It would be stating the obvious to say the Lakers have missed Austin Reaves.
But what the last 1 ½ months have made clear is how much the Lakers missed Reaves.
A sentiment that would’ve been almost unfathomable nearly a year ago when the Lakers traded for Luka Dončić, and already had LeBron James on their roster, was there would be a variety of statistics that suggest Reaves is arguably just as impactful as his star teammates.
Dec 10, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) waits on the court during a time out in the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Consider this: Reaves has the team’s best individual plus/minus (plus-2.5) and second-best individual net rating (3.3 points per 100 possessions, just behind Marcus Smart’s 3.6 net rating) among Lakers who’ve been on the floor for at least 300 minutes.
Statistically, the Lakers’ halfcourt offense has benefited the most this season when Reaves has been on the floor compared to any of his teammates — including Dončić, an MVP-caliber offensive savant in the prime of his career.
But there are also the simple numbers that show how much the Lakers miss Reaves: he was playing at an All-NBA level, with averages of 27.8 points, 6.7 asists and 5.6 rebounds, before calf injuries limited him to just 37 minutes in two games since mid-December.
And the Lakers have gone 10-10 since Reaves initially left the lineup, including the two games he played but was limited in, after starting the season 17-7.
“Certainly the thrust and the movement,” Coach JJ Redick said about what the Lakers have missed about Reaves. “And just the pace. He’s a violent basketball player. And we missed that. His defense, I thought the second half of last year, was really good. Having been with us now for two years, we miss his ability to consistently execute. And those are 36-39 minutes of consistent execution on the defensive end. He knows our stuff. He executes it well. His level of intent on that end is really good every night.
Redick added: “We talked a lot earlier in the season about his leadership and he’s been very engaged during this stretch when he’s been out. He’s a connective tissue for us on the floor and we’re all looking forward to getting him back.”
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves drives between Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, center Mark Williams (15), and forward Royce O’Neale (00) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) AP
Redick said before Saturday’s road win over the Dallas Mavericks that Reaves’ return to the floor should happen “sooner on this trip rather than later” — possibly as soon as Wednesday’s matchup against the Cavaliers.
And with the Lakers stepping up their playing over the last week, winning three of their last four games, there’s optimism around the team once he’s back in the lineup.
“[We] need his dynamic,” Rui Hachimura said. “We had a great start the first 20 games and he was the biggest part of those games. We are excited for him to be back.”
There’s not much question in my mind who wins: At 4-17, the New Orleans Pelicans are tied for the second-fewest road wins in the NBA and are dead last in the West (4-28) against teams with a winning record.
However, the San Antonio Spurs haven’t been a great bet against the spread of late, going just 2-4-0 in their last six.
While the Spurs have won all three games against the Pelicans this season, the largest margin of victory has been seven points, and NOLA is 3-0-0 against the spread.
Consider also the Pels are as healthy as they’ve been all season, so all those extra points are a nice gift for Sunday’s matchup.
Pelicans vs Spurs same-game parlay
Victor Wembanyama is coming off a 14-rebound game, the third straight double-digit rebound game and fourth in the last five. In the two games he’s played against NOLA this year, Wemby has had at least 11 rebounds in both.
De’Aaron Fox has only hit 19 points or more twice in his last seven games.
Pelicans vs Spurs SGP
Pelicans +11.5
Victor Wembanyama Over 10.5 rebounds
De'Aaron Fox Under 18.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Big boy balling
Zion Williamson has scored at least 20 points in eight of 12 January matchups, including seven games over 20.5 points.
Stephon Castle has been working as the primary table-setter for San Antonio of late, but he’s hit nine dimes just twice in the last 10 games.
Pelicans vs Spurs SGP
Pelicans +11.5
Victor Wembanyama Over 10.5 rebounds
De'Aaron Fox Under 18.5 points
Zion Williamson Over 20.5 points
Stephon Castle Under 8.5 assists
Pelicans vs Spurs odds
Spread: Pelicans +11.5 | Spurs -11.5
Moneyline: Pelicans +425 | Spurs -575
Over/Under: Over 239.5 | Under 239.5
Pelicans vs Spurs betting trend to know
New Orleans has covered the spread in eight of its last nine games vs Southwest Division opponents. Find more NBA betting trends for Pelicans vs. Spurs.
How to watch Pelicans vs Spurs
Location
Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX
Date
Sunday, January 25, 2026
Tip-off
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
Pelicans+, FDSN Southwest
Pelicans vs Spurs latest injuries
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In Game 3 of the 2015 Eastern Conference Finals, Derrick Rose hit a game-winning three at the buzzer to give the Bulls the win and a 2-1 lead in the series. Almost 11 years later, on the day that Rose is getting his #1 jersey retired by the Bulls organization, Kevin Huerter decided to give a fitting tribute, hitting a game winning three against the Celtics with 0.2 seconds remaining. Huerter isn’t the player I would have expected to hit a shot like that but it happened non the less. Josh Giddey made a pass to Coby White that got the Celtics defense out of rotation. Derrick White stepped up to Coby White, leaving Huerter wide open in the corner where he hit the game winner over a late contest by Neemias Queta.
Boston had a slow shooting night in this game, finishing 44-99 (44%) from the field and 15-47 (32%) from three. In some games this season, 15 threes is good enough to win these close games. However, this was not one of those nights as the Bulls had a ridiculous shooting night, finishing 43-85 (51%) from the field and 21-45 (47%) from three. It’s not very often you see the Celtics get out shot from beyond the arc but the Bulls just could not miss, having 8 of their 9 players hitting at least 2 threes.
Bulls Shot Zone (Via NBA.com)
3. Jaylen Brown Looked Like Michael Jordan
After playing 46 minutes against the Nets night before, Jaylen Brown bounced back immediately and put up an incredible performance against the Bulls. Brown finished with 33 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists on 14-28 shooting. The Bulls were letting Brown get anywhere he wanted to on the court tonight and played a lot of one-on-one defense which is a bold strategy to say the least.
