Tuesday night in the NBA delivered drama, big performances, and tight finishes. Several teams snapped losing streaks, while others struggled to close games. Young stars made noise and veterans stepped up when needed. From last-second free throws to fourth-quarter takeovers, the night had a bit of everything. Here is a breakdown of the winners and losers from all the games.
Washington Wizards vs Portland Trail Blazers (115-111)
Washington Wizards guard Tre Johnson (12) takes a shot over Portland Trail Blazers center Yang Hansen (16) during the second half at Capital One Arena. Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
Winners: Washington Wizards
Washington finally snapped its nine-game losing streak with a tough home win. Alex Sarr led the way with 29 points, 12 rebounds, and six blocks, staying aggressive all night. Kyshawn George and Bub Carrington made big plays late, while Khris Middleton calmly iced the game at the line. Even after getting crushed on the boards, the Wizards found timely buckets and ended a home losing run against Portland that stretched back to 2017.
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Losers: Portland Trail Blazers
Portland dominated the glass but couldn’t finish the job. Shaedon Sharpe scored 31 points, and Donovan Clingan added 14 points and 20 rebounds. Deni Avdija had a solid return with 17 points and 12 boards. Missed free throws and another late collapse cost them a winnable game.
New York Knicks vs Sacramento Kings (103-87)
Sacramento Kings guard DeMar DeRozan (10) brings the ball up court against New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Winners: New York Knicks
New York owned the fourth quarter by outscoring Sacramento 31-15. Jalen Brunson led the charge with 28 points and took control late. Karl-Anthony Towns added 17 points and 11 rebounds. Mikal Bridges chipped in with 18 points and OG Anunoby had 15. The Knicks forced the pace and turned defense into offense. Mike Brown also earned his first win against Sacramento since leaving the team. Even with 21 turnovers, New York stayed composed when it mattered most.
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Losers: Sacramento Kings
Sacramento lost its sixth straight game and struggled badly from deep. The team shot just 5 of 30 from three-point range. DeMar DeRozan scored 34 points but had little help. Russell Westbrook added 14 points but could not spark a rally. Their offense went cold in the fourth quarter and they could not keep up with New York’s run. Poor shooting and weak defense in the final period sealed their fate.
Philadelphia 76ers vs Milwaukee Bucks (139-122)
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) drives against Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Harris (11) during the third quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Winners: Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia bounced back after a blowout loss the night before. Paul George scored 32 points and hit nine three-pointers. Joel Embiid had 29 points and scored 18 in the first quarter alone. Tyrese Maxey added 22 points and kept the offense moving. The Sixers played with fresh energy after both stars returned from rest. Their shooting and ball movement overwhelmed Milwaukee. The win also showed how different this team looks with its main players healthy.
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Losers: Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee played without Giannis Antetokounmpo and felt his absence. Myles Turner scored 31 points and Ryan Rollins added 24, but defense was the issue. The Bucks allowed too many open looks from three. Bobby Portis and Kyle Kuzma each had 17 points but could not stop the Sixers’ runs. Injuries continued to hurt their rhythm and depth.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans (104-95)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) drives to the basket around New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) during the second half at Paycom Center. Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Winners: Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City avoided a third straight loss despite missing several key players. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 29 points and stayed perfect at the line. Chet Holmgren delivered 20 points, 14 rebounds, and five blocks. Isaiah Joe added 17 points off the bench. The Thunder stayed steady during a late Pelicans push. Strong defense and patience helped them close the game.
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Losers: New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans could not finish its comeback after cutting the lead to five. Zion Williamson had 21 points and 11 rebounds on efficient shooting. Saddiq Bey added 16 points and 13 rebounds. Tempers flared late and the flow of the game slipped away from them. Missed chances in the final minutes cost them a third-quarter rally.
Detroit Pistons vs Denver Nuggets (109-107)
Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas (17) passes the ball away from Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) in the second half at Ball Arena. Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Winners: Detroit Pistons
Detroit continued its strong run and held off a late Denver charge. Tobias Harris scored 22 points and hit two clutch free throws. Cade Cunningham finished with 22 points and 11 assists. The Pistons built an early lead and survived missed shots down the stretch. Their balance and poise showed again in a tight finish.
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Losers: Denver Nuggets
Denver struggled with travel issues and missing players. Jamal Murray had 24 points and 10 assists but missed key free throws late. Jonas Valanciunas posted 16 points and 16 rebounds in his return. Fatigue and injuries hurt their execution. The rally fell short after several missed chances.
Phoenix Suns vs Brooklyn Nets (106-102)
Phoenix Suns guard Jamaree Bouyea (17) controls the ball against Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Saraf (77) in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Winners: Phoenix Suns
Phoenix won despite missing key scorers. Mark Williams had 27 points and Dillon Brooks added 26. Grayson Allen chipped in with 18 points. The Suns survived a late Nets run and closed the game with defense and free throws. Even after a scuffle broke out, they stayed focused and finished strong.
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Losers: Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn lost its sixth straight game. Michael Porter Jr. scored a season-high 36 points but got little support. Egor Demin added 15 points. The Nets could not hold a late lead and struggled with second scoring options. Emotions ran high and technical fouls did not help their cause.
LA Clippers vs Utah Jazz (115-103)
LA Clippers guard Kobe Sanders (4) goes to the basket against Utah Jazz forward Kyle Filipowski (22) during the second half at Delta Center. Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Winners: LA Clippers
The Clippers erased an early deficit with a huge second and third quarter. Kawhi Leonard led the comeback and stayed steady late. Kris Dunn sparked a big third-quarter surge with defense and playmaking. Los Angeles outscored Utah 36-20 in the third and never looked back. The win moved them closer to a .500 record.
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Losers: Utah Jazz
Utah started fast but faded after halftime. Lauri Markkanen led early but struggled later. The Jazz could not handle the Clippers’ pressure defense. Scoring dried up in the second half and the lead slipped away quickly. Another loss showed their trouble finishing games.
Conclusion
January 27 brought strong wins for teams like Washington, New York, and Philadelphia. Young stars like Alex Sarr and Chet Holmgren made a clear impact. Veteran leaders such as Kawhi Leonard and Paul George also delivered when needed. On the losing side, missed free throws and cold shooting proved costly for several teams. The night showed how small moments can decide close NBA games.
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