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NBA (Basketball)

Joel Embiid’s knee injury could change the Philadelphia 76ers’ approach to the trade deadline in Philadelphia

Joel Embiid looks over the court after the game

With less than three weeks remaining until the NBA trade deadline on February 6, the Philadelphia 76ers are in a tough spot. Heading into their game against the Indiana Pacers on Saturday, the Sixers have a 15-24 record, putting them in 11th place in the Eastern Conference.

They are just 1.5 games behind the 10th-place Chicago Bulls, who currently hold the final play-in spot in the East, but the Sixers are also 4.5 games behind the 9th-place Miami Heat. It’s becoming more likely that they will need to win two road games in the play-in tournament just to face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs.

However, the Sixers’ path to even making the play-in tournament is uncertain. They are currently on a four-game losing streak, and 12 of their next 13 opponents have records at or above .500. The only exception is the Bulls, whom they will face later this month on the second night of a back-to-back.

Things have gotten worse for the Sixers as they may have to continue their season without star center Joel Embiid. On Friday, the team announced that Embiid’s surgically repaired left knee had swelled up after a workout, and he will miss at least the next three games. He will be re-evaluated in 7-10 days.

Embiid has only played in 13 games this season due to knee, face, and ankle injuries. The chances of him staying healthy for the rest of the season and leading the Sixers on a deep playoff run now seem slim. This raises questions about the team’s approach to the trade deadline, as there is now less reason to make moves aimed at immediate success.

The Original Plan

If the Sixers had remained healthy and met their preseason expectations as championship contenders, their approach to the trade deadline would have been more straightforward. This past offseason, they signed KJ Martin to a two-year, $16 million contract, which was more than he would have likely received in free agency. However, this wasn’t just a move to add depth. It was done to give the team a contract they could use in trade talks.

Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid (NBA)

Because the Sixers are already over the $178.1 million salary cap “apron,” they aren’t allowed to take back more salary than they send out in any trade. However, since they are below the $188.9 million second apron, they are allowed to combine smaller contracts to match the salary of bigger deals in trades.

In essence, the Sixers signed Martin to provide them with an $8 million contract that could be used for salary matching in trades. This strategy was similar to what the Phoenix Suns did when they signed Josh Okogie to a two-year, $16 million deal and then traded him to the Charlotte Hornets with three second-round picks in exchange for center Nick Richards and a 2025 second-round pick from the Denver Nuggets.

The Sixers’ salary structure is top-heavy, with Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey being the only three players on the roster earning at least $9 million this season. Unless they trade one of these three players, it would be difficult for them to acquire someone making over $20 million. However, if they combined Martin’s contract with Eric Gordon’s $3.3 million, they could more easily target a player making between $10 million and $11 million.

Despite these trade possibilities, the current situation with Embiid’s knee injury significantly reduces the team’s incentive to make a big move at the deadline.

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NBA (Basketball)

In Milwaukee, Lillard scores 30 points to lead the Bucks to a dominant 122-93 win over the Magic

Milwaukee Bucks and Orlando Magic

Damian Lillard scored 30 points and Giannis Antetokounmpo added 26 points and 11 rebounds as the Milwaukee Bucks took advantage of a strong start for the second consecutive night, defeating the Orlando Magic 122-93 on Wednesday.

The Bucks (22-17) moved ahead of Orlando (23-19) to claim the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference standings. Milwaukee is now 3-0 against Orlando this season, with the final game of their season series set for March 8 in Milwaukee.

Milwaukee dominated from the beginning, leading 34-16 by the end of the first quarter and coasting to their biggest win of the season. The Bucks had also started strong the night before, building a 47-26 lead in the first quarter of their 130-115 win over Sacramento, which ended the Kings’ seven-game win streak.

Paolo Banchero scored 22 points for Orlando in the loss.

Bucks guard Andre Jackson Jr. did not return for the second half after suffering a hip bruise.

Milwaukee Bucks and Orlando Magic

Takeaways:

Magic: Just five days after losing to the Bucks in a close 109-106 game, the Magic had no chance in this matchup due to their poor shooting. Orlando finished the game with just 34.7% shooting from the field, the lowest shooting percentage allowed by the Bucks all season.

Bucks: One night after scoring a season-high 130 points, the Bucks were on fire again, shooting a season-high 62.5% from the field and continuously getting easy looks near the basket.

