13.01.2025
New York Knicks 140 - 106 Milwaukee Bucks
Jalen Brunson scored an impressive 44 points in leading the New York Knicks to a commanding 140-106 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, despite briefly leaving the game due to an apparent injury. Brunson's explosive performance included 23 points in the first quarter alone, and he became the third Knick to achieve 40 points in a game for the 17th time, tying Carmelo Anthony on the franchise list. Karl-Anthony Towns contributed with 30 points and 18 rebounds, helping the Knicks overcome a recent slump by shooting 58% from the field. The Knicks amassed 75 points by halftime, marking the most the Bucks have conceded in a half this season. Giannis Antetokounmpo's 24 points and 13 rebounds, along with Damian Lillard's 22 points, were not enough to prevent the end of Milwaukee's three-game winning streak. The Bucks also endured their largest point tally allowed this season and faced two blowout losses in New York.
Dallas Mavericks 101 - 112 Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets rallied in the fourth quarter to secure a 112-101 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, overcoming a 19-point deficit from the third period. Russell Westbrook contributed 21 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, while Nikola Jokic added 19 points, 18 rebounds, and nine assists, pushing the Nuggets to outscore the Mavericks 33-12 in the final quarter. Despite a dismal early performance from beyond the arc, shooting only 21.9% for three-pointers, the Nuggets managed to tighten their defense as Dallas missed all 11 of their fourth-quarter three-point attempts. Klay Thompson led the Mavericks with 25 points but was scoreless during the final period. The win marked Denver's 12th victory in their last 17 games and their first time being eight games over .500 this season with a 23-15 record. Aaron Gordon's return added a boost with 13 points on an efficient 6-for-7 shooting. Meanwhile, the Mavericks struggled without All-Star guards Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, resulting in a 2-5 record during their absence. The teams are set for a rematch in Dallas on Tuesday night.
Chicago Bulls 119 - 124 Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings extended their season-high winning streak to seven games with a 124-119 victory over the Chicago Bulls. Domantas Sabonis played a pivotal role with 22 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists, contributing significantly to Sacramento's success under interim coach Doug Christie, who has led the team to a 7-1 record following Mike Brown's dismissal. De’Aaron Fox returned from injury to add 26 points and nine rebounds, while Malik Monk chipped in with 18 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds. DeMar DeRozan, who was warmly received on his return to Chicago, scored 21 points, facing his former team for the first time since the off-season trade. Chicago's Zach LaVine registered his sixth consecutive 30-point game, although his efforts weren't enough to secure a Bulls victory. Lonzo Ball, making his first start since early 2022, impressively tallied 15 points with five three-pointers. In a tightly contested endgame, Fox and Sabonis capitalized on key moments, making crucial free throws to seal the victory. Both teams are set to play again on Tuesday.
Boston Celtics 120 - 119 New Orleans Pelicans
The Boston Celtics narrowly defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 120-119, with Jayson Tatum leading the charge with 38 points and 11 rebounds, while Kristaps Porzingis contributed 19 points and 11 boards. Despite Zion Williamson's return from a one-game suspension and his contribution of 16 points and seven rebounds, the Pelicans couldn't clinch the win. The game was marked by Boston's shooting struggles, including their 13-for-44 performance from long distance. New Orleans capitalized on Boston's early 3-point woes, leading by 11 in the first quarter. In a nail-biting finish, Derrick White's failed inbound attempt gave the Pelicans a chance to steal the game, but C.J. McCollum's potentially game-winning layup was off target. The Celtics improved to 7-6 over the last 13 games, while injuries have limited Williamson's participation in just eight of New Orleans' first 40 games.
Cleveland Cavaliers 93 - 108 Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers snapped the Cleveland Cavaliers' 12-game winning streak with a 108-93 victory, holding the league-leading Cavs to a season-low in points. Andrew Nembhard scored 19 points, while Pascal Siakam contributed 18 points and nine rebounds for the Pacers, who outscored Cleveland 68-40 in the second half. Myles Turner and Jarace Walker added significant contributions, the latter coming off the bench. The Pacers notched their sixth consecutive win despite losing All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton in the second half due to hamstring tightness. Cleveland, which had not lost since December 8, struggled from beyond the arc, connecting on only 11 of 41 attempts, with top performers Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, contributing six combined three-pointers. Obi Toppin sparked Indiana's decisive run with 10 points in five minutes. The teams are set to face off again in Indiana.
