{"id":280920,"date":"2026-02-08T17:54:22","date_gmt":"2026-02-08T17:54:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/280920\/"},"modified":"2026-02-08T17:54:22","modified_gmt":"2026-02-08T17:54:22","slug":"starting-5-feb-8-joker-passes-big-o","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/280920\/","title":{"rendered":"Starting 5, Feb. 8: Joker passes Big O"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

Head at the rim and triple-double in hand, Stephon Castle skies for the slam.<\/p>\n

What a way to reach 40 points for the first time.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

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

Feb. 8, 2026<\/p>\n

Sunday Preview: Knicks, Celtics spar for 2nd place; Go-to scorers Ant & Kawhi collide<\/p>\n

History Out West: Joker unseats Big O, Castle\u2019s 40-point triple-double, KD climbs ranks<\/p>\n

Eastern Heat: Harden & Spida rule 4th, Hornets\u2019 streak hits 9, Sixers\u2019 duo takes desert<\/p>\n

Roundup: LeBron, Lakers pull away late, Magic make a stand, Nets, Blazers roll<\/p>\n

All-Start Countdown: Meet the Slam Dunk and Shooting Stars participants<\/p>\n

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

Early hoops with 4 Sunday matinees\u2026<\/p>\n

\"Scores<\/p>\n

Get an early Sunday start with the Knicks\u2019 and Celtics\u2019 classic rivalry (12:30 ET, ABC<\/a>) before a scorers showdown between Ant and Kawhi as the Clippers visit the Wolves (3 ET, ESPN<\/a>).<\/p>\n

All-Star Saturday: The NBA announced Saturday the participants for the AT&T Slam Dunk and Kia Shooting Stars competitions during NBA All-Star Saturday (Feb. 14, 5 ET, NBC\/Peacock), before the 75th All-Star a week from today (Feb. 15, 5 ET, NBC\/Peacock). Read on for full details in Section 5.<\/p>\n

1. SUNDAY PREVIEW: KNICKS, CELTICS SPAR FOR 2ND PLACE, ANT & KAWHI COLLIDE<\/p>\n

\"Jalen<\/p>\n

Sole possession of 2nd place in the East is on the line today, as ESPN and ABC team up for doubleheader action with an early start.<\/p>\n

Knicks at Celtics (12:30 ET, ABC): Two classic rivals who have been 2nd or 3rd in the East interchangeably since Dec. 20 meet, with Boston currently holding a one-game edge.<\/p>\n

Both clubs are also 8-2 in their last ten games.<\/p>\n

Despite playing without Jayson Tatum and four more regular rotation pieces from last season, the Celtics are right back near the top of the East standings
\nHow? It starts with Jaylen Brown being a natural as the offensive lead, adding over 7 ppg to his average (29.5), making him a top-4 scorer in the league
\nFollowing suit, Derrick White (17.4 ppg) has added a point per game and Payton Pritchard (17.3 ppg) has added 3, as last season\u2019s 4th and 5th-ranked C\u2019s scorers have stepped up to be 2nd and 3rd options, respectively
\nNow, Nikola Vu\u010devi\u0107 adds interior scoring (9.3 PITP), rebounding (9.0) and additional assists (3.8) in what Boston hopes will be a quick integration in a year of adjustments<\/p>\n

\u201cEverybody\u2019s leaned in from the beginning of the year,\u201d Brown said Friday. \u201cWe\u2019ve been building chemistry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you\u2019re on the same page, you trust and believe in each other, you empower each other \u2013 that\u2019s half the battle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Anthony<\/p>\n

Clippers at Wolves (3 ET, ESPN): Today\u2019s ABC\/ESPN doubleheader concludes with two All-Star guards who\u2019ve taken their offensive games to new levels in 2025-26.<\/p>\n

Anthony Edwards is having a career year, not only in scoring (29.8 ppg), but in efficiency too, shooting 49.4% from the field
\nIn the clutch, Ant\u2019s been even better, bumping up to 59.2 FG% while ranking 3rd in total clutch points (113) and made 3-pointers (11)
\n\u201cI think the biggest leap this season is how he closes games,\u201d Wolves coach Chris Finch said of Ant. \u201cHe\u2019s more comfortable knowing when to pull back and involve others, which has helped him be more effective down the stretch.\u201d<\/p>\n

