No-look Nikola clears the runway for some Mile-High hangtime.

5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀
Jan. 18, 2025

Friday’s Finest: Ant lights up the Garden while Jokić and Giannis dominate

Still Here: Both reigning conference champs sent messages with marquee dubs

Roundup: A Ball reunion, a Grizzlies outburst, AR’s career night and a Zion jam-fest

The Cavs’ Next Test: Cleveland faces another elite defense tonight in Minnesota

Saturday Marathon: Surging squads and star matchups highlight a full day of hoops

BUT FIRST … ⏰
Friday’s scores & Saturday’s slate…

Six games tip off today on League Pass, beginning with Cade Cunningham and the Pistons hosting Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and the Suns (4 ET). Later, the Cavs will look to rebound from Thursday’s loss in OKC as they face Anthony Edwards and the Wolves (9 ET).

Kia MVP Ladder Update: For the second straight week, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stands atop the Kia MVP Ladder. Plus, a fresh face from Detroit is in the mix for the first time this season.

Just 3 more days to vote for All-Stars! Fans can vote on starters for the 2025 All-Star Game every day until Monday at 11:59 p.m. ET on the NBA App or NBA.com with their NBA ID. Tap to vote now.

One week from today, fans will be treated to the first ABC games of the year, highlighting four national matchups that include a 2024 Finals rematch and another LeBron vs. Steph showdown:

The first ABC games of the year tip off one week from today, with a Finals rematch, Western Conference Finals runback and Steph & LeBron’s 1st showdown since a Christmas classic.

Also this week? MLK Day Monday, Rivals Week and the NBA Paris Games, featuring superstar Victor Wembanyama returning home to lead the Spurs vs the Pacers on Thursday and Saturday.

Wildfire Relief Efforts: The entire NBA, NBPA, WNBA and WNBPA family sends its thoughts and support to the community of Los Angeles during this challenging time. To learn more, get help and/or support, visit NBA Cares.

1. ANT SHOWS OUT AT MSG, JOKIĆ & GIANNIS DAZZLE

Anthony Edwards splashed the Garden last night with a 3-point barrage, capped by three points the hard way in epic fashion.

Wolves 116, Knicks 99: Anthony Edwards hit eight triples on his way to 36 points, 13 boards, seven dimes and a two-handed and-1 hammer as the Wolves ran away from Jalen Brunson (26 pts) and the Knicks, who were without Karl-Anthony Towns. | Recap

• Raining 3s: Naz Reid added six triples without a miss from deep as Minnesota matched a season-high in 3s (22) on 40 attempts (55%)
• Must-See: Speaking of range, see MSG pop as a fan sinks a half-court shot to win a car before hugging Ben Stiller – because why not?!

While Ant erupted, two top Kia MVP candidates put up monster numbers – again.

Nuggets 133, Heat 113: Nikola Jokić only needed 12 shots for his league-leading 17th triple-double – this one, coming in historic fashion – as he posted 24 points (9-12 FG), 12 rebounds and 10 assists to lift Denver over Miami in Jimmy Butler’s return (18 pts). | Recap

• Jokić & Wilt Alone: It’s Jokić’s 18th career triple-double on at least 75% shooting, tying Wilt Chamberlain for the most in NBA history
• Duo & Dubs: Jamal Murray accompanied Jokić in stuffing the stat sheet (30 pts, 7 reb, 8 ast), and it’s Denver’s fifth straight road win

Bucks 130, Raptors 112: Giannis Antetokounmpo was a force, tallying his 12th straight double-double (35 pts, 13 reb), while Damian Lillard notched his seventh straight 20-piece (26 pts, 8 ast) to lead the Bucks past the Raptors for a third straight dub. | Recap

• Greek Freak Flexing: It’s Giannis’ 20th 30-point double-double this season, seven more than the next closest players (Jokić & KAT: 13)

2. STATEMENTS FROM LAST YEAR’S FINALISTS

One night after the West-leading Thunder earned a resounding win over Cleveland, the reigning West champs reminded them that they’re still here.

Mavericks 106, Thunder 98: With Luka Dončić (calf) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (wrist) both out, Kyrie Irving took control, dropping 25 points and five dimes to help stave off a late Thunder rally, handing OKC just its second regular-season loss since Dec. 1. | Recap

• Skid Snapped: It’s Dallas’ first win since Jan. 9, halting a three-game slide
• OMAX, Oh My! Olivier-Maxence Prosper lit up American Airlines Center with a vicious poster

Celtics 121, Magic 94: One game after falling in Toronto, the C’s bounced back in a big way as Jayson Tatum dropped 30 to lead Boston to a 27-point dub at TD Garden against Paolo Banchero (21 pts) and the Magic. | Recap

• C’s Statement: Boston’s 27-point win is the second-largest margin of victory against Orlando this season (1st: Milwaukee, +29)

3. ROUNDUP: BALL REUNION, REAVES ERUPTS, ZION SOARS & MORE

1,145 days had passed since LaMelo and Lonzo Ball last met on an NBA floor, and (at least for little bro), it was worth the wait.

