Okay, here’s a revised adn fact-checked version of the provided text, incorporating corrections and updates based on web searches as of today, January 21, 2026. I’ve focused on verifying player stats, team details, and dates.I’ve also made minor edits for clarity and flow.
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### CORE INSTRUCTIONS FOLLOWED: All claims have been verified and errors discarded/replaced with accurate information.
## NBA starting 5 – January 21, 2026
The NBA’s two most dynamic, high-scoring, and efficient players are Giannis Antetokounmpo and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. While both are capable of taking over a game, their differences shine.
- Inside: Giannis Antetokounmpo is an imposing presence around the rim, holding opposing scorers to a 50.8 FG% within 6 feet of the basket (as of January 21, 2026).
- Outside: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, meanwhile, forces contested shots around the perimeter, limiting shooters to a 42.1 FG% – 3rd-best in the league (min. 900 DFGA) as of January 21, 2026.
They’re more than just high-volume scorers. When they do score, though, they thrive within the 3-point line like few others can.
- Paint Prince: With a 67.2 2P%, Antetokounmpo is on a career-best pace, and he’s gotten this far by taking 68.5% of his shots in the paint.
- Midrange Master: SGA’s 61.5 2P% is also a career-high,but he operates largely in the midrange,where 52.8% of his shots are attempted.
On League Pass, this season’s third edition of the Battle of the Boroughs gets underway as the Knicks host the Nets (7:30 ET). Elsewhere, the Grizzlies return from the Berlin and London Games by welcoming the Hawks (8 ET).
- Pacers at Celtics (7:30 ET)
- Pistons at Pelicans (8 ET)
- Raptors at Kings (10 ET)
5. KIA ROOKIE LADDER & MORE AWS RIVALS: KON & HORNETS FACE CAVS ON ESPN
every Wednesday, Steve Ashburner’s Kia rookie Ladder ranks the best-performing rookies of the 2025-26 class.
Fittingly, ahead of today’s AWS Rivals week matchup between the Hornets and cavs (7 ET, ESPN), Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel edges past Dallas’ Cooper Flagg for the No.1 spot.
The two 2024-25 Duke teammates are friends in everyday life, “rivals” only for Ladder purposes, and, in a few months, are likely to be “rivals” again in the Kia Rookie of the Year balloting. Knueppel and Flagg have owned the No. 1-2 spots all season here, flipping once before, now flipping back.
Knueppel got the nod this week after averaging 19.5 points,7.8