After a few days of being asked about why they kept struggling in fourth quarters, the Sixers dominated the Indiana Pacers in the final frame on Monday night to get back in the win column.
Adam Aaronson
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Instant observations: Tyrese Maxey nabs eight steals, leading Sixers to a win powered by defense
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Hornets’ variability spotlighted on trip: ‘We can beat any team in the NBA’
Miles Bridges of the Charlotte Hornets.
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Anticipating the potential of the feat happening during a lengthy road trip, Miles Bridges was asked about climbing the statistical charts of the Charlotte Hornets.
Bridges was closing in on moving past Larry Johnson and Gerald Wallace to trail only Kemba Walker and Dell Curry on the franchise’s all-time scoring list, something that became reality in Sunday night’s 110-87 victory over the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena.
“That means a lot at the same time because those guys put in hard work, and they actually made the playoffs here,” Bridges said. “So, that just shows my loyalty to this team and their loyalty to me. That’s big for me. I just want to continue to keep climbing up the ranks, but at the same time, I want to help us win.”
Bridges, who needed just one point entering the night to slide into third place among Hornets scorers, did just that against Denver. He surpassed Wallace early in the first quarter, reaching the 7,438-point mark with a swooping, spinning layup.
Miles Bridges of the Charlotte Hornets. Jacob Kupferman Getty Images “It means a lot,” Bridges said after the game. “Coming where I come from, not a lot of people get to accomplish their dreams. I’m still doing that still playing at a high level and I thank God for that and I thank my teammates and my coaches for believing in me.”
Bridges’ milestone came at the end of a lengthy road trip for the Hornets (16-27) that spanned nine days and concluded at the base of the Rocky Mountains. The team quickly put a loss to Golden State on the back burner and mashed their foots on the Nuggets’ necks early, never trailing a team that was without injured star Nikola Jokić.
“From jump street, it was great to see the defensive physicality, the intention to have each other’s back was huge,” coach Charles Lee said. “You could see it early in the game. The connected defense was there. … Finishing possessions as a group was really good.
“And I thought that offensively, we did a great job of playing a little bit more together. And I’m really proud of the group for finishing the road trip on a high note.”
It was a trek chock-full of lessons learned for the Hornets. How specifically?
“I think that one of the things that I have talked to our staff about is just how I think we’ve gotten better and better as this road trip has gone on,” Lee said. “It just shows the level of maturity that I think that our group has right now. The level of being obsessed with daily improvement, at the end of the day. We have taken advantage of every game that we’ve had out here, but also every day, every practice day that we’ve had as well.”
As for a synopsis of their excursion traversing the Mountain and Pacific time zones, Lee noted the up-and-down nature of his team that included a rough outing against Golden State preceding the date with Denver.
“Starting with a really good win in Utah, then tough loss in L.A. versus the Clippers,” he said. “I thought that we learned from some of the things that happened in that game. And then we were a lot better versus the Lakers. And then not great (Saturday) night, but even not playing great from a tactical standpoint, it was a 3-point game. And then obviously Draymond Green hit that corner three.
“So, really proud of the group. … Our group is still competing their tails off.”
In a nutshell, the road trip fully embodies the Hornets inconsistencies, adding to a pattern that’s become even more noticeable over the course of the past two weeks given who’ve they’ve played.
This latest stretch all came on the heels of following up one of the best wins — not just of the season, but statistically in franchise history — in Oklahoma City with that pair of duds at home against Toronto and Indiana.
Handling adversity and success is a work in progress for the Hornets.
“I think that they all have a level of humble confidence and understanding that we are a good team and when we play the way that we need to play on both ends of the floor, we can beat any team in the NBA,” Lee said. “But we also have to have that humility that when we don’t play as hard as we need to, or we don’t play as together as we need to, or we don’t lock in on the things that are important for winning games, then we can be beat.
“I think that this group just has a great sense of what that looks like.”
Up next
After a couple of days off, the Hornets host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night in Charlotte’s only nationally-televised game on ESPN this season. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Roderick Boone
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Nuggets clobbered by young Hornets on back-to-back, David Adelman gets riled at substitution gamesmanship
The Nuggets’ short-handed winning streak is over, but the sting was dull.
Down by 18 in the first quarter and 30 by the end of the third, Denver threw in the towel by keeping everyone’s minutes to a minimum in a 110-87 loss to the Hornets on Sunday at Ball Arena. The Nuggets (29-14) fell to 7-4 without the injured Nikola Jokic going into their first meeting of the season with the Lakers on Tuesday.
“It’s flushed. There’s not much we could do about it,” Jamal Murray said. “Just felt like we were undersized. Undermanned. The whole game. … Take the rest and refocus for a really good L.A. team.”
Charlotte’s rout snapped a four-game win streak for Denver, which was missing four of its usual starters after deciding to sit Aaron Gordon for the second night of a back-to-back. He was out alongside Jokic, Christian Braun, Cam Johnson and backup center Jonas Valanciunas. In their 10th full game without a traditional center and with no help on the way via the 10-day market, the Nuggets were outscored 62-32 in the paint.
Murray scored 16 points in 25 minutes. Peyton Watson added 11 points and three blocks in 28 minutes. The burgeoning star forward was battered and bruised throughout the night, playing through brief injury scares to a knee and an elbow.
Denver shot 40.5% from the field and 21% from the 3-point line against a young Charlotte squad that has ranked second in the NBA in offensive efficiency over the last 15 games. Still, the Hornets were on a back-to-back of their own after playing at Golden State.
