Porzingis, Risacher to miss at least another week
Kristaps Porzingis and Zaccharie Risacher will miss at least another week for the Atlanta Hawks while recovering from injuries.
Month: January 2026
Lakers' Luka Doncic named NBA All-Star Game starter, LeBron James waits for reserve call
Lakers' Luka Doncic named NBA All-Star Game starter, LeBron James waits for reserve call
Lakers guard Luka Doncic was voted as a Western Conference starter for the NBA’s All-Star team, becoming the 15th player in NBA history to earn six all-star selections before the age of 27.
Doncic, who received his fifth starting nod, leads the league in scoring (33.3), is fourth in assists (8.6), is making 46.4% of his shots and is hitting 33.7% of his three pointers.
He received the most votes of the All-Stars with 3,402,967.
The other West starters are Golden State’s Stephen Curry, Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Denver’s Nikola Jokic and San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama.
Read more:Deandre Ayton has big night as he and Luka Doncic return and Lakers run past Raptors
The Eastern Conference starters are Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, who received the most votes in the East and the second-most in the league (3,218, 390); Boston’s Jaylen Brown; New York’s Jalen Brunson; Detroit’s Cade Cummingham; and Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey.
The All-Stars were selected by fans, players and media votes with obligation to fill specific positions on each roster.
Lakers forward LeBron James was not voted as a starter, but he still has a chance to be a reserve when the NBA coaches pick the reserves later this month.
James has been named an All-Star team starter an NBA-record 21 times, eight times as a Laker.
He missed the first 14 games of the season recovering from a sciatica injury, but has been playing at a high level since his return.
James is averaging 22.6 points per game, 6.9 assists and 5.9 assists in his NBA-record 23rd season.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves had been playing at an All-Star level, averaging career-high in points (26.6) points, assists (6.3) and rebounds (5.2) and his shooting 50.7 percent from the field and 36.5 percent from three-point range, but he has missed the 12 games with a left calf strain.
The All-Star game will be played at the Clippers’ home arena, the Intuit Dome, on Feb. 15. It no longer will feature an East versus West matchup.
The new format will be a three-team tournament that will feature two U.S. teams and one world team from the total of 24 players selected.
The U.S. will have 16 players and the world will have eight, of which Doncic will be on because he is from Slovenia.
The teams then play a round-robin of 12-minute games, with the top two teams advancing to the final 12-minute championship game.
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Lakers rule out Luka (groin) against Trail Blazers
Lakers rule out Luka (groin) against Trail Blazers
Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic will miss Saturday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers because of left groin soreness, the team announced Friday.
Curry’s ’22 Finals Game 6 jersey sells for $2.45M
Curry’s ’22 Finals Game 6 jersey sells for $2.45M
The jersey Stephen Curry wore in the championship-clinching Game 6 of the 2022 NBA Finals has been sold privately for $2.45 million.
Morant returns, lifts Grizz past Magic in London
Morant returns, lifts Grizz past Magic in London
Ja Morant had 24 points and 13 assists in his return to the lineup to lead the Grizzlies to a 126-109 victory over the Magic on Sunday in the first NBA regular-season game in London since 2019.
Grizzlies beat Magic as NBA returns to London
Grizzlies beat Magic as NBA returns to London
The Memphis Grizzlies cruised to a 126-109 victory over the Orlando Magic in the first NBA regular-season match to be hosted in London since 2019.
The Grizzlies, who have struggled for consistency this season, raced into early domination at the O2 Arena, leading by 17 points late into the first quarter.
From there it became an even contest, with the score difference varying little in the last three quarters and the Magic’s hopes of a fightback limited by the Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies were inspired by star point guard Ja Morant on his return from an ankle sprain that resulted in him missing six matches. His name received the loudest cheer from the London crowd before the tip-off.
Morant put up 20 points in the first half, 15 of which came in the second quarter.
He was only due to make a limited appearance on his return but played for 28 minutes as he scored 24 points, with team-mate Jock Landale adding 21 from the bench.
Wendell Carter Jr impressed for the Magic with 18 points, while team-mate Paolo Banchero added 16 points, eight rebounds and nine assists in a 36-minute outing.
The return to London was the second part of a double-header between the two sides, with the Magic beating the Grizzles 118-111 on Thursday in Berlin.
NBA glam comes to London
As part of the stardom that the NBA attracts, courtside was full of famous faces, including footballers Virgil van Dijk and Declan Rice, Formula One driver Kimi Antonelli and actress Rosamund Pike.
Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry was also sat in close proximity to the Orlando bench throughout the match, alongside NBA legend Tony Parker.
