NBA Round-Up: Poole Leads Wizards Past Nuggets, Cade Shines in Pistons Win, and More

Jordan Poole’s career night propelled the Washington Wizards to a 122-113 victory over the Denver Nuggets, snapping a 16-game losing streak. Poole scored 39 points, including a personal best nine 3-pointers, leading five Wizards in double figures. 

Justin Champagnie added 23 points, while Jonas Valanciunas contributed a stellar 20 points, 12 rebounds, and five blocks.  

Despite Nikola Jokic’s career-high 56 points, along with 16 rebounds and eight assists, Denver fell short. Missing key players Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon, the Nuggets relied heavily on Jokic, who recorded the second-highest scoring game in franchise history.  

Pistons 120, Knicks 111  

Cade Cunningham recorded a triple-double with 29 points, 15 assists, and 10 rebounds, guiding the Detroit Pistons to their first win over the New York Knicks in 17 attempts. Malik Beasley added 23 points off the bench, hitting seven 3-pointers.  

The Knicks, missing Karl-Anthony Towns due to a knee injury, saw Jalen Brunson notch 31 points and 10 assists, while Mikal Bridges added 20 points. The loss snapped New York’s four-game winning streak.  

Cavaliers 116, Hornets 102  

Evan Mobley exploded for a career-high 41 points, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers past the struggling Charlotte Hornets. Cleveland extended its winning streak to four games, aided by 18 points each from Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell.  

The injury-depleted Hornets, led by Brandon Miller’s 25 points, suffered their eighth consecutive loss, hindered by a poor 3-point shooting performance (11-for-39).  

Thunder 119, Pelicans 109  

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 31 points powered the Oklahoma City Thunder to a comfortable win over the New Orleans Pelicans, keeping OKC atop the Western Conference standings. Jalen Williams added 27 points, and Isaiah Hartenstein chipped in a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.  

New Orleans, hampered by injuries, lost Brandon Ingram in the third quarter to an ankle injury. Dejounte Murray scored 26 points, while Herbert Jones contributed 24, but the Pelicans have now dropped 10 of their last 11 games.  

Mavericks 125, Raptors 118  

Luka Dončić delivered a triple-double with 30 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists, leading the Dallas Mavericks to their seventh consecutive victory. Kyrie Irving added 29 points, while Klay Thompson scored 20 in the win.  

Gradey Dick led the Raptors with 27 points, but Toronto fell short despite solid performances from Scottie Barnes (19 points, 14 assists) and Jakob Poeltl (20 points).  

Grizzlies 127, Celtics 121  

Ja Morant’s near triple-double—32 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists—lifted the Memphis Grizzlies to a rare victory in Boston. Jaren Jackson Jr. added 27 points and nine rebounds as Memphis ended a long drought, earning their first win in Boston since 2013.  

Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 17 points, 13 rebounds, and nine assists. Former Celtic Marcus Smart, now with Memphis, struggled, scoring just three points on 1-for-11 shooting.  

Heat 121, Suns 111  

Bam Adebayo dominated with 25 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists as the Miami Heat surged past the Phoenix Suns. Jimmy Butler added 24 points, including nine crucial points in the final five minutes, while Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro combined for 36 points.  

The Suns, missing Kevin Durant and Jusuf Nurkic due to injuries, were led by Royce O’Neale’s season-high 23 points. Devin Booker added 21 but struggled with 6-for-16 shooting.