Monday’s slate of games featured plenty of exciting action, with six games going down the wire and two needing extra time.
Unsurprisingly, plenty went down as well as 22 of the Association’s 30 teams saw action. Here are the notables:
Jaylen Brown Blasts Giannis Antetokounmpo After Handshake Fake
A bit of color developed between the Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown and the Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo in the C’s 113-107 victory at Fiserve Forum.
After committing an offensive foul in the second quarter, Antetokounmpo offered his hand to Brown for what looked like a handshake. But as Brown was about to offer his hand in return, the Bucks forward moved it out, ran it through his hair, and smiled afterward. He tried to offer his hand back but Brown wouldn’t oblige.
Postgame, a visibly irked Brown called the Greek Freak “a child” for his shenanigan. Antetokounmpo, though, was unperturbed, telling reporters he just plays the game “with fun, joy.”
The Bucks and Celtics won’t see each other until December 8.
Chet Holmgren, and Anthony Davis Exit Their Respective Games with Injuries
Oklahoma City Thunder big man Chet Holmgren left the Thunder’s 127-116 loss to the Golden State Warriors at the 6:50 mark of the first quarter after a scary fall when he challenged the Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins at the rim.
Holmgren remained on the floor in obvious pain and had to be helped back to the locker room as he was unable to put weight on his right leg. No update has been announced yet as to the condition of the Thunder big man, who is averaging 18.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks.
Out in Los Angeles, Lakers big man and early-season MVP frontrunner Anthony Davis also headed for the exits early in the Purple and Gold’s 123-103 win over the Toronto Raptors at crypto.com Arena.
Davis was knocked off the game by an inadvertent poke in the eye from the Raptors’ Jakob Poetl as the former blocked the latter’s dunk attempt at the midway point of the third quarter. Davis left the game with 22 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks. He is averaging 32.4 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.4 steals, and 2.0 blocks.
Nikola Jokic Makes History—Again
Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic is continuing his MVP start to the season, posting 37 points, 18 rebounds, and 15 assists in the Denver Nuggets’ thrilling 122-120 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at Ball Center in Colorado.
With his latest triple-double, the big Serbian became the first player in NBA history to post such numbers. He is currently putting up 28.9 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 11.3 assists this season.
Steph Curry Hits ‘Night Night’ Celly in Huge Road Win
The Golden State Warriors got another huge road win, this time beating the Thunder, 127-116, at Paycom Center.
Steph Curry led the charge for the Dubs with 36 points and 7 dimes, along with several clutch baskets in the fourth as the Warriors held off a hard-charging Thunder. Curry notably hit a booming fallaway triple with 3:23 remaining after the Thunder had cut a 30-point lead to 116-108. The three-time MVP then hit Oklahoma City with his famed Night-Night celebration.
