It was a night to remember in the NBA, with several thrilling matches that kept fans on the edge of their seats. The Denver Nuggets’ victory over the Phoenix Suns was particularly historic, thanks to Nikola Jokic’s extraordinary performance. The Serbian player achieved a rare triple-double, with 31 points, 21 rebounds, and 22 assists, leading his team to a 149-141 win in overtime. This blistering display made him the first player in NBA history to record a triple-double with 30 points or more, 20 rebounds or more, and 20 assists or more.
The Suns had come close to staging another impressive comeback, having previously overcome a 23-point deficit against the Clippers. However, their hopes were dashed when Cristian Braun hit a three-pointer with just 1.4 seconds left, putting Denver ahead by three points. In a stunning turn of events, Kevin Durant then made a magnificent three-pointer from the corner to take the game into overtime. The Suns’ energy eventually ran out, and they succumbed to the Nuggets’ relentless pressure. Aaron Gordon also played a crucial role in Denver’s win, scoring 27 points and making seven of ten three-pointers.
The Cleveland Cavaliers, meanwhile, extended their winning streak to 13 games with a narrow 118-117 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. Despite being the best team in the NBA with a 53-10 record, the Cavaliers were pushed to the limit by the struggling Hornets, who are second-from-bottom in the Eastern Conference with a 14-48 record. Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 24 points, while Darius Garland added 20 points and Evan Mobley contributed 19 points and 10 rebounds. The Cavaliers’ ability to win even when not playing at their best has been a hallmark of their successful season.
Miles Bridges’ impressive 46 points and eight rebounds were not enough to save the Hornets from defeat. He had a chance to win the game with a three-pointer at the buzzer but was unable to make it. The Mavericks’ losing streak continued with a 122-111 defeat to the Grizzlies, their fourth consecutive loss and sixth in their last seven games. Ja Morant was the star of the show, scoring 31 points and dishing out eight assists, while Desmond Bane added 27 points, 16 rebounds, and six assists. The Spanish player Santi Aldama made a solid contribution on his return, scoring six points, grabbing five rebounds, and making three assists in 21 minutes as a starter.
The Grizzlies’ victory lifted them to fourth place in the Western Conference with a 39-24 record. In contrast, the Mavericks are struggling with injuries and are currently tenth in the West with a 32-32 record. Naji Marshall and Brandon Williams were the top scorers for the Mavericks, with 26 points each. The Thunder’s winning streak reached six games with a 107-89 victory over the Blazers, despite missing several key players, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren. Aaron Wiggins scored 30 points, and Jaylin Williams achieved a triple-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists.
The Kings’ 127-109 win over the Spurs was marked by De’Aaron Fox’s return to Sacramento, but he was unable to celebrate as the Kings emerged victorious. Zach LaVine led the Kings with 36 points, making seven of eleven three-pointers. Stephon Castle was the top scorer for the Spurs with 25 points. In other matches, the New York Knicks missed the injured Jalen Brunson in their 105-95 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, while the Toronto Raptors defeated the Utah Jazz 118-109, despite Walker Kessler’s impressive 18 points, 25 rebounds, and eight blocks. The Minnesota Timberwolves edged out the Miami Heat 106-104 in a closely contested game.
