RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Kowacie Reeves Jr. scored 21 points, Lamar Washington added 18 and the two combined for 28 in the second half as Georgia Tech held off North Carolina State 78-74 on Saturday to snap a three-game losing streak.
Akai Fleming added 16 points and Jaeden Mustaf collected his first career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Yellow Jackets (11-8, 2-4 ACC).
Quadir Copeland scored 16 points and Paul McNeil Jr. and Ven-Allen Lubin added 12 each for the Wolfpack (12-6, 3-2), who had won their last two games and five of their past six.
Reeves hit a 3-pointer with under 10 minutes left to give the Yellow Jackets their first lead since late in the first half. The basket was part of a 12-2 run that put Georgia Tech up 65-58 and the Yellow Jackets held on from there despite some poor free-throw shooting.
Copeland got the Wolfpack within four with 49.9 seconds remaining after consecutive 3-pointers. Georgia Tech made just 2 of 8 free throws from there but a steal and free throw by Washington was enough to preserve the win after N.C. State missed two 3s on its final possession.
N.C. State opened the game with 3-pointers from Alyn Breed and Copeland before Georgia Tech scored the next 12 points, including a pair of Fleming 3s. The Yellow Jackets kept the lead until the Wolfpack outscored them 11-2 over the final 2/1 2 minutes for a 35-34 halftime lead on Copeland's last-second layup.
The Wolfpack had been 12-0 when leading at halftime.
Up next
Georgia Tech is home against Clemson next Saturday.
BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) — Tobi Lawal scored a season-high 22 points off the bench, Amani Hansberry added 21, and Virginia Tech defeated Notre Dame 89-76 on Saturday for the Hokies' ninth win in the past 10 matchups with the Fighting Irish.
Lawal and Hansberry scored 15 of Virginia Tech's 18 points during one stretch early in the second half as the Hokies extended an 11-point halftime lead to 66-48 with 12 1/2 minutes remaining.
Notre Dame got as close as 79-66 with four minutes remaining then Ben Hammond buried a 3-pointer and Hansberry finished off a layup for an 84-67 lead with three minutes left.
Hammond scored 16 points and Jailen Bedford added 14 for Virginia Tech (14-5, 3-3 ACC). Lawal grabbed 11 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season. He is working his way back after missing all of December with an ankle injury.
The Hokies sank their first 24 free throws before Lawal missed the first of two attempts with six minutes left in the game. They finished 28 of 32 from the line. Lawal made 14 of 18.
Brady Koehler made 5 of 7 3-pointers and the freshman led Notre Dame (10-8, 1-4) with a career-high 17 points off the bench. Cole Certa, another reserve, scored 14 points and Sir Mohammed was the only starter in double figures with 12 points. Notre Dame backups scored 41 points.
Virginia Tech trailed only once, at 7-5. The Hokies went out front to stay with a 13-2 run and led 45-34 at the break.
Virginia Tech's previous six games had either gone to overtime or been decided by three or fewer points.
DALLAS (AP) — Malik Thomas had a game-high 23 points and a career-best 11 rebounds and Thijs De Ridder added 17 points, including seven of No. 16 Virginia’s eight points in the final 2½ minutes, as the Cavaliers hung on to beat SMU 72-68 in an Atlantic Coast Conference game on Saturday.
Virginia (16-2, 5-1 ACC) has won five consecutive games. SMU (13-5, 2-3 ACC) lost for the first time in 12 games at Moody Coliseum this season.
De Ridder’s two free throws with 1:07 left gave Virginia a 70-68 lead. After the Cavs’ Dallin Hall missed a 3-pointer late in the shot clock with 14 seconds left, De Ridder grabbed the rebound and was fouled. De Ridder hit two more foul shots, putting Virginia ahead 72-68.
SMU’s Boopie Miller missed a right-corner 3-pointer in the closing seconds, and De Ridder grabbed the rebound.
Jarin Pierre Jr. scored 16 points to lead the Mustangs. B.J. Edwards added 13 and Miller, the team’s leading scorer averaging 20.8 per game, scored a season-low 12.
Thomas matched a season high hitting six 3-pointers. Virginia, averaging a program-high 28.3 treys attempted per game, hit 12 of 31.
Virginia conversely shot a season-low 12 free throws, sinking 10.
SMU led by as many as seven points during the opening 13 minutes before the Cavaliers went on a 13-2 run over almost four minutes to go ahead 35-28, SMU shooting 1 for 10 with two turnovers during the span. Virginia led 35-28 at halftime.
