The highest-scoring game of the season. Three OT finishes. Five games decided by five points or fewer.A night of chaos needed one last closer. Keyonte George obliged.
5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀
Overtime Madness: Rockets’ trio takes over, Keyonte calls game, Flagg sparks flawless finish
Never Out: Atlanta completes improbable rally, Boston staves off Harden’s hot hand
Sunday Roundup: Fox dissects a familiar foe, Nets win and Moody’s moment
What’s Trending – West: Three Kia MVP candidates powering three 10+ win teams
What’s Trending – East: The streaking Pistons lead a pack of contenders on the rise
BUT FIRST … ⏰
Two East powers open tonight’s eight-game slate as Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Bucks visit Donovan Mitchell’s Cavs on Peacock (7 ET | Tap to Watch).
1. PURE BASKETBALL: 3 OT FINISHES, ANOTHER CAN-YOU-BELIEVE-IT NIGHT
Week 4 of the 2025-26 season opened with a breathless night of buzzer-beaters, outbursts and overtime classics.
It closed with another wild night of hoops – sparked by one of the hottest teams in the league.
Rockets 117, Magic 113 (OT): In a frantic finish, Anthony Black’s and-one steal-and-score put Orlando up 2 with 1.7 seconds left in the 4th. But it was too much time for Houston, as Amen Thompson found Alperen Sengun on the ensuing inbound for a game-tying hook shot at the buzzer to force OT.
Then Kevin Durant finished the job, following up a series of clutch buckets in the 4th with a go-ahead dime to Thompson, before icing the game with a dagger pull-up with 9.2 ticks left, sealing Houston’s fourth straight win and its ninth in 10 games. | Recap
Thriving 3: Durant (35 pts, 6 ast), Sengun (30 pts, 12 reb, 8 ast) and Thompson (12 pts, 10 reb) combined for 77 points, including 31 in the 4th quarter and OT
OT Takeover: The trio scored or assisted on every Houston bucket in the extra frame, while single-handedly matching Orlando in scoring (11-11)
Red-Hot: That chemistry has fueled Houston’s 9-1 stretch, where it’s averaged an NBA-best 126.2 ppg, elevating to 3rd-place out West
Overtime? How about two of ’em?
Jazz 150, Bulls 147 (2OT): In his season debut, Coby White (27 pts, 8 ast) delivered a one-man rescue. With Chicago down 2 and time winding down, White forced a jump ball, won it and then scooped in the game-tying layup with 0.2 left to force double OT.
But Utah wouldn’t be denied, with Lauri Markkanen (47 pts, 7 reb, 6 3s) and Keyonte George (33 pts, 6 ast) delivering bucket after bucket, capped by George’s game-winning trey with 0.8 left to send the Delta Center into a frenzy after the highest-scoring game of 2025-26. | Recap
“To get that moment … it was just great to hear our crowd scream and yell.” – George on his first career game-winner inside 10 seconds
Lauri Unleashed: Markkanen (47, 40, 35) has now posted back-to-back 40-pieces and three straight games of 35+, both career-firsts
Unique Company: The only other Jazz player to tally consecutive 40-point games in the last 40 years? Donovan Mitchell and Karl Malone
Chicago Star: Josh Giddey continued his hot start with his 3rd triple-double of the season (26 pts, 13 reb, 13 ast)
Sunday Sizzle: It’s the highest-scoring game this season and one of five Sunday matchups decided by 5 points or fewer
And why not one more OT? This one was courtesy of this year’s No. 1 pick.
Mavericks 138, Blazers 133 (OT): Trading blows in the final 90 seconds of regulation, Cooper Flagg pulled Dallas even twice – first on a driving floater with 1:11 left, then a clutch free throw to force OT – where the Mavs couldn’t miss.
Fueled by Flagg (4 pts, 1 ast, 2 reb, 2-2 FG in OT), Dallas went a perfect 7-for-7 from the floor in the extra frame, including an electric 30-second sequence to seize control for a thrilling win. | Recap
Flawless Finish: It’s just the second time since play-by-play tracking began in 1997-98 that a team has shot 100% from the field in OT on 7+ FGA
Coop’s Cookin’: Flagg finished with 21 points, 5 assists and 2 blocks, marking his second 20+ point outing in four games
Sharpe Shines: Shaedon Sharpe powered Portland with a game-high 36 points and 6 assists
Wild Week: There have been seven OT games in the last seven days – the most in any seven-day span since December 2022
2. NEVER OUT: HAWKS STUN SUNS, CELTICS OVERCOME HARDEN
The drama didn’t stop there, as the Hawks kept soaring.
