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NBA News

Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Friday, January 16

Leonard Out with Ankle Injury; Ballmer Seeks Dismissal of Fraud Suit

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Kawhi Leonard (ankle) is ruled out for Friday's game against the Raptors, marking his first absence since November 22. His next opportunity to play is Monday in Washington. Separately, Clippers owner Steve Ballmer's attorneys are seeking to dismiss a lawsuit alleging Ballmer participated in fraud by funneling money to Leonard through a defunct green banking company. Ballmer was named in the suit by former Aspiration employees, which alleges cap circumvention. The legal action aims to hold Ballmer accountable for the alleged financial misconduct.

Luka Dončić to Miss Saturday's Game Due to Left Groin Soreness

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Luka Dončić, the NBA's leading scorer averaging 33.6 points per game, will miss Saturday's game in Portland due to left groin soreness. He appeared to struggle with the injury during Monday's loss to the Kings but played 35 minutes and scored 39 points in Thursday's loss to the Hornets. His absence comes as the Lakers face a difficult schedule and have lost four of their last five games.

LeBron James Scores 29 Points in Lakers' Loss to Hornets

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LeBron James recorded 29 points, nine rebounds, and six assists for the Los Angeles Lakers in their 135-117 loss to the Charlotte Hornets. Despite his strong individual performance, the Lakers suffered their fourth loss in five games, highlighting the team's need for better perimeter defense and additional scoring help, especially with Austin Reaves sidelined.

Ja Morant Trade Market Tepid; Heat Interest 'Overstated'

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Despite Ja Morant's reported desire to be traded to Miami, the Heat's interest is 'overstated' as they prioritize 2027-28 cap space. The trade market for the Memphis Grizzlies guard remains tepid, with teams like Sacramento and New Orleans only considering "buy low" scenarios without significant draft capital. Milwaukee has shown interest, but questions arise about his fit with Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Grizzlies are reportedly seeking Ryan Rollins and a Bucks' first-round pick in any potential deal, while Houston and Brooklyn are unlikely to pursue him.

T.J. McConnell Recommended as Top DFS Pick for Friday, Jan. 16

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Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell has been highlighted as an optimal daily Fantasy basketball pick for Friday, January 16. SportsLine's Mike McClure, a daily Fantasy professional with over $2 million in winnings, provided this NBA DFS lineup advice for DraftKings and FanDuel players, suggesting McConnell as a valuable addition to Friday's lineups.

Wembanyama Shakes Off Injury Scare, Dominates with 22-Point Double-Double

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Victor Wembanyama overcame an early injury scare after banging knees with Giannis Antetokounmpo, returning in the second quarter to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 119-101 rout of the Bucks. Wembanyama recorded a double-double with 22 points on efficient 7-of-12 shooting (including 5-of-6 from three-point range), 10 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 1 assist. After playing a decoy role initially, he erupted in the third quarter with five three-pointers and highlight-reel plays, showcasing his "Bald Wemby" form. The Spurs' chemistry was evident in the bounce-back win, with a revenge matchup against Minnesota next.

Dillon Brooks' Aggression Becomes Liability in Recent Suns Losses

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Dillon Brooks, known for reshaping the Phoenix Suns' culture with his toughness, is facing scrutiny over his on-court self-awareness after two recent losses. Against the Heat, he was inefficient (4-of-16 FG, 16 points) and fouled out, committing a Flagrant 1 and a rescinded technical foul. Over the last two games, he's shot just 18.8% from deep (3-of-16) and accumulated 11 fouls and two flagrants. While his disruptive style is valued, his over-aggressiveness and emotional plays have become a liability, particularly when stars like Devin Booker and Jalen Green are absent. The team needs him to make winning plays and resist actions that disrupt team rhythm.

Brunson Questionable for Saturday's Game After Ankle Sprain

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Jalen Brunson is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Suns due to a sprained right ankle. He sat out Thursday's loss to the Warriors after sustaining the injury five minutes into Wednesday's game in Sacramento. If Brunson remains sidelined for a second consecutive game, Miles McBride is expected to draw another start. The Knicks lost three of four games on their recent road trip.

Bucks Show Interest in Miles Bridges Amid Trade Speculation

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Miles Bridges, the 27-year-old Charlotte Hornets forward, is drawing interest from the Milwaukee Bucks as a potential trade candidate. Bridges is averaging 19.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists this season, providing a well-rounded offensive game and strong defensive presence. While his scoring efficiency (45.9% FG, 33.1% 3PT over last four seasons) isn't elite, his passing and rebounding stand out. The trade mechanics are complex for Milwaukee, as Bridges is valued more at second-round picks, which the Bucks lack. A potential deal involving Andre Jackson Jr. and Kyle Kuzma is suggested, which could appeal to the Hornets for rebuild purposes and salary relief. Bridges' durability and ability to impact defense and rebounding make him an attractive fit for teams seeking firepower.

Scottie Barnes Expected to Excel as Playmaker for Injured Raptors

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Scottie Barnes is anticipated to be a primary playmaker for the Toronto Raptors in Friday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers, especially with the team dealing with multiple injuries, including potentially Immanuel Quickley. Barnes has been excelling in a variety of roles, averaging 6.7 assists per game since December 28, ranking seventh among all forwards. He is also averaging 50.2 passes made per game and is coming off a 13-assist performance on Wednesday, having topped 4.5 assists in six of his last ten outings.

