Jalen Brunson scored 31 points Sunday in a 111-89 win over the Celtics.
Sunday’s NBA.com live blog, featuring the must-see highlights, performances, news, notes, and more from today’s 4-game slate.
What we know about Sunday’s games:
The Knicks and Celtics are now tied for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference standings, after the Knicks earned an 111-89 win over Boston on Sunday. New York was coming off a tough loss to the Pistons on Friday, but with getting Karl-Anthony Towns (eye) back on the court, and an electric debut from trade deadline acquisition Jose Alvarado, they were able to put a halt to Boston’s 5-game win streak.
Sunday’s action was capped off with a Clippers win over Minnesota, 115-96. The game featured two of the league’s top bucket-getters and must-watch individuals in Anthony Edwards and Kawhi Leonard, but it was ultimately Leonard’s 41-point effort that stole the show.
Another game, another Kawhi Leonard masterclass!
🖐️ 41 PTS
🖐️ 8 REB
🖐️ 4 STL
🖐️ 5 3PM
🖐️ LAC W
4th game this season with 40+ PTS… it’s the most times he’s done so in any season of his career! pic.twitter.com/iumX3Q0J9y
— NBA (@NBA) February 8, 2026
Top performances
Kawhi Leonard: 41 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 4 steals.
Jalen Brunson: 31 points, 3 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Scottie Barnes: 25 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 4 blocks.
February 8, 2026 / 5:20 PM
The Clippers are sailing
It’s been a tremendous performance so far for the Kawhi-led Clippers, who lead the Timberwolves 102-80 with 4:59 left to play.
Leonard has been spectacular, scoring 41 points, but he’s also doing all the smaller, yet important things as well. Like jumping out of bounds to save this ball, which ultimately ends in a dynamite Niederhauser dunk.
Kawhi Leonard saves it.
Derrick Jones Jr. dishes it.
Yanic Konan Niederhauser slams it!
Clippers in full control in the 4Q 🤩 pic.twitter.com/xfwoWM7xdX
— NBA (@NBA) February 8, 2026
February 8, 2026 / 4:47 PM
Put it on a poster.
Anthony Edwards had been relatively quiet in today’s game with the Clippers. Until now.
Ant detonates like he’s been saving up for this moment, and explodes with this poster dunk.
ANTHONY. EDWARDS. 🤯
MONSTER POSTER JAM ON ESPN. pic.twitter.com/ttxn1RGqSk
— NBA (@NBA) February 8, 2026
He now has 15 points, but the Timberwolves trail, 65-56, with 4 minutes left in the third.
February 8, 2026 / 4:38 PM
Spinning Scottie
The Raptors are starting to pull away from the Pacers, starting the second half on a 26-8 run.
The man at the forefront is, of course, Scottie Barnes, who is stuffing the stat sheet with 19 points, 9 boards, 2 steals, and 2 blocks.
SCOTTIE SENT THE BUILDING CRAZY 🔥 pic.twitter.com/H4BfMTNJCs
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) February 8, 2026
The Raptors are now up 72-56 at the midpoint of the third quarter.
February 8, 2026 / 4:15 PM
The Clippers lead at the break
Kawhi is getting it done on the scoreboard, putting in a game-high 24 first-half points for the Clippers.
OH MY, KAWHI‼️‼️‼️ pic.twitter.com/q9TtI9gRhe
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) February 8, 2026
They’ve held the Timberwolves to just 42 after two quarters by getting it done on defense and turning it into offense, as part of their 54 points in the first half.
THAT’S A PICK SIX 🏈
Derrick Jones Jr. 👉 Kris Dunn 👉 John Collins pic.twitter.com/rKyOREus4R
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) February 8, 2026
February 8, 2026 / 3:50 PM
Teammate poster
Miami has been in full control today, currently leading the Wizards 107-75.
The highlight thus has been Bam Adebayo inadvertently putting his own teammate, Kel’el Ware, on a poster with a thunderous putback.
BAM!
He throws down the huge putback slam over his own teammate 😅
MIA has the lead on the road… watch here: https://t.co/dhsSn5tQ23 pic.twitter.com/Aosa17gzOI
— NBA (@NBA) February 8, 2026
Bam has 22 points to lead all scorers.
February 8, 2026 / 3:32 PM
They call him the Klaw
Kawhi Leonard is doing a bit of everything so far in Minnesota. Not only did he pick up three quick steals,
KLAW: 3 steals on 5 Wolves possessions!
Tap to watch on ESPN: https://t.co/BM8k05yeOJ pic.twitter.com/kCAK8QF1Wv
— NBA (@NBA) February 8, 2026
But he’s getting buckets, too.
Miss and Kawhi will make you pay 🖐️ pic.twitter.com/YPNGdZlMr3
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) February 8, 2026
Leonard has 12 points to lead all scorers in a 19-19 tie late in the first quarter.
February 8, 2026 / 3:18 PM
Knicks grab victory
New York showed up in Boston and took over, playing to a 111-89 victory.
