Sunday’s slate featured eight games, but the spotlight was on one matchup only: the rivalry game between the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers. We recap this huge showdown and more here:
Nuggets Throttle Lakers Behind Nikola Jokic, Russell Westbrook
It is no secret that the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets have developed some sort of rivalry, and their first matchup at the crypto.com Arena was naturally much anticipated.
It delivered—at least in the first half when the two teams traded haymakers at each other in an intense first 24 minutes of action. Then, the Nuggets turned on the jets in the third quarter, clamping down on the Lakers, 37-15, to turn a 63-57 halftime disadvantage into a 94-78 cushion heading into the fourth. Denver cruised from there to notch its eighth win against six losses.
Nikola Jokic reasserted his mastery of the Lakers, dropping 34 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 rebounds to go along with 2 steals and 1 block. Michael Porter added 24 points, while Russell Westbrook chipped in 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 11 assists—most in the second half.
Austin Rivers’ 19 points and 6 assists paced the Lakers, who dropped to 10-5 in the season.
The Nuggets’ next take on the Knicks is on Tuesday, while the Lakers visit the Suns on Tuesday.
Bulls Lose as a Pippen Stars at Home
The Chicago Bulls saw a Pippen doing damage at the United Center—but this for a different franchise.
Scotty Pippen Jr., son of former Bulls legend Scottie Pippen, continued his stellar play on Sunday, leading the Memphis Grizzlies to a 142-132 victory over Chicago. Pippen Jr. was a thorn in the Bulls’ side all game long, delivering a career-best 30 points to go along with 10 assists in a performance reminiscent of the ones his dad used to give the franchise.
The younger Pippen is averaging 11.6 points and 5.7 assists for the 10-7 Grizz, who next take on the Portland Trailblazers on Tuesday. The 7-11 Bulls visit the Washington Wizards on Wednesday.
Spurs Stun Warriors Behind Wemby Takeover
The San Antonio Spurs picked up another big win on Sunday, coming back from 17 points down to shock the Golden State Warriors, 104-94, at Frost Bank Center.
Second-year big man Victor Wembanyama led the charge, finishing with 25 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists, and 3 blocks in another superb all-around effort. He was also instrumental in the game’s most critical stretch—a one-minute, 46-second span in which Wembanyama got a block, a steal, and scored seven straight points to finally give the Spurs the lead.
Harrison Barnes and Stephon Castle added much-needed firepower, finishing with 25 and 19, respectively. The Warriors were paced by Andrew Wiggins’ 20 points but got a relatively quiet outing from Steph Curry, who was limited to just 14 points.
With the win, the Spurs have now beaten the two top teams atop the Western Conference standings.
San Antonio’s next assignment is with the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, while Golden State’s next game is against the Washington Wizards, also on Wednesday.
