{"id":366761,"date":"2025-12-23T13:39:15","date_gmt":"2025-12-23T13:39:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/366761\/"},"modified":"2025-12-23T13:39:15","modified_gmt":"2025-12-23T13:39:15","slug":"starting-5-a-renewed-rivalry-highlights-14-game-slate-tonight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/366761\/","title":{"rendered":"Starting 5: A renewed rivalry highlights 14-game slate tonight"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

One hundred<\/p>\n

Straight<\/p>\n

Games with<\/p>\n

At least 20.<\/p>\n

SGA joins Wilt with 100 consecutive 20+ point games \u2013 with two straight vs. the Spurs up next:<\/p>\n

\"Shai<\/p>\n

5 STORIES IN TODAY\u2019S EDITION \ud83c\udfc0<\/p>\n

Rivals Run It Back: Why tonight\u2019s Spurs-Thunder showdown is more than just a classic Emirates NBA Cup rematch<\/p>\n

Coast 2 Coast Tuesday: Flagg faces Joki\u0107, before Harden and KD duel<\/p>\n

On League Pass: Surging Knicks meet red-hot Wolves and more from tonight\u2019s 14-game slate<\/p>\n

Monday\u2019s Best: Shai makes history, JB rallies C\u2019s, Pistons & Nuggets stay rolling<\/p>\n

Roundup: No quit in NOLA, Mitchell and Garland shine, Steph leads Dubs<\/p>\n

BUT FIRST \u2026 \u23f0<\/p>\n

\"Scores<\/p>\n

Fourteen games tip off tonight, including the West\u2019s top two seeds facing off after their thrilling Emirates NBA Cup Semifinal as the Thunder visit the Spurs, with San Antonio seeking a seventh straight win (8:30 ET, League Pass).<\/p>\n

NBC\u2019s Coast 2 Coast Tuesday also delivers a pair of marquee matchups as the Mavs host the Nuggets (8 ET<\/a> | Tap to Watch<\/a>), before the Rockets face the Clippers (7:30 PT<\/a> | Tap to Watch<\/a>).<\/p>\n

2 Days \u2018Til Xmas: On the fourth game of Christmas\u2026 LeBron James and Kevin Durant square off in the highest-scoring matchup in NBA history as the Lakers host the Rockets. No two opposing players have ever entered a game with more combined career points.<\/p>\n

See the full NBA on Christmas Day slate below, and tap here for more holiday tidbits<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Scores<\/p>\n

NBA national TV viewership is up 89% from last season<\/a>, with more than 87 million U.S. viewers \u2013 the league\u2019s highest total in 15 years.<\/p>\n

Cast Your All-Star Ballot: Fans can vote for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game starters every day through Jan. 14 using their NBA ID. Make it count, vote now<\/a>.<\/p>\n

1. TONIGHT ON LEAGUE PASS: RIVALRY REMATCH \u2013 THUNDER-SPURS, ROUND 2<\/p>\n

\"Shai<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t\u00a0just a high-stakes Emirates NBA Cup Semifinals battle. It was even bigger.<\/p>\n

The defending NBA champion Thunder. Off to a record 24-1 start. Riding a franchise-best 16-game win streak. Trading blows with a Spurs team that refused to blink.<\/p>\n

A 4th quarter for the ages. Three ties. Six lead changes. And 15 points from Victor Wembanyama to land the knockout.<\/p>\n

No \u2013 this wasn\u2019t just a win for San Antonio. It felt like the start of something<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cWinning against a team like this \u2026 it\u2019s not an easy thing,\u201d said Wemby postgame. \u201cThat\u2019s only their second loss of the season \u2013 it means something<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Victor<\/p>\n

The feeling wasn\u2019t one-sided.<\/p>\n

OKC has stood atop the West standings for over a year. It has more double-digit wins this season (19) than 23 teams have total victories. It\u2019s flattened almost everything in its path.<\/p>\n

Until San Antonio.<\/p>\n

Now, a Spurs team that missed last year\u2019s postseason is just 4.5 games back of OKC\u2019s top spot, rising fast behind a generational talent and young, deep core \u2013 setting the stage for a heavyweight, inter-state rivalry built to last.<\/p>\n

