It was one of those nights where the box score feels like a lie. If you just glanced at the ticker to see who won last night basketball, you’d see a three-point win for San Antonio and move on. But you’d miss the fact that Anthony Edwards basically turned into a human torch, torching the nets for 55 points only to have his heart ripped out by a 7-foot-4 Frenchman in the closing seconds.
The Saturday, January 17, 2026, slate was absolutely loaded. We had 132-point explosions, a massive upset in the college ranks, and a defensive play in San Antonio that people are going to be talking about until the playoffs. Honestly, if you went to bed early, you missed the best individual scoring performance of the season ending in a total defensive masterclass.
The Wemby vs. Ant-Man Showdown
Let's get into the weeds of that Spurs-Timberwolves game. Anthony Edwards was unconscious. He dropped 26 points in the fourth quarter alone. He was pounding his chest at the Frost Bank Center crowd after hitting a corner three that felt like the dagger. Minnesota looked like they were going to pull off another miracle comeback against the Spurs, much like they did a week ago.
Then Victor Wembanyama happened.
Wemby finished with 39 points and nine boards, but his impact wasn't just on the offensive end. With about a minute left, Donte DiVincenzo hit a triple to put the Wolves up by one. The building was tense. Wembanyama answered with a 20-footer. Then, on the following possession, Joan Beringer tried a reverse layup that would have put Minnesota back on top. Wemby didn't just block it; he basically erased it from existence. He then chased down a massive offensive rebound to seal the 126-123 win.
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It’s a tough pill for Minnesota. You don't usually lose when your star drops 55. But the Spurs shot 57% in the first half—including a 48-point second quarter that was their highest-scoring period since 1987.
Blowouts and Track Meets
If you like high-scoring, no-defense basketball, Portland was the place to be. The Trail Blazers absolutely handled the Los Angeles Lakers 132-116. No Luka Doncic for the Lakers in this one, and it showed. The Lakers' defense looked like it was stuck in mud while Portland just ran them off the floor at the Moda Center.
Meanwhile, in Atlanta, the Boston Celtics decided they didn't need Jayson Tatum (out with that Achilles injury) to look like world-beaters. Jaylen Brown went off for 41 points in just three quarters. The final was 132-106, but even that 26-point margin is generous to the Hawks. At one point, Sam Hauser was hitting threes like it was a practice session. It was a Saturday night beatdown that solidified Boston as a serious threat even while shorthanded.
NBA Scores from Saturday, Jan 17
Here is a quick rundown of the other scores across the league:
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- Detroit Pistons 121, Indiana Pacers 78: A literal 43-point massacre. The Pacers looked completely undisciplined, and Detroit is now on a 60-win pace at the halfway mark.
- Golden State Warriors 136, Charlotte Hornets 116: De'Anthony Melton led the way with 24 points, while Al Horford provided some vintage rim protection.
- Miami Heat 122, Oklahoma City Thunder 120: Bam Adebayo hit a career-high six 3-pointers. Andrew Wiggins (the Miami version) hit the go-ahead shot with 31 seconds left.
- Denver Nuggets 121, Washington Wizards 115: Jamal Murray carried the load with 42 points to fend off a late Wizards surge.
- Dallas Mavericks 138, Utah Jazz 120: Keyonte George had 29 for Utah, but it wasn't enough to stop the Mavs' offensive machine.
- Phoenix Suns 106, New York Knicks 99: Devin Booker’s 27 points helped Phoenix grind out a tough win in the Garden.
College Hoops: The No. 2 Team Falls
It wasn't just the pros making noise. No. 2 Iowa State went into Cincinnati and ran into a buzzsaw. The Cyclones had won 16 straight to start the year, but they’ve now dropped two in a row.
Milan Momcilovic was spectacular for Iowa State, hitting eight 3-pointers and finishing with a career-high 34 points. But Cincinnati’s defense forced 12 turnovers that turned into 20 easy points. Day Day Thomas led the Bearcats with 19 points in the 79-70 upset. The Cincinnati fans, who were actually booing their own coach during introductions, were storming the court by the end of it. College basketball is weird like that.
What This Means for Your Week
If you're tracking these games for your fantasy league or just trying to stay ahead of the curve, here are the three big takeaways:
1. The Spurs are learning how to close.
Earlier in the season, San Antonio would have blown that lead. Seeing Wemby make winning plays on both ends in the final 60 seconds is a massive development for a young team.
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2. The Celtics' depth is terrifying.
Most teams would crumble without their MVP candidate. Boston just went into Atlanta and scored 132 points like it was nothing. Jaylen Brown is playing at an All-NBA level right now.
3. Anthony Edwards is in a different stratosphere.
Despite the loss, 55 points is a statement. He's carrying a heavy load for Minnesota, and if they can get him some consistent help from the bench, they're still the team to beat in the West.
Keep an eye on the injury reports today. With the Lakers struggling without Doncic and the Celtics managing Tatum's recovery, the playoff seeding in both conferences is starting to get very crowded.
Check the waiver wire in your fantasy leagues for De'Anthony Melton or Sam Hauser if they're still available; they're getting huge minutes right now and making them count.