Category: Basketball

CLEVELAND — Last January, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ win over the Oklahoma City Thunder seemed to signal the arrival of a new era. It was an official announcement to the league that their team, powered by two undersized, dynamic guards and defensive-oriented bigs, wasn’t just a gimmick. They teased that they could win on the biggest stage and just needed to wait until the spring to officially prove it.

Looking back a year later, after the Thunder humiliated the Cavs with a 32-point beatdown on Monday, it’s fair to wonder if that Jan. 2025 win wasn’t the arrival of the core-four era, but the high point before the gradual, steady decline.

The difference between the Thunder and Cavs from a talent standpoint was stark. Cleveland had one player in their starting lineup who could break down the defense off-the-dribble and very few reliable shooters around him. The Thunder dared Cleveland’s bigs — Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen — to beat them inside, which they couldn’t consistently do.

Defensively, the Thunder showed what a team that prioritizes that end of the floor should look like. They were consistently in passing lanes forcing turnovers, and made it incredibly difficult to finish anything at the rim. This stood in contrast to a Cavs team that was forced to cheat off of one of Oklahoma City’s weaker shooters to make good contests at the rim. This came back to bite them as the Thunder converted nearly 50% of their three-point attempts.

In many ways, the Thunder were the complete, defensive-first, well-oiled machine led by an MVP candidate guard and dynamic, modern big that the Cavs were hoping to be when they first put this core together four years ago.

Last year, it felt like that was a possibility. This season, it seems like a fantasy. Where did the Cavs go wrong?

The Thunder have a style of play they want to enforce every time they go on the court, regardless of who’s in the lineup. That’s instilled through years of targeting guys who have certain physical and mental traits. And once those players are in the organization, they’re meticulously taught how to fit into that system.

The Cavs, conversely, don’t have a certain type of player or style that they’ve targeted. Their core four players of Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen were each brought in on moves that targeted the best available player. There wasn’t a shared skill or personality trait that led to them eventually becoming Cavaliers.

Acquiring talent is the number one goal of a front office. From that perspective, Cleveland’s has been successful. Figuring out how to get that talent to play a cohesive style has been a much more difficult process.

The Cavs went all in on defense, anchored by their oversized front court and hard-nosed coach J.B. Bickerstaff. Then, they found out defense wasn’t enough as their offense fell flat in their 2023 playoff series loss to the New York Knicks. They then pivoted to prioritize the offensive side of the ball with shooters that summer in Max Strus, Georges Niang, and Ty Jerome.

The Cavaliers took another step towards being an offensive team by hiring head coach Kenny Atkinson in 2024. He transformed Cleveland into a movement-based offense that prioritized the three-ball. This worked, until they fell in the playoffs to the Indiana Pacers.

Instead of continuing down that path, Cleveland pivoted again by trying to find well-rounded players who can handle the ball and switch defensively with Lonzo Ball and Larry Nance Jr. Both have struggled mightily this season, but the issue remains the same.

There isn’t an overarching guiding principle about what a Cavalier player is or what skills they should have. Instead, it’s been a revolving door of different skillsets, each brought in as a reaction to what went wrong during the previous postseason.

This has culminated in this current team that hasn’t found an identity despite being over halfway through the season. They don’t have the personnel to be the defensive-first team they were three years ago, and they also don’t have the shooting that resulted in them being one of the best regular-season offenses of all-time last year. They’re a bad hybrid of both ideas and lack the consistent principles or fundamentals to hang their hat on anything.

The Cavs still have time to right the ship. There’s enough talent on the roster — when healthy — to climb the standings over the back-half of the season and make a postseason run. But there presumably isn’t enough time to cobble together an identity with these disparate and underperforming pieces to make the title run that seemed possible coming into the season.

The individual loss on Monday wasn’t that big of a deal. The Cavs had their worst outside shooting night of the season, while the Thunder had one of their best. That’s generally going to lead to a blowout loss, no matter the skill level of your opponent.

The issue comes from the different processes that led both teams to this point. The Thunder, without two starters, were a team that clearly knew who they were, what they wanted to be, and were disciplined enough to execute their gameplan. Their process was flawless. Conversely, the Cavs weren’t able to function without their starting point guard, had no one who could come close to replicating that missing skill, and didn’t have anything to fall back on.

It’s easier to point out problems than it is to fix them. There isn’t a magic bullet or trade that is guaranteed to get the Cavs back on track. All we know is that the gap between the reigning champs and the team that was on their level at this time last season is wider than it’s been in years. And the Cavs are running out of time to close it.

The battle between the top two Eastern Conference teams came down to one final shot on MLK Day, with Jaylen Brown firing with 4.4 seconds left.

