Top Stories

• Minnesota climbing up the Western standings

• Lakers hand Wizards 16th straight loss

• All Star reserves announced

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Games of the day

Last Night’s Top Games! (link to the box scores of every game from yesterday)

Anthony Edwards scored 16 of his 36 points in the third quarter and the Minnesota Timberwolves crushed the Utah 138-113 for their fifth straight victory and second in two nights. Announced as an All-Star Game as a reserve, Edwards had 11 assists and led a decisive 44-22 third quarter for the Timberwolves. Minnesota was coming off a 121-113 victory at Phoenix on Wednesday. After the Jazz made a modest run in the fourth quarter, Edwards made three 3-pointers in a minute and a half span to give Minnesota a 125-97 lead with 4:30 left. Keyonte George, who was moved out of Utah's the starting lineup, scored 23 points on 7-for-7 shooting. Collin Sexton had 19 points, while John Collins and Jordan Clarkson both had 16 in Utah's eighth straight loss. Minnesota rookie Rob Dillingham had a career-high 19 points. Rudy Gobert and Luka Garza each added 16 points.

LeBron James had 24 points and 11 assists before resting for the final quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers' 134-96 blowout of the Washington Wizards. While he sat out, Bronny played the whole fourth quarter and scored a career-high five points. It was the 16th consecutive loss for Washington, tying a franchise record. It's the second time this season the Wizards have dropped that many in a row. This one was never close after the first few minutes, even though the Lakers were missing Anthony Davis because of an abdominal muscle strain. Washington was without rookie Alex Sarr, who had a sprained left ankle. Los Angeles has won five of six, bouncing back from a 14-point loss at Philadelphia on Tuesday night. This was the Lakers' biggest victory this season, surpassing their 111-88 win over the Wizards just over a week ago. With the Lakers up by 39 and 1:25 remaining, Los Angeles rookie Dalton Knecht was called for two technical fouls — apparently for arguing — and ejected. Jordan Poole led the Wizards with 19 points.

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League News

Around the League

• Seven players from each conference have been selected by the NBA’s head coaches as reserves for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game. In selecting the All-Star Game reserves, each NBA head coach voted for seven players in his conference – two guards, three frontcourt players and two additional players at any position.  The head coaches were not permitted to vote for players from their own team. Adam Silver will select the replacement for any player unable to participate in the All-Star Game. The Eastern Conference reserves are Damian Lillard, Darius Garland, Jaylen Brown, Cade Cunningham, Tyler Herro, Evan Mobley, and Pascal Siakam. The Western Conference reserves are Anthony Edwards, Anthony Davis, James Harden, Jaren Jackson Jr., Alperen Sengun, Jalen Williams, and Victor Wembanyama. Several surprising names were left off the list, the most being LaMelo Ball, who most fans expected to be a starter. Instead he didn’t make it at all. De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, Kyrie Irving, Tyrese Maxey, and Devin Booker are just some of the names people expected to make it, but it seems the head coaches said otherwise. Due to that voting system, Tyler Herro manages to make it in over LaMelo Ball.

• Injury Updates: James Wiseman tore his achilles and will be out indefinitely. Taylor Hendricks (leg and ankle) suffered a fractured fibia and dislocated ankle and will be out for the season. Isaiah Jackson (achilles) will be out for the season. Chet Holmgren (hip) suffered a fracture and will be out 5-6 weeks. DeAnthony Melton (ACL) underwent surgery and will be out for the season. Grant Williams (ACL) suffered a tear and will be out for the season. Luka Doncic (calf) will be out at least 2 weeks. Larry Nance Jr (hand) will be out indefinitely after surgery. Jared McCain (torn meniscus) will be out for the season. Brandon Miller (wrist) will be out for the season. Donte DiVincenzo (toe) will be out indefinitely. Jalen Johnson (shoulder) will be out for the season. We wish all these guys speedy and successful recoveries.

• Trade Updates: The Miami Heat traded Thomas Bryant to Indiana for a 2nd round pick. The Brooklyn Nets traded Dennis Schroder for DeAnthony Melton. The Lakers traded D’Angelo Russell to the Nets for Dorian Finney Smith. Phoenix traded Josh Okogie for Nick Richards.

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NBA MVP Ladder

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Last week’s ranking: No. 1
Season stats: 31.6 points, 6 assists, 2 steals

His case: The good times continue for Gilgeous-Alexander as the Thunder, fresh off a beating of the East-leading Cavaliers, show no sign of slowing down anytime soon. Same for Gilgeous-Alexander as he has dipped under 30 points just twice this month (in blowout wins) and leads the league in scoring and is No. 3 in steals.

And the Thunder schedule lightens up from here, with a pair against the short-handed Mavericks, plus the Jazz, Nets, Blazers and Warriors. All of which provide a chance for Gilgeous-Alexander to put up even bigger numbers.

2. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets

Last week’s ranking: No. 2
Season stats: 30.6 points, 13.2 rebounds, 9.9 assists

His case: Jokić is dealing with a bum elbow and subsequently is shooting less and therefore scoring less for the Nuggets as of late. However: He’s OK with that last part because his teammates are starting to — finally — play better and rely less on his scoring.

The Nuggets are starting to surge, and if Denver is high in the West standings at season’s end, that can only positively reflect on Jokić’s chances of grabbing another MVP trophy.

3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Last week’s ranking: No. 3
Season stats: 31.3 points, 11.8 rebounds, 6.1 assists

His case: Antetokounmpo is averaging 27.3 ppg in January so far, his lowest monthly average of the season. However, that’s more reflective of having to shoot less for the Bucks, who have turned the corner on a season that began slowly and demanded more from Antetokounmpo.

It’s all good — Antetokounmpo is the leading fan vote-getter for the All-Star Game, a sign of respect.

4. Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks

Last week’s ranking: No. 6
Season stats: 25.4 points, 13.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists

His case: Towns is dealing with wrist and thumb issues and had to sit a game; neither injury is considered serious enough to bench him for an extended period.

Otherwise, the consistently high-level performances by Towns keep him high on the Ladder. He went for 30 and 18 against Antetokounmpo and the Bucks before the injury and has a decent chance to be named a starter for the All-Star Game.

5. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

Last week’s ranking: No. 4
Season stats: 24.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, 4 blocks

His case: Wembanyama continues to issue decent performances although it has been a mixed bag lately, as the Spurs have stumbled in the standings, losers of four of their last five. He’ll need a good stretch to remain in the top five next week.

The Next 5:

6. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
7. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
8. Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets
9. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
10. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers

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Fantasy Leaders

Gobert makes his first Top 3 appearance this season

Overtime Thoughts