Tuesday's NBA featured just four games, but delivered everything: a buzzer-beater, the defending champions' debut, and the end of the Lakers' undefeated start. The Trail Blazers join Thunder, Rockets, and Grizzlies as the night's remaining undefeated teams.
Nets 124-125 Celtics (OT)
https://youtu.be/PQ2HJ5z73NQ?si=MXANvfwWpzFVozMh
Jayson Tatum decided the game with a shot at the overtime buzzer and finished with 40 points, including a career-high 18 made free throws. The game featured 15 ties and 8 lead changes.
The Celtics appeared to have it won after a three-point play by Derrick White (114-111) and led by three with one second remaining (117-114), but a three-pointer by Mikel Brown Jr. sent the game to overtime.
Paul George added 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists. Michael Porter Jr. (27 points and 12 rebounds) and Julius Randle (24) couldn't prevent the Nets' 0-4 start. Hugo González played six minutes without scoring.
Pistons 97-111 Knicks
https://youtu.be/CqsFCHImJkA?si=g-Cv8PITHQmToVzO
The Knicks avoided becoming the first defending champion to start 0-4 since the 1969-70 Celtics. They did so by rallying from a poor start: the Pistons won the first quarter 38-25 and led by as much as 13.
The game turned in the third quarter, which the Knicks won 37-13, with Karl-Anthony Towns scoring 13 points in that stretch. Towns finished with 27 points and 20 rebounds, while Jalen Brunson added 23 points and 7 assists.
For the Pistons, who lose their undefeated record (3-1), Paul Reed scored 22 and Cade Cunningham fell just short of a triple-double (19 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists).
See also:
- Aday Mara records first NBA double-double
- NBA Roundup: Aday Mara and Hugo González shine; De Larrea injured
- Flagg decides in Miami and De Larrea gets injured (113-109)
Kings 103-130 Spurs
https://youtu.be/XSZQXwI0tUI?si=3HK603oj5SAxO4wo
The Spurs posted their first home victory with an nearly flawless offensive performance: 39 points in the first quarter and 80 at halftime, with 13 three-pointers and 23 assists—numbers no team had reached in a half all season.
Victor Wembanyama scored 15 in the first quarter and finished with 29 points and 10 rebounds in 27 minutes, with nine dunks, tying his record. Julian Champagnie made eight three-pointers in the first half and finished with 26 points.
The Spurs even their record (2-2). The Kings remain winless (0-4) despite Domantas Sabonis' double-double (20 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 assists).
Trail Blazers 136-129 Lakers
https://youtu.be/tYIfS_WFLw8?si=s0iW7H5mFOtuUnzw
In a battle of undefeated teams, the Trail Blazers won in Los Angeles with 50% shooting from three and six players scoring in double figures. The Lakers led in the first quarter (38-32) with 16 points from Dončić, who finished with 41, and trailed entering the fourth (103-102).
There, three-pointers by Damian Lillard, Toumani Camara, and Deni Avdija gave Portland an eight-point lead. The Lakers tied it at 121 with four minutes remaining, but two missed free throws by Walker Kessler and a three-pointer by Lillard decided the game.
Ja Morant and Avdija (with 9 assists) each scored 23, Jrue Holiday added 22, and Lillard 21. The Blazers improve to 3-0 while the Lakers suffer their first loss (3-1).