Starting 5, Dec. 23: An Incredible 14-Game Monday & What's Hot in the NBA before Christmas Day

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#NBAXmas week is here.

And to get you ready, we’re catching you up on the biggest stories around the league as we close out 2024 — spread around today’s massive 14-game slate.

5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION

Dec. 23, 2024

Beasts In The East: A trio of contenders have joined the Cavs & C’s atop the East

Best In The West: The conference’s top four teams are also its hottest

Playoff Implications: Star duels and marquee matchups round out a monster Monday 

#NBAXmas: Five marquee matchups, an animated twist and a marathon of hoops

Sunday Sizzle: Denver, Indy and Houston stay hot with Sunday dubs

BUT FIRST … ⏰

Sunday’s scores and a mouthwatering Monday slate…

14 games tip off tonight, including a doubleheader on NBA TV. First, a red-hot Victor Wembanyama will lead the Spurs against Joel Embiid and the Sixers (7 ET). 

Then, Steph Curry and the Warriors will host Tyrese Haliburton and the surging Pacers (10 ET). You can also catch those and a dozen more showdowns on NBA League Pass.

NBA on Christmas Day is almost here, with 12+ hours of hoops on Wednesday waiting to be unwrapped across ABC & ESPN, including a special alternate broadcast on ESPN 2, Disney+ and ESPN+. See section 4 for more details.

Plus, a standings check before we dive into the top stories around the NBA:

1. WHAT’S TRENDING: EAST POWERS ASSERT THEMSELVES

As we enter the final full week of 2024, let’s catch you up on a few of the biggest stories around the league, beginning with a race atop the East among championship contenders:

Surging Bucks: After a 2-8 start, the Bucks rattled off 12 wins in the span of 15 games to put the league on notice. Their closing statement? An emphatic win in the Emirates NBA Cup championship in Vegas over the West-leading Thunder.

Greek Freak Force: The NBA’s top scorer (32.7 ppg), Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee to a perfect 7-0 record in Cup play, earning MVP honors while saving his best performance for the championship

Deer Duo: Giannis and his co-star Damian Lillard (25.7 ppg) are combining for 58.4 ppg, which would be the third-highest scoring average by a duo over the last 50 seasons

East Clash Tonight: On Monday, the Bucks travel to the United Center to battle Zach LaVine and the Bulls (8 ET, LP)

Cavs’ Rebuttal: While the Bucks left Las Vegas hotter than the desert sun, the Cavs reminded the league why they’ve owned the best record in the NBA for nearly two months, defeating Milwaukee 124-101 on Friday.

With a 25-4 record, the Cavs are off to their best start since 2008-09, including a 15-1 record at home. The key?

A Potent Offense: Cleveland leads the NBA in both FG% (50.5) and 3P% (40.5), putting them on pace to be the first team to eclipse a 50/40 shooting split throughout an entire season

Monday History? Tonight, the Cavs will look to match their ‘08-09 squad for the best 30-game start in franchise history as they host Utah (7 ET, LP)

Champs Lurking: Right behind Cleveland atop the East standings since October? The reigning champion Celtics, who lead the NBA in 3-point attempts (51.0) and makes (18.7).

Their Engine? Jayson Tatum, who joins Nikola Jokić as the only player to lead their team in total points, rebounds and assists

Strength vs. Strength: Boston’s offense faces a tough test tonight in Orlando against the fourth-place Magic (7 ET), who are allowing the second-fewest points in the NBA (103.9)

Magic Fight: Despite being without its two leading scorers, Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero, Orlando took down Miami on Saturday to improve to 18-12 — but now must also go without Moritz Wagner (ACL)

Here Comes NY: Winners of eight of its past 10 games, New York continues to climb up the standings, fueled by a well-rounded attack that ranks second in offensive rating (119.7) — trailing only Cleveland for the best in the NBA.

Fire 5: The Knicks’ starting 5 is averaging a league-high 96.1 ppg — the third-most since starting lineups were first tracked in 1970-71

KAT Cooking: Fresh off an unforgettable return to Minnesota, Karl-Anthony Towns is posting 24.5 ppg and an NBA-best 14.0 rpg

4 In A Row? On Monday, New York will look to earn its fourth straight win as they host Toronto at MSG (7:30 ET, LP)

2. WHAT’S TRENDING: WILD WEST RACE HEATS UP

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Out West, the top four squads are all riding hot streaks, led by the Thunder’s NBA-best seven-game heater — giving them a three-game cushion atop the standings.