The return to action of Towns, along with his 11-point and 10-rebound double-double, but it was Jalen Brunson’s 31 points and 8 assists that stole the show.
Jalen Brunson and New York win in Boston!
🫡 31 PTS
🫡 8 AST
🫡 4 3PM
NYK (34-19) rises to #2 in the East! pic.twitter.com/8VMi6rIxip
— NBA (@NBA) February 8, 2026
Also impressive was Alvarado, who finished with 12 points in his team debut.
Jose Alvarado’s debut for the @nyknicks:
12 PTS
2 REB
2 AST
2 STL
1 BLK
2 3PM
Knicks win on the road in Boston 👏 pic.twitter.com/YupqwtlKCY
— NBA (@NBA) February 8, 2026
February 8, 2026 / 3:00 PM
3-Point contest participants named
The field for next Saturday’s 3-point contest is set, featuring a return to the floor for Damian Lillard.
🌟 2026 @StateFarm 3-Point Contest field! 🌟
NBA All-Star Saturday: 2/14, 5:00pm/et on NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/MQnCVh1UtA
— NBA (@NBA) February 8, 2026
February 8, 2026 / 2:50 PM
Bench boost
Jose Alvarado made his Knicks debut this afternoon and is doing exactly what he was brought in to do.
In 23 minutes off the bench thus far, Alvarado has put up 12 points on 5-for-10 shooting, grabbed 2 boards, dished out 2 dimes, blocked a shot, and grabbed a steal.
YES, HE CAN SHOOT pic.twitter.com/LjoePlmdZT
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 8, 2026
He’s also been turning defense into offense,
THERE GOES CINCO 🔥
12 PTS | 2 REB | 2 AST | 1 BLK | 1 STL pic.twitter.com/BSoPNthws3
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 8, 2026
His performance is part of the reason the Knicks have a 20-point lead, 102-82, with under 5 minutes to go in the game.
February 8, 2026 / 2:31 PM
Jaylen heating up
The Celtics have been facing an uphill battle against the Knicks for most of the afternoon, but that hasn’t stopped Jaylen Brown from heating up and putting points on the board.
Attack mode 😤 pic.twitter.com/6FxXh0DSdo
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 8, 2026
Brown is up to 26 points now after 3, but the Celtics are behind, 85-68.
February 8, 2026 / 2:25 PM
Sarr soars
The action is underway in D.C. with the Wizards hosting the Heat.
Washington has the early advantage, 24-19, and that’s largely in part because of the play of Bub Carrington and Alex Sarr.
On this play, we find them working in tandem, and Sarr finishing the alley oop.
Bub Carrington ↗️ Alex Sarr!
Wizards hosting the Heat on NBA League Pass.
Tap to watch: https://t.co/dhsSn5tQ23 pic.twitter.com/0JyKg50OOG
— NBA (@NBA) February 8, 2026
February 8, 2026 / 1:33 PM
Celtics clawing back
After trailing by as many as 17, Boston is surging.
First, Derrick White finds Queta for the one-handed flush and his first bucket of the game,
Neemi with AUTHORITY 🔨 pic.twitter.com/80gIfMUUtX
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 8, 2026
Then we get a smooth Jaylen Brown up-and-under finish, followed by a White triple,
Here comes Boston ☘️
Jaylen Brown up-and-under.
Derrick White triple.
Celtics seeking their 6th straight win today on ABC! pic.twitter.com/XZLwMgTkcM
— NBA (@NBA) February 8, 2026
However, the Knicks have started creating distance again, and are ahead 56-43 with a couple of minutes remaining in the half.
February 8, 2026 / 1:15 PM
Brunson burner
Jalen Brunson was on fire for the Knicks in the first quarter, finishing with 15 points on 6-for-9 shooting.
jalen’s first quarter clinic for your viewing pleasure. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/XtITAF2kS8
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 8, 2026
He also added 4 assists, and New York is getting the best of Boston, 48-34, with 7:41 remaining in the first half.
February 8, 2026 / 12:55 PM
Hustle➡️Defense➡️Offense
New York goes to work on this possession, with Landry Shamet jumping the passing lane and grabbing the ball out of the air. After it’s knocked loose, Mikal Bridges hits the floor to get the ball, then spots Towns at the rim for the easy two-handed finish.
landry steal ➡️ mikal assist ➡️ KAT slam
10/10. no notes. pic.twitter.com/RQ6LdHvOd3
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 8, 2026
The Knicks have a 23-17 lead over Boston with 4 minutes remaining in the opening quarter.
February 8, 2026 / 12:19 PM
All-Star Sengun
Alperen Sengun will make his second career All-Star appearance and join Team World for next weekend’s festivities, including next Sunday’s game on NBC and Peacock at 5 ET.
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun has been named by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to replace injured Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Team World for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game (Sunday, 2/15 on NBC & Peacock). pic.twitter.com/CuDLNeASsS
— NBA (@NBA) February 8, 2026
He’ll be taking the place of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is out of action due to an abdominal injury.