Man, if you turned off the TV early tonight, you messed up. Seriously. The Friday, January 16, 2026, NBA slate was absolutely chaotic. We had a career-high performance in Philly that nobody saw coming and a vintage "Point God" display in Toronto that went all the way to the wire. Honestly, this is why we watch the regular season in January.
The biggest headline? Jaylon Tyson just introduced himself to the world.
Who Won the Game Tonight NBA: The Scores and Shocks
If you're looking for a quick rundown of who won the game tonight nba, here is the damage from around the league. The Cleveland Cavaliers pulled off a gutsy 117-115 win over the 76ers. Down in Toronto, the Clippers escaped with a 121-117 overtime victory against the Raptors. Meanwhile, the Pacers handled the Pelicans 127-119, and the Brooklyn Nets managed to hold off the Bulls 112-109.
Let's talk about that Cleveland game first because it was a mess in the best way possible.
The Cavs were missing Darius Garland and Sam Merrill. Nobody gave them a chance in Philly against a healthy Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. But Jaylon Tyson decided he was the best player on the floor. He dropped a career-high 39 points. Just absurd efficiency. And yet, with 8 seconds left, the game was tied.
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Then Evan Mobley did what he does.
Tyson drove, drew the defense, and dumped it to Mobley for a massive dunk with 4.8 seconds on the clock. Maxey tried a half-court heave—it’s Maxey, so you kinda thought it might go in—but it clanked off the back iron. Cavs win. Philly fans are... well, they aren't happy.
James Harden Still Owns Toronto (Sorta)
The Clippers are on a heater right now. That’s five wins in a row. Tonight was special, though, because it was James Harden doing James Harden things. He finished with 31 points and 10 assists.
The Raptors actually led 109-101 with about three and a half minutes left. It looked over. But Toronto went cold—like, "forgot how to put the ball in the hoop" cold. They missed six straight shots while Harden went on a personal 8-0 run to force overtime.
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In the extra period, Scottie Barnes (who had 24) kept it close, but the Clippers' depth was just too much. Ivica Zubac came back from his ankle injury and grabbed 14 rebounds. That’s the difference-maker right there. The Clippers started the season 6-21 and are now basically the hottest team in the West. It’s wild.
What Happened Everywhere Else?
The Indiana Pacers are starting to look like they’ve found a rhythm, beating the Pelicans 127-119. Honestly, the Pels are in a weird spot. Zion Williamson had 27, and Trey Murphy was solid, but their defense is a sieve right now. They allowed 73 points in the first half. You can't win like that.
Over in Brooklyn, the Nets finally snapped a five-game losing streak. It wasn't pretty. They blew a 20-point lead in the fourth quarter. Michael Porter Jr. saved their season (for now) with a layup with 5.4 seconds left. Bulls fans are mostly complaining about the coaching—specifically the final play call where Nikola Vucevic, who is not exactly a sprinter, was the one bringing the ball up the floor.
Why the Cavs Win Matters for the Standings
Cleveland just swept a two-game set against the 76ers in their own building. That’s massive for tiebreaker scenarios later in April. Even without Garland, the Cavs' "next man up" mentality is real. Jaylon Tyson isn't a fluke; he's been trending this way for weeks, and coach Kenny Atkinson is clearly giving him the green light.
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For the 76ers, this is a wake-up call. Embiid had 33, but they looked lost when the Cavs went on that 13-2 run in the fourth.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Bracket and Bets
If you're following the league closely, here is what you need to keep an eye on after tonight's results:
- Watch the Clippers' Spread: They have covered the spread in all 11 of their recent victories. If they are playing, they are winning big.
- The "Tyson" Factor: If Jaylon Tyson is on your fantasy waiver wire, go get him. With Garland’s toe injury potentially lingering, Tyson's usage is going through the roof.
- Fade the Pelicans Defense: Until Herb Jones and Dejounte Murray are back, opponents are going to keep scoring 120+ on New Orleans.
The league doesn't sleep. Most of these teams are back in action on Sunday, including a Bulls-Nets rematch in Chicago that promises to be just as chippy as tonight. Keep an eye on the injury reports for Tyrese Maxey, as that half-court fall at the end looked a bit awkward.
Check the late-night scores for the West Coast games—like Rockets vs. Timberwolves—as those usually finish after most people in the East have gone to bed.