TST Images: Lakers beat Clippers, 125-122, at Crypto.com Arena — and more

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the LA Clippers, 125-122, at Crypto.com Arena on February 20, 2026 and The Sporting Tribune’s Jordan Teller was there to capture the following TST Images.

Jordan Teller - The Sporting Tribune

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers tosses chalk in the air before an NBA basketball game against the LA Clippers, Friday February 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.

Jordan Teller - The Sporting Tribune

Yanic Konan Niederhauser #14 of the LA Clippers shoots the ball during an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Friday February 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.

Jordan Teller - The Sporting Tribune

Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers passes the ball during an NBA basketball game against the LA Clippers, Friday February 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.

Jordan Teller - The Sporting Tribune

Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates during an NBA basketball game against the LA Clippers, Friday February 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.

Jordan Teller - The Sporting Tribune

Deandre Ayton #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers lays the ball up during an NBA basketball game against the LA Clippers, Friday February 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.

Jordan Teller - The Sporting Tribune

Deandre Ayton #5 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers high five during an NBA basketball game against the LA Clippers, Friday February 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.

Jordan Teller - The Sporting Tribune

Jarred Vanderbilt #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers fouls Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers on a three point attempt during an NBA basketball game, Friday February 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.

Jordan Teller - The Sporting Tribune

Derrick Jones Jr. #5 of the LA Clippers lays the ball up during an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Friday February 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.

Jordan Teller - The Sporting Tribune

Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball over Brook Lopez #11 of the LA Clippers during an NBA basketball game, Friday February 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.

Jordan Teller - The Sporting Tribune

Bennedict Mathurin #9 of the LA Clippers shoots the ball against Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers during an NBA basketball game, Friday February 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.

Jordan Teller - The Sporting Tribune

Bennedict Mathurin #9 of the LA Clippers celebrates during an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Friday February 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.

Jordan Teller - The Sporting Tribune

Deandre Ayton #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers attempts a dunk over Bennedict Mathurin #9 of the LA Clippers during an NBA basketball game, Friday February 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.

Jordan Teller - The Sporting Tribune

Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers shoot the ball during an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Friday February 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.

Jordan Teller - The Sporting Tribune

Marcus Smart #36 of the Los Angeles Lakers jumps with the ball during an NBA basketball game against the LA Clippers, Friday February 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.

Jordan Teller - The Sporting Tribune

Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates during an NBA basketball game against the LA Clippers, Friday February 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.

Jordan Teller - The Sporting Tribune

Yanic Konan Niederhauser #14 of the LA Clippers attempts a dunk over Luke Kennard #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers during an NBA basketball game, Friday February 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.

Jordan Teller - The Sporting Tribune

Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers reach for a rebound during an NBA basketball game, Friday February 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.

Jordan Teller - The Sporting Tribune

Bennedict Mathurin #9 of the LA Clippers shoots the ball over LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during an NBA basketball game, Friday February 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.

Jordan Teller - The Sporting Tribune

Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a three pointer during an NBA basketball game against the LA Clippers, Friday February 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.

Jordan Teller - The Sporting Tribune

Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates during an NBA basketball game against the LA Clippers, Friday February 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.

Alejandro Balde remains a central figure in Hansi Flick’s plans and is Barcelona’s first-choice left-back by some distance.

Despite competition from Gerard Martin, Jofre Torrents, and even Joao Cancelo, it is clear that the German manager prefers Balde for his attacking output and pace – something that hands him a unique profile.

Yet, there is no denying that he is largely inconsistent and unpredictable, and that his fluctuating quality has led to some frustrations. In that sense, his prominence has seen a slight dip in recent times.

On the radar of two giants

As relayed by SPORT in a recent update, some top European clubs are attentive to Balde’s situation and see potential to lure him away from Catalonia.

Manchester United have already been in his pursuit for a while now, but Inter Milan have now joined the race as the latest entrants. They too value him for his attacking spirit and see him as a top addition to their squad.

Hansi Flick highly rates Balde. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

Both clubs are weighing the option of putting up offers in the summer, and with the player’s market value currently standing at €60 million, it will have to be quite a big number they put up.

The homegrown defender’s current deal at the club runs until the summer of 2028 with a release clause of €1 billion, and it is clear that Barcelona see him as a key piece for the future.

What remains a remote possibility, however, is that the club prioritise the financial profit they can make from his sale and thereafter prioritise another signing of their own in the department. The likes of Alejandro Grimaldo, after all, interest the club.

Balde is represented by Jorge Mendes who shares a close bond with Joan Laporta who is likely to return to power. All factors considered, the possibility of Balde leaving is remote, yet existent.

West Ham United return to London Stadium on Saturday evening knowing victory over Bournemouth could lift them out of the bottom three.

The Hammers sit third-bottom heading into the 27th round, three points behind 17th place.

West Ham need maximum points plus a swing in goal difference to climb out of the relegation zone.

Standing in West Ham’s way is an in-form Bournemouth side who have surged back into the top half after going on an impressive run.

Match preview

Since Nuno Espirito Santo took charge after gameweek five, West Ham have improved gradually, but recent weeks have offered genuine encouragement.

The Irons have taken 10 points from their last five Premier League matches (W3, D1, L1) as many as they managed in the previous 15.

