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Live Updates: Leonard scores 41, Knicks triumph over Celtics

Follow along for Sunday's best NBA highlights.

NBA.com Staff

Jalen Brunson scored 31 points Sunday in a 111-89 win over the Celtics.

Sunday’s NBA.com live blog, featuring the must-see highlights, performances, news, notes, and more from today’s 4-game slate.

What we know about Sunday’s games:

The Knicks and Celtics are now tied for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference standings, after the Knicks earned an 111-89 win over Boston on Sunday. New York was coming off a tough loss to the Pistons on Friday, but with getting Karl-Anthony Towns (eye) back on the court, and an electric debut from trade deadline acquisition Jose Alvarado, they were able to put a halt to Boston’s 5-game win streak.

Sunday’s action was capped off with a Clippers win over Minnesota, 115-96. The game featured two of the league’s top bucket-getters and must-watch individuals in Anthony Edwards and Kawhi Leonard, but it was ultimately Leonard’s 41-point effort that stole the show.

Top performances

  • Kawhi Leonard: 41 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 4 steals.
  • Jalen Brunson: 31 points, 3 rebounds, and 8 assists.
  • Scottie Barnes: 25 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 4 blocks.

February 8, 2026 / 5:20 PM

The Clippers are sailing

It’s been a tremendous performance so far for the Kawhi-led Clippers, who lead the Timberwolves 102-80 with 4:59 left to play.

Leonard has been spectacular, scoring 41 points, but he’s also doing all the smaller, yet important things as well. Like jumping out of bounds to save this ball, which ultimately ends in a dynamite Niederhauser dunk.

February 8, 2026 / 4:47 PM

Put it on a poster.

Anthony Edwards had been relatively quiet in today’s game with the Clippers. Until now.

Ant detonates like he’s been saving up for this moment, and explodes with this poster dunk.

He now has 15 points, but the Timberwolves trail, 65-56, with 4 minutes left in the third.

February 8, 2026 / 4:38 PM

Spinning Scottie

The Raptors are starting to pull away from the Pacers, starting the second half on a 26-8 run.

The man at the forefront is, of course, Scottie Barnes, who is stuffing the stat sheet with 19 points, 9 boards, 2 steals, and 2 blocks.

The Raptors are now up 72-56 at the midpoint of the third quarter.

February 8, 2026 / 4:15 PM

The Clippers lead at the break

Kawhi is getting it done on the scoreboard, putting in a game-high 24 first-half points for the Clippers.

They’ve held the Timberwolves to just 42 after two quarters by getting it done on defense and turning it into offense, as part of their 54 points in the first half.

February 8, 2026 / 3:50 PM

Teammate poster

Miami has been in full control today, currently leading the Wizards 107-75.

The highlight thus has been Bam Adebayo inadvertently putting his own teammate, Kel’el Ware, on a poster with a thunderous putback.

Bam has 22 points to lead all scorers.

February 8, 2026 / 3:32 PM

They call him the Klaw

Kawhi Leonard is doing a bit of everything so far in Minnesota. Not only did he pick up three quick steals,

But he’s getting buckets, too.

Leonard has 12 points to lead all scorers in a 19-19 tie late in the first quarter.

February 8, 2026 / 3:18 PM

Knicks grab victory

New York showed up in Boston and took over, playing to a 111-89 victory.

The return to action of Towns, along with his 11-point and 10-rebound double-double, but it was Jalen Brunson’s 31 points and 8 assists that stole the show.

Also impressive was Alvarado, who finished with 12 points in his team debut.

February 8, 2026 / 3:00 PM

3-Point contest participants named

The field for next Saturday’s 3-point contest is set, featuring a return to the floor for Damian Lillard.

February 8, 2026 / 2:50 PM

Bench boost

Jose Alvarado made his Knicks debut this afternoon and is doing exactly what he was brought in to do.

In 23 minutes off the bench thus far, Alvarado has put up 12 points on 5-for-10 shooting, grabbed 2 boards, dished out 2 dimes, blocked a shot, and grabbed a steal.

He’s also been turning defense into offense,

His performance is part of the reason the Knicks have a 20-point lead, 102-82, with under 5 minutes to go in the game.

February 8, 2026 / 2:31 PM

Jaylen heating up

The Celtics have been facing an uphill battle against the Knicks for most of the afternoon, but that hasn’t stopped Jaylen Brown from heating up and putting points on the board.

Brown is up to 26 points now after 3, but the Celtics are behind, 85-68.

February 8, 2026 / 2:25 PM

Sarr soars

The action is underway in D.C. with the Wizards hosting the Heat.

Washington has the early advantage, 24-19, and that’s largely in part because of the play of Bub Carrington and Alex Sarr.

On this play, we find them working in tandem, and Sarr finishing the alley oop.

February 8, 2026 / 1:33 PM

Celtics clawing back

After trailing by as many as 17, Boston is surging.

First, Derrick White finds Queta for the one-handed flush and his first bucket of the game,

Then we get a smooth Jaylen Brown up-and-under finish, followed by a White triple,

However, the Knicks have started creating distance again, and are ahead 56-43 with a couple of minutes remaining in the half.

February 8, 2026 / 1:15 PM

Brunson burner

Jalen Brunson was on fire for the Knicks in the first quarter, finishing with 15 points on 6-for-9 shooting.

He also added 4 assists, and New York is getting the best of Boston, 48-34, with 7:41 remaining in the first half.

February 8, 2026 / 12:55 PM

Hustle➡️Defense➡️Offense

New York goes to work on this possession, with Landry Shamet jumping the passing lane and grabbing the ball out of the air. After it’s knocked loose, Mikal Bridges hits the floor to get the ball, then spots Towns at the rim for the easy two-handed finish.

The Knicks have a 23-17 lead over Boston with 4 minutes remaining in the opening quarter.

February 8, 2026 / 12:19 PM

All-Star Sengun

Alperen Sengun will make his second career All-Star appearance and join Team World for next weekend’s festivities, including next Sunday’s game on NBC and Peacock at 5 ET.

He’ll be taking the place of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is out of action due to an abdominal injury.

 

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