In Denver, Nikola Jokic, the standout center, fell short of achieving his fifth consecutive triple-double, but Michael Porter Jr’s 30-point performance propelled the Nuggets to a 103-97 win against the Miami Heat in a rematch of the NBA Finals.
Porter contributed 11 rebounds to make up for the absence of Jamal Murray, who left the game in the second quarter due to a sprained ankle. Jokic recorded 18 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists as the Nuggets held off Miami’s comeback attempt in the fourth quarter. Adebayo scored 22 points and Butler added 21 for the Miami Heat, who were missing Tyler Herro, Kevin Love, and Josh Richardson due to injuries, resulting in the end of their five-game winning streak.
The Lakers secured another thrilling victory in the NBA, defeating the Wizards 134-131 in overtime with Anthony Davis scoring 40 points and LeBron James contributing 31. James made crucial plays in overtime, including a game-tying three-pointer and assisting Davis for a dunk, before sealing the win with a free throw. Washington’s Jordan Poole scored a season-high 34 points and Marvin Bagley III added 23, but it wasn’t enough as they suffered their 13th consecutive loss.
A visit to Madison Square Garden was exactly what Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors needed to overcome his recent struggles in scoring. Curry managed to score 31 points and secure 11 rebounds, leading his team to a 110-99 win against the New York Knicks. This victory came after Curry had a scoreless first half in the previous game against the Wizards. Golden State’s Jonathan Kuminga also contributed significantly with 25 points. On the other side, Jalen Brunson scored 27 points for the Knicks, who managed to reduce the deficit to four points in the fourth quarter but were unable to take the lead, especially with key players Julius Randle and OG Anunoby out due to injuries.
A standout performance by newcomer Victor Wembanyama was key in helping the San Antonio Spurs end a five-game losing streak by defeating Western Conference rivals Oklahoma City 132-118. The French player impressed with 28 points, 13 rebounds, and five blocked shots. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points, Jalen Williams added 26, and Holmgren contributed 23 for the Thunder, who now trail the Minnesota Timberwolves by one game for the top spot in the Western Conference.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, scored 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Milwaukee as they defeated the Hornets 111-99 in Charlotte. Malik Beasley contributed 19 points, including five three-pointers, to help the Bucks extend their winning streak to four games and finish a season sweep of the Hornets.
