Saturday’s NBA slate delivered late drama, statement performances and emotional moments, from game-winning buzzer-beaters in Chicago to a dominant offensive showing by Miami out West. Several contenders kept rolling, while a few rebuilding teams showed fight despite tough losses.
Hornets 119, Wizards 115
Brandon Miller scored 21 points as Charlotte handed Washington its ninth straight loss. Miles Bridges and LaMelo Ball added 20 apiece, helping the Hornets win back-to-back games for the first time this month. Rookie Tre Johnson posted career highs with 26 points and six assists for Washington, which started the youngest lineup in NBA history by average age.
Knicks 112, 76ers 109
Jalen Brunson poured in 31 points and OG Anunoby added 23 as New York followed its historic blowout of Brooklyn with a gritty road win in Philadelphia. Joel Embiid finished with 38 points and 11 rebounds but turned the ball over on the final possession, and Tyrese Maxey’s potential tying 3 came up empty as the Knicks won their second straight.
Cavaliers 119, Magic 105
Donovan Mitchell scored 27 of his 36 points after halftime to lift Cleveland past Orlando. The Cavaliers, playing without Darius Garland, pulled away early in the fourth behind a flurry of 3-pointers and won for the fifth time in six games. Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 27 points in the Magic’s third straight loss.
Bulls 114, Celtics 111
Kevin Huerter drilled a corner 3 at the buzzer to cap a memorable night at the United Center, lifting Chicago past Boston just before Derrick Rose’s jersey retirement ceremony. Coby White scored 22 points as the Bulls won their fourth straight, while Jaylen Brown had 33 for the Celtics in the loss.
Lakers 116, Mavericks 110
Luka Doncic scored 33 points with 11 assists as the Lakers erased a 15-point deficit in the final seven minutes to stun Dallas. LeBron James scored 11 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter, and Rui Hachimura sparked the comeback with a four-point play and back-to-back 3s. Doncic improved to 4–0 against his former team.
Heat 147, Jazz 116
Bam Adebayo recorded 26 points and 15 rebounds as Miami matched its season high in scoring with a rout of Utah. Nikola Jović added 23 points and the Heat buried 19 3-pointers while dominating the glass. Jusuf Nurkic posted a triple-double for the Jazz, who have lost six of seven.
