Jalen Brunson exploded for a career-high 50 points and the New York Knicks beat the Suns in Phoenix 139-122 in Saturday’s final NBA slate game (all-time AEDT),
Brunson finished with 50 points on a perfect 9-of-9 from three-point range, including 17-of-23 from the field overall, adding six rebounds, nine assists and five steals in 35 minutes, a dominant performance.
According to StatMuse, the New York superstar became the first player in NBA history to display such a line.
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Then, Julius Randle made sure Brunson got the ball, holding it in the air before handing it to him personally in a hilarious reference to this week’s drama involving Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Indiana Pacers.
Brunson’s effort was the fourth-highest performance by an NBA player this season, while he became the fourth player to score more than 50 points in a game, joining Giannis Antetokounmpo (twice), Zach LaVine, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. .
Randle and RJ Barrett scored 23 and 21 points, respectively, and the Knicks improved to 14-10 on the season to overtake Indiana and earn the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Suns, meanwhile, lost Bradley Beal to an ankle injury after a four-point play when Donte DiVinzenzo got under him, with the star guard making the free throw before leaving the game and not to come back.
Although the severity of the setback is unclear, it was only Beal’s third game after a month out and just him, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant’s second regular season game together.
The Suns fell to 13-12 overall despite strong performances from Durant (29 points, six assists) and Booker (28 points, nine assists).
Spurs end 18-game skid in Wemby opener against LeBron
French sensation Victor Wembanyama came out on top in his first clash with NBA superstar LeBron James on Saturday (all time AEDT) as the San Antonio Spurs ended their 18-game losing streak with a 129 win -115 against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Two days after falling to the Lakers in a game in which James did not play, the Spurs ended the longest losing streak in franchise history.
Devin Vassell scored a career-high 36 points for San Antonio and seven Spurs players – including Wembanyama – scored in double figures.
Wembanyama, whose arrival in the league has been compared to that of James 20 years ago, scored 13 points and grabbed 15 rebounds with five assists, two blocked shots and two steals.
The Kings win despite Giddey’s 18 points | 01:13
It was the 19-year-old rookie’s fifth game this season with multiple blocks and multiple steals.
James, the four-time NBA champion who turns 39 this month, scored 23 points with seven rebounds and 14 assists.
But without Anthony Davis, D’Angelo Russell and Cam Reddish, the Lakers trailed from start to finish.
James impressed with an early steal and dunk, but the Spurs led by as many as 25 points in the first half and for once managed to take the lead.
Los Angeles cut the lead to four points shortly before halftime, but the Spurs kept the pressure on after the break, outscoring the Lakers 29-25 in the third period to take a 98-87 lead into the final quarter. time.
The Lakers pulled their starters midway through Game 4 and the young Spurs team was able to celebrate its first victory since its November 3 triumph against Phoenix.
SOMEWHERE ELSE …
There was no respite, however, for the Detroit Pistons, who suffered a franchise-record 22nd straight loss with a 124-92 loss to the 76ers in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia’s NBA Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid scored 35 points and pulled down 13 rebounds for his ninth straight double-double.
Tyrese Maxey added 19 points for the Sixers, who earned their fifth straight victory. The Pistons tied their longest losing streak in franchise history with a loss to Philadelphia on Thursday.
Their skid is the sixth longest in a single season in NBA history. Cleveland in 2010-11 and Philadelphia in 2013-14 share the record for longest with 26 consecutive losses.
Durant urges Green to seek help | 00:36
The Eastern Conference-leading Boston Celtics remained undefeated at home, thanks to 30 points from Jayson Tatum for a 128-111 victory over the upstart Orlando Magic.
Derrick White added 19 points, Jaylen Brown scored 18 and Payton Pritchard added 21 off the bench for the Celtics, who improved to 13-0 at TD Garden and 19-5 for the season despite missing by Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and Luke Kornet.
Jalen Suggs scored 19 points for the Magic, who fell to fourth in the East behind the Celtics, Bucks and 76ers.
Elsewhere, Trae Young scored 38 points and dished out 11 assists to power the Atlanta Hawks to a 125-104 win over the Raptors in Toronto.
Later, the Houston Rockets beat the Grizzlies 103-96 as Dillon Brooks played against his former team in the forward’s first game in Memphis.
Brooks, who signed a four-year, $80 million contract with the Rockets during the offseason, had a team-high 26 points – 24 in the second half alone – with three triples and seven rebounds .
After hitting three daggers, Brooks reportedly went sledding: “That’s why they paid me four for 80 (million dollars),” according to Grizzlies writer Damichael Cole.
It was Houston’s fifth straight victory – and second straight against Memphis – to improve to 13-9 on the season and move into sixth place in the Western Conference.
Desmond Bane’s 28 points led all scorers, with the Memphis stud making four three-pointers to go with 12 rebounds.
The 6-18 Grizzlies, who are expected to welcome back Ja Morant from his 25-game suspension next week as well as potentially Marcus Smart from injury, suffered their fourth straight loss.
ALL SHEET MUSIC
PACERS 123 MAGICIANS 137
PISTONS 92 76ERS 124
PELICANS 112 HORNETS 107
LAKES 115 SPURS 129
FALCONS 125 RARAPERS 104
MAGIC 111 CELTICS 128
ROCKETS 103 GRIZZLE 96
KNICKS 139 SUNS 122
