31,422 and counting.
KD’s 3rd-quarter trey shoots him past Wilt Chamberlain for 7th on the all-time scoring list.
5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀
Jan. 10, 2026
Friday’s Finishers: Blazers spoil KD’s night, Thunder storm back, Giannis swipes Lakers’ spotlight
East Statements: Celtics, Sixers create space in standings, Hawks handle Nuggets
West Wins: Book bests Knicks, Kawhi & Harden cruise, Steph’s Warriors erupt late
On Prime: The player more important than Ant in today’s Wolves/Cavs matinee rematch, according to The Athletic
League Pass: How Cade and Kawhi are leading their clubs into clash on five-game night
BUT FIRST … ⏰
Friday’s ten finals with six more showdowns for your Saturday…
Today’s six-game slate features the debut of Prime’s Saturday afternoon slot, with Ant Edwards’ Wolves and Donovan Mitchell’s Cavs completing their home-and-home set (1 ET, Tap To Watch)
The backstory on Wemby’s viral kick is even more wild than the video of it, The Athletic’s Jared Weiss shares
Atlanta has officially traded Trae Young to Washington for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, both teams announced Friday. The Wizards introduced their new four-time All-Star guard before last night’s game, with a warm welcome from the home crowd.
Select Your All-Stars: Only four days remain to vote for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game starters. Submit your daily ballot through Jan. 14 using your NBA ID. Don’t miss your chance to vote today.
1. FRIDAY FINISHERS: BLAZERS, THUNDER, GIANNIS’ BUCKS GRAB GLORY LATE
A legendary long-range shot for scoring history ignited the game’s first double-digit lead.
The night could have gotten away from the Blazers right there in the 3rd quarter.
But they weathered the historic moment to mount a frenzied finish, making KD and the Rockets’ long week in Portland feel even longer.
Blazers 111, Rockets 105: Seven straight points from Deni Avdija (20 pts, 6 ast, 2 stl) put the Blazers ahead with under four minutes to go, and a diving save kept it that way as Portland spoiled Kevin Durant’s climb up the all-time scoring charts to deal Houston its second loss at Moda Center in three nights. | Recap
- Blazers’ Best: Toumani Camara’s career-high 25 points led Portland, combining with Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe (20 pts, 8 reb, 5 ast) to drop 65 points in a fifth straight win
- Supporting Seven: KD’s 30 points and 12 rebounds led the Rockets, with 44 more points coming from the combo of Amen Thompson (24/9) and Reed Sheppard (20/4 3s)
- Answering An All-Timer: Following Durant’s milestone, Houston finished the 3rd on an 18-5 run to take the game’s largest lead (13 pts) into the 4th. But 11 unanswered points from Portland set up its clutch closeout
With just under eight minutes to play in the 3rd quarter, Durant passed Wilt Chamberlain for seventh place on the all-time scoring list with a majestic 3-pointer.
- Durant already has 864 points in his Houston tenure, and tonight’s milestone 3-ball files into Durant’s third-most productive scoring method, with free throws (7,481 pts) and mid-range jumpers (7,038 pts) leading
- “No, it doesn’t amaze me when you see the work ethic and what he does on a day-to-day basis,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said of Durant
- Up Next: KD is now 125 points from passing Dirk Nowitzki for sixth all-time, and within 1,000 of passing MJ for fifth place
Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images
Last time in Memphis on Nov. 9, the Thunder erased a 19-point gap thanks to a big 4th quarter from 35-point hero Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
This time they faced an even bigger deficit – without SGA and Chet Holmgren.
Thunder 117, Grizzlies 116: Up by one and needing a stop on the final possession, Alex Caruso blanketed Cedric Coward and blocked his attempted game-winner to secure OKC’s largest comeback win of the season. | Recap
- Lock In: Showcasing the league’s top Defensive Rating (105.4), the Thunder forced seven Memphis misses and two turnovers in a 22-7 closeout over the final 5:25
- Ready When Called: Nine of Ajay Mitchell‘s 23 points fueled the Thunder run, setting up Kenrich Williams’ (21 pts, 4 stl, 3 3s) triple to give OKC its first lead since five minutes into the game
- “He’s a dog, that’s why he’s on the team,” Jalen Williams said of Kenrich’s go-ahead triple. “It’s crazy cause we had just talked about getting that exact shot.”