Hornets 125, Bulls 123: Lonzo hit a 3 over his younger brother in the 1st half, but LaMelo dropped 16 in the 2nd on his way to 26 points, leading Charlotte to a tight win over Chicago, despite Nikola Vučević’s sensational night (season-high 40 pts, 17-25 FG, 13 reb). | Recap

• Ball Bros: Rap’s newest sensation, LiAngelo Ball, was also in the house to see his brothers battle it out
• “To be out here in the NBA, playing against my brother, it’s amazing,” said LaMelo after the win

Grizzlies 140, Spurs 112: Despite being without Ja Morant, the NBA’s top-scoring offense put on a show, as Santi Aldama dropped a career-high 29 points while Desmond Bane added 22 along with 14 dimes to outpace Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs. | Recap

• Roaring & Scoring: It’s Memphis’ fifth 140+ point game this season. No other team has more than two
• Wemby Wows: Even in the loss, Wemby was a force, finishing with 19 points, 12 boards and six blocks

Lakers 102, Nets 101: In a game that featured 22 lead changes, Austin Reaves (38) and LeBron James (29) were the difference, combining for 67 points, including 25 in the 4th quarter to lift the Lakers over the Nets. | Recap

• Austin’s Outburst: Reaves’ 38 points were a career-high, and he and James each splashed four 3s
• Nothing But Net: In the win, LeBron passed Michael Jordan for the most career points against the Nets, marking the sixth team in which James holds such a title
• The Five Other Clubs? Charlotte, New Orleans, Miami, Orlando and Toronto
• Reaves On His Lob To LeBron: “To be the one throwing him the ball is still cool to me.”

Pelicans 136, Jazz 123: Zion Williamson filled up the box score with 24 points, 14 boards and six assists, capped by two mammoth dunks in the 4th quarter to stamp the Pels’ third straight win and their fourth dub in five games. | Recap

4. TONIGHT: CAVS AIM TO BOUNCE BACK vs. ANT & THE WOLVES

“Just a total domination,” said Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson after OKC’s win over Cleveland on Thursday.

“It was one of those nights where nothing worked. So you just got to turn it and take it on the chin … I’m more looking forward to how we respond against Minnesota” (9 ET, League Pass).

At 34-6, Cleveland is off to its best 40-game start in franchise history and owns a 5.5-game lead atop the East.

But on Thursday, the Cavs suffered their largest loss of the year, trailing by as many as 42 before falling 134-114 in one of the most-anticipated matchups of the season.

• “We knew [defense] was their identity,” said Atkinson on OKC postgame. “They imposed their identity … It felt like seven pit bulls out there – not just five…
• “They’re long, and they’re fast and they’re athletic. And to me, the modern NBA is speed and length.”

Only five teams have beaten Cleveland this season: Boston, Atlanta, Miami, Indiana and OKC, many of whom boast elite perimeter defenders: Jrue Holiday & Derrick White (BOS), Dyson Daniels (ATL), Andrew Nembhard (IND) and Lu Dort (OKC) – to name a few.

In ‘The Rematch,’ it was Dort, Cason Wallace and SGA leading the charge, holding Donovan Mitchell (8) and Darius Garland (20) to a combined 28 points – tied for their lowest total as a duo this season.

• “They can pressure our guards,” said Atkinson on OKC. “They can push us off our spots, they can bother our penetration with their length, and then you got length behind…
• “It’s the formula for great defense in this league.”

Tonight, Cleveland will face another stout defense as they visit Anthony Edwards and the Wolves (9 ET, LP).

• Howling Pack: The Wolves are allowing the fourth fewest ppg in the NBA (107.6) and have held their opponent to 90 points or less five times this season – trailing only the Magic (6) for the most such games
• The Challenge: Like OKC, Minnesota’s defense also thrives on athleticism and length, led by Nickeil Alexander-Walker on the perimeter and 2023-24 Kia DPOY Rudy Gobert inside
• NAW: Among players who have played 35+ games and 20+ minutes per game, Alexander-Walker owns the eighth-best DefRtg in the NBA (104.9)

Aiming to avoid their second back-to-back loss of the season, can the Cavs’ potent offense respond to Thursday’s loss and crack Minnesota?

5. A SATURDAY MARATHON OF SURGING SQUADS ON LEAGUE PASS

Five more matchups get underway Saturday on League Pass with a slew of rising squads in action.

Suns at Pistons (4 ET): Two red-hot clubs tip off today’s action as Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and the Suns look for their fifth win in six games against Cade Cunningham and the Pistons, who have won seven of their last 10.

• Book Buckets: Booker has notched four straight 30-pieces, averaging 28.1 ppg and 7.9 apg in January

76ers at Pacers (7 ET): Indy is also cooking with an 8-2 record in its last 10 outings, including wins against the Celtics, Suns, Warriors and Cavs. Tonight, they’ll host Tyrese Maxey and the Sixers, who are looking to snap a four-game skid.

Hawks at Celtics (7 ET): One of four teams to beat Boston twice in 2023-24, Atlanta is 1-1 against the defending champs this season, including a 117-116 win in the NBA Cup on Nov. 12.

• Clutch Success: The Hawks have won three of their last four meetings vs. Boston. Those wins came by a combined five points
• Their Secret? Owning the inside. In Atlanta’s last three victories over Boston, the Hawks have outrebounded the C’s 141-115 and are +38 in points in the paint

Wizards at Warriors (8:30 ET): After netting 31 points on seven 3s to lift the Warriors to a late win in Minnesota on Wednesday, Steph Curry now turns his attention to the Wizards, who are no strangers to seeing the all-time 3-point leader erupt.

• Curry Wizardry: Steph’s averaging 28.6 ppg against Washington in his career – his highest scoring mark against any opponent, which includes two 51-point games

Rockets at Blazers (10 ET): To cap the night, Jalen Green and the West’s 2nd-place Rockets visit the Blazers. After seeing its five-game win streak snapped on Thursday in Sacramento, will Houston bounce back in Portland?