A flurry of activity unfolded across the NBA on , with several key matchups delivering compelling results and shifting the landscape of the league. From Oklahoma City’s triumph over a previously red-hot Cleveland to a dramatic upset by Orlando against the Clippers, the night offered a diverse range of outcomes.
Thunder Halt Cavaliers’ Winning Streak
The Oklahoma City Thunder brought an end to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ impressive seven-game winning streak with a 121-113 victory. Despite the absence of key players Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Alex Caruso, and Ajay Mitchell, the Thunder showcased resilience and sharp shooting, connecting on 21 of 41 three-point attempts. Isaiah Joe led the scoring with 22 points, supported by Cason Wallace’s 20 points and a dominant performance from Chet Holmgren, who contributed 17 points, 15 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Cleveland mounted a second-half comeback, but ultimately fell short against the determined Thunder. The win allows Oklahoma City to maintain a comfortable lead in the Western Conference as other teams, like San Antonio, continue to improve.
Warriors Edge Nuggets in a Tight Contest
In a closely contested battle at the Chase Center, the Golden State Warriors defeated the Denver Nuggets 128-117. The game saw a significant contribution from Brandin Podziemski, who stepped up in the absence of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Kristaps Porzingis, scoring 12 of his 18 points in the crucial final minutes. He also added 15 rebounds and 9 assists. Despite a triple-double performance from Nikola Jokic (35 points, 20 rebounds, 12 assists) and 21 points from Jamal Murray, the Nuggets were unable to overcome the Warriors’ late surge. Al Horford provided a spark from beyond the arc, hitting 6 three-pointers for 22 points and 7 assists.
Celtics Dominate Lakers on the Road
The Boston Celtics delivered a commanding performance, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 111-89 at the Crypto.com Arena. Boston’s defense stifled the Lakers’ offense, while Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard led the charge on the offensive end. Brown finished with 32 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists, earning praise from LeBron James as a potential MVP candidate. Pritchard added 30 points and 8 assists. The Celtics’ strong showing in the second half, with both Brown and Pritchard scoring 19 points, effectively sealed the victory, prompting visible frustration from the Lakers’ fans. LeBron James contributed 20 points, but it wasn’t enough to prevent a decisive loss.
Sixers Upset Timberwolves Without Embiid
The Philadelphia 76ers pulled off a surprising upset, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 135-108, despite playing without Joel Embiid. Tyrese Maxey spearheaded the Sixers’ attack with a stellar performance, scoring 39 points and dishing out 8 assists. VJ Edgecombe added 24 points, including 6 three-pointers. The Timberwolves struggled to contain Maxey’s relentless scoring, and the absence of Rudy Gobert due to suspension further hampered their defensive efforts. Joan Beringer, making his first start, contributed 7 points and 3 rebounds in 17 minutes of play.
Magic Secure Narrow Victory Over Clippers
In a nail-biting finish, the Orlando Magic edged out the Los Angeles Clippers 111-109. Desmond Bane proved crucial for Orlando, scoring 36 points on an efficient 13-of-19 shooting performance. The game featured a compelling duel between Bane and Kawhi Leonard, who scored 37 points for the Clippers. Paolo Banchero also played a key role for the Magic, sealing the victory with a clutch dunk in the final minute. A late three-point attempt by Bennedict Mathurin fell short, preserving Orlando’s narrow lead. Nicolas Batum saw limited action, playing 13 minutes off the bench.
Hawks Prevail Against Nets
The Atlanta Hawks secured a 115-104 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, overcoming a mid-game deficit. Zaccharie Risacher made his second start of the season, scoring 7 points. Jalen Johnson led the Hawks with 26 points and 12 rebounds, while Jock Landale provided a valuable boost off the bench with 17 points in 16 minutes. For the Nets, Nolan Traoré had a strong performance, scoring 11 points and dishing out 5 assists in 35 minutes, posting the only positive plus/minus among Brooklyn’s starters.
Raptors Rout Bucks
The Toronto Raptors delivered a dominant performance, defeating the Milwaukee Bucks 122-94. Immanuel Quickley led the Raptors with 32 points, supported by Brandon Ingram’s 22 points and the contributions of Mamu, who added 19 points. Ousmane Dieng had a quiet night for the Bucks, playing 15 minutes off the bench without scoring.
Hornets Upset Wizards
The Charlotte Hornets secured an upset victory over the Washington Wizards 129-112. LaMelo Ball led the Hornets with an impressive performance, scoring 37 points and connecting on 10 three-pointers. Kon Knueppel added 28 points, bringing him closer to breaking the rookie record for three-pointers made in a season. Tidjane Salaün contributed 9 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 interception in 21 minutes off the bench.
Bulls Fall to Knicks
The New York Knicks defeated the Chicago Bulls 105-99, extending the Bulls’ losing streak to nine games. Guerschon Yabusele recorded a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds for the Bulls, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Karl-Anthony Towns’ strong performance for the Knicks, who finished with 28 points and 11 rebounds.
Mavericks Snap Losing Streak Against Pacers
The Dallas Mavericks ended a ten-game losing streak with a hard-fought 134-130 victory over the Indiana Pacers. Khris Middleton led the Mavericks with 25 points, while PJ Washington added 23 points. Pascal Siakam returned for the Pacers after a three-game absence, scoring 30 points, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win for Indiana, who were also without Nesmith, Zubac, and McConnell, and learned that Tyrese Haliburton will be sidelined for several weeks with a case of shingles.
Blazers Defeat Suns Despite Avdija Injury
The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Phoenix Suns 92-77, despite losing Deni Avdija to a back injury early in the game. Jerami Grant and Donovan Clingan led the Blazers with 23 points each. Sidy Cissoko contributed 2 points in 15 minutes off the bench.
