New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby led the team in scoring on Thursday, putting up 26 points along with six steals in the team's 122-84 blowout win over the Denver Nuggets. This was just the second time in 13 games with the Knicks that Anunoby scored at least 20 points and the fourth time he made three or more three-pointers. The Knicks' defense was already one of the NBA's best this season, and adding an elite wing defender like Anunoby has only made them scarier on that end. He'll look to continue his strong play on Saturday against the Heat.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James returned from his one-game absence due to an ankle injury on Thursday, posting 25 points, four rebounds, and 12 assists in the team's 141-132 win over the Chicago Bulls. The Lakers were on fire from the floor, putting up 112 points in three quarters and shooting over 60 percent for the game. Significant support from D'Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves is essential to the team's success this year, and each scored at least 20 points in this game. James is averaging 24.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.5 assists in 34 minutes per game this season.

Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes set a season-high on Thursday against his former team, the Golden State Warriors, scoring 39 points in the team's 134-133 road win. Barnes drained seven threes en route to his third 30-point game of the season, tying the second-most he's ever made in a game. The veteran forward has experienced significant performance swings, having back-to-back 30-point games, but he only scored more than 10 points once in the six games before that. The 31-year-old is averaging 12 points per game in 29 minutes this year, and he'll look to continue his hot streak on Saturday against the Mavericks.

Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam posted his first triple-double of the season and the first of his Pacers' career on Thursday, recording 26 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists in the team's 134-122 win over the 76ers. Siakam trailed only Joel Embiid in points during the game and led all players in rebounds and assists. With Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) out, the newly acquired former All-Star led the charge in a wire-to-wire win for Indiana at home. The 29-year-old is averaging 19.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game in four games with the Pacers.

Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges will become a free agent following the 2023-24 NBA season and is expected to be a prominent name in trade talks until the Feb. 8 deadline. Bridges missed all of last season and served a 10-game suspension to start this year due to a domestic-violence case, but he is currently among the 10 or more players on the Phoenix Suns' radar. If traded, Bridges would lose his bird rights, meaning teams cannot go over the salary cap to pay him, and he can also veto any trade. The Suns don't have the cap space to retain him in the offseason, but Bridges could provide a significant boost for their title run this season. He is currently averaging 20.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 36 minutes per game.