- Scoring Leaders: J-Dub (26 pts, 5 reb, 10 ast) paced the champs, while Jaren Jackson Jr.’s 23 points led Memphis
“Defensive stops, sticking together,” Jalen said of the keys to the comeback. “That’s why we have guys like AC, Lou [Dort], that can do what they do at the highest level, and we’re thankful for them.”
Bucks 105, Lakers 101: Giannis’ (21 pts, 6 reb, 5 ast) wraparound swipe of LeBron halted the Lakers’ comeback hopes and Bucks’ high scorer Kevin Porter Jr. (22 pts, 5 reb, 6 ast, 4 stl) sealed the win at the line, dealing the NBA’s last team without a clutch loss their first (13-1). | Recap
- Winning Time: L.A.’s 21-8 start to the 4th quarter erased Milwaukee’s double-digit lead, but the Bucks responded with a 11-3 closeout for a third win in four games
- Lakeshow Leads: LeBron (26 pts, 9 reb, 10 ast) and Luka (24 pts, 9 reb, 9 ast) were on the edge of dual triple-doubles, with James leading all scorers in his fourth straight 25+ point game and Dončić bringing the magic
2. EAST STATEMENTS: CELTICS, SIXERS SEPARATE, HAWKS HINDER TOP OFFENSE
Celtics 125, Raptors 117: Payton Pritchard (27 pts, 8 ast) and Jaylen Brown (25 pts, 8 reb, 7 ast) paced the Celtics to their third victory over Toronto this season, and 14th in their last 17 games. | Recap
- Run & Response: Toronto cut a 20-point Boston lead to just five with 6:15 to play. That’s when Boston scored the game’s next 12 points, including five straight from Brown to pull away
- RJ’s Show: With Brandon Ingram (thumb) and Scottie Barnes (knee) out, Barrett led the Raptors with 19 points and seven assists, as Toronto’s three-game win streak ends
Rich Storry + Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images
Sixers 103, Magic 91: Tyrese Maxey (29 pts), Joel Embiid (22 pts, 9 reb) and Paul George (18 pts, 3 stl) combined for 69 of 103 points for a fifth win in six games, holding Orlando to a season-low 91 points to gain a game and a half of separation for 5th place in the East. | Recap
- Tremendous Trio: In Philly’s strong six-game stretch, Maxey (30.5 ppg), Embiid (27.3), and PG (15.8) have combined for 73.6 points per game
- Bane & Black: Orlando was led by 20+ point nights from Desmond Bane (23 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast) and Anthony Black (21 pts)
Hawks 110, Nuggets 87: Jalen Johnson (29 pts, 9 reb, 6 ast) led Atlanta, Dyson Daniels (17 pts, 11 reb, 10 ast, 4 stl) recorded his first career triple-double and the Hawks dominated the 4th quarter 36-12, holding the NBA’s top offense under 100 points for the first time this season. | Recap
- Powering Up: Peyton Watson (25 pts, 11 reb, 3 stl) led Denver in his 6th straight 20+ point game, filling gaps with Nikola Jokić out (knee)
3. WEST WINNERS: SUNS CLUTCH UP, CLIPS KEEP ROLLING, DUBS & PELS POP
Suns 112, Knicks 107: Big nights from Devin Booker (31 pts, 8 ast) and Dillion Brooks (27 pts, 7 reb, 5 ast) helped Phoenix outlast Jalen Brunson (27 pts, 5 ast) and the Knicks for an eighth win in the last 11 games. | Recap
- Desert Runs: Phoenix took control in the 3rd with a 14-0 stretch, but New York started the 4th on a 14-7 run to pull even. Booker responded with a jumper to cross the 30-point mark and put the Suns ahead for good
David L. Nemec + Noah Graham + Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images
Clippers 121, Nets 105: James Harden (31 pts, 6 ast) and Kawhi Leonard (26 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast) combined for 57 points to lead the Clips to their 8th win in ten games. | Recap
- Egor Igniting: Brooklyn’s Dëmin rolled on from a clutch performance in Wednesday’s OT loss to lead the Nets with 19 points and five 3s. He’s the first-ever Nets rookie with five-plus threes in back-to-back games
Warriors 137, Kings 103: Tied at 84-84 with 3 minutes to go in the 3rd quarter, Golden State exploded over the next 12 minutes for a 47-12 run and 35-point lead. Steph Curry (27 pts, 10 ast 6 3s) led seven double-digit Warriors scorers to their 8th win in 11 games. | Recap
Pelicans 128, Wizards 107: Trey Murphy III (35 pts, 7 3s) and Zion Williamson (31 pts) surged for 66 combined points, while rookies Derik Queen (14 pts, 16 reb, 12 ast) and Jeremiah Fears (21 pts, 5 reb, 6 ast, 3 stl) helped NOLA end its nine-game skid. | Recap
- Rook Cooks: Derik’s season highs in rebounds and assists powered his second triple-double, as he remains the only rookie this season to achieve the feat
- Matching CP3: Queen joins Chris Paul as the only New Orleans rookies with multiple triple-doubles
- First Impressions: Washington showcased its scoring depth with new acquisition Trae Young looking on, as eight Wizards scored in double figures
4. SATURDAY AFTERNOON ON PRIME: TIMBERWOLVES VS. CAVS, THE REMATCH
Tyler Clouse/NBAE via Getty Images
90 seconds into his media availability after becoming the third-youngest player to score 10,000 points, Anthony Edwards was talking about his teammates.