Up next
Virginia will host No. 14 North Carolina next Saturday.
The Utah Jazz have their second game in a row against the Dallas Mavericks. Last time they played, Lauri Markkanen and Jusuf Nurkic rested, and the Jazz lost by a lot. What was lost in all the talk about the Jazz was that it was the back end of a back-to-back for the Jazz as well as the Mavericks, but Utah was on the road. Utah didn’t have their legs the whole night and shot just 27%. We’ll see if they do better in this one, but this will be the third game in four nights, so it may be a little bit of the same.
Injury Report
The Jazz will be without Lauri Markkanen again in this one. We’ll also see if Jusuf Nurkic plays or doesn’t like last time.
Jazz Injury Report:
OUT – Elijah Harkless (G League – Two-Way)
OUT – Walker Kessler (left shoulder; injury recovery)
OUT – Lauri Markkanen (illness)
OUT – Georges Niang (left foot; fourth metatarsal stress reaction)
The Mavs will also be missing some players. It’s not clear if Adam Silver will pay attention to this or if it’s just the Jazz that get the magnifying glass.
The Mavs will be out Cooper Flagg, P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford again today…
LeBron James will be a free agent after this season. If he doesn't retire, many Lakers fans would prefer he not return to the team. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
In a city where he has played for the longest stretch of his life, LeBron James should be considered one of the greatest Lakers ever.
Yet, by most accounts, he’s barely in the top 10.
James set the career scoring record here, set the career longevity record here, and won a long-awaited NBA championship here.
Yet he is generally ranked behind Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, James Worthy … and maybe even Pau Gasol?
When he likely leaves the team after this season, James should get a statue. He won’t. He should get a farewell game similar to Kobe Bryant’s final good-bye. He won’t.
For eight breathtaking seasons, LeBron James has poured his soul into pleasing a passionate fan base such that he still fills Crypto.com Arena with joy and light and tomahawk dunks at age 41.
They’re tired of his drama, unconvinced of his loyalty, dissatisfied with the results, and ready to embrace fresh new franchise faces. One of those belongs to Austin Reaves, who was unwittingly pitted against James this week during unfortunate speculation from James’ agent and close friend Rich Paul.
Bottom line? If forced to choose between James and Reaves, here’s guessing the majority would choose Reaves. If forced to keep either James or Reaves, almost certainly the Lakers would keep Reaves.
These sorts of questions will matter at the upcoming Feb. 5 trade deadline, when, with the team going nowhere, perhaps James should realize that his days here are numbered and consider lifting that no-trade clause.
If unanswered, the questions will surface again this summer, when Reaves becomes a free agent and can command a maximum contract of $241 million over five years. The Lakers are going to pay him, which leaves James, who would also be a free agent, and his contract demands deep on the bench.
If James leaves the Lakers for whatever reason — retirement, seeking a title elsewhere — the Lakers can sign Reaves and still have $50 million in cap space.
Think about that.
Lakers forward LeBron James hugs teammate Austin Reaves after he was fouled on a three-point shot during a game against Utah. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Fifty million in cap space on a team that’s already locked up its two best scorers? Are you kidding me?
If James gets out of the way, the Lakers can finally fully commit to a retooling around Luka Doncic and Reaves.
It’s all pretty simple, isn’t it? It only became complicated this week when the suddenly struggling Lakers were hit with the most damaging opinion during the most detrimental of times.
Paul popped off on his podcast about trading, of all people, Reaves.
In “Game Over With Max Kellerman and Rich Paul,” Paul cited the advantages of trading Reaves to Memphis for Jaren Jackson Jr.
“This comes with a very unemotional attachment because Austin is beloved, which he should be, he's an underdog," Paul said on the podcast. "There's a world where you can do what's best for your team, and do what's best for Austin. Because Austin deserves to get paid. Now, I love him as a Laker, but if that was a situation where we're getting balance — because if you put all the money into just the backcourt and then your flexibility is restricted going forward to fill out the rest of the team…”
Paul went so far as to say Memphis would be the perfect place for Reaves.
"Memphis would definitely pay Austin," Paul said. "He would become … probably their point guard and leading scorer, for sure. … But definitely their highest-paid player."
A similar opinion urging the Lakers to trade Reaves appeared in this column last summer, but that was written before Reaves had a breakout start this season, averaging 27 points a game on 51% shooting before being sidelined with a calf injury.
