Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder defeated Luka Dončić and the Lakers in the second half of our ESPN doubleheader.
Enjoy the best of Wednesday’s slate with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news, notes and highlights from around the league.
What we know after Wednesday night’s games:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (30 pts, 9 ast) and the defending champion Thunder earned a 121-92 victory over Luka Dončić and the Lakers in a clash of Western Conference contenders.
The Pistons won their eighth-straight game by downing the Bulls 124-113 behind Paul Reed (28 pts, 13 reb).
Stephen Curry dropped 46 points as the Warriors beat the Spurs 125-120.
Nikola Jokić (55 pts, 12 reb, 6 ast) was dominant as the Nuggets defeated the Clippers 130-116.
1:23 AM / NOVEMBER 13, 2025
The Joker runs rampant
After a masterclass performance last night to beat the Kings, Nikola Jokić topped it against the Clippers, putting up a remarkable stat line in a 130-116 win.
HAVE YOURSELF A NIGHT NIKOLA JOKIĆ.
⚒️ 55 PTS (33 IN 1H)
⚒️ 12 REB
⚒️ 6 AST
⚒️ 18-23 FGM
⚒️ 5-6 3PM
⚒️ 34 MIN
⚒️ DEN W
He’s just the 4th player in NBA history to score 55 PTS on 78 FG% or better 🤯 pic.twitter.com/NpKKAK6rna
— NBA (@NBA) November 13, 2025
12:52 AM / NOVEMBER 13, 2025
Ryan Kalkbrenner is the man
Less than 24 hours after welcoming his daughter… @RyanKalkbrenner has a PERFECT night 🥹
17 PTS | 8-8 FGM | 9 REB | 3 BLK | 1 W
💪 Dad. Strength. Activated. 💪 pic.twitter.com/wO3Nw2U0TQ
— NBA (@NBA) November 13, 2025
12:33 AM / NOVEMBER 13, 2025
52 for The Joker
His career-high is 61. Will the three-time Kia MVP eclipse his record tonight?
Nikola really does do it all pic.twitter.com/94TqVaCjn0
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) November 13, 2025
12:31 AM / NOVEMBER 13, 2025
A milestone for the Spurs
Victor Wembanyama & Stephon Castle posted triple-doubles for the Spurs tonight!@wemby: 31 PTS, 15 REB, 10 AST@StephonCastle: 23 PTS, 10 REB, 10 AST
They become the first San Antonio duo to record triple-doubles in the same game 😱 pic.twitter.com/pqXYPiRtSJ
— NBA (@NBA) November 13, 2025
12:25 AM / NOVEMBER 13, 2025
Creativity at work
The Thunder had it flowing tonight against the Lakers.
Each angle gets better & better 🔥 https://t.co/Jzhqfuzx9B pic.twitter.com/ew7an53JSi
— NBA (@NBA) November 13, 2025
12:16 AM / NOVEMBER 13, 2025
Jokić is up to 42 points
On only 18 shots. Trademark Joker.
The Nuggets are up 92-78 with 4:38 to go in the third.
Rainbow shot 🌈 pic.twitter.com/5m71xyW8xk
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) November 13, 2025
12:11 AM / NOVEMBER 13, 2025
Shai with the smoothness
🚨 FLOATER. ALERT. 🚨 https://t.co/aQ1LQRSiyk pic.twitter.com/NPkBqli9DI
— NBA (@NBA) November 13, 2025
12:01 AM / NOVEMBER 13, 2025
The Hawks are flying
Atlanta’s up 114-73 with 8:44 to go in the fourth quarter, dominating Sacramento.
ZACCH ON THE ATTACK 💪
Risacher runs the floor and detonates on the rim! pic.twitter.com/97ongWRaAl
— NBA (@NBA) November 13, 2025
11:54 PM / NOVEMBER 12, 2025
Meet your heroes
A special moment.
Devin Booker hustles for the basketball & creates a wholesome memory for a @Suns fan in Dallas 🥹
The young fan was even wearing his jersey! pic.twitter.com/ZATGvCCyCP
— NBA (@NBA) November 13, 2025
11:34 PM / NOVEMBER 12, 2025
Thunder up big on ESPN
100-66 going into the fourth quarter.
Shai’s delivering his customary easy scoring; the Oklahoma City machine is rolling.
SGA stops on a dime for 30 😳
That’s his league-leading 11th 30-PT game this season!
