Category: NBA

Moses Moody just carved his name into Warriors history, and the timing couldn’t be more perfect. With 26 points, five rebounds, and five three-pointers on 78% true shooting against the Utah Jazz, Moody joined a list that reads like a Warriors Ring of Honor ballot. He’s now tied for 10th in franchise history with 12 games of 5+ threes in a Warriors uniform.

But here’s what makes this moment so fascinating: Moody accomplished this on the same night Jonathan Kuminga’s trade rumors reached a fever pitch and while Jimmy Butler sits out with a torn ACL. The Warriors are searching for answers to their championship puzzle, and one of those answers just went for 26 on elite efficiency while everyone was looking elsewhere.

Moses Moody tonight:

26 PTS
5 REB
5 3PM
78% TS
+28

Now in the Top 10 in franchise history for games with with 5 3PM (12). pic.twitter.com/cW48LrhGl9

— WarriorsMuse (@WarriorsMuse) January 29, 2026

Let’s talk about that list for a second, because when I saw it I had to see if I could guess everyone else with at least 12 games with 5 made triples or more in a Warriors uniform. Follow along and see how many you guess!

Stephen Curry sits at the top with 404 games of 5+ threes because of course he does. The man invented the modern three-point revolution and continues to redefine what’s possible at 37 years old. Klay Thompson’s 171 games in second place represent the purest shooting excellence this franchise has ever seen outside of Curry himself. These aren’t just numbers. They’re testament to a dynasty built on the three-point line.

Jordan Poole’s 31 games at third place remind us of what the Warriors once had, a young guard who could get scorching hot from deep before the relationship soured and he was shipped to Washington. Jason Richardson’s 22 games take us back to the dark days when he was the lone bright spot, throwing down posters and launching threes for terrible Warriors teams. Andrew Wiggins at 17 games shows you what this team gained when they salvaged his career, turning a disappointment into a championship contributor.

The history gets deeper. Tim Hardaway with 16 games brings back Run TMC nostalgia. Baron Davis with 14 games reminds us of the “We Believe” magic. Kevin Durant’s 13 games packed more championship firepower into three seasons than most franchises see in a decade. And then you get to the Moody level: Buddy Hield at 14 games proving why the Warriors signed him, Stephen Jackson at 12 games representing that 2007 playoff upset, Draymond at 12 games reminding us he could shoot when it mattered most, and D’Angelo Russell’s 12 games from that brief rental season.

Moses Mood☔️

15.2 PPG on 53% shooting from deep over the last nine games pic.twitter.com/kfyBEWamnI

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) January 29, 2026

Moses Moody just joined that group. At 23 years old, he’s showing the kind of shooting consistency that makes you wonder why the Warriors are exploring trades with him when they might already have the Splash Son they need. With Butler out for the season and Kuminga potentially heading elsewhere, Moody is proving he can fill a role this team desperately needs: a young wing who can space the floor, defend multiple positions, and not wilt under pressure. He’s shooting 40% from downtown this season folks!

The Warriors built their dynasty on shooting. They won championships because they could punish defenses from 30 feet and make the impossible look routine. Maybe the answer was already on the roster. Maybe instead of trading the Arkansas product for the next big name, the Warriors should invest in the young man who just showed he belongs on a list with franchise legends. Because on nights like tonight, Moses Moody doesn’t just look like a role player. He looks like a piece of the future of Warriors basketball, shooting threes at a historic rate while everyone else is too busy looking at trade rumors to notice.

The Warriors have always been built on shooting. Maybe it’s time they remember that.

The Rockets, as perhaps an oracular punishment for blowing a lead against the Spurs the night before, and getting embarrassingly run off the court to close that game, were sent out on the road to Atlanta the very next night. There was little doubt that the Rockets would in fact play this game, but considerable doubt as to the out come. The first of several doubts to plague the contest.

The game started, so it was clear the Rockets couldn’t avoid the back-to-back, somehow. Soon after one of the worst opening tip offs ever, there was serious doubt that the first half of this contest met the criteria for an actual NBA game, played by professionals. There were possibly extenuating circumstances.

The Hawks were injured. Broken wings, cracked beaks, patchy feathers, you name it. They were missing starting center Onyeka Okongwu, starting forward Jalen Johnson, high draft pick Zacharie Risachertorte, usually injured or ill player Kristaps Pozingis, and former Rocket, N’Faly Dante.

The Rockets were of course missing Fred VanVleet, Steven Adams and also, because it was the second night of a back to back, Tari Eason and Dorian Finney-Smith.

