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Sabres bring 4-game win streak into matchup against the Kings

Los Angeles Kings (22-16-13, in the Pacific Division) vs. Buffalo Sabres (30-17-5, in the Atlantic Division)

Buffalo, New York; Thursday, 7 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: The Buffalo Sabres host the Los Angeles Kings as winners of four straight games.

Buffalo is 16-6-3 at home and 30-17-5 overall. The Sabres have gone 10-3-3 in games they score one or more power-play goals.

Los Angeles is 22-16-13 overall and 14-6-6 in road games. The Kings are 17-1-7 when scoring at least three goals.

Thursday's game is the first time these teams meet this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Josh Doan has scored 17 goals with 19 assists for the Sabres. Tage Thompson has seven goals and nine assists over the last 10 games.

Kevin Fiala has 18 goals and 19 assists for the Kings. Corey Perry has three goals and six assists over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Sabres: 7-2-1, averaging 4.4 goals, seven assists, 3.9 penalties and 8.7 penalty minutes while giving up 2.7 goals per game.

Kings: 4-2-4, averaging 2.4 goals, 4.1 assists, 3.1 penalties and 6.8 penalty minutes while giving up 2.9 goals per game.

INJURIES: Sabres: None listed.

Kings: None listed.

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

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Fantasy Hockey Trade Tips: Vince Dunn's production on the power play makes him a worthy target

There are only nine days left of action after Tuesday's games, prior to the NHL taking a three-week break for the Olympics. If you are thinking of consummating a fantasy hockey trade in the interim, it's likely best to wait if you are the team going for it (if you are giving up, then make a trade as soon as possible; taking any injury-risk out of play), as you will be able to reassess during the break and possibly avoid a player injured during the Olympics whom you were thinking of obtaining.

Best of luck with your trades this week.

Skinner has been outstanding since his trade from Edmonton. He was 11-8-4 with a 2.82 GAA and an .891 save percentage over 23 games for the Oilers prior to his mid-December trade to Pittsburgh. He is 7-4-0 in 11 games with the Penguins with outstanding peripherals of a 2.31 GAA and a .906 save percentage. Skinner has won four games in a row, and perhaps the lack of pressure in not playing in his hometown of Edmonton has finally relaxed him enough to be a worthy fantasy asset.

Example of a completed deal from the Yahoo Trade Market: Skinner for Daniil Tarasov and Mattias Samuelsson. (Tarasov is a backup goaltender at best, and while Samuelsson is a serviceable defenseman, I'd rather have the starting netminder.)

Larkin is a solid veteran with 25 goals and 47 points in 54 games this season. The Red Wings are challenging for first place in the Atlantic Division, and Larkin is in line to see his first playoff action since his rookie season in 2015-16 when he was just 19. That's an awfully long time to not have played in the postseason, and Larkin should have a big final third of the season to lead Detroit into the playoffs.

Example of a completed deal from the Yahoo Trade Market: Larkin for Elias Lindholm and Matvei Michkov. (Lindholm is an average center – and there are plenty of them in the NHL – while Michkov has been disappointing this season for the Flyers with 12 goals and 27 points in 50 games, after a 63-point rookie season in 2024-25.)

Dunn has two goals and nine assists in his last 12 games, including six assists on the power play. He has missed 46 games in his previous two seasons but has remained relatively healthy this season, missing only one game. Dunn has seven goals and 24 assists with 17 points coming via the man-advantage, in 51 games.

Example of a completed deal from the Yahoo Trade Market: Dunn for Jesper Wallstedt. (Wallstedt is a nice player, but he has been relegated to a backup spot in Minnesota, starting only twice in the Wild's last six games.)

Dostal has been red-hot of late, winning his last six games in a row, allowing only 12 goals on 173 shots (.931 save percentage). The Ducks have been a streaky team all season and saw their seven-game winning streak end in Edmonton on Monday. If they go on a losing streak, having Dostal on your team isn't going to help, as his peripherals are so-so this season. He has a 3.00 GAA and an .895 save percentage across 35 games and he got those numbers down during his current six-game streak. Dostal had been horrible in his previous six starts, allowing 27 goals on 171 shots, and those stats could repeat themselves if the Ducks go north in the immediate future.

