Category: NBA

Who: Phoenix Suns (27-17) @ Atlanta Hawks (21-25)

When: 5:30pm Arizona Time

Where: State Farm Arena — Atlanta, Georgia

Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports

Listen: KMVP 98.7

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The Suns are staring down the final stop of a six-game road trip, and after face-planting out of the gate with two losses, they have steadied themselves and ripped off three straight wins. That alone makes this a good trip. Beat Atlanta, and it turns into a great one. 4-2 on the East Coast is nothing to sneeze at. Gesundheit

The problem is history. The last time Phoenix won a game in Atlanta was March 24, 2014. A different era. Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic were cooking, the vibes were sneaky good, and that team felt fun in the same unexpected way this one does now. Since then, Georgia has been a house of horrors. Why Georgia? Why?!

Atlanta is different now, too. The post Trae Young Hawks are scrappy, annoying, and hanging around the Play-In picture. Jalen Johnson is turning into an All-Star in real time. Dyson Daniels is a full-blown menace. And the scars are fresh. Phoenix blew a 22-point fourth-quarter lead against this team earlier this season.

So this is not a scheduled win. This is an exorcism. A chance to close the trip strong and bury a few demons while they are at it. Grab your sword. This one is going to be a fight.

Probable Starters

Injury Report

Suns

• Jordan Goodwin — AVAILABLE (Jaw Sprain)

Hawks

• N’Faly Dante — OUT (Right ACL)
• Kristaps Porzingis — OUT (Left Achilles)
• Zaccharie Risacher — OUT (Left Knee)

What to Watch For

We will start on the Suns’ side of the ball, because that is where the intrigue lives. The big thing to watch is the continued integration of Jalen Green and how those minutes shake out. Ryan Dunn was the one who took the hit against Philadelphia, but Atlanta is longer and more athletic across the board. That opens up a different question. Is it Collin Gillespie? Is it Jordan Goodwin? Somebody is going to feel the squeeze as Green works his way back in.

As for Atlanta, do not let the 21-25 record lull you to sleep. This team is frisky. They are eighth in the league in three-point percentage on the ninth-most attempts. Even without Trae Young, they continue to move the ball as well as anyone, leading the league in assists. They play fast, second in pace, and they hunt passing lanes, ranking fourth in steals per game.

That puts a big red circle around one thing for Phoenix tonight. Ball security. If the Suns are loose with it, this game can get sideways in a hurry.

Key to a Suns Win

Stay focused. This is a tough one, not only because Atlanta can throw real problems at you, but because this is the final stop of a six-game road trip. From a human standpoint, you can feel it. Guys are ready to go home. Ready to get on a plane. Ready to land back in Phoenix and settle into a five-game home stand. That temptation is real.

But there is work left to do.

The Hawks are not going to roll over. They scratch. They claw. They hang around. They are fifth in the league in points off turnovers at 20.2 a night, and the Suns sit sixth-most in points allowed off turnovers at 19.7. That is not a coincidence waiting to happen. That is a warning sign.

If Phoenix gets loose with the ball, this game will turn fast. Ball security has to be the headline. Handle that, and the flight home feels a lot better. Ignore it, and Atlanta will make you pay.

Prediction

I want the good vibes to keep rolling. Coming into this trip, 3-3 felt like the reasonable outcome. Respectable. You take it and move on. But now there is an opening for 4-2, and that changes the conversation. That turns a solid trip into a great one.

So go finish it the right way. Lock in. Handle the ball. Do not let the end of the road trip creep into your head. Devin Booker pours in 28. Jalen Green gives you 20 off the bench and bends the game with his speed. Phoenix closes the book, boards the plane, and flies home with momentum humming.

Suns 108, Hawks 100

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The FBI has opened an investigation into the death of former Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, team officials confirmed Friday.

When Irsay died in May, the team issued a statement saying he died “peacefully in his sleep.” But in late August, The Washington Post reported Irsay continued to battle a longtime addiction to painkillers and that he had overdosed three times in the five years preceding his death.

“We are aware of the investigation, but at this time, we’ve not been contacted by the FBI or been served with any subpoenas,” the Colts said in Friday’s statement.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the league would not comment on the report.

The Post reported Thursday that a federal grand jury subpoena it reviewed indicated the FBI is seeking records and information relating to Irsay’s death, his “substance (illegal and prescription) use,” and his “relationship with Dr. Harry Haroutunian,” an addiction specialist based in California. The subpoena was reportedly issued by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California earlier this month.

The Associated Press left a message Friday seeking comment from Haroutunian, whom the Post reported had prescribed pain pills and ketamine to Irsay in the months before his May 2025 death.

In August, the Post reported Irsay was prescribed ketamine, which is most commonly used as a general anesthetic, in his final months and that police were called to the hotel room in Beverly Hills, California, where Irsay died. The Post's earlier report said Haroutunian, was staying at the hotel and overseeing Irsay’s treatment and that Haroutunian signed the death certificate.

The Post wrote that Irsay's official cause of death was listed as “cardiac arrest due to pneumonia and heart issues” but no autopsy was performed, and Beverly Hills police closed their investigation into the death days later.

When the first Post story was published in August, Irsay's three daughters who now run the Colts — Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson — issued a statement saying their father “never claimed to be perfect” and acknowledging he used his voice “to reduce the stigma” of addiction and mental health issues to advocate for those who fought similar battles.

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AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi contributed to this report.

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Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

The battle for basketball supremacy in Los Angeles on Thursday night brought out plenty of big-name celebrities.

Chris Pratt and Jason Bateman were two of the many A-listers who pulled up to Intuit Dome to catch LeBron James and the Lakers take on Kawhi Leonard’s Clippers.

Jane Fonda was in attendance, as was Zooey Deschanel, who came to the big event with her boyfriend, “Property Brothers” star Jonathan Scott.

Singer Jhené Aiko had courtside seats for the tilt, and at one point during the game, Clippers mascot Chuck the Condor swung by to snap a picture with her.

Comedian Jimmy O. Yang, Notre Dame football head coach Marcus Freeman and, of course, Clippers billionaire owner Steve Ballmer all also sat near the hardwood to catch the action.

The celebs got to watch a pretty good game, though if they were there to back the Lakers, they went home disappointed, as the Clippers won, 112-104.

Luka Doncic led all scorers with 32 points. He added 11 rebounds and eight assists. James, meanwhile, poured in 23 points, five rebounds and six assists.

Leonard was the Clips’ top scorer with 24, though Ivica Zubac was the star of the night for the home team with 18 points and 19 rebounds.

The drama off the floor might have been just as intriguing to fans, as the night was the first time James had been seen in public since an explosive report surrounding his relationship with his boss, Jeanie Buss, was published.

James, though, threw cold water on the speculation of a rift with Buss during a conversation with reporters after the loss.

“Quite frankly, I don’t really care about articles,” he said. “I really don’t. I don’t care about stories. They don’t bother me. I’m 41 years old, and I watch golf every day. I don’t care about an article. I don’t care how somebody [feels] about me. If you know me personally and you know what I’m about, these guys know what I’m about, and that’s all [that] matters. I can care less how somebody feels about me.”

Lakers play next in Dallas on Saturday, while the Clippers get the Nets at home on Sunday.

Golden State Warriors shooting guard Moses Moody is facing a lawsuit from his former landlord, who claims the NBA player racked up thousands of dollars in damage to a San Francisco condominium he rented early in his career allegedly due to his poor laundry skills.

The lawsuit, filed this week in small claims court by property owner Amir Tabarrok, alleges that Moody’s failure to use the required ventilation during laundry caused extensive water damage to the Mission Bay unit’s hardwood floors, ceilings, walls and carpeting.

The complaint also cites damage to electrical switches and window frames, which the landlord says resulted from holes drilled into the surfaces.

According to the filing, Moody rented the 7th-floor condo from 2021, when he was drafted by the Warriors, until October 2025, and paid $6,495 per month. After he moved out, Tabarrok said he discovered damage that he estimated at $28,053.90.

Because of the limits of small claims court, the landlord is seeking $12,500, the maximum allowable, plus about $870 in unpaid rent.

The Warriors’ 2021 first-round pick, 14th overall, now lives in downtown San Francisco’s Millennium Tower, a 419-unit luxury building. Each unit features hardwood floors, and marble or quartzite countertops. Leases range from about $3,200 per month for studios to over $18,000 for high-floor luxury units.

Moody is playing in this year’s NBA season and won the National Championship with the Warriors during his rookie year.

This year, Moody is set to pocket $11.57 million under his contract as the Warriors hold a 25‑21 record, sitting 8th in the Western Conference.

Moody also has a growing interest in real estate, having interned with San Francisco’s Shorenstein Properties in the summer of 2024 and invested in the real estate tech company Drafted, the suit noted.

The Independent has contacted representatives for Moody, the Golden State Warriors and the condo owner for comment.

The Washington Wizards play the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday. Here is the preview.

Game info

When: Saturday, Jan. 24 at 12 p.m. ET

Where: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC

How to watch: Monumental Sports Network, League Pass

Injuries: For the Wizards, Bilal Coulibaly (back) and Tristan Vukcevic (rest) are questionable, while Trae Young (knee, quad) and Cam Whitmore (shoulder) are out.

For the Hornets, Mason Plumlee (groin) is out. Grant Williams, KJ Simpson and Tre Mann are questionable because they missed yesterday’s game against the Orlando Magic.

What to watch for

The Wizards will look to do two things tomorrow afternoon. First, they need to snap this eight-game losing streak. And the Hornets are a team Washington could defeat. They are coming off a 124-97 win against the Magic yesterday. And the Hornets also had some impressive road wins against the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets!

Charlotte is now on a two-game homestand and may be looking to feel a bit comfortable at home before an ice storm hits Saturday evening. But for the Wizards, they may be a bit excited about winter weather, because the same storm will dump at least 6 inches of snow locally. The less …. distracted team will win this one in my opinion. Hopefully, Washington comes out on top.

The New Orleans Pelicans are rebuffing most trade conversations despite being in the Western Conference cellar. That is a choice.

Meanwhile, the Memphis Grizzlies are atop most trade conversations in the NBA, though the traction in those conversations is quite debatable.

My Pelicans vs. Grizzlies predictions and NBA picks assume these rosters may not remain as they are, but one New Orleans shooter should be trusted on Friday, January 23.

Pelicans vs Grizzlies prediction

Pelicans vs Grizzlies best bet: Trey Murphy III Over 21.5 points (-105)

Only two teams have given up more 3-point attempts in the last 10 games than the Memphis Grizzlies have, opponents pulling up from deep 42.0 times per game.

