The Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets and Utah Jazz all staged comebacks, highlighted by triple-double performances and career nights, in a busy NBA schedule. Luka Doncic delivered another dominant stat
line, Alperen Sengun controlled both paint and passing, and Keyonte George posted a personal-best scoring game as all three teams overturned significant deficits to claim important mid-season wins.
Across the league, star players produced major scoring totals yet still left with losses. Jamal Murray and Anthony Edwards each posted big numbers, while Victor Wembanyama struggled to score efficiently. Several teams were missing key rotation pieces, including Nikola Jokic, but still pushed opponents deep into the fourth quarter before late runs settled every contest.
Luka Doncic recorded 38 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Denver Nuggets 115-107. The Lakers trailed by 16 in the third quarter but answered with a decisive 16-0 surge in the final period. That stretch swung control of the game and secured a second straight victory for Los Angeles.
LeBron James added 19 points for the Lakers after missing out on an All-Star starting spot for the first time since the rookie season. Los Angeles played the entire second half without center Deandre Ayton, who exited because of a left eye injury. Despite the setback, the Lakers’ defence tightened late and limited Denver’s perimeter threats.
Triple-Double pic.twitter.com/t1pKtRUw8ILos Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 21, 2026
Denver remained competitive despite a depleted rotation missing four regular contributors, including Nikola Jokic, who has sat out the last 12 games because of a hyperextended left knee. Jamal Murray scored 28 points, with 26 before half-time, and had 11 assists but went just 1-of-5 after the interval. Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson each finished with 18 points for Denver.
Alperen Sengun produced 20 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists, helping the Houston Rockets overturn a 16-point deficit in a 111-106 win against the San Antonio Spurs. Houston faced an unusual start when tipoff was delayed 22 minutes after a player bent one of the rims during warmups, forcing replacement of the basket before play began.
The Rockets still trailed by 10 entering the fourth quarter, then opened the period with a strong run to erase the gap. The game was level entering the final two minutes when Reed Sheppard blocked a 3-point attempt by Julian Champagnie. Seconds later, Jabari Smith Jr. hit a fadeaway jumper, pushing Houston ahead 106-104 in a pivotal sequence.
Sengun scored again with about 30 seconds left, stretching the advantage to 108-104 before Stephon Castle missed a potential answer from long range. Sheppard then added two late free throws to secure Houston’s third straight win. Champagnie made eight 3-pointers and led San Antonio with 27 points, while Victor Wembanyama had 14 points and 10 rebounds.
s What. A. Game. pic.twitter.com/pMu9GtY22THouston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) January 21, 2026
NBA Jazz surge as Keyonte George hits career high
Keyonte George powered the Utah Jazz with a career-best 43 points in a 127-122 home win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. George shot 15-of-28 from the field and 6-of-13 from beyond the arc, topping 30 points for the third time in six games. The Jazz erased a 15-point deficit to continue a recent upward trend in form.
Jusuf Nurkic supported George with a dominant triple-double, posting 16 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists. It was Nurkic’s second career triple-double and the first since 16 January 2019, when Portland beat Cleveland 129-112. Rookie Ace Bailey contributed 20 points, while Isaiah Collier added 18 points and 10 assists for the Jazz, who improved to 15-29.
Utah’s win also delivered coach Will Hardy the 100th victory of the coaching career. On the Minnesota side, Anthony Edwards scored 38 points, yet the Timberwolves slipped to 27-17 and ended a four-game trip with three consecutive defeats. Julius Randle supplied 19 points, and Rudy Gobert produced 11 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks in the loss.
s getting better and better a career-#TakeNote presented by @ZionsBank pic.twitter.com/Ud0PhdUPdKUtah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 21, 2026
The night’s results highlighted how quickly momentum shifted across the NBA, with the Lakers, Rockets and Jazz all overcoming double-digit deficits. Star performances from Doncic, Sengun and George shaped each comeback, while opponents lost control late despite big individual outings. For teams across the league, managing injuries, late-game execution and depth continues to decide tight contests.