Example of a completed deal from the Yahoo Trade Market: Dostal for Matthew Tkachuk. (Tkachuk is getting himself into playing shape since returning to action Jan. 19. He is a star when healthy, and I expect him to be the remainder of the season. If so, Dostal is a small price to pay at this time.)

Cirelli has been on fire since taking over for the injured Brayden Point (lower body), centering the top line between Nikita Kucherov and Brandon Hagel. Cirelli has three goals and seven points in his last four games, giving the 28-year-old 15 goals and 35 points in 47 games. Point should be back after the Olympic break, and since the Lightning have only four games left until the break, it's best if you can trade him now.

Example of a completed deal from the Yahoo Trade Market: Cirelli and an eighth-round pick for Rickard Rakell and a fifth-round pick. (While Cirelli will move down the depth chart when Point returns, Rakell is seeing first-line minutes with Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust – when Rust isn't being suspended.)

Stamkos is one of the hottest goal scorers of late, managing 21 goals and 33 points in 30 games since Nov. 26. He started the season off slow with four goals and an assist in 22 games, and there was plenty of scuttlebutt about Stamkos headed elsewhere. I would deal him now while he remains hot, as Stamkos is 35 and it's a longshot that his 26.6 shooting percentage will continue for much longer.)

Example of a completed deal from the Yahoo Trade Market: Stamkos and Evgeni Malkin for Anthony Stolarz. (Stolarz was a stud last season, as he had the best save percentage in the NHL at .926. He has struggled with injuries this season and finally returned to action last week after missing more than two months. I expect Stolarz to be very good the rest of the way, and I'm not anticipating much from Stamkos and Malkin.)  

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Chelsea urge fans to take ‘extreme caution’ in Naples after two taken to hospital

  • Treatment needed for ‘non-life-threatening injuries’

  • Chelsea fans report having knives pulled on them

Chelsea have told fans to take “extreme caution” in Naples after two supporters were treated in hospital there before their Champions League tie in the Italian city.

Napoli and Chelsea meet at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Wednesday night in the competition’s final round of group games.

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Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs at Houston Rockets

The San Antonio Spurs had a slight speed bump on Sunday at home against the New Orleans Pelicans and are now on tour against their in-state rivals in Houston. The Spurs are hardly separated from the fifth seed (2.5), making it critical to take care of business so they don’t lose their precious home-court advantage in the playoffs. 

It’s the third of four match-ups, and some of the biggest factors determining victory will be closing out to the corners quickest and maintaining an edge on the glass. Keep in mind that Houston is third in isolation frequency, and it’s mostly Kevin Durant turning water into wine on those possessions.

San Antonio Spurs (31-15) at Houston Rockets (28-16)

January 28, 2026 8:30 PM CT

Watch: ESPN | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)

Spurs injuries: Harrison Ingram – G-League, two-way (out), David Jones Garcia- G-League, two-way (out), Jeremy Sochan- left quad soreness (questionable), Stanley Umude- G-League, two-way (out)

Rockets injuries: Steven Adams- left ankle sprain (out), Tristen Newton- G-League, two-way (out), Fred VanVleet- ACL repair (out)

What to watch for

Fourth quarter intensity

The Spurs were recently in control against the Rockets on Jan. 20, but got pantsed in the fourth quarter, settling for jumpers and getting lit up everywhere. Notably, the only shot in seven attempts Victor Wembanyama made late in that game was at close range. When Tuesday’s fourth quarter starts, whether it’s down 10 or up 10, expect the Spurs to not play with their food and be sharp on pick-and-roll defense. The misses and turnovers allowed the Rockets to get out in transition, where they added seven back-breaking points, so the Spurs will have to get back quicker.

Reed Sheppard’s quick triggerand Houston’s athleticism

Sheppard is a small guard, but he compensates for it by having some of the fastest hands in the NBA on his jumper. His deep shooting ignites them like rocket fuel, so he’ll likely be played much closer when off-ball. 

