Nelson scores twice in 3rd as Avalanche rally past Hurricanes, 5-3

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Brock Nelson scored two power-play goals in the first 7 1/2 minutes of the third period and the Colorado Avalanche rallied past the Carolina Hurricanes 5-3 on Saturday night for their 10th consecutive victory.

After trailing 3-1 through two periods, NHL-leading Colorado (31-2-7) scored four unanswered goals in the third to extend its point streak to 13 games.

Nelson trimmed the deficit to one at 1:09 and Jack Drury tied it 33 seconds later. Nelson gave the Avalanche their first lead at 7:30 and NHL points leader Nathan MacKinnon, who had two assists, was awarded a goal with 18 seconds to play.

Gabriel Landeskog scored early in the second period for Colorado, and Cale Makar added two assists. Scott Wedgewood made 10 of his 25 saves in the third.

Sebastian Aho scored his 300th career goal and Nikolaj Ehlers and Andrei Svechnikov also scored for the Hurricanes, who have lost three straight games in regulation for the first time this season. Carolina dropped to 15-2-1 when leading after two periods.

Frederik Andersen stopped 30 shots but lost his ninth decision in a row.

Nelson, selected to U.S. Olympic squad Friday, has scored in three straight games.

The teams sported throwback uniforms from their previous homes, with the Avalanche wearing Quebec Nordiques jerseys while the Hurricanes were decked out in Hartford Whalers garb.

Aho beat Wedgewood on a short-handed breakaway with 1:51 remaining in the first period to open the scoring.

Andersen stopped the first 16 Colorado shots until Landeskog’s wraparound off the post 1:47 into the second period. Three minutes later, Ehlers converted on a power play to give Carolina a 2-1 lead. Aho assisted on Svechnikov's goal at 7:50.

Two of Colorado’s first three goals in the third came on the power play. The Avalanche entered 29th in the NHL with the man advantage (15.9%).

Carolina’s Shayne Gostisbehere, the team’s scoring leader among defensemen, was back after a three-game injury absence.

Avalanche: Sunday at Florida.

Hurricanes: Sunday at New Jersey.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Carolina Hurricanes' Andrei Svechnikov, left, celebrates his goal with Nikolaj Ehlers (27) during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Colorado Avalanche celebrate a goal by Brock Nelson, with Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) standing near the net during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Colorado Avalanche's Ross Colton (20) moves the puck in front of Carolina Hurricanes' Joel Nystrom (64) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Carolina Hurricanes' Shayne Gostisbehere (4) takes down Colorado Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon (29) resulting in an awarded goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Colorado Avalanche teammates celebrate after a goal by Jack Drury (18) during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Cam Spencer scored 21 points, including five in the final 1:26, and the Memphis Grizzlies beat San Antonio 106-105 on Tuesday night, offsetting 30 points by the Spurs' Victor Wembanyama in his return after a two-game absence.

Spencer's 10-foot baseline jumper with 36.5 seconds left were the final points. San Antonio's De'Aaron Fox took a 15 footer with 5 second left but was blocked by Memphis' Santi Aldama, and the Grizzlies snapped a four-game losing streak.

Jaren Jackson Jr. also had 21 points for Memphis, and Jock Landale finished with 19 points. Spencer had eight rebounds and eight assists.

Wembanyama's 30 points led the Spurs while Julian Champagnie finished with 23. Stephon Castle had 15 points before fouling out with 3:13 left. Wembanyama, who played 21 minutes, was 10 of 20 from the floor, including 3 of 6 from outside the arc.

Memphis led 101-100 with 2:44 left when Fox, who started 1 of 13 from the field, was in the midst of six straight points, taking the San Antonio lead to 104-101 with 1:39 to play. But Spencer's late burst gave Memphis the victory.

After a poor first half, Memphis opened the third on a 20-7 run to erase San Antonio's 11-point lead. Wembanyama had 12 in the period and Memphis held an 82-81 advantage into the final quarter.

The first half was rather sloppy with both teams making less than a third of their shots until late in the second frame. Memphis had 13 turnovers as the Grizzlies struggled to generate any offense.

Spurs: Return home to face the Lakers on Wednesday night.

Grizzlies: Continue a four-game homestand against Phoenix on Wednesday night.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (8) and San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson, right, move for the ball in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (3) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells (0) shoots against San Antonio Spurs guard De'aaron Fox (4) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama, right, handles the ball against San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2) and forward Victor Wembanyama (1) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) and Memphis Grizzlies center Christian Koloko (35) reach for the ball in the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)