That has been survivable because opponents are hitting only 34.5% of those looks, but here comes Trey Murphy III.

No one on the New Orleans Pelicans roster is more equipped to take advantage of that defensive choice than Murphy, taking 11.9 shots from long range per game in his last nine games, helping him average 27.8 points since New Year’s.

He has made 39.3% of those 3-point attempts. No wonder the Pelicans refuse to entertain trade overtures for Murphy.

Pelicans vs Grizzlies same-game parlay

Murphy has scored at least 22 points and hit at least four 3-pointers in six of his nine games since New Year’s, a data set chosen only to align with Memphis’s defensive trend in the last 10 games.

And yet New Orleans is just 3-6 against the spread in those nine games. 

Pelicans vs Grizzlies SGP

• Trey Murphy III Over 21.5 points
• Trey Murphy III Over 3.5 threes
• Grizzlies -6

Our "from downtown" SGP: Treys!

Adding Herbert Jones’s made threes prop is entirely a reflection of Memphis’s defense and very little a reflection of Jones’s shooting.

He has taken 4.2 threes per game this season and hit just 33.3% of them, but against the Grizzlies, Jones could easily take six, at which point there is a reasonable chance he hits multiple shots from deep.

Pelicans vs Grizzlies SGP

• Trey Murphy III Over 21.5 points
• Herbert Jones Over 1.5 threes
• Trey Murphy III Over 3.5 threes
• Grizzlies -6

Pelicans vs Grizzlies odds

• Spread: Pelicans +6 | Grizzlies -6
• Moneyline: Pelicans +185 | Grizzlies -225
• Over/Under: Over 239.5 | Under 239.5

Pelicans vs Grizzlies betting trend to know

Despite Murphy’s hot shooting, New Orleans has gone 3-6 ATS in his last nine games. Find more NBA betting trends for Pelicans vs. Grizzlies.

How to watch Pelicans vs Grizzlies

Pelicans vs Grizzlies latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

As winter storm warnings continue to reshuffle college basketball schedules, one particularly high-profile matchup is going to tip off an hour earlier than expected.

Rick Pitino's St. John's Red Storm and Richard Pitino's Xavier Musketeers will now play at 1:30 p.m. ET on Jan. 24 from the Cintas Center in Cincinnati as the father and son face off for the fifth time in their respective coaching careers.

REQUIRED READING: Winter Storm Warning: Which college games are affected by weather?

The patriarch Rick enters the matchup with a 3-1 record against his son.

The Big East released a statement on the schedule change on Jan. 23, which read, in part:

"Due to the impending winter weather warning throughout the BIG EAST footprint, tipoff for Saturday's game featuring St. John's at Xavier has been moved forward one hour to 1:30 p.m. ET.

St. John's vs Xavier will air on TNT and can be streamed on Sling TV.

St. John's is entering the game 14-5 (7-1 Big East) while Xavier comes in 11-8 (3-5). St. John's has won five consecutive games after dropping a game to Providence, whereas the Musketeers are looking to build on a two-game winning streak after dropping the previous three.

Cincinnati weather forecast

Cincinnati is projected to have a high of 14 degrees and a low of 11 degrees on Jan. 24, with snow expected to start around 3 p.m., per Weather.com. The winter storm warning is in effect from 10 a.m. Saturday to noon Monday.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Winter storm changes St. John's vs Xavier basketball game time

You may not realize it, but the Portland Trail Blazers have been one of the best teams in basketball since the calendar hit 2026.

Tonight, they’ll be home underdogs against a scrappy Toronto Raptors team that sits in fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

One of the reasons Toronto is favored here is that Immanuel Quickley is playing great basketball again.  

My Raptors vs. Trail Blazers predictions and NBA picks highlight a player prop for IQ in what should be an entertaining nightcap on Friday, January 23.

Raptors vs Trail Blazers prediction

Raptors vs Trail Blazers best bet: Immanuel Quickley Over 17.5 points (-110)

The Toronto Raptors 27-19 record is more impressive when you consider the rash of injuries they’ve dealt with. Even tonight, Jakob Poeltl is out while RJ Barrett and Collin Murray-Boyles are questionable.

Luckily for the Raps, Immanuel Quickley has picked up his game. IQ is averaging 19.1 points with a 50.5 eFG % over his last 15 games.

The Portland Trail Blazers are playing great ball in 2026, going 9-2 SU/ATS. But they play at a high pace (seventh in the NBA) and foul a lot (sixth most opponent free throw attempts). 

Quickly averages 5.1 free throws per game during this stretch.

Raptors vs Trail Blazers same-game parlay

The Raptors will also need good ball movement against a solid defensive team like the Trail Blazers, and that’s something Brandon Ingram has provided lately.

Ingram averages 3.8 assists per game this season, and that’s up to 4.8 over the last seven games, topping 3.5 six times over that stretch.

Both teams enter this game playing well, and are Top 10 defenses, but the Raptors have slightly more offensive punch, so I like them to pull out the win.

Raptors vs Trail Blazers SGP

• Immanuel Quickley Over 17.5 points
• Brandon Ingram Over 3.5 assists
• Raptors moneyline 

Our "from downtown" SGP: Mamu!

