Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic and Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum (Image via Getty)

The Denver Nuggets play the Boston Celtics on January 7, 2026, at TD Garden. Both teams are near the top of the standings, with Denver at 24-12 and Boston at 23-12. On paper, this looks like a marquee matchup. In reality, it will be shaped by who is not on the floor.Denver will be without Nikola Jokic, and Boston will not have Jayson Tatum. With both stars out, this game shifts away from star power and toward rotations, matchups, and execution. It becomes a test of depth rather than a showcase of MVPs.

Denver Nuggets vs Boston Celtics Injury report and roster impact (January 7, 2026)

Jokic is sidelined with a left knee bone bruise. Denver Nuggets are also missing Cam Johnson (right knee bone bruise), Jonas Valanciunas (right calf strain), and Tamar Bates (left foot surgery). The Nuggets’ availability is further clouded by several questionable tags: Jamal Murray (left ankle sprain), Aaron Gordon (right hamstring strain), Christian Braun (left ankle), and Tim Hardaway Jr. (illness).Boston Celtics’ list is shorter but still significant. Tatum is out with an Achilles issue, and Josh Minott is sidelined with an ankle injury. That leaves Boston leaning heavily on its remaining starters and guard rotation.

Denver Nuggets vs Boston Celtics Broadcast and viewing details (January 7, 2026)

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET. The game will air nationally on ESPN. Local coverage is available on NBC Sports Boston and ALT/KTVD. Streaming options include Fubo and other NBA-approved platforms.

Team stats snapshot

Denver scores more than anyone in the league but allows points at a high rate. Boston scores less but defends at an elite level.

Players who matter most

If he plays, Murray carries Denver Nuggets’ offense. He averages 25.4 points and 7.2 assists and shoots 44.7 percent from three. Gordon adds 18.9 points and 5.9 rebounds, while Peyton Watson has averaged 12.2 points with an expanded role.For Boston Celtics, Jaylen Brown leads the way at 29.6 points and 6.3 rebounds. Derrick White and Payton Pritchard provide steady scoring and spacing from the backcourt.

Denver Nuggets vs Boston Celtics Matchup history and outlook

The teams have split their last four meetings, though Boston won both games in 2025. Denver games have often gone over the 233.5 total, and the combined scoring averages sit well above that line. Boston is favored at home, but Denver’s 14-7 road record suggests a close game. A narrow Celtics win, around 120-115, fits the matchup without either team’s top star.

When Nicolas Maduro was brought to the court, he invoked God in a New York courtroom this week, which sounded like a familiar political plea. He said, “In the name of God, you will see that I will be free,” and “I am a man of God.”Behind the fallen Venezuelan strongman’s courtroom theatrics lies an unlikely spiritual devotion — not to Rome, but to an Indian guru revered by millions as a “man of miracles.”

Maduro, who was born Catholic in a Catholic-majority nation, was among prominent Venezuelan politicians described as devotees of the late Indian guru Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Others included Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, a former president of the country’s National Assembly, and acting President Delcy Rodriguez.Sai Baba, known as a “man of miracles” with tens of millions of followers worldwide, was believed by devotees to have abilities ranging from healing the sick to materialising objects seemingly out of nowhere. Visitors to Maduro’s private office in Miraflores Palace in Caracas would have seen a large framed portrait of Sai Baba alongside those of former leaders Hugo Chávez and Simón Bolívar.Maduro reportedly became an ardent follower of the fuzzy-haired Sai Baba through his wife Cilia Flores, a lawyer and lawmaker in her own right, who was a devotee long before she married Maduro.It was Flores who brought Maduro to India long before they got married to meet Sai Baba in 2005, when she was a lawyer for former President Hugo Chavez and Maduro was speaker of the Assembly. Flores eventually replaced Maduro as the speaker when he was appointed foreign minister.A 2005 photograph showed Maduro and Flores, who was the first of the duo to follow Sai Baba, kneeling on the floor during a visit with the guru at his Prasanthi Nilayam Ashram in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, India. Several photos and videos showed Rodriguez at the ashram in 2023 and 2024, bowing in respect to the spiritual leader.When Sai Baba died in 2011 at age 84, Maduro had the Venezuelan government issue an official condolence resolution and declare a national day of mourning. On Sai Baba’s birthday in November 2025, just weeks before the collapse of Maduro’s regime, he issued a public statement, described as one of his last with a nonpolitical message. “I always remember him when we met. … May the wisdom of this great teacher continue to enlighten us,” Maduro said, describing the guru as a “being of light.”