Furthermore, the Rockets don’t use a traditional point guard, which is part of the reason their offense can be suspect. Their best playmaker, despite not having the highest assist-to-turnover ratio on the team, is Alperen Şengün, because he is a post threat that causes the most overreactions. A great way to lower his impact is not to play help defense when Victor guards him. He should be fine if he avoids falling for Turk Nowitzki’s fake. 

As much of an offensive threat that Durant still is in year 19, Amen Thompson is the next dangerous man to look at. His game-changing athleticism is only rivaled in this matchup by Stephon Castle, and he is a wrecking ball on defense. His torque and first step make him recover quickly when jammed into a screen. Offensively, he is a better player than a point guard and is still averaging 5.4 assists, mostly on drive-and-kick plays. 

Heavy lifting by the stars

Wembanyama, Castle and De’Aaron Fox got outplayed by Houston’s star trio in their last matchup. Even if they shoot poorly, their pride will make them play more forcefully against Houston’s interior, since the team only took 10 free throws on Jan. 20. Anticipate a higher frequency of off-ball screens to get them loose.

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

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Karl-Anthony Towns benched again down stretch in Knicks’ win: ‘He saw what he saw’

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows Karl-Anthony Towns, who was benched down the stretch again, looks down at the floor during the Knicks' 103-87 win over the Kings on Jan. 27, 2026 at Madison Square Garden

Karl-Anthony Towns on the bench in crunch time is starting to become a familiar sight.

He didn’t play the last 6:51 of the Knicks’ 103-87 win over the Kings Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden, with coach Mike Brown opting for Mitchell Robinson instead. 

“He saw what he saw,” Towns said after the game. “We got a win, that’s the most important thing.” 

Karl-Anthony Towns, who was benched down the stretch again, looks down at the floor during the Knicks’ 103-87 win over the Kings on Jan. 27, 2026 at Madison Square Garden. Jason Szenes / New York Post

Towns finished with 17 points, though on rough 5-for-15 shooting from the field, along with 11 rebounds. He finished minus-3, worst on the team.  

Towns was similarly on the bench down the stretch of the win over the 76ers in Philadelphia on Saturday, but that was because he had fouled out.

Still, his minutes have waned recently. 

On Tuesday, Brown opted to go with Jalen Brunson, Miles McBride, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Robinson for the closing minutes. And that was when the Knicks were most effective, finally taking control of the lowly Kings. 

“At the end of the game, we had a group out on the floor that was playing well,” Brown said of Tuesday’s decision. “It was a tight ballgame, so I just rode that group to the end of the game, which I’ve done before. We have Deuce out there, who’s not a starter, Mitch out there, who’s not a starter. We needed to get the win.” 

Keeping starters on the bench at the end of games is not something Brown is afraid to do — he benched Bridges for the end of Saturday’s game. 

“During the flow of the game, you find a group of players that you feel are playing well together,” Brown said. “And you roll with it as long as you can.” 

With the Knicks at full strength, Jordan Clarkson and Tyler Kolek are both firmly out of Brown’s rotation. 

Neither played in Tuesday’s win, the second straight DNP for each of them.

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‘Animals in the zoo’: Iga Swiatek backs Coco Gauff over Australian Open privacy concerns

  • American was caught on camera smashing racket following defeat

  • ‘It would be nice to have some privacy,’ says Polish second seed

Iga Swiatek backed up Coco Gauff’s complaints about a lack of privacy at the Australian Open by claiming tennis players are treated like zoo animals.

Gauff sought a spot away from public view to let her frustration out by smashing a racket following her quarter-final loss to Elina Svitolina on Tuesday, only to find out she was on camera after all.

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Tampa Bay Rays’ new stadium proposal: What we know so far

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — For many of the nearly 28 years since the Tampa Bay Rays held their inaugural game in St. Petersburg’s domed stadium, they have been looking for a bigger, better deal.

Tropicana Field’s location, across Tampa Bay from the much-larger population base in Tampa, attributed to low attendance through most of those years.

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays began as the most recent of Major League Baseball’s expansion teams, along with the Arizona Diamondbacks. They eventually dropped Devil from the team’s name and have carved a fairly successful path as a small-market team despite a low payroll and poor attendance.