Watch on ESPN: https://t.co/LRbiyhsWy5 pic.twitter.com/Pz80JLO1wl
— NBA (@NBA) November 13, 2025
11:26 PM / NOVEMBER 12, 2025
Nikola’s on pace for 100
NIKOLA JOKIĆ 1Q TAKEOVER:
25 PTS | 8-11 FGM | 2-3 3PM | 7-7 FTM
It’s the most points scored by a player in a quarter this season 🤯
Watch DEN/LAC on NBA League Pass: https://t.co/Xg55zaIYUo pic.twitter.com/Pd76FPn9dL
— NBA (@NBA) November 13, 2025
11:17 PM / NOVEMBER 12, 2025
A special night for the Chef
Curry was on a roll tonight against San Antonio, dropping 46 points on 25 shots.
Grab your popcorn, roll the tape 🍿
Stephen Curry had 46 tonight pic.twitter.com/Vz1w45rTZo
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) November 13, 2025
11:13 PM / NOVEMBER 12, 2025
Jordan Miller finds the range
🚨 JORDAN MILLER FROM HALFCOURT 🚨 pic.twitter.com/EAejctyvJo
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) November 13, 2025
10:56 PM / NOVEMBER 12, 2025
Suns and Mavericks down to it
117-112 Phoenix with 1:25 to go. The Suns have six players in double figures, led by Devin Booker’s 22 points.
Book through the contact 📚@PayPal | #SunsUp pic.twitter.com/Jn4jcazJoS
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) November 13, 2025
10:53 PM / NOVEMBER 12, 2025
The Joker gets them on their feet
17-16 Clippers in the first. Fresh off a 35-point performance last night, Nikola Jokić is back at it again.
Joker with the fastbreak slam!
The @nuggets‘ bench reaction was priceless 😂
Watch on NBA League Pass: https://t.co/Xg55zaJwJW pic.twitter.com/g0Mo9gYeF6
— NBA (@NBA) November 13, 2025
10:39 PM / NOVEMBER 12, 2025
Give it up for B-Ball Paul
Eight straight wins for the Pistons. No Cade Cunningham or Jalen Duren? Paul Reed’s got you.
Paul Reed puts on a SHOW in the Motor City 💪
🏎️ 28 PTS
🏎️ 11-13 FGM (84.6 FG%)
🏎️ 13 REB
🏎️ 6 AST
🏎️ 4 STL
The @DetroitPistons (10-2) race to EIGHT STRAIGHT & stay atop the East! pic.twitter.com/ls5gWt5LGP
— NBA (@NBA) November 13, 2025
10:31 PM / NOVEMBER 12, 2025
Happy Birthday, Russ
37 años for the Kings point guard. A legendary career is still going strong.
“Happy Birthday, Russell Westbrook!”
The birthday boy is on the board in Hawks/Kings 🥳
Watch on NBA League Pass: https://t.co/UUoLr481CE pic.twitter.com/mxgnTdmCpa
— NBA (@NBA) November 13, 2025
10:25 PM / NOVEMBER 12, 2025
Thunder are rolling on ESPN
But Luka still has the touch.
WILD Luka and-1 to end the Thunder run 🪄 https://t.co/bsPW3vSS0i pic.twitter.com/nhaQbI5aWg
— NBA (@NBA) November 13, 2025
10:18 PM / NOVEMBER 12, 2025
Warriors and Spurs going down to the wire.
42 points for Stephen Curry. Wemby has 25 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists, including this lob to Luke Kornet.
42 POINTS FOR STEPH CURRY 🤯
Dubs have the lead with under 5 to go! pic.twitter.com/EO9BMxfZfW
— NBA (@NBA) November 13, 2025
We call this THE FRENCH VANILLA 🤪
📺 @FanDuelSN_SW pic.twitter.com/iLjh7zuOfs
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) November 13, 2025
It’s a duel in San Antonio, with the Warriors up 112-106 with 3:11 to go. Catch the finish on League Pass!
10:09 PM / NOVEMBER 12, 2025
Stars dueling on ESPN
Luka stepback… SGA response.
2 of the NBA’s brightest stars trading triples early on ESPN 💦 pic.twitter.com/awt8ONthhb
— NBA (@NBA) November 13, 2025
9:47 PM / NOVEMBER 12, 2025
Curry’s on a heater
37 points for the Chef. The Warriors and Spurs are tied at 80 late in the third.
Stephen Curry 👌
📺 @NBCSAuthentic pic.twitter.com/Vxrj9L107W
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) November 13, 2025
9:38 PM / NOVEMBER 12, 2025
Cavaliers and Heat in a battle
Norman Powell has 24 points, building on his early-season success, but the Cavs are up 106-102 with 7:15 to go in the fourth.
