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Nightly Pulse: NBA news & highlights from Jan. 23

Follow the NBA Rivals Week action tonight with the latest NBA news, highlights and highlights from around the association.

โ›น๏ธโค๏ธ๐Ÿ€Thursday’s Scheduleโ›น๏ธโค๏ธ๐Ÿ€

San Antonio Spurs 140, Indiana Pacers 110 (Final)
Portland Trail Blazers 101, Orlando Magic 79 (Final)
Toronto Raptors 122, Atlanta Hawks 119 (Final)
Dallas Mavericks 121, Oklahoma City Thunder 115 (Final)
Milwaukee Bucks 125, Miami Heat 96 (Final)
Denver Nuggets 132, Sacramento Kings 123 (Final)
Golden State Warriors 131, Chicago Bulls 106 (Final)
Los Angeles Lakers 117, Boston Celtics 93 (Final)
Los Angeles Clippers 110, Washington Wizards 93 (Final)

Top Storylines of the Night ๐Ÿ‘‰๐Ÿ“

1. The All-Star starters have been announced. LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Nikola Jokic, Stephen Curry and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will start for the Western Conference. Donovan Mitchell, Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Jayson Tatum and Giannis Antetokounmpo will start for the Eastern Conference.
2. Dallas snatches a massive upset win in OKC. The Thunder had a 13-game home winning streak coming into this matchup with Dallas, but the Mavs prevailed without Luka Doncic. Spencer Dinwiddie had 28 points on 11-of-14 shooting, while PJ Washington flirted with a 20-20 game.
3. Denver defeats Sacramento behind Jokic’s historical performance. The Nuggets beat the Kings, 132-123, with Jokic recording his fifth straight triple-double. He had 35 points, 22 rebounds and 17 assists, joining Wilt Chamberlain as the only player with at least 35 points, 20 rebounds and 15 assists in a game.

๐ŸŒŸ๐ŸŒŸ Top Performers of the Night ๐ŸŒŸ๐ŸŒŸ

1. Nikola Jokic collected 35 points, 22 rebounds and 17 assists in a victory over the Sacramento Kings.
2. Victor Wembanyama had 30 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and five blocks in a win over the Indiana Pacers in Paris, France.
3. Damian Lillard tallied 29 points, nine rebounds and 11 assists in a victory over the Miami Heat.
4. PJ Washington provided 22 points, 19 rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks in a road win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
5. Jalen Williams had a career-high 33 points, four rebounds, seven assists and four steals in a defeat against the Dallas Mavericks.
6.ย Domantas Sabonis totaled 23 points, 19 rebounds and eight assists in a loss to the Denver Nuggets
7. James Harden amassed 17 points, 12 rebounds and 13 assists in a victory over the Washington Wizards.

Clippers Defeat Wizards, 110-93 ๐ŸŒŸ๐ŸŽฅ๐ŸŽž๏ธ๐ŸŽฌ

James Harden recorded the 79th triple-double of his career, finishing with 17 points, 12 rebounds and 13 assists.

Norman Powell provided 22 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Kawhi Leonard had 15 points and seven rebounds.

Jordan Poole led Washington with 24 points, two rebounds, nine assists and two steals.

Alex Sarr had 14 points and 10 rebounds.


Lakers Defeat Celtics, 117-93ย  ๐ŸŽฅ๐‘ณ๐ŸŒด

The Lakers clobbered the Celtics on TNT in a battle between storied franchises.

Los Angeles took a 34-23 lead after the first quarter and took command with a 67-48 halftime lead.

Anthony Davis led LA with 24 points, eight rebounds and three assists.

Austin Reaves had 23 points, three rebounds and six assists.

LeBron James finished with 20 points, 14 rebounds and six assists.

Kristaps Porzingis led Boston with 22 points, seven rebounds and two assists.


Warriors Wallop Bulls, 131-106 ๐ŸŒ‰๐ŸŒ‰๐ŸŒ‰

Golden State rode a 68-42 second half to this blowout victory, ripping off a 24-3 run in the second half to take command.

