Between the legs.
Into the lob.
Luka added a new all-timer to his reel last night.
5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀
Sunday Streaks: OKC gets revenge to cap historic start, Toronto tallies 7th straight win
Serious Heat: Luka & LeBron fuel Lake Show, Heat & Suns stack more dubs
Roundup: Mitchell delivers again, Brown powers Boston, Atlanta edges Charlotte
What’s Trending: Detroit’s 12-game heater, Joker’s brilliance, Houston’s surge and more
NBA Cup Week: Three Cup Nights over the next five days decide the Knockout Round field
BUT FIRST … ⏰
Ten games tip off tonight, highlighted by a Peacock doubleheader as the red-hot Raptors host the Cavs (7 ET | Tap to Watch), before the Suns face the Rockets (9:30 ET | Tap to Watch).
Plus, Cup Week: Emirates NBA Cup Group Play wraps this week with three loaded slates on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday — and seven Knockout Round spots still up for grabs.
1. SHAI POWERS OKC TO 17-1, TORONTO EXTENDS STREAK
On Nov. 5, the Thunder suffered their first loss of the season, falling to the Blazers 121-119.
OKC hasn’t stumbled since – and on Sunday, it avenged its lone loss to join elite company.
Thunder 122, Blazers 95: In a scoring clinic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander only needed three quarters to drop a game-high 37 points and 7 dimes, while OKC held Portland to a season-low in points to secure its ninth straight dub, improving to an NBA-best 17-1. | Recap
- Rare Air: Only 10 teams in NBA history have opened a season 17-1 or better, including just four others in the last 30 years: the 2024-25 Cavs, ‘15-16 Warriors, ‘02-03 Mavs and the ’96-97 Bulls
- Historic Edge: Of those 10 squads, the Thunder boast the best plus-minus at +305, 17 more than the next closest team (‘15-16 Golden State)
- Shai’s Streak: SGA has been historic himself. He now has 90 straight games with 20+ pts – two shy of tying Wilt Chamberlain for the 2nd-longest streak ever (92)
- Dominant Defense: OKC has been just as strong defensively, leading the league in DefRtg, points allowed, steals, points off turnovers and opponent FG%
- “Every single game, we look at it as 48 minutes, and that’s all that matters,” said Ajay Mitchell (20 pts) postgame. “We try to play the same way for 48 minutes, and we’ve been doing that forever.”
Make it seven in a row for Toronto.
Raptors 119, Nets 109: After seeing their 12-point lead evaporate late in the 4th, the Raptors closed on a 15-5 run, including back-to-back treys from Immanuel Quickley to seal their seventh straight win – marking Toronto’s longest win streak since 2021-22. | Recap
- Balanced Buckets: Scottie Barnes (17), RJ Barrett (16) and Ja’Kobe Walter (16) led eight Raptors in double figures, and Toronto went 15-of-30 from deep
- Scoring & Roaring: That depth and efficiency have fueled the Raptors’ ascent to 2nd in the East, ranking 3rd in ppg (123.4) and 1st in field goal percentage (52.6) amid their seven-game streak
- Massive Monday Duel: Toronto hosts 3rd-place Cleveland tonight on Peacock (7 ET), with both squads eyeing their 13th win
2. MORE HEAT: LUKA DAZZLES, PHOENIX & MIAMI KEEP ROLLING
Mirroring the East’s 2nd-place Raptors are the West’s 2nd-place Lakers – riding a win streak of their own.
Lakers 108, Jazz 106: Luka Dončić’s latest sorcery highlighted another do-it-all outing (33 pts, 11 reb, 8 ast, 3 stl), while LeBron James added 17 points, 6 boards and 8 dimes in his second game back as the Lakers held off the Jazz for their fourth straight win. | Recap
- Final Shot: Keyonte George (27 pts, 8 ast) and Lauri Markkanen (20 pts, 7 reb) ignited a closing 17-6 run for Utah, but George’s potential game-winning 3 rimmed out in the closing seconds
- Historic Start: Averaging an NBA-best 34.5 ppg as well as 8.9 apg, Luka is the first player in NBA history to tally 400+ pts and 100+ ast through his first 12 games of a season (114, 105)
- Star Power: Austin Reaves added a double-double (22 pts, 10 reb), combining for 72 points with James and Dončić as Los Angeles improved to 12-4
Also shining? The Phoenix Suns.
