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Live Updates: Top moments, scores and highlights of NBA Friday

Follow tonight's NBA action as we keep you updated with latest highlights and happenings around the league.

NBA.com Staff

TORONTO, CANADA – JANUARY 16: James Harden #1 of the LA Clippers looks to pass the ball during the game against the Toronto Raptors on January 16, 2026 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

Final Scores:

  • Cavaliers 117, 76ers 115
    • Jaylon Tyson: 39 points (13-17 FG, 7 3PM)
    • Joel Embiid: 33 points (10-22 FG), five rebounds
  • Pacers 127, Pelicans 119
    • Jay Huff: 29 points (13-17 FG)
    • Zion Williamson: 27 points (10-12 FG)
  • Nets 112, Bulls 109
    • Michael Porter Jr.: 26 points (9-17 FG)
  • Clippers 121, Raptors 117 (OT)
    • James Harden: 31 points (10-27 FG)
    • Scottie Barnes: 24 points (9-21 FG)
  • Rockets 110, Timberwolves 105
    • Kevin Durant (39 points, 11-18 FG)
    • Julius Randle (39 points, 14-25 FG)
  • Kings 128, Wizards 115
    • Russell Westbrook (26 points, 9-14 FG)

Top Performers⭐⭐⭐

  1. Kevin Durant: 39 points (11-18 FG), four rebounds, seven assists, two steals, one block
  2. Jaylon Tyson: 39 points (13-17 FG), five rebounds, four assists
  3. Julius Randle: 39 points (14-25 FG), four rebounds, two assists, five turnovers
  4. Alperen Sengun: 25 points (11-22 FG), 14 rebounds, three assists, one steal, one block

 Friday’s storylines⬇️⬇️

  1. Joel Embiid continues to ramp up (33 points), but Philadelphia loses late to Cleveland.
  2. Heavy is the hand of James Harden. Clippers win in OT
  3. Stars shine in a physical battle as Houston beats Minnesota. The absence of Anthony Edwards (foot) loomed large in clutch time.
  4. Sacramento gets a 4th straight victory. The combination of young energy, the return of Domantas Sabonis (13 points, 21 minutes) and sharp Russell Westbrook (26 points, 9-14 FG) fuels a 128-115 win over Washington.

12:31 PM / January 16, 2026

Kevin Durant the metronome; Rockets win

Durant was in-rhythm en route to 39 points (11-18 FG), while Alperen Sengun (25 points, 14 rebounds) set the tone — a critical contrast from Minnesota’s dominant forward play, but underwhelming late-game execution down the stretch.

Donte DiVincenzo was quiet (8 points, 3-10 FG), leaving Naz Reid and Julius Randle to account for 64 of the team’s 105 points in a 110-105 loss. Rudy Gobert (10 points, 4-7 FG, 2-10 FT, 13 rebounds) was sharp but had the yips from the free-throw line.

12:07 PM / January 16, 2026

Kings in front

Domantas Sabonis (knee) makes his return to action Friday; Rookie Dylan Cardwell is excited.

Sacramento holds a 107-97 lead over Washington with eight minutes remaining in Q4. Russell Westbrook leads all scorers with 20 points (7-11 FG) while co-leading the Kings with five assists.

11:50 PM / January 16, 2026

Awesome Game Alert🔥🔥

Kevin Durant is up to 30 points (10-15 FG), extending Houston’s lead to 93-85. Alperen Sengun is anchoring a battle in the trenches, while Julius Randle and Naz Reid remain dialed in.

11:32 PM / January 16, 2026

Big Jelly🍇🍇

Reid (23 points) has a few beautiful finishes and is 5-for-7 from beyond the arc. He and Julius Randle (27 points, 10-18 FG) are the starring Timberwolves.

80-80 in the final minute of Q3.

11:18 PM / January 16, 2026

Julius Randle vs. Alperen Sengun🍿🍿🍿

11:05 PM / January 16, 2026

Rockets and Timberwolves battling

Minnesota 66, Houston 65 early in Q3

Julius Randle leads the Wolves with 23 points (8-16 FG). Durant leads the Rockets with 22 points (8-13 FG) and has got buckets at all three levels.