Brown got to his spot but came up short, and the Boston Celtics fell for the third time this season to the Detroit Pistons in Monday night’s 104-103 loss. There was nothing about his game-winning attempt that left head coach Joe Mazzulla second-guessing once the ball bounced off the back rim.

“It was a great move by Jaylen. It’s a shot that he makes, and it just didn’t go down,” Mazzulla told reporters, per CLNS Media. “So it was great execution. I’ll take that shot 100 times out of 100.”

Typically, that’s Brown’s bread and butter. He’s converted 45.4% of his five mid-range attempts per game from eight-plus feet, while shooting 53.6% on all 2-pointers this season. In Detroit, he released a 14-foot fadeaway over heavy contest from Tobias Harris — a difficult shot for anyone. Still, it’s one Brown has become accustomed to sinking routinely during his breakout run as Boston’s No. 1 option.

Hours after being named a first-time starter for this year’s NBA All-Star Game, Brown reflected on the final shot.

“Last play — catch, get to a spot, go up — gotta make a play for your team at the end,” he told reporters, per CLNS Media. “We had some opportunities — didn’t convert. We still got some room for growth. That’s what the regular season is for, so we need to be better.”

Brown has been among the most lethal mid-range scorers in the league, making every spot inside the perimeter his domain. So going for it all with an off-balance shot from the elbow is something the Celtics are happy to live with, make or miss. He finished with a game-high 32 points, taking 20 of his 28 shots from the mid-range. In the first quarter, he got going quickly by scoring 13 of the team’s 29 points, but as the defense intensified as the game progressed, the offensive firepower slowed for Brown, the Celtics, and the Pistons.

Mazzulla’s sentiment for Brown’s all-or-nothing look extended to the locker room.

“That’s the shot you wanna take for a game-winner, and we live with it,” Payton Pritchard told reporters in support of Brown, per CLNS Media.

Both sides were held to fewer than 25 points in the fourth quarter, making every shot a critical attempt.

The Celtics turned the ball over 14 times, allowing the Pistons to score 19 points off their own miscues.

“Honestly, I think the game came down to six 50-50 balls that we didn’t come up with in the first half,” Mazzulla told reporters.

Following their Dec. 15 meeting with Detroit over five weeks ago, Brown described his scuffle with Isaiah Stewart in the third quarter as “fun,” adding that he was “all for it,” despite the physicality. That tension flared once more just 29 seconds into Monday night’s game, with the two needing to be separated. Both received double technical fouls, and the Pistons followed Stewart’s lead until the final buzzer.

Pritchard admitted that’s something they’ll have to get used to.

“They’re a very physical team — probably the most physical in the NBA,” Pritchard told reporters. “I thought it was a hard-fought battle, and we came ready to play, and it just didn’t go our way in the end. But you just learn from it and get ready, especially if we see them in the playoffs.”

Paying homage to the “Bad Boy” Pistons of the mid-1980s has, so far, worked for J.B. Bickerstaff’s team. Unlike Boston, Detroit lacks the experience of a team that’s been there before. Over the last 10 years, they’ve secured only three playoff appearances, including two sweeps and three first-round exits. So any edge to impose on the surging Celtics would help bridge that gap.

In a game that lived up to the hype of a best-of-seven series, Mazzulla doesn’t believe the Celtics mailed it in — at all. Detroit’s largest lead never reached beyond 12 points, Boston won the offensive boards battle (14-9), and perhaps most importantly, they got to the free-throw line far more than in recent weeks despite ongoing frustrations with NBA officiating.

Brown was fined $35,000 for criticizing the referees one night. On another night, Mazzulla spoke only two words — “illegal screen” — during a 44-second postgame presser, and the sense of being wronged by the whistle remained strong in the locker room.

During the most recent homestand, which ended on Jan. 10, the Celtics averaged 12.8 free-throw attempts per game. In Detroit, they more than doubled that number.

That’s where Mazzulla recognized noteworthy improvement.

“The free-throw line,” Mazzulla told reporters. “We took 30 free throws. In the first three games we played against them, they averaged 30 free throws. Our ability to be physical, get into the paint, play with contact, and shoot 30 free throws against them — I think that’s where we handled it.”

Mazzulla stressed that the team’s philosophy remains the same, no matter the outcome: “The effort, the physicality was there. If that shot went in, we’d still be watching the exact same clips that we have to get better at. That’s just how we have to approach it.”

Let’s address the elephant in the room first, Dub Nation. Jimmy Butler went down with a knee injury against Miami on Saturday night, and while the Warriors pulled out a 135-112 victory, the mood feels less celebratory and more cautiously optimistic. Butler’s status for Tuesday remains uncertain, which means the Warriors might be walking into Toronto without one of their most important two-way weapons.

