Nikola Jokić (knee) is listed as questionable to play tonight versus the Clippers after missing the last 16 games.

Enjoy the best of Friday’s 9-game slate with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news, notes and highlights.

JANUARY 30, 2026 // 6:40 ET

What we know ahead of Friday’s games:

Denver’s Nikola Jokić could return to the floor tonight for the first time since he hyperextended his left knee on Dec. 29 versus Miami. He’s averaging 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds and 11.0 assists per game and will juice up a Nuggets squad that went 10-6 in his absence.
Luka Dončić and LeBron James look to right the Lakers’ ship when they travel to take on a Wizards team going for their third consecutive win.
The Kings are in Boston hoping to snap a 7-game losing streak, while the Celtics aim to shake off a recent 117-106 loss to the Hawks on Wednesday.
Portland is in the Big Apple looking to snap a 3-game skid versus a New York Knicks team going for a fifth straight victory following a stretch in which they lost nine of 11 contests.
The Grizzlies are in New Orleans to battle the Pelicans, and the Nets will try to put an end to their 7-game losing streak against the Jazz, who have lost four in a row.
Cleveland is in Phoenix as one of the hotter teams in the NBA right now, as the Cavs have won five straight and 12 of their last 16 games dating back to Dec. 29.

JANUARY 30, 2026 // 6:15 ET

Welcome to a nine-game Friday of hoops!

Paolo Banchero and the Magic host Scottie Barnes and the Raptors to kick off ESPN’s Friday night doubleheader.

Contending teams in the East square off in the first matchup on ESPN when the Orlando Magic host the Toronto Raptors (7:30 ET), as the visitors will look to extend their current road winning streak to five games. Then, starting guards for their respective conferences duel when Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons visit Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors (10 ET).

ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that Nikola Jokić plans to return tonight for the Nuggets after missing the last 16 games with a knee injury. A welcomed boost for Denver, who just lost Aaron Gordon for another 4-6 weeks with a right hamstring strain.

Here’s tonight’s complete schedule: