NEW YORK, United States, November 3, 2026: Memphis had one last chance to remain perfect. Ty Jerome had dragged the Grizzlies into overtime with nine straight points, then scored eight more in the extra period. With the ball in his hands and the unbeaten season on the line, he rose for a contested jumper from 15 feet. It missed. New Orleans escaped FedExForum with a 135-134 victory Monday night, ending the NBA’s last undefeated start and completing the most dramatic finish of a remarkable 15-game schedule.
The consequences reached well beyond Memphis. Houston moved into first place in the Western Conference after Alperen Sengun dismantled Boston’s defense in a 109-93 victory. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 43 and buried a go-ahead three-pointer in Cleveland, Luka Dončić delivered 42 points and 13 assists as the Lakers overwhelmed Miami 138-117, and Philadelphia and Detroit continued their impressive starts with emphatic victories. All 30 NBA teams were in action November 2 before the league’s scheduled Election Day break, producing an evening of exceptional individual performances, shifting conference positions and several results that deserve more attention than the final scores alone suggest.
The most compelling story, however, belonged to the Pelicans. They had opened the season with four consecutive losses. Seven games in, they are 3-4, riding a three-game winning streak and responsible for bringing Memphis’ perfect start to an end. The Grizzlies remain 6-1, but their first defeat also helped Houston take control of the early Western Conference standings.
Story at a glance
NBA Results, November 2, 2026: All 15 Final Scores
Monday brought an unusual mix of outcomes. Memphis-New Orleans was decided by one point after overtime, Golden State survived Phoenix by three, and Atlanta edged Indiana by four. At the opposite end, Detroit produced the night’s largest victory, beating Charlotte by 33.
Pistons 124, Hornets 91: Cade Cunningham Makes Detroit’s Next Test Impossible to Ignore
Detroit didn’t merely defeat Charlotte. It dismantled the Hornets.
Five Performances That Deserve More Attention Than the Headlines
Monday’s leading individual performances were extraordinary, but the supporting contributions also influenced the results.
The Two Statistics That Best Explain Monday’s Biggest Results
Houston’s victory over Boston and New Orleans’ upset of Memphis came through different methods.
NBA Standings After November 2: Houston Takes Over in the West
The most important conference change followed the defeat of Memphis.
NBA Results, November 2, 2026: All 15 Final Scores
| Matchup | Final Score | Winning Margin |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City Thunder at Cleveland Cavaliers | Thunder 117-112 | 5 |
| Chicago Bulls at Philadelphia 76ers | 76ers 126-107 | 19 |
| Detroit Pistons at Charlotte Hornets | Pistons 124-91 | 33 |
| Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic | Wizards 103-94 | 9 |
| Brooklyn Nets at New York Knicks | Knicks 103-90 | 13 |
| Atlanta Hawks at Indiana Pacers | Hawks 108-104 | 4 |
| New Orleans Pelicans at Memphis Grizzlies | Pelicans 135-134 (OT) | 1 |
| Milwaukee Bucks at Minnesota Timberwolves | Timberwolves 112-100 | 12 |
| Sacramento Kings at Dallas Mavericks | Kings 115-100 | 15 |
| Utah Jazz at San Antonio Spurs | Spurs 119-97 | 22 |
| Boston Celtics at Houston Rockets | Rockets 109-93 | 16 |
| Portland Trail Blazers at Denver Nuggets | Trail Blazers 118-110 | 8 |
| Phoenix Suns at Golden State Warriors | Warriors 116-113 | 3 |
| Toronto Raptors at LA Clippers | Raptors 125-118 | 7 |
| Miami Heat at Los Angeles Lakers | Lakers 138-117 | 21 |
Monday brought an unusual mix of outcomes. Memphis-New Orleans was decided by one point after overtime, Golden State survived Phoenix by three, and Atlanta edged Indiana by four. At the opposite end, Detroit produced the night’s largest victory, beating Charlotte by 33.
The previous evening offered its own collection of memorable performances, including Dončić’s 45-point showcase against Toronto and rookie Yaxel Lendeborg’s 37-point breakthrough for Golden State. Our November 1 NBA roundup provides the background to Monday’s games.