Similarly, Kawhi Leonard\u2019s increased offensive emphasis (career-best 27.7 ppg) has made him a top-10 4th-quarter scorer (7.1 ppg) and All-Star for the 7th time.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just in attack mode,\u201d Leonard said of his scoring approach. \u201cTrying to stay in the moment, keep being aggressive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ant and the TWolves look to get back in the win column with just a one game advantage for the final guaranteed Playoff spot in the West, while LA holds the final SoFi Play-In position.<\/p>\n

Roundup: Two more matinee showdowns take place on League Pass as the Wizards welcome the Heat (2 ET), and the Raptors host the Pacers (3 ET).<\/p>\n

2. HISTORY OUT WEST: JOKER, CASTLE, KD ALL ENTER RARE AIR<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Joker just passed another all-timer.<\/p>\n

Nuggets 136, Bulls 120: Nikola Joki\u0107\u2019s (22 pts, 14 reb, 17 ast) 182nd career triple-double made history and pushed Denver through a back-and-forth game of 11 ties and 10 lead changes, positioning the Nuggets to run away with the 4th quarter, 39-16. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Passing Big O: Joker surpassed Oscar Robertson (181) for 2nd place on the all-time triple-doubles list while dishing a season-high 17 assists
\n\u201cI think that\u2019s the right way to play basketball,\u201d Joki\u0107 said of his playmaking accomplishment. \u201cHopefully I\u2019m going to continue to play like that.\u201d
\nIn Flow: Denver improves to 141-41 in the 182 games Joki\u0107 has registered a triple-double, including 13-5 this season<\/p>\n

\"Nikola<\/p>\n

In Wemby and Cooper Flagg\u2019s third-career showdown, Stephon Castle stole the show.<\/p>\n

Spurs 138, Mavericks 125: Castle set a new career-high with 40 points and logged his second-career triple-double (12 reb, 12 ast, 3 stl, 78.9 FG%) as the Spurs compiled a 42-point 2nd quarter in an 81-point 1st half and held Flagg to 14 points to win their 4th straight.<\/p>\n

Castle reached the 40-point mark for the first time on this monster putback slam<\/a> in the 4th. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Castle and David Robinson (2x) are the only Spurs with 40+ point triple-doubles, with Stephon collecting assists while The Admiral swatted 10+ blocks in his
\nThe reigning ROY is the third-youngest player in league history to notch a 40+ point triple-double, behind LeBron James and Luka Don\u010di\u0107
\nCastle and Wilt Chamberlain are now the only players ever to log a 40+ point triple-double while shooting 75% or better from the field<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t feel real,\u201d Castle said postgame. \u201cIt can be anybody\u2019s night on any given day. Tonight it was my night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know we\u2019ve got one of the best players in the league right now,\u201d Wemby said of Castle\u2019s performance and the slam for 40. \u201cI think his head was level with the rim, it was crazy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Main Event: Wemby (16 pts, 11 reb) edged Coop by a bucket head-to-head, as Flagg was kept under 30 points for the first time in five games<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Kevin Durant continued climbing all-time lists in Saturday\u2019s complete team effort for Houston.<\/p>\n

Rockets 112, Thunder 106: Alperen Sengun (17 pts, 12 reb, 11 ast) logged his 10th career triple-double, Tari Eason contributed a season-high 26 points and Houston used two key runs to erase a 15-point deficit and defeat OKC for the first time this season.<\/p>\n

The Rockets closed the 2nd quarter with a 12-3 run, and ended the 3rd on a 15-4 closeout to vanquish OKC\u2019s double-digit lead, never trailing again by more than a bucket. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Joining Legends: Sengun joined James Harden (46) and Hakeem Olajuwon (14) as the only Rockets players ever with double-digit career triple-doubles
\nKD Climbs: While netting 20 points, Durant became the 10th player ever to reach 2,300 made 3s, and moved into 9th place on the all-time field goals made list
\nThunderous Welcome: Jared McCain (5 pts, 14 min) received a standing ovation<\/a> in his Thunder debut and logged his first OKC points a quarter later<\/p>\n

