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Preview: Nurkic’s storm passes through SLC against LA Clippers

Is Jusuf Nurkic the most dangerous man in the NBA? I’m mostly joking, of course, because despite the fact that he’s on an unprecedented run of three consecutive triple-doubles (which was on nobody’s bingo card at the beginning of the season, don’t even pretend), it took a herculean performance from Keyonte George to claim the only Jazz win in that stretch, a five-point victory against Minnesota.

In the fourth game of this home stretch, Utah is still stumbling from back-to-back losses of 17 and 31 points.

So no, the NBA isn’t exactly cowering in fear at the Jokic-fication of Bosnia’s finest. Certainly not the red-hot Clippers, who have won so many games that they’re forcing non-believers to eat sheets of paper. Basketball is the weirdest sport ever, man.

So, what does this midseason matchup between two Western Conference foes have in store? Well, the host Jazz, now 15-31 and 3-7 in their last 10, have seemingly locked in their fate before the game has even tipped off. Just take a look at the injury report, which lists Keyonte George as out (rest) and Markkanen, Nurkic, and Love all as game-time decisions.

Especially against a team as hot as Los Angeles. The Clips desperately needed to climb out of the Tankathon race, given the fact that they do not own their own draft pick thanks to the increasingly awful SGA-Paul George deal. In case this point hasn’t been driven home to the Jazz’s deal with OKC, there is no reason to lose basketball games when you’re not fighting for ping pong balls.

It’s time to block Sam Presti’s number. Do not answer his calls, no matter how good the deal sounds.

Now at 21-24, they’ve crept up to the final Play-In spot in the Western Conference, and will not be in the habit of dropping shocking games to teams like Utah, which (truth be told) is not interested in stealing one from a winning team in the final half of the season.

The future is… kinda bleak for the Clippers at the moment, and that’s saying something for one of the most depressing teams in the history of basketball. Constantly in the shadow of their older, golder brothers down the road, the Clips took a chance on the duo of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George and sent their submission to the NBA Finals. But that submission was… how do we put this? Lost in the mail, caught in the shuffle, passed up for more promising prospects, set ablaze in a fiery rage, take your pick.

Be it fate, karma, the glass skeletons of their cornerstone pieces, or some other act of the basketball gods, this era of the Los Angeles Clippers has been one of the most disappointing and cursed in the history of the game. Now with James Harden as their lead and Kawhi Leonard lounging on his recliner on the sidelines, what is this team capable of accomplishing as currently constructed?

There is no way out. Their stars are already past their primes, declining, and carrying nearly zero trade value. They have no option but to build through the draft. Their roster is expensive yet ineffective, and ownership is so all-in on making this team competitive at any cost. But they hit their ceiling a long time ago. They’re one of the awkward teams stuck in basketball purgatory.

As much as tanking can hurt a fanbase, it feels far preferable for a team to lose by choice rather than because they have no other choice. The Clippers are forced to cross their fingers and hope their team — as currently constructed — manages to break through behind a core of James Harden and Kawhi Leonard. Brutal.

So, when these two teams square off on Tuesday night, it’s important to understand the greater context of their competition. While Los Angeles is expected to win this game, their trajectory is one of decline, but Utah is just getting started.

How to watch Utah Jazz vs Los Angeles Clippers:

Date: Tuesday, Jan 27, 2026
Time: 8:00 PM MT
Location: Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Channel: Jazz+, KJZZ
Odds: LAC -10.5

Calvin Barrett is a writer, editor, and prolific Mario Kart racer located in Tokyo, Japan. He has covered the NBA and College Sports since 2024.

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The Utah Jazz just got snubbed by the NBA

Today, the NBA announced the 2026 Castrol Rising Stars Rookies, and a notable name was missing: Ace Bailey.

It’s a frustrating omission that I’m sure Bailey will not be happy about. He has done everything the Jazz have asked him to, and his reward for much of this season was watching minutes go to Svi Mykhailiuk. With Lauri Markkanen missing time, Bailey has shown more and more consistency with some great flashes of talent. In the last 7 games minus Lauri Markkanen, Bailey has averaged 15.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while shooting 48% from the field and playing impressive defense. What might have been for the young prospect had the Jazz prioritized playing time from the start of the season? At least we’ll all appreciate those developmental Mykhailiuk minutes in 5 years when … oh yeah …

It also deserves mention that Walter Clayton Jr. did not make a spot on the team but he has gotten even less time than Bailey so that’s not as much of a surprise.

That wasn’t the only snub for the Jazz. None of Cody Williams, Isaiah Collier, or Kyle Filipowski made the sophomore team either.

This is less of a surprise considering the level of play for all three has been up and down. Surprisingly, Cody Williams is probably the biggest snub here. His play in the last 10 games or so has been a welcome sight. He has shown great defensive potential and is starting to look like a real piece for the Jazz moving forward. Williams has started the last 10 games and has averaged 9.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists, shooting 53% from the field and 35% from three. Those numbers are a revelation considering how rough his rookie season was.

It’s a nice stretch, but it wasn’t enough to get consideration. Now, this may not seem like a big deal, but you can bet the players pay attention to this. It matters to them. Utah can’t do anything at this point to get them into the game, they should have had a clear plan at the start of the season. That plan should have been to find a way not to have veterans taking time from their young players. Yes, that is happening now, but some arbitrary “gotta earn those minutes” rule kept the players from success, and that’s frustrating.

I have no doubt Bailey will be on the team next year, he’s proven just how good he can be, but it’s a lost opportunity that you can’t get back.

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Owen Bronston Jr. leads South Carolina State to 70-64 victory over Delaware State

ORANGEBURG, S.C. (AP) — Owen Bronston Jr. had 15 points to guide South Carolina State to a 70-64 victory over Delaware State on Monday night.

Bronston did his scoring on 5-for-10 shooting from 3-point range for the Bulldogs (5-16, 3-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference).

Jayden Johnson and James Morrow both scored 14 for South Carolina State and Florian Tenebay added 10 points.

Dean Shepherd scored 14 off the bench to lead the Hornets (5-15, 0-5), who have lost six in a row. Zion Bethea added 13 points and Miles Webb scored 11.

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When Did the Oilers' Defence Get This Good? A Look Into Ekholm's Hatty

It feels like just yesterday we were all watching Evan Bouchard get his hat trick and listening to Mattias Ekholm sing his praises. Okay, so it was literally the last game. But it's the same difference.

Now it's Ekholm's turn. The veteran defenseman recorded a hat trick against the Anaheim Ducks, becoming just the fourth defenseman in Edmonton Oilers history to accomplish the feat. And here's the wild part: when Bouchard did it, he was only the third. Fifty-four years of Oilers hockey, and only two defensemen—Paul Coffey and Marc-Andre Bergeron—had managed it. No Oilers defenseman with a hat trick in 20 years. Then all of a sudden, two games, not even a week apart, two D-partners pull off the same statistical miracle.

