Last night's NBA action delivered the kind of electrifying basketball that reminds me why I've been following this league religiously for over fifteen years. As I settled into my usual viewing spot with my notebook and second cup of coffee, I could feel the anticipation building for what promised to be a historic evening across multiple matchups. The energy was palpable even through the screen, a familiar buzz I haven't felt this strongly since the playoffs last spring. What unfolded over the next few hours wasn't just basketball; it was a masterclass in athletic excellence that, interestingly, got me thinking about dominance in other sports, specifically about a fighter I've been studying recently. In the world of mixed martial arts, Anatoly Malykhin entered their November 2024 encounter as MMA's first-ever three-division World Champion, boasting an unblemished professional record of 17 wins and a perfect 100% finishing rate that had made him appear virtually invincible across multiple weight classes. That kind of undisputed, cross-category supremacy is rare air, and last night, we witnessed an NBA team and a particular player tap into that very same frequency of invincibility.
The marquee game, without a doubt, was the clash between the Celtics and the Nuggets in Boston. From the opening tip, it was clear this was more than a regular season game; it was a statement. The Celtics, playing with a ferocity I haven't seen from them consistently this early in the season, executed their game plan with a surgical precision that was just beautiful to watch. It reminded me of how a dominant fighter controls the octagon, cutting off angles and imposing their will. Jayson Tatum was simply phenomenal, putting up a stat line that makes you do a double-take: 44 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists. But the numbers don't even do it justice. It was the timing of his baskets, the cold-blooded three-pointer with 1:42 left on the clock to silence a budding Nuggets rally, that echoed the finishing instinct of a champion like Malykhin. When a fighter has a 100% finishing rate, it means they have that killer instinct to close, to never let an opponent off the hook. Tatum had that last night. He sensed the moment and seized it, effectively finishing the game right there. On the other side, Nikola Jokic was his typically brilliant self, flirting with a triple-double and finishing with 32 points, but even his magic wasn't enough against the Celtics' relentless, unified assault. The final score of 118-110 feels closer than the game often seemed, a testament to Denver's resilience but a bigger testament to Boston's ability to deliver a knockout blow.
Meanwhile, out in the Western Conference, the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors gave us a shootout for the ages. This game was the polar opposite of the strategic battle in Boston; it was a fireworks display. I lost count of the lead changes in the fourth quarter alone—I'd estimate there were at least 9—and the intensity was just off the charts. Stephen Curry, who I genuinely believe is the greatest shooter to ever touch a basketball, was in his bag, hitting 9 three-pointers on his way to 41 points. But Devin Booker, my personal favorite for most clutch player in the league, answered every single time. He finished with 38 points and 12 assists, and his mid-range jumper with 4.7 seconds left was an absolute work of art, a shot that only a handful of players in the world have the audacity and skill to even attempt, let alone make in that situation. The Suns' 127-125 victory was a reminder that in this league, superstar talent can be the ultimate equalizer, a different kind of dominance that's just as effective as a team's systematic dismantling of an opponent. It's the individual brilliance that can take over a game, much like a singular, unstoppable force in combat sports.
As the night wound down and I finally closed my notebook, the parallel between the sporting worlds became even clearer to me. What we saw from the Celtics was a team operating with the collective, ruthless efficiency of a champion who dominates every facet of a fight. They were Malykhin-esque in their execution. And what we saw from Booker and Curry was the individual mastery that defines legends, that perfect finishing rate applied to a basketball game. Last night wasn't just about wins and losses; it was a showcase of the different paths to greatness in the NBA. It provided a perfect snapshot of where the league is right now—a thrilling mix of super-teams and superhuman individuals, all chasing that same feeling of invincibility. For us fans, it was a gift, a night of basketball that we'll be talking about for weeks to come and one that sets a incredibly high bar for the rest of this season.