Pelicans 135, Grizzlies 134: Memphis’ Perfect Start Ends on the Final Shot
Ty Jerome Nearly Saves the Unbeaten Run by Himself
For much of the final two minutes of regulation, Memphis appeared destined for its first defeat.
New Orleans had built a nine-point advantage, and the Grizzlies were running out of possessions. Jerome refused to let the game end quietly.
He scored nine consecutive points over the final 1:43, dragging Memphis into a 124-124 tie and forcing overtime. What had looked like a manageable Pelicans victory had suddenly become a test of nerve.
Jerome wasn’t finished. He added eight points in overtime and ended the night with 40, the highest total of his team’s season to that point.
But the Grizzlies’ comeback created a fresh problem. They had spent so much energy escaping regulation that they still needed another decisive play to win.
New Orleans had Zion Williamson.
Williamson Takes Over Overtime, Then Jeremiah Fears Finishes the Job
Williamson scored nine of his 25 points during the extra period. He also grabbed 11 rebounds, giving New Orleans the physical presence it needed while Memphis continued to push.
Karlo Matkovic matched Williamson with a career-high 25 points. Derik Queen added 20, giving the Pelicans another significant contribution from their younger rotation.
The decisive moment, however, belonged to Jeremiah Fears.
With New Orleans trailing in the final seconds, Fears secured a loose ball, drew a foul and stepped to the free-throw line with 7.3 seconds remaining.
He made both attempts.
Memphis still had an opportunity to win. Jerome took the final shot, but his contested jumper missed.
New Orleans had survived 40 points from Jerome, a nine-point late-regulation comeback and one final Memphis possession.
The game ended with tempers running high. Players from the two teams exchanged words around midcourt and had to be separated.
It was that kind of finish.
How Did New Orleans Win Despite Memphis Shooting Better?
Memphis shot 51.6 percent from the field, compared with New Orleans’ 47.5 percent. The Grizzlies also made 18 three-pointers to the Pelicans’ 14.
Those numbers would ordinarily suggest a Memphis advantage.
But New Orleans protected the ball far better.
| Statistic | New Orleans | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Field-goal percentage | 47.5% | 51.6% |
| Made three-pointers | 14 | 18 |
| Turnovers | 8 | 16 |
| Offensive rebounds | 14 | 11 |
| Points in overtime | 11 | 10 |
| Final score | 135 | 134 |
Memphis committed twice as many turnovers and surrendered three additional offensive rebounds. The Pelicans weren’t the more accurate shooting team, but they gave themselves more opportunities to score.
That distinction mattered in a game decided by a single point.
The victory was especially impressive considering New Orleans played without starting guard Dejounte Murray and was also missing Yves Missi and Jordan Poole.
The Pelicans had enough production from Williamson, Matkovic and Queen to withstand those absences.
For Memphis, the defeat does not erase six consecutive victories or the promising start of rookie Cameron Boozer, who contributed 18 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
It does end a franchise-record opportunity.
The Grizzlies entered 6-0, matching the best start in team history. Their next chance to respond comes against Indiana on Wednesday.
Only two days earlier, Memphis had looked unstoppable in a 136-105 demolition of Sacramento. Our October 31 NBA report examined Boozer’s contribution to that victory and the Grizzlies’ unbeaten run.
Monday offered a reminder that even excellent early-season form can be undone by one late possession.
Rockets 109, Celtics 93: Houston Takes First Place by Taking Boston Apart Inside
Alperen Sengun Gives Boston a Problem It Cannot Solve
Houston didn’t need a spectacular scoring night from Kevin Durant to beat Boston.
That may be the most significant detail from the Rockets’ 109-93 victory at Toyota Center.
Sengun finished with 26 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds, controlling the game from the center position as Houston handed the Celtics their first defeat in six games.
The Rockets never trailed.
Boston matched them through the first quarter, which ended 29-29, but Houston gradually took control by attacking the basket, moving the ball and turning defensive stops into transition opportunities.
The difference was visible in the numbers.
Houston outscored Boston 50-34 in the paint and 18-2 on fast breaks. The Rockets also distributed 34 assists compared with the Celtics’ 20.
That wasn’t simply a case of Houston shooting better from the perimeter. Boston couldn’t contain the Rockets’ interior offense or generate enough easy points of its own.
