What we know about Thursday’s NBA games
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- We have 24 of the 30 teams in action on this busy Thursday night.
- Nikola Jokić becomes the all-time leader in assists among centers.
- The Knicks followed up their NBA Cup title with a win against the Pacers. Jalen Brunson knocked down a game-winning three in the final seconds of that victory.
- The Hornets knocked down a franchise record 24 three-pointers in a 133-126 win over the Hawks. Jalen Johnson had 43 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists in that defeat.
10:12 PM / December 18, 2025
Nikola Jokić = Historic
Joker has been posting triple-doubles at ease over the last five years, and his assisting might be his most underrated asset.
This assist here gives him the most in NBA history among centers.
It’s scary to think where he’ll end up on this list when it’s all said and done.
The one that made history https://t.co/xtsybgoet8 pic.twitter.com/NKbZ7wYoiT
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) December 19, 2025
9:56 PM / December 18, 2025
🔥 Heat Defeat Nets, 106-95 🔥
Miami never trailed in the second half of this game.
Norman Powell led Miami with 24 points, five rebounds, two assists and three steals.
Kel’el Ware collected 22 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks.
Michael Porter Jr led Brooklyn with 28 points, six rebounds and three assists.
Nic Claxton had 16 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists and three blocks.
Took the W 💪 Back tomorrow in Boston! pic.twitter.com/v4ICdJMJE3
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) December 19, 2025
9:38 PM / December 18, 2025
Knicks Defeat Pacers, 114-113 🗽🏙️🍎🚕🍕
New York rested two starters tonight, but Jalen Brunson wasn’t one of them.
The All-Star knocked down this clutch three to snatch the road win for the Knicks.
Brunson finished with 25 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and three steals.
Andrew Nembhard led Indiana with 31 points and four assists.
THE CAPTAIN IN THE CLUTCH.
JALEN BRUNSON GAME-WINNING THREE WITH 4.4 REMAINING 🔥
6 straight wins for the @emirates NBA Cup champs! https://t.co/ydEQOnjOVl pic.twitter.com/tOarrugtbd
— NBA (@NBA) December 19, 2025
KNICKS WIN!!!!! pic.twitter.com/ShtP0mcFPX
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 19, 2025
9:24 PM / December 18, 2025
Hornets Defeat Hawks, 133-126
Charlotte spoils Trae Young’s return to action and Jalen Johnson’s birthday with this upset win.
The Hornets shot 24-of-49 from three-point range, which is a franchise record for Charlotte.
They also recorded 39 assists.
LaMelo Ball had 28 points, four rebounds and 13 assists.
Kon Knueppel collected 28 points, five rebounds, seven assists and three steals.
Johnson led Atlanta with 43 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists.
Young had eight points and 10 assists in his return.
LAMELO SEALS CHARLOTTE’S WIN 🔥
28 points, 13 dimes and 8 threes in his return to action! pic.twitter.com/xKjabHIR50
— NBA (@NBA) December 19, 2025
9:12 PM / December 18, 2025
🚩 Planting His Flagg 🚩
Cooper Flagg broke out with a career-high 42 points in his most recent game and truly looks like a game-changer for Dallas.
The top pick threw down this nasty dunk in their matchup with the Detroit Pistons.
It’s tied in the first quarter.
Cooper Flagg reaches WAYYY back 💥
Nice start for the No. 1 pick coming off a career-high 42 last game!
Watch here: https://t.co/e5UWv4oXy2 pic.twitter.com/vH1lAkE5J5
— NBA (@NBA) December 19, 2025
9:02 PM / December 18, 2025
Heat Lead Nets at the Half, 54-49
Norman Powell leads Miami with 15 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Bam Adebayo amassed four points and 13 rebounds.
Michael Porter Jr leads the Nets with 13 points, four rebounds and three assists.
The first half was concluded with this halfcourt heave by Powell.
Norm Powell hit a runner… from halfcourt 🤯 pic.twitter.com/buUNs3zkMm
— NBA (@NBA) December 19, 2025
8:49 PM / December 18, 2025
KD is Cookin’
Kevin Durant is a Top 10 scorer in NBA history, and he’s off to another hot start.
The future Hall of Famer has 13 points on 5-of-5 shooting.
The Rockets have an 18-point lead over the Pelicans in the second quarter.
.@KDTrey5 was HOT in the first quarter
🔥 13 PTS | 5-5 FG pic.twitter.com/2VqL5CWRMk
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) December 19, 2025
8:33 PM / December 18, 2025
🏰 King of the Castle 🏰
Stephon Castle is having a breakout season in San Antonio, and this sort of athleticism shows why.
The Spurs are tied with the Washington Wizards early in the first quarter.
Check out the Dunk Score here.
“BRANDON MILLER, HOW DO YOU DO!?”