Golden State Warriors at Toronto Raptors
When: January 20, 2026 | 7:00 PM PT
TV: NBC Sports Bay Area
Radio: 95.7 The Game

Jimmy Butler's been a top 15-20 player this season at 36 years old.

Words cannot describe how big of a loss it would be for the Warriors if he misses significant time. Not just in terms of the on-court product but for their roster building.

— Joe Viray (@JoeVirayNBA) January 20, 2026

This isn’t just any road game. This is a revenge game wrapped in psychological warfare. The last time these teams met in Toronto, Scottie Barnes put together a performance that belonged in a museum, dropping 23 points and grabbing 25 rebounds in a 141-127 overtime victory that left Warriors fans questioning the meaning of existence itself. That loss exposed Golden State’s kryptonite in the most painful way possible: getting physically dominated on the glass and watching leads evaporate like morning fog.

Toronto enters this game after getting handled 110-93 by the Lakers on Sunday, a contest where Luka Doncic and LeBron James reminded everyone what veteran excellence looks like. The Raptors shot just 39.8% from the field and got outscored 30-17 in the fourth quarter, the kind of finishing struggle that should give the Warriors hope if Butler can’t go. But here’s the thing: this Toronto team is 25-19 for a reason. Barnes remains one of the most versatile young players in basketball, and Brandon Ingram still provides silky mid-range assassination and is playing at an All-Star level.

Scottie Barnes was EXHAUSTED after cooking the Warriors 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/PD8YV38wGg

— Hater Report (@HaterReport_) December 29, 2025

For the Warriors, this game represents a critical test of depth and adaptability. If Butler sits, Steph Curry will need to shoulder an even heavier offensive burden, something he’s done brilliantly this season but which carries real physical costs. Draymond Green’s ability to facilitate and control pace becomes absolutely essential. Can he replicate the 21-point, 7-assist performance he delivered in that Toronto loss?

The rebounding battle will define this game. Toronto grabbed 55 boards in their last matchup with Golden State while the Warriors managed just 42. That 13-rebound deficit translated directly into second-chance points and momentum swings. Without Butler’s physicality and rebounding presence, guys like Trayce Jackson-Davis need to play with controlled aggression on the glass.

This isn’t just about winning a regular season game in January. It’s about exorcising demons, proving Butler’s absence doesn’t crater the entire operation, and showing that the December 28th collapse was an aberration rather than a blueprint. The Warriors need this win psychologically as much as they need it in the standings.

Bring your antacids. This one matters.

Buffalo Bulls (2-15, 0-6 MAC) at Miami (OH) RedHawks (14-4, 6-0 MAC)

Oxford, Ohio; Wednesday, 7 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Miami (OH) comes into a matchup against Buffalo as winners of seven straight games.

The RedHawks have gone 7-0 at home. Miami (OH) is 1-0 in one-possession games.

The Bulls are 0-6 against MAC opponents. Buffalo has a 0-1 record in games decided by 3 points or fewer.

Miami (OH) averages 70.7 points per game, 0.2 more points than the 70.5 Buffalo gives up. Buffalo averages 58.2 points per game, 0.4 fewer than the 58.6 Miami (OH) gives up to opponents.

The RedHawks and Bulls square off Wednesday for the first time in MAC play this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Amber Scalia is shooting 36.3% from beyond the arc with 2.1 made 3-pointers per game for the RedHawks, while averaging 13.5 points. Amber Tretter is averaging 15.7 points and 6.2 rebounds over the last 10 games.

Aniya Rowe is averaging 11.1 points and two steals for the Bulls. Paula Lopez is averaging 1.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: RedHawks: 9-1, averaging 67.7 points, 26.6 rebounds, 16.4 assists, 11.4 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 44.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 58.7 points per game.

Bulls: 1-9, averaging 60.4 points, 34.3 rebounds, 9.8 assists, 9.9 steals and 3.2 blocks per game while shooting 37.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 74.3 points.

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

The Golden State Warriors crushed the Miami Heat on Monday night, winning 135-112, and giving them their 12th win in their last 16 games. But it came at a serious, and heartbreaking cost. In the third quarter, star forward Jimmy Butler III left the game after falling to the floor in agony following a non-contact injury to his knee. Butler was helped off the court, unable to put weight on his leg.

And as the clock struck midnight and the day flipped from Monday to Tuesday, the worst fears were confirmed: ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that Butler has suffered a torn ACL.

That officially will end his season, and unofficially will end whatever slim chances the Warriors had of competing this year following their recent surge.

The Warriors have experience with torn ACL timelines, most recently with Butler’s current teammate, De’Anthony Melton, who returned in early December from ACL surgery. Melton’s return came just shy of 13 months after he initially suffered the injury. It’s not uncommon for players to return from ACL tears after 11 or 12 months, but given Butler’s age (36), and the fact that this is his third serious injury to his right knee, and it’s safe to pencil him in for the long end of the spectrum. A return shortly after the 2027 All-Star break seems like the most likely scenario for Butler.

