It was a loaded 15-game Tuesday slate in the NBA, and it delivered a superstar duel between Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo, a one-man show in Cleveland, a heartbreak for an erstwhile unbeaten team, and an ejection. Check them out:
Luka Doncic Is on a Tear
Luka Doncic is making this look easy. He had 42 points, 7 rebounds, and 13 assists as the Los Angeles Lakers rolled past Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Miami Heat, 138-117. He shot 14-for-24 with six threes and topped 40 for the fourth time this season. It was his fifth straight game with at least 37 points.
The Lakers gave Doncic plenty of help this time. Austin Reaves scored 27, Walker Kessler finished with 15 points and 15 rebounds, and the Lakers (6-2) shot 57%. Antetokounmpo had 30 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists, but also 7 turnovers, as the Heat fell to 2-5.
SGA Carries a Hobbled Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder are down three starters, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is making up the difference. The two-time MVP scored a season-high 43 points, including the late go-ahead three that iced a 117-112 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Sam Merrill’s corner triple had tied it at 112, and SGA answered with a pull-up three from the left wing with 33 seconds left.
It wasn’t pretty. He needed 14-of-35 shooting to get there, tying his career-high attempts. But it was necessary. Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and Cason Wallace are all sidelined with long-term injuries, and Alex Caruso missed the game with a sprained ankle. Ajay Mitchell added 20 points, and Kenrich Williams had 12. The win snapped a two-game skid. “All you can do is play the cards you’re dealt,” SGA said.
Grizzlies’ Perfect Run Ends
The Memphis Grizzlies were the NBA’s last unbeaten team. Not anymore. The New Orleans Pelicans handed the Grizzlies their first loss, 135-134 in overtime, as Zion Williamson scored 25 points, including nine in overtime, and Jeremiah Fears hit two free throws with 7.3 seconds left.
Ty Jerome did everything he could. He scored nine straight points in the final 1:43 of regulation to tie it at 124, and finished with 40 points on 14-of-22 shooting and 5-of-6 from three. It was his second 40-point game in six appearances, after a 45-point opener against the Utah Jazz. His last-second 15-footer missed, and Memphis fell to 6-1. New Orleans has won three straight after an 0-4 start.
Draymond Green Gets Thrown Out
The chippy one. Draymond Green was ejected for the first time this season after two technical fouls in the same sequence of the Golden State Warriors’ 116-113 win over the Phoenix Suns. He had been bowled over by Khaman Maluach, then grabbed him and threw him to the floor, which drew a technical. Dillon Brooks then ran over to confront him, and officials called a double technical after review, which triggered Green’s ejection. It was the 23rd regular-season ejection of his 15-year career.
Golden State didn’t care. Stephen Curry scored 34 as the Warriors erased a 17-point deficit, and they won their fifth straight. Charles Bassey also stepped up with 19 points and 8 rebounds.