LaMelo Ball Erupts for 30 Points, 11 Assists in Hornets' Win Over Lakers

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LaMelo Ball showcased his leadership and scoring prowess, erupting for 27 second-half points to finish with 30 points and 11 assists in the Charlotte Hornets' 135-117 victory over the Lakers. The 24-year-old guard made eight three-pointers on 12 attempts after halftime. Ball is averaging 20.4 points, 7.8 assists, and 5.2 rebounds this season, boasting a career-high +2.8 rating and a 42.2% assist percentage, second only to Nikola Jokic. Coach Charles Lee credits Ball as the team's emotional leader, noting the Hornets have had the top-ranked offense in the 15 games since his return from an ankle injury.

Anfernee Simons' 39-Point Outburst Fuels Celtics Win, Heightens Trade Value

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Anfernee Simons delivered a season-high 39 points off the bench, including 7 three-pointers, to fuel the Boston Celtics' 119-114 comeback win against the Heat. This performance intensifies trade rumors surrounding Simons, who is in the final year of his $27.7 million contract and is one of Boston's few movable assets. He is shooting 50% from beyond the arc over his last nine games and ranks 8th in "overall gravity" for drawing defensive attention. Coach Joe Mazzulla praises his defensive engagement. Simons is third in 4th-quarter bench points (162) and the first bench player to reach 100 three-pointers this season, making his value potentially never higher as the Celtics seek a big man.

Thursday, January 15

Jonathan Kuminga Demands Trade; Warriors Stars Downplay Distraction

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Warriors F Jonathan Kuminga officially requested a trade on Jan 15 after a 13-game absence from the rotation. His agent seeks a quick move, but a deal isn't imminent due to low trade value. Kuminga, on a 2-year, $48.5M contract, averages 11.8 points, with Lakers and Kings showing interest. Despite his healthy DNP-CD status for 13 of the last 17 games, Steph Curry, Coach Steve Kerr, and other Warriors stars insist the situation is 'not a distraction,' highlighting Kuminga's good character and popularity. He started the first 12 games averaging 14.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists.

Curry Scores 27 Points, Quad Bruise Raises Saturday Status Concerns

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Warriors' Stephen Curry notched 27 points (10-17 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 7 assists, and 3 rebounds in a win over the Knicks. Despite his strong performance, he played through a bruised quad and was in pain post-game. His status for Saturday's game against Charlotte is uncertain and will be closely monitored. The team maintained focus amidst Jonathan Kuminga's trade demand, stating it was 'not a distraction' during the game.

Simons Explodes for 39 Points, Leads Celtics' Comeback Win, Intriguing Trade Target

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Anfernee Simons delivered a season-high 39 points (13-28 FG, 7-16 3Pt, 6-6 FT), along with 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal in 34 minutes, leading the Boston Celtics to a 119-114 comeback win over the Heat. Coming off the bench, Simons provided a crucial spark, scoring 11 points in the first quarter and 18 of the Celtics' 36 points in the fourth. This performance, his highest since January 2024, highlights his comfort in his bench role, averaging 18.3 points, 3.6 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 4.1 threes in eight games since January 1. His recent play makes him an intriguing player heading into the NBA trade deadline.

LeBron James' 29 Points Not Enough as Lakers Fall to Hornets in High-Scoring Loss

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LeBron James contributed 29 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists for the Los Angeles Lakers in their 135-117 loss to the Charlotte Hornets. Despite his efforts and Luka Doncic's 39 points, the Lakers' defense proved costly, allowing the Hornets to hit 20 three-pointers and rally from a 13-point deficit. James did not speak to reporters after the game, which marked the Lakers' fourth loss in five games.

Jimmy Butler Dominates Knicks with 32 Points, 8 Rebounds in Warriors' Victory

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Jimmy Butler delivered a stellar performance for the Golden State Warriors, registering 32 points (14-22 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 3-5 FT), 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals in 32 minutes during Thursday's 126-113 win over the Knicks. Butler, alongside Stephen Curry, led the offensive charge, combining for 59 points. He scored 15 points in the first half and has now reached the 30-point mark in two of his last three games, showcasing strong all-around contributions.

Towns Records Season-High 20 Rebounds, Double-Double in Knicks Loss

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Karl-Anthony Towns produced 17 points (6-14 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 3-4 FT), a season-high 20 rebounds (including eight offensive boards), 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block in 31 minutes during Thursday's 126-113 loss to the Warriors. Towns delivered an elite performance on the glass, marking a new season high in total and offensive rebounds. He has now recorded a double-double in five of his last seven matchups, with his scoring efficiency showing signs of improvement.

Okongwu Dominates with 26 Points, 9 Boards, 3 Steals in Hawks' Loss

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Onyeka Okongwu delivered a strong performance for the Atlanta Hawks, tallying 26 points (10-21 FG, 5-15 3Pt, 1-1 FT), nine rebounds, two assists, three steals, and one block in 37 minutes during Thursday's 117-101 loss to the Trail Blazers. Okongwu led Atlanta in points, made threes, and steals, falling just one rebound shy of a double-double. This outing marked an improved showing for the USC product, who had been limited to seven points in his previous game against the Lakers.

Sensabaugh's Historic 70-Point Back-to-Back, Sets NBA Bench Record

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Brice Sensabaugh continued his scoring surge, compiling 70 total points over two days. On Thursday, he posted 27 points (10-15 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 4-4 FT), five rebounds, one assist, and one steal in 28 minutes during Utah's 144-122 loss to Dallas. This followed a career-high 43 points (15-22 FG, 5-10 3Pt, 8-8 FT), five rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 34 minutes off the bench during Wednesday's 128-126 loss to the Bulls. In that game, he set an NBA record by scoring 21 points in the first quarter, the most by a bench player since 1996-97. Sensabaugh has seen an increased role with Jusuf Nurkic, Svi Mykhailiuk, and Lauri Markkanen (illness) sidelined.