Kudos to Jaylen Brown!
50 Points, Standing Ovation, and a Celtics Win.
Five Highlights from Today’s Edition
January 4, 2026
Saturday Stars: Brown reaches his career-high, 76ers’ stars excel, and Curry’s shooting spree.
West Winners: Avdija’s birthday triple-double, Davis’ outstanding performance, and a complete win for the Wolves.
East Winners: Ingram, Barrett & Barnes lift the Raptors; Bridges, Miller & Knueppel energize the Hornets.
League Pass Spotlight: The 30-5 Thunder face the rising Suns in their third matchup.
More on League Pass: Mitchell and Cade headline today’s action opening the 8-game lineup.
BUT FIRST …
A Sunday Marathon…
Eight games are set to commence today on League Pass, kicking off with Donovan Mitchell’s Cavaliers hosting Cade Cunningham and the Eastern-leading Pistons at 2 ET.
Who are your All-Stars? Don’t forget to vote daily for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game through January 14 using your NBA ID. Vote now.
1. SATURDAY STARS: BROWN’s 50, SIXERS SHINE, CURRY’S FLOURISH
Jaylen Brown had a standout performance amidst a career-best season, scoring 31.7 ppg in December and boosting Boston from 8th to 3rd in the East. In a recent game against the Clippers, he matched his career-high with 50 points on 18-of-26 shooting, leading Boston to victory and ending the Clippers’ six-game win streak.
- Scoring Machine: Brown scored 20 in the first half and exploded for 19 in the third quarter, showcasing his shooting prowess and expanding Boston’s lead.
- Defensive Force: Not only did he shoot impressively, but he also played key defense, limiting stars Kawhi Leonard and James Harden to 22 and 18 points, respectively.
- Coach’s Praise: Postgame, Joe Mazzulla remarked on Brown’s complete performance, expressing gratitude for witnessing such an extraordinary game.
- Fan Appreciation: Brown received a standing ovation from the crowd, joining Jayson Tatum and Larry Bird as Celtics with multiple 50-point games.
2. EASTERN WINNERS: RAPTORS ROLL, HORNETS FIGHT BACK
Raptors 134, Hawks 117: Brandon Ingram and RJ Barrett both scored 29 points, while Scottie Barnes added 20. The Raptors’ defense was stellar, allowing Atlanta only 11 points in the last quarter despite Jalen Johnson’s impressive 30-point night.
- Defensive Dominance: Ingram and Barnes led defensively, significantly contributing to Atlanta’s lowest-scoring quarter of the season.
Hornets 112, Bulls 99: After trailing at halftime, the Hornets surged in the second half, outscoring Chicago 62-41 led by Miles Bridges’ 26 points and Brandon Miller’s 22, snapping a losing streak.
- Additional Scoring: LaMelo Ball contributed with 17 points and 7 assists, while Nikola Vučević had 28 points for Chicago.
3. TONIGHT ON LP: THUNDER CHALLENGE SUNS AFTER BACK-TO-BACK 30-5 STARTS
OKC Thunder aims to continue its impressive season, heading to Phoenix to face the Suns after achieving a second consecutive 30-5 start, a rare feat shared only by historical franchises.
- Thunder vs. Suns (8 ET, LP): The Thunder are on a four-game win streak, while the Suns look to avenge two earlier losses that affected their NBA Cup ambitions.
- Top Performers: SGA leads the Thunder with impressive statistics, while Devin Booker is making waves for the Suns, adding to the competitive atmosphere.
4. MORE ON LEAGUE PASS: IN-DEPTH LOOK AT CAVS AND PISTONS
Donovan Mitchell and Cade Cunningham are set to face off in Cleveland, where both have been exceptional in recent matches, leading their teams strongly.
- Scoring Leaders: Mitchell leads with 284 points scored in the fourth quarter this season, while Cunningham is close behind at 246.
- Must-Watch Matchup: Cleveland, with its latest four wins, shows resilience, while the East-leading Pistons strive to maintain their position.
