Scoreboard
Nets 117, Cavaliers 112
Hornets 109, Wizards 103
Hawks 113, Thunder 101
Celtics 108, Rockets 90
Pacers 109, Bulls 77
Bucks 123, Magic 92
Timberwolves 110, Pelicans 96
Suns 115, Spurs 111
Grizzlies 119, Jazz 118
76ers 102, Kings 94
What went down
The Cleveland Cavaliers are down bad (horrendous even) after their encouraging start was derailed by injuries. First, Lauri Markkanen and Kevin Love were hit with the health and safety protocols hammer. Then, Collin Sexton suffered a season-ending meniscus tear. The biggest and most depressing blow was Evan Mobley going down with an elbow injury that has kept him out for one week and could cost him another month.
Still, the Cavaliers keep chugging. Last week, they almost thwarted the Golden State Warriors before Steph Curry single-handedly put them away in the fourth quarter. Today, they put up a fight against the visiting Brooklyn Nets.
They played valiant defense against Kevin Durant and James Harden with Darius Garland fueling their offensive attack. Cleveland even held the lead late in the final period, 105-102, but that’s when the Nets’ superstars iced the game.
Kevin Durant gets buckets. pic.twitter.com/TknBiybTHC
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) November 23, 2021
Durant finished with 27 points, but was an uncharacteristic eight-for-19 from the field. James Harden had just 14 points but dished out 14 assists.
In Utah, the Memphis Grizzlies earned a win in one of the toughest road venues. Thanks to a Jaren Jackson Jr. game-winner, Memphis survived a slugfest against the Jazz and earned a much-needed win to break out of their recent funk.
JAREN JACKSON JR. WINS THE TAP AND DRAINS THE THREE FOR THE @memgrizz WIN! pic.twitter.com/nkPEgWaiM0
— NBA (@NBA) November 23, 2021
For the Sacramento Kings and their new interim head coach Alvin Gentry, it was more of the same, losing in their first game after parting ways with Luke Walton. Facing a Sixers squad without Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris, the Kings still couldn’t find enough firepower to break their losing streak, which crept up to four games. They simply had no answer for Andre Drummond’s monster 23-rebound effort and Shake Milton.
Big-time baller
LaMelo Ball is one of those players still too young to realize his full potential. However, he’s already playing at an All-Star level, despite his lapses.
Today, he flexed his stats-stuffing game with 28 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals to lead the Charlotte Hornets to a win over the Washington Wizards.
He's built for these moments 💪@MELOD1P | @HornetsOnBally pic.twitter.com/oJIDJhNiT5
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) November 23, 2021
Charlotte looks like an awesome team still yet to find their stride. They are a big reason the East has been so fun this season.
What he said
The GROAT (Greatest Raptor of all time) has spoken; he will retire a Raptor, even if it means signing a one-day deal.
“Like I’ve said, and I’ll say it now, I will sign a one-day contract and I’ll retire as a Toronto Raptor. That is my everything,” Lowry told Marc Spears in a story for The Undefeated.
The rest of the article paints a picture of a player chasing one more title, but knowing where he truly belongs.
Did you see that?
In Washington, Kyle Kuzma was not impressing anyone with his oversized sweater. His NBA colleagues in the comments of his Instagram post certainly don’t care if oversized is the trend nowadays.
