Sacramento produced another strong NBA performance as the Kings defeated the Washington Wizards 128-115, earning a fourth straight win. Domantas Sabonis returned from a knee injury, and Russell Westbrook
led the scoring. The Sacramento offence spread contributions across several players, while Washington struggled to slow the Kings’ three-point shooting and bench production.
Sabonis came back after missing 27 games because of a partially torn meniscus in the left knee. The three-time All-Star worked as a reserve, checking in with 5:11 remaining in the first quarter. Sabonis finished with 13 points, seven rebounds and five assists in just over 21 minutes, hitting five of six shots from the field.
Westbrook drove the Kings attack with 26 points, shooting nine of 14 overall and six of nine from beyond the arc. Westbrook also handed out six assists. Dennis Schroder rejoined the rotation after serving a three-game suspension for confronting Lakers star Luka Doncic following a game in Los Angeles. Schroder contributed 15 points and five assists, helping Sacramento maintain control.
Sacramento’s balanced scoring continued with support from several others, while the Wizards relied on DeMar DeRozan and the backcourt. DeRozan had 17 points, and Precious Achiuwa and Zach LaVine added 16 each. However, Washington’s defence could not contain Sacramento’s perimeter efficiency and ball movement for long stretches.
vibes are sooo up pic.twitter.com/aEqq66dgoH Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) January 17, 2026
In another key NBA matchup, Kevin Durant powered the Houston Rockets to a 110-105 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Durant scored 39 points and made a season-best six three-pointers, responding after Houston’s heavy defeat to Oklahoma City on Thursday night. The Rockets relied on Durant’s late free throws to secure the result.
Alperen Sengun delivered an important double-double, adding 25 points and 14 rebounds for Houston. Minnesota mounted a late push with a 6-2 run, featuring four points from Julius Randle, trimming the deficit to 105-102 with about 90 seconds remaining. Sengun then fouled out, giving the Timberwolves an opening at the foul line.
Jaden McDaniels converted one of two free throws, cutting Houston’s lead to two points. Durant responded by sinking two free throws inside the final minute. Randle then turned the ball over, and Durant drew another foul. Durant hit two more free throws with 22.1 seconds left, closing out the contest. Randle matched Durant with a season-high 39 points, while Anthony Edwards missed a second consecutive game because of a foot problem.
season-high 39 points tonight for Slim pic.twitter.com/QOp0llxtuK Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) January 17, 2026
NBA Cavaliers rally past 76ers on Tyson’s big night
The Cleveland Cavaliers completed a two-game NBA sweep in Philadelphia, defeating the 76ers 117-115 in a late comeback. Jaylon Tyson produced a career-high 39 points, and Evan Mobley’s decisive dunk with 4.8 seconds remaining delivered the winning basket. Cleveland had already beaten Philadelphia 133-107 on Wednesday.
Donovan Mitchell finished with 13 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds, guiding Cleveland from an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit. The Cavaliers played without Darius Garland, who has right big toe soreness, and Sam Merrill, sidelined by a right hand sprain. Coach Kenny Atkinson stated both players will be reevaluated when the team returns to Cleveland this weekend.
The closing minutes swung repeatedly. DeAndre Hunter’s layup with just over a minute left pushed Cleveland ahead by one. Mobley then split two free throws with 22.7 seconds on the clock, before Tyrese Maxey levelled the game with a runner with 8.1 seconds left. After a timeout, Tyson found Mobley near the rim for a simple dunk. Maxey’s heave from just beyond half court missed long, leaving Cleveland on top. Joel Embiid scored 33 points for Philadelphia, while Maxey added 22 points, nine assists and five steals.
THATS GAME (and a career-high points & 3-pointers made for JT). #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/wrJEAUhEYl Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) January 17, 2026
The night across the NBA featured key returns, high scoring and late drama. Sabonis and Schroder boosted Sacramento’s depth after absences. Durant and Randle traded 39-point efforts in Houston. Tyson’s breakout display and Mobley’s winning play capped Cleveland’s determined road sweep over a short-handed Philadelphia side.