Durant Scores 12, but Houston Doesn’t Need More
Durant scored 12 points on five-of-six shooting. It was an unusually modest scoring total for a player of his reputation, but there was little reason for him to force additional attempts.
Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson contributed 14 points each. Tari Eason added 13.
Former Celtic Marcus Smart also made his presence felt, recording eight points, four rebounds and four assists while disrupting Boston’s offensive rhythm.
The balance mattered.
Houston has enough scoring talent to win when Durant produces a huge individual performance. Monday suggested it can also win when Sengun becomes the central creator and the rest of the rotation finishes the opportunities he creates.
For Boston, Jayson Tatum scored 19 points but made only five of 16 field-goal attempts, including one of seven from three-point range.
Neemias Queta scored 16, while Luka Garza added 14 off the bench, making four three-pointers.
Paul George, who had contributed 17 points in Sunday’s victory over Orlando, did not play because of rest.
The Celtics finished at 38.6 percent from the field and 28.6 percent from three.
Houston’s Victory Changes the Western Conference Lead
The Rockets improved to 7-1, their best start since the 2014-15 season.
More importantly, they moved into first place in the Western Conference after Memphis lost to New Orleans.
Houston’s rise has been building for more than one night. The Rockets had already beaten Dallas convincingly earlier in the season, as covered in TSE’s report on Houston’s 128-110 victory over the Mavericks.
They also defeated Oklahoma City 119-98 on October 31.
Now Boston has joined the list of teams unable to solve Houston’s combination of size, playmaking and defensive pressure.
There is no need to declare the Rockets Western Conference champions after eight games. Their next test arrives Wednesday against Minnesota.
But the early evidence is substantial enough to take seriously.
Thunder 117, Cavaliers 112: Gilgeous-Alexander Scores 43 and Delivers the Shot Cleveland Cannot Answer
Thirty-Five Shots, Forty-Three Points and One Decisive Three
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has built his reputation on controlling games without allowing opponents to dictate the pace.
Against Cleveland, he had to take an unusually large scoring burden.
The Thunder guard attempted 35 field goals, the most by any NBA player during the opening two weeks of the season, and finished with 43 points.
He also recorded eight assists and made 11 of 12 free throws.
But his most important contribution came with 32.6 seconds remaining.
Gilgeous-Alexander hit a go-ahead three-pointer, putting Oklahoma City in position to close out a 117-112 road victory.
The shot mattered for a team that had arrived in Cleveland after consecutive road defeats by more than 20 points.
Ajay Mitchell supplied 20 points, giving the Thunder another scoring option on a night when Gilgeous-Alexander carried more than a third of the offense.
The Thunder Needed a Response After Two Heavy Defeats
Oklahoma City’s early season has been complicated by injuries and abrupt changes in performance.
The Thunder opened strongly, then suffered a 120-96 defeat in Dallas before losing 119-98 in Houston.
Against Cleveland, they faced another difficult opponent and another opportunity to demonstrate that those setbacks had not destroyed their confidence.
The result wasn’t comfortable.
But it was important.
Gilgeous-Alexander accounted for 36.8 percent of Oklahoma City’s 117 points. That is a substantial individual share, especially against a defense with Cleveland’s personnel.
The Cavaliers received 17 points and 11 assists from Donovan Mitchell, but could not prevent the Thunder from making the crucial play in the closing seconds.
For Oklahoma City, the victory improves its record to 5-2.
For Cleveland, now 4-3, the encouraging aspect is that the Cavaliers have an immediate opportunity to respond.
The teams meet again Wednesday in Oklahoma City.
The Thunder’s earlier 96-84 victory over Denver showed another side of their identity, with defense carrying much of the burden. That game is examined in our report on Oklahoma City’s defensive performance against the Nuggets.
Monday showed that Gilgeous-Alexander can still provide the late offensive answer when a game is decided by a handful of possessions.
76ers 126, Bulls 107: Philadelphia’s Star-Studded Five Finally Gets a Comfortable Night
Maxey Takes Over the Fourth After James Helps Build the Lead
Philadelphia had made a habit of needing late comebacks during its strong start.
On Monday, the 76ers took a different route.