If this isn't a sign that things are trending in the right direction, I don't know what is.

Oilers Make Depth Forward Move: Bring Up Samanski, Send Ike Howard Back to AHLOilers Make Depth Forward Move: Bring Up Samanski, Send Ike Howard Back to AHLOilers recall gritty forward Josh Samanski, boosting depth with his speed and two-way play while sending down Ike Howard.

Connor McDavid certainly thinks so. When asked about Ekholm's performance, he didn't hold back.

"We're not talking greatness, we're talking legendary," McDavid said.

Legendary might be strong, but it's not wrong. Ekholm's been a steady, reliable presence on the Oilers' blue line since arriving from Nashville. He doesn't typically light up the scoresheet—he's more about shutdown defence, smart positioning, and veteran leadership. So when he scores three goals in one game? Yeah, that's legendary.

Oilers vs Ducks: Pre-game StatsOilers vs Ducks: Pre-game Stats26-1898 | 60 PTS

"Some nights the bounces go your way. I will try to enjoy this one because it will probably be my last," Ekholm said with a laugh. "I couldn't buy a goal for twenty games, then three in one."

That's hockey for you. Sometimes the puck just finds you. But give Ekholm credit—he's been a pillar on the Oilers blue-line for a while.

"Obviously he (Ekholm) has a bomb of a shot, and he knows how to use it," Leon Draisaitl said.

Evan Bouchard’s Three-Goal Night: A Spotlight on a Complex Edmonton RelationshipEvan Bouchard’s Three-Goal Night: A Spotlight on a Complex Edmonton RelationshipEvan Bouchard’s three-goal night against the Washington Capitals was one of those rare performances that grabs your attention—and not just because it’s unusual for a defenseman to score that much in a single game. It was a big moment for Bouchard, hitting a hat trick, racking up six points, and finishing with a plus-5 rating in his 400th NHL game. But beyond the stats, it adds a whole new layer to his complicated relationship with the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers">Edmonton Oilers</a> and their fans—a relationship that’s a bit... well, toxic at times.

He does. Ekholm's not just getting lucky bounces—he's picking his spots, loading up, and firing. When a defenseman with his experience and shot gets opportunities, good things happen.

But here's what makes this stretch even more significant: it's not just Bouchard and Ekholm. It's the entire Oilers defence. Against the Ducks, Edmonton's blue line combined for five goals, two assists, and a plus-10. Five goals from defensemen in one game. That's absurd. That's the kind of offensive production from the back end that Stanley Cup teams get.

Spencer Stastney chipped in. Darnell Nurse scored. Bouchard's been a force all season. And now Ekholm's joining the party. The Oilers' defence isn't just preventing goals — it's creating them.

Oilers Fans Can Get Excited About Young Talent In EdmontonOilers Fans Can Get Excited About Young Talent In EdmontonMatt Savoie has scored goals in back-to-back games for the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers#google_vignette">Edmonton Oilers</a>. Sure, they lost both of them—badly, in the case of the Pittsburgh blowout—but a goal is a goal. They don't ask how it's done. They just count.

Sometimes (most of the time, let's be honest), the Oilers get a reputation for having a lousy defensive structure. And some games, it's warranted. We've watched them lose games because of defensive breakdowns, missed assignments, and untimely turnovers. But we've also seen this — two world-class performances from the top defensive pairing against two decent teams in less than a week.

It's a bit perplexing. But it also shows things are coming together on the back end. The Oilers now have two solid goalies — Tristan Jarry and Connor Ingram (sorry, Calvin Pickard; you will be missed). They've got outstanding performances from their top D-pairing. And they're getting contributions from depth defensemen who are stepping up when needed.

"If we're going to have success down the road, it's going to be from the defensive side out," Ryan Nugent-Hopkins said.

NHL Trade Rumors: Oilers & Blue Jackets' Jenner Could Be Great FitNHL Trade Rumors: Oilers & Blue Jackets' Jenner Could Be Great FitThe Oilers could use another impactful forward and have a good potential option in Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner.

He's absolutely right. The Oilers have always been able to score. McDavid, Draisaitl, Hyman—they'll put up goals. But Cups aren't won on offence alone. You need goaltending. You need defensemen who can move the puck, shut down opposing forwards, and contribute offensively when opportunities arise.

Right now, the Oilers are getting all of that. Bouchard and Ekholm are playing on another level. The depth defensemen are contributing. The goaltending's been solid. And the structure—when they commit to it—is there.

Two hat tricks from defensemen in a week. That's not normal. That's not something you can count on happening again. But it's a reflection of how dangerous this team can be when everything works. When the defence is active, when they're shooting, when they're confident—this team becomes nearly impossible to stop.

Injury Update: Will Mattias Ekholm Make It to The Olympics After All?Injury Update: Will Mattias Ekholm Make It to The Olympics After All?Sweden's Olympic defense faces uncertainty, potentially opening a door for Mattias Ekholm to join the roster after initially being overlooked.

Ekholm might never score another hat trick in his career. He's probably right about that. But for one night against Anaheim, he was legendary. And the Oilers' defence? It's starting to look like it might actually be good enough to win something.

Keep your eye on the blue line. It might just take the Oilers to that next level.

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No Steph Curry and no Draymond Green means no victory for warriors in Minneapolis

The NBA rescheduled Saturday’s game between the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves to Sunday, because 24 hours is Adam Silver’s preferred hiatus after a federal agent commits murder. Once that happened, Coach Steve Kerr was going to rest his veterans on the unexpected back-to-back. While the shorthanded Warriors fought hard, the talent gap, quick turnaround, and mere presence of Naz Reid in an opposing jersey led to a 108-83 loss.

First, the positives. The Warriors backups still played really solid defense, holding the Timberwolves to 108 points, 12.5 less than what they’re averaging in January. Will Richard had six steals and the team racked up 14. Gui Santos had 11 points and 10 rebounds and the team was only -5 in his 26 minutes. Pat Spencer scored 10 points, dished six assists and grabbed five rebounds, and was only -10. Even Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski were good on the defensive end of the court, helping force Julius Randle into six turnovers.

But Rudy Gobert crushed them on the boards, collecting 17 rebounds. Reid crushed them from the perimeter, with 15 points, seven rebounds, and three triples. And old friend Donte DiVincenzo hit five threes, delivered eight assists, and even blocked three shots. Gobert blocked two shots, but the Warriors eventually began running away from him, like Greg Bovino fleeing Minneapolis for a cozy retirement.

The Warriors managed to hold it together without four veterans resting for approximately one-and-a-half quarters. Richard got a steal and a score to tie the game and it looked like this rag-tag crew of Warriors just might pull off the upset.

If you’re wondering how the rest of the game went, it’s important to note that the above clip was the final one posted by @NBCSWarriors and it happened with over 60% of the game yet to play. It was also the last highlight posted by the official Warriors account on X, the everything app, because the social media team may have also been load managing tonight.

With 6:30 to go in the second quarter, Gary Payton II made a layup to give the shorthanded Warriors a 34-32 lead. On their next possession, Forever Warrior Donte DiVincenzo blocked Richard, and on the next, GPII committed an offensive foul, and followed it up by committing a defensive foul.

Gui Santos came in and immediately scored with 4:22 to go, then the offense ground to a halt. The Warriors missed seven of their next eight shots, culminating in an emphatic rejection by Rudy Gobert in the final seconds of the half. For the first 18 minutes, the game was tied 34-34. For the next six, Minnesota outscored the Warriors, 19-4.

It was a similar story in the first quarter, when the Warriors scored only two points in the last four minutes. It’s not really the players’ fault — you can’t expect a ton of offense against a strong Timberwolves defense, particularly when it’s a lineup of Spencer-Payton-Richard-Hield-Jackson-Davis.

Quinten Post acquitted himself well in 16 first-half minutes, scoring eight points and sinking two of the team’s four threes. He wasn’t quite as good in the second half but still finished with a team-leading 13 points. Yes, 13 points.

You know who had to be furious about that stat line? Post’s new arch-enemy, Joe Ingles, who once nearly blinded Duke coach Jon Scheyer during a Summer League game, while playing for the Summer Dubs.

For all you Dutch basketball enthusiasts, 6-foot-9 Nederlander Malevy Leons notched six points, his first of the season for the Dubs. He also had four rebounds, an assist, and a steal, making King Wilhelm-Alexander and Queen Maxima incredibly proud. Joe Ingles did not seem upset with him after the game.

Payton fouled out in 12 minutes, which is not good but weirdly impressive, like when a small dog eats an entire wheel of cheese. His night ended when he committed a loose ball foul going for a rebound, then fouled Gobert as he grabbed another offensive board, though GPII didn’t stop him from dunking anyway.

This game was the least-interesting thing happening in Minnesota this week and Steve Kerr may as well have been putting his team on a general strike. The Warriors reserves played with a lot of heart and might have even pulled off a win against a worse team than the Timberwolves. But even without the injured Anthony Edwards, the Wolves have seven starter-caliber players, and that’s a tough matchup for the back of the Warriors’ bench.

The road trip concludes Wednesday in Salt Lake City, where the pretending-not-to-tank Utah Jazz await. Unfortunately for the Warriors, they’re resting Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Clippers, so they might face a full-strength Jazz unit — but don’t underestimate team president Danny Ainge’s ability to put his team in contention for lottery balls.

Don’t be surprised if Jusuf Nurkic’s mysterious illness, possibly caused by him scaring Ainge with a triple-double this week, lingers through Wednesday. Also possible: Cody Williams gets a hangnail, Kyle Filipowski has an allergic reaction to postum, or Svi Mykhailiuk injures his hand trying to spell his own last name. January basketball: It’s DNP-tastic!

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Islanders shuffling lines pays off — but finding long-term consistency still needed

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Max Shabanov #49 of the New York Islanders skates against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Xfinity Mobile Arena on January 26, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. , Image 2 shows Philadelphia Flyers' Nick Seeler, left, and New York Islanders' Marc Gatcomb collide during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, in Philadelphia.

The Islanders brought a wholly different set of forward lines with them to Philadelphia.

After getting beat 5-0 by the Sabres on home ice Saturday, all four lines were switched up Monday against the Flyers, and Cal Ritchie was out due to a lower-body injury.

Ritchie was called day-to-day by the team, while Simon Holmstrom also missed the game due to illness.

Marc Gatcomb drew back in for Ritchie, with coach Patrick Roy reuniting the fourth line of Gatcomb, Casey Cizikas and Kyle MacLean that had considerable success before being broken up.

Anders Lee and Maxim Tsyplakov — originally intended to be a healthy scratch before Holmstrom came down ill — played on the third line on either side of Jean-Gabriel Pageau. Jonathan Drouin skated with Mathew Barzal and Anthony Duclair, while Max Shabanov jumped up to the top line with Bo Horvat and Emil Heineman.

The new-look lines did produce some much-needed results, helping spur the Islanders to a 4-0 win.

Philadelphia Flyers’ Nick Seeler, left, and New York Islanders’ Marc Gatcomb collide during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, in Philadelphia. AP

“We try a bit of a mix of everything,” Roy told reporters in Philadelphia before the game. “Mostly Bo’s been playing really well with, let’s say, Heiny. So, feel comfortable to put a guy like Shabby there. Barzy’s been playing well with Anthony Duclair [but] lately with Anders, the line was not performing as well as we wish.”

The configuration did come down to the final minutes before the game, as Holmstrom had skated in the morning on Barzal’s line, prompting more changes when he was made a scratch.

“A lot of talk, a lot of communication on the ice, makes it way easier when you’re on the ice and you know where your teammates are,” Pageau said after scoring twice, the second off Tsyplakov’s backhand feed. “When one guy was in trouble, we supported him quick in the corners. Same on the forecheck.”

Saturday’s loss marked the first time in over a month the Islanders had dropped back-to-back games, and put them at risk of losing three in a row for just the third time all season.

Max Shabanov #49 of the New York Islanders skates against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Xfinity Mobile Arena on January 26, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NHLI via Getty Images

The line shuffling, though, has been going on for much longer than that, as the Islanders have struggled to find any combinations that can bring them some needed consistency.

One game, of course, doesn’t tell you much about whether they’ll achieve that here. But it’s a good sign at least.

Ilya Sorokin’s 21 saves were his fewest in a shutout since Oct. 17, 2023, when he had a 14-save shutout against the Arizona Coyotes.

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Doncic dominates in Lakers Windy City victory

CHICAGO — A winter storm may have covered Chicago with single-digit temperatures on Monday night, but the Lakers entered the United Center scorching hot. 

From the moment LeBron James made the first shot of the game, a heavily contested fadeaway jumper over Bulls big man Jalen Smith, it was clear it would be one of those offensive nights for Los Angeles, who rode a hot shooting night to a 129-118 win over the Bulls.

LeBron James driving to the basket against Matas Buzelis. AP

James packed in his points early, scoring 20 points in the opening 16 ½ minutes to give the Lakers a 14-point midway through the second quarter and 69-56 lead going into halftime. 

After finding balance as a scorer and distributor in the first half, in which he had 17 points and eight assists in the opening two quarters, Luka Doncic picked up where James left off. 