That said, the Hawks had won four games in a row, due largely to strong play from Jalen Johnson, Dyson “Sphere” Daniels, and CJ McCollum. MCollum has been essentially a less fraught one for one replacement for Trae Young, except the Hawks don’t feel compelled to start him. His shooting is better, his passing a bit worse, and his defense roughly the same as Trae’s. Even down so many players, the Hawks still used McCollum as a bench scoring ace, perhaps they wanted to counter the Rockets size? Atlanta started (Zag Alert!) Corey Kispert and his 80s music video hair and headband, Christian Koloko, Vit Kejci, and Nikeil Alexander-Walker along with the aforementioned Dyson Sphere.

The Rockets largely rolled out their regulars, with Josh Okogie starting in place of Tari Eason, who isn’t really helping his reliability case at all this season.

The first half was one to forget. Or one to cherish if you love bad, listless, basketball, and seemingly never ending parade of clanks. To describe the first half as a rock fight denigrates the dignity and accuracy of a thrown rock. The first quarter was “A Low Scoring Affair” as the commentators say, with both teams getting 23 points officially recorded, somehow. Not to worry, it would get worse. The second quarter would see the Hawks failing to break 20 points at 19, but the Rockets accomplishing that terrific feat in the mildest flurry of scoring possibly ever in the NBA, to close the half.

It was anyone’s game at 43-42 at the half, as the grim truth dawned on all those Rockets fans watching: the Hawks, who seemed barely present, including actual game participants, might well beat the Rockets anyhow. Hovering above those Rockets fans was also doubt that the second half would be worth watching. These doubts proved unfounded.

The Rockets came out in the second half, and by mid to late third quarter seemed to be establishing a lead on the Hawks. A few consecutive made threes brought Atlanta close again, but the Rockets didn’t call a timeout, and mean mugged the lead back into existence. Well, actually they did things on offense that looked pretty good, and made shots. They grabbed all the rebounds. The Rockets ultimately scored 34 points to the Hawks 24, which was the most they’d manage in any quarter.

The fourth quarter was similar, but featured the Rockets coasting to victory, in their own unique way. That way consisting of playing the starters until around 2 minutes remained, despite a steady 19 point lead.

The score looks easy, and the Hawks genuinely appeared to down tools sometime in the third quarter. By the fourth they were barely running anywhere, unless there might be a chance for an easy basket. Otherwise Atlanta looked like it was ready to hit the bottle, or Magic City for, ah, those famous lemon pepper chicken wings.

Kevin Durant remains a terminator, scoring 31 points on 12-22 shooting, and playing a low, low, 34 minutes. Jabari Smith almost had a get-right game, but did throw down a thunderous dunk in the 4th quarter for his Atlanta family and friends. Amen Thompson had a forgettable game, after his strenuous night in Houston on Wednesday. It was so forgettable I forget the stats, ok, he did have 3 steals and 2 blocks. Alperen Sengun, who looks hurt, exhausted, sick or all three had a straight bad outing. He did grab 10 rebounds. With Adams out, and Udoka distrustful of or unconvinced by Clint Capela, and Jabari at center, it seems Alpie is just going to have to go out and be bad. Rather than maybe resting and getting well.

Josh Okogie had quite a good night, grabbing 10 rebounds, and making his open looks, and generally played with high energy, intensity and great individual defense. The Rockets got a strong 18 minutes from Clint Capela, and it was a lineup with both Clint and Reed Sheppard that fueled their lead, and pulling away from the Hawks. He went 10pts/7rbs/2ast/1stl/2blk in 18 minutes, and it seemed to me he might well double those numbers in double the minutes. But Ime once again failed to consult with me, or TDS.

Tate played an impactful and useful 20 minutes without a great number of stats to show for it. Sheppard continued his pattern of bad first half, great second half. He had 13pts/4rbs/4ast/1stl in 26 minutes, and really did turn the tide. Two legitimate perimeter scoring threats on the court at the same time for the Rockets (Jabari and Tari don’t count, for various reasons) really changes the entire geometery of the offense for the Rockets. Reed went 5-14 which isn’t efficient at all, but 3-7 from three, which very much is. He seems to be overthinking everything, still, and probably should be fed a great deal more three point opportunities. He’s developing a nice chemistry with Capela, and still has a clunky one with Durant.

Any win on a SEGABA is a good one, and any game holding NBA players to only 86 points is a good one, too.

The Rockets play on Saturday back home in Houston against the Mavericks, in a prime time ABC game. I hadn’t realized the Rockets were allowed to play Dallas in Houston, but the schedule indicates they are.

The Lakers’ search for a wing could take them to an interesting landing spot.

If LA is set on landing a 3-and-D wing at the trade deadline, it’s going to come with some caveats. It will likely either cost them an arm and a leg, an asking price they can’t really afford, or it’s going to force them to take a player with a large contract.

