First to the 2024 NBA Cup knockout quarterfinals are the West-leading Golden State Warriors, while the New Orleans Pelicans became the first team to be eliminated from the tournament.
🏆 Warriors clinch West Group C
— NBA (@NBA) November 23, 2024
🏆 Rockets & Bucks move to 2-0#EmiratesNBACup continues Tuesday, 11/26!
WARRIORS MAKE ENTRY TO NBA CUP QF; BUCKS, ROCKETS STAY UNDEFEATED
- Golden State Warriors (12-3) def. New Orleans Pelicans (4-13), 112-108: Andrew Wiggins pushed the Warriors to a 3-0 start in the NBA Cup after fending off the banged-up Pelicans
[ALSO READ: Andrew Wiggins-led Warriors survive gritty Pelicans, close in on NBA Cup quarters]
- First and Foremost: With Golden State’s win and the Denver Nuggets' loss to the Dallas Mavericks, the Warriors became the first team to book a spot in the knockout quarterfinals.
The @warriors become the first team to advance to the #EmiratesNBACup Knockout Rounds as the winners of West Group C.
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) November 23, 2024
It also eliminated the Pelicans from contention, becoming the first team in doing so.
Golden State failed to advance in the next round last season, finishing third behind the Sacramento Kings and the Minnesota Timberwolves
- Wiggs Went to Work: Wiggins reset his season-high with a 30-point night outing after dropping 27 in their blowout win against the Atlanta Hawks.
The former no. 1 overall pick had 13 markers in the final frame as the Warriors sent the reeling Pelicans to a fourth-straight defeat.
- Milwaukee Bucks (7-9) def. Indiana Pacers (6-10), 129-117: Giannis Antekounmpo continued his fiery form for the Bucks, who are making a move in the East after a rocky start.
- Up, up, and away: Antekounmpo (37 PTS, 10 REBS, 11 AST) secured his second triple-double in the last four games for a surging Milwaukee side who are co-leaders in East Group B alongside the Detroit Pistons (2-0).
The Greek Freak is averaging 34 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists on 62 percent shooting in the last six games.
During that stretch, the Bucks are 5-1 and jumped to the 6th spot in the East after sliding down to as worse as no. 13.
- Houston Rockets (12-5) def. Portland Trail Blazers (6-10), 116-88: Dillon Brooks’ season-high 28 points enabled the Rockets to stay hot after winning six of their last seven games.
MAVS SURVIVE NUGGETS IN THRILLER AS 76ERS SNAP OUT OF SKID
- Dallas Mavericks (9-7) def. Denver Nuggets (8-6), 123-120: In a thrilling duel, the Mavericks averted disaster despite MVP Nikola Jokic returning and the Nuggets wiping out a 24-point lead.
[ALSO READ: Without Luka, Mavericks survive Nuggets with returning Nikola Jokic in NBA Cup play]
- Dug Deep with Depth: Without Luka Doncic for the second time this season, the Mavericks took down another West heavyweight in the Nuggets, who got Jokic back after missing three games.
Naji Marshall came off the bench to score a career-high 26 points, while also extending Dallas’ win streak to four games.
PJ Washington added 22 markers and 13 boards, including scoring nine points in the final 2:41 of the game.
- Easy Peasy for the Joker: Despite the loss, Jokic tallied his fifth straight triple-double of the season and sixth overall with a 33-point, 17-rebound, and 10-assist outing.
He became the fifth player in league history to record three straight 30-point triple-doubles, joining Oscar Robertson, Jordan, teammate Russell Westbrook and Doncic.
Joker leaves it all on the floor in #EmiratesNBACup action:
— NBA (@NBA) November 23, 2024
33 PTS
17 REB
10 AST
Jokic's 5th-straight triple-double and 137th of his career!
- Washington on the importance of the NBA Cup: “We're trying to go to Vegas. We know every game matters "
"We're trying to go to Vegas."
P.J. Washington and the 2-1 @dallasmavs are looking to make moves in the #EmiratesNBACup 🏆
— NBA (@NBA) November 23, 2024
- Philadelphia 76ers (3-12) def. Brooklyn Nets (6-10), 113-98: Rookie Jared McCain continues to impress in helping the Sixers snap a six-game losing skid at expense of the Nets in East Group A play.
- Rook Got Game: McCain dropped 21 of his team-high 30 points in the second half, while his backcourt mate in Tyrese Maxey added 26 markers, including 16 in the final two quarters.
The two combined for 37 of Philly’s 60 points in the second half for just their third win of the season.
- Make Your Case, Jared: McCain, the 16th overall pick of this year’s Draft, was vibing all-game long that after scoring his 30th point of the night, the camera caught him shouting "I'm the Rookie of the Year."
"I'M THE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR!"
—Jared McCain 🔥
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 23, 2024
In the post-game interview, he confirmed the words because why not?
CELTICS, CLIPPERS STAY HOT AS BULLS BOUNCE BACK
- Boston Celtics (13-3) def. Washington Wizards (2-12), 108-96: Jaylen Brown picked up the slack with a 31-point, 11-rebound outing off a Jayson Tatum off-night for a fourth-straight Celtics win.
- LA Clippers (10-7) def. Sacramento Kings (8-8), 104-88: James Harden posted a 22-6-9 statline for the Clippers’ first NBA Cup win and fourth successive victory overall.
- Chicago Bulls (7-10) def. Atlanta Hawks (7-10), 136-122: Zach LaVine led seven Bulls players in double figures with 26 points in a bounce-back win E.