Brown started out the game hot, scoring 11 points in the first quarter and really set the tone for the Celtics. He started the scoring for Boston with a wide open three over Jalen Smith. His next basket saw him matchup with Matas Buzelis in the corner. Brown hit him with a jab step, drove, and shot a midrange jumper over him. He followed that up by attacking Buzelis again, this time for a layup. Finally, he finished his first quarter with a nice layup on the fast break off of a nice pass by Derrick White.
In the second quarter, Brown decided he want to show Chicago his best Michael Jordan impression, hitting 4 mid range jumpers. The first came after attacking Buzelis again, this time in transition. The next came after navigating a screen and getting around Coby White for a bucket. The third came one-on-one with Kevin Huerter as he walked him down and hit an And-1 jumper over him. The final one came in the final seconds of the second quarter where he walked down Coby White and hit a nice running jumper over him.
Brown continued to show out in the third quarter, hitting a three and a finger roll for his first two baskets but it was his third bucket that was beautiful. Brown got Jalen Smith one-on-one on the perimeter where he drove into the lane. With Smith draped over him, Brown faked, spun, and splashed a fadeaway jump shot that looked eerily similar to MJ.
Brown made some huge clutch shots in the fourth quarter that would have been the difference if the Celtics were able to win. He started his fourth quarter scoring with a great pass by Derrick White into Brown underneath the basket for an easy layup. Then at the 2:23 mark down by 4, Brown made a spinning run to the cup where he got fouled and flipped up a shot off of the top of the backboard with his left hand to make the bucket count. Finally, after the Bulls missed a dunk at the end of the game, Brown took the ball coast-to-coast for a tough left handed layup over Josh Giddey to tie the game with 14 seconds remaining. Overall, I liked everything Brown did in this game and he deserved a win.
Boston needed a second scoring punch in this game and Anfernee Simons really stepped up for the Celtics in this game, finishing with 21 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals on 8-16 shooting from the field and 5-11 from three. I thought this was one of Simons’ best defensive games of the season. He did a solid job guarding and his 2 steals were pretty good as well.
His first steal came in the first quarter when Josh Giddey threw a lazy bounce pass that Simons picked off and it resulted in a wide open layup for Derrick White. His second steal came in a bigger spot in the fourth quarter. Giddey was trapped underneath the basket and threw a pass out to the three point line. Simons looked like a defensive back for the Patriots however, intercepting the pass and taking it the other way.
On the scoring front, I would say the second quarter was where Simons’ impact was felt the most. He scored 10 points and kept the Celtics offense in the game. Simons first bucket came when he blew by Kevin Huerter and finished a tough layup. The next came after Queta missed a three and Hauser grabbed an offensive rebound. Hauser found Simons wide open where he was able to knock it down. The third basket came where he blew by Matas Buzelis for a nice ringer roll. Finally, Brown found Simons wide open again for three and splashed it in Giddey’s face.
After a tough stretch, Derrick White missed the Celtics matchup against the Brooklyn Nets on Friday due to rest. White came back for this game in Chicago and had another bad shooting night, scoring 15 points on 5-18 shooting and 3-11 from three. However, I wouldn’t call this a bad game for White overall because he did have 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, and some big shots in the fourth quarter.
In his first basket of the fourth quarter, White slowed down his approach and splashed a three over Patrick Williams. White’s second basket of the fourth quarter was another three, this time over Josh Giddey, where once again he looked like he slowed down his mechanics. His last basket of the game was his biggest where after Hauser missed a three, White grabbed the offensive rebound and put back the layup to make it a two point game with 3:41 left.
Down 88-85 going into the fourth quarter, the Celtics needed a spark to begin the fourth quarter and Hugo Gonzalez and Jordan Walsh answered the call. Starting with Gonzalez, at the 10:25 mark of the fourth quarter Hugo was able to replicate his game tying corner three against Brooklyn by hitting one over a late contest from Josh Giddey.
Later in the quarter, Hugo was matched up with Nikola Vucevic on the block. After playing some great defense to deny the Bulls from getting it to him earlier, Gonzalez reached around Vucevic and stole the pass.
This set up a play for Walsh at the 7:23 mark of the quarter. The Celtics were passing the ball around the perimeter. The ball ended up in the hands of White and Jordan Walsh made a beautiful cut from the wing to get a wide open layup.
Watching them play in the beginning of this quarter really made me wonder why Mazzulla didn’t use them more. I think he wanted a more offensive oriented lineup to close the game which I am fine with, but I thought the energy that Gonzalez and Walsh gave you to begin the quarter could have been used later in the game as well.
7. Amari Williams first NBA Start
After a great performance in the Celtics overtime win against the Nets, Amari Williams was given the nod for his first Career NBA start against the Bulls. Williams didn’t play a lot, finishing with 2 points, 2 rebounds and 1 block in 10 minutes of play but he showed some nice flashes.
In the third quarter, Williams showed off his defensive abilities once again. After making the game sealing block against the Nets on Friday, Amari was able to get his finger tips on this layup attempt by Coby White. It arguably could have been called a goal tend but I think it was still an incredible effort by Williams to make a play.
Later in the third quarter, Williams was able to finish a nice play on offense this time. After Simons missed a three, Derrick White grabbed the offensive rebound and made a nice touch pass to Williams where he finished off the play with a dunk.
I have really liked what I saw out of Amari Williams in the last two games he has played and showed an ability to still make an impact no matter what situation he is thrown in to. My dream scenario is that he can turn into the British version of 2022 Robert Williams but I will be patient for now.
8. Weird Paint Game
On the surface of this game, it looks like Boston had a great night. I covered the shooting disparity earlier but the other numbers just make this look like a weird loss. The Celtics did get out-rebounded 44-38 and allowed a ton of offensive rebounds that killed them in the fourth quarter. Chicago was able to bleed time and hit osme big shots to keep Boston at arms distance. However, Boston was able to dominate the paint battle as a whole, winning the points in the paint category 52-42. The Celtics were able to attack Jalen Smith and Nikola Vucevic inside to make a lot of easy baskets. This was just a weird feeling game overall because it felt like Boston did a solid job on the boards until very late.
