{"id":543674,"date":"2026-01-17T23:12:38","date_gmt":"2026-01-17T23:12:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/543674\/"},"modified":"2026-01-17T23:12:38","modified_gmt":"2026-01-17T23:12:38","slug":"cavs-tyson-plays-hero-versus-76ers-harden-takes-over-kd-goes-for-houston-high","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/543674\/","title":{"rendered":"Cavs’ Tyson plays hero versus 76ers, Harden takes over, KD goes for Houston-high"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

39 points\u00a0for the career high.<\/p>\n

One pass\u00a0for the win.<\/p>\n

Jaylon Tyson\u00a0paced a Friday night full of high scorers and late heroics.<\/p>\n

\"Jaylon<\/p>\n

5 STORIES IN TODAY\u2019S EDITION<\/p>\n

Jan. 17, 2026<\/p>\n

Friday\u2019s Finishes: Jaylon Tyson erupts & executes, Harden wills OT win, MPJ saves day<\/p>\n

Crowd Pleasers: KD sets new personal Houston high water mark, Kings stay hot at home, buckets for blocks leader<\/p>\n

Wemby\u2019s Project: Reimagining Spurs\u2019 fandom with The Jackals ahead of clash with Wolves<\/p>\n

On NBA TV: Luka & LeBron lead Lakers to Portland amid skid, Knicks host rising Suns<\/p>\n

On-Off Impacts: John Schuhmann\u2019s midseason analysis sets up six more League Pass games<\/p>\n

BUT FIRST \u2026 \u23f0<\/p>\n

From Friday\u2019s fireworks to Saturday\u2019s showdowns\u2026<\/p>\n

\"Scores<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s nine-game slate features an NBA TV doubleheader, starting at MSG where the Suns visit the Knicks (7:30 ET | Tap To Watch<\/a>), and the Blazers host the Lakers (10 ET | Tap To Watch<\/a>).<\/p>\n

The league\u2019s international tour makes its way from Berlin to England<\/a>, as the Magic and Grizzlies get set to run it back in tomorrow\u2019s NBA London Game (Noon ET, Prime). Here\u2019s everything you need to know<\/a> for this European rematch.<\/p>\n

1. FRIDAY\u2019S FINISHES: CAVS, CLIPS AND NETS THRILL WITH LATE HEROICS
\n\"Cleveland<\/p>\n

Jesse D. Garrabrant\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

With a career-high 39 points on the board, Jaylon Tyson drew a crowd when he drove baseline in a tie game with 8 seconds left.<\/p>\n

His feed behind Joel Embiid\u2019s back to Evan Mobley for an open dunk proved to be the game-winner.<\/p>\n

Cavaliers 117, Sixers 115: Tyrese Maxey\u2019s (22 pts, 5 reb, 9 ast, 5 stl) halfcourt heave at the buzzer was off, as Tyson\u2019s 39 helped Cleveland come back from 11 and 7-point deficits in the 4th quarter to sweep a two-game stop in Philly and win its third in four games. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI was just playing my game, playing off our really good players,\u201d Tyson said, who also hit a career-high seven 3s. \u201cThey were finding me and I was hitting [shots].\u201d
\nBigs Battle: The game-winning bucket gave Mobley 15 points, while Embiid led Philly with 33
\n\u201cThis is special,\u201d Donovan Mitchell (13 pts, 9 reb, 12 ast) said of Tyson. \u201cNo one else is doing this in their second year. He needs to win the [Most Improved Player] award.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s the reason we won the game. To do that and to guard Tyrese Maxey for 48 minutes, that\u2019s a special kid. I\u2019m so happy for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"James<\/p>\n

Down by eight on the road with 3:35 to play, The Beard blew up.<\/p>\n

Clippers 121, Raptors 117 (OT): James Harden (31 pts, 10 ast) forced overtime with an 8-0 personal run to end the 4th quarter, and added eight more points in OT, outscoring Toronto 16-8 in that span to stun the Raps and ensure LA\u2019s fifth straight win. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no better point guard to play with,\u201d Ivica Zubac (16 pts, 14 reb) said of Harden. \u201cI\u2019ve been playing my best basketball ever since he got here.\u201d
\nBacking The Beard: Five other Clippers stepped up with Kawhi Leonard out (ankle) to join Harden in double figures, including 19 points from Jordan Miller
\nToronto Tallies: Scottie Barnes (24 pts, 7 reb, 6 ast) led seven double-digit Raptors scorers<\/p>\n

LA moves past Memphis into tenth place and SoFi Play-In position.<\/p>\n

Clips\u2019 Climb: After starting 6-21, LA has won 12 of its last 14 games, with the league\u2019s second-best offensive rating in that span (121.6)
\n\u201cIts been a fun process and we\u2019re still growing, so that\u2019s the beautiful thing about it,\u201d Harden said.<\/p>\n

\"Michael<\/p>\n

Nets 112, Bulls 109: Michael Porter Jr. (26 pts, 7 reb, 5 3s) knocked in the game-winning basket with 5.4 seconds to play to overcome Chicago\u2019s 20-point 4th-quarter rally, as Brooklyn snapped a five-game losing streak. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is how a losing team becomes a winning team, learning how to win games like this,\u201d Porter Jr. said. \u201cWe\u2019re growing, we\u2019re getting better, so it\u2019s great.\u201d
\nWinning Time: 12 of MPJ\u2019s 26 points came in the tense 4th quarter. Noah Clowney (23 pts, 11 reb, 4 3s) backed Porter Jr. up
\nBulls\u2019 Best: Nikola Vu\u010devi\u0107 (19 pts, 6 reb, 5 ast, 2 blk) led six Bulls in double figures and Jalen Smith scored 12 of his 14 points in the late rally<\/p>\n

2. HOME COOKING: KD\u2019S OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION, KINGS & PACERS CRUISE<\/p>\n

\"Kevin<\/p>\n

After OKC\u2019s top defense frustrated Houston Thursday, KD was ready to launch on Friday.<\/p>\n

Rockets 110, TWolves 105: Durant ignited for his highest scoring night<\/a> in a Rockets jersey, pouring in 39 points as Houston weathered the Wolves\u2019 double-digit 1st-half lead to pull within 1.5 games of Minnesota for 4th place in the West. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Final Boost: Durant (7 ast, 6 3s) netted 14 of his 39 points in the 4th quarter where Houston built a nine-point lead to pull away
\nTwo-Man Game: Alperen Sengun (25 pts, 14 reb) starred alongside KD with force<\/a> and finesse<\/a>
\nMagic Number: Without Anthony Edwards (foot), Julius Randle matched KD\u2019s 39 points, which was also his highest scoring night as a member of the TWolves<\/p>\n

\u201cI just love that we\u2019re staying together,\u201d Durant said. \u201cWe\u2019re just showing up every day and trying to figure it out. We wanna keep getting better, keep learning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Russell<\/p>\n

Kings 128, Wizards 115: Sacramento won its fourth in a row, trailing for just 17 seconds and using a 19-0 1st-quarter closeout to roll past Alex Sarr (19 pts) and Washington. Russell Westbrook (26 pts, 6 ast) hit a season-high six 3s to lead six Kings in double figures. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Sabonis\u2019 Return: In his first game since Nov. 16, Domantas Sabonis (knee) logged 13 points, six rebounds and five assists in 21 minutes<\/p>\n

\"Jay<\/p>\n

Pacers 127, Pelicans 119: Blocks leader Jay Huff (90 blk) scored a career-high 29 points<\/a> and Pascal Siakim added 27 to top Zion Williamson (27 pts, 6 reb, 7 ast) and New Orleans for Indy\u2019s 4th win in 5 games. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Like Lou Will: T.J. McConnell recorded his 3,000th career assist as a reserve, joining Lou Williams as the only players to reach 3K dimes off the bench since 1970<\/p>\n

3. \u201cI AM A JACKAL.\u201d WEMBY AND HIS SPURS SUPERFANS WELCOME WOLVES<\/p>\n

\"Victor<\/p>\n

From drum beats<\/a> to bald heads<\/a>, something special is happening in the San Antonio stands.<\/p>\n

Wemby\u2019s reimagined Spurs\u2019 fan club is making an impact on the court and in the community, as reported by Jared Weiss for The Athletic<\/a> on NBA.com:<\/p>\n

Wembanyama introduced a full-fledged concept for the first true ultras fan section in the NBA, modeled after the Paris Saint-Germain soccer club supporters he admired as a kid growing up in France. It is a members-only section that stands all night long, banging drums and singing songs to build a European arena atmosphere that does not exist in the NBA. It is more than a group of loud fans. It\u2019s a source of civic pride.<\/p>\n

When it was time to choose a name, Wembanyama proposed the Jackals, the wild canines that are Europe\u2019s counterpart to the Spurs\u2019 mascot, the North American Coyote. It was his way of honoring the Spurs tradition he has joined, with a little French twist. | Read More >><\/a><\/p>\n

The Jackals will be called upon tonight as the 4th-place TWolves come to town just 1.5 games behind the Spurs in the West (8 ET, League Pass).<\/p>\n

Ant Edwards (foot) is questionable but Julius Randle\u2019s pack looks to rebound for a seventh win in nine games.<\/p>\n

4. ON NBA TV: LAKERS LOOK FOR ANSWERS IN PORTLAND, KNICKS HOST RISING SUNS
\n\"LeBron<\/p>\n

Adam Pantozzi\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

NBA TV\u2019s Saturday night doubleheader features two Playoff-position teams looking to shake off slow January starts facing two West teams rising in the ranks.<\/p>\n

Lakers at Blazers (10 ET): Despite eye-popping numbers from Luka and LeBron, the Lakers look to rebound from four losses in five games, visiting a Blazers team holding their own with All-Star hopeful Deni Avdija questionable (back).<\/p>\n

Luka + LeBron: The league\u2019s leading scorer (33.6 ppg) and all-time scoring leader (27.9 ppg in Jan.) make up the highest scoring duo so far in 2026, combining for 61.7 points per game in January
\nLuka\u2019s Firsts: Coming off a 19-point 1st quarter vs. Charlotte, Luka gets out to fast starts with the highest-scoring opening periods, already tying the modern-era mark for most 20+ point 1st quarters (4) in a season
\nTime Goes Fast: James, the oldest player in the league at age 41, is averaging the most fast break points of any player (6.0)<\/p>\n

So how can\u00a0the 6th place Lakers \u2014 one of the NBA\u2019s elite clutch teams, just three games out of 2nd in the West \u2014 steady the ship? Law Murray takes a look for answers for The Athletic<\/a> on NBA.com:<\/a><\/p>\n

If the Lakers have this kind of performance in them, why can\u2019t they do it more consistently? So much of how the Lakers play is driven by their best players\u2026<\/p>\n

The Lakers\u2019 next stretch could define their season. They\u2019ll have five games in seven days. They\u2019ll have to fly to Portland for a weekend back-to-back. On the other side, an eight-game road trip looms. So does the NBA trade deadline.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think there\u2019s probably 27 or 28 teams going through something similar right now,\u201d Redick said. \u201cThis is how the NBA works over 82 games. You know, hopefully we can find that consistency.\u201d | Read More >><\/a><\/p>\n

\"Shaedon<\/p>\n

In Portland, Deni Avdija has driven to the top of the league \u2013\u00a0most drives per game (20.4), 3rd-most points off drives (417) \u2013 and into Blazers fans\u2019 hearts. While he heals a strained back, Shaedon Sharpe has led the offense in back-to-back games (21.5 pts).<\/p>\n

NBA TV\u2019s doubleheader starts at MSG where the Suns and Knicks jump it up for the second time in eight days (7:30 ET).<\/p>\n

Rising Up: Last Friday,\u00a0Devin Booker (31 pts) and Dillon Brooks (27 pts) guided Phoenix late, as their 5th-ranked defense (112.1 DefRtg) contained the Knicks\u2019 3rd-ranked offense (116.2).<\/p>\n

5. ON-OFF LEADERS SHAPE SIX MORE SATURDAY GAMES
\n\"Peyton<\/p>\n

Dylan Buell\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Despite three-time Kia MVP Nikola Joki\u0107 missing his 10th straight game today (Wizards at Nuggets, 9 ET), Denver has held its top-three position in the West with a 6-3 record in his absence.<\/p>\n

Only Giannis Antetokounmpo (20.6) has a higher total on\/off differential than Joker (15.9) \u2014 a measure how much better a team is with a player on or off the floor. Joki\u0107 also ranks 4th offensively.<\/p>\n

So when the Nuggets had to go without their leader, things could have gone downhill fast.<\/p>\n

And yet.<\/p>\n

Denver\u2019s kept up\u00a0its offensive mastery thanks in large part to two other Nuggets that also rank in the top 12 of offensive on\/off: Jamal Murray and Peyton Watson.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, a secret to the Celtics\u2019 scalding start, despite missing Jayson Tatum?<\/p>\n

Hugo Gonzalez, the league leader in defensive on\/off.<\/p>\n

Read more from\u00a0NBA.com\u2019s John Schuhmann, who broke down the league\u2019s midseason on\/off leaders before Celtics-Hawks & Nuggets-Wizards on League Pass today.\u00a0| Read More >><\/a><\/p>\n

Elsewhere, the Thunder and top-10 on-off offensive powerhouse Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (13.2) have won five straight after a 6-6 hiccup. They head to Miami (8 ET) where the Heat look to avenge Sunday\u2019s 124-112 loss in OKC.<\/p>\n

Jazz at Mavericks (5 ET)
\nPacers at Pistons (7:30 ET)
\nHornets at Warriors (8:30 ET)<\/p>\n