Suns 111, Spurs 102: Devin Booker was operating (24 pts, 7 ast), Dillon Brooks was feeling it from deep (25 pts, 4 3s) and the Suns outscored the Spurs 37-24 in the 3rd to seize control en route to their third straight win and eighth in nine games. | Recap
- Winning Recipe: Phoenix has excelled on both ends amid its 8-1 stretch, ranking 6th in OffRtg and 2nd in DefRtg
- Fox Fire: De’Aaron Fox (26 pts) led the Spurs in scoring for a fourth straight game without Victor Wembanyama (calf), as San Antonio saw its 3-game win streak snapped
The league’s highest-scoring offense keeps turning up the heat.
Heat 127, 76ers 117: Norman Powell (32 pts) and Kel’el Ware (20 pts, 16 reb) sparked a 71-point 1st half for Miami, as the Heat came out scorching and pulled away late for their fourth straight win. | Recap
- Miami Movement: The Heat average an NBA-best 124.9 ppg, while also leading the league in assists (30.6) and pace
- Herro Returns: Tyler Herro is reportedly expected to make his season debut tonight, as Miami hosts Dallas (7:30 ET, League Pass)
- Scorching Sixer: After dropping a career-high 54 on Thursday, Tyrese Maxey led Philly with 27 points and 6 assists
- Superstar Pace: Maxey’s 33 ppg trails only Luka for the highest average in the NBA
3. ROUNDUP: MITCHELL & BROWN SHINE, HAWKS DUB
Can anyone slow down Donovan Mitchell?
Cavaliers 120, Clippers 105: In his latest takeover, Mitchell went 14-of-22 from the floor en route to a game-high 37 points, while adding 8 boards and 6 dimes to carry Cleveland past Ivica Zubac (33 pts, 18 reb) and LA. | Recap
- Spida Sizzling: The Cavs are 7-3 in their last 10 games, with Mitchell averaging 29.9 ppg in that span, including five 30-pieces in his last six outings
- Kawhi Returns: Kawhi Leonard scored 20 in his return from a 10-game absence (ankle), while James Harden added 19 after dropping a Clippers record 55 points on Saturday
Celtics 138, Magic 129: Jaylen Brown turned up for 35 points and 8 assists, while Anfernee Simons scored 23 to help the C’s outlast the Magic, despite Jett Howard’s career-high 30 points. It’s Boston’s fourth win in five games. | Recap
- Brown Buckets: Brown continues to deliver as a No. 1 option, posting career-highs in ppg (27.9) and field goal percentage (50.6)
Hawks 113, Hornets 110: Jalen Johnson’s all-around game shined (28 pts, 8 reb, 11 ast, 0 TOs), as Atlanta outdueled Kon Knueppel (28 pts, 7 3s) and Charlotte, capped by Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s game-sealing swipe to claim a battle that featured 11 2nd-half lead changes. | Recap
- Everybody Eats: NAW (23 pts), Dyson Daniels (22 pts, 9 reb, 6 ast) and Onyeka Okongwu (20 pts, 7 reb) joined Johnson with 20+ points, securing Atlanta’s 9th road win – the most in the East
- Kon Clicking: No. 1 on the Kia Rookie Ladder, Knueppel leads all rooks in scoring (19.4 ppg), while shooting a blazing 43.8% from deep
4. WHAT’S TRENDING & WHAT TO WATCH TONIGHT
More than 20 years have passed since the Pistons caught fire like this. The last season they did it, they went on to win an NBA title.
Detroit enters this week on a 12-game win streak. It hasn’t lost since Oct. 27, assembling a 2.5-game lead for 1st place in the East.
One more victory against the Pacers tonight (7 ET, League Pass) would tie their 2003-04 and 1989-90 teams for the longest win streak in Pistons history.
- Motoring Along: Cade Cunningham, looking for his 7th consecutive 25+ point 10+ assist game, has been his reliable self since a three-game injury absence, averaging 27 ppg and 10 apg
- Nearly Perfect: In the last meeting between these squads on Nov. 17, Jalen Duren shot the lights out — 12-for-13 from the field en route to 31 points and 15 rebounds
- Steel Curtain: Detroit also ranks 4th in the Association with a 109.6 DefRtg since its streak began
Nikola Jokić remains sensational. He does things no other modern player has done, and so far in 2025-26, has played in a league of his own.
