Wednesday’s five-game slate was largely devoid of drama in terms of thrilling finishes—save for the Brooklyn Nets’ 116-115 nail-biter against the Charlotte Hornets. But it was an eventual game day around the Association nonetheless as the 2024–25 NBA Season continued.
Among the notables from around the league were as follows:
Celtics Clip Cavs to End Unbeaten Streak at 15
The Cleveland Cavaliers’ furious start to the season is officially over no thanks to the defending champs.
The Boston Celtics put on yet another three-point shooting clinic on Wednesday as they edged out the Cavs, 120-117, at the TD Garden to break their 15-game unbeaten streak to start the season.
Boston went 22-for-41 from downtown and 44-for-86 overall as it took the fight to the Association’s best team, at least record-wise.
Jayson Tatum typified the Celtics’ masterful performance, finishing with 33 points on 6-for-10 from the arc. He added 12 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals. Al Horford chipped in a season-high 20 on four triples, while Derrick White contributed 19, also on four treys. Donovan Mitchell tried to preserve Cleveland’s streak, going off for 35 points, but his effort wasn’t enough.
The Cs improved to 12-3 for the season, while the Cavs dropped to 15-1.
Dalton Knecht Sets NBA Rookie Record
The Los Angeles Lakers are rolling, and so is their rookie, Dalton Knecht.
Picked 17th in the 2024 NBA Draft, Knecht proved once more that he should’ve been picked a lot earlier, going off for 37 points in the Lakers’ 124-118 win over the Utah Jazz at crypto.com Arena.
Knecht spiced up his splendid effort with a 9-for-12 shooting from downtown to set the Lakers rookie record for three-pointers made in a game. Knecht’s nine treys also tied the NBA rookie record held by the Keyonte George (Jazz), Yogi Ferrell (Dallas Mavericks), and Rodrigue Beaubois (Mavs).
Thanks largely to Knecht, the Lakers are now at 10-4, while the Jazz dropped to 3-11.
Russell Westbrook Sets NBA Record
Coming into the season, Russell Westbrook was far and away no. 1 in all-time triple-doubles with 199. The question was if he could reach 200 given his advancing age and reduced role.
Westbrook did just that on Monday, posting 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 14 assists in the Denver Nuggets’ 122-110 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.
The veteran guard’s triple-double was part of a balanced effort that helped Denver climb to 8-5. Memphis dropped to 8-7.
Spurs Shock Thunder
The San Antonio Spurs pulled off on Wednesday’s one of the season’s biggest shockers, holding off the Oklahoma City Thunder, 110-104, at Frost Bank Center for their seventh win.
Second in the West and fourth overall in the standings, the Thunder looked headed for another victory as the Spurs were missing their franchise cornerstone, Victor Wembanyama. But the Spurs rode a hot start and did just enough in the fourth quarter to pull off the upset.
Keldon Johnson and Harrison Barnes led the Spurs’ spirited effort, scoring 22 and 20, respectively, and combining for 13 rebounds, and 6 dimes. Veteran Chris Paul was his usual steady self, finishing with 14 points and 11 assists—as well as the dagger three to ice the game.
