James Harden became just the ninth player in NBA history to reach 29,000 career points in the latest Cleveland Cavaliers win.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, James Harden, and Kawhi Leonard delivered big performances to lead their respective teams to victory in a five-game NBA slate Tuesday. | Photo: Cleveland Cavaliers, OKC Thunder, LA Clippers
Milestones and playoff positioning highlighted the night as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tied Wilt Chamberlain’s record for consecutive 20-point games, the LA Clippers bolstered their play-in hopes, and James Harden reached a scoring milestone.
SGA MATCHES WILT’S SCORING STREAK; CLIPPERS RISE TO WEST NO. 8
- OKC Thunder (51-25) def. Denver Nuggets (39-26), 129-126: On the same night he tied Wilt Chamberlain’s all-time record of 126 straight 20-point games, Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander capped a 35-point performance with the game-winning triple in an instance classic against the Nuggets.
The reigning MVP will have a chance to break Chamberlain’s record when Oklahoma City takes on the Boston Celtics next.
[RELATED: NBA: SGA drills game-winner, ties Chamberlain all-time 20-point scoring streak]
- Cleveland Cavaliers (40-25) def. Philadelphia 76ers (34-30), 115-101: James Harden became the latest member of the 29,000-point club as the Cavaliers disposed the 76ers to regain their winning ways.
[RELATED: NBA: James Harden eclipses 29,000-point mark as Cavaliers bounce back vs Sixers]
- LA Clippers (32-32) def. New York Knicks (41-25), 126-118: Kawhi Leonard scored 29 points for his 42nd straight game with at least 20 markers, leading the Clippers past the visiting Knicks.
The win, coupled with the Warriors’ loss to Utah, lifted Los Angeles to the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference play-in race thanks to a 3-1 head-to-head edge over Golden State.
- Brooklyn Nets (17-47) def. Memphis Grizzlies (23-40), 126-115: For the first time since early February, the Nets recorded back-to-back wins at the expense of the reeling Grizzlies.
- Utah Jazz (20-45) def. Golden State Warriors (32-32), 119-116: Blake Hinson knocked down the go-ahead 3-pointer with 29.2 seconds left, lifting the Jazz past the Warriors.
Hinson hit four 3-pointers and finished with 12 points as Utah won for the second time in three games.
—
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.