Philippines, 12 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


West Leadership Race Still On; Mavericks Biggest Gainers


PhilBoxing.com




All three contenders for Western Conference leadership played today, with only two winning. Yet they remained just half a game to one game off each other ensuring that the race for the top is still on as the season winds down to its last eight games for each.

The biggest gainers of the day though are the Dallas Mavericks who improved to a share of the 5th place with a road win against the Houston Rockets in the process setting back the latter's play-in bid.

The Denver Nuggets, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves all have games today but only the Nuggets and the Thunder won, with OKC posting temporary leads of half a game and a game respectively as Minnesota lost.

The Nuggets routed the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers, 130-101 to raise their record to 52-23. The Nuggets were again without Jamal Murray and drew just 8-point performance from Aaron Gordon. But Nikola Jokic who as usual topped for Denver with 26, got superb support from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (22), Michael Porter Jnr (19), Reggie Jackson (16) and Chris Braun (11) for the breakaway win.

The Thunder nipped the New York Knicks, 113-112 at the Madison Garden Arena to take the temporary leadership with a record of 52-22. With the OKC's 1-2 punch Shai Gilgeous Alexander and Chet Holmgren not as productive, Jalen Williams led the Thunder attack with 33 points in collaboration with Josh Giddy who chipped in 16 points apart from topping the team in rebounds (13) and assists (12). Still, SGA managed to score 19 points including the jumpshot that decided the game after Jalen Brunson had given the Knicks the lead with four ticks left. Brunson who led the Knicks with 30 points, missed a last jumper in a bid to turn the game around.

The Minnesota Timberwolves lost its home game to the Chicago Bulls, 109-101 and saw its record dropped to 51-23, a game behind the leading Thunders. The Bulls were bannered by Demar Derozan (27), Alex Caruso (21), Nikola Vucevic (19) and Coby White (17). The Timberwolves were led by Anthony Edwards with 21 and Ruby Gobert who added 19, however the team is missing a piece of its Twin Towers in Karl Anthony Towns who remained out with injury.

Dallas Mavericks gained a tie for the 5th place with the New Orleans Pelicans both with a record of 45-29 following a 125-107 road win over the Houston Rockets on the dominant all around performance of MVP candidate Luka Doncic (47 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists).

The loss set back the Rockets in its bid to vie for a play-in berth vis a vis the current 10th placer Golden State Warriors who won again today, a 117-113 road victory over San Antonio Spurs. The Warriors at 40-34 have a two games lead over the Rockets (38-36).

The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Chess Players Association of Negros Occidental, Incorporated (CPANOI) – 2026 Opening Event
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 12 Jan 2026
  • STUNNING SMITH DESTROYS MATIAS TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION
    , Sun, 11 Jan 2026
  • Former WBC champ Bazooka Limón hospitalized in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 11 Jan 2026
  • Zuffa Boxing set to unveil its maiden card on January 23 in Las Vegas
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ‘I’ve got an army and army’s move in numbers’ Owen Corrigan returns for Light Heavyweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • Pasalamat Festival Chess Tour 2026 to Push Through
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS & TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO PRESENT CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 - VERONA, NY
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ELIF TURHAN SIGNS NEW MULTI-FIGHT DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING – FIRST IBF WORLD TITLE DEFENCE DATE SET FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 31
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • Driving Philippine Tennis Forward: Jean Henri Lhuillier Champions the 2026 Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Tour
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ‘I’m ready to make some noise’ Billy Quinncroft returns for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Dableo and Laylo's Team to Compete in Bulacan
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Sanman Boxing present Yeerken vs. Carcedo WBA Asia South Title Clash in General Santos City on Feb 9
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Hardstone adds 2 more title fights on January 26
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Panamerican Boxing Confederation Partners with Xempower for Digital and AI-Driven Transformation
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • IGMOB TALENT GROUP Launches www.IGMOBTalent.com to Represent Fighters, Entertainers, and Rising Talent Across Sports & Media
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • SEAG Davao-based athletes eye International stints
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Canoy banking on his ring experience against Kuse
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • Undefeated Kansas Middleweight Prospect Marco “El Tiburon” Romero finished 2025 with 7th triumphs, all by knockout, & 11-0 record
    , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • Kinetix Sports aims for bigger events in 2026
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • 2026 Santa Maria Town Fiesta Chess Challenge on January 26
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • World Ranked Heavyweight Dainier Pero Headlines on Saturday, January 17th at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
    , Wed, 07 Jan 2026
  • Jahyae Brown to Battle Arnold Gonzalez in Exciting Co-Feature on Thursday, January 15th at The War Memorial in Trenton, New Jersey
    , Wed, 07 Jan 2026
  • Hendri Cedeno Seeks Monumental Victory Against Alfredo Santiago for NABO Title January 10 at Barclays Center
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Kingsley Ibeh learned from his Loss 5 years ago to Jared Anderson
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.