You can’t make this stuff up.
5 stories in today’s edition 🏀
Oct. 28, 2025
Unbeatens: Maxey & Edgecombe set duo scoring mark. Wemby wows, OKC & CHI win again.
Unguardables: An all-time efficient triple-double from Jokić and 51 from Lauri
West Roundup: Warriors stay hot, Blazers overcome Reaves, Rockets rebound
East Roundup: Cavs show out on Peacock, Celtics earn first win
Coast 2 Coast Tuesday: 4 contenders, 2 conference duels, 1 showcase on NBC & Peacock
But first … ⏰
A new weekly doubleheader starts tonight …
NBC & Peacock’s first ‘Coast 2 Coast Tuesday’ highlights tonight’s five-game slate, with Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks hosting the Knicks (8 ET, NBC/Peacock), before Steph Curry and the Warriors face the Clippers (11 ET, Peacock).
NBA Cup Countdown: The Emirates NBA Cup is just three days away as Group Play opens with eight games on Friday, highlighted by a Prime doubleheader: Celtics-76ers (7 ET), Lakers-Grizzlies (9:30 ET).
1. Unbeatens: Sixers star, Wemby spins, OKC & Chicago win
From spark plug to All-Star, Tyrese Maxey keeps rising – and so do the Sixers.
With a new potential star emerging.
76ers 136, Magic 124: In another eruption, Maxey went off for 43 points and 8 dimes, while No. 3 pick VJ Edgecombe dazzled again (26 pts, 7 ast), as the Sixers staved off Paolo Banchero (32 pts) and the Magic to remain unbeaten. | Recap
- Philly Fire: It’s Maxey’s second 40-piece of the season, capped by a personal 7-0 run in the final two minutes to clinch Philly’s first 3-0 start since 2019
- Sizzling Sixer: His 111 points are the second-most ever by a Sixer through the first three games of a season, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain’s 125 in 1965
- Record Rook: Edgecombe also made history, becoming the first player in 70 years to rack up 75 pts, 17 reb and 18 ast in his first three NBA games
- Dual Threat: Edgecombe and Maxey’s 186 combined points are the most by any starting backcourt in a team’s first three games since lineup tracking began in 1970-71
- Synchronized Spark: They also complement each other with plays like this
In another showing straight out of a sci-fi reel, Victor Wembanyama continues to redefine what’s possible on the hardwood.
And the Spurs keep winning.
Spurs 121, Raptors 103: The 360 layup was just the beginning for the 7-foot-4 superstar, as Wemby posted another monster double-double (24 pts, 15 reb) on 7-for-8 shooting, powering the Spurs to a wire-to-wire win and their first 4-0 start since 2017. | Recap
- Another First: Should we just keep a running tally at this point? Wemby’s now the first player to average 31 pts, 13.8 reb and 4.8 blk through the first four games of a season since blocks were first tracked in 1972-73
- Scary: And he’s still getting better – even off-ball. Watch him curl off the pindown, spin into a backdoor cut, then detonate at the rim
- Unfathomable: The slam was one of Wemby’s 18 dunks this year – more than 18 other NBA teams
Also undefeated? The defending champs and the Chicago Bulls.
Thunder 101, Mavericks 94: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander turned in 23 points and 8 dimes, while Chet Holmgren added 18 points, 11 boards, 3 blocks and 1 full-extension hammer as OKC held off a late rally to top Anthony Davis (26 pts, 11 reb) and Dallas. | Recap
Bulls 128, Hawks 123: Josh Giddey (18 pts, 13 reb, 5 ast) and Nikola Vučević (17 pts, 17 reb, 9 ast) led a balanced Bulls attack with eight scorers in double figures as Chicago closed on a 22-11 run to edge out Trae Young (21 pts, 17 ast), Kristaps Porziņģis (27 pts) and Atlanta. | Recap
- Pure Basketball: Atlanta didn’t get the win, but this save-to-slam sequence was poetry in motion
- Unbeatens: One week into 2025-26, only four teams remain perfect – Chicago & Philly in the East (both 3-0), and San Antonio & OKC out West (both 4-0)
2. Unguardables: Jokić makes history, Lauri breaks 50
Nikola. Wilt. That’s the list.
Nuggets 127, Wolves 114: In a masterpiece as methodical as it was efficient, Nikola Jokić dissected the Wolves for 25 points (on 9-for-10 shooting), 19 rebounds and 10 assists to notch his third triple-double as Denver improves to 2-1. | Recap
- Flawless: Jokić joins Wilt Chamberlain as the only players to post 25/15/10 on over 90% shooting since field goal percentage was first tracked in 1956-57
- How Rare Is This? Even in his illustrious 14-year career, Wilt only did it twice (1966 & 1967)
- Triple Trouble: Only two other players have opened a season with three consecutive triple-doubles – Russell Westbrook (4 straight in 2020) and Oscar Robertson (4 straight in 1961)
- Money Murray: Jamal Murray poured in a game-high 43 points on 16-of-29 shooting. Through points and assists, he and Jokić accounted for 97 of Denver’s 127 points (76.4%)
- “If somebody has it going, we give him the ball,” Jokić told Carmelo Anthony on Peacock’s postgame show. “We have so many movements … and we are using all of them right now.”
Entering Monday, the Suns had won 10 straight games against the Jazz.
Lauri Markkanen made sure it didn’t reach 11 – giving Phoenix 51 problems instead.
