LAS VEGAS -- UNLV senior offensive lineman Ben Christman, who transferred after last season from Kentucky, has died, the university announced. He was 21.

Christman was found dead in an off-campus apartment Tuesday morning. The university said it didn't have other details and that a cause of death would be determined by the Clark County Coroner's Office.

UNLV said Christman's family and the team have been informed and that counseling services would be provided.

"Our team's heart is broken to hear of Ben's passing," UNLV coach Dan Mullen said in a statement. "Since the day Ben set foot on our campus a month ago, he made the Rebels a better program.

"Ben was an easy choice for our leadership committee as he had earned the immediate respect, admiration and friendship of all his teammates. Our prayers go out to his family and all who knew him. Ben made the world a better place and he will be missed."

Christman began his college career at Ohio State as a highly ranked prospect in the 2021 recruiting class. He redshirted that season and played in one game in 2022 before transferring to Kentucky. Christman did not play in 2023 because of a knee injury, but he appeared in all 12 games last season on special teams before transferring to UNLV.

"There is little that can be said to lessen the pain of suddenly losing a member of our university family at such a young age, and my heart breaks for all who knew and loved him," UNLV president Keith Whitfield said in a statement.

Ohio State is finalizing a deal to make veteran NFL coach Matt Patricia the school's new defensive coordinator, sources told ESPN on Wednesday.

The move to bring in Patricia comes with the corresponding internal promotion of secondary coach Tim Walton to the co-defensive coordinator role, sources said. Ohio State will also be promoting safeties coach Matt Guerrieri to pass-game coordinator, per sources.

Patricia comes to Ohio State to replace Jim Knowles, who left for Penn State's defensive coordinator job in the wake of the Buckeyes' 2024 national title.

In Patricia, the Buckeyes get a veteran defensive playcaller who worked as the New England Patriots' defensive coordinator for six seasons from 2012 to 2017. He began calling defensive plays without the official title in 2010, which was a device Bill Belichick used to break in new coordinators and keep pressure off them.

He was the defensive coordinator for two of New England's Super Bowl wins and was on staff as an offensive assistant for the Patriots' 2004 Super Bowl title.

Patricia spent three seasons as the head coach of the Detroit Lions from 2018 to 2020, getting fired with a 13-29-1 record in his third season there.

Walton's promotion comes after coming to Ohio State in 2022 from the NFL, where he coached for four teams from 2009 to 2021. That included a job as the Rams' defensive coordinator in 2013.

His new title is a nod to the strong secondary play at Ohio State under his watch, as the Buckeyes finished No. 3 in the country in passing yards allowed in 2024 and No. 1 in that category in 2023.

Guerrieri is a former co-defensive coordinator at Duke from 2018 to 2021 and was the co-defensive coordinator at Indiana in 2023.

They will all be charged with taking over an Ohio State defense that returns just three starters from a unit that finished No. 1 nationally in total defense and scoring defense. The eight departing starters, including the entire defensive line, project to get picked in the NFL draft this spring.

Ohio State does return high-end talent, including safety Caleb Downs, who projects as one of the top players in college football next year. Junior linebacker Sonny Styles will be another top prospect, and senior cornerback Davison Igbinosun earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors.

Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton will miss at least four weeks with a left calf strain, the team said Wednesday.

Ayton, who is averaging 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds in 40 starts this season, had an MRI after suffering the injury during Monday's loss to the Denver Nuggets. He was replaced by Donovan Clingan, who scored a career-high 21 points in 21 minutes.

Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson will miss Wednesday's rematch against the Nuggets with an ankle sprain. He is averaging 12.4 points and 5.3 assists in 47 games this season.

Field Level Media contributed to this report.

Luka Doncic's debut with the Los Angeles Lakers scored massive ratings for ESPN despite coming in a game that started at 10:30 p.m. ET and whose result was never in doubt.

The network's audience for Monday night's game, a 132-113 Lakers victory over the Utah Jazz, peaked at 2.55 million viewers. To put that into context, it was up 42 percent compared with last year's average NBA game on ESPN.

The game averaged 2.01 million viewers, according to Nielsen, and was the most-watched game of the day among the coveted demographics of males 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54 years old.

That's despite Doncic playing only 24 minutes and scoring 14 points in a game Los Angeles led by 12 points after the first quarter and 25 points at halftime. The Lakers led by as many as 34 points, and Doncic sat out the fourth quarter.

The 25-year-old was acquired from Dallas in a shocking blockbuster trade earlier this month, and Monday night marked his first action since suffering a left calf strain on Christmas Day.

Doncic is listed as questionable but expected to play in Wednesday night's game at Utah, when the Lakers will attempt to extend their winning streak to seven in their final game before the All-Star-Break.

It will give James and Doncic another chance to build chemistry after some have questioned whether two players who are accustomed to being the No. 1 option can be successful together in the long term.

"They're two of the best thinkers, problem solvers that we've ever seen," Jazz coach Will Hardy said. "I don't see any world where those two playing together isn't a good thing. Like I said, their processing speed, mentally, is incredible. And so, I'm sure they'll figure it out."

