They say lightning rarely strikes twice. We can’t say the same about Thunder.

Today’s Lineup

🎉 Happy birthday Dwight Howard, Bob Love, Sam Hauser, Johnny Furphy, and Josh Christopher! 🎉

Game Recaps

Thunder drub Jazz 131-101, become third team ever to start 23-1 or better

The NBA wins record is officially on notice.

On Sunday, OKC won their 15th straight game with a 30-point win over Utah, moving to 23-1 and becoming the third team in NBA history to win at least 23 of their first 24 games (the 1970 Knicks started 23-1, while the 2016 Warriors began 24-0).

It was a short-handed win for the Thunder, who were without SGA, Isaiah Hartenstein, Lu Dort, and Alex Caruso. But the rest of their stars filled right in, with Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren each going for 25 PTS. The Jazz, who were without Lauri Markkanen, got 20+ PTS from Kyle Filipowski, Walter Clayton, and Taylor Hendricks, but it wasn’t enough against a Thunder team that converted nearly 60% of their field goals.

The Thunder are currently on pace to shatter the regular season wins record with around 79 dubs. They lead the league in net rating and defensive rating. And while their current streak may not last forever, we’re Enjoying this elite stretch of basketball while we can. Take a bow, OKC!

LeBron scores 29, takes over late as Lakers beat Sixers 112-108

In a game where Luka Doncic dropped a 31-point triple-double, the Lakers’ most important performance may have come from a different player.

LeBron dropped a season-high 29 PTS in LA’s win over Philly, an effort that could prove crucial not just for its role in a regular season win, but for the team’s overall aspirations. James, who missed the start of the season with sciatica and has averaged just 14 PPG since returning, looked like his typical self as he diced up the Sixers’ defense for a 70% shooting clip (with his trademark celebrations included.)

Then, with the game tied at 105 with 1:12 to go, Bron took matters into his own hands, scoring five straight points to put the LakeShow ahead for good. Philly, who was led by Tyrese Maxey with 28 PTS, dropped to 13-10 with the loss.

It’s no secret that Doncic and Austin Reaves have been dominant offensively for LA this season, but if the team wants to make good on its 17-6 start, they’ll need more performances like this one from their 40-year-old star. Luckily, Bron’s got plenty left in the tank.

Elsewhere around the NBA:

• The Nets may not be near the top of the standings, but Michael Porter Jr.’s heater continues nonetheless. The former Nuggets star is averaging a career-high 25.8 PPG, most recently dropping 35 in a 119-105 win over New Orleans.

• If you didn’t know who Santi Aldama was when the Grizzlies gave him a three-year, $52.5 million contract in the offseason, you better know by now. Aldama’s 22 PTS and +34 plus-minus helped Memphis to a 119-96 dub over Portland, a welcome gem for a Grizzlies team that remains squarely in the play-in picture despite Ja Morant’s extended absence.

• After Jayton Tatum’s Achilles tear in last year’s playoffs, many wrote off this campaign as an off-year for the Celtics. Boston themselves must have missed the memo. The C’s are a top-three seed in the East, primarily fueled by a career year from Jaylen Brown (29 PPG, 49.7 FG%, 6.1 RPG). In a clash with the Raptors, Brown scored 30 PTS to outduel Brandon Ingram (30 PTS, 11/20 FG) for a 121-113 win.

• Warriors-Cavs will always have a special sort of feel to it, and this weekend’s meeting between the former 2010s titans was one of the most unique yet. Without Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, or Al Horford, the Dubs handed the reins to their reserves, and the result was highly Enjoyable— in his first NBA start, Pat Spencer scored 19 PTS to lead Golden State to a gritty 99-94 win. Then, on Sunday, the Dubs caught another as Brandon Podziemski scored 21 PTS to helm a wire-to-wire 123-91 win over Chicago.

Record Retrospective

Last week, LeBron’s historic streak of double-digit scoring games came to an end in poetic fashion, a fitting conclusion to one of the league’s most enduring records. But what did the NBA look like the last time LeBron scored under 10 PTS on January 5, 2007? Let’s take a trip down memory lane.

👀 The Young Cavs

LeBron’s last single-digit scoring effort came during just his fourth year in the league. Then, a 22-year-old James was a young franchise cornerstone for the rising Cleveland Cavaliers, who would go on to win 50 games and advance to the NBA Finals. Other key contributors for that Cavs team included Larry Hughes and Drew Gooden, both of whom retired before 2017. At that point, James’ current co-stars were still learning their times tables— Luka Doncic was seven years old, while Austin Reaves was eight.

🏆 The League at Large

That Cavs team was swept in the Finals by the Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili-led Spurs, a testament to the league’s overall turnover. In 2007, Dirk won MVP and led the Mavs to 67 wins, Steve Nash and the seven-seconds-or-less Suns were in full force, and the average team took less than 17 threes a game (37.6 in 2025.) Other All-Stars included Yao Ming, Caron Butler, and Carlos Boozer, whose twin sons are currently starring for 10-0 Duke.

📱 In the World

LeBron’s scoring streak was also a remnant of a bygone era. It pre-dated the iPhone, which was first unveiled by Apple on January 9, 2007, four days after LeBron’s last single-digit game. That week, Ben Stiller’s Night at the Museum was No. 1 at the box office, and Beyonce’s Irreplaceable was No. 1 on the Billboard charts. What a run for the all-time scoring king!

Three in the Key

Signing Off

And we out! Thanks for spending a portion of your day with us. This week, try to be a vocal cheerleader for the people around you. Whether it’s a co-worker, family member, or friend, you never know what a few words of encouragement could mean to someone. See you soon!

Walker Carnathan