Both Henry and Pike received cheers from the crowd in atmosphere akin to that of an American game at times. An even better atmosphere would have likely come had it been a more even contest.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan was shown on screen, met with a huge chorus of boos, which quickly turned to cheers when the camera swiftly switched to show former Real Madrid and Brazil footballer Marcelo.
Ahead of tip-off, NBA greats John Amaechi and Steve Nash both addressed the crowd on court, with Desmond Bane and Santi Aldama, of the Magic and Grizzlies respectively, also thanking the fans for their support.
American singer Vanessa Williams sung the US national anthem before the game, but was interrupted by one shout in the crowd of “leave Greenland alone” amid Donald Trump’s threats to take over the Danish territory.
What next for the NBA in Europe?
A win for Memphis in London marks the end of the NBA’s two-match stay in Europe.
In 2027, Manchester will host its first regular-season match, joining up with Paris to host a double-header next January. Paris and Berlin will both host matches in 2028.
Long term, the NBA has plans to launch an independent European league that could start as early as the 2027-28 campaign, with conversations currently ongoing with potential investors, sponsors and stakeholders over how that could look.
The NBA has faced resistance from EuroLeague, the continent’s current primary club competition.
EuroLeague has threatened the NBA with legal action, should it approach any current EuroLeague clubs over joining the formation of a new division.
Real Madrid and Alba Berlin both played in last season’s EuroLeague. While Real Madrid remain a EuroLeague team, Alba Berlin withdrew from the competition after 24 years at the start of this season. Both are understood to be open to joining NBA Europe.
By the time Manchester’s Co-op Live hosts an NBA match next January, there will be a much clearer picture over if the league is happening, how it will look and when it is expected to launch.
Finley Bizjack scores 25 points to lead Butler over No. 25 Seton Hall 77-66
Finley Bizjack scores 25 points to lead Butler over No. 25 Seton Hall 77-66
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Finley Bizjack scored 25 points and Butler snapped a four-game losing streak with a 77-66 win over No. 25 Seton Hall on Saturday.
Bizjack was 4 of 7 from 3-point range and 7 of 7 from the line.
Azavier Robinson added 14 points and Michael Ajayi scored 13, the 17th time this season he has scored in double figures for Butler (11-7, 2-5 Big East).
AJ Staton-McCray led Seton Hall (14-4, 4-3) with 17 points. Mike Williams and freshman Najai Hines chipped in with 11 points each. Hines also pulled down 16 rebounds.
The Pirates closed to 63-57 with 4:02 to play, but Ajayi and Drayton Jones, who scored 11 points, each scored two from the free throw line to put the Bulldogs up 67-57.
The Pirates shot only 17.6% from behind the 3-point arc (3-of-17). It was their second straight poor performance from long range. They were 1 of 16 in a 69-64 loss to No. 3 UConn on Tuesday.
The Bulldogs outscored Seton Hall 15-8 to start the second half to increase their lead to 49-32.
Seton Hall was picked to finish last in the Big East pre-season poll conducted by the coaches following a 25-loss season last year — the most in program history.
The Pirates are appearing in The Associated Press Top 25 poll for the first time in four years with an overhauled roster that features 10 new players.
Butler closed the first half on a 15-4 run to take a 34-24 advantage. Bizjack contributed six of his 14 first-half points in the run on two 3-pointers.
Up next
Butler hosts DePaul on Tuesday.
Seton Hall is at St. John’s on Tuesday.
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Kentucky completes another second-half comeback to stun No. 24 Tennessee, 80-78
Kentucky completes another second-half comeback to stun No. 24 Tennessee, 80-78
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Denzel Aberdeen scored 22 points, 18 in the second half, and Kentucky rallied from a 17-point first-half deficit to knock off No. 24 Tennessee, 80-78, on Saturday.
Trailing 80-78 with 2.6 seconds left, Tennessee’s Ja’Kobi Gillespie went to the free throw line for one shot. He intentionally missed, and teammate Jaylen Carey got the rebound in a scrum. His attempt to tie the game at the buzzer was stuffed by several Wildcats players.
After the buzzer, pushing and shoving in front of the Tennessee bench ensued. Players from both teams were quickly separated.
It was the second time this week that the Wildcats (12-6, 3-2 Southeastern Conference) won after being down in the second half by at least 17 points. They trailed Auburn by 18 on Wednesday night before winning by one.
Otega Oweh, Jasper Johnson and Collin Chandler all scored 12 points and Mohammed Dioubate added 10.
Gillespie scored 24 points for the Volunteers (12-6, 2-3). Nat Ament added 17.
Gillespie had 14 points at halftime and Tennessee’s physicality was obvious in the Vols’ 42-31 advantage. Tennessee dominated the boards, 20-12, and led 8-1 in offensive rebounds.
Next up
Kentucky: The Wildcats will host Texas on Wednesday.
Tennessee: The Vols have a week off before they travel to Alabama next Saturday.
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Zvonimir Ivisic scores 18 points and Keaton Wagler adds 17 as No. 13 Illinois beats Minnesota 77-67
Zvonimir Ivisic scores 18 points and Keaton Wagler adds 17 as No. 13 Illinois beats Minnesota 77-67
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Zvonimir Ivisic scored 18 points and pulled down nine rebounds off the bench and Keaton Wagler had 17 points to lead No. 13 Illinois to a 77-67 victory over Minnesota on Saturday.
David Mirkovic and Tomislav Ivisic each scored 10 points, all in the second half, for the Illini (15-3, 6-1 Big Ten), who won their seventh straight.
It was the 10th consecutive game that Wagler scored in double figures. He’s had at least 16 points in nine of those games.
Andrej Stojakovic scored seven points for Illinois, which gave him 1,000 for his career. He played at Stanford and California before joining the Illini this year.
Jaylen Crocker-Johnson scored 22 points and had eight rebounds for the Gophers (10-8, 3-4), who have lost three straight after a five-game winning streak.
Crocker-Johnson tallied Minnesota’s first 11 points, including triples on the Gophers’ first two possessions that caused Illinois coach Brad Underwood to call a timeout only 1:12 into the game.
Cade Tyson had 15 points and eight rebounds for Minnesota before the Big Ten’s second-leading scorer fouled out with 52 seconds left. Langston Reynolds had 11 points for the Gophers.
The teams were tied 34-34 at halftime, with Illinois shooting only 34% from the field. The Illini erased a 56-55 Minnesota lead midway through the second half with a 10-0 run and never trailed again.
Illinois is off to its best 18-game start since it also went 15-3 to begin the 2011-12 season.
The Illini have won nine in a row against Minnesota in a streak that began in 2019. Saturday’s game was the 200th meeting between the teams. The Illini lead the series 132-68, including 77-19 at home.
Up next
Minnesota: At Ohio State on Tuesday.
Illinois: Hosts Maryland on Wednesday.
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Wizards vs Kings Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game
Wizards vs Kings Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game
The Washington Wizards traded for Trae Young with the long term in view, and his impact is already being felt before he takes the court. “Felt” as in, Washington is quickly improving its lottery odds because of what it gave up in that trade.
My Wizards vs. Kings predictions recognize how bad everything is in Washington.
Find out more in my NBA picks for January 16.
Wizards vs Kings prediction
Wizards vs Kings best bet: Kings -7 (-110)
The Washington Wizards are 0-4 against the spread in their last four games and 1-5 in their last six, falling short of bookmakers’ expectations by an average of 8.25 points per game since trading for Trae Young.
Well, the more precise thought there would be since trading away CJ McCollum. The veteran shooting guard had scored double digits in every game since November 7, with his reliability and leadership more needed than known.
That may sound abstract or intangible, but Washington has a young roster to start with, one lacking thorough talent. Pouring 24 or more minutes into Malaki Branham for two of those games as a McCollum replacement is not a recipe for success.
Wizards vs Kings same-game parlay
DeMar DeRozan averaged 17.4 points in 11 games alongside Domantas Sabonis this season, a distinct drop from the 19.8 he has averaged in 30 games without Sabonis.
As the Sacramento Kings’ cornerstone returns to the lineup, he’ll overlap with DeRozan’s midrange game, though Sabonis may himself be rusty.
Wizards vs Kings SGP
- Kings -7
- DeMar DeRozan Under 20.5 points
- Domantas Sabonis Under 13.5 points
Our “from downtown” SGP: Under thunder
Sacramento has cashed seven Unders in its last 11 games, a stretch that very much overlaps with Washington cashing eight Unders in its last 10 games.
Wizards vs Kings SGP
- Kings -7
- DeMar DeRozan Under 20.5 Points
- Domantas Sabonis Under 13.5 Points
- Under 233.5
Wizards vs Kings odds
- Spread: Wizards +7 | Kings -7
- Moneyline: Wizards +220 | Kings -270
- Over/Under: Over 233.5 | Under 233.5
Wizards vs Kings betting trend to know
The Kings are 3-0 against the spread in their last three, exceeding bookmakers’ expectations by an average of 23.8 points in three outright upset wins. Find more NBA betting trends for Wizards vs. Kings.
How to watch Wizards vs Kings
| Location | Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA |
| Date | Friday, January 16, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 10:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | MNMT, NBC Sports California |
Wizards vs Kings latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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