Team of the week: Los Angeles Clippers
LA's second team has been quick to defuse rumours of a roster explosion, despite a poor start to the season. And their decision is beginning to pay off. After winning just six of their first 27 games, the Clippers have now won four in a row.
Any particular reason? The key is undoubtedly Kawhi Leonard. The former two-time Finals MVP finally seems to be back at his best.
Proof of this came in their last game, during which he not only broke his career record with 55 points, but also exceeded 50 points for the first time, and equalled the franchise record set by... James Harden, last month.
And their defence has finally returned to form, too (did Ivica Zubac's absence have anything to do with it?). With the Lakers limited to 88 points and the Pistons, despite leading the East, to 99.
That's not to mention a prestigious victory over the Rockets, with 'The Klaw' as leader, Harden as orchestra conductor and role players galore, including the ever-valuable Nicolas Batum. In this form, one wonders just how far this team can go.
Underperformers of the week: Atlanta Hawks
10 days ago, the Hawks had a record of 15 wins and 12 losses. The team was firing on all cylinders, Jalen Johnson was exploding, everyone was getting the job done, and in addition to the results, they looked great: a team that plays fast, well and gets results. It was enough to aim for a surprise, but then...
... Trae Young returned from injury. Since then, the all-star point guard has seemed to be both the poison and the cure for this franchise, which has lost all six games since his return.
What's worse, the defence is taking a beating, having conceded at least 125 points in those six defeats. The often-criticised defensive lapses of the team's leader are blowing up in everyone's face.
As a result, the rumours are flying thick and fast: the trade of Young, the trade of Zaccharie Risacher (the Frenchman is not yet at the level of a No.1 draft pick), and the forthcoming arrival of Anthony Davis. The next few weeks are shaping up to be complicated in Georgia.
Player of the week: Nikola Jokic
We're running out of superlatives for the three-time MVP. The Serbian pivot further strengthened his legend on Christmas Day, with a historic game against the Timberwolves: 56 points, 16 rebounds, 15 assists, a stat line never achieved before in the long history of the NBA.
It was further proof of Jokic's dominance. And if that wasn't enough, he sent in another 34 points, along with 21 rebounds and 12 assists, two days later against the Magic.
Nevertheless, the Christmas Day win was the only one of the week, with the Nuggets conceding two losses by just one point. It's a shame, but it's just a blip in a successful season so far for Denver, and especially for their star, on his way to another MVP award.
Play of the week: Jalen Smith's dunk
What better way to celebrate Christmas than with a good old poster dunk? This one comes from Illinois.
Chicago's return to form has been reflected in a series of victories, including one over Joel Embiid's 76ers. It was the Philadelphia pivot on the poster, but on the wrong side, surprised by the power of Jalen Smith.
Story of the week: The return of the brawl
The NBA has seen a few big brawls in its history (see: Malice at the Palace), something it has tried to eradicate, and with success.
Brawls have all but disappeared from the landscape, only to re-emerge with a 2025 version of David versus Goliath: Pelicans point guard Jose Alvarado (1.83m) up against Suns pivot Mark Williams (2.16m).
Hilarious for some (including Jordan Poole), distressing for others, but for once it wasn't because of the frustration of defeat.
In the meantime, both players have been suspended, but it's David who has been handed two games, compared to Goliath's one. Enough to dissuade a few 90s nostalgics from doing the same?