Starting 5: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nickeil Alexander-Walker deliver

When getting buckets is in your DNA.

Cousins Shai Gilgeous-Alexander & Nickeil Alexander-Walker put on a show last night for the whole family.

5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀

Monday’s Best: SGA ignites OKC, Cavs overcome Wemby, Knicks keep cooking

On The Rise: Raptors rally from 21 down, Giannis dominates, Curry climbs all-time list, Rockets roll

Roundup: Love leads Blazers in clutch, Suns extend streak, Naz erupts, Heat outpace Nuggets as Jokić exits

First All-Star Returns: One key stat about the top 5 vote getters in each conference

Tonight On NBC: LeBron turns 41 as Lakers host Pistons, Sixers visit Grizzlies

BUT FIRST … ⏰

NBC & Peacock’s Coast 2 Coast Tuesday headlines tonight’s four-game slate, beginning in Memphis when Tyrese Maxey and the Sixers visit Ja Morant and the Grizzlies (8 ET | Tap To Watch).

In the nightcap, LeBron James celebrates his 41st birthday with the Lakers hosting the East-leading Pistons (7:30 PT | Tap To Watch).

3-For-1 Day: Your ballot counts 3x today in NBA All-Star voting for the 2026 starters. Don’t miss this holiday special – make your picks now.

1. MONDAY’S BEST: SGA OUTDUELS NAW, CAVS EDGE SPURS, KNICKS STAY HOT

The holiday season is about hoops – and, of course, family.

So naturally, in between Christmas and New Year’s, cousins Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nickeil Alexander-Walker checked both boxes by trading buckets on an NBA floor.

Thunder 140, Hawks 129: Everything was falling for Alexander-Walker (30 pts, 5 ast, 6 3s), including this left-handed halfcourt buzzer-beater to end the 1st quarter as the Hawks jumped out to a 74-70 halftime lead.

But SGA couldn’t be contained, dropping 39 points while igniting a 43-29 3rd-quarter as the Thunder stormed past Atlanta for their second straight win. | Recap

• Smooth Operator: SGA went 15-of-24 from the floor while adding 6 dimes. He hit 39 points on this silky stepback, capping his 104th straight 20+ point game
• Co-Stars Cook: Chet Holmgren (24 pts, 10 reb, 2 stl, 2 blk) and Jalen Williams (20 pts, 8 reb, 7 ast) delivered on both ends as OKC improved to an NBA-best 28-5
• Next Level NAW: Despite the loss, it marked Alexander-Walker’s fifth 30-point game this season, matching his career total entering the year
• “I knew he was capable of the caliber he’s playing at right now,” said SGA on NAW postgame. “Really good player. He’s getting an opportunity to showcase his talents, and he’s taking advantage of it.”

While two cousins went toe-to-toe, two big men met in San Antonio.

Cavaliers 113, Spurs 101: Victor Wembanyama (26 pts, 14 reb) flashed his otherworldly versatility, slamming home an off-the-backboard oop from Stephon Castle (15 pts, 8 ast), before splashing a casual one-legged 3.

But the victory belonged to Cleveland, as Jarrett Allen (27 pts, 10 reb) and Darius Garland (15 pts, 11 ast) led the way with double-doubles to snap a two-game skid. | Recap

• Cavs Close: Cleveland had seven players in double figures and outscored San Antonio 37-23 in the 4th – the final swing in a game that featured 8 ties and 10 lead changes
• Stars Deliver: Evan Mobley was eating (16 pts, 7 reb, 3 blk), while Donovan Mitchell (10 pts, 7 ast) netted back-to-back buckets to cap a 15-2 run early in the final frame

Speaking of runs, the Knicks just keep winning.

Knicks 130, Pelicans 125: In a back-and-forth finish, Zion Williamson came through with a pair of huge buckets. But Jalen Brunson answered both times, keeping New York one possession ahead, before Miles McBride iced the game at the line for another Knicks dub. | Recap

• NY’s Rise: The Knicks (23-9) have won three straight and are an NBA-best 10-2 in their last 12 games – moving just 1 game back of Detroit (24-8) for 1st in the East
• 4Q Fire: McBride poured in 12 of his 14 points in the 4th, while Brunson added 10 as New York outscored NOLA 34-22
• Zion & Co: Williamson was a force on both ends (season-high 32 pts, 5 reb, 2 stl, 2 blk), while Saddiq Bey and Jordan Poole scored 26 apiece

2. BACK ON TRACK: 4 WINS, 4 TEAMS ON THE RISE

The NBA season is a marathon, not a sprint, and several teams are finding their stride entering 2026, highlighted by key wins last night

Raptors 107, Magic 106: Down as many as 21 points in the 2nd quarter, the Raptors clawed their way back behind seven double-digit scorers. Scottie Barnes sank two go-ahead free throws late, before Toronto stood tall on the game’s final possession. | Recap

• Balanced Ball: Jamal Shead (19 pts, 5 ast) and Brandon Ingram (17 pts, 9 reb, 4 ast) led the way for Toronto, while Barnes added a double-double (13 pts, 11 ast)
• Roaring Back: It’s the ninth 20+ point comeback in the NBA this season and the Raptors’ third win in four games after a 2-6 slide
• Paolo Shines: Banchero finished with his fourth career triple-double (23 pts, 15 reb, 10 ast), while Anthony Black scored 27 after a 38-point Sunday

In his second game back, Giannis Antetokounmpo made every second count.