Luka Doncic shoots over Jalen Smith. AP

Doncic scored 20 points in the third, helping the Lakers keep pace with a Bulls team that was having a shooting night of their own.

And when the Lakers needed a release valve to ease the offensive burden that Doncic (46 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds) and James (24 points) carried, Rui Hachimura was once again there to provide support. 

Hachimura finished with 23 points on 9-of-11 shooting (4-of-5 from three), carrying his hot shooting from Saturday’s win in Dallas, in which he shot 4-of-7 from deep, into the Windy City. 

Rui Hachimura shoots over Dalen Terry. AP

As a team, the Lakers shot 56.1 percent from the field and 48.5 percent from deep (16-of-33) and scored at least 34 points in the opening three quarters before cruising to their fourth win in the last five games. 

The Bulls, led by Coby White’s 23 points, six assists and five rebounds, shot 18-of-49 from three but were undone by their giveaways. 

Chicago’s 15 turnovers directly led to 23 Lakers’ points. 

What does it mean?

The Lakers, who improved to 28-17 with the victory, will have the opportunity to go on just their second three-game winning streak since December started. 

Turning point

There were multiple points where it felt like the game’s momentum swung.

And if the Lakers lost, the 8-0 run they allowed the Bulls to close out the first half with, and Chicago’s 11-5 advantage to open the third quarter, would’ve been one of those. It helped the Bulls cut what was once a game-best 20-point Lakers’ lead to one (81-80) midway through the third.

But back-to-back threes from Hachimura in the third gave the Lakers a 92-83 lead with four minutes left in the quarter. 

The Lakers led by at least five points for the remainder of the game. 

Luka Doncic drives against Isaac Okoro. Getty Images

MVP: Luka Doncic

Doncic controlled the game from the opening tip in a way only truly elite players in the league are capable of. 

It was arguably his best performance of the season.

Stat of the game: 10 turnover

The Lakers’ defensive effort in the second quarter, in which they had 10 takeaways, proved to be a difference-maker.

Chicago’s 10 turnovers in the second were the most they’ve had in a quarter this season.

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The Lakers will travel to Cleveland to take on the Cavaliers on Wednesday night.

It’ll be James’ lone regular season game back at Rocket Arena this season after spending 11 of his record-setting 23 NBA seasons, including the first seven, with the Cavaliers. 

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Top-ranked Arizona withstands late rally by No. 13 BYU to remain unbeaten with 86-83 win

PROVO, Utah (AP) — Brayden Burries scored 29 points and made the game-saving block in the final seconds as top-ranked Arizona remained unbeaten by holding off a furious rally from No. 13 BYU for an 86-83 victory Monday night.

Jaden Bradley added 26 points for the Wildcats (21-0, 8-0 Big 12), who matched the best start in school history.

BYU trailed by 19 midway through the second half before trimming the deficit to one with a 12-2 run that began with just more than a minute left. Keba Keita’s putback dunk pulled the Cougars to 84-83 with 16 seconds to go, and they forced a turnover on the ensuing inbounds play.

Robert Wright III drove toward the rim and wriggled free for a good look near the basket, but Burries came flying over from the weak side to block the shot from behind. He grabbed the loose ball and converted two free throws before BYU missed a long heave at the buzzer.

NO. 4 DUKE 86, NO. 20 LOUISVILLE 52

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Cameron Boozer had 19 points and 10 rebounds to help Duke roll past Louisville, giving the preseason Atlantic Coast Conference favorite a sweep of its projected top challenger.

Isaiah Evans and Patrick Ngongba II each added 15 points for the Blue Devils (19-1, 8-0 ACC), who scored 13 unanswered points spanning halftime to assert control after leading by just one shortly before the break. That spurt was merely the start of turning this into a romp, with the Cardinals struggling to make much of anything while the Blue Devils dominated the glass and the paint and shot 50.8%.

Duke took its first meeting with the team picked to finish second in the ACC on Jan. 6, rallying from 12 down on the road and shooting 70.8% (17 of 24) in the second half. The Blue Devils left no doubt in this one on the way to their 27th straight home win, which pushed them to 7-1 against AP Top 25 foes.

Ryan Conwell scored 18 points to lead the Cardinals (14-6, 4-4), who went 3 for 22 from the field over a roughly 15-minute stretch that carried into the second half. Louisville finished the game shooting 29.6%.

___

This version corrects Arizona's conference record.

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CJ McCollum scores 23 points, Hawks ride 17-0 second-half run to charge past Pacers 132-116

ATLANTA (AP) — Led by CJ McCollum’s 23 points, the Atlanta Hawks used a 17-0 run in the second half to take the lead and beat the Indiana Pacers 132-116 on Monday.

Dyson Daniels scored 22 points with nine assists, Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 21 points and Atlanta earned its third straight win.

The Pacers led by 15 points midway through the third quarter and were up 92-85 late in the period before the Hawks scored 17 unanswered points in a run that carried into the fourth quarter. Luke Kennard’s 3-pointer from the corner capped the run and gave Atlanta a 102-92 lead.

Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 26 points. Aaron Nesmith scored 18 and Bennedict Mathurin returned from a thumb injury to add 16. T.J. McConnell also had 16 points.

Tipoff had been scheduled for Monday night but was moved to early afternoon because of the possibility of icing on the roads as the result of a winter storm gripping the South and Northeast.

Atlanta’s Kristaps Porzingis (left Achilles tendinitis) and Zaccharie Risacher (left knee bone contusion) each missed his ninth straight game. The Hawks said Porzingis will be evaluated in about a week and Risacher could return for the team’s next game.

HORNETS 130, 76ERS 93

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Brandon Miller scored 30 points, and Charlotte took a 50-point lead for the second time this month on the way to rolling past Philadelphia.

All five Hornets starters finished in double figures. Kon Knueppel and Moussa Diabate scored 12, LaMelo Ball added 11 and Miles Bridges finished with 10 for Charlotte, which has won three straight games for the first time this season.

It was 28-22 after one quarter — and then Charlotte outscored Philadelphia 81-37 over the next two quarters, taking a 109-59 lead into the fourth.

Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 17 for Philadelphia. Jared McCain added 16 and Quentin Grimes had 14 for the 76ers, while Tyrese Maxey was held to a season-low six points on 3-for-12 shooting in 25 minutes. Maxey’s scoring average dropped a full half-point to 29.4 per game.

Charlotte became the first team since Phoenix in February 2009 to lead by 50 or more points in two separate games within the same calendar month. The Hornets led Utah by 57 on their way to a 150-95 win on Jan. 10.

CAVALIERS 114, MAGIC 98

CLEVELAND (AP) — Donovan Mitchell scored 45 points and Cleveland beat Orlando for their fourth straight win.

