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Joel Embiid's 32-point triple-double highlights Thursday's action around the NBA

Follow along with live updates from the NBA's 8-game slate of action on Thursday night as AWS Rivals Week 2026 continues.

NBA.com Staff

Peyton Watson delivers a career-high 35 points in Denver’s 107-97 win over Washington. (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images)

JANUARY 23, 2026 // 12:41 ET

Tonight’s final scores:

JANUARY 23, 2026 // 12:53 ET

What we know after Thursday’s games:

  • Brandon Miller (20 pts, 4 ast, 2 stl) notches his fifth consecutive game with 20+ points, tying the longest streak of his career, to help the Hornets dominate the Magic.
  • Peyton Watson scores a career-high 35 points (10-16 FG, 6-8 3PM, 9-10 FT) to snap Denver’s two-game losing skid while sending the Wizards to an eighth straight loss.
  • Joel Embiid (32 pts, 15 reb, 10 ast) and Tyrese Maxey (36 pts, 10 ast) outduel Kevin Durant (36 pts) to give Philly the OT win against Houston.
  • Dallas wins their fourth in a row and fifth in the last six games thanks to the trio of Naji Marshall (30 pts, 7 reb, 9 ast), Cooper Flagg (21 pts, 11 reb) and Max Christie (21 pts, 5 3PM).
  • Chicago uses a 16-5 run to close out a 120-115 victory over Minnesota with Josh Giddey (21 pts, 6 reb, 5 ast, 2 stl) playing 26 minutes off the bench in his first outing since Dec. 29. The Bulls pick up a third consecutive win in the process.
  • With tonight’s loss, the Timberwolves fall for the fourth straight time, making it only their second four-game losing streak since Jan. 2022.
  • By picking up their fourth straight win tonight, the Trail Blazers have a winning record for the first time since Nov. 12, and their 9-2 record in January is the best mark in the NBA.
  • Following a loss on Dec. 18 that put the Clippers at 6-21 on the season, Los Angeles is now 14-3 in the 17 games since then. That record represents the best figure in the league during that stretch.

JANUARY 23, 2026 // 12:48 ET

Clippers hold off Lakers

The Clips hold on for the 112-104 win over the Lakers to close out the third night of AWS Rivals Week 2026. LAL nearly pulls off a 26-point second-half comeback, falling just short to snap a two-game win streak for the visitors.

Kawhi Leonard finishes with 24 points to lead the Clips in scoring, while Ivica Zubac (18 pts, 19 reb) and James Harden (18 pts, 7 reb, 10 ast) notch double-doubles.

Luka Dončić posts a game-high 32 points with 11 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 steals, and LeBron James adds 23 points, 5 boards, 6 assists and 2 steals.

JANUARY 23, 2026 // 12:26 ET

Blazers dominate at home

Portland gets 27 points from Shaedon Sharpe and 20 apiece from Deni Avdija (back) and Caleb Love to grab a fourth consecutive win.

Bam Adebayo tallies a game-high 32 points (13-24 FG) and 10 rebounds in the 127-110 loss for Miami.

JANUARY 23, 2026 // 12:17 ET

Lakers storm back

The Lakers use a 38-14 run to bring their deficit to 93-91 with 5:37 remaining in the fourth, but a 7-0 Clippers burst forces a timeout from JJ Redick with 3:46 left on the clock.

Don’t miss the finish of this one on Prime Video!

JANUARY 22, 2026 // 11:57 ET

Lakers close 3Q on 19-7 run

What was once a 26-point lead for the Clippers is now 14, as the Lakers trail their crosstown rivals 86-72 after three quarters. Luka remains LAL’s leading scorer with 26 points, adding 8 boards, 7 dimes and 3 steals.

Kawhi leads the Clips with 24 points, while Ivica Zubac chips in 12 points and 17 big rebounds. Tune in on Prime Video to see if the Lakers can climb all the way back!

JANUARY 22, 2026 // 11:49 ET

Sharpe too smooth

Shaedon Sharpe has 15 points, 6 boards, 2 dimes and 4 steals as one of six Blazers in double figures scoring. Deni Avdija leads Portland with 20 points (6-11 FG), but he has been ruled out of the contest due to a back injury.

Bam Adebayo has a game-high 28 points (11-20 FG) with 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and a block, but Miami trails Portland 101-86 with 1:45 left in the third.

JANUARY 22, 2026 // 11:32 ET

Spurs quiet Jazz, win 126-109

De’Aaron Fox finishes with a game-high 31 points (10-13 FG) and six made 3s while Victor Wembanyama adds 26 points (9-14 FG, 4-7 3PM), 13 boards and 5 swats in San Antonio’s victory over Utah.

