07.04.2025
New Orleans Pelicans 107 - 111 Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks showcased their depth with a commanding 111-107 victory over the depleted New Orleans Pelicans, using a dominant fourth quarter to secure their fourth consecutive win and solidify fifth place in the Eastern Conference. Despite resting Giannis Antetokounmpo and with major players like Damian Lillard and Bobby Portis unavailable, the Bucks leaned on Gary Trent Jr.'s season-high 29 points and strong performances from Brook Lopez and Kevin Porter Jr. New Orleans, missing four starters including Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum, saw notable contributions from rookies Antonio Reeves and Yves Missi. Key moments included Trent's decisive layup and Porter's subsequent steal and dunk, which expanded the Bucks' lead late in the game. The Bucks capitalized on the Pelicans' 12 turnovers to generate 18 decisive points off them. Both teams will face off against different opponents on Tuesday, with Milwaukee set to host Minnesota, while New Orleans heads to Brooklyn.
Charlotte Hornets 117 - 131 Chicago Bulls
Coby White delivered an impressive performance, scoring 37 points and shooting 6 of 8 from beyond the arc, to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 131-117 victory over the Charlotte Hornets, marking their third consecutive win. White, who hails from nearby Goldsboro, North Carolina, and has a history of strong performances against the Hornets, continued his streak by finishing 12 of 16 from the field and adding five assists. Josh Giddey contributed 23 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists, while Nikola Vucevic added a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Bulls, who are pushing for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Despite strong efforts from Mark Williams and K.J. Simpson, the Hornets struggled, especially from the three-point line, where Miles Bridges' shooting woes persisted. The Bulls overcame an early 10-point deficit with a dominant second quarter, including White's four three-pointers and a buzzer-beater from just inside midcourt, to secure a commanding halftime lead. Both teams are set to play again on Tuesday, with the Bulls facing the Cavaliers and the Hornets concluding their home schedule against the Grizzlies.
Brooklyn Nets 109 - 120 Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors secured a 120-109 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, highlighted by rookie Jonathan Mogbo's career-high performance of 17 points and 11 rebounds, along with a season-high seven assists. Toronto ended their three-game losing streak as Ochai Agbaji contributed 15 points, and several other players, including RJ Barrett and AJ Lawson, scored in double figures. The Raptors, using their 40th different starting lineup of the season, dominated by forcing 23 turnovers and notching a season-high 16 steals. The Raptors took control early, with a significant 26-11 run to end the second quarter and maintained their momentum by opening the third quarter with an impressive stretch. Despite being out of playoff contention, the Raptors claimed their first season series victory against Brooklyn since the 2020-21 season, taking three straight from them. The Nets, enduring their second defeat in a four-game home stand, have plummeted, losing eight out of their last 10 games. Toronto next hosts Charlotte, while the Nets continue their home stretch against New Orleans.
Oklahoma City Thunder 99 - 126 Los Angeles Lakers
In a commanding performance, Luka Doncic led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 126-99 victory over the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder. Doncic scored 30 points, hit five well-contested 3-pointers, and dazzled with a memorable behind-the-head pass that helped the Lakers secure a dominating 64-42 lead in the first half. The Lakers, who have now won four of their last five games, extended their lead to 78-56 at halftime, setting a franchise record with 15 3-pointers in one half. LeBron James contributed 19 points and seven assists, and despite the Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 26 points, Oklahoma City was held to fewer than 100 points for the first time since November 15. The Thunder, still two games ahead of the Cleveland Cavaliers for the best record, lost consecutive games for the second time this season, with another matchup against the Lakers looming. LeBron's son Bronny added a final 3-pointer in the closing moments, highlighting the Lakers’ offensive prowess and hinting at the effectiveness of the Doncic-James pairing.
Atlanta Hawks 147 - 134 Utah Jazz
The Atlanta Hawks delivered an offensive masterclass in their 147-134 victory over the Utah Jazz, extending Utah's losing streak to nine games. Onyeka Okongwu shone with 27 points and 12 rebounds, while Trae Young contributed 23 points and an impressive 15 assists. Young was pivotal in a decisive 9-0 run that cemented the Hawks' lead, highlighted by a three-point play from Terance Mann. The Jazz were led by Keyonte George, who had a career-high 35 points, including seven 3-pointers. Despite Utah's own strong shooting performance, hitting 52% from the field and 20 threes, their defense faltered, particularly in the first half, where they allowed 81 points. Notably, Isaiah Collier dished out 12 assists, marking 446 assists for the season, the highest by a rookie since Ja Morant. The Jazz have struggled mightily, having won only one of their last 20 games. Meanwhile, the Hawks showcased their shooting prowess with 57% from the field and 53% from beyond the arc. The Jazz aim to recover at home against the Portland Trail Blazers, while the Hawks embark on a road trip starting with the Orlando Magic.
Boston Celtics 124 - 90 Washington Wizards
The Boston Celtics decisively defeated the undermanned Washington Wizards, 124-90, with standout performances from Luke Kornet, who registered 13 points and 14 rebounds, and Derrick White, who contributed 19 points, including five of Boston's 24 three-pointers. The Celtics, who never trailed in the game, set a season-high with 62 rebounds and maintained a dominant lead throughout, reaching as much as 100-64 by the close of the third quarter. Despite resting key players like Kristaps Porzingis, the Celtics' bench continued to shine, adding 53 points, highlighted by Payton Pritchard’s 20. Former Celtics guard Marcus Smart, now with the Wizards, was involved in an altercation with a fan, leading to the fan's ejection. The game also saw Sam Hauser's fourth-quarter three-pointer contribute to an NBA season record of 31,580 threes. The Celtics' fifth attempt of the night broke their own NBA record for most three-point attempts in a season, surpassing the 2018-19 Houston Rockets. The Wizards, aiming for a top draft spot, struggled with several inactive players. They will face Indiana next, while Boston heads to New York to play the Knicks.