It’s that latter point that finds them linked to De’Andre Hunter. Ironically, Hunter was selected with the Lakers’ No. 4 pick in the 2019 draft, which was included in the Anthony Davis trade. After he was dealt to the Hawks on draft day, Hunter was sent to the Cavs at last year’s trade deadline.

With the Cavs underperforming and looking to downsize their huge payroll and Hunter struggling while on a big contract, Cleveland has made him available, which brings the Lakers into the equation. After recently being linked with the purple and gold by Brad Turner of the LA Times, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints added some more context to that on Thursday.

According to him, the Lakers and Cavs have had discussions about a trade with some in Cleveland’s front office fond of the idea of Dalton Knecht as a buy-low candidate.

There are some within the Cavs organization who like the idea of adding Dalton Knecht in a buy-low spot to get off Hunter’s contract, yet discussions have been ongoing.

The Lakers have expressed interest in Haywood Highsmith and Day’Ron Sharpe from Brooklyn. https://t.co/TfrBXa2KeR

— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) January 30, 2026

Hunter’s season averages are a far cry from his career numbers. He’s shooting 42% from the field and a career-worst 30.9% from the 3-point line. Prior to this campaign, Hunter had shot 38.2% from range over the last four seasons.

Because of the aprons placing limitations on both the Lakers and Cavs — thanks again for that CJ McCollum — a trade for Hunter effectively requires a third. The Lakers are hard-capped at the second apron and sit just under $1 million below it right now, while Cleveland, as a second-apron team, can not take back more money in a trade.

That leaves too fine a needle to thread, whereas simply bringing in a third team, like the Nets, alleviates most of those issues.

Hunter is on the books for $23.3 million this season and a guaranteed $24.9 million next season. Aggregating two of Jaxson Hayes, Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt with Dalton Knecht gets them just above that figure, which could bring in the likes of Haywood Highsmith and/or Day’Ron Sharpe.

Even then, it’s not a straightforward deal but that framework will likely be one the team works with. Ideally, the Lakers open up a bit of wiggle room below the second apron, allowing them to sign a buyout player this season as well.

But even in that scenario, this is a risk for the Lakers. Similar to the Cavs buying low on Knecht, the Lakers would be buying low on Hunter. Both teams would have to have the belief that a change of scenery would benefit the player.

It would also change the future outlook as well. While he would be an expiring contract and still could be dealt this summer if needed, he would still be future money on the books. It would show intent behind the report last offseason that the Lakers were going to be more aggressive moving forward.

With the Lakers in a precarious position and looking for improvement, Hunter could be the type of player the team makes a deal for and hopes that the gamble pays off, giving them another viable starter. The best version of Hunter can certainly slot into the starting lineup, but can the Lakers unlock that version of him again?

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg became the first teenager to score 49 points in an NBA game as they lost 123-121 against the Charlotte Hornets at American Airlines Center.

The 19-year-old beat Clifford Robinson's previous record of 45 points set in 1980 when playing for the New Jersey Nets against the Detroit Pistons.

Flagg, making his 43rd appearance of the season, also became the youngest player to score at least 40 points and 10 rebounds.

The Hornets' Kon Knueppel, who was room-mates with Flagg at Duke University, also posted impressive numbers.

The 20-year-old scored a career-high 34 points and was successful with eight of his 12 three-pointer attempts - setting a rookie record for Charlotte.

Their combined 83 points was the highest of any opposing rookies in more than 50 years, and they were the first pair of opposing rookies from the same college to each score 30-plus points in the same game.

The Dallas Mavericks sit 12th in the Western Conference after falling to four successive defeats, while the Charlotte Hornets have won five in a row and are 11th in the Eastern Conference.

As the NBA season's third full month nears completion, the waiver wire is highly active in many fantasy basketball leagues, given how prevalent injuries typically are by this point in the calendar. That's certainly holding true this season, and several of our suggestions this week have earned their spot in this space thanks to the additional minutes and usage afforded by key absences on their squad.

Identifying players who are benefiting from expanded roles–whether it's an offensive threat delivering points and threes or a defensive-minded player boosting your blocks and steals–is vital as you navigate the season.

Let's dive into nine key NBA sleepers whose current stats suggest they are poised for significant value and are currently rostered in fewer than 40% of Yahoo leagues.

Yahoo High Score Leagues

Saddiq Bey, New Orleans Pelicans (36% rostered)

Bey is in the midst of a resurgent season that sees him boasting averages of 15.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.0 steals across 30 minutes per game over 42 contests. The veteran forward may be playing his best basketball of the season at the moment, as he's boasting averages of 21.2 points (on 48.5% 3-point shooting), 6.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.2 steals across 31.3 minutes over his last six games. Despite the Pelicans being at full health except for the season-long absence of Dejounte Murray, Bey is averaging 13.3 shot attempts in the latter span, and the upside that's led to him scoring at least 20 points in 13 games makes him a candidate for rostering in High Score formats.