9. Limited Turnovers
Coming into this game the Celtics were averaging 13.8 turnovers in their last 5 games. These turnovers were the main reasons as to why they lost to the Pistons on Monday and why the Pacers looked to stay in the game on Wednesday. However, they did only turn the ball over 8 times against the Nets on Friday and did an even better job of controlling the ball against the Bulls, only finishing with 6 turnovers on the night. It brings me back to this being a weird numbers game, forcing Chicago into 16 turnovers but still couldn’t get the win.
10. Incredible effort for 2nd game of a back-to-back
Although the Celtics took the loss in this game, I really can’t fault them for losing the way they did. Chicago had a hot shooting night and Boston was able to keep up with them. The Celtics didn’t get into Chicago until 4 AM this morning after playing a double overtime game against the Nets. Boston won’t use that as an excuse for the loss but I liked the way they played. They might have been a step slow but even fatigued, the Celtics put up a better fight in this game than I think any other team in the NBA would. It does feel a tad ironic that the game winner that Huerter made just happened to be in the same exact spot that Hugo Gonzalez made the three to force double overtime against the Nets. I guess that’s just basketball sometimes.
I honestly can’t believe that the same exact spot that Hugo Gonzalez hit the game tying corner three to force double overtime for the Celtics on Friday was the same spot Kevin Huerter hit a game winner on the Celtics on Saturday.
Before being welcomed by Chicago’s freezing nine-degree temperatures on Saturday, the Celtics had their work cut out for them.
There wasn’t much room for rest after Friday’s trip to the city that never sleeps. It took two overtime periods to overcome the Nets, leaving less than 24 hours to prepare to do it all over again against the Bulls. Fatigue predictably surfaced at various points throughout the night, especially considering the Celtics had four players — Jaylen Brown, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, and Anfernee Simons — log close to 40 minutes in Brooklyn.
However, the locker room isn’t giving itself a pass following Boston’s 114-111 loss in Chicago.
“Obviously, those things can play a factor, but we’re not gonna give ourselves any of those types of excuses,” Simons told reporters, per NBC Sports Boston.
Boston failed to defend the perimeter, as the Bulls connected on 21 3-pointers — a stark contrast from Chicago’s average of 14.6 made threes per game this season, and tied for the most allowed by the Celtics all year. That’s typically not an issue for coach Joe Mazzulla’s team, and it hasn’t been in recent seasons. Only nine times this season have the Bulls hit 20 or more threes in a game, making it a rare, albeit dangerous, occurrence that showed up against Boston at the worst possible time.
Chicago’s leader in made threes, Colby White, hit four of his five makes either off the dribble or by pulling up in transition. White challenged Boston’s ability to switch and fight through screens, and he wasn’t the only one. Matas Buzelis, Isaac Okoro, and Ayo Dosunmu were among the others who actively hunted 3-point makes in motion, too, either in transition or off the dribble. And several times, the Celtics found themselves either late or lost as the Bulls collected clean look after clean look, establishing a theme that stuck until the end.
It was clear that outshooting Chicago wouldn’t work as Boston finished 15 of 47 (31.9%), but luck really proved to forsake the Celtics once the closing seconds arrived.
The Bulls missed seven consecutive 3-point attempts in the final 5:09, bringing the game to a 111-111 tie with 24 seconds remaining. Odds suggested that another three wouldn’t be Chicago’s most favorable option, but it was the exact option that crumbled Boston’s defense — one final time. Kevin Huerter settled in the left corner — the same spot where Hugo González hit his clutch overtime three in Brooklyn — and sank the go-ahead basket, leaving Boston almost no time to respond.
In Brooklyn, it was an all-or-nothing three that gave the Celtics new life; in Chicago, the exact same look drained the life right out of them.
Boston went from the energized team refusing to come up short against the Nets to watching the Bulls play an UNO Reverse card, flipping the energy and drive in their favor.
The situation wasn’t a favorable one for Boston, and even though missing a doctor-recommended seven-plus hours of sleep might have factored in, the team couldn’t care less. The standards Mazzulla’s locker room holds itself to won’t change, no matter the circumstances. Blaming tiredness or the uncontrollable NBA schedule isn’t their forte — in fact, it’s the opposite. The Celtics have prided themselves on flipping the script all season, from the offseason to Jayson Tatum’s injury to questions about the organization’s priorities and intentions to compete.
The Celtics aren’t going to feel sorry for themselves, even if it were warranted.
“We know we came here to play a game, and we came here fully expecting to win, no matter the cost, no matter what obstacles we had to go through before the game — the night before, it doesn’t really matter,” Simons told reporters. “We’ve got to come together and win a ballgame. That’s the attitude we have. Even in our meeting today, we were like, ‘We don’t care about any circumstances we had to deal with. We just want to come in here and find a way to win.’”
The Spurs have gone 8-5 without Devin Vassell. Is Vassell’s absence the main reason for their recent (relative) struggles, or are there other important factors that have been overlooked?
Marilyn Dubinski: I wouldn’t say he is THE reason, but it was certainly a contributing factor. A big problem for a while was all three guards (De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper) were all in a shooting slump at the same time, and they were missing that relief valve that they could pass out to, either to shoot a three or create his own shot. Vassell is one of a few players on the team who can do both, so hopefully his return will help unclog the offense when it gets bogged down, leading to more consistency.
Mark Barrington: It’s definitely a factor, but there’s more going on. They miss having shot creators in the starting lineup, which results in a lot of Castle drives into a crowd at the basket. Steph is improving a bit on passing the ball out of a crowd, but he still ends up swallowed up at the hoop more often than he should be. I think the biggest factor is probably fatigue, which could also partially be due to Devin’s absence, but mostly because they haven’t had more than one day between games in January, except for two occasions near the beginning of the month and a few at the end.
