Toppin’s Triple Wins it for Pacers, Quentin Grimes Makes 76er History Despite Loss vs. Rockets, Nuggets Snap Warriors’ Streak

Monday’s NBA schedule saw 10 games, headlined by Obi Toppin’s corner three in the final seconds in overtime to push the Indiana Pacers past the Minnesota Timberwolves, Quentin Grimes exploding for 46 points and 13 rebounds on 15-for-27 from the field including eight triples, and the Denver Nuggets without Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray snapping the Golden State Warriors’ seven-game winning streak with a 114-105 road win. 

The Indiana Pacers had a 60-46 lead at halftime in Minnesota, but the Wolves rallied 41-29 in the third quarter to get the game close and eventually into overtime. Toppin, who led the Pacers with 34 points and 10 rebounds (12-for-19 shooting, 7-for-10 from deep), hit a tough three from the left corner to give the Pacers the 132-130 win. Bennedict Mathurin added 22 points on 6-for-17 shooting. T.J. McConnell was strong off the bench with 11 points and 13 assists. 

Anthony Edwards was just 1-for-11 from 3-point range but did score 38 points (9-for-24) to lead the Wolves. Naz Reid was 9-for-16 off the bench for 21 points and Donte DiVincenzo was 5-for-11 from downtown for 19 points. 

The 38-29 Pacers are fifth in the Eastern Conference, one game up on the Detroit Pistons, while the Timberwolves who are 8-2 in their last 10 games stand at 40-30, the seventh seed in the West. 

The Houston Rockets found themselves down 88-63 with 10:17 remaining in the third quarter, but stormed back to tie the game at 102 after three quarters. Both teams scored 29 points each in the fourth with the Rockets outscoring the 76ers 13-6 in the overtime period. 

Jalen Green (10-for-26, 5-for-17) and Jabari Smith Jr. (11-for-17, 5-for-7) each scored 30 points, with Green dishing out 13 assists with 7 rebounds and Smith Jr. grabbing 8 rebounds. Dillon Brooks was 8-for-19 from the field (5-for-11 from downtown) for 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. Tari Eason was 8-for-19 with 21 points and 8 rebounds. 

The story of the game was Quentin Grimes of the 76ers, who poured in 46 points in 43 minutes on 15-for-27 and 8-for-14 from downtown. With his performance, Grimes became the first player in 76er history with 45+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 5+ 3-pointers made in a game and the first player with 45+ and 8+ 3-pointers made in a game. 

Jared Butler added 21 points with 5 assists on 7-for-15, and Justin Edwards was 7-for-15 (4-for-7 from downtown) with 18 points. 

The Rockets, 44-25, hold second place currently in the Western Conference, with the Denver Nuggets, also at 44-25, in third place. The 76ers, who will now be without Paul George for the remainder of the season, have the third-worst record in the Eastern Conference at 23-45. 

In San Francisco, the Nuggets playing without Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray ended the Warriors’ win streak at seven with the 114-105 win. The 39-29 Warriors are sixth in the West. 

Aaron Gordon (14-for-23, 4-for-6 from downtown) exploded for 38 to lead the road side, with Russell Westbrook despite shooting 5-for-18 and 2-for-9 from deep putting up a triple-double of 12 points, 16 assists, and 12 rebounds. Michael Porter Jr. was 7-for-18 (3-for-10 from downtown) for 21 points with 10 rebounds and 5 assists. 

Jimmy Butler’s 23 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists (8-for-16) led the Warriors, with Stephen Curry putting up 20 points and 7 assists on just 6-for-21 and 4-for-14 from deep. Gary Payton II was 8-for-10 off the bench for 18 points. 

Around the League 

Knicks 116 (43-24)

Heat 95 (29-39)

Bridges: 28 PTS (10-for-14 FG, 4-for-6 3PT)

Towns: 23 PTS, 7 REB (10-for-17 FG, 3-for-5 3PT)

Hart: 12 PTS, 13 REB, 11 AST (5-for-9 FG, 2-for-5 3PT)

Robinson: 22 PTS (8-for-12 FG, 5-for-9 3PT)

Herro: 20 PTS (10-for-18 3PT)

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Pistons 127 (38-31)

Pelicans 81 (18-51)

Cunningham: 24 PTS, 8 REB, 4 AST (10-for-16 FG)

Fontecchio: 23 PTS, 7 REB (9-for-10 FG, 5-for-5 3PT)

Williamson: 30 PTS, 6 REB (9-for-18 FG)

Missi: 12 PTS, 10 REB (4-for-7 FG)

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Bulls 111 (29-39)

Jazz 97 (15-54)

White: 26 PTS (9-for-19 FG)

Jones: 18 PTS, 12 AST (8-for-10 FG)

Huerter, Buzelis: 17 PTS

Markkanen: 16 PTS (7-for-16 FG)

George: 16 PTS (4-for-7 FG, 7-for-7 FT)

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Suns 129 (32-37)

Raptors 89 (24-45)

Booker: 27 PTS, 6 AST (8-for-15 FG, 3-for-6 3PT)

Dunn: 17 PTS, 6 REB (7-for-16 FG)

Durant: 14 PTS (5-for-7 FG)

Barnes: 16 PTS, 4 REB (5-for-13 FG)

Quickley: 15 PTS, 7 REB, 7 AST (5-for-14 FG)

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Kings 132 (34-33)

Grizzlies 122 (43-26)

Monk: 28 PTS, 7 AST (10-for-17 FG, 4-for-8 3PT)

LaVine: 23 PTS, 6 AST (7-for-11 FG, 5-for-8 3PT)

DeRozan: 22 PTS, 8 AST, 6 REB (7-for-19 FG, 3-for-6 3PT)

Bane: 44 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST (15-for-25 FG, 7-for-7 3PT)

Clarke: 15 PTS, 8 REB (6-for-8 FG)

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Trail Blazers 112 (30-39)

Wizards 97 (15-52)

Simons: 30 PTS (10-for-17 FG, 5-for-11 3PT)

Sharpe: 16 PTS, 5 REB (6-for-14 FG)

Clingan: 11 PTS, 13 REB (5-for-9 FG)

Sarr: 20 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST, 2 BLK (7-for-16 FG, 3-for-9 3PT)

Vukcevic: 17 PTS, 8 REB (6-for-13 FG, 3-for-6 3PT)

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Lakers 125 (42-25)

Spurs 109 (28-39)

Reaves: 30 PTS, 7 REB, 6 AST (12-for-21 FG, 5-for-13 3PT)

Doncic: 21 PTS, 14 AST, 9 REB (5-for-20 FG, 1-for-7 3PT)

Goodwin, Finney Smith: 15 PTS

Castle: 23 PTS, 8 REB (8-for-19 FG, 3-for-6 3PT)

Vassell: 17 PTS, 8 REB (6-for-13 FG, 3-for-8 3PT)

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