Tyrese Maxey scored 15 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter as Philadelphia defeated Chicago 126-107, improving to 7-1.
Maxey also distributed 11 assists.
But the wider story was the availability and performance of Philadelphia’s starting lineup.
LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, Maxey and rookie VJ Edgecombe were all available after the group had not played together in the weekend victories over New York and Charlotte.
Every starter scored at least 15 points.
Brown finished with 25 points and 11 rebounds. Edgecombe contributed 21. James recorded 15 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, while Embiid added 15 points and eight rebounds.
That level of production gave Chicago more problems than Maxey’s individual scoring alone.
LeBron’s Passing Opens the Court for Edgecombe
James was particularly influential as a distributor during the first half.
He recorded seven assists before halftime, including two long bounce passes that created easy scoring opportunities for Edgecombe.
Philadelphia led by five at halftime, then extended the margin to 17 midway through the third quarter.
Maxey took over the scoring responsibility in the fourth, ensuring Chicago couldn’t mount a meaningful comeback.
The Bulls received 24 points from rookie Caleb Wilson and 18 from Norman Powell, but suffered their fifth consecutive defeat.
The contrast was clear. Philadelphia had five starters producing efficiently within a balanced offense. Chicago had individual bright spots without enough collective resistance.
The 76ers’ next matchup is particularly intriguing.
They travel to Detroit on Wednesday to face a Pistons team that has also opened the season impressively.
Pistons 124, Hornets 91: Cade Cunningham Makes Detroit’s Next Test Impossible to Ignore
Detroit didn’t merely defeat Charlotte. It dismantled the Hornets.
The Pistons won 124-91, recording the largest margin of Monday’s 15 games.
Cade Cunningham led the way with 33 points, seven assists and five steals.
Duncan Robinson added 24 points, connecting on six three-pointers.
The combination was difficult for Charlotte to handle.
Cunningham created pressure as both a scorer and playmaker, while Robinson punished defensive mistakes from the perimeter.
Detroit improved to 6-1, maintaining one of the strongest records in the Eastern Conference.
There is a larger significance to that start.
Detroit’s improvement has not been limited to beating struggling opponents. The Pistons have already defeated Philadelphia this season, and their November 4 rematch offers a chance to test whether that earlier result can be repeated.
The meeting will also bring together two teams carrying genuine early momentum.
Philadelphia has more established star power, but Detroit’s defensive activity and Cunningham’s growing command of the offense make the contest far more interesting than a routine November fixture.
The 76ers will enter with a 7-1 record, the Pistons at 6-1.
Both have earned the right to be taken seriously.
Lakers 138, Heat 117: Dončić Wins the Superstar Duel With Giannis
Forty-Two Points and Thirteen Assists Put Miami Under Pressure
The marquee individual matchup in Los Angeles featured Luka Dončić and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Both entered Monday among the league’s leading scorers. By the end, Dončić had produced another extraordinary performance and the Lakers had secured a convincing victory.
Dončić scored 42 points, distributed 13 assists and grabbed seven rebounds as Los Angeles beat Miami 138-117.
He made 14 of 24 field-goal attempts, including six three-pointers.
It was his fourth 40-point performance in five games.
Antetokounmpo answered with 30 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists, but committed seven turnovers.
The Lakers had too much attacking support for Miami to contain.
Austin Reaves scored 27 points, and Walker Kessler supplied 15 points and 15 rebounds.
The Third Quarter Settles the Contest
The Lakers led by seven at halftime, but the decisive separation arrived immediately after the break.
Los Angeles opened the third quarter with an 11-0 run.
Dončić continued attacking, while the Heat struggled to stop the Lakers from creating clean looks.
Los Angeles won the third quarter 32-21 and carried an 18-point lead into the final period.
Miami never seriously threatened another comeback.
The Lakers shot 57.3 percent from the field and made 19 three-pointers at a 44.2 percent success rate.
That level of accuracy is difficult to overcome, particularly when the opposition also receives strong scoring from its supporting players.
Los Angeles improved to 6-2.
Miami dropped to 2-5, with Antetokounmpo’s individual performance unable to offset the team’s defensive problems.
The Lakers’ scoring surge follows Dončić’s 45-point performance against Toronto and his earlier 52-point comeback against Utah. Both performances are part of a remarkable opening stretch documented in TSE’s report on Dončić’s 52-point rescue against the Jazz.
There is also a growing connection between those performances and the commitment he made before the season. Our report on Dončić’s Lakers promise explains why his early-season approach has attracted so much attention.
For Miami, the question is no longer whether Giannis can produce major numbers. He already has.
The Heat must determine how to defend effectively enough to make those performances count.
Warriors Survive Phoenix, Portland Wins in Denver, and Toronto Deepens the Clippers’ Problems
Golden State 116, Phoenix 113
Golden State’s three-point victory over Phoenix was one of Monday’s closest results.
The Warriors followed Sunday’s win against the Clippers with another successful outing, but this was a very different contest.
Instead of producing a comfortable victory, Golden State had to survive a close finish.
That matters for a team whose depth had been in the spotlight after Yaxel Lendeborg scored 37 against the Clippers without Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.
Golden State’s consecutive victories show that it can win games with different scoring requirements, although Phoenix’s narrow defeat should not be confused with a comfortable defensive performance.
Portland 118, Denver 110
Portland continued its encouraging start with a valuable eight-point road victory in Denver.
Winning away from home against Nikola Jokić’s Nuggets is an important result for a Trail Blazers team attempting to establish itself among the more competitive Western Conference clubs.
Denver’s early season has already included major individual milestones, including Jokić’s 200th career triple-double.
That achievement, along with Dallas’ victory over Oklahoma City and Curry’s 44-point performance, was covered in TSE’s October 28 NBA report.
Monday’s result does not diminish Jokić’s historical achievement. It does underline how difficult the Western Conference has become, with several clubs capable of winning demanding road games.
Toronto 125, LA Clippers 118
Toronto’s seven-point victory extended the Clippers’ difficult opening stretch.
Los Angeles had already lost five consecutive games entering Monday.
The Raptors added another defeat, leaving the Clippers searching for answers after an offseason that carried considerably greater expectations.
Toronto, meanwhile, rebounded from Sunday’s loss to the Lakers.
The Raptors had scored 43 fourth-quarter points in that game but couldn’t complete the comeback. Against the Clippers, they finished the job.
Hawks Edge Indiana, Washington Wins in Orlando and the Knicks Handle Brooklyn
Atlanta 108, Indiana 104
Nickeil Alexander-Walker delivered one of the more overlooked scoring performances of Monday’s schedule.
He scored 34 points and collected four steals as Atlanta defeated Indiana 108-104.
CJ McCollum contributed 12 assists.
The Hawks had enough offensive creation to survive a close finish, while Indiana suffered another frustrating result during a difficult opening stretch.
Alexander-Walker’s 34 deserved more attention than it received on a night dominated by Jerome, Dončić and Gilgeous-Alexander.
Washington 103, Orlando 94
Anthony Davis produced 27 points, nine rebounds and four steals as Washington defeated Orlando on the road.
The four steals were especially valuable in a game where the Wizards held the Magic below 100 points.
Orlando’s struggles continue despite the club showing moments of offensive promise earlier in the season.
The Wizards, meanwhile, demonstrated that Davis can influence games through defense as well as scoring.
New York 103, Brooklyn 90
The Knicks defeated their city rivals behind 22 points from Landry Shamet and 19 from Jalen Brunson.
Brooklyn entered the game having secured its first victory of the season against Indiana the previous night.
New York prevented the Nets from turning that breakthrough into consecutive wins.
The Knicks’ victory was particularly useful because it came without requiring Brunson to dominate the scoring column.
Kings Finally Win, Spurs Cruise and Minnesota Holds Milwaukee to 100
Sacramento 115, Dallas 100
Sacramento arrived in Dallas without a victory from its first six games.
The Kings left with their first win.
The 115-100 result was more than a narrow escape. Sacramento defeated a Mavericks team that had recently handed Oklahoma City a convincing loss.
That context makes the victory encouraging, although the Kings still have considerable work ahead after their winless opening stretch.
They face the Lakers next, providing an immediate test against another Western Conference opponent.