Key moment:

The Bucks went on a 19-0 run in the first quarter, taking a 27-9 lead. Lillard contributed nine points during this stretch, including a deep three-pointer from over 30 feet.

Key stats:

Orlando made just 12 of 46 three-point attempts, while Milwaukee hit 7 of 12. According to Sportradar, this was the fewest three-point attempts by any team in a single NBA game this season.

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NBA (Basketball)

Steph Curry guides the Golden State Warriors to a tight victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in San Francisco

Anthony Edwards and Steph Curry in the game

Steph Curry had an impressive performance, scoring 31 points and adding eight assists to lead the Golden State Warriors to a 116-115 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in an NBA regular-season game. Curry hit a crucial three-pointer with 43.7 seconds remaining, helping the Warriors secure their eighth win of the season.

This win came after a challenging game in which Golden State had built a 24-point lead but needed Curry’s late heroics to hold on for the victory.

Curry was highly effective from three-point range, making 7 of 12 shots from beyond the arc. He finished with 10 field goals out of 21 attempts. Andrew Wiggins also played a key role in the win, scoring 24 points, with 18 of those coming in the second half. Thanks to their efforts, the Warriors moved up to 10th place in the Western Conference standings.

Stephen Curry takes the shot in the game

On the Timberwolves’ side, both Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo scored 28 points each, keeping Minnesota in the game and making it competitive until the final moments. Rudy Gobert contributed with seven points and 10 rebounds, while Julius Randle added 17 points. Despite the defeat, Minnesota remains in 8th place in the Western Conference, holding a one-game lead over Golden State.

The game was a back-and-forth contest, with the Warriors initially building a comfortable lead, only to see the Timberwolves rally back. In the end, Curry’s clutch three-pointer was the difference, securing the win for Golden State and giving them a much-needed victory in a season that has been a struggle.

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NBA (Basketball)

The Chicago Bulls hand an easy win to the injury-riddled Atlanta Hawks in Chicago

The Hawks’ Garrison Mathews shoots between the Bulls’ Coby White and Nikola Vučević during the first quarter

The Chicago Bulls lost 110-94 to the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night at the United Center, extending their losing streak to three games during one of the easier stretches of their season.

While some losses are close battles, this one was more of a gift. After losing to the New Orleans Pelicans 119-113 the night before, the Bulls didn’t make much of an effort to protect the ball early on. The Hawks took advantage of this, scoring 18 points off 13 turnovers in the first half alone. Guard Josh Giddey was responsible for three of those turnovers, but nine Bulls players contributed at least one turnover in that half.

Though the turnovers slowed down in the second half, the damage had already been done, and the Bulls were trailing by double digits. It wasn’t just the turnovers (they finished with 20), but the Bulls also struggled to hustle on effort plays. They gave up 27 second-chance points from 14 offensive rebounds.

This should have been a game the Bulls could win with ease. The Hawks were missing seven players due to injuries, including key starters like Trae Young (ribs), De’Andre Hunter (left foot), Jalen Johnson (shoulder), and Zaccharie Risacher (left adductor).

However, the Hawks got huge contributions from their remaining roster, with players stepping up in their expanded roles. Daeqwon Plowden, making his NBA debut, scored 19 points against the Bulls, and Keaton Wallace led the way with 27 points.

For the Bulls, Coby White led the team with 16 points, Zach LaVine added 15, and Nikola Vučević posted his usual double-double with 14 points and 16 rebounds. However, none of the Bulls’ stars were able to match the energy and contributions from the Hawks’ backup players.

Lonzo Ball and Nikola Vucevic hugs in the preseason

Here are three key takeaways from the loss:

Ayo Dosunmu Returns to the Lineup
Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu made his return after missing 10 games due to a strained calf, and he immediately had an impact. Dosunmu is a crucial part of the team’s transition offense, pushing the pace after defensive rebounds—something the Bulls had missed during his absence.

With Dosunmu back, the Bulls scored 24 points off fast breaks. Despite playing only 25 minutes, just under his minutes limit, Dosunmu was one of the few bright spots for the Bulls, finishing with nine points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

Lonzo Ball Misses the Second Night of the Back-to-Back
Dosunmu’s return was especially important since Lonzo Ball was sidelined for the second night of a back-to-back as part of his ongoing recovery plan. Ball is still coming back from three knee surgeries, and after his 33-month absence, the Bulls plan for him to sit out one game of every back-to-back for the rest of the season.

