Want to see the best of tonight’s eight-game slate all in one place? You’re in luck! The clock is ticking, drawing us closer to CrunchTime.
Starting at 8:30 p.m. ET on the NBA App, Jared Greenberg will take you around the league, giving you a front-row seat for the eye-popping plays, mind-melting jams and heart-pounding moments from this evening’s games.
Here are some of the top matchups and storylines on Monday:
The Green Light
Jayson Tatum and the Celtics head to Charlotte on Monday night.
The Boston Celtics have raced out to the top of the Eastern Conference, winning six straight to push their record to 11-2.
Jrue Holiday has stepped in to offer steady playmaking and stalwart defense; Kristaps Porzingis is a force in the paint; there are few better two-way guards than Derrick White.
But Jayson Tatum, fourth in the latest edition of the Kia MVP Ladder, has been at the center of it all for the Celtics.
Entering Monday night, Boston was +13.5 points with him on the floor – the best mark in the league.
The Hornets will be looking to lower that mark and defend their home court Monday night.
LaMelo has been balling so far – he’s coming off back-to-back 30+ point outings for Charlotte.
Gordon Hayward, chipping in with 14.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game, will be there to welcome his old squad as well.
Entering The Wolves’ Den
Anthony Edwards has helped Minnesota reach a new level this season.
Who’s hotter than Minnesota? The Timberwolves are top dogs in the Western Conference so far, led by an elite defense and burgeoning star Anthony Edwards.
Entering Monday, the Timberwolves are third in defensive rating. They boast an array of scrappy perimeter defenders – Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Kyle Anderson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker – backed by the world-class rim protection of Rudy Gobert.
Edwards has been the main man on offense. Fresh off a star-making performance during the FIBA World Cup, he’s averaging a career-high in points and assists per game so far.
But the Knicks are tough, featuring an array of scrappy competitors who’ve punched above their weight.
Watch out for Jalen Brunson, who’s averaging a career-high 24.2 points, buoyed by back-to-back 32-point outings. Tom Thibodeau’s also no stranger to Minnesota, having coached the franchise between 2016 and 2019.
Rockets On The Rise
Alperen Sengun and the Rockets face Golden State on Monday.
In the nightcap, the Rockets head to San Francisco to face off with the Warriors.
Houston has been one of the surprises of the season so far, riding a mix of young talent and new veteran leadership to a successful start.
Dillon Brooks led the way with 24 points in a Sunday loss to the Lakers, aided by a triple-double from Fred VanVleet. Alperen Sengun is finding his scoring touch – he’s dropped 23 in each of the last three games.
Stephen Curry returned from injury on Saturday, scoring 25 points in the Warriors’ overtime loss to Oklahoma City. He’s 35 minutes away from tying Nate Thurmond for the most in franchise history.
Catch that, and all the rest of the night’s action, on CrunchTime in the NBA App. Here’s the entirety of Monday’s slate.
7 p.m. ET: Celtics vs. Hornets
7 p.m. ET: Nuggets vs. Pistons
7 p.m. ET: Bucks vs. Wizards
8 p.m. ET: Heat vs. Bulls
8 p.m. ET: Knicks vs. Timberwolves
8 p.m. ET: Kings vs. Pelicans
8 p.m. ET: Clippers vs. Spurs
10 p.m. ET: Rockets vs. Warriors
