It was an action-packed Thursday in the NBA as all 30 teams were in action via a 15-game slate. And there were plenty of good games going around, so we had a hard time choosing just three. But these ones really stood out:
Knicks Escape Hawks in Wild Shootout
The New York Knicks (36-18) bucked an endgame gaffe that sent the game to overtime to pull off a 149-148 win over the Atlanta Hawks (26-29) at Madison Square Garden.
With the Knicks leading, 137-131 with less than 10 seconds left, the Hawks scored six unanswered—a three from George Niang, a free throw from Dyson Daniels off a steal, and a two-pointer from Trae Young off an offensive rebound—to send the game to OT.
The two teams went tooth and nail again in the extra session, with Jalen Brunson scoring the go-ahead basket with 11 seconds remaining to seal the win. He finished with 36 points and 8 assists. Karl-Anthony Towns paced the Knicks with 44 points—the second consecutive time he has scored at least 40.
Young led the Hawks with 38 points and 19 assists. Dyson Daniels added 23 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals.
Up next:
Knicks vs. Chicago Bulls on February 21
Hawks vs. Orlando Magic on February 21
Nuggets Stop Blazers Behind Career-Night from Jamal Murray
Jamal Murray fired a career-high 55 points to lead the Denver Nuggets (36-19) to a 132-121 rout of the Portland Trail Blazers (23-32) at Ball Arena.
Murray was 20-for-36 from the field with seven triples as he led a dominant display from the Nuggets starters, who all scored in double-digits. Nikola Jokic put up 26 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists for his 25th triple-double of the 2024–25 NBA season, while Christian Braun added 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists. Zeke Nnaji and Julian Strawther chipped in 16 and 11, respectively, as they started in place of Aaron Gordon and Russell Westbrook.
Anfernee Simons fired 26 for the Blazers, who have now dropped three straight—including the last two to Denver. Donovan Clingan and Jabari Walker had 17 apiece, while Deni Avdija, Shaedon Sharpe, and Dalano Banton each scored 14.
Up next:
Nuggets vs. Charlotte Hornets on February 21
Blazers vs. Los Angeles Lakers on February 21
Mavs Upend Warriors in Close Finish
Naji Marshall hit the go-ahead floater and Kyrie Irving drew a charge in the last 30 seconds to power the Dallas Mavericks (29-26) to a 111-107 triumph over the Golden State Warriors (27-27) at American Airlines Center.
Aside from drawing that crucial charge on Jimmy Butler with 10 seconds remaining and the Mavs up 109-107, Irving also fired a game-high 42 points on top of 7 rebounds. Klay Thompson and Max Christie added 17 apiece, with the latter hitting the game-sealing free throws. Marshall had 10 off the bench for the Mavs, who played minus Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II, and Daniel Gafford.
Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 25 points but was just 9-for-23 from the field. Jimmy Butler had 21 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists in his second game for Golden State.
Up next:
Mavs vs. Miami Heat on February 14
Warriors vs. Houston Rockets on February 14