Max Christie, Dallas Mavericks (27% rostered)

Christie is another player who's had some spike performances of late, scoring 21 points or more in four straight games before a downturn against the Timberwolves on Wednesday that saw him record only nine points on 1-for-8 shooting. Nevertheless, Christie has taken firm hold of the starting shooting guard role and went into Jan. 29 action averaging a career-high 13.2 points (on 47.6% shooting, including 44.5% from 3-point range), 3.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists per contest. Anthony Davis' absence due to a finger injury is expected to keep him sidelined until after the All-Star break, so Christie's elevated usage should persist for several more weeks, at minimum.

Grayson Allen, Phoenix Suns (38% rostered)

Any time Allen has a chance at additional minutes, there's always the possibility of some eye-popping offensive numbers. The veteran wing is averaging a career-high 16.4 points, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals per contest, and he's currently in the midst of another stretch with the first unit thanks to Jalen Green's perpetually troublesome hamstring. Furthermore, Allen currently has the opportunity for enhanced usage for as long as Devin Booker is sidelined by his ankle issue. Allen already has 33- and 42-point tallies on his resume this season, and the fact he's putting up a career-best 8.8 3-point attempts per game keeps him in play for some similarly impressive tallies any time he takes the floor.

Standard 9-Category Leagues

Cam Spencer, Memphis Grizzlies (28% rostered)

Spencer remains the Grizzlies' starting point guard for the time being thanks to Ja Morant's latest absence, which is the result of an elbow injury that will sideline him for the next two weeks at minimum. The second-year guard does have some fluctuation when it comes to his scoring output, but he's capable of making up for it by stuffing the stat sheet in other areas. Spencer is averaging 11.1 points, 9.5 assists and 4.2 rebounds across his 13 games as a starter, posting four double-doubles in that span. He also has six multi-steal tallies and is shooting a blistering 44.5% from behind the arc for the season, making him a very viable consideration as a waiver-wire pickup. 

Ayo Dosunmu, Chicago Bulls (28% rostered)

Dosunmu continues to offer the Bulls versatile production in much the same way Spencer does for the Grizzlies, with the former averaging a career-high 14.6 points with the help of a career-best 44.5% success rate from long range. The veteran guard is also contributing 3.4 assists and 2.7 rebounds per contest, and he's clocking a solid 26.0 minutes per game in his second-unit role. Dosunmu has hit or eclipsed the 20-point threshold on nine occasions despite coming off the bench in seven of those games, and he's dished out at least five dimes in 13 instances as well. 

Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz (26% rostered)

Bailey's impressive rookie-season efforts are flying somewhat under the radar due to the Jazz's overall struggles, but he's delivered solid performances throughout the campaign and is on the ascent as the end of January approaches. Bailey is averaging 17.1 points (on 50% shooting), 4.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists across 31.3 minutes in his last eight games while holding down the starting small forward role. Lauri Markkanen's spotty playing record is also helping Bailey's cause in the form of extra usage, adding to the latter's appeal. 

Standard Points Leagues

De'Andre Hunter, Cleveland Cavaliers (15% rostered)

Evan Mobley has been diagnosed with a calf strain that could sideline him up to three weeks, so Hunter is teed up for some extra run, if not some spot starts. The veteran wing is struggling with efficiency this season – his 42.2% shooting is his lowest since his 2019-20 rookie campaign – but he's averaging a career-high 2.1 assists, while his 4.3 rebounds are his highest figure in that category since the 2020-21 season. Hunter is also capable of better offensive output than he's shown so far, as he's demonstrated by draining 48% of his shots during the 18 games in which he's scored 16 or more points.

Tobias Harris, Detroit Pistons (35% rostered)

Harris is much more of a complementary piece at this stage of his career, but he's still scored between 16 and 26 points in 13 of 30 games. The veteran also remains capable of some solid work on the glass, pulling down between five and nine boards in 15 games. Harris is also shooting an improved 51.7% over his last 11 games, adding more appeal to his candidacy as a player who can boost the bottom half of your roster. 

Aaron Nesmith, Indiana Pacers (23% rostered)

Nesmith is shooting a career-worst 37.0% from the field this season, but he's still managed to average a career-high 13.5 points over his first 27 games. The veteran forward is also averaging a career-best 5.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists, and his 36.1% 3-point shooting is helping keep his offensive contributions afloat. Nesmith's 12.0 FGAs per game is also a new high-water mark, and if that level of usage persists, Nesmith has utility as a complementary source of multi-category production in your points league. 

