It was an action-packed night in the NBA on Sunday, January 11, with multiple games delivering late drama, standout performances, and significant shifts in playoff positioning.
Scottie Barnes’ Clutch Free Throw Lifts Raptors Over 76ers 116-115 in Overtime
Scottie Barnes delivered the decisive moment in a thrilling overtime showdown as the Toronto Raptors edged the Philadelphia 76ers 116-115 at Scotiabank Arena on Sunday night.
With just 0.8 seconds left in OT, Barnes calmly sank a tiebreaking free throw, then intentionally missed the second, sealing Toronto’s third straight home victory over the 76ers. He finished with 31 points and was perfect from the free-throw line, going 10-for-12.
Jamal Shead added a career-high 22 points, while Immanuel Quickley contributed 20. Collin Murray-Boyles recorded 17 points and a career-high 15 rebounds, helping Toronto withstand a late Philadelphia surge.
For the 76ers, Tyrese Maxey carried the scoring load with 38 points, supported by VJ Edgecombe’s 17. Kelly Oubre Jr., Domnick Barlow, and Quentin Grimes each chipped in 13, but Philadelphia’s efforts fell short. The team also struggled with 22 turnovers, nearly matching their season high, and had a season-low 11 assists.
Philadelphia was short-handed as Joel Embiid (left knee and groin) and Paul George (left knee) were sidelined. Toronto also had injury concerns: Barnes returned after missing Friday’s game with a sore knee, RJ Barrett was out with a sprained ankle, Brandon Ingram missed his second straight with a thumb injury, and Jakob Poeltl missed his 10th consecutive game due to a lower back issue. Ja’Kobe Walter started for Toronto but exited early due to a hip injury.
Despite a rough night from deep, shooting 5-for-32 (.156) from three-point range, the Raptors relied on resilience and clutch execution down the stretch.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Powers Thunder Past Heat
After a slow start, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander exploded for 29 points, leading the Thunder to a 124-112 victory over the Miami Heat. Jalen Williams contributed 19 points, while Chet Holmgren and Ajay Mitchell added 16 each.
Oklahoma City dominated off turnovers, outscoring Miami 39-0 despite early struggles. Andrew Wiggins led the Heat with 23 points and seven 3-pointers, but Miami fell for the third consecutive game.
Timberwolves Rally to Beat Spurs
Anthony Edwards scored 23 points and hit a go-ahead 3-foot runner with 16.8 seconds left, leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 104-103 comeback victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Donte DiVincenzo added 19 points, and Julius Randle contributed 15 points and eight rebounds, including the game-winning defensive play against Victor Wembanyama.
The Timberwolves overcame a 19-point deficit early in the third quarter, with Naz Reid posting a double-double (17 points, 11 rebounds). Wembanyama returned to the Spurs’ starting lineup with 29 points, but San Antonio fell short as De’Aaron Fox’s final 3-point attempt missed. Minnesota played without head coach Chris Finch due to illness.
The Timberwolves improve to 26-14, continuing their strong stretch since Thanksgiving.
Knicks Snap Trail Blazers’ Winning Streak
The New York Knicks ended Portland’s five-game winning streak behind Jalen Brunson’s 26 points, OG Anunoby’s 24, and Karl-Anthony Towns’ 20 points and 11 rebounds.
Portland’s Deni Avdija scored 25 points but left late with a back injury. Knicks’ Josh Hart returned from injury, contributing 18 points to help New York pull away in the fourth quarter.
Hawks Snap Warriors’ Win Streak with 124-111 Victory
Nickeil Alexander-Walker led six Atlanta Hawks in double figures with 24 points, while Jalen Johnson added 23 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists to help Atlanta beat the Golden State Warriors 124-111 on Sunday night. Luke Kennard contributed a season-best 22 points off the bench, including six 3-pointers, marking the Hawks’ third straight win.
Stephen Curry scored 31 points, and Jimmy Butler had 30 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, but Golden State’s three-game home winning streak ended. The Warriors struggled from deep in the first half, going just 5 of 19 from 3-point range, allowing Atlanta to take a 59-53 halftime lead.
The Hawks continue their four-game road trip at the Lakers on Tuesday, while the Warriors host Portland.
Suns Cruise Past Wizards 112-93 for 10th Win in 13 Games
Royce O’Neale scored 19 points, Devin Booker added 17 points and eight assists, and the Phoenix Suns rolled to a 112-93 victory over the Washington Wizards on Sunday night. Dillon Brooks chipped in 16 points, hitting four 3-pointers, while the Suns’ bench also contributed with Grayson Allen (12 points) and Oso Ighodaro (10 points).
Phoenix dominated the third quarter, outscoring Washington 31-17, and led 96-65 entering the fourth, allowing them to rest their starters. The Wizards struggled with turnovers (23) and poor shooting, including just 23.3% from three-point range, despite Alex Sarr and rookie Tre Johnson each scoring 19 points.
The Suns improve to 14-5 at home, while the Wizards have lost three straight and shoot for a bounce-back in their next game.
DeRozan Hits 26,000 Career Points as Kings Top Rockets 111-98
DeMar DeRozan scored 22 points and became the 23rd player in NBA history to reach 26,000 career points, helping the Sacramento Kings defeat the Houston Rockets 111-98 on Sunday night. Zach LaVine added 18 points, Russell Westbrook contributed a 15-point, 10-assist, six-rebound performance, and Malik Monk scored 15 points for Sacramento, earning their first win of the season at 9-30.
Houston was led by Amen Thompson (31 points, 13 rebounds) and Kevin Durant (23 points), but could not overcome a tight game where neither team led by more than five points through three quarters. Back-to-back 3-pointers from Monk and a layup from Precious Achiuwa in the fourth sealed the victory.
The Rockets fall to 22-14, having lost four of five games.
Nuggets Overcome Injuries to Edge Bucks 108-104
Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 25 points and Aaron Gordon added 23 as the injury-hit Denver Nuggets defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 108-104 on Sunday night. Peyton Watson contributed 19 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, while Zeke Nnaji recorded his first double-double of the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Denver was missing five of its top eight scorers, including Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, yet held off a late Bucks rally. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 31 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds, but Milwaukee fell short despite closing the gap to 105-102 in the final minutes. Aaron Gordon’s late free throws sealed the win.
Magic Rally Past Pelicans 128-118 in Wagner’s Return
Paulo Banchero recorded 23 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, while Desmond Bane added 27 points as the Orlando Magic defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 128-118 on Sunday. The win marked the return of Moritz Wagner, who scored eight points in 10 minutes after more than a year sidelined with a torn ACL.
Anthony Black chipped in 26 points and seven assists, and Goga Bitadze had a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds in his first start of the season. Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 22 points, but New Orleans has now lost 10 of 11 games.
Coward’s Late 3s Lift Grizzlies Over Nets 103-98
Cedric Coward scored 21 points, including two clutch 3-pointers in the final minute, to help the Memphis Grizzlies defeat the Brooklyn Nets 103-98 on Sunday. Jock Landale added 16 points and nine rebounds, while Santi Aldama contributed 15 points and eight rebounds.
Brooklyn led 98-90 with three minutes remaining, but Memphis scored the final 13 points to complete the comeback. Noah Clowney and Tyrese Martin each scored 17 points for the Nets, with Martin hitting 5 of 7 from three-point range, but Brooklyn fell short in their first game of a heavy January schedule.
The Grizzlies head to Berlin and London for a two-game series against Orlando.
Source: NBA
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