INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Kawhi Leonard made a buzzer-beater and finished with 34 points to give the Los Angeles Clippers a 126-124 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night in the first game of the NBA Cup group stage for both teams.

It is anticipated that key players will once again take center stage, with defensive anchors, top playmakers, and scoring leaders all receiving attention.

Through two weeks in the 2025-26 NBA season, Tyrese Maxey has suddenly entered the MVP discussions, but is his play sustainable?

The NBA‘s all-time leading scorer, LeBron James, has caught fans’ attention by simply chewing floss during the LA Lakers’ recent win over the Miami Heat. James was recently caught on video munching on a plastic pick by the sidelines of the game,

The Thunder are 7-0 for the second consecutive season. They’re undefeated this time, even though swingman Jalen Williams, an All-NBA Third Team honoree last season, hasn’t played in a game yet because he’s recovering from surgery on his right wrist. Big man Chet Holmgren has missed three of the Thunder’s seven games because of a lower-back sprain.

While the Thunder remain untouched at the top of the NBA power rankings, the Bucks, 76ers, and Blazers are all making big jumps in Week 2.

Friday will be NBA Cup group-play contests. • There will also be NBA Cup group play games on Tuesday, Nov. 25, and Wednesday, Nov. 26. • The semifinals and final will happen on Saturday, Dec. 13 and Tuesday,

On Saturday, Dec. 13, T-Mobile Arena will host two win-or-go-home Semifinal games between teams from the Eastern and Western Conferences, respectively. The winners from each Semifinal game will face off in the Championship game on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at T-Mobile Arena, in pursuit of a prize pool and the NBA Cup championship trophy.