NBA 2 Up 2 Down Report: January (2-9-26)
By: Tyrone Montgomery Jr
Headline Photo Credit: NBA
Up⬆️⬆️
Charlotte Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets are quietly building momentum and beginning to look like a team with a bright future. After years of inconsistency, the franchise has finally found a rhythm, riding an impressive winning streak that started with a strong stretch of play in January and has carried into the present. The biggest difference has been health. With LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller both available and performing at a high level, the Hornets suddenly look dynamic on both ends of the floor. Ball’s playmaking and scoring have re-energized the offense, while Miller continues to grow into a reliable star who can take over games. Another major development has been the emergence of rookie Kon Knueppel.
He has been on fire all season, playing with a confidence beyond his years and giving Charlotte a consistent scoring punch. His ability to stretch the floor has opened driving lanes and made the offense far more difficult to defend. Inside, Moussa Diabate has provided steady minutes as a serviceable big man, anchoring the paint and doing the little things that don’t always show up in the box score. The Hornets also signaled their intent to compete by being aggressive at the trade deadline, acquiring Colby White to strengthen their guard rotation. Altogether, Charlotte’s recent surge feels sustainable, and for the first time in a while, the future looks genuinely promising.
Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics)
Jaylen Brown is putting together the kind of season that shifts how a player is viewed across the league. With Jayson Tatum sidelined, Brown has embraced the role of Boston’s unquestioned centerpiece and elevated his game to an MVP-caliber level. The Celtics haven’t just stayed afloat without Tatum — they’ve thrived — and Brown is the driving force behind that success. His scoring efficiency, defensive intensity, and late-game composure have turned him into the stabilizing presence of a contender. Already a Finals MVP, Brown is now making a compelling case that he belongs in the regular season MVP conversation as well.
He has taken full ownership of the offense, attacking mismatches, creating for teammates, and setting the tone with relentless energy. In December, Brown publicly stated he believed he deserved Player of the Month honors, and instead of backing down from those comments, he has backed them up with even better performances. Since then, his production and leadership have only climbed. What makes Brown’s run especially impressive is how complete his game looks. He isn’t just scoring — he’s dictating pace, defending top assignments, and carrying the emotional edge of the roster. If he maintains this trajectory, Boston may eventually face a fascinating question about team hierarchy. Brown is proving he’s capable of being the alpha, whether in Boston or anywhere else
Down⬇️⬇️
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are drifting toward a future that once felt impossible, the possibility of becoming one of the NBA’s worst teams. For a franchise that recently sat on top of the basketball world, the current trajectory feels alarming. Much of the uncertainty began with Giannis Antetokounmpo’s public doubts about the direction of the season. Though he initially chose to remain loyal, the lack of visible improvement around the roster only deepened concerns. His eventual trade request — and the organization’s refusal to move him — has left both sides stuck in a tense and unproductive situation. The result is a season that feels wasted.
The Bucks look disjointed, unmotivated, and far from the standard expected of a team built around a generational superstar. Antetokounmpo’s absence from the floor has only magnified the frustration. Fans are being asked to invest their time and money into a product that doesn’t resemble a competitive effort. That disconnect is dangerous for any franchise. More troubling is the sense that Milwaukee lacks a clear plan forward. There’s no visible urgency, no bold roster reshaping, and no identity forming on the court. The Bucks appear caught between denial and indecision. If this continues, the organization risks squandering not only a season, but the trust of its star and its fanbase alike.
Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies)
Ja Morant once looked like the face of the NBA’s next generation, a high-flying superstar destined to carry the Memphis Grizzlies for years. Today, the conversation around him feels far more uncertain. Injuries have limited his availability, and a player who signed a massive contract has struggled to stay consistently on the floor. For a franchise trying to build stability, that absence has become impossible to ignore. Beyond health, Morant’s reputation has taken hits from a series of on- and off-court distractions that have raised questions about his character. Fair or not, perception matters in the NBA.
Executives value dependability as much as talent, and Morant’s situation has made some around the league wary. When he plays, he’s electric and capable of changing any game. The problem is the growing sense of risk attached to his name and contract. There is increasing speculation that Memphis could eventually consider a future without him if the pattern continues. Teams may hesitate to invest heavily in a player surrounded by uncertainty, no matter how high his ceiling remains. That tension puts Morant at a crossroads. His NBA future isn’t defined yet, but the margin for error feels thinner than ever. How he responds now could determine whether this is a temporary setback or the beginning of a
