What We Know About Thursday’s Games
-Pistons-Knicks battle in NY: This is a battle of the Eastern Conference elite, with the Pistons posting the best record in the East and the Knicks sitting in third. Detroit has won both of its matchups this season and five straight over New York in total.
-Spurs play host to the Suns: San Antonio has skyrocketed up to second in the Western Conference, entering this matchup amid a six-game winning streak. Phoenix has also been a pleasant surprise, sitting seventh with a 32-23 record. They’re also expected to have Devin Booker and Grayson Allen back in action tonight.
-Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets close the night against the Clippers: Denver sits third in the Western Conference with a 35-20 record while Los Angeles has climbed up to 10th with a 26-28 record. Despite trading James Harden, the Clippers have a 20-7 record across their last 27 outings.
8:01 PM / February 19, 2026
Wizards Lead Pacers at the Half, 59-47
Washington shot 45 percent from the field while holding Indiana to 36 percent shooting.
They also doubled up the Pacers in assists, 16-8.
Tristan Vukčević got the start for Alex Sarr and leads the way with 12 points, three rebounds, three steals and two blocks.
Jay Huff leads Indiana with 11 points and four rebounds.
OH MY BILAL COULIBALY 🫢 pic.twitter.com/lTOib6fB5T
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) February 20, 2026
7:41 PM / February 19, 2026
Hornets Lead Rockets After Q1, 33-24
In one of the highlight games of the night, Charlotte shot 54 percent from the field to grab a 33-24 lead after the opening frame.
The Hornets have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA, entering this matchup winning 10 of their last 11 outings.
The Rockets have also won 10 of their last 15 outings.
Kevin Durant leads all scorers with 10 points on 5-for-6 shooting.
Check out the action on League Pass.
the hive is alive#HiveMentality pic.twitter.com/lDcwNfdke3
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) February 20, 2026
spin around 🌀 & knock it ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/jwJeF47Uad
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) February 20, 2026
7:25 PM / February 19, 2026
Harden and Mitchell Making Magic
The Cavaliers made the biggest splash at the trade deadline when they acquired James Harden, and he showed why he’s so valuable here.
Harden passed up a bucket to throw this nasty alley-oop poster dunk to Donovan Mitchell.
Evan Mobley is also back in action for the Cavaliers tonight!
The Cavaliers lead the Nets 25-14 in the first quarter.
See the action on League Pass.
#LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/RUW07Td1oQ
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) February 20, 2026
So glad to have you back, 4.@evanmobley | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/IIHtfq48rQ
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) February 20, 2026
7:08 PM / February 19, 2026
Knicks-Pistons Tip Shortly
This Pistons-Knicks matchup is the game of the night.
Detroit owns the best record in the Eastern Conference while New York ranks third.
The Pistons have won five straight games over the Knicks.
See the action on Prime Video or League Pass
Averaging 25.3 PPG, and a career-high 9.6 APG, Cade has been electric all year.
Watch him warm up as he looks to guide DET to their 4th straight win vs. NYK on Prime at 7:30pm/et!
(music by @unitedmasters) https://t.co/XrGi6imdSc
— NBA (@NBA) February 19, 2026
A battle of the All-Stars 🌟
Fresh off the All-Star break, Jalen Brunson & Cade Cunningham face off at MSG!
DET/NYK tips at 7:30pm/et on Prime 🍿 pic.twitter.com/9zQAJjv05s
— NBA (@NBA) February 20, 2026
6:50 PM / February 19, 2026
Starting Lineups Rolling In
It’s the first game back from the break, and we have a massive slate ahead of us.
There are 10 games in total, and four of them start at 7:00 ET.
Those 7ET games include Nets-Cavaliers, Hawks, Sixers, Pacers-Wizards and Rockets-Hornets
Here are some starting lineups from those matchups.
Starting 🖐️
Presented by @Chase pic.twitter.com/mGpdLWXM48
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) February 19, 2026
First 5️⃣ on the hardwood tonight. #ForTheDistrict | @MedStarHealth pic.twitter.com/Dyfelca0kY
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) February 19, 2026
The first five on the floor. pic.twitter.com/qYr8wdYBr8
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) February 19, 2026
First five on the floor tonight pic.twitter.com/KhF2F8nM9o
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) February 19, 2026