02.03.2025
Charlotte Hornets 100 - 113 Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards triumphed over the Charlotte Hornets with a 113-100 victory, largely due to a dominant second half. In this clash between the NBA's two lowest-ranked teams, Khris Middleton and Bilal Coulibaly each contributed 17 points, and Richaun Holmes added 15 points and nine rebounds for the Wizards. Washington had an impressive eight players scoring in double figures, while Charlotte's Mark Williams led with 24 points and 12 rebounds. Despite still holding the league's worst record at 11-48, the Wizards pulled away significantly after Bub Carrington's crucial third-quarter 3-pointers and Marcus Smart's scoring spree. Notably, Washington's bench outperformed Charlotte's, scoring 50 points compared to the Hornets' 13. The game also marked Alex Sarr's return to action for the Wizards after an ankle injury and Malachi Flynn's debut for the Hornets. Both teams are set for further matchups, with the Wizards facing the Miami Heat and the Hornets taking on the Golden State Warriors.
Detroit Pistons 115 - 94 Brooklyn Nets
The Detroit Pistons rebounded from a loss to Denver by defeating the Brooklyn Nets 115-94, with Cade Cunningham ending his slump by scoring nine of his 15 points in the fourth quarter. Despite a quiet start with only six points through three quarters, Cunningham contributed significantly with a 3-pointer and two three-point plays during a crucial fourth-quarter run. Tobias Harris, Malik Beasley, and Jalen Duren each scored 18 points, helping the Pistons recover from their previous eight-game winning streak’s end. Tyrese Martin led the Nets with 23 points off the bench, but Brooklyn's starters were significantly outperformed, being outscored 73-47. The Pistons had a strong start, shooting 68.2% from the floor in the first quarter, but struggled in the third before regaining control in the final period. Former Pistons player Killian Hayes, now with the Nets on a 10-day contract, was notably booed by the Detroit crowd, reflecting his association with the team's past struggles.
Houston Rockets 103 - 113 Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings secured a 113-103 victory over the Houston Rockets, marking their third consecutive win, despite losing Domantas Sabonis to a hamstring injury just a minute into the game. DeMar DeRozan led the Kings with 21 points, while Zach LaVine contributed 20. A 13-3 run in the fourth quarter, highlighted by key 3-pointers from LaVine and Keon Ellis, helped the Kings extend their lead to 97-85. Alperen Sengun shone for the Rockets with 30 points and 10 rebounds, and Jalen Green added 24 points in the defeat, which ended Houston's two-game winning streak. Sacramento's balanced offense saw six players score at least 12 points to compensate for Sabonis's absence. Fred VanVleet, returning from an 11-game absence, struggled to find his rhythm, scoring just three points for Houston. The Rockets will next face the Oklahoma City Thunder, while the Kings will take on the Dallas Mavericks.
Memphis Grizzlies 128 - 130 San Antonio Spurs
De'Aaron Fox secured a thrilling victory for the San Antonio Spurs with a decisive 20-footer with 2.6 seconds remaining, as they edged out the Memphis Grizzlies 130-128. The win ended the Spurs' four-game losing streak, with notable contributions from Stephon Castle, who scored 24 points, and Devin Vassell, who added another 20. Memphis's Jaren Jackson Jr. delivered an impressive 42-point performance, tying the game with a banked 3-pointer in the final seconds. Despite playing without their starting backcourt, the Grizzlies kept it close, narrowly losing consecutive games after a recent one-point defeat to the New York Knicks. The Spurs' strong shooting in the first half, including a significant 27-8 run, established a lead that helped them withstand Memphis's rallies in the second half.
Philadelphia 76ers 126 - 119 Golden State Warriors
Quentin Grimes delivered a stellar performance, scoring a career-high 44 points to help the Philadelphia 76ers end their nine-game losing streak with a 126-119 victory over the Golden State Warriors. The game featured a rare highlight from Stephen Curry, who achieved his first dunk in six years, a one-handed breakaway that cut the 76ers' lead to five in the fourth quarter. Despite Curry's 29 points and 13 assists, the Warriors struggled with key players out, such as Jimmy Butler, and sloppy ball handling. Philadelphia's supporting cast stepped up in the absence of Joel Embiid, with Kelly Oubre Jr. adding 20 points and Guerschon Yabusele contributing 18, including a crucial three-pointer to seal the win. The victory marked Philadelphia's first win since February 4, as both teams prepare for their next games on Monday night.
Dallas Mavericks 117 - 132 Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Dallas Mavericks 132-117, with Giannis Antetokounmpo nearly achieving a triple-double with 29 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists, alongside Damian Lillard's contribution of 28 points. Gary Trent Jr. also pitched in with 20 points, helping the Bucks secure their sixth victory in seven games and climb to fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with 31 points, hitting all his free throws despite struggling from the three-point line, reflecting Dallas's overall poor 28% accuracy from beyond the arc. The Mavericks, missing key players like Anthony Davis, relied on Moses Brown, who scored 18 points in his final game under a 10-day contract, as they grapple with salary cap constraints. The Bucks capitalized on Antetokounmpo and Lillard's strong performances to shift momentum before halftime, initiating the second half with a decisive run that solidified their lead. Milwaukee's high scoring translated to a notable 21-1 record when exceeding 120 points, while the Mavericks continued to battle injury challenges in the Western playoff race.