Scoreboard
Bucks 146, Pistons 114
Sixers 135, Hornets 82
Cavaliers 127, Hawks 119
Heat 118, Bulls 116
Timberwolves 127, Pacers 109
Warriors 124, Nets 120
Thunder 118, Nuggets 117
Mavericks 131, Trail Blazers 120
Kings 125, Jazz 104
Clippers 144, Knicks 122
What went down
The matchup between two of the top teams in the West ended in the most exciting outcome, particularly for Oklahoma City Thunder fans.
The Thunder was facing a 10-point deficit against the defending champs Denver Nuggets with only six minutes left in the game, but carved out a scoring run in the final minutes to cut the lead.
As the game clock winded down to the final five seconds, the Nuggets still up one, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took matters into his own hands, drove to his left, spun to his right, then drained a jumper at the elbow for the game-winner with 0.9 seconds left.
SHAI CALLED GAME WITH 0.9 REMAINING 😱
— NBA (@NBA) December 17, 2023
THUNDER WIN IN DENVER. pic.twitter.com/L4MJxe87fk
SGA continues to be that guy for the Thunder, scoring a game-high 25 points. Chet Holmgren also continues to be that other guy for the Thunder for big games like this one. Matched up against reigning MVP Nikola Jokic, Holmgren stood out and delivered a monster game.
He scored 17 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and blocked nine shots, a season record. He also became the first rookie to get those stats since 1993, when Alonzo Mourning did it for the Hornets.
The win puts OKC at solo second with a 16-9 record, behind the Minnesota Timberwolves’ leading 19-5 record. The Nuggets are in fourth place in the West with a 17-10 record.
Big-time ballers
Luka Doncic has passed Wilt Chamberlain in the all-time list of most 40-point triple-doubles in league history. Doncic now has eight of those, getting another one in the win against Portland.
Luka Doncic dropped a 40-point triple-double in the Mavs' win in Portland!
— NBA (@NBA) December 17, 2023
🪄 40 PTS
🪄 12 REB
🪄 10 AST
Luka's eighth 40-point triple-double of his career passes Wilt Chamberlain for fourth-most such games in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/bK2nRIyeKs
After Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 64-point outburst versus the Pacers, Damian Lillard and Bobby Portis did their part to score a combined 64 points of their own.
Dame scored 33 points while Portis hung 31 against the lowly Pistons.
Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards did their own version at home, scoring a combined 77 points versus the Pacers.
Keegan Murray went off in the win versus the Jazz, putting up a career-high in both points (47 points) and 3-points made (12) in the win.
KEEGAN MURRAY KNOCKS DOWN HIS 12TH 3-POINTER OF THE NIGHT 🤯
— NBA (@NBA) December 17, 2023
45 PTS
12/13 3PM pic.twitter.com/xG25baI80Q
What he said
Keegan Murray’s 3-point explosion was made better by commentary from one of the only guys in the league who can do that:
"12/13 [from 3] is nuts...he's getting 'em up"
— NBA (@NBA) December 17, 2023
Steph Curry reacts to hearing Keegan Murray started 12/13 from 3 tonight 🗣? pic.twitter.com/7jDbCvwRzG
Did you see that?
Jimmy Butler liked this matchup versus the Bulls, his former team. With the game tied at 116, Butler waited for the very last second to uncork a midrange jumper to win the game:
After a missed 3 for the win against the Knicks on 11/24/23, Jimmy Butler said "I guarantee I make the next one."
— NBA (@NBA) December 17, 2023
Guarantee made then, guarantee delivered tonight 🤝 pic.twitter.com/6rp4yVjaSp
Extra pass
Bradley Beal was scheduled to meet his former team Washington Wizards, but the revenge game will have to wait with his recent injury. Beal suffered an ankle injury in the game against the Knicks, which the Suns lost.
Phoenix is now on a two-game losing streak as they face the Wizards at home. The good news is they still have Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. The Wizards, on the other hand, are coming off a win against the Pacers.
The game tips off at 9:00 AM live on NBA TV Philippines.