Ball is also playing under a 25-minute restriction, which he expects will remain until after the All-Star break. Though the Bulls are open to testing whether Ball can play both games of back-to-backs later in the season, the medical team is cautious about increasing his playing time too soon.

Postseason Stakes
Although it may seem early in the season for games to have postseason implications, the Bulls and Hawks are once again battling for play-in spots. This is the third consecutive season that the two teams are competing for the ninth and 10th spots in the Eastern Conference standings. Beating the Hawks on Wednesday would have given the Bulls the head-to-head tiebreaker, a key factor in determining play-in positioning.

With the loss, the Bulls (18-23) now trail the ninth-place Hawks (21-19) by 3½ games but still hold a two-game lead over the 11th-place Philadelphia 76ers (15-24).

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NBA (Basketball)

Jalen Brunson leads the Knicks to a 125-119 overtime win over the Sixers in Philadelphia

Jalen Brunson celebrates after scoring

On Wednesday night, the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia buzzed with the sounds of “Let’s Go Knicks” chants, and there was a good reason for that. The arena, located just 25 miles from Villanova University, felt almost like a home game for New York. The Knicks’ supporters were cheering loudly, honoring local college legends who had once dominated the college basketball scene at Villanova.

There was another reason for the excitement that night, especially when MVP chants rang out for Jalen Brunson as he stepped to the foul line late in overtime. He had certainly earned them.

Brunson stepped up when it mattered most, making one clutch play after another to prevent what could have been the Knicks’ sixth loss in their last eight games. Instead, he led his team to a gritty 125-119 overtime win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Brunson was the standout performer, scoring a game-high 38 points on an efficient 14-of-22 shooting. Eight of those points came during overtime, helping the Knicks secure their 27th win of the season.

And just like his days at Villanova, Brunson didn’t do it alone.

Mikal Bridges, also a Villanova alum, added 23 points, hitting five 3-pointers, and shooting 9-of-19 from the field. Meanwhile, Josh Hart notched his fifth triple-double of the season, contributing 10 points, 16 rebounds, 12 assists, and four steals. Hart is now just three triple-doubles shy of Walt “Clyde” Frazier’s single-season franchise record of eight.

The trio of Villanova players helped seal the victory in overtime. With 1:02 left on the clock, Hart stole the ball from Tyrese Maxey, quickly transitioned the ball, and threw a perfect alley-oop to Bridges, giving the Knicks an 11-point lead.

However, that cushion didn’t last long as the game had been tightly contested throughout.

The Knicks got off to a strong start with a 14-5 run and even built a 16-point lead in the second quarter, driven by Bridges’ four 3-pointers in the first quarter. But the Sixers responded fiercely in the third quarter, outscoring New York 38-25, which set the stage for a dramatic fourth period.

Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics

With just 18 seconds left in regulation, the Knicks held a four-point lead, but Maxey wasn’t done. He sank two free throws and then raced down the court to hit a game-tying layup with just three seconds remaining. An attempted game-winning shot by OG Anunoby missed, sending the game into overtime.

“It took a little bit of everything,” Hart said. “We’ve been trying to find it these last couple games. We’ve just gotta go out there and compete. I feel like we did that. Go win the game. That’s the biggest thing. We can’t change anything that happened in the past. We’ve got five minutes to go win this thing.”

And win they did.

In overtime, the Knicks were perfect, making all five of their field goal attempts and hitting all five of their free throws. They showed poise and determination as they closed out the game with impressive precision.

This victory was especially important considering they were missing Karl-Anthony Towns, who sat out with a sprained right thumb after the Knicks’ loss to Detroit on Monday. The 76ers were also without a key player, MVP candidate Joel Embiid, who missed the game due to a foot injury.

Maxey led the Sixers with 33 points on 13-of-32 shooting, while Paul George added 26 points on 9-of-20 shooting.

The Knicks also received surprising contributions from their bench, which outscored the Sixers’ reserves for only the fourth time this season. Miles McBride provided 13 points, and Precious Achiuwa added 10, giving New York the depth it has needed.

Looking ahead, the Knicks now focus on their next game on Friday when former teammates Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo return to Madison Square Garden as members of the Minnesota Timberwolves. It will be another important challenge for a team that is fighting to stay in the playoff race.