Devon Birdsong: I think Vassell’s absence has simply brought focus to how thin the shooting on the roster is. In my opinion, their non-shooting guards become a much bigger issue with someone like Vassell out. I think it would be the same issue if Champagnie or Barnes were out for an extended stretch. I’m pretty confident that at least one of Castle and Harper will improve in that arena, but it has placed a lot of focus on the shooting that the Spurs need at other positions on the roster. Power-forward most of all. I think the addition of those two young guards may actually have been the kiss of death for poor Jeremy Sochan. The Spurs could have adjusted to his lack of shooting if those two could both shoot reliably from long-distance, but with all three of them in the fold, one is going to get left out, and by default, that’s probably Sochan. It’s not a commentary on his potential as much as it is an argument that the other two just have more potential than he does. Really tough break.
Jesus Gomez: Several players having a slump at the same time played a part in some of the losses. The grueling schedule was also a factor, and the Spurs dropped games to the Rockets, Thunder, and Timberwolves in that stretch, all great teams. But Vassell has definitely been missed. He’s one of the few guys on the team whose shot defenses respect, so even when he doesn’t get touches, he’s helping on offense. Plus, he looked friskier on defense before his injury. The Spurs need all the shooting they can get, and every team can use a wing who can defend and create in a pinch. While he might not always do all that consistently, Vassell has a skill set that not many others on the roster have.
Dubinski: I don’t think the sample size of Vassell plus the other four main starters is large enough to take too seriously, considering the amount of time Wemby has missed or come off the bench. I also don’t think we can sit here and claim Julian Champagnie is THAT much better of a defender than Vassell to the point that it’s worth benching him. None of this is to say Vassell has to start or Champagnie has to return to the bench, but I’m not ready to take this stat too seriously until we see more of the team completely healthy.
Barrington: That’s a no from me. I definitely think they can bring Champagnie off the bench and find him minutes by staggering the minutes of the other starters. I’m a big fan of Harrison Barnes, but he would probably benefit from playing fewer minutes early in the game and saving his energy for crunch time, which would free up more Sam Penny* minutes. I don’t think it’s that significant who is in the starting lineup, so long as Julian plays 25 minutes or more, which is about how much the starters play. Keldon Johnson has been playing as many minutes as the starters, and I think that Julian has earned a similar spot in the rotation.
* I watch the games with closed captioning turned on, and that’s how his name is spelled in the closed captions.
Birdsong: Taking into consideration his current slump, I think it’s actually Barnes who should probably go to the benchfor now. Champagnie’s been playing great defense, and he’s also been going off with regularity, and Vassell’s defense and shooting have also been important in that lineup. Both of them on the court would make up for any loss of Barnes. Realistically, though, Vassell is probably coming off the bench as the Spurs ease him in, because that’s just how they do things. I’d really like to see them stagger Castle more, so that you can get the occasional Fox-Vassell-Champagnie-Barnes-Wemby lineup, because I think that could be lethal, but I’ll be happy just to have another shooter back in the game.
Gomez: Lineup numbers are tricky because the Spurs tend to play a lot of different units even when healthy and a lot more when not, so groups rarely get enough minutes to allow for definitive conclusions. I do think there’s something to the starters plus Champagnie, though. It adds more size, and Champagnie is a low-usage player who doesn’t need the ball, which fits the rest of the unit. Vassell off the bench could get opportunities to create while also bringing a steadying perimeter presence next to the Harper-Castle duo. But there’s just not enough evidence to suggest he should come off the bench permanently. We’ll know more as the games go by.
Carter Bryant has been showing some signs of progress recently. Should the Spurs play him more minutes even with Vassell back, or should they continue to bring him along slowly in the small bench role he currently plays?
Dubinski: He’s just now starting to look comfortable as an NBA player, but I was surprised it took them as long as it did to send him to the G League for some development, and then it was just for one game. That being said, if he truly is turning a corner, there’s no reason to halt his progress. What they’re doing now is fine, with about 10 min per game, but I also wouldn’t hesitate to pull him if he’s having an off night.
Barrington: I’m a big fan of Carter Bryant. I think they should play him until he gets tired every single game that remains in the regular season. You can see already how much he’s improved in limited minutes, and I think he’s going to be a really good player. The way you find out about that is by playing him. Of course, Coach Mitch needs to hold him accountable and pull him from the game for instruction when he makes mistakes, which could be quite often, but he’s growing by leaps and bounds, and I just want to watch him play. Even when he messes up, it’s fun to watch. When playoff time rolls around, the coaching staff could limit his minutes, but it all depends on how much he develops in the remaining half of the season. He has very little experience playing basketball at a high level, and he’s probably a year or two away from being anywhere near his potential, but he’s going to get there quicker if he can gain experience on the court.
Birdsong: The basketball IQ on that kid is high, which is hardly a surprise based on what the Spurs draft for, and I think he’s starting to acclimate quickly after adjusting to the speed and spacing of the pros, but I don’t think forcing more minutes is in the cards. He’s averaging 13 minutes over the last 5 games, and I think that’s the right amount, considering Harper is averaging 21 minutes. It looks like he’s soaking up some of the minutes that Olynyk and Sochan would be getting, and that’s the right call if you’re not going to play them, unless more size is needed. Barring an injury, I say let him get used to playing in those spurts. If Barnes or Champagnie goes down, though, I think he’s the one who should see the uptick in minutes (unless Sochan’s going to get some run).
Gomez: I’ll admit Bryant has been better, but he’s gone from eliciting “why is Carter Bryant playing?” responses to being semi-competent in low minutes. It’s not meant to be too strong a criticism of him, since he’s extremely young and raw, with limited experience playing high-level basketball, as Mark pointed out. It was overly optimistic to expect him to be good as a rookie. The other problem is that even if the coaching staff wanted to expand his role, it would be tough to do so because the Spurs have a solid nine-man rotation when everyone is healthy. So who gets fewer minutes? There might be some spare if they bring Vassell along slowly, but I don’t see how they can give Bryant more playing time without making themselves worse.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are still searching for the consistency of true contenders, and they’ll try to rebound tonight against the Golden State Warriors in a matchup rescheduled after yesterday's tragic events in Minneapolis.
