A jam-packed 13 game-slate featured Karl-Anthony Towns’ dominant return to Minnesota, Lakers superstar LeBron James hitting two birds with one stone in a historic night, and Anfernee Simmons putting Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets to sleep.
WEMBY GOES FOR 42 AS BULLS STUN CHAMPION CELTICS; THUNDER BOUNCE BACK
- San Antonio Spurs (14-13) def. Atlanta Hawks (14-14), 133-126: Victor Wembanyama went off with a 42-point night and the Spurs fended off Trae Young and the Hawks.
- Simply Out-of-this-World: It was Wemby’s second 40-point game of the season as the reigning Rookie of the Year added seven threes, six rebounds, five assists and four blocks in another stellar outing.
- Chicago Bulls (13-15) def. Boston Celtics (21-6), 117-108: Zach LaVine waxed hot with a season-high 36 point outing to lead a stunning Bulls road win over the defending champion Celtics in Boston.
- Zach Attack: LaVine went toe-to-toe against Jayson Tatum, who dropped a 31-point, 10-rebound double-double as Chicago rode a strong 35-22 fourth quarter and ended a five-game skid over the Celtics.
- Oklahoma City Thunder (21-5) def. Orlando Magic (17-12), 105-99: The West-leading Thunder quickly recovered from their NBA Cup Finals loss after taking care of business against the short-handed Magic.
- Rolling Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander topscored OKC with 35 points, his 14th 30-point game of the season which ranked the second most in the league just behind Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 16.
- LA Clippers (16-12) def. Dallas Mavericks (17-10), 118-95: Norman Powell and James Harden combined for 53 points in a 23-point pounding of the Mavericks minus Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
- Indiana Pacers (13-15) def. Phoenix Suns (14-12), 120-111: Pascal Siakam’s 25-point, 18-rebound double-double led seven Pacer in double digit to negate Kevin Durant’s 37-point outing and the Suns.
KAT DOMINATES IN MINNESOTA RETURN; LEBRON PASSES KAREEM ANEW, AS ANFERNEE SIMONS CALLED GAME
- New York Knicks (17-10) def. Minnesota Timberwolves (14-12), 133-107: Karl-Anthony Towns wreaked havoc in his first game back in Minnesota, putting up a 30-20 game to lead a commanding Knicks win.
[ALSO READ: Karl-Anthony Towns returns to Minnesota, spearheads Knicks domination over Timberwolves]
- Memphis Grizzlies (19-9) def. Golden State Warriors (14-12), 144-93: The Grizzlies led by as many as 57 points in humbling the Warriors in a forgettable night for Steph Curry and Co.
[ALSO READ: News Grizzlies issue 51-point beating of Warriors to spoil Dennis Schröder’s debut]
- LA Lakers (15-12) def. Sacramento Kings(13-15), 113-100: LeBron James hit a double milestone in this latest LA win, scoring 10,000 career Laker points while also passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the all-time regular season leader in minutes played.
- Portland Trail Blazers (9-18) def. Denver Nuggets (14-11), 126-124: Anfernee Simons capped off a 28-point, 10-assist night with a running bank shot as time expired to beat the Nuggets.
- Utah Jazz (6-20) def. Detroit Pistons (11-17), 126-119: Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton, and Keyonte George joined forces to score 85 points to help the Jazz snap a three-game skid.
- Washington Wizards (4-21) def. Charlotte Hornets (7-20), 123-114: Jordan Poole had 24 points in a skid-stopping victory for the Wizards.
- Brooklyn Nets (11-16) def. Toronto Raptors (7-21), 101-94: Cam Johnson delivered the clutch baskets as the Raptors overcame a 10-point deficit to send the Raptors reeling to sixth-straight loss.
- Houston Rockets (18-9) def. New Orleans Pelicans (5-23), 133-113: Jalen Green uncorked 22 of his 34 markers in a sizzling third-quarter showing for a strong bounce-back Rockets dub.