The Lakers are next scheduled to play on national television on Feb. 22 against Denver, which will air on ABC. Doncic will then pay his first return visit to Dallas three days later

Phew! The 2025 trade deadline is officially behind us, but there is still plenty of basketball to be played as we head into the NBA All-Star weekend.

After a wild few weeks of league-altering trades, players will head to the Bay Area to compete in a high-flying dunk contest, a 3-point shootout, an All-Star mini-tournament and more.

Expect to see some familiar faces such as LeBron James (21 All-Star appearances) and Stephen Curry (11 All-Star appearances) alongside first-time All-Stars and rising stars such as Cade Cunningham and Zach Edey.

With just two months left in the regular season, let's check out how all 30 teams stack up as we head into the All-Star break.

Note: Team rankings are based on where members of our panel (ESPN's Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Michael Wright, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, Ohm Youngmisuk and Chris Herring) think teams belong this season.

Previous rankings: Preseason | Oct. 30 | Nov. 5 | Nov. 13 | Nov. 20 | Nov. 27 | Dec. 4 | Dec. 11 | Dec. 18 | Dec. 25 | Jan. 1 | Jan. 8 | Jan. 15 | Jan. 22 | Jan. 29 | Feb. 5

Jump to a team:
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTA | WAS

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

• 2024-25 record: 43-9

• Previous ranking: 2

• Next games: vs. MIA (Feb. 12), @ MIN (Feb. 13), @ UTA (Feb. 21), @ MIN (Feb. 23), vs. MIN (Feb. 24)

Chet Holmgren's return from a fractured pelvis has allowed the Thunder to finally get a look at their dual-big lineup that pairs him with fellow 7-footer Isaiah Hartenstein. So far, so good. Oklahoma City is plus-25 in 31 minutes with that duo on the court. Holmgren has shown rust offensively in two games since returning, but he's making a massive impact on the defensive end (4.5 blocks per game). -- Tim MacMahon

2. Cleveland Cavaliers

• 2024-25 record: 43-10

• Previous ranking: 1

• Next games: @ TOR (Feb. 12), @ BKN (Feb. 20), vs. NYK (Feb. 21), vs. MEM (Feb. 23), @ ORL (Feb. 25)

De'Andre Hunter's Cavs debut following his trade from Atlanta was solid; he started in place of injured Max Strus and contributed 12 points in just 23 minutes because of foul trouble. More importantly, Hunter helped Cleveland beat Minnesota for the team's 25th home win this season -- the most home wins by any team ahead of the All-Star break -- meaning that if the Cavs hold on to the No. 1 seed, they'll have home-court advantage in the playoffs. -- Dave McMenamin

3. Boston Celtics

• 2024-25 record: 38-16

• Previous ranking: 3

• Next games: vs. SA (Feb. 12), @ PHI (Feb. 20), vs. NYK (Feb. 23), @ TOR (Feb. 25)

After Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla brushed off Jrue Holiday's right shoulder impingement as a minor injury before Saturday's win over the Knicks, Holiday missed a third straight game Monday against the Heat. Boston largely stood pat at the trade deadline because it believes its group is good enough to claim a second straight title; the biggest impediment to that will be health. -- Tim Bontemps

4. Denver Nuggets

• 2024-25 record: 35-19

• Previous ranking: 7

• Next games: vs. POR (Feb. 12), vs. CHA (Feb. 20), vs. LAL (Feb. 22), @ IND (Feb. 24)

The Nuggets didn't make any moves at the deadline but have been rolling on a seven-game win streak despite Russell Westbrook and Peyton Watson missing time because of injuries. By standing pat, Denver showed confidence that this roster can support Nikola Jokic enough to make a run in the postseason. Things are clicking for the Nuggets. Jokic and Westbrook's on-court chemistry continues to grow. Michael Porter Jr. scored 30 or more points in three straight games before sitting out Monday. Jamal Murray has been consistent, and Christian Braun scored in double figures in 15 consecutive games. -- Ohm Youngmisuk

5. Memphis Grizzlies

• 2024-25 record: 36-17

• Previous ranking: 4

• Next games: @ LAC (Feb. 12), @ IND (Feb. 20), @ ORL (Feb. 21), @ CLE (Feb. 23), vs. PHX (Feb. 25)

It generated headlines, but the ejection of Ja Morant's father Saturday registers as a blip on the radar for a team that had won four consecutive games going into that loss to the Thunder. Struggles with offensive rebounding resulted in the Grizzlies finishing with 24 fewer shots than the Thunder, and coach Taylor Jenkins called the statistical discrepancy "a big problem." Morant has now played in three straight contests after returning to the lineup on Feb. 3. The Grizzlies need him rolling for their five-game road trip that started Tuesday with a win in Phoenix. -- Michael Wright

6. New York Knicks

• 2024-25 record: 35-18

• Previous ranking: 6

• Next games: vs. ATL (Feb. 12), vs. CHI (Feb. 20), @ CLE (Feb. 21), @ BOS (Feb. 23)