For now, though, the Knicks can enjoy this hard-earned win, a victory that was powered by Villanova pride and Brunson’s outstanding performance. They’ll need more of both to keep improving and to overcome recent struggles against some of the NBA’s best teams.

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NBA (Basketball)

After the Los Angeles Lakers’ Christmas Day win over the Warriors, LeBron James delivered a direct message to the NFL

LeBron James reacts in the 2nd half

After the Los Angeles Lakers’ thrilling 115-113 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day, LeBron James had a message for the NFL.

While Netflix aired two major NFL games – with the Kansas City Chiefs crushing the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens dominating the Houston Texans – James made it clear that Christmas belongs to the NBA. Historically, Christmas Day has been the NBA’s domain, but the NFL is trying to make its mark.

D’Angelo Russell passes the ball to LeBron James in the 2nd half

During a post-game interview in Los Angeles, James told ESPN’s Lisa Salters, “I love the NFL, but Christmas is our day.”

The NBA showcased five key games, with James leading the Lakers to victory with 31 points, 10 assists, and a close battle against Stephen Curry’s 38 points. This thrilling finish outshined both NFL games, which lacked a comparable climax.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Malkin Reaches 500 Goals, Crosby Surpasses 1,600 Points in Penguins’ Memorable Win Over Sabres

Malkin Reaches 500 Goals, Crosby Surpasses 1,600 Points in Penguins' Memorable Win Over Sabres
Malkin Reaches 500 Goals, Crosby Surpasses 1,600 Points in Penguins' Memorable Win Over Sabres

Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby, two iconic players for the Pittsburgh Penguins, have shared many milestones and memories over the past two decades. On Wednesday night, both achieved significant accomplishments during a 6-5 victory against the Buffalo Sabres. Malkin reached 500 career goals, becoming the 48th player in NHL history to do so. Meanwhile, Crosby marked his place in history by recording 1,600 regular-season points, joining an elite group of just 10 players who have achieved this feat.

Malkin’s Milestone Goal and Emotional Journey

Malkin, who had been thinking about reaching the 500-goal mark for over a year, expressed relief and happiness after finally achieving it. “I really wanted to score [the 500th goal] last year,” he said, reflecting on his long journey to reach this milestone. The Penguins’ captain, Crosby, had assisted Malkin during his own 500th goal in 2022 and returned the favor on Wednesday. Crosby set up Malkin’s goal with a creative pass behind the net, and Malkin, while sitting on the ice, managed to score past the Buffalo goalie.

Malkin Reaches 500 Goals, Crosby Surpasses 1,600 Points in Penguins' Memorable Win Over Sabres
Malkin Reaches 500 Goals, Crosby Surpasses 1,600 Points in Penguins’ Memorable Win Over Sabres

Crosby, who had a front-row seat to Malkin’s goal, expressed admiration for his teammate’s achievement. “It was a pretty awesome goal,” Crosby remarked, remembering the moment fondly. The two players, who have been teammates for almost two decades, have shared many such moments. Their connection has been a cornerstone of the Penguins’ success, leading to three Stanley Cup victories. Malkin’s 500th goal solidified his place as one of the top goal-scorers in Penguins’ history, ranking third, while also becoming the 20th player to score 500 goals for a single team.

Malkin’s Historic Achievement and Penguins’ Legacy

Malkin’s 500th goal places him in exclusive company. He is only the second Russian-born player in NHL history, after Alex Ovechkin, to achieve this milestone. He joins Crosby, Ovechkin, and Steven Stamkos as active players with 500 goals. This achievement makes the Penguins only the second NHL team, after Montreal, to have three 500-goal scorers in their history. Both Crosby and Malkin’s consistent contributions continue to shape the team’s success, with the Penguins continuing to excel with these superstars leading the charge.

