Antetokounmpo's Historic Line, Ja Wins It for Grizzlies, Warriors Win at Crypto

Six games were played in the Association on Thursday night, headlined by a historic triple-double from Giannis Antetokounmpo, Ja Morant’s game-winner against the Miami Heat, and a thriller between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors in LA. 

Antetokounmpo’s stat line of 35 points, 20 assists, and 17 rebounds (the first player in league history to have such a line) on 12-for-19 and 10-of-11 from the line allowed the Bucks (42-34) to get things done 126-113 on the road in Philadelphia. The victory was against a 76er team (23-54) that will conclude its season without Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George as they will finish the 2024-25 campaign as one of the league’s most disappointing teams. 

Brook Lopez was 7-for-11 for 17 points and 3 blocks, and Kyle Kuzma was 6-for-10 for 16 points. AJ Green was 4-for-5 from deep off the bench for 12 points. 

Adem Bona’s 28 points, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 steals (13-for-15 shooting) led the 76ers, with Quentin Grimes scoring 24 points with 10 assists on 7-for-16 (3-for-8 from downtown). Grimes in the last two months has put together five games of 30 or more points and 12 games of 25 points or more, including 44 points (March 1 vs. Golden State) and 46 (March 17 vs. Houston). The guard is making the Dallas Mavericks regret dealing him. Guerschon Yabusele added 22 points and 6 rebounds on 8-for-15 and 4-for-9 from downtown. The forward has been a revelation for the 76ers this season, in his first NBA season since 2018-19, showing improvements in his game. He is averaging 10.9 points and 5.7 rebounds on 50% shooting in 42 starts. 

In Miami, Ja Morant’s short jumper at the buzzer gave the Grizzlies a 110-108 win. Morant’s 30 points and 5 rebounds (11-for-22, 3-for-9 from deep) led the 45-32 Grizzlies, who currently occupy the Western Conference’s 6th seed. Just 3-7 in their last 10 games, the Thursday night win was the first for interim head coach Tuomas Iisalo. Zach Edey grabbed 13 rebounds while Scotty Pippen Jr. scored 17 points with 7 assists off the bench on 6-for-9 shooting (3-for-4 from deep). Desmond Bane posted 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists but was just 6-for-23 and 1-for-9 from downtown. 

Tyler Herro’s 35 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists (12-for-23, 4-for-7 from downtown) was tops for the Heat, with Bam Adebayo scoring 26 points with 7 rebounds and 5 assists (11-for-26, two 3-pointers). Kel’el Ware, the Heat’s blossoming young big man, registered 13 points with 15 rebounds and 3 blocks. Davion Mitchell added 11 points off the bench with 7 assists. The 35-42 Heat are 9th in the Eastern Conference and have clinched a playoff berth. 1.5 games separate them from 8th-place Atlanta and 2.5 separate them from 7th-place Orlando. 

In Los Angeles in TNT’s nightcap, Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Brandon Podziemski and Austin Reaves exchanged triples in what was an entertaining finish down the stretch with the Warriors able to counter the Laker makes and come away with the 123-116 win. 

Luka Doncic had an off night, just 6-for-17 and misfiring on all his three ball attempts (0-for-6) for 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. The slack was picked up by Reaves though, whose 31 points and 6 rebounds (10-for-20, 9-for-16 from deep) complemented James’ 33 points, 9 assists, and 5 rebounds (10-for-15, 5-for-8). Rui Hachimura added 24 points with 6 rebounds on 9-for-15 (3-for-6). 

For the victors, Stephen Curry poured in a game-high 37 points (10-for-21, 4-for-11) with Podziemski putting together a great effort of 28 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists on 10-for-17 including a scorching 8-for-10 from downtown. Jonathan Kuminga off the bench was 7-for-12 with 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists. Jimmy Butler was 4-for-7 for 11 points and two key free-throws late, while Draymond Green got a key steal late and finished with 8 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists. 

The 45-31 Warriors have won four in a row and are 7-3 in their last 10 games, one of the most dangerous teams entering the final stretch of the season and the playoffs. They are one game back in the standings from the 4th-seeded, 46-30 Lakers. 

Around the League 

Magic 109 (38-40)

Wizards 97 (17-60)

Banchero: 33 PTS, 18 REB, 8 AST (11-for-24 FG, 3-for-5 3PT)

Franz Wagner: 27 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST (10-for-19 FG, 3-for-7 3PT)

Carrington: 32 PTS, 9 REB, 7 AST (12-for-18 FG, 7-for-10 3PT)

Smart: 12 PTS, 3 REB (4-for-7 FG)

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Timberwolves 105 (45-32)

Nets 90 (25-52)

Edwards: 28 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST (10-for-15 FG, 5-for-10 3PT)

Gobert: 21 PTS, 18 REB, 2 BLK (9-for-10 FG)

Reid: 13 PTS (5-for-9 FG)

Claxton: 18 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST (9-for-10 FG)

Whitehead: 17 PTS (5-for-13 FG, 5-for-9 3PT)

Evbuomwan: 13 PTS, 8 REB (6-for-11 FG)

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Trail Blazers 112 (34-43)

Raptors 103 (28-49)

Sharpe: 36 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST (14-for-23 FG, 4-for-10 3PT)

Avdija: 26 PTS, 15 REB, 6 AST (10-for-20 FG, 2-for-6 3PT)

Banton: 23 PTS (8-for-19 FG)

Barrett: 18 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST (9-for-18 FG)

Agbaji: 15 PTS (6-for-11 FG)

Robinson: 14 PTS, 5 REB (6-for-12 FG)

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