Scoreboard
Warriors 120, Pistons 109
Pacers 152, Spurs 111
Mavericks 117, Magic 102
76ers 146, Wizards 128
Bucks 129, Nets 125
Heat 108, Lakers 107
Knicks 111, Clippers 97
Bulls 130, Jazz 113
Rockets 122, Kings 97
Timberwolves 114, Celtics 109 (OT)
Thunder 126, Hawks 117
Nuggets 134, Pelicans 116
What went down
And down goes the last undefeated team in the NBA.
The Minnesota Timberwolves, led by their superhero Anthony Edwards, handed the Boston Celtics their first loss of the season. Edwards led all scorers with 38 points on 60 percent shooting. He also did a little of everything in the game, corralling nine rebounds, dishing out seven dimes, and nabbing a steal.
Boston could not pull away as the plucky Timberwolves brought the fight to the league’s leading team. The Celtics could only manage to build a seven-point lead midway through the game, but that was quickly whittled down by Minny in a matter of minutes.
A 3-pointer by Jaden McDaniels in the final minute of regulation, coupled with several defensive stops, resulted in the game going to extra time. Edwards took over in OT, scoring six straight points to give the Timberwolves a seven-point lead, which was enough of a cushion until the final buzzer.
there. he. goes. 🐜🐜🐜 pic.twitter.com/ma6Mdiv35u
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) November 7, 2023
Big-time baller
It’s tough to pick a big-time baller on a day filled with awesome games such as today.
It could easily go to someone like Bam Adebayo who finished with a 20-20-10 line. Nikola Jokic also had a monster game to lead the Denver Nuggets to a comeback win. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Steph Curry, and Giannis Antetokounmpo all scored 30 or more today. Even Cam Thomas had a big day.
But, just like last season, one man loomed larger over the rest of the field.
Joel Embiid erupted for 48 points – 29 of which came in the third period – to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to the win.
48 PTS | 11 REB | 6 AST
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) November 7, 2023
Embeast. @PALottery pic.twitter.com/uE6skSIL7T
With James Harden gone, Embiid will have to carry a heavier load once again. It doesn’t seem like a problem for the reigning MVP.
What he said
Speaking of Harden, he made his season debut today. His first game as an LA Clipper didn’t go so well. He finished with 17 points, six assists, and three rebounds in a loss to the New York Knicks.
This loss may be a downer, but Harden is hopeful that the Big Four in LA will get rolling soon. It is, after all, a process.
“It felt good... It was a lot going on in my mind, but I’m just happy to be out there again and hoop… It's a process with this group. But we've got unlimited opportunities.”
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) November 7, 2023
James Harden on his Clippers debut (🎥 via @LAClippers) pic.twitter.com/GzPZxUJVSu
Did you see that?
Jersey swaps after games have become a thing in the NBA. Usually, players who idolize other players ask for swaps. Sometimes, former teammates who are playing against each other end up trading jerseys.
That was the case today when Mikal Bridges faced former Phoenix Suns teammate Cam Payne today. The two exchanged jerseys after the game… or did they?
DBook called out his former teammates for not exchanging jerseys 😂
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 7, 2023
(via dbook/IG) pic.twitter.com/brai6oo6kV
Extra pass
After a quick one-day break for the US Elections, the NBA will return with a banger of a match-up featuring the Celtics and Sixers.
There’s a lot of history between both teams, and you don’t even have to look that far. In last year’s playoffs, the Celtics outlasted the Sixers in their seven-game series, proving that this matchup brings with it the fire it had from the 80s and early 2000s.
These are two different teams from when they faced off in the East Semis. The Celtics have revamped, bringing in Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis in the offseason. As for the Sixers, they unloaded Harden and have given rising star Tyrese Maxey a bigger role.
With both teams sporting identical 5-1 records, look for this game to be a hotly contested one. You can catch this Atlantic Division matchup live at 8:00 AM on Thursday on NBA TV Philippines.