The past couple weeks were somewhat of a mixed bag for New York, which won seven of its past 10 games entering Tuesday night but were routed Saturday by defending champion Boston in a contest that some had deemed a measuring stick. Jalen Brunson called the 27-point loss "unacceptable," saying it showed New York isn't where it wants to be yet. New York is still waiting for Mitchell Robinson to make his season debut, with coach Tom Thibodeau saying Monday that he and OG Anunoby (toe) are both "not quite ready." -- Chris Herring

7. Los Angeles Lakers

• 2024-25 record: 32-19

• Previous ranking: 8

• Next games: @ UTA (Feb. 12), vs. CHA (Feb. 19), @ POR (Feb. 20), @ DEN (Feb. 22), vs. DAL (Feb. 25)

Luka Doncic's hard launch in Los Angeles was successful as the 6-foot-6 superstar guard showed instant chemistry with LeBron James and Lakers fans embraced the five-time All-NBA player as their star for the future. Doncic is on a minutes restriction in the 30-minute range, sources told ESPN, as he continues to get his wind back after missing nearly six weeks because of a left calf strain. Lakers coach JJ Redick said Doncic will train throughout the All-Star break to come back even better for the final stretch of the schedule before the playoffs. -- McMenamin

8. Houston Rockets

• 2024-25 record: 33-20

• Previous ranking: 5

• Next games: vs. PHX (Feb. 12), vs. GS (Feb. 13), vs. MIN (Feb. 21), @ UTA (Feb. 22), vs. MIL (Feb. 25)

Houston coach Ime Udoka expressed frustration last season about the team's inconsistency. This season, the Rockets seemed to have fixed that issue, losing consecutive games just twice before the most recent six-game skid. Houston started its current four-game homestand by snapping a six-game losing streak, holding Toronto to 87 points. The performance marked the 10th time this season the Rockets have held an opponent to fewer than 100 points. But injuries are mounting with Fred VanVleet out and Alperen Sengun becoming the latest casualty, playing just three minutes Sunday before leaving the game because of back spasms. -- Wright

9. Minnesota Timberwolves

• 2024-25 record: 30-24

• Previous ranking: 12

• Next games: vs. MIL (Feb. 12), vs. OKC (Feb. 13), @ HOU (Feb. 21), vs. OKC (Feb. 23), @ OKC (Feb. 24)

Anthony Edwards has kept up his torrid scoring pace with three straight 40-point games, becoming the first NBA player to do so this season. Despite Edwards' 44 points against Cleveland on Monday, the Wolves dropped their 24th game of the season heading into the break. They have a tough stretch of opponents ahead of them, playing back-to-back games at home against the Bucks on Wednesday and the Thunder on Thursday. -- Jamal Collier

10. Indiana Pacers

• 2024-25 record: 29-23

• Previous ranking: 10

• Next games: @ WAS (Feb. 12), vs. MEM (Feb. 20), vs. LAC (Feb. 23), vs. DEN (Feb. 24)

One year ago, Pascal Siakam was the Pacers' big trade deadline acquisition, and he is once again an All-Star in his first full season with the team, thanks to shooting a career-high 41.1% from 3 while averaging 20.7 points and 7.4 rebounds. He has been one of the biggest reasons the Pacers have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA since January and are currently the No. 4 seed in the East. -- Collier

11. LA Clippers

• 2024-25 record: 29-23

• Previous ranking: 9

• Next games: vs. MEM (Feb. 12), @ UTA (Feb. 13), @ MIL (Feb. 20), @ IND (Feb. 23), @ DET (Feb. 24)

The Clippers were busy at the trade deadline trying to acquire more offensive playmakers for their postseason push. Bogdan Bogdanovic brings some much-needed outside shooting to help Kawhi Leonard, James Harden and Norman Powell. Plus, the buyout signing of Ben Simmons gives the Clippers a versatile ball handler who can run the second unit while also providing size and length on defense and the glass. The Clippers also added veteran experience to their bench with the additions of Drew Eubanks and Patty Mills. -- Youngmisuk

12. Milwaukee Bucks

• 2024-25 record: 28-24

• Previous ranking: 11

• Next games: @ MIN (Feb. 12), vs. LAC (Feb. 20), @ WAS (Feb. 21), vs. MIA (Feb. 23), @ HOU (Feb. 25)

The Bucks have played the past five games (2-3) without injured star Giannis Antetokounmpo and will travel to Minnesota on Wednesday for their final game before the All-Star break. Antetokounmpo's calf strain will keep him out through All-Star Weekend, but the team will be represented by Damian Lillard, who made his ninth All-Star Game and will be going for his third straight victory in the 3-point contest. Second-year guard Andre Jackson Jr. will participate in the slam dunk contest. -- Collier

13. Dallas Mavericks

• 2024-25 record: 28-26

• Previous ranking: 13

• Next games: vs. GS (Feb. 12), vs. MIA (Feb. 13), vs. NO (Feb. 21), @ GS (Feb. 23), @ LAL (Feb. 25)

