NBA MVP race 2026: Ranking the five strongest candidates
With Oklahoma City separating themselves in the West and Detroit’s shock rise reshaping the East, the MVP race has entered its most decisive phase.
While familiar superstars continue to lead the conversation, new names are forcing their way into the picture.
From scoring dominance to franchise-defining leadership, several players have built strong cases this year.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Jake Reed gives a ranking of the five strongest candidates so far.
Basketball analysis: Ranking the best NBA rookies of the 2025-26 season so far
The 2025 NBA Draft was always going to be defined by the arrival of Cooper Flagg – yet, despite Flagg’s impressive start, he is far from the only rookie to make an impact.
As the season reaches its midpoint following the All-Star Game break, a number of first-year players have already pulled ahead as influential starters.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Jake Reed looks at the top five NBA rookies so far this season.
NBA news: Jaylen Brown praises Jayson Tatum’s recovery as Celtics star nears return
Boston Celtics superstar Jaylen Brown conducted a pre-All-Star media conference on Sunday, February 15, where he offered an encouraging update on his longtime running mate, Jayson Tatum, who nears a return following a 10-month absence from a torn Achilles injury.
In this article, Sports News Blitz’s Ethan Pitts breaks down Brown’s comments and what Tatum’s progress could mean for Boston’s title push.
NBA All-Star 2026 reaction: Was the new format a success?
NBA All-Star weekend in Los Angeles is over, with Anthony Edwards walking away as the MVP from the winning USA Stars team in a revamped format.
The round-robin tournament containing a team of international stars, young American talent and American older stars saw four games played and an increased intensity from that of past years.
The question remains over whether the All-Star game is back to its former best or will the format lose its appeal if it returns in 2027.
Sports News Blitz writer Oliver Powell looks at All-Star weekend 2026 and all the positives and negatives to come from LA.
NBA All-Star Weekend: Five players who exceeded expectations to book an All-Star Game spot
With NBA All-Star Weekend ready to tip off in Los Angeles boasting a brand-new format, some players are set for their first start in the All-Star Game after stellar individual seasons.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Lorenzo Gagliotta looks at the stars who have exceeded expectations so far in the league.
NBA trade deadline news: Breaking down the top trades as Washington Wizards land Trae Young
With the NBA trade deadline having passed, many teams will be looking to move on and reshuffle their rosters in the hopes of either salvaging the season or pushing for a possible championship.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Lorenzo Gagliotta examines the trades that went down and considers how it all looks for the rest of the season.
Basketball news: Five names to watch ahead of the NBA trade deadline
With just over 48 hours remaining until the NBA trade deadline, the futures of stars across the league remain unclear as rumours continue to circulate.
Four-time All-Star Trae Young getting moved to the Washington Wizards in exchange for CJ McCollum remains the biggest deal so far. However, a certain Greek superstar continues to make headlines.
Sports News Blitz writer Oliver Powell looks at five of the biggest names on the trade market ahead of the Thursday, February 5, deadline.
2026 Championship Futures: Analyzing NBA Odds for the Thunder, Celtics, and Dark Horses
Sports News Blitz takes a comprehensive audit of the January 2026 NBA futures market.
We analyze why the OKC Thunder are a "minus money" trap, expose the massive arbitrage value in the Boston Celtics, and identify the Detroit Pistons as the year's true dark horse.
NBA news: LeBron James brought to tears in possible final Cleveland appearance
LeBron James returned to Cleveland on Wednesday, January 28, knowing the moment carried extra weight.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo reflects on an emotional night in Cleveland that may have marked LeBron James’ final appearance in the city where his NBA journey began.
NBA 2025/26: Whose Championship Odds Have Shrunk Throughout the First Half of the Season?
The defending NBA champions haven’t missed a beat. Oklahoma City’s 36-8 record through mid-January has turned the regular season into something that feels less like a race and more like everyone else fighting for second place.
After being considered +230 shots in preseason, the popular Lucky-Rebel betting site now positions OKC as a mightily short +115 favourite to repeat as champions. And truth be told, they have played like a team that deserves top billing. But the more interesting story lives a tier below them, where a handful of franchises have forced oddsmakers to admit they misread the room.
