The Good, Bad and Ugly Of Week 16 Of The 2025-26 NBA Season

Week 16 delivered plenty of drama across the NBA, from a rookie making history in San Antonio to a franchise admitting defeat in Dallas. Here's the Good, Bad, and Ugly from February 1-8.

The Good: 

Many look at the San Antonio Spurs as Victor Wembanyama’s team, but Spurs guard Stephon Castle is proving that the team has two young superstars with his record-setting game on February 7th, recording 40 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists in a dominant 138-125 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. At just 21 years old, Castle became the youngest player in NBA history to post a 40-12-12 game, breaking Oscar Robertson's record that had lasted for over six decades. Castle’s performance was nearly flawless, shooting 15-of-19 from the field, joining Wilt Chamberlain as the only players ever to record a 40-point triple-double while shooting 75% or better. Castle didn't miss a shot until midway through the third quarter, going 10-for-10 to start the game. The Spurs' second-year star finished his night with a thunderous putback dunk that sent the Frost Bank Center into a frenzy and earned him the right to bang the post-game celebration drum. 

The Bad: 

The Philadelphia 76ers were dealt a crushing blow on January 31 (yes, we are cheating by a day) when nine-time All-Star Paul George was suspended 25 games without pay for violating the NBA's anti-drug policy. George admitted to taking "an improper medication" while seeking treatment for mental health issues. The suspension will cost George roughly $11.7 million and sideline the veteran forward through most of February and March, returning on March 25th with just 10 regular-season games remaining. Currently sitting 30-22 and sixth in the East, Philadelphia's playoff push just got significantly more challenging. The Sixers then made a baffling deal at the trade deadline, moving second-year guard Jared McCain for a 2026 first-round pick and three second-rounders. While McCain has had his struggles this season, he was in contention for last season’s Rookie of the Year award before a season-ending injury and could have been an asset in George’s absence. While the Sixers are 3-1 in his absence so far, losing their third-best scorer and most versatile defender for two months during a tight playoff race is a recipe for disaster. 

The Ugly: 

Speaking of disaster, just over one year after the disastrous trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, the Mavericks finally waved the white flag. On February 5th, Dallas shipped Davis to the Washington Wizards in an eight-player deal, officially admitting the trade was an epic failure. The return for a generational superstar? Two mid-tier first-rounders, three second-rounders, and expiring contracts (Khris Middleton, Marvin Bagley III, and A.J. Johnson). Davis appeared in just 29 of 84 possible games over two partial seasons in Dallas, missing almost two-thirds of the action due to injuries. The ten-time All-Star played only nine games after arriving last February before getting hurt, and this season, he suited up for the team’s first five games before injuries took over. The Mavericks, who are currently riding a seven-game losing streak, are 19-33 and sitting 12th in the West, have officially turned the team over to 19-year-old rookie Cooper Flagg a lot sooner than anyone expected.