Kawhi Leonard scored a season-high 23 points as the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Brooklyn Nets 126-67 on Wednesday night, posting the biggest win margin in franchise history. James Harden added 21 points, 11 assists, and six rebounds for the Clippers, who won by 59 points, surpassing their previous biggest victory of 50 points (138-88) over the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 10, 2022.
The Clippers’ largest lead in the game was 64. This 59-point win tied for the 10th-largest margin in NBA history. Leonard shot 8 of 11 from the field in just 24 minutes, playing in only his fourth game of the season after recovering from knee issues.
The loss was the worst in Nets history. Their previous biggest defeat was by 52 points (139-87) against the Houston Rockets on October 18, 1978, when the team was known as the New Jersey Nets. Brooklyn’s 67 points were the fewest scored in an NBA game this season.
Knicks 125, 76ers 119 (OT)
Jalen Brunson scored 38 points, and Josh Hart posted a triple-double as the New York Knicks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in overtime. Mikal Bridges added 23 points and OG Anunoby scored 17 for the Knicks, who had lost five of their previous seven games. New York played without center Karl-Anthony Towns (thumb), which gave Hart the chance to record 10 points, 17 rebounds, 12 assists, and four steals.
Philadelphia has lost four straight games, all without Joel Embiid (foot). Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 33 points, while Paul George scored 26 points.
Raptors 110, Celtics 97
RJ Barrett scored 22 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and provided eight assists as the Toronto Raptors defeated the Boston Celtics. Scottie Barnes contributed 18 points and nine assists for Toronto, who have won two games in a row for the third time this season, their best streak. Jakob Poeltl scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Raptors. Payton Pritchard led the Celtics with 20 points, but they have lost three of their last five games. Jayson Tatum added 16 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists.
Lakers 117, Heat 108
Anthony Davis scored 22 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, while LeBron James also scored 22 points with nine assists to help the Los Angeles Lakers end a three-game losing streak by defeating the Miami Heat. Rui Hachimura led the team with 23 points, and Max Christie contributed 16 points. For Miami, Tyler Herro had a great game, scoring 34 points, including 7 of 12 from three-point range. Miami has struggled, going 3-4 since Jimmy Butler’s suspension for conduct problems.
Pelicans 119, Mavericks 116
Dejounte Murray scored 30 points, and Trey Murphy III added 24 points and a crucial blocked shot to help the New Orleans Pelicans defeat the Dallas Mavericks. With New Orleans up by one near the end of the game, the Mavericks’ Spencer Dinwiddie drove to the basket, but Murphy blocked his shot and made two free throws with 1.5 seconds left to seal the win. Daniel Gafford had 27 points and 12 rebounds for Dallas, but the Mavericks have lost three straight games.
Rockets 128, Nuggets 120
Jalen Green scored 34 points, Alperen Sengun added 20 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, helping the Houston Rockets defeat the Denver Nuggets. Fred VanVleet and Cam Whitmore each scored 16 points, and Amen Thompson finished with 11 points for the Rockets, who have won five straight games. The Nuggets played without three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who injured his elbow during warmups and was ruled out before the game. Aaron Gordon was also absent due to injury management.
Warriors 116, Timberwolves 115
Stephen Curry scored 31 points and recorded eight assists to lead the Golden State Warriors to a dramatic win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Curry made the game-winning 3-pointer with 47.3 seconds left, despite the Warriors nearly blowing a 24-point lead. Curry made 10 of 21 shots, including 7 of 12 from beyond the arc. Andrew Wiggins added 24 points, with 18 of those coming in the second half. Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo each scored 28 points for the Timberwolves, with Rudy Gobert adding 7 points and 10 rebounds.
Grizzlies 129, Spurs 115
Ja Morant scored 21 points and had 12 assists to help the Memphis Grizzlies defeat the San Antonio Spurs. Desmond Bane contributed 21 points and Jaren Jackson added 19 points. Santi Aldama posted 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Luke Kennard added 15 points and 9 rebounds. Memphis won for the second time in three games. Rookie Stephon Castle led the Spurs with a season-high 26 points, while Victor Wembanyama had 13 points, 12 rebounds, and eight blocks in the first half.
Bucks 122, Magic 93
Damian Lillard scored 30 points and Giannis Antetokounmpo added 26 points and 11 rebounds, leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a big win over the Orlando Magic. Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis each scored 14 points off the bench for the Bucks, who won their fifth game in the last six. Brook Lopez added 13 points and blocked five shots. Paolo Banchero scored 22 points for Orlando, but the Magic have now lost four of their last six games.
Hawks 110, Bulls 94
Keaton Wallace scored a career-high 27 points, and Daeqwon Plowden added 19 points off the bench in his NBA debut, helping the Atlanta Hawks beat the Chicago Bulls. The Hawks played without three starters and their top reserve, but still never trailed in the game, leading by as many as 17 points. Trae Young, who had scored 43 points in the previous game, was sidelined due to a rib contusion. For the Bulls, Coby White scored 16 points, Zach LaVine added 15 points, and Nikola Vucevic had 14 points and 16 rebounds.
Hornets 117, Jazz 112
Mark Williams led the Charlotte Hornets to a win over the Utah Jazz, scoring 31 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. LaMelo Ball scored 27 points with nine assists and six rebounds, while Miles Bridges added 25 points and 10 rebounds. Charlotte won for just the third time on the road this season. Keyonte George, returning from a five-game injury, scored 26 points for Utah. Brice Sensabaugh finished with 19 points, and rookie Isaiah Collier had 11 points and 10 assists.
