Man, if you went to bed early Tuesday night, you missed a weird one. Honestly, the way the Los Angeles Lakers just dismantled the Atlanta Hawks was a bit of a shocker, especially since LA had been stuck in a three-game rut. But they didn't just win; they absolutely erupted for a 141-116 victory.
LeBron James is out here in his 23rd season nearly putting up a triple-double like it's 2012. He finished with 31 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds. Just one board shy. You've gotta wonder if he even cares at this point or if he's just playing on autopilot. Meanwhile, Luka Doncic—who the Lakers famously traded for about a year ago—dropped 27 of his own.
The Lakers' Offensive Explosion and Other NBA Final Scores Last Night
It wasn't just the stars, though. The Lakers hit 19 three-pointers. Keep in mind, they only made eight in their previous loss to Sacramento. It's that kind of "make or miss" league variance that drives bettors crazy. The NBA final scores last night really highlighted how some teams are finding their mid-season rhythm while others are hitting a wall.
Take the Minnesota Timberwolves. They went into Milwaukee and absolutely embarrassed the Bucks, winning 139-106. Seeing the Bucks lose by 33 at the Fiserv Forum is... well, it’s not something you see every day. Giannis and company just had no answer for Minnesota's depth.
Here is the quick rundown of how the scoreboard looked across the league for Tuesday, January 13, 2026:
- Los Angeles Lakers 141, Atlanta Hawks 116
- Minnesota Timberwolves 139, Milwaukee Bucks 106
- Denver Nuggets 122, New Orleans Pelicans 116
- Oklahoma City Thunder 119, San Antonio Spurs 98
- Houston Rockets 119, Chicago Bulls 113
- Golden State Warriors 119, Portland Trail Blazers 97
The Nuggets game was actually a bit of a nail-biter. New Orleans is sitting near the bottom of the West, but they fought. Denver eventually closed it out because, well, they have Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, and the Pelicans don't. Murray was aggressive, and that's usually the difference-maker for the Nuggets when they're on the road.
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Why the Thunder are Terrifying Right Now
The Oklahoma City Thunder beating the Spurs 119-98 feels like a "status quo" result at this point. OKC is 34-7. That's a .829 winning percentage. They are basically a machine. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is playing at an MVP level, and their defensive pressure is just relentless.
Poor Victor Wembanyama. He's doing everything he can for San Antonio, but the Thunder are just further along in their rebuild. They have so many guys who can hurt you. If it's not Shai, it's Jalen Williams or Chet Holmgren. It’s sorta unfair how deep they are.
The Warriors Still Have Life
Over in San Francisco, the Warriors took care of business against Portland, winning 119-97. Steph Curry was doing Steph things, but the real story was their defense. They held the Blazers to 30% from the three-point line. When the Warriors actually play defense, they're still a threat in the West.
They are currently sitting at 22-19, which puts them right in the mix for a playoff spot. It’s a crowded Western Conference. One week you’re the 5th seed, the next you’re in the play-in.
Looking at the Standings After the Latest NBA Final Scores Last Night
The East is starting to look a little top-heavy. The Detroit Pistons—yes, the Pistons—are still leading the way at 28-10. If you told me three years ago that Detroit would be the #1 seed in January 2026, I would’ve asked what you were smoking. But here we are.
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The Knicks and Celtics are right behind them, but it's the middle of the pack that's getting interesting. The Hawks' loss to the Lakers puts them at 20-22. They're basically the definition of mediocre right now. They traded Trae Young a while back, and they're still trying to figure out their identity with CJ McCollum and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Alexander-Walker actually had 26 points last night, but it wasn't nearly enough to stop the bleeding in LA.
Houston is another team to watch. Their 119-113 win over Chicago moved them to 23-14. Alperen Şengün is becoming a problem for the rest of the league. He’s basically "Jokic Lite," and the Rockets are playing a very physical, demanding style of basketball under Ime Udoka.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you're following the league closely, there are a few things you should probably keep an eye on over the next few days.
First off, watch the Lakers' injury report. Luka Doncic played through some groin soreness last night. He looked fine, but with the Lakers' history, you never know when they'll decide to rest him for a week. Also, Rui Hachimura just came back from a seven-game absence. He was on a minutes restriction, but his presence gives them much-needed size off the bench.
Second, the "blowout effect." When a team like Milwaukee loses by 30 at home, they usually come out swinging in their next game. Keep an eye on their matchup on Wednesday. They’ll be looking to make a statement.
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Third, the OKC Thunder are the most consistent team in the league. Betting against them at home is basically throwing money away at this point. Their spread coverage has been elite all season.
Basically, the NBA is in that "grind" phase of the season. Teams are tired, trades are being rumored (the deadline is creeping up), and the NBA final scores last night proved that anyone can get blown out if they don't bring the energy. Whether it's a 40-year-old LeBron almost triple-doubling or the Timberwolves proving they're for real, there's never a dull night in this league.
Keep an eye on the Wednesday slate. We have the Heat taking on the Suns in a game that could go either way. Miami is always tough at home, but Phoenix has the firepower to beat anyone if Devin Booker is on. It's going to be another long night of hoops.
To stay ahead of the curve, monitor the "Points Against" category in the standings. Teams like OKC and Boston are consistently holding opponents under 112 points. That defensive consistency is what separates the contenders from the pretenders as we head toward February. If you see a team's defensive rating slipping over a 5-game stretch, that's usually the first sign of a looming losing streak.