NBA roundup: Magic overtake Grizzlies for win in Berlin
Fri Jan 16 1:51am ET
Field Level Media
Paolo Banchero collected 26 points and 13 rebounds as the Orlando Magic rallied to a 118-111 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday in the NBA's first regular-season game in Berlin.
Banchero made 9 of 16 shots from the floor for the Magic, who overcame a 20-point deficit due in large part to outscoring the Grizzlies by a 26-12 margin in the third quarter. The 12 points represented the fewest Orlando has allowed in a quarter this season.
The pronounced push provided a happy homecoming for German-born players Franz Wagner, Moe Wagner and Tristan da Silva. Franz Wagner recorded 18 points and nine rebounds in his return from a 16-game absence due to an ankle injury, Moe Wagner had seven points in his second game back from a torn ACL, and da Silva added eight points.
Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 30 points for the Grizzlies, who have lost seven of their past nine games heading into the rematch vs. the Magic on Sunday in London.
Mavericks 144, Jazz 122
Klay Thompson came off the bench to knock down six 3-pointers on the way to a game-high 26 points as Dallas buried visiting Utah with a barrage of 3-pointers.
Thompson's sharpshooting from beyond the arc led Dallas to a 19-of-46 (41.3%) night overall from long range, with six Mavericks connecting on multiple attempts. Naji Marshall did the majority of his scoring work from inside the arc on the way to 22 points.
Brice Sensabaugh scored 27 points for the Jazz, who shot just 10 for 36 (27.8%) from 3-point range and 47 of 96 (49%) from the floor overall. Utah also committed 17 turnovers that Dallas converted into 30 points.
Warriors 126, Knicks 113
Jimmy Butler III put up for a game-high 32 points, Stephen Curry went 4-for-5 from deep in the second half en route to 27 points, and Golden State handled a Jalen Brunson-less New York squad in San Francisco.
Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski combined for 40 points on 15-for-19 shooting in complementary roles for the Warriors, who shot 53.9% from the floor and buried 20 3-pointers en route to a fourth win in five games.
Starting in place of Brunson (ankle), Miles McBride had 25 points, as did teammate OG Anunoby. Karl-Anthony Towns snatched a season-high 20 rebounds to go with 17 points for the Knicks, who completed a 1-3 Western swing on the second night of a back-to-back.
Hornets 135, Lakers 117
LaMelo Ball scored 30 points and dished 11 assists and Brandon Miller added 26 points as Charlotte prevailed at Los Angeles.
Miles Bridges scored 25 points and rookie Kon Knueppel added 19 as the Hornets moved to 2-1 on a five-game road trip. They shot 54.3% from the floor and 46.5% (20 of 43) from 3-point range. Ball was 9 of 17 from long distance.
Luka Doncic scored 39 points and LeBron James added 29 points with nine rebounds as the Lakers lost for the fourth time over their past five games.
Celtics 119, Heat 114
Reserve Anfernee Simons scored 18 of his season-high 39 points in the fourth quarter as Boston rallied to win at Miami.
Jaylen Brown, who had missed the Celtics' previous game due to back spasms, added 27 points. Boston, which broke a two-game losing streak, trailed by as many as 19 points in the first half and was down by 10 to start the fourth quarter.
The Heat got 26 points from Norman Powell and 22 apiece from Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo but lost for the fourth time in five games.
Trail Blazers 117, Hawks 101
Shaedon Sharpe recorded 24 points, nine rebounds and five assists to help Portland defeat visiting Atlanta for its sixth win in eight games.
Jerami Grant scored 16 points off the bench in his return from a 14-game absence caused by an Achilles injury, and Rayan Rupert scored 13 points for the Trail Blazers.
Onyeka Okongwu made five 3-pointers en route to 26 points and added nine rebounds for the Hawks, who lost their second straight game. CJ McCollum added 20 points off the bench.
Pistons 108, Suns 105
Duncan Robinson led a balanced effort with 19 points and Jalen Duren had 16 points and 18 rebounds as host Detroit pulled out a win over Phoenix.
Tobias Harris supplied 16 points, seven rebounds and five steals, while Jaden Ivey scored 15 points off the bench in Detroit's fourth win in five games.
Grayson Allen carried Phoenix with 33 points. Collin Gillespie had 18 points and six assists and Dillon Brooks added 16 points. Suns star guard Devin Booker missed the game due to a left ankle sprain.
Thunder 111, Rockets 91
Chet Holmgren tallied 18 points, nine rebounds and four blocked shots while Ajay Mitchell tallied 17 points off the bench as Oklahoma City extended its winning streak to five with a road victory over Houston.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 20 points to extend his streak of consecutive 20-plus games to 111. Holmgren and Mitchell combined to shoot 14 of 19, including 5 of 7 from deep.
The Rockets missed 17 of 24 3-point attempts as their seven-game home winning streak ended. Kevin Durant paced Houston with 19 points. Jabari Smith Jr. added 17 points and 10 rebounds while Alperen Sengun totaled 14 points and 13 boards.
Spurs 119, Bucks 101
Victor Wembanyama amassed 22 points and 10 rebounds in just three quarters and five teammates scored in double figures as San Antonio dismantled visiting Milwaukee to snap a two-game losing streak.
