Man, what a night. If you bet on the favorites this Friday, January 16, 2026, your wallet is probably feeling a little light right now. The NBA slate was absolutely chaotic. We saw massive blown leads, career-high performances from names you wouldn't expect, and a couple of game-winners that literally came down to the final tick of the clock.
Honestly, it's one of those nights that reminds you why we watch this sport. It wasn't just about the superstars; it was about the role players stepping into the light.
Who Won Tonight's NBA Basketball Game? The Full Scoreboard
The big question everyone is asking is who won tonight's NBA basketball game, and the answer is actually "it depends on which coast you're looking at." We had six games in total, and most of them were dogfights.
- Cleveland Cavaliers 117, Philadelphia 76ers 115
- Indiana Pacers 127, New Orleans Pelicans 119
- Brooklyn Nets 112, Chicago Bulls 109
- LA Clippers 121, Toronto Raptors 117
- Houston Rockets 110, Minnesota Timberwolves 105
- Sacramento Kings 128, Washington Wizards 115
If you're a Cavs fan, you're breathing a huge sigh of relief. If you're a Bulls fan? You're probably staring at the wall wondering how that 20-point lead evaporated into thin air at the Barclays Center.
Jaylon Tyson and the Cavs' Great Escape in Philly
Let’s talk about Philadelphia. The Sixers looked like they had this one in the bag. Paul George hit a jumper with under nine minutes left to put Philly up by 11, and the crowd was ready to head for the exits happy. Then Jaylon Tyson happened.
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Tyson was possessed. He dropped a career-high 39 points. Think about that. On a floor with Joel Embiid and Donovan Mitchell, it was the kid from Cal who stole the show. He went 13-of-17 from the field. That’s not just scoring; that’s efficiency that feels like a video game.
The ending was pure drama. After Tyrese Maxey tied it up with 8 seconds left, the Cavs didn't panic. Tyson found Evan Mobley near the rim for a dunk with 4.8 seconds remaining. Maxey tried a half-court prayer at the buzzer, but it wasn't answered.
The Nets' Heart-Attack Win Over Chicago
If you want to know who won tonight's nba basketball game in the most stressful way possible, look at Brooklyn. The Nets were up 20 in the fourth quarter. Twenty!
Somehow, they let the Bulls crawl all the way back to take a lead with 11 seconds left thanks to a Tre Jones layup. It felt like another classic Brooklyn collapse. But Michael Porter Jr. saved the day with a driving layup with 5.4 seconds left to put them back on top.
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A massive steal by rookie Drake Powell on the final inbound play sealed it. It snapped a five-game losing streak for the Nets. It wasn't pretty, but a win is a win, especially when you're 12-27 and desperate for some momentum.
Around the League: Rockets Ground the Wolves
Down in Houston, the Rockets pulled off a gritty 110-105 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. This was a battle of the bigs. Alperen Şengün was battling Rudy Gobert all night, and while the stats might not look like a 50-point explosion, the Rockets' defense in the final three minutes was the difference-maker.
Minnesota has been one of the West's premier teams this season, so seeing Houston hold them to 105 points is a statement. The Rockets are now 22-14 and looking like a team nobody wants to see in the first round of the playoffs.
Quick Hits from the Other Matchups
- Sacramento vs. Washington: The Kings handled business 128-115. Domantas Sabonis was back and looking like his usual self, facilitating everything. The Wizards are deep in a tanking season, so this wasn't a shocker, but Sacramento needed it to stay in the play-in hunt.
- Pacers vs. Pelicans: Indiana put up 127 points despite missing Tyrese Haliburton. Zion Williamson had 27 for New Orleans, but the Pelicans' defense was a sieve, giving up 73 points in the first half alone.
- Clippers vs. Raptors: A late-night thriller in Toronto. The Clippers escaped with a 121-117 win. Toronto's lack of shooting in the clutch really hurt them, while James Harden managed to navigate the closing minutes with the veteran poise you'd expect.
What These Results Mean for the Standings
Tonight changed the landscape of the Eastern Conference quite a bit. The Cavs' win keeps them right in the thick of the mid-tier race, moving to 23-19. Meanwhile, the Sixers' loss at home is a tough pill to swallow, especially since they're trying to chase down the Celtics and Pistons for a top-three seed.
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Over in the West, the Rockets' victory over Minnesota is the biggest needle-mover. It proves that Houston's hot start wasn't a fluke. They are legitimate.
Actionable Takeaways for NBA Fans
If you're following the league closely after tonight, here's what you should keep an eye on over the next 48 hours:
- Monitor the Cavs' Injury Report: Cleveland won short-handed tonight. If Mitchell's load management continues, Jaylon Tyson is a must-watch (and a must-add in fantasy leagues).
- Watch the Bulls-Nets Rematch: These two play again on Sunday in Chicago. Expect the Bulls to come out with an axe to grind after that embarrassing fourth-quarter comeback fell just short.
- Zion's Minutes: Zion Williamson has now played 17 straight games. That's his longest streak in years. If he stays healthy, New Orleans is going to be a problem, regardless of their current 10-34 record. They are better than their standing suggests.
The NBA season is a marathon, but nights like this—where the script gets flipped and the "easy" wins turn into wars—are why we stay up too late watching the League Pass.
Keep an eye on the waiver wires if you play fantasy; Jaylon Tyson isn't going to be a secret for much longer.