How Sathya Sai Baba become household name in Venezuela?

Sathya Sai Baba, born Sathyanarayana Raju in 1926, was reportedly 14 years old when he announced to his parents that he was the reincarnation of the revered 19th-century Hindu and Muslim saint Shirdi Sai Baba. Often recognised by his curly hair, Sathya Sai Baba preached “love all, serve all,” “help ever, hurt never” and similar messages that pointed to service, or seva, as central to spiritual growth. His message extended beyond religious affiliation, and he was followed by people of all backgrounds who used bhajans, chants and psalms in their weekly worship. The widely used logo for Sai Baba and his organisations contained the symbols of five major religions.Sai Baba was also accused of sexual misconduct by several young male devotees, as reported in a 2006 BBC documentary. In 1993, six young male devotees were allegedly killed by police in Sai Baba’s bedroom, in a highly speculative case where the police claimed they shot in self-defence.The Sri Sathya Sai International Organisation operated several foundations, trusts and charities in more than 120 countries, providing humanitarian relief through free hospitals, schools, ashrams, universities and clean drinking-water projects, according to the organisation’s website. There were almost 2,000 Sathya Sai Centers worldwide. In the Americas, the organisation had an official presence in 22 Latin American countries, and many pointed to Venezuela as having the highest concentration of followers. More than 30 small groups or official centres were located in Venezuela, with devotees from the Andes Mountains to within Amazonian tribes at the southernmost tip. Official organisational talks and meetings were regularly conducted in Spanish, and a devotional song titled “Mi Destino” was introduced by a Sri Sathya youth group in Venezuela in 2016.The first, unofficial Sai Center opened in Caracas in 1974. In 1988, Ana Elena Diaz-Viana was elected the centre’s inaugural president. Diaz-Viana said many devotees, including herself, encountered spiritual miracles that drew them to Sai Baba. She told RNS she saw a man in white robes and a “big afro” in a dream when she was 25 and then recognised him in a documentary called “The Lost Years of Jesus” five years later.In 1988, Diaz-Viana joined a group of 64 Venezuelans to meet Sai Baba at the ashram. She said she wrote a letter asking him to help the poor of the country and watched as a red light gleamed under his hand as he materialised a lingam, or a symbol of divine energy, in the palm of his hand. She said he walked to her and gave her the lingam, telling her to wash it and “give the water to the poor people of Venezuela who do not have money to buy medicines and for those who are going to die.”

West inclined towards spiritual Guru

This is not new in Western countries. In West, there are several spiritual Gurus or leaders who have a strong followers list. In the late 1960s and 1970s, a parade of gurus burst on the scene, attracting mainly young seekers. Represent a variety of lineages and emphasizing different aspects of dharmic teachings, they included Swamis Satchidananda, Vishnudevananda, Muktananda and Rama, plus Srila Prabhupada, Bhagwan Sree Rajneesh (aka Osho), B.K.S. Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois and the most famous of all, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. In addition, certain masters who never came to the West—Ramana Maharshi, Sri Aurobindo and Neem Karoli Baba, to name just three—have nevertheless had a big impact, thanks to individuals who propagated their teachings in America. And gurus continue to come to America, of course; the most popular today being Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Mata Amritanandamayi (Amma).

