Basketball fans are losing their minds tonight. If you're frantically refreshing your phone asking, what's the score on the basketball game, you've come to the right place because Friday night hoops just got weird. Between a massive collapse in Brooklyn and some heavy-hitting matchups in the collegiate ranks, the scoreboard is moving fast.
Honestly, the NBA slate for Friday, January 16, 2026, has been a rollercoaster. Most of the early games have wrapped up, but a few West Coast battles are still grinding through the fourth quarter.
The NBA Scoreboard: Heartbreak and Heroics
The biggest story of the night—and the one everyone is talking about on social media—is the Brooklyn Nets and the Chicago Bulls. Brooklyn fans were ready to throw in the towel after the team blew a massive 20-point lead in the fourth quarter. It looked like another classic Nets meltdown.
But then, Michael Porter Jr. happened.
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With just 5.4 seconds left on the clock, Porter drove to the rim for a go-ahead layup that saved the night. The final score settled at Brooklyn Nets 112, Chicago Bulls 109. This win was huge for Brooklyn; it finally snapped their ugly five-game losing streak. Noah Clowney was a beast in the paint, finishing with 23 points and 11 rebounds. On the Bulls' side, Nikola Vucevic put up 19, but it wasn't enough to overcome that late-game theft by Nets rookie Drake Powell.
Over in Philadelphia, the Cleveland Cavaliers managed to edge out the 76ers 117-115 in a game that felt like a playoff preview. Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers took care of business at home, beating the New Orleans Pelicans 127-119.
If you're looking for the late-night action, here’s where things stand right now:
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- Houston Rockets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves: In a tight defensive struggle at the Toyota Center, the Rockets are currently leading 90-85 late in the game.
- Sacramento Kings vs. Washington Wizards: The Kings are comfortably ahead 95-82 as they look to close things out at the Golden 1 Center.
- Toronto Raptors vs. LA Clippers: This one is in the books. The Clippers pulled off a road win, finishing 121-117.
College Hoops: Upsets and Blowouts
It isn't just the pros making noise tonight. The NCAA schedule is packed, and we’ve already seen some lopsided results that might shake up the rankings come Monday.
In a Big East clash, Providence defended their home court against Creighton, winning a high-scoring affair 93-88. Over in the MAC, Kent State took down Toledo 87-84 in a game that came down to the final possession.
A few other notable college finals from earlier today:
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- Tufts 65, Williams 36: A defensive masterclass by the Jumbos.
- Connecticut College 78, Middlebury 66: The Camels stayed hot with a dominant second half.
- Gonzaga 86, Washington State 65: The Zags continue to look like a legitimate Final Four threat.
Why the Scoreboard Doesn't Tell the Whole Story
Kinda crazy how a three-point difference in the Nets/Bulls game makes it look close, but if you watched the first three quarters, you'd know Brooklyn dominated. That’s the thing about asking what's the score on the basketball game—the numbers don't always show the momentum shifts.
The Bulls actually went ahead 109-108 with 11 seconds left. If you had checked the score then, you’d have bet the house on Chicago. Then a steal, a layup, and two free throws later, the script flipped entirely.
Basketball in 2026 has become so fast-paced that no lead is actually safe. We're seeing teams erase 15-point deficits in three minutes of game time. It’s exhausting to watch, but basically impossible to turn off.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following the rest of tonight's action or looking ahead to the weekend, keep these tips in mind:
- Check the "Last 2 Minute" Reports: If you're betting or just curious about officiating, the NBA releases these for close games (like the Nets/Bulls 112-109 finish) to admit if refs missed a call.
- Watch the Injury Reports: Teams like the Pelicans are struggling right now largely due to depth issues. Always check the active roster 30 minutes before tip-off.
- Live Betting Strategy: In high-scoring games like the Cavaliers vs. 76ers, the "over" often hits even when the first half looks sluggish, because fourth-quarter fouling leads to a parade of free throws.
Keep an eye on the Houston and Sacramento games as they hit the final whistle. The Rockets win would be massive for their standing in a crowded Western Conference. To stay ahead of the curve, set your sports app notifications to "Lead Changes" rather than just "Final Score" so you don't miss the drama when it actually happens.