Elsewhere, Derrick White and the Boston Celtics halted the Detroit Pistons’ 13-game winning run with a thrilling home victory.
Brandon Ingram’s game-winning jumper lifted the red-hot Raptors to a sweep in East Group A, while the OKC Thunder and Phoenix Suns kept their unbeaten runs alive in a packed nine-game NBA Cup slate.
CLUTCH INGRAM STRIKES; THUNDER, SUNS STAY SPOTLESS IN NBA CUP PLAY
- Toronto Raptors (14-5) def. Indiana Pacers (2-16), 97-95: Brandon Ingram sank the game-winning jumper with 0.6 seconds remaining, completing a dramatic Raptors escape over the Pacers.
He finished with 26 points as Toronto, who is through the KO rounds already, scored a 4-0 East Group A while securing its ninth consecutive game.
- OKC Thunder (18-1) def. Minnesota Timberwolves (10-8), 113-105: MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander poured in 40 points as the Thunder staved off the Timberwolves for their 10th consecutive win.
With the victory, Oklahoma City not only stayed spotless in NBA Cup play at 3-0 but also became just the fifth team in league history to start a season 18–1 or better, joining the 1969–70 Knicks, 1990–91 Trail Blazers, 1993–94 Rockets, and 2015–16 Warriors.
[ALSO READ: Champion Thunder remain spotless in NBA Cup, nip Timberwolves for 10th straight win]
- Phoenix Suns (12-7) def. Sacramento Kings (5-14), 112-100: Devin Booker logged 19 points as Mark Williams and Collin Gillespie added 21 each, keeping the Suns unbeaten in West Group A after eliminating the Kings.
- Boston Celtics (10-8) def. Detroit Pistons (15-3), 117-114: Derrick White came alive in the second half, scoring 25 of his 27 points to lead the Celtics in snapping the Pistons’ 13-game winning streak.
[ALSO READ: Derrick White, Celtics snap 13-game Pistons winning streak with thrilling NBA Cup win]
- Miami Heat (13-6) def. Milwaukee Bucks (8-12), 106-103: Tyler Herro poured in a season-high 29 points, helping the Heat to hand the Bucks their first-ever NBA Cup group-stage loss.
The win lifted Miami to sole possession of first place in East Group C at 3–1 and extended the team’s winning streak to six games.
- New York Knicks (11-6) def. Charlotte Hornets (4-14), 129-101: Jalen Brunson fired 33 points as the Knicks eliminated the Hornets in the NBA Cup after a 28-point beating.
It marked Brunson’s 83rd career 30-point game for New York, who are now 2-1 in the group play with one more game against the reigning tournament champion Bucks.
- San Antonio Spurs (12-5) def. Portland Trail Blazers (8-11), 115-102: The Spurs stayed in contention for the knockout round thanks to a 37-point performance from De’Aaron Fox against the Trail Blazers.
San Antonio now faces Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets in their final elimination-round game, with the winner securing a spot in the next round.
- Houston Rockets (12-4) def. Golden State Warriors (10-10), 104-100: Behind Reed Sheppard’s career performance, the Kevin Durant-less Rockets staged a gutsy comeback over the Warriors.
Sheppard poured in 31 points, but despite the win, Houston did not advance to the knockout round after Memphis’ overtime victory over New Orleans earlier.
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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.