Following Joe Root‘s promising form in the longest format of the game, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar recalled Indian great Virat Kohli and claimed that Kohli should not have given up so quickly on the format he once loved and could have rather staged a fightback.

The Test format has once again gained popularity in recent times, and England’s Joe Root has been the irreplaceable king of the format. He has been the highest run-getter in WTC history and has been unstoppable in every season for England.

Steve Smith from Australia and Kane Williamson from New Zealand have also had their own good seasons, but Virat Kohli has averaged 31 in the last 5 years of his career. Kohli finally announced his retirement from the format in 2025.

Your daily dose of cricket!

Sanjay Manjrekar brutally attacked Virat Kohli on his Test retirement

Following Kohli’s retirement, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar went on to comment that the veteran Indian batter should have attempted a fightback instead of just turning his back on the longest format of the game.

Manjrekar also launched an extensive attack on the Indian batter, claiming that despite his remarkable fitness, he gave up too early on Test cricket, when his peers in England, Australia and New Zealand, who were part of the Fab-4, are still scoring runs with ease.

Manjrekar’s words were not taken lightly by the Indian fans, as they seemed infuriated by the scathing attack on their legend and the player intending to call him a coward, one of the most aggressive stars in the longest format of the game.

Virat Kohli’s brother launches a stinging attack on Sanjay Manjrekar

After the attack on Virat Kohli, Vikas Kohli, the elder brother of the Indian cricketer, has now responded with a tweet against Sanjay Manjrekar’s words. The Indian cricketer’s brother mocked Manjrekar, who has been attacked due to such audacious claims in the past.

Mocking the former Indian batter, Vikash Kohli wrote, “Seems like Logon ki Daal Roti nahi chalti….Bina Virat Kohli ka naam liye hue.”

Vikash bhaiya not in the mood to spare Sanjay Manjrekar.

He’s not holding back 🥶 pic.twitter.com/18w4b9ojPu

— Kohlistic🔥 (@Kohlistic18) January 7, 2026

His attack seemed a direct attack on the former player, trying to get some attention using Virat Kohli’s name. Virat is such an icon of world cricket that even his name can have a massive impact on viewers.

Virat Kohli is nearing 28000 international runs

Virat Kohli has retired from the Test and T20 formats of the game but continues to feature for India in the 50-over format. A true veteran of the format, Kohli is the second-highest run-scorer in the format and the highest century getter in the history of the format.

Kohli, who is just a few runs away from the 28000 run mark in international cricket, would also be taking the least number of innings to reach the landmark, as he still has 19 innings to spare. Another 42 runs would also take him past Kumar Sangakkara to be the second-highest scorer in international cricket, only behind Sachin Tendulkar.

Kohli would have an opportunity to level the records in the upcoming series against South Africa, where India will play three ODI matches starting from the 11th of January.

ALSO READ: Shreyas Iyer health update: Bombshell report reveals real status ahead of New Zealand ODIs

Representative image (PTI Photo)

JAMMU: A gun battle broke out between security forces and terrorists in the forests in the upper reaches of Billawar, in J&K’s Kathua district, on Wednesday, where a group of two-three ultras was suspected to be hiding. Around 4pm that evening, locals had reported spotting a terror suspect in Kamad Nallah area.“On being alerted, a joint team of security forces, including SOG Kathua and CRPF personnel, rushed to the area and launched a massive search operation. Holed-up terrorists opened fire at the search party, triggering an encounter. As the firefight erupted, the ultras ran into the forest,” an official said.IGP (Jammu Zone) Bhim Sen Tuti, in an X post, stated that the troops were relentlessly engaging the terrorists despite “darkness, thick vegetation and treacherous terrain”. Officials said the area had been cordoned off. The operation remained in progress till late Wednesday.Earlier this month, a village defence guard (VDG) fired warning shots in the air on Jan 2, upon observing suspicious movement near his house in Dessa village, Doda district, following which security forces launched an anti-terror operation in the area. On Dec 31, 2025, a similar operation was carried out in Dali village in Rajouri district’s Kalakote area based on a VDG’s report about suspicious movement.A string of counter-terror operations has been underway in the upper reaches of Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts in Chenab region, and the border areas along Udhampur and Kathua districts, to track and kill ultras on the move. Such operations were also continuing in the two frontier districts of Rajouri and Poonch, and Reasi district, which shares a border with Rajouri-Ramban in Jammu division and Kulgam in south Kashmir.