Every few years, talks of a new stadium to replace the aging Trop evolved and dissolved, including a failed proposal to move to Tampa’s Ybor City district and an effort to remain in St. Petersburg that seemed on track until Hurricane Milton in 2024 shifted local priorities. Last March the Rays withdrew from a $1.3 billion stadium deal with St. Petersburg.

Now stadium talks are back on, though few details have been released by the team, which has a new ownership group with new plans for the future.

The Rays signed a nonbinding memorandum of agreement last week with Tampa’s Hillsborough College to build a multiuse facility on a 113-acre site along Dale Mabry Boulevard. The site is across the street from Raymond James Stadium, where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers play, and in the shadows of George M. Steinbrenner Field, which is the spring training home to the New York Yankees.

When would the stadium be built?

Few details about the stadium, including whether it will have a roof, have been released by the team. It has said it wants a roof, which is almost essential to avoid long delays during Florida’s rainy season and spare fans the sticky summer humidity.

The team is continuing talks with officials in Tampa to get the deal completed. The agreement with Hillsborough College includes a six-month window for negotiations.

The Rays had been negotiating with St. Petersburg and Pinellas County for a new ballpark to be built adjacent to Tropicana Field. But the team in March withdrew from a $1.3 billion project to construct the new stadium, citing the hurricane and delays that likely drove up the proposal’s cost.Playing at Steinbrenner Field, which has a capacity of 10,046, the Rays had 61 sellouts and drew 786,750, down from 1,337,739 in 2024, when they were 28th among the 30 MLB teams and ahead of only Miami and Oakland. In 2025, the Rays were 29th in attendance, edging out the Athletics, who are playing home games at a minor league ballpark in West Sacramento, California, while a new stadium expected to open in 2028 is built in Las Vegas. The As drew 768,464 fans in 2025.

What happened to Tropicana Field?

Hurricane Milton struck Florida’s Gulf Coast in October 2024, ripping Tropicana Field’s roof to shreds.

The significant damage forced the team to play the entire 2025 season at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, which underwent a 120-hour makeover following the Yankees’ final spring training game to prepare for the Rays’ opening day.

Meantime, repairs got underway at the Trop, and the team is expected to be back in St. Petersburg for the 2026 season. The Rays are under lease at the Trop through at least the 2028 baseball season.

The destruction caused by the hurricane and rising costs of repairs and new construction in part led Stuart Sternberg to pull out of a proposed stadium deal with St. Petersburg last year and sell the team.

The stadium opened in 1990 at an initial cost of $138 million and featured what the team said was the world’s largest cable-supported domed roof, with the panels made of “translucent, Teflon-coated fiberglass” supported by 180 miles of cables connected by struts.

Playing at Steinbrenner Field, which has a capacity of 10,046, the Rays had 61 sellouts and drew 786,750, down from 1,337,739 in 2024, when they were 28th among the 30 MLB teams and ahead of only Miami and Oakland. In 2025, the Rays were 29th in attendance, edging out the Athletics, who are playing home games at a minor league ballpark in West Sacramento, California, while a new stadium expected to open in 2028 is built in Las Vegas. The As drew 768,464 fans in 2025.

What do we know about the proposed stadium?

So far, not a lot. Nothing has been made public about how much money the team’s ownership plans to contribute, or how much or even what they are asking from the city, county and state.

The new Rays ownership wants to create an atmosphere similar to Truist Park, where the Atlanta Braves play, which features a mix of shops, dining, living and work space outside the stadium. Again, few details have been publicly shared.

The memorandum-of-understanding with Hillsborough College also calls for creation of new campus facilities for the college.

Rays CEO Ken Babby said there is still a lot of work to be done.

“What I can say with certainty is that we believe with conviction that we’re going to be able to create a world-class work-live-learn-play development here in Tampa Bay, and we’re very, very encouraged and pleased by today’s outcome,” Babby said.

The team said in a statement that there are parking and access challenges at the location, but they will work through a comprehensive and collaborative process with Tampa, Hillsborough County, local law enforcement and planning experts to prioritize parking and overall mobility.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has said the state will not help finance the stadium. But he agreed to help facilitate the relocation of a juvenile justice facility on the property and added that the state could likely help pay for sewers and roads around the area.

