A clutch 2 for number 0, with 0.2 left – and a big Celtics dub.
Catch up on a wild Friday night here, with Lakers @ Knicks at MSG on the way tonight (8:30 ET, ABC).
5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 
Feb. 1, 2025
New York Heart: The driving forces behind the Knicks’ high-scoring streak, ahead of tonight on ABC
The King At MSG: Inside LeBron’s historic numbers & iconic moments at The Mecca
All-Stars Deliver: A big shot in the Big Easy, Jokić’s late heroics and a Wemby-Giannis duel
Roundup: Cade cooks, Harden joins rare company, KD & Book eye milestones and more
LP Spotlight: A stacked slate featuring MVP frontrunners & emerging superstars
BUT FIRST … 
A full day of hoop on the 1st of February…
Box Office Basketball: Saturday’s 9-game slate features a primetime showdown at MSG, with LeBron James and the Lakers taking on the Knicks, who are aiming for a sixth straight win (8:30 ET, ABC).
Today’s Reads: ESPN on players glowing about KD on the road to 30k … NBA.com talking to Ryan Hollins on why he’s not shocked about Amen Thompson’s rise.
1. SURGING SQUADS COLLIDE ON ABC: KNICKS vs. LAKERS TONIGHT
One game back of the Nuggets for 4th place in the West and one win shy of their first 8-2 stretch of the season, the Lakers enter Saturday playing some of their best ball of 2024-25.
The Knicks ride into Saturday on a five-game heater, just 1.5 games back of the Celtics for 2nd-place in the East – a spot Boston has held since October.
Tonight on ABC those two hot streaks will collide at MSG (8:30 ET).
Big Apple Buckets: In their last three outings, the Knicks have totaled 408 points (122, 143, 143) – the most across a three-game stretch in franchise history.
The catalysts? Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns – the first Knicks to both be named All-Star starters in the same season since Walt Frazier & Earl Monroe (1974-75).
- Combining for 50.5 ppg, Brunson (25.9) and Towns (24.6) are on pace to become the first Knicks tandem to average 50+ points in a season since Willie Naulls and Richie Guerin in 1961-62
- Their Key To Success? Operating inside, as Brunson ranks 2nd in the NBA in drives this season (18.8 per game) and 4th in ppg off drives (11.9)
- KAT, meanwhile, ranks 9th in points in the paint with 13.0 ppg – the most since his second NBA season
- The Result? Closer – and cleaner – looks, as New York ranks 4th in made 2-point field goals (30.6) and 2nd in 2-point FG% (57.1)
While Brunson and Towns lead the charge, the Knicks’ potent offense is equally fueled by their relentless supporting cast, which thrives on turning hustle plays into hard-earned points.
- Offense To Defense: New York ranks 24th in pace but capitalizes on its opportunities to run better than almost anybody, ranking 3rd in ppg off turnovers (20.0)
- Creating Chaos: Those caused turnovers stem from three elite defenders – Josh Hart, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges – who lead the team in steals, respectively
- “I think we’re at our best when we’re getting turnovers,” said KAT earlier this week. “And we’re having that translate to our offense.”
New York’s starting 5 of Brunson, Bridges, Hart, Anunoby and Towns leads all five-man units in scoring with 47.7 ppg when they’re all on the floor together (min 5 GP). Many of those points come from extra possessions earned by Hart.
- All Heart: Hart (listed as questionable for tonight) shines on the glass, ranking 2nd in offensive rebounds among guards (105), resulting in 14.3 second-chance ppg for New York
- All Effort: He’s also recovered 57 loose balls this season, 12 more than the next closest player
- All-Around Results: Hart entered 2024-25 with six career triple-doubles. Through 47 games this season, he has six more. In those outings, the Knicks are 6-0
- “I think Josh Hart is the heart and soul of this team,” said Towns earlier this week. “There’s so much more that he does that doesn’t come up on the stat sheet.”
2. LEBRON TAKES CENTER STAGE AT MSG
For the Lakers, who will be without All-Star center Anthony Davis (abdomen), L.A. will look to a familiar face to lead the way.