Hawks 124, Suns 122: Down 22 with 9:50 left, Onyeka Okongwu (27 pts), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (26 pts) and Jalen Johnson (25 pts, 10 reb, 7 ast) ignited a 43-19 closing run, as Atlanta stunned Phoenix for its 5th straight win. | Recap
NAWt Over: Alexander-Walker scored 16 in the final frame, including the game-clinching free throws to cap the largest 4Q comeback this season
Suns Stars: Dillon Brooks (34 pts) and Devin Booker (27 pts, 7 ast) led Phoenix, which saw its five-game win streak snapped
While Atlanta stormed back, Boston steadied just in time.
Celtics 121, Clippers 118: With the Clippers trailing by 24 in the 3rd, James Harden went off, dropping 32 2nd-half points to will LA back, but Boston held on thanks to Jaylen Brown (33 pts, 13 reb) and Payton Pritchard (30 pts, 8 3s). | Recap
The Closer: Brown scored 13 in the 4th, including a game-sealing dunk in the final minute to secure the C’s third win in four games
The Beard: Harden finished with 37 points, 7 boards and 8 dimes, following up his monster triple-double on Friday (41/14/11)
Timeless Company: Harden’s just the fourth player ever of age 36 or older to post back-to-back games of 35/5/5, joining Steph, KD (2x) and LeBron (5x)
3. ROUNDUP: MOODY ERUPTS, FOX SPARKS SPURS, NETS WIN
On Wednesday, Steph dropped 46. On Friday, he followed it with 49.
On Sunday, a new Warrior caught fire – joining Curry in the record books.
Warriors 124, Pelicans 106: In a blistering burst, Moses Moody splashed seven 3s in the 1st quarter for 21 points as Golden State built a 17-point lead and never looked back to top Trey Murphy III (20 pts) and NOLA for its third straight win. | Recap
Splash Bros: Moody is just the third Warrior to hit 7+ triples in a quarter in the play-by-play era, joining Curry (2x) and Klay Thompson (2x)
Moody’s Moment: The 5th-year guard – averaging 13.2 ppg this season – finished 8-of-12 from deep for a career-high 32 points, along with 4 boards and 3 steals
Steph’s Special Stretch: Curry was limited to 9 points but still turned in a historic week, joining Michael Jordan as the only players to tally back-to-back games of 45+ points after turning 35
Only one player in Kings history ranks in the top five in franchise points, assists and steals – De’Aaron Fox.
And in his second game against his former team, he showed why.
Spurs 123, Kings 110: With Victor Wembanyama out (calf), Fox delivered a season-high in points (28) and assists (11) – plus a steal that sprung one of Keldon Johnson’s two double-clutch jams – as San Antonio soared past DeMar DeRozan (27 pts) and the Kings to snap a two-game skid. | Recap
Nets 129, Wizards 106: Michael Porter Jr. turned up for a season-high 34 points, 9 boards and 7 dimes, and the Nets never trailed after the 1st quarter on their way past Kyshawn George (29 pts) and the Wizards. | Recap
4. WHAT’S TRENDING: THE BEST OUT WEST
Five different players with 50-point games.
Twenty players with 40-balls.
Thirteen with triple-doubles.
The first two are both NBA records through the first month of a season. The latter is one shy – and we’re only 27 days in.
At the center of this early-season explosion? Three of the top four players on the Kia MVP Ladder – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokić and Luka Dončić – leading the only 10-win teams out West.
SGA & OKC Rolling: At an NBA-best 13-1, the Thunder are off to their best start in the OKC era, leaning on what delivered them last year’s NBA title – depth, defense and Shai.