We’ll see if he’s still on the Warriors then, as his enormous contract now becomes salary that the Warriors may look to move, either at the deadline or in the offseason (it will be an expiring contract if they wait until the latter, so it will have some value). But that’s something to think about on another day.

For now, it’s just sadness. For Butler, and for the Warriors.

Tobias Harris scored 25 points as NBA Eastern Conference leaders Detroit Pistons held on to beat the second-placed Boston Celtics 104-103 on Martin Luther King Jr Day.

Jaylen Brown, who registered 32 points and 11 rebounds for the Celtics, almost snatched victory when his shot in the final seconds bounced off the rim at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.

Jalen Duren contributed 18 points and nine rebounds and Cade Cunningham 16 points and 14 assists for the Pistons.

"We wanted this game. It's a heck of a win for us," said Harris.

"Two of the best teams in the East - our group is always up for the challenge."

The Pistons improved their record to 31-10, while the Celtics are 26-16.

Western Conference leaders and defending NBA champions Oklahoma City Thunder got back to winning ways with a 136-104 victory at the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Thunder went into the game on the back of a defeat by the Miami Heat and dominated the Cavaliers as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points.

Victor Wembanyama scored 33 points to lead the San Antonio Spurs, who are second in the Western Conference, to a 123-110 home win against the Utah Jazz.

Wembanyama scored a season-high seven three-pointers in a display which also included 10 rebounds, while six other Spurs players reached double figures in points.

In a way, it kind of feels like the Spurs have switched places with their IH-10 Rivals this season. While they’re close in the standings, it has been two entirely different seasons for the Spurs and Houston Rockets. Both teams have been on similar rebuild schedules, with the Rockets being a year ahead, and it culminated in them rising to the second seed in the West last season before they were upset in the first round by the Warriors. They appeared to address most of their depth issues in the offseason and added more star power with the addition of Kevin Durant, but so far, it has been a letdown season in no small part due to the loss of Fred VanVleet.

Meanwhile, the Spurs are experiencing the same rise the Rockets did last season, from play-in-contender who ultimately missed out the season before, all the way up to the second seed the next (although hopefully the similarities end there when all is said and done). Additions like Dylan Harper, Luke Kornet and a healthy version of De’Aaron Fox have shored up depth issues from last season and helped them not only survive a spate of injuries, but even thrive.

Today, the two rivals meet up for the first time since early in November, when the Spurs won a tight contest that was ultimately the launching point to them winning their group and making the NBA Cup Finals.

San Antonio Spurs (30-13) at Houston Rockets (25-15)

January 20, 2026 | 7:00 PM CT

Watch: NBC/Peacock | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)

Spurs injuries: Not due until 1 PM.

Rockets Injuries: Steven Adams — out (ankle); Tari Eason — questionable (ankle); Fred VanVleet — out (knee)

What to watch for

No point guard for the Rockets

In a situation the Spurs can relate to from a couple of seasons ago, Houston has been playing the entire season without a true point guard after VanVleet suffered a torn ACL in September. As a result, it has been a point-guard-by-committee approach, with those duties being split between players like Amen Thomson and Reed Sheppard. The result has been a bottom 10 team in the league in turnovers and an offense that can get stagnant and lean too much on Durant at times, but that doesn’t mean the Spurs can take them lightly. They have improved a decent amount in taking care of the ball in the month of January and still rank 4th overall in offensive net rating.

Can the Spurs take their newfound offense on the road?

The Rockets played a very road-heavy schedule to start the season, playing 23 of their first 36 games away from home. (I don’t know why; I work just up the street from the Toyota Center, and unlike the Rodeo for the Spurs, there was nothing of note going on there.) The trade off was fewer games and back-to-backs, but still exhausting. Regardless, they have still have the second best record at home in the West at 14-3 and are currently 3-1 on their five-game homestand, including a win over the Timberwolves, and will look to cap it off with a win tonight.

At the same time, while the Spurs are a good road team this season at 13-8, Houston has been one of those places that gives them trouble over the years, even during their dynasty days. It’s probably safe to say they rediscovered their offensive form while sweeping their three-game homestand, and now they have to take it on the road into a hostile environment. They showed it was no problem earlier in the season, so hopefully the offense starts traveling with them again.

Size on size

Even without Steven Adams, who suffered a scary looking ankle sprain in their last game against the Pelicans and whom the Rockets have played much better with than without, they are still a long, strong team with players like Alperen Sengun, Durant and Jabari Smith. The Spurs also have plenty of length alongside Wemby, especially when they go French Vanilla by playing him with Kornet. I imagine they definitely would have broken it out if Adams was available, but they still might, especially if Wemby keeps shooting threes at this rate, having hit 16-27 over the last three games.