Who are the new owners of the Rays?

Last September, a group led by Florida-based real estate developer Patrick Zalupski finalized a deal to purchase the team from former owner Stuart Sternberg. Forbes estimates his net worth at $1.4 billion.

Zalupski, the CEO of Jacksonville-based Dream Finders Homes Inc., is the team’s control person and a co-chair along with Bill Cosgrove, who is CEO of Union Home Mortgage in Ohio.

The team’s new CEO is Ken Babby. Babby is CEO of Fast Forward Sports Group, which owns the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, a Miami Marlins affiliate, and the Double-A Akron RubberDucks, a Cleveland Guardians farm team.

Sternberg took control of the team from founding owner Vince Naimoli in November 2005. He oversaw the rebranding of the team from the Devil Rays after the 2007 season.

The Rays won AL East titles in 2008, 2010, 2020 and 2021 and twice reached the World Series, losing to Philadelphia in 2008 and to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020.

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Raptors play the Knicks on 4-game win streak

New York Knicks (28-18, third in the Eastern Conference) vs. Toronto Raptors (29-19, fourth in the Eastern Conference)

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

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

BOTTOM LINE: Toronto heads into a matchup with New York as winners of four games in a row.

The Raptors are 4-8 in division matchups. Toronto is fourth in the NBA with 29.6 assists per game led by Immanuel Quickley averaging 6.2.

The Knicks are 7-3 against Atlantic Division teams. New York has an 11-14 record against teams over .500.

The Raptors are shooting 47.2% from the field this season, 0.8 percentage points higher than the 46.4% the Knicks allow to opponents. The Knicks score 5.6 more points per game (117.5) than the Raptors allow their opponents to score (111.9).

The teams play for the third time this season. The Knicks won the last matchup 117-101 on Dec. 10, with Jalen Brunson scoring 35 points in the victory.

TOP PERFORMERS: Scottie Barnes is averaging 19.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.5 blocks for the Raptors. Quickley is averaging 16.5 points over the last 10 games.

Mikal Bridges is scoring 15.7 points per game and averaging 4.4 rebounds for the Knicks. Brunson is averaging 18.4 points and 2.4 rebounds over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Raptors: 6-4, averaging 114.0 points, 42.6 rebounds, 31.5 assists, 7.8 steals and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 46.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.2 points per game.

Knicks: 5-5, averaging 109.8 points, 48.2 rebounds, 25.7 assists, 7.9 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 45.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 105.7 points.

INJURIES: Raptors: Jakob Poeltl: out (back), Collin Murray-Boyles: day to day (thumb).

Knicks: None listed.

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

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Brooklyn faces Denver, seeks to stop 6-game slide

Brooklyn Nets (12-33, 13th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Denver Nuggets (31-16, third in the Western Conference)

Denver; Thursday, 9 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Brooklyn is looking to stop its six-game slide with a victory against Denver.

The Nuggets are 12-9 in home games. Denver is fourth in the Western Conference with 28.0 assists per game led by Jamal Murray averaging 7.4.

The Nets are 6-16 in road games. Brooklyn averages 14.6 turnovers per game and is 3-11 when turning the ball over less than opponents.

The Nuggets average 13.8 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.1 more made shots on average than the 12.7 per game the Nets give up. The Nuggets average 107.8 points per game, 8.2 fewer points than the 116.0 the Nuggets give up to opponents.

The teams square off for the second time this season. The Nets won the last meeting 127-115 on Jan. 4, with Michael Porter Jr. scoring 27 points in the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Murray is averaging 25.9 points and 7.4 assists for the Nuggets. Tim Hardaway Jr. is averaging 2.7 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Porter is scoring 25.2 points per game with 7.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists for the Nets. Nic Claxton is averaging 9.7 points and 6.6 rebounds while shooting 55.8% over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Nuggets: 6-4, averaging 106.6 points, 40.0 rebounds, 24.0 assists, 6.4 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 45.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.5 points per game.

Nets: 1-9, averaging 103.0 points, 39.8 rebounds, 25.1 assists, 6.9 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 43.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.3 points.

