NBA action resumed on Friday after a one-week break on Thursday, and it was a busy slate as 26 of the Association’s 30 teams all played. So, let’s break down the notables of the day:
LeBron James Now Tops in Minutes Played as Lakers Down Kings
LeBron James set another record on Friday as he helped the Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Sacramento Kings, 113-110, at Golden 1 Center.
James had 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists in 34 minutes of action to get to 57,470 total minutes for his career in the regular season—passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 57,446.
Austin Reaves added 25 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists for the Lakers (15-12), while Anthony Davis finished with 21 points, 20 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 6 blocks. De’Aaron Fox led the Kings (13-15) with 26 points and 5 dimes. Domantas Sabonis added 18 points and 12 boards.
(Up next: Rematch on December 22)
Grizzlies Embarrass Warriors as Steph Curry Fires Blanks
Stephen Curry went without a field goal for the first time in his illustrious career on Friday, going 0-for-7 in the Golden State Warriors’ 144-93 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedEx Forum.
The Grizzlies (19-19) were all over the Dubs (14-13) from the get-go, building a 37-15 lead after one quarter and extending it to 69-38 after one half. Memphis at one point got the lead up to 57 before settling for a 51-point drubbing of the Dubs.
Santi Aldama paced the Grizz with 21 points and 14 rebounds off the bench, while Jake Laravia added 19 points, also off the Memphis bench. Brandin Podziemski had 21 for the Warriors, who suffered their second-worst loss of the Curry-Kerr era. Last year’s 140-88 beatdown at the hands of the Boston Celtics was the worst.
(Up next: Grizzlies vs. Atlanta Hawks, Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves on December 22)
Karl-Anthony Towns Wins in Minny Homecoming
Karl-Anthony Towns returned to Target Center with a bang, dropping 32 points, 20 rebounds, and 6 assists to help the New York Knicks defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves, 133-107, for their seventh win in nine games.
The Knicks (17-12) outscored the Timberwolves (14-12) 72-41 in the middle two quarters to build a commanding lead—enough for the team to cruise in the fourth. Mikal Bridges added 29 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists for New York, while Miles McBride chipped in 16 points and 8 assists off the bench.
Julius Randle, whom the Wolves got in exchange for Towns, had 24 points. Anthony Edwards was limited to 17 points on 7-for-16 shooting but had 5 rebounds and 7 dimes.
(Up next: Knicks vs. New Orleans Pelicans, Warriors vs. Timberwolves on December 22)
Victor Wembanyama Stars in Spurs Win vs. Hawks
Victor Wembanyama may have been posterized against the Atlanta Hawks, but he got the last laugh, going off for 42 points in the San Antonio Spurs’ 133-126 triumph over the Hawks at Frost Bank Center.
Wembanyama also had 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 4 blocks in another fine all-around showcase. He also scored 8 of San Antonio’s 13 points in OT. Devin Vassell scattered 23 points for the Spurs (14-13), while Jeremy Sochan added 20 points and 8 rebounds.
De’Andre Hunter, who put Wembanyama on a poster with a vicious jam, led the Hawks (14-14) with 27 points off the bench. Trae Young added 23 points and 16 assists, while Jalen Johnson had 22 points and 9 boards.
(Up next: Hawks vs. Grizzlies, Spurs vs. Portland Trail Blazers on December 22)