They were led by 23 points from Brandon Miller and 14 from Kon Knueppel, who’s challenging his former Duke teammate Cooper Flagg for Rookie of the Year honors.
“Unbelievable. And (he) plays like he’s 28,” Nuggets coach David Adelman said. “Offensively, just takes his time. He’s just quick enough to get where he wants to get. And he’s super crafty in the paint. He looks like someone that, like I said, has been around for a long time. … Him and Flagg on the same team last year, to me, is just insane thinking about it.”
The Nuggets felt their lack of size on both legs of the back-to-back. They lost the rebounding battle 61-36 to Charlotte, one day after getting crushed 27-4 by Washington on second-chance points.
Adelman tried to navigate his lack of a center by matching minutes, but Hornets coach Charles Lee countered by disguising his substitutions. Back and forth the young coaches went, highlighted by the game’s only bit of drama at the start of the second quarter.
Lee made a last-second swap between Ryan Kalkbrenner and Moussa Diabate that Adelman wanted to answer by putting DaRon Holmes II on the floor instead of Zeke Nnaji, but the officials didn’t allow Adelman to make his corresponding change because, as he described it, “I didn’t get him on the ice in time.”
Adelman proceeded to use a timeout five seconds into the quarter so that he could yell at referee Josh Tiven, who allowed him to say his piece without issuing a technical foul. Adelman ended up subbing out Nnaji after a 12-second stint of playing time.
Then in a sequence that summed up the Nuggets’ night, Holmes quickly got into foul trouble and had to be removed anyway.
“That’s something that they’ve gotta think about in the league,” Adelman said. “That should be a delay of game on both of us. I’m trying to match somebody up with somebody else. They literally were hockey subbing back and forth. So I did. And then they decided to put the ball inbounds while I was still hockey subbing. … And Charles and I, we’re not trying to screw with the game. It’s just, I was trying to get a matchup. He was trying to get a matchup.
“At some point, they have to tell us both, ‘You’re getting a delay,’ or they’ve gotta tell us to put five people on the court. So I was ultra-confused, and I had to use a timeout to get my point across, which is not good in a game you’re trailing.”
Bennett Durando
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Why LaMelo Ball came off bench in Hornets’ loss to Steph Curry-led Golden State
LaMelo Ball of the Charlotte Hornets looks to shoot the ball against Buddy Hield of the Golden State Warriors in the third quarter at Chase Center.
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LaMelo Ball registered another stint as a reserve.
This time around, it came on the front end of a back-to-back.
Instead of starting in Saturday night’s 136-116 loss to the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center, the Charlotte Hornets’ star guard came off the bench for the second time this season, still keeping in tune with the staff’s attempt to maximize his availability in the fourth quarter.
Just over a week ago, when the Hornets first unveiled the idea of Ball not being in the game-opening lineup on consecutive nights, he didn’t start on the tail end against Indiana after being in his customary starting spot when they hosted Toronto 24 hours earlier.
With the Hornets taking on Denver on Sunday to conclude a lengthy nine-day, five-game road trip, coach Charles Lee elected to switch up the rotation and had Sion James open things in the backcourt alongside Brandon Miller. Ball posted 15 points to go with four rebounds and a pair of assists in 21 minutes, but there wasn’t much of a need for him in crunch time versus Golden State because the Hornets couldn’t keep pace with the Warriors.
Ball’s buddy, Miles Bridges, inched closer to climbing up the franchise ladder in a key category.
Bridges moved into a tie with Gerald Wallace for third place on the Hornets’ all-time scoring list. Bridges’ nine-point effort against the Warriors (24-19) left him at 7,437.
He still has a ways to go, though, before reaching second place thanks to the 9,839 points Dell Curry posted in his 10 seasons in purple and teal.
“Very proud for what Miles has been able to accomplish,” Lee said. “Obviously, some of it was before I got here, but it’s just testament to his availability, his durability, playing in so many games. Being able to have consistent effort, being able to have consistent production from a scoring standpoint … I’ve seen him grow.”
Head coach Charles Lee of the Charlotte Hornets looks on during a timeout during the game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center. Lachlan Cunningham Getty Images In more than one area. It’s been noticeable for Lee.
“We talk about his vocal leadership,” Lee said, “but I think even for him, he’s had to take at times not as many play calls come his way. And I think that he is so willing to allow an extra play call to go to Brandon (Miller), or Kon (Knueppel) or to Melo. And he just plays so well off of those guys within the flow of the game without trying to force it.
“I think last year early in the year as he was trying to find his way at times, he would take a frustration shot or a shot like I haven’t touched it in a while. Common in the NBA. But I feel like he’s grown a ton with his just emotional maturity to understand what does the game need of him and what do we need of him. He’s just becoming such a well-rounded and mature scorer.”
Here’s what else of the note the Hornets (15-27) had to say in San Francisco:
On what caused the slow start:
“I think they got a lot of second-chance points,” Brandon Miller said. “I think we’ve just got to control our controllables. As far as the game and the shot making, we can’t really control that, but we control how many attempts they get, how many possessions they get and all the extra possessions. So, controlling that would be good.”
On Brandon Miller’s growth:
“He’s made huge (gains) this year,” Lee said. “And two things come to mind. No. 1, his mindset. Wanting to become an elite two-way player. I feel like he has said that more and more this year and he’s actually really embracing it, and he’s actually having the actions behind it to show how badly he wants to do that. And the second thing is just his overall strength and physicality.
I think that that was a thing for him last year, especially when Melo and Miles were out. He had to take on a huge offensive load, I think he was getting the best defender and at times played well. Just the physicality of the game, when you have the best defender on you, kind of wore on him.