Let's switch the Raps moneyline to covering the spread, and a red-hot Sandro Mamukelashvili should get another big run going against Donovan Clingan. 

Raptors vs Trail Blazers SGP

• Immanuel Quickley Over 17.5 points
• Brandon Ingram Over 3.5 assists
• Raptors -3.5
• Sandro Mamukelashvili double-double 

Raptors vs Trail Blazers odds

• Spread: Raptors -3.5 | Trail Blazers +3.5
• Moneyline: Raptors -140 | Trail Blazers +120
• Over/Under: Over 225.5 | Under 225.5

Raptors vs Trail Blazers betting trend to know

The Raptors have covered the 1Q spread in 28 of their last 40 away games (+14.30 Units / 31% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Trail Blazers.

How to watch Raptors vs Trail Blazers

Raptors vs Trail Blazers latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

The Dallas Mavericks may be the hardest playing team in the NBA. They certainly play the hardest among teams not currently in the playoff picture. They’ve accumulated their fair share of dumb losses this season — and stolen several eye-catching wins — but one guarantee every time the ball is tipped is that Jason Kidd’s group is going to give effort. Maybe that says more about the state of the team, that they play hard and still lose a considerable amount, but it’s worth applauding while they ride a win streak amidst the deepest darkest parts of the NBA season.

It is that season best four-game win streak (winners of five of their last six) that highlights this week’s power rankings watch. These next two weeks may tell us a lot about the future direction of this team, with the trade deadline looming. For now, it’s a waiting game.

ESPN

Ranking: 24

Last week: 24

Will Anthony Davis return to the Mavs’ lineup?

The team announced that Davis would be sidelined six weeks because of ligament damage in his left hand. And while the Mavs’ interim co-general managers continue to engage in trade discussions involving Davis, sources said that ownership does not feel pressure to make a deal if Dallas doesn’t get offers that it deems as good value. If Davis remains on the roster past the Feb. 5 deadline, expect discussions about whether it’s in the franchise’s best interest for the star forward to return at all this season. — MacMahon

The Athletic

Ranking: 24 (Tier 4: Not the Tier to Fear)

Last week: 24

All-Star Weekend rep: Cooper Flagg, Rising Stars

Flagg is the No. 1 overall pick, so this one is easy. But some thought that Flagg may have had a shot at being a rare rookie All-Star. Not happening. The Mavericks had a decent week overall, aided by two home games against a Jazz team sitting Lauri Markkanen. But Dallas is squarely in the bottom five in the West, and that should keep them from having an All-Star for the first time since Luka Dončić’s rookie season.

NBA

Ranking: 24

Last week: 25

• The Mavs scored 124.4 points per 100 possessions during the homestand, their best four-game stretch of offense this season. They saw a jump in 3-point rate in the two games without Flagg, totaling 37 3-pointers over the two games. Additionally, their 12 corner 3-pointers on Thursday were the most for any team this season.
• Klay Thompson shot 20-for-40 from beyond the arc over the homestand and seems to like playing against Utah, as he’s had at least 23 points in each of the Mavs’ last three games against the Jazz. Thompson’s season-long 3-point percentage (37.6%) would still be the worst mark of his career, but he’s shot 42.0% from beyond the arc (sixth among 34 players with at least 150 attempts) since Thanksgiving after shooting 32.1% prior.
• The Mavs are now the only team without a lineup that’s played at least 75 minutes together. Thompson is actually one of three Mavs who have played in at least 40 games, with Naji Marshall the only one who has played in all 43.

Coming up: Thompson has shot 22-for-48 (46%) from 3-point range in his five games against the Warriors over the last two seasons. He’ll face his former team again on Thursday as the Mavs continue a stretch where they’re playing 10 of 13 at home.

Bleacher Report

Ranking: 23

Last week: 26

The Dallas Mavericks are on a four-game winning streak. And although two of those came against the sub-.500 Utah Jazz, and another was over a Golden State Warriors team reeling from the loss of Jimmy Butler to a torn ACL, Monday’s was over the New York Knicks. And wins are wins.

Now, there may be a contingent of fans who’d prefer those not add up right now. The idea of adding one of this upcoming draft class’s top prospects to Cooper Flagg is intriguing. But he might already be too good to tank.

For the season, Flagg is averaging 21.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists per 75 possessions when Anthony Davis (who’s out for the foreseeable future and could be traded ahead of the deadline) is off the floor.

Coming off a tough loss against the Houston Rockets, the Spurs traveled to Salt Lake City to take on the Utah Jazz. Luke Kornet did not play due to an adductor injury, and Lauri Markkanen did not play due to reconditioning. After a back-and-forth first quarter, the Spurs started the second quarter on a 15-0 run. They outscored the Jazz 34-22 in the quarter and took a 12-point lead into halftime. The Jazz mounted a comeback and tied the game, but the Spurs still held a seven-point lead going into the fourth. That lead quickly dissipated, and the game was tied once again with 10:28 remaining. Then, the Spurs finally locked in on both ends to shut the Jazz out. After a 9-0 run by the silver and black, the Jazz countered with bits of scoring. However, the lead kept growing, and De’Aaron Fox caught fire from three. The Spurs outscored the Jazz 29-17 in the quarter, closed the game on a 9-0 run, and ultimately won 126-109.

