Honestly, if you missed the action on January 17, 2026, you missed a night where the NBA hierarchy basically flipped on its head. We’ve seen some weird box scores this season, but last night was something else. From the Detroit Pistons looking like a 60-win juggernaut to the Boston Celtics dismantling the Hawks without their biggest star, it was a wild ride for anyone tracking the standings.
People keep waiting for the "Old Pistons" to show up, but they just won't. They didn't just win; they embarrassed the Indiana Pacers.
The Night the Pistons Made a Statement
The headline of the night has to be who won last night's NBA game in the Motor City. Detroit absolutely demolished the Indiana Pacers with a final score of 121-78. Yeah, you read that right. A 43-point margin.
It was basically 48 minutes of garbage time.
The Pacers looked completely undisciplined from the jump. They had two out-of-bounds turnovers in the first three minutes. Their shooting from the free-throw line was abysmal, and they couldn't buy a bucket from deep. On the other side, the Pistons are now playing at a pace that suggests they’ll hit 60 wins by the time the playoffs roll around. Ausar Thompson’s defensive gravity is becoming a real problem for the rest of the league, and Ron’s poster dunk in the third quarter was the kind of highlight that makes you feel for the defender.
Why the East is Getting Scary
While Detroit was busy bullying Indiana, the Boston Celtics were down in Atlanta proving why they’re still the team to beat in the Atlantic Division. Even without Jayson Tatum, who is out recovering from that right Achilles repair, Boston handled the Hawks 132-106.
💡 You might also like: What Channel is Champions League on: Where to Watch Every Game in 2026
Jaylen Brown is playing like a man possessed. He’s been averaging nearly 30 points a night since Tatum went down. Last night, he took advantage of Quin Snyder’s defensive schemes—or lack thereof. The Hawks fans are starting to get restless with Snyder's second-quarter lineups. He keeps running these "defense-lite" three-guard sets that basically roll out the red carpet for teams like Boston.
The Hawks missed Dyson Daniels and Zaccharie Risacher big time. Without their perimeter defenders, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White just had a track meet.
West Coast Fireworks and Wembanyama's Revenge
Moving out West, the Moda Center was rocking. The Portland Trail Blazers took down the Los Angeles Lakers 132-116. It’s been a tough year for the Lakers' consistency, and last night didn't help. Portland’s offense was clicking, and they managed to keep the Lakers’ transition game in check for most of the second half.
Then there’s the San Antonio Spurs.
They had a nail-biter against the Minnesota Timberwolves, winning 126-123. If you've been following the Spurs, you know they've been itching for this one after losing a one-point heartbreaker to Minnesota earlier in the season. Victor Wembanyama was everywhere. Even with Rudy Gobert being a game-time decision and eventually playing limited minutes, the Wolves couldn't stop Wemby’s rim protection.
📖 Related: Eastern Conference Finals 2024: What Most People Get Wrong
Minnesota is still a top-four seed, but the Spurs are breathing down the necks of the Thunder for that top spot in the Western Conference.
Quick Look: Saturday Night Winners
- Detroit Pistons def. Indiana Pacers (121-78)
- Boston Celtics def. Atlanta Hawks (132-106)
- Portland Trail Blazers def. Los Angeles Lakers (132-116)
- San Antonio Spurs def. Minnesota Timberwolves (126-123)
- Denver Nuggets def. Washington Wizards (121-115)
- Golden State Warriors def. Charlotte Hornets (136-116)
- Miami Heat def. Oklahoma City Thunder (122-120)
- Phoenix Suns def. New York Knicks (106-99)
The Suns Cool Down the Garden
The Knicks vs. Suns game at Madison Square Garden was a defensive grind compared to the high-scoring affairs elsewhere. Phoenix took it 106-99. There was a lot of talk pre-game about whether Devin Booker or Jalen Brunson would even play, as both were dealing with ankle sprains.
Booker suited up. Brunson tried, but New York’s rhythm just wasn’t there.
Phoenix has been leaning on Dillon Brooks lately—sorta weird to say, right?—and he delivered again with 20.9 points. The Knicks' defense at home is usually their calling card, but they couldn't close the gap in the fourth quarter. It’s a big win for the Suns as they try to stay in the middle of a very crowded Western Conference playoff race.
What These Results Mean for the Standings
If you look at the updated 2025-26 standings, the Oklahoma City Thunder still hold the best record in the West at 35-7, but that loss to the Miami Heat last night (122-120) shows they aren't invincible. Miami has this way of playing up to their competition, and last night was a classic Heat Culture performance.
👉 See also: Texas vs Oklahoma Football Game: Why the Red River Rivalry is Getting Even Weirder
In the East, the Pistons at 29-10 are sitting pretty at the top. It’s a weird world where Detroit is the favorite and teams like the Bucks and Pacers are struggling to stay above .500. Indiana is currently sitting at 10-32, which is honestly shocking given the talent they have on paper.
Injury Watch: Who’s Staying Out?
We’ve got to talk about the "hospital ball" happening right now. The league is beat up.
- Jayson Tatum: His Achilles recovery is the biggest shadow over the Celtics’ season.
- Devin Booker: Playing through that ankle sprain, but for how long?
- Rudy Gobert: His questionable status is making the Wolves' defense look vulnerable.
- Devin Booker: Questionable with a left ankle sprain but played through it at MSG.
Looking Ahead to the Next Tip-Off
So, you’re caught up on who won last night's NBA game, but the schedule doesn't slow down. Tomorrow is MLK Day, which always brings some of the best matchups of the year. The Pistons are looking to carry this momentum into their NBC national game, and the Lakers are desperately trying to find a win to stay in the play-in conversation.
Keep an eye on the injury reports for the Knicks. If Brunson has to sit out another one, New York might slide down the Atlantic Division standings. They’re only half a game ahead of the Raptors now.
Actionable Next Steps for NBA Fans:
- Check the morning shootaround reports for Jalen Brunson’s ankle status before setting your fantasy lineups.
- Watch the replay of the Spurs-Wolves fourth quarter; Wembanyama’s sequence in the final two minutes is a masterclass in modern defense.
- Keep an eye on the Detroit vs. Golden State matchup coming up; it’s a clash of the "new guard" versus the "old dynasty" that could determine the week's power rankings.