So this summer, it was a point of emphasis for him to get a little bit stronger to combat the physicality. … We’re seeing it more and more. On the defensive end I’m seeing him be more physical taking on some of the best players.”
On LaMelo Ball balancing playing on ball and of the ball:
“The word balance is really important,” Lee said. “I think any really good offense probably has a lot of balance in terms of who you are playing through and what kind of actions you are playing out of. But I think Melo’s done a great job of getting into the open court. He’s looking to be aggressive, and his head is always up and he’s looking for a Brandon (Miller) lob, he’s looking for a Miles (Bridges) lob, he’s looking for a Kon (Knueppel) early 3.
“He’s really done a great job of having the balance in the open court. And I think in transition, he understands in the halfcourt set when his number is called he can make some things happen. But he’s done a really good job of facilitating and finding that balance of when he needs to score and kind of understanding where the game is, too, and what we need out of him.”
Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets shoots the ball against Quinten Post of the Golden State Warriors in the third quarter at Chase Center. Lachlan Cunningham Getty Images On what has improved in crunch time lately:
“The first thing that I’ve noticed from our group,” Lee said, “is defensively they’ve grown a lot and just gained a better understanding about the flow of the game, who’s got it going, what plays that they’ve been running. I’ve just realized that the heightened sense of awareness has definitely been raised with our group. It’s really good to see. The communication from the group continues to get better on that end, too.
“Just finishing possessions I see a physicality that might not have been there consistently at the beginning of the year. We understand the importance of trying to finish with urgent contests. … Offensively, our execution continues to get better down the stretch. We have to continue to grow in that area. But I do think we are taking positive steps forward.”
Roderick Boone
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Jalen Brunson’s status looms large for slumping Knicks vs Suns
Just five minutes into a road matchup against the Sacramento Kings, the struggling New York Knicks lost Jalen Brunson to an ankle injury. Eventually, he was ruled out for the remainder of the game with an ankle sprain.
The next-day diagnosis would suggest the Knicks weren’t losing Brunson to a long-term setback, but a positive injury update couldn’t erase the fact that a poor effort in Sacramento led to a 112-101 loss against a team the Knicks knew they should’ve defeated.
Since the start of 2026, the Knicks are 2-6. They went from in-season champions to being in a slump. Without Brunson against the Golden State Warriors on January 15, the Knicks were dominated with a 126-113 loss. That was their second loss in a row.
Could Jalen Brunson Return to the Lineup?
There’s a chance. On Friday night, the Knicks’ initial injury report listed Brunson as questionable to play on Saturday night against the Phoenix Suns.
Brunson will likely have to go through his morning shootaround and pregame warmup routine before deciding on his final status for the evening. Obviously, the All-Star will push to play, but the Knicks can’t further risk his health. He’s too important, and they aren’t strong enough without him.
The Knicks didn’t have to play without the MVP-caliber guard much this year. Brunson missed two games in mid-November, and the Knicks split those matchups with a win and a loss. There was a lone absence on December 23, and that’s it before Brunson’s recent ankle injury.
In 37 games this season, Brunson has averaged 28.2 points, 6.1 assists, and 2.7 rebounds. He is shooting 48 percent from the field and 38 percent from three.
The Knicks will get clarity on Brunson’s final playing status soon enough. The Knicks and the Suns are set for a 7:30 PM ET tip-off on Saturday night. New York is looking to climb out of a two-game skid, while Phoenix is in a similar boat.
For all the latest NBA news and rumors, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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Warriors instant analysis: Jimmy Butler outmuscles Knicks in chippy victory
SAN FRANCISCO – The Warriors were playing mere hours after one of their players asked for a trade. The Knicks were coming off a loss to hapless Sacramento the night before. Should there have been any surprise that both sides played with a hint of angst on Thursday night at Chase Center?
OK, maybe a little more than a little angst. Within a single 16-second stretch early in the fourth quarter of Golden State’s 126-113 victory, the officials initiated three separate reviews for possible flagrant fouls.
Draymond Green earned his second flagrant of the season when review showed he grabbed Karl-Anthony Towns’ ankle on a drive, while Brandin Podziemski and Towns avoided the harsh infraction.
So of course, it was a man who has a self-professed affection for confrontation who starred for the Warriors.
Jimmy Butler put up a hard-earned 32 points, eight rebounds and four assists against his old teammate-turned-enemy Towns, while Steph Curry poured in 27 points and seven assists. Moses Moody made seven 3-pointers to score 21, and Podziemski threw in 19 points of the bench.
“You attack and attack, and then you guard on the other end,” Butler said after putting up 22 shots and making 14 of them.
Towns scored 17 and grabbed 20 rebounds for New York, while Mikal Bridges scored 21 and OG Anunoby scored 25.
Golden State Warriors’ Brandin Podziemski (2) reacts after he collided with a New York Knicks player in the fourth quarter of an NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) Golden State, with an engaged and active Kuminga on the bench after he asked for a trade earlier in the day, was playing the fifth of an eight-game homestand but came out flat.
The Knicks were playing the final leg of a four-game road trip, and were without their best player Jalen Brunson (28.2 points per game) and backup center Mitchell Robinson. Miles McBride scored 25 starting in Brunson’s place.
New York jumped out to a 33-19 lead midway through the first quarter, using their speed advantage to create a plethora of open shots.
Golden State did not stay dormant. Butler scored nine points in the quarter and led a second unit that cut the deficit to just 35-30 by the end of the quarter. The teams then traded leads for the majority of the second quarter and the Warriors went to halftime up 62-59.
