Let's take a look at what happened on Monday in the NBA.
Here’s the NBA Daily Recap for Dec. 23, 2024, where we witnessed 14 matchups. Before Christmas Day, it was a great welcome to the exciting week. Players like Nikola Jokic, Tyrese Maxey, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and LeBron James delivered top-notch performances.
From Denver’s third quarter surge to Lakers’ careless turnovers lead to Pistons’ roll over, let’s go through the key highlights from the NBA action on Monday night.
Orlando Magic pulled off another comeback to surprise Boston Celtics, who were missing Jayson Tatum. Orlando rallied from a 15-point deficit to win the game and they are 2-2 in seven-game homestand. Tristan da Silva scored 18 points, Jalen Suggs added 16 and Trevelin Queen had 17 points on his first NBA start for the Magic.
Jaylen Brown paced the Celtics with 35 points. Boston were 10 points behind in the fourth quarter and they reduced the deficit to one point with 1 minute left. Al Horford missed a 3-pointer for Boston and da Silva dropped a critical 3-pointer with 9.9 seconds left. Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White scored 17 apiece for the Celtics.
Philadelphia 76ers survived in a controversial drama with a 111-106 win over San Antonio Spurs. Tyrese Maxey scored 32 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists for the 76ers following Joel Embiid’s ejection through a technical foul. Paul George added 19 points and Guerschon Yabusele chipped in 17 off the bench.
The referee also ejected Andre Drummond for a foul on Wembanyama in the second quarter but he came back after the review. Wembanyama led Spurs with 26 points, nine rebounds and eight blocks. Devin Vassell, Julian Champagnie and Jeremy Sochan each added 15 points in the loss. Spurs had one point lead with 1:20 to play but Maxey’s two crucial plays helped 76ers to escape.
Trae Young scored 29 points and Garrison Mathews notched up a season-high 25 points off the bench to help the Atlanta Hawks snap a three-game losing streak. Jalen Johnson scored a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds while De’Andre Hunter chipped in 19. Dyson Daniels scored 10 points and eight steals.
Naz Reid was the top performer for the Wolves, scoring 23 points off the bench. Julius Randle had 19 points and 13 rebounds while Anthony Edwards added 16. The 8-0 run in the third quarter helped the Hawks flip the 2-point deficit to a 6-point lead. Atlanta controlled the game and handed third straight defeat to Timberwolves.
Los Angeles Clippers held the nerves in the final moments to secure a crucial win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Norman Powell scored 29 points and his clutch brilliance helped the Clippers finish a three-game road trip with a 2-1 record. Ivica Zubac posted 20 points and a season-high 20 rebounds and James Harden added 21 points, nine assists and eight rebounds.
Powell led the Clippers who scored four points in the final 25 seconds when the game was tied at 110. Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 24 points for the Memphis, who halted a seven-game winning streak at home. Grizzlies committed 19 turnovers in the game that led to 31 points for the visitors. Ja Morant added 23 points and Desmond Bane had 21 points and seven assists.
Steph Curry’s horrible night at Chase Center handed another loss to Golden State Warriors who are 3-10 in last 13 games. The veteran guard managed only 10 points on 2-for-13 shooting as Indiana Pacers overcame Warriors’ second-half comeback. Curry missed a three with 45 seconds left and Golden State missed four free throws in the fourth quarter.
Myles Turner scored 23 points and 10 rebounds, and Pascal Siakam had 20 points for the Pacers, who won fifth straight game. The former also made a 3-pointer from the top of the arc with 16 seconds left. Jonathan Kuminga improved from previous shooting slump and scored 26 points off the bench. Trayce Jackson-Davis had 13 points and eight rebounds while Buddy Hield added 13 off the bench.
Detroit Pistons overcome the Los Angeles Lakers to sweep the clubs’ season series. Malik Beasley scored 21 points, while Cade Cunningham added 20 points and 10 assists. LeBron James posted the 8th triple-double of this season with 28 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. However, he missed a 3-point attempt right before the buzzer. James also Derek Fisher for the second-most 3-pointers in franchise history.
Jaden Ivey led Pistons with 18 points to halt a seven-game road losing streak against the Lakers. Detroit made a 16-4 run but Los Angeles scored eight straight points to reduce the deficit to three points with 46 seconds left. Anthony Davis scored 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers, who made 20 turnovers in the game.
MVP holder, Nikola Jokic dropped 13 of his 32 points in the third quarter to help Denver Nuggets squeeze past Phoenix Suns, who dropped third straight game. Michael Porter Jr. scored 24 points on 10-of-12 shooting for Jamal Murray-less Nuggets.
The Suns were without Devin Booker and Grayson Allen so they struggled in controlling Denver. Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal scored 23 points each in the loss. Nuggets had a 21 points lead heading into the fourth quarter. Nuggets have won fourth game out of last five and improved to 16-11.
Cavaliers 124-113 Jazz
Heat 110-95 Nets
Hornets 101-114 Rockets
Bulls 91-112 Bucks
Knicks 139-125 Raptors
Thunder 123-105 Wizards
Mavericks 132-108 Trail Blazers
Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
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