NBA roundup: Hornets lead by as many as 57 points, crush Jazz
Sun Jan 11 2:44am ET
Field Level Media
LaMelo Ball scored 17 points and made five 3-pointers as the Charlotte Hornets led by as many as 57 points in routing the Utah Jazz 150-95 on Saturday night in Salt Lake City.
The Hornets made 24 3-pointers while shooting 41% from 3-point range. They led wire-to-wire in recording the second-largest margin of victory in franchise history.
Tre Mann led Charlotte with 20 points and Brandon Miller added 18. Miles Bridges and Collin Sexton chipped in 15 points apiece. Nine players scored in double figures for the Hornets.
Brice Sensabaugh led the Jazz with 26 points. Isaiah Collier chipped in 17 points and nine assists. Cody Williams added 15 points and Kyle Filipowski pulled down 10 rebounds. Utah rested leading scorer Lauri Markkanen (27.9 points per game).
Pacers 123, Heat 99
Andrew Nembhard scored 29 points to lead seven players in double figures and Indiana led wire-to-wire in a win over Miami in Indianapolis.
Micah Potter had 14 points and Jarace Walker added 13 for the Pacers, who led by as many as 29 and won their second straight following a 13-game losing streak. T.J. McConnell and Aaron Nesmith scored 12 apiece, Pascal Siakam had 11 points and Johnny Furphy chipped in 10.
The Heat shot just 39.1% from the field and 13.3% (4 of 30) from 3-point range in their first game since Tuesday. Tyler Herro led Miami with 21 points, while Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored 16, Bam Adebayo added 13 and Andrew Wiggins had 11. The Heat have lost three of their last four games.
Cavaliers 146, Timberwolves 134
Donovan Mitchell scored 28 points and dished out eight assists as host Cleveland pulled away for a victory over Minnesota.
It was the fourth-most points scored by the Cavaliers in a regulation game, and the second time they have had five players with at least 20 points. Cleveland first accomplished the feat on March 14, 1972, against the Baltimore Bullets.
Anthony Edwards and Naz Reid each scored 25 points for the Timberwolves, who had their four-game winning streak snapped. Julius Randle had 20 points, and Rudy Gobert posted eight points, 12 rebounds and three blocked shots.
Bulls 125, Mavericks 107
Coby White scored 22 points, Ayo Dosunmu chipped in 20 and Nikola Vucevic had a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds to lift Chicago to a win against visiting Dallas.
A balanced attack helped the Bulls halt a three-game losing streak and earn their largest margin of victory this season. Seven players scored in double figures as Chicago collected 31 assists on 50 made field goals. The Bulls shot 51.5% compared to 42.9% for the Mavericks while outrebounding Dallas, 52-42.
Ryan Nembhard scored 16 points to pace the Mavericks, who have lost six of eight games. Jaden Hardy and Naji Marshall added 14 points apiece and Moussa Cisse grabbed 10 rebounds.
Clippers 98, Pistons 92
Kawhi Leonard registered 26 points, eight rebounds and four steals as visiting Los Angeles rallied from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat depleted Detroit.
John Collins supplied 25 points, seven rebounds, five steals and four blocks, while James Harden contributed 19 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and three steals for the Clippers. Ivica Zubac added 17 points and grabbed six rebounds as they outscored the Pistons 30-16 in the fourth quarter.
Duncan Robinson led Detroit with 20 points but didn't score after halftime. Ronald Holland had 16 points and six rebounds off the bench while Daniss Jenkins added 10 points but committed five turnovers. The Pistons were held to 39.8% shooting from the field.
Spurs 100, Celtics 95
Victor Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox each scored a team-high 21 points to lead San Antonio past host Boston. The game was tied with 1:56 to play, but the Spurs finished on a 7-2 run.
Fox also had nine rebounds and six assists. Wembanyama, who played 26 minutes off the bench, added six rebounds and three blocked shots. San Antonio also received 12 points and 13 rebounds from Julian Champagnie.
It was the second game in as many nights for the Celtics, who attempted only four free throws in the loss (3 of 4). Derrick White scored 29 points and Jaylen Brown had 27 to lead the Boston offense.
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Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center Chet Holmgren (shin) will be back in the lineup on Sunday against the Miami Heat. He missed Friday's win over the Memphis Grizzlies due to shin pain. With Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) out for an eighth consecutive game, Holmgren will be expected to handle much of the heavy lifting in the middle for the reigning champions. Branden Carlson will also pick up a few extra minutes, despite moving back to the bench with Holmgren's return.