Max Christie has been a sliver of sunshine in the storm the Mavericks are weathering after the shocking Luka Doncic deal. Christie, the other player the Mavs acquired along with Anthony Davis in the trade with the Lakers, is off to a terrific start with his new team. The 6-foot-6 swingman is averaging 17.0 points and 5.3 rebounds while shooting 51.2% from the floor and 57.9% from 3-point range. Christie, 22, has provided hope that he can emerge as a premier 3-and-D role player. -- MacMahon

14. Detroit Pistons

• 2024-25 record: 28-26

• Previous ranking: 16

• Next games: @ CHI (Feb. 12), @ SA (Feb. 21), @ ATL (Feb. 23), vs. LAC (Feb. 24)

Detroit heads into the All-Star break with back-to-back games in Chicago against the Bulls as it tries to hold the No. 6 slot in the East standings. First-time All-Star Cade Cunningham will get the full experience during the weekend, competing in the 3-point contest Saturday and the All-Star tournament Sunday. Cunningham is the first Pistons player since Blake Griffin in 2019 to be named an All-Star. -- Collier

15. Golden State Warriors

• 2024-25 record: 27-26

• Previous ranking: 18

• Next games: @ DAL (Feb. 12), @ HOU (Feb. 13), @ SAC (Feb. 21), vs. DAL (Feb. 23), vs. CHA (Feb. 25)

The Warriors are 2-0 with newly acquired Jimmy Butler, and the vibes have been the best they've been all season since their 12-3 start. Butler and Draymond Green have become dominoes buddies off the court while building communication on the court. Butler also worked on pick-and-rolls with Stephen Curry at shootaround in Milwaukee. The Warriors believe Butler's strengths complement Curry and the Warriors perfectly. Butler's ability to create shots, close games, get to the line, set up teammates and defend are all things Golden State desperately needs. Curry also has been on fire, scoring 30 or more in four straight games and shooting 50% or better in their past two wins. With 29 games left in the regular season, the Warriors will take a run at sixth in the West standings. -- Youngmisuk

16. Sacramento Kings

• 2024-25 record: 27-26

• Previous ranking: 19

• Next games: @ NO (Feb. 12), @ NO (Feb. 13), vs. GS (Feb. 21), vs. CHA (Feb. 24)

The winds of change have now reunited the Bulls' previous backcourt of Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan in Sacramento. DeRozan joined in the offseason via sign-and-trade and LaVine followed last week in a three-team deal that included De'Aaron Fox going to San Antonio and the Kings recouping three first-round picks and three second-round picks. DeRozan had a vintage performance in Monday's overtime win in Dallas, hitting the tying shot in the fourth quarter and the winning bucket. It was DeRozan's 11th made go-ahead shot in the final five seconds of the fourth quarter or overtime period in the past 15 seasons, second most in the NBA in that span behind Stephen Curry's 12. -- McMenamin

17. Phoenix Suns

• 2024-25 record: 26-27

• Previous ranking: 14

• Next games: @ HOU (Feb. 12), @ SA (Feb. 20), @ CHI (Feb. 22), @ TOR (Feb. 23), @ MEM (Feb. 25)

It was a miserable trade deadline for the Suns, who not only failed to land Jimmy Butler in a deal with the Heat after repeated attempts but also discussed moving on from their star veteran, Kevin Durant, in the process. While Durant balked at a return to Golden State, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, he is now seen around the league as the next major domino to move teams in the offseason. Not to mention, Phoenix has the most expensive payroll in NBA history ($220.7 million) and just a .500 record to show for it. -- McMenamin

18. Miami Heat

• 2024-25 record: 25-26

• Previous ranking: 15

• Next games: @ OKC (Feb. 12), @ DAL (Feb. 13), @ TOR (Feb. 21), @ MIL (Feb. 23), @ ATL (Feb. 24)

Miami didn't waste any time getting Andrew Wiggins, wearing Jimmy Butler's old number, into its rotation, playing him for 30 minutes in Butler's vacated spot as the starting small forward in Monday's loss to Boston. The Heat hope Wiggins' durability, defense and shooting will help them remain in the top six in the East. -- Bontemps

19. Orlando Magic

• 2024-25 record: 26-29

• Previous ranking: 20

• Next games: vs. CHA (Feb. 12), @ ATL (Feb. 20), vs. MEM (Feb. 21), vs. WAS (Feb. 23), vs. CLE (Feb. 25)

Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner on Monday enjoyed their best game since each player returned from injury last month, scoring 31 and 37 points, respectively, against Atlanta. The only problem is that the Magic -- winners in just three of those 10 games since Banchero and Wagner have been back together -- haven't reached the high level with which they began the season. After the All-Star break, Orlando will try to ride the league's fifth-easiest remaining schedule to get back into the East's top six to avoid the play-in round. -- Herring

20. Atlanta Hawks

• 2024-25 record: 26-28

• Previous ranking: 21

• Next games: @ NYK (Feb. 12), vs. ORL (Feb. 20), vs. DET (Feb. 23), vs. MIA (Feb. 24)

