January is typically the time for resolutions and clean slates, even though you could pick any time of the year.
What does this mean for NBA teams?
Will the offensive scoring explosions continue? Will the potential MVPs separate themselves from each other? With the NBA trade deadline next month, will we see players switching teams? Well, the Lakers got things going by trading for Rui Hachimura last week. Who’s next? Will teams jockeying for a postseason berth make a move upward or slide?
But let’s get to the action on the court. Here are 25 of the best NBA photos you might have missed in January. What are your favorites?
As always, thanks for watching.
(Bill Streicher/USA Today)
If there is one NBA player who can knock over Joel Embiid of the Sixers, it’s Zion Williamson of the Pelicans. Everyone (and everything) in Philadelphia was OK after this earth-shaking encounter.
(Gary A. Vasquez/USA Today)
LeBron James of the Lakers will be the NBA’s all-time scoring leader soon, but Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Grizzlies makes sure these two points aren’t included in James’ career total points during this game in Los Angeles.
(Jed Jacobsohn/Associated Press)
Kevon Looney, who had the game-winner at the buzzer, celebrates with Jordan Poole after the Warriors’ thrilling 143-141 double-overtime win over the Hawks in San Francisco.
(Troy Wayrynen/USA Today)
Drew Eubanks of the Trail Blazers is thrilled after making this shot and getting fouled against the Pistons in Portland, Ore.
(Trevor Ruszkowski/USA Today)
Buddy Hield of the Pacers celebrates a 3-pointer made against the Raptors in Indianapolis.
(Bruce Kluckhohn/USA Today)
In case you’ve missed it, Aaron Gordon of the Nuggets knows how to dunk. He finishes this flush despite the efforts of Rudy Gobert and Anthony Edwards of the Timberwolves in Minneapolis.
(David Richard/USA Today)
He might be 34, but Kevin Love of the Cavaliers displays his cat-like reflexes by saving this ball against the Suns in Cleveland.
(Stephen Lew/USA Today)
Nic Claxton of the Nets brings out the … claw … while fighting for the ball with Herb Jones of the Pelicans in New Orleans.
(Mark J. Rebilas/USA Today)
Guessing by his reaction, Jimmy Butler of the Heat disagrees with a call made against the Suns in Phoenix.
(Kelley L. Cox/USA Today)
Klay Thompson of the Warriors hides his frustration after committing a foul against the Pistons in San Francisco.
Thomas Bryant of the Lakers yells after a dunk against the Trail Blazers in Portland, Ore.
(Jerome Miron/USA Today)
It might look like a successful slam by Jaxson Hayes of the Pelicans, but JaVale McGee of the Mavericks provides just enough defense for the ball to pop out in Dallas.
Speaking of slams, there is no doubt that Damian Lillard of the Trail Blazers completed this dunk with some authority over Cole Anthony of the Magic in Portland, Ore.
(Eric Hartline/USA Today)
Tobias Harris of the 76ers could use a little love after injuring his left knee against the Thunder in Philadelphia.
(Michael Laughlin/USA Today)
Ben Simmons of the Nets keeps an eye on Gabe Vincent of the Heat as Vincent tight-ropes the line and shoots in Miami.
(Gary A. Vasquez/USA Today)
Jakob Poeltl of the Spurs gets a face full of the ball on this block by Nicolas Batum of the Clippers in Los Angeles.
(Peter Thomas/USA Today)
Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Grizzlies isn’t sleeping; he’s just recovering from a hard foul from the Spurs in Memphis, Tenn.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA Today)
Who is this player being swallowed up by fans after diving for a ball into the seats? Guess in the comments below. Hint: His shoes might give him away.
(Brace Hemmelgarn/USA Today)
Jalen Green of the Rockets loses the ball, thanks to the good defense of Anthony Edwards and Jaylen Nowell of the Timberwolves in Minneapolis.
(Brad Penner/USA Today)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder eyes the prize as he approaches the rim as Kyrie Irving of the Nets defends in New York.
Oh no! This isn’t going to end well for Ochai Agbaji of the Jazz against the Hornets in Salt Lake City.
(Rick Scuteri/USA Today)
Oh no, Part 2! Torrey Craig of the Suns goes airborne and crashes into Josh Green of the Mavericks in Phoenix.
(David Butler II/USA Today)
Somehow, Jordan Poole of the Warriors sneaks this shot attempt around Jayson Tatum of the Celtics in Boston.
Hopefully, photographer Kirby Lee’s remote camera survived this collision with Stanley Johnson of the Spurs and Dennis Schröder of the Lakers.
Parting shot
(Jerome Miron/USA Today)
Spencer Dinwiddie of the Mavericks gives a kiss to his son, Elijah, before a game against the Celtics in Dallas as Champ waits his turn.
(Top photo of Donovan Mitchell: Ken Blaze/USA Today)
Related reading
How an NBA Getty Images photographer captures the perfect shot
Related viewing
December: 25 NBA images you might have missed
November: 25 NBA images you might have missed
.