January 6, 2026 – NBA roundup – Kevin Durant hit a clutch 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds left to lift the Houston Rockets to a 100-97 victory over the Phoenix Suns, securing the season series 4-0. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers edged the Golden State Warriors, the Charlotte Hornets stunned Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Denver Nuggets overcame the Philadelphia 76ers in overtime.

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Rockets 100 – Suns 97: Durant’s Late Heroics

• Kevin Durant: 26 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists; 1-for-11 from three before sinking the game-winning shot.
• Jabari Smith Jr: 17 points, 7 rebounds; assisted Durant on the decisive 3-pointer.
• Amen Thompson: 17 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists.
• Houston overcame a 13-point second-half deficit, with key 3-pointers from Smith and clutch plays from Durant and Thompson.

Phoenix Highlights:

• Devin Booker: team-high 27 points; led a 10-0 run to erase a 94-87 deficit.
• Dillon Brooks & Royce O’Neale: 15 points each.

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Clippers 103 – Warriors 102: Leonard Leads Despite Harden Absence

• Kawhi Leonard: 24 points, 12 rebounds; double-double performance.
• Ivica Zubac: 10 points, 11 rebounds.
• Kobe Sanders: 20 points off the bench.
• Stephen Curry: game-high 27 points for Golden State; late flurry couldn’t overcome Clippers.
• Jimmy Butler III: 24 points.
• Warriors coach Steve Kerr ejected early in the fourth quarter after disputing a potential goaltending call.

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Hornets 124 – Thunder 97: Charlotte Shocks OKC

• Brandon Miller: 28 points; led Hornets’ dominant road victory.
• Kon Knueppel: 23 points, 5 3-pointers.
• Miles Bridges: 17 points, 11 rebounds; double-double.
• Moussa Diabate: 12 rebounds.
• The Hornets’ 51.4% from three and first win over OKC since March 2023 snapped the Thunder’s home dominance against Eastern Conference teams.

Oklahoma City Highlights:

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 21 points (7-of-21 shooting).
• Jalen Williams: 16 points.
• Chet Holmgren: 15 points.

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Nuggets 122 – Sixers 120 (OT): Brown Seals Victory

• Bruce Brown: decisive basket with 5.3 seconds left; drew critical goaltending call on Joel Embiid.
• Jalen Pickett: career-high 29 points.
• Nuggets were missing seven of their top eight scorers and all five starters.

Philadelphia Highlights:

• Joel Embiid: 32 points, 10 rebounds.
• Tyrese Maxey: 28 points.
• VJ Edgecombe: 17 points.
• Three-game winning streak snapped for the Sixers.

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Key Takeaways

• Durant continues to be a clutch performer for Houston.
• Clippers survive without James Harden thanks to Leonard’s leadership.
• Hornets show strong shooting and team cohesion in a surprising blowout.
• Nuggets impress despite massive roster shortages, proving depth matters.