“Jimmy was incredible tonight,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “He’s so good, he’s so dominant in a very subtle way. he just controlst heg ame, he never turns it over, creates shots for other people.”
A great stretch from the starting five to begin the third quarter (more on that later) was a large reason Golden State led 99-87 after three quarters.
The Warriors (23-19), after many replay reviews, finished off their fourth win in five games. They will greet Curry’s hometown team, the Charlotte Hornets, on Saturday.
“We’re doing what we’re supposed to dot develop an identity,” Curry said. “We’re trying to create a little bit of a run, especially in this homestand … I like where we’re at, I like the vibes, I like the idea of how we’re playing.
Same starting lineup, interesting results
Golden State Warriors’ Quinten Post (21) blocks a shot to New York Knicks’ OG Anunoby (8) in the first quarter of an NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) When Quinten Post checked out with 6:55 left in the first quarter, the Warriors were down 21-11 as the Knicks drove into the paint and sprayed passes to open shooters at will.
This was nothing new for the starting five, which over the last month has put up an abysmal minus-1.3 net rating (113.5 offensive rating and 114.8 defensive rating). The Warriors’ rally began once Post and Moody were phased out for Melton and Gary Payton II.
The second half was a different story. The Warriors were up 81-72 when Post exited for Al Horford, the team outscoring the Knicks 19-13 during the stretch.
Melton-mania
Golden State Warriors’ De’Anthony Melton (8) dribbles around as Golden State Warriors’ Jimmy Butler III (10) blocks New York Knicks’ Tyler Kolek (13) in the second quarter of an NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) De’Anthony Melton, minutes restriction be darned as he returns to 100% after ACL rehab, has quietly become the Warriors’ top scorer off the bench. He entered the night having scored in double figures in four consecutive games, including efforts of 22 and 23 points despite only playing around 25 minutes a night.
The combo guard has also become a fixture in Steve Kerr’s crunch time lineup as the team’s designated point of attack defender next to Steph Curry.
He was quieter against New York on the scoresheet (five points) but contributed in other ways, putting up two blocks. He was a stellar plus-17 in 23 minutes played.
Santos injured
Golden State Warriors’ Gui Santos (15) reacts after losing possession of the ball in the third quarter of their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) Third-year wing Gui Santos has been a source of energy for the Warriors, often sparking the team with offensive boards and other effort plays that do not show up on the stat sheet.
But with 2:21 left in the first quarter, the Brazilian fan favorite crumpled to the floor after a collision with Josh Hart near midcourt. Santos appeared to roll his ankle.
He had to be helped off the court by team doctor Rick Celebrini, and Santos went straight back to the Warriors locker room. He was later diagnosed with a left ankle sprain. Kerr later told media that Santos didn’t expect it to be serious, but that the coach hadn’t talked to Celebrini yet.
Golden State Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga, left, Golden State Warriors’ Brandin Podziemski, right, and fellow teammates high-five the starters before an NBA game against the New York Knicks at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) 
New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown and Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) talk one another after the Golden State Warriors 126-113 win of an NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) 
Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green (23) and New York Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns (32) push away one another in the fourth quarter of an NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) 
New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown and Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) talk one another after the Golden State Warriors 126-113 win of an NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) 
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) defends New York Knicks’ Miles McBride (2) in the third quarter of an NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) 
Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green (23) blocks a shot to New York Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns (32) in the third quarter of an NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) 
Golden State Warriors’ Jimmy Butler III (10) celebrates his three-point basket against the New York Knicks in the fourth quarter of an NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) 
Golden State Warriors’ Jimmy Butler III (10) celebrates his three-point basket against the New York Knicks in the fourth quarter of an NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) 
Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green (23) grabs the foot of New York Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns (32) after falling while defending in the fourth quarter of an NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) 
Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green (23) and Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) head back to the bench during a timeout in the third quarter of an NBA game against the New York Knicks at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) 
Golden State Warriors’ De’Anthony Melton (8) drives to the hoop against New York Knicks’ Tyler Kolek (13) and New York Knicks’ Ariel Hukporti (55) in the second quarter of an NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) 
Golden State Warriors’ De’Anthony Melton (8) makes a shot against the New York Knicks in the first quarter of an NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) 
Golden State Warriors’ Jimmy Butler III (10) eyes the basket in scoring postion against New York Knicks’ Tyler Kolek (13) in the second quarter of an NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) 
Golden State Warriors’ Jimmy Butler III (10) makes a dunk against New York Knicks’ Josh Hart (3) in the first quarter of an NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) 
Golden State Stephen Curry (30) reacts after throwing a wrong pass intended to Golden State Warriors’ Jimmy Butler III (10) in the first quarter of an NBA game against the New York Knicks at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) Golden State Warriors’ Quinten Post (21) blocks a shot to New York Knicks’ OG Anunoby (8) in the first quarter of an NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) Joseph Dycus
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DraftKings Promo Code: Claim $300 Bonus For Thunder-Rockets, Any NBA Game
New customers can prepare for the highly anticipated matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets with the DraftKings promo code offer that turns a $5 bet into a $300 bonus. This is a fantastic, low-risk way for new users to get in on the action for this marquee NBA showdown on Thursday night and be ready to roll for a huge weekend of NFL Playoffs action.
DraftKings Promo Code For Thunder-Rockets, NBA Games
This welcome bonus provides an excellent opportunity for new bettors to get started. The offer is straightforward and gives you a chance to significantly boost your bankroll by correctly predicting the outcome of Thursday’s marquee matchup at the Toyota Center between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets.