It wasn't the prettiest offensive performance -- particularly for All-Star Trae Young, who finished 1-for-8 from 3 and had nine turnovers -- but Atlanta's defense carried the team past the Magic on the road for its third straight win. Over the past three months, the Hawks' defense has vastly improved, going from 21st to 11th in the league since Dec. 2. -- Herring

21. San Antonio Spurs

• 2024-25 record: 23-28

• Previous ranking: 17

• Next games: @ BOS (Feb. 12), vs. PHX (Feb. 20), vs. DET (Feb. 21), @ NO (Feb. 23), @ NO (Feb. 25)

The Spurs have gone 2-3 so far during their annual rodeo road trip, which continues with Wednesday's visit to Boston before two games as the home team in Austin followed by four more on the road. While San Antonio received plenty of kudos for acquiring De'Aaron Fox ahead of the trade deadline, its frontcourt depth remains a critical issue. Backup center Zach Collins went to Chicago as part of the three-team trade that brought Fox to San Antonio, and Charles Bassey remains out because of a sprained MCL. The Spurs brought aboard a short-term solution in Bismack Biyombo, who signed a 10-day contract. -- Wright

22. Portland Trail Blazers

• 2024-25 record: 23-31

• Previous ranking: 23

• Next games: @ DEN (Feb. 12), vs. LAL (Feb. 20), vs. CHA (Feb. 22), @ UTA (Feb. 24)

Second-year guard Scoot Henderson, the No. 3 pick in the 2023 draft, had a rocky rookie season but has recently shown promise. Before being ruled out because of a right ankle sprain, Henderson averaged 15.3 points and 5.8 assists over the past month, shooting 49.4% from the floor and 45.1% from 3-point range. If Portland continues on it's trail of rebuilding, Henderson could be a key building block moving forward. -- MacMahon

23. Philadelphia 76ers

• 2024-25 record: 20-33

• Previous ranking: 22

• Next games: @ BKN (Feb. 12), vs. BOS (Feb. 20), vs. BKN (Feb. 22), vs. CHI (Feb. 24)

It appeared Philadelphia was briefly moving in the right direction, but then came back-to-back desultory losses over the weekend to Detroit and Milwaukee with the 76ers' big three of Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey all playing. Team owner Josh Harris said he still believes this team can make a playoff run, but a spot in the lottery looks far more likely, especially after Embiid acknowledged he might need another surgery on his left knee. -- Bontemps

24. Chicago Bulls

• 2024-25 record: 22-32

• Previous ranking: 24

• Next games: vs. DET (Feb. 12), @ NYK (Feb. 20), vs. PHX (Feb. 22), @ PHI (Feb. 24)

Rookie Matas Buzelis has helped fill the void left by All-Star Zach LaVine since he was traded to Sacramento before last week's deadline. Buzelis, the No. 11 pick in the 2024 draft, has made the first two starts of his career and seen his playing time increase to 29 minutes per game while averaging 18.0 points, 3.7 rebounds and 67% shooting. Buzelis will also be a part of All-Star Weekend when he competes in the slam dunk contest Saturday. -- Collier

25. Brooklyn Nets

• 2024-25 record: 19-34

• Previous ranking: 26

• Next games: vs. PHI (Feb. 12), vs. CLE (Feb. 20), @ PHI (Feb. 22), @ WAS (Feb. 24)

In the midst of what most figured to be an intentionally lost season in hopes of landing a top draft pick, Brooklyn has won five of its past six contests, including a pair over the Rockets. In all, the Nets have won 11 games against teams .500 or better, the same number of victories the third-place Knicks had going into Tuesday. -- Herring

26. Toronto Raptors

• 2024-25 record: 17-37

• Previous ranking: 25

• Next games: vs. CLE (Feb. 12), vs. MIA (Feb. 21), vs. PHX (Feb. 23), vs. BOS (Feb. 25)

Toronto made one of the more intriguing moves of trade deadline week by acquiring Brandon Ingram from the Pelicans. By signing him to a three-year, $120 million extension, the Raptors are betting on him as a long-term partner for rising star Scottie Barnes in Toronto's frontcourt. Even though the Raptors are fighting for lottery positioning rather than playoff seeding, there is a lot to be learned from seeing Ingram, Barnes and Immanuel Quickley play together. -- Bontemps

27. Charlotte Hornets

• 2024-25 record: 13-38

• Previous ranking: 27

• Next games: @ ORL (Feb. 12)

The All-Star break couldn't come at a better time for LaMelo Ball, who left Monday's loss in Brooklyn after 10 minutes because of right ankle soreness. Before that, he'd missed six of the Hornets' preceding seven games because of an ailing left ankle. Charlotte dropped all six of those games in which Ball sat out. -- Herring

28. Utah Jazz

• 2024-25 record: 12-40

• Previous ranking: 29

• Next games: vs. LAL (Feb. 12), vs. LAC (Feb. 13), vs. OKC (Feb. 21), vs. HOU (Feb. 22), vs. POR (Feb. 24)

