{"id":613152,"date":"2026-02-20T06:47:42","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T06:47:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/613152\/"},"modified":"2026-02-20T06:47:42","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T06:47:42","slug":"live-updates-players-to-watch-before-the-nba-season-resumes-tomorrow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/613152\/","title":{"rendered":"Live Updates: Players to watch before the NBA season resumes tomorrow"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll have a 2022 NBA Finals rematch for you tomorrow night as Stephen Curry and the Warriors take on Jaylen Brown and the Celtics.<\/p>\n

What we know on Wednesday night:<\/p>\n

The NBA season resumes tomorrow with 10 games, including Pistons-Knicks (7:30 ET<\/a>) and Celtics-Warriors (10 ET<\/a>) on Prime.
\nWe\u2019ll have players to watch and some historic fun for you tonight! Enjoy your night with the NBA.com live blog.<\/p>\n

FEBRUARY 18 \/\/ 9:45 ET<\/p>\n

Player to watch: Evan Mobley<\/p>\n

Evan Mobley’s best plays of 2025-26.<\/p>\n

The reigning Defensive Player of the Year was crucial for the Cavs last season. Will he step forward as they seek to reclaim the form that took them to the top of the Eastern Conference last season?<\/p>\n

Mobley\u2019s defensive rating is up to 112 \u2014 the highest of his career \u2014 so far this season.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s not in the Cavs\u2019 most successful lineup with more than 40 minutes played \u2014 Donovan Mitchell, Sam Merrill, Jaylon Tyson, Dean Wade and Jarrett Allen, although he\u2019s in the next two.<\/p>\n

Tyson\u2019s emergence has given the Cavs some alternate looks, adding more of a stretch element to their roster, while Mobley\u2019s 3-point percentage has dipped to 30%.<\/p>\n

At his best, Mobley\u2019s a unique defensive talent, able to switch onto wings and patrol the paint. He\u2019s up to 2.8 blocks per game \u2014 the highest mark of his career \u2014 while his dimes are up to a career-high 4.0 assists per game.<\/p>\n

Will he be able to adjust to a more perimeter-oriented Cavs roster? How will he jell with pick-and-roll maestro James Harden? Time will tell.<\/p>\n

FEBRUARY 18 \/\/ 9:15 ET<\/p>\n

Some art for the evening<\/p>\n

Float like a butterfly, sting like Buzzer Beater P \u23f3 pic.twitter.com\/4cCsr2J3wG<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

FEBRUARY 18 \/\/ 8:45 ET<\/p>\n

A moment for Chris Paul<\/p>\n

A legend retired this season. Five years from now, he\u2019ll be in Springfield.<\/p>\n

“Chris Paul, A.K.A. the Point God.”<\/p>\n

2nd ALL-TIME in assists.
2nd ALL-TIME in steals.<\/p>\n

21 years running the point & defending the point of attack\u2026 congrats on a LEGENDARY career, @CP3<\/a>! pic.twitter.com\/hZzRsnlbVW<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NBA (@NBA) February 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

“Anticipation. That’s all it is.” \ud83d\udd12<\/p>\n

2,728 steals (2nd all-time)
6-time SPG leader
9-time All-Defense<\/p>\n

CHRIS PAUL, DEFENSIVE DYNAMO over his 21-year career! pic.twitter.com\/cHS2Au8OBO<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NBA (@NBA) February 19, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

FEBRUARY 18 \/\/ 8:00 ET<\/p>\n

Looking back at the 2022 NBA Finals<\/p>\n

Before the Celtics and Warriors hook up on Prime tomorrow night (10 ET<\/a>), let\u2019s take a look back at the 2022 NBA Finals.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

The Warriors still boast Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Gary Payton II and Moses Moody from this series. The Celtics have Jaylen Brown, Payton Pritchard, Derrick White and Sam Hauser, as well as the injured Jayson Tatum.<\/p>\n

Al Horford, a Celtic in 2022, is now a Warrior; Kristaps Porzi\u0146\u0123is, a champion with the Celtics in 2024, is too.<\/p>\n

Brown\u2019s grown in confidence as a scorer since then, reaching fourth in the NBA at 29.3 ppg. Pritchard, a little-used reserve in 2022, hit the signature shot of the Celtics NBA Finals win in 2024, then took home Kia Sixth Man of the Year in 2024-25.<\/p>\n

Curry\u2019s still near the peak of his powers \u2014 his scoring is actually up this year, 27.2 ppg to 25.3 in 2021-22, although his assists and rebounds have dipped. Draymond\u2019s down in the latter two categories as well \u2014 2021-22 was his last All-Star season.<\/p>\n

If the Warriors want to make a run, they\u2019ll need Porzi\u0146\u0123is to step up and reach peak form. It\u2019d be one more link between these two teams, years after they went toe-to-toe on the highest stage.<\/p>\n

