A packed 12-game slate delivered late-game drama, superstar showings from Jalen Brunson, Luka Dončić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokić and more, along with statement wins across the league.
Thursday night was one of the most action-packed evenings of the NBA season so far, with 24 teams in action and no shortage of storylines. From clutch shots to historic performances and overtime thrillers, multiple teams made statements as the season continues to take shape. (NBA)
Still Shining: NBA Cup All-Tourney Stars Show Out
All five members of the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup All-Tournament Team came away with wins on Thursday night, confirming that the league’s current elite performers aren’t slowing down. The group — Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, De’Aaron Fox and Luka Dončić — showed why they were honored with Cup accolades earlier this week. (NBA)
Knicks 114, Pacers 113 — Brunson Delivers Again
In one of the night’s most thrilling finishes, the New York Knicks survived a 16-point deficit to beat the Indiana Pacers 114-113. With the game tied late, Jalen Brunson hit the game-winning step-back 3-pointer with 4.4 seconds left, giving New York the lead and the victory. (NBA)
Brunson finished with 25 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists, continuing his clutch run of performances. Young guard Tyler Kolek posted a career night with 16 points, 11 assists and 6 rebounds, while Brunson’s resilience extended the Knicks’ winning streak to six games and kept them on a strong roll even without Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart. (NBA)
Lakers 143, Jazz 135 — Dončić’s Masterpiece
The Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz combined for nearly 300 total points in a high-scoring affair that ended 143-135 in favor of L.A. Superstar Luka Dončić poured in 45 points, along with 11 rebounds, 14 assists, 5 steals and 4 made 3-pointers, putting together one of the most versatile stat lines of the season. (NBA)
LeBron James chipped in 28 points, 10 assists and 7 rebounds, helping the Lakers pull away down the stretch with a 41-29 advantage in the fourth quarter. Utah’s Keyonte George scored 34 points with 8 assists but couldn’t match Los Angeles’ firepower. (NBA)
Spurs 119, Wizards 94 — Wembanyama Shines in Return
Victor Wembanyama’s return to San Antonio helped lead the Spurs to a commanding 119-94 victory over the Washington Wizards. Though his minutes were limited, Wembanyama made an immediate impact with 15 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks in just 17 minutes of action. (NBA)
Dylan Harper scored a career-high 24 points, and Stephon Castle added 17 points and 7 assists, showcasing the Spurs’ depth and balance. This marked San Antonio’s fourth straight win — an impressive stretch after their recent Emirates NBA Cup run. (NBA)
Thunder 122, Clippers 101 — Balanced Scoring Fuels OKC
The Oklahoma City Thunder responded to an earlier loss with a convincing 122-101 win over the LA Clippers. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 32 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists, including 19 third-quarter points that helped extend OKC’s lead. (NBA)
Chet Holmgren added 22 points and 7 rebounds, while Jalen Williams scored 20, giving the Thunder three scorers in double figures and keeping their home unbeaten streak intact this season. (NBA)
Nuggets 126, Magic 115 — Jokić’s Triple-Double and Murray’s Scoring
Out West, the Denver Nuggets beat the Orlando Magic 126-115 in a showcase of elite offense. Nikola Jokić recorded a triple-double with 23 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds, while Jamal Murray scored a team-high 32 points, including a barrage of clutch 3-pointers that shifted momentum in the second quarter. (NBA)
Paolo Banchero also registered a triple-double with 26 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists, becoming one of the few players in the league with multiple triple-doubles this season. Denver used a dominant 35-7 run to erase an early deficit and take control of the game. (NBA)
Pelicans 133, Rockets 128 (OT) — Historic Comeback
The New Orleans Pelicans pulled off one of the biggest comebacks of the year, erasing a 25-point deficit and eventually winning 133-128 in overtime against the Houston Rockets. Saddiq Bey led New Orleans with 29 points and 9 rebounds, while Trey Murphy III scored 27. (NBA)
Kevin Durant led Houston with 32 points, and Alperen Şengün added 28 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists, but the Rockets’ early lead evaporated as the Pelicans dominated late. New Orleans used a 36-20 fourth quarter to force extra time and closed the game with clutch free throws. (NBA)
Other Fun Finishes: Overtime & Late Shots
While not all games were highlighted in the main Top 5 storylines, several contests also produced exciting endings on Thursday:
- Portland Trail Blazers vs. Sacramento Kings — The Blazers claimed an overtime win 134-133, with late clutch play down the stretch. (NBA)
- Phoenix Suns vs. Golden State Warriors — The Suns pulled out a 99-98 victory thanks to a dramatic late free throw. (NBA)
- Charlotte Hornets 133, Atlanta Hawks 126 — LaMelo Ball and company secured a solid win in a returning matchup. (Reddit)
- Miami Heat 106, Brooklyn Nets 95 — Miami snapped its skid with a balanced team performance. (Reddit)
Looking Ahead
Friday’s schedule features compelling matchups, including a primetime clash between the 76ers and Knicks, plus a Western Conference battle between the Thunder and Timberwolves. With so many elite players continuing to perform at high levels, the race toward playoff positioning is heating up.
