Basketball – Winnipeg Free Press

Los Angeles faces Boston, seeks 5th straight home win

The Associated Press 2 minute read 1:04 AM CST

Boston Celtics (21-12, third in the Eastern Conference) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (11-21, 11th in the Western Conference)

Inglewood, California; Saturday, 10:30 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Los Angeles hosts Boston looking to continue its four-game home winning streak.

The Clippers have gone 7-8 in home games. Los Angeles ranks fifth in the Western Conference in team defense, allowing just 114.0 points while holding opponents to 47.2% shooting.

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Miami faces Minnesota, aims for 5th straight victory

The Associated Press 2 minute read 1:04 AM CST

Minnesota Timberwolves (21-13, sixth in the Western Conference) vs. Miami Heat (19-15, seventh in the Eastern Conference)

Miami; Saturday, 5 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Miami comes into a matchup with Minnesota as winners of four consecutive games.

The Heat are 12-5 in home games. Miami is third in the Eastern Conference in rebounding with 45.9 rebounds. Kel'el Ware paces the Heat with 10.6 boards.

Houston plays Dallas on 4-game win streak

The Associated Press 2 minute read 1:04 AM CST

Houston Rockets (21-10, fourth in the Western Conference) vs. Dallas Mavericks (12-23, 13th in the Western Conference)

Dallas; Saturday, 8:30 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Houston aims to keep its four-game win streak intact when the Rockets take on Dallas.

The Mavericks are 6-16 in Western Conference games. Dallas is fourth in the Western Conference with 34.4 defensive rebounds per game led by Anthony Davis averaging 7.4.

Washington hosts Brooklyn in conference matchup

The Associated Press 2 minute read 1:04 AM CST

Brooklyn Nets (10-21, 13th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Washington Wizards (8-24, 14th in the Eastern Conference)

Washington; Friday, 7 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Brooklyn visits Washington in Eastern Conference action Friday.

The Wizards have gone 5-17 against Eastern Conference opponents. Washington is 2-2 in games decided by 3 points or fewer.

Sacramento plays Phoenix on 5-game road slide

The Associated Press 2 minute read 1:04 AM CST

Sacramento Kings (8-26, 14th in the Western Conference) vs. Phoenix Suns (19-14, seventh in the Western Conference)

Phoenix; Friday, 9 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Sacramento will try to stop its five-game road skid when the Kings face Phoenix.

The Suns are 7-4 against Pacific Division teams. Phoenix has a 3-4 record in games decided by 3 points or fewer.

Durant leads Rockets past Nets for fourth straight victory

The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Durant leads Rockets past Nets for fourth straight victory

The Associated Press 4 minute read 12:26 AM CST

NEW YORK (AP) — Kevin Durant had 22 points and a season-high 11 assists, Amen Thompson scored 23 points and the Houston Rockets beat the Brooklyn Nets 120-96 on Thursday night for their fourth straight victory.

Alperen Sengun had 20 points, six rebounds and six assists after a two-game absence for the Rockets, who started fast in both halves to win in Brooklyn for the first time in seven years. Tari Eason finished with 15 points and nine rebounds, and Jabari Smith Jr. and Reed Sheppard each scored 14 points.

Sengun was 8 for 12 from the floor after sitting out two games with a left calf injury.

Cam Thomas scored 21 points for the Nets, who dropped their second straight after winning three in a row for the only time this season. Ziaire Williams added 14.

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12:26 AM CST

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) dunks against Brooklyn Nets guard Drake Powell (4) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

Kawhi Leonard’s 45 points with bloodied nose lead Clippers to 6th straight win, 118-101 over Jazz

Beth Harris, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Kawhi Leonard’s 45 points with bloodied nose lead Clippers to 6th straight win, 118-101 over Jazz

Beth Harris, The Associated Press 2 minute read Updated: 12:40 AM CST

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Kawhi Leonard scored 45 points, James Harden added 20 and the Los Angeles Clippers recovered from blowing a 21-point lead to beat the Utah Jazz 118-101 on Thursday night, extending their winning streak to a season-best six games.

Leonard was the only Clippers starter on the floor for much of the fourth quarter. He singlehandedly matched Utah's points in the period (20), with blood on his nose from what appeared to be a scratch.

Los Angeles hit seven straight 3-pointers, with Leonard making four, to pull away. Nicolas Batum finished with 14 points and went 4 of 6 from 3-point range.

