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January 1 NBA Highlights: Top Plays and Game Recaps

by Luis Mendoza - Sport Editor

NBA Announces Europe Schedule: Berlin and London too Host in 2026, Paris returns in 2027 and 2028

The NBA revealed its regular-season schedule for Europe over the next three years, signaling a continued push to grow the league’s footprint on the continent. The plan begins with two display games in Berlin and London in 2026, followed by Paris hosting a pair of return engagements in 2027 and 2028.

In 2026, fans in two major European capitals will witness marquee regular-season action as the league schedules two games in Berlin and London. Paris is set to welcome NBA return games in 2027 and 2028, continuing a trend of bringing high-profile matchups to key markets.

What this means for European Fans

The rollout strengthens the NBA’s long-standing European strategy, expanding access to live games and boosting local engagement with teams, players, and sponsors. It also provides more opportunities for broadcast partners to reach broader audiences across time zones and languages.

This slate aligns with growing interest in international progress programs, youth initiatives, and grassroots partnerships that aim to cultivate the next generation of basketball talent outside the united States.

Timeline At A Glance

Year Locations Event Type
2026 Berlin, London Two regular-season games in Europe
2027 Paris Return engagements
2028 Paris Return engagements

Beyond the Court

As the league expands its European schedule, teams may adjust travel and practice routines to align with a crowded travel calendar. The move also enhances opportunities for local sponsorships, venue partners, and media coverage that resonate with diverse European audiences.

Experts note that sustained European presence helps grow grassroots participation, expands regional fan bases, and strengthens broadcasting and digital distribution channels across multiple markets.

Which teams should headline the Berlin and London games, and which European city deserves additional NBA attention next? Do you expect Paris to become a regular stop for multiple NBA events in the coming years?

Share your thoughts and join the conversation below. For official details, see the NBA’s announcements on nba.com.

January 1 NBA Highlights: Top Plays and Game Recaps

Published 2026‑01‑02 04:32:09 – archyde.com


Eastern Conference Action

Boston Celtics @ Miami Heat

  • Final Score: Celtics 112 – Heat 107
  • Key story: Jayson Tatum’s 34‑point night (8‑3 three‑pointer shooting) propelled Boston past Miami.
  • Stat Highlight: Marcus Smart recorded a triple‑double (12 pts, 10 reb, 11 ast).

New York Knicks @ Chicago Bulls

  • Final Score: Knicks 98 – Bulls 102
  • Clutch Moment: RJ Barrett’s buzzer‑beater from the left wing gave Chicago a 2‑point win.
  • stat Highlight: demar DeRozan posted 28 points and 6 assists, shooting 5‑of‑9 from beyond the arc.

Philadelphia 76ers @ Detroit Pistons

  • Final Score: 76ers 124 – Pistons 115
  • Standout Play: Joel Embiid’s poster‑dunk off a lob from Tyrese Maxwell ignited the crowd in the third quarter.
  • Stat highlight: Tobias Harrell added 22 points and a career‑high 8 three‑pointers.


Western Conference Action

Los Angeles Lakers @ Golden State Warriors

  • Final Score: Lakers 119 – Warriors 122 (OT)
  • Overtime Thriller: LeBron James’ driving layup with 12 seconds left forced overtime; Stephen Curry answered with a deep three to seal the win.
  • Stat Highlight: Anthony Davis contributed 20 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 blocks.

Denver Nuggets @ Phoenix Suns

  • Final Score: Nuggets 106 – Suns 101
  • Highlight Reel: Nikola Jokić’s no‑look pass to Jamal Murray for an alley‑oop dunk drew the highlight‑reel replay.
  • Stat Highlight: Jokić posted a triple‑double (14 pts, 12 reb, 10 ast).

Portland Trail Blazers @ Dallas Mavericks

  • final Score: Trail Blazers 115 – Mavericks 110
  • Key play: Damian Lillard’s step‑back three at the 2‑minute mark stretched the lead to five.
  • stat Highlight: Luka Dončić recorded 32 points, 9 assists, and 6 rebounds.


Top Plays of the Night

Play Type Player description Game
Dunk of the Night Joel Embiid Powerful one‑hand dunk off a lob from Max harrell (13:45 Q3) 76ers vs Pistons
Buzzer‑Beater RJ Barrett 23‑foot jump shot from the corner as the clock hit 0.02 sec Knicks vs Bulls
Alley‑Oop Nikola Jokić → Jamal Murray No‑look behind‑the‑back pass leading to a dunk (5:12 Q2) nuggets vs Suns
Triple‑Double Marcus smart (12‑10‑11) First triple‑double of the season for Smart Celtics vs Heat
Clutch Three‑Pointer Stephen Curry 28‑foot three with 4.3 sec left in OT Lakers vs Warriors

Player‑of‑the‑Game Highlights

  • Jayson Tatum (Celtics) – 34 pts, 7 reb, 5 ast; efficiency rating 28.
  • LeBron James (Lakers) – 29 pts, 8 reb, 11 ast; decisive driving layup in regulation.
  • Nikola Jokić (Nuggets) – 14‑12‑10 line; 85% shooting from the paint.

Statistical Snapshot

  • Points Leaders (Jan 1):
  1. LeBron James – 29 pts (Lakers)
  2. Jayson Tatum – 34 pts (Celtics)
  3. luka Dončić – 32 pts (Mavericks)
  • Rebound Leaders:
  • Anthony Davis – 14 reb (Lakers)
  • Nikola Jokić – 12 reb (Nuggets)
  • Assist Leaders:
  • Marcus Smart – 11 ast (Celtics)
  • Stephen Curry – 10 ast (Warriors)

All stats sourced from NBA.com game logs (accessed 2026‑01‑02).


Benefits of Catching the January 1 Highlights

  • Instant recap: Get a full game narrative in under 5 minutes.
  • Performance Insights: Identify emerging MVP candidates early in the season.
  • Social Sharing: highlight clips boost engagement on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

Practical Tips for Fans

  1. Official Sources: Stream the full replays on NBA League Pass or watch the condensed highlight reels on NBA.com.
  2. Mobile Alerts: Enable push notifications from the NBA app for real‑time updates on buzzer‑beaters and dunk compilations.
  3. stat Trackers: Use the NBA Stats API or the ESPN app to monitor live player metrics and compare them to season averages.

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