Just like that, the OKC Thunder owned the best overall league record on the same night De’Aaron Fox and Zach LaVine earned contrasting results in their respective team debut.
Darius Garland called game, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards topped the scoreboard in this NBA Thursday action. | Photos: NBA, Cavaliers, Timberwolves
As madness swirled around in the penultimate day of the NBA trade deadline, there’s no shortage of drama in the hardcourt this loaded 11-game slate.
GARLAND GAME-WINNER STUNS PISTONS; FOX TRIUMPHANT IN SPURS DEBUT
- Cleveland Cavaliers (41-10) def. Detroit Pistons (25-26), 118-115: Darius Garland drilled a buzzer-beating triple from the logo that gave the league-leading Cavaliers a stunning win over the Pistons.
- Milwaukee Bucks (27-22) def. Charlotte Hornets (12-36), 112-102: In their first game since trading Khris Middleton, the Bucks snapped a four-game skid after zooming past the Hornets.
- Dame Does It: Without superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was dealing with calf tightness, Damian Lillard stepped up with a 29-point, 12-assist performance to send Charlotte to a sixth straight loss.
- San Antonio Spurs (22-26) def. Atlanta Hawks (23-28), 126-125: Victor Wembanyama sank the game-winning free throw that helped new teammate De’Aaron Fox get a winning Spurs debut.
[ALSO READ: Clutch Victor Wembanyama helps give De'Aaron Fox winning Spurs debut vs Hawks]
- Washington Wizards (9-41) def. Brooklyn Nets (17-34), 119-102: The Wizards ushered the post-Kyle Kuzma era with a third straight victory, this time ending the three-game winning streak of the Nets.
- Miami Heat (25-24) def. Philadelphia 76ers (20-30), 108-101: In their first game since trading superstar Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro and the Heat bounce back quickly via a road win against the Sixers.
- Thumbs Up, Tyler: Herro led the way for Miami with 30 points as the Heat can finally move on from the Jimmy Butler saga that hounded the team in the past months after trading their disgruntled star to Golden State.
SGA DROPS 50, ANT-MAN GOES FOR 49 AS MPJ TIES CAREER-HIGH
- Oklahoma City Thunder (40-9) def. Phoenix Suns (25-25), 140-109: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander torched the visiting Suns with his third 50-point game of the season that improved OKC's Western Conference record to 40-9.
[ALSO READ: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander explodes for 50 in 31-point Thunder decimation of KD-less Suns]
- Memphis Grizzlies (35-16) def. Toronto Raptors (16-35), 138-107: The West second-running Grizzlies made it four straight wins after destroying the Raptors up North.
- Triple J, Triple 30-piece: Jaren Jackson Jr. continued his scoring spree, firing a team-high 32 points for a third straight 30-point outing as the Grizzlies earned their 35th win of the season.
- Minnesota Timberwolves (28-23) def. Chicago Bulls (22-30), 127-108: Anthony Edwards lit up the Bulls with a 49-point explosion that helped the Timberwolves snap a two-game skid.
- Ant-stoppable: Edwards waxed hot in the third quarter, pouring 20 points alone and became the first player in Timberwolves history to have five 45+ point games.
- Denver Nuggets (32-19) def. New Orleans Pelicans (12-39), 144-109: Michael Porter Jr. tied his career-high with 39 points, anchoring a fourth straight Nuggets win at the Pelicans’ expense.
- Utah Jazz (12-37) def. Golden State Warriors (25-25), 131-128: Jordan Clarkson and Keyonte George combined for 57 points to guide the Jazz to their second win in the last three games.
- JC 🤝 Keyonte: Clarkson fired a team-high 31 points while George added 27 for Utah’s first home win in over a month.
- Orlando Magic (24-27) def. Sacramento Kings (25-24), 130-111: Franz Wagner spoiled Zach LaVine’s Kings debut after netting 31 points to help the Magic end a four-game slide.