The Los Angeles Lakers delivered a commanding performance against the Washington Wizards, winning 134-96, with LeBron James leading the charge with 24 points, 11 assists, and 3 rebounds. Rui Hachimura complemented him with 22 points and four three-pointers. Despite a valiant effort from Jordan Poole, who scored 19 points and grabbed 5 rebounds, the Wizards struggled, falling to a dismal 6-41 record.

Notably, LeBron James surpassed Moses Malone to become the second all-time leader in free throws made, now holding 8,531 successful attempts. The Lakers' victory only adds to their growing momentum as they improve to 27-19, while the Wizards continue to languish at the bottom of the standings.

Karl-Anthony Towns will not be the only player from the New York Knicks heading to the NBA All-Star Weekend in San Francisco, as Moses Brown has been selected to participate in the G League's "Up Next Game". The game will be held on February 16 at the Moscone Center, showcasing 18 reserve players including the Knicks' G League affiliate standout.

Brown, a 25-year-old New York City native, has made waves with his impressive performance—averaging a double-double with 16.1 points and 14.0 rebounds across 24 games this season. Recently, he became the first player in Westchester's history to achieve a 30-point, 20-rebound game, highlighting his potential as an emerging talent in the league.

The G League's format mirrors the NBA’s All-Star festivities, employing a four-team draft and tournament setup. As the Knicks prepare for the All-Star weekend, Brown’s recognition reflects the growing depth of talent within their organization.

Jusuf Nurkić of the Phoenix Suns has expressed his frustration with head coach Mike Budenholzer, revealing a lack of communication between them, especially after losing his starting position. The center acknowledged that he had gone two months without speaking directly to Budenholzer, which he finds concerning during the season. He was benched on January 9 against the Atlanta Hawks, and Budenholzer later stated that Nurkić needs to earn his minutes on the court.

Despite averaging 8.6 points and 9.2 rebounds this season, Nurkić has not played since January 7 and has been replaced in the starting lineup by Mason Plumlee and Nick Richards. The Suns currently hold a 23-21 record, winning seven of their last nine games. As trade rumors swirl around the team, including potential moves involving Nurkić, the player remains hopeful for a second chance in the lineup.

As the NBA season progresses, keen bettors can find valuable insights on specific player props that stand out. Trey Murphy III has caught attention with a prop bet of over 0.5 blocks against the Memphis Grizzlies. Murphy's shot-blocking ability has been highlighted as he averages 1.2 blocks over 39 minutes in his recent games. The Grizzlies, notorious for getting blocked, have seen their players, Jaren Jackson and Desmond Bane, combined for 87 blocks this season. This trend suggests good opportunities for forwards like Murphy to capitalize.

Meanwhile, Jerami Grant's prop of over 2.5 three-pointers against the Charlotte Hornets also merits focus. With Grant playing significant minutes after recovering from injury, he averages 2.8 threes per game when logging over 30 minutes. The Hornets' defensive struggles, particularly in allowing open shots, make this bet enticing.

The Milwaukee Bucks secured a solid victory against the Orlando Magic, winning 122-93, yet the night was marred by an injury to starting shooting guard Andre Jackson Jr. During the first half, with only 6.4 seconds left, Jackson collided with Magic's Trevelin Queen while defending Damian Lillard, leading to immediate departure from the game.

Despite being ahead at halftime, Jackson's health became a concern as he experienced significant pain and was ultimately ruled out for the second half due to a right hip contusion. In his absence, AJ Green stepped into the starting role but struggled to make an impact, finishing the game with minimal points as the scenario turned lopsided.