Thursday night was absolute mayhem in the league. Honestly, if you didn't check the box scores until this morning, you probably missed some of the weirdest stat lines we've seen all January. From a massive offensive explosion in Dallas to a weirdly defensive-heavy slugfest in Houston, the slate of games on January 15, 2026, really had a bit of everything.
Who won the NBA yesterday? Well, the short answer is that the big dogs largely protected their porches, but the way they did it was anything but predictable.
The Mavericks Put Up Video Game Numbers
Let’s start with the most absurd score of the night. The Dallas Mavericks absolutely dismantled the Utah Jazz, putting up 144 points. Yeah, you read that right. In a game that felt more like an All-Star run than a mid-season matchup, Dallas cruised to a 144-122 victory.
The wild part? Klay Thompson led the way with 26 points, looking like his vintage self by knocking down six triples. But it wasn't just him. The Mavs had eight different players in double figures. When Naji Marshall is giving you 22 and Moussa Cisse is grabbing 13 boards off the bench, you know the other team is in for a long night. Utah’s Brice Sensabaugh tried to keep it close with 27 points, but Dallas was shooting over 56% from the floor. You just can’t beat that.
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Boston Survives a Miami Scare
Down in South Beach, the Celtics reminded everyone why they’re the reigning champs, even if they made it look difficult for three quarters. The Celtics beat the Heat 119-114.
Anfernee Simons went absolutely nuclear. He finished with 39 points, including seven three-pointers, basically carrying the Boston offense while Jaylen Brown struggled with his efficiency (9-for-24 from the field). Miami actually led after the first quarter, but they completely ran out of gas in the fourth. It’s kinda the classic Heat story lately—playing hard, staying "cultural," but just lacking the raw firepower to close out against a team like Boston when the game gets tight.
The Standings Shake-Up
Over in Detroit, the Pistons continue their weirdly dominant season. They clipped the Phoenix Suns 108-105 in a game that felt way more intense than a January Thursday has any right to be. This win puts the Pistons at 29-10, comfortably sitting at the top of the Eastern Conference.
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- Detroit Pistons defeated Phoenix Suns (108-105)
- Oklahoma City Thunder crushed Houston Rockets (111-91)
- Orlando Magic took down Memphis Grizzlies (118-111)
- Charlotte Hornets upset the Lakers (135-117)
- Golden State Warriors handled the Knicks (126-113)
- Portland Trail Blazers beat the Hawks (117-101)
- San Antonio Spurs blew out the Bucks (119-101)
The Spurs win was particularly notable. Victor Wembanyama finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds, making Giannis Antetokounmpo’s night a living nightmare. The Bucks look lost right now. Giannis had 21, but the rest of the team shot like they were wearing blindfolds, especially Kevin Porter Jr., who went 0-for-9. Yikes.
Why the Thunder Are Scary Right Now
If you’re wondering who won the NBA yesterday in terms of "statement games," it has to be OKC. They went into Houston and held a very good Rockets team to just 91 points. Chet Holmgren is basically a cheat code at this point. He finished with 20 points and shut down the paint so effectively that Alperen Şengün looked visibly frustrated by the middle of the third quarter.
SGA "only" had 20 points, but he didn't need to do more. The Thunder’s defense is so suffocating that they can win games even when their stars aren't hunting for 40. They're currently sitting at the top of the West and honestly, it doesn't look like they're moving anytime soon.
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The Lakers' defensive Collapse
Lakers fans, you might want to look away. Giving up 135 points to the Charlotte Hornets is... not great. LaMelo Ball and the Hornets ran circles around LA. Even with LeBron James flirting with a triple-double and Luka Dončić (now in Lakers purple) dropping 39 points, the defense was non-existent.
It’s becoming a bit of a pattern. The Lakers can score with anybody, but they can’t stop a nosebleed right now. Losing by 18 to a team that’s under .500 is the kind of result that starts trade rumors.
Wrapping Up the Night
Yesterday's NBA action proved that the gap between the elite teams and the "tanking" teams is widening, but the mid-tier is a total mess. If you're tracking your fantasy team or just trying to keep up with the playoff race, the big takeaway is that the Pistons and Thunder are the real deal, while the Bucks and Lakers are officially in "figure it out" mode.
Actionable Insights for NBA Fans:
- Watch the Pistons: If you're still treating Detroit like a lottery team, stop. They are technically the best team in the East right now.
- Monitor the Bucks: Something is wrong in Milwaukee. Their bench production is bottom-tier, and they might be buyers at the trade deadline.
- Chet for DPOY: Start looking at the betting odds for Chet Holmgren. His impact on the Thunder's defensive rating is historical.
- Check the Blazers: They’ve won a few in a row now and are quietly creeping into the play-in conversation.
Keep an eye on the injury reports for tonight’s games, as several teams played heavy minutes in these high-scoring affairs.