Rookie Ace Bailey records a new career-high in scoring with 25 points on 11-for-16 shooting to lead the Jazz.

JANUARY 22, 2026 // 11:25 ET

Clippers up big at half

The Clips own a 64-47 advantage after 24 minutes of play, with Kawhi Leonard’s 14 points leading the charge. James Harden and Ivica Zubac have 10 points apiece, while The Beard adds 8 dimes and 2 steals.

Luka Dončić is the only Laker in double figures with 17 points on 7-for-14 shooting in 20 minutes.

JANUARY 22, 2026 // 11:20 ET

Wemby being Wemby

You really just have to see it to believe it. Victor Wembanyama has 24 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 blocks and a steal in 29 minutes to help give the Spurs a 115-107 lead over the Jazz with 3:55 remaining on League Pass.

Jusuf Nurkić tallies a second consecutive triple-double with 17 points, 11 rebounds and 14 assists, and Ace Bailey has a career-high 23 points on 10-for-15 shooting.

JANUARY 22, 2026 // 10:58 ET

Watson drops career-high 35 in W

Peyton Watson powers Denver to the 107-97 win over Washington to snap the Nuggets’ two-game skid. The Wizards lose their eighth consecutive outing.

JANUARY 22, 2026 // 10:51 ET

Mavs win fourth straight

Despite 38 points (14-27 FG) and eight made 3s from Steph Curry, Dallas outscores Golden State 39-26 in the fourth to secure a 123-115 victory.

The Warriors drop their second in a row since losing Jimmy Butler III (knee) for the season.

JANUARY 22, 2026 // 10:43 ET

Toumani climbs the ladder

Toumani Camara skies for the big slam to give him 7 points with 3 boards and 2 assists, while Deni Avdija has 11 points on 4-for-5 shooting to give Portland a 41-35 edge over Miami early in the second quarter.

Bam Adebayo has a team-high 11 points and 2 steals in 10 minutes for the Heat.

JANUARY 22, 2026 // 10:36 ET

Battle for L.A. happening now!

After missing the Clippers’ last three games, Kawhi Leonard is back and balling early, dropping 8 points and two made 3s in 6 minutes. Ivica Zubac matches him with 8 points to go along with 4 rebounds, helping the Clips take a 31-24 edge with 2:20 left in the first quarter.

Luka Dončić has a game-high 12 points on 5-for-9 shooting for the Lakers.

JANUARY 22, 2026 // 10:25 ET

Spurs up 12 at half

Cody Williams takes off for the coast-to-coast jam, giving him 5 points with 4 boards, an assist and a steal in 14 minutes. Keyonte George (14 pts) and Ace Bailey (12 pts) lead the Jazz in scoring, but they trail the Spurs 65-53 at the break.

De’Aaron Fox leads five Spurs in double figures with 14 points, while Victor Wembanyama tallies 13 points on 4-for-5 shooting (2-2 3PM) in 15 minutes as a starter.

JANUARY 22, 2026 // 10:05 ET

Bulls-Wolves battling in 4Q

Julius Randle has a game-high 30 points on 10-for-16 shooting, while Anthony Edwards and Naz Reid each have 18 points apiece for Minnesota.

Josh Giddey has a team-high 20 points to lead six Bulls in double figures, but Chicago trails 105-104 with 6:29 remaining in the contest.

JANUARY 22, 2026 // 9:55 ET

Sixers win OT thriller vs. Rockets

Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey (36 pts, 10 ast, 4 stl) go off to fuel Philly’s 128-122 OT win over Houston. Embiid records the ninth triple-double of his career and his first since Feb. 4, 2025.

Kevin Durant drops 36 points on 13-for-21 shooting (5-8 3PM) to lead six Rockets in double figures scoring. The loss snaps a three-game win streak for Houston.

JANUARY 22, 2026 // 9:48 ET

Steph’s on fire

Steph Curry has a game-high 31 points and counting, shooting 11-for-19 from the field and 7-for-11 from 3-point range.

Cooper Flagg (20 pts, 10 reb) and Naji Marshall (22 pts, 6 reb, 8 ast) are powering Dallas to a 104-101 edge midway through the fourth quarter.

JANUARY 22, 2026 // 9:43 ET

Spurs-Jazz tied after 1Q

De’Aaron Fox (12 pts, 2 reb, 2 ast) and Ace Bailey (12 pts) lead a high-scoring first quarter for the Spurs and Jazz, respectively, as these teams are tied at 31 after 12 minutes of play.

