Checking the nba schedule scores today is usually a quick habit, but Saturday, January 17, 2026, feels a bit weird. It's one of those days where the injury report looks more like a novel than a list. Honestly, if you're looking at the board and thinking the "locks" are easy, you haven't been paying attention to how volatile this month has been.
We just came off a Friday night where James Harden turned back the clock to drop 31 in Toronto, dragging the Clippers to an overtime win. Meanwhile, Michael Porter Jr. basically saved the Nets from a historic collapse against Chicago with a layup that had no business going in with 5 seconds left.
The league is tired. It’s mid-January. That’s exactly when the weird scores start happening.
What’s On Tap: NBA Schedule Scores Today
Nine games. That’s what we’re looking at for this Saturday slate. It’s spread out across the country, starting with some early evening tip-offs in the South and ending with a late-night West Coast battle in Portland.
Here is the rundown of what’s actually happening tonight:
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- Utah Jazz at Dallas Mavericks (5:00 PM ET): Dallas is favored by about 4 points, which feels low until you realize Cooper Flagg is sitting this one out with that ankle sprain. The Jazz have been going over their point totals 63% of the time lately. Basically, don't expect much defense here.
- Boston Celtics at Atlanta Hawks (7:30 PM ET): Boston is traveling to State Farm Arena. The Hawks are dealing with a "game-time decision" for Dyson Daniels. If he’s out, Boston’s backcourt is going to have a field day.
- Phoenix Suns at New York Knicks (7:30 PM ET): This is the big one at Madison Square Garden. Jalen Brunson is finally upgraded to questionable. If he plays, the energy in that building changes everything.
- Indiana Pacers at Detroit Pistons (7:30 PM ET): Detroit is actually the heavy favorite here. Let that sink in. The Pistons are 29-10 and sitting near the top of the East while Indiana is struggling at 9-31.
- Oklahoma City Thunder at Miami Heat (8:00 PM ET): OKC is currently the best team in the West (35-7). They’re giving nearly 10 points to a Heat team that might get Tyler Herro back tonight.
- Minnesota Timberwolves at San Antonio Spurs (8:00 PM ET): Keep an eye on Anthony Edwards. He’s listed for "injury maintenance," which is often code for "we might cap his minutes."
- Charlotte Hornets at Golden State Warriors (8:30 PM ET): The Warriors are 6.5-point favorites at the Chase Center. Charlotte is scrappy but inconsistent.
- Washington Wizards at Denver Nuggets (9:00 PM ET): Denver is favored by 13. Even without Nikola Jokic (who is out until February), the Nuggets are expected to steamroll a Wizards team that just lost a heartbreaker in Sacramento last night.
- L.A. Lakers at Portland Trail Blazers (10:00 PM ET): The nightcap. No Luka Doncic for the Lakers tonight (groin soreness). Portland is actually favored by 3.5 at home.
The "Luka Factor" and Why the Lakers Are Dogs Tonight
It’s still sorta weird seeing Luka Doncic in a Lakers jersey, but it’s even weirder seeing the Lakers as underdogs to the Blazers.
Luka is currently leading the league in scoring at 33.6 points per game. You don't just "replace" that. With him out, the scoring burden falls heavily on... well, a lot of questionable options. Jaxson Hayes and Deandre Ayton are both game-time calls too. If the Lakers show up to Portland with a depleted frontcourt and no Luka, that 10:00 PM tip-off could get ugly fast.
Portland isn't a juggernaut, but they're healthy-ish. They've been waiting for a game like this to climb back toward .500.
Are the Knicks About to Snap the Slump?
New York has lost seven of their last nine. That is a brutal stretch for a team that looked like a contender in December.
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The nba schedule scores today could finally show a "W" next to the Knicks' name if Jalen Brunson returns from that ankle sprain. The Suns are tough, but they're playing their second road game in a row. Madison Square Garden is a different beast on a Saturday night when the captain is back on the floor. Mitchell Robinson is also expected to be available, which should help mitigate the Suns' interior scoring.
Realism Check: The Nuggets Without Jokic
People see "Denver vs. Washington" and automatically think it's a 30-point blowout.
Wait.
Nikola Jokic and Jonas Valanciunas are both out. That leaves a massive hole in the middle. While Jamal Murray is still Jamal Murray (averaging nearly 26 a night), Washington’s young big man Alex Sarr just dropped 19 in Sacramento. He’s going to have a lot of room to operate tonight. Denver should win, but 13 points is a massive spread for a team missing the best player in the world.
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Practical Steps for Following Tonight's Action
If you're tracking the games, don't just look at the final scores. The "how" matters more than the "who" this time of year.
- Watch the 5:00 PM Dallas game first. It’s the "canary in the coal mine." If Dallas struggles without Flagg, it tells you a lot about their depth for the rest of the month.
- Monitor the Brunson news. Check Twitter or your preferred sports app exactly 30 minutes before the 7:30 PM tip. If he's starting, the Knicks' moneyline becomes the play of the night.
- Ignore the Pistons' record. Yes, they are 29-10. Yes, they are legit. Don't bet against them just because "they're the Pistons." This isn't 2024 anymore.
- Look for the "Over" in OKC/Miami. Both teams have been playing fast, and if Herro returns, the floor spacing is going to be elite.
The mid-season grind is officially here. Expect the unexpected, watch the injury reports like a hawk, and remember that on any given Saturday, a 13-point underdog can make things very uncomfortable for a contender.
Pay close attention to the late-night Lakers game. Without Luka, their offensive identity is going to be completely different, and Portland’s home-court advantage at the Moda Center is statistically stronger in January than any other month. Keep your eyes on the live lines as the first quarter unfolds to see who actually showed up to play.