Jazz 138, Suns 134 (OT): In the highest-scoring game by a Jazz player since Karl Malone’s 56 in 1998, Markkanen exploded for a career-high 51, including 7 in OT after the Jazz squandered a late lead in regulation to will Utah to victory. | Recap
- The Rally: Trailing by seven with 19 seconds left, the Suns stormed back, with Mark Williams (25 pts, 11 reb) tipping in the game-tying bucket with 1.9 ticks left to force OT
- The Takeover: But Markkanen refused to be denied, scoring or assisting on 10 of Utah’s 14 overtime points – capped by a pair of dagger free-throws to seal the win
- The Buckets: Markkanen finished the night perfect from the line (17-17) while splashing six 3s to top his previous career-best of 49. He also added 14 boards
- “It’s a tremendous example,” said Jazz coach Will Hardy on Markkanen’s fortitude amid his big night. “That’s what we want our young guys to see.”
- Unmatched Outbursts: 2025-26 has now seen four 50-point performances in its first 7 days – the most ever in an Opening Week in NBA history
3. West roundup: Dubs & Blazers balance shines, Rockets respond
Warriors 131, Grizzlies 118: Jonathan Kuminga (25 pts, 10 reb) and Brandin Podziemski (23 pts, 6 ast) led quad 20-pieces for Golden State, as Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody also joined the party to outpace Ja Morant (23 pts, 6 ast) and Memphis. | Recap
- Stepping Up: Kuminga is now averaging 18 ppg in 31.2 minutes, which would both be career bests
- Steady Steph: Steph Curry added 16 points on four 3s as the Warriors improved to 3-1
Blazers 122, Lakers 108: After a career-high 51-point night on Sunday, Austin Reaves remained red-hot (41 pts, 5 ast), but it wasn’t enough to top Portland, as Deni Avdija (25 pts) and Jrue Holiday (24 pts, 6 ast) led five Blazers with 16+ points to earn a big win in Los Angeles. | Recap
- Blazer Boost: Donovan Clingan added a double-double (16 pts, 14 reb), while Shaedon Sharpe matched him in the scoring column – and added a highlight jam
After two losses by a combined five points, the Rockets responded in style.
Rockets 137, Nets 109: Alperen Sengun (21 pts, 6 reb, 6 ast), Kevin Durant (19 pts, 6 reb) and Amen Thompson (12 pts, 8 ast) combined for 52 points, while Tari Eason scored a game-high 22 to power Houston past Brooklyn, improving the Rockets to 1-2. | Recap
4. East roundup: Cavs heat up, Celtics dub
Brian Sevald + Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images
On Peacock’s first exclusive NBA game, the Cavs strutted to a statement win.
Cavaliers 116, Pistons 95: Donovan Mitchell (35 pts) netted his third 30+ point game of the season, Jarrett Allen added 20 and Evan Mobley was a menace on both ends (15 pts, 11 reb, 5 ast, 3 blk), guiding Cleveland past Detroit for its third straight W. | Recap
- New Perspective: Peacock introduced its new ‘On The Bench’ segment, with Austin Rivers and Robbie Hummel offering a unique, inside view of the action – and some mid-timeout chatter
Celtics 122, Pelicans 90: Anfernee Simons caught fire for a game-high 25 points on six 3s, Payton Pritchard chipped in 18 and 8 assists, and the C’s pulled away with a dominant 35-12 4th quarter to earn their first win. | Recap
5. Tonight: NBC & Peacock first ‘Coast 2 Coast Tuesday’
NBC and Peacock’s new weekly ‘Coast 2 Coast Tuesday’ doubleheader debuts tonight – spotlighting four contenders eager to take advantage of championship windows.
Knicks at Bucks (8 ET, NBC/Peacock): Two of the East’s top-four winningest teams over the past three seasons meet for the first time in 2025-26, each led by superstars off to a blistering start as they build toward a title push.
- Dominance: Giannis Antetokounmpo is on another level right now. He’s just the fourth player ever to open a season with three straight 30/10/5 games, while accounting for 44% of Milwaukee’s points (108 scored, 54 off ast)
- Downhill Force: 74 of those points have come in the paint, where Giannis is averaging an NBA-best 24.7 ppg
- X-Factor: Tonight, the league’s toughest interior defense will be waiting for him, as New York has allowed an NBA-best 38 ppg in the paint
- 7th Ave Sharing: The Knicks are moving with more intent, climbing from 18th in passes per game last season to 5th this year, with five players averaging 12+ points
- The Lead Man? Jalen Brunson, who ranks fifth in passes per game and is pouring in 30.3 points a night
Ronald Martinez + Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images
Clippers at Warriors (11 ET, Peacock): A combined 59 All-Star selections headline the nightcap, as two veteran-heavy West contenders look to keep momentum rolling after 2-1 starts.
- Still A Problem: 11 of those All-Star selections belong to Steph Curry, who’s on an early tear in Year 17, boasting 29 ppg while hitting 45.5% from deep
- From Everywhere: Curry’s not just living outside – 17 of his 37 buckets this season coming inside the arc, while he’s dished out 4.3 assists per game
- Golden Chemistry: Also averaging 4+ dimes a game? Draymond Green (10 pts, 8 ast), Jimmy Butler III (21.5 pts, 4.8 ast) and Jonathan Kuminga (18 pts, 4 ast) – fueling one of the league’s most versatile attacks
- Clips Clicking: LA’s stars are also in rhythm, with Kawhi Leonard coming off consecutive 25+ point games – resulting in two wins – while James Harden orchestrates (21.7 ppg, 10.3 apg)
Three more games tip off tonight on League Pass as the Sixers and Thunder look to remain perfect, while LaMelo Ball aims to deliver an encore after Sunday’s 38-point triple-double.
- 76ers at Wizards (7 ET)
- Hornets at Heat (7:30 ET)
- Kings at Thunder (8 ET)
Want to share Starting 5 with a friend? Send them this link.
Shape the Starting 5. Email us here.
Don’t have the NBA App? Download it here.