NORMAN POWELL 💪 pic.twitter.com/fuxExSyg1v
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) November 13, 2025
9:34 PM / NOVEMBER 12, 2025
The Trail Blazers are out and running
Portland’s tied for tops in the league with 10.6 steals per game.
Here, it sparks the break — Lamar Hurd is all of us when Shaedon Sharpe has an open lane.
TOUMANI HUSTLE PLAY
SHAEDON DUNK
THIS IS WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF pic.twitter.com/i5j6CyJgvg
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) November 13, 2025
9:19 PM / NOVEMBER 12, 2025
A Flagg flies high
That’s some fire from the rook.
Suns are up 41-40 with 6:40 to go in the second.
COOPER FLAGG ELEVATION 👀
What a rejection from the 2025 No. 1 pick!
Watch on NBA League Pass: https://t.co/oonx7SUN0z pic.twitter.com/fhOHbGtqbe
— NBA (@NBA) November 13, 2025
9:11 PM / NOVEMBER 12, 2025
League Pass Alert: Pistons-Bulls
108-102 Detroit with just under five minutes to go. Catch the finish on League Pass!
TURN US UP RONALD‼️ pic.twitter.com/D36t81iFgn
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) November 13, 2025
8:58 PM / NOVEMBER 12, 2025
A born scorer at work
Rockets are up 61-48 over the Wizards with 5:08 to go in the second quarter, thanks in part to the legendary Kevin Durant.
KD is COOKING early for Houston 🔥
16 PTS on 5-8 FGM for Durant… in the 1Q!
Watch on NBA League Pass: https://t.co/cvjV2O067c pic.twitter.com/Vnhkk4ejLw
— NBA (@NBA) November 13, 2025
8:50 PM / NOVEMBER 12, 2025
Standing tall for Charlotte
Ryan Kalkbrenner, the 7-foot-1 second-round pick out of Creighton, entered tonight third in blocks per game with 2.3. He’s been a find for the Hornets so far.
Charlotte’s up 83-72 over Milwaukee after three quarters.
Kalkbrenner big swat ➡️ Kalkbrenner baby hook
The rookie stays PERFECT with 13 PTS on 6-6 shooting… and he’s added 3 BLK tonight! pic.twitter.com/SeG2KOEf5y
— NBA (@NBA) November 13, 2025
8:37 PM / NOVEMBER 12, 2025
The Houston connection lifts off
Amen Thompson’s seventh in the league in dunks, entering the night with 23 slams.
All six players ahead of him are 6-foot-11 or taller.
Alperen Sengun no-look lob.
Amen Thompson reverse flush.
Rockets lead the Wizards early in H-Town 🚀
Watch on NBA League Pass: https://t.co/cvjV2O067c pic.twitter.com/VkkfaMB1Va
— NBA (@NBA) November 13, 2025
Amen Thompson: absolute BLUR on this jam 🌬️
Watch LIVE on NBA League Pass: https://t.co/cvjV2O067c pic.twitter.com/ywPjfiODwQ
— NBA (@NBA) November 13, 2025
8:05 PM / NOVEMBER 12, 2025
The Pistons chase another win
Detroit’s at the top of the Eastern Conference, enjoying their best start since 2005-06, when Rasheed Wallace and company reigned in the Motor City.
Pistons are up 68-52 at the half over the Bulls. Robinson’s up to 17 points.
Daniss Jenkins, who hit a clutch game-tying three in Detroit’s overtime victory over the Wizards on Monday, has 16.
What a start for Duncan Robinson 🔥
12 PTS on 4 3PM in the 1Q… and the 9-2 Pistons are looking for EIGHT straight wins! pic.twitter.com/I3PjAT4bWq
— NBA (@NBA) November 13, 2025
8:00 PM / NOVEMBER 12, 2025
Jaylen Brown with a trademark fadeaway
JB’s tied with Jalen Brunson for eighth on the scoring list with 27.7 ppg.
Of the players ahead of him, only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama are shooting better than his 51.7 percent from the field.
He also has the third-highest usage rate among players with 250+ minutes this season, demonstrating he can handle the load as the main man in Boston.
Like butter 🧈 pic.twitter.com/EJ0eROAdXa
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) November 13, 2025
7:45 PM / NOVEMBER 12, 2025
Styling and staying consistent
Only the legendary Wilt Chamberlain (126 and 92 games) put up longer streaks of 20+ points in NBA history.
SGA seeks his 85th straight game with 20+ PTS TONIGHT vs. Luka’s Lakers!
