If you woke up this morning wondering who won in the game last night, you aren't alone. Friday nights in January usually bring a massive slate of sports, and last night, January 16, 2026, was no exception. From a high-scoring blowout in the NHL to a career-high performance in the NBA that left Philly fans silenced, there was a lot to keep track of.
Honestly, the biggest story didn't even come from a superstar like Joel Embiid or Kevin Durant. It came from a rookie-year sensation making a name for himself in a hostile environment.
NBA Scoreboard: Tyson and the Cavs Silence Philly
The Philadelphia 76ers probably want to burn the game tape from last night. In a thriller at the Xfinity Mobile Arena, the Cleveland Cavaliers walked away with a 117-115 victory.
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The standout? Jaylon Tyson. He dropped a career-high 39 points, basically carrying a short-handed Cavs squad that was missing both Darius Garland and Sam Merrill. It wasn't just about the scoring, though. With the game tied at 115 and only seconds remaining, Tyson found Evan Mobley for a dunk that effectively sealed the deal.
Philly had their chances. Joel Embiid was his usual dominant self with 33 points, and Tyrese Maxey was all over the court with 22 points and five steals. But when Maxey’s half-court heave at the buzzer went long, the 76ers fell to 0-2 against Cleveland this week.
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Other Notable NBA Final Scores
- LA Clippers 121, Toronto Raptors 117 (OT): A back-and-forth battle in Toronto that required extra time to settle. The Clippers' depth eventually outlasted the Raptors' grit.
- Houston Rockets 110, Minnesota Timberwolves 105: Kevin Durant looked like his vintage self, pouring in 39 points and 7 assists. For a guy at this stage of his career, seeing him dismantle a Minnesota defense like that was something else.
- Indiana Pacers 127, New Orleans Pelicans 119: Jay Huff had a monster night with 29 points and 9 rebounds. It’s wild to see the Pacers, who have struggled this season, put up that kind of offensive clinic against Zion Williamson and the Pels.
- Sacramento Kings 128, Washington Wizards 115: A high-octane game where the Kings simply had too much firepower for Washington to handle.
- Brooklyn Nets 112, Chicago Bulls 109: A gritty, defensive-minded win for the Nets in Brooklyn.
NHL Results: A Night of Blowouts and Shootouts
If you’re a Florida Panthers fan, you might want to look away. The Carolina Hurricanes absolutely dismantled the Panthers with a final score of 9-1. It’s rare to see a professional hockey game look like a lopsided youth tournament, but Carolina was clicking on every single cylinder.
Over in Denver, things weren't much better for the home team. The Nashville Predators took down the Colorado Avalanche 7-3. Nashville’s offense has been hit or miss lately, but they clearly found the "on" switch last night.
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Full NHL Scores from January 16
- Carolina Hurricanes 9, Florida Panthers 1
- Nashville Predators 7, Colorado Avalanche 3
- Detroit Red Wings 4, San Jose Sharks 2
- St. Louis Blues 3, Tampa Bay Lightning 2 (SO) – This one went all the way to a shootout before the Blues grabbed the extra point.
- Anaheim Ducks 3, Los Angeles Kings 2 (SO) – Another Southern California rivalry that couldn't be decided in regulation. The Ducks took it in the shootout.
What’s Coming Up Next?
While last night was all about the regular season grind in basketball and hockey, today, Saturday, January 17, shifts the focus toward the NFL Playoffs.
We are officially in the Divisional Round. If you're planning your day around the TV, the Buffalo Bills are taking on the Denver Broncos at 4:30 p.m. ET. That’s followed by a massive NFC West clash between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Basically, the intensity is only going up from here.
Summary of Who Won in the Game Last Night
- Cleveland Cavaliers beat the 76ers (117-115).
- Houston Rockets took down the Timberwolves (110-105).
- Carolina Hurricanes crushed the Panthers (9-1).
- Nashville Predators surprised the Avalanche (7-3).
If you’re looking to get ahead of the curve for the NFL games today, check the injury reports for the Bills-Broncos matchup, as the high altitude in Denver often plays a role in late-game conditioning for visiting teams. You'll also want to keep an eye on the weather in Seattle, where the 49ers usually face a loud, wet environment that favors the Seahawks' secondary.