Another busy day around the Association on Saturday as the NBA Emirates Cup continued, but only one proved to be a cliffhanger—the Dallas Mavericks surviving the Denver Nuggets, 123-120.
For Saturday’s best bits, check out our roundup of the action:
Nikola Jokic Returns, But Nuggets Lose to Mavs
The aforementioned Mavs-Nuggets matchup featured the return of Nikola Jokic, who had missed Denver’s previous three games due to personal reasons. And it was as if the big guy never left as he finished with 33 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists for his fifth straight triple-double of the 2024–25 NBA Season.
Jokic’s heroics, however, were for naught as the Mavs built a 24-point lead and held off a furious Nuggets rally in the second half to win, 123-120, at Ball Arena.
Naji Marshall and PJ Washington carried the fight for Dallas with, Marshall dropping a career-high 26 points off the bench and Washington adding 22 points and 13 boards. Kyrie Irvin chipped in 19 markers for the Mavs, who were without Luka Doncic.
With the win, the Mavs are now 9-7, while the Nuggets fell to 8-6. The Mavs’ next take on the Miami Heat is on Monday, while the Nuggets’ take on the Los Angeles Lakers is tomorrow.
Bucks Top Pacers Behind Triple-Double from Antetokounmpo
After a slow start to the 2024–25 NBA Season, the Milwaukee Bucks appear to be hitting their stride—and their 129-117 blowout of the Indiana Pacers at Fiserv Forum is proof positive of it.
Giannis Antetokounmpo once again led the Bucks, finishing with a triple-double of 37 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists on top of 2 steals and 1 block. Damian Lillard added 24 points and 13 assists for the Bucks, who are now 7-9 after a 1-5 start. They have also won five of their last six.
Pascal Siakam and Benedict Mathurin scored 25 and 20, respectively, for the Pacers, who dropped to 6-10.
Milwaukee looks to continue riding this hot streak tomorrow against the Charlotte Hornets, while Indiana will try to arrest its skid on Monday when they take on the Washington Wizards.
Sixers Blow Out Nets Behind the Hot Hands of Rookie Jared McCain
The struggling Philadelphia 76ers picked up a much-needed win on Saturday, taking down the Brooklyn Nets, 113-98 behind the hot shooting of surprising rookie Jared McCain.
McCain, the 16th pick of the 2024 NBA Draft, scored 30 points built on six triples as he continued to impress. Tyrese Maxey, playing in his second game back after being sidelined by a hurt hamstring, added 26 points for the hard-luck Sixers, who won despite missing their two All-Stars Joel Embiid and Paul George.
The Sixers improved to 3-12, while the Nets fell to 6-10. Philadelphia will try to win back-to-back games for the first time this season on Monday against the Los Angeles Clippers. Brooklyn will try to get back on the winning track when they face the Sacramento Kings, also on Monday.