Orlando Magic 104 - 99 Philadelphia 76ers
The Orlando Magic rallied to secure a 104-99 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, with Cole Anthony scoring 27 points and Paolo Banchero contributing seven crucial points in the final moments. Banchero, in only his second game back following an oblique injury, also added eight rebounds and six assists. Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 29 points, while Paul George contributed 25 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists before fouling out late in the game. Jonathan Isaac provided a significant boost off the bench for Orlando with a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double, his first since 2019. The Magic's bench outscored Philadelphia's 48-11. The 76ers, missing Joel Embiid for his fourth consecutive game due to a sprained foot, could not maintain their late lead, only scoring once in the final two and a half minutes. The Magic improved to 23-18, overcoming the challenges of an injury-riddled season.
Washington Wizards 95 - 136 Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder pulled off a commanding 136-95 victory against the Washington Wizards, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the charge by scoring 27 points, despite experiencing his worst shooting night of the season at just 29.4% from the field. Remarkably, Gilgeous-Alexander scored 16 of his points from the free-throw line, showcasing his skill in drawing fouls. The Thunder's formidable defense, currently recognized as the NBA's best, managed to hold Washington to below 100 points for the 17th time this season. Aaron Wiggins contributed 23 points, and Isaiah Hartenstein added a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. On the Wizards' side, Corey Kispert scored 17 points, while Jordan Poole's streak of 59 games with a made 3-pointer came to an end. A significant 24-6 run by the Thunder helped them establish a 51-31 lead by the second quarter. Oklahoma City, leaders of the Western Conference, recorded their largest margin of victory, while the Wizards suffered their most one-sided defeat of the season.
Utah Jazz 112 - 111 Brooklyn Nets
The Utah Jazz secured a thrilling 112-111 overtime victory against the Brooklyn Nets, highlighted by Isaiah Collier's decisive layup with just two seconds remaining. Collier, achieving a career-high of 23 points along with seven rebounds and assists, was instrumental in breaking the Jazz's three-game losing streak, with support from Collin Sexton's 21 points. Notably, Svi Mykhailiuk and Brice Sensabaugh each contributed 16 points, with Sensabaugh hitting a crucial 3-pointer late in the game. Despite Tosan Evbuomwan's effort to keep Brooklyn competitive with 22 points, along with significant contributions from Ziaire Williams, Ben Simmons, and Nic Claxton, the Nets succumbed to their fifth consecutive defeat. Key missed shots and free throws impeded Brooklyn's chances, while Utah's 39% efficiency from beyond the arc, including 17 3-pointers, proved decisive. Both teams were shorthanded, missing players due to injuries, but managed to stage a dramatic contest with Utah ultimately prevailing at home. The Jazz will face the Charlotte Hornets next, while the Nets travel to Portland.
Phoenix Suns 120 - 113 Charlotte Hornets
The Phoenix Suns rallied late to secure a 120-113 victory over the Charlotte Hornets, marking their third consecutive win and fourth in five games. Devin Booker led the Suns with 30 points, while Kevin Durant contributed 27, including a pivotal stepback jumper that shifted the lead with just over three minutes remaining. The Suns, trailing for much of the fourth quarter, found momentum through rookie Oso Ighodaro, who made a significant impact with eight points in the final period, including a crucial dunk off an assist from Durant. Royce O'Neale sealed the game with a late 3-pointer. The Hornets, struggling with 10 losses in their last 11 games, were led by LaMelo Ball's 25 points and Mark Williams' season-best performance of 24 points and 16 rebounds. Charlotte's shot selection faltered down the stretch as they attempted to beat the Suns for the second time in a week, but ultimately the Suns' late-game execution paved the way for their win.