Sacramento Kings (12-37, 14th in the Western Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (29-18, third in the Eastern Conference)

Boston; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Celtics -11.5; over/under is 221.5

BOTTOM LINE: Sacramento looks to stop its seven-game skid with a victory over Boston.

The Celtics are 14-8 on their home court. Boston has a 4-6 record in games decided by less than 4 points.

The Kings are 3-21 on the road. Sacramento has a 5-24 record in games decided by 10 points or more.

The Celtics score 116.4 points per game, 4.2 fewer points than the 120.6 the Kings allow. The Kings average 110.5 points per game, 0.4 more than the 110.1 the Celtics allow to opponents.

The teams meet for the second time this season. The Celtics won 120-106 in the last matchup on Jan. 2.

TOP PERFORMERS: Jaylen Brown is averaging 29.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists for the Celtics. Anfernee Simons is averaging 14.7 points over the last 10 games.

Dennis Schroder is scoring 13.0 points per game and averaging 3.0 rebounds for the Kings. DeMar DeRozan is averaging 21.7 points and 3.0 rebounds over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Celtics: 5-5, averaging 111.3 points, 47.4 rebounds, 23.8 assists, 7.5 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 45.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.7 points per game.

Kings: 3-7, averaging 113.2 points, 42.5 rebounds, 26.0 assists, 6.1 steals and 4.6 blocks per game while shooting 49.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.5 points.

INJURIES: Celtics: Jaylen Brown: day to day (hamstring), Jayson Tatum: out (achilles), Neemias Queta: day to day (illness).

Kings: Russell Westbrook: day to day (illness), Keegan Murray: out (ankle), Malik Monk: day to day (ankle).

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

Detroit Pistons (34-12, first in the Eastern Conference) vs. Golden State Warriors (27-22, eighth in the Western Conference)

San Francisco; Friday, 10 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Warriors -1.5; over/under is 224.5

BOTTOM LINE: The Golden State Warriors host the Detroit Pistons in non-conference action.

The Warriors are 17-7 in home games. Golden State is third in the Western Conference with 28.9 assists per game led by Draymond Green averaging 5.3.

The Pistons are 15-7 in road games. Detroit ranks sixth in the league scoring 17.9 fast break points per game. Cade Cunningham leads the Pistons averaging 3.5.

The 116.5 points per game the Warriors average are 6.4 more points than the Pistons allow (110.1). The Pistons are shooting 47.8% from the field, 0.8% higher than the 47.0% the Warriors' opponents have shot this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Stephen Curry is averaging 27.3 points and 4.9 assists for the Warriors. Moses Moody is averaging 13.9 points over the past 10 games.

Cunningham is averaging 25.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 9.7 assists and 1.5 steals for the Pistons. Duncan Robinson is averaging 3.2 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Warriors: 6-4, averaging 120.3 points, 41.0 rebounds, 30.8 assists, 11.7 steals and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 48.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.7 points per game.

Pistons: 7-3, averaging 109.3 points, 43.5 rebounds, 26.6 assists, 11.6 steals and 6.5 blocks per game while shooting 46.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 102.9 points.

INJURIES: Warriors: Gui Santos: day to day (calf), Jimmy Butler III: out for season (knee), LJ Cryer: out (hamstring), Jonathan Kuminga: out (knee), Seth Curry: out (back).

Pistons: Caris LeVert: day to day (illness).

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

Dallas Mavericks (19-29, 12th in the Western Conference) vs. Houston Rockets (29-17, fourth in the Western Conference)

Houston; Saturday, 8:30 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Dallas faces the Houston Rockets after Cooper Flagg scored 49 points in the Mavericks' 123-121 loss to the Charlotte Hornets.

The Rockets are 5-5 against division opponents. Houston is 11-3 when it has fewer turnovers than its opponents and averages 14.4 turnovers per game.

The Mavericks are 3-6 against Southwest Division opponents. Dallas is 7-11 in games decided by 10 points or more.

The Rockets average 116.1 points per game, 0.6 fewer points than the 116.7 the Mavericks give up. The Mavericks average 114.2 points per game, 4.2 more than the 110.0 the Rockets give up.

The teams play for the fourth time this season. The Mavericks won the last meeting 110-104 on Jan. 4, with Anthony Davis scoring 26 points in the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Kevin Durant is averaging 26.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists for the Rockets. Alperen Sengun is averaging 19.5 points over the last 10 games.

Flagg is averaging 19.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists for the Mavericks. Naji Marshall is averaging 18.6 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Rockets: 7-3, averaging 109.4 points, 49.3 rebounds, 24.0 assists, 9.2 steals and 6.4 blocks per game while shooting 45.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.3 points per game.

Mavericks: 5-5, averaging 118.4 points, 46.2 rebounds, 26.2 assists, 8.1 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 48.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.9 points.