10:44 PM / January 16, 2026

Resilient Chicago comeback, but Brooklyn escapes

After amounting a 20-point lead in the fourth quarter, Brooklyn blew that lead versus Chicago late, as Chicago forced six turnovers versus logging one themselves in the frame. Tre Jones converted a steal to generate a 109-108 lead, but Brooklyn responded on both ends to secure a 112-109 win.

Michael Porter Jr. keeps rolling (26 points). He muscled through the lane to score what was ultimately the game-winning bucket prior to a Drake Powell steal sealing the deal. Porter has scored at least 25 points in seven of his last nine games.

Josh Giddey missed his 9th straight game with a hamstring injury.

10:29 PM / January 16, 2026

James Harden goes ISO mode. Clippers win in OT

Lotta this. For better and worse, James Harden  went into takeover mode (31 points, 10-27 FG), ending in a Los Angeles victory on a night when Harden muscled his way to 31 points despite 2-for-15 3P shooting.

Clippers 121, Raptors 117 in OT.

Kobe Sanders played a career-high 37 minutes for the Clippers. Ivica Zubac was rock solid with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Scottie Barnes and Jamal Shead set the tone defensively for Toronto, but the Raptors ultimately squandered a double-digit lead entering the fourth quarter.

The Clippers progressed to 18-23 on the season, moving into sole possession of 10th place in the West.

9:59 PM / January 16, 2026

Clamps by Jamal Shead — OT Coming🚨🚨🚨

James Harden is in vintage form.

Raptors defense is making plays, and Shead gets a last laugh in regulation, but this is anybody’s game.

9:39 PM / January 16, 2026

CAVS AT THE BUZZER

JAYLON TYSON SETS UP EVAN MOBLEY — CLEVELAND WINS

Really smooth inbound pass from Lonzo Ball, and Tyson is able to turn the corner on his drive for the dish. Cleveland comes back to steal a 117-115 victory over Philadelphia.

9:21 PM / January 16, 2026

D to O

Matas Buzelis turns defense to offense starting with a block.

Buzelis ranks in the 90th percentile for transition frequency this season and 86 percentile for transition efficiency — making him one of the top tempo-enablers in the league.

8:53 PM / January 16, 2026

Nae’Qwan Tomlin😳😳

Tomlin versus Joel Embiid — Parts 1 & 2

8:35 PM / January 16, 2026

Jay Huff classic!

Only Huff can make a reverse jam look so nonchalant.

8:14 PM / January 16, 2026

Nets swishing nets

 

8:08 PM / January 16, 2026

No hesitation from Jaylon Tyson

Tyson entered Friday’s contest averaging 15.3 points on 56.7% shooting across his last three contests. He is back at it, matching Joel Embiid with the game-high 17 points with two minutes remaining in Q2.

Philadelphia holds a narrow edge 54-53 over Cleveland.

7:59 PM / January 16, 2026

Raptors out and running

Toronto jumps out to an 18-4 lead over the Clippers — with an exclamation point provided by a Jamal Shead transition break ending with a Brandon Ingram 3PM.

7:48 PM / January 16, 2026

Joel Embiid getting to it.

7:44 PM / January 16, 2026

Everybody eating in Indiana🍽️🍽️

Huff Stuffing.

And TJ McConnell is doing the dishes!

Jay Huff goes straight over the top of the defense on the dunk, while TJ McConnell becomes the second player in the modern era to record 3,000 assists off the bench.

7:31 PM / January 16, 2026

Pascal Siakam cooking♨️♨️

Siakam popped for 13 of Indiana’s first 19 points, but the Pacers trail the Pelicans 27-25 with three minutes remaining in Q1.

Zion Williamson (11 points, 5-5 FG) and Trey Murphy (eight points, 3-5 FG) have countered with efficient scoring of their own.

7:19 PM / January 16, 2026

Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley connection🔐🔐

6:36 PM / January 16, 2026

For the culture🏀🏀

Donovan Mitchell and Tyrese Maxey on the scene Friday. Donovan Mitchell and Tyrese Maxey square off in a rematch of Wednesday’s matchup which ended in a lopsided victory for Philadelphia despite 35 points (11-22 FG) seven rebounds and nine assists from Mitchell.

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