The Athletic NBA Daily All Star Reserves Vibes Draft
Jan 26, 2026
They dissect a muted Warriors-Timberwolves clash and how local events affected both teams. They recap Toronto’s upset in OKC and why the Thunder’s offense stalled. They explore the Knicks’ new small-ball identity and rebounding resurgence in Philadelphia. Then they run a playful All-Star reserves vibe draft, arguing over breakout names, defensive picks, and fan-favorite selections.
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Wins Can Be Hollow After Traumatic Events
- Both teams in Minneapolis showed low energy and sloppy play following the incident, with turnovers and lackadaisical effort.
- Esfandiar Baraheni and Zena Keita note the win felt hollow and not a typical morale booster.
Raptors' Road Trip Reveals Team Resilience
- The Raptors' road trip and clutch execution revealed their resilience despite injuries.
- Hosts credit Scotty Barnes' defensive impact and clutch shooting for securing a signature win over OKC.
OKC's Woes: Missing Wings And Cold Threes
- Oklahoma City's recent home struggles trace partly to missing role players and poor three-point shooting.
- The hosts stress OKC's 11-of-43 three-point night and late-game offensive miscues as key issues.