Thunder Run Secures Road Win over Timberwolves, Celtics Cruise vs. Knicks, Cavaliers Get NBA Best 47th Victory

Sunday saw an ABC double-header with two star-studded night games part of ESPN’s evening lineup in what was a busy 10-game schedule in the Association. 

In the nightcap in Minnesota, the Oklahoma City Thunder - led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 37 points (8 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, 3 blocks, 13-for-24 shooting) - trailed 112-111 but went on a 12-0 run and led 126-118 after a Jalen Williams triple with 2:11 remaining in the game on their way to a 130-123 victory. 

Chet Holmgren’s 19 points and 3 blocks (8-for-11) and Williams’ 19 points, 9 assists, and 3 steals (6-for-14) aided the Thunder star’s effort. The team shot a blistering 19-for-35 from downtown. 

On the Minnesota side, Anthony Edwards’ 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists (8-for-21) led, while Naz Reid put up 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 blocks. Jaden McDaniels put up 17 points and 13 rebounds out of the starting lineup, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 18 off the bench. Julius Randle, out since January 30 with a groin injury, continues to miss time for the shorthanded ‘wolves and Rudy Gobert has missed the last three contests with a back ailment. 

The Thunder are a west-best 46-10 while the Timberwolves are now 31-27. 

The Boston Celtics (41-16) took care of the New York Knicks (37-20) 118-105 as they sprinted to a 38-19 first quarter advantage and did not look back. All five Celtic starters finished in double-figures, with Jayson Tatum going for 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists (8-for-20), Jaylen Brown putting up 24 points and 8 rebounds (10-for-21), Derrick White 19 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists (5-for-6 from downtown), Kristaps Porzingis 15 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks (6-for-15) and Jrue Holiday scoring 14 points on 6-for-9. 

The Knicks were led by Karl-Anthony Towns’ 24 points and 18 rebounds (9-for-20) while Jalen Brunson scored 22 points on 9-for-19. Josh Hart, an excellent rebounder for a forward, scored 20 points with 11 rebounds and 9 assists. The Knicks shot 44 percent and were outrebounded 49-40. 

At home from the newly-minted Rocket Arena, the Cleveland Cavaliers staved off the Memphis Grizzlies 129-123 to improve to an NBA-best 47-10. The Grizzlies (37-20, second in the Western Conference) kept things relatively close but could not convert down the stretch when it mattered, Jaren Jackson Jr. (22 points, 9-for-18, 1-for-5 from deep) missing from downtown. Ja Morant (21 points, 10 assists, 6-for-13, 7-for-7 from the line) played his part in being aggressive getting to the basket and to the line in the final minutes. Luke Kennard was 3-for-5 from downtown with 19 points off the bench while Santi Aldama scored 15 on 6-for-11. 

Leading the way for the Cavaliers was Donovan Mitchell’s 33 points and 6 assists (11-for-23, 4-for-8 from 3-point range), while Evan Mobley (10-for-20) registered 25 points, 13 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 blocks. Ty Jerome was 9-for-16 off the bench for 26 points. 

Around the League 

Warriors 126 (30-27) 

Mavericks 102 (31-27)

Curry: 30 PTS, 7 AST (12-for-20 FG) 

Butler: 18 PTS, 5 AST (8-for-8 FT) 

Podziemski: 18 PTS, 13 REB (7-for-15 FG) 

Irving: 17 PTS (7-for-18 FG) 

Washington: 17 PTS (7-for-11 FG) 

---

Pacers 129 (32-23) 

Clippers 111 (31-25) 

Haliburton: 29 PTS, 12 AST (9-for-14 FG, 4-for-8 3PT)

Nesmith: 19 PTS, 6 REB (7-for-11 FG) 

Turner: 17 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST (5-for-11 FG) 

Harden: 31 PTS, 11 AST, 7 REB (9-for-17 FG, 6-for-13 3PT) 

Zubac: 22 PTS, 6 REB (8-for-11 FG) 

---

Pistons 148 (31-26)

Hawks 143 (26-31) 

Cunningham: 38 PTS, 12 AST, 7 REB, 3 BLK (14-for-24 FG, 7-for-10 3PT) 

Beasley: 24 PTS (6-for-10 3PT) Hardaway: 18 PTS (6-for-10 3PT) 

Cunningham: Joined Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, Dwyane Wade, James Harden as other players to record multiple games of 35 or more points, 10 or more assists and 3 or more blocks.  

Young: 38 PTS, 13 AST (10-for-24 FG, 6-for-15 3PT, 12-for-15 3PT) 

Niang: 27 PTS (7-for-14 3PT) 

Daniels: 24 PTS, 6 AST, 4 STL (10-for-14 FG) 

---

Magic 110 (29-30) 

Wizards 90 (9-47) 

Wagner: 22 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST (11-for-22 FG, 1-for-7 3PT) Banchero: 19 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST (5-for-12 FG) 

Poole: 16 PTS (6-for-16 FG) 

Carrington: 13 PTS (5-for-9 FG) 

---

Raptors 127 (18-39) 

Suns 109 (27-30) 

Quickley: 23 PTS, 8 AST, 6 REB (7-for-15 FG) 

Barrett: 23 PTS, 7 AST, 6 REB (6-for-15 FG, 8-for-12 FT) 

Boucher: 23 PTS, 10 REB (9-for-12 FG) 

Booker: 31 PTS, 8 AST (12-for-25 FG) 

Beal: 30 PTS (12-for-15 FG) 

Durant: 15 PTS (5-for-15 FG) 

---

Bucks 120 (32-24) 

Heat 113 (26-29) 

Lillard: 28 PTS, 8 AST (9-for-17 FG, 5-for-12 3PT) 

Antetokounmpo: 23 PTS, 16 REB, 7 AST (11-for-18 FG) 

Trent Jr.: 16 PTS (3-for-5 3PT) 

Herro: 40 PTS, 11 AST, 7 REB (12-for-27 FG, 13-for-14 FT) 

Adebayo: 24 PTS, 7 REB (10-for-16 FG) 

Wiggins: 20 PTs, 6 REB, 4 AST (7-for-20 FG) 

---

Pelicans 114 (14-43)

Spurs 96 (24-31) 

Williamson: 22 PTS, 9 REB (8-for-17 FG, 6-for-10 FT) 

Matkovic: 19 PTS (8-for-9 FG) 

Olynyk: 14 PTS, 15 REB (4-for-7 FG) 

Champagnie: 18 PTS (6-for-11 3PT) 

Johnson: 18 PTS (7-for-9 FG) 

---