Stephon Castle added 19 points and 10 assists for the Spurs, while De'Aaron Fox hit for 18 points. Julian Champagnie racked up 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 21 points while Kyle Kuzma added 18 and Bobby Portis had 13. The Bucks dropped their third straight game, the past two by a combined 51 points.
- NBA roundup: Magic overtake Grizzlies for win in Berlin
- Wizards say Cam Whitmore (deep vein thrombosis) out for year
- Mavs rookie Cooper Flagg (ankle) doubtful vs. Jazz
- Suns G Devin Booker (ankle) out vs. Pistons
- Benched Jonathan Kuminga demands trade from Warriors
- NBA roundup: Knicks lose game, Jalen Brunson to injury vs. Kings
- Knicks' Jalen Brunson exits vs. Kings due to ankle injury
- Wizards star G Trae Young to sit out through All-Star break
- Hornets retiring Dell Curry's No. 30 jersey
- Ja Morant denies rift, will 'live with' trade if Memphis pulls trigger
- NBA roundup: Thunder finally get past Spurs on 4th try
- Mavericks' Anthony Davis out months for hand surgery
- NBA roundup: Pascal Siakam, Pacers sink Jaylen Brown-less Celtics
- James Harden shoots past Shaq for 9th in all-time scoring
- Celtics star Jaylen Brown fined $35K for officiating criticism
- Wolves C Rudy Gobert suspended 1 game for flagrant foul accumulation
- NBA reschedules postponed Heat-Bulls game to Jan. 29
- NBA roundup: Raptors' Scottie Barnes sinks game-winning free throw, 76ers in OT
- 76ers C Joel Embiid out vs. Raptors
- NBA roundup: Hornets lead by as many as 57 points, crush Jazz
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (ankle) is questionable for Friday's game in Toronto while managing a lingering ankle issue. Leonard has continued to produce while managing the issue, averaging 31.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.7 steals, and 5.3 three-pointers in 30.6 minutes over his last three games. Fantasy managers should monitor his status, but he remains a must-start if active. A potential absence would open minor opportunities for Nicolas Batum, rookie Kobe Sanders, and Jordan Miller, though all carry volatility. James Harden would take on more of the offense, leaving the fringe wings as situational streamers.
Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward Paul George (knee) is listed as probable for Friday's game against Cleveland due to left knee injury management, a familiar designation after he carried the same tag Wednesday. After appearing in each of the past two contests, George looks positioned to make another start, logging 17 points, four rebounds, and four assists in 30 minutes in the last meeting with the Cavaliers. With George in the lineup, the rotation tightens and usage drops for VJ Edgecombe, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Quentin Grimes.
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) is listed as probable for Friday's game against the Cavaliers due to left knee injury management, marking another appearance on the injury report this week. Despite the recurring designation, Embiid has delivered when active, averaging 25.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 three-pointers, and 1.0 blocks in 31.5 minutes over his last five games. Fantasy managers can continue starting him confidently, with Tyrese Maxey and Paul George maintaining stable roles alongside him.
Indiana Pacers guard/forward Bennedict Mathurin (thumb) will remain out for Friday's game against the Pelicans due to a right thumb sprain, and he does not have a clear timetable to return, leaving his status in doubt for Saturday versus Detroit. Aaron Nesmith should continue to see heavy minutes, though the production dipped to six points, five rebounds, and two assists in 31 minutes last time out. Johnny Furphy has taken on a larger role, averaging 8.0 points and 7.8 rebounds in 23.8 minutes over his last five starts, but his volatility keeps him limited to deep-league use.
Washington Wizards forward Khris Middleton (knee) has been ruled out for Friday's game against Sacramento due to right knee injury management after appearing in three straight contests. The absence opens short-term fantasy value on the wing, especially with Bilal Coulibaly (back) also sidelined. Justin Champagnie profiles as a viable streaming option after playing well off the bench, averaging 10.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.0 three-pointers in 23.4 minutes over his last five games. Rookie Will Riley should also see added run, but remains more of a fringe fantasy option.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (hand) is out for Friday's game against the 76ers due to a right-hand sprain, an injury he aggravated on Wednesday. Merrill logged just three points in 10 minutes in the win, and his absence removes a key spacing piece from the rotation. Craig Porter Jr. becomes a viable short-term assists streamer after stepping into a larger bench role, while Jaylon Tyson could also see extra opportunities on the wing. With Darius Garland (toe) sidelined, Donovan Mitchell is expected to carry a heavier share of the perimeter workload.
Washington Wizards guard/forward Bilal Coulibaly (back) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Kings after exiting Wednesday's loss to the Clippers in the second quarter with lower back tightness. He could return Saturday in Denver, but his absence creates short-term fantasy openings. Justin Champagnie is positioned for a larger role, with a start firmly in play after logging seven points and eight rebounds in 27 minutes Wednesday, making him a viable streaming option. Rookie Will Riley should also see added run after scoring 12 points in 27 minutes, though he remains more of a fringe fantasy play.
