Tuesday night delivered major movement across the NBA, with Paul George producing a standout performance to help the Boston Celtics move above the Philadelphia 76ers at the top of the Eastern Conference. Elsewhere, Damian Lillard ended Oklahoma City's winning streak, while the Golden State Warriors continued their impressive turnaround with an eight-game run.
Key Takeaways from a Blockbuster Night:
- Paul George scores 36 points to lead the Boston Celtics to a 123-101 win over the Philadelphia 76ers and the East's top spot.
- Damian Lillard delivers 25 points as the Portland Trail Blazers end the Oklahoma City Thunder's four-game winning streak.
- Golden State Warriors extend their winning run to eight games after recovering from an 0-3 start, setting up a clash with Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets.
- Luka Dončić averages 39.3 points through his first 10 games, putting him behind only Wilt Chamberlain in the league's scoring history over that span.
Celtics Take Control of the East Behind Paul George's 36-Point Performance
The Eastern Conference's top two teams met in a highly anticipated matchup as the Boston Celtics faced the Philadelphia 76ers. However, it was Paul George who stole the spotlight, leading Boston to a convincing 123-101 victory.
George finished with 36 points on 14-of-22 shooting, including six three-pointers. Jayson Tatum added 21 points, while Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 24. Boston's three-point shooting proved decisive, with the Celtics converting 22 of their 49 attempts from beyond the arc. Their defence also kept Philadelphia to just 41.8% shooting from the field.
The turning point came in the fourth quarter when Boston launched a 32-8 run. George scored 14 consecutive points during that stretch, putting the game beyond Philadelphia's reach. The victory lifted the Celtics to 9-2, moving them ahead of the 76ers (9-3) and into first place in the Eastern Conference.
Damian Lillard Ends Thunder's Four-Game Winning Streak
The Portland Trail Blazers brought the Oklahoma City Thunder's four-game winning run to an end with a 123-103 victory, led by another impressive performance from Damian Lillard. Portland outscored Oklahoma City 64-44 in the second half, with Lillard contributing 25 points and four three-pointers. He scored 13 points in the third quarter alone, highlighted by a long-range three-pointer that sent the Moda Center crowd into celebration.
Deni Avdija provided further support with 24 points, six rebounds and eight assists. On the defensive end, Portland limited Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who finished with 26 points, to just six after halftime. The win improved the Trail Blazers' record to 7-3 and set up an immediate rematch against the Thunder.
Knicks Roll, Giannis Dominates and Suns Find Their Range
Knicks Continue Their Resurgence
The New York Knicks continued their strong recovery from an 0-3 start, recording their sixth win in seven games with a commanding 117-85 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Karl-Anthony Towns recorded his 10th consecutive double-double, finishing with 21 points and 16 rebounds. He joined Knicks legends Walt Bellamy and Willis Reed in achieving the feat to open a season.
Jalen Brunson led the scoring with 23 points as New York improved to 6-4 and climbed to fourth in the Eastern Conference. Strong rebounding and defence have played a key role in the team's recent run.
Giannis Leads Heat Past Jazz
The Miami Heat held off the Utah Jazz 115-109, with Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the way through another dominant performance in the paint. The Greek star recorded 30 points and 11 rebounds, making just one three-pointer along the way.
Utah received a strong contribution from No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson, who finished with 25 points, but the Jazz were unable to overcome Miami.
Suns Catch Fire From Three-Point Range
The Phoenix Suns delivered an impressive shooting display, knocking down 22 three-pointers at a 51.2% rate to defeat the LA Clippers 133-110.
Seven Phoenix players reached double figures, with Jordan Goodwin leading the way with 18 points and six three-pointers. Devin Booker added 17 points and five assists. The victory marked the Suns' third win in four games as they continued to build momentum.
Magic End Losing Streak as Acuff Jr. Shines for Kings
The Orlando Magic snapped their four-game losing streak with a 107-100 win over the Sacramento Kings. Franz Wagner led Orlando with 33 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, while Anthony Black contributed 26 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals.
Despite the defeat, Sacramento rookie Darius Acuff Jr. continued his impressive start to the season, recording 29 points and six assists.
Warriors Face Rockets as Knicks Meet Cavaliers Again
Warriors Look to Extend Historic Winning Run
The 2026-27 Golden State Warriors have turned their season around after an 0-3 start, winning eight consecutive games and climbing from 13th in the Western Conference to within 1.5 games of first place. They now face Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets, with both teams entering the matchup at 8-3. The game is scheduled for 9:30 ET on ESPN, as Golden State looks to make it nine straight victories.
During their eight-game run, the Warriors have shot an NBA-best 49.7% from the field and averaged 17.8 three-pointers per game at 42.6%. They have also led the league in passes, assists and scoring, averaging 123.6 points per game. Steph Curry has been central to that success, averaging 32.6 points while shooting 49.3% from three-point range.
Knicks Prepare for Another Cavaliers Test
The New York Knicks will host the Cleveland Cavaliers on ESPN at 7 ET as they look to continue their strong run of form. After opening the season 0-3, New York has won six of its next seven games. Its turnaround has been driven by strong rebounding, with an NBA-best 49.4 rebounds per game, alongside a defence allowing a league-low 102.3 points per game.
The matchup also offers the Knicks an opportunity to build on their recent success against Cleveland, having secured a 109-97 road victory over the Cavaliers last Saturday. New York will be aiming for its seventh win in eight games.
Luka Dončić Continues Record-Breaking Scoring Start
Luka Dončić continues to deliver remarkable scoring numbers, averaging 39.3 points through his first 10 appearances of the season for a total of 393 points. Only Wilt Chamberlain has scored more during the opening 10 games of an NBA season, placing Dončić in rare historical company.
The Los Angeles Lakers have also enjoyed an impressive start, entering their matchup against Milwaukee with a six-game winning streak and a 10-2 record, the best in the Western Conference. The game is scheduled for 8 ET on League Pass.
Dončić has been particularly effective in the opening quarter, averaging a league-high 13.4 points. That figure exceeds the full-game scoring average of 90 other players across the league. His scoring impact continues into the second quarter, with an average of 21.7 points by halftime, a mark that would place him among the NBA's top 25 scorers over a full game.
Victor Wembanyama is also continuing to impress after recording his second game of at least 40 points, 10 rebounds and eight blocks within five days. He and the San Antonio Spurs will look to extend their league-best nine-game winning streak to 10 against the Chicago Bulls at 8 ET on League Pass.
NBA Rookie Watch: Lendeborg and Acuff Jr. Lead the Race
Yaxel Lendeborg Makes His Mark With All-Around Performances
The Golden State Warriors' winning run has also highlighted the emergence of rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, who has climbed to the top of the Kia Rookie Ladder as this year's No. 11 pick. Lendeborg is among just six players in the league averaging at least 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists per game. He shares that statistical company with established stars Luka Dončić, Nikola Jokić and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Darius Acuff Jr. Impresses With Scoring and Playmaking
Sacramento Kings rookie Darius Acuff Jr. occupies second place on the Rookie Ladder. He leads all rookies in points, assists and minutes played, while also recording three double-doubles involving points and assists.
Acuff Jr. has also made NBA history by becoming only the second player to record multiple games with at least 30 points and 10 assists before turning 20. LeBron James is the only other player to have achieved the feat. Other rookies to watch include Cam Boozer of the Memphis Grizzlies and AJ Dybantsa of the Washington Wizards.