De’Aaron Fox led the way with 31 points (10-13 FG, 6-9 3PT, 5-6 FT), five rebounds, five assists, and a block. D-Fox dropped his highest scoring game since December 3rd versus Orlando, and most of his damage came in the fourth. The former Clutch Player of the Year cashed in 11 points in the quarter, including swishing three three-pointers in the span of two minutes. Without his clutch heroics, this young Spurs team may have once again struggled to close out a game in which they held a double-digit lead.

D3’AARON! D-Fox knocks down the corner three early in the first!

.@swipathefox in double digits early 🦊👀

10 PTS | 3/3 FGM pic.twitter.com/BCZ3XoHduZ

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 23, 2026

SWIPA WENT OFF TONIGHT 🦊🔥

31 PTS | 5 REB | 5 AST | 6 3PM pic.twitter.com/91IiShcjSc

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 23, 2026

Victor Wembanyama dropped a double-double: 26 points (9-14 FG, 4-7 3PT, 4-4 FT) and 14 rebounds to go along with five blocks and three assists. After struggling against Houston, Vic shot efficiently from the field and was even better defensively. He recorded his first five-block game since December 27th against the Lakers. As far as the buckets go, Vic scored in the paint, from the midrange, from the three, and even converted all four of his free throws. Because of Kornet’s injury, Wemby played 33 minutes, which is the most he’s played since November 14th versus Golden State.

W3MBY! Vic gets his early scoring going with a three in the first!

VIC FROM THREE 🏹

📺 FanDuelSN SW pic.twitter.com/As8StuxKKm

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 23, 2026

AND-ONE! Wemby secures his own missed shot and fights through two defenders for the and-one!

COUNT THAT FOR VIC ☝

📺 FanDuelSN SW pic.twitter.com/T1UzRZN0er

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 23, 2026

AND-ONE: FOUR-POINT PLAY EDITION! Wemby drains the corner three and gets fouled by Jusuf Nurkic for the four-point play!

VIC FOUR POINT PLAY ‼️

📺 FanDuelSN SW pic.twitter.com/gPjPu4A3cl

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 23, 2026

ALIEN BLOCK! Wemby barely has to jump to not only block Nurkic’s shot, but pin it off the glass for a corralled rebound all in one motion!

VIC pinned it with his left hand 🤯

📺 FanDuelSN SW pic.twitter.com/4oEqxYxkZX

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 23, 2026

DEJA VU! Wemby snatches Kyle Filipowski’s shot out of mid-air for the block and rebound! He pulled out the NBA Street Vol.2 turbo block!

WEMBY JUST SNATCHED THAT BALL OMG pic.twitter.com/OMSOlTtJoC

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) January 23, 2026

FROM THE OTHER CORNER! Wemby drains the transition three in front of the Jazz bench!

VIC HEATING UP 🔥

24 PTS | 11 REB | 4 BLK | 2 AST pic.twitter.com/IiJSQUgCi4

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 23, 2026

Keldon Johnson dropped 21 points, five assists, a rebound, a steal, and a block. KJ attempted a season-high 19 shots and drained nine of them. There was a stretch in the fourth quarter where Mitch Johnson deployed a small-ball lineup where KJ played center and guarded Nurkic. KJ held his own and drained buckets by cutting off screens and using his patented spin move, driving in the post. He is currently one of the favorites for Sixth Man of the Year.

KJ BIG BODY AND-ONE! After the block by Dylan Harper, the Spurs pushed the ball up the court in transition to a leaking KJ who fights through the contact from Cody Williams for the and-one!

THIS SEQUENCE 👏

📺 FanDuelSN SW pic.twitter.com/Z5wrIejy6t

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 23, 2026

Give that guy a map! Speaking of spin moves, KJ uses his spin move on Filipowski and drains the hook shot over him!

KJ SPIN CYCLE 🌀

📺 FanDuelSN SW pic.twitter.com/IeS0rMQwVu

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 23, 2026

Julian Champagnie dropped 17 points (6-10 FG, 5-9 3PT), three rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block. After catching fire in Houston with 27 points on eight threes, Julian continued his hot shooting against the Jazz. He provided the Spurs with a scoring boost in the first quarter, swishing most of his threes. He has done an excellent job since Devin Vassell’s injury, and it looks like he may receive an invite to the 3-Point Contest during All-Star Weekend.

On the board! Julian scores the first points for the Spurs on a sniper three from the wing!

Ju picking up right where he left off 👌

📺 FanDuelSN SW pic.twitter.com/Oef2R7LW4Q

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 23, 2026

Corner Specialist! Ju knocks down his third three of the game from the corner!

Three triples and counting for @JulianChampagn2 🎯

📺 FanDuelSN SW pic.twitter.com/HVCsn6vhIG

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 23, 2026

Stephon Castle dropped 16 points, eight assists, six rebounds, and two steals. Steph played a season-high 38 minutes and filled the stat sheet. Despite struggling from the field, he did a decent job limiting Utah’s guards from having an explosive game. Steph also got his money’s worth at the free-throw line, making seven of 10 attempts. It is clear Steph is still trying find consistency on his shot, but this team’s shooters will continue to give him assists.

Keeping them honest! Steph knocks down the three-pointer after the defender left too much space!

ST3PHON. CASTL3.