He’s hot. He’s arrived. He’s him.
The idea of trading Reaves now feels foolish. Even worse, it feels like an idea that was co-signed by James himself.
Trading Reaves would give more touches to James. Acquiring Jackson would offer more room for James. The entire speculation could be summed up in one sentence that has nothing to do with Reaves or Jackson.
The Lakers should do what’s best for LeBron James.
No, they shouldn’t. No, they absolutely shouldn’t. Yet that’s what Paul was saying, and one would be naive to think that’s not what James is thinking, even though he denied any association in an interview with ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
“I think you all know by now, Rich is his own man and what Rich says is not a direct reflection of me and how I feel," James told McMenamin. "And I hope people know that. I hope people know that and if they're not sensible to know that, then I don't know what to tell them."
In the same interview, James also expressed his love for Reaves. Smart man.
“AR knows how I feel about him," James told McMenamin. "All you got to do is look at us on the bench. Me and AR talk every single day. So, AR knows how I feel about him and I hope AR — or his camp — don't look at me and think this is words from me are coming through Rich.”
Turns out, Reaves’ camp thought these words were exactly coming from James, witness the brief courtside meeting between Reggie Berry, one of Reaves’ agents, and Paul during a Lakers game earlier this week. According to ESPN, Berry approached Paul in search of an explanation for his comments.
Later on his podcast, Paul said he told Berry, “I want Austin to know this is not about Austin Reaves because I love the player, love the person.”
Everybody, it seems, loves Austin Reaves, and he’s not going anywhere. Meanwhile, after another tumultuous week in the passive-aggressive life of a king, it feels like LeBron James is as good as gone.
"Air Force Men's Basketball Head Coach Joe Scott has been suspended indefinitely pending an investigation into the treatment of cadet-athletes. Assistant Coach Jon Jordon (USAFA '85) will serve as interim head coach," the statement read.
In his sixth season of his second tenure leading the Air Force program, Scott has the Falcons sitting 3-14 overall on the season and at the bottom of the Mountain West with a 0-6 record in league play.
He was hired back at Air Force ahead of the 2020-21 men's college basketball season following a two-year stint serving as an assistant coach on Tom Crean's staff at Georgia. He has led the Falcons to a combined 97-183 record in his two stints.
Taking over in Scott's place will be assistant coach Jon Jordon, who graduated from the Air Force in 1985. Jordon has been on Scott's staff since 2022 and was also a member of his first staff at Air Force from 2000-2004 as well.
Air Force and Nevada are slated for a 4 p.m. ET tipoff at Clune Arena in Colorado Springs, Colorado on Saturday.
CASABLANCA, Morocco (AP) — Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali saved two penalties including the first from Mohamed Salah for Nigeria to beat Egypt 4-2 in a penalty shootout for third place at the Africa Cup Nations on Saturday.
Ademola Lookman scored the winning penalty.
Salah and Omar Marmoush had their penalty kicks saved by Nwabali at the start of the shootout after the teams drew 0-0 in normal time. No extra time was played for the consolation of a bronze medal.
It was the Super Eagles’ second consecutive penalty shootout following a scoreless draw after losing the semifinal to Morocco on penalties on Wednesday.
Nwabali produced a strong hand to stop a well-taken penalty from Salah, then thwarted Marmoush’s effort straight down the middle with his foot.
Salah had been kept quiet by Nigeria’s defenders and was unable to add to his 11 Africa Cup goals altogether.
Victor Osimhen remained on Nigeria’s substitutes’ bench, suggesting he was carrying an injury from the semifinal defeat to Morocco. Osimhen was taken off in extra time of that game just before the penalty shootout.
The Super Eagles ended the Africa Cup on a positive note in contrast to the last edition, where they lost in the final to host Ivory Coast.
Morocco and Senegal will contest the final in Rabat on Sunday. Sadio Mané's goal was enough to send Senegal through with a 1-0 win over Egypt in their semifinal.
LENS, France (AP) — Winger Wesley Saïd scored a brilliant goal to secure Lens' 10th consecutive win across all competitions and place atop the Ligue 1 standings on Saturday.
Lens defeated Auxerre 1-0 after Saïd controlled with his chest Malang Sarr’s cross into the box and finished with a left-footed volley from the bounce. The 65th-minute score was his eighth this season.
Lens, which claimed its only French title in 1998, stayed one point ahead of defending champion Paris Saint-Germain, which beat Lille on Friday.
