NBA, NHL and Top 25 college hoops results: Timberwolves rout Warriors, Rangers edge Bruins in OT
Monday’s North American sports slate delivered a mix of blowouts and tight finishes. Minnesota handled Golden State in the NBA, the Rangers outlasted Boston in overtime in the NHL, and Arizona stayed unbeaten with a close Top 25 win over BYU.
Scores posted early Tuesday, January 27, 2026, offered a snapshot of Monday night’s action across the NBA, NHL, and Top 25 men’s college basketball. The night featured a statement win in the NBA’s Western Conference, a dramatic overtime finish on the ice, and a narrow escape for a top-ranked team in college hoops.
NBA: Minnesota rolls, Lakers and Celtics win
The Minnesota Timberwolves delivered one of the night’s most decisive results, beating the Golden State Warriors 108-83. Elsewhere, the Los Angeles Lakers topped the Chicago Bulls 129-118, while the Boston Celtics handled the Portland Trail Blazers 102-94. Other finals included Atlanta over Indiana 132-116, Charlotte over Philadelphia 130-93, Cleveland over Orlando 114-98, and Houston over Memphis 108-99.
With the season’s second half tightening the standings picture, nights like this matter: blowouts can be as informative as close games, revealing which teams are defending consistently and which are struggling to sustain efficient offense against set defenses.
NHL: Rangers win in overtime, Islanders shut out Flyers
On the ice, the New York Rangers earned a 4-3 overtime win over the Boston Bruins, a result that can swing confidence and tiebreak positioning in a playoff race where single points add up fast. The New York Islanders blanked the Philadelphia Flyers 4-0, while the Tampa Bay Lightning beat Utah 2-0. In a high-scoring game, the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Anaheim Ducks 7-4.
Overtime outcomes are particularly meaningful in the NHL standings structure, where teams collect points even in losses that reach extra time. For contenders and bubble teams alike, managing games late—protecting a lead or securing at least one point—often determines postseason fate.
Top 25 college basketball: Arizona survives BYU
In Top 25 men’s college basketball, No. 1 Arizona remained unbeaten with an 86-83 victory over No. 13 BYU, a tight finish that underscored how narrow the margin can be even for elite teams once conference play intensifies. No. 4 Duke also posted a comfortable win, beating No. 20 Louisville 83-52.
As the calendar moves deeper into late January, these results begin to shape seeding narratives—both for conference tournaments and, ultimately, Selection Sunday. Close games against ranked opponents can become résumé anchors, while blowouts can signal teams peaking at the right time.