INJURIES: Nuggets: Cameron Johnson: out (knee), Tamar Bates: out (foot), Aaron Gordon: out (hamstring), Nikola Jokic: out (knee), Christian Braun: out (ankle).

Nets: Tyrese Martin: out (knee), Haywood Highsmith: out (knee), Noah Clowney: out (back).

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

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Detroit puts road win streak on the line against Phoenix

Detroit Pistons (34-11, first in the Eastern Conference) vs. Phoenix Suns (28-19, sixth in the Western Conference)

Phoenix; Thursday, 9 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Detroit will try to keep its four-game road win streak alive when the Pistons take on Phoenix.

The Suns have gone 15-6 at home. Phoenix is third in the Western Conference in team defense, allowing only 111.6 points while holding opponents to 46.8% shooting.

The Pistons have gone 15-6 away from home. Detroit is third in the league allowing just 110.0 points while holding opponents to 44.3% shooting.

The Suns score 114.0 points per game, 4.0 more points than the 110.0 the Pistons give up. The Pistons score 5.6 more points per game (117.2) than the Suns give up to opponents (111.6).

The teams meet for the second time this season. The Pistons won 108-105 in the last meeting on Jan. 16. Duncan Robinson led the Pistons with 19 points, and Grayson Allen led the Suns with 33 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Dillon Brooks is averaging 20.5 points for the Suns. Allen is averaging 3.3 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Cade Cunningham is scoring 25.3 points per game with 5.7 rebounds and 9.8 assists for the Pistons. Robinson is averaging 13.0 points and 2.3 rebounds while shooting 45.9% over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Suns: 6-4, averaging 110.9 points, 42.1 rebounds, 23.4 assists, 9.0 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 44.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.4 points per game.

Pistons: 8-2, averaging 111.8 points, 44.2 rebounds, 26.5 assists, 12.0 steals and 7.4 blocks per game while shooting 47.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 100.5 points.

INJURIES: Suns: Jalen Green: out (injury management), Devin Booker: out (ankle), Isaiah Livers: out (illness), Collin Gillespie: out (hand).

Pistons: Caris LeVert: out (illness).

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

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Sacramento takes on Philadelphia on 6-game losing streak

Sacramento Kings (12-36, 14th in the Western Conference) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (25-21, sixth in the Eastern Conference)

Philadelphia; Thursday, 7 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Sacramento aims to stop its six-game skid with a win over Philadelphia.

The 76ers have gone 13-13 at home. Philadelphia ranks fourth in the Eastern Conference with 12.3 offensive rebounds per game led by Andre Drummond averaging 3.5.

The Kings are 3-20 on the road. Sacramento has a 3-2 record in one-possession games.

The 76ers average 116.6 points per game, 4.2 fewer points than the 120.8 the Kings give up. The Kings average 10.5 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.3 fewer made shots on average than the 12.8 per game the 76ers give up.

TOP PERFORMERS: Tyrese Maxey is scoring 29.2 points per game with 4.2 rebounds and 6.8 assists for the 76ers. Joel Embiid is averaging 20.9 points and 6.1 rebounds while shooting 52.2% over the last 10 games.

DeMar DeRozan is averaging 19.1 points and 3.9 assists for the Kings. Russell Westbrook is averaging 18.8 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: 76ers: 4-6, averaging 114.4 points, 41.0 rebounds, 24.5 assists, 10.4 steals and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 47.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.4 points per game.

Kings: 4-6, averaging 113.2 points, 42.4 rebounds, 26.4 assists, 5.9 steals and 4.3 blocks per game while shooting 49.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.0 points.

INJURIES: 76ers: Charles Bassey: out (personal), Quentin Grimes: out (ankle).

Kings: Keegan Murray: out (ankle), Malik Monk: out (ankle), Zach LaVine: out (back).

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

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Luka Dončić’s original wishlist for centers included Walker Kessler, Jalen Duren

It seems like quite some time ago that the Lakers showed aggression on the trade market. We’re only two weeks removed from it being a full year since Rob Pelinka pushed his chips on the table and acquired, and unacquired, Mark Williams at the deadline.

