A nine-game NBA Friday slate saw LeBron James and Chris Paul rising up in all-time lists, the top three teams in the East kept rolling, and the Denver Nuggets rising to the West second place.
LEBRON GOES FOR 40; NUGGETS WIN NINTH STRAIGHT
- LA Lakers (33-21) def. Phoenix Suns (23-33), 110-102: LeBron James dropped his second 40-point game as a 40-year-old, taking matters into his own hands that enabled the Lakers to snap a two-game skid.
- Orlando Magic (28-29) def. Atlanta Hawks (26-30), 114-108: Paolo Banchero outdueled Trae Young as the Magic made it back-to-back wins at the Hawks’ expense.
- Milwaukee Bucks (30-24) def. LA Clippers (31-24), 116-110: Giannis Antetokounmpo made a triumphant return after missing six games due to left calf injury, guiding the Bucks past the visiting Clippers.
- Denver Nuggets (37-19) def. Charlotte Hornets (14-40), 129-115: Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray imposed their might to help the Nuggets extend their winning streak to nine games.
- Double Mayhem in Mile Hile City: Murray exploded for 34 points while Jokic flirted with a triple-double of 29 markers, 17 rebounds, and nine dimes for Denver, which climbed to the no. 2 spot in the West.
CP3 MOVES TO SOLO SECOND IN ALL-TIME STEALS LIST; EAST TOP THREE TEAMS KEEP PACE
- San Antonio Spurs (24-29) def. Phoenix Suns (26-29), 120-109: Chris Paul moved past Jason Kidd for second in the all-time steals leaderboard, guiding the Spurs to a much-needed win against the visiting Suns.
[ALSO READ: Spurs shut down Victor Wembanyama for rest of season due to right shoulder blood clot]
- Cleveland Cavaliers (45-10) def. Brooklyn Nets (20-35), 110-97: First to 45 wins this season are the East-leading Cavaliers after rolling past the Nets on the road and to a fifth-straight dub.
- Boston Celtics (40-16) def. Philadelphia 76ers (20-35), 124-104: Against a Sixers side parading Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey, the Celtics drained 24 threes en route to their 40th win of the season and league-leading 23rd road dub.
[ALSO READ: News Champion Celtics torch Sixers from deep for fourth straight win]
- New York Knicks (37-18) def. Chicago Bulls (22-34), 113-111: Karl-Anthony Towns put the entire Knicks on his back in a thrilling home thriller against the Bulls.
- Big-time Big Bodega: Towns erupted for a monster 32-point, 18-rebound game including dropping 20 markers alone in the third quarter to power a third straight New York victory.
- Indiana Pacers (40-16) def. Philadelphia 76ers (20-35), 127-113: Tyrese Haliburton led a balanced Pacers attack in completing a regular season sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies.