Toronto Raptors guard/forward RJ Barrett (ankle) will not play Friday against the Clippers, extending his absence to a fourth straight game, with his next chance to return Sunday versus the Lakers. The fantasy impact continues to center on Jamal Shead, who has started each of the past three games and averaged 10.7 points and 6.0 assists despite shooting 34.5 percent from the field. Shead profiles as a short-term assist streamer rather than a scoring play. Barrett sitting again leaves more creation on Immanuel Quickley's plate and helps Shead maintain his minutes.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (ankle) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Pacers, marking his sixth straight absence with a right ankle sprain. His next chance to return comes Sunday in Houston. From a fantasy angle, Jones' continued absence keeps Saddiq Bey in play as a short-term streamer. Bey, working back from injury, logged 12 points, four rebounds, one assist, and one steal in 26 minutes during a win over Brooklyn. His minutes and usage remain stable while Jones sits.
Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (back) is out for Friday's game against the Clippers, with the team still offering no firm timetable despite clearing him for contact Jan. 5. From a fantasy standpoint, managers should continue to pivot to rookie Collin Murray-Boyles, who has started seven straight and delivered 10.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.7 steals in 31.0 minutes while shooting 57.1 percent from the field and 90.0 percent at the line. Murray-Boyles remains a strong streamer and deep-league hold until Poeltl returns.
Golden State Warriors forward Gui Santos (ankle) was ruled out for the remainder of Thursday's game against the Knicks after suffering a left ankle sprain in the first quarter. Santos finished with three points, one rebound, and one block in five minutes before being shut down. The injury carries little standalone fantasy impact, but it does create minor ripple effects in the rotation. Al Horford and Trayce Jackson-Davis are candidates for added frontcourt minutes. Brandin Podziemski could also see a slight uptick in run and secondary usage, keeping him relevant in deeper formats.
Washington Wizards forward Cam Whitmore (venous condition) will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season after beginning the recovery process, bringing his year to a premature end. Whitmore can be dropped in all formats. The fantasy ripple centers on Kyshawn George, a surprise contributor averaging 14.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 2.2 three-pointers, and 1.0 steals. Those counting stats can hold, but minutes and usage are split across a crowded forward rotation with Bilal Coulibaly, Justin Champagnie, Khris Middleton, and rookie Will Riley, keeping George's ceiling in check.
Celtics' G Anfernee Simons scored 39 points on 13-of-28 shooting in a 119-114 win over Miami on Thursday, Jan. 15. Simons is owned in only 24.8% leagues.
Suns' G Grayson Allen scored 33 points on 11-of-25 shooting in a 105-108 loss to Detroit on Thursday, Jan. 15. Allen is owned in only 31.6% leagues.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma (illness) has been upgraded to available for Thursday's matchup with the San Antonio Spurs. He was previously considered questionable due to an illness. Kuzma has seen a reduced role since Giannis Antetokounmpo returned to the rotation and recorded only two points and two assists in Tuesday's blowout loss to Minnesota. The 30-year-old has played under 25 minutes in three of his last four outings.
Milwaukee Bucks forward/center Giannis Antetokounmpo (ankle) is set to suit up for Thursday's clash versus Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. The 31-year-old star forward was previously listed on the injury report with a left ankle sprain, but has since been cleared to play. The big man's minutes have been restricted recently, but he has still produced outstanding numbers. During his last six outings, Antetokounmpo has averaged 29.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per contest.
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Cooper Flagg (ankle) won't suit up against the Utah Jazz on Thursday. Flagg left Wednesday's loss early and will sit out the evening due to a sprained left ankle. Without Flagg, Anthony Davis (finger) and P.J. Washington (ankle), a depleted Mavs rotation will rely on Brandon Williams, Jaden Hardy, Ryan Nembhard, Caleb Martin, and Naji Marshall to carry heavier workloads during tonight's tilt.
Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (hip) will suit up Thursday against the Phoenix Suns. Harris has missed five consecutive contests with a left hip sprain and will make his first appearance in 2026. The 33-year-old has been a regular starter throughout the 2025-26 season. Javonte Green started on Saturday versus the Clippers and will return to the bench during tonight's tilt. However, Green may still see extended playing time as Harris' minutes could be restricted in his return.
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (ankle) will suit up against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday. He's been cleared after sitting out four games due to a right ankle sprain. Big man Isaiah Stewart (illness) has also been upgraded to available for tonight's tilt. Paul Reed could slide further down the depth chart, while Tolu Smith may end up outside the rotation with Duren and Stewart returning to action. Duren is having a big campaign, averaging 17.9 points and 10.6 rebounds, while Stewart has posted averages of 10.4 points and 5.6 rebounds across 23 outings.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (foot) won't play on Friday in Houston. He also didn't suit up on Tuesday against Milwaukee. As a result, Mike Conley entered the starting lineup, finishing with nine points, five assists, and three rebounds. While Conley might continue to get a statistical boost, Julius Randle and Jaden McDaniels should remain the most productive on the scoring end, with the duo combining for 46 points versus the Bucks. The Timberwolves will play again on Saturday in San Antonio, although it appears Edwards has a chance to return for that one.
