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Nightly Pulse: NBA news & highlights from Jan. 21

Get the latest NBA news, scores and highlights tonight with our live blog covering the biggest moments around the NBA.

⚔️NBA rivalry week kicks off with a five-game slate⚔️

  • Magic 93, Raptors 109 (Final)
  • Trail Blazers 116, Heat 107 (Final)
  • Knicks 99, Nets 95 (Final)
  • 76ers 109, Denver 144 (Final)
  • Wizards 88, Lakers 111 (Final)

📝Stories of the night📝

  1. The Magic continue to slide, falling to the Raptors, 109-93. Orlando has now lost four in a row, as their record falls to 23-22, dropping them to the No. 8 seed in the East. Already without Franz Wagner, Goga Bitadze, and Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony was also sidelined tonight due to an illness, leaving the Magic depleted. Luckily, Orlando should get Wagner back soon, and most likely Bitadze and Anthony, as well. There is no known timetable yet for Suggs. 
  2. The Knicks outlasted the Nets to win the battle of the boroughs to kick off NBA rivalry week. This one went down to the wire, but Jalen Brunson came up clutch, scoring six straight points to carry New York across the finish line and to a 99-95 victory. The Knicks move to 29-16, and gain a firmer grasp on the No. 3 seed in the East, while the Nets drop their fourth straight and are now just 1-9 in their last 10. 
  3. The 76ers saw all of Paul George, Guerschon Yabusele, and Andre Drummond return from injury, but they were still unable to stop their six-game slide, which has now reached seven games, after falling to the Nuggets. Philadelphia’s record now stands at 15-27, and they are 3.0 games back from the Bulls for the final play-in spot in the East. With Joel Embiid likely to miss at least three more games, and a date with the Cavaliers on Friday, it could get worse before it gets better for the 76ers.

🌟Top performers🌟

  • Karl-Anthony Towns: 25 points, 16 rebounds, six assists, three steals, and two blocks. 
  • Nikola Jokić: 27 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists, and four steals. 
  • LeBron James: 21 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds. 
  • Anthony Davis: 29 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, and four blocks.

✨Lakers stars shine in win✨

An Anthony Davis bucket four minutes into the game, gave Los Angeles their first lead of the night, 9-8, and they ran away with it from there, downing the Wizards, 111-88.

Davis and James propelled the victory, with AD ultimately finishing with 29 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, and four blocks. James recorded a triple-double, putting up 21, 10 rebounds, and 13 assists.

Coulibaly was the star for the Wizards, scoring 17, and also piling up six rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and a steal.


👉To the fourth

The Lakers lead the Wizards, 89-77 after three quarters of play.

It’s been a spread-out effort for Washington, with Bilal Coulibaly’s 17 points the top mark for the squad. He also has six rebounds, four assists, a steal, and two blocks. Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Poole have 12 points each. 2024 No. 2 pick, Alexandre Sarr has 10 points, five rebounds, and a new career-high, five blocks.

Los Angeles’ star duo continues to power their play, with Davis now up to 27 points and 13 rebounds, while James has 21 and 11 assists. Dorian Finney-Smith has chipped in 16 off the bench on 4-6 three-point shooting.


Nuggets cruise to victory

Denver trailed 2-0, then that was it. After two free throws from Jokić and a Porter Jr. bucket, the Nuggets never looked back on their way to a 144-109 win. 

Jokić recorded his fourth-straight triple-double, finishing with 27 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists, and four steals. Braun finished with a 20-piece, while Aaron Gordon (19) and Strawther (23) shined off the bench. 

Maxey was strong for Philadelphia, scoring 28 on 11-21 shooting, and adding 10 assists, while Yabusele scored 22 off the bench, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Nuggets.


4️⃣in a row

Jokić just recorded his 10th assist, and now has four-straight triple-doubles. It’s also his 13th triple-double before the start of the fourth quarter this season. 

He now has a 23-point, 13 rebound, 10 assist stat line, as the Nuggets take a 117-94 lead over the 76ers, heading into the fourth quarter.


👑King James making history👑

LeBron James has moved up to No. 7 on the all-time steals list with 2,308, surpassing Scottie Pippen. He’s just three more away from surpassing Maurice Cheeks for the No. 6 spot.


🌊Lake show on display🌊

The Lakers hold a 59-49 lead over the Wizards at halftime.

Los Angeles’ star duo are cooking, as Anthony Davis has already scored 19 points, and has added eight rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. LeBron James has put up 14 points, to go with five rebounds and seven assists.

Jordon Poole is leading the scoring for Washington with 12.


