Jalen Williams scored 27 points, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 121-109 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Friday night.
While Williams and All-Star teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (25 points) played key roles, the game was special because of the return of second-year player Chet Holmgren. Holmgren, who had been out since a pelvic injury on Nov. 10, made his comeback with four points, five rebounds, four blocks, and two steals in 22 minutes.
Scottie Barnes led the Raptors with 21 points as they lost their third straight game. Gradey Dick added 17 points.
Hornets 117, Spurs 116
Miles Bridges made a 3-pointer with 1.4 seconds left, giving the Charlotte Hornets a tight win over the San Antonio Spurs to end a six-game losing streak.
Bridges finished with 25 points, and LaMelo Ball added 24 points with 10 assists in his return from an ankle injury.
Rookie Stephon Castle scored a career-high 33 points for the Spurs, while Victor Wembanyama had 16 points, 11 rebounds, and five blocks.
Nets 102, Heat 86
Cameron Johnson scored 18 points as the Brooklyn Nets dominated the fourth quarter to defeat the Miami Heat, who played their first game after trading Jimmy Butler.
D’Angelo Russell contributed 17 points, and Nic Claxton added 12 points, 10 rebounds, and four of Brooklyn’s 13 blocks. The Nets shot 14-of-26 in the final period to outscore Miami 31-9.
Terry Rozier led the Heat with 20 points, and Bam Adebayo added 18 points.
Pistons 125, 76ers 112
Malik Beasley set a career-high with 36 points, leading the Detroit Pistons to a win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Tobias Harris added 22 points and nine rebounds as Detroit snapped a two-game losing streak. All-Star Cade Cunningham was scratched late due to an ankle injury.
Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons (NBA)Tyrese Maxey scored 27 points and had seven assists for the 76ers. Joel Embiid contributed 23 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.
Cavaliers 134, Wizards 124
Donovan Mitchell scored 33 points, and Evan Mobley added 27 as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Washington Wizards.
Darius Garland finished with 23 points, and Max Strus scored 17 in Cleveland’s sixth win in seven games.
Despite Jordan Poole’s career-high 45 points, Washington lost their season-high three-game win streak. Kyshawn George scored 17 points.
Hawks 115, Bucks 110
Mouhamed Gueye had his first career double-double to help the Atlanta Hawks beat the Milwaukee Bucks.
Gueye scored a season-high 15 points and grabbed 12 rebounds with four blocks, playing extended minutes due to trade-deadline absences.
Trae Young added 24 points and seven assists and sealed the game with a key steal in the final 34 seconds. The Bucks were without Giannis Antetokounmpo due to a calf injury. Bobby Portis led with 26 points and 15 rebounds, while Damian Lillard contributed 23 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists.
