The game’s biggest basketball rivalry bled purple and gold as the Lakers dominated the Boston Celtics in the defending champion’s first and only visit to LA this season.
Victor Wembanyama dazzled in front of his homeland France, while Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo dominated for the in-form Denver Nuggets and the Milwaukee Bucks. | Photos: Nuggets, Bucks, Spurs
No biggie for these big men this loaded NBA Friday.
Victor Wembanyama, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered big-time performances on the same night the league’s most storied rivalry tipped in favor of the Los Angeles Lakers.
VICTOR WEMBANYAMA SHINES IN PARIS; LAKERS DOMINATE CELTICS
- San Antonio Spurs (20-22) def. Indiana Pacers (24-20), 140-110: Victor Wembanyama dazzled in 30 points in his first NBA game on his native French soil in a commanding Spurs rout of the Pacers.
- Home Sweet Home: The reigning Rookie of the Year returned to Paris for the first time since the Olympic Games 2024 and stuffed the stat sheet, finishing with 30 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, five blocks, and four threes.
- Portland Trail Blazers (16-28) def. Orlando Magic (23-23), 101-79: For the first time in over two months, the Trail Blazers racked up three straight wins after spoiling Franz Wagner’s Magic return.
- Toronto Raptors (12-32) def. Atlanta Hawks (22-22), 122-119: Scottie Barnes paced the Raptors with 25 points for just their second road win of the season at the Hawks' expense.
- LA Lakers (24-18) def. Boston Celtics (31-14), 117-96: The game’s biggest rivalry bled purple and gold as the Lakers dominated the Celtics in the defending champion’s first and only visit to LA this season.
[ALSO READ: After 21st All-Star selection, LeBron James makes double-double in Lakers rout of Celtics]
IN-FORM NUGGETS, BUCKS KEEP ROLLING
- Milwaukee Bucks (25-17) def. Miami Heat (21-22), 125-96: Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo proved too much to handle for the visiting Heat, posting double-double outings in a 29-point rout.
- Dame Time 🤝 Greek Freak: Lillard fell one rebound shy of a triple-double after clocking in 29 points, 11 assists, and nine boards. Antetokounmpo, who was named as an All-Star starter earlier, finished with 25 markers and 12 rebounds.
- Dallas Mavericks (24-21) def. OKC Thunder (36-8), 121-115: The undermanned Mavericks became the first team this season to score three wins over the West-leading Thunder.
[ALSO READ: Short-handed Mavericks remain thorn on Thunder side, snap two-game skid]
- Denver Nuggets (28-16) def. Sacramento Kings (23-21), 132-123: Nikola Jokic registered his fifth straight triple-double as the Nuggets rolled to a fourth straight win.
- Jaw-dropping Joker: Jokic put up another video-game like performance, finishing with an insane 35-22-17 statline to join Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in league history to record 35 or more points, 20 or more rebounds, and 15 or more assists in a single game.
- Golden State Warriors (22-22) def. Chicago Bulls (19-26), 131-106: Stephen Curry netted 21 points as the Warriors rode a blistering second half for a much-needed win over the Bulls.
- LA Clippers (24-19) def. Washington Wizards (6-36), 110-93: James Harden delivered his 79th career triple-double in a strong bounce-back win Clippers win.