Steady Hand: No player has more 30-point games this season than SGA, with 12 in 14 outings, fueling OKC to a top-5 offense
Scary Numbers: With 32.6 ppg on 53.1% shooting, Shai is seeking his fourth straight season averaging 30+ on at least 50% shooting – a feat that hasn’t been achieved since MJ (1987-88 to ‘91-92)
Relentless Pressure: OKC’s defense hasn’t just carried over from last season – it’s tightened the screws, leading the NBA in points allowed, steals, points off turnovers, opponent FG% and DefRtg
Jokić History, Nuggets Heater: Seven triple-doubles on the season for Nikola Jokić. Seven straight wins for Denver, leading to a 10-2 record – its best start since 1985. As Jokić continues to shatter records, Denver is climbing the standings.
Unprecedented: Jokić is averaging 34.6 pts, 12 reb and 11 ast while shooting 71.4% amid the Nuggets’ win streak – numbers no player has ever matched in a 7-game span
Unstoppable: That includes a 55-point outburst on 18-of-23 shooting last Wednesday, followed by a triple-double to top the Wolves on Saturday
“Enjoy it while it’s here,” said Nuggets coach David Adelman on Jokić earlier this month. “This is something that you’re never going to see again.”
Luka Magic: Only one player in NBA history has piled up 340+ pts, 80+ reb and 80+ ast in his first 10 games of a season – Luka Dončić, once in 2022-23 and again this year, leading Los Angeles to a 10-4 start.
And every time he takes the floor, he can erupt.
Peak Production: Luka is pouring in an NBA-best 34.4 ppg, ranks 5th in assists (8.9) and leads the Lakers in rebounds (8.9)
Highly Flammable: That includes four 40-point games in just 10 outings – the most of any player this season
Against The Best: His most recent masterpiece? 41 points, 9 boards and 6 dimes on Saturday to outduel Giannis (32 pts, 10 reb, 5 ast)
Wemby Being Wemby: Right behind Luka (No. 4) on the MVP Ladder stands Victor Wembanyama, averaging an absurd 26.2 pts, 12.9 reb and 3.6 blk, with three straight 25+ point double-doubles.
5. WHAT’S TRENDING: EAST BEASTS ON THE RISE
The Pistons enjoyed a season-to-season turnaround for the ages in 2024-25, winning 30 more games than in 2023-24 while reaching the Playoffs (after finishing last in the NBA in 2023-24).
They’re firing on all cylinders these days and boast the East’s best record (11-2). Additionally, the squad is on a league-best nine-game winning streak, its longest since 2008.
Dual Dominance: Cade Cunningham (31.6 ppg, 11.1 apg) and Jalen Duren (22.9 ppg, 13.6 rpg) have been a one-two punch throughout the squad’s nine victories, though the former is questionable tonight with a hip injury
Consistent Crew: Duren has ripped off six double-doubles in that time, and Cunningham has been similarly reliable, putting up 25+ points and 10+ assists in his last four games
Defense Does It: But it’s on defense where the Pistons have excelled, ranking 2nd in steals and 3rd in blocks, DefRtg and Opp FG%
The Knicks are hot on their tracks — literally. They stand at 8-4 after claiming six of their last seven outings. Tonight, they face the Heat (7:30 ET, NBA League Pass) with a chance to keep the pressure on the Pistons at the top of the standings.
Rock The Rim: New York leads the Association with 128.3 ppg in that span, compared to its 4th-best average of 122.1 during the season so far
Next Man Up: Jalen Brunson missed his first game of 2025-26 on Friday, and still, New York outran Miami and its top-ranked 125.3 ppg in a 140-132 barnburner
Big names have done big things elsewhere. Giannis Antetokounmpo (32.6 ppg), Tyrese Maxey (32) and Donovan Mitchell (30.4) are all former All-Stars who currently stand 2nd, 4th and 6th among the league’s scoring leaders.
Fear The Freak: Giannis is shooting at an absurd 63.0% clip, putting him on a better pace than any of his 12 previous seasons
Mad Max: With 330+ points, 80+ assists and 40+ 3s through his first 10 contests, Maxey joined James Harden (2019-20) as the only players in league history to do so
Spida Sense: Mitchell has shined in closing time, averaging 19.2 2nd-half ppg on 57.7% shooting to help Cleveland to 3rd place in the East, setting the stage for a key matchup tonight versus Milwaukee (7 ET, Peacock)
The Raptors are also roaring, with seven victories in their last eight games. Tonight, they host the Hornets (7:30 ET, League Pass) with an opportunity to gain further ground in the East.
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20 2020