3. EASTERN HEAT: HARDEN HELPS CAVS, HORNETS\u2019 STREAK HITS NINE<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Donovan Mitchell, the league\u2019s leading 4th-quarter scorer, already had the clutch covered.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s precisely why new addition James Harden makes Spida and the Cavs doubly dangerous late in games.<\/p>\n

Cavaliers 132, Kings 126: Harden (15) and Mitchell (17) combined for 32 of Cleveland\u2019s 39 4th-quarter points in their first game together, scoring the final 16 in a 16-5 run to capture the lead for good after 17 lead changes and 11 ties.<\/p>\n

Harden scored 23 overall and dished eight assists in his Cavs debut, while Mitchell led all scorers with 35 points and Jarrett Allen added 29 with 10 rebounds. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Winning Welcome: Harden is the first player in over five years to net 15+ points in the 4th quarter of a team debut, with Zion Williamson last doing so in his NBA debut (Jan. 2020)
\n\u201cI told Don just do what he do and I\u2019ll figure it out,\u201d Harden said of playing with Mitchell for the first time.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s the leader of this team and I\u2019m just here to support him and do whatever it takes to help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Hornets 126, Hawks 119: Miles Bridges (26 pts, 6 reb, 5 ast) and Buzz City tied their 2nd-longest win streak ever with a 9th straight W, closing on a 17-9 run to take command of a back-and-forth game featuring 12 ties and 23 lead changes. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Threes In Bunches: Kon Knueppel (23 pts, 8 reb, 6 3s) broke Saddiq Bey\u2019s rookie record with his 14th game of five or more triples
\nJalen Johnson (31 pts, 9 reb, 8 ast) became the fourth player ever with 1,100+ points, 500+ rebounds and 400+ assists through the first 50 games of a season, joining Joker (4x), Big O (2x) and Westbrook (2x)
\nGoing For 10: Charlotte will look to match the franchise\u2019s longest win streak ever (10 games) Monday night, hosting Detroit (7 ET)<\/p>\n

\"Joel<\/p>\n

Sixers 109, Suns 103: The duo of Joel Embiid (33 pts, 9 reb) and Tyrese Maxey (29 pts, 9 reb, 6 ast) overpowered Dillon Brooks (28 pts) and Devin Booker (21 pts, 9 ast), with Philly using a key 23-6 run across the 1st and 2nd quarters to pull away for good. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

D-Book Back: Booker played 32 minutes and shot 5-of-12 from the field with one 3 in his return after missing seven games (ankle)
\nTy & AI: Tyrese Maxey joins Allen Iverson as the only 76ers players to ever total 1,400 points and 100 steals in the first 50 games of a season<\/p>\n

4. ROUNDUP: LAKERS PULL AWAY, MAGIC MAKE STAND, NETS & BLAZERS ROLL
\n\"LeBron<\/p>\n

Adam Pantozzi\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Lakers 105, Warriors 99: A decisive 11-0 Laker run midway through the 4th quarter expanded a one-point game into a double-digit lead, propelling LeBron (20 pts, 7 reb, 10 ast) and L.A. past Moses Moody (25 pts) and the Warriors for a third straight win. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Shooters\u2019 World: Luke Kennard netted 10 points (2-4 3FG) in his Laker debut, while Pat Spencer scored 14 for Golden State (2-5 3FG) in his first game under full contract<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Magic 120, Jazz 117: Orlando took its first lead since the 2nd quarter with under 30 seconds to play, closing the game on a 10-2 run to erase a 17-point Utah lead and spoil Jaren Jackson Jr.\u2019s Jazz debut (22 pts, 3 stl).<\/p>\n

The Magic then got three game-sealing stops, with blocks from Jalen Suggs (12 pts, 7 reb, 6 ast, 4 stl, 2 blk) and Wendell Carter Jr, and a final steal from Suggs to get away. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Blazers 122, Grizzlies 115: Jerami Grant (29 pts) led all scorers and Donovan Clingan (20 pts, 19 reb) had a huge double-double as Portland erased an 11-point 2nd-half deficit to sweep the two-game series in the Northwest from Memphis. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Big Fellas: Clingan joins Bill Walton as the only Trail Blazers players with multiple 20+ point, 15+ rebound games before the age of 22<\/p>\n