Right behind them? The Grizzlies, Rockets and Mavericks — all separated by just 1.5 games.

Rumbling Thunder: Owners of first place since Nov. 25, the Thunder haven’t lost a regular-season game since Dec. 1, thanks to a historic defense that leads the league in opponents’ ppg (103.1), opponents FG% (42.6), steals (12.1) and DefRtg (103.0).

Winning Formula: With just 11.9 turnovers per game, OKC is on pace to become the first team to record more steals than turnovers since turnovers were first tracked in 1977-78

All-Around SGA: Ranked No. 3 on the current Kia MVP Ladder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander powers the Thunder. He’s the only player in the NBA averaging 30+ points, 6+ assists and 2+ steals

8 Straight? Tonight, OKC will look to extend its win streak as it hosts Jordan Poole and the Wizards (8 ET, LP)

Roaring Grizzlies: Last season, the Grizzlies finished 13th in the West, averaging a league-low 105.8 ppg. This season? They lead the NBA in scoring (123.1 ppg) and hold second place with 12 wins in their last 14 games.

Historic Turnaround: No NBA team has ever gone from the lowest-scoring offense to the highest-scoring offense from one season to the next

West Duel Tonight: On Monday, the Grizz will look to stay hot as they host James Harden and the Clips (8 ET, LP), who are just four games back in the No. 7 seed

Mavs Moving Up: Another squad that’s galloping up the standings, the Mavs are 12-3 in their last 15 games, jumping from 10th in the West to fourth in just over a month. 

Offensive Outburst: In that span — despite being without Luka Dončić for stretches — Dallas is averaging 122.2 ppg and has eclipsed 120+ points 11 times

December Dončić: Another top-five member of the MVP Ladder, since returning from injury on Dec. 1, Luka is averaging a near 30-point triple-double (30.8 ppg, 10.7 rpg, 9.3 apg)

Monday’s Matchup: Tonight, the Mavs will face the Blazers (8:30 ET, LP) in a rematch from earlier this month, where Luka dropped 36 points and 13 dimes in a Dallas dub

Don’t Forget About Houston: Winners of four of their last five games, the Rockets have held a top-four seed in the West since mid-November, highlighted by a trip to the Emirates NBA Cup semifinals, where they fell to the Thunder.

Winning With Defense: Like OKC, Houston thrives defensively, boasting the second-best DefRtg in the league (105.5)

20 Tonight? On Monday, the Rockets will look to become just the fifth team in the NBA to notch 20 wins as they face the Hornets (7 ET, LP) 

Crowded Playoff Picture: Behind the top four seeds in the West, seven teams — the Nuggets, Lakers, Warriors, Clippers, Spurs, Wolves and Suns — are separated by just 1.5 games.

3. PLAYOFF PACK TIGHTENS, HEADLINED BY A SLEW OF STARS

Six more matchups get underway Monday, with a handful of stars looking to help their team move up in the standings — both in the East and West.

Suns at Nuggets (10 ET, LP): Ranked No. 1 on the Kia MVP Ladder for a sixth straight week, Nikola Jokić and Denver host the Suns tonight, with Kevin Durant coming off a season-high 43 points.

Joker Brilliance: The reigning and three-time Kia NBA MVP has elevated his game to even further heights this season, averaging a career-high 30.9 ppg. He’s also the only player in the NBA to rank top three in scoring, rebounds and assists

Pistons at Lakers (10:30 ET, LP): In the last week, LeBron James passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for most minutes played (57,505) and most 10+ point games (1,510) in NBA history, while helping lead the Lakers to three straight wins.

James’ latter milestone came on a 32-point performance in Saturday’s win over the Kings. Now, one week out from his 40th birthday, what will the King have in store against Detroit?

Spurs at 76ers (7 ET, NBA TV): On Thursday, Victor Wembanyama became the youngest player to total 40+ points, 5+ rebounds, 5+ assists and 3+ blocks in an NBA game. On Saturday, he followed it up with the first 30+ point, 10+ block game in 16 years.