JANUARY 22, 2026 // 9:31 ET

OT in Philly!

The Rockets and Sixers were tied at 115 at the end of regulation, and Philly now holds a 120-118 edge with 2:52 remaining in overtime.

JANUARY 22, 2026 // 9:29 ET

Chef Curry on duty

Steph Curry is up to a game-high 26 points (9-17 FG) and six made 3s in 26 minutes, helping the Warriors hold a slight 89-84 lead heading to the fourth on Prime Video!

Naji Marshall leads four Mavericks in double figures with 19 points and a team-high 8 dimes in 24 minutes.

JANUARY 22, 2026 // 9:18 ET

2-point game in Philly!

Kevin Durant hits a floater to put the Rockets up two, 115-113, with less than a minute remaining!

JANUARY 22, 2026 // 9:10 ET

KD, Embiid trading buckets

Kevin Durant (29 pts) and Joel Embiid (30 pts, 14 reb) are dueling and leading their respective teams in scoring.

Houston leads Philadelphia 107-99 with 4:58 remaining in the contest, thanks to some timely sharpshooting from Reed Sheppard (14 pts).

JANUARY 22, 2026 // 9:05 ET

Wizards staying close at home

Kyshawn George is one of five Wizards in double figures, along with Tre Johnson (15 pts), Alex Sarr (13 pts, 8 reb), Bub Carrington (13 pts) and Will Riley (13 pts). Washington trails Denver 90-83 with 6:56 remaining in the contest.

Peyton Watson has a game-high 30 points on 9-for-14 shooting with six made 3s, adding 7 boards, 3 assists, 4 blocks and a steal for the Nuggets.

JANUARY 22, 2026 // 8:52 ET

Miller with the nasty moves

Brandon Miller lulls Paolo Banchero before dancing his way for the beautiful finish, giving him a team-high 20 points on 8-for-15 shooting in 27 minutes.

Paolo Banchero (23 pts, 7 reb, 5 ast) and Desmond Bane (21 pts) are balling out for Orlando, but they’re the only two in double figures for the Magic, and they trail Charlotte 97-67 heading to the final frame.

JANUARY 22, 2026 // 8:45 ET

Ant times it perfectly

Anthony Edwards (9 pts, 3 reb, 1 blk) and Naz Reid (9 pts, 2 reb, 3 ast) are fueling Minnesota’s 41-31 lead over the Bulls with 10:05 left in the second quarter.

Josh Giddey is coming off the bench in his first game back since Dec. 29, and he’s cooking for 13 points on 5-for-8 shooting in 7 minutes.

JANUARY 22, 2026 // 8:38 ET

Tight game in Dallas

Cooper Flagg continues making plays for the Mavs, as he’s up to 11 points, 7 rebounds, an assist and a steal.

Steph Curry (11 pts, 3 3PM) and Jonathan Kuminga (10 pts, 2 ast, 2 stl) are doing it all for the Warriors, but they trail the Mavericks 48-45 with 2:11 left before halftime.

JANUARY 22, 2026 // 8:28 ET

Oh my, Maxey

Tyrese Maxey is up to 12 points with 5 assists, 2 steals and one board, highlighted by this monster dunk ahead of Jabari Smith, Jr. Joel Embiid puts up a team-high 18 points in 19 first-half minutes, and Kelly Oubre, Jr. adds 16 points on 6-for-8 shooting (3-3 3PM).

Philadelphia leads Houston 73-69 with two minutes gone in the third quarter.

Kevin Durant has a game-high 22 points on 7-for-9 shooting with three made 3s in 22 minutes.

JANUARY 22, 2026 // 8:17 ET

Tre gets a bird

Tre Johnson has 5 points, 2 rebounds and one assist, while Kyshawn George (12 pts, 9 reb, 3 ast) and Bub Carrington (10 pts, 3 stl) lead the charge for Washington. The Wizards trail the Nuggets 48-46 at the break.

Peyton Watson has a game-high 15 points (4-8 FG, 3-4 3PM, 4-4 FT) with 6 boards, 3 assists, 2 blocks and a steal in 19 minutes.

JANUARY 22, 2026 // 8:12 ET

Bridges detonates in Orlando!

Miles Bridges takes off for the poster dunk on the Magic, registering a 94.4 Dunk Score to take the top spot on tonight’s leaderboard.

LaMelo Ball (11 pts, 3 reb, 3 ast) and Collin Sexton (12 pts, 3 ast) are powering a 62-41 advantage for the Hornets at halftime.

