Jaylen Brown and the Celtics spoiled another big night for Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg, while Pistons star Cade Cunningham secured his first career win over three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.
A busy 10-game Wednesday in the NBA saw the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers continue their winning ways, Isaiah Collier record a career-high in assists, and the defending champion Thunder becoming the first team to hit the 40-win mark.
KNICKS, SIXERS STAY HOT; COLLIER DROPS 22 ASSISTS
- New York Knicks (32-18) def. Washington Wizards (13-36), 132-101: Mikal Bridges led a balanced effort with 23 points as the Knicks extended their winning streak to seven after crushing the Wizards.
Jalen Brunson added 21, while five other New York players scored in double figures.
- Philadelphia 76ers (29-21) def. Golden State Warriors (27-24), 113-194: Much like the Knicks, the Sixers continue to roll after a strong showing against the Warriors led to their fifth consecutive win.
Rookie VJ Edgecombe scored 25 points with seven rebounds and seven assists as Philadelphia moved within half a game behind Toronto and Cleveland for the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference.
- Utah Jazz (16-35) def. Indiana Pacers (13-38), 131-122: Isaiah Collier put on a playmaking masterclass, handing out a career-high 22 assists to lift the Jazz out of a six-game skid at the Pacers’ expense.
[RELATED: NBA: Isaiah Collier dishes career-high 22 assists as Jazz snap six-game skid]
- Atlanta Hawks (25-27) def. Miami Heat (27-25), 127-115: All-Star Jalen Johnson recorded 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists for his ninth triple-double of the season, powering the Hawks past the Heat and snapping a two-game losing streak.
- Milwaukee Bucks (19-29) def. Chicago Bulls (24-27), 131-115: Kyle Kuzma tied a season-high 31 points, spearheading the Bucks over the visiting Bulls and to end a five-game losing streak.
THUNDER FIRST TO 40 WINS; CELTICS SPOIL COOPER FLAGG’S BIG NIGHT
- OKC Thunder (40-11) def. Orlando Magic (25-24), 128-92: Isaiah Hartenstein recorded his first career triple-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists as the defending champion Thunder became the first team this season to reach 40 wins.
- Boston Celtics (32-18) def. Dallas Mavericks (19-31), 110-100: Jaylen Brown and the Celtics spoiled another big night from Cooper Flagg, beating the Mavericks for their third consecutive win.
Brown submitted a 33-point,11-rebound double-double, while Flagg scored 36 to become the first teenager in league history to record three straight 30-point games.
- Detroit Pistons (37-12) def. Denver Nuggets (33-18), 124-121: Cade Cunningham flipped the script on Nikola Jokic, picking up his first win over the three-time MVP in seven meetings as the Pistons survived a late Nuggets comeback.
[RELATED: NBA: Cunningham gets first win over Jokic as East no. 1 Pistons upend Nuggets]
- LA Lakers (30-19) def. Brooklyn Nets (13-36), 125-109: With Austin Reaves returning from a 19-game absence, LeBron James and Luka Doncic set the tone as the Lakers overpowered the Nets for a bounce-back win.
[RELATED: NBA: LeBron, Luka lead Lakers win in Austin Reaves’ return vs Nets]
- Phoenix Suns (31-20) def. Portland Trail Blazers (23-28), 130-125: Collin Gillespie exploded for a career-high 30 points, adding eight three-pointers and 10 assists to push the Suns back on track after edging the Trail Blazers.
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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.