Sacramento Kings guard Dennis Schroder has been suspended for three games for confronting and attempting to strike another player, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. The German veteran reportedly waited 40 minutes after the Kings' loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 28 before approaching an unnamed player and initiating an altercation. Schroder's suspension will start with Sunday's matchup against the Houston Rockets. His absence from the lineup will open up more playing time for Malik Monk, Nique Clifford, and Devin Carter.
Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher (knee) will remain out on Sunday against the Golden State Warriors, missing a second consecutive game. The French sophomore is sidelined due to inflammation in his left knee. With Risacher out of commission, Vit Krejci received the starting nod on Friday night against the Denver Nuggets. Unfortunately, he couldn't get going in a blowout win, finishing with zero points on 0-for-8 shooting. He went 0-for-7 with his three-point attempts. Defensively, Krejci contributed well, notching two steals and two blocks.
Atlanta Hawks forward/center Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles) is considered questionable for an encounter with the Golden State Warriors on Sunday. The Latvian veteran didn't play in Friday's blowout win over the Denver Nuggets due to left Achilles tendinitis. With Porzingis out, Mouhamed Gueye and Asa Newell saw more action off the bench. However, neither player impressed, and their impact on Sunday may be even smaller, as Golden State allows the fewest bench points in the league.
Denver Nuggets forward/center Aaron Gordon (hamstring) is expected to make his third consecutive appearance on Sunday against the Milwaukee Bucks, as the team has listed him as probable on the injury report. The high-flying veteran is slowly working his way back to 100 percent after a hamstring injury. In his first few games back in the lineup, Gordon has been limited to a bench role. Yet, he has still made a significant impact, averaging 16.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists.
Milwaukee Bucks point guard Kevin Porter Jr. (hip) is listed as probable for Sunday's tilt against the Denver Nuggets. The talented guard is dealing with a hip contusion, but the issue doesn't appear serious enough to knock Porter Jr. out of the lineup. While Porter Jr. has struggled with his three-point shot lately, he has still provided plenty of fantasy value. Across four January appearances, the 25-year-old is averaging nearly a double-double, with 16.7 points and 9.7 assists per game. Porter Jr. also often makes a mark on the defensive end. He had four steals in Friday's win over the Los Angeles Lakers and is averaging 1.7 steals for the month.
Denver Nuggets guard/forward Spencer Jones (ankle, illness) is listed as questionable for Sunday's meeting with the Milwaukee Bucks. He hurt his left ankle this week and is also battling an illness. Due to his health issues, Jones may be absent for a second consecutive game. If Jones doesn't return on Sunday, Hunter Tyson could make a second consecutive start. On Friday, he was in the first unit for only the third time in his career, finishing a heavy loss to the Atlanta Hawks with 10 points, four rebounds, four assists, and one steal.
Denver Nuggets guard/forward Christian Braun (ankle) is probable for Sunday's tilt against the Milwaukee Bucks. He is expected to make his third consecutive appearance. Braun recently returned from an ankle injury, and he's had a very tough time shaking off the rust. In three outings since his return, Braun has averaged 4.0 points and 3.5 rebounds with 33.3 percent shooting. Things were particularly difficult for him on Friday against the Atlanta Hawks, as Braun failed to make any of his five field-goal attempts.
Denver Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray (ankle, illness) is questionable to suit up on Sunday against the Milwaukee Bucks. An ankle injury and illness have sidelined Murray for two of the last three games. Jalen Pickett has logged a pair of starts in Murray's absence and will presumably remain in the starting lineup if the Canadian star isn't available for action on Sunday. After shining with 29 points on Monday against Philadelphia, Pickett had just seven points in Friday's loss to Atlanta.
Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant (calf) will miss a fifth consecutive game on Sunday against the Brooklyn Nets. It's possible we won't see Morant in a Grizzlies uniform again, as the team is reportedly listening to trade offers for him. Cam Spencer and Vince Williams Jr. will handle the playmaking in Morant's absence. Spencer has stepped into the starting lineup as Morant's replacement, averaging 11.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists over the last four games. On Sunday, Spencer will face a tough matchup against a team that has given up the fourth-fewest fantasy points to point guards this season.
