03.01.2026
Indiana Pacers 113 - 123 San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs secured a 123-113 victory over the Indiana Pacers, marking their first win since Victor Wembanyama injured his left knee. De’Aaron Fox led the Spurs with 24 points, supported by Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle, who added 22 and 19 points respectively. Despite Wembanyama's absence following Wednesday's injury, an MRI showed no ligament damage, and he remains day-to-day. The Spurs have fared well without him, holding a 10-3 record in games he does not play. Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 23 points and 10 rebounds, with Andrew Nembhard contributing 19 points. Despite shooting 51% from the field, the Pacers were outmatched by the Spurs' efficiency at the free-throw line, making 22 of 28 attempts. San Antonio maintained control throughout the game, extending their lead early in the third quarter and withstanding Indiana's late rally. The Spurs next face Portland on Saturday, while the Pacers will visit Orlando on Sunday.
Washington Wizards 119 - 99 Brooklyn Nets
The Washington Wizards cruised to a 119-99 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, highlighted by Justin Champagnie's season-high 20 points. This win marked a noticeable upturn for the Wizards, who, despite holding the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference at 9-23, have now won four out of their last five games for the first time since February 2023. Noteworthy aspects of the game included the Wizards' dominance in rebounding, outpacing the Nets 51-33, and limiting Brooklyn to a mere six successful three-point attempts out of 29. Washington's defensive prowess translated into a 19-2 advantage in points off turnovers before halftime, fueled by an 18-4 scoring run that spanned the first two quarters. Alex Sarr contributed 19 points and CJ McCollum added 17 for the Wizards, who saw their lead swell to 28 early in the fourth quarter. For the Nets, who fell to 10-22 with this loss, Day’Ron Sharpe, Terance Mann, Ziaire Williams, and Drake Powell each tallied 14 points. Washington will aim to continue their momentum as they face Minnesota on Sunday, while Brooklyn will look to end their three-game losing streak as they start a homestand against Denver.
Cleveland Cavaliers 113 - 108 Denver Nuggets
In an exciting matchup, Donovan Mitchell led the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 113-108 victory over the undermanned Denver Nuggets, scoring 33 points. Darius Garland added 18 points and eight assists, including a pivotal 3-pointer that secured the lead with just over two minutes remaining. This win marked the fifth time this season that Cleveland's starting lineup, featuring Mitchell, Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen, played together. Despite Jamal Murray's impressive 34-point performance—including 28 points in the first half—the Nuggets struggled without superstar center Nikola Jokic, who is sidelined with a knee injury. Denver's offense faltered in the fourth quarter, managing only 11 points as they were outscored 24-11. The Cavaliers capitalized on the absence of several Nuggets starters, dominating the boards with a 55-32 rebounding advantage. The game also saw Lonzo Ball return to action for the first time in three games, contributing six points off the bench. Cleveland continued their strong home form, improving to 13-8 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
New York Knicks 99 - 111 Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks secured a 111-99 win over the New York Knicks, with standout performances from Jalen Johnson, who recorded his seventh triple-double of the season with 18 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who led the team with 23 points. Onyeka Okongwu also contributed 22 points to the victory. The game marked a defensive milestone for Atlanta, as they became the first team this season to hold the Knicks to under 100 points. Despite a strong start, the Knicks were unable to regain the lead after the Hawks surged ahead late in the first quarter. The Knicks attempted a comeback in the fourth quarter but were stifled by Luke Kennard's back-to-back 3-pointers. Ariel Hukporti, substituting for Karl-Anthony Towns, notched a career-high 17 rebounds. Atlanta's win came during a resurgence after a previous seven-game losing streak, while both teams played without key players Trae Young and Mitchell Robinson, who were sidelined due to injuries.
Chicago Bulls 121 - 114 Orlando Magic
The Chicago Bulls secured a 121-114 home victory over the Orlando Magic, marking their second consecutive win. Matas Buzelis was instrumental in the comeback, scoring 17 of his 21 points during the second half, alongside nine rebounds and a season-high seven assists. His efforts included crucial free throws and a game-sealing assist in the final moments. Kevin Huerter contributed 20 points, while Nikola Vucevic and Ayo Dosumnu each added 17 points, as Chicago outscored Orlando 30-19 in the fourth quarter. Despite injuries sidelining top scorers Josh Giddey and Coby White, six Bulls reached double figures. Orlando's Paolo Banchero impressed with 31 points, while Anthony Black added 18. However, a knee injury sidelined Jalen Suggs during just his second game back from a prior injury. The game featured 19 lead changes, and despite leading by 13 points in the first quarter, the Magic couldn't hold their advantage as the Bulls tied at 59 by halftime and ultimately triumphed in a tight contest.