Zach LaVine led Chicago with 24 points, three rebounds and four assists.

Josh Giddey had 16 points, 11 rebounds and three assists.

Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 21 points, four rebounds and seven assists.

Quinten Post, Brandin Podziemski, Dennis Schroder, Moses Moody and Gui Santos all reached double figures in scoring off the bench.

They outscored the Bulls bench, 83-41.


James Harden Triple-Double๐Ÿฅ˜๐Ÿณ๐Ÿ”ฅ

The Beard is having a bounce-back season in LA, and he already had a triple-double in the third quarter tonight.

Harden is up to 13 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.

This moves him to eighth all-time on the triple-double leaderboard.

The Clippers lead the Wizards, 85-66.


Nikola Jokic Setting Records, Again…. ๐Ÿคก๐Ÿคก๐Ÿคก

Joker seems to set records every night, and he had another historical showing in their victory over the Sacramento Kings.

This marks his 20th triple-double of the season.

Jokic matched Wilt Chamberlain as the only player in NBA history with at least 35 points, 20 rebounds, and 15 assists in a game.

It marks his fifth straight triple-double, and all of them were in the books before the fourth quarter.

Jokic joins Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson as the only players with at least 20 points, 20 rebounds and 15 assists in multiple games.

He also joins Oscar Robertson (5) and Russell Westbrook (4) as the only players in NBA history to record a triple-double 20 times in a season.


Nuggets Defeat Kings, 132-123 ๐Ÿคก๐Ÿคก๐Ÿคก

Denver leads all teams with 27 games of at least 120 points scored.

Nikola Jokic recorded his fifth straight triple-double, finishing with 35 points, 22 rebounds, 17 assists and two blocks.

All five Nuggets starters had at least 18 points apiece.

Domantas Sabonis had 23 points, 19 rebounds and eight assists.


Nikola Jokic is Not Human. One of the Shots of the Season๐Ÿคฉ๐Ÿคก๐Ÿ˜ฑ

The three-time MVP is posting an absurd stat line in a rivalry game with the Kings, but this shot is truly ridiculous.

It’s being marked as a 66-footer. What?!

The big man has 22 points, 21 rebounds and 15 assists at the end of the third quarter.

It’s his fifth straight triple-double, and they’ve all been recorded before the fourth quarter.

How is this stuff I’m writing even possible?


Ageless LeBron James๐Ÿ‘‘๐Ÿ‘‘

King James throws down this monster jam in a rivalry game against Boston.

LeBron has eight points, six rebounds and two assists early on.

Los Angeles leads Boston, 40-30.

Tune into TNT!

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celticsย (TNT/TruTV, Live)


Bucks Defeat Heat, 125-96 ๐ŸฆŒ๐ŸฆŒ๐ŸฆŒ

Damian Lillard led Milwaukee with 29 points, nine rebounds and 11 assists.

Giannis Antetokounmpo accrued 25 points, 12 rebounds and four assists.

Kel’el Ware led Miami with 22 points and 10 rebounds.

Tyler Herro tallied 21 points, three rebounds and nine assists.


Mavs Defeat Thunder, 121-115 ๐Ÿค ๐Ÿค ๐Ÿค 

While Dallas was a huge underdog without Luka Doncic, they snapped OKC’s 13-game home winning streak with this road upset.

Spencer Dinwiddie led Dallas with 28 points on 11-of-14 shooting.

PJ Washington provided 22 points, 19 rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Kyrie Irving collected 24 points, three rebounds and four assists.

Jalen Williams led OKC with a career-high 33 points, four rebounds, seven assists and four steals.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 31 points and seven assists.


Raptors Defeat Hawks, 122-119 ๐Ÿฆ–๐Ÿฆ–๐Ÿฆ–

This is just Toronto’s second road win of the season.

Scottie Barnes led the Raptors with 25 points, six rebounds and three assists.

Jakob Poeltl provided 17 points, nine rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks.

Dyson Daniels led the Hawks with 22 points, eight rebounds, five assists and four steals.


