Motiejunas also expressed confidence that Real Madrid, Fenerbahce and ASVEL — the three shareholder teams that have yet to renew their licenses — will remain with the EuroLeague. “The NBA has been announcing and announcing things for a year but still it’s nothing that you can grasp on,” Motiejunas said. “As businessmen, these are team owners, they also begin to see it’s a little bit of a broken record of ‘we will announce later,’ … The ’27 start is already around the corner.”

Amidst arguably the most stunning season in Seattle Seahawks history, and the wildest NFL playoffs in recent history, we still have one last college football game to play. On Monday night, we will see one of the most unlikely national championship games ever, as the No. 10 seed Miami Hurricanes return to home, literally and figuratively, to their place as a blue blood in the sport, while the No. 1 seed Indiana Hoosiers look to finish off the most dominant Cinderella season ever. While many would assume the Seahawks are all in on Sunday and beating the Los Angeles Rams to get to Super Bowl 60, make no mistake, they’re still thinking about the NFL Draft and I’d be surprised if there’s not some scouts at the Orange Bowl tomorrow night. As these two do battle for the most shocking national title ever, let’s take a look at some of the best realistic prospects for the Seahawks in this upcoming draft. Trenches Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami – Mesidor is a guy we talked about a few weeks ago, when the Canes upset the defending champs Ohio State. That game, and this run by Miami, has been about the trenches and how dominant the Canes have been, specifically with Rueben Bain and Mesidor. Akheem reminds me of a slightly higher floor version of when Seattle drafted Boye Mafe. Mesidor is a good rotational pass rusher, but his age (25) will crush his draft stock. For a team in win now mode, Mesidor in round three or four may be worth it as a likely one contract guy. Carter Smith, OL, Indiana – The best lineman prospect who will realistically be in Seattle’s range, Smith has been utterly dominant this year. The reigning Big Ten offensive lineman of the year, Smith has allowed zero sacks and given up pressures on less than 2% of all drop backs this season. All the draft experts say that Carter is not strong enough in the run game, so he’ll have to kick in to guard at the next level. For a team that really only has some questions about their guard spot with Anthony Bradford, drafting Smith on day two and letting him compete with Bradford seems like a logical choice this spring. Secondary Keionte Scott, DB, Miami- Scott has been one of the last dominant nickel corners this year, when healthy. One of the biggest stars of the CFP, Scott had 10 tackles and two sacks in their road upset over Texas A&M in round one. Against the Buckeyes, Scott’s 72 yard pick-six completely tilted the game and paved the way to a return trip home. Another older guy (24), I think he’s an interesting addition, especially if this defense loses both Coby Bryant and Riq Woolen to free agency. Jakobe Thomas, S, Miami – Another great and older player in the Hurricane’s secondary, Thomas has been a star filler this year. 40 plus tackles, 3.5 sacks, 5 interceptions and two forced fumbles, the transfer from Middle Tennessee State has all the tools to be a star, and Macdonald could be the guy to get him there. Louis Moore, S, Indiana- The safety group really is an underrated part of this class, and the All-American is part of this group. Another 25-year-old, if Seattle is comfortable with age, I think Moore is an immediate replacement with plug and play abilities for the Seahawks, if Bryant leaves in free agency. Skill Positions Kaelon Black, RB, Indiana – Kenneth Walker just had the biggest game of his career. If he keeps it up, the Seahawks will win the Super Bowl, but it will also likely mean K9 is gonna get a massive contract offer and head elsewhere. If that happens, especially with Zach Charbonnet now facing a long absence due to an ACL tear, running back becomes a major need. I think that Kaelon Black could be a good pass as a Day 3 prospect. Black, who shares the backfield with Roman Hemby, is an explosive change of pace back, and I think he’d compliment Charbonnet well. Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana- I think Seattle should look to add to the wide receiver room. Cooper Kupp’s age, Tory Horton’s…

The odds at FanDuel Sportsbook list the Seattle Seahawks as slight home favorites against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game, with Seattle sitting at around -158 on the moneyline while the Rams come in at +134. That pricing reflects the expectation that the Seahawks benefit from playing at Lumen Field while still acknowledging how narrow the gap is between these two teams. The fact that the Seahawks won decisively against the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round didn’t create much of an advantage, even with the Rams coming off an overtime game in the cold of Chicago. On the spread, Seattle is favored by -2.5, a clear signal from oddsmakers that this is viewed as a competitive matchup likely to once again be decided by a single score. This feeling can be confirmed since the last two matches were decided by a combind three points. The total is set at 47.5 points, with the over and under priced closely together, suggesting a game in which both offenses are expected to move the ball, but neither defense is projected to completely collapse. It is not quite a shootout, but not a grind-it-out defensive battle either. When looking at these odds as a whole, the market is pricing Seahawks–Rams as a game that will come down to execution and situational football. Seattle’s offense and home-field advantage earn them the role of moderate favorite, but not by enough to scare bettors away from the Rams as live underdogs. At +134 on the moneyline, Los Angeles still carries real value if they can dictate tempo and avoid the mistakes that swing close divisional games. The total sitting at 47.5 further reinforces the idea of sustained drives and scoring opportunities on both sides, balanced by defenses capable of tightening up in the red zone or forcing a key stop late. Ultimately, these odds reflect both the history and the reality of this rivalry. With such a short spread, a single turnover, a late field goal, or an extra possession created by a defensive stand could easily be the difference between going to the Super Bowl or staying home.