📺 FanDuelSN SW pic.twitter.com/8aeXzquoEd

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 23, 2026

DAGGER TOMAHAWK! Steph leaks out for an explosive tomahawk jam!

King of the Castle called game 🏰🗡️ pic.twitter.com/bawXaQLZfa

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 23, 2026

Carter Bryant dropped seven points, four rebounds, an assist, and a block in just 13 minutes. The game is slowing down for Carter, as he showed a solid 3&D performance in a short burst. No matter who was in front of him, he showed no fear defensively. As far as the offense goes, he drained a three and pulled out this eurostep move on a fastbreak layup!

CARTER WITH THE EURO 🔥

📺 FanDuelSN SW pic.twitter.com/29Idesa4Er

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 23, 2026

This was a nice bounce-back win for the silver and black. Even when it looked like the Spurs might blow another game in which they held a double-digit lead, the team buckled down defensively in the fourth and used their two best players on offense down the stretch. The Fox/Wemby pick-and-roll was deadly, and it might spark more usage for the rest of the season, especially in the fourth. Remember the cold streak of games where the Spurs could not buy a bucket from three? Well, 18 made threes against the Jazz has cemented a hot streak of at least 14 made threes in the last week.

Finally, here are the full game highlights.

The Spurs return home to take on the New Orleans Pelicans this Sunday at 6:00 P.M (CST) on FDSN-SW.

RAIPUR, India (AP) — Ishan Kishan and captain Suryakumar Yadav blasted half-centuries for India to beat New Zealand by seven wickets and lead their Twenty20 series 2-0 on Friday.

Kishan smacked 76 off 32 balls with 11 boundaries and four sixes. Yadav top-scored with 82 not out off 37 balls, with nine fours and four sixes.

Shivam Dube finished off the chase with an unbeaten 36 off 18, including three sixes, as India reached 209-3 in 15.2 overs.

New Zealand put up a sub-par 208-6 on a beautiful batting pitch.

Asked what par was, captain Mitchell Santner said, “Against these guys, 300 maybe?”

Rachin Ravindra led the Black Caps top order with 44 off 28 without much support. Santner added 47 not out off 27 to push New Zealand past 200.

Guwahati hosts the third T20 on Sunday in the five-match series.

India started off 6-2 after seven balls.

Kishan then steamrolled to 50 off 21 and the fastest T20 half-century for India against New Zealand. In the 100-run stand with Yadav, Yadav contributed only 19.

The pair blew away the New Zealand bowlers for 122 off 48 balls when Kishan was caught at square leg off Ish Sodhi in the 10th over.

“I don't know what Ishan had in the afternoon for lunch but I have never seen someone batting that way at 6 for 2 and ending the powerplay on 60-odd,” Yadav said. “I was angry he wasn't giving me strike in the powerplay but I was able to get a hold of the conditions.”

Yadav took up the charge with with a 23-ball half-century, his first in 24 T20s stretching back to October 2024. Yadav had some luck; he was dropped on 43, 64 and 70.

He and Dube gave New Zealand no respite as they combined for 81 off 37 balls to round up the innings.

India won with 28 balls to spare, the most by a full member chasing 200-plus in T20s.

New Zealand was made to bat first and openers Devon Conway and Tim Seifert showcased the easy nature of the pitch with a shared 43 off 20 balls.

Ravindra hit four sixes and set the stage for a tall total but India struck at regular intervals — in-form Glenn Phillips was out for 19 off 13 and Daryl Mitchell for 18 off 11.

New Zealand was down to 125-4 in the 12th over and, despite a good scoring rate, suffered when Ravindra was caught off Kuldeep Yadav in the 13th over.

Kuldeep Yadav, playing for the injured Axar Patel, took 2-35 in four overs.

It was painful to watch. 

LeBron James was in this position? 

The guy who resuscitated the Los Angeles Lakers after a six-year playoff drought had to field questions about his relationship with Jeanie Buss?

The guy who won the team their first championship in 10 years had to address reported criticism from its governor?

The guy who devoted eight years of his career to the Lakers (his longest continuous stint anywhere) and is in a two-horse race with Michael Jordan for the greatest player of all-time, had to be in the hot seat?

As James stood by his locker following a 23-point, six-rebound and five-assist performance in the Lakers’ 112-104 loss to the LA Clippers on Thursday, he was peppered with questions about his relationship with Buss and his commitment to the team. 

LeBron James on his relationship with Jeanie pic.twitter.com/nrf91revHZ

— Melissa Rohlin (@melissarohlin) January 23, 2026

“Quite frankly, I don’t really get involved in that, or the reports, or whatever the case may be,” James said. “I’ve seen a lot of it, obviously, but I don’t really – I don’t really care about the reports, to be honest. You guys know me. You guys know since I’ve been here, my eighth year here, been in this league 23 years. It’s gonna be another article tomorrow, especially involving me. 

The inquisition came after a wide-ranging ESPN story was published Wednesday which included claims that Buss has a myriad of frustrations with the superstar, including his “outsized ego,” his influence over the team, his lack of accountability over the Russell Westbrook disaster and his lack of gratitude over the team drafting his son. 

As for James’ relationship with Buss?

“I thought it was good,” he said. “But somebody could see it another way, so it’s always two sides of the coin. At the end of the day, how I represented this franchise, and what I wanted to do to represent this franchise from when I got here to now has been with the utmost respect, and honor and dignity and I would say loyalty. I mean, s—, I have played here longer than pretty much any other franchise I’ve played for besides Cleveland and that was a seven and a four.” 

