DENVER, COLORADO – Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets dimes up Cam Johnson #23 in the pocket.
Themes for Monday’s slate⬇️⬇️
- Coming off a monster 40-point double-double in a 2OT victory over Philadelphia on Sunday, Jalen Johnson and the Hawks fall just short against Cade Cunningham’s heroics an two-way play as the Pistons move to 17-4 on the year.
- Miami gashes the Clippers in South Beach. The Heat’s innovative, pick-and-roll averse offense (co-led by former Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins) has run laps around the PnR-heavy James Harden and the Clippers. Pace and ball pressure🔥🔥
- Devin Booker and the 12-9 Suns have been an early-season success story, grading as both the 11th best offense and defense in the league thus far. They seek vengeance versus Denver after losing 130-112 to the Nuggets on Saturday.
8:32 PM / December 1, 2025
Wizards stun Bucks, veterans takeover
While its been a slow start to the year for CJ McCollum (28 points, 11-21 FG) and Khris Middleton (15 points, 6-10 FG, six assists) in Washington, both were sharp and clutch down the stretch helping Washington defend homecourt with a 129-126 victory over Milwaukee.
The blend and infusion of youth also made the difference. Cam Whitmore (17 points, 8-14 FG) was consistently punishing the rim. Tristan Vukcevic notched a new season-high with 16 points (4-7 FG, 7-8 FT).
Washington committed just 10 turnovers as a team compared to 16 for Milwaukee — squandering a 30-point performance (12-15 FG) from Kevin Porter Jr.
Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 26 points (10-17 FG), seven rebounds, four assists and five turnovers.
OH YEAH CJ!!!! https://t.co/djvtl9pA9o pic.twitter.com/nzM5FsfnSm
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) December 2, 2025
KRIS MIDDLETON GIVES THE WIZARDS THE LEAD!
UNDER A MINUTE TO GO…
WATCH ON NBA LEAGUE PASS: https://t.co/4bsSztF8g9 pic.twitter.com/x5xCJeEqbS
— NBA (@NBA) December 2, 2025
ANOTHER W AT THE CRIB 🧙♂️ pic.twitter.com/wCBuZSAEs4
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) December 2, 2025
8:23 PM / December 1, 2025
CADE CUNNINGHAM CLUTCH, PISTONS WIN 99-98
This bucket says it all. Cunningham takes on the entirely Atlanta defense and comes away with the lefty layup.
That proved to be the game-winning bucket, despite back-to-back clutch threes from Nickeil Alexander-Walker keeping the Hawks within arm’s reach.
Cunningham (18 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, six turnovers) had modest output by his own lofty standards, but he stuffed the stat sheet defensively as well — snatching five steals and three blocks. Jalen Duren posted a double-double (21 points, 11 rebounds) while leading Detroit in scoring.
Jalen Johnson (29 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists) continues delivering All-NBA production. The 23-year-old is blossoming into a perennial All-Star in front of our eyes.
Alexander-Walker (26 points, 10-19 FG) is beginning to make noise as arguably the top free agent addition of the summer. He’s been critical to Atlanta overcoming the absence of Trae Young (knee), even if they fell short Monday.
FOURTH QUARTER CADE https://t.co/CQtPAyIEbn pic.twitter.com/sRWMtkzwob
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) December 2, 2025
YOU KNOW THE PISTONS WON AGAIN
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) December 2, 2025
8:08 PM / December 1, 2025
Heat onslaught continues
It’s a revenge game for Norman Powell as Miami is cooking offensively — all of the starters joining the fun.
The Heat lead the Clippers 95-64 with seven minutes remaining in the THIRD QUARTER.
24 just gets the people GOIN!!! https://t.co/T62fxEfQ75 pic.twitter.com/aSnRaJtHbd
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) December 2, 2025
7:53 PM / December 1, 2025
Miami scoring at will
A 15-0 run as part of a 30-2 run has blown open a halftime lead for Miami, up 76-56 on the Clippers.
Miami is shooting a remarkable 57% from the field and 67% from beyond the arc! It’s been a balanced scoring effort, but Bam Adebayo’s 14 points and eight rebounds lead both categories.
Davion Mitchell makes it an 15-0 run for Miami!
The Heat as a team are 14/20 (70%) from DEEP 😳 pic.twitter.com/S63zqOY3uK
— NBA (@NBA) December 2, 2025
7:42 PM / December 1, 2025
Kevin Porter Jr. cooking🔥🔥🔥
Porter (23 points, 9-11 FG) is on fire from deep, helping Milwaukee open up a double-digit lead in the third quarter — currently up 81-70 over the Wizards
Monday represents KPJ’s third game of the season and his second game back from an extended absence due to knee injury. The 25-year-old hasn’t missed a beat and his offensive firepower is a huge addition to Milwaukee lineup.
Giannis Antetokounmpo brought some defensive thunder as well!
KPJ HEAT CHECK.
23 points and 4/4 from deep in 23 minutes. pic.twitter.com/06p3pRwBST
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 2, 2025
Giannis chases it down and sends it back to Milwaukee! pic.twitter.com/X7ejMU00VV
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 2, 2025
8:29 PM / December 1, 2025
Rookie flashes👀👀
Kon Knueppel crosses the lane and scores the running layup.