San Antonio 119, Utah 97
San Antonio’s 22-point victory was another impressive result for a Spurs team whose early season has already featured major performances from Victor Wembanyama.
The Spurs controlled the final margin against Utah, adding another win to an opening stretch that has generated significant optimism.
The larger challenge will be maintaining that level of execution when opponents adjust their approach to defending Wembanyama and the players around him.
Minnesota 112, Milwaukee 100
Minnesota limited Milwaukee to 100 points in a 12-point victory.
The defensive result was valuable after the Timberwolves had lost 121-111 against San Antonio on October 31.
Continue the NBA Story
It also provides a useful lead-in to Wednesday’s game against Houston.
The Timberwolves will face a Rockets team coming off a dominant defensive and interior performance against Boston.
That matchup should offer a more demanding examination of Minnesota’s ability to control the paint and prevent Houston from generating easy transition points.
Five Performances That Deserve More Attention Than the Headlines
| Player | Team | Performance | Why It Mattered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karlo Matkovic | Pelicans | 25 points | Career high in victory over unbeaten Memphis |
| Jeremiah Fears | Pelicans | Decisive late free throws | Scored winning points with 7.3 seconds left |
| Nickeil Alexander-Walker | Hawks | 34 points, 4 steals | Led Atlanta’s narrow road victory |
| Landry Shamet | Knicks | 22 points | Outscored Brunson in win over Brooklyn |
| Duncan Robinson | Pistons | 24 points, 6 three-pointers | Provided perimeter scoring in 33-point victory |
Monday’s leading individual performances were extraordinary, but the supporting contributions also influenced the results.
Matkovic helped New Orleans win despite Memphis’ better shooting percentage.
Fears held his nerve at the free-throw line.
Alexander-Walker gave Atlanta the scoring required to survive Indiana.
Shamet and Robinson provided important production alongside their teams’ leading stars.
Those details deserve a place in any serious account of a 15-game NBA schedule.
The Two Statistics That Best Explain Monday’s Biggest Results
Houston’s victory over Boston and New Orleans’ upset of Memphis came through different methods.
The Rockets won through interior production, transition offense and balanced scoring.
The Pelicans overcame inferior shooting accuracy by protecting possessions and creating additional opportunities.
| Game | Decisive Statistical Difference | What It Reveals |
|---|---|---|
| Rockets 109-93 Celtics | Houston won paint points 50-34 | Boston struggled with interior defense |
| Rockets 109-93 Celtics | Houston won fast breaks 18-2 | Transition opportunities widened the gap |
| Pelicans 135-134 Grizzlies | New Orleans committed 8 turnovers to Memphis’ 16 | Better ball security helped offset shooting disadvantage |
| Pelicans 135-134 Grizzlies | New Orleans grabbed 14 offensive rebounds to Memphis’ 11 | Additional scoring opportunities mattered in a one-point finish |
| Thunder 117-112 Cavaliers | Gilgeous-Alexander scored 43 of Oklahoma City’s 117 | 36.8% of team scoring came from one player |
These comparisons do not establish how either team will perform over an 82-game season.
They do explain the basketball played Monday.
Houston created advantages that Boston couldn’t consistently defend. New Orleans maximized its opportunities. Oklahoma City relied on an extraordinary performance from its leading scorer to win a close game.
Each result has a different explanation, and each deserves to be reported on its own terms.
NBA Standings After November 2: Houston Takes Over in the West
The most important conference change followed the defeat of Memphis.
Houston improved to 7-1 and moved into first place in the Western Conference.
Memphis dropped to 6-1 after losing its first game.
In the East, Philadelphia improved to 7-1 and Detroit reached 6-1.
| Team | Record After Monday | Monday Result | Next Important Test |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Rockets | 7-1 | Beat Boston 109-93 | Host Minnesota, Nov. 4 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 7-1 | Beat Chicago 126-107 | At Detroit, Nov. 4 |
| Detroit Pistons | 6-1 | Beat Charlotte 124-91 | Host Philadelphia, Nov. 4 |
| Memphis Grizzlies | 6-1 | Lost to New Orleans 135-134 | Host Indiana, Nov. 4 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 6-2 | Beat Miami 138-117 | At Sacramento, Nov. 4 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 5-2 | Beat Cleveland 117-112 | Host Cleveland, Nov. 4 |
These records describe the standings immediately after November 2.