Mitchell was 15 of 25 from the field, including five 3-pointers, in 35 minutes. He had a season-high 26 first-half points, a great start for a player that came into the game leading the NBA in second-half scoring average at 17.6 points per game.

It was Mitchell’s 25th 30-point game this season, fourth-most in the league, and fifth with at least 40 points. He had 36 points in Saturday’s 119-105 win in Orlando.

Evan Mobley had 20 points and nine rebounds as the Cavaliers equaled their longest winning streak of the season. They also had four straight victories in early November.

The run puts Cleveland a season-best eight games over .500 at 28-20. The Cavs are also 11-4 since Dec. 29.

Paolo Banchero scored a season-high 37 points for Orlando, which has dropped three straight. The fourth-year forward also grabbed 10 rebounds. Desmond Bane added 19 points, including 15 in the first half.

CELTICS 102, TRAIL BLAZERS 94

BOSTON (AP) — Payton Pritchard scored 23 points, hitting buzzer-beaters to end each of the first two quarters, and Jaylen Brown added 20t to lead Boston to a victory over Portland.

Derrick White scored 18 points, making a 3-pointer after Portland cut what had been a 23-point deficit to five in the final minute. White also stole the ball on the Blazers’ next possession.

Jerami Grant scored 19 and former UConn star Donovan Clingan had 15 rebounds for the Blazers, who had won four of their previous five games to briefly climb above .500 for the first time since November.

LAKERS 129, BULLS 118

CHICAGO (AP) — Luka Doncic had 46 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds, and Los Angeles cooled off Chicago with a victory.

LeBron James scored 20 of his 24 points in the first half as Los Angeles improved to 3-1 on an eight-game trip. Rui Hachimura added 23 points on 9-for-11 shooting.

The Lakers were swept by Chicago in their two-game series last season, including a wild 119-117 loss at the United Center on Josh Giddey’s half-court shot at the buzzer.

Coby White scored 23 points for Chicago on Monday night, and Ayo Dosunmu had 20. The Bulls had won four in a row and five of six overall.

ROCKETS 108, GRIZZLIES 99

HOUSTON (AP) — Alperen Sengun and Kevin Durant each scored 33 points as Houston Rockets broke open a close game in the fourth quarter and beat Memphis.

The Rockets trailed by a point at the start of the fourth before going on a 21-9 run in the first seven minutes of the period to seize control and win for the fifth time in six games.

Tari Eason scored 11 of his 17 points in the first half and Amen Thompson finished with 14 assists and eight points. Reed Sheppard, who earlier Monday was named to the Rising Stars game for the NBA’s All-Star weekend, finished with four points on 2-for-11 shooting, including 0 for 7 from 3-point distance.

Sengun had an impressing shooting night for the Rockets, going 7 for 7 from the field in the first half and 15 for 17 overall. He also contributed nine rebounds and six assists.

Jaren Jackson Jr. and Santi Aldama scored 17 points apiece for the Grizzlies, who lost their third straight, for the fourth time in five games and for the 10 time in 13 games. GG Jackson added 14 points, Jaylen Wells had 12 and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 11. Cam Spencer, who along with Wells and Cedric Coward, was named to the Rising Stars game, finished with 14 assists and five points.

TIMBERWOLVES 108, WARRIORS 83

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Rudy Gobert had 15 points and 17 rebounds as Minnesota defeated Golden State in a game missing much of its usual star power.

The Warriors were playing without starters Stephen Curry (knee) and Draymond Green (back), while Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards was a late scratch to rest an recurring right foot injury.

Julius Randle led Minnesota with 18 points and Bones Hyland chipped in 17. Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo each scored 15 for the Timberwolves, who snapped a five-game losing streak, their longest skid since they lost five straight in December 2022.

Quinten Post led Golden State with 13 points. Brandin Podziemski scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while Gui Santos had 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Warriors, who shot a season-low 23.1% (9 for 39) on 3-pointers.

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Jonathan Quick finally earns first win as full-time Rangers starter to end five-game drought

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows New York Rangers goaltender Jonathan Quick #32 watches as the puck hits off the goal post during the second period of a game against the Boston Bruins

Jonathan Quick’s first stretch as the Rangers starting goaltender — taking over for an injured Igor Shesterkin — had been filled with struggles. An 0-5-0 record entering Monday’s game against the Bruins. A .795 save percentage, too.

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But Quick finally did enough to pick up his first win since Nov. 7 and his first since Shesterkin landed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury earlier this month, making 21 saves during their 4-3 overtime victory.

He also moved past Glenn Hall and into 12th place in NHL history with 408 career wins, which head coach Mike Sullivan called an “incredible achievement.”

“I just think that speaks volumes for his body [of] work in this league,” Sullivan said of Quick moving past Hall. “He means a lot to this team. He’s a great leader. He competes extremely hard. He’s one of the more popular guys in our dressing room for good reason. I just think all of us that are a part of this team have so much respect for what he’s accomplished in this game and his passion for the game as he continues to strive for excellence every single day.”

New York Rangers goaltender Jonathan Quick #32 watches as the puck hits off the goal post during the second period. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

Quick had been pulled on two different occasions with Shesterkin out, but he bounced back after allowing two goals early in the second period Monday that gave the Bruins a 3-2 lead. And with Shesterkin still on injured reserve and just skating on his own, the Blueshirts will need to continue relying on Quick — who turned 40 on Jan. 21 — until their $92 million star returns.

“His work ethic is impressive to watch day in and day out, and I think that speaks to his ability to play at such a high level at the age that he’s at,” Sullivan said. “That’s not easy to do. Couldn’t be happier for him because he’s competing hard for us.”

The six-game absence was filled with frustration. At the time the Rangers decided to remove him from their lineup, Matt Rempe had trouble gripping his stick, passing and shooting pucks. He couldn’t deliver the physical presence the Rangers wanted because his left thumb was still recovering from the surgery after a fight with the Sharks’ Ryan Reaves in October that left it broken.

But that disappointment, for at least one night, faded as Rempe returned to his spot on the fourth line and finished with two shots and two hits across 8:43 of ice time.

Artemi Panarin extended his point streak to 13 games (five goals, 14 assists) with an assist on Will Borgen’s goal late in the third period.

The Rangers held their latest centennial theme night of the season, this time honoring legendary Blueshirts from 1991-2004, including members of their 1994 Stanley Cup-winning team. Darren Turcotte, Radek Dvorak, Neil Smith, Mike Keenan, Kevin Lowe, Sergei Nemchinov, Craig MacTavish, Brian Noonan, Mike Hartman, Jeff Beukeboom, Jay Wells, Joe Kocur, Stephane Matteau, Glenn Anderson, Mike Richter, Adam Graves, Brian Leetch and Mark Messier all were in attendance, while Wayne Gretzky appeared on a video on the scoreboard.