Simply click through one of the links in this article to be taken to the DraftKings sign-up page. From there, create your new account, make a deposit, and place your first real-money wager on any eligible market for the Thunder vs. Rockets game. Specific minimum wager amounts (-500 odds or longer) apply. Stay within the window and flip $5 into $300 with a win.
DraftKings Promo Code Details: Bet $5, Get $300 on the NBA
This DraftKings Sportsbook promotion for new customers provides significant upside for a minimal initial investment.
For example, both sides of this Amazon Prime game are in play with the Thunder at -198 and the Rockets at +164.
In terms of using the DraftKings promo code, you should know the Oklahoma City Thunder will travel to the Toyota Center in Houston to take on the Houston Rockets in a clash of two of the league’s top-performing teams. This high-stakes matchup is scheduled for Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 6:30 PM CST.
This game features teams with high net ratings in the NBA, promising a competitive and meaningful regular-season contest. The Thunder enter as defending champions and current betting favorites to repeat, while Houston is riding momentum from their recent surge up the power rankings.
Current Offers Available For January 15
Here’s a look at some other perks within the sportsbook beyond the welcome bonus:
- NBA Mystery Thursday Offer: Get a bonus bet, SGP(x), profit boost or an all-purpose profit boost
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How To Activate This DraftKings Promo Code
Getting started with this DraftKings welcome bonus is a seamless process that does not require a promo code. Follow these steps to claim your “Bet $5, Get $300” offer ahead of the Thunder vs. Rockets game.
- Navigate to DraftKings through the links above.
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Newsweek may earn an affiliate commission if you sign up through the links in this article. See the sportsbook operator’s terms and conditions for important details. Sports betting operators have no influence over newsroom coverage.
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How to Buy Fear of God ESSENTIALS NBA Berlin & London Game Hoodies & T-Shirts
Fear of God ESSENTIALS keeps rolling out the goods when it comes to their partnership with the NBA, and the two are back again with a Berlin and London Game release.
Fear of God ESSENTIALS x NBA represents a significant moment where high-end streetwear and professional basketball culture converge. As part of a multi-year partnership between Jerry Lorenzo’s Fear of God ESSENTIALS label and the NBA and WNBA, the collaboration brings a refined, minimalist aesthetic to fan apparel, steering away from loud graphics and toward relaxed silhouettes and luxury design language.
In tandem with the NBA Europe Games stops in Berlin and London, the Fear of God ESSENTIALS x NBA collection has taken on localized forms celebrating these historic international matchups. These limited-edition releases not only commemorate the NBA’s expanding global footprint but also position Fear of God’s streetwear aesthetic squarely within the international basketball moment, blurring the lines between sport, fashion, and cultural experience.
T-shirts and hoodies are now available for the NBA Berlin and London Games, which will take place this week. The Fanatics website will continue to update its selection as new Fear of God x NBA items are released. Make sure to place your order quickly, as these collections will be in high demand.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
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Tyrese Maxey’s Evolution: From Spark Plug to Franchise Pillar – Philadelphia Sports Nation
Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images Once a spark off the bench, now the franchise pillar lighting up the league at 30.9 points per game—Maxey’s growth story is fueling the Sixers’ resurgence and a promising future in Philly.
Back in the 2020 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers landed at pick 21 and snagged a promising guard from Kentucky named Tyrese Maxey. At the time, Philly was already a playoff team stacked with stars like Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons (pre-drama era). For a late first-rounder, opportunities were slim—Maxey started as that instant-offense, change-of-pace spark off the bench. The tape showed flashes: quick first step, smooth pull-up, endless motor. But nobody predicted this kind of leap. What Maxey has become isn’t luck or inheritance—it’s earned through relentless growth, adaptability, and that signature breakneck pace.
Fast-forward five-plus seasons, and Maxey’s trajectory feels like buying Bitcoin early: steady climbs turning into explosive gains. He’s arguably a top-5 player in the league right now. Through 36 games this 2025-26 season (as of mid-January), he’s averaging 30.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game. His shooting splits? 48.0% from the field, 40.9% from three, and 87.6% from the line—edging dangerously close to that elite 50/40/90 club on massive volume (22.4 FGA, 9.2 3PA). That’s not just scoring; it’s efficient, high-level production while playing nearly 40 minutes a night as the engine.
But stats only tell part of the story. Maxey’s real glow-up shines in leadership. Embiid and Paul George have both publicly shouted him out this season—calling him the guy who’s taken over as captain. With injuries and load management hitting the bigs hard in recent years, Maxey stepped up vocally and energetically. He’s sparked a team-wide resurgence in intensity, moxie, and belief. The Sixers, sitting at 22-16 and climbing in the East standings, feel different because of his presence—constant energy, accountability, and that “we got this” vibe.
As we approach the All-Star break, Maxey’s fan voting has him locked in the top 3 in the Eastern Conference (trailing only Giannis in some tallies, neck-and-neck with others for starter status). It’s well-deserved—he’s been that consistent force. After inking his massive extension in summer 2024, the future is built around him. Pair that with this year’s draft steal, rookie VJ Edgecombe (already showing star flashes in the backcourt), and you’ve got the dream young duo every team envies. Speed, scoring, defense, chemistry—the Sixers’ guard room looks set for years.
This season, Maxey has been straight-up incredible. Whether he’s pulling off James Harden-level step-back threes from deep, blowing by defenders for acrobatic finishes at the rim, or dissecting defenses with his vision, he looks unguardable at times. Opponents are game-planning specifically around him now—doubling early, switching everything, sending help from the weak side. And he still finds ways to drop 30+ (he’s hit the mark in over half his games). That explosiveness, combined with smarter decision-making and leadership, has elevated him from bench spark to true franchise pillar.
Maxey’s not just carrying the torch—he’s lighting the way for what’s next in Philly. With Embiid and George healthy and clicking more, and Edgecombe growing fast, the ceiling feels limitless. Tyrese Maxey isn’t just evolving; he’s arrived.
Categorized: Sixers
Jake Mayson
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James Harden, Kawhi Leonard lead surging Clippers past Hornets
INGLEWOOD — James Harden has passed some of the NBA’s greatest players while moving into the top 10 on the career scoring list, but this was special.
“Definitely special,” the 11-time All-Star point guard said.
Harden overcame a slow start against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night and finished with 32 points in a 117-109 victory to move past Lakers great Shaquille O’Neal for ninth place on the NBA’s career scoring list with 28,623 points.
“Shaq is someone that I watched being a hometown kid in L.A., watching him and Kobe (Bryant) and the Lakers do some special things here for the city,” said Harden, who starred at Artesia High. “We were watching the most dominant center of all time, so it’s definitely an honor.”
It also was Harden’s 109th career game with at least 30 points and 10 assists, which ranks second all-time in the NBA.
His night wasn’t as dramatic as the last time these teams played in November, when Harden erupted for a season-high 55 points en route to a dominant victory.
This time, the Clippers needed every single one of his points and Kawhi Leonard’s game-high 35 to continue their march toward a postseason spot.
Three weeks ago, Coach Tyronn Lue told the team that the goal was to finish the rest of its season 30-25 after the team stumbled to a 6-21 start. With Monday’s win, the Clippers (16-23) have responded by winning 10 of their past 12 games. Some have been blowouts, others have been tight contests.
This one was the latter until the final five minutes when the Clippers began getting defensive stops and making shots.
“James hit back-to-back 3’s that got us going and then it was pretty much uphill for us there,” Leonard said.
After Tre Mann’s 3-pointer gave Charlotte a 100-99 lead with 7:18 left, Harden scored eight points during a 15-1 run that gave the Clippers a 13-point lead. Leonard capped the surge with an 11-foot floater with 3:16 left.
The Hornets (14-26) cut the margin to seven with 1:22 left but couldn’t get any closer.
“This is a huge win for us just to gut this one out,” Lue said. “Just everybody giving everything they got. And like I said, it starts with James and Kawhi every night, just being available, playing at a high level and trusting their guys. … It’s about finding a way to win the game.”
The Hornets were determined to try to limit Harden this time.
“The 55 happened a lot of different ways,” Hornets coach Charles Lee said before the rematch. “I think one of the biggest things when we went back and watched the film was our inability to really affect Harden. I don’t think he felt us enough.”
Harden felt the pressure early on Monday, making just four of 14 shots for 13 points in the first half, but he stepped up in the second half, scoring 19. Harden, who began the night 14 points behind O’Neal’s 28,596, moved ahead on a 3-pointer early in the third quarter.
Leonard, playing on a minutes restriction because of a sore right ankle, finished 11 for 19 from the field, which included going 5 for 9 from 3-point range in 31 minutes.
There was some concern about Leonard’s ankle before the game, with the team calling his availability a game-time decision. After his pregame workout, the team said he would play but his minutes would be capped at 30.
Leonard sprained his right ankle when he stepped on a fan’s foot while running down the sideline during a game against the New York Knicks last Wednesday, but he played against Brooklyn on Friday and Detroit on Saturday, scoring 26 points in each game.
“He’s feeling it, but we’ll see,” Lue said of Leonard’s ankle after the Knicks game.
Whether it was fatigue from the back-to-back games against the Nets and Pistons or the long flight home, something was lacking with the Clippers early against the Hornets. They got off to a slow start, none more noticeable than Kris Dunn, who missed all six of his shots on his bobblehead night.
“I thought we were dead,” Lue said. “Just looked slow, methodical. Guys were tired, winded, and so just trying to tell the guys just to push through, just stay with it and that at some point we’d get our second wind and we’d be able to be able to push through this game.”
Still, the Clippers managed to take a 45-43 lead into halftime.
Both teams picked up the pace in the third quarter. The Clippers opened their biggest lead of the game at 73-64 on a layup by Harden with 5:29 left in the third quarter. But the Hornets fought back and closed the gap to 77-76 on a reverse layup by LaMelo Ball then tied the score on three free throws by Grant Williams.
Ball, a former Chino Hills High star, finished with a team-high 25 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Rookie Kon Knueppel had 18 points and five rebounds. Moussa Diabaté had 13 points and 15 rebounds, while Brandon Miller also scored 13 and Miles Bridges added 11.
Jordan Miller added 14 points and Ivica Zubac had nine points and 11 rebounds for the Clippers.
Janis Carr
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Instant observations: Sixers go wire-to-wire, split back-to-back in what might be Kyle Lowry’s final trip to Toronto
The night after an embarrassing late-game collapse, the Sixers responded exactly as they hoped to, handling the Toronto Raptors with ease on Monday night.
Adam Aaronson
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Warriors instant analysis: Curry, Butler’s big games wasted against new-look Hawks
SAN FRANCISCO – Steph Curry flew around the court and buried improbable, high arcing 3-pointers. Jimmy Butler used his smarts and muscle to carve out space for tricky shots and deft passes. And every other Warrior did …. not much else on Sunday evening at Chase Center.
Curry scored 31 and Butler poured in 30, but De’Anthony Melton (10) was the only other Warrior in double-figures as the Hawks beat the home team 124-11.
