Friday nights in the NBA usually bring the chaos, but yesterday felt different. It was the kind of night where the standings started to lie to you. If you just glanced at the nba box scores yesterday, you might think you saw some routine mid-January basketball.
You’d be wrong.
Honestly, what we witnessed on January 16, 2026, was a masterclass in "clutch" from players you wouldn't expect. Jaylon Tyson dropping nearly 40? Michael Porter Jr. playing hero for a team that isn't the Nuggets? It’s getting weird out there, and frankly, it’s great for the league.
The Heartbreak in Brooklyn and Philly
The Brooklyn Nets were basically begging to lose. They had a 20-point lead against the Chicago Bulls at Barclays Center. Twenty points! By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, it looked like a blowout. Then the Bulls decided to actually play.
Chicago went on a tear, clawing back until Tre Jones hit a layup with 11 seconds left to give them a one-point lead. It felt like the typical Nets collapse we've seen all month. But then, Michael Porter Jr. reminded everyone why he’s one of the most dangerous pure scorers in the game. He took the rock and banked in a go-ahead layup with 5.4 seconds on the clock.
The final nba box scores yesterday showed a 112-109 victory for Brooklyn, snapping their five-game skid. Porter finished with 26, but the real story was Noah Clowney. The kid is 19 and playing like a ten-year vet, putting up 23 points and 11 rebounds. Chicago's Nikola Vucevic had 19, but he rushed a three at the buzzer that didn't even come close.
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Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, the 76ers learned that the Cleveland Cavaliers are apparently deep enough to win without their full deck. Jaylon Tyson went absolutely nuclear. He put up a career-high 39 points, shooting 7-of-9 from deep. It was one of those "is this real?" shooting displays.
Even though Joel Embiid did Embiid things—33 points and a whole lot of trips to the line—the Cavs stole it 117-115. Evan Mobley played the villain, flushing a dunk with under five seconds left to seal it. Cleveland has now swept the home-and-home with Philly, and honestly, the Sixers look kinda gassed.
Why the Kings and Rockets are Dangerous Right Now
If you haven't been watching the Sacramento Kings lately, you're missing out. They took down the Washington Wizards 128-115 yesterday, and it wasn't as close as the score suggests. Domantas Sabonis came back from his knee injury and didn't look like he missed a beat, chipping in 13 points.
But the real engine was Russell Westbrook. Yeah, you read that right. Russ had 26 points and looked like he was 25 again, flying around the Golden 1 Center. The Kings have won four straight, and they're starting to look like a legitimate threat in the West.
Washington is a mess. They just got Trae Young in that big trade with Atlanta, but he’s already on the shelf with knee and quad issues. Without him, they dropped their fifth in a row. They’re 10-30 now. It’s getting ugly in D.C.
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Over in Houston, the Rockets managed to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 110-105. This was a classic "ugly win." The Rockets were on the second night of a back-to-back, and you could tell. They were sluggish, but Kevin Durant (still doing it at his age, somehow) carried the load when it mattered.
The big talking point in Houston today isn't the win, though; it's Ime Udoka’s rotations. Fans are losing their minds over Reed Sheppard's lack of minutes. He played half as much as Josh Okogie. Sure, Okogie is a defensive specialist, but you've gotta wonder if stunting the rookie's growth is worth a regular-season win in January.
Notable Stats from Yesterday's Slate
- Jaylon Tyson (CLE): 39 PTS, 7/9 3PT. A career night in a hostile Philly environment.
- Noah Clowney (BKN): 23 PTS, 11 REB. The bright spot in a weird Nets season.
- Zion Williamson (NO): 27 PTS. He looked dominant, but the Pelicans still fell to Indiana 127-119.
- Trey Murphy III (NO): 5 threes. He’s averaging over five triples a game this month. Absolutely elite.
- Pascal Siakam (IND): 23.9 PPG average in January. He’s keeping the Pacers afloat while they wait for Haliburton to get healthy.
The Pacers-Pelicans Shootout
Indiana vs. New Orleans was basically a game of "who wants to play defense last?" The answer was neither. The Pacers won 127-119, mostly because they dropped 73 points in the first half. Indiana has been struggling offensively, ranking dead last in efficiency lately, but they looked like the '85 Lakers for 24 minutes yesterday.
Zion Williamson did what he does, bullying people in the paint for 27 points. But the Pelicans are 10-34 for a reason. They have no identity on the defensive end. Trey Murphy III is playing like an All-Star—averaging over 31 points in January—but it doesn't matter if you're giving up 120+ every night.
Indiana is 3-4 in January, which sounds bad, but they started the season 6-28. They’re finally showing some life under Rick Carlisle, even if it's just incremental progress.
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What This Means for Your Picks
Look, the nba box scores yesterday tell a story of a league that's in a weird transition phase. The "old guard" like KD and Russ are still stealing games, while rookies and second-year players like Tyson and Clowney are starting to take over box scores.
If you're looking at the betting lines or just trying to keep up with your fantasy league, keep an eye on the injury reports for the Wizards and Sixers. Washington without Trae Young is a lock for an "over" on their opponent's points. Philly, on the other hand, looks like they need a week off. Embiid is doing the heavy lifting, but the supporting cast is vanishing in the fourth quarter.
Going forward, watch the Nets. They nearly blew a massive lead, which usually signals coaching or chemistry issues. Even with the win, that locker room in Brooklyn might be a bit tense.
Next Steps for Your NBA Tracking:
- Monitor the Nets-Bulls Rematch: They play again Sunday in Chicago. Expect the Bulls to come out aggressive after that heartbreaking loss at Barclays.
- Watch the Pacers’ Efficiency: If they can maintain even 70% of yesterday's offensive output, they might actually climb out of the basement.
- Follow Trae Young’s Injury Status: Washington's season hinges on his mid-February re-evaluation. If he’s out longer, expect a fire sale in D.C.
- Scout Jaylon Tyson: This 39-point game wasn't a fluke. His shot mechanics are elite, and he’s earning more minutes in Cleveland's rotation.