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Yankees news: Lombard is the Yankees’ top prospect on another list

The Athletic | Keith Law ($): It’s preseason prospect ranking time. Today, it’s The Athletic. To the surprise of, I assume, literally no one, George Lombard Jr. is the top-ranked Yankee farmhand on Keith Law’s list. Ranked 24th overall, Law is bullish on Lombard’s future, remarking on the young shortstop’s bat speed and knowledge of the strike zone. “He’s at least a future everyday shortstop and still has upside beyond that because of the potential for a plus hit tool.” He’s joined by one other Yankee prospect, pitcher Carlos Lagrange. Lagrange comes in 88th on Law’s list. Law is complimentary of Lagrange’s stuff and clean delivery, projecting that “He should stick as a starter, and could end up in the top two spots in a rotation depending on how far his control improves.” A homegrown, top-of-the-rotation starter? Be still, my heart.

SNY | Anthony McCarron: It’s been a weird, frustrating offseason for Yankees fans. But it hasn’t been bad, per se, I guess. McCarron takes a look at, and individually grades, each move the Yanks made since season’s end. He assigns high marks to the recent re-signing of Cody Bellinger. Meanwhile, the assorted moves to bolster rotation depth earn the lowest of his grades (C+). It still feels like an underwhelming offseason, but I think I’d feel much worse if there were Ds or, baseball gods forbid, any Fs on that scorecard.

Fox Sports | Ryan Morik: The Captain is coming to the defense of Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner. Derek Jeter addressed the team’s championship drought, offering that “I’m sure Hal is frustrated as well. Hal’s been willing to go out and get players and put the Yankees in a position to win. But ultimately, you have to go out on the field and perform.” Jeets makes an interesting point elsewhere in the article, arguing that the trade deadline is likely to be the critical factor, given that teams can radically transform at the deadline.

Yahoo Sports | Billy Hayen: It’s been a rough stretch for the Yanks in the international free agent market. And the hits keep coming. Dominican infielder Marion De La Rosa, who recently de-committed (to borrow a college football phrase) from the Yankees, has apparently agreed to terms with the Seattle Mariners. De La Rosa won’t be able to sign with them until 2027 and technically teams and players can’t agree to these terms ahead of time, but… anyway, now the challenge for Seattle will be keeping him in the fold for a year until he can sign on the dotted line.

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Penguins' Kindel Proves Importance To Lineup In Whirlwind Rookie Season

Pittsburgh Penguins rookie center Ben Kindel probably didn't even expect to play what is approaching 50 games for the big club this season.

Yet, here he is. He appears to be in Pittsburgh to stay, and his presence on the NHL roster could mean much more than merely just helping the team win hockey games in the now. 

Kindel, 18, has thoroughly impressed Penguins' brass this season, as the rookie center has 10 goals and 22 points in 48 games. But if you ask anyone about the impact that Kindel has made, it hasn't necessarily been about the production.

Instead, it's been about the maturity in his all-around game. The veteran-like play from the "kid" has impressed teammates - inlcuding his linemates - and they know how advanced his two-way game is for an 18-year-old. 

"Sometimes, the lights can be pretty bright if you're up here at 18, but he's handled it so well, and he does such good things on the ice as far as playing two-way hockey," said Justin Brazeau, who has been Kindel's linemate in recent games. "He's probably way ahead of the curve as far as defensive play for young guys. And then just his ability to kind of just hang onto pucks, move pucks through the neutral zone, makes it easy for guys like me and 'Mo' [Anthony Mantha]... I think he's fit in really nicely."

Of course, everyone knows by now how the young center impressed so much in training camp that he earned a spot - along with 19-year-old defenseman Harrison Brunicke - on the opening night roster. Brunicke's play faded a bit down the stretch, and he didn't quite hit the 10-game mark with the NHL club this season before eventually being sent back to juniors, meaning his entry-level contract will not activate until next season.

But the Penguins elected to give Kindel that 10th game. And then, they elected to keep him beyond his 40th game as part of the active roster, meaning he gets to unrestricted free agency a year sooner.

Penguins' Rust Suspended Three Games For Hit Against CanucksPenguins' Rust Suspended Three Games For Hit Against CanucksIt looks like the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> will be without one of their top forwards for an upcoming crucial stretch of games.&nbsp;

But that didn't seem to faze GM/POHO Kyle Dubas and the Penguins. He's not only become a mainstay in the Penguins' lineup, he's also proven himself a very important player for them - too important to jettison from the roster and send back to junior hockey with the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL.

In fact, Kindel's sooner-than-anticipated emergence could, potentially, have a pretty big impact on their approach to roster-building in the next calendar year. He has already seen some minutes as a second-line center this season, and his role is likely only going to grow heading into 2026-27. Plus, if Evgeni Malkin does end up returning next season, it appears more and more likely that he will play on the wing, which speaks to how confident the Penguins feel about Kindel and Tommy Novak, who has one year remaining on his current deal.

So, the fact that the Penguins already have a legitimate top-six center for the future on their NHL roster - and the fact that Sidney Crosby does not seem to be slowing down at 38 - may pave the way for them taking some bigger swings in terms of acquiring talent.

Malkin's Return Exposes Center Depth As Strength For Penguins This SeasonMalkin's Return Exposes Center Depth As Strength For Penguins This SeasonPittsburgh Penguins' center Evgeni Malkin is poised to make his return to the lineup soon, and his deployment shows just how much center depth the Penguins have on their NHL roster this season

With Pittsburgh holding firmly onto the Metropolitan Division's second spot - and playoffs becoming more and more of a reality - they probably won't rely on the draft lottery to bring in an elite talent, and they may not even draft in the top-20. Without Kindel in the picture, the Penguins probably wouldn't feel as good about that. 

But he is in the picture, and he's already excelling. And there are two other centers selected in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft in Bill Zonnon (22nd overall) and Will Horcoff (24th overall) who are also both excelling this season and could crack the NHL roster sooner rather than later. 

Kindel's emergence this season is no small deal. But the crazy thing is that there is still so much room for him to grow. He's already seen ample time on both special teams units this season, he's counted on in some defensive zone starts and key situations, and he's consistently helping drive offense for his third line.

Do The Penguins Have What It Takes To Target Jason Robertson?Do The Penguins Have What It Takes To Target Jason Robertson?The Pittsburgh Penguins are rumored to be one of the teams in pursuit of Dallas Stars' superstar Jason Robertson should he hit the trade block.

In other words - like Brazeau said - Kindel already has so many of the details nailed down that often take younger players years to master. So, once the production catches up? The Penguins will probably have a pretty special player on their hands. 

"To be that young and doing the things he does in this league is pretty special," Brazeau said. "And it speaks to him, not only with his skillset, but just kind of how he carries himself."

