Man, if you turned off the TV early last night, you missed some absolute chaos. The NBA is in that mid-January grind where things usually get a bit sleepy, but last night was anything but quiet. We had massive blowouts, trade-deadline rumors manifesting on the court, and LeBron James out there at 41 years old still chasing triple-doubles like he’s a rookie in 2003. Honestly, the NBA basketball results last night tell a story of a league that's shifting underneath our feet.
The Lakers Finally Stopped the Bleeding
The biggest headline coming out of Los Angeles wasn't just that the Lakers won—it’s how they did it. They absolutely dismantled the Atlanta Hawks 141-116. Now, look, Atlanta hasn't exactly been the 1996 Bulls lately, but the Lakers needed this one bad. They were coming off a three-game skid and looked kinda lost.
Then LeBron happens. 31 points. 10 assists. 9 rebounds.
He missed the triple-double by a single board. It’s almost funny at this point. Luka Doncic, who the Lakers famously snagged in that "seismic" trade about a year ago, chipped in 27 points and 12 assists. Watching those two share the floor is still surreal. They jumped out to a 32-point lead and basically dared the Hawks to do something about it. Atlanta tried a late rally, cutting it to 11, but the Lakers actually hit their threes for once (19 of them!) and pulled away.
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Hawks Trade Fallout?
You’ve gotta feel for the Hawks fans. They just traded Trae Young to Washington for Corey Kispert and CJ McCollum. Kispert actually looked decent, putting up 19, and McCollum had 25, but the chemistry just isn't there yet. It sort of felt like watching a group of guys who just met in the parking lot trying to run a complex offense.
Shai and the Thunder are Just Different
Over in Oklahoma City, the Thunder reminded everyone why they’re sitting at the top of the West with a 33-7 record. They beat the Spurs 119-98. This was supposed to be the big "Wemby vs. Chet" showdown, and while Victor Wembanyama went right at Chet Holmgren in the first minute, the game quickly turned into the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander show.
Shai dropped 34. He’s basically the MVP frontrunner at this point, and it’s not particularly close if you ask the folks at the Paycom Center. The Spurs kept it competitive for a bit, but the Thunder’s depth is just terrifying. Jalen Williams and Alex Caruso were everywhere. San Antonio is 27-12 now, which is still a great season for them, but they aren't on OKC's level. Not yet.
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Around the League: Upsets and Blowouts
If you’re looking for a "what on earth happened" score, look at Milwaukee. The Timberwolves went into the Fiserv Forum and hung 139 points on the Bucks. 139! Minnesota won by 33. The Bucks are struggling, falling to 17-23, and the vibes in Milwaukee are... not great.
Meanwhile, Kevin Durant is still doing Kevin Durant things in Houston. The Rockets beat the Bulls 119-113 in a game that was way closer than anyone expected. Tre Jones had the game of his life for Chicago, scoring a career-high 34 points on 11-of-12 shooting. But when the game got tight in the final three minutes, KD woke up. He threw down two massive dunks during a 16-9 closing run to seal it.
Here’s a quick look at the other NBA basketball results last night:
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- Denver Nuggets 122, New Orleans Pelicans 116 (Jokic was quiet, but Denver’s bench actually showed up).
- Golden State Warriors 119, Portland Trail Blazers 97 (Steph and Klay looked like it was 2015 again for a second).
- Miami Heat 127, Phoenix Suns 121 (Bam Adebayo was a monster with 29 points).
Why These Results Actually Matter
We’re at the point in the season where the standings start to harden like wet cement. The Thunder are pulling away in the West, but the race for that 5th through 10th spot is a complete bloodbath. The Lakers’ win puts them at 23-14, keeping them right in the mix.
One thing people get wrong about these mid-season games is thinking they don't matter because "everyone makes the play-in." Tell that to the Lakers, who were one loss away from a total locker room meltdown before last night. Or the Suns, who are 24-16 and suddenly looking over their shoulder at a surging Rockets team.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you're following the league closely right now, keep an eye on these three things:
- The Lakers' Perimeter Shooting: Last night they hit 19 threes. Their previous game? They went 8-for-36. They are the definition of "live by the sword, die by the sword." Don't trust them to cover a large spread until they show some consistency.
- OKC’s Home Dominance: They are 19-2 at home. If you see them playing at the Paycom Center, they are almost a lock.
- The "New" Hawks: Atlanta is in a total transitional phase. Expect high-scoring games because their defense is non-existent, but their new shooters (Kispert/McCollum) will keep them in games.
The trade deadline is looming, and several of the teams that lost last night—looking at you, Milwaukee and Chicago—are likely already making calls. The landscape of the league will probably look different in three weeks, but for now, the Thunder are the kings of the hill and LeBron is still fighting father time to a draw.
To stay ahead of the curve, watch the injury reports for the next 48 hours. Many of these teams played heavy minutes in blowouts, and we’re seeing a lot of "load management" creep in during the second half of back-to-backs this week. Monitor the status of Luka Doncic’s groin soreness particularly closely before the Lakers' next outing.