07.03.2025
Atlanta Hawks 124 - 118 Indiana Pacers
In a thrilling game, the Atlanta Hawks broke their five-game losing streak against the Indiana Pacers with a 124-118 victory, thanks in large part to Trae Young's remarkable 22 points and 16 assists. Onyeka Okongwu also made a significant impact with 20 points and 13 rebounds. The Hawks' Georges Niang scored 12 of his 24 points in the decisive fourth quarter, including crucial layups and consecutive three-pointers that tipped the balance in Atlanta's favor. Despite Pascal Siakam's impressive 35-point performance and an 11-0 run late in the third quarter, the Pacers couldn't hold onto their lead without key players Tyrese Haliburton and Bennedict Mathurin due to injuries. Atlanta capitalized by outscoring Indiana 38-24 in the final quarter. Hawks' Coach Quin Snyder returned to the sidelines after an absence due to illness, as the team secured only their third win in the last nine games. The two teams are set to face off again in Atlanta on Saturday night.
Boston Celtics 123 - 105 Philadelphia 76ers
The Boston Celtics' offense came alive in their 123-105 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, with Jayson Tatum contributing 35 points and seven rebounds. Tatum's strong performance marked his 24th game of the season with at least 30 points, despite sitting out the entire fourth quarter. The Celtics' third-quarter dominance was exemplified by a 10-0 run to start the fourth, including six straight points and back-to-back dunks by Neemias Queta. Payton Pritchard and Derrick White also supported the Celtics' short-handed lineup with 19 and 12 points, respectively. Despite missing several key players, including Joel Embiid and Paul George, Kelly Oubre Jr. led the 76ers with 27 points. Both teams struggled with injuries, affecting the depth of their rosters. Tatum was also hit with his 10th technical foul of the season, putting him six away from a one-game suspension. The Celtics have now won nine of their last 11 games, while the 76ers, led by Oubre’s effort, face Utah in their next matchup.
Brooklyn Nets 119 - 121 Golden State Warriors
In a thrilling comeback, the Golden State Warriors defeated the Brooklyn Nets 121-119, with Stephen Curry leading the charge by scoring 40 points, including an astounding turnaround heave from just inside halfcourt among his seven 3-pointers. Despite falling behind by 22 points in the first quarter, the Warriors rallied to secure their victory, marking the third time this season they have come back from a 20-point deficit. Jimmy Butler contributed 25 points, maintaining the Warriors' strong form since his addition, as they improved to 10-2 with him in the lineup. Gary Payton II scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds while playing with a protective mask due to a broken nose. The Nets, led by Cam Johnson's 26 points and Cam Thomas's 23, initially dominated by shooting 10 of their first 11 shots, but they ultimately fell short, losing their sixth consecutive game. The game set a record attendance for a Nets game at the Barclays Center with 18,413 fans, and the Warriors now head home for a seven-game homestand.
New Orleans Pelicans 97 - 109 Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets ended their three-game losing streak with a commanding second-half performance, defeating the New Orleans Pelicans 109-97. Amen Thompson was pivotal, scoring 21 points with 11 rebounds, and successfully leading the Rockets in snapping their eight-game road losing streak. Alperen Sengun contributed 22 points, eight assists, and three steals, while Tari Eason also added 21 points. Despite Trey Murphy III's 26 points for the Pelicans and Zion Williamson's effort with 20 points and 10 rebounds, the Rockets took control in the second half, initiating with a 9-1 run that Thompson capped with a dunk. Notably, Thompson had eight dunks, including a highlight two-handed slam around rookie Yves Missi. The Rockets, now fifth in the Western Conference, hold an 11-3 record against division rivals this season. The teams will meet again on Saturday in Houston.
Los Angeles Lakers 113 - 109 New York Knicks
In a highly anticipated rematch, the New York Knicks will face the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles after the Lakers' previous commanding 128-112 win in New York on February 1, which coincided with the blockbuster acquisition of Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks. Since Doncic's Lakers debut on February 10, the team has achieved an impressive 8-2 record, contributing to an overall 17-3 run dating back to January 21. Doncic's performance has been stellar, recently joining the ranks of Jerry West, Magic Johnson, and LeBron James as one of the few Lakers to record 30 points and 15 assists in a single game. The Knicks, meanwhile, are looking to rebound from a 114-102 loss to the Golden State Warriors, hoping that the return of Karl-Anthony Towns will bolster their performance as they embark on a challenging West Coast road trip. With Jalen Brunson leading the team by focusing on each game individually, the Knicks have maintained a strong 16-8 record since early January, seeking to replicate past success against the Lakers, where Josh Hart shone with 26 points in their last encounter.
Orlando Magic 123 - 125 Chicago Bulls
In a thrilling game, Coby White scored a career-high 44 points to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 125-123 victory over the Orlando Magic in Orlando. White was instrumental in the Bulls' comeback from a nine-point fourth-quarter deficit, scoring the team's last nine points with two layups, a dunk, and a crucial 3-pointer. His performance included shooting 7 of 15 from beyond the arc. Josh Giddy contributed a near triple-double with 19 points, 13 rebounds, and nine assists, while Tre Jones added 20 points. For the Magic, Paolo Banchero and Cole Anthony each scored 20 points, but the team has now lost five consecutive games, including a 1-6 record on their latest homestand. Despite being injury-depleted, the Bulls improved their road record to 14-16. After this game, both teams will play again on Saturday, with Chicago facing the Miami Heat and Orlando taking on the Milwaukee Bucks.