Nets 127, Wizards 113: Brooklyn burst out with a 46-point 1st quarter on the way to an 80-point half, with Michael Porter Jr. (23 pts, 6 reb) leading seven Nets in double figures past Washington and Will Riley\u2019s career-high 27 points. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Jumpstart: Brooklyn achieved its highest-scoring quarter since April of 2023 with 46 game-deciding points in the 1st<\/p>\n

5. ALL-STAR COUNTDOWN: MEET ALL-STAR SATURDAY PARTICIPANTS<\/p>\n

The NBA announced the participants for the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest and Kia Shooting Stars competition Saturday, one week before they\u2019ll take the court for All-Star Saturday at the Intuit Dome in LA (Feb. 14, 5 ET on NBC & Peacock).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

AT&T Slam Dunk Contest<\/p>\n

A new Slam Dunk champion will be crowned in the third and final event of All-Star Saturday. Let\u2019s look at the high-flying r\u00e9sum\u00e9s of the four first-time contestants jumping it up:<\/p>\n

Carter Bryant, Spurs (rookie)<\/p>\n

\"Carter<\/p>\n

The 6-6 forward was selected 14th overall by San Antonio in June\u2019s Draft and impressed with the 2025 Draft Combine\u2019s fourth-highest Max Vertical Leap (39.50\u201d)\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jaxson Hayes, Lakers<\/p>\n

\"Jaxson<\/p>\n

The 7-foot center and 7-year vet isn\u2019t afraid to throw out contest-caliber slams in-game.<\/p>\n

Keshad Johnson, Heat<\/p>\n

\"Keshad<\/p>\n

The high-flying, 2nd-year, 6-6 forward didn\u2019t waste time showing off his hops after entering the league, taking flight in Summer League in 2024.<\/p>\n

Jase Richardson, Magic (rookie)<\/p>\n

\"Jase<\/p>\n

The 6-1 guard and 25th overall pick in June\u2019s Draft is the son of two-time AT&T Slam Dunk champion Jason Richardson (2002 and 2003).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Kia Shooting Stars<\/p>\n

The timed shooting competition returns as the first event of All-Star Saturday, with four teams of three \u2013 each featuring two NBA players and one NBA legend \u2013 competing in the event.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s meet the teams, reflecting NBA All-Star connections, school and team affiliations, and family ties:<\/p>\n

Team All-Star: Two 2026 All-Star Game teammates for Team USA Stars are joined by a multi-time All-Star NBA legend.<\/p>\n

2026 All-Star Scottie Barnes, Raptors (50.3 FG% \/ 30.6 3P% this season)
\n2026 All-Star Chet Holmgren, Thunder (56.5 FG% \/ 35.7 3P% this season)
\n3X All-Star Richard Hamilton<\/p>\n

Team Cameron: Three Duke University alums who starred at Cameron Indoor Stadium team up.<\/p>\n

2026 All-Star Jalen Johnson, Hawks (50.1 FG% \/ 35.4 3P%)
\n2026 Rising Star Kon Knueppel, Hornets (48.5 FG% \/ 42.4 3P%)
\n14-year NBA veteran Corey Maggette<\/p>\n

Team Harper: A decorated NBA champion pairs up with his two NBA sons.<\/p>\n

5X NBA champion Ron Harper Sr.
\nSpurs guard Dylan Harper (45.4 FG% \/ 24.5 3P%)
\nCeltics guard-forward Ron Harper Jr. (37.5 FG% \/ 31.6 3P%)<\/p>\n

Team Knicks: Two 2026 All-Stars and Knicks teammates join up with a New York favorite and current front office fixture.<\/p>\n

2026 All-Star Jalen Brunson, Team USA Stripes (46.7 FG% \/ 37.3 3P%)
\n2026 All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns, Team World (46.5 FG% \/ 35.6 3P%)
\n2X All-Star Allan Houston<\/p>\n