Minnesota enters on a four-game losing streak, but my Warriors vs Timberwolves predictions signal a change of fortunes for the hosts against a Golden State team that could be without Steph Curry.
Read on for my NBA picks ahead of this January 25 contest.
Warriors vs Timberwolves prediction
Warriors vs Timberwolves best bet: Timberwolves -5.5 (-110)
Every time the Minnesota Timberwolves seem to be gathering momentum to take a crack at the Top 4 in the West, they seem to hit a rough patch.
But some uneven results this month can’t mask the talent on this roster, which is why I’m trusting Anthony Edwards & Co. to respond tonight.
Minnesota is 15-7 at home this season — in contrast to the Golden State Warriors' ugly 8-14 mark on the road — and has covered in the past five meetings between these teams. That dominance largely stems from a playoff series in May, but the T-Wolves also landed a 127-120 victory at Chase Center in December.
This line has climbed overnight, and it surely hints that Curry will sit out today with knee soreness before these teams collide again tomorrow night.
The Warriors’ injury report also features Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton, and Jonatha Kuminga, and the visitors have lost back-to-back games since losing Jimmy Butler to a torn ACL.
Warriors vs Timberwolves same-game parlay
Julius Randle feasted against the Warriors in last year’s playoff series, averaging 25.2 ppg on 53% shooting. He was a difference-maker in Minnesota’s win over Golden State earlier this season, scoring 27 points.
I like this points prop Over, with Randle coming off a 30-point night on Thursday against the Chicago Bulls.
Whether Curry plays or not, the Warriors are going to lean on Brandin Podziemski as they try to fill the Butler void. He’s nailed this Over in three of his last four outings, and he dished 10 dimes in Dallas earlier this week.
Warriors vs Timberwolves SGP
Timberwolves -7
Julius Randle Over 22.5 points
Brandin Podziemski Over 9.5 rebounds+assists
Our "from downtown" SGP: Block party
Look for Jaden McDaniels to bring the heat defensively tonight, and he’s recorded a block in each of his last six games.
With the length to bother smaller guards, he’s averaging 1.2 blocks per game in January, and he should be a threat in this category against the Golden State backcourt.
Warriors vs Timberwolves SGP
Timberwolves -7
Julius Randle Over 22.5 points
Brandin Podziemski Over 9.5 rebounds+assists
Jaden McDaniels Over 0.5 blocks
Warriors vs Timberwolves odds
Spread: Warriors +5.5 | Timberwolves -5.5
Moneyline: Warriors +180 | Timberwolves -220
Over/Under: Over 237.5 | Under 237.5
Warriors vs Timberwolves betting trend to know
The Over is 7-3 in Golden State’s last 10 games. Find more NBA betting trends for Warriors vs. Timberwolves.
How to watch Warriors vs Timberwolves
Location
Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Date
Sunday, January 25, 2026
Tip-off
5:30 p.m. ET
TV
ABC
Warriors vs Timberwolves 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
Here’s your crew dropping some gems after yesterday’s affair.
"They look at Thibs as the injury. I'm here to say f*ck that…Thibs was the 1st coach who made me feel special…I used to do sh*t in games just to make sure he saw on tape…Thibs, you may have gone to Harvard, you may have done physics––but I showed you physics"
“In the NBA anything can happen. It doesn’t surprise me at all because teams are a lot more even in today’s NBA than back in the day. Teams are really good, players have gotten better, coaches have gotten better, so you have to be ready to play every single time you step on the floor.”
On OG Anunoby’s defensive impact on Saturday:
“OG obviously changed the game defensively. His quick decisions with the basketball, it was beautiful to watch. Defensively, guard Paul George, guard their power forward and then guard Joel Embiid. He was phenomenal defensively.”
On Anunoby guarding Embiid late:
“We can’t do anything like that if you don’t have a guy like OG. OG allows us to play the basketball game in a lot of different ways. So, we were able to do it.”
On the Knicks response to Towns’ never-ending foul trouble:
“We gotta just have other guys step up. We can’t control the fouls called, so if somebody is in foul trouble, hopefully the next guy can step up and play the right way to help us get a win.”
On the late-game challenge:
“I didn’t even see the play. I didn’t even hear our challenge guy say yes or no. I just know the whole bench was yelling at me to challenge. So I was ready to MF everybody if we didn’t win it.”
On Ariel Hukporti’s readiness:
“Ariel, he has been back and forth with the G-League team. He has been practicing, playing games, coming here, he kept himself ready. We throw him out there in a crucial time and he was phenomenal for us in those minutes.”
On the second-half defensive turnaround against the 76ers:
“We locked in defensively. We came back into halftime to see what we were lacking, especially myself. Defensively in the first half, I ain’t do too great. But definitely in the second half came with more energy.”
On battling Joel Embiid:
“Playing against him is always gonna be a little fight. That’s our nature, it is what it is. He’s an All-Star player so you’ve gotta come out there and fight and make some adjustments yourself.”
"We had a slump…it happened…Now we just gotta keep on climbing"
“Obviously, we want him in the game, but it’s a next man up mentality. We gotta find a way to go out there and execute our gameplan, play with pace, play good defense, play physical and get back to what we do.”
On the chaotic finish:
“Just pure chaos, but we found a way to win. That’s the best way I can describe it.”
On winning the late-game challenge after replay proved him right:
“Very. It’s very satisfying. If I’m animated like that, I’m pretty sure I’m right.”
Josh Hart: “You guys can write what you want. Three games ago, we were turning into a lottery team, and now yall are like oh, we’re battling up the East.”
“When you’re a team that’s struggling to put together wins, you got to do the little things. Good attention to detail, good focus, good energy, and get all those 50-50 balls.”
On the Knicks’ late-game execution:
“We played well, but our execution the last couple minutes… I don’t know if we deserved to win the game. I don’t know if they deserved to win either. It was just a toss-up.”
On staying level-headed after back-to-back wins:
“Yeah, it is good, but also it’s January. You can’t get too high or too low. Three games ago we were turning into a lottery team, now people say we’re battling the East. We’re just trying to stay level headed.”
