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NBA Trade Deadline Shakes Up League: Weekend Watch Guide
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The NBA trade deadline delivered a whirlwind of activity, reshaping contenders and injecting new life into several teams. A flurry of deals saw established stars like James Harden and Anthony Davis change addresses, alongside a host of other impactful players. Now, basketball fans can look forward to a weekend of action as these newly-minted teammates make their debuts. Here’s a guide to the games to watch before Sunday’s Super Bowl.
Friday’s Slate: Knicks and Clippers Take Center Stage
the action tips off Friday with two compelling matchups.First, the New York Knicks travel to Detroit to face the Pistons at 7:30 p.m.ET, airing nationally on Prime Video and locally on MSG. This contest presents a potential preview of an Eastern Conference Finals showdown,with Detroit comfortably leading the standings and New York tied for second. The Knicks enter the game riding an eight-game winning streak, fresh off a double-overtime victory against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday.
Later, at 10 p.m. ET, the LA Clippers visit the Sacramento Kings on Prime video (a Prime exclusive). The Clippers, fresh off a blockbuster trade that sent Darius Garland to Sacramento for James Harden, will look to integrate their new star. A fan’s viral pledge to literally eat his words after the trade underscored the magnitude of the move.
Saturday’s Showdowns: Rockets, Mavericks, Warriors, and cavaliers in Action
Saturday’s schedule is packed with intriguing games. The Houston Rockets face the Oklahoma City thunder at 3:30 p.m.ET on ABC, marking Kevin Durant’s return to the Thunderdome. Despite having moved on from the franchise nearly a decade ago, Durant’s presence always adds another layer to this matchup.The Rockets currently lead the league in second-chance scoring.
at 6 p.m. ET, the Dallas Mavericks visit the San Antonio Spurs on Prime Video and local channels MAVSTV, KFAA, and FDSN SW. This game is notable for the fact that Anthony Davis is now a member of the Washington wizards, signaling a full rebuild for the Mavericks. The matchup also features the exciting young talents of Cooper Flagg and Victor Wembanyama.
The Golden State warriors then head to Los Angeles to take on the Lakers at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC. The broadcast team of Mike Breen, Richard Jefferson, and Tim Legler will provide commentary, and the “Inside the NBA” crew will offer post-deadline analysis. The Warriors recently acquired Kristaps Porziņģis, ending a prolonged standoff with Jonathan Kuminga. However, Stephen Curry remains sidelined with a knee injury.
Rounding out Saturday’s action, the cleveland Cavaliers travel to Sacramento to face the Kings at 10 p.m. ET on League Pass and local channels FDSN Ohio and NBCSCA. James Harden is expected to make his Cavaliers debut in this game, and all eyes will be on how he meshes with Donovan Mitchell.
Sunday’s Primetime Games: Celtics and Timberwolves Close Out the Weekend
Sunday features two marquee matchups. First, the New York Knicks visit the Boston Celtics at 12:30 p.m.ET on ABC. Boston recently added Nikola Vučević, a two-time All-Star center, to bolster their already potent offense. The Celtics are currently tied for the No. 1 offensive rating in the league.
The weekend concludes with the LA Clippers visiting the Minnesota Timberwolves at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN. While the Timberwolves didn’t make a blockbuster trade for a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo, they did add Ayo Dosunmu to their bench. The game will be a test for kawhi Leonard and the Clippers as they adjust to their revamped roster.
Streaming options are plentiful, with ABC available free over the air and on ESPN Unlimited, and out-of