Shai (33.2 PPG) & the Thunder are off to a franchise-best 11-1 start this season ⛈️
🏀 LAL-OKC
⏰ 9:30 PM ET
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/xW7IU1BKmJ
— NBA (@NBA) November 13, 2025
7:22 PM / NOVEMBER 12, 2025
Kon Knueppel is in the books
The No. 1 rookie on our latest Kia Rookie Ladder is hot early against the Bucks.
He’s shooting 40 percent from 3-point range, hitting 3.2 of 8.0 attempts per game — right in line with his 41 percent mark at Duke.
Back-to-back triples for Kon Knueppel 👌
Watch on NBA League Pass: https://t.co/98k4fmfhoD pic.twitter.com/lapWo93VG1
— NBA (@NBA) November 13, 2025
6:30 PM / NOVEMBER 12, 2025
Norman Powell is heating up in Miami
The Miami Heat stand at 7-4, third in the Eastern Conference, playing at the league’s fastest pace.
Norman Powell (24.5 ppg, 4.3 reb, 2.4 ast) has been a major reason for their success.
He’s shooting 46 / 46 / 93 from the field so far this season, stepping for the injured Tyler Herro and continuing a scoring run that’s boosted him into the upper echelon of the league.
Now 32, Powell has raised his scoring average in each of the last three seasons. He currently ranks 18th in the league in points per game, between Pascal Siakam and Zach LaVine, and could garner All-Star attention.
Check the video above — Powell is quick off the catch. He’s consistently able to gain an advantage with his decisiveness, then capitalize with his skill, whether it’s from 3-point range, in the lane or at the rim.
He doesn’t quite have the explosive leaping ability of his Raptors days, but he’s more than made up for it with craft and aggression.
It’s a style that’s in keeping with the uptempo Heat, who seek to make it two straight over the Cleveland Cavaliers after taking a thrilling 140-138 win in overtime on Monday.
“Our mentality, our focus, our internal belief as a team, is going to be more positive and higher expectations that the media would want to put on us,” Powell said earlier this season, crediting head coach Erik Spoelstra for imparting focus and resilience to the group. “There’s no moral victories, but we like the progression.”
6:00 PM / NOVEMBER 12, 2025
Welcome to a 12-game night in the NBA!
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder host Luka Dončić and the Lakers at 9:30 ET tonight on ESPN.
Two Western Conference powers lead our Wednesday night slate, as the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, led by reigning Kia MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, take on Luka Dončić and the Los Angeles Lakers at 9:30 ET on ESPN.
The Thunder have been rolling to start the season, surging to the top of the NBA with an 11-1 record. They’re fifth in offensive rating (119.4), first in defensive rating (105.4) and first in net rating (+14.0).
Last year, their net rating stood at +12.8 — the best mark by any team in NBA history.
Oh, and they’re still missing All-Star wing Jalen Williams and defensive stalwart Luguentz Dort.
It’s a special machine.
SGA’s stats are eerily similar to last season’s MVP run — 32.8 ppg, 5.2 reb and 6.4 ast on 52 percent shooting vs. 32.7 ppg, 5.0 and 6.4 ast on, yes, 52 percent shooting. There’s no more consistent star in the NBA.
Center Chet Holmgren has taken a step forward this season, though, upping his scoring and rebounding while making a blistering 73 percent of his two-point shots. Ajay Mitchell has stepped in to provide 17.0 ppg and wild energy, making up for some of J-Dub’s offensive juice. Former Laker and 2020 NBA Champion Alex Caruso is as tough on defense as ever; Aaron Wiggins is a consistent two-way threat.
But the Lakers, with a record standing at 8-3, have the pieces to give them trouble.
Luka (37.1 ppg, 9.4 reb, 9.1 ast) has been an unparalleled offensive force for much of this season, building chemistry with potential All-Star Austin Reaves (30.3 ppg).
Rui Hachimura, Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart provide size and two-way potential all around the floor, while Deandre Ayton is one of the few centers who might be more talented than Holmgren.
It’s a thrilling matchup. Get locked in and enjoy.
Here’s tonight’s complete schedule:
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Charlotte Hornets, 7 ET
Chicago Bulls vs. Detroit Pistons, 7 ET
Orlando Magic vs. New York Knicks, 7 ET, ESPN
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Boston Celtics, 7:30 ET
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat, 7:30 ET
Washington Wizards vs. Houston Rockets, 8 ET
Portland Trail Blazers vs. New Orleans Pelicans, 8 ET
Golden State Warriors vs. San Antonio Spurs, 8 ET
Phoenix Suns vs. Dallas Mavericks, 8:30 ET
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, 9:30 ET, ESPN
Atlanta Hawks at Sacramento Kings, 10 ET
Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers, 10:30 ET