And, fear not, the production will come. In a 3-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday, Kindel tallied two goals - his first in 19 games - in front of 192 family members and friends, and he, Brazeau, and Mantha were a force most of the evening.

Hopefully, that two-goal spark lights the fire for Kindel, who is already the first rookie Penguins' player since Jake Guentzel in 2016-17 to record double-digits in goals. 

"Obviously, you want to try to help the team as much as you can, and scoring is one of those areas," Kindel said after Sunday's win. "I don't know if it's as much about confidence, but [I'll] just keep playing my game, and goals will come and go."

Takeaways: Penguins Sneak Past Canucks To Close Out Perfect Road TripTakeaways: Penguins Sneak Past Canucks To Close Out Perfect Road TripThe <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> just keep on rolling.

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How Evgeni Malkin And Tommy Novak Are A Dangerous Duo

Before the 2025-26 season started, Evgeni Malkin told the Pittsburgh Penguins coaches and management staff that he wanted to play with Tommy Novak.

Novak was acquired by the Penguins from the Nashville Predators, along with Luke Schenn, for Michael Bunting and a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, before last year's trade deadline. Novak would go on to appear in only two games before suffering a season-ending injury. 

Coming into the season, Novak started the year playing a lot of minutes with rookie Ben Kindel on the third line, while Malkin centered Anthony Mantha and Justin Brazeau. Novak and Malkin had chemistry on their own lines before the Penguins suffered some injuries, including one to Malkin in early December.

Malkin missed a month with a shoulder injury before returning to the lineup on Jan. 8 against the New Jersey Devils. He was originally on a line with Kindel and Egor Chinakhov before head coach Dan Muse swapped out Kindel for Novak ahead of the Jan. 13 game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. 

Novak and Malkin have been on the same line ever since that game, and the Penguins have a 5-0-2 record during that time. The two have also shown outstanding chemistry together, and it was on display again during Sunday's game against the Vancouver Canucks. 

In the second period, Chinakhov did a great job winning the puck along the boards before spinning and passing the puck to Novak, who delivered a great cross-ice pass to Malkin in the offensive zone for the game's opening goal. Malkin made no mistake with the puck on that play.

Novak's a great distributor of the puck, and when you combine that with Malkin's ability to finish chances, that's what you get. 

During the game against the Calgary Flames on Jan. 21, Malkin and Novak both scored great goals, but it was their play on Chinakhov's goal that really stood out. Malkin took the puck from Ryan Shea and galloped into the offensive zone before passing it off to Novak. Novak then had a small, one-touch feed to Chinakhov, who used his wicked release to make it 2-0 at the time. 

Novak has four points in his last three games and two goals and eight points in January, while Malkin has five points in his last three games and five goals and 11 points for the month. 

Jan 15, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Egor Chinakhov (59) celebrates his goal with Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (71) and center Tommy Novak (18) against the Philadelphia Flyers during the second period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Jan 15, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Egor Chinakhov (59) celebrates his goal with Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (71) and center Tommy Novak (18) against the Philadelphia Flyers during the second period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Novak and Malkin have played 173 minutes together at 5v5 this season, and have been on the ice for 48.3% of the shot attempts, 47.7% of the expected goals, 49.7% of the scoring chances, and 47.8% of the high-danger chances. While all of those numbers are below 50%, I expect them to improve down the stretch, given how they've been playing. They also have a +8 goal differential at 5v5.  

Malkin is slated to hit free agency after the season, and it's been a big story this year, given the season that he's having. Malkin has 13 goals and 40 points in 36 games and is one of the biggest reasons why the Penguins are in second place in the Metropolitan Division. 

His representatives are expected to meet with Penguins president and general manager Kyle Dubas during the Olympic break to discuss a possible extension. If I'm the Penguins, this is a no-brainer. I'd sign Malkin to a one-year deal to return for another year. He'd probably take at least a little bit of a discount, and the front office can also attach a full no-move clause to the deal. 

Penguins' Forward Prospect 'Called Back' To North AmericaPenguins' Forward Prospect 'Called Back' To North AmericaBy and large, things have been going quite well for prospects in the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a>' organization this season, as many of them have either overachieved or appear to be ahead of schedule.

He's playing like a player who still has something left in the tank and more than deserves an extension. It would also give the Penguins another opportunity for Malkin and Novak to play together for a second season in a row, since Novak still has a year remaining on his contract after this year. Novak isn't slated to be a free agent until after the 2026-27 season.

Both players have been a blast to watch on the same line this month and are a threat to score each time they're on the ice. Assuming the Penguins make the playoffs, they could be a matchup nightmare for other teams in a seven-game series.

(Data via Natural Stat Trick).

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Andrei Vasilevskiy makes 28 saves in 2nd shutout of season as Lightning blank Mammoth 2-0

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Andrei Vasilevskiy made 28 saves for his second shutout of the season and 42nd of his career, Darren Raddysh scored on a power play late in the second period, and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Utah Mammoth 2-0 on Monday night.

Brandon Hagel added a power-play goal in the final minute for the Lightning, who have won 15 of 17 and swept the season series against Utah. Tampa Bay moved atop the Eastern Conference standings with 70 points, one ahead of Carolina and Detroit.

Vasilevskiy, who leads the league in goals-against average, improved to 2-0-0 against the Mammoth, both shutouts. He blanked them last season, the inaugural campaign for the Utah franchise.

Raddysh took a feed from Nikita Kucherov and one-timed it above the shoulder of Karel Vejmelka for a 1-0 lead with 2:22 left in the second.

Vejmelka made 25 saves for Utah, which lost in regulation for only the second time in its past 12 games.

RANGERS 4, BRUINS 3, OT

NEW YORK (AP) — Matthew Robertson scored at 3:53 of overtime as New York beat Boston to snap a three-game losing streak.

Will Cuylle, J.T. Miller and Will Borgen also scored for the Rangers, and Jonathan Quick got his 408th career win — passing Hall of Fame goalie Glenn Hall for 12th place on the NHL list. Quick made 21 saves and assisted on the overtime winner.

The Rangers, last in the Eastern Conference, took two of three against Boston this season. They improved to 6-13-4 at home and won for only the third time in 14 games overall.

Elias Lindholm had two goals and Morgan Geekie also scored for the Bruins. David Pastrnak added three assists to reach 900 career points. He has nine assists in his last five games. Joonas Korpisalo stopped 24 shots.

ISLANDERS 4, FLYERS 0

NEW YORK (AP) — Ilya Sorokin stopped 21 shots for his NHL-best sixth shutout of the season and Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored two goals to lead New York to a win over Philadelphia.

Mathew Barzal and Tony DeAngelo also scored for the Islanders. The Islanders scored power-play, short-handed and even-strength goals.

A game after they were shut out for the first time this season, Pageau snapped the scoreless streak with his ninth goal of the season on a short-handed shot past Samuel Ersson.