Paolo Banchero (12 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast) and Desmond Bane (12 pts) are the only two Magic in double figures, and Orlando shoots just 32.5% (13-for-40) from the field through two quarters.

JANUARY 22, 2026 // 8:05 ET

Defense on display in Dallas

Cooper Flagg gets the Mavs on the board with his versatility on both ends. He’s got 4 points and 3 boards early, while Naji Marshall leads Dallas with 6 points.

Stephen Curry leads all scorers with 9 points with three made 3s.

Caleb Martin makes an unreal chase down block, his second swat of the game in just 8 minutes. The Warriors and Mavericks are tied at 21 with 2:34 remaining in the opening quarter on Prime Video!

JANUARY 22, 2026 // 7:52 ET

Vintage Embiid

Joel Embiid is feeling it in the first half, dropping 13 points (4-8 FG, 5-5 FT), 7 rebounds and 3 assists in 16 minutes. Philadelphia leads Houston 48-46 with 5:41 remaining before halftime.

Kevin Durant has a game-high 14 points on 5-for-7 shooting, adding 3 boards, 2 assists and a steal in 16 minutes of action.

JANUARY 22, 2026 // 7:41 ET

Hornets cooking in 1Q

After finishing 8-for-47 from 3-point range against the Cavs last night, Charlotte starts 9-for-14 (64.3%) on 3s through the first quarter versus Orlando. LaMelo Ball and Collin Sexton have 8 points apiece on a combined 6-for-6 shooting (4-4 3PM).

Desmond Bane is the high man for the Magic with 5 points in 8 minutes, but the Hornets have a 35-20 edge heading to the second quarter.

JANUARY 22, 2026 // 7:31 ET

Wizardry at work

Alex Sarr’s first 2 points of the evening somehow goes in off the face/body of Aaron Gordon. Gordon and Jonas Valančiūnas each have 8 points to lead Denver, as the Nuggets hold a 23-15 edge over the Wizards in the opening quarter.

JANUARY 22, 2026 // 7:24 ET

Rockets-Sixers underway

Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith, Jr. and Alperen Sengun all have 5 points apiece as the Rockets lead the 76ers 22-17 in the first quarter.

Kelly Oubre, Jr. has a game-high 8 points on 3-for-4 shooting for Philadelphia.

JANUARY 22, 2026 // 6:15 ET

What we know ahead of Thursday’s games:

Julius Randle and the Timberwolves look to snap a 3-game skid when they host the Chicago Bulls on Thursday. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)

The Magic are back in the states after splitting two overseas matchups against the Memphis Grizzlies. Orlando will host the Charlotte Hornets with both teams aiming to get back in the win column.

Kevin Durant and the Rockets are in Philadelphia to take on Tyrese Maxey and the 76ers in their first matchup of the season. Houston will attempt to win a fourth consecutive game and fifth out of their last six outings.

Following a four-game win streak of their own, the Nuggets have lost two straight (both at home) and hope to right the ship on the road versus a Wizards squad that’s dropped seven in a row.

In the first matchup of Prime Video’s doubleheader, the Warriors are in Dallas to duel with a Mavericks team currently riding a three-game winning streak. Golden State will continue searching for answers after falling to the Raptors on Tuesday in their first game since losing Jimmy Butler III (ACL) for the season.

Coby White and the Bulls face off against Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves in Minnesota. Chicago has won two straight while the Wolves have lost three in a row.

Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs are in Utah to battle Keyonte George and the Jazz. San Antonio took the previous meeting between these two clubs, 123-110, on Jan. 19, tying the season series at one win apiece.

The Lakers and Clippers meet for the back half of Thursday’s Prime doubleheader, with the season series tied 1-1. Kawhi Leonard (knee) is listed as questionable to play after missing the Clips’ last three contests.

Perhaps the hottest team in the NBA right now, the Trail Blazers will go for a fourth consecutive victory when they host the Miami Heat. Portland is 8-2 over the last 10 games and 10-3 in the last 13.

JANUARY 22, 2026 // 5:45 ET

Welcome to an eight-game night in the NBA!

Former teammates Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson square off to continue AWS Rivals Week 2026 at 7:30 ET on Prime.

To tip off the third night of NBA Rivals Week 2026 on Prime Video, Stephen Curry and the Warriors visit Cooper Flagg and the Mavericks (7:30 ET) as Dallas tries for a fourth consecutive win. A star-studded battle for LA will follow, with James Harden and the Clippers hosting Luka Dončić and the Lakers (10 ET).

Check out tonight’s complete schedule:

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