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For the Rockets fans’ perspective, visit The Dream Shake.

You can follow along with game here on the Game Thread, as well as on our X profile (@poundingtherock).

Jimmy Butler’s aggression on offense had been on an uptick as of late. But this night against his former team felt entirely personal.

With just under eight minutes and thirty seconds left in the first quarter of the Golden State Warriors’ rematch against the Miami Heat (Butler, Steph Curry, and Draymond Green were unavailable for the first matchup in Miami), Quinten Post hauled in the rebound and promptly passed the ball to Curry, who brought the ball up. Scanning the floor, Curry throws a rocket to Will Richard in the corner, with Bam Adebayo sauntering back and becoming visible on the NBCS Bay Area broadcast.

At that point, Adebayo and the television audience had one thing in common: none of them saw Butler zooming toward the half-court view like a bullet shot out of a gun. With his “stampede” cut, Butler caught the pass from Richard on the run, blew past the unsuspecting Adebayo, and rocketed all the way to the rim for the easy finish:

Butler made it a point to make an example of his former teammate, going at him at every opportunity he could get. Despite good defense from Adebayo under the paint, as he is wont to do as one of the league’s preeminent defenders, Butler was able to create ample separation from Adebayo using a turnaround fadeaway jumper:

If ever there was a night for Butler to move differently — in the sense of having that extra motivation to perform better than usual — it would be against the Heat, a squad Butler led to the Finals in 2020 and 2023. Butler fell short of achieving a championship in both instances, but those runs stamped his reputation as a big-game performer and playoff riser.

A rather acrimonious exit with the organization that Butler toiled for is certainly a catalyst for showing off. The proverbial fire was lit underneath him on both ends of the floor:

Players who have something to prove often get lost in the tunnel vision accompanies wanton aggression. Butler could’ve easily fallen victim to ball-hogging ventures born out of a desire to stick it to his former employers, coaches, and teammates. But in true Butlerian fashion, he refrained from waging a one-man crusade and still sought to create good looks for his teammates.

With Moses Moody setting a “Pistol” screen for him in the possession below, Butler coaxes a switch out of the Heat on the drive. Warriors legend Andrew Wiggins drifts too far off of Moody and Butler simply finds the open Moody for a three:

Things were looking dandy for Butler and the Warriors. In his 20 minutes and 50 seconds of time on the floor, the Warriors outscored the Heat by a total of nine points, buoyed by Butler’s versatile floor game and steadiness on defense (as evidenced by the Warriors’ 94 defensive rating in such minutes). However, a story that was seemingly on its way toward a happy ending quickly turned into a nightmare scenario.

Jimmy Butler had to be helped to the locker room after appearing to injury his knee pic.twitter.com/sOSpAxbbAP

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) January 20, 2026

Unable to put much weight on his injured right knee, Butler was taken to the locker room and was promptly ruled out for the rest of the game. As of this writing, he is currently having an MRI to determine the nature and severity of the injury.

Words cannot describe how consequential a potential extended Butler absence would be for the Warriors. Butler has played at a top 15-20 level this season, ranking highly in several advanced metrics such as Estimated Plus-Minus (plus-4.2, 14th), Box Plus-Minus (plus-5.5, 12th), and DARKO Plus-Minus (plus-2.8, 19th). He leads the team in total plus-minus (plus-176) and the Warriors have been 10.9 points per 100 possessions better with Butler on the floor.

Most notably, non-Curry minutes spearheaded by Butler have outscored opponents by 8.9 points per 100 possessions in 561 low-leverage minutes. To not only be a positive during Curry’s bench minutes but be a significant positive is unheard of. With Butler potentially missing time, the fear is that the previous status quo — that of non-Curry lineups having trouble creating any sort of positive impact — will return.

At 36 years old, Butler’s prime years are past him; to be playing at this level, with impact that contributes to winning basketball, is quite an amazing feat. But should Butler miss a year or more, he will be 37 years old. For injuries such as this, the extensive rehabilitation and re-acclimatization process isn’t as kind to older players as it has become to younger ones.

Butler still very much wants to contribute to winning, desiring that championship that has eluded him twice. That window was already somewhat narrow before this injury; it has become much closer to being shut with the untimely and unfortunate inward buckle of his knee.

In the grand scheme of things, if the diagnosis turns out to be what everyone isn’t hoping for it to be, the Warriors’ window for contention will be equally close to being shut. The Warriors will have little incentive to move off of their tradeable assets in Jonathan Kuminga (besides the fact that this relationship has run its course) and their treasure trove of picks. Without a keystone for championship contention, what leverage the Warriors had in trade talks would be eliminated, as well as reasons for front office and ownership to go all in on the remaining years of the Curry era.

