Celtics Edge Knicks in OT at MSG, Thunder Avenge Weekend Loss to Lakers, Warriors Trounce Suns
- Jake C
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
There were 10 games on Tuesday’s NBA slate as the 2025 playoffs draw near. In Tuesday’s action, the Boston Celtics defeated the New York Knicks 119-117 in overtime, the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 136-120, getting revenge on the Los Angeles Lakers after a 27-point loss on Sunday, and the Golden State Warriors cruised past the Phoenix Suns in Phoenix 133-95.
Jayson Tatum (32 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 11-for-22, 4-for-11, 6-for-8) hit a step-back triple to send the game into overtime, while Kristaps Porzingis registered 34 points (11-for-19, 8-for-13 from deep, 4-for-6 from the line) to lead the Celtics. Jrue Holiday scored 16 points on 5-for-9 shooting while Derrick White scored 14 points with 9 assists and 8 rebounds (5-for-14). The Celtics made 19-of-49 3-point attempts and were 20-for-25 from the free-throw line.
For the Knicks, Karl-Anthony Towns led with 34 points and 14 rebounds (14-for-21), with Jalen Brunson adding 27 points and 10 assists (10-for-21, 5-for-12). Mikal Bridges (14), OG Anunoby (13) and Josh Hart (10) all scored in double-figures.
At 59-20, the Celtics are 9-1 in their last 10 games and have won three straight games. Four games back of the first place 63-16 Cleveland Cavaliers, the Celtics are peaking and playing high quality basketball at the right time. The Knicks, 50-29, are in third place, two games up on the Indiana Pacers.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (42 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 14-for-26, 5-for-9, 9-for-11) produced his 72nd consecutive game of 20+ points - tying Michael Jordan and Kevin Durant for the fourth-longest streak in NBA history - in leading the Thunder to a 136-120 home win, a nice bounceback for the Thunder after losing to the Lakers at home 126-99 on Sunday.
Jalen Williams added 26 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists on 11-for-21, and Lu Dort was 5-for-8 from downtown for 17 points. Chet Holmgren was 5-for-12 for 14 points, while big man Isaiah Hartenstein played a great game with 8 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks. His presence at the rim was effective. The Thunder as a whole shot 50% from the field and made 18-of-37 shots from downtown.
LeBron James led the Lakers with 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists (8-for-19, 9-for-10 from the free-throw line). Austin Reaves put up 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists on 6-for-12 (4-for-7 from downtown) while Luka Doncic scored 23 points with 5 assists on 7-for-15 shooting. Doncic was ejected from the game in the fourth quarter after he picked up his second technical foul. Doncic after making a basket made a comment to a courtside fan, but the official mistakenly thought that Doncic’s words were directed towards him. The ejection swung the momentum in the Thunder’s favor, as they cruised to a 39-22 fourth quarter advantage.
The Thunder, 65-14, are 13 games up on the second place on the 52-27 Houston Rockets. The Lakers, 48-31, are one game up on the surging Los Angeles Clippers, who have won five in a row and are 8-2 in their last 10 games.
The Warriors improved to 47-32 behind Stephen Curry’s 25 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists (9-for-17, 3-for-9 from deep) and 22 points (7-for-12, 4-for-6) from Brandon Podziemski in their 133-95 win over the Phoenix Suns from Footprint Center. Jimmy Butler was 6-for-7 from the free-throw line for 10 points.
Devin Booker (21 points, 4 assists, 7-for-17) led the Suns, with Ryan Dunn scoring 12 points with 4 steals on 4-for-10 shooting.
Kevin Durant has missed the last four games with an ankle injury for a Suns team that has had an abysmal season given their expectations. At 35-44, they have lost seven consecutive games and are the 11th seed in the Western Conference, three games behind the Dallas Mavericks for 10th.
Around the League
Grizzlies 124 (47-32)
Hornets 100 (19-60)
Morant: 28 PTS, 8 AST, 5 REB (10-for-21 FG, 4-for-10 3PT)
Bane: 19 PTS, 5 REB (6-for-11 FG)
Edey: 17 PTS, 19 REB, 3 STL (7-for-9 FG)
Bridges: 14 PTS, 6 REB (4-for-13 FG)
Salaun: 13 PTS, 9 REB (3-for-7 3PT)
Cavaliers 135 (63-16)
Bulls 113 (36-43)
Garland: 28 PTS, 5 AST (10-for-17 FG, 6-for-10 3PT)
Mobley: 21 PTS, 11 REB, 7 AST (8-for-18 FG, 3-for-6 3PT)
Jerome: 18 PTS, Hunter: 17 PTS
Williams: 21 PTS, 5 AST (7-for-11 FG, 5-for-6 3PT)
Buzelis: 19 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST (6-for-12 FG)
Horton-Tucker: 17 PTS (6-for-11 FG)
Pacers 104 (48-31)
Wizards 98 (17-62)
Siakam: 22 PTS, 10 REB (11-for-19 FG)
Haliburton: 22 PTS, 6 AST (5-for-11 FG, 3-for-7 3PT, 9-for-11 FT)
Turner: 14 PTS, 11 REB, 5 BLK (4-for-13 FG, 5-for-8 FT)
Champagnie: 20 PTS, 13 REB (8-for-13 FG, 4-for-6 3PT)
Sarr: 20 PTS, 12 REB, 6 AST, 3 BLK (8-for-17 FG)
Magic 119 (39-40)
Hawks 112 (37-42)
Banchero: 33 PTS, 10 REB, 4 AST (12-for-24 FG, 2-for-5 3PT, 7-for-10 FT)
Franz Wagner: 22 PTS, 6 REB, 6 AST (8-for-20 FG)
Carter Jr.: 17 PTS, 9 REB, 6 STL, 3 BLK (6-for-9 FG)
Okongwu: 30 PTS, 14 REB, 4 AST, 3 STL (9-for-17 FG, 4-for-7 3PT, 8-for-8 FT)
Young: 28 PTS, 10 AST (10-for-20 FG, 3-for-9 3PT, 5-for-6 FT)
Daniels: 15 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST, 2 BLK (7-for-12 FG)
Nets 119 (26-53)
Pelicans 114 (21-58)
Watford: 22 PTS, 5 AST, 3 REB (7-for-8 FG)
Claxton: 13 PTS, 4 REB, 3 STL (6-for-9 FG)
Reeves: 17 PTS (4-for-10 3PT)
Matkovic: 17 PTS (8-for-11 FG)
Bucks 110 (45-34)
Timberwolves 103 (46-33)
Antetokounmpo: 23 PTS, 13 REB, 10 AST (9-for-15 FG)
Porter Jr.: 21 PTS, 5 STL, 5 AST (6-for-9 FG, 9-for-9 FT)
Portis: 18 PTS, 10 REB (7-for-15 FG)
Edwards: 25 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST (10-for-27 FG, 2-for-11 3PT)
DiVincenzo: 24 PTS (9-for-15 FG, 6-for-10 3PT)
Clippers 122 (47-32)
Spurs 117 (32-47)
Powell: 25 PTS, 5 REB (9-for-19 FG)
Zubac: 24 PTS, 20 REB, 5 AST (11-for-17 FG)
Harden: 21 PTS, 12 AST, 9 REB (8-for-17 FG, 3-for-6 3PT)
Barnes: 24 PTS, 5 REB (8-for-10 FG, 6-for-8 3PT)
Castle: 19 PTS, 8 AST (5-for-7 FG, 8-for-12 FT)
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