There was a lot of smoke surrounding John Collins leading up to the trade deadline -- particularly about a potential trade to the Kings that sources told ESPN was never truly close -- but he's still in Utah. He continues to play extremely well despite being in and out of the lineup because of *ahem* strategic rest. Collins has played in six of the past 10 games, averaging 18.2 points on .500/.429/.880 shooting splits during that span. He's the only Utah player with a positive plus-minus over those 10 games. -- MacMahon

29. New Orleans Pelicans

• 2024-25 record: 12-41

• Previous ranking: 28

• Next games: vs. SAC (Feb. 12), vs. SAC (Feb. 13), @ DAL (Feb. 21), vs. SA (Feb. 23), vs. SA (Feb. 25)

New Orleans appears to be on the way to its second double-digit losing streak of the season after suffering its ninth straight defeat Monday at Oklahoma City. The Pelicans dealt All-Star forward Brandon Ingram in their most significant trade deadline move. However, among a rash of injuries, Trey Murphy III has emerged as a potential core player in New Orleans' post-Ingram era. -- Wright

30. Washington Wizards

• 2024-25 record: 9-44

• Previous ranking: 30

• Next games: vs. IND (Feb. 12), vs. MIL (Feb. 21), @ ORL (Feb. 23), vs. BKN (Feb. 24)

The Wizards were busy at the trade deadline accumulating more draft assets and veterans to help guide the young core. In addition to adding Marcus Smart and Khris Middleton to mentor younger players such as Bilal Coulibaly, Washington added two first-round picks -- a 2025 protected first-rounder from Memphis in the Smart deal and a 2026 first-round pick from Philadelphia (the least favorable from the Rockets, Clippers or Thunder), along with a 2028 first-round pick swap with Milwaukee for the Kyle Kuzma deal. -- Youngmisuk

The St. Louis Cardinals split their first two salary arbitration cases, beating Brendan Donovan on Wednesday and losing to Lars Nootbaar in results that left teams ahead 4-3 with two decisions remaining.

Donovan will earn $2.85 million instead of his $3.3 million request. Arguments in the case of the outfielder/infielder were heard Tuesday by Jeanne Vonhof, Joshua Gordon and Stephen Raymond.

Nootbar was awarded his $2.95 million request rather than the team's $2.45 million offer by arbitrators Janice Johnston, Allen Ponak and John Stout, who heard arguments on Feb. 5. Their finding had been withheld to be issued simultaneously with the decision on Donovan.

Right-hander Andre Pallante has the third case involving the Cardinals and asked for $2.1 million instead of the team's $1,925,000 during a hearing Wednesday before Walt De Treux, Paul Radvany and Brian Keller. A decision is expected Thursday.

All three Cardinals players were eligible for arbitration for the first time.

Washington first baseman Nathaniel Lowe is scheduled this week for the final hearing.

Donovan, who turned 28 last month, hit .278 last year while setting career bests with 14 homers and 73 RBI. He has a .280 average with 30 homers and 152 RBI in three big league seasons, all with the Cardinals. He had a $757,200 salary last year.

Nootbaar, 27, hit .244 with 12 homers and 45 RBI last year. He made his season debut on April 12 after recovering from a bruised left rib and was sidelined between May 29 and July 8 because of an oblique strain. He earned $761,000.

Pallante, a 26-year-old right-hander, was 8-8 with a 3.78 ERA in 20 starts and nine relief appearances last year, when he earned $756,900. He is 18-14 with a 3.78 ERA in three big league seasons.

Teams also defeated New York Yankees reliever Mark Leiter Jr. ($2.05 million instead of $2.5 million) and Pittsburgh pitchers Dennis Santana ($1.4 million instead of $2.1 million) and Johan Oviedo ($850,000 instead of $1.15 million).

Two players beat the Los Angeles Angels: infielder Luis Rengifo ($5.95 million instead of $5.8 million) and outfielder Mickey Moniak ($2 million instead of $1.5 million).

Oft-injured Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon is having hip surgery and is expected to miss a significant amount of time, general manager Perry Minasian said Wednesday.

After signing a seven-year, $245 million contract and debuting with the Angels during the pandemic-abbreviated 2020 season, Rendon, 34, has not played more than 58 games in any season. He had a 1.010 OPS with 34 home runs and a major-league-leading 126 RBIs with the Washington Nationals in 2019, but his OPS over five years with the Angels is just .717.

All told, Rendon has played in only 257 games and missed 451 -- with 12 stints on the injured list since 2021 -- for the Angels.

He had three stints on the injured list in 2024 with hamstring, lower back and oblique issues, finishing the season with a .218 batting average with zero home runs and 14 RBIs in 206 at-bats.

Rendon has hit .242 with 22 home runs and 125 RBIs since joining the Angels. He batted .290 with 136 homers and 546 RBIs in seven seasons with the Nationals.

His absence clears the way for free agent acquisition Yoan Moncada to be the every-day starting third baseman. Moncada, a 29-year-old switch-hitter who signed a $5 million deal on Thursday, broke out in 2019 for the Chicago White Sox but slashed .236/.291/.387 while playing in only 208 games over the past three seasons.