Most important of all, let us not forget the human element — and hope that Butler will recover expeditiously and in a manner that will allow him to return to play, without any hindrance and setbacks.

Atlanta Hawks (20-25, 10th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (18-23, 11th in the Western Conference)

Memphis, Tennessee; Wednesday, 8 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Atlanta looks to break its four-game losing streak with a victory over Memphis.

The Grizzlies are 10-11 in home games. Memphis is 9-9 when it wins the turnover battle and averages 14.9 turnovers per game.

The Hawks are 13-12 in road games. Atlanta is the league leader with 31.0 assists per game led by Jalen Johnson averaging 8.0.

The Grizzlies are shooting 45.5% from the field this season, 2.3 percentage points lower than the 47.8% the Hawks allow to opponents. The Hawks average 14.4 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.1 more makes per game than the Grizzlies give up.

TOP PERFORMERS: Jaren Jackson Jr. is averaging 18.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks for the Grizzlies. Santi Aldama is averaging 13.0 points over the last 10 games.

Onyeka Okongwu is averaging 16.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists for the Hawks. Nickeil Alexander-Walker is averaging 21.8 points and 4.7 rebounds while shooting 44.0% over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Grizzlies: 3-7, averaging 114.3 points, 46.8 rebounds, 28.7 assists, 7.5 steals and 5.6 blocks per game while shooting 45.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.7 points per game.

Hawks: 4-6, averaging 111.2 points, 43.6 rebounds, 30.0 assists, 10.9 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 44.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.1 points.

INJURIES: Grizzlies: Scotty Pippen Jr.: out (toe), Zach Edey: out (ankle), Ty Jerome: out (calf), Brandon Clarke: out (calf).

Hawks: Kristaps Porzingis: out (achilles), Zaccharie Risacher: out (knee), N'Faly Dante: out for season (knee).

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

Indiana Pacers (10-34, 15th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (26-16, second in the Eastern Conference)

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

BOTTOM LINE: The Indiana Pacers take on Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics in Eastern Conference action Wednesday.

The Celtics are 19-10 against Eastern Conference opponents. Boston averages 116.7 points while outscoring opponents by 6.7 points per game.

The Pacers are 7-22 against conference opponents. Indiana has a 4-27 record against teams over .500.

The Celtics average 116.7 points per game, 1.6 fewer points than the 118.3 the Pacers give up. The Pacers average 110.1 points per game, 0.1 more than the 110.0 the Celtics give up to opponents.

The teams square off for the fourth time this season. The Pacers won the last matchup 98-96 on Jan. 13. Pascal Siakam scored 21 points to help lead the Pacers to the victory.

TOP PERFORMERS: Derrick White is shooting 39.1% and averaging 17.7 points for the Celtics. Brown is averaging 27.8 points over the last 10 games.

Siakam is averaging 23.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and four assists for the Pacers. Andrew Nembhard is averaging 15.4 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Celtics: 6-4, averaging 116.1 points, 48.2 rebounds, 22.7 assists, 6.3 steals and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 46.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.5 points per game.

Pacers: 4-6, averaging 110.1 points, 42.4 rebounds, 29.2 assists, 8.0 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.3 points.

INJURIES: Celtics: Josh Minott: day to day (ankle), Jayson Tatum: out (achilles).

Pacers: Bennedict Mathurin: day to day (thumb), Obi Toppin: out (foot), Tyrese Haliburton: out for season (achilles).

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

Detroit Pistons (31-10, first in the Eastern Conference) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (10-35, 15th in the Western Conference)

New Orleans; Wednesday, 8 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Detroit will attempt to extend its three-game win streak with a victory against New Orleans.

The Pelicans have gone 7-18 at home. New Orleans averages 13.6 turnovers per game and is 8-15 when it has fewer turnovers than its opponents.

The Pistons are 13-6 in road games. Detroit ranks fourth in the Eastern Conference with 32.9 defensive rebounds per game led by Jalen Duren averaging 6.8.

The Pelicans make 46.5% of their shots from the field this season, which is 2.6 percentage points higher than the Pistons have allowed to their opponents (43.9%). The Pistons average 11.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 3.6 fewer made shots on average than the 14.8 per game the Pelicans give up.

TOP PERFORMERS: Derik Queen is averaging 12.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists for the Pelicans. Trey Murphy III is averaging 23.3 points over the last 10 games.

Cade Cunningham is averaging 25.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 9.8 assists for the Pistons. Duncan Robinson is averaging 2.9 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Pelicans: 2-8, averaging 112.5 points, 43.0 rebounds, 25.5 assists, 8.3 steals and 6.2 blocks per game while shooting 47.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.1 points per game.

