Jaylen Brown Ends 76ers' Unbeaten Streak As NBA Cup Tournament Starts

Last Updated:November 01, 2025, 15:20 IST

Jaylen Brown scored 32 as Boston Celtics edged Philadelphia 109-108, ending the 76ers unbeaten run in the NBA Cup.

Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown (AFP)

Jaylen Brown scored 32 points, leading the Boston Celtics to a 109-108 victory over Philadelphia, ending the 76ers’ unbeaten streak as the NBA Cup in-season tournament began. The Celtics, now 3-3, avenged their 117-116 loss to the 76ers in Boston, while Philadelphia dropped to 4-1.

“Just grit. I think we just slugged it out," said Brown, who shot 13-of-19, including 4-of-7 from three-point range. “We made a bunch of mistakes but we found a way to win in the end."

Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 26 points and 14 assists. He and VJ Edgecombe sank three-pointers, bringing the 76ers within 108-106 with 51 seconds left. Brown added a crucial free throw with 32.9 seconds remaining, but Maxey’s layup at 20.8 seconds brought the 76ers within one point. Brown, who scored 16 points in the first quarter, committed a foul with 11.6 seconds left, but Maxey missed a short jumper. After Boston’s Josh Minott missed two free throws, Joel Embiid, who scored 20 points, missed a three-point shot at the buzzer.

The Chicago Bulls improved to 5-0, led by Josh Giddey’s 32 points and 26 from Nikola Vucevic, in a 135-125 home victory over the New York Knicks. Jalen Brunson scored 29 points for the Knicks (2-3). Chicago maintained a 120-116 lead when Vucevic went on a late 6-0 run and assisted on a Giddey basket to secure the win.

Los Angeles Lakers star guard Luka Doncic, returning from a left finger sprain and lower left leg bruise, scored 44 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and provided six assists in a 117-112 victory at Memphis. “I was very happy to see him back," said Lakers’ Austin Reaves. “He has the capability of putting a team on his back, and I think he did that tonight."

Kawhi Leonard scored 34 points, including the game-winning basket with 0.4 seconds remaining, and James Harden added 24, giving the Los Angeles Clippers a 126-124 home victory over New Orleans. Portland’s Jerami Grant made two free throws with 1.4 seconds left, securing a 109-107 home victory over Denver. Nikola Jokic recorded 21 points, 14 rebounds, and nine assists for the Nuggets, breaking his four-game triple-double streak.

Devin Booker’s 36 points led Phoenix to a 118-96 home victory over Utah. The Atlanta Hawks, without star guard Trae Young due to a right knee sprain, improved to 3-3 by defeating winless Indiana 128-108. Jalen Johnson led Atlanta with 22 points and 13 rebounds. The Pacers, now 0-5, also learned that forward Obi Toppin will be out for three months due to a broken right foot.

Toronto saw 20 points each from Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett, and reserve Jamison Battle in a 112-101 victory at Cleveland.

In the NBA Cup, all 30 NBA teams were divided into six five-team groups, with each team playing four games through November 28, counting towards round-robin Cup play and the regular-season standings.

Eight teams will advance to the Cup quarter-finals: the six group winners and the top runner-up in the Eastern and Western Conferences. Quarter-final matches will be played on December 9-10, with the semi-finals and championship game in Las Vegas on December 13 and December 16, respectively.

(With AFP Inputs)

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