OG Anunoby on Mitchell Robinson catching up to him on this list: "I think he always deserves it every night. Any night he gets it, I love that for him." https://t.co/QRasHAWvxG
“Some nights that bench scoring is going to have a huge onus on it. Other nights our first five have it going. That’s the beauty of our team. We’ve got to be adaptable and find ways to win.”
“It’s nothing that I can control. Just try to be smart, preparing, as ready as I can. I’ve never gotten traded before or been in a situation like this. I just work hard and try to stay prepared.”
On unmet expectations this season:
“It’s definitely not what I was expecting coming into the season. I thought it would be a little more different. Obviously, my role is different from last year or from the Olympics.”
The Miami Heat will wrap up a five-game road trip when they face the Phoenix Suns, who are back home for the first time in two weeks.
Phoenix will be without its leading scorer, Devin Booker, and my Heat vs Suns predictions call for a big offensive performance from Dillon Brooks.
Here are my free NBA picks for this inter-conference matchup from Mortgage Matchup Center on Sunday, January 25.
Heat vs Suns prediction
Heat vs Suns best bet: Dillon Brooks Over 22.5 points (-125)
Devin Booker left Friday’s loss to the Hawks on crutches, and Jalen Green left early with a hamstring injury. Someone’s got to pick up the slack on offense, and Dillon Brooks is in a prime spot to get buckets at home.
Booker has been ruled out, and Jalen Green is questionable, which means Brooks should be in line for a big bump in offensive responsibilities against the Miami Heat tonight.
Brooks has averaged 23.9 points per game at home, and he finished with 25 points against Miami in his first matchup of the season.
The scrappy wing has scored at least 22 points in 17 games, including 11 of 15 at home. Miami has allowed the seventh-most points per game, setting up Brooks to hit the Over.
Heat vs Suns same-game parlay
Bam Adebayo has averaged 37.5 PRA across his last seven games, hitting the Over four times. Kel'el Ware is sidelined again, and Bam is set up for another bump in production. He also went for 42 PRA when he faced the Suns on January 13.
The Phoenix Suns have home-court advantage, but without Devin Booker and potentially Jalen Green, the Suns may struggle to keep up with Miami's high-scoring offense. The Heat are 26-20 against the spread overall and 13-11 on the road.
Heat vs Suns SGP
Dillon Brooks Over 22.5 points
Bam Adebayo Over 32.5 points+rebounds+assists
Heat +4
Our "from downtown" SGP: Gettin Wiggy with it
Andrew Wiggins is averaging 15.9 points this season, and he's scored 14+ in 27 of 42 games overall. He's hit the Over on this modest scoring line in six straight, and I expect him to keep that streak going on the road.
Heat vs Suns SGP
Dillon Brooks Over 22.5 points
Bam Adebayo Over 32.5 points+rebounds+assists
Heat +4
Andrew Wiggins Over 13.5 points
Heat vs Suns odds
Spread: Heat +4 | Suns -4
Moneyline: Heat +135 | Suns -160
Over/Under: Over 229 | Under 229
Heat vs Suns betting trend to know
The Miami Heat have covered the first-quarter spread in 33 of their last 45 away games (+20.45 Units / 40% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Heat vs. Suns.
How to watch Heat vs Suns
Location
PHX Arena, Phoenix, AZ
Date
Sunday, January 25, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN Sun, Arizona's Family Sports
Heat vs Suns latest injuries
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Two injury-plagued teams meet at FedExForum this afternoon when the Denver Nuggets take on the Memphis Grizzlies.
With Ja Morant sidelined through at least the All-Star Break, my Nuggets vs Grizzlies predictions expect a strong performance from Cam Spencer as a facilitator.
Here are my free NBA picks for this Western Conference matchup on Sunday, January 25.
Nuggets vs Grizzlies prediction
Nuggets vs Grizzlies best bet: Cam Spencer Over 8.5 assists (-112)
Cam Spencer continues to excel as a facilitator, and he'll have plenty of runway to operate as the Memphis Grizzlies' primary playmaker against the Denver Nuggets.
Spencer has averaged 7.2 assists per game in 27.9 minutes of action with Ja Morant sidelined, compared to just 3.7 assists in 19.4 minutes with Morant in the lineup.
In 11 starts, Spencer has averaged 9.5 dimes, going for at least eight assists nine times and at least nine assists seven times. Denver is middle-of-the-pack in assists allowed, and the team will be without multiple starters and key defenders.
Nuggets vs Grizzlies same-game parlay
Jock Landale should see plenty of run with both Zach Edey and Santi Aldama sidelined against the Nuggets. Over his last nine games, Landale has averaged 22.9 points+rebounds, hitting the Over on this combo line seven times.
Both teams are dealing with multiple key injuries, but the Nuggets have stayed competitive, while the Grizzlies have not. Over the last 10 games, Denver is 7-3 straight up and 6-4 against the spread, while Memphis is 3-7 and 3-6-1 respectively.
Nuggets vs Grizzlies SGP
Cam Spencer Over 8.5 assists
Jock Landale Over 21.5 points+rebounds
Nuggets +3.5
Our "from downtown" SGP: Picking Pickett
Jalen Pickett has started nine straight games, averaging 9.3 points across 30.7 minutes. He's scored 11+ in four of his last nine overall, including two of his last four on the road.
Nuggets vs Grizzlies SGP
Cam Spencer Over 8.5 assists
Jock Landale Over 21.5 points+rebounds
Nuggets +3.5
Jalen Pickett Over 10.5 points
Nuggets vs Grizzlies odds
Spread: Nuggets +3.5 | Grizzlies -3.5
Moneyline: Nuggets +130 | Grizzlies -155
Over/Under: Over 225 | Under 225
Nuggets vs Grizzlies betting trend to know
The Memphis Grizzlies have only hit the moneyline in 16 of their last 40 games at home (-18.75 Units / -29% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Nuggets vs. Grizzlies.