The Flyers allowed their fifth short-handed goal of the season.

OILERS 7, DUCKS 4

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Mattias Ekholm scored a hat trick and Edmonton rode a dominant second period to a victory over Anaheim.

Zach Hyman and Connor McDavid each added a goal and an assist for the Oilers, Spencer Stastney scored his first in an Edmonton jersey and Darnell Nurse also scored.

Leon Draisaitl contributed four assists and Tristan Jarry stopped 36 of the 40 shots he faced.

Three of Anaheim’s four goals came from Mikael Granlund on the power play, starting with his 10th tally of the season 3:24 into the game.

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NBA Final Score – Timberwolves 108, Warriors 83: A Game with Good Bones

The injury lists were longer than your last grocery list.

If you are on the Golden State Warriors and are a notable rotation player, you likely didn’t play on this back-to-back.

We were in Notes app territory.

Conversely, no Anthony Edwards for the nagging foot infection he’s been dealing with, and came off of a mediocre game by his standards on Sunday night.

Putting it lightly, it’s been a horrific stretch in Minneapolis, and Sunday night’s game was an environment closer to a vigil than a basketball game.

Pair it all with the uninspiring lull that the Wolves are currently forging for themselves on the floor, Monday night was simply a must-win game for a much better team on paper and a fanbase that just needed something to cheer for.

But who would bring the energy? An unfocused, unenthused Timberwolves team had been rolling through the last week without a tone-setter, and the results followed. Early on, much of the same seemed to be happening.

Julius Randle hit his first three but would go on to miss his next four, and a similar tone was set for a team that tends to settle for shots. Out of the Wolves’ first 12 shot attempts, eight of them were threes. With no Draymond Green for Golden State, the Warriors deeply lacked interior defense and were begging to be out-rebounded and outscored in the paint with Quinten Post playing most of their center minutes.

Rudy Gobert would need to play well. He did. His 15 points and 17 rebounds showed a return to aggression that’s been missing for the Wolves center over the last few games.

Largely because of the center’s return to form, the game would follow its anticipated projection as has been the theme all year. When Gobert plays well, the Wolves are able to lean into the only identity that wins them games: Defense.

The home team would go on to pull in front of the Warriors by 28 points by the beginning for the fourth quarter and close the deal in emphatic fashion.

The slow start? Short-lived.

A shot in the arm was needed badly, and while they may just have gotten it, it wasn’t going to happen without a little help from the bench. A team so desperately searching for players to come into the game and make an impact, Monday served as a perfect opportunity to show a pulse from Chris Finch and company’s unit.

Enter Bones Hyland.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 26: Austin Rivers interviews Bones Hyland #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves after the game against the Golden State Warriors on January 26, 2026 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

Bones Leads the Bench

The Timberwolves bench is in need of a defibrillator.

26th in bench field goal percentage and 22nd in bench points per game, it’s a unit whose inconsistency outside of former Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid shows on a night to night basis.

Lacking a super high ceiling with Mike Conley typically a part of the unity on a night to night basis, Bones Hyland is one that can that can play a major role in elevating it. The problem is he shares the adjective in the above paragraph; inconsistency.

When Hyland scores 10 or more points, the Wolves are 7-4. When he scores 15 or more, the Wolves are 3-0.

Monday was no exception, as Hyland finished the night with 17 points, seven rebounds and five assists in 25 minutes of action.

“We gotta have those performances on a nightly basis to be honest with you,” Head Coach Chris Finch said after the game.

During the aforementioned three-point slog at the beginning of the game that didn’t yield much offensive production, Hyland’s entrance into the game signaled more of a focus to attack the paint and get Golden State on their heels. His first six points came by way of transition layup, which parlayed into easier shotmaking.

“It definitely feels like the basket opens up more,” Hyland said after the game about starting things off by going to the basket and seeing a couple layups go down.

For him, so much of it is proactivity on the offensive end and being aggressive.

“Playing fast, being myself out there…I feel like I got back to that,” he said.

How does he continue to be himself as time goes on? Being less deferential in the offense, especially with a franchise player in Anthony Edwards making his way back into the lineup in short order. Hyland’s two best scoring games have come when Edwards has not been in the lineup (the other one coming in the road win against Milwaukee).

Finch mentioned after the game that he sometimes sees his primary-scoring bench guard defer too much when players higher in the pecking order are in the game, and that it needs to change.

“I told him he’s allowed play like this when Ant doesn’t play,” he half-joked after the game. “He’s an aggressive player by nature, and I think that helps him.”

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – JANUARY 26: Joan Beringer #19 of the Minnesota Timberwolves goes up for a shot past Malevy Leons #33 of the Golden State Warriors in the fourth quarter at Target Center on January 26, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Warriors 108-83. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Emptying the Notebook

1). It wasn’t “back to normal”, but Target Center did feel like it let out a slight exhale. Perhaps it was the news that dropped, perhaps it was the team finally showing up and giving fans what they paid for. But being in attendance on Sunday was one of the more emotional events I’ve been to that I carried with me into the next day. To see something normal feel so abnormal was jarring to its core, and I will not forget it. Take time to heal, or press right on forward into bellowing for your team; everyone reacts differently. But hopefully between the result and demeanor on Monday night, it helps in whatever way you need it to.

2). The loudest cheer for a substitution during the evening was the obligatory rousing applause for Joe Ingles, following shortly behind by Joan Beringer’s entrance. The French rookie is working is way into fans’ good graces, both online and in real life. His continuous hustle for loose balls, lack of shying away from contact, and can’t-miss athleticism are easy reasons as to why it could be, but I also think fans see him as a solution to the bench problems above. I don’t think that’s the case. Happy to be proven wrong. Until then, it seems as though he’ll continue to be a matchup-specific chess piece.

3). Anthony Edwards was a late scratch and Finch said after the game that he was not aware of it heading into the evening. Frankly, this is a time where I start to get concerned about things in that it could be a nagging issue. Late scratches are never really a good sign, but Finch had no update with confidence that Edwards would be definitively back in the lineup after Monday, and that he was not able to speak to the performance staff as of his press conference. Something to certainly keep an eye on, and in hoping that it isn’t an injury that bleeds into the All-Star break.

Up Next

The Wolves will head to Julius Randle’s home city of Dallas on Wednesday and take on a Mavericks team currently punching above its weight class. The Mavs have won four of their last five, two of which coming against the vaunted and merciless Utah Jazz (or so we saw when the Wolves went to Salt Lake City a week ago).

Because Anthony Edwards was out on Monday night with right foot injury maintenance, it would be expected that he makes his return to the lineup on Wednesday.

Tipoff is at 7:30 PM CST. and broadcast on FanDuel Sports Network.

Highlights