Jaylen Brown Posts 50 Points As Celtics Dominate Clippers On West Coast Swing

Jaylen Brown matched a career-best 50 points, Anthony Davis powered Dallas, and Tyrese Maxey starred at Madison Square Garden as the Celtics, Mavericks and 76ers all claimed important wins that reshaped several streaks, including the Clippers’ six-game run and the Rockets’ four-game surge.

Boston closed a 4-1 West Coast trip in style, routing the Los Angeles Clippers 146-115 behind Brown’s efficient 18-of-26 shooting. Derrick White supplied 29 points, Anfernee Simons added 15, and the Celtics hit 24 of 51 three-pointers, with Brown and White combining to go 11 of 22 from long range.

Kawhi Leonard and John Collins each scored 22 for the Clippers, whose season-best six-game winning streak ended. Collins started hot, making the first eight attempts

and finishing 9 of 10. Derrick Jones contributed 19 points before leaving in the fourth quarter with an apparent right knee injury, while James Harden produced 18 points and 12 assists.

Ivica Zubac returned after missing five games with a sprained left ankle and recorded four points and seven rebounds in 21 minutes. Boston’s offence overwhelmed Los Angeles in the second half, with Brown pouring in 19 points during the third quarter as the lead ballooned and the Clippers failed to match the outside shooting volume.

Putting everyone on notice pic.twitter.com/9CsuqY8zRz Boston Celtics (@celtics) January 4, 2026

Davis posted 26 points and 12 rebounds and Max Christie scored 24, hitting 4 of 6 from deep, as the Dallas Mavericks beat the Houston Rockets 110-104. The result stopped Dallas’ four-game skid, matching the longest of the season, and extended a strong home stretch, with six wins in seven games.

Houston’s night changed early when Alperen Sengun landed awkwardly after a defensive rebound and sprained a right ankle just 64 seconds into the game. Sengun sat on the court holding the ankle, limped to the bench, then headed to the locker room, and the Rockets announced at halftime that the centre would not return.

Dallas once led by 17 early in the fourth quarter, but Houston pulled within 106-101 with 1:07 left. Christie, who entered fourth in the league at 45.9 percent from three, sealed it instead with a decisive driving dunk. Kevin Durant scored 34 points for Houston, playing the entire second half while managing four fouls.

Amen Thompson added 20 points and 12 rebounds, and Tari Eason contributed 19 points and 10 rebounds as the Rockets’ four-game winning run ended. Dallas, meanwhile, recorded a second home victory over Houston in recent weeks, relying on strong closing defence and timely scoring from supporting players alongside Davis and Christie.

MAX WAS ON ONE Winning Play of the Game presented by @choctawcasinos. #MFFL pic.twitter.com/xMTcmks1u2 Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) January 4, 2026

Celtics, Mavericks and 76ers maintain road form at MSG

Maxey scored 36 points, while Joel Embiid and VJ Edgecombe each finished with 26, as the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the New York Knicks 130-119. Embiid also collected 10 rebounds, and Paul George and Quentin Grimes chipped in 15 and 10 points respectively, giving Philadelphia a third straight win and a second success this season at Madison Square Garden.

New York received 31 points from Jalen Brunson but dropped a third consecutive game for the second time this season. Karl-Anthony Towns returned from an illness absence to total 23 points and 14 rebounds, while Deuce McBride scored 20, OG Anunoby added 19, and Mikal Bridges contributed 12 in another high-scoring defeat.

Philadelphia trailed 38-37 before a 9-0 burst flipped control for good. The 76ers built a 13-point cushion, though the Knicks closed the second quarter with five straight points to trail 66-58 at halftime. Later, two Embiid free throws stretched the lead to 96-77 with 3:13 left in the third quarter, effectively deciding the contest.

3 in a row on the road. Philadelphia here we come. pic.twitter.com/Jy8AgzEdcn Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 4, 2026

The night’s results highlighted sharp form from the Celtics, Mavericks and 76ers and halted momentum for the Clippers, Rockets and Knicks. Brown’s 50-point display, Dallas’ defensive response without Sengun on court, and Philadelphia’s sustained control at Madison Square Garden shaped a set of games with potential implications across both conferences.