In that moment, the Lakers were on a mission to make sure Luka signed his extension. As they sought out a center upgrade, they included Luka in the conversation, asking him the type of center he wanted and, as we’ve now learned, specific names to target as well.

In a recent livestream, Lakers beat writer Jovan Buha gave some full details on who Luka named as the centers he wanted to partner with (h/t rosiros/Reddit).

“…They just trade for Luka, they have the meeting in Rob’s office with ‘Which centers do you want to play with?’ I’ve already reported this that several of the centers on the list were Walker Kessler, Jalen Duren, I believe Nic Claxton was also on that list. They tried to get all three of those guys with the Dalton Knecht package. They did not get any of them. The one guy they were able to land was Mark Williams, who I do believe was lower on the list overall. [Onyeka] Okongwu was also on that list. They were not able to get Okongwu either.”

While we’ve learned about the Lakers’ interest in many of those names before and after acquiring Luka, hearing them together as part of Luka’s wishlist is new context. The biggest takeaway from this is that Luka knows ball because all of these would be great fits alongside him.

That being said, let’s dive into each of the names and the links the Lakers have had.

With Kessler, he’s a player who has constantly been linked to the Lakers over the last few years. Most recently, the team was still expressing interest in him during the offseason but the Jazz weren’t reciprocating.

Duren is an interesting one because it was reported that the Lakers tried to trade for him at the deadline last year, but the Pistons weren’t willing to part with him. They were proven right in their belief as he’s had a breakout year this season.

Claxton has been the fan choice for the center of the future for much of the last year. However, there’s been little in terms of credible reporting linking him to the Lakers in that time.

Obviously, the team attempted to trade for Williams, but it was reported in the offseason that they also called the Hawks about Okongwu.

All of these names make sense to pair with Luka, but that type of center is a valued commodity on the trade market. Teams also know that the Lakers are in search of a lob-catching center, so it’ll cost a premium to acquire one.

But if this is who Luka is interested in acquiring, perhaps the Lakers should involve him more often in these discussions.

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

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Thunder, Pelicans get into heated scuffle as game descends into chaos in final seconds

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows Saddiq Bey #41 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Jaylin Williams #6 of the Oklahoma City Thunder exchange words during the second half at Paycom Center on January 27, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
pelicans-thunder

The Thunder and Pelicans came together after the final buzzer of Tuesday’s game, but they weren’t exchanging dinner plans. 

A bench-clearing scuffle broke out in the waning seconds of the fourth quarter as Thunder guard Lu Dort and Pelicans guard Jeremiah Fears got into a shoving match as the game came to a close, leading to teammates, coaches and officials to try and calm the situation down. 

The game ended in a 104-95 win for the Thunder, but Fears and Dort’s scuffle was the biggest moment of the night between the two teams. 

New Orleans guard Jeremiah Fears (0) is taken off the court after a fight with guard Luguentz Dort at the end of the Thunder’s 104-95 home win over the Pelicans game at Paycom Center. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Video showed Fears had to be restrained by members of the Pelicans organization, and even team president Joe Dumars got on the court to try to calm things down. 

Fears was seen being held back as he was moved down the tunnel toward the team locker room. 

No fouls were issued since the game was over, though it’s unclear if the league will hand down any supplementary discipline. 

New Orleans’ Saddiq Bey and Jaylin Williams of Oklahoma City exchange words during the second half of the Thunder’s home win over the Pelicans on Jan. 27, 2026 at Paycom Center. Getty Images

“I had heard them going back and forth after I made the last two free throws, but I wasn’t sure what happened,” Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander told reporters after the game. “And then I turn around and they were face-to-face. I’m sure it was nothing crazy, though. Typical basketball scuffle.”

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault told reporters that he thought the officiating crew lost control of the game in the final few minutes, saying that the “whole altercation at the end started way before.”

Dort finished the night with 12 points and eight rebounds, while Fear had seven points and two rebounds coming off the Pelicans’ bench. 

The loss moved the Pelicans to 12-37 on the season, as they sit in last place in the Western Conference. 

The Thunder remained best in the conference with their 38th win of the season.