SRINAGAR: BJP and Hindu groups on Wednesday celebrated the National Medical Commission’s decision to withdraw permission to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) in Reasi, Jammu, to run an MBBS course from 2025-26 academic session, while J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah reacted sharply, accusing them of playing with the future of students.As activists of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti — a conglomerate of Hindu social and religious organisations that led an agitation against the admission of non-Hindu students to the shrine board-run medical college — held victory marches in Jammu, burst crackers and danced, Omar on Wednesday evening said it was unfortunate that people were celebrating the “closure of a medical college”. “In other parts of the country people fight to get such institutions,” he said. “If you are happy to destroy the future of our children, then go ahead and burst crackers.”The Sangharsh Samiti had been protesting since Nov against the admission of 42 Muslim students, mostly from Kashmir, in the first batch of 50, with only seven Hindus and one Sikh among the selected candidates. Its contention was that an institution funded by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board should give preference to Hindu students and those who have faith in Mata Vaishno Devi.CM Omar said within two years, the institute’s intake capacity would have risen to 400, of which about 250 would have come from Jammu. “Now, no one will get those seats because the college has been closed in the name of religion,” he said. Students who fail to secure admission in medical colleges in future should remember the role played by the Sangharsh Samiti in closing this institute, he added.On Tuesday, barely an hour before the NMC order, the CM had said the medical college was not worth running given the religious politics played around it, and had suggested shutting it down. “In the given scenario, I don’t feel the students themselves would like to study there. We request GoI and the health ministry to adjust these children in other colleges. Had I been a parent of these students, I wouldn’t send them there,” Omar had said.Although NMC stated that the Letter of Permission was being withdrawn as an inspection found non-compliance with minimum standards, the Sangharsh Samiti claimed it was a result of its prolonged agitation. “This is our first major victory,” its representatives said at a news briefing, adding, “Our current protest has ended but there are more issues, like the Shrine Board Act which needs amendment.”BJP’s J&K president and Rajya Sabha member Sat Sharma, too, welcomed the NMC decision, and thanked LG Manoj Sinha and Union health minister J P Nadda, for withdrawal of permission while safeguarding the interests of selected students.Kashmir-based parties, however, slammed the decision, terming it Jammu’s loss, and blamed BJP. NC minister Javed Rana said admissions in educational institutions shouldn’t be sought on the basis of religion. He accused BJP of “communalising” the issue of admissions in SMVDIME.PDP called it “a ruthless setback” for Jammu region, and blamed BJP. “People of Jammu must wake up to the reality that religious polarisation only sabotages their future. This entire episode was cynically engineered by BJP for narrow political gains in the name of religion, and it is Jammu that has been made to pay the price,” PDP youth wing president Aditya Gupta said.

Shadab Khan of Pakistan (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Pakistan flexed their T20 credentials with a commanding six-wicket triumph over Sri Lanka in the opening match of their three-game series in Dambulla on Wednesday, sending a clear warning ahead of the T20 World Cup. The series, seen as a rehearsal for the tournament that Sri Lanka will co-host with India, carries extra weight for Pakistan, who will play all their World Cup matches on the island due to ongoing political tensions with India. Sri Lanka were restricted to a modest 128, thanks largely to a devastating opening spell from Shadab Khan. Making a comeback after shoulder surgery and his first appearance since June last year, the leg-spinner struck twice in his first over, setting the tone for Pakistan’s dominance.

