Nightly Pulse: NBA Updates & Highlights from Jan. 7

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Tuesday’s slate of games

Rockets vs. Wizards (

7 ET, Live on NBA League Pass

)

Suns vs. Hornets (

7 ET, Live on NBA League Pass

)

Lakers vs. Mavericks (

7:30 ET, Live on TNT, Tru TV, and MAX

)

Timberwolves vs. Pelicans (

8 ET, Live on NBA League Pass

)

Hawks vs. Jazz (

9 ET, Live on NBA League Pass

)

Heat vs. Warriors (

10 ET, Live on NBA League Pass

)

Celtics vs. Nuggets (

10 ET, Live on TNT

)

Welcome back

3️⃣Stories

The Mavericks will be working to get back in the win column when they host the Lakers live on TNT at 7:30 ET. Dallas has lost five in a row and has not secured a victory since Luka Dončić suffered a left calf strain against the Timberwolves on Christmas. Now, they’ll also have to deal with the absence of Kyrie Irving (back) and Daniel Gafford (ankle). This could create a difficult task when they take the floor against the Lakers, who despite a loss to the Rockets on Sunday, are amid a surge that has seen them win seven of their last 10 games. With the Western Conference standings muddied in the middle, and just one game separating the four to seven seeds in the West, every game matters, especially when considering potential tiebreakers decided in head-to-head matchups like this one. 

The Last two NBA Champions square off in Denver when the Celtics visit Ball Arena to take on the Nuggets. Boston jumped out to a hot start this season, overshadowed by an even more impressive Cavaliers run, but they have sputtered of late, playing to just a 5-5 record over their last 10 games. A win over Denver in the final battle of a four-game road trip could give them some positive momentum going into a four-of-five stretch at home. Meanwhile, the Nuggets currently sit as the No. 4 seed in the West but have multiple teams on their tail, and as mentioned above, just one game separates them from the No. 7 seed. This matchup will also feature a showdown between two of the top five spot holders on the current

Kia NBA MVP ladder

, Nikola Jokić and Jayson Tatum. 

Zion Williamson will return to action tonight. The superstar power forward has been out since early November due to a hamstring injury, but he’ll take the court with the Pelicans tonight when they host the Timberwolves. The return of Zion could be a catalyst in turning around a rough start to the season for New Orleans. The team has dealt with numerous injuries, with their top players all missing significant time thus far.