Halloween night delivered seven games with few surprises on the scoreboard but plenty of standout performances. Wembanyama posted his season-high 43 points, Memphis remained undefeated, and Philadelphia won in Charlotte with their third star carrying the load. In Houston, Aday Mara began filling the minutes left by Chet Holmgren, who will miss at least two months with a knee injury.
Mara Takes on Greater Role in Thunder Loss
Thunder 98-119 Rockets. Oklahoma City arrived in Houston with a depleted roster: without Holmgren, who suffered a right knee injury, Jalen Williams, Alex Caruso, or Cason Wallace. That absence was felt in the paint, where Mara played 28 minutes off the bench and contributed 7 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists. The Rockets opened the second quarter with an 18-4 run that put them up 21, the Thunder cut it before halftime (62-51), and an 8-0 run to start the third quarter put the game away.
The night belonged to Jabari Smith Jr., with 30 points and 6 three-pointers, and Marcus Smart, who made 7 of 10 from beyond the arc. Alperen Şengün returned after two games out with 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 26 points, not enough for a Thunder team that has lost two straight after starting 4-0. Houston, 6-1, remains undefeated at home.
https://youtu.be/-xNpXUqD5Vc?si=4AnvJNWUE_t9HCaU
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Wembanyama Dominates in San Antonio
Timberwolves 111-121 Spurs. The Wolves, without Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, or Donte DiVincenzo, led at halftime (61-60), but Wembanyama wouldn't let them dream of more. The Frenchman finished with 43 points and 7 rebounds, and the Spurs won the third quarter by six to take control. Dylan Harper (25) and De'Aaron Fox (22 on 8 of 10 shooting) completed the night, while Ayo Dosunmu (27) kept Minnesota afloat, which falls to 4-3.
https://youtu.be/Rm588lAuA7I?si=wqRv7UTMLLah2d4f
Grizzlies Keep Rolling
Kings 105-136 Grizzlies. Memphis remains undefeated (6-0) and put on a show. A 42-25 third quarter broke open a game that was still competitive at halftime. Cameron Boozer led the team again with 27 points and 9 rebounds, and the bench contributed heavily: Isaiah Stewart added 24 on 8 of 9 shooting and GG Jackson scored 21 without missing any of his five three-pointers. Cam Spencer distributed 13 assists.
For the Kings, rookie Darius Acuff Jr. posted 38 points with 9 three-pointers, a performance that couldn't prevent Sacramento's sixth straight loss. The Kings remain winless.
Maxey Carries 76ers Without LeBron and Embiid
76ers 109-104 Hornets. Philadelphia rested LeBron James and Joel Embiid on the second night of the back-to-back, and Maxey took charge with 38 points. The 76ers entered the fourth quarter down six, tightened defensively (the Hornets committed 18 turnovers), and closed the game with a 15-3 run, with Maxey deciding from the free-throw line. Grayson Allen scored 27 points off the bench and Brandon Miller added 24, but Charlotte falls to 3-4 and the 76ers improve to 6-1.
https://youtu.be/kbv_UGPyzGs?si=e9RzU2c14HxRn5IG
Cavaliers Dominate Second Quarter
Cavaliers 136-111 Bucks. Milwaukee won the first quarter, but the Cavaliers settled it in the second with a 48-21 run and 62% shooting in the first half that put them up 26 at the break. Cleveland reached 100 points before the third quarter ended. Evan Mobley (27) and Jarrett Allen (25 and 11 rebounds) dominated inside, and Mario Hezonja, formerly of Real Madrid, added 11 rebounds in 20 minutes. The Bucks, at 1-5, have lost two straight.
Avdija and Lillard Punish the Jazz
Trail Blazers 112-90 Jazz. Portland controlled the game throughout in Salt Lake City and opened a lead in the first quarter they never relinquished. Deni Avdija led with 24 points and Damian Lillard added 22, while Toumani Camara made four three-pointers. The Blazers, playing without Ja Morant or Shaedon Sharpe, improve to 4-1 and remain undefeated on the road. The Jazz, with Lauri Markkanen shooting 3 of 14, have lost four straight.
Pelicans Find Their Rhythm
Hawks 99-121 Pelicans. New Orleans came out with a 35-18 first quarter and never looked back. Rookie Jeremiah Fears posted 20 points on 9 of 12 shooting with 7 assists, Saddiq Bey scored 25 off the bench, and Zion Williamson added 15. The Hawks shot just 14% from three, with Nickeil Alexander-Walker going 0 of 7, and fall to 3-4. The Pelicans get their second win (2-4).
Results:
- Thunder 98-119 Rockets
- Timberwolves 111-121 Spurs
- Kings 105-136 Grizzlies
- 76ers 109-104 Hornets
- Cavaliers 136-111 Bucks
- Trail Blazers 112-90 Jazz
- Hawks 99-121 Pelicans
Aday Mara (Thunder): 28 min, 7 pts (3/7 FG), 9 reb, 3 ast
Top Performances:
- Wembanyama (SAS): 43 pts (17/34 FG), 7 reb, 4 ast
- Maxey (PHI): 38 pts, 4 reb, 4 ast
- Acuff Jr. (SAC): 38 pts (9/14 3P)
- J. Smith Jr. (HOU): 30 pts (6/12 3P), 9 reb
- Mobley (CLE): 27 pts (11/16 FG)
- Boozer (MEM): 27 pts, 9 reb
- Dosunmu (MIN): 27 pts, 9 reb
- Allen (CHA): 27 pts (7/10 3P)
- Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC): 26 pts
- Bey (NOP): 25 pts (9/13 FG)
- Allen (CLE): 25 pts, 11 reb
- Avdija (POR): 24 pts
- Smart (HOU): 24 pts (7/10 3P)