Next-to-last in the standings, Auxerre was not intimidated by the buoyant crowd and posed a strong challenge to the host with intense pressing.
After a first half of few clear chances, Lens showed more intent and Matthieu Udol, set up by Adrien Thomasson, came close to breaking the deadlock. The ball fell back to Udol who struck again only for defender Fredrik Oppegård to block.
Udol then delivered a low cross toward the near post for Thomasson, whose effort went just wide. Lens kept pushing and was finally rewarded when Saïd slotted home.
Other matches
Toulouse hosted Nice later Saturday and third-place Marseille was at mid-table Angers.
PSG warmed up for next week's Champions League match at Sporting with a convincing 3-0 win over Lille on Friday. Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé scored a brace. Monaco fell to its seventh defeat in eight games, at home to Lorient 3-1.
The Detroit Pistons have built a 4.5-game lead at the top of the East, and Cade Cunningham continues to play like an All-Star. Despite a wrist issue, I expect him to put up big numbers again tonight against the Indiana Pacers.
His assists prop is the one that really stands out to me here, with Cade serving up 11+ dimes in four of his last five games. He’s got options inside and outside, from Jalen Duren as a lob threat to a red-hot Duncan Robinson beyond the arc, and it’ll just come down to making the right reads.
Cunningham has passed those kinds of tests all season, and there’s a steadiness with his playmaking. He averaged 10.1 APG in December, and he’s inched that number up so far this month.
The Pacers arrive in Motor City on the second night of a back-to-back set, and Cade should be able to cut through an Indiana defense that allowed the lowly New Orleans Pelicans to shoot 50% from the field yesterday.
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit, FanDuel Sports Network Indiana
It’s the banged-up Washington Wizards against the banged-up Denver Nuggets here, but that opens the door for big performances from the healthy players on the two rosters.
That’s part of the case for Kyshawn George, who’s taken big strides in his second NBA season, and he’s getting every chance to spread his wings as the Wizards look towards the lottery.
George has scored 15+ points in four of his last five contests, including a 23-point effort against the Los Angeles Clippers last week, and this is a nice spot for him against a Denver team that will be without Christian Braun’s gritty defense.
He’s served up some erratic nights from 3-point range, but he’s making his triples at a 39% clip overall this year, and Washington needs him to stay aggressive as a shooter after trading away CJ McCollum.
The Wizards don’t appear to be in a big hurry to get new addition Trae Young on the court, and that means more touches for George, Alex Sarr, and the rest of the team’s young core.
Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Altitude Sports, Monumental Sports Network
As frustrating as the LaMelo Ball experience can be at times, the 15-26 Charlotte Hornets have beaten the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder this month.
They’ve also got the upside to trouble the Golden State Warriors tonight, and that starts with Ball delivering another impressive stat line. LaMelo dropped 30 points on the Lakers on Thursday, including nine 3-pointers, and he’s gone past this number in three of his past four games.
Ball finished with 25 points in his one outing against the Warriors last season, and I’m wagering on him embracing the challenge of going head-to-head with Steph Curry here.
Volume shouldn’t be an issue. LaMelo has jacked up 20+ shots in four of his last five games, so while the efficiency may not be great, he’ll have every opportunity to nail this Over.
Ultimately, this pick may come down to Ball’s 3-point stroke. He’s 24-for-54 from downtown in his last four games, and that’s a shot he should be able to get with ease here.
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network Southeast, NBC Sports Bay Area
Cash your ML bets quicker with bet365's early win payout
Take advantage of the early win payout at bet365, where any pre-game NBA moneyline bet gets paid out as a winner if your team goes up by 20+ points!
Learn more about this feature, and all of bet365's offerings, with our comprehensive bet365 review.
21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
The Detroit Pistons opened 2026 the same way they closed 2025 — winning in a variety of ways and anchoring everything with elite defense. Injuries over the past few weeks failed to slow their momentum, and now the Pistons are back to full strength ahead of a tough stretch against Boston, Houston, and Denver to close out the month.
1. Threats in the East?
Opening the floor: who poses the biggest threat to Detroit in the postseason — and can the Pistons capitalize on what many view as a “gap year” in the conference?
Detroit currently holds a 4.5-game lead over Boston, which has cooled off after a scorching December. The Pistons have taken two of three from the Celtics, with all three games decided by single digits. The wild card is Jayson Tatum’s Achilles recovery — whether he could return at all, and whether Boston would even allow it. The contrasting styles of these teams would make for a fascinating playoff series.
