So begins the back half of the NBA regular season. Before that familiar sequence of trade deadline into All-Star break, we get a return of the Saturday showcase format. ABC opens its triple-header window this weekend, with “Inside the NBA” and all its strange revelry for studio intermissions.
The “NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC” refresher puts Jalen Brunson back in his Villanova digs, while Luka Dončić makes another pronounced return to Dallas. Up north, the Minnesota Timberwolves become Anthony Edwards and the Revolution in their “Purple Rain” alternates — which of course casts Stephen Curry as Morris Day. There are also two Friday spots on Prime Video, headlined by the Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons in a battle of brothers.
We break down all five national offerings in a nod to Oscar nominations, which dropped on Thursday. No, Emma Stone is not going to reach the 65-game threshold for awards ballots.
NBA national game watch guide
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GameTime (ET)TVStream
Rockets at Pistons
Fri., 7 p.m.
National: Prime Video
Local: Space City (HOU)
Nuggets at Bucks
Fri., 9:30 p.m.
National: Prime Video
Local: Altitude (DEN),
FDSN (MIL)
Knicks at 76ers
Sat., 3 p.m.
ABC
Warriors at Wolves
Sat., 5:30 p.m.
ABC
Lakers at Mavericks
Sat., 8:30 p.m.
ABC
ABC is free over the air. It’s also available on Disney+ and ESPN Unlimited.
FridayHouston Rockets at Detroit Pistons
Best Visual Effects: Amen and Ausar Thompson
We’re a simple viewership. We see twins on a basketball court, we tune in. The sport’s physical symmetry is really celebrated when the Thompsons face off at the wing. This isn’t their first NBA meet-up — it’s their fifth, a 2-2 split so far — but this one has a stronger kick to it.
Through 42 games, Amen’s Rockets sit at a plus-6.1 point differential, second-best in the West. Houston is showing top-shelf potential with Kevin Durant in tow. Meanwhile, Ausar’s Pistons lead the East at 32-10 and with a plus-7.3 mark.
Amen is a real-time breakout star with new highs in scoring (18.5 points per game) and assists (5.2). Ausar, averaging a career-best 10.9 points per outing, is near the top of the league in steals and deflections. “I’m going to introduce him to the weight room,” Detroit’s Thompson jabbed on Wednesday. Two-way talents times two. It’s 3-and-D as framed by Wes Anderson:
Amen and Ausar Thompson face off Friday. (Carmen Mandato / Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets at Milwaukee Bucks
Best Actor: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Antetokounmpo is a true action star. He leaps around the floor with elastic brawn, and he drives to the rim in total fearlessness. Milwaukee’s two-time MVP and franchise foundation sat down with The Athletic’s Sam Amick two weeks ago. “My plan is to be here for the rest of my career,” he told Amick.
Since then, Antetokounmpo has conspicuously cut back on offense and vented frustrations around the limited Bucks roster. This is now either a hero’s mission or an A-lister escape plan. The basketball public stays glued to the screen.
Denver would earn a nomination for Best Original Score, given the Nuggets’ No. 1 offensive rating, but we’ll wait until Nikola Jokić gets healthy. “The Joker” hasn’t played since he hyperextended his left knee on Dec. 29; Jamal Murray and crew are 8-5 in his absence.
SaturdayNew York Knicks at Philadelphia 76ers
Best Original Screenplay: The Nova Knicks in Philly
While the league has renewed its “Rivals Week” wrapping, this weekend lineup is lacking in real animosity. The purest beef on our five-piece slate is New York-Philadelphia. Much of it is carryover from the two cities at large, but their playoff series in April 2024 became a rivalry reheat button. Knicks at Sixers now has an archetypal sports movie setup.
Brunson, who hustled from second-round pick to All-NBA superstar, takes the arena he frequented as a Villanova Wildcat. Of course, college best friends Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart are here to ride out. New York is trying to shake out of a 3-8 start to January; Philadelphia is building momentum as Joel Embiid revs back into form.
Golden State Warriors at Minnesota Timberwolves
Best Cinematography: The Wolves’ “Purple Rain”
Minnesota is rocking its Prince-inspired alternates on Saturday. The “Purple Rain” uniform-court combination is a banger. And each side approaches this game in different funks. The Timberwolves have four straight losses, all by five points or fewer. Still, the Edwards and Julius Randle half-court combo is “Starfish and Coffee” offense. Through Thursday, Minnesota ranks in the top five in both field goal and 3-point percentages.
It’s far moodier for Golden State — Jimmy Butler tore his right ACL, and there’s a clouding tension around Jonathan Kuminga. This is what it sounds like, when Dubs cry. Through it all and no matter what, Curry is worth the watch.
Los Angeles Lakers at Dallas Mavericks
Best Picture: The Luka Dončić and Anthony Davis trade
Are we sure that Dončić-for-Davis deal really happened? It’s a bit hard to believe almost a full year later (anniversary on Feb. 1 or 2, depending on time zone!).
Dončić returning to Dallas is more or less a recreation of “Sentimental Value,” though the ascent of Cooper Flagg has at least simmered down the despair. Still, Dončić was a five-time All-NBA force in his age-25 season when the overnight blockbuster dropped. Mavs fans staged fake funerals at home games. Davis is out with a finger injury, and he’s now the subject of hastening trade talks. The dramatics earn academy approval.
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