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Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks face Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the nightcap of our ESPN doubleheader as AWS Rivals Week 2026 continues.<\/p>\n
What we know ahead of Wednesday\u2019s games:<\/p>\n
AWS Rivals Week 2026<\/a> continues tonight with an ESPN doubleheader. We\u2019ve got Cavaliers-Hornets (7 ET<\/a>) and Thunder-Bucks (9:30 ET<\/a>), boasting battles between the Ball brothers and SGA and Giannis. JANUARY 21, 2026 \/\/ 7:20 ET<\/p>\n Allen to the rafters<\/p>\n Starting off Cavs-Hornets with a bang. The Cavaliers have opened the game on a 19-4 run, including this alley-oop to Jarrett Allen.<\/p>\n Surge up for the swat. Jarrett Allen with a splendid sequence as we are underway in Charlotte! pic.twitter.com\/kB6iwVnkBR<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NBA (@NBA) January 22, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n JANUARY 21, 2026 \/\/ 6:00 ET<\/p>\n The Celtics and Pacers, fresh off a thriller, continue a budding rivalry<\/p>\n On Jan. 12, the Pacers defeated the Celtics 98-96 on a floater from Pascal Siakam, adding a new layer to an often-spirited struggle between Eastern Conference foes.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Since the beginning of the 2023-24 season, the Celtics and Pacers have split their last 10 contests, with each team winning five games.<\/p>\n That doesn\u2019t include the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals, which the Celtics won in four close games, including Jaylen Brown\u2019s dramatic game-tying 3-pointer to take Game 1 to overtime.<\/p>\n These teams have been going back-and-forth for years, based on similar principles of open, flowing offense, strong rim protection and talented isolation scorers.<\/p>\n Pascal Siakam and Brown win one-on-one matchups with skilled midrange games and strength; Andrew Nembhard and Derrick White are two of the best two-way guards in the league; Jay Huff and Neemias Queta provide stalwart rim protection on small contracts.<\/p>\n Both team boast benches full of two-way prospects, allowing them to fire 3-pointers while maintaining defensive structure.<\/p>\n Tune in to see the next chapter between two of the historic powers in the East at 7:30 ET<\/a> tonight on League Pass, as well as the the NBA Strategy Stream.<\/p>\n The Pacers head to Boston to take on the Celtics in tonight’s NBA Strategy Stream powered by AWS!<\/p>\n Join @NateDuncanNBA<\/a> and @DannyLeroux<\/a> as they go beyond the box score to break down the schemes, metrics, and moves that change the game at 7:30pm\/et on the NBA App.<\/p>\n \u27a1\ufe0f\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/NJGFGW81iW<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NBA (@NBA) January 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n JANUARY 21, 2026 \/\/ 5:30 ET<\/p>\n Welcome to an eight-game night in the NBA! LaMelo Ball\u2019s Hornets host Lonzo Ball\u2019s Cavaliers to continue AWS Rivals Week 2026 at 7 ET on ESPN.<\/p>\n AWS Rivals Week 2026<\/a> continues tonight with an ESPN doubleheader featuring a battle between LaMelo and Lonzo Ball, as the Hornets host the Cavaliers (7 ET<\/a>) and a showdown between two of the game\u2019s great international superstars as Shai Gilgeous Alexander\u2019s Thunder take on Giannis Antetokounmpo\u2019s Bucks (9:30 ET<\/a>).<\/p>\n Here\u2019s tonight\u2019s complete schedule:<\/p>\n
\nKon Knueppel, who will feature in the first of our national television contests, stands at the top of the latest Kia Rookie Ladder<\/a>.
\nJaylen Brown is probable. Zion Williamson is questionable. Jalen Williams, Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein are out.<\/p>\n
Ascend up for the alley-oop.<\/p>\n
\n![\"LaMelo](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2254168276-Cropped-1568x882.jpg\")
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