Mon Jan 05 04:20:00 UTC 2026: Here’s a summary of the provided text, followed by a rewrite as a news article:

Summary:

Friday, January 3, 2026, saw a thrilling night in the NBA, marked by clutch performances and significant milestones. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s game-winning alley-oop secured a Bucks victory, while the Oklahoma City Thunder reached an impressive 30-5 record. LeBron James continued his stellar play, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in some milestone, and Luka Dončić shone alongside him. Other highlights included Donovan Mitchell’s late heroics for the Cavaliers, Matas Buzelis’s clutch play for the Bulls, and strong wins for the Spurs and Suns. Looking ahead to Saturday, key matchups include Clippers vs. Celtics, and Sixers vs. Knicks, while monthly awards have named Jalen Brunson and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as Players of the Month. Fans are also encouraged to vote for All-Stars.

News Article:

NBA Roundup: Giannis’s Oop Steals Win, OKC Hits 30-5, LeBron Still Dominates

January 3, 2026 – The NBA witnessed a night of thrilling finishes, dominant performances, and milestone achievements as several teams and players put on a show on Friday.

In Milwaukee, Giannis Antetokounmpo slammed home a game-winning alley-oop with just seconds remaining, lifting the Bucks to a 122-121 victory over the Hornets. The win moves the Bucks closer to a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Oklahoma City Thunder continued their impressive run, dismantling the Warriors 131-94 to improve to a league-best 30-5. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren led the charge in a dominant performance. This marks only the third time a franchise has achieved 30-5 or better in back-to-back seasons.

LeBron James added to his legacy in the Lakers’ 128-121 victory over the Grizzlies. James scored 31 points joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in a milestone with the help of Luka Dončić’s 34 points to overcome the Grizzlies.

Elsewhere around the league:

  • Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers to a 113-108 victory over the Nuggets with a strong fourth quarter performance.
  • Matas Buzelis delivered clutch plays, including a highlight-reel dunk, to secure a 121-114 win for the Bulls over the Magic.
  • The Spurs cruised to a 123-113 win against the Pacers led by De’Aaron Fox, marking their 12th win in the last 15 games.
  • Devin Booker’s hot start fueled the Suns to a 129-102 victory over the Kings, their fifth win in six games.
  • Deni Avdija’s near triple-double sparked the Trail Blazers to a 122-109 win over the Pelicans
  • Jalen Johnson’s triple-double and strong scoring helped the Hawks defeat the Knicks 111-99, handing New York just its third home loss of the season.
  • Alex Sarr shined on both ends of the floor as the Wizards defeated the Nets 119-99 for their fourth win in five games.

Looking ahead to Saturday, a tripleheader on NBA TV features the Timberwolves at Heat, the Sixers at Knicks, and the Clippers at Celtics. The league also announced Jalen Brunson and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the Kia NBA Players of the Month for December. Fans are reminded to cast their votes for the upcoming All-Star Game.

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