Luka Doncic and LeBron James returned to the Los Angeles Lakers’ lineup in spectacular fashion on Sunday night, combining for 60 points in a 112-108 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Both stars had missed the first two games of the road trip — Doncic for the birth of his second daughter and James with back and foot issues — but their impact was immediate.
Doncic delivered a triple-double with 31 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists, despite shooting just 9-of-24. James, far more efficient at 12-of-17 from the field, scored 29 points and added seven rebounds and six assists. With the game tied at 105 in the final 1:29, James scored five straight points to put the Lakers ahead for good.
Tyrese Maxey paced Philadelphia with 28 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, while Joel Embiid struggled to find rhythm, finishing with 16 points on 4-of-21 shooting.
Thunder 131, Jazz 101
Oklahoma City dominated in Salt Lake City, tying a franchise record with its 15th straight win over Utah. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren each scored 25 points as the Thunder shot a blistering 58% and hit 21 threes. The victory came despite the absence of MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Kyle Filipowski led Utah with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Walter Clayton Jr. and Taylor Hendricks scored 20 apiece off the bench.
Knicks 106, Magic 100
Jalen Brunson powered New York with 30 points and nine assists, sparking an early second-half run that shifted momentum at Madison Square Garden. Josh Hart added a 17-point, 12-rebound double-double as the Knicks improved to a dominant 13-1 at home.
Orlando lost Franz Wagner to a lower-leg injury early but stayed competitive behind Anthony Black’s double-double and 17 from Jalen Suggs.
Celtics 121, Raptors 113
Jaylen Brown scored 30 and Derrick White added 27 as Boston held off Toronto for a fifth straight win. The Celtics nearly squandered a 23-point lead before closing strong. Brandon Ingram had 30 for the Raptors, while Scottie Barnes added 18 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists.
Nuggets 115, Hornets 106
Jamal Murray’s explosive start fueled a 34-point night, and Nikola Jokic added 28 points and 11 assists as Denver improved to 11-2 on the road. Miles Bridges led Charlotte with 24 points in the loss.
Grizzlies 119, Trail Blazers 96
Memphis’ bench erupted for 69 points, led by Santi Aldama’s 22. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Jaylen Wells scored 16 each, helping secure the Grizzlies’ fifth win in six games. Jerami Grant scored 21 for Portland.
Warriors 123, Bulls 91
Short-handed Golden State rained down 22 threes and never trailed in Chicago. Brandin Podziemski hit five triples for 21 points, while Quinten Post and Jimmy Butler added 19 each. Josh Giddey scored 18 for the Bulls in the lopsided loss.