INJURIES: Rockets: Fred VanVleet: out for season (acl), Dorian Finney-Smith: day to day (injury management), Tari Eason: day to day (injury management), Steven Adams: out for season (ankle).

Mavericks: Dereck Lively II: out for season (foot), Kyrie Irving: out (knee), Dante Exum: out for season (knee), Naji Marshall: day to day (rest), Anthony Davis: out (hand).

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

Los Angeles Lakers (28-18, sixth in the Western Conference) vs. Washington Wizards (11-34, 14th in the Eastern Conference)

Washington; Friday, 7 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Lakers -8.5; over/under is 229.5

BOTTOM LINE: Los Angeles heads to Washington for a non-conference matchup.

The Wizards have gone 8-15 at home. Washington gives up 122.3 points to opponents and has been outscored by 10.1 points per game.

The Lakers are 16-10 on the road. Los Angeles is 13-16 in games decided by 10 or more points.

The Wizards score 112.2 points per game, 4.3 fewer points than the 116.5 the Lakers allow. The Wizards average 115.9 points per game, 6.4 fewer points than the 122.3 the Wizards give up.

TOP PERFORMERS: Alex Sarr is averaging 17.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.2 blocks for the Wizards. Tre Johnson is averaging 2.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Luka Doncic is averaging 33.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, 8.7 assists and 1.5 steals for the Lakers. LeBron James is averaging 22.0 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Wizards: 1-8, averaging 107.7 points, 44.0 rebounds, 24.4 assists, 9.6 steals and 6.0 blocks per game while shooting 43.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.4 points per game.

Lakers: 5-5, averaging 115.9 points, 40.9 rebounds, 24.6 assists, 7.1 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 49.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.6 points.

INJURIES: Wizards: Tristan Vukcevic: day to day (hamstring), Cam Whitmore: out for season (shoulder), Trae Young: out (quad), Marvin Bagley III: day to day (thoracic).

Lakers: Austin Reaves: day to day (calf), Adou Thiero: out (knee), Luka Doncic: day to day (ankle).

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

Chicago Bulls (23-25, 10th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Miami Heat (26-23, seventh in the Eastern Conference)

Miami; Saturday, 8 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Chicago comes into the matchup with Miami as losers of three in a row.

The Heat have gone 13-13 against Eastern Conference teams. Miami has a 14-14 record in games decided by 10 or more points.

The Bulls are 15-17 in conference matchups. Chicago ranks fifth in the Eastern Conference with 17.6 fast break points per game led by Coby White averaging 3.5.

The Heat's 13.3 made 3-pointers per game this season are just 0.5 fewer made shots on average than the 13.8 per game the Bulls give up. The Bulls are shooting 47.6% from the field, 1.5% higher than the 46.1% the Heat's opponents have shot this season.

The teams play for the third time this season. In the last matchup on Jan. 30 the Heat won 116-113 led by 21 points from Norman Powell, while Ayo Dosunmu scored 23 points for the Bulls.

TOP PERFORMERS: Bam Adebayo is shooting 44.5% and averaging 18.0 points for the Heat. Simone Fontecchio is averaging 2.2 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Nikola Vucevic is averaging 17 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists for the Bulls. White is averaging 3.2 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Heat: 6-4, averaging 121.3 points, 49.2 rebounds, 28.5 assists, 8.0 steals and 3.2 blocks per game while shooting 44.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 120.3 points per game.

Bulls: 5-5, averaging 118.7 points, 43.6 rebounds, 31.2 assists, 6.5 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 48.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.3 points.

INJURIES: Heat: Tyler Herro: day to day (toe), Davion Mitchell: day to day (shoulder).

Bulls: Noa Essengue: out for season (shoulder), Zach Collins: out (toe), Tre Jones: day to day (hamstring), Josh Giddey: day to day (hamstring), Jalen Smith: day to day (calf).

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

DALLAS (AP) — As Dallas rookie Cooper Flagg set the NBA record for points by a teenager with 49 on Thursday night in a 123-121 loss to Charlotte, he broke the franchise rookie scoring record he shared with Mark Aguirre — whose jersey was retired at halftime.

“Mark Aguirre is special. Such a special night for him and the whole organization,” said Flagg, who turned 19 in December. “I just feel blessed. It’s a pretty cool thing.”

“You saw history,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. “We saw history at halftime, and we got to see a young man play the game at a very high level. To have Mark in the building and break his record was pretty special.”

Also special for the No. 1 draft pick last summer from Duke was playing his first NBA game against Kon Knueppel, his roommate as Blue Devils freshmen last season. Knueppel, drafted fourth, set his own career record with 34 points and hit the two winning free throws with 4.1 seconds left after being fouled at the rim by Flagg.