As for whether he wants to finish this season with the Lakers? 

“I’m good,” said James, who has a no-trade clause in his contract. “I’m good. I’m good.”

But how could he be good? 

Imagine pouring your heart out for an organization after joining it in free agency in 2018, winning them a championship in your second season with the team, becoming both the league’s all-time leading scorer and the league’s longest-tenured player while wearing a purple and gold jersey…. and then hearing that the team’s governor was frustrated with you. 

That she “privately mused” about trading you in 2022. That she begrudgingly signed you to a two-year, $104 million contract extension in 2024.

Buss was not quoted in the story. And she issued a statement to The Athletic on Wednesday taking issue with the assertions in the article. “It’s really not right, given all the great things LeBron has done for the Lakers, that he has to be pulled into my family drama. To say that it wasn’t appreciated is just not true and completely unfair to him.”

James, of course, is no stranger to criticism.

He has been at the center of it since entering the league as an 18-year-old. He dismissed the latest media storm as yet another deluge he has to weather. He claims he’s unperturbed by the inclement weather. 

“It really don’t bother me,” James said. “I’m 41 years old and I watch golf every day. I don’t care about an article. I don’t care how somebody feels about me. If you know me personally, then you know what I’m about. These guys know what I’m about and that’s all that matters. I could care less how somebody feels about me.”

James went on to say he came to the Lakers with one goal: Restoring them to excellence. 

“The things that I’ve seen growing up with the Lakers, obviously I didn’t get an opportunity to watch The Showtime [teams], but I know this history. And then in the early 2000s with Shaq and Kobe, and then what Kob did, and those couple runs with him and Pau. My whole mindset was how can I get that feeling back to the Lakers organization.”

James more than delivered.

He won the Lakers their 17th championship. He took a franchise that was languishing in basketball purgatory following Bryant’s torn Achilles’ tendon in 2013 and made them a success again. 

And now he has to deal with this? In his 23rd season? When he’s contemplating retirement? 

It’s a shame. The only thing more spectacular than James’ accomplishments on the court are his standards off of it. He avoids drama. He represents organizations with class. 

And he gets repaid by this shadow over the final one-third of his career?

So what if James has an ego? You think one of the greatest players of all-time wouldn’t?

So what if he had a lot of influence over the Lakers? Ultimately, Buss had the final say. 

So what if James didn’t take accountability over the Westbrook trade? He’s not the general manager. 

So what if James wasn’t overly gushing about the Lakers drafting his son, Bronny, with the 55th overall pick in 2024? Buss knows better than anyone about a father’s devotion to his children. 

Even if Buss has legitimate reasons to be frustrated with James, the bottom line is he breathed new life into an organization that considers anything short of winning a championship a failure. 

He has spent hours a day making sure he’s available night after night. He has given this organization his all. Really, what more could anyone want from their superstar?

James shrugged off the drama, as he has done so many times in his career. He claimed none of it mattered to him. 

But this time, his tone and body language told another story. 

Let’s try something new. We’re just going to pretend that the last game didn’t exist. We never played the Knicks two nights ago. We are on a clean slate right now. Everything is okay, guys!

Tonight, Brooklyn will be taking on Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics as the Nets will look to get back in the winning column after losing three straight (I mean two straight, wink wink.) Brown’s career year has propelled Boston to be the second best team in the Eastern Conference, even though they haven’t had Jayson Tatum all season. If the Nets ever needed a victory that to change the energy for the entire team, it would be this one.

Where To Watch

Check out the action at 7:30 p.m. ET on the YES Network and NBA League Pass, as well as streaming on the Gotham Sports App.

Injury Report

The G-League guys — Ben Saraf, Tyson Etienne, E.J. Liddell, and Chaney Johnson — will all be on Long Island duties. Haywood Highsmith is out as well. Highsmith, still recovering from his off-season knee surgery, was expected to be trade piece at the deadline, but with less than two weeks left, that seems uncertain.

For the C’s, Jayson Tatum continues to be on the bench due to his achilles surgery, but it looks like he ciykd possibly return soon, which would be huge of the Beantown title hopes…

Jayson Tatum dunk!

This is by far his most extensive workout in front of media since the injury pic.twitter.com/kAFbXTQgJi

— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) January 19, 2026

Derrick White will rest this one out, which is a blessing for him. Out of the 43 games the Celtics have played, he has only missed one while leading the team in minutes. Josh Minott (left ankle sprain) will sit as well.

The Game

This is the third game between the Atlantic Division rivals. Back in November, the teams split two games. The Celtics won the first contest on November 18 at TD Garden, then it was the Nets turn three days later at Barclays.

During the approach of the start of the season, it had seemed that the Celtics had finally ended their reign of terror in the East. Aside from Tatum, giving up their championship pieces in Jrue Holliday and Kristaps Porzingis was seen as a sign that their dominance had come to an end, calming many between Toronto and Miami. Fast forward to this week and you wonder how anyone could have thought that. After all, they are the Celtics. But it’s not just the greenies history. Jaylen Brown, the highest paid player in the NBA (ever) has made the transition to legitimate superstar.