Crosby reached another major milestone during the game, recording his 1,600th career point. The achievement was marked by a secondary assist on Bryan Rust’s power-play goal. Crosby is now one of just 10 players in NHL history to reach this mark, a testament to his longevity and elite performance. At 37, Crosby continues to be a key player for the Penguins, as he is closing in on 600 career goals and climbing up the all-time points list. Crosby’s remarkable consistency shows no signs of slowing down as he moves closer to passing Penguins legend Mario Lemieux for eighth place in NHL history.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Michael DiPietro Shines in AHL, Earning All-Star Nod as Bruins’ Goaltending Future Looms

Michael DiPietro Shines in AHL, Earning All-Star Nod as Bruins' Goaltending Future Looms
Michael DiPietro Shines in AHL, Earning All-Star Nod as Bruins' Goaltending Future Looms

Boston Bruins goaltender Michael DiPietro has been making waves this season with his standout performances. Recently, he was named to the 2025 AHL All-Star Game, marking a significant milestone in his career. DiPietro’s success is especially notable as he has outperformed fellow goaltender Brandon Bussi, who has become a fan favorite within the Bruins organization.

Impressive Season Statistics

DiPietro’s statistics for the season reflect his exceptional play. In 21 games for the Providence Bruins, he has earned a 13-5-3 record. His .927 save percentage and 2.04 goals against average have positioned him as one of the top goaltenders in the American Hockey League. These strong numbers are a testament to his consistent and high-level play throughout the season.

Michael DiPietro Shines in AHL, Earning All-Star Nod as Bruins' Goaltending Future Looms
Michael DiPietro Shines in AHL, Earning All-Star Nod as Bruins’ Goaltending Future Looms

DiPietro’s recent performances demonstrate his ability to maintain excellence under pressure. In his latest game on January 15th against the Syracuse Crunch, he stopped 37 of 39 shots, leading his team to victory. Additionally, in seven of his last eight games, he has maintained a save percentage of .912 or higher, including a notable 21-save shutout against the Hartford Wolf Pack on December 20th.

Bruins’ Goaltending Situation Could Pave Way for DiPietro

Currently, the Boston Bruins’ goaltending duo consists of Jeremy Swayman and Joonas Korpisalo. However, there have been discussions about the possibility of trading Korpisalo, as Swayman’s workload continues to increase. If such a trade occurs, DiPietro would likely be the next in line to step up and could find himself playing a larger role for the Bruins in the near future.

If DiPietro can maintain his strong form, he could become a significant part of the Bruins’ goaltending future. His consistent performances in the AHL make him a promising candidate for an NHL call-up. With the potential for a trade and the team’s evolving goaltending needs, DiPietro could soon find himself contributing to the Bruins at the highest level.

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Top 25 Recap: Minnesota Beats No. 20 Michigan with OT Buzzer Beater in Minneapolis

Minnesota and No. 20 Michigan

Dawson Garcia made a game-winning 3-pointer from near half-court just before the buzzer in overtime, helping Minnesota secure an 84-81 victory over No. 20 Michigan on Thursday in Minneapolis.

The game was tied 81-81 after Michigan’s Danny Wolf made a layup with seven seconds left in overtime. Minnesota quickly brought the ball up the court and handed it to Garcia, whose long shot gave the Golden Gophers (9-9, 1-6 Big Ten) their first win in conference play.

Garcia finished with a game-high 27 points and 12 rebounds. Lu’Cye Patterson added 22 points, and Mike Mitchell Jr. contributed 20 points, helping Minnesota end a four-game losing streak.

Wolf led Michigan (13-4, 5-1) with 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Vladislav Goldin had 18 points and eight rebounds. Michigan’s five-game winning streak came to an end with this loss.

Oregon State 97, No. 16 Gonzaga 89 (OT)

Michael Rataj scored the first eight points of overtime and finished with a career-high 29 points as Oregon State defeated Gonzaga in a West Coast Conference game in Corvallis, Oregon.

Nate Kingz added 20 points, and Parsa Fallah had 16 before fouling out. Oregon State (14-5, 4-2 WCC) improved to 11-1 at home this season. Damarco Minor also contributed 15 points, and Josiah Lake II scored 11.

No. 19 Gonzaga (NCAAB)

Graham Ike led Gonzaga (14-5, 5-1) with 26 points and nine rebounds before fouling out. Ben Gregg posted a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds, and Khalif Battle scored 15 points for the Bulldogs.

Temple 88, No. 18 Memphis 81

Jamal Mashburn Jr. scored 21 points to lead five Temple players in double figures as the Owls upset Memphis in Philadelphia.

Quante Berry added 19 points for Temple (11-6, 3-1 American Athletic Conference), which shot 46.8 percent from the field and dominated the boards with a 49-25 rebounding advantage. Shane Dezonie came off the bench to score 15 points and grab a game-high 13 rebounds.