Dec 15, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) brings the ball up the court against the Boston Celtics during the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
Then there’s New York. Detroit dismantled the Knicks in their lone meeting so far, but you’d expect a much sharper response in future matchups. Below them, Toronto — whom the Pistons haven’t yet faced — along with Philadelphia, Orlando, and Cleveland all linger as dangerous middle-tier threats in a tightly packed East.
2. Deadline looming
With less than a month until the NBA trade deadline, there’s little consensus among fans or media about how — or even if — Trajan Langdon will approach roster changes.
There seem to be two main schools of thought consuming fans’ minds: swing for a bigger name or stand pat. But there’s also a middle ground Langdon could easily land on, similar to last season’s Dennis Schröder acquisition — a move that paid dividends during Detroit’s strong finish despite a first-round exit.
Detroit needs shooting, but they’ll be careful to add someone who won’t disrupt the culture or identity they’ve built. It’s hard to envision them sacrificing young assets for a moderate upgrade, but could a name like Tobias Harris surface in that type of deal? And what kind of draft capital would Langdon be willing to throw into a deal?
3. Duren back
Jalen Duren returned for the first time since New Year’s Day and immediately made his presence felt, posting 16 points, 18 rebounds, and two blocks — including a momentum-swinging rejection late in the fourth quarter.
Oct 24, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) reacts after making a basket during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
After a roaring start to the season, injuries slowed Duren in December, when his averages dipped to 16.5 points and 9.5 rebounds, down from November marks of 21.5 and 12.6. Still, it feels far more likely that his early-season production represents the real version of his trajectory rather than a hot stretch.
At just 22 years old, with multiple areas of his game still developing, there’s no clear ceiling on what Duren can become — and that uncertainty will loom large as future contract discussions approach. The Pistons are just happy to have him back at full strength.
Each squad made more than 40% from three, and a trio of players — Steph Curry, Brandin Podziemski, and Charlotte's LaMelo Ball — knocked down at least five each.
The seven-point Golden State win started a stretch for Charlotte that has seen the Hornets go 7-2 ATS. On the flip side, it started a four-game ATS losing streak for the Warriors, though Golden State has bounced back to win four of its last five ATS.
The Hornets haven't just been winning and covering on the road; they've been bullying teams. In addition to the 124-97 win at NBA-leading OKC, the Hornets won at Chicago by 13.
On this trip, they beat the Lakers 135-117 and dismantled Utah, winning by 55.
Golden State will have Curry available. That was up in the air briefly after he limped away from Thursday's game with a quad contusion.
However, coach Steve Kerr confirmed Curry would be available for Saturday. The only injury issue for Golden State is Gui Santos, who will miss the game with a sprained ankle.
He contributes 11 minutes and 3.7 points per game, so it's not likely to sway things one way or the other.
Hornets vs Warriors same-game parlay
This point's total cutoff inspired a double-take. Yes, Charlotte and Golden State combined for 257 points two weeks ago, and yes, both teams are outstanding three-point shooters.
However, Golden State plays at the No. 18 pace in the league, and Charlotte is even slower, ranking No. 25 in tempo. Neither team will be pushing the ball, and Golden State has only one cutoff higher in its last six games.
Charlotte has had lower cutoffs in three of its last five. That New Year's Eve shootout is fresh in people's minds, and pushing tonight's game total too high creates opportunity.
LaMelo Ball put up 54 three-point attempts in the last four games, making 24. He's taken at least seven threes in 15 straight games and made four or more in 10 of them.
Hornets vs Warriors SGP
Hornets +7
LaMelo Ball Over 3.5 threes
Under 234
Our "from downtown" SGP: Curry no Favor!
Nothing against Curry, who is still the league's premier sharpshooter, but this is another case of the New Year's Eve game swaying people and creating an opportunity.
Curry has made five or more threes just twice in the eight games (he missed one of them) since the last Hornets matchup. Overall, he's done it just four times in his last 14 games, and he's hampered by a quad contusion.
Over/Under: Over 236.5 (-110) | Under 236.5 (-110)
Hornets vs Warriors betting trend to know
The Hornets have hit the moneyline in seven of their last 11 away games. Find more NBA betting trends for Hornets vs. Warriors.