Bucks 123, Hornets 113: Giannis dropped 24 points in 25 minutes, going 11-of-16 from the floor while adding 7 dimes as the Bucks outpaced the Hornets despite a season-high 31 points from Brandon Miller (8 reb, 5 ast, 1 poster) and 26 from LaMelo Ball (7 ast, 6 3s). | Recap

• Bobby Buckets: Bobby Portis (5 3s) added 25 points off the bench for Milwaukee, which has won both games with Giannis back in the lineup following his 8-game absence (calf)
• Doc 🤝 Karl: It was Doc Rivers’ 1,176th career win as a coach, passing George Karl for 6th all-time

Warriors 120, Nets 107: Egor Dëmin (23 pts) drilled a Nets rookie-record seven 3s, while Michael Porter Jr. stuffed the stat sheet (27 pts, 9 reb, 5 ast, 3 stl), but the Warriors used a late 22-12 run to pull away, powered by Steph Curry’s 27 points and 5 dimes. | Recap

• Curry Passes KG: Steph hit five 3s, the last of which moved him past Kevin Garnett (26,071) for 21st on the NBA all-time scoring list
• Dray Joins 600 Club: It was Golden State’s third win in four games and Draymond Green’s 600th as a Warrior, joining Curry (672) as the only players in franchise history with 600+ victories
• Runs In The Family: Just like a young Steph, Canon Curry was emulating his father’s shot pregame, before getting a special callout after this ridiculous Steph and-one

Rockets 126, Pacers 119: With Alperen Sengun out (calf), Kevin Durant took over (30 pts, 6 reb, 5 ast) alongside Amen Thompson (20 pts, 8 reb, 7 ast) and Jabari Smith Jr. (21 pts, 10 reb), as Houston staved off a late Indy push to improve to 20-10. | Recap

• 3 Straight: It’s the Rockets’ third consecutive win after a 1-4 stretch, and KD’s second straight 30-point game
• Bank For Bank: Sign of a good night: a Rockets fan banked in a half-court shot to win $25k (and Clutch the mascot loved it)

3. ROUNDUP: BLAZERS CLAIM THRILLER, REID POPS OFF, SUNS & HEAT ROLL

Blazers 125, Mavericks 122: Deni Avdija finished a rebound shy of a triple-double (27 pts, 9 reb, 11 ast), while Shaedon Sharpe (5 reb, 5 ast) and Caleb Love (6 3s) added 24 points apiece to help stave off Max Christie (25 pts, 5 ast) and the Mavs in a wild ending. | Recap

• Much Love: In a 4th quarter that saw eight lead changes, Love buried two massive 3s in clutch time before putting Portland up for good with two go-ahead free throws in the final minute
• Clutch Close: He finished with 12 points in the 4th, while Sharpe (8) and Avdija (6) added 14. Portland sealed it with two defensive stands as Klay Thompson’s potential game-tying 3 just missed
• Coop Contributions: Cooper Flagg overcame a cold shooting night with another strong all-around outing (15 pts, 6 reb, 8 ast, 3 stl) as Dallas nearly rallied from 17 down

Wolves 136, Bulls 101: Naz Reid shot the lights out (33 pts, 7 reb, 6-10 3pm), Julius Randle was surgical (17 pts, 14 ast) and Anthony Edwards scored 23 as Minnesota raced past Chicago, halting a two-game slide. | Recap

Suns 115, Wizards 101: This year’s No. 6 pick, Tre Johnson, went 5-of-5 from 3 en route to a career-high 24 points, but Dillon Brooks (26 pts), Collin Gillespie (25 pts, 6 ast) and Devin Booker (22 pts, 6 reb, 5 ast) were too much, as Phoenix secured its fourth straight dub. | Recap

Heat 147, Nuggets 123: Norman Powell led the way with 25 points, while Nikola Jović (22 pts, 5 ast) and Jaime Jaquez Jr. (20 pts, career-high 11 ast) combined for 42 off the bench as Miami scored a season-high to outpace Denver for its third win in a row. | Recap

• Jokić Exits: Tied at 63, Nikola Jokić (21 pts, 5 reb, 8 ast) went down with a knee injury moments before halftime and never returned. Miami outscored Denver 84-60 from there

4. 1ST ALL-STAR RETURNS: ONE KEY STAT FOR THE TOP 10 VOTE GETTERS

NBA All-Star 2026 brings a new game format (U.S. vs World), a new arena (LA’s Intuit Dome) and a new twist to voting (All-Stars are selected regardless of position).