Blazers Defeat Magic, 101-79 ๐Ÿž๐Ÿž๐Ÿž

Portland snags upset win in Orlando, marking their third straight victory.

That’s the fewest points Portland has allowed since 2017.

Anfernee Simons led the way with 21 points, three rebounds and three assists.

Toumani Camara collected 16 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks.

Franz Wagner made his return to action, leading Orlando with 20 points and four rebounds.


Raptors Lead Hawks at the Half, 65-59๐Ÿฆ–๐Ÿฆ–๐Ÿฆ–

Gradey Dick leads Toronto with 13 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Scottie Barnes has 12 points, four rebounds and three assists.

Dyson Daniels leads Atlanta with 15 ppints, five rebounds and four assists.


Trail Blazers Lead Magic at the Half, 47-39๐ŸŒฒ๐ŸŒฒ๐ŸŒฒ

Portland is looking for an upset win against Orlando.

This is the first time Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero have played together in two months,

Anfernee Simons leads the way with 12 points, two rebounds and two assists.

Wagner has 10 points and three boards in his return.


Western Conference All-Star Starters Announced๐ŸŒŸ๐ŸŒŸ๐ŸŒŸ๐ŸŒŸ๐ŸŒŸ

This is Stephen Curry’s 11th All-Star appearance.

This is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s third All-Star appearance.

This is Kevin Durant’s 15th All-Star appearance.

This is LeBron James’ 21st All-Star appearance. (21 straight)

This is Nikola Jokic’s seventh All-Star appearance.


Eastern Conference All-Star Starters Announced๐ŸŒŸ๐ŸŒŸ๐ŸŒŸ๐ŸŒŸ๐ŸŒŸ

This is Giannis Antetokounmpo’s ninth All-Star appearance.

This is Karl-Anthony Town’s fifth All-Star appearance.

This is Jayson Tatum’s sixth All-Star appearance.

This is Jalen Brunson’s second All-Star appearance.

This is Donovan Mitchell’s sixth All-Star appearance.


Rivalry Week Continues… LAL vs. BOS๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ†

The two most storied franchises in NBA history match up tonight.

They’ve combined for 35 titles and showcase some of the best superstars in our sport.

The statistics speak for themselves when looking at the dominance of these franchises.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celticsย (TNT/TruTV, 10:00 ET)


Spurs Defeat Pacers in France, 140-110ย  ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿฅ–๐Ÿฅ ๐Ÿ—ผ

The NBA sent the best French player to showcase his talents in Paris, and Victor Wembanyama carried San Antonio to a dominant win.

The Spurs rode a 45-23 third quarter to this blowout victory.

Wemby finished with 30 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and five blocks.

Devin Vassell had 25 points, three rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks.


Franz Wagner Back in Action๐Ÿง™๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿ”ฎ๐Ÿช„

Paolo Banchero returned from an oblique issue just last week, and Wagner is returning from the same injury tonight.

Wagner is averaging 24.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.7 steals per game.

These two youngsters are having a breakout season, and Magic fans can’t wait to see them back together.

They host the Portland Trail Blazers.

Orlando Magic vs. Portland Trail Blazersย (League Pass, 7:00 ET)


Top Storylines ๐Ÿ‘‰๐Ÿ“

1. Lakers and Celtics renew rivalry. These franchises have dominated the NBA over the last 100 years, with Boston winning 18 titles and Los Angeles taking down 17. The next highest team only has seven, and it should be fun watching these storied franchises battle with superstars like LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Jayson Tatum taking the floor.
2. Nuggets and Kings look to slow each other down. Denver comes into this matchup winning seven of their last eight games, winning by double-digit margins in 12 straight victories. Sacramento has been just as good, entering this game winning 10 of their last 11 outings.
3. Thunder host shorthanded Mavs. OKC now has the best record in the NBA, sitting at 36-7. They have only lost two games since December 1, posting a 21-2 record in that span. Dallas is trying to cope without Luka Doncic, entering this matchup losing five of their last six outings.

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