The 13th 50-point game of the season belonged to Jamal Murray, who exploded for a career-best 55 markers. That highlighted a stacked NBA Thursday, which saw all 30 teams in action.
MURRAY DROPS 50-PIECE; RED-HOT THUNDER COMPLETE COMEBACK
- Denver Nuggets (36-19) def. Portland Trail Blazers (23-32), 132-121: Jamal Murray went berserk, setting a new career-high as the red-hot Nuggets clinched an eight straight victory.
- Mile High Double Nickel: Murray scored 30 first-half points en route to a 55-point eruption, his first 50-point game in four years that led the unstoppable Nuggets.
- Orlando Magic (27-29) def. Charlotte Hornets (13-39), 102-86: Paolo Banchero went off with 24 points, eight rebounds, and six assists as the Magic bounced back and sent the Hornets to a third straight loss.
- Boston Celtics (39-16) def. San Antonio Spurs (23-29), 116-103: Jayson Tatum and Kristaps Porzingis combined for 61 points, propelling the defending champions Celtics past the Spurs for a third straight win.
[ALSO READ: Hot-shooting Celtics shackle Victor Wembanyama, Spurs for third straight win]
- Indiana Pacers (30-23) def. San Antonio Spurs (23-29), 134-130: Obi Toppin unloaded a season-high 31 points and tied a career-best six threes as the Pacers overcame the Wizards and Jordan Poole’s 42-point outburst.
- OKC Thunder (44-9) def. Miami Heat (25-27), 115-101: The NBA-best Thunder erased an early 21-point deficit to topple the Heat, extending their winning streak to four games.
- Shai Ain’t Shy to Score: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander recorded his league-leading 33rd 30-point game of the season in the Thunder’s largest comeback win of the season.
- Cleveland Cavaliers (44-10) def. Toronto Raptors (17-38), 131-108: Seven Cavalier players registered double-digit scoring in a blowout win over the Raptors for a fourth straight dub.
- Brooklyn Nets (20-34) def. Philadelphia 76ers (20-34), 100-96: D’Angelo Russell and the Nets head to the All-Star break on a high, toppling the Sixers for a third straight win.
- Milwaukee Bucks (29-24) def. Minnesota Timberwolves (30-25), 103-101: Brook Lopez nailed the game-winning free throws with 10.2 seconds left, anchoring a nail-biting Bucks squeaker over the Timberwolves.
IRVING’S 42 CARRIES DEPLETED MAVS; TOWNS, BRUNSON STAR FOR KNICKS
- Dallas Mavericks (29-26) def. Golden State Warriors (27-27), 111-107: Kyrie Irving single-handedly carried the Mavericks past the new-look Warriors behind a stellar 42-point outburst.
[ALSO READ: Kyrie Irving torches Warriors with 42 points as depleted Mavericks pull through in clutch]
- Utah Jazz (13-40) def. LA Lakers (32-20), 131-119: The Jazz got one back over the Lakers and snapped LA’s six-game winning streak in Salt Lake City.
- Sacramento Kings (28-26) def. New Orleans Pelicans (12-42), 119-111: DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Domantas went to work and to gave the Kings a third straight victory after stopping the Pelicans.
- New York Knicks (36-18) def. Atlanta Hawks (26-29), 149-148: Jalen Brunson nailed the go-ahead basket that spelled the difference late on a wild Knicks escape of Trae Young and the Hawks.
- KAT 🤝 Brunson Burner: Brunson and fellow All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns stood tall with a combined 80-point outing for the Knicks fourth dub in the last five games.
- Houston Rockets (34-20) def. Phoenix Suns (26-28), 119-111: Amen Thompson notched his fourth triple-double of the season as the Rockets survived Kevin Durant’s 37-point explosion and the Suns.
- Detroit Pistons (29-26) def. Chicago Bulls (26-28), 128-110: The Pistons entered the All-Star above .500 for the first time since 2009, rolling past the Bulls and to a fourth straight victory.
- LA Clippers (29-23) def. Memphis Grizzlies (36-17), 128-114: Kawhi Leonard registered 25 points, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals for a rousing Clippers second straight win over West no. 2 Grizzlies.
