Group play in the 2024 NBA Cup returned on Friday, with a Sacramento King exploding for a career night, the Cleveland Cavaliers remaining unbeaten and a young Brooklyn Net joining a special group with a special performance.
Kings’ guard De’Aaron Fox, in a 130-126 home overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, scored a franchise record 60 points on a blistering 22-for-35 from the field, including 6-for-10 from downtown. Fox also dished out at 7 assists. Domantas Sabonis added 23 points and 12 rebounds for the now 7-6 Kings.
Anthony Edwards scored 46 points on 14-for-27 to lead the Timberwolves (7-6), while Julius Randle (8-for-20) put up 26. Naz Reid added 16 off the bench. Jaden McDaniels missed a three-pointer at the end of regulation that would have won the game for the Timberwolves, but seven of Edwards’ 46 came in the overtime period to propel the ‘wolves.
With 43 points in a 124-122 loss at New York, Brooklyn Net guard Cam Thomas, 23, put up his second career 40-plus point game at Madison Square Garden. He is part of an exclusive group to score multiple 40-point games at MSG prior to age 24, a group that includes Wilt Chamberlain (three times) and Michael Jordan, Rick Barry, and Trae Young, who each did it twice.
Thomas’ effort, on 16-for-22 and 7-for-10 from distance, was a game-high, while Knick star Jalen Brunson scored 37 on 12-for-20. O.G. Anunoby added 25 points and 8 assists, and Mikal Bridges scored 22. The Nets dropped to 5-8 while the Knicks improved to 6-6.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are 14-0 courtesy of a 144-126 home win against the Chicago Bulls. Donovan Mitchell (12-for-23, 7-for-13 from downtown) led with 37 points, while Darius Garland scored 29 and Jarrett Allen had a 24-point and 10-rebound double-double.
Coby White’s 29 (8-for-15, 6-for-11) was tops for the 5-8 Bulls, while Nikola Vucevic put together a strong performance of 25 points and 8 rebounds.
Around the League
Heat 124 (5-6)
Pacers 111 (5-7)
Adebayo: 30 PTS, 11 REB, 7 AST (10-for-17 FG)
Toppin: 21 PTS (8-for-10 FG, 21 minutes off bench)
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Magic 98 (8-6)
76ers 86 (2-10
Franz Wagner: 31 PTS, 11 REB, 6 AST (10-for-23 FG, 5-for-11 3PT)
McCain: 29 PTS (10-for-17 FG, 5-for-10 3PT)
Embiid: 20 PTS, 8 REB (5-for-15 FG)
McCain’s performance followed up a 34 points and 10 assists effort on November 13 in a loss to the Cavaliers. He is averaging 19.8 points in the month of November.
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Pistons 99 (6-8)
Raptors 95 (2-11)
Beasley: 20 PTS (8-for-15 FG)
Cunningham: 15 PTS, 10 AST, 6 REB (6-for-21 FG)
Poeltl: 25 PTS, 18 REB (12-for-20)
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Hawks 129 (6-7)
Wizards 117 (2-9)
Daniels: 25 PTS, 6 STL (10-for-14 FG)
Young: 18 PTS (5-for-18 FG)
Johnson: 18 PTS, 13 REB, 7 AST (8-for-15 FG)
Dyson Daniels (four games) has the longest streak of games with 15-plus points and 5-plus steals since Michael Jordan.
Kuzma: 24 PTS, 9 REB (11-for-28 FG)
Sarr: 20 PTS, 7 REB (7-for-13 FG, 3-for-4 3PT)
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Lakers 120 (8-4)
Spurs 115 (6-7)
Davis: 40 PTS, 12 REB (14-for-26 FG)
James: 15 PTS, 16 REB, 12 AST (6-for-12 FG, fourth consecutive triple-double)
Wembanyama: 28 PTS, 14 REB, 5 AST (12-for-25 FG, 4-for-13 3PT)
Castle: 22 PTS
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Rockets 125 (9-4)
Clippers 104 (6-7)
Smith Jr: 28 PTS, 11 REB
Sengun: 16 PTS, 10 REB, 10 AST
Harden: 21 PTS, 6 REB
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Pelicans 101 (4-9)
Nuggets 94 (7-4)
Ingram: 29 PTS, 9 REB, 7 AST (12-for-26 FG)
Boston Jr.: 19 PTS
Porter Jr.: 24 PTS (10-for-18 FG)
Jokic: DNP
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Thunder 99 (11-2)
Suns: 83 (9-4)
Gilgeous-Alexander: 28 PTS (11-for-25 FG)
Okogie: 15 PTS, 9 REB (4-for-12 FG)
Booker: 12 PTS (2-for-10 FG)
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Warriors 123 (10-2)
Grizzlies 118 (7-6)
Hield: 18 PTS (7-for-15 FG, 4-for-8 3PT)
Green: 13 PTS, 8 REB, 7 AST
Curry: 13 PTS
Jackson Jr.: 32 PTS, 6 REB (11-for-20 FG)
Bane: 18 PTS (7-for-13 FG)
Bane’s first game since October 30
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The next round of NBA Cup games are November 19, highlighted by a marquee TNT tilt with the Boston Celtics hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers at 7 p.m.
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