It was a very busy day for the NBA on Thursday, with all but 2 of the league’s 30 teams in action. It was a glorious day of hoops, to say the least as the games delivered drama, shockers, and standout performances. We’ve picked out the notables:
Steph Curry-Less Warriors Fall to Thunder
The Golden State Warriors have hit a rough patch, losing on Thursday to the West-leading Oklahoma City Thunder, 105-101, right at Chase Center.
Sans main man Steph Curry, who was sidelined due to a knee issue, the Dubs came out flat and fell behind early by as much as 19. But the Warriors, who have now lost back-to-back games, came roaring back in the fourth, even cutting it down to one with 11 ticks remaining on an Andrew Wiggins three.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued his stellar play, following up his 37-point outing on Tuesday with 35 against the Dubs to go along with 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Wiggins carried the fight for the Warriors with 19 points and 5 rebounds.
(Up next: Warriors vs. Suns on Sunday, Thunder vs. Lakers on Saturday)
No Luka, No Problem as Mavs Trounce Knicks
Despite missing Luka Doncic and Klay Thompson, the Dallas Mavericks continued their winning ways on Thursday, drubbing the New York Knicks, 129-114, at American Airlines Arena.
Dallas, who improved to 11-8, built an early lead and never looked back, using a balanced offense to frustrate the Knicks, who fell to 10-8.
Kyrie Irving led the charge for the Mavs with 23 points and 6 assists, while Naji Marshall continued his fine play with 24 big points. Four other Mavs finished in double-digits. Jalen Brunson’s 37 markers paced the Knicks, who also got 25 from Karl-Anthony Towns.
(Up next: Mavs vs. Jazz on Sunday, Knicks vs. Hornets on Saturday)
Hawks Shock Cavs
The Atlanta Hawks pulled off the day’s biggest shocker, beating the league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers, 135-124, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Led by Trae Young’s masterful 20-point, 22-assist outing, the Hawks played arguably their best game of the season, frustrating the Cavs with run after big run. De’Andre Hunter typified Atlanta’s game-long brilliance with 26 markers off the bench, while Jalen Johnson added 21 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists. Zaccharie Risacher and Bogdan Bogdanovic added 17 apiece.
Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 30 points and 7 assists, with Evan Mobley chipping in 22 points and 12 boards. The loss was only the Cavs’ second defeat all season and first at home.
(Up next: Hawks vs. Cavs rematch on Saturday)
Nikola Jokic and Buddy Hield Move Up in All-Time Lists
The Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic and the Warriors’ Buddy Hield both set personal milestones on Thursday.
Jokic, who put up 30 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block, in the Nuggets’ 122-103 triumph over the Utah Jazz, now has 111 games of at least 30 points and 10 rebounds. This moves him to 13th all-time, one shy of Mavs legend Dirk Nowitzki and three behind Phoenix Suns All-Star Kevin Durant. Karl Malone leads the list with 307.
Hield, on the other hand, climbed to 18th all-time in three-pointers made after 5-for-8 from downtown in the Warriors’ loss to the Thunder. The veteran sniper, who is shooting 43% from the arc this season, passed Nowitzki in the all-time list headed by Steph Curry’s 3,807 treys and counting.
