It was a busy night in the NBA on Monday with an 11-game slate, highlighted by a highly competitive Western Conference tilt and a budding superstar’s career night out east.

21-year-old one-time All-Star Paolo Banchero exploded for 37 first half points, adding 13 in the second half in a 119-115 home win over the Indiana Pacers. In addition to his 50 points, Banchero narrowly missed a triple-double with 13 rebounds and 9 assists. He became the fourth player in history (LeBron James, Rick Barry, and Jamal Mashburn) to register a 50-plus point, 10-plus rebound game at age 21 or younger. At 21 years, 351 days, he is also the youngest Magic player to put up 50-plus points. On the Pacers’ side, Pascal Siakam (10-for-18) led with 26 points, while Tyrese Halliburton put up 19 points, 10 assists, and 9 rebounds but was just 6-for-15 shooting. The Magic improved to 3-1 while the Pacers are at 1-3 on the season.

Out west in Phoenix, the Suns and Los Angeles Lakers dueled in a game that came down to the last minutes.

Devin Booker (11-for-23) put up 33 points and Kevin Durant (11-for-20) scored 30 in the Suns’ 109-105 win, handing the Lakers their first loss of the season.

Anthony Davis (29 points, 15 rebounds, 12-for-24) was spectacular yet again for the Lakers, with he and Austin Reaves (23 points, 8-for-15) making big plays down the stretch. Davis’ play over the first four games is reminiscent of his New Orleans’ days and the 2020 bubble. Rui Hachimura contributed a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double, while LeBron James (10 points) struggled from the field going 3-for-14. It was James’ worst shooting night since Oct. 31, 2007 against the Dallas Mavericks when he went just 2-for-11 in an 18-point loss.

Around the League

Trae Young (14 points, 13 assists, 2-for-15) missed a last second leaning three-pointer as the Atlanta Hawks lost to the Washington Wizards 121-119. Kyle Kuzma (8-for-20) finished with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists, while Jordan Poole (6-for-8 from downtown) scored 26. Jalen Johnson (29 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists) led the Hawks.

The Boston Celtics improved to 4-0 and dropped the Milwaukee Bucks to 1-3 with a 118-109 win. Jaylen Brown (10-for-19) led with 30 points while Payton Pritchard (8-for-12 from distance) put up 28 points. For the Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo (14-for-26) went for 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists while Damian Lillard (33 points) was tops in scoring for the visitors.

Jimmy Butler (23 points) and Terry Rozier (20 points) dropped the Detroit Pistons to 0-4 with a 106-98 home win. Leading the Pistons was Cade Cunningham with 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists on 9-for-18 shooting.

Darius Garland scored 34 points (12-for-19) to improve the Cleveland Cavaliers to 4-0 with a 110-104 win over the New York Knicks. Donovan Mitchell (9-for-17) put up 25 points while Jarrett Allen contributed 15 points and 15 rebounds. Jalen Brunson (24 points) was just 8-for-24 in the loss.

Nikola Jokic (40 points on 18-for-27) registered his second consecutive game of 40-plus in the Denver Nuggets’ 127-125 overtime win at the Toronto Raptors. Scottie Barnes’ 21 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists led the Raptors.

The Chicago Bulls outscored the Memphis Grizzlies 33-23 in the fourth quarter to take a 126-123 win. Zach Lavine (12-for-22) scored 30 points while Nikola Vucevic added 22 points. Desmond Bane (6-for-10 from distance) led the Grizzlies.

The Houston Rockets defeated the San Antonio Spurs 106-101, with Jalen Green’s 36 points (7-for-13 from distance) leading the way. Victor Wembanyama registered 20 rebounds for the Spurs along with 14 points, while Jeremy Sochan’s 22 points (9-for-19) was a team high.

Kyrie Irving’s 23 points (8-for-14, three triples) led the Dallas Mavericks to a 110-102 home win against the Utah Jazz, dropping the Jazz to 0-3. Luka Doncic struggled, going just 5-for-22 from the field. Klay Thompson (7-for-15, 4-for-11 from distance) put up 18 points, while Dereck Lively (7-for-10, 14 points) and Spencer Dinwiddle (11 points) had solid bench contributions.

The Sacramento Kings secured their first win of the season in a 111-98 home victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. De’Aaron Fox (24 points), DeMar DeRozan (23 points) and Domantas Sabonis (16 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists) led the way for the home side. For the Trail Blazers, Deandre Ayton (10-for-17) put up a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Scoot Henderson (5-for-12) contributed 18 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds off the bench.