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Taking stock of top moments from 8-game NBA slate

Live recap and updates across NBA action

NBA.com Staff

LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 30: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket versus New Orleans.

Top Performers⭐⭐

  1. Jalen Johnson: 41 points (10-21 FG, 17-22 FT), 14 rebounds, seven assists, one steal, one block
  2. Tyrese Maxey: 44 points (14-31 FG, 14-17 FT), seven rebounds, nine assists, one block
  3. Payton Pritchard: 42 points (15-22 FG, 6-11 3PM), three rebounds, three assists
  4. Zach Edey: 32 points (16-20 FG), 17 rebounds, five blocks
  5. Deni Avdija: 31 points (6-14 FG, 19-23 FT), 19 rebounds, 10 assists, one steal

Takeaways from Sunday’s games⬇️⬇️

  • Payton Pritchard booms for 42 points as Boston survives a Cleveland comeback.
  • A balanced and victorious effort ascends New York above Toronto for 2nd place in the Eastern Conference standings.
  • Oklahoma City moves to 20-1 to start the season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander passes Wilt Chamberlain by recording his 93rd consecutive game with 20+ points — representing the second-longest such streak in NBA history.
  • Tyrese Maxey and Jalen Johnson posted dueling 40-point performances, with Atlanta emerging victorious in double-overtime.
  • Anthony Edwards passes Hall-of-Fame big Kevin Garnett for most 30-point games (102) in Timberwolves’ franchise history.
  • Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves were firing on all cylinders versus New Orleans. Entering Sunday’s game averaging a league-high 35.1 points per game on a career-best 62.5 TS%, Dončić was as advertised with 34 points. Austin Reaves (33 points) co-starred with his third-consecutive 30-point game.

11:56 PM / November 30, 2025

Lakers cruise wire-to-wire

Amounting a 20-point lead in the first quarter and never looking back, Los Angeles rolls to a 133-121 win, moving to 15-4 on the season and strengthening their contested grip on second place in the Western Conference.

Luka Dončić’s (34 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists) prolific scoring season continues. Entering Sunday’s contest ranking in the 89th percentile for pick-and-roll efficiency, 83rd percentile for post-up efficiency, 79th percentile for isolation efficiency, and 72nd percentile for efficiency off spot-up looks, the 26-year-old’s offensive versatility is a marvel.

The Pelicans put forth a strong offense performance, finishing with a 50.5/50.0/80.0 shooting slash on normal volume across the board. They committed only eight turnovers as well, leaving Sunday’s main takeaway as a defensive gashing.

Bryce McGowens (23 points 9-18 FG), Saddiq Bey (22 points, 9-13 FG) and Jeremiah Fears (21 points, 7-14 FG) led the offensive output for New Orleans.

11:17 PM / November 30, 2025

Edey dominates, Grizzlies win

Propelling a 115-107 win, Zach Edey (32 points, 17 rebounds, five blocks) becomes the first player in franchise history to have a game with at least 30 points, 15 rebounds, and five blocks.

Sacramento had no matchup for Edey, who knocked down 16 of 20 shots. The 7-foot-3 big was the only Memphis player to exceed 16 points.

DeMar DeRozan (23 points, 9-17 FG) and Malik Monk (21 points, 8-17 FG) were credible offensive components, but Sacramento losing the rebounding battle by 18 (63:45) represented the primary point of difference on a night when the Kings weren’t outperformed beyond the arc and committed just eight turnovers.

10:39 PM / November 30, 2025

Lakers’ offense humming

The Purple and Gold control a 77-57 lead over New Orleans at halftime.

Luka Dončić (22 points, 6-10 FG) and Austin Reaves (18 points, 5-7 FG) are in full control while LeBron James (foot) is unavailable after four consecutive starts.

Dončić popped for 20 points, six rebounds and four assists in a first quarter that featured a season-high 46 points for the Lakers. It was the fourth-highest scoring quarter in franchise history!

10:16 PM / November 30, 2025

Highlight central⬇️⬇️

10:04 PM / November 30, 2025

Jeremiah Fears👀👀

Fears — not known as a shooter yet — confidently drains a three after retreating off his initial penetration.

The 19-year-old rookie’s handle is eye-catching in everything he does.

9:53 PM / November 30, 2025

Rim-rocker from Malik Monk

Monk slams it angryyy. Despite the tone-setting play, Sacramento trails Memphis 51-47 with four minutes remaining in the second quarter. Zach LaVine is hot with an early 13 points (6-7 FG) for the Kings.

For Memphis, Cam Spencer (13 points, 5-6 FG, 3-3 3PM) co-leads for the game-high scoring total thus far.