Philly Finding Its Groove: Tonight, Wemby and the Spurs will face a rejuvenated Sixers squad that owns the seventh-best win percentage (66.7) since Thanksgiving

Pacers at Warriors (10 ET, NBA TV): After a 31-point performance on Saturday, Steph Curry will lead the Warriors against Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers, who have notched four wins in a row to move just a half-game back of Playoff position.

Wolves at Hawks (7:30 ET, LP): After tallying six wins in seven games, the Wolves have dropped two in a row. Tonight, Anthony Edwards will look to get them back on track as he faces Trae Young and the Hawks, who are looking to snap a three-game slide of their own.

Nets at Heat (7:30 ET, LP): A half-game back of 10th place in the East, a win for the Nets will move them into Play-In position. Meanwhile, in the sixth seed, the Heat will look to hold their Playoff spot with a victory — which would halt a three-game slide.

4. UP NEXT? WEDNESDAY’S #NBAXMAS MARATHON 

NBA on Christmas Day is just two sleeps away, and fans will be gifted #NBAXmas action all day, beginning at 12 ET — with an unprecedented twist.

Spurs at Knicks (12 ET, ABC/ESPN): The day tips off with Victor Wembanyama making his Christmas Day debut at Madison Square Garden against the red-hot Knicks.

Dunk The Halls: In the first real-time animated NBA game, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and company will be featured in a live re-creation of the matchup on iconic “Main Street, USA” (ESPN2)

Wolves at Mavericks (2:30 ET, ABC/ESPN): Next, a Western Conference Finals rematch sees Anthony Edwards and the Wolves’ hungry defense take on Luka Dončić and the Mavs’ prolific offense.

Holiday Cheer: The Mavs brightened the holiday for children of Dallas-area homeless families by passing out presents, writing letters to Santa and more

76ers at Celtics (5 ET, ABC/ESPN): A classic rivalry takes place in Boston, as Jayson Tatum and the defending champs host a rising Sixers squad looking to make a statement.

Lakers at Warriors (8 ET, ABC/ESPN): A Christmas treat in primetime, as LeBron James and Steph Curry go head-to-head in the Bay, with both squads out to keep Playoff pace in a wild West.

“To play on Christmas Day is the goal,” said Draymond Green. “Everyone’s watching … it’s such an honor.”

Nuggets at Suns (10:30 ET, ABC/ESPN): The night closes with another star-studded West duel, as Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets face Kevin Durant and Phoenix in the Valley, with KD having his best scoring season (27.4 ppg) as a Sun.

5. SUNDAY SIZZLE: DENVER, INDY & HOUSTON STAY HOT

Nuggets 132, Pelicans 129 (OT): Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray tallied 27 points apiece, while Jokić added 13 boards and 10 dimes for his league-leading 11th triple-double, rallying Denver back from 17 points down to top New Orleans in OT. | Recap

4th-Quarter Comeback: The Nuggets outscored the Pels 38-26 in the 4th, capped by Murray’s game-tying jumper with nine seconds left to force extra basketball

In overtime, Murray and Jokić combined for 11 of Denver’s 13 points to earn the dub

Clutch Gene: It’s Denver’s fourth victory in five games. They lead the NBA in both OT wins (3) and wins when trailing entering the 4th quarter (5)

Pacers 122, Kings 95: Domantas Sabonis was a force inside (17 pts, 21 reb), but seven Pacers scored in double figures, as Indiana got 58 points from its bench to outpace Sacramento for its fourth straight dub. | Recap

Indy’s 1-2 Punch: Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 19 points and 10 boards, while Tyrese Haliburton added 14 points and eight dimes

Bench Boost: TJ McConnell (12 pts, 10 ast) became just the fifth player ever to record 15 career double-doubles of points & assists while coming off the bench

Rockets 114, Raptors 110: Dillon Brooks (27) and Jalen Green (22) combined for 49 points, as the Rockets overcame an early 16-point deficit and held on to beat the Raptors, marking their seventh win in 10 games. | Recap

“Slam Whitmore”: A massive alley-oop finish from Cam Whitmore had the announcers losing it

Rook Cooks: Rookie Ja’Kobe Walter scored the Raptors’ first 14 points on his way to a career-high 27