The Association’s eight-game slate on Thursday featured another spectacular performance from a three-time MVP and a 30-20 from an All-Star big. But the day took a somber turn with a particularly gruesome and potentially season-ending injury at Detroit.
Pistons Beat Magic, But Jaden Ivey Exits with Injury
Cade Cunningham posted a near triple-double of 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists to lead the Detroit Pistons (15-18) to a 105-96 triumph over the Orlando Magic (20-15) at Little Caesars Arena.
The win, though, was overshadowed by an injury suffered by the Pistons’ Jaden Ivey, who was stretchered off the floor due to what appears to be a serious, potentially season-ending leg injury. Ivey had 22 points when the Magic’s Cole Anthony slipped and landed on his planted left leg in a scramble for the loose ball.
Jalen Suggs led the Magic with 24 points and 3 steals. Anthony who was visibly shaken by Ivey’s injury, had 8.
Up next:
- Pistons vs. Charlotte Hornets on January 4
- Magic vs. Toronto Raptors on January 4
Nikola Jokic’s 14 Triple-Double Leads Nuggets Past Hawks
Nikola Jokic recorded his 14th triple-double of the 2024–25 NBA Season in the Denver Nuggets’ (19-13) 139-120 triumph over the Atlanta Hawks (18-16) at Ball Arena.
Jokic finished with 23 points, 17 rebounds, and 15 assists to lead seven Nuggets in double-figures. Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. each had 21, while Russell Westbrook added 16 points and 11 assists. Denver broke the game open in the third, outscoring Atlanta, 41-24.
Trae Young led the Hawks with 30 points and 9 assists. De’Andre Hunter chipped in 20 off the bench.
Up next:
- Nuggets vs. San Antonio Spurs on January 4
- Hawks vs. Los Angeles Lakers on January 4
Knicks Still Rolling with Win vs. Jazz as Karl-Anthony Towns Shines
The New York Knicks beat the Utah Jazz, 119-103, at Madison Square Garden for their ninth straight victory.
Karl-Anthony Towns scattered a 31-point, 21-rebound double-double for the Knicks (24-10), who trailed after one, 25-24, before taking over in the second en route to the easy victory. Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby added 27 and 22, respectively as New York hardly felt the absence of the injured Jalen Brunson.
Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton led the Jazz (7-25) with 25 apiece.
Up next:
- Knicks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder on January 4
- Jazz vs. Miami Heat on January 5
