Amen Thompson and the Houston Rockets face Donovan Mitchell and the Cavaliers to open tonight’s ESPN doubleheader.
Enjoy the best of Wednesday’s slate with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news, notes and highlights from around the league.
What we know about Wednesday night’s games:
Our ESPN doubleheader features Rockets-Cavaliers (7 ET), as two of the league’s top teams square off, and Knicks-Mavericks (9:30 ET).
The Thunder are looking to win their seventh straight and run their record to 15-1 tonight against the Kings (8:30 ET).
The Raptors are looking for their fifth straight victory as they take on the Philadelphia 76ers (7 ET).
Jared McCain, Bam Adebayo and Jabari Smith Jr. are available tonight. Zion Williamson and Jalen Brunson are questionable.
6:30 PM / NOVEMBER 19, 2025
Kon Knueppel is money
Kon Knueppel (17.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 40.2 3PT%) has risen to No. 1 in the latest Kia Rookie Ladder, earning the spotlight ahead of tonight’s game against the Pacers.
Knueppel’s been a steadying force for the Charlotte Hornets in his rookie season, both on and off the court.
He’s strong and sturdy on the drive, showing off a polished handle, considered footwork and some athletic pop, which compliments his ever-present shooting touch.
Kon’s 11th in the NBA in 3-pointers made this season with 45 — just behind teammate Miles Bridges — and first among rookies, routinely sending Hornets play-by-play man Eric Collins into ecstatics.
His stroke is repeatable and comfortable, with little wasted motion. Check how straight his guide arm is — there’s clean backspin on his heat-seeking missile of a shot.
On.a team with plenty of talented scorers, Knueppel’s found a role as a complimentary outlet, finding ways to get buckets in the flow of the offense.
Along with Sion James and Ryan Kalkbrenner, he’s part of a youth movement that’s lifted the Hornets. They look to get rolling again and snap a three-game losing streak tonight against the Indiana Pacers (7 ET).
6:00 PM / NOVEMBER 19, 2025
Rockets-Cavs highlights a nine-game NBA night
Kevin Durant and the Rockets face the Cavaliers in the opening half of tonight’s ESPN doubleheader.
We’ve got a dynamite ESPN doubleheader for you tonight, featuring Kevin Durant and the new-look Rockets facing Donovan Mitchell and the Cavs (7 ET), followed by Knicks-Mavericks (9:30 ET).
The Rockets, who are looking for their 10th win in 11 games, have shot to the top of the NBA’s offensive rating rankings at 123.4.
Durant (25.9 ppg, 51.0 FG%) has gelled with Alperen Sengun (23.0 ppg, 10.3 reb, 7.4 ast, 1.2 stl, 1.0 blk) and Amen Thompson (17.3 ppg, 6.1 reb, 5.2 ast, 1.2 stl) to form one of the top trios in the league.
KD had particular praise for Sengun after he put up a 30-point, 12-rebound, 8-assist effort in Sunday’s 117-113 victory over the Magic.
“I’ve played with a lot of specialists as big men — guys that do a great job of screening, rebounding, being physical — but nobody who can score quite like that,” said Durant. “No disrespect to the players I’ve played with, but I’m sure they feel the same way — that’s how good Alpi is.”
Sengun reciprocated in his remarks, noting their building chemistry and Durant’s unselfish will to win.
“We trust each other a lot,” said Sengun. “It’s going to get better and better… We have a whole season.”
The Cavaliers have steadily risen to second in the Eastern Conference at 10-5, led by Mitchell’s scoring brilliance and a stalwart defense.
Cleveland’s posted the seventh-best defensive rating in the league at 112.8, backing Mitchell, who is averaging 30.9 ppg — the highest mark of his career — while shooting 50.9 percent from the field.
They’re also forcing 17.4 turnovers per game — third in the Association.
“There’s room to grow,” Mitchell said after a 118-106 win over the Bucks on Monday. “We’re in a good place, and we’re going to continue to get better.”
Who will take a step towards the top tonight? Check it out on ESPN.
Here’s tonight’s complete schedule:
Houston Rockets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, 7 ET, ESPN
Charlotte Hornets vs. Indiana Pacers, 7 ET
Toronto Raptors vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 7 ET
Golden State Warriors vs. Miami Heat, 7:30 ET
Washington Wizards vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, 8 ET
Denver Nuggets vs. New Orleans Pelicans, 8 ET
Sacramento Kings vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, 8:30 ET
New York Knicks vs. Dallas Mavericks, 9:30 ET, ESPN
Chicago Bulls vs. Portland Trail Blazers, 10 ET