Four games were played in the NBA regular season on January 9. Julius Randle powered Minnesota to a home win over Cleveland with a near triple-double, while rookie Cooper Flagg delivered one of the most complete performances of his young career despite Dallas falling narrowly to Utah. The night also featured a dramatic finish in Charlotte and a postponed game in Chicago due to court conditions.
Minnesota Overpowers Cleveland Behind Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards
The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 131–122 at Target Center, pulling away decisively in the second half after a closely contested opening.
Julius Randle delivered one of his most complete performances of the season, finishing with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists. He shot 10-of-21 from the field, including 3-of-7 from three-point range, and added 5-of-6 from the free-throw line, consistently punishing Cleveland’s defense both inside and on kick-outs.
Minnesota took control in the third quarter, outscoring Cleveland 43–22. Anthony Edwards was instrumental during that stretch, finishing the night with 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists, while Jaden McDaniels added 26 points on efficient shooting. Donte DiVincenzo contributed 22 points, and Rudy Gobert anchored the interior with 11 points and 13 rebounds.
Cleveland stayed competitive early behind balanced scoring, but defensive breakdowns and Minnesota’s pace proved decisive.
Game Statistics
Minnesota Timberwolves 131, Cleveland Cavaliers 122
- Julius Randle: 28 PTS, 11 REB, 8 AST
- Jaden McDaniels: 26 PTS
- Anthony Edwards: 25 PTS, 7 REB, 9 AST
- Donte DiVincenzo: 22 PTS
- Rudy Gobert: 11 PTS, 13 REB
Anthony Edwards Reaches 10,000 Career NBA Points
Anthony Edwards added a historic milestone to Minnesota’s victory, becoming one of the youngest players in NBA history to reach 10,000 career points.
At 24 years and 156 days old, Edwards entered the game with 9,977 career points and crossed the mark with 6:54 remaining in regulation. Only LeBron James (23 years, 59 days) and Kevin Durant (24 years, 33 days) reached the milestone at a younger age.
Edwards later reflected on the achievement, noting both its significance and the motivation to continue building his career total.
Utah Holds Off Dallas Despite Cooper Flagg’s All-Around Effort
The Utah Jazz edged the Dallas Mavericks 116–114 at Delta Center, surviving a late push despite a standout performance from rookie Cooper Flagg.
Flagg finished with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists, shooting 10-of-18 from the field, 3-of-6 from beyond the arc, and 3-of-4 at the free-throw line. He also recorded 3 steals and 1 block in 38 minutes, serving as Dallas’ primary offensive engine throughout the game.
Utah countered with a strong collective effort led by Lauri Markkanen, who scored 33 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. The Jazz executed efficiently in the closing minutes, preventing Dallas from capitalizing on several late possessions.
Game Statistics
Utah Jazz 116, Dallas Mavericks 114
- Lauri Markkanen: 33 PTS, 7 REB
- Keyonte George: 19 PTS, 7 AST
- John Collins: 10 PTS, 10 REB
Dallas Mavericks:
- Cooper Flagg: 26 PTS, 10 REB, 8 AST, 3 STL, 1 BLK
LaMelo Ball Shines Off the Bench, Indiana Escapes Charlotte
The Indiana Pacers snapped a 13-game losing streak with a narrow 114–112 win over the Charlotte Hornets in a game defined by late-game confusion and execution.
LaMelo Ball came off the bench for the first time since the 2020/21 season and delivered an explosive performance, scoring 33 points in just 27 minutes. He shot 12-of-24 from the field, including 7-of-15 from three-point range, and added 8 assists, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals.
Charlotte had a chance to respond late after Pascal Siakam put Indiana ahead by one point with 11.5 seconds remaining. A timeout request by the Hornets was not granted, and T.J. McConnell intercepted the ensuing inbound pass. Ben Sheppard converted one of two free throws to extend the lead, and Charlotte missed a potential game-tying attempt at the buzzer.
Game Statistics
Indiana Pacers 114, Charlotte Hornets 112
- LaMelo Ball: 33 PTS, 8 AST (off the bench)
- Pascal Siakam: go-ahead basket in final seconds
- T.J. McConnell: decisive late steal
Chicago vs Miami Postponed Due to Court Condensation
The scheduled matchup between the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat was delayed for more than two hours and ultimately postponed due to condensation on the court surface, creating unsafe playing conditions.
At the time of postponement, Chicago held a 17–20 record and occupied 10th place in the Eastern Conference, while Miami stood at 20–17, sitting eighth and also within the play-in zone.
What These Results Mean Moving Forward
Minnesota’s win highlighted its offensive depth and ability to dominate key stretches, while Julius Randle’s versatility continues to play a central role in the Timberwolves’ success. Utah’s narrow victory reinforced its ability to close tight games, even against emerging talents like Cooper Flagg.
For Dallas, Flagg’s near triple-double marked another significant step in his rookie development, despite the loss. Indiana’s late-game execution may provide momentum after an extended losing streak, while Charlotte was left frustrated by a controversial finish.
For complete coverage of upcoming games, detailed box scores, and updated standings, visit our NBA schedule and results section, where all regular-season games are tracked daily.
