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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
CJ McCollum (not with team) will not play Friday against the Nuggets. His trade to the Atlanta Hawks was finalized Friday morning, but he and Corey Kispert have not yet joined the team. McCollum's next opportunity to debut for the Hawks is scheduled for Sunday against the Warriors.
The Atlanta Hawks are reportedly keen on acquiring Anthony Davis to pair him with their breakout star, Jalen Johnson, aiming to form an uber-athletic and menacing two-way frontcourt. Johnson, 24, is expected to be an All-Star this season. The Hawks' interest in Davis intensified after trading Trae Young, which provided more financial flexibility for such a move, though Davis's recent injury could impact trade discussions.
Washington Wizards guard Bub Carrington has been highlighted in NBA DFS picks for Friday, January 9. SportsLine's Mike McClure, a daily Fantasy professional with over $2 million in winnings, has included Carrington in his optimal NBA DFS lineup advice for the day. This suggests Carrington is considered a valuable option for fantasy basketball players.
Luke Kornet has made a significant impact with the San Antonio Spurs since signing a four-year, $41 million contract. After missing seven games with an ankle injury, he became a frontcourt stalwart, starting 21 of 29 games while Victor Wembanyama was sidelined. Kornet is averaging career highs with 8.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.4 blocks, contributing to the Spurs' 26-11 record. He will return to Boston for a "reunion game" on Saturday, January 10.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr defended Draymond Green against recent criticism, urging fans and analysts to "settle down" and avoid overreacting to short-term analytics. Kerr highlighted Green's ongoing defensive impact, particularly in a recent win against Giannis Antetokounmpo, calling him "the best possible matchup." While acknowledging Green's on-court metrics haven't met his usual standard this season, Kerr emphasized the importance of context and believes Green will be a positive contributor if the team improves ball handling and offensive rebounding.
Warriors guard De'Anthony Melton scored a season-high 22 points (8-12 FG, 5-9 3PT) in 25 minutes during a win against the Bucks, marking his first 20+ point game in over two years. His career has been hampered by injuries, including a season-ending ACL tear last year, but he's returned strong, ranking second on the team in plus/minus since his Dec. 4 debut. Coach Kerr aims to increase his minutes, while Steph Curry praises his versatility. Melton, who wants to be the starting shooting guard, has been key to the Warriors' 4-0 record in games where he hits multiple threes.
Aaron Nesmith is highlighted as a strong fantasy basketball waiver wire pickup, having settled into a consistent starting role for the Pacers. He has played at least 32 minutes in four of the past five games, averaging 31.3 fantasy points per game, providing serviceable contributions on both ends of the floor, making him a reliable plug-and-play option until the Pacers start to rest players down the stretch.
Finding a trade partner for Jonathan Kuminga is proving elusive, with only the Sacramento Kings showing interest, despite his desire to leave and the Warriors' willingness to move him after Jan. 15. Kuminga, 23, has an inconsistent role, having played only once since Dec. 6 due to bilateral knee tendinitis and back soreness, leading to irreconcilable differences with the team regarding his role as a star vs. a role player.
Kevin Durant is recognized as one of the NBA's youngest players to achieve 10,000 career points. This milestone was recently highlighted as Anthony Edwards became the third-youngest player to reach the same mark, placing him behind only LeBron James and Durant in league history.
LeBron James (foot/sciatica) is a game-time decision for the Los Angeles Lakers' Friday matchup against the Bucks. He has been upgraded to questionable after sitting out the second half of Wednesday's back-to-back game against the Spurs. While all signs suggest he will be ready to play, his official status will be confirmed closer to tipoff. James is also noted as one of the players Anthony Edwards is behind in reaching 10,000 career points at a young age.
Anthony Edwards has been cleared to play in Thursday's game against the Cavaliers despite right foot soreness. He played 29 minutes in Tuesday's win, recording 26 points, five rebounds, and three assists, maintaining excellent form with 31.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.7 steals over his last seven games. More significantly, Edwards became the third-youngest player in NBA history to reach 10,000 career points, trailing only LeBron James and Kevin Durant.
Lauri Markkanen delivered a dominant performance, collecting 33 points (14-26 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 3-6 FT), seven rebounds, four assists, and two blocks in 40 minutes during Thursday's 116-114 win over the Mavericks. He was particularly effective late in the game, scoring 10 points in the fourth quarter to secure the victory. Markkanen has been shouldering a heavy workload, averaging 39.0 minutes and 28.2 points over his last five appearances.
Cooper Flagg posted 26 points (10-18 FG), 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block, narrowly missing a triple-double in Thursday's loss. This marks his fourth double-double, leading his team in scoring. He remains the favorite for NBA Rookie of the Year, holding the top spot despite strong competition, and leads the Mavericks in total points, rebounds, assists, and steals, showcasing consistent confidence and a growing offensive game.
Anthony Davis exited Thursday's game against the Jazz in the fourth quarter with an apparent left hand injury and did not return. He finished with 21 points (10-20 FG), 11 rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block in 35 minutes before checking out with 2:08 remaining. The severity of the injury is currently unknown, and he is considered day-to-day. Klay Thompson and Caleb Martin could see increased playing time if Davis misses Saturday's game in Chicago. He was also featured in NBA DFS picks for Thursday.
Donovan Mitchell scored a game-high 30 points (10-20 FG, 8 assists, 7 rebounds) in the Cavaliers' loss to the Timberwolves, marking his 21st 30-point game this season and fourth straight. He's averaging 29.8 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.8 rebounds over 33.9 minutes per game this season. Despite his high efficiency, discussions persist about his pairing with Darius Garland, though Mitchell-led units perform at a top-five clip.
Jaden McDaniels finished Thursday's 131-122 win over the Cavaliers with an efficient 26 points (11-14 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 1-4 FT), along with 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals over 38 minutes. He was the team's second-leading scorer, marking his ninth game this season with 20 or more points, and tied a season high with three triples. Through four January outings, McDaniels has averaged 15.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.3 threes, and 2.3 steals over 31.9 minutes per game.
Julius Randle logged 28 points (10-22 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 5-6 FT), 11 rebounds, and 8 assists over 35 minutes during the Timberwolves' 131-122 win over the Cavaliers on Thursday. He was one of four Minnesota starters to score at least 20 points and recorded his 12th double-double of the season, his fifth over the last seven outings. Randle was just two assists shy of his third triple-double of the regular season. Through the first four games of January, he has averaged 22.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.8 threes.
Pascal Siakam produced 30 points (12-23 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 14 rebounds, and 3 assists in 36 minutes during Thursday's 114-112 win over the Hornets. He led the Indiana Pacers in points and rebounds, securing his first double-double since December 5th, and reaching the 30-point threshold for the second time in his last three games. This strong showing helped Indiana snap a 13-game losing streak. Through his first four appearances of January, Siakam is averaging 27.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.0 steals.
LaMelo Ball (ankle) was available for Thursday's game against the Pacers but moved to the bench for the first time this season, a decision following recent shooting struggles (40.4% FG, 34.5% 3P over last four games). Despite the reserve role, Ball popped off for a season-high 33 points (12-24 FG, 7-15 3Pt), along with 8 assists, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals in 27 minutes during the 114-112 loss. This strong performance came in the second leg of a back-to-back, and he'll look to continue it Saturday against the Jazz.
Coby White (calf) was cleared to play and set to return to the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Heat, with an expected 24-26 minutes. He has averaged 15.9 points, 3.9 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.8 three-pointers in 26.8 minutes over his last 12 appearances. However, the game was postponed due to slippery court conditions, delaying his return to the first unit. The matchup will be rescheduled for a later date.
