With their eighth straight win, the East-leading Detroit Pistons joined fellow conference leaders OKC Thunder as the first teams to reach double-digit victories.
Former MVPs Nikola Jokic and Stephen Curry delivered dazzling offensive performances, while conference leaders OKC Thunder and the Detroit Pistons continued to set the pace in a loaded 12-game NBA Thursday slate.
JOKIC, CURRY PUT ON OFFENSIVE CLINIC ON THE ROAD
- Denver Nuggets (9-2) def. LA Clippers (3-8), 130-116: Nikola Jokic erupted for a season-high 55 points, powering the surging Nuggets past the reeling Clippers to stretch their winning streak to six games.
Jokic set the tone early with 25 points in the opening frame and followed it up with a 19-point third quarter, delivering one of the finest offensive performances of his career.
[ALSO READ: Nikola Jokic unleashes 55 points as Nuggets stay hot after drubbing Clippers]
- Golden State Warriors (7-6) def. San Antonio Spurs (8-3), 125-120: In an epic showdown, Stephen Curry outgunned Victor Wembanyama as the Warriors stormed back from 16 points down to stun the Spurs.
Curry erupted for 44 points in a vintage performance, while Wembanyama countered with his fourth career triple-double—finishing with 31 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists.
[ALSO READ: Stephen Curry unloads 46 as Warriors complete comeback, hand Spurs first home loss]
- Cleveland Cavaliers (8-4) def. Miami Heat (7-5), 130-116: Jarrett Allen and the Cavaliers made sure there was no repeat of their recent overtime heartbreak, powering a dominant fourth-quarter to topple the Heat.
In their second clash in three days, Allen wreaked havoc with a 30-point, 10-rebound double-double as Cleveland avenged their stingy 140-138 loss that came on an Andrew Wiggins game-winning alley-oop.
- Charlotte Hornets (4-7) def. Milwaukee Bucks (7-5), 111-100: Miles Bridges and the Hornets took advantage of a Giannis Antetokounmpo-less Bucks to snap a three-game losing streak.
- Orlando Magic (6-6) def. New York Knicks (7-4), 124-107: Franz Wagner went off for 28 points and nine rebounds, leading the Magic to a 17-point romp that ended the Knicks’ perfect home streak.
- Boston Celtics (6-7) def. Memphis Grizzlies (4-9), 131-95: The Celtics recorded their biggest margin of victory this season, posting a 36-point home beatdown of the Ja Morant-less Grizzlies.
Payton Pritchard fired 24 points to pace four Boston starters in double-figures in a balanced effort.
THUNDER, PISTONS KEEP PACE AS CONFERENCE LEADERS
- OKC Thunder (12-1) def. LA Lakers (8-4), 121-92: Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered once again, tallying his 10th 30-point outing of the season to anchor the Thunder’s dominant 29-point demolition of the Lakers.
SGA added nine assists and five rebounds in just 29 minutes, sitting out the entire fourth quarter for the second consecutive game in another rousing OKC outing.
- Detroit Pistons (10-2) def. Chicago Bulls (6-5), 124-113: Even without superstar Cade Cunningham and several key starters, the Pistons handled business over the Bulls and became the first team in the Eastern Conference to reach double-digit wins.
[ALSO READ: Shorthanded, East-leading Pistons stave off late Bulls rally for eighth straight win]
- Houston Rockets (7-3) def. Washington Wizards (1-11), 135-112: Kevin Durant led six Rockets players in double digits, pouring 23 points to send the Wizards reeling to a 10th straight loss.
- Portland Trail Blazers (6-5) def. New Orleans Pelicans (2-9), 125-117: Shaedon Sharpe unleashed a season-high 35 points, guiding the Trail Blazers back to the win column at the Pelicans' expense.
- Phoenix Suns (7-5) def. Dallas Mavericks (3-9), 123-114: Devin Booker spearheaded a balanced Suns attack over the Mavericks that led to a season-high fourth straight win.
- Atlanta Hawks (7-5) def. Sacramento Kings (3-9), 133-100: Jalen Johnson fell two assists shy of a triple-double, finishing with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and eight dimes in a 33-point rout of the Kings.
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.