And neither side is shying away from it.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a good chance,\u201d said Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of this rivalry growing into something greater<\/a>. \u201cThey are young, really good, have a lot of talent \u2013 play the right way.\u201d
\n\u201cAnytime you get to play teams like that, it\u2019s fun. It makes you better,\u201d added Jalen Williams after the Cup Semis. \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to playing them more times.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Shai<\/p>\n

Method vs. Marvel: At the heart of this No. 1 vs. No. 2 West showdown are two franchise-shaping superstars: SGA, the reigning Kia MVP and one of the game\u2019s most surgical scorers, and Wemby, a basketball anomaly with skills as expansive as his 8-foot wingspan.<\/p>\n

No Doubt: Despite sitting out 12 4th quarters this season (in comfortable wins), Shai is posting 32.5 ppg \u2013 trailing only Luka Don\u010di\u0107 for the most in NBA \u2014 while shooting a career-best 55.4%
\nAlways Delivering: In Monday\u2019s win over Memphis, he notched his 100th straight 20+ point game, a feat matched only by Wilt Chamberlain
\nAlways Defending: Wemby (questionable for tonight) has tallied 101 straight games with a block (the 3rd-longest streak of all-time). In his 133 career games, he\u2019s failed to record a block just twice
\nUndeniable Impact: San Antonio has jumped from 16th to 2nd in DefRtg since Wemby\u2019s return, while SGA has powered OKC to the 2nd-best scoring offense in the NBA this season (122.3 ppg)<\/p>\n

\"De'Aaron<\/p>\n

But it\u2019s not just one player that makes these teams special \u2013 it\u2019s the balance and depth on both ends of the floor.<\/p>\n

OKC Clamps: Shai is joined by Williams and fellow co-star Chet Holmgren, while six Thunder rank in the top 8 in DefRtg (min. 20 games played) \u2013 boasting the league\u2019s top unit
\nSpurs\u2019 Strength: Wemby is backed by veteran All-Star De\u2019Aaron Fox and last year\u2019s Kia ROY, Stephon Castle, as they guide the league\u2019s 6th-best scoring offense
\nWinning Collision: Since Nov. 15, only one team has more wins than the Spurs (13) \u2013 the Thunder (14)<\/p>\n

Now, they meet again \u2013 first tonight in San Antonio (8:30 ET, LP), then on Christmas Day in OKC (2:30 ET, ABC).<\/p>\n

For Wemby\u2019s Spurs, it\u2019s not just a holiday home-and-home; it\u2019s another test against the best \u2013 one that means something.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is our next step,\u201d said Wemby. \u201cBecause this OKC team, they\u2019re not just first in the league, they\u2019re way ahead of everybody \u2026 This is the next step we have to pass.\u201d<\/p>\n

2. COAST 2 COAST TUESDAY: FLAGG FACES JOKI\u0106, KD & HARDEN DUEL<\/p>\n

\"Cooper<\/p>\n

Cooper Flagg and Nikola Joki\u0107\u00a0represent different generations in the league\u2019s ever-growing history.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s time for two eras to collide.<\/p>\n

Tonight (8 ET, NBC\/Peacock), the Mavericks welcome the Nuggets into town, with Joki\u0107 and Flagg prepared to do battle. The two stars enter their second meeting this season ranked No. 1 on the Kia MVP and Rookie Ladders, respectively.<\/p>\n

Quite A Gift: Flagg, who celebrated his 19th birthday Sunday, tallied the 3rd-most points ever at 18 years old (526), trailing only LeBron James and Kobe Bryant
\n\u201cThrough Duke and his first couple of weeks here, he\u2019s been playing extremely well,\u201d said Mavs coach Jason Kidd. \u201cAnd we believe at the age of 19, it\u2019s just going to get better.\u201d<\/p>\n

When the No. 1 overall pick went toe-to-toe with Joki\u0107 for the first time on Dec. 1, he got the last laugh. Dallas won, 131-121, despite a 29\/20\/13 triple-double from the three-time Kia MVP.<\/p>\n

Joki\u0107, though, has had plenty of other successes. And so has the team around him.<\/p>\n

