Scoreboard
76ers 115, Nets 106
Kings 113, Grizzlies 109
Pistons 110, Nuggets 108
Suns 115, Lakers 105
What went down
It’s official. The Sacramento Kings are the hottest team in the league, winning seven straight games. For their latest win though, they had to weather a furious rally by the Memphis Grizzlies in the final minutes of the game.
With six minutes left, it seemed like the Kings wrapped up another win when Harrison Barnes hit a 3-pointer to put them up by 14. Then Ja Morant happened.
The Grizzlies’ superstar was returning from an ankle injury. Rather than take it easy, he went pedal-to-the-metal. He scored 14 of his team’s last 16 points in an attempt to end the Kings’ win streak all by himself. His scoring barrage started with a 36-foot 3-pointer, included two dunks, and whatever this shot was:
Ja. And-one. CLUTCH.
— NBA (@NBA) November 23, 2022
Kings-Grizzlies is down to the WIRE right now on the NBA App!
📲 https://t.co/1pomQZMAZK pic.twitter.com/ZCIbZwMGz9
In the end though, Sacramento did all the early work to hold on to the win. De’Aaron Fox, the West Player of the Week, went to work. He continued his hot streak with 32 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Domantas Sabonis filled the stat sheet with nine points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists. Barnes had 26 while Malik Monk added 14 off the bench.
The Kings are shooting up the standings just like the laser on top of their home arena. After this win, they’re now third in the West with a 10-6 record.
Big-time baller
Even though the Los Angeles Lakers lost, we need to give Anthony Davis props for the work he put in today. He finished with 37 points, 21 rebounds, five steals, and five blocks. He’s the only player in NBA history (since blocks and steals were recorded in 1973) to have a 30-20-5-5 game.
Blocks and steals were first officially recorded in 1973.
— NBA (@NBA) November 23, 2022
Since then, Anthony Davis is the only player ever to have 35+ PTS, 20+ REB, 5+ STL, and 4+ BLK in a single game. pic.twitter.com/KS0BP1Bx4z
Davis has been incredible in the last four games, averaging 35.5 points, 18.3 rebounds, 2.3 steals, 2.5 blocks, shooting 62.5 percent from the field. The Lakers are 3-1 during that stretch.
What he said
“Don’t miss.”
That’s what Morant told Monk when Monk trooped to the line with 3.9 seconds left in the game and the Kings up by one.
He even repeated it for good measure.
Monk shrugged off Morant’s trash talk and sank both freebies to give his team a 3-point lead.
The ironic thing is that a few moments later, Morant had three shots at the line to tie the game. He missed two of three.
Ja kept telling Malik Monk: "don't miss" while shooting FT's up one with four seconds left... Monk hit both
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 23, 2022
Ja went to the line later with a chance to tie it and missed 2/3. Kings win. 😬 pic.twitter.com/HcpxLZVl6J
Did you see that?
Ben Simmons returned to Philadelphia today for the first time since he was traded by the Sixers in February. This wasn’t the dramatic game everyone expected it to be.
Simmons got booed by the fans (as expected).
Sixers fans mercilessly boo Ben Simmons during pregame introductions pic.twitter.com/geyIdvtev7
— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) November 23, 2022
He ended up playing well, even if his team lost (surprising because Joel Embiid and James Harden were out).
Ben Simmons to the crowd after this putback 🤫 pic.twitter.com/wlOmOoCQqC
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 23, 2022
Simmons did have one final assist for the Philly fans. He bricked two freebies midway through the game (as expected). Because of that, fans in the game won free chicken nuggets, which they cheered wildly for (as expected).
Philly fans lost it for some free Chick-fil-A after Simmons missed both FT's 😂 pic.twitter.com/krQIoBXkj9
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 23, 2022