The Jazz rallied despite being without three starters. They were led by reserve Kyle Anderson with 22 points — his first 20-point game in nearly three years — and Brice Sensabaugh with 20. Anderson's eight rebounds were a season high. Cody Williams had 18 points, while Isaiah Collier added 16 points and 10 assists.

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Updated: 12:40 AM CST

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) looks to dunk during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)

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Brown scores 29 points and Celtics pull away in 4th quarter for 120-106 win over Kings

Michael Wagaman, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Brown scores 29 points and Celtics pull away in 4th quarter for 120-106 win over Kings

Michael Wagaman, The Associated Press 2 minute read Updated: 12:17 AM CST

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Jaylen Brown had 29 points and 10 rebounds, and the Boston Celtics pulled away down the stretch to beat the Sacramento Kings 120-106 on Thursday night.

Brown shot 11 of 25, including 1 for 9 from 3-point distance, but made six free throws and added four assists before fouling out late in the fourth quarter. The four-time All-Star has been on a scoring tear lately, pouring in 20 or more points in 12 of his last 15 games.

Derrick White had 16 points and seven assists as Boston improved to 3-1 on its five-game trip. Payton Pritchard added 16 points and six assists.

Sam Hauser hit five 3-pointers to finish with 15 points, and Anfernee Simons scored 14 off the bench.

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Updated: 12:17 AM CST

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) is guarded by Sacramento Kings forward Precious Achiuwa (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)

Tyrese Maxey scores 34 in strong all-around showing as 76ers beat Mavs 123-108

Schuyler Dixon, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Tyrese Maxey scores 34 in strong all-around showing as 76ers beat Mavs 123-108

Schuyler Dixon, The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 10:03 PM CST

DALLAS (AP) — Tyrese Maxey had 34 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds, Joel Embiid scored 22 points and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Dallas Mavericks 123-108 on Thursday night.

Rookie guard VJ Edgecombe, the one-and-done player from Baylor playing 100 miles from his college campus for the first time, scored 23 points two nights after hitting a 3-pointer in the final seconds of a 139-136 overtime victory at Memphis.

Oft-injured Anthony Davis returned for Dallas after missing two games with a sore adductor muscle. The 10-time All-Star finished with 13 points and eight rebounds as the Mavs matched their season worst with a fourth consecutive loss.

Rookie No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg scored 12 points for the Mavericks, who were led by Max Christie's 18 points.

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Yesterday at 10:03 PM CST

Philadelphia 76ers guard Vj Edgecombe (77) shoots the ball against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Norman Powell scores 36 points to lead Heat past Pistons 118-112

Dave Hogg, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Norman Powell scores 36 points to lead Heat past Pistons 118-112

Dave Hogg, The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 8:53 PM CST

DETROIT (AP) — Norman Powell scored 36 points and Bam Abdebayo added 15 points and 14 rebounds as the Miami Heat extended their winning streak to four games with a 118-112 win over the Detroit Pistons on Thursday night.

Cade Cunningham had 31 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds for Detroit and Marcus Sasser scored 18.

Detroit trailed by 22 in the second half and was still down 114-103 with two minutes left, but scored six straight points to make it a five-point game. Powell missed and Javonte Green hit a 3-pointer to get the Pistons within two with 46.4 seconds to play.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. hit a short jumper to make it a two-possession game, though, and Ausar Thompson's turnover forced the Pistons to start fouling. Powell hit a pair of free throws — his first points of the fourth quarter — to clinch it.

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Yesterday at 8:53 PM CST

Miami Heat guard Norman Powell celebrates after making a three-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Durant has been hurt the way Jokic was. He hopes the Nuggets star doesn’t also become ‘injury prone’

Brian Mahoney, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Durant has been hurt the way Jokic was. He hopes the Nuggets star doesn’t also become ‘injury prone’

Brian Mahoney, The Associated Press 2 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 9:33 PM CST

NEW YORK (AP) — Kevin Durant left what ended up being his final game with the Brooklyn Nets after getting hurt similar to the way Nikola Jokic just was.

In fact, Durant missed time two seasons in a row with a knee injury caused when someone fell into his leg.

“One thing I don’t want to see with Nikola is like, they started calling me ‘injury prone’ after that, but hopefully they don’t start with him because it’s one of those freak injuries that you can't really control,” Durant said Thursday night after the Rockets beat the Nets 120-96 in his return to Brooklyn.

“You can do all the work you can, but somebody falls into your knee, that’s just tough.”

