Celtics Edge Knicks in OT at MSG, Thunder Avenge Weekend Loss to Lakers, Warriors Trounce Suns
There were 10 games on Tuesday’s NBA slate as the 2025 playoffs draw near. In Tuesday’s action, the Boston Celtics defeated the New York Knicks 119-117 in overtime, the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 136-120, getting revenge on the Los Angeles Lakers after a 27-point loss on Sunday, and the Golden State Warriors cruised past the Phoenix Suns in Phoenix 133-95.
Jayson Tatum (32 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 11-for-22, 4-for-11, 6-for-8) hit a step-back triple to send the game into overtime, while Kristaps Porzingis registered 34 points (11-for-19, 8-for-13 from deep, 4-for-6 from the line) to lead the Celtics. Jrue Holiday scored 16 points on 5-for-9 shooting while Derrick White scored 14 points with 9 assists and 8 rebounds (5-for-14). The Celtics made 19-of-49 3-point attempts and were 20-for-25 from the free-throw line.
For the Knicks, Karl-Anthony Towns led with 34 points and 14 rebounds (14-for-21), with Jalen Brunson adding 27 points and 10 assists (10-for-21, 5-for-12). Mikal Bridges (14), OG Anunoby (13) and Josh Hart (10) all scored in double-figures.
At 59-20, the Celtics are 9-1 in their last 10 games and have won three straight games. Four games back of the first place 63-16 Cleveland Cavaliers, the Celtics are peaking and playing high quality basketball at the right time. The Knicks, 50-29, are in third place, two games up on the Indiana Pacers.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (42 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 14-for-26, 5-for-9, 9-for-11) produced his 72nd consecutive game of 20+ points - tying Michael Jordan and Kevin Durant for the fourth-longest streak in NBA history - in leading the Thunder to a 136-120 home win, a nice bounceback for the Thunder after losing to the Lakers at home 126-99 on Sunday.
Jalen Williams added 26 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists on 11-for-21, and Lu Dort was 5-for-8 from downtown for 17 points. Chet Holmgren was 5-for-12 for 14 points, while big man Isaiah Hartenstein played a great game with 8 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks. His presence at the rim was effective. The Thunder as a whole shot 50% from the field and made 18-of-37 shots from downtown.
LeBron James led the Lakers with 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists (8-for-19, 9-for-10 from the free-throw line). Austin Reaves put up 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists on 6-for-12 (4-for-7 from downtown) while Luka Doncic scored 23 points with 5 assists on 7-for-15 shooting. Doncic was ejected from the game in the fourth quarter after he picked up his second technical foul. Doncic after making a basket made a comment to a courtside fan, but the official mistakenly thought that Doncic’s words were directed towards him. The ejection swung the momentum in the Thunder’s favor, as they cruised to a 39-22 fourth quarter advantage.
The Thunder, 65-14, are 13 games up on the second place on the 52-27 Houston Rockets. The Lakers, 48-31, are one game up on the surging Los Angeles Clippers, who have won five in a row and are 8-2 in their last 10 games.
The Warriors improved to 47-32 behind Stephen Curry’s 25 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists (9-for-17, 3-for-9 from deep) and 22 points (7-for-12, 4-for-6) from Brandon Podziemski in their 133-95 win over the Phoenix Suns from Footprint Center. Jimmy Butler was 6-for-7 from the free-throw line for 10 points.
Devin Booker (21 points, 4 assists, 7-for-17) led the Suns, with Ryan Dunn scoring 12 points with 4 steals on 4-for-10 shooting.
Kevin Durant has missed the last four games with an ankle injury for a Suns team that has had an abysmal season given their expectations. At 35-44, they have lost seven consecutive games and are the 11th seed in the Western Conference, three games behind the Dallas Mavericks for 10th.
Around the League
Grizzlies 124 (47-32)
Hornets 100 (19-60)
Morant: 28 PTS, 8 AST, 5 REB (10-for-21 FG, 4-for-10 3PT)
Bane: 19 PTS, 5 REB (6-for-11 FG)
Edey: 17 PTS, 19 REB, 3 STL (7-for-9 FG)
Bridges: 14 PTS, 6 REB (4-for-13 FG)
Salaun: 13 PTS, 9 REB (3-for-7 3PT)
Cavaliers 135 (63-16)
Bulls 113 (36-43)
Garland: 28 PTS, 5 AST (10-for-17 FG, 6-for-10 3PT)
Mobley: 21 PTS, 11 REB, 7 AST (8-for-18 FG, 3-for-6 3PT)
Jerome: 18 PTS, Hunter: 17 PTS
Williams: 21 PTS, 5 AST (7-for-11 FG, 5-for-6 3PT)
Buzelis: 19 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST (6-for-12 FG)
Horton-Tucker: 17 PTS (6-for-11 FG)
Pacers 104 (48-31)
Wizards 98 (17-62)
Siakam: 22 PTS, 10 REB (11-for-19 FG)
Haliburton: 22 PTS, 6 AST (5-for-11 FG, 3-for-7 3PT, 9-for-11 FT)
Turner: 14 PTS, 11 REB, 5 BLK (4-for-13 FG, 5-for-8 FT)
Champagnie: 20 PTS, 13 REB (8-for-13 FG, 4-for-6 3PT)
Sarr: 20 PTS, 12 REB, 6 AST, 3 BLK (8-for-17 FG)
Magic 119 (39-40)
Hawks 112 (37-42)
Banchero: 33 PTS, 10 REB, 4 AST (12-for-24 FG, 2-for-5 3PT, 7-for-10 FT)
Franz Wagner: 22 PTS, 6 REB, 6 AST (8-for-20 FG)
Carter Jr.: 17 PTS, 9 REB, 6 STL, 3 BLK (6-for-9 FG)
Okongwu: 30 PTS, 14 REB, 4 AST, 3 STL (9-for-17 FG, 4-for-7 3PT, 8-for-8 FT)
Young: 28 PTS, 10 AST (10-for-20 FG, 3-for-9 3PT, 5-for-6 FT)
Daniels: 15 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST, 2 BLK (7-for-12 FG)
Nets 119 (26-53)
Pelicans 114 (21-58)
Watford: 22 PTS, 5 AST, 3 REB (7-for-8 FG)
Claxton: 13 PTS, 4 REB, 3 STL (6-for-9 FG)
Reeves: 17 PTS (4-for-10 3PT)
Matkovic: 17 PTS (8-for-11 FG)
Bucks 110 (45-34)
Timberwolves 103 (46-33)
Antetokounmpo: 23 PTS, 13 REB, 10 AST (9-for-15 FG)
Porter Jr.: 21 PTS, 5 STL, 5 AST (6-for-9 FG, 9-for-9 FT)
Portis: 18 PTS, 10 REB (7-for-15 FG)
Edwards: 25 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST (10-for-27 FG, 2-for-11 3PT)
DiVincenzo: 24 PTS (9-for-15 FG, 6-for-10 3PT)
Clippers 122 (47-32)
Spurs 117 (32-47)
Powell: 25 PTS, 5 REB (9-for-19 FG)
Zubac: 24 PTS, 20 REB, 5 AST (11-for-17 FG)
Harden: 21 PTS, 12 AST, 9 REB (8-for-17 FG, 3-for-6 3PT)
Barnes: 24 PTS, 5 REB (8-for-10 FG, 6-for-8 3PT)
Castle: 19 PTS, 8 AST (5-for-7 FG, 8-for-12 FT)
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