His Playground: The seven-time All-NBA selection has guided Denver (20-7) to the best start in franchise history behind his 12.1 rpg and 10.8 apg \u2014 both league-highs
\nGold Rush: He now boasts 14 triple-doubles this season. That\u2019s more than twice as many as the next-closest players (Josh Giddey and Jalen Johnson, with six apiece)
\nHeating Up: But it\u2019s not Joki\u0107 alone. Jamal Murray has poured in 30-plus points in four of the last eight games to support production<\/p>\n

\"Kevin<\/p>\n

Dallas isn\u2019t the only place where stars align tonight.<\/p>\n

Some of the game\u2019s biggest names also meet in LA when the Rockets take on the Clippers (7:30 PT, NBC\/Peacock). Kevin Durant and James Harden \u2014 8th and 10th, respectively, on the all-time scoring list<\/a> \u2014 will face off with a combined 35 seasons of experience under their belts.<\/p>\n

Milestone Man: Durant surpassed more than one significant marker Sunday, reaching 10,750 field goals made (10th all-time) and 5,000-plus career assists
\nFamed Facilitator: Also climbing that latter list was Harden \u2014 a former Thunder teammate \u2014 who, on the same night, moved into 12th place with 8,529 total dishes
\nThe Prequel: They last clashed on Dec. 11, when the Rockets won behind 22 points and 15 rebounds from Alperen Sengun, as well as Amen Thompson\u2019s game-winning layup<\/p>\n

3. MORE ON LEAGUE PASS: SURGING SQUADS COLLIDE, RIVALS CLASH<\/p>\n

\"Anthony<\/p>\n

Eleven more matchups tip off tonight on League Pass, including a clash between two 2025 Conference Finalists, each playing their best ball of the season.<\/p>\n

Knicks at Wolves (8 ET): One week after beating San Antonio in the NBA Cup Championship, New York enters tonight as one of the league\u2019s hottest teams, having won 11 of its last 13 games.<\/p>\n

It visits Minnesota, which boasts a 9-2 record in its last 11, including a win over OKC on Friday thanks to Anthony Edwards\u2019 late go-ahead triple<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ant Attack: Edwards has turned up amid Minnesota\u2019s 9-2 run, averaging 28.9 ppg while shooting 43.1% from 3 \u2013 leading to a pair of 40-balls
\nNY Depth: Jalen Brunson is out tonight, but the Knicks still boast plenty of firepower as Karl-Anthony Towns leads a rotation of five other double-digit scorers
\nCan\u2019t-Miss KAT: Towns \u2013 who spent nine seasons with Minnesota \u2013 has been lights out amid New York\u2019s 11-2 run, averaging a double-double (21.5 pts, 10.5 reb) while shooting 42.9% from deep<\/p>\n

Next Man Up: Brunson\u2019s absence opens the door for 2nd-year guard Tyler Kolek, who followed a 14\/5\/5 Cup Championship showing with career highs in points (16) and assists (11) in Thursday\u2019s win over Indy.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo see him take advantage of [his opportunities] is huge,\u201d said Knicks coach Mike Brown last Thursday. \u201cHe works his tail off \u2026 and he can score. He can flat-out score.\u201d
\nTonight, he\u2019ll face one of the league\u2019s best scorers in Edwards, as both teams seek another statement win<\/p>\n

\"Dillon<\/p>\n

League Pass offers ten more matchups, including a pair of rivalry duels as the Bucks visit the Pacers (7:30 ET), before the Suns host the Lakers (9 ET).<\/p>\n

The Bulls and Hawks also run it back (7:30 ET) after producing the highest-scoring game of the season on Sunday \u2013 a 152-150 Chicago win.<\/p>\n

\"Tonight's<\/p>\n

4. MONDAY\u2019S BEST: SHAI MAKES HISTORY; PISTONS, C\u2019S & NUGGETS WIN<\/p>\n

\"Shai<\/p>\n

One hundred straight games of 20+ points.<\/p>\n

For more than 60 years, only Wilt Chamberlain had done it.<\/p>\n

Now, he\u2019s got company.<\/p>\n

Thunder 119, Grizzlies 103: How do you tally your 100th consecutive 20-piece? How about with a 30-piece, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hung 31 along with 10 boards and 8 dimes to power OKC past Memphis, improving to an NBA-best 26-3. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cA Moment Of History<\/a>\u201d: Shai hit 20+ on a stepback jumper with 11:34 left in the 4th. He added 10 more after to seal the dub
\nThe Beginning: The streak started Nov. 1, 2024. Since then, SGA has averaged 32.9(!) ppg while winning the scoring title, Kia MVP, West Finals MVP and NBA Finals MVP
\nOf Something Special: Only Wilt owns a longer run with 126 straight 20-pieces from 1961-63, a streak that ended 35 years before Shai was born
\n\u201cIt speaks to his consistency,\u201d said Thunder coach Mark Daigneault on SGA\u2019s streak. \u201cThe vision he has. The commitment he has to the game, the craft, his team \u2026 it\u2019s ruthlessly consistent.\u201d<\/p>\n