9:26 PM / November 30, 2025

Atlanta spoils Philly’s Big 3 debut

The first game of the season featuring Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey all healthy for Philadelphia featured plenty of fireworks, but Jalen Johnson (41 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists) stole the show — stepping up in double-overtime to seal Atlanta’s 142-134 victory.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker (34 points, eight rebounds, seven assists) starred for Atlanta as well. Functioning as the starting point guard with Trae Young (knee) unavailable, Alexander-Walker’s value as a player knocking down 37.2% of his catch-and-shoot threes while also ranking in the 70th percentile for his pick-and-roll creation efficiency is an extremely valuable archetype.

Tyrese Maxey (44 points, seven rebounds, nine assists) was similarly superb. Sunday marked the 13th 40-point game of the 25-year-old’s career. He was getting downhill and drawing fouls with ease — a deadly counter to his elite shooting when he’s in rhythm.

Quentin Grimes was Maxey’s co-star, popping for an efficient 28 points (8-15 FG) while also supplying a team-high 10 rebounds. Joel Embiid (18 points, 6-14 FG, four rebounds) played 30 minutes in his first action since Nov. 8.

9:18 PM / November 30, 2025

Spurs run out of gas, Timberwolves win 125-112

A 36-19 fourth-quarter domination for Minnesota represented the difference in a 13-point victory over San Antonio.

Anthony Edwards delivered an efficient 32 point (13-18 FG), but posted a 6:7 assist-to-turnover ratio in the process. Ironically, ball movement was Minnesota’s best weapon Sunday, as the team racked up 35 assists on 49 made field goals collectively.

Raining in 45.9 percent of 37 3PA also helps. The Spurs connected on just 24.2% of 33 3PA conversely.

For San Antonio, who is still operating without Victor Wembanyama (calf), De’Aaron Fox led the way with 25 points (10-15 FG), while Devin Vassell (22 points, 10-20 FG) posted his fourth game of the season with 20-plus points. Interestingly, Vassell did all his damage inside the arc, posting just 1-of-9 shooting from deep.

8:52 PM / November 30, 2025

OKC too much for Avdija, Trail Blazers

Deni Avdija recorded a triple-double while amassing a remarkable 23 free throws, but a balanced effort from the Thunder spearheaded a 123-115 victory that was tight throughout.

Avdija becomes the third player in franchise history to record 500+ points, 100+ rebounds and 100+ assists over the first 20 games of a season, joining Clyde Drexler and Damian Lillard.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 26 points (8-16 FG, 10-12 FT) represents Oklahoma City’s only 20-point scorer, while Chet Holmgren (19 points) and Jalen Williams (16 points, eight rebounds, five assists, three blocks) co-starred.

Sunday marked Williams’ second game back from offseason wrist surgery. Oklahoma City’s 20-1 start happening largely without Williams is a remarkable testament to the depth and skill of the squad.

8:33 PM / November 30, 2025

OVERTIME IN PHILLY🚨🚨

Chaos in Philadelphia as Tyrese Maxey ties the game with 10 seconds remaining. 115-115.

Maxey has a game-high 32 points (8-21 FG), while also leading Philadelphia with eight assists and co-leading with six rebounds in a do-it-all effort.

Atlanta almost responded in regulation as Dyson Daniels got around Joel Embiid with a chance to win the game at the buzzer, but his scoop layup rolled off the rim. Overtime ensues.

8:27 PM / November 30, 2025

Pritchard clutch, Celtics win

⭐⭐Payton Pritchard — 42 points (15-22 FG, 6-11 3PM, 6-6 FT)⭐⭐

Scoring Boston’s final four points on this tough middie and two free throws to ice Cleveland, Pritchard capped off a dominate shooting performance in victorious fashion — Celtics 116, Cleveland 115.

Pritchard posts a new season-high, easily exceeding his previous highwater mark of 30 points from Nov. 16 versus the Clippers.

Donovan Mitchell (18 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, three steals) was a consistent force for Cleveland — keeping the team afloat during a slow start and third quarter lull. Evan Mobley posted team highs with 27 points (11-17 FG) and 14 rebounds, while also chipping in four assists with only one turnover.

Jaylen Brown (19 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists) notched his first triple-double of the season for Boston. His previous season-high for assists was eight.

7:55 PM / November 30, 2025

Tight action around the league📢❗🚨

Boston up 4 over Cleveland in the 4th.

Philadelphia up 1 over Atlanta in the 4th

Oklahoma City up 1 over Portland entering the 4th

San Antonio up 4 over Minnesota approaching halftime

All on League Pass🔥🔥🔥

7:46 PM / November 30, 2025

Ant-Man hours

Anthony Edwards (14 points, 6-7 FG) is off to a hot start, but Minnesota trails San Antonio 47-39 early in the second quarter.

De’Aaron Fox (15 points, 6-8 FG) has led San Antonio’s advantageous start in similarly efficient fashion.

Entering Sunday’s contest with an 11-8 record, Minnesota is 2.5 games behind San Antonio for the 5th seed in the Western Conference.

Donte DiVincenzo provides the creation support with this nice pick-and-roll connection to Rudy Gobert.