When the first fan returns were unveiled on Monday, two familiar names led the way with Luka Dončić and Giannis Antetokounmpo leading their respective conferences.

• Voting Breakdown: Fan vote accounts for 50% of the vote to determine the five starters from each conference, with current NBA players (25%) and a media panel (25%) accounting for the other half
• Make Your Voice Heard: Today marks the third of five 3-for-1 days where each vote counts for three. Cast your ballot daily and watch for the next fan returns on Tuesday, Jan. 6

1. Luka Dončić (5x All-Star): Could join George Mikan (’50-51), Jerry West (’69-70), Shaq (’99-2000) and Kobe (’05-06, ’06-07) as Lakers to lead the league in scoring in an All-Star season.

2. Nikola Jokić (7x): The NBA leader in triple-doubles (16) would tie Alex English for most All-Star selections in Nuggets history.

3. Stephen Curry (11x): The league leader in 3s per game (4.8) could become the 15th player in NBA history to be an All-Star at age 37 or older.

4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (3x): Can SGA add All-Star MVP to his resume and become the first player to hold the league, Finals and All-Star MVPs simultaneously?

5. Victor Wembanyama (1x): The league leader in defensive rating (103.9, min. 30 mpg) could be the Spurs’ first All-Star starter since Kawhi Leonard in 2016-17.

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo (9x All-Star): Would join Dirk (14x), Hakeem (12x) and Ewing (11x) as the only international players with at least 10 All-Star selections.

2. Tyrese Maxey (1x): Would join Wilt, Iverson (4x) and Embiid (3x) as the only Sixers to average 30 ppg in an All-Star season.

3. Jalen Brunson (2x): Looks to join Walt Frazier, Richie Guerin, Carl Braun, Dick McGuire & Micheal Ray Richardson as guards with three All-Star selections with New York.

4. Cade Cunningham (1x): Could join Nate Archibald, Oscar Robertson (3 straight) and Trae Young (4 straight) with back-to-back 25+ ppg, 9+ apg All-Star seasons at age 24 or younger.

5. Donovan Mitchell (6x): Would join LeBron (05-06, 07-08) as the only players in Cavs franchise history to average 30 ppg in an All-Star season.

5. TONIGHT ON NBC: PISTONS AT LAKERS, SIXERS AT GRIZZ

LeBron James has faced a dizzying array of opponents throughout his storied career.

There’s a particular foe that he’s never come face-to-face with on the hardwood. But it defeated all of his predecessors at one time or another.

He’s constantly countering Father Time in his 23rd season.

“I’m in a battle with him,” James said. “And I would like to say I’m kicking his *** on the back nine.”

Tonight (7:30 PT, NBC), the 21-time All-Star celebrates his 41st birthday by suiting up for the Lakers against the Pistons at home.

• Fantastic Forty: James averaged 23.9 points, 7.1 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game on a 51.9% field-goal percentage as a 40-year-old while Los Angeles went 37-19
• Bejeweled Crown: The King racked up 39 games with 20-plus points, 11 with 30-plus and two with 40-plus — all records for a player age 40 or older
• “I never take it for granted,” said coach JJ Redick. “He puts his handprint and fingerprints all over the game every single night.”

The Lakers enter this matchup against the East’s top-seeded team having just snapped a three-game skid Sunday with a 125-101 defeat of the Kings.

Luka Dončić proved to be crucial in that contest, just as he has all season for Redick’s crew.

• Kingdom Conquered: The five-time All-NBA selection pitched in 34 points, five rebounds and seven assists for Los Angeles, and currently leads the league with 33.7 ppg
• Backcourt Beast: But the Pistons possess a star guard of their own. Cade Cunningham has also set a stellar pace with career highs of 26.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg and 9.6 apg

Coast 2 Coast Tuesday begins, though, in Memphis (8 ET) as the 76ers and Grizzlies look to get back in the win column.

• Maxey’s Run: Tyrese Maxey (30.7 ppg, 39.7 mpg) has dropped 27 points or more in five of his last six games as Philadelphia looks to end its three-game slide tonight

Kawhi Leonard, meanwhile, is two days removed from a career-high 55 points and enters battle with the Clippers — looking for a fifth straight win — against the Kings (11 ET, League Pass). Also out West, the Celtics visit the Jazz (9 ET).