“Cooper, he played like the best player we’ve played all season,” said Knueppel, who set a franchise rookie record hitting eight 3-pointers. “He had a heck of a game, he’s a heck of a player, and he’s going to have a heck of a career.”

Flagg referred to Knueppel as his “brother for life.”

Cliff Robinson set the previous NBA teen record of 45 at age 19 for New Jersey in a game against Detroit on March 9, 1980. Flagg’s previous high of 42 points also came in a defeat — 140-133 at Utah on Dec. 15. As did Aguirre’s, in a 118-112 loss to Golden State on Nov. 14, 1981.

It didn’t start out looking like a historic night for Flagg. He shot 1 for 4 in the first quarter as the Mavericks fell behind by 15 points. He caught fire in the second period, hitting 8 of 9 including 2 of 3 from downtown plus 5 for 5 at the free-throw line. His 23 points in the period and 25 at halftime were both Dallas individual highs this season.

Knueppel conversely came out hot. He hit his first three shots from behind the arc, 4 for 5 in the first period and added another in the second quarter.

“When he sees some easy ones go in to start the game, it’s never a good thing (for an opponent),” Flagg said of Knueppel, who turned 20 in August. “That’s how it is for a lot of great shooters.”

Any trash talk?

“Chirping back and forth,” Flagg said. “Just having fun.”

The two leading candidates for Rookie of the Year finished the night with Flagg averaging 19.5 points per game, Knueppel 18.9. They’ll meet again on March 3 in Charlotte.

It will be difficult to match their collective effort on Thursday night.

“We’ll both be looking back on this night and this whole year in general the rest of our lives,” Flagg said.

___

AP NBA: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NBA

It was reported a few days ago about the Washington Wizards’ interest in Walker Kessler by Tim MacMahon. Michael Scotto added some new insight to that interest in Kessler.

Story: Reporting on Giannis Antetokounmpo, Domantas Sabonis, Jalen Green, Walker Kessler, Yves Missi, and trade talks involving the Lakers, Celtics, Knicks, Hawks, Bulls, Cavaliers, Timberwolves, Jazz, Spurs, Magic, Pelicans, and Wizards on @hoopshype. https://t.co/m0X18YNzYs

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) January 28, 2026

From Scotto:

The Washington Wizards are the latest team, per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, interested in Utah Jazz enter Walker Kessler. Previously, the Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Lakers have also been linked to the 24-year-old center. 

…

Regarding the recently reported Wizards interest in Kessler, while he’s a player liked by members of Washington’s front office, the Wizards are building around Alex Sarr as their center of the future, league sources told HoopsHype. 

This makes sense for the Wizards, who have a rising star in Alex Sarr. If they view him as the future at the center position, then Kessler doesn’t make sense as a player for them to pursue. If they could get him for cheap, maybe, but they know that Utah can match any offer.

It’s also good news for the Jazz, who are surely hoping to get Kessler on a reasonable contract. We know that Kessler and his camp had been asking for an amount that Utah did not want to pay, and left him the option to play the market. The only issue with this strategy is that it only takes one team to make a big offer. If that happens, will the Jazz blink? Knowing that, it makes news like this good for the Jazz. It’s likely one less team bidding for Kessler.

The Lakers (28-18) look to quickly get back to the winning column in Washington where they will take on the struggling Wizards (11-34). This is the first matchup between the teams this season.

Start time and TV schedule

Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Washington Wizards

When: 4 p.m. PT, Jan. 30

Where: Capital One Arena

Watch: Spectrum SportsNet

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The Lakers’ most recent loss to the Cavaliers had disaster written all over it. No one other than Luka Dončić had more than 12 points, they were outscored in the third quarter (42-22) and they were outrebounded and outscored from the 3-point line as well as inside the paint. It was one of those games where nothing went right for the purple and gold, at least for most of the second half.

It’s also one of those games that has to be flushed in the toilet because there’s nothing the Lakers can do about it besides move on to Washington, literally. On Friday, the Lakers will continue their road trip in the nation’s capital where they will be hosted by the worst team in the NBA right now. They’ll be on the second night of a back-to-back when they face the purple and gold.

This is the perfect opportunity for the Lakers to get back on track and conclude their current eight-game road trip on a strong note. It’ll be nice to see literally everyone play better than they did in this one. They should be able to get theirs more easily against a team that ranks 28th offensively and 29th defensively.

There’s no excuse for the Lakers’ offense and defense not showing up in this one, as they did against the Cavaliers. This should be one of their easiest games this season. It’ll be great to see the Lakers play with more energy, the type that depicts that they’re so much better than the team that showed up in Cleveland. A more concerted effort in closing out defensively, boxing out for rebounds and imposing their will on both ends of the floor would be a sight for sore eyes.