Three games back of OKC for the league\u2019s top record? 23-6 Detroit.<\/p>\n

Pistons 110, Blazers 102: Jalen Duren was a force (26 pts, 10 reb), Cade Cunningham was operating (14 pts, 6 reb, 9 ast) and all five Detroit starters scored 12+ as the Pistons topped Shaedon Sharpe (25 pts) and the Blazers for their sixth win in seven games. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Jalen<\/p>\n

Jaylen Brown is a problem. And so are the C\u2019s<\/p>\n

Celtics 103, Pacers 95: After trailing by 20 in the 3rd quarter, Brown flipped a switch, and Boston came alive. He dropped 14 of his game-high 31 points in the 4th, single-handedly outscoring Indy as Boston rallied back to secure its third straight dub. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

JB Buckets: The C\u2019s outscored Indy 29-13 in the 4th, with Brown dropping in the go-ahead bucket before sinking a clutch, off-balance 3 to extend the lead late
\nJB\u2019s Streak: It\u2019s Brown\u2019s seventh straight 30-piece, joining Paul Pierce (7) and Larry Bird (9) as the only Celtics to record such a streak
\nC\u2019s Ascending: After a 5-7 start, Boston has gone 13-4, jumping to 3rd in the East at 18-11<\/p>\n

\"Jamal<\/p>\n

The league\u2019s highest-scoring offense just keeps getting hotter \u2013 and the wins keep coming.<\/p>\n

Nuggets 135, Jazz 112: Denver erupted with a 24-3 opening run and never looked back for its seventh win in eight games. Nikola Joki\u0107 tallied his NBA-best 14th triple-double of the season (14 pts, 13 reb, 13 ast), while Jamal Murray dropped 27 points on six treys. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

All Cylinders: Denver \u2013 averaging 126.3 ppg amid its 7-1 stretch \u2013 hung 40 in the 1st quarter and finished 24-of-46 from 3 (52.2%)<\/p>\n

5. ROUNDUP: PELS STAY HOT, CAVS SNAP SKID, WARRIORS WIN<\/p>\n

The Pels are flying high.<\/p>\n

Pelicans 119, Mavericks 113: Zion Williamson was driving (24 pts, 9 reb, 10-14 FG), Derik Queen was dancin\u2019<\/a> (19 pts, 10 reb, 6 ast) and four other Pels scored in double figures to overcome Anthony Davis\u2019 monster night (35 pts, 17 reb), securing NOLA\u2019s fifth straight dub. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

NOLA Fight: The Pels outscored Dallas 40-26 in the 4th to extend the win streak \u2013 their longest since the 2022-23 season
\nRookie & Vet: Klay Thompson added 20 points on five 3s for Dallas, while Cooper Flagg turned in another strong all-around outing (16 pts, 6 reb, 6 ast)<\/p>\n

\"Donovan<\/p>\n

Cavaliers 139, Hornets 132: Donovan Mitchell drilled six 3s en route to a game-high 30 points, Darius Garland went to work (27 pts, 10 ast) and De\u2019Andre Hunter matched him with 27 as the Cavs topped LaMelo Ball (23 pts, 9 ast) and the Hornets to snap their three-game skid. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Kon Hits 100: Kon Knueppel added 20 points on five 3s for Charlotte, becoming the fastest rookie in NBA history to eclipse 100 career triples<\/p>\n

Warriors 120, Magic 97: Steph Curry (26 pts, 6 ast), Jimmy Butler III (21 pts) and Moses Moody (20 pts) combined for 67 points, and Golden State outscored Orlando 31-14 in the 4th to capture its second win in a row, moving to .500 | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n