The Warriors entered Sunday as one of the league’s hottest teams, having won 8 of their last 11, two of those losses being in overtime and by one point respectively.
The Warriors winning run was defined by low turnover numbers, forcing giveaways of the and an offense that averaged over 120 points over its last five games. But against the Hawks, the Warriors relapsed into old habits.
The Warriors had 15 turnovers but forced only 8, thus wasting big nights from their two offensive stars. Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 24 and Jalen Johnson put up a 22-point double-double as the Hawks debuted new additions CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. The Hawks traded for both in the trade deal that sent longtime star guard Trae Young to the Wizards.
That momentum was not felt early on, as neither the crowd – many wearing 49ers jerseys and celebrating the team’s playoff victory – nor the players had much verve to begin.
The Warriors cut the Hawks 70-58 third quarter lead to just two points during a 10-0 run that spanned just 1:12 and was capped by a Curry triple from the wing. The Hawks, boosted by two Luke Kennard triples, responded with a 22-5 run of their own.
Seeking a boost down 87-73, Steve Kerr inserted the seldom-used Buddy Hield into the game with two minutes remaining in the third. Nothing could spark a comeback though as the Hawks went up by as many as 25 in the fourth quarter and salted away the victory.
Golden State (21-19) will play host to Portland — with a rare 8 p.m. tipoff time — on Tuesday.
DPoY Duel
Golden State Warriors’ Brandin Podziemski (2) drives past Atlanta Hawks’ Dyson Daniels (5) in the second quarter of their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) Matchups between top scorers are often lauded as the game’s premier matchups, but for those who appreciate the other side of the ball, Sunday’s game provided just as much entertainment.
Last season Dyson Daniels finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting, while Draymond Green placed third. Daniels is a perimeter defender and Green guards frontcourt players, and both are arguably the best in their respective roles.
Green and Daniels each had a block, but surprisingly, the Hawks wing did not have a single steal. Daniels led the league in takeaways with 3.0 per game last season, and is still averaging a healthy 2.0 this year.
Al Horford faces first team
One benefit of the Warriors’ extended homestand and their lack of back-to-backs is that it allows Al Horford to play each game and establish a rhythm. Coming off the bench for his fourth consecutive game, Horford responded with five points, eight rebounds and two assists in just 16 minutes.
To a newer generation of NBA fans, Horford is associated with the Celtics, the team he won the 2024 NBA title with. But he established himself as a bonafide playmaker with Atlanta, making the all star team four times in nine seasons.
Horford was selected No. 3 overall in the 2007 Draft, and scored 8,288 points in Atlanta, the 14th-most in franchise history.
Golden State Warriors’ De’Anthony Melton (8) runs on the court in the second quarter of their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) 
A Golden State Warriors fan holds a handmade poster before their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) 
Golden State Warriors’ De’Anthony Melton (8) drives against Atlanta Hawks’ Vit Krejci (27) in the second quarter of their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) 
Golden State Warriors’ Brandin Podziemski (2) battles Atlanta Hawks’ Luke Kennard (4) for a rebound in the first quarter of their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) 
Golden State Warriors’ Jimmy Butler III (10) drives past Atlanta Hawks’ Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7) and loses his right shot in the first quarter of their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) 
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) goes up for a layup past Atlanta Hawks’ Jalen Johnson (1) in the first quarter of their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) 
Golden State Warriors’ Gary Payton II (0) goes up and misses a dunk shot against the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter of their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) 
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr gestures to a player while playing against the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter of their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) 
Golden State Warriors’ Quinten Post (21) goes up for a layup past Atlanta Hawks’ Onyeka Okongwu (17) in the first quarter of their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) 
The Golden State Warriors bench erupts in cheer after Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) makes a 3-point basket against Atlanta Hawks’ Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7) in the first quarter of their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) 
Golden State Warriors’ Jimmy Butler III (10) reaches for a loose ball in the first quarter of their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) Joseph Dycus
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Clippers’ toughness showing up at right time
Kawhi Leonard was struggling. James Harden was off. And the rest of the Clippers weren’t achieving much in the first quarter of Saturday’s game against the Detroit Pistons’ swarming defense.
The Clippers had five baskets and eight turnovers in the first 12 minutes and trailed by 14 heading into the second quarter. Whether the Clippers got embarrassed or mad, it was evident that something sparked them.
Leonard and John Collins picked up the pace and by the time the final buzzer sounded, the two combined for 51 points and the Clippers rallied from 14 points down with seven minutes remaining to earn a 98-92 victory over the short-handed Pistons (28-10).
“When things get hard, we gotta get tougher,” Coach Tyronn Lue said after the game. “We talked about it all season long. I think tonight was a good showing of that.”
The Clippers (15-23) went on a 28-8 run to close out their ninth victory in their past 11 games against the Eastern Conference leaders, who were missing their top four players. They will be looking to add another victory when they face the Charlotte Hornets (14-25) on Monday at Intuit Dome.
“This group is tough. We need wins like this, dig deep, weather the storm and no matter what’s happening or who they have out there, we have to find ways to win games,” Collins said. “We needed this win tonight.”
Collins has been showing a more robust side of his all-around game lately, especially his shooting from the perimeter. He scored a season-high 25 points on 64.3% (9 of 14) shooting and 62.5% (5 of 8) from 3-point range, plus had seven rebounds, one assist, four steals, on four blocks.
The biggest improvement can be found in Collins’ 3-point shooting, which has jumped to 66.7% this month. By comparison, he was shooting 35.9% from the perimeter in December. Collins credited the coaching staff and his teammates for keeping him focused.
