Sunday’s slate of games around the NBA seemed inconsequential compared to the big trade news the rocked all of basketball later in the day. But there were some notable games and performances nonetheless, and we got three right here:
Lakers Dominate Knicks as LeBron James Puts on Show at The Garden
LeBron James put up 33 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists in another virtuoso performance at Madison Square Garden to lead the Los Angeles Lakers (28-19) to a 128-112 victory over the New York Knicks (32-17).
Austin Reaves added 27 points, 6 assists, and 3 steals for the Lakers, who outscored the Knicks 37-23 in the fourth quarter to turn a close 91-89 game into a rout. Rui Hachimura and Max Christie chipped in 21 and 15, respectively.
Josh Hart matched LeBron’s triple-double with one of his own, finishing with 26 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists. However, Jalen Brunson was limited to 17 points on 7-for-18 shooter and committed 6 turnovers. Karl-Anthony Towns was even worse, scoring just 11 points on 3-for-12 shooting.
Up next:
Lakers vs. Los Angeles Clippers on February 5
Knicks vs. Houston Rockets on February 4
Heat Eke Out Win vs. Spurs as Bam Adebayo Hits Game-Winner
Bam Adebayo hit the game-winning jumper to give the Miami Heat (24-23) a thrilling 105-103 triumph over the San Antonio Spurs (21-25) at Frost Bank Center.
Adebayo finished with a near triple-double of 30 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists on top of 2 steals and 3 blocks. Terry Rozier and Nikola Jovic added 19, and 14 off the Miami bench. Tyler Herro, in his first game after getting his first NBA All-Star nod, managed just 11 points but had 8 dimes.
Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell had 19 and 18, respectively, for the Spurs, who played without superstar center Victor Wembanyama. The first-time All-Star was ruled out of the game due to an undisclosed illness.
Up next:
Heat vs. Chicago Bulls on February 5
Spurs vs. Memphis Grizzles on February 4
Thunder Destroy Kings as Aaron Wiggins Goes Off for Career-High
The Oklahoma City Thunder (38-9) dominated the second quarter en route to a 144-110 dismantling of the Sacramento Kings (24-24) at Paycom Center.
Aaron Wiggins led the charge with a career high 41 points on top of 14 rebounds and 3 assists. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 29 points and 9 dimes for the Thunder, who outscored the Kings 46-24 in the second quarter to take an 82-55 lead at the half. Isaiah Hartenstein was solid once again for OKC, putting up 16 points, 15 boards, and 6 assists.
De’Aaron Fox, rumored to be on the trading block, led the Kings with 20 points. Malik Monk chipped in 19 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 blocks.
Up next:
Thunder vs. Milwaukee Bucks on February 4
Kings vs. Minnesota Timberwolves on February 4