Buoyed by his playmaking prowess, the Nuggets take on the Grizzlies tonight (8 ET, League Pass), hunting a 10th triumph in their last 12 contests.
- All Alone: He boasts 30.4 points, 13 rebounds and 10.8 assists per game, racking up a league-high nine triple-doubles while shooting 70.9% from 2 and 41.8% from 3
- No Jokes: His rebounding and assist numbers both qualify as NBA bests, and with him yet to miss a game this campaign, Denver carries the 2nd-best OffRtg (121.9)
The squad right behind it, Houston, has maintained an elite brand of offense. Tonight, the Rockets pay a visit to the Suns (9:30 ET, Peacock).
- New Territory: Kevin Durant (24.6 ppg) is listed as out for the first time this year (personal reasons), leaving an All-Star-sized hole at shooting guard
- Ready For Launch? The 2024 No. 3 overall pick, Reed Sheppard, posted a season-high 27 points on 9-for-13 shooting on Friday behind Durant in the lineup
More teams take the floor tonight on League Pass, including the Battle of the Boroughs between the Knicks and Nets (7:30 ET), before the Wolves face the Kings in the nightcap (10 ET).
- Mavericks at Heat (7:30 ET)
- Blazers at Bucks (8 ET)
- Bulls at Pelicans (8 ET)
- Jazz at Warriors (10 ET)
5. GET READY FOR EMIRATES NBA CUP WEEK
Twenty-seven teams remaining. Seven Knockout Round spots left. One week to decide it all.
The final week of Emirates NBA Cup Group Play brings three Cup Nights — Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday — with seven teams looking to join the Raptors in the Knockout Round, which opens with the quarterfinals on Dec. 9.
Coast 2 Coast Tuesday: It all starts tomorrow as NBC & Peacock’s Coast 2 Coast Tuesday headlines a three-game slate, capped by a crucial clash between crosstown rivals.
- Battle Of L.A. (8 PT, NBC): Both 2-0 in West Group B, James Harden, Kawhi Leonard and the Clips visit LeBron James, Luka Dončić and the Lakers, who are eyeing a fifth straight dub
- Orlando-Philly Round 2 (8 ET, NBC): Tyrese Maxey dropped 43 against the Magic in an Oct. 27 win. He’ll look to replicate that tomorrow as Philly aims to hand Orlando (2-0) its first Group Play loss
- On League Pass: Jalen Johnson and the Hawks host the Wizards (7 ET), with both squads looking to keep their Knockout Round hopes alive
Wednesday ESPN Tripleheader: Up next? Thanksgiving Eve delivers nine matchups, highlighted by three national showdowns on ESPN.
- Detroit Duels Boston (5 ET, ESPN): It’s been exactly four weeks since the Pistons’ last loss (Oct. 27). After visiting Indy tonight, they’ll travel to Beantown, looking to remain red-hot while improving to 3-0 in East B
- WCF Rematch (7:30 ET, ESPN): Then, the 2-0 Thunder look to stay perfect in West A as they face Anthony Edwards and the Wolves in a 2025 West Finals rematch
- Rockets-Dubs (10 ET, ESPN): To cap the tripleheader, Alperen Sengun and the Rockets visit Steph Curry’s Warriors, with both teams seeking a key win at 1-2
- On League Pass: Six more games get underway, including the Bucks looking to keep their all-time perfect Group Play record intact (10-0) as they visit the Heat
Friday Finale: After no NBA games on Thanksgiving, Friday serves up an 11-game plate to conclude Group Play, including a Prime doubleheader.
- Marquee Clash At MSG (7:30 ET, Prime): With East C potentially up for grabs, the defending Cup champion Bucks battle the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, where New York is 8-1 this season
- Mavs Visit Lakers (10 ET, Prime): Then, Luka faces his former team as he and LeBron lead the Lakers against Cooper Flagg and the Mavs
- On League Pass: Group Play closes with nine more games, including the Thunder facing the 2-0 Suns, plus an East B duel between two current unbeatens as Detroit hosts Orlando
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