National Basketball Association

National Basketball Association

As a result, head coach Erik Spoelstra will deploy a starting lineup consisting of Davion Mitchell, Tyler Herro, Pelle Larsson, Andrew Wiggins and Bam Adebayo. That lineup is a minus-1 across 34 possessions, according to PBP Stats. However, the Mitchell-Larsson-Wiggins-Adebayo quartet owns a plus-10.3 NET in 283 possessions, sporting a 126.9 offensive rating, according to PBP Stats.

It's still unclear exactly when Rui Hachimura will return for the Lakers after missing six games because of right calf soreness, but coach JJ Redick said the forward is trending toward playing soon. That could be as early as Monday night when the Lakers play at the Sacramento Kings or Tuesday night when they play the Atlanta Hawks at Crypto.com Arena.

CHICAGO -- Mavericks coach Jason Kidd was ejected midway through the first quarter of Dallas' game at Chicago on Saturday night after arguing with referee Scott Foster. Kidd appeared to be angry he wasn't granted his request to challenge a goaltending call on Max Christie with 5:44 remaining in the quarter. The Mavericks called a timeout, which initiates the coach's challenge process, but it apparently came too late to allow the challenge.

Indiana Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) OUT Isaiah Jackson (concussion) OUT Bennedict Mathurin (thumb) OUT Andrew Nembhard (back) AVAILABLE Taelon Peter (G-League) OUT Obi Toppin (foot) OUT Miami Heat: Vlad Goldin (G-League) OUT Jahmir Young (G-League) OUT Indiana Pacers: Aaron Nesmith, G Quenton Jackson, G Andrew Nembhard, G Johnny Furphy, F Pascal Siakam, F/C Miami Heat: Davion Mitchell, G Norman Powell, G Tyler Herro, G Andrew Wiggins, F Bam Adebayo, C

When a reporter inquired whether there was a particular reason for his decision not to use Agbaji, Toronto's head coach simply replied, " No. I just made the decision to go with other guys." The exchange didn't end there, as the reporter followed up with, " How come?" Rajakovic responded, " That's how I decided to give opportunity [sic] to other guys. Coach's decision." Now, there's no more point-blank answer than that from Coach Darko, who has a knack for replying in this blunt tone.

Orlando Magic forward/center Moritz Wagner is listed as available to make his season debut Sunday against the New Orleans Pelicans, the team announced. Wagner was a Sixth Man of the Year candidate last season before tearing his ACL in December. He was averaging a career-high 12.9 points per game while shooting 56.2% from the field before the injury. The Magic signed Wagner to a one-year, $5 million deal this past summer to keep him in Orlando.

Houston missed 10 shots in a row over a 5 1/2-minute span early, then had another 0-for-10 span in the final 6 1/2 minutes of the first half. But the Cougars took control of the game with a 23-3 run in the six minutes between those droughts. Sharp and Harwell both had two 3-pointers in that big spurt. The Cougars trailed 14-6 before Sharp ignited that run, and a 3 by Harwell put them ahead to stay.

Of those moves, CJ McCollum and Cam Whitmore were two of the biggest additions on the trade maket for Washington, both of which were expected to bring a versatile skillset to the DMV. McCollum's tenure in Washington has already come to an end with the veteran guard being the centerpiece of the Wizards' package to acquire star guard Trae Young in a blockbuster trade with the Atlanta Hawks.

The scheduled game between the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls was postponed on Thursday due to condensation on the court in Chicago. The United Center hosted a Chicago Blackhawks game on ice on Wednesday, and after an unseasonably warm, rainy day in Chicago, the basketball court wasn't in playable condition. Players from both teams went through their standard pregame warmup routines, but didn't consider the court safe for a game.

Scottie Barnes has been downgraded to doubtful for the Toronto Raptors' game against the Boston Celtics on Friday due to the right knee sprain he sustained in the fourth quarter against the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday. Barnes exited to the locker room to be examined by medical staff at roughly the 10 minute mark of the final frame, but returned for the final two minutes to aid in the Raptors' buzzer-beater win.

After LaMelo Ball swung the game in Charlotte's favor with a made basket with just 1.6 seconds to go, the Raptors had to come up with something to secure the win. Big man Sandro Mamukelashvili found Immanuel Quickley trying to get into his shooting space, and IQ was able to catch the ball and let the Jimmy fly (as Jack Armstrong would put it). The shot sent the Raptors bench and broadcast into a frenzy - heck, even the Charlotte broadcast team went wild.

LeBron James will miss the game against the San Antonio Spurs with right sciatica and left foot arthritis, the Lakers announced Wednesday. James has starred for the Lakers (23-11) during their three-game winning streak, averaging 29 points in victories against the Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans. He's paired effortlessly with Luka Doncic as the duo scored 30 points each in Tuesday's win over the Pelicans.

Paolo Banchero banked in a 3-pointer from the top of the key at the overtime buzzer to give the Orlando Magic a 104-103 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night. Two nights after falling at lowly Washington, the Magic beat the Nets for the eighth straight time to improve to 21-17. Banchero scored 30 points to lead Orlando. Wendell Carter Jr. added 20, Tristan da Silva had 14 and Noah Penda 13.

With Toronto being in Boston for their upcoming matchup tomorrow against the Celtics, we got an update on three starting five members from the Raptors. Poeltl (knee) practiced in Boston Thurs, but Ingram (thumb) & Barnes (knee) did not. It was a ight workout so I'm told not to read too much into Barnes not being there. He did finish the game in Charlotte. There was no update on outlook for Ingram, who left in the second quarter.- Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) January 8, 2026