Victor Wembanyama had a quiet night offensively, scoring only 14 points with 20 rebounds as the Spurs dropped a rematch to the Rockets, 106-101. Meanwhile, the Suns overcame an 18-point deficit to defeat the Lakers, 109-105, led by Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. The Celtics maintained their unbeaten streak by beating the Bucks, while the Cavaliers topped the Knicks to stay perfect, with Darius Garland leading Cleveland with 34 points.
In an intense NBA matchup, Victor Wembanyama struggled offensively as the Spurs faced defeat against the Rockets, while the Suns made a thrilling comeback to defeat the Lakers on Monday.
The San Antonio Spurs, after a victory against the Rockets on Saturday, fell short at home during their second matchup with Houston, losing 106-101. The Spurs started off poorly and found themselves trailing significantly at halftime, before mounting a late-game rally.
Wembanyama had a solid game defensively, racking up 20 rebounds, but his shooting left much to be desired, as he managed only 14 points with inconsistent long-range attempts. Strong contributions from forward Jeremy Sochan, who scored 22 points, kept the Spurs competitive. On the opposing team, guard Jalen Green shone brightly, scoring an impressive 36 points. Following this loss, the Spurs aim to bounce back in their next game against Oklahoma City on Wednesday.
Suns Snuff Out LeBron’s Squad
In Arizona, the Phoenix Suns, led by Kevin Durant’s 30 points and Devin Booker’s 33, handed the Los Angeles Lakers their first loss of the season, edging them out 109-105. The Lakers, coached by J.J. Redick, had previously claimed victory against the Suns just a few days prior.
Initially, the Lakers seemed poised to extend their winning streak, building a 26-8 lead in the first quarter, powered by a strong performance from Anthony Davis, who finished with 29 points and 15 rebounds. However, the Suns turned the tide in the fourth quarter, clinching the win. Despite Austin Reaves contributing 23 points, LeBron James had an off night, scoring just 11 points on 3-of-14 shooting in 36 minutes. Suns coach Mike Budenholzer credited his team’s “toughness,” praising their “outstanding defense” that allowed them to overcome an 18-point deficit.
Other Game Highlights: Boston and Cleveland Stay Undefeated
The Boston Celtics, the reigning NBA champions, showcased a powerful second-half performance to remain unbeaten by defeating the Milwaukee Bucks 119-108 at home. Despite a strong showing from Bucks’ stars Damian Lillard (33 points) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (30 points) who helped their team to a slight halftime lead, the Celtics surged back.
After halftime, Boston found their shooting rhythm, sinking seven three-pointers to grab an eight-point lead heading into the final quarter. Jaylen Brown led the charge with 30 points, securing the Celtics’ fourth straight win. Furthermore, Jrue Holiday and Jayson Tatum contributed 21 and 15 points, respectively, while Payton Pritchard had a standout game, scoring 28 points with eight three-pointers.
In another thrilling contest, the Cleveland Cavaliers upheld their unbeaten streak at the top of the Eastern Conference, defeating the New York Knicks 110-104 at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks initially held a commanding 13-point advantage in the third quarter, but Cleveland narrowed the gap to just four points at the start of the fourth. Darius Garland’s performance was pivotal, as he scored 15 points in the final quarter, finishing the game with 34 points, while Donovan Mitchell added 25. Despite Jalen Brunson’s strong attempt with 21 points and seven assists, New York suffered their second defeat in three games.