NBA Recaps 1/5/26: How the Pistons and Hornets Reshaped the Narrative Last Night

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Following a high-stakes Sunday, a double-overtime thriller in Philadelphia defined the NBA’s Monday night slate, the Hornets got a massive upset in Oklahoma City, and the continued dominance of the “New Look” Detroit Pistons.

Here is the feature report on last night’s action.

1. The Thriller: Denver Outlasts Embiid in South Philly

Final: Denver Nuggets 125, Philadelphia 76ers 124 (OT)

Even without Nikola Jokic (knee), the Nuggets proved they are more than a one-man show. In a game that felt like a playoff preview, Denver relied on a career-high 29 points from Jalen Pickett to stay afloat.

The drama peaked in the final seconds of overtime when Bruce Brown drove for a layup that was whistled for goaltending against Joel Embiid. The call stood, giving Denver the lead. Philly’s star rookie VJ Edgecombe had a chance to win it at the buzzer, but his contested jumper rattled out.

Stat of the Night: Jalen Pickett fueled a 14–0 Denver run in the fourth quarter to erase a late Sixers lead.
Embiid’s Night: 32 points and 10 rebounds, though he struggled with Denver’s physical double-teams late in the game.

2. The Shock: Hornets Stun the “Invincible” Thunder

Final: Charlotte Hornets 124, Oklahoma City Thunder 97

Coming off a tough loss to the Suns the night before, the Thunder (30–6) looked sluggish and were completely dismantled by a hungry Hornets squad. The headline wasn’t just the score, but the defensive masterclass by Charlotte’s rookie, Sion, who hounded MVP-candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander into one of his worst shooting nights of the season.

The Charge: Brandon Miller led all scorers with 28 points, while rookie center Moussa Diabaté controlled the glass with 12 rebounds.
OKC’s Slump: This marks the first time this season the Thunder have lost consecutive games.

3. The Bench Mob: Simons and Pritchard Torch the Bulls

Final: Boston Celtics 115, Chicago Bulls 101

Boston’s depth was on full display at TD Garden. While Jaylen Brown had a rare off-shooting night (14 points on 6–24 FG), the second unit stepped up in a massive way. Anfernee Simons exploded for 27 points (including 8 three-pointers), and Payton Pritchard added 21.

The Glass: The Celtics dominated the offensive boards (20 to 6), leading to a 26–12 advantage in second-chance points.
Bulls Woes: Missing Josh Giddey (hamstring), Chicago lacked playmaking, despite 26 points from rookie Matas Buzelis.

Takeaway of the Night: The Detroit Powerhouse

The Detroit Pistons (27–9) are no longer a “surprise” story; they are a legitimate title contender. Their 31-point demolition of the Knicks showcased a defense that is currently ranked #2 in the league. Cade Cunningham’s chemistry with mid-season addition Daniss Jenkins has turned the Motor City into the most feared backcourt in the East.