{"id":492387,"date":"2026-02-20T12:35:08","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T12:35:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/492387\/"},"modified":"2026-02-20T12:35:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T12:35:08","slug":"la-clippers-los-angeles-lakers-battle-headlines-nba-action-on-disney-in-the-philippines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/492387\/","title":{"rendered":"LA Clippers-Los Angeles Lakers battle headlines NBA action on Disney+ in the Philippines"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Fresh off the 2026 All-Star festivities in Inglewood, the NBA wastes no time turning the spotlight back to Hollywood, where a marquee showdown tips off the second half of the season in style.<\/p>\n<p>With playoff positioning beginning to tighten, several high-stakes matchups loom that could ultimately shape the stretch run and define the road to the postseason.<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s why these games on Disney+ are can&#8217;t-miss viewing in the Philippines.<\/p>\n<p>Revitalized Wolves with Dosunmu look to make a playoff push (Feb. 21, 8:30 a.m. PHT: Mavericks vs. Timberwolves)<\/p>\n<p>With the Western Conference&#8217;s third to seventh seeds separated by just three games, the margin between securing homecourt advantage and falling into the play-in remains razor thin. The <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"13f727cb-254d-b484-a337-93fcc0047add\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/min\/minnesota-timberwolves\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Minnesota Timberwolves<\/a>, fresh off consecutive conference finals appearances, are determined to climb the standings and position themselves for another deep run.<\/p>\n<p>NBA on Disney + In The Philippines<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.ph\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/47832458\/nba-2025-26-disney+-philippines-stream\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"imageLoaded\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/r1617603_1296x729_16-9.jpg\" width=\"100%\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Disney+ is the new home of the NBA in the Philippines. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.apps.disneyplus.com\/ph\/?utm_source=espn&amp;utm_medium=espn_site&amp;utm_campaign=nba_on_disneyplusph&amp;utm_content=editorial\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Watch live on Disney+<\/a><\/p>\n<p>That urgency showed at the trade deadline, when Minnesota brought in <a data-player-guid=\"556e0df2-8aad-48d0-9881-913c026ec64d\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4397002\/ayo-dosunmu\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ayo Dosunmu<\/a> &#8212; a steady, under-the-radar contributor from the <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"e588ccf1-ba03-ea43-c34c-9a9c8d1895ca\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/chi\/chicago-bulls\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Chicago Bulls<\/a>. Averaging 15.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists on an elite 63.7 TS%, including 44.7% from three on solid volume, Dosunmu provides much-needed secondary scoring to an already top eight offense in the league at 117.0 points per 100 possessions.<\/p>\n<p>With <a data-player-guid=\"a2edb458-a371-3fba-ba5a-b24dd2fd2d9e\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4594268\/anthony-edwards\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Anthony Edwards<\/a> drawing multiple defenders, having Dosunmu one pass away strengthens a Wolves attack that already ranks fourth in three-point efficiency (37.5%) heading into their clash with the <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"f00d1f4e-4ce6-d581-466c-5b52531cf7ad\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/dal\/dallas-mavericks\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dallas Mavericks<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Kawhi Leonard is in MVP form (Feb. 21, 11 a.m. PHT: Clippers vs. Lakers)<\/p>\n<p>A sluggish 6-21 start threatened to derail their campaign, but the LA Clippers have flipped the script with a 20-7 surge to re-enter the postseason picture. At the centre of that turnaround is <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/6450\/kawhi-leonard\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kawhi Leonard<\/a>, who &#8212; despite injuries and at 34 years old &#8212; is putting together arguably his most complete offensive season yet.<\/p>\n<p>The two-time Finals MVP is averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists on an elite 61.2 true shooting percentage. Per NBA Advanced Stats, he ranks third in pull-up scoring at 11.3 points per game, knocking down 37.7% from deep. He&#8217;s also the third most lethal from 10-14 feet with 2.1 makes from that range at 51.7% shooting.<\/p>\n<p>With several stars missing the games threshold for awards eligibility, Leonard could quietly build a legitimate MVP case &#8212; especially if he powers the Clippers into the West&#8217;s top six ahead of their showdown with the <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"2876e98b-b9bc-2920-4319-46e6943f8be4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/lal\/los-angeles-lakers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Los Angeles Lakers<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img class=\" lazyload lazyload\" data-image-container=\".inline-photo\" height=\"320\" width=\"570\"\/>LeBron James and the Lakers, along with Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers, are trying to keep pace in an increasingly difficult Western Conference.\u00a0Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p>Can the Rockets continue domination against the East? (Feb 22, 9:30 a.m. PHT: Rockets vs Knicks)<\/p>\n<p>Balanced on both ends, the <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"78113ad4-1ac7-0c04-dada-388a6ff4e15e\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/hou\/houston-rockets\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Houston Rockets<\/a> are one of the few teams ranked inside the league&#8217;s top six in both offensive (117.0) and defensive (112.0) rating. Much of that success has come against the Eastern Conference, where they own a 14-4 mark &#8211; and they&#8217;ll look to add the <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"61719eb2-11c3-4e3d-90c3-0a1319fd850b\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/ny\/new-york-knicks\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">New York Knicks<\/a> to that list.