Through the season, Brown is averaging 29.8 points on 48.8 % from the field. In the last three games, Brown is averaging 34.3 and nine. Not to mention his leadership. After long being looked at as a second option, Brown is proving that he has the skillset and mindset to lead a team of his own. Other members of the Celtics have been making big leaps as well. Derrick White is still one of the best two-way players in the game, Payton Pritchard has emerged as a starting point guard, and Luka Garza, the former Iowa superstar, is contributing well as a stretch five. He’s currently shooting 47.1 % from the 3-point line. If he had enough shot attempts, he’d qualify as the NBA’s second best from beyond the arc. Who knew? Apparently Brad Stevens did.

If the Nets have a chance in this one, it all starts with MPJ and his shooting struggles as of late. Even though he did say to the media that he has been dealing with an MCL sprain, it matters how he can continue to play through it, since he is choosing too. And even though he is only a rookie, Egor has to be better as well. We were riding high when things were going good for him. Now it is time for him to value consistency in his play.

Player To Watch: Payton Pritchard

Pritchard is making the most of his first year as the starting point guard for the Celtics. He is averaging a career high 16.5 points along with 5.4 assists, also tops in his career. Even though he is shooting a career worst 33.7% from downtown, you still have to get up on him as soon as he crosses half court. Where he is most efficient, though, is on isolation situations, where Egor Demin and/or Cam Thomas will have to pay attention to him….

Most efficient Isolation scorer in the league this season? Payton Pritchard pic.twitter.com/9PdrpFgIG2

— Basketball University (@UofBasketball) January 21, 2026

As Hardwood Houdini’s Tyler Watts wrote recently, it’s not just his individual numbers that are stellar.

The advanced metrics are strong for the 27-year-old guard. He has already produced a 0.8 value over replacement player (VORP) and sits well above league average in win shares per 48 minutes. The Celtics have won Pritchard’s 1,051 minutes by 121 points and have the fourth-best offensive rating in the NBA.

Not bad for a 6’1” combo guard who was taken at No. 26 in the 2020 Draft.

From the Vault

If you’re looking for a start date to the Nets current rebuild, February 14, 2024 is as good a date as any. The Nets lost by 50 (sound familiar) to the Celtics, a game which Lucas Kaplan wrote that the Nets had “soiled themselves.”

Days earlier, at the deadline, they had disappointed fans. They had secured Dennis Schroder rather than someone who could be the No. 1 to Mikal Bridges No. 2 and Cam Johnson’s No. 3 … or alternately, trade Bridges and Johnson for picks. There were plenty of offers.

As Mikal Bridges said post-game, “You gotta fix it.”

And fix it, they did. Five days after that monumental loss, they fired Jacque Vaughn, eating a not insignificant piece of his contract. More importantly, they realized that trying the middle road wasn’t working and so the rebuild was on. By April, they had hired Jordi Fernandez, By June, they had sent Bridges to the Knicks for five first rounders, a first round swap and a second while simultaneously getting the Rockets to rejigger their draft picks.

So, sometimes, a 50-point loss can clear the air, change the dynamic.

More reading: Celtics Blog, SB Nation NBA, New York Post, New York Daily News, Clutch Points, Nets Wire, Steve’s Newsletter, City of Nets

• Brooklyn Nets Game Notes – Brooklyn Nets
• Boston Celtics Game Notes – Boston Celtics
• Nets take on the Celtics on 3-game skid – AP
• Jordi Fernandez shoulders blame for Nets’ disastrous stretch: ‘Have to help them’ – Peter Botte – New York Post
• After 54-point loss to Knicks, Nets search for answers and a response ($) – C.J. Holmes – New York Daily News

BROOKLYN — The Celtics could be without multiple starters when they face the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night. Derrick White (rest) has already been ruled out, and Neemias Queta was a Friday morning addition, listed as questionable to play as he deals with a non-COVID illness.

In addition, Josh Minott (left ankle sprain) continues to be sidelined, as does Jayson Tatum (ruptured Achilles tendon).

The Nets, meanwhile, will be without Haywood Highsmith, who is recovering from right knee surgery.

The Celtics enter the game with the second-best record in the Eastern Conference at 27-16, while the Nets have the third-worst at 12-30. The Celtics have the second-best net rating in the NBA (+7.6) while the Nets have the 5th-worst (-6.3).

Celtics Injury Report Update vs. Brooklyn (1/23):

Josh Minott – Left Ankle Sprain – OUT
Neemias Queta – Illness (Non-Covid) – QUESTIONABLE
Jayson Tatum – Right Achilles Repair – OUT
Derrick White – Rest – OUT

— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) January 23, 2026

The Celtics and Nets face off for the fourth time this season

The Celtics and the Nets have faced off twice this season, with each team coming away with one win. The Celtics are coming off a 15-point win over the Atlanta Hawks, while the Nets are fresh off a historic 54-point loss to the New York Knicks.

At Celtics shootaround in Brooklyn on Friday morning, Luka Garza said he expected the Nets to come out with energy after such a lopsided defeat. But, he also recalled the last time the Celtics and Nets faced off in November, the Nets came away with a 14-point win.

“I think every time a team takes a loss like that, you expect them to come out with a lot of energy, a lot of fire,” Garza said. “But for us, we also remember the last time we played them, and they beat our ass. So, we have a lot of motivation coming into tonight, too.”