Player to watch: Kristaps Porzingis<\/p>\n

Kristaps (17.1 ppg) is a player to watch for the rest of the season. At his best, he\u2019s a near-unparalleled combination of shooting and shot-blocking, coupled with some passing ability, creativity and competitive fire. But he\u2019s been battling illness all season.<\/p>\n

In the Warriors\u2019 space-and-movement based offense, Porzi\u0146\u0123is could be a tremendous force. He couples the shooting of Quentin Post with the rim pressure of a Festus Ezeli. If they can unlocking the playmaking chops he flashed in Washington and Boston, it could be a new, successful era for The Unicorn.<\/p>\n

FEBRUARY 18 \/\/ 7:10 ET<\/p>\n

Player to watch: Luka Don\u010di\u0107<\/p>\n

The Don is leading the Association with 32.8 ppg in his eighth season, adding 7.8 reb and 8.6 ast while shooting 47.3\/34.5\/78.1 from the field.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s the only player in NBA history to hit those benchmarks. But he\u2019s third in the latest Kia MVP Ladder<\/a>, earning a few demerits for nagging injuries.<\/p>\n

If Don\u010di\u0107 can stay healthy in the second half, this might be the year he breaks through and wins his first MVP award. He\u2019s missed 12 games so far this season and played 42. That leaves just five games of leeway.<\/p>\n

Ideal Luka is as dominant as it gets. If he can become durable as well, watch out.<\/p>\n

FEBRUARY 18 \/\/ 6:30 ET<\/p>\n

Remembering a classic Knicks-Pistons duel<\/p>\n

Before the East-leading Detroit Pistons take on the New York Knicks on Prime tomorrow night, we flash back to 1984, when Isiah Thomas and Bernard King led these Eastern Conference titans in the 1984 NBA Playoffs.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

It was a classic battle. The Knicks won the fourth quarter of Game 1 by 13 points to earn a 94-93 win.<\/p>\n

Bill Laimbeer had 32 points and 15 rebounds to help the Pistons battle back in Game 2, overcoming 46 points from Bernard King.<\/p>\n

King put up 46 points again in Game 3 to lead the Knicks to a win; Thomas responded with 32 points and 16 assists in Game 4 to extend the series, as Kelly Tripuka added 42 for Detroit.<\/p>\n

In the climatic Game 5, King, playing through two dislocated fingers and the flu, scored 44 points and added 12 rebounds.<\/p>\n

The Knicks had the lead late, but Isiah Thomas scored 16 points in 94 seconds to bring Detroit back into it, sending it to overtime.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Ultimately, the Knicks took the contest 127-123, as King set the scoring record for a five-game Playoff series with 42.6 ppg.<\/p>\n

Thomas had 35 points and 12 assists before fouling out late, remaining brilliant in defeat.<\/p>\n

FEBRUARY 18 \/\/ 6:00 ET<\/p>\n

Player to watch: Hugo Gonz\u00e1lez<\/p>\n

Hugo Gonz\u00e1lez’s best defensive plays of 2025-26.<\/p>\n

The NBA\u2019s net rating leader at the All-Star break? Hugo Gonz\u00e1lez, the 28th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.<\/p>\n

The Celtics\u2019 rookie has brought consistent energy and defensive intensity in his initial campaign, raising the effort level in every contest.<\/p>\n

Gonz\u00e1lez is active, quick and surprisingly strong at 200 pounds.<\/p>\n

He races around trying to make plays \u2014 it takes a rare athlete to even attempt that in the NBA, and he can make it look good at times, although it\u2019s largely youthful exuberance.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s also a bulldog in one-on-one matchups defensively, clearly focused and engaged on that end.<\/p>\n

In his most common matchups, the 6\u20196\u2033 wing has held All-Stars Pascal Siakam to 6-of-17 shooting over 12:21 and Cade Cunningham to 2-of-8 shooting over 6:47.<\/p>\n

He reminds me of former Celtic Avery Bradley \u2014 with his quick, agile feet, he\u2019s often just as fast as he needs to be to get anywhere on the court.<\/p>\n

Keep track of Gonz\u00e1lez\u2019s 3-point shooting in the coming campaign \u2014 he\u2019s currently shooting 35.8% on 1.4 attempts per game, but that\u2019s buoyed by a hot November, when he shot 55.6% from range.<\/p>\n

If he can find his stroke, ride the streaks and deliver, he\u2019ll be an asset for the Celtics on into the postseason.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

FEBRUARY 18 \/\/ 5:30 ET<\/p>\n

Get locked in for the second half of the NBA season<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll bring you players to watch, teams to consider and historic looks back this evening, as we gear up for the 2025-26 NBA season to resume tomorrow night.<\/p>\n

Settle in and enjoy, hardcore fans. The NBA will be back in just one sleep.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n