Image Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

NBA Daily Recap, February 8 – Austin Reaves’ career-high, Paolo Banchero’s winning shot and more

Let's take a look at what happened on Saturday in the NBA.

Image Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Here’s the NBA Daily Recap for Feb. 8, 2025, where we witnessed 11 matchups. It was the busiest day in the NBA ahead of the All-Star weekend. Players like Anthony Davis and Jimmy Butler made debuts for the Mavericks and the Warriors respectively.

From Austin Reaves drops career-high for Lakers to Anthony Davis leading Mavericks for an emphatic win, let’s go through the key highlights from the NBA action on Saturday.

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Mavericks 116-105 Rockets

Dallas Mavericks squeezed past the Houston Rockets in a debut game of Anthony Davis, who left the game late in the third quarter. Former Lakers star scored 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks in 31 minutes. Max Christie finished with 23 points. Alperen Sengun added 30 points while Jalen Green contributed 24 for the Rockets, who lost sixth straight game. Sengun led Houston’s comeback with 21-4 run and cut a 21-point deficit to two. Dallas will continue their five-game homestand with next clash against the Kings.

Anthony Davis went to the locker room with a non-contact injury pic.twitter.com/uq4671SOJG
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 8, 2025

Pacers 117-124 Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Indiana Pacers 124-117 without LeBron James, who sat with left ankle soreness. Austin Reaves scored a career-high 45 points and Rui Hachimura added 24 on his 27th birthday. The Lakers are now on a five-game winning streak and have dropped two games in the last 13. The Lakers controlled the game in the first half with a 25-point lead. The Pacers reduced the deficit by outscoring Los Angeles in the second half but the damage was already done. Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 23 points. Tyrese Halliburton added 19 points and Indiana ended their four-game road trip with 2-2.

AUSTIN REAVES: NEXT MAN UP 😤

🏀 45 PTS (career-high)
🏀 7 REB
🏀 7 AST
🏀 3 STL
🏀 4 3PM

Stepped up with the stars out of the lineup to guide the Lakers to their 5th straight win. pic.twitter.com/rK89oluMne
— NBA (@NBA) February 9, 2025

Bulls 111-132 Warriors

Golden State Warriors pulled off a great comeback to beat Chicago Bulls 132-111. Steph Curry scored 24 out of 24 points in the third quarter to guide a famous win. Jimmy Butler scored 25 points, including 11 free throws on his Warriors debut. Warriors outscored Bulls 42-25 in the third quarter to flip the 22-point deficit to four-point advantage. Golden State went on a 9-0 run in the fourth quarter to take full control. Coby White led the Bulls with 27 points. Chicago’s all five starters recorded in double figures but failed to win third straight home game.

Suns 105-122 Nuggets

Nikola Jokic highlighted 28 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists as the Denver Nuggets beat the Phoenix Suns for their season-best sixth straight win. Jamal Murray added 30 points for Denver, who missed Russell Westbrook and Michael Porter Jr. due to injuries. Devin Booker scored 24 points for the Suns, who played without their All-Star player, Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal and Grayson Allen. Bol Bol dropped a season-high 19 points, while Tyus Jones chipped in with 15 points and 10 assists. Phoenix Suns dropped fourth game out of last five.

Nikola Jokic shot 11-13 tonight 🗑️

His 2 misses — a 3/4 court heave and when he got blocked, and then got the offensive rebound and scored.

UNREAL 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/3Nb37XS7fc
— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) February 9, 2025

Magic 112-111 Spurs

Paolo Banchero’s go-ahead shot with 24.7 seconds left assured Orlando Magic a one-point win over San Antonio Spurs. Victor Wembanyama missed a mid-range jumper in the final seconds and Spurs dropped seventh game in last ten. Franz Wagner scored 33 points and 12 rebounds, and Anthony Black chipped in with 20 points off the bench. Banchero finished with 17 points, and seven rebounds. Devin Vassell paced San Antonio with 25 points on 11-for-14 shooting. Harrison Barnes had 21 points and eight rebounds. Wembanyama added 18 points, nine rebounds, four steals and four blocks. De’Aaron Fox managed nine points and nine assists.

Knicks 104-131 Celtics

Jayson Tatum dropped a 40-point performance and the Boston Celtics routed the New York Knicks 131-104. Payton Pritchard had 25 points off the bench. Derrick White and Jayson Tatum scored combined 33 points in the third to outscore Knicks, who had 28. New York cut the 18-point deficit to three points but Boston managed to hold the nerves. Jalen Brunson paced the Knicks with 36 points. Josh Hart had 17 points in New York’s second loss in nine games.

Jayson Tatum SHOWED OUT for the Celtics at MSG!

🍀 40 PTS
🍀 6 REB
🍀 4 AST
🍀 7 3PM

Boston moves to 5-1 in their last 6. pic.twitter.com/W3FBwrL4iv
— NBA (@NBA) February 9, 2025

Other Results

Wizards 111-125 Hawks

Timberwolves 114-98 Trail Blazers

Grizzlies 112-125 Thunder

Kings 123-118 Pelicans

Clippers 130-110 Jazz

Anthony Davis

Austin Reaves

Dallas Mavericks

Jimmy Butler

NBA Recap

Gulshan Sharma

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.