In a wild finish, the Portland Trail Blazers edged the Houston Rockets as Tari Eason’s potential game-winning beating tip-in was overturned by an official review.
Where amazing happens.
From a pair of cold-blooded game-winners to an overruled basket in crunch time, and a superstar MVP performance from SGA, Thursday’s 12-game NBA slate delivered nothing short of drama and individual brilliance.
BANCHERO, QUICKLEY DRILL GAME-WINNERS ON THE ROAD
- Orlando Magic (21-17) def. Brooklyn Nets (11-23), 104-103: Paolo Banchero banked in the game-winning triple as time expired, sealing a dramatic overtime escape for the Magic against the Nets.
[RELATED: NBA: Paolo Banchero banks in game-winning three to lift Magic past Nets in OT]
- Toronto Raptors (23-15) def. Charlotte Hornets (13-24), 97-96: In Charlotte, Immanuel Quickley came through in the clutch, drilling the buzzer-beating three to lift the Raptors past the Hornets.
Trailing by two with 1.6 seconds remaining, Quickley launched the game-winning shot from the top of the key that capped a thrilling 10-point fourth-quarter comeback for Toronto.
- Denver Nuggets (25-12) def. Boston Celtics (23-13), 114-110: Jamal Murray recorded a career-high 17 assists as the Nuggets gutted out another road win, besting Jaylen Brown in his Celtics.
[ALSO READ: NBA: Nuggets close seven-game road trip with big win over Celtics]
- Detroit Pistons (28-9) def. Charlotte Hornets (17-20), 108-93: Without injured star Cade Cunningham, Isaiah Stewart erupted for a career-high 31 points to pace the East-leading Pistons to their fourth win in five games.
- Philadelphia 76ers (20-15) def. Washington Wizards (10-26), 131-110: Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George combined for 73 points, joining forces to pace the Sixers’ 21-point rout of the lowly Wizards.
- New York Knicks (24-13) def. LA Clippers (13-23), 123-111: Jalen Brunson paced three 20-point scorers with 26 points as the Knicks toppled the visiting Clippers, ending a four-game skid.
CLUTCH SGA GOES FOR 46; TRAIL BLAZERS SURVIVE ROCKETS IN WILD FINISH
- OKC Thunder (31-7) def. Utah Jazz (12-24), 129-125: Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander erupted for 46 points, including 17 in the fourth quarter and overtime, to tow the Thunder past the Jazz and ended a two-game skid.
SGA sent the game to overtime with a clutch jumper, then added nine more points to notch his 15th career outing with at least 40 points, five rebounds, and five assists — tying Kevin Durant for the second-most in franchise history.
- Portland Trail Blazers (18-20) def. Houston Rockets (22-11), 103-102: Deni Avdija exploded for a season-high 41 points, lifting the Trail Blazers to a tense win over the Rockets in a wild finish.
In a dramatic finish, Tari Eason appeared to tip in a game-winner for Houston as the Rockets emptied the bench in celebration—but the basket came just after the buzzer, and Portland escaped with the win.
- Atlanta Hawks (18-21) def. Washington Wizards (8-31), 117-100: On the night they shipped Trae Young to the Wizards, the Hawks got contributions from seven players in double figures en route to a comfortable victory over the Wizards.
- Golden State Warriors (20-18) def. Milwaukee Bucks(16-21), 120-113: Stephen Curry sealed his stellar 31-point performance with a dagger three-pointer with 26 seconds remaining, lifting the Warriors past Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks.
- San Antonio Spurs (26-11) def. LA Lakers (23-12), 129-125: Keldon Johnson fired 27 points in just 28 minutes to see off Luka Doncic’s triple-double effort, helping the Spurs beat the Lakers.
[RELATED: Spurs spoil Luka Doncic’s triple-double, dominate Lakers in battle of West top teams]
- Phoenix Suns (22-15) def. Memphis Grizzlies (16-21), 117-98: Dillon Brooks and Grayson Allen torched their former team, the Grizzlies, combining for 40 points to inspire the Suns to their seventh win in the last nine games.
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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.