PJ Haggerty led Memphis (13-4, 3-1) with 21 points. Tyrese Hunter also contributed 16 points and six assists for the Tigers, who had their four-game winning streak snapped.

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NBA (Basketball)

NBA roundup: Nuggets defeat Heat as Jimmy Butler makes his return in Miami

Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat

Nikola Jokic posted his league-leading 17th triple-double of the season, combining 24 points with 12 rebounds and 10 assists in the Denver Nuggets’ 133-113 win over the Miami Heat on Friday night.

Jamal Murray led all scorers with 30 points for Denver, which won for the fifth time in six games and defeated Miami for the 10th straight time.

The game marked the return of Heat star Jimmy Butler, who had served a seven-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team. Butler, who has requested a trade, played 33 minutes and posted 18 points, three rebounds, and two assists.

Tyler Herro, who scored at least 32 points in three consecutive games, had a team-high 22 for Miami. Bam Adebayo added 16 points and 11 rebounds, and Nikola Jovic also scored 16 for the Heat in their third straight loss.

Mavericks 106, Thunder 98

Kyrie Irving scored 25 points to lead Dallas to a home win over Oklahoma City, which was missing star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander due to a sprained right wrist.

The Mavericks ended a three-game losing streak, while the Thunder lost for only the second time in their past 16 games. Oklahoma City, which had won four consecutive games, including a 20-point win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday, played without Gilgeous-Alexander for the first time this season.

P.J. Washington and Spencer Dinwiddie each scored 16 for Dallas, which scored 29 points off the Thunder’s 15 turnovers, while Oklahoma City managed just 17 off the Mavericks’ 17 turnovers. Jalen Williams led Oklahoma City with 19 points but shot just 7 of 22 from the field, while Luguentz Dort added 18.

Pelicans 136, Jazz 123

CJ McCollum scored 26 points, and Zion Williamson recorded a double-double as New Orleans defeated Utah.

Williamson finished with 24 points and 14 rebounds, Trey Murphy III and Jose Alvarado each scored 19, Daniel Theis had a season-high 18, and Jordan Hawkins added 11 for the Pelicans, who had their highest point total and largest margin of victory this season.

Keyonte George scored 26, Collin Sexton had 24, Drew Eubanks had 17, Svi Mykhailiuk had 16, and Brice Sensabaugh added 15 for the Jazz, who will visit New Orleans again on Monday night.

Utah Jazz (NBA)

Grizzlies 140, Spurs 112

Santi Aldama scored a career-high 29 points as Memphis, playing without Ja Morant (right foot soreness), defeated San Antonio to complete a two-game series sweep.

Jaylen Wells and Desmond Bane each scored 22 points, and Jaren Jackson Jr. added 19 for the Grizzlies. Bane also had 14 assists.

Devin Vassell led San Antonio with 21 points. Stephon Castle scored 20, and Victor Wembanyama had 19 points and 12 rebounds.

Celtics 121, Magic 94

Jayson Tatum scored a game-high 30 points, and Kristaps Porzingis added 23 to lead Boston past Orlando.

Jaylen Brown contributed 20 points, six rebounds, and a game-high six assists for the Celtics, who had lost three of their previous five games by double digits.

Cole Anthony scored 23 points and grabbed seven rebounds, and Paolo Banchero added 21 points for the Magic, who lost their fourth game in five outings.

Timberwolves 116, Knicks 99

Anthony Edwards scored 36 points and grabbed a season-high 13 rebounds as Minnesota defeated New York with excellent outside shooting.

Edwards hit 8 of 13 from 3-point range, and Naz Reid made all six of his 3-point attempts. The Timberwolves finished with 22 3-pointers, tying a season-high, and shot a season-best 55 percent from beyond the arc. Minnesota closed the fourth quarter with a 25-12 run to win their fifth game in seven tries.

Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 26 points. Cameron Payne and OG Anunoby each scored 18 points, while Mikal Bridges finished with 15 points and Josh Hart added 12.

Hornets 125, Bulls 123

LaMelo Ball scored 26 points and had nine assists, and Mark Williams posted a double-double of 19 points and 19 rebounds to lead Charlotte to a win over Chicago.

Charlotte opened the fourth quarter with a 21-2 run before holding on for consecutive road wins, their first back-to-back victories of the season. The Hornets had previously won back-to-back games only once this season, in early November.