“When you are coming back from injury it is tough. You have to start from zero but the surface was helping me. We have our eyes on the World Cup. With all our games being played here in Sri Lanka, this is a very good series for us,” said Shadab, who was named player of the match. Abrar Ahmed backed him up with figures of 3-25, while left-arm pacer Salman Mirza mopped up the tail, finishing with 3-18. Chasing the target, Sahibzada Farhan raced to 50 in just 25 balls, putting Sri Lanka under immediate pressure. Farhan anchored the innings with a fluent 51 off 36 balls, including four fours and two sixes, guiding Pakistan home with 20 balls to spare. For Sri Lanka, the loss compounded a difficult run-up to the series, marked by the sacking of captain Charith Asalanka, the removal of chairman of selectors Upul Tharanga, and coaching reshuffles. Captain Dasun Shanaka reflected on the issues: “We didn’t get a good start and lost too many wickets. That is an issue we need to address. We recovered well and should have got over 150, but we lost quick wickets.” Pakistan’s emphatic win showcased their form and depth, while Sri Lanka are left scrambling for answers ahead of Friday’s second T20I.

Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal announced the arrival of their baby boy on November 7. However, they had kept their baby boy’s name under wraps. Now after two months of his birth, the couple has finally revealed his name. In a joint post, Katrina and Vicky wrote, “Our Ray of Light ❤️Vihaan Kaushal. विहान कौशल Prayers are answered. Life is beautiful. Our world is changed in a instant. Gratitude beyond words 🙏🏽🧿🕉️”

Meaning of Vihaan

‘Vihaan’ is of Sanskrit origin and means ‘dawn or morning’, often interpreted as the beginning of a new era. It also means sunrise, morning light, dawn or ray of sun. The name evokes ideas of hope, fresh beginnings, and positivity, and is commonly associated with a bright, energetic, and forward-looking personality.

Celebs and fans react

As soon as the couple dropped this post, fans couldn’t hold their excitement. A user said, “Cute” while another one wrote, “God bless you vihaan kaushal ❤️” Many others dropped hearts and congratulations. Many celebs also reacted to this post. Hrithik Roshan wrote, “God bless !! Welcome Vihaan. Amazing news ! Congratulations and love” Parineeti Chopra commented, “Little buddy!” Sonam Kapoor who is currently pregnant and expecting her second baby, dropped hearts. Alia Bhatt dropped lots of emojis of sunshine, hearts and light.

When Vicky was asked about baby’s name

Earlier, when Vicky was spotted at an event, he was asked by the paps, ‘Bete ka naam kya rakha hai? (What have you named your baby boy)?’. This made Vicky blush and how! He further smiled and said, ‘batata hu (I’ll tell soon).” The actor had promised the paps to reveal their baby’s name soon and they finanlly did. Meanwhile, during an interview Vicky was asked whether, after acing both acting and dancing, he had also mastered changing diapers. Laughing at the question, the actor told NDTV, “I am better at changing diapers than acting. I’d just like to say that.” He also opened up on the emotional shift that comes with fatherhood, Vicky admitted that stepping out of the city so soon after his son’s birth was not easy. “It’s very tough (to leave the city after becoming a father). But one day when he watches this, he’ll be proud of his dad. I can’t express in words what it means to be a father,” he shared.