Pistons: 7-3, averaging 110.7 points, 44.3 rebounds, 26.0 assists, 11.7 steals and 8.2 blocks per game while shooting 47.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 101.3 points.

INJURIES: Pelicans: Jose Alvarado: out (oblique), Dejounte Murray: out (leg), Herbert Jones: day to day (ankle).

Pistons: None listed.

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

Minnesota Timberwolves (27-16, fourth in the Western Conference) vs. Utah Jazz (14-29, 13th in the Western Conference)

Salt Lake City; Tuesday, 9 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Timberwolves -10.5; over/under is 245.5

BOTTOM LINE: Minnesota visits the Utah Jazz after Anthony Edwards scored 55 points in the Timberwolves' 126-123 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

The Jazz are 0-8 in division matchups. Utah has a 6-19 record against teams over .500.

The Timberwolves are 4-4 against the rest of their division. Minnesota ranks fifth in the Western Conference with 33.4 defensive rebounds per game led by Rudy Gobert averaging 7.5.

The Jazz score 119.1 points per game, 4.4 more points than the 114.7 the Timberwolves give up. The Jazz average 120.0 points per game, 7.5 fewer points than the 127.5 the Jazz allow.

The teams play for the third time this season. The Timberwolves won the last meeting 120-113 on Nov. 11, with Edwards scoring 35 points in the victory.

TOP PERFORMERS: Keyonte George is averaging 24 points and 6.8 assists for the Jazz. Brice Sensabaugh is averaging 17.5 points over the last 10 games.

Gobert is scoring 11.0 points per game and averaging 11.4 rebounds for the Timberwolves. Edwards is averaging 25.2 points and 3.7 rebounds over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Jazz: 2-8, averaging 116.8 points, 42.5 rebounds, 30.7 assists, 8.3 steals and 2.8 blocks per game while shooting 48.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 129.8 points per game.

Timberwolves: 6-4, averaging 122.6 points, 46.5 rebounds, 27.1 assists, 8.3 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 51.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.3 points.

INJURIES: Jazz: Lauri Markkanen: day to day (illness), Georges Niang: day to day (foot), Brice Sensabaugh: day to day (illness), Walker Kessler: out for season (shoulder).

Timberwolves: Terrence Shannon Jr.: out (foot), Naz Reid: day to day (shoulder).

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

Phoenix Suns (26-17, seventh in the Western Conference) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (23-18, fifth in the Eastern Conference)

Philadelphia; Tuesday, 7 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: 76ers -1; over/under is 224.5

BOTTOM LINE: Phoenix visits Philadelphia for a non-conference matchup.

The 76ers have gone 11-11 in home games. Philadelphia ranks ninth in the Eastern Conference with 48.2 points per game in the paint led by Tyrese Maxey averaging 11.7.

The Suns have gone 12-12 away from home. Phoenix has a 4-6 record in games decided by less than 4 points.

The 76ers average 116.7 points per game, 4.8 more points than the 111.9 the Suns allow. The Suns average 114.7 points per game, 0.7 fewer than the 115.4 the 76ers allow to opponents.

TOP PERFORMERS: VJ Edgecombe is averaging 15.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.5 steals for the 76ers. Maxey is averaging 28.5 points over the last 10 games.

Devin Booker is averaging 25.3 points and 6.4 assists for the Suns. Dillon Brooks is averaging 19.2 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: 76ers: 6-4, averaging 117.6 points, 41.7 rebounds, 23.0 assists, 10.4 steals and 6.8 blocks per game while shooting 48.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.5 points per game.

Suns: 7-3, averaging 113.3 points, 43.1 rebounds, 24.7 assists, 9.2 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 45.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 105.6 points.

INJURIES: 76ers: Paul George: day to day (knee).

Suns: Jalen Green: day to day (hamstring).

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

What a scene in Chase Center Monday night on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. There was Jimmy Butler, the Warriors’ prized acquisition who was supposed to solve their wing problem once and for all, crumpling to the Chase Center floor with 7:41 left in the third quarter against Miami. His right knee buckled and he couldn’t put weight on it. Teammates helped him limp off the court while the building held its breath.

And there was Andrew Wiggins, wearing Heat colors now, who had received a standing ovation during pregame introductions. As the video tribute played on the big screen Wiggins humbly basked in the adulation, more than worthy of the honor he received from Dub Nation. After all, the crowd that had watched him transform from “worst contract in basketball” to championship contributor had every reason to roar their golden approval.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Kuminga sat on the bench in warmups for the 13th straight game, having formally demanded a trade just days earlier. Past, present, and potentially absent future, all visible at the same time.

