It was another busy game day for the NBA on Friday. In fact, the league even took its act to Paris, France, where the San Antonio Spurs (20-22) and Victor Wembanyama roared to a 140-110 victory over the Indiana Pacers (24-20). Aside from that European visit, here are some other highlights from Friday’s action-packed slate:
Lakers Show Might in Stunning Rout of Celtics
The Los Angeles Lakers (24-18) played arguably their best game of the season to notch a 117-96 rout of the defending champions Boston Celtics (31-14) at crypto.com Arena.
Anthony Davis topscored with 24 points for the Lakers, who jumped all over the struggling Celtics from the get-go to build a 67-48 halftime lead. They never looked back, with Austin Reaves firing 23 points and 6 dimes and LeBron James adding 20 markers, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Kristaps Porzingis led the Celtics with 22 points, but Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were held to 16 and 17, respectively, on a combined 12-for-41 shooting. Boston is 5-5 in its last 10 games.
Up next:
Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors on January 26
Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks on January 26
Mavs Beat Thunder—Again
The Dallas Mavericks (24-21) leaned on a strong third quarter to deal the Oklahoma City Thunder (36-8) a 121-115 loss at Paycom Center.
Spencer Dinwiddie, Kyrie Irving, and PJ Washington each fired at least 20 points for the Mavs, who trailed 62-60 at halftime but built as much as a 13-point lead with a rousing third quarter. Dinwiddie finished with 28 points on 11-for-14 shooting, Irving had 24, and Washington added 22 markers and a season-high 19 rebounds.
Jalen Williams scored a game-high 33 points for the Thunder, who have now lost thrice to the Mavs this season. MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 31 points and 7 assists.
Up next:
Mavs vs. Celtics on January 26
Thunder vs. Portland Trail Blazers on January 27
Nuggets Upend Kings as Nikola Jokic Gets a Massive Triple-Double
Nikola Jokic is putting up triple-doubles like they’re nothing.
The three-time MVP finished with 35 points, 22 rebounds, and 17 assists in another tour de force to lead the Denver Nuggets (28-16) to a 132-123 triumph over the Sacramento Kings (23-21) at Ball Arena. Christian Braun and Michael Porter Jr. chipped in 21 and 20, respectively, to back up Jokic’s big night.
DeMar DeRozan led the Kings with 24 points and 6 boards, while Domantas Sabonis added 23 points, 19 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Up next:
Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves on January 26
Kings vs. New York Knicks on January 26