Lots of offense in Denver

The third quarter is underway in Denver, as the Nuggets and 76ers are battling in a high-scoring affair. Denver has already put 93 points on the board, just four minutes into the third quarter, and they hold a 93-78 lead over Philadelphia.

Jokić is leading the scoring barrage with 22 points, while Christian Braun has added 18, Michael Porter Jr. has 17, and Julian Strawther has scored 14 off the bench, hitting four of five triple attempts. 

Maxey has 21 for Philadelphia, and Yabusele has added 17 off the bench.


⛰️Nuggets lead early⛰️

Denver holds a 35-27 lead after an exciting first quarter of play.

Russell Westbrook and Nikola Jokić continue to develop a strong connection, with Westbrook finishing the first quarter with five points, five rebounds, and four assists, and Jokić contributing 11 points and four assists. 


🗽Knicks win nail-biter 🗽

The Nets never gave in and took a lead late in the fourth, but ultimately couldn’t hold off the Knicks, falling 99-95.

Jalen Brunson was clutch down the stretch, scoring six straight points after Brooklyn took a 90-89 lead with 2:35 remaining, pushing the Knicks to a 95-92 advantage, which they never relinquished. He also hit the final two free throws to seal the deal with seven seconds remaining.

Brunson finished with 17 points, but it was Towns’ 25 points, 16 rebounds, six assists, three steals, and two blocks that led the Knicks. Anunoby was also key, putting up 20 points, and chipping in three steals and a block.

Russell shined for the Nets, finishing with 23, including a clutch three late to keep Brooklyn within reach, and dished out 10 assists in the loss.


🦖Raptors earn W🦖

Toronto was outscored 37-24 in the first quarter by Orlando, but then went on a tear in the second and third frames, setting up a 109-93 victory.

RJ Barrett ended up the Raptors leading scorer, pouring in 19 on 6-9 shooting, and also getting eight rebounds. Barnes fell just shy of a triple-double, scoring 17, with 11 rebounds, and eight assists.

Banchero was strong for Orlando, posting 26 points on 10-19 shooting with 12 rebounds.


🌲Portland wins🌲

Miami went to work in the fourth quarter, cutting into Portland’s lead significantly, but ultimately it was too big a deficit to overcome, as the Trail Blazers held on for a 116-107 victory.

Simons and Ayton lead the way, with Simons dropping 24 on 6-12 three-point shooting, adding four boards, and three assists. Ayton posted a double-double putting up 22 points, and pulling down 15 rebounds. Avdija also added a double-double, scoring 16 with 10 rebounds.

Miami’s rookie, Kel’el Ware shined in his starting lineup debut, scoring 20 and pulling down 16 rebounds.


Nets storm back

The Nets have just taken the lead, 88-87 over the Knicks off a Keon Johnson triple.

With less than four minutes remaining, the action is picking up. We suggest you watch this finish.

OG says, no🛑⛔️

It’s getting tighter in Brooklyn, with the Knicks gripping to a two-point lead at the midpoint of the fourth quarter.

Plays like this one, where Anunoby eats up Johnson’s layup attempt in the paint are helping keep the Nets at bay.

This game is building to an exciting finish. Watch the final minutes on TNT, truTV, or stream it on MAX!


🎬Back in action🎬

Paul George and Andre Drummond will return from injury to start for the 76ers tonight against Denver. They’ll be looking to snap a six-game losing streak, and the return of George especially should help. They’ll also have Yabusele back, and coming off the bench.

Joining George and Drummond in the starting five will be Tyrese Maxey, Eric Gordon, and Kelly Oubre Jr.


Raptors roaring

Toronto outscored Orlando 40-20 in the third frame and have now opened up a 15-point lead, 85-70 going into the fourth quarter.

Barnes continues to shine for the Raptors, as he’s now totaled 17 points, but also has risen to nine boards, six dimes, and two steals. Gradey Dick has also been a force, putting up 14, including this dunk,


New York holding it down

The Knicks outscored the Nets by one in the third, to enter the final frame with an 84-75 lead.

Towns continues to do work, scoring 22 with 12 boards, four assists, three steals, and a block.

Russell now has a double-double for Brooklyn, with 18 points and 10 assists.


🔥Blazing a trail🔥

Portland continues to pull away, as Miami searches for offense. They started the second half on a 15-5 run and outscored Miami 36-20 in the third quarter, and the Trail Blazers now hold a 97-77 lead going into the final quarter.

Deandre Ayton continues to smash, now with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Five others have joined Ayton by scoring in double-figures with, Simons (17), Jerami Grant (15), Deni Avdija (14), Scoot Henderson (11), and Shaedon Sharpe (10) being the others.