This doesn’t look good at all. pic.twitter.com/SOq1cCtd2I

— warriorsworld (@warriorsworld) January 20, 2026

Jimmy Butler’s reaction while getting helped to the locker room pic.twitter.com/hCb2H2ynzJ

— Guru (@DrGuru_) January 20, 2026

This is what happens when you spend years trying to replace Kevin Durant. You get a carousel of talented wings, each carrying their own baggage, each representing a different gamble, each reminding you that sometimes the house doesn’t win.

The irony was almost too perfect

Remember how the Warriors got Wiggins? It all started with them wanting D’Angelo Russell in that sign-and-trade with Brooklyn after KD left, knowing Russell might not fit but believing his trade value would eventually help them reload. Six months later, Minnesota was desperate to pair Russell with Karl-Anthony Towns. The price? Wiggins and the seventh round pick that became Kuminga.

At the time, people called Wiggins one of the worst players in the league with no trade value. Those fools. The Warriors made him into a two-way force on their 2022 championship team, completing his redemption arc, an arc that coincided with Steph, Klay, Dray, and Iguodala’s fourth rings. Front office was looking like geniuses as Wiggins’ All-Star berth proved he was the man of the hour.

Until they decided last winter Wiggins wasn’t the answer anymore and sent him to Miami.

“Welcome back to the Bay, Andrew Wiggins!

He gets a warm ovation from the crowd in his first game back in Golden State 👏 pic.twitter.com/kQUTwuE2fp

— NBA (@NBA) January 20, 2026

Wiggins is averaging 15.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists with the Heat now. Not spectacular, but Erik Spoelstra thinks it might be the most complete basketball of his career considering the responsibilities he’s handling on both ends. He’s thriving in a system that doesn’t ask him to be someone he’s not.

Kuminga? He started the first 12 games this season leading Coach Steve Kerr to call him a secure starter. Then struggles led to a benching that landed poorly with the 23-year-old. He’s been completely out of the lineup since December 18th and now team sources say everyone agrees the best resolution is trading him before February 5.

Butler was supposed to be the answer, which is why the Warriors gave up Wiggins to get him. They believed his intensity, his playoff pedigree, his two-way dominance would bring All-NBA caliber play to the position. Golden State has gone 12-4 since December 18 with a top-five offense during that stretch.

Losing Butler for any extended time would almost certainly derail that momentum.

Steve Kerr was asked if the Jimmy Butler injury could lead to Jonathan Kuminga minutes.

“Sure, absolutely."

Is he ready?

"Yeah. Yep." pic.twitter.com/bHK9SskYq6

— Marc Grandi (@MarcGrandi) January 20, 2026

And so what a scene it was in San Francisco as we got to see those three talented players. They’re on three different trajectories, providing three reminders that sometimes you can make all the smart moves and still end up exactly where you started: searching for the piece that fits.

Butler will get an MRI. The Warriors will hope it’s short-term. They’ll canvas the market for Kuminga trades, prioritizing expiring contracts that don’t lock them into long-term money. They’ll keep spinning the wheel, hoping this time it lands on the right number. Because when you’ve tasted championships, when you’ve had Kevin Durant and know what elite wing play looks like, you can’t stop chasing it.

Just ask Harrison Barnes.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Anthony Duclair scored twice and the New York Islanders beat Vancouver 4-3 on Monday night, handing the Canucks their 11th consecutive defeat.

Tony DeAngelo had a goal and an assist for the Islanders (27-17-5). Ryan Pulock's second goal of the season put New York ahead for good with 4:02 remaining in the second period.

Rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer and British Columbia product Mathew Barzal each had two assists. Ilya Sorokin stopped 29 shots.

Duclair has seven goals in his last seven games after scoring four in his first 38 appearances this season.

Max Sasson, Evander Kane and Drew O’Connor scored for the NHL-worst Canucks (16-28-5), who have lost eight straight games in regulation. They are 0-9-2 during the losing streak, and still winless in 2026.

Kevin Lankinen made 28 saves for Vancouver, which fell to 4-14-3 at Rogers Arena and hasn't won at home since Dec. 6.

Sasson gave the Canucks an early lead, scoring 2:49 into the game, and Kane put them up 2-1 with his eighth goal of the season before the end of the first period.

But the Canucks gave up two goals in 1:24 late in the second and couldn’t recover in the third despite a late goal from O’Connor.

Pulock gave the Islanders a 3-2 lead when he took a pass from Schaefer at the top of the slot and sent a shot over Lankinen.

Earlier in the day, Vancouver traded winger Kiefer Sherwood to the San Jose Sharks for defenseman Cole Clayton and second-round picks in the 2026 and 2027 drafts.

Up next

Islanders: Visit the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday.

Canucks: Host the Washington Capitals on Wednesday.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl