Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Houston Rockets in the second half of our ESPN doubleheader.
Enjoy the best of Wednesday’s schedule with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news, notes and highlights.
What we know about Wednesday’s games:
- The Cavaliers defeated the Lakers 129-99 on ESPN, led by Donovan Mitchell (25 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast).
- Victor Wembanyama (28 pts, 16 reb, 5 blk) and the Spurs went into Houston and beat the Rockets 111-99 in the nightcap.
- The Hawks, Magic, Hornets, Knicks, Timberwolves and Warriors also earned road victories, winning over the Celtics, Heat, Grizzlies, Raptors, Mavericks and Jazz respectively.
JANUARY 29, 2026 // 12:18 ET
Wednesday’s results
Victor Wembanyama (28 pts, 16 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl, 5 blk) is your top performer of the night.
JANUARY 29, 2026 // 12:03 ET
Spurs battle back to take road win
111-99 on ESPN.
Victor Wembanyama (28 pts, 16 reb, 5 blk) was dominant for San Antonio, which won the third and fourth quarters by 15 combined points to take the Texas-sized win.
The Spurs enjoyed a 72-48 advantage in points in the paint on their road to victory.
Wemby was EVERYWHERE in the Spurs win 👽
👽 28 PTS
👽 16 REB
👽 3 AST
👽 2 STL
👽 5 BLK pic.twitter.com/6l5kVh0Ytb
— NBA (@NBA) January 29, 2026
Amen Thompson (25 pts) was the top scorer for Houston, with Kevin Durant (23 pts) just behind.
JANUARY 28, 2026 // 11:28 ET
Absurd, Amen
Rockets are up 86-84 after three quarters on ESPN. Amen Thompson (23 pts) put up 11 in the third quarter, including this audacious slam.
“You just feel his presence on both ends.”
Another look at Amen’s slam ‼️ https://t.co/MUkA2plVx4 pic.twitter.com/whukfmfWWI
— NBA (@NBA) January 29, 2026
JANUARY 28, 2026 // 11:19 ET
Discussing the passage of time
Listen to one of the all-time greats reflect.
“I’m in a battle with Father Time and I’m kind of taking it personal.” 😤
LeBron speaks on how loving the process keeps him motivated and hungry! pic.twitter.com/S1Hgh1OLc9
— NBA (@NBA) January 29, 2026
JANUARY 28, 2026 // 10:40 ET
Rockets lead at the half
62-54. Alperen Sengun (14 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast) and Victor Wembanyama (11 pts, 6 reb, 1 blk, 1 stl) are going at it.
WEMBY THROWS IT DOWN OVER THE DEFENDER ‼️ pic.twitter.com/GpFBUcWMVa
— NBA (@NBA) January 29, 2026
That was a 102.7 on the Dunk Score scale — tops on the evening.
A view from the Toyota Center 🎥 https://t.co/FQ9VShSIgV pic.twitter.com/8mfHcjPeNm
— NBA (@NBA) January 29, 2026
Sengun with the no-look DIME 🔥
HOU holds a slight lead in Q1… Tap to watch: https://t.co/Xcxew8jnVz pic.twitter.com/jdw4YV3Akc
— NBA (@NBA) January 29, 2026
The Rockets were up by as many as 16 in the first half, forcing nine turnovers and committing just three themselves.
Catch the finish on ESPN! It’s a cool way to spend a Wednesday night!
JANUARY 28, 2026 // 10:11 ET
Hornets beat Grizzlies to top last year’s win total
Moussa Diabaté (18 pts, 21 reb) put up his 12th double-double of the season as the Hornets won their 19th game of the season 119-97, surpassing last year’s total.
WE UPPPP pic.twitter.com/xkWk4MBRtE
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) January 29, 2026
JANUARY 28, 2026 // 10:05 ET
Hawks defeat Celtics on the road
117-106, shooting 18-of-42 (42.9%) from 3-point range to do so.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (21 pts) was the top scorer for Atlanta, knocking down this ridiculous lefty trey along the way.
Nickeil is UNREAL
Banked lefty 3 🤯 pic.twitter.com/pIQnz2I4gI
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) January 29, 2026
JANUARY 28, 2026 // 9:50 ET
Magic extinguish Heat
133-124, earning a road victory. Paolo Banchero (31 pts, 12 reb) racked up a double-double for Orlando, while Anthony Black (26 pts) and Desmond Bane (21 pts) also went off.
CLEAR THE RUNWAY pic.twitter.com/14b44MpNel
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) January 29, 2026
Simone Fontecchio (23 pts in 19 minutes off the bench) was the high scorer for the Heat.
JANUARY 28, 2026 // 9:41 ET
Knicks burst away from Raptors
119-92.
Mikal Bridges (30 pts on 12-of-15 shooting, including 25 in the third quarter) was the main man for the Knicks, who earned a 60-38 advantage in points in the paint.
OMG WHAT A SEQUENCE.
HERE COME YOUR KNICKS. pic.twitter.com/mROX8oLlXG
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 29, 2026
Scottie Barnes (27 pts, 6 reb, 3 stl) led the hunt for the Raptors.
JANUARY 28, 2026 // 9:36 ET
Pacers rally against Chicago
113-110, winning the fourth quarter by 12 to come back to delight the Gainbridge Fieldhouse faithful.
Pascal Siakam (20 pts) led six Pacers in double figures, while Nikola Vučević (25 pts, 9 reb, 4 ast) was the star for the Bulls.
Nesmith protects the paint to seal the deal for the Pacers! https://t.co/A137enoruL pic.twitter.com/IM4qT5Y3Jj
— NBA (@NBA) January 29, 2026
JANUARY 28, 2026 // 9:25 ET
Cavaliers dominate Lakers on ESPN
Taking the victory 129-99.
Donovan Mitchell (25 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast) led the way for the Cavs, who committed just eight turnovers while forcing 16 from the Lakers.
Luka Dončić had 29 points for the Lakers in the loss, while LeBron James had 11 points in his return to Cleveland.
JANUARY 28, 2026 // 9:17 ET
Celtics rallying, but Hawks up
Anfernee Simons (12 pts) just hit a runner to cut the Hawks lead to 87-76 in TD Garden.
Four Hawks — Corey Kispert, Nickeal Alexander-Walker, Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels — are tied for the team lead with 13 points, while three Celtics — Simons, Sam Hauser and Jaylen Brown — lead Boston with 12.
JANUARY 28, 2026 // 9:09 ET
Hornets up at the half
62-55. Brandon Miller (21 pts) leads all scorers, while LaMelo Ball (8 pts, 2 ast) delivered the swagger.
Slice through the defense.
Swap hands mid-air.
Finish with flair.
What a play by LaMelo!
CHA holds the lead at the break… Tap to watch: https://t.co/kaQF5kgawv pic.twitter.com/uINStJpWLV
— NBA (@NBA) January 29, 2026
JANUARY 28, 2026 // 8:57 ET
Cavaliers running out to lead
99-77 over the Lakers after three quarters.
Luka (29 pts, 5 reb, 6 ast) has it going on, but Jaylon Tyson (20 pts) and Donovan Mitchell (19 pts) have counteracted him.
Jaylon Tyson with the nifty finish!
He’s got a team-high 20 PTS as the Cavs hold the lead over the Lakers on ESPN… Tap to watch: https://t.co/HNtrOGHwi5 pic.twitter.com/tBPLfACDKU
— NBA (@NBA) January 29, 2026
JANUARY 28, 2026 // 8:43 ET
GG up and over
A 61.1 on the Dunk Score scale. Memphis has come back to tie the game in Charlotte.
GG Jackson with the SLEEK high gather action into the slam ‼️
CHA/MEM battling in Q2 on NBA League Pass… Tap to watch: https://t.co/kaQF5kgawv pic.twitter.com/vF2eIL4dbJ
— NBA (@NBA) January 29, 2026
JANUARY 28, 2026 // 8:28 ET
LeBron feeling the moment
An emotional LeBron soaks in the Cleveland tribute 🥹 pic.twitter.com/SrcXsUIEfl
— NBA (@NBA) January 29, 2026
JANUARY 28, 2026 // 8:22 ET
Cavaliers up two at the half
57-55. Jarrett Allen and Jaylen Tyson (13 pts) are leading the way for the Cavaliers, while Luka Dončić (15 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast).
🎞️ FIRST-HALF HIGHLIGHTS: #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/T4ZNszNQnL
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) January 29, 2026
JANUARY 28, 2026 // 8:05 ET
Hawks up after one
Atlanta’s up 38-18 over the Celtics after the first quarter in Boston.
Jalen Johnson (8 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast) is on triple-double watch, while Jaylen Brown (4 pts) leads the Celtics.
JJ tough down low 💪 pic.twitter.com/ZRyabuXfdZ
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) January 29, 2026
JANUARY 28, 2026 // 7:53 ET
A Bull on parade
47-40 Chicago with 4:53 to go in the half, thanks in part to Matas Buzelis, who is now up to 15 points.
Matas Buzelis for three 🔥
He finished Q1 with 13 PTS… his new career-high in a single quarter! pic.twitter.com/tU7VzZvX5w
— NBA (@NBA) January 29, 2026
JANUARY 28, 2026 // 7:40 ET
The King is afoot
Lakers are up 28-24 after the first quarter on ESPN.
LeBron (4 pts, 2 ast) flashed early, while Jake LaRavia (6 pts) leads Los Angeles in scoring.
Dishes a majestic dime for an easy two.
Reels in the deep pass for the flush.
LeBron showcasing his skills early on in Cleveland! pic.twitter.com/XoPJt5YN0k
— NBA (@NBA) January 29, 2026
JANUARY 28, 2026 // 6:30 ET
Flash back to rookie LeBron
As he returns to Cleveland tonight, let’s take a look at highlights from LeBron James’ rookie season in 2003-04, when he was named the youngest-ever Rookie of the Year.
The handle and playmaking were always there. The spring in his legs was otherworldly. It’s more measured now, but his footwork and mechanics are more precise, more measured.
LeBron James averaged 20.9 ppg, 5.5 reb, 5.9 ast and 1.6 stl as a rookie.
This year, at age 41, he’s putting up 22.9 ppg, 6.0 reb, 6.7 ast and 1.1 stl.
We’re in a different scoring environment — teams averaged 93.4 ppg in 2003-04, compared to 117.1 this season — but the numbers still stand strong.
Salute to the King as he returns to his home state tonight.
JANUARY 28, 2026 // 6:00 ET
Welcome to a nine-game night!
Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers host LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers at 7 ET tonight on ESPN.
Our slate this evening is highlighted by an ESPN doubleheader featuring the Los Angeles Lakers visiting the Cleveland Cavaliers (7 ET) and the San Antonio Spurs in a Texas-sized showdown with the Houston Rockets (9:30 ET).
NBA.com’s Shaun Powell has a look at the Cavaliers for you as they welcome back Cleveland’s favorite son, LeBron James, ten years after the 2016 NBA championship.
“Even when the Cavs become whole again, plenty will depend on (Donovan) Mitchell’s ability to pull them up among the top contenders. That’s what stars do, what he’s qualified to do.
He’s arguably having his best season, given the circumstances. Mitchell is No. 5 in scoring (29.5 ppg) while shooting 48.5% overall and averaging 5.8 apg. He’s doing all that with the burden of needing to score greatly nearly every night for an incomplete team.
If the Cavs do prosper once the injuries heal, this could be their best chance to make their deepest post-season run since (LeBron) James kept tugboating the team to the NBA Finals year after year.”
LeBron’s 19-5 career against the Cavs — what will happen tonight?
Here’s tonight’s complete schedule:
