Eight games were played on Thursday around the Association in another busy day. It would’ve been nine had the NBA not postponed the game between the Milwaukee Bucks and New Orleans, which was cancelled due to a winter storm. There were plenty of highlights and good games nonetheless, and we’re choosing these three:
Wolves Survive Mavs Despite Kyrie Irving Milestone
The Minnesota Timberwolves (23-21) spoiled a personal milestone for Dallas Mavericks (23-21) guard Kyrie Irving by holding on for a 115-114 victory at American Airlines Arena.
Along the way, the Wolves had to survive Irving’s game-high 36 points—including two early in the first quarter that made Uncle Drew the 81st member of the 18,000 points club. However, he missed what could’ve been a game-tying triple with under a minute remaining. PJ Washington added a season-high 30 for the still Luka Doncic-less Mavs.
Jaden McDaniels led the Wolves with a career-high 27 points, including the free throw that gave Minnesota a 115-111 lead with less than 10 seconds left on the clock. Anthony Edwards added 21 points and 7 assists.
Up next:
Wolves vs. Denver Nuggets on January 26
Mavs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder on January 24
Thunder Upend Jazz as SGA Goes Off for 54
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued his superlative season, firing a career-high 54 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder (36-7) to a 123-114 triumph over the Utah Jazz (10-32) at Paycom Center.
SGA added 8 boards, 5 dimes, 3 swipes, and 2 blocks to his explosive scoring, which saw him go 17-for-35 from the field and 17-for-18 from the charity stripe. Jalen Williams provided additional firepower with 25 points on 9-for-18 shooting.
John Collins’s 22 points and 12 boards led the Jazz, who also got 18 points and 9 dimes from Collin Sexton. Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler chipped in 17 apiece as Utah gave a valiant effort, only to be felled time and again by Gilgeous-Alexander.
Up next:
Thunder vs. Mavs on January 24
Jazz vs. Memphis Grizzlies on January 26
Rockets Survive Cavs as Darius Garland Misses Two of Three Freebies
Darius Garland found himself at the free throw line for three freebies—make two tie, three to win. He only made one and the Houston Rockets (29-14) survived a 109-108 thriller against the Cleveland Cavaliers (36-7) at Toyota Center.
Garland finished with 26 points but was just 3-for-8 from the foul line in all. Donovan Mitchell had 19 but was only 7-for-21 from the field. He also missed what would’ve been a go-ahead step back three with under 30 seconds left.
Fred VanVleet topscored for the Rockets with 26 points built on seven triples. Alperen Sengun added 18 points and 11 boards aside from making the two freebies to put Houston up, 109-107.
Up next:
Rematch on January 26