Cleveland Cavaliers 113 - 120 Sacramento Kings
In an exciting matchup, the Sacramento Kings defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 120-113, propelled by Zach LaVine's impressive 37-point performance, including 11 crucial points in the fourth quarter. The victory secured the Kings' position for a play-in spot and moved them into ninth place in the Western Conference, marking their second consecutive win. DeMar DeRozan contributed significantly with 28 points, surpassing Jerry West for 26th on the NBA's career scoring list, while Domantas Sabonis added 27 points and nine rebounds. For Cleveland, Ty Jerome was the top scorer with 20 points in his return from a knee injury, and Donovan Mitchell added 19 points despite a scare with a minor ankle injury. A standout moment occurred when Keon Ellis made a stunning half-court shot just before halftime. Despite a slow start from beyond the arc, the Kings improved significantly in the second half, with LaVine hitting all six of his three-point attempts after the break. The loss ended the Cavaliers' three-game winning streak and postponed their chance to secure the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
Portland Trail Blazers 120 - 109 San Antonio Spurs
In a late-season NBA matchup, the Portland Trail Blazers secured a 120-109 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, driven by Toumani Camara's impressive 23 points and 11 rebounds. Despite both teams being eliminated from play-in contention due to Sacramento's victory over Cleveland, Portland showed determination as they ended a three-year playoff drought pursuit. The Spurs, missing key player Victor Wembanyama due to a blood clot injury, struggled throughout the game but kept the contest close with strong efforts, including Stephon Castle's 22 points. Chris Paul's late-game push brought the Spurs within striking distance, but a crucial 3-pointer and consistent play by Portland helped maintain their lead. The Spurs had previously won the first three games of the season against Portland, marking this a significant win for the Blazers, who played without several key players due to injuries. Portland's Kris Murray contributed a season-high 18 points, further solidifying the victory. The Spurs will next face the Los Angeles Clippers, while the Trail Blazers will meet the Utah Jazz.
New York Knicks 112 - 98 Phoenix Suns
In a thrilling matchup, the New York Knicks defeated the Phoenix Suns 112-98, marking their consecutive 50-win seasons for the first time since the mid-90s. OG Anunoby delivered a standout performance, scoring 32 points, including a perfect 7-for-7 in the third quarter, and has now scored 20 or more points in ten straight games, the best scoring stretch of his career. Despite Jalen Brunson's return from a sprained ankle with 15 points and six assists, Anunoby's performance was pivotal, especially during a critical 11-4 run, extending the Knicks' lead significantly. The Suns, led by Devin Booker's 40-point effort, struggled without Kevin Durant and dropped their sixth straight game. Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 19 points and 13 rebounds, while Mikal Bridges added 22 points against his former team, highlighting an exciting clash. The Suns sit 11th in the Western Conference and face a challenging road to the playoffs. The Knicks, now healthy with Deuce McBride's return, look strong heading into final season matchups against top teams.
Denver Nuggets 120 - 125 Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers triumphed over the Denver Nuggets 125-120, despite being without Pascal Siakam and overcoming a 13-point first-half deficit. Obi Toppin emerged as a key player, scoring 22 points in just his second start of the season, while Myles Turner led the team with 24 points. The Nuggets, struggling with their fourth consecutive loss, saw a remarkable performance from Nikola Jokić, who recorded 41 points, 15 rebounds, and 13 assists, complemented by Christian Braun's career-high 30 points. A crucial backcourt turnover in the final seconds, involving a miscommunication between Jokić and Braun, diminished Denver’s chances of a comeback. Tyrese Haliburton struggled initially, held scoreless until late in the third quarter, but rebounded to help the Pacers take control. Denver, once in second place in the Western Conference, now risks facing a play-in game to enter the playoffs, beset by key player absences like Jamal Murray with a strained hamstring. Meanwhile, Indiana holds solid ground in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, underscoring their depth and resilience.
Golden State Warriors 96 - 106 Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets defeated the Golden State Warriors 106-96, breaking the Warriors' five-game winning streak and snapping their own seven-game losing streak on the Warriors' home court. Alperen Sengun showcased a strong performance with 19 points and 14 rebounds, while Dillon Brooks led the team with 24 points. Stephen Curry had an unusually off night, scoring just three points on 1-for-10 shooting, a season-low for him in a healthy game, though he made a crucial 37-foot 3-pointer just before halftime. Curry also reached a career milestone, surpassing Reggie Miller for 24th place on the NBA's all-time scoring list. Jalen Green added 21 points, and Jabari Smith Jr. contributed 16 off the bench for the Rockets, who remain second in the Western Conference standings. For the Warriors, Buddy Hield and Brandin Podziemski led with 20 and 19 points, respectively. A significant moment included Draymond Green's layup being deemed a Flagrant 1 foul after a review, adding to his personal fouls. The Rockets are set to face the Los Angeles Clippers next, while the Warriors prepare to visit Phoenix before returning home for their next game.