How to watch Nuggets vs Grizzlies
Location
FedExForum, Memphis, TN
Date
Sunday, January 25, 2026
Tip-off
3:30 p.m. ET
TV
Altitude 2, FDSN SE Memphis
Nuggets vs Grizzlies 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
Jalen Duren is a walking double-double, currently averaging 17.8 points per game and 10.9 rebounds per game. He's cleared 10+ points in every game this month with two double-doubles in his previous six games.
Today, he meets a Sacramento Kings small-ball group that ranks 29th in the NBA in rebounding. With Sacramento playing a more undersized frontline and struggling with its overall efficiency, Duren’s physical presence on both ends makes him a viable play this afternoon.
Anthony Edwards is on a tear. He’s averaging 4.0 made threes on 9.4 attempts over his last 10 games. He recently exploded for nine triples and has cleared the 3.5 mark in 60% of his recent outings.
Facing a Golden State Warriors defense decimated by injuries and missing perimeter stoppers Jimmy Butler and possibly Jonathan Kuminga, Edwards should see high volume, and his elite 40% shooting from downtown makes this prop a high-value play.
Kawhi Leonard has completely evolved his game this month, leaning heavily into his perimeter shot. He's cleared this 2.5-three line in six consecutive games, averaging a staggering 4.6 makes on nearly 10 attempts per outing during that stretch.
He’s up against a Brooklyn Nets defense that he just torched for four triples on January 9, and I expect Leonard to see plenty of high-quality looks. With Leonard’s 40 % shooting and increased volume, three makes at plus-money is very realistic.
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After Steven Adams left the game Sunday versus the New Orleans Pelicans with an apparent ankle injury, fans began speculating on the severity. Well, it was confirmed earlier this week that Adams has a grade-three ankle sprain, so fans should not be expecting him back anytime soon, as a grade-three ankle sprain can take up to nine weeks or more. The nine-week timeline would mean that it is possible Houston would not see Adams return until mid to late March, which would be right before the playoffs. It’s even possible he misses the season.
The Rockets confirmed center Steven Adams is dealing with a Grade 3 ankle sprain, an injury marked by a complete tear of at least one of the ankle ligaments. The average time lost for G3 ankle sprains in the NBA is 62.9 days (~28 games).
However, one benefit this Rockets team has is its depth, as Houston would be able to deploy numerous other players at center without even considering Alperen Sengun. If Houston wanted to continue to use the double-big lineup, Ime Udoka could utilize Clint Capela. Afterall, Houston did sign Capela as a way to ensure that with or without Steven Adams, the Rockets would be able to play big and dominate the glass. There is a definite drop-off from Capela to Adams, but Capela can still fill his role nicely.
However, Capela is not the only option, as Houston could turn away from the double big lineup and go for a small ball approach. In this case, two players come to mind as options: Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. Every Rockets fan is unfortunately familiar with the Golden State Warriors dynasty. Durant played a lot of small-ball center when Golden State would roll out their death-ball lineup, especially in the 2017-2018 playoffs. Additonally, Jabari Smith Jr. also has experience playing the five, but his overall skills are much more limited, but perhaps he will receive some opportunities to help aid his development.
Additonally Dorian Finney-Smith, Tari Eason, and Jeff Green could also fill in as centers, but due to Finney-Smith and Eason’s potential lack of ability, I doubt that will be explored as often. As for Jeff Green, so far this season, he has not been getting many minutes at all outside of garbage time, and it is clear Capela has likely supplanted him as that reserve center option.
Houston is back in action Monday at home versus the Memphis Grizzlies for Steven Adams and Reed Sheppard bobblehead night. Tip-off is at 7:00. As always, be sure to check back here at The Dream Shake for pre- and post-game coverage of the game.
The Dallas Mavericks (19-27) travel to Milwaukee to play the Bucks (18-26) after losing to Luka Doncic’s Lakers on Saturday. The Mavs had their four-game win streak snapped by the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday. After a quick turnaround, they hope to regroup as they enter Sunday’s showdown with the Antetokounmpo-less Bucks, who are coming off a home loss to the Denver Nuggets. Here are three things to think about as Dallas looks to get back on track in Milwaukee.‘
How tired will they be?
The Mavericks did not get to leave Dallas on Saturday night.
Mavs wanted to fly to Milwaukee tonight but were unable to. They got to the airport but weren't cleared for takeoff. They'll try to get out tomorrow. https://t.co/iYJuGLuNSV
Teams always try to travel the night before so players can get some rest and acclimate to the the area they’re playing in. The Mavericks will try to come in hot and eek out a win despite being low on any reasonable amount of energy.
Antetokounmpo Out with Calf Strain
The misery of the Milwaukee Bucks’ season deepened on Friday night after Giannis Antetokounmpo left the game against the Denver Nuggets with 34 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. It was later revealed he suffered a right calf strain, the same injury that kept him sidelined three weeks earlier this season. He’ll miss 4-6 weeks this time around.
Despite the disappointing year for Milwaukee, Antetokounmpo has played like his MVP self. In 30 games, he’s averaged 28.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 2.3 stocks (steals + blocks). He’s the fifth most efficient scorer in the NBA at 64.5% from the floor. In November’s 116-114 win over Dallas, Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 30 points on 11/18 from the floor and eight rebounds. No Antetokounmpo leaves a big hole in the middle. If the Mavs want to keep their win streak alive, they’ll have to expose the paint on both ends of the floor and Milwaukee’s lack of a true big man.
The Bucks’ Offensive Struggles
The Bucks are a .500 team with Antetokounmpo, but are dreadful without him. In the 14 games he’s missed this season, Milwaukee is 3-11. The Bucks are 27th in the NBA in offensive rating this season at 111.9 points per 100 possessions. With Antetokounmpo, they have an offensive rating of 116.3 points, which would be fifth in the NBA. Without him, they sit dead last in the NBA with an offensive rating of 108.0 points, just behind the Brooklyn Nets. Without Antetokounmpo’s gravity, it’s challenging for Milwaukee to find consistent good looks at the basket.
The next two big men in line for the Bucks are Myles Turner and Bobby Portis, who both spend a lot of time on the perimeter, along with power forward Kyle Kuzma. Without the main cog in the wheel, Milwaukee will try to rely on its shooting to bail them out. They are second in the NBA in three-point shooting percentage at 39.2%.
Milwaukee has scorers, having seven players who average double digits in points: Antetokounmpo (28.0), Kevin Porter Jr. (16.8), Ryan Rollins (16.1), Bobby Portis (13.1), Kyle Kuzma (12.5), Myles Turner (12.4), and A.J Green (10.5). The Bucks’ second-best scorer in Kevin Porter Jr. is out due to an oblique strain. One silver lining for Milwaukee this season has been the growth of guard Ryan Rollins. The 44th overall pick in the 2022 draft by the Warriors found his way on the Bucks roster last season and has propelled himself to a potential future cornerstone. Expect him to have the ball in his hands a lot.
The Mavericks’ Offense Has Been Rolling
On the Dallas side, they’ve been one of the best paint-scoring teams in this recent stretch of good basketball, getting to the rim at will. The Mavs’ quickness on the perimeter with Brandon Williams, Ryan Nembhard, and Max Christie has allowed them to have their way against opponents inside. Add in the craftiness and ability to get to their spots of guys like Naji Marshall and Cooper Flagg, and defenses have their hands full. Dallas sits at sixth in the NBA in points per game scored in the paint at 53.3. Attacking and finishing against this Bucks defense should be a top priority for the Mavs.
Although the Mavs haven’t been great this season from beyond the arc, they have been better as of late, making double-digit threes in five consecutive games: 10, 13, 15, 18, and 19. Max Christie continues to shoot the lights out as the league’s seventh-best three-point shooter at a scoring 45.7%. Klay Thompson has been on a heater in January as well. In his last five games, he’s 20/42 from distance, 47.6%. Dallas will need to keep knocking down deep shots if it wants to get back in the win column.
How to Watch
Tipoff is 6 PM and you can watch on KFAA-TV, Mavs.com, or NBA League Pass.
In it Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, and Harrison Barnes rate some of their game day outfits they wore on their way to the arena.
Vassell, one of the most stylish members of the Spurs, saw himself in some a hoodie, beanie, andTimberlands heading in from the cold. He appreciated his color combination and gave the outfit an 8.5.
Keldon gave himself a 10 for a combo he got at the Luis Vuitton store. For a baller normally seen in boots and a cowboy hat, he certainly looks dapper and red carpet ready.
Harrison Barnes described his stylish suit as a “clean fit” but gave himself an 8 for passing on a button down shirt for a t-shirt.
Hopefully there will be additional installments with the other members of the Silver & Black. It’d be great to hear what Victor, Stephon, Dylan, and Luke think of their entrances.
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The Warriors appear to have some interest in a veteran wing.
With approximately two weeks until the NBA’s Feb. 5 trade deadline, Golden State is one of the teams expressing interest in Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges, The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported, citing league sources, in a story published Friday.
“As for Hornets that might be on the move, veteran forward Miles Bridges is drawing significant interest, league sources told The Athletic,” Amick wrote. “The Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns are all known to be among the interested parties, though it remains to be seen if any team can compel the Hornets to give Bridges up.
Amick also quoted a league source, who believes Charlotte is seeking at least one, and potentially two, first-round draft picks in a potential deal for Bridges.
In 45 games this season, Bridges is averaging 18.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game on 44.5-percent shooting from the field and 33.4 percent from 3-point range.
Selected by the Los Angeles Clippers with the No. 12 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, Bridges, 27, has played seven seasons with Charlotte, but missed the entirety of the 2022-23 season and the first 10 games of the 2023-24 season due to a suspension for his role in a 2022 domestic violence case.
Bridges pleaded no contest to a felony charge in Nov. 2022, resulting in three years of probation and no jail time.
KITZBÜHEL, Austria (AP) — Manuel Feller pleased the home crowd with a surprise win in the World Cup slalom of the classic Hahnenkamm event on Sunday, a day after the Austrian team had a disastrous result in the downhill.
Feller, fourth after the opening leg, kneeled on the snow in the finish area after his run as he watched the final three racers all coming up well short, including first-run leader and world champion Loic Meillard, who finished 0.35 behind in second.
Meillard was seeking his first slalom win of the season after two podiums in December, though he did win a giant slalom in France last month.
Germany’s Linus Strasser, who won the race two years ago, was 0.53 behind in third after edging out Lucas Pinheiro Braathen by four-hundredths for a place on the podium.
When his victory was confirmed, Feller got up, held one of his skis in the air and let out a loud scream.
“I can’t describe how much this means to me,” the Austrian said in a tearful course-side interview.
“This year I was close to quit a few times, just no energy anymore for a few races. But all my life, quitting was no option, so I kept on going.”
His victory came a day after Vincent Kriechmayr in 13th was the best Austrian finisher in the storied Hahnenkamm downhill, which marked the worst result for the home team in the history of the race.
Feller was the 2023-24 slalom champion but has been struggling with back pain in recent years. He had not won a race since triumphing in Palisades Tahoe, California, in March 2024, and had not had a podium result in the current campaign.
“It was probably my toughest season, probably one of the toughest parts of my life,” Feller said. “It’s only skiing, but right now, skiing feels pretty good.”
Feller became the first Austrian winner of the Kitzbühel slalom since Marcel Hirscher triumphed nine years ago.
In the first run, World Cup discipline leader Atle Lie McGrath skied out.
“I’m obviously very disappointed and it hurts a lot,” McGrath said. “I was at the start with a good mindset. I really tried to push and stuff like that happens.”
The United States-born Norwegian went top of the standings last week after winning in Wengen, but has now been overtaken by his close friend and former teammate, Pinheiro Braathen, who competes for Brazil.
A night race on Wednesday in Schladming is the final slalom before the Milan Cortina Olympics.
Jalen Duren
Anthony Edwards
Kawhi Leonard