Last year, for a White Sox team that lost a record 121 games, Moncada played in only 12, sitting out five months because of an adductor strain. He returned Sept. 18, taking one at-bat before missing the rest of the season.

Rendon has frustrated Angels fans with a series of pronouncements about his passion for baseball -- or lack thereof.

In the last two years alone, Rendon said baseball has "never been a top priority for me," complained about the length of the MLB season, and volunteered that he has been contemplating retirement since shortly after his major league career began.

ESPN's Alden Gonzalez and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Shohei Ohtani's sweeper made its first appearance of the year during the Los Angeles Dodgers' first official workout of spring training Wednesday.

It was off flat ground, at nowhere close to full intensity, but it stood as the latest sign that Ohtani's return to pitching -- and, thus, a two-way role -- is approaching.

Ohtani will throw his first traditional bullpen session at some point this weekend, he said, at which point he will begin the process of preparing to join the Dodgers' star-studded rotation by May, if not sooner.

Asked how he'll juggle hitting and pitching again, Ohtani said he wanted to "play as much as possible, as many games as possible."

"But if the team feels like I should get a break," Ohtani added through an interpreter, "I'll follow that."

The Los Angeles Angels essentially let Ohtani dictate his schedule while hitting and pitching from 2021 to 2023, paving the way for an unprecedented three-year stretch consisting of two unanimous MVP awards and a runner-up finish. The Dodgers might ultimately give Ohtani similar leeway, most notably by allowing him to hit on the days when he pitches. But they are being noticeably cautious on the front end in hopes of making sure he's as fresh as possible down the stretch.

Ohtani wasn't expected to pitch in any Cactus League games, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, adding that he also doesn't want to see him attempting stolen bases during spring training. Given his importance to the lineup, the Dodgers probably will stage simulated games in April that will allow Ohtani to face hitters in game-like environments without having to send him out on a rehab assignment. Once he joins the rotation, Ohtani will be among six starters, which will basically have him starting once a week.

Roberts also anticipated Ohtani taking more days off as a designated hitter this year, and the widely held belief is that he would take a step back from running after his 59-steal season in 2024 -- but that was still to be determined.

"We haven't gotten there yet as far as what he's comfortable with, what he feels good about," Roberts said. "I'm looking forward to those conversations, but it's obviously going to be a little more complex than it was last year."

At the moment, Ohtani has his mind set on being the Dodgers' DH when they open their season in his native Japan for a two-game series against the Chicago Cubs on March 18 and 19. Ohtani said his surgically repaired left shoulder, which sustained a torn labrum during the World Series, has been giving him "some discomfort" but that it is "not really debilitating."

"Just a limited range of motion," Ohtani added. "I've gone through it with the elbow before, and with the shoulder it's a little bit more complicated. I do believe that's the part that I have to be patient."

As a group, the Dodgers don't have much time for patience. They'll open their season nine days before 28 other teams and are already working to get their pitchers ready for it. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, one of Japan's most celebrated starters, is on track to begin the season opener at the Tokyo Dome. Roki Sasaki, yet another celebrated Japanese ace, is on track to start the second game, though the Dodgers first want to see how the 23-year-old right-hander assimilates to his first experience in the United States.

"Having this opportunity to open the season in Japan with a major league team is really special," said Sasaki, the highly touted pitching phenom who chose to join the Dodgers last month. "I just want to make sure that I'm prepared to be ready for that."

Sasaki was among the pitchers who threw bullpen sessions in the backfields of Camelback Ranch on Wednesday. Dozens of photographers, camera operators and reporters lined one side of the field; a slew of Dodgers coaches and executives -- and Clayton Kershaw, who's still rehabbing offseason foot and knee surgeries -- watched from behind.

Sasaki admitted that he felt "some nerves" and that his body "maybe wasn't moving the way that I was expecting it to." But Austin Barnes, who crouched behind home plate, was impressed with the ride on his fastball and the movement of his splitter.

"I haven't really seen a pitch like that before," said Barnes, the longtime backup catcher who faced Sasaki while playing for Team Mexico during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. "It's different than Yamamoto's. It's good. It's hard to catch sometimes. It's moving all over the place."

Sasaki's first taste of the major leagues will begin without any artificial limitations, even though he combined for only 210 innings with the Chiba Lotte Marines from 2023 to 2024. The Dodgers believe the six-man rotation will benefit Sasaki just as much as it will help Ohtani as he transitions back into a two-way role, but their depth will allow them to build in additional rest at the first signs of fatigue.

Preserving Sasaki's health is their most important task in Year 1.

"I do feel confident that as long as he's healthy, that he'll be able to perform well," Ohtani said. "The important thing is for him to be acclimating to the environment that he's in."

TAMPA -- Nearly a year after suffering an elbow injury that pushed his season debut back to June, New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole said he is "in a really good spot" compared with recent years after starting his offseason throwing program earlier than in previous winters.