The real story of the championship odds board is how those teams have dragged themselves from the long-shot margins to the centre of the conversation.
All Star Game 2026: a new formula for the match
The NBA superstars have been celebrated, once a year, in a game created to put them one against the other, East versus West, since 1951.
For 2026, the event will be held starting February 15. This year, the All Star Game has undergone a significant change in format, which we are about to explain. It is sure to be a great show, and since the best players in the NBA are competing, it is very difficult to predict a possible winner of the tournament.
For those who still want to bet on the event, though, it is possible to exploit the promotions that gaming platforms make available to users every month, such as the latest Paddy Power promo code. This one may come in handy for betting on the 2026 All Star Game, as well as on other basketball matches with uncertain outcomes, like many of the league’s best games are.
NBA news: LeBron James’ 22-year All-Star streak ends
LeBron James’ remarkable run as an automatic presence in the NBA All-Star starting lineup has come to an end, closing a historic chapter in league history.
In this article, Sports News Blitz’s Noa Ngcobo looks at how injuries, changing dynamics, and a new generation of stars combined to halt the Lakers icon’s 22-year All-Star starting streak.
2026 NBA All-Stars: Why the starters have been selected and who missed out
The NBA have announced the starters from both the Eastern and Western conferences for the 2026 All-Star game, set to take place in Los Angeles on February 15.
The five players deemed to have had the best season from each conference were selected by a split-voting system between fans (50%), players (25%), and media (25%).
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Oliver Powell takes a look at the 10 players voted as starters, plus some notable omissions.
NBA news: LeBron James’s agent faces backlash over Austin Reaves trade comments
What began as casual podcast speculation quickly turned into a real world NBA moment that exposed the fine line between media talk and locker room reality.
At the centre of it all was LeBron James’ longtime agent Rich Paul, Austin Reaves, one of the Lakers’ most important supporting players, and a trade idea that travelled far beyond its original context.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo analyses the controversy surrounding Paul’s comments on Reaves.
NBA news: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jaylen Brown and the MVP favourites after Nikola Jokic’s injury
While he remains in first place on the MVP ladder, Nikola Jokic suffered a knee injury against the Miami Heat in December and is reported to be out until the end of January.
The Serbian’s absence has allowed other leading players in the league to make a worthy claim for the MVP award, with the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hitting form at the perfect time.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Finn Littlewood takes a look at the contenders in what is turning out to be an unpredictable MVP race.
LeBron James, Christmas day, and the weight of an NBA tradition
Christmas Day basketball has become one of the most recognisable dates on the NBA calendar, and once again, LeBron James found himself at the centre of it.
In this article, Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo looks at how the 40-year-old superstar continues to carry the expectations of a holiday built around the league’s biggest names.
NBA news: Another chapter in the LeBron James and Dillon Brooks rivalry
Whenever LeBron James and Dillon Brooks share the floor, tension follows.
In this article, Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo breaks down another heated encounter between the two.
NBA news: LeBron James’ agent Rich Paul shuts down trade speculation
LeBron James looks set to stay put in Los Angeles as trade talk fades.
The conversation around LeBron James and a possible midseason exit from the Los Angeles Lakers has reached a firm conclusion.
Rich Paul, the longtime agent and close adviser to James, made it clear that the veteran star will remain with the franchise through the end of the campaign, reports Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo.
NBA news: LeBron James sees 18-year streak end in LA Lakers victory over Toronto Raptors
LeBron James’ historic scoring streak may have ended in Toronto, but his late-game decision-making proved that his basketball instincts remain as sharp as ever.
In this article, Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo breaks down how James’ selfless play helped the Lakers secure a dramatic win despite the end of an 18-year run.
NBA opinion: Breaking his own records - LeBron James’ historic 23rd season
LeBron James returned to the hardwood after a 14-game absence caused by sciatica, and his re-entry into the season has been both measured and impressive.
Even in the early stages, he has managed to adjust to the flow of games without disrupting the dynamics of a young Lakers roster.
At 40 years old and in his 23rd professional season, James is proving that age does not define impact.
His presence alone commands attention, and he has shown he can still score, create opportunities, and maintain a level of precision that few athletes can match at this stage of their careers.
Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo offers his take on LeBron James’ admirable return.