No left hand, no problem. Knueppel has the angle and this is a shot that is in his bag🔒🔒
Charlotte leads Brooklyn 52-47 with three minutes remaining in the first half, fueled by 11 points (4-7 FG) from Collin Sexton.
SWOOPING
📹 @FDSN_Hornets | @Kon2Knueppel x #HiveMentality pic.twitter.com/hP3w0fyBUV
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) December 2, 2025
8:20 PM / December 1, 2025
JULIAN PHILLIPS HOW DO YOU DO
Poster.
Phillips is a low-usage contributor, but he belongs in the conversation among the most athletic combo-forwards in the league, a la Peyton Watson and Derrick Jones.
JULIAN PHILLIPS WATCH YOUR HEAD.@ju1ianphillips | #SeeRed pic.twitter.com/lLhFJH9hIz
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 2, 2025
8:10 PM / December 1, 2025
Hustle and heart⚡⚡
Jalen Suggs shows off his hops and nearly hits his head on the backboard for this bucket-saving chasedown block!
Prime example of never giving up on the play — Suggs saves a basket after committing the turnover on the other end. This is accountability leadership basketball.
Jalen Suggs: NEVER gives up on the play.
He hustles back for the HUGE chasedown swat!
Watch the 1Q on Peacock: https://t.co/WYfe6wkz9X pic.twitter.com/CXZh2xhQR7
— NBA (@NBA) December 2, 2025
8:01 PM / December 1, 2025
Tough drive from Franz💪💪
Franz Wagner shows off his strength, agility and finesse on his way to a bucket-plus-the-foul early versus Chicago.
Wagner leads all scorers with nine points (4-6 FG), but the Bulls possess a 21-15 lead late in the first quarter. Chicago has connected on 5-of-8 3PA, while assisting on seven of their nine made shots thus far.
What a move by Franz Wagner 👀
He’s got 7 early for Orlando!
Watch on Peacock: https://t.co/WYfe6wkz9X pic.twitter.com/M7VIMfpIfl
— NBA (@NBA) December 2, 2025
7:54 PM / December 1, 2025
Cam Whitmore dunks💥💥
CAM 🕺 OH CAM 🕺#ForTheDistrict | @MonSportsNet https://t.co/ZEPwpF3WDn pic.twitter.com/nunfpHf6sF
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) December 2, 2025
Whitmore puts the exclamation point on a Washington transition break. The third-year guard has struggled to find efficient self-creation in Washington, but there is plenty of talent to mold in his new environment.
Cam Whitmore said: “IT’S SHOWTIME!” 💥
Washington hosting Milwaukee tonight: https://t.co/4bsSztF8g9 pic.twitter.com/aogF8i7lG9
— NBA (@NBA) December 2, 2025
7:43 PM / December 1, 2025
Donovan dancin’ 🕺🕺
Dribble drive, high pick-up, tough lay. The Donovan Mitchell special.
Cleveland leads Indiana 42-27 early in the second quarter. Mitchell has 10 points (4-7 FG) to represent the game’s only double-digit scorer thus far.
THE SIGNATURE SPIDA SPECIAL! 🕷️ #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/Ljvx7PIWUg
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) December 2, 2025
7:35 PM / December 1, 2025
Pistons making plays
Cade Cunningham turns defense to offense with a huge block while Jalen Duren continues showing off an expanded face-up and downhill skillset.
Cunningham and Duren are making a case as one of the best guard-big duos in the league overall. Having Isaiah Stewart as a legitimate hybrid PF-C is a key component of Detroit’s success as well.
That being said, Atlanta has a 27-25 lead over Detroit at the end of the first quarter, fueled by 12 points (5-6 FG) from Onyeka Okongwu.
CADE DEFENSE → STEW OFFENSE pic.twitter.com/54s3gv3hKT
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) December 2, 2025
JD with the handles pic.twitter.com/wwqYQNJG0E
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) December 2, 2025
6:48 PM / December 1, 2025
Buttery warmup from Giannis
After reaching 21,000 points in Saturday’s win over Brooklyn, Giannis Antetokounmpo discussed his vision of climbing the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
The 30-year-old’s task gets much more viable if the jumper becomes a nightly threat over coming seasons. Antetokounmpo is not giving up on it, that’s for sure.
Ball doesn’t even touch the rim. pic.twitter.com/JAkGzK7y7y
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 1, 2025
6:40 PM / December 1, 2025
Tough test for the Hawks
Following a booming 142-134 2OT win less than 24-hours ago, there is no load management in Atlanta. The Hawks’ core gets back at it Monday versus Detroit🍿🍿🍿
One more time for the fellas last night 👏
Jalen: 41 PTS, 14 REB, 7 AST
Nickeil: 34 PTS, 8 REB, 7 AST
Onyeka: 10 PTS, 13 REB, 6 AST
Dyson: 17 PTS, 9 REB, 8 AST
Nearly 4 triple-doubles 🤯🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/p3WnKz6adH
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 1, 2025
6:28 PM / December 1, 2025
Stat Leaders📌📌
Turning the page on November and a historic scoring stretch to open the season.
Ready for December 🍿🍿🍿 https://t.co/yma9M5hwqV pic.twitter.com/cJ9FVPour5
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 1, 2025