Miles Bridges scored 21 points for Charlotte. Seth Curry and Nick Smith Jr. each added 15 points. Chicago’s Nikola Vucevic posted a double-double of 40 points and 13 rebounds, shooting 17-for-25 from the field. Zach LaVine scored 19 points, and Coby White added 18, but Chicago lost for the fifth time in six games.

LaMelo Ball’s Foul Issues Keep Undermining His Potential and the Charlotte Hornets’ Late-Game Success
LaMelo Ball’s Foul Issues Keep Undermining His Potential and the Charlotte Hornets’ Late-Game Success

Bucks 130, Raptors 112

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 35 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead Milwaukee past Toronto.

Damian Lillard added 26 points, and Bobby Portis contributed 15 off the bench as the Bucks earned their sixth win in seven games.

RJ Barrett scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Raptors, who had a two-game winning streak snapped and lost for the sixth time in eight games.

Lakers 102, Nets 101

Austin Reaves scored a career-high 38 points, LeBron James added 29 points with eight assists, and Los Angeles won against Brooklyn without Anthony Davis.

Gabe Vincent scored 10 points off the bench as the Lakers improved to 2-1 in a stretch of six consecutive games in the Los Angeles area, with five of those at home.

D’Angelo Russell scored 19 points off the bench against his former team, while the Nets dropped to 1-4 on a six-game road trip that ends Sunday at Oklahoma City. Russell had been traded from the Lakers to the Nets on December 29. Ziaire Williams and Tosan Evbuomwan each scored 15 points for Brooklyn.

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Anthony Davis was ruled out of the Lakers’ lineup in Los Angeles due to left foot plantar fasciitis

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis is introduced before an NBA basketball game

Lakers center Anthony Davis missed just his third game of the season after being a late scratch from the lineup before Friday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets.

Davis was listed as out 40 minutes before the game started because of plantar fasciitis in his left foot.

Coach JJ Redick explained after the Lakers’ 102-101 win that Davis was kept out as a precaution. Redick also mentioned that he expected Davis to be ready for Sunday’s game against the LA Clippers.

This game will mark the Lakers’ first visit to the Clippers’ new Intuit Dome arena in Inglewood. The arena is located less than a mile from the Forum, which served as the Lakers’ home from 1967 until 1999.

Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis (NBA)

The Lakers have a 2-1 record this season when Davis is unable to play. He missed a game on November 6 against Memphis due to a bruised left heel and also missed the January 2 game against Minnesota because of a sprained left ankle.

Davis is currently ranked 11th in the league for scoring, averaging 25.8 points per game. Additionally, he is fifth in rebounds, with an average of 11.9 per game.

In Davis’ absence, Jaxson Hayes made his third start of the season. Hayes finished the game with six points and nine rebounds in 33 minutes of play.

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NBA (Basketball)

Charlotte Hornets guard Brandon Miller will be out indefinitely due to a torn ligament in his wrist

Brandon Miller drives to the basket agaisnt Bradley Beal in the 1st half

Charlotte Hornets guard Brandon Miller, who is the team’s second-leading scorer, will be out indefinitely due to a torn ligament in his right wrist.

Miller, who was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft, was unable to play in Charlotte’s 125-123 win against Chicago on Friday night. The team first labeled it as a “wrist sprain,” but later revealed that Miller has a torn ligament in his wrist.

The injury occurred during the Hornets’ victory over Utah on Wednesday night, and Miller underwent an MRI to assess the damage. The team has said it will provide more updates about his condition when necessary.

“It’s one of those bittersweet things where you’re happy for the victory, but unfortunate news on Brandon,” said Hornets coach Charles Lee. “I think we’ll continue to evaluate where he is and do as much testing as we can. We’ll just kind of have to band together and help him through his rehab.”

Brandon Miller drives to the basket against Walker Kessler in the 2nd quarter

The 22-year-old Miller, who played one season at Alabama before turning professional, is averaging 21 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 34.2 minutes per game in 27 games this season. He was also a finalist for Rookie of the Year last season, finishing third in the voting.

“That definitely hurts,” said teammate LaMelo Ball. “I was in the same kind of situation my rookie year or sophomore year or whatever. He’s with the whole squad, so that will help a little. I remember my situation, just being around with the guys. It’s tough times though.”