7:33 PM / November 30, 2025

Bucket getting🪣🪣

Payton Pritchard emerges from halftime adding to his game-high scoring total, now up to 24 points (10-14 FG, 4-7 3PM) as Boston leads Cleveland 83-65 midway through the third quarter.

In Portland, Caleb Love is earning minutes and hitting shots (seven points, 3-6 FG) in a tie game at 68 up.

7:18 PM / November 30, 2025

Monster double-double for Deni

Deni Avdija ripped down 12 rebounds to go with 11 points as Portland clings to a 55-54 lead over Oklahoma City.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a game-high 12 points (4-10 FG, 4-6 FT), but Portland has made him work for it.

Overall, Portland is shooting just 38.8% as a team. Even with a halftime lead, finding rhythm will likely be important against the Oklahoma City juggernaut.

7:03 PM / November 30, 2025

Raptors storming back

A 22-3 run to anchor the second quarter pulls Toronto within seven at halftime — Knicks 59, Raptors 52.

Scottie Barnes leads all scorers with 16 points (6-8 FG, 4-4 3PM) and he’s already matched his season-high in made threes.

Miles McBride (14 points) and Jalen Brunson (10 points) join him as double-digit scorers while leading the Knicks’ effort.

6:50 PM / November 30, 2025

The beautiful game🔥🔥

Oklahoma City runs a smooth transition break.

In a tight game in Portland, the Thunder lead 33-31 midway through the second quarter. Isaiah Joe (nine points, 3-4 FG) leads all scorers thus far.

6:41 PM / November 30, 2025

Knicks can’t miss🎯🎯

Contagious and outrageous as Clyde Frazier calls it!

New York connects on nine threes en route to 41 points, amounting to a 19-point lead over the Raptors at the end of the first quarter.

In total, the Knicks connected on 16-of-24 shots in the opening frame!

6:23 PM / November 30, 2025

Hot starts for Celtics and Knicks

Boston jumps out to a 13-2 lead over Cleveland and continues tacking on, led by eight points from Payton Pritchard (3-4 FG).

Meanwhile in New York, Miles McBride is on fire from beyond the arc. The 25-year-old has rained in four threes to account for the entirety of his 12 points…at the seven minute mark of the first quarter!

6:12 PM / November 30, 2025

Big fella back in action

Joel Embiid (knee) gets the scoring going in his first active contest since Nov. 8.

V.J. Edgecombe (calf) is back after a three-game absence as well — bringing Philadelphia’s main rotation to full strength with the exception of Kelly Oubre (knee).

5:33 PM / November 30, 2025

Rockets victorious

4:57 PM / November 30, 2025

Rockets takeover

Houston is in cruise control versus Utah, possessing a 104-73 lead with 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

The Rockets have poured in 53.8% of their 65 shot attempts while also sinking 24 of 31 free throws. Kevin Durant (25 points) and Alperen Sengun (23 points) have spearheaded the scoring.

Lauri Markkanen has a team-high 18 points for the Jazz. Rookie Ace Bailey is flashing composure and pedigree scoring. At 6-9, Bailey’s size and multi-level abilities are very intriguing.

4:19 PM / November 30, 2025

Sensabaugh transition slam👀👀

Brice Sensabaugh speeds through the open court and rises powerfully to punch a transition dunk. The third-year wing is coming off a 20-point performance in Friday’s win over Sacramento, but his production has dipped slightly across the board compared to last season.

Houston holds a 67-48 advantage over Utah at halftime, with 14 turnovers for the Jazz being a critical weakpoint.

3:59 PM / November 30, 2025

Rockets running

Aaron Holiday turns defense to offense as part of a 16-2 run. Houston has jumped out to a 55-36 lead with four minutes remaining in the second quarter.

Holiday entered Sunday’s contest knocking down 42.5% of his threes, providing an important shooter off the bench in addition to his depth point guard duties.

Kevin Durant has a game-high 17 points (7-11 FG).

3:38 PM / November 30, 2025

Climbing the leaderboards📈📈

Kevin Durant passes Alex English to move into 11th all-time in made shots. Hakeem Olajuwon resides in 10th, less than 100 points from Durant’s current total.

Houston holds a 30-21 lead over Utah at the end of the first quarter. Durant has racked up seven points, three rebounds, one assist, three steals and a block, while Jusuf Nurkic counters with a game-high 10 points along with four rebounds and three assists.

2:20 PM / November 30, 2025

NBA Emirates Cup Quarterfinal Preview🍿🍿

In addition to profiling as two of the top teams in the East thus far, Toronto and New York will battle in the bracket to hoist the NBA Cup next week.

The Raptors are on a tear, posting a 9-1 record in their last 10 games. Brandon Ingram is averaging 24.8 points and 6.8 rebounds across his last four games, while Scottie Barnes is racking up for 22.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.5 blocks per game over that span.

2:04 PM / November 30, 2025

Kevin Durant back in action

Durant returns from a brief personal absence and greets Utah rookies Ace Bailey and Walter Clayton pre-game.

 

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