How to watch Hornets vs Warriors
Location
Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
Date
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Tip-off
8:30 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN SE-CHA, NBCSBA
Hornets vs Warriors latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
Minnesota Timberwolves at San Antonio Spurs Date: January 17th, 2026 Time: 7:00 PM CST Location: Frost Bank Center Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network – North Radio Coverage: Wolves App, iHeart Radio
There are losses where you shrug, chalk it up as a schedule loss, and move on. And then there are losses that linger because you know exactly how winnable they were.
Friday night in Houston fell squarely into the second category. Not because Minnesota got embarrassed. They didn’t. Not because Kevin Durant did Kevin Durant things. That’s the job description. It was frustrating because the Wolves had the game right there, in their hands, on a night when they were missing Anthony Edwards, and still managed to let it slip away. There’s no shame in losing to one of the West’s best teams when your top-five superstar is out. There is frustration in losing a game you could have stolen because the second half turned into a self-inflicted unraveling.
And the real kicker? Houston was on the second night of a back-to-back, coming off a loss to Oklahoma City the night before. This was supposed to be the “tired legs, heavy shots, Wolves run them off the floor” script. For a half, it looked like that’s exactly where it was headed. Minnesota was locked in defensively with Rudy Gobert swallowing up looks around the rim like Houston had tried to shoot a basketball through a black hole. The Wolves were moving the ball, pushing the pace, turning misses into transition chances, and playing like the grown-up January version of themselves.
Then the second half happened.
The refs turned things into a disjointed, foul-heavy, rhythm-free slog in the third. Minnesota never recovered its rhythm. The ball movement evaporated. The tempo slowed. And the Wolves, who had an opportunity to pressure tired legs, force Houston to chase, and turn this into a track meet, did the exact opposite. They let Houston pack the paint, load up on Julius Randle, swarm him on every bully-ball drive, and choke the oxygen out of the offense.
And look: Randle filled the stat sheet, sure. But he also turned into a black hole in the worst way, forcing looks against multiple defenders, occasionally coughing it up, and leaving everyone else watching instead of participating. It was like the offense got reduced to one guy trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube with boxing gloves on, while everyone else stood around.
The most brutal part? The free throws. Minnesota shot 57% from the line. That’s not “bad for an NBA team,” that’s “bad for a high school team.” The Wolves left 15 points at the stripe. Rudy went 2-for-10. That’s the kind of stat that makes you check the box score twice because you assume you misread it. If Minneosta hits even a third of those misses, you’re talking overtime or a road win you had no business getting without Ant.
So yes, the loss is frustrating. But it also tells you something important: Minnesota can hang with Houston even shorthanded. If Ant plays, that matchup looks very different. If the Wolves simply don’t self-destruct at the line, that game probably swings.
Unfortunately, now there’s no time to sulk. Because the second leg of the Texas two-step is waiting, and it’s the bigger one: Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs, and a rematch that comes with real standings consequences.
After the Houston slip-up, Minnesota is now 1.5 games back of Denver and San Antonio, who are tied for the two/three seeds. There won’t be any standings leapfrogging on Saturday night, but there is a chance to stop the bleeding and close the gap, as well as a very real risk of getting swept through Texas if Anthony Edwards can’t go as he battles his toe infection.
This is where the weekend turns from “slightly annoying” to “could spiral fast if you’re not careful.”
So yeah. Big game. Again.
And with that, here are the keys.
Keys to the Game
#1: Hit your free throws. I cannot believe we’re back here. This is an NBA team fighting for top-three positioning and they’re treating the charity stripe like it’s a haunted house. Minnesota’s free throw ineptitude is not just ugly, it’s actively cost them games against their own conference rivals in OKC and Houston. In two of the biggest measuring-stick games they’ve played, the Wolves have basically spotted the opponent points like they’re donating to a cause. And now they go into San Antonio, potentially without Ant, on the road, against an elite team, and you’re telling me they’re going to win while giving away free points? No. If they shoot like that again, it’s over before the fourth quarter even arrives.
#2: Don’t cower to Wembanyama. Last week, Minnesota started down 16–0 because they looked like they were trying to solve Wembanyama instead of playing basketball. Everything was hesitant. Everything was off-kilter. They weren’t getting their normal looks, and you could feel the intimidation factor creep into the shot selection, like the rim was guarded by a 7’4 French demogorgon. The Wolves can’t do that again. They’ve now had the experience of seeing how the game changes when Victor is on vs. off the floor. They need to use it. Attack with purpose. Don’t settle into the “we’ll just jack threes and hope” offense. And Julius Randle needs to tap into what worked late last game with the bully-ball defense, the physicality, and the “I’m not moving for you” attitude that sent Wembanyama into baby giraffe mode.
#3: Move the ball like the game depends on it — because it kind of does. Houston was a masterclass in what happens when Minnesota’s offense stagnates. The disjointed third quarter killed the rhythm, Randle became the whole offense, and everyone else got iced out. McDaniels and DiVincenzo basically became spectators. That can’t happen again, especially with Wembanyama looming behind every drive like a skyscraper with arms. Whether Ant plays or not, this has to be a team offense. Randle can score, yes, but his superpower is using his gravity to create open threes and easy looks when the defense collapses. If he’s just trying to bully through triple teams for 48 minutes, you’re playing right into San Antonio’s hands.
#4: Win the non-Wemby minutes like it’s a separate game inside the game. This was the biggest tell last time: the Wolves looked like two different teams depending on whether Wembanyama was on the floor. When he sat, Minnesota’s offense suddenly breathed again. Spacing improved, driving lanes opened, and the Spurs’ defense looked human. The Wolves have to treat those non-Wemby minutes like a hunting license. Attack immediately. Push the pace. Go on runs. Make it hurt when he rests. They’ve used this receipe before against Denver with Jokic. Survive the star minutes, dominate the bench minutes, and steal the game in the margins.
#5: Naz Reid has to be the spark plug again. Naz was a beast from deep against Houston, one of the only guys keeping the offense from fully dying when the rhythm disappeared. If Ant can’t go, Naz becomes even more important as a scorer, as a spacing weapon, and now, increasingly, as a defender. His defensive effort has legitimately stepped up over this January stretch. Randle will draw bodies. Rudy will get his easy looks and offensive boards. But Naz is the guy who can bend a defense with quick threes and inside-out scoring, especially against lineups where San Antonio’s secondary defenders are vulnerable.
#6: Keep your emotions in check. These teams got chippy last weekend. Rudy picked up the flagrant that pushed him over the limit and got him suspended. That’s not just a “whoops.” That’s a real consequence. Now you’re heading into a high-stakes rematch, coming off a frustrating loss where the refs already turned one quarter into a whistle-fest, and emotions could be running hot. Minnesota cannot get baited. They cannot give away free throws, techs, or foul trouble minutes. And they certainly do not need Gobert sniffing another flagrant situation. Play tough. Play physical. Play smart.
The Finish
Here’s the truth: this is the kind of game that tells you whether Minnesota’s January reinvention is real, or whether it’s just a hot stretch that collapses the second the margin tightens.
Because yeah, it’s hard to see the Wolves stealing a road back-to-back against a team as talented as San Antonio without Anthony Edwards. That’s just math. That’s just reality. But this is also the NBA, where weird stuff happens every night and the team with the sharper edge wins more games than the team with the prettier roster.
Minnesota already proved last week they can come back from the dead against these guys — down 19, staring at the abyss, and somehow winning 104–103 by executing like a real contender. That wasn’t luck. That was poise. That was grown-up basketball. That was Julius Randle bodying Wembanyama and Ant hitting another “I own this moment” shot.
Now they have to do it again, on the road, with less margin, more fatigue, and a whole lot more pressure.
If they hit free throws. If they move the ball. If they win the non-Wemby minutes. If they don’t melt down emotionally. If Naz gives them juice. If Julius balances bully ball with facilitation instead of turning into a black hole…
They can absolutely punch San Antonio in the mouth and make them prove they can take it.
And if the Wolves somehow pull this off without Ant? That’s not just a win.
That’s a statement about who they are — and who they’re becoming.
SHEFFIELD, England (AP) — Nika Egadze of Georgia will head to next month's Winter Olympics as the European figure skating champion after a dominant win by nearly 17 points on Saturday.
Skating last after rivals made mistakes, Egadze needed only to avoid glaring errors to secure gold but delivered a personal-best free skate, landing four high-scoring quadruple jumps and scoring 181.72 points for a total of 273.
Egadze dived onto the ice and slid on his chest to cheers from the crowd as he left after the skate.
“When I came to the ice it was a little bit shaky,” Egadze said. “I just remembered the words of my coaches, I just need to enjoy the moment.”
It was the second gold medal of the championships for the former Soviet nation of Georgia after Egadze's friends Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava won the pairs on Thursday.