One who has done some of his best work at The World’s Most Famous Arena.
For two decades now, NBA all-time leading scorer LeBron James has delivered at MSG, leaving fans of both teams in awe.
Can he deliver again tonight to help keep the Lakers’ hot streak going?
- The King Of MSG: In 30 career regular-season games at “The Mecca,” James has averaged 28.0 points, 6.9 rebounds and 7.4 assists
- No other player in NBA history, whether playing for the Knicks or an opponent, has averages of 28/6/6 at MSG
- James has done it over the course of 21 seasons
Alongside his unprecedented averages at the Garden is a 22-8 record and totals across the board that showcase his legendary all-around game.
And LeBron’s MSG legacy isn’t just about numbers — it’s built on nearly a quarter century of show-stopping moments, from 50-pieces to soaring tomahawks.
Before he takes the floor tonight (8:30 ET, ABC), let’s relive some of his most iconic plays at one of basketball’s most iconic venues.
2009: One year after hanging 50 at MSG, a 24-year-old LeBron took it up a notch, dropping 52 with his raw athleticism on full display.
2013: At the peak of his powers, James submits a dagger vs. New York with a vintage steal and slam. The hangtime, the force, the flair…
2015: And how about breaking down guards before flying up and around bigs for a casual double-clutch finish?
In his latest chapter at the World’s Most Famous Arena, what will the King have in store?
3. TATUM & JOKIĆ DELIVER IN CRUNCH TIME, WEMBY & GIANNIS DUEL
In two epic Friday finishes, two superstars with championship DNA came up clutch.
Celtics 118, Pelicans 116: In a back-and-forth battle that featured zero double-digit leads, New Orleans’ CJ McCollum nailed a floater with 24 seconds left to tie the game.
But then Jayson Tatum called game, splashing a fadeaway jumper with 0.2 ticks left to lift the defending champs over the Pels in thrilling fashion. | Recap
- JT & JB: Tatum (27 pts, 10 ast) and Jaylen Brown (28 pts) combined for 55 points to overcome 40 from Trey Murphy III
- 25 x 2 = 90: It’s the 90th time that Tatum and Brown have scored 25+ points in the same game, the 4th-most by any duo in NBA history
- The Only Duos Above Them? Elgin Baylor & Jerry West (210 games), KD & Russ (124), Shaq & Kobe (114) and Cliff Hagan & Bob Pettit (114)
Cold-Blooded: Tatum has now hit two last-second game-winners this season, the most in the NBA – adding to his resume as one of the top closers in the game.
- No Fear: Since the 2019-20 season, Tatum has hit eight game-winning shots in the last five seconds of a game (regular season & Playoffs)
- His eight game-winners in the final five seconds are the most by any player in that span, followed by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (6), Luka Dončić (5) and Ja Morant (5)
- “Tough shot. That’s what we needed,” said Brown on Tatum’s winner. “Big-time players make big-time plays.”
Nuggets 137, 76ers 134: In his second 40-piece in the last three games, Tyrese Maxey shined with 42 points and 9 dimes to give the Sixers a late lead.
But Nikola Jokić wouldn’t be denied, scoring 8 points in the final minute, including the deciding bucket with 13 seconds left to power Denver past Philly. | Recap
- Denver Duo: Jokić finished one board shy of a triple-double (28 pts, 9 reb, 13 ast), while Jamal Murray added 31 points and 11 assists to snap Denver’s three-game skid
- To The Max: It was Maxey’s 13th straight game with 25+ points, joining Joel Embiid (5x), Allen Iverson (4x) and Wilt Chamberlain as the only Sixers to record such a streak
- Game Respects Game: But Maxey says all eyes should be on Jokić: “Everybody should be paying attention to what he’s doing… as a fan of basketball, you gotta really cherish these moments.”
In a showdown between the Greek Freak and The Alien, both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Victor Wembanyama showcased their otherworldly talents.