The direct matchups on Wednesday are particularly interesting.
Philadelphia and Detroit will test their strong starts against each other.
Oklahoma City and Cleveland will meet again after Monday’s close finish.
Minnesota gets an opportunity to challenge Houston’s early Western Conference lead.
And Sacramento faces a Lakers team whose offense has been operating at an exceptionally high level.
What Happens After the NBA’s Election Day Break?
The NBA scheduled no games for Tuesday, November 3, as part of its Election Day initiative.
The league announced the decision before the season, encouraging fans and the wider basketball community to participate in the civic process.
All 30 teams played Monday, and 28 are scheduled to return Wednesday, November 4.
The break gives teams an opportunity to review Monday’s performances, but it doesn’t resolve their basketball problems.
Boston must find better answers against physical offenses that can score through the paint.
Memphis needs to respond after losing a game it almost rescued twice.
Philadelphia and Detroit face a direct meeting between two of the East’s strongest early performers.
Houston has to demonstrate that its impressive offensive balance can survive another demanding matchup.
And the Lakers must continue finding enough support around Dončić to make their scoring sustainable.
The league’s upcoming November also includes the Emirates NBA Cup, introducing additional competitive demands. Our complete NBA Cup guide explains the group structure, schedule and qualification format.
Availability will remain an important factor as teams return. TSE’s recent injury and matchup analysis provides context for how rapidly rotation changes can alter expectations.
NBA November 2, 2026: Frequently Asked Questions
Who Scored the Most Points on November 2?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 43 for Oklahoma City against Cleveland. Luka Dončić scored 42 for the Lakers against Miami, and Ty Jerome recorded 40 for Memphis against New Orleans.
Who Ended Memphis’ Unbeaten Start?
New Orleans defeated Memphis 135-134 in overtime, handing the Grizzlies their first loss after six consecutive victories.
Who Scored the Winning Points for New Orleans?
Jeremiah Fears made two free throws with 7.3 seconds remaining in overtime.
How Many Points Did Zion Williamson Score?
Williamson scored 25 points, including nine during overtime, and grabbed 11 rebounds.
What Was the Houston-Boston Score?
The Rockets defeated the Celtics 109-93 behind Alperen Sengun’s 26 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds.
How Many Points Did Dončić Score Against Miami?
Dončić scored 42 points and contributed 13 assists as the Lakers won 138-117.
What Was Detroit’s Winning Margin?
The Pistons beat Charlotte 124-91, a 33-point victory and the largest winning margin of Monday’s 15 games.
Are There NBA Games on November 3?
No. The league scheduled an Election Day break. Games resume Wednesday, November 4.
One Night Changed the Lead in the West. Wednesday Will Test What Comes Next.
There was no shortage of extraordinary individual performances Monday.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 43 and hit the shot that mattered most.
Dončić delivered 42 and 13 assists while winning his matchup with Antetokounmpo.
Jerome scored 40 and nearly preserved Memphis’ unbeaten season through sheer determination.
But the defining result belonged to New Orleans.
The Pelicans survived Jerome’s comeback, won the final possession battle and ended the league’s last perfect start.
That result also changed the Western Conference lead, allowing Houston to move ahead after a convincing victory over Boston.
Philadelphia and Detroit strengthened their positions in the East. Sacramento finally won. Portland delivered a significant result in Denver. Minnesota defended well enough to beat Milwaukee, and the Lakers continued scoring at a remarkable pace.
None of these results decides a championship.
They do, however, establish the next set of compelling questions.
Can Houston hold the Western Conference lead? Will Memphis recover immediately? Can Philadelphia’s star-filled lineup withstand Detroit’s defense? Can the Thunder win again without asking Gilgeous-Alexander to take 35 shots?
The NBA will answer some of those questions Wednesday.
For now, Monday belongs to the Pelicans, who entered Memphis as the underdogs and left having ended the league’s last unbeaten run.
Official NBA sources: Consult the Pelicans-Grizzlies game summary, the 76ers-Bulls game summary, and the NBA’s official 2026-27 schedule announcement for scores, box scores, game details and the Election Day scheduling decision.