“I know it sounds crazy but, I don’t mind spacing the floor and catching-and-shooting and playing off the catch. So yeah, just really trying to fit in around them.”
Minnesota’s mix has produced the NBA’s best record since Thanksgiving (15-5). The winners of four straight are more than just Ant’s scoring.
They’re also Julius Randle’s playmaking. Jaden McDaniels’ efficiency.
And Rudy Gobert’s renaissance.
Tyler Clouse/NBAE via Getty Images
From The Athletic:
… As Gobert approaches the golden years of his NBA career, wrinkles are appearing in his game that were never there before, in the best of ways.
“I think he’s playing the best basketball he’s ever played for us because he’s doing it at both ends of the floor,” Wolves coach Chris Finch said.
Gobert leads the NBA in field goal percentage, converting a career-high 72.0 percent of his shots. He has more assists (68) than blocked shots (62) for just the second time in his career. No one has thrown down more dunks than his 102 this year, and they are coming with increasing ferocity and aggression.
“Just playing with force and being decisive,” Gobert said. “Mistakes are part of the game and I think I’ve tried to be too perfect my whole career. A lot of times it slows me down. When you play with that mindset, usually you’re not flowing. You overthink a little bit. Trust my teammates, trust who I am, trust my talent, trust my work and just come in and play basketball.
Read more from The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski on Gobert’s impact on the Wolves’ success here…
This afternoon on Prime (1 ET), Gobert and the pack run it back in Cleveland, after besting the Cavs Thursday night at home.
5. ON LEAGUE PASS: LEADING DIFFERENTLY, CADE & KAWHI COLLIDE
Five more League Pass selections tip tonight, highlighted by the collision of two of the league’s best recent records and the do-it-all ball-handlers driving them.
Clippers at Pistons (7:30 ET): Rising star Cade Cunningham and reinvented champion Kawhi Leonard have their clubs clicking with eight wins each in their last 10 games.
- Cade’s Crux: Cunningham has distinguished himself this season through a second consecutive campaign averaging more than 26 points and nine assists
- Kawhi’s Key: LA’s green light has overhauled Leonard’s approach, setting him up to be the first-ever player with a career-high in scoring in Year 14 or later
Cunningham, 2021’s No. 1 pick, takes an active approach to leading and affecting change.
“I’ve played basketball in a lot of different places where I’ve got to meet a lot of people,” Cade said. “Just trying to connect with people, learning how to find ways to relate to people and lead them.”
Leonard is more of the quiet type, leading by example.
“Behind the scenes, you watch somebody and how hard they work,” James Harden said of Leonard’s work ethic. “What [injuries] he had to battle through just to go out there and be himself was a beautiful thing to see.”
Strong supporting casts have backed up the All-Star caliber play from Cade and Kawhi, and will be key to sustaining these strong streaks for the full season.
- All-Time 2nd Option: Leonard can lean on top-ten all-time scorer Harden: team leader in assists (8.0) and second-highest scorer (25.8) behind Kawhi
- Shadowing Cade: While owning a 44.2 DFG%, Ausar Thompson is the only other player with Cade in Detroit’s top-five in points (11.4), rebounds (5.9), assists (2.5), steals (1.5) and blocks (2.8)
Roundup: The second-best team since Thanksgiving behind the Wolves? The Celtics, who’ll try to kick it with Wemby and the Spurs tonight (8 ET). Also on League Pass:
- Heat at Pacers (7 ET)
- Mavericks at Bulls (8 ET)
- Hornets at Jazz (9:30 ET)