Spurs 144, Bucks 118: With a historic statline of 30 points, 14 boards, 6 blocks and 5 treys, Wemby fueled the Spurs to a 74-47 2nd half, as San Antonio pulled away from Milwaukee despite a monster double-double from Giannis (35 pts, 14 reb, 6 ast). | Recap
- Unicorns: In the win, Wemby joined Kristaps Porziņģis as the only NBA players ever to record two games of 30+ points, 10+ rebounds, 5+ blocks and 5+ 3s
4. CADE COOKS, HARDEN JOINS RARE COMPANY, KD & BOOK NEAR MILESTONES
One day after being named to his first All-Star Game, Cade Cunningham walked off the floor in Detroit to a shower of ‘MVP’ chants.
Pistons 117, Mavericks 102: Cunningham only needed three 3s to hang a season-high 40 points, going 17-of-30 from the floor (56.7%) to lead the Pistons past Kyrie Irving (28 pts) and the Mavs, halting Detroit’s three-game slide. | Recap
- “He has a great understanding of the moment,” said J.B. Bickerstaff on Cade after the win. “To be voted as an All-Star and then to come out and have this performance – it’s point proven.”
Clippers 112, Hornets 104: Norman Powell (27) and Kawhi Leonard (21) led LA in scoring, while James Harden tallied 14 points and 10 assists, eclipsing 8,000 career dimes along the way, as the Clips outlasted the shorthanded Hornets. | Recap
- Historic Pace: Playing in his 1,117th career game, Harden passed LeBron James (1,121) as the second fastest player to reach 26k points, 8k assists and 6k rebounds
- The Fastest Player To Do So? Oscar Robertson (983 games)
Suns 130, Warriors 105: Devin Booker (31), Bradley Beal (21) and Kevin Durant (19) poured in 71 as the Suns stretched an 11-point lead at the half into a 25-point dub, holding Steph Curry to 14 points. | Recap
- Star Quests: Booker is now 60 points shy of breaking the franchise scoring record (15,666), while KD is 75 away from joining the 30,000 career points club
Bulls 122, Raptors 106: Coby White scored a game-high 25 points, while Nikola Vučević added a double-double (21 pts, 12 reb) to top the Raptors, snapping Toronto’s season-best five-game win streak. | Recap
5. SATURDAY ON LEAGUE PASS: KIA MVP CANDIDATES & ALL-STARS IN ACTION
While the Lakers and Knicks take center stage on ABC (8:30 ET), eight games get underway on League Pass, featuring the top two Kia MVP Ladder leaders and a string of All-Stars.
Kings at Thunder (8 ET): Fresh off a 52-ball, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander closed January averaging 35.6 ppg – the third-highest scoring month of any player since Jan. 2020 (min. 13 GP).
Now atop the MVP Ladder for a fourth straight week, what will Shai have in store against Sacramento to tip off February?
- Number To Know: Including two 50-pieces, SGA is averaging 39.8 ppg in his last six outings. In those six games, he’s made only 10 total 3s
Nuggets at Hornets (7 ET): With 21 triple-doubles through the Nuggets’ first 48 games, Nikola Jokić is on pace for 35 this season, which would be the 4th-most in a single campaign – despite missing six games.
Tonight, the reigning MVP will aim to keep his blistering pace going as Denver visits Charlotte.
- Defense Dissector: Seemingly always one step ahead, the Joker reads defenses like a chess master. His latest trick? A ‘never-look pass’ that’s sweeping the internet…
Hawks at Pacers (5 ET): No team has posted a higher win percentage than the Pacers since the New Year, as Indy has gone 10-2, led by Tyrese Haliburton and newly-named All-Star Pascal Siakam.
To open today’s slate, they’ll face Trae Young and the Hawks, who are looking to end a season-worst 7-game slide.
Heat at Spurs (8:30 ET): Speaking of All-Stars, two first-time selections will go head-to-head tonight as Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs host Tyler Herro and the Heat.
Four more games get underway throughout the night, capped by a matchup between the Suns and Blazers (10 ET), with history on the horizon for Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.
- Magic at Jazz (5 ET)
- Nets at Rockets (8 ET)
- Wizards at Wolves (8 ET)
