NBA Roundup: Historic LeBron James feat highlights Monday action

A loaded Monday slate kicked off a busy first week of January in the NBA, featuring standout performances, offensive fireworks, and historical achievements. From Giannis Antetokounmpo lighting up the stat sheet to LeBron James climbing even higher in the record books, teams across the league delivered compelling action with playoff-seeding implications.

Pistons Rally Past Cavaliers in Tight Finish

The Detroit Pistons snapped a challenging stretch with a 114–110 road victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, turning a big second-quarter burst into enough separation to withstand a late Cleveland push. Detroit’s 47-point second quarter proved pivotal in a back-and-forth contest.

Cade Cunningham spearheaded the Pistons’ attack, tallying 27 points, six rebounds, and seven assists, while Donovan Mitchell nearly lifted the Cavs over the finish line with 30 points and strong perimeter shooting. Detroit’s ability to transition offense into stops against a veteran Cleveland roster was key to closing out the win.

Magic Outscore Pacers in Offensive Showcase

In a high-scoring encounter at the Kia Center, the Orlando Magic outlasted the Indiana Pacers 135–127, maintaining offensive consistency throughout all four quarters. Desmond Bane led the Magic with 31 points, six rebounds, and six assists, playing both scorer and facilitator, while Pascal Siakam’s 34 points and seven rebounds paced Indiana in a tough loss.

The matchup reflected Orlando’s aggressive playmaking and ball movement — traits that have helped keep them competitive in a crowded Eastern Conference — while Indiana continues to hunt its first win streak of 2026.

Nets Strike Back Against Nuggets

At Barclays Center, the Brooklyn Nets used a massive 41-point third quarter to turn a tight game into a comfortable 127–115 victory over the Denver Nuggets. Jamal Murray was instrumental as a facilitator, posting 27 points and 16 assists, while Michael Porter Jr. added 27 points and 11 rebounds to anchor Brooklyn’s balanced offensive approach.

The win showcased the Nets’ ability to integrate scoring threats and playmaking around Murray, even as Denver tries to rediscover its chemistry after personnel shifts earlier in the season.

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LeBron James SURPASSES Chris Paul for 2nd most assists in NBA HISTORY pic.twitter.com/W6FWuVA1X1

— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) January 5, 2026

Heat Cruise Past Pelicans Behind Balanced Attack

The Miami Heat continued their strong January form with a 125–106 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Norman Powell led all scorers with 34 points, tying an efficient night with correct shot selection and active defense. Trey Murphy III paced the Pelicans with 27 points and eight rebounds, but Miami’s depth and defensive schemes proved decisive.

The Heat’s sustained pressure from beyond the arc and timely rotations helped them open up looks, underscoring their position as a dangerous opponent in both halves of the floor.

Timberwolves Dominate in High-Scoring Win

A resurgent Minnesota Timberwolves rolled to a 141–115 victory over the Washington Wizards, led by Anthony Edwards’ 35 points, six rebounds and four steals. Minnesota’s offensive efficiency, combined with relentless transition scoring, buckled the Wizards early and often. For Washington, CJ McCollum’s 20 points offered scoring, but the deficit proved too large to overcome.

Suns Edge Thunder in Close Contest

In a game that hinged on a Devin Booker clutch three, as the Phoenix Suns held off the Oklahoma City Thunder 108–105. Booker flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 24 points, six rebounds and nine assists, while Jalen Williams contributed 23 points and seven assists for the Thunder. Phoenix’s ability to close possessions in clutch time made the difference in a tight encounter.

Bucks Cruise With Antetokounmpo in Command

The Milwaukee Bucks dominated the Sacramento Kings 115–98, powered by a vintage performance from Giannis Antetokounmpo, who poured in 37 points and 11 rebounds. Giannis’ interior scoring and relentless drives set the tone early, allowing Milwaukee to control the rhythm and pace.

Supporting roles from Kevin Porter Jr. (who posted a strong near-double figure night) bolstered the Bucks’ offensive balance, while Sacramento’s Russell Westbrook (21 points) and Zach LaVine (20 points) were unable to derail Milwaukee’s multifaceted attack.

Lakers Hold Off Grizzlies and LeBron Rewrites History

Closing out the night at crypto.com Arena, the Los Angeles Lakers rallied to a 120–114 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies behind a dominant showing from Luka Dončić (36 points, nine rebounds and eight assists). Yet the night’s narrative was not just about one game — it was about one player etching his name deeper into NBA history.

LeBron James, once again influential in leading the Lakers’ offense, climbed to second all-time in career assists when combining regular-season and playoff totals, surpassing longtime assist leader Chris Paul. This places LeBron only behind NBA Hall of Famer John Stockton in career dimes — a testament to his longevity and remarkable playmaking over an unprecedented span of seasons. Stockton’s all-time assist mark (15,806) still stands as the pinnacle, but LeBron’s accumulation of over 13,700 career assists across contexts reflects his rare ability to score at the highest level while uplifting his teammates.

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