Matteo Rizzo took the silver for Italy on 256.37, his fourth career medal at the European championships.
Georgii Reshtenko of the Czech Republic had never placed higher than ninth at a major championships but smashed his personal best with 238.27 for a surprise bronze, beating defending champion Lukas Britschgi of Switzerland into fourth.
Estonian brothers Aleksandr and Mihhail Selevko were second and third behind Egadze following Thursday's short program but both fell in the free skate and dropped to fifth and sixth overall as they failed to match fellow Estonian Niina Petrokina's win in the women's competition.
The championships conclude with the free dance in the ice dance later Saturday.
Christian Koloko has found a new landing spot in the NBA.
The former Arizona Wildcats big man has signed on with the Atlanta Hawks on a two-way contract. Koloko became available after the Memphis Grizzlies didn’t resign him following the expiration of a second 10-day contract.
Koloko will be hoping for a longer stay with Atlanta after starting the year with the Los Angeles Lakers, then playing a short stint with Memphis. In 13 games this season, Koloko is averaging 2.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.0 block in 15.5 minutes.
Koloko joins a 20-23 Hawks team that is contention for a playoff spot midway through the season despite trading away star point guard Trae Young to Washington earlier this month. Koloko will compete with Onyeka Okongwu, Mouhamed Geuye and Asa Newell for minutes at the center position.
Atlanta is the fourth NBA team Koloko has played for, after starting his career with the Toronto Raptors. Toronto drafted Koloko 33rd overall in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Koloko was the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and Pac-12 Most Improved Player of the Year in his final year at Arizona.
The New York Knicks will look to snap a two-game losing streak as they host the Phoenix Suns at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.
Phoenix is also on a two-game skid, but has been playing well for bettors as of late, and I’m taking it to cover again in my Suns vs. Knicks predictions below.
Read on to see my full analysis of tonight’s game and get my free NBA picks for Saturday, January 17.
Suns vs Knicks prediction
Suns vs Knicks best bet: Suns +3.5 (-110)
The New York Knicks are currently suffering through their worst stretch of the season, having lost seven of their last nine games. New York hasn’t been playing well at all on defense lately, giving up 119.0 ppg over that nine-game stretch.
That would be concerning enough in general, but the Knicks have also been without Jalen Brunson for nearly the entirety of the last two games, and their star is questionable again tonight with a sprained ankle.
The Phoenix Suns have had its own injury issues to deal with, as Devin Booker also missed Thursday’s game against the Miami Heat with his own sprained ankle. Like Brunson, Booker remains questionable for Saturday’s game.
But unlike the Knicks, the Suns are playing well on the defensive end right now. The Suns are allowing just 112.0 ppg to opponents on the year, and have limited seven of their last eight opponents to under 110 points. That has coincided with a span in which they have covered the spread in seven of eight games as well.
New York hasn’t been able to figure out its defensive problems, and they will struggle to keep up against Phoenix’s defense with or without Brunson in the lineup. I’m not quite bold enough to pick the Suns to win outright, but I do love the visitors to cover tonight.
Suns vs Knicks same-game parlay
The Suns have been playing well defensively and finishing with notably low totals as of late, hitting the Under in six of their last seven games, so I’ll add the Under to my SGP tonight.
I’m also backing Dillon Brooks to hit his scoring total, as he’s gone for 21+ points in three of his last five games and may get a bit more usage than normal with Devin Booker still listed as questionable with an ankle sprain.
Suns vs Knicks SGP
Suns +3.5
Under 225.5
Dillon Brooks Over 20.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: The Brooks takeover
Brooks may only be averaging 3.3 rebounds per game this season, but he’s collected four or more in five of his last seven games, making him a solid pick to hit the Over in a longshot SGP tonight.
Suns vs Knicks SGP
Suns +3.5
Under 225.5
Dillon Brooks Over 20.5 points
Dillon Brooks Over 3.5 rebounds
Suns vs Knicks odds
Spread: Phoenix +3.5 (-115) | New York -3.5 (-105)
Moneyline: Phoenix +135 | New York -160
Over/Under: Over 225 (-110) | Under 225 (-110)
Suns vs Knicks betting trend to know
The Suns have gone 7-1 ATS in their last eight games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Suns vs. Knicks.
How to watch Suns vs Knicks
Location
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Date
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
NBA TV
Suns vs Knicks latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
Cade Cunningham
Kyshawn George
LaMelo Ball