Moreover, perhaps the most notable storyline of this one is possibly the return of Austin Reaves, who has missed the last 17 games due to a calf strain injury and is currently listed as questionable ahead of Friday’s game. This is a big development for the Lakers, who have been missing AR’s services. His return lessens Dončić and James’s scoring responsibilities and adds much-needed speed and boost in the lineup. It’s unfair to expect Austin to instantly return to form but this game is a good start for him to do so.

Note that the Wizards still don’t have Trae Young active in their lineup due to injury, so there’s really no excuse for the Lakers to lose this one. As long as Alex Sarr, Khris Middleton and Kyshawn George don’t play extraordinarily well, L.A. is poised to bounce back.

Let’s see if they can do just that on Friday.

Notes and Updates

• For the Lakers’ injury report, Luka Dončić (left ankle soreness) and Austin Reaves (left calf strain) are questionable.
• Adou Thiero (right MCL sprain) are listed as out.
• Since the Wizards are playing on the second night of a back-to-back, they don’t have an injury report yet for Friday’s game. However, expect Trae Young (knee and quadriceps), Cam Whitemore (venous condition), Marvin Bagley III (thoracic strain) and Tristan Vukcevic (left hamstring strain) to be out.

You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.

Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!

Despite the game being their fourth in five nights, the Minnesota Timberwolves took down the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night. It was their third straight victory after losing their previous five games, including an awful night at Target Center last Sunday.

Before the game, the Timberwolves came out in shirts that read “Stand with Minnesota” and released a statement extending their sympathies and love for the Minnesota community.

STAND WITH MINNESOTA. pic.twitter.com/XQpuNBRbDv

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) January 30, 2026

The Wolves won the game wire-to-wire, with Anthony Edwards opening the scoring with a 3-pointer. Minnesota went up by as many as 18 points in the first half and 21 in the second half as they cruised to their 30th win of the season.

The Timberwolves shot the lights out all game, making 22 shots from beyond the arc, doubling OKC’s total, including 4-10 from Anthony Edwards, 4-8 from Naz Reid, 3-6 from Bones Hyland, and 5-5 from Jaden McDaniels.

The Wolves’ defense was also on point right from the jump, holding Oklahoma City to just six points through the first six minutes of the game. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 30 points on 12-18 shooting, which felt like a pedestrian night for the MVP frontrunner.

It was an all-around scoring effort for the Wolves as all eight rotation players scored at least seven points, with six scoring in double-figures. Edwards put up 26 points, five rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block. While the numbers may not be eye-catching, Edwards did a fantastic job dealing with the OKC ball pressure as they sent two to the ball on almost every ball screen.

“Just taking what they give me,” Edwards said after the game. “Take my shots and if they given me to pull up three. Take it. They giving me the midrange taken. And I think mainly, like I said, just trusting my teammates, because that’s what they gonna make you do. I get by Dort or get by Wallace, two, three guys gonna come over to the rim. So just being able to make that play and making it over and over, finding Rudy, finding Donte in the corner, just like I said, trusting my teammates.”

McDaniels finished with 21 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two blocks. Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch had high praise for the Jaden postgame, “Just outstanding. Both sides of the ball. Shot making was elite. Decision making was really good. His defense was awesome. I thought he made Shai work for everything. Discipline in the fouling. Rebounded pretty well too.”

“The intensity to start the game.” McDaniels himself said about the key to the game defensively. “Just making the right reads on defense, having pressure, really just starting the game off well with the right defensive mindset and they see that’s why we get certain leads and been able to hold them for the whole game.”

Usually, a win against the defending champions would come as at least a little bit of a surprise, but not for the Wolves. It has become a pattern with this team over the years, just when you think they are primed to rip off a bunch of wins in a row, they stumble, and just when it seems like all hope is lost, they play their best basketball of the season. It’s the perfect lesson of never too high, never too low.

“Yeah, sometimes you beat yourself sometimes,” Reid said when asked about the Wolves being their own worst enemy. “It’s a long season, you’re going to have boneheaded mistakes or plays that just leads to losses that you should’ve won. Everybody goes through it. It’s how you respond that matters most.”

It’s the Timberwolves’ best and worst quality. They respond to adversity and losing streaks well, never falling down for too long, but they also let their effort wax and wane after a good stretch of play.

The key now and for the rest of the season is to find some sort of consistency from night to night.

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Up Next

The Timberwolves head out on a three-game road trip, the first two of which are against the Memphis Grizzlies. The first game on Saturday begins at 7:00 PM CT, airing on FanDuel Sports Network. The second game on Monday starts at 6:30 PM CT on Peacock.

After the pair of games in Memphis, the Timberwolves head across the border to face the Toronto Raptors, where the Wolves have not won since January 21, 2004.

Highlights