NBA match surprises: Thunder upset defending champs, Celtics survive, Kings stage comeback

Posted : 30 December 2023

In a riveting night across the NBA, the youthful energy of the Oklahoma City Thunder took center stage as they stunned the defending champions, the Denver Nuggets, with an emphatic 119-93 victory.

OKC's dynamic display not only snapped the Nuggets' six-game winning streak but also propelled them to the second spot in the Western Conference.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge with an impressive 40 points, supported by Chet Holmgren's 24, Jaylen Williams' all-around contribution (11 points, 9 assists, 7 rebounds), and Josh Giddey's 12 points and 8 rebounds. Despite Nikola Jokic's 19 points and 10 rebounds for Denver, the Thunder's dominance prevailed.

In a closely contested match, the Boston Celtics narrowly maintained their flawless home record, surviving a potential upset against the Toronto Raptors with a final score of 120-118.

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Missing key players like Jayson Tatum, the Celtics relied on Jaylen Brown's outstanding performance, who notched 31 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists. Luke Cornet's crucial contributions, scoring 20 points, including the game-winning basket, secured the hard-fought victory for Boston.

Cleveland Cavaliers, despite Donovan Mitchell's stellar return with 34 points and 9 assists, couldn't withstand the Milwaukee Bucks' resurgence in the third quarter, resulting in a 119-111 victory for the reigning champions.

Giannis Antetokounmpo's impressive 34 points, 16 rebounds, and 5 assists, coupled with Damian Lillard's 31 points, propelled the Bucks to their ninth win in ten games. Although Jarrett Allen's 30 points and 12 rebounds shone for the Cavaliers, they succumbed to defeat after two consecutive wins.

In a matchup without Joel Embiid, the Philadelphia 76ers secured a commendable 131-127 away win against the Houston Rockets. Tyrese Maxey's stellar performance, contributing 42 points, and Tobias Harris's 22 points, 7 assists, and 3 blocks compensated for Embiid's absence.

Despite Fred VanVleet's 33 points and 10 assists and Jalen Green's 31 for the Rockets, the Sixers emerged victorious, handing Houston their third consecutive home loss.

The Phoenix Suns showcased their offensive prowess, defeating the Charlotte Hornets 133-119, with notable contributions from Devin Booker (35 points, 7 assists), Kevin Durant (21 points, 11 assists), and Yusuf Nurkic (24 points, 15 rebounds). Despite Terry Rogier's impressive 42 points and 8 assists for the Hornets, the Suns' trio led their team to victory.

The Orlando Magic displayed dominance against the New York Knicks, securing a 117-108 win. Franz Wagner's outstanding performance with 32 points and 9 assists, along with Paolo Banchero's 29 points and 10 rebounds, propelled the Magic to control the game.

Julius Randle's 38 points and 12 rebounds, alongside Jalen Brunson's 20 points, weren't enough to overcome the Magic's superiority.

The Memphis Grizzlies capped off an impressive December with an 11-2 record, securing a 117-106 victory over the LA Clippers. Paul George led the Clippers with 23 points, while James Harden contributed 16 points and 13 assists.

Despite the absence of Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers maintained their winning streak. Jaren Jackson and Marcus Smart scored 22 points each for Memphis, marking their first loss of the season with Ja Morant playing (19 points, 10 assists).

Hawks lose fourth straight in loss to Sacramento, 117-110 - Peachtree Hoops

In a comeback thriller, the Sacramento Kings, led by Dearon Fox's stellar performance of 31 points and a career-high 8 threes, secured a 117-110 away win against the Atlanta Hawks.

Despite a disastrous start falling behind by 23 points in the first quarter, Fox's resurgence, coupled with Domantas Sabonis' 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists, completed the Kings' remarkable comeback. Trae Young's 24 points and 9 assists for the Hawks were not enough to fend off the Kings' late-game surge.

Rookie Scott Henderson stole the spotlight for the San Antonio Spurs in a 134-128 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.

With Victor Wembanyama absent for the Spurs, Henderson's impressive performance of 22 points, 11 assists, and 7 rebounds, supported by Jerian Grant and Malcolm Brogdon's 27 points each, secured their second win in three games.

Keldon Johnson's standout performance with 29 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists for the Spurs showcased his individual brilliance in a losing effort for the Blazers.

NBA match surprises: Thunder upset defending champs, Celtics survive, Kings stage comeback

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