This week brought the NBA's first major trade of 2026, statement performances from MVP candidates, and a series of games that reminded everyone the regular season matters. From Detroit's dominance over New York to Denver's showdown with Milwaukee, this was a week that shaped narratives heading into the All-Star break.
The Big Story: Trae Young Traded to Washington
The NBA's first blockbuster trade of 2026 landed Wednesday when the Atlanta Hawks dealt four-time All-Star Trae Young to the Washington Wizards for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. No draft picks changed hands.
Young ends a nearly eight-season run in Atlanta with four All-Star appearances and a trip to the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals. The 26-year-old point guard is owed roughly $49 million this season and has a player option for about $49 million next year.
The trade signals a clear shift for both franchises. Atlanta is building around its young core of Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, Onyeka Okongwu and No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher. Washington, meanwhile, is pivoting from pure rebuilding to competitive positioning under front office leaders Michael Winger and Will Dawkins.
Young had missed 23 games earlier this season with an MCL sprain. In his 10 games played, he averaged 19.3 points and 8.9 assists on 41.5% shooting. The Hawks went 13-10 without him.
"It's time to see what's possible when the support is real," Young wrote in his farewell message to Atlanta.
Notable Games and Results
Pistons Demolish Knicks
Detroit made a statement Monday night, crushing New York 121-90 behind Cade Cunningham's 29 points and 13 assists. The Pistons dominated the paint with a 52-34 advantage and erased any doubt with a 19-5 third-quarter run. Jalen Brunson's 25 points weren't enough as the Knicks dropped their fourth straight.
Clippers Edge Warriors in Tense Finish
The Clippers survived a one-point thriller against Golden State, with Kawhi Leonard providing calm scoring throughout. Stephen Curry's 29 points nearly delivered the win, but the Warriors' momentum was disrupted when Steve Kerr was ejected. Warriors swingman Jimmy Butler nearly won it at the buzzer.
Celtics Roll Bulls
Boston's suffocating defense held Chicago to just 33 first-half points in a wire-to-wire victory. The win marked the Celtics' fourth straight, with balanced scoring carrying the load. The Bulls badly missed Josh Giddey's playmaking.
Nuggets Over Bucks
Denver delivered a statement win against Milwaukee on Saturday, with Aaron Gordon contributing 23 points in a balanced team effort. Giannis Antetokounmpo did everything he could with 31 points, 8 rebounds, and 11 assists, but the Bucks couldn't close it out down the stretch.
Thompson's Monster Game in Houston Loss
Amen Thompson exploded for 31 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists, but defensive mistakes and turnovers cost the Rockets. Even in the loss, Thompson's performance was a major highlight showcasing his emergence as a two-way force.
MVP Watch
The race for the Kia MVP continues to tighten as the season approaches its midpoint.
Nikola Jokic (Nuggets): Still holds the top spot, though his absence opened the door for others to make their case.
Jaylen Brown (Celtics): Surging into the top five after a 50-point demolition of the Clippers last weekend while matched up against Kawhi Leonard. Teammate Derrick White said it plainly: "Every night he's one of the best players in this game."
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder): His efficiency is staggering. SGA's no-turnover games this season include performances of 46, 38, 35, 31, 30 and 22 points.
Tyrese Maxey (76ers): Maxey torched defenses for 34-plus points in three straight games while averaging 8.7 assists, shooting 61.2% from the field and 53.8% from three.
Standout Performances
Cade Cunningham (Pistons): 29 points, 13 assists in a dominant win over New York. The Pistons are building something.
Amen Thompson (Rockets): 31-13-6 in a losing effort that announced his arrival as a star.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks): 31-8-11 against Denver, doing everything possible to keep Milwaukee in it.
Aaron Gordon (Nuggets): 23 points with patient, efficient scoring in a statement win.
Deep Dive: The Numbers Behind the Headlines
- Trae Young leaves Atlanta as the franchise's all-time leader in assists (4,837) and three-pointers made (1,295). He's only the second player since the 1976-77 merger to average 25+ PPG for a single team in his first 400 career games and be traded before game 500. The first? Luka Doncic—the player Young was swapped for on draft night in 2018.
- Cade Cunningham's 29-13 line continues a historic trajectory. He already owns the most 15-assist triple-doubles in Pistons franchise history (3), surpassing Isiah Thomas. Last season, he joined Oscar Robertson as the only players in NBA history to average 25+ points, 5+ rebounds, and 9+ assists at age 23 or younger.
- The Hawks went 15-12 without Young this season, compared to 2-8 with him in the lineup. That split—whether circumstantial or indicative—likely factored into Atlanta's decision to move on.
- SGA's turnover-free dominance is unprecedented. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has scored 46, 38, 35, 31, 30, and 22 points in no-turnover games this season. Add a single-turnover 40-piece and the efficiency becomes absurd.
- Detroit's 52-34 paint advantage over New York was the Pistons' largest since the NBA began tracking the stat. The 31-point margin matched the Knicks' worst home loss of the decade.
Trends to Watch
Detroit's Rise
The Pistons' dominance over New York wasn't a fluke. Cunningham is playing like an All-Star, and Detroit's young core is starting to figure out how to win together.
Knicks' Struggles Continue
Four straight losses and a 31-point home defeat to Detroit. New York needs to find answers quickly before the season slips away.
Trade Deadline Looms
With the Young trade setting the market, expect more action as the February 5 deadline approaches. Teams on the bubble will be active.
What to Watch Next Week
Trae Young's Wizards debut: How quickly can he mesh with Washington's young roster?
Celtics' consistency: Can Boston maintain their defensive intensity as the schedule tightens?
Pistons' legitimacy test: Detroit faces tougher competition. Are they ready?
More trades? The Young deal could be the first domino in a busy deadline period.