West Ham managed a 1-1 draw with Manchester United last time out, failing to secure back-to-back league wins, but momentum is building at a crucial stage of the campaign.

History also favours the hosts.

West Ham are unbeaten in their last nine Premier League meetings with Bournemouth (W3, D6) and have not lost to the Cherries since January 2019.

However, Andoni Iraola’s men arrive full of belief.

Bournemouth are unbeaten in six league games (W4, D2), and no side has won more league matches in 2026 so far than the Cherries (four).

Intriguingly, each of the last five league meetings between these sides has ended in a draw, a run West Ham will be desperate to halt.

Match stats

Bournemouth secured their first-ever Premier League win away at West Ham in August 2015.

Unfortunately, since then, they’ve won just one of their last seven visits to the Hammers (D3, L3).

It is worth noting that the last five Premier League meetings between Bournemouth and West Ham have all ended in draws.

Only three fixtures have finished level 6+ times in a row in the competition, with the Hammers involved in two.

West Ham will be wary that they have dropped more points from winning positions than any other side in the Premier League this season (20), while Bournemouth rank third (18).

West Ham team news

Jean-Clair Todibo, 26, returns from suspension and is available for selection. However, Nuno may retain Axel Disasi alongside Konstantinos Mavropanos at centre-back.

Freddie Potts begins a three-match ban, meaning Olympic Silver medalist Soungoutou Magassa could get a run in the side.

Meanwhile, Pablo Felipe (calf) is not yet ready to return. Lukasz Fabianski also remains sidelined.

West Ham predicted XI (4-2-3-1)

Mads Hermansen; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Axel Disasi, El Hadji Malick Diouf; Mateus Fernandes, Soungoutou Magassa; Bowen, Tomas Soucek, Crysencio Summerville; Taty Castellanos.

Boston Celtics (36-19, second in the Eastern Conference) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (34-21, fifth in the Western Conference)

Los Angeles; Sunday, 6:30 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Boston hits the road against Los Angeles trying to continue its three-game road winning streak.

The Lakers have gone 16-10 in home games. Los Angeles is seventh in the Western Conference with 25.4 assists per game led by Luka Doncic averaging 8.6.

The Celtics are 18-10 in road games. Boston is third in the league averaging 15.4 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 36.4% from downtown. Derrick White leads the team averaging 2.8 makes while shooting 32.1% from 3-point range.

The 116.2 points per game the Lakers average are 7.8 more points than the Celtics give up (108.4). The Celtics average 115.4 points per game, 0.7 fewer than the 116.1 the Lakers give up to opponents.

The teams meet for the second time this season. The Celtics won 126-105 in the last matchup on Dec. 6.

TOP PERFORMERS: Doncic is scoring 33.0 points per game with 7.8 rebounds and 8.6 assists for the Lakers. LeBron James is averaging 17.8 points and 4.4 rebounds while shooting 47.5% over the last 10 games.

White is averaging 17.1 points, 5.6 assists and 1.5 blocks for the Celtics. Jaylen Brown is averaging 20.6 points and 6.7 rebounds while shooting 48.9% over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Lakers: 6-4, averaging 115.7 points, 38.9 rebounds, 27.5 assists, 8.8 steals and 3.5 blocks per game while shooting 52.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.6 points per game.

Celtics: 8-2, averaging 108.3 points, 48.8 rebounds, 25.1 assists, 6.5 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 45.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 99.8 points.

INJURIES: Lakers: None listed.

Celtics: Jayson Tatum: out (achilles).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Philadelphia 76ers (30-25, sixth in the Eastern Conference) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (15-42, 14th in the Western Conference)

New Orleans; Saturday, 7 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: 76ers -3.5; over/under is 229.5

BOTTOM LINE: Philadelphia is looking to break its three-game skid with a win against New Orleans.

The Pelicans have gone 9-21 at home. New Orleans is 6-19 in games decided by at least 10 points.

The 76ers are 15-10 on the road. Philadelphia ranks seventh in the Eastern Conference with 16.2 fast break points per game led by Tyrese Maxey averaging 5.4.

The Pelicans average 11.1 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.9 fewer makes per game than the 76ers allow (13.0). The 76ers average 12.7 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.9 fewer made shots on average than the 14.6 per game the Pelicans give up.

The two teams match up for the second time this season. The 76ers defeated the Pelicans 124-114 in their last matchup on Feb. 1. Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 40 points, and Saddiq Bey led the Pelicans with 34 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Zion Williamson is shooting 58.9% and averaging 21.9 points for the Pelicans. Bey is averaging 20.4 points over the last 10 games.

VJ Edgecombe is averaging 15 points, 5.5 rebounds, four assists and 1.5 steals for the 76ers. Maxey is averaging 26.8 points and 3.6 rebounds while shooting 45.3% over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Pelicans: 4-6, averaging 112.7 points, 43.3 rebounds, 25.8 assists, 8.0 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 45.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.3 points per game.

76ers: 6-4, averaging 115.5 points, 41.4 rebounds, 24.5 assists, 8.7 steals and 5.2 blocks per game while shooting 47.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.6 points.

INJURIES: Pelicans: Yves Missi: out (calf), Trey Murphy III: out (shoulder), Micah Peavy: out (toe), Dejounte Murray: out (achilles).

76ers: Joel Embiid: day to day (knee).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.