The Hornets wing was on a mission to the rim 😱
Tap to watch: https://t.co/Sk4koY6y5v pic.twitter.com/tjyIWLBslz
— NBA (@NBA) December 19, 2025
OH MY STEPH 😱
🌟 Vote #NBAAllStar: https://t.co/HTwyYHxlTM
📺 @FanDuelSN_SW pic.twitter.com/VYqsk8VB1o— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) December 19, 2025
8:21 PM / December 18, 2025
Pacers Lead Knicks at the Half, 62-59
Jalen Brunson leads NY with 18 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Andrew Nembhard leads Indy with 19 points.
Indiana is dominating at the free-throw line, shooting 13-of-14, while New York is 7-of-12.
halftime in indy pic.twitter.com/lE7v5OWkin
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 19, 2025
Pascal Siakam eurostep’s through traffic 😮💨
vote for him to be an #NBAAllStar at https://t.co/T6jmxAY3iX ⭐ pic.twitter.com/iY926Hu0JP
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) December 19, 2025
8:02 PM / December 18, 2025
LaMelo Ball is Scorching
Ball made his return to action tonight and hasn’t missed a beat.
The Hornets best player has seven three-pointers in the opening half.
Ball is up to 21 points and eight assists.
Charlotte is 18-of-31 from three in the opening half. That ties an NBA record for a half as well.
They’re well on their way to a franchise record.
The Hornets have a 79-69 in the final seconds of the first half.
LAMELO HAS 7 THREES IN THE FIRST HALF OF HIS RETURN 🚨 pic.twitter.com/G2WMwnJ27z
— NBA (@NBA) December 19, 2025
7:47 PM / December 18, 2025
💥 Brandon Miller! How Do You Do! 💥
Brandon Miller reached 10 points with this monster poster slam.
Eric Collins with the amazing call, per usual.
The Hornets lead the Hawks 39-33 early in the second quarter.
Check out the Dunk Score here.
“BRANDON MILLER, HOW DO YOU DO!?”
The Hornets wing was on a mission to the rim 😱
Tap to watch: https://t.co/Sk4koY6y5v pic.twitter.com/tjyIWLBslz
— NBA (@NBA) December 19, 2025
7:36 PM / December 18, 2025
Hornets Lead Hawks After Q1, 37-32
The Hornets got off to a strong start, getting out to a 16-5 lead early on.
Both offenses are showing out, with Atlanta shooting 61 percent and Charlotte shooting 56 percent.
Trae Young made his return after a 22-game absence and had four points and four assists across eight minutes.
Brandon Miller leads the Hornets with eight points. LaMelo Ball has six points and three assists.
First frame pic.twitter.com/riDFYBQlQM
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 19, 2025
Trae & Jalen in the pick & roll sets up a pretty lob to Mo 🤩 pic.twitter.com/GzNeFugwel
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 19, 2025
7:21 PM / December 18, 2025
⚡ ⚡ Chance of Thunder in OKC ⚡ ⚡
Oklahoma City has the best record in the NBA, sitting at 24-2
They’re also a perfect 12-0 at home this season.
That’s what you expect to see from the NBA Champs!
They face the Los Angeles Clippers in less than an hour.
Check out the action on NBATV
Thursday threads 🧵 pic.twitter.com/YDwyP1L3LC
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) December 19, 2025
7:06 PM / December 18, 2025
Knicks Starting Unit
After capturing an NBA Cup crown on Tuesday, the Knicks will rest some starters tonight.
Josh Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns are both sidelined, but Jalen Brunson will be happy to run the show.
They are 18-7 this season and face off against a 6-20 Indiana Pacers team.
That game starts in the next five minutes…
y’all locked in? pic.twitter.com/Z8MNSEF9ar
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 18, 2025
6:44 PM / December 18, 2025
Trae Young is Back…
The four-time All-Star has missed the last 22 games but will return to action for the Hawks tonight.
He led the league in assists two years ago and was averaging 17.8 points and 7.8 assists before his injury.
It’s also Jalen Johnson’s birthday!
What a day for Hawks fans!
Winter is coming. 🥶 pic.twitter.com/gAivqqPvls
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 18, 2025
The Birthday Boy 🎉#ULTRACourtside | @MichelobULTRA pic.twitter.com/jgC49veEAK
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 18, 2025
6:30 PM / December 18, 2025
Stacked Slate Across the NBA Tonight
We have all but six teams in action on this busy 12-game Thursday night.
The league is making up some games after the NBA Cup concluded on Tuesday.
Trae Young is the highlight player of the night because the four-time All-Star makes his return to the Hawks lineup after missing 22 games.
With the holidays in full bloom and a 12-game night on the horizon, here’s a video of the Top 12 Christmas Day dunks to kick off the night!
TOP 12 #NBAXmas DUNKS 🎄
LeBron v. GSW (2016)
Shaq v. POR (2000)
David Robinson v. LAC (1992)
Tatum v. MIL (2022)
Ariza v. PHX (2007)
RJ v. GSW (2016)
Jordan v. NYK (1986)
Kobe v. SAS (1999)
Obi Toppin v. ATL (2021)
Kobe v. PHX (2007)
LeBron v. LAL (2013)
AG v. PHX (2022) pic.twitter.com/yWRk4of8IL— NBA (@NBA) December 18, 2025
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