Milwaukee Bucks 122 - 121 Charlotte Hornets
In a thrilling finish, Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered a game-winning dunk with 4.7 seconds left on a lob from Kevin Porter Jr., securing a 122-121 victory for the Milwaukee Bucks against the Charlotte Hornets. Antetokounmpo's performance, featuring 30 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, marked his NBA-leading 158th game achieving such stats, surpassing legends Oscar Robertson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The lead exchanged three times in the last 10.3 seconds, as Kyle Kuzma’s 3-pointer initially put the Bucks ahead. Charlotte's Miles Bridges responded with a three-point play, only for Antetokounmpo's final dunk to steal the win. Despite a last-second layup attempt by Brandon Miller for Charlotte, the shot missed, ending the game in Milwaukee’s favor. This close contest followed a nail-biting loss for Milwaukee to the Wizards earlier in the week. The Bucks, set to begin a four-game road trip, previously defeated the Hornets just five days prior.
New Orleans Pelicans 109 - 122 Portland Trail Blazers
Deni Avdija led the Portland Trail Blazers to a 122-109 victory over the injury-hit New Orleans Pelicans, scoring 34 points with 11 assists. Despite Zion Williamson's 35-point performance, the Pelicans couldn't avoid a sixth consecutive loss, significantly missing the contributions of key injured players like Saddiq Bey and Trey Murphy III. Portland secured their third win in four games by capitalizing on New Orleans’ weak second quarter when their nine-point lead diminished as they scored just 18 points and missed all six three-point attempts. The Blazers excelled in making second-chance points, contributing 23 points from 15 Pelicans' turnovers, while hitting 16 of 47 attempts from beyond the arc. Donovan Clingan played a crucial role with 11 points and 15 rebounds, including nine offensive boards. Meanwhile, Portland's Caleb Love was noteworthy for shooting six successful three-pointers, amassing a total of 22 points. The Trail Blazers are set to face the San Antonio Spurs next, while the Pelicans will meet the Miami Heat.
Phoenix Suns 129 - 102 Sacramento Kings
In a commanding performance, Devin Booker propelled the Phoenix Suns to a convincing 129-102 victory over the Sacramento Kings, scoring 33 points, with an impressive 20 in the first quarter alone. Booker, along with teammates Dillon Brooks and Mark Williams, rested in the fourth quarter, showcasing the Suns' depth as they secured their fifth win in six games following a previous loss to Cleveland. Despite cooling off from beyond the arc, Booker excelled with a 13-of-21 shooting performance and notable first-quarter output matching his highest-scoring quarter since April 2024. The Suns expanded a slender six-point halftime advantage to lead by 28 in the game, highlighted by contributions from Collin Gillespie, Oso Ighodaro, and reserve Jamaree Bouyea. Keegan Murray led the Kings with 23 points and 10 rebounds, but Sacramento's woes continued with their fourth consecutive loss and sixth straight on the road, dropping their record to 8-27. The Kings look to rebound at home against Milwaukee on Sunday, while the Suns will host Oklahoma City.
Golden State Warriors 94 - 131 Oklahoma City Thunder
The Golden State Warriors aim to extend their recent home-court success as they host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday in San Francisco. The Warriors have won five of their last six games and are on a home winning streak, having recently defeated teams like the Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic, and Dallas Mavericks. Meanwhile, the Thunder have been formidable away from home, boasting a 12-3 road record with previous wins at the Chase Center, but are seeking their first road victory since December 7. This game also marks a homecoming for Thunder's emerging star Jalen Williams, who played at Santa Clara, and he'll face another Santa Clara alum, Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski. Williams has been impressive beyond scoring, contributing significantly to the Thunder's recent success, while Podziemski has consistently scored in double figures. Both teams have key players shining in different aspects, with the Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander previously outpacing Warriors' Stephen Curry in head-to-head matchups this season. The game presents an interesting test for both sides as Warriors coach Steve Kerr seeks to capitalize on a favorable schedule stretch.
Los Angeles Lakers 126 - 116 Memphis Grizzlies
In a clash between the struggling Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies, both teams looked to rectify their recent downturns. The Lakers, having lost four of their last five games, hoped to rebound despite missing key players Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura due to calf injuries. Their recent 128-106 defeat to the Detroit Pistons highlighted their struggles, with Luka Doncic scoring 30 points but also contributing eight turnovers in a game where Los Angeles's 21 turnovers led to 30 Pistons points. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies entered the contest after a heartbreaking 139-136 overtime loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, where Ja Morant delivered a stellar 40-point performance in his fifth game back since dealing with calf and ankle injuries. Rookie Cedric Coward, showing promise, posted a career-high 28 points and 16 rebounds but narrowly missed forcing a second overtime. As both teams contended with lineup disruptions, Lakers coach JJ Redick acknowledged the challenge of maintaining flow and identity, highlighting the growing pains each team faces amid a grueling NBA season.