 


Raptors showing teeth

Toronto upped its defensive intensity in the second quarter, holding Orlando to 13 points, and cutting into their lead. The Magic though still hold a 50-45 advantage at halftime.

Scottie Barnes was a big part of the push, ending the half with 14 points, six rebounds, three assists, and this dunk,


Portland clamps down

The Trail Blazers held the Heat to just 17 second-quarter points, and now hold a 61-55 lead at halftime.

Anfernee Simons and Deandre Ayton are doing the damage, with Simons pouring in 17 on 5-7 long-range shooting, and Ayton has 14 and grabbed nine boards.


Knicks lead at the break

New York outscored Brooklyn, 35-25 in the second quarter to take a 59-51 lead at the half.

Karl-Anthony Towns perked up in the second frame and finished the half with 14 points on 6-9 shooting and pulled down eight rebounds. Bridges has 10, as the only other Knick in double figures. Hart continues to put together a well-rounded stat line and could be on his way to a triple-double with five points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals.

Cameron Johnson and D’Angelo Russell continue to lead the way for the Nets with 12 points each, while Russell has also dished out six dimes.


🚫Big block➡️Big dunk😤

Day’Ron Sharpe gets up and delivers a big block on Mikal Bridges. Jalen Wilson grabs the loose ball, pushes the floor, and finds Noah Clowney for the big dunk.

The Knicks started to pull away in the second and built a 13-point lead, but Brooklyn fought back to get within five, 50-45, with a couple of minutes remaining in the first half.


☀️Heater in Miami☀️

It’s been a high-scoring affair thus far between the Heat and Trail Blazers, with Miami currently holding a 40-38 lead early in the second quarter.

Duncan Robinson hit three triples in the first and is sitting on 11 points, while Anfernee Simons has a team-high 11 for Portland.

The rookie Kel’el Ware is making his first career start for the Heat and is making an impact in the process, with four points, four rebounds, and two blocks. He also took flight for this nasty dunk,


Making the Magic happen🪄✨

Orlando jumped out to a 32-11 lead on Toronto, but the Raptors clawed back a bit, to bring the score to 37-21 after one.

Paolo Banchero has been a force early, scoring eight points, with three rebounds, and two assists. Anthony Black and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope each have nine though on perfect 3-3 shooting to lead the Magic.

Bruce Brown is leading the Raptors with 10 off the bench and was a big part of slowing Orlando’s first-quarter momentum.


 

Battle of the Boroughs is on🗽🏙️🍎🚕🍕

The Nets currently hold a 26-24 lead over the Knicks in a tightly contested, back-and-forth battle thus far.

Mikal Bridges, Jalen Brunson, and OG Anunoby have each scored five for the Knicks, and Josh Hart is already filling up the stat sheet with three points, five rebounds, four assists, and a steal.

The Nets are being paced by Cameron Johnson, who has seven, while D’Angelo Russell has chipped in five, with two assists, and a block.

Check out some of the first quarter highlights below,


3️⃣🔑Stories

  1. Even with the return of Paolo Banchero, injuries may be catching up to the Magic. After a strong start to their season, they now sit at 23-21, as losers of three straight and playing to a 3-7 record over their last 10. Franz Wagner (oblique) should be returning soon, although it’s unclear when Jalen Suggs (back) and Goga Bitadze (concussion) will be. They have a good opportunity tonight to start moving back in a positive direction when they take on the 10-32 Raptors. 
  2. It’s a battle of the boroughs when the Nets host the Knicks to kick off rivalry week. This game will also feature the return of Mikal Bridges to the Barclays Center for the first time since being traded to New York this past offseason. Since moving Bridges, a series of injuries and a couple of other trades have led to a rough season thus far for the 14-29 Nets. They’ll be looking to play spoiler here, as the Knicks come in at 28-16, fresh off a Martin Luther King Jr. Day win over the Atlanta Hawks.
  3. The 76ers are losers of six straight with injuries remaining a significant issue. While Joel Embiid (knee), Kyle Lowry (hip), and Caleb Martin (hip) will remain out, they could see the return of Paul George (groin), Guerschon Yabusele (knee), and Andre Drummond (toe), who are each listed as questionable. It’ll be vital for the 76ers to get healthy moving forward as they currently sit 2.5 games out of a play-in spot at the midpoint of the season. On the other side, the Nuggets are getting healthy, and have won each of their four games Aaron Gordon has played in since returning from injury. This will be a battle of two teams seemingly headed in opposite directions, but the 76ers will be working to change that with an upset victory to cap off tonight’s TNT doubleheader.

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