New York Knicks guard/forward Josh Hart (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest against the Portland Trail Blazers. It looks like the veteran has a chance to return from an eight-game absence against his former team. Hart's return to action may end Miles McBride's stint as a starter, though it's possible he will operate under a minutes restriction after a multi-week absence. Jordan Clarkson's playing time will also be under threat with Hart's comeback.
Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. (rest) won't play on Sunday against the Memphis Grizzlies. Brooklyn will rest its leading scorer for the first leg of a back-to-back. Porter Jr.'s absence opens up a starting spot and a huge amount of offensive touches. Cam Thomas, Egor Demin, and Noah Clowney could all handle heavier offensive loads. Danny Wolf filled in for Porter Jr. in the starting unit the last time he was out. The 21-year-old rookie averaged 10.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in that role.
Toronto Raptors guard/forward Brandon Ingram (thumb) is considered questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers. He hurt his right thumb earlier this week and missed his first game of the season on Friday against the Boston Celtics. Another absence is now looming for Ingram. Ja'Kobe Walter started in Ingram's place on Friday night and is likely to keep a starting spot on Sunday if the former All-Star doesn't shake off his thumb injury. Walter had a decent outing against Boston, finishing with 19 points, six rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block.
Toronto Raptors guard/forward RJ Barrett (ankle) won't play on Sunday against the Philadelphia 76ers. He has been ruled out after injuring his left ankle in Friday's loss to the Boston Celtics. It's unfortunate to see Barrett back on the shelf, as he only recently returned from a knee injury. Scottie Barnes (knee) and Brandon Ingram (thumb) may also miss Sunday's game, so Immanuel Quickley must be ready to do some heavy lifting on the offensive end. Ja'Kobe Walter, Gradey Dick, and Ochai Agbaji could also have larger roles in the contest.
Toronto Raptors guard/forward Scottie Barnes (knee) is listed as questionable for a meeting with the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday. He could be out for a second consecutive game due to a right knee sprain. RJ Barrett (ankle) has already been ruled out, and the Raptors may also be without Brandon Ingram (thumb). Immanuel Quickley, who had a 17-point, 13-assist double-double in Friday's loss to the Boston Celtics, will be leading the offense if Toronto's big boys aren't in the lineup on Sunday. Collin Murray-Boyles, Gradey Dick, Ja'Kobe Walter, and Jamal Shead could also have a greater impact on the offensive end.
Charlotte Hornets forward Tidjane Salaun (ankle) will be active on Saturday night against the Utah Jazz. The 20-year-old is dealing with a left ankle sprain, but the team has upgraded his status from probable to available. Working as a reserve, Salaun has averaged 5.0 points and 4.5 rebounds in 17.3 minutes per game early in 2026. He may lose some playing time to Grant Williams (knee), who is available for his season debut on Saturday night.
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) is considered questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Toronto Raptors. The former MVP remains on the injury report as he continues to manage a left knee injury. While Embiid has played in six consecutive games, a rest day appears to be guaranteed for him soon, as Philadelphia will face Toronto on two consecutive nights. Andre Drummond and Adem Bona will have heavier workloads with Embiid out of the lineup.
Chicago Bulls guard/forward Kevin Huerter (back) will play in Saturday's contest against the Dallas Mavericks. The team has upgraded Huerter from questionable to available. Huerter has been a starter in back-to-back games for the Bulls, though his fantasy production has been underwhelming. Due to Jalen Smith's (concussion) return on Saturday, Huerter may drop to the second unit. Losing his starting role might work in his favor, as Huerter tends to perform better statistically when coming off the bench.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (ankle) isn't listed on the injury report ahead of Sunday's game against the Heat. SGA didn't suit up on Friday in the win over the Memphis Grizzlies after dropping 46 points on the Utah Jazz. However, since that one went into overtime, Gilgeous-Alexander got a much-needed night off. With Chet Holmgren (shin) and Cason Wallace (toe) also available, it should be business as usual for the champs, although their availability could mean fewer scoring opportunities for Ajay Mitchell, who is coming off a 23-point effort.
Charlotte Hornets forward Grant Williams (knee) will be active on Saturday night against the Utah Jazz. He's in line for his season debut after recovering from an ACL tear. Williams hasn't played since November 2024. It will be good to see him back on the court, but the 27-year-old is likely to have a strict minutes restriction. Once he's back at 100 percent, Williams will compete for playing time with Josh Green, Tidjane Salaun, and Sion James.