<\/p>\n<p>On the basketball floor, there&#8217;s still no denying the talent of <a data-player-guid=\"dc324fde-eee8-98e2-09ac-d31d8ad9909e\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3202\/kevin-durant\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kevin Durant<\/a>, as he continues to anchor the attack with 25.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists on a stellar 62.7 TS%. Still, Houston will need more efficiency from All-Star <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4871144\/alperen-sengun\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Alperen \u015eeng\u00fcn<\/a>, whose midrange accuracy has dipped to 25.7%.<\/p>\n<p>The bigger test, however, lies on the glass: the Rockets lead the league in rebounding at 48.6 per game but must hold that edge without <a data-player-guid=\"1173a086-95c4-a53b-2b28-3a646057f63f\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/2991235\/steven-adams\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Steven Adams<\/a>, especially against a Knicks squad that ranks fourth at 46.3 boards per contest.<\/p>\n<p>SGA vs. Donovan Mitchell (Feb 23, 2 a.m. PHT: Cavaliers vs Thunder)<\/p>\n<p>Ball screens remain one of the most foundational actions in today&#8217;s NBA offenses, and few maximize them better than <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3908809\/donovan-mitchell\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Donovan Mitchell<\/a> of the <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"ec79ad1f-e6d2-7762-a2db-7fe97d35126b\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/cle\/cleveland-cavaliers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"4dcec409-3ff9-2881-2bc3-b4289ce6c36d\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4278073\/shai-gilgeous-alexander\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander<\/a> of the <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"bd458c44-2d33-47eb-cebc-35d3d4ac595c\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/okc\/oklahoma-city-thunder\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Oklahoma City Thunder<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>What&#8217;s evident is that both guards have turned the pick-and-roll into a primary weapon that dictates opposing coverages.<\/p>\n<p>Per NBA Advanced Stats, the reigning MVP ranks second in the league in points generated off ball screens at 11 per game, doing so on a highly efficient 57.6 eFG% &#8212; good for the 96.7th percentile. Mitchell, meanwhile, sits fourth in output at 9.1 points per game in the same play type while shooting 52.7 eFG%.<\/p>\n<p>Their ability to consistently create advantages off a single screen not only fuels their scoring numbers but also sets the offensive tone for two contenders eyeing statement wins in the season&#8217;s stretch run.<\/p>\n<p><img class=\" lazyload lazyload\" data-image-container=\".inline-photo\" height=\"320\" width=\"570\"\/>Oklahoma City&#8217;s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Cleveland Cavaliers&#8217; Donovan Mitchell embrace after a October 2023 game.\u00a0(Photo by Jason Miller\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p>Possible first look at Porzi\u0146\u0123is with the Warriors on Disney+ (Feb 23, 4:30 a.m. PHT: Nuggets vs Warriors)<\/p>\n<p>After missing out on <a data-player-guid=\"00985054-c4b3-4247-e825-ddf062d457c3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3032977\/giannis-antetokounmpo\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/a>, the <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"77a8546f-24bf-a333-8161-bf9f75396c49\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/gs\/golden-state-warriors\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Golden State Warriors<\/a> pivoted at the trade deadline to address their frontcourt size by acquiring <a data-player-guid=\"a1f467e2-5304-c8c1-db23-80fe313c3d7c\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3102531\/kristaps-porzingis\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kristaps Porzi\u0146\u0123i<\/a>s from the <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"15096a54-f015-c987-5ec8-55afedf6272f\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/atl\/atlanta-hawks\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Atlanta Hawks<\/a> &#8212; giving them a much-needed stretch big to complement their perimeter firepower.<\/p>\n<p>Porzingis&#8217; value as a floor-spacing big was on full display during his 2023-24 season with the <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"2ca761df-5f60-b2e9-22ed-e099c46d889b\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/bos\/boston-celtics\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Boston Celtics<\/a>, where he averaged 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting 51.6% from the field and 37.5% from three across 57 games en route to an NBA championship.<\/p>\n<p>That blend of shooting and size &#8212; capable of pulling defenders out to the perimeter while still protecting the rim &#8212; is exactly what the Warriors have lacked in recent seasons.<\/p>\n<p>When healthy, a true stretch big like Porzingis not only opens driving lanes for guards and creates cleaner kick-outs for shooters, but also adds a versatile rim presence that can tilt matchups in Golden State&#8217;s favor as they look to make a push with superstar <a data-player-guid=\"5dda51f1-50c9-66e1-2026-400b73f34fad\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3975\/stephen-curry\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Stephen Curry<\/a> at the forefront.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Fresh off the 2026 All-Star festivities in Inglewood, the NBA wastes no time turning the spotlight back to&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":492388,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[557],"tags":[64,63,590,85],"class_list":["post-492387","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nba","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-nba","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/492387","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=492387"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/492387\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/492388"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=492387"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=492387"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=492387"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}