Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 24 points, while Anthony Edwards recorded 23 points and eight assists as the Timberwolves secured a 121-100 victory over the Clippers in a highly anticipated matchup between two leading Western Conference teams.
Rudy Gobert scored 17 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and made four blocked shots, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker contributed 15 points as the leading Timberwolves improved to 2-1 on a five-game road trip before the All-Star break. Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid both scored 11 points for the Timberwolves. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George each scored 18 points, and James Harden added 17 for the Clippers, who had closed in on the first-place Wolves with a 27-6 record since December. Russell Westbrook scored 11 points and Ivica Zubac grabbed 11 rebounds for the Clippers, who have lost two of their last three games.
Buddy Hield and Kelly Oubre Jr. both scored 24 points and made important contributions in the fourth quarter as Philadelphia ended Cleveland’s nine-game winning streak. Oubre’s 3-pointer gave the 76ers a 120-110 lead, but Cleveland responded with a 9-0 run and outscored Philadelphia 11-3 in the final 1:13. Donovan Mitchell, who scored 36 points, tried to tie the game in the closing seconds, but his shot was blocked by Paul Reed. Mitchell then passed to Darius Garland for a potential game-winning 3-point attempt, which ultimately fell short. Garland finished with 21 points and nine assists in the defeat.
Aaron Holiday made two free throws with 0.3 seconds left, breaking the tie and helping Houston end a four-game losing streak with a victory over New York. Holiday’s scoring spree at the start of the fourth quarter gave the Rockets a 91-80 lead. He was fouled by Jalen Brunson while attempting a last-second shot, and Brunson had earlier tied the game with a 15-foot jumper. Brunson scored 27 points, with 20 coming in the second half, while Donte DiVincenzo added 23 points and Josh Hart contributed 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Knicks. Dillon Brooks led the Rockets with 23 points.
In his second game at home with his hometown team, Grant Williams contributed 21 points to help Charlotte secure a win against Indiana. Miles Bridges also made a significant impact with 20 points for the Hornets. The game highlighted the impressive performances of Charlotte’s recent additions, Williams and Seth Curry, who both made substantial contributions shortly after joining their hometown team. Curry scored 18 points. Both players were acquired from the Dallas Mavericks through a trade. On the opposing side, Myles Turner scored 22 points and Aaron Nesmith added 21 for the Pacers, who suffered their second loss in the last five games.
Ayo Dosunmu achieved a personal best of 29 points and made a crucial 3-pointer during a fourth-quarter surge that helped the visiting Chicago team secure a victory over Atlanta. Dosunmu’s 3-pointer, made with 4:13 remaining, was the highlight of a 9-0 run that extended the Bulls’ lead to 10 points, putting them ahead 121-111. Atlanta was unable to narrow the gap to less than six points again. DeMar DeRozan of Chicago also contributed 29 points. Atlanta’s top scorers were Bogdan Bogdanovic with 28 points, including six 3-pointers, and De’Andre Hunter with 23 points. Trae Young scored 19 points and provided 14 assists, but struggled with a 3-for-14 shooting performance.
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 36 points and equaled his season best with 18 rebounds as the Milwaukee Bucks delivered another strong defensive performance against Denver. Damian Lillard contributed 18 points, while Antetokounmpo also recorded three steals and two blocks in 30 minutes. The Bucks, now 3-5 since Doc Rivers took over as coach, showcased their defensive prowess by limiting Denver to 38.3% shooting, following a previous game where they allowed a season-low 84 points against the Charlotte Hornets. Nikola Jokic led Denver with 29 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists. The Nuggets were understaffed after Jamal Murray (leg) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (hamstring) left the game in the first half.
Klay Thompson led the Golden State team with 26 points in a win against Utah in Salt Lake City. Stephen Curry also made a significant contribution with 25 points, including five 3-pointers in the final eight minutes, along with 10 assists and six rebounds. The Warriors secured their fifth consecutive victory, with Andrew Wiggins adding 17 points and Draymond Green contributing 12 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. On the other side, Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson each scored 22 points for the Jazz, who suffered their fifth loss in seven games.
Luka Doncic achieved his 10th triple-double of the season as Dallas came from 11 points behind in the fourth quarter to secure their fifth consecutive victory against Washington. Doncic scored 26 points on 8-of-16 shooting, dished out 15 assists, and grabbed 11 rebounds. Kyrie Irving also contributed 26 points, while former Wizard Daniel Gafford had 16 points, 17 rebounds, and five blocked shots. Deni Avdija led the Wizards with 25 points, and Kyle Kuzma added 23. Tyus Jones scored 14 points and achieved a career-high 16 assists. Washington has now suffered seven consecutive losses.