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Updated: Yesterday at 9:33 PM CST

Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) handles the ball against Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

Durant and Thompson lead the Rockets past the Nets 120-96 for their 4th straight victory

Brian Mahoney, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Durant and Thompson lead the Rockets past the Nets 120-96 for their 4th straight victory

Brian Mahoney, The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 7:30 PM CST

NEW YORK (AP) — Kevin Durant had 22 points and a season-high 11 assists, Amen Thompson scored 23 points and the Houston Rockets beat the Brooklyn Nets 120-96 on Thursday night for their fourth straight victory.

Alperen Sengun had 20 points, six rebounds and six assists after a two-game absence for the Rockets, who started fast in both halves to win in Brooklyn for the first time in seven years. Tari Eason finished with 15 points and nine rebounds, and Jabari Smith Jr. and Reed Sheppard each scored 14 points.

Sengun was 8 for 12 from the floor after sitting out two games with a left calf injury.

Cam Thomas scored 21 points for the Nets, who dropped their second straight after winning three in a row for the only time this season. Ziaire Williams added 14.

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Yesterday at 7:30 PM CST

Brooklyn Nets forward Noah Clowney (21) defends against Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

Nuggets’ injury woes continue as Jonas Valanciunas sidelined for a month with strained calf

The Associated Press 1 minute read Yesterday at 7:09 PM CST

DENVER (AP) — The Denver Nuggets' injury woes continued Thursday with news that backup center Jonas Valanciunas will miss at least a month with a strained right calf he suffered in his first start in place of injured superstar Nikola Jokic.

Valanciunas was injured with 4:03 left in the third quarter of Denver's 106-103 win at Toronto on New Year's Eve.

Valanciunas joins four starters who are sidelined. Jokic got hurt in Miami on Monday night and an MRI the following day revealed a hyperextended left knee, sideling him at least a month.

Before than, forward Cameron Johnson hyperextended his right knee in a game at Dallas, joining Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Christian Braun (ankle) on the sideline.

Wembanyama’s MRI shows no ligament damage in hyperextended knee; All-Star to miss Spurs-Pacers game

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Wembanyama’s MRI shows no ligament damage in hyperextended knee; All-Star to miss Spurs-Pacers game

The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 5:06 PM CST

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — The San Antonio Spurs say an MRI showed center Victor Wembanyama sustained no ligament damage in his injured left knee, and their All-Star center will not play Friday in Indiana.

The Spurs said Thursday that Wembanyama’s status is day-to-day. He did not travel with the team to face the NBA-worst Pacers (6-28), and instead will rehabilitate the injury in San Antonio.

Wembanyama hyperextended his left knee with just under 11 minutes remaining in San Antonio's 134-132 victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday.

Wembanyama said he felt fine after the game and expected to play Friday against the Pacers, but said San Antonio's medical staff could decide otherwise depending on tests.

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Yesterday at 5:06 PM CST

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) celebrates a basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

Nuggets’ Murray ready to shoulder more as added responsibility comes with Jokic out

Tim Wharnsby, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Nuggets’ Murray ready to shoulder more as added responsibility comes with Jokic out

Tim Wharnsby, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Yesterday at 4:00 AM CST

TORONTO - Canadian Jamal Murray was back home for the first night of the next four weeks without his Denver Nuggets teammate, three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, on Wednesday.

Murray and the Nuggets survived a Toronto Raptors second-half rally to hang on for a 106-103 win before 19,181 at Scotiabank Arena.

Jokic suffered a hyperextended left knee in the dying seconds of the Nuggets’ loss on the road against the Miami Heat on Monday. He’s expected to miss a minimum of four weeks.

“We did enough, but I could have been better,” the 28-year-old from Kitchener, Ont., said.

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Yesterday at 4:00 AM CST

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) makes pass as Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram (3) and guard Ochai Agbaji (30) defend during first half NBA action in Toronto on Wednesday December 31, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Morant leads Memphis against Los Angeles after 40-point performance

The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 1:05 AM CST

Memphis Grizzlies (15-18, ninth in the Western Conference) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (20-11, fifth in the Western Conference)

Los Angeles; Friday, 10:30 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Memphis visits the Los Angeles Lakers after Ja Morant scored 40 points in the Grizzlies' 139-136 overtime loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Lakers are 15-8 in Western Conference games. Los Angeles is sixth in the Western Conference with 51.2 points per game in the paint led by Deandre Ayton averaging 12.9.

January 2, 2026

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