LONDON: Heavily armed US military planes have been landing in Britain since Saturday, suggesting America is preparing for further military operations following the capture of Venezuela’s President Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in a weekend raid.A fleet of at least 14 C-17 Globemaster III cargo jets and at least two armed AC-130J Ghostrider gunships have landed at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, and RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, since Saturday.The 174-f00t-long Globemaster is designed to transport most military vehicles and paratroopers. The Ghostrider carries cannon, bombs and missiles.At least five MH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and one MH-47G Chinook, thought to have been carried on the Globemaster, have been spotted in British hangars. An American KC-135R Stratotanker military aerial refuelling plane landed in Mildenhall on Tuesday.Some of the aircraft took off from Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia and Fort Campbell in Kentucky, home to the US Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, nicknamed the Night Stalkers, which played a key role in capturing Maduro and took part in the mission to capture Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.Special operations soldiers were seen rappelling from two CV-22B tilt-rotor Osprey aircraft in a fast-rope and rescue exercise at RAF Fairfield on Tuesday.An MoD spokesperson told TOI: “As routine, we do not comment on the operational activity of other nations, including third party use of UK bases. The US is the UK’s principal defence and security partner. The depth of our defence relationship with the US remains an essential part of our security.”A spokesman for the UK PM said: “I’m not going to comment on speculation around operational activity, especially regarding other nations. The US is the UK’s most important defence and security partner.”It is possible the military build-up was in order to seize the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera, until recently known as the Bella-1, in the North Atlantic on Wednesday after it slipped through a US naval blockade of Venezuela. President Trump has also threatened to seize Greenland by force, to attack Iran if the regime’s forces kill demonstrators, and made threats against Colombia and Mexico.The US operates in the UK under a range of national and international agreements, principally the Nato Status of Forces Agreement and the Visiting Forces Act. Any US operation from a base in the UK is considered on a case-by-case basis.

In the 26th match of Big Bash League season 15 at Perth Stadium on January 7, 2026, Perth Scorchers battled Melbourne Renegades under lights. Renegades captain Will Sutherland won the toss and opted to field first, setting up a disciplined bowling display that restricted Scorchers to just 127 all out in 19.2 overs. This low-scoring thriller highlighted Renegades’ bowling prowess at the innings break, with Scorchers struggling on a pitch offering assistance to seamers.​

Jason Behrendorff uproots Cooper Connolly with an absolute Jaffa in BBL|15

Jason Behrendorff, the experienced left-arm pacer now with Renegades after a storied Perth career, struck early to rattle Scorchers. In the 4.3 over, he delivered an absolute jaffa to young all-rounder Cooper Connolly, swinging in late to uproot the middle stump and leave Connolly bowled for 3 off 8 balls. The delivery, pitching on off and nipping back sharply past the defensive prod, lit up social media with fans calling it a “peach” and “unplayable” in BBL|15 highlights. This wicket, the second fall at 23/2, swung momentum firmly to Renegades and showcased Behrendorff’s mastery at his former home ground.​ Behrendorff finished with economical figures of 1/11 from 3 overs, his swing troubling Scorchers’ top order in the powerplay where they managed only 22/1.​

Here’s the video:

How about this wicket from Jason Behrendorff against his old side 😮 #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/L3C7F0c1CT

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 7, 2026

Also READ: BBL|15: Jamie Overton shines in Adelaide Strikers’ thrilling win over Sydney Thunder

Melbourne Renegades’ bowling restricts Perth Scorchers to a low score

Gurinder Sandhu delivered a defining spell, returning career-high BBL figures of 4/28 as he ripped through the Scorchers’ middle order, removing Finn Allen for eight, Aaron Hardie for forty-four, Joel Paris for a duck, and David Payne without scoring. Hardie fought back with a composed 44 from 40 balls, striking four boundaries and a lone six, yet his dismissal in the 18th over, caught deep cover off Sandhu, sparked a collapse of seven wickets for seven runs. Hassan Khan chipped in with 2/26, accounting for Mitchell Marsh and captain Ashton Turner, while Sutherland claimed Laurie Evans. Nick Hobson and Jhye Richardson were run out, leaving the Scorchers to lose their final five wickets for seven runs in seven deliveries.

The powerplay produced just 22 for one, the Scorchers crawled to fifty after 7.4 overs, then slipped to 65 for four by drinks at 9.5. They reached 100 in the 15th over but never found momentum, folding for 127 with five extras. The Renegades’ disciplined attack, highlighted by Sam Elliott’s 0/12.

Also READ: BBL|15: Josh Brown sizzles as Renegades edge Stars in Melbourne derby thriller at the MCG