“I have a coaching staff that challenges me and great dudes on my team that support me and encourage me to keep my motor going and that’s all it really is,” Collins said Saturday. “Nights like tonight, they turned it on a little bit more.”
Lue said Collins has gotten comfortable both offensively and defensively since joining the team in a three-team offseason trade with Utah and Miami.
“He’s really been making some plays,” Lue said. “John’s been putting in the work to get to where he is now. He’s playing amazingly. We knew he was a good shooter, but as of late, with him shooting 64% from 3 and for the year 40% – all the work he’s put in, I’m really proud of him.”
Leonard also revved up his game after the first quarter, finishing with 26 points, eight rebounds, one assist and four steals in 31 minutes. Harden endured an uncharacteristic poor shooting night, finishing with 19 points on 20.0% (4 of 20) shooting from the field and 14.3% (1 of 7) from 3.
Janis Carr
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Sunday stats: Paul George starts attacking downhill, and the Sixers have found a swarming defensive lineup
The Sixers, suddenly at full strength, have hit their stride. Paul George is giving them an enormous two-way lift.
Adam Aaronson
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Joel Embiid questionable for Sixers-Raptors on Sunday in front end of back-to-back
Joel Embiid (left knee injury management) is questionable to play when the Sixers kick off a road back-to-back against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday evening, according to the team’s initial injury report for the game unveiled on Saturday that does not have any other players listed with an injury designation:
The Sixers have an injury report for tomorrow’s game @ Toronto:
Joel Embiid – left knee injury management – QUESTIONABLE
(This is the front end of a back-to-back; the Sixers will also play @ the Raptors on Monday.)
— Adam Aaronson (@SixersAdam) January 10, 2026
As much progress as Embiid has made in terms of production and availability in recent weeks, the expectation should remain that he will not appear in both legs of any back-to-backs for the foreseeable future. It was difficult to imagine him suiting up in Toronto on Sunday and Monday nights. The same is likely true for Kelly Oubre Jr. and Paul George, though those players have much shorter roads ahead of eventually playing back-to-backs than Embiid.
Follow Adam on Twitter: @SixersAdam
Follow PhillyVoice on Twitter: @thephillyvoiceAdam Aaronson
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Short-handed Nuggets blown out in fourth quarter, lose to Hawks
The short-handed Nuggets’ silver linings playbook: hang around, drill some timely 3-pointers and control the glass — even without a true center in the paint.
It worked for three quarters Friday night, but the Nuggets, playing at home for the first time since Christmas Day, simply didn’t have enough talent on the floor to hold off Atlanta.
The Hawks, taking advantage of 19 Denver turnovers on the night, used a fourth-quarter surge to run away with an 110-87 victory.
It was Atlanta’s first win in Denver since 2019.
An eight-point surge, sparked by 3-pointers by Tim Hardaway Jr. and Hunter Tyson, gave the Nuggets a 75-71 lead late in the third quarter, and the fans were blowing the lid off Ball Arena. But Onyeka Okongwu canned a 27-foot, 3-point, momentum-changing jumpshot to cut Denver’s lead to 75-74.
That was the beginning of the end. Atlanta outscored the Nuggets 36-12 in the final 12 minutes. Plus, the Nuggets’ scrappiness from earlier in the game evaporated, in part because they are a tired team after a long, seven-game road trip.
“I saw a really, really tired group,” coach David Adelman said. “That’s going to happen in the NBA, (coming back) from a seven-game road trip. They gave it everything they had in the third quarter to get back into it. But it does happen in the NBA. We know that. No excuses, ‘Blah, blah, blah,’ but it does happen.”
The Nuggets trotted out the unlikely starting lineup of Hunter Tyson, Peyton Watson, DaRon Holmes II, Christian Braun and Jalen Pickett. Guard Jamal Murray, who racked up 33 assists in Denver’s two gutsy wins to end their East Coast road trip, was given the night off while dealing with illness and an ankle injury. An injury bug has been running through the Nuggets’ locker room for about three weeks.
Star center Nikola Jokic was in attendance, dressed nattily in a grey suit. But Jokic, out since Dec. 29 with a hyperextended knee and bone bruise, could only cheer from the bench. The Nuggets don’t want to rush him back, but a return before the end of January hasn’t been ruled out.
Watson led the Nuggets with 25 points and 11 rebounds over 34 minutes. He shot 9 of 19 from the floor. But that wasn’t enough to overcome a rash of turnovers. Watson said “absolutely” when asked if being forced to work with a makeshift lineup contributed to the slew of turnovers.
Before the game, Adelman said, “We have to get shots up to the rim. You don’t have to shoot it well. But it allows you to get back and set your defense.”
That didn’t happen often enough and was a major reason why Denver got blown out.
The Nuggets’ hot shooting kept them in the game early. They shot 61.1% (11 for 18) in the first quarter, including shooting 5 of 9 from behind the 3-point line. The highlight was Hardaway’s four-point play with 4 minutes, 25 seconds left in the quarter. Hardaway drained a falling-away 3-pointer, was fouled by Vit Krejci, and sank the free throw to give Denver an 18-17 lead.
Atlanta figured to blow out the road-weary Nuggets, but led just 30-28 after one quarter. The Hawks stretched their lead to 58-50 at the half, even though Denver dominated on the glass and gave up just one offensive rebound.
What killed Denver in the first half was sloppy ball handling. It turned the ball over 12 times, leading to 13 Atlanta points. By the end of the night, the Hawks converted Denver’s 19 total turnovers into 18 points.
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Patrick Saunders
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