The right-hander posted a 3.41 ERA in 17 regular-season starts in 2024 before recording a 2.17 ERA in five postseason outings, including a seven-inning gem in Game 4 of an American League Division Series to close out the Kansas City Royals.

Now, two years removed from winning the AL Cy Young Award and entering his age-34 season, Cole expects to regain his place among baseball's best hurlers.

"My expectations are the same," Cole said after the Yankees' first official spring training workout.

For 48 hours in early November, just days after the World Series ended, it appeared as though there was a chance Cole's days as a Yankee could've been over. The star right-hander opted out of his contract -- a nine-year, $324 million pact that registered as the largest contract ever for a pitcher when he signed before the 2020 season -- with four years and $144 million remaining, giving the Yankees two days to void the opt-out with a one-year, $36 million extension.

The Yankees chose not to, giving Cole a path to free agency. Instead, after discussions between the two sides, Cole chose to remain with the organization on the four-year, $144 million contract he opted out of, as if he had not exercised the clause.

"The intention wasn't to do anything other than stay," Cole said Wednesday. "I was happy to be where my feet were, back in Yankee Stadium."

Manager Aaron Boone said he thought there was a chance Cole could hit the open market where he would surely garner another rich long-term contract. As for potential awkwardness after the brief tango between the two sides, Boone said Cole immediately expunged any.

"He had a good way about it," Boone said. "He came in, just talked about it openly after the fact when he came back in. So he kind of put us at ease a little bit, and [had] a laugh. And certainly, obviously, I'm excited that he came back."

Cole's return was the Yankees' first transaction in what became an active offseason. Within a week, the Yankees exercised the 2025 option on Boone's contract. A month after that, Juan Soto spurned them to sign a record-breaking deal with the New York Mets, spurring the club to quickly make a series of moves to improve the roster by the new year.

Max Fried was signed to an eight-year contract atop the starting rotation alongside Cole. Closer Devin Williams and outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger were acquired in trades. Paul Goldschmidt signed a one-year deal to play first base. Reliever Fernando Cruz came over in a trade with the Cincinnati Reds for backup catcher Jose Trevino. The result is a roster that is very different from the group that advanced to the franchise's first World Series in 15 years, but one that is expected to compete for another AL pennant nonetheless.

"He's a tremendous player," Cole said of Soto. "He was extremely impactful for us, and a joy to watch and a joy to be around. So, Juan will be missed for a certain extent. But the beauty of the Yankees is the ability to go out and fill the roster and fill the spots with the goal of getting back to the World Series and winning the World Series again."

Cole was in the middle of the Yankees' fifth-inning meltdown against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the deciding Game 5 of the World Series, which led a few members of the winning club to bluntly criticize New York's shortcomings. While Boone said he would like his team "to handle things with a little more class" if the Yankees find themselves in that position, Cole said he didn't pay much attention to the comments.

"It's a good push for us," Cole said of falling short in the World Series. "We're really proud of what we did. At the same time, we walked away from the season with a bitter taste in our mouths and just a real terrible feeling."

Other notes from Yankees camp:

Right-hander Eric Reyzelman, a non-roster invitee to spring training, suffered an allergic reaction before Wednesday's workout and was admitted to a local hospital, where he was slated to stay overnight, according to a team spokesperson. Reyzelman, 23, was a fifth-round pick out of LSU in 2022. He recorded a 1.16 ERA in 31 games (one start) across three minor league levels last season, culminating with 23 appearances in Double-A.

Boone said that Ben Rice is "definitely" in contention for the team's backup catcher job but that the club doesn't view him as solely a catcher. Rice, 25 and a catcher by trade, made his major league debut last season, appearing in 50 games but logging just one inning at catcher. He started 41 games at first base, batting .171 with seven home runs and a .613 OPS in 178 plate appearances as a rookie.

The US Open has received strong criticism following its decision to hold its mixed doubles competition as a standalone event before the start of the Slam from 2025.

Organisers said it hoped the move would encourage top singles players to participate in the mixed doubles, which will be held over two days in the week leading up to the start of the main draw in New York.

However, the decision has been described as a "profound injustice" by last year's winners Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori amid a backlash from players.

The US Open mixed doubles will be held on 19-20 August, before the hard-court Slam - which from this year is expanding to a 15-day event - begins on Sunday, 24 August.

"Making decisions just following the logic of profit is profoundly wrong in some situations," Italians Errani and Vavassori said in a joint statement.

"In the last few weeks we received the news that the US Open mixed doubles tournament will be completely turned upside down, cancelled and replaced with a pseudo-exhibition focused only on entertainment and show.

"We see it as a profound injustice that disrespects an entire category of players. We don't know at the moment if we'll have the chance to defend our title but we hope this remains an isolated case."

The US Open organisers said the change would allow "the sport's biggest stars" to participate in mixed doubles and claimed "excitement is high among the game's stars who have already expressed intent to compete" in the new format.

American players Taylor Fritz, the men's world number four, and Jessica Pegula, fifth in the women's rankings, have both expressed their intention to participate, while Holger Rune replied to the US Open's announcement on X saying "Interesting".