NBA Sunday Recap: Jokic Shines, But Pacers, Kings, Lakers Make Major Playoff Statements
Nikola Jokic added another legendary triple-double to his growing collection, but it was the Indiana Pacers who came away with a critical win in Denver — just one of many storylines in a drama-filled Sunday around the NBA.
From playoff pushes to personal milestones, here’s everything that went down across the league.
Pacers 125, Nuggets 120: Jokic’s Masterpiece Spoiled
Despite Nikola Jokic’s monstrous 41-15-13 triple-double, the Pacers used a balanced attack and timely defense to outlast Denver.
Myles Turner scored 24, Obi Toppin added 22, and Andrew Nembhard chipped in with 19 points and six assists.
Indiana won its fourth straight to maintain its hold on a top-four seed in the East. The Nuggets, meanwhile, dropped their fourth straight.
Rockets 106, Warriors 96: Houston Locks In on No. 2 Seed
Dillon Brooks poured in 24 points, Amen Thompson and the Rockets defense held Stephen Curry to just three points, and Houston moved closer to clinching the No. 2 seed.
Jalen Green added 21 points as Golden State saw its five-game win streak snapped, now part of a four-way tie for fifth in the West.
Kings 120, Cavaliers 113: Sacramento Steps Up
Zach LaVine drilled seven threes en route to 37 points as the Kings edged Cleveland and vaulted into ninth in the West.
DeMar DeRozan (28 pts, 7 ast) and Domantas Sabonis (27 pts, 9 reb, 7 ast) fueled Sacramento’s win, which also denied Cleveland a chance to clinch the East’s top seed.
Lakers 126, Thunder 99: Luka, Reaves Light It Up
Luka Doncic dropped 30, Austin Reaves added 20, and the Lakers knocked down 22 threes at 55% in a blowout of Oklahoma City.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander extended his 20+ point streak to 71 games, but OKC has now lost back-to-back contests for just the second time this season.
Knicks 112, Suns 98: Anunoby, Brunson Deliver
OG Anunoby continued his surge during Jalen Brunson’s return, as the Knicks downed the slumping Suns.
Brunson tallied 32 points in his first game since March 6, while Devin Booker scored 40 for Phoenix, which lost its sixth straight and slipped further in the play-in chase.
Bulls 131, Hornets 117: Coby White Stays Hot
Coby White erupted for 37 points, including six 3-pointers, as the Bulls dominated in Charlotte.
Josh Giddey nearly triple-doubled (23 pts, 10 reb, 8 ast), while Nikola Vucevic added a double-double.
Mark Williams led the Hornets with 22 points in their eighth loss in nine games.
Raptors 120, Nets 109: Balanced Attack Leads Toronto
Jonathan Mogbo posted 17 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists, leading eight Raptors in double figures in a road win over Brooklyn.
Reece Beekman scored 14 for the Nets, who have dropped 19 of 24.
Hawks 147, Jazz 134: Okongwu Dominates Paint
Onyeka Okongwu posted 27 points and 12 rebounds, Trae Young added 23 points and 15 assists, and the Hawks snapped a three-game skid.
Keyonte George scored a career-high 35 off the bench for Utah.
Celtics 124, Wizards 90: Pritchard Powers Another Blowout
Payton Pritchard (20 pts) led another 3-point barrage for the Celtics, who hit 24 from deep.
Derrick White, Sam Hauser, and Jaylen Brown all scored in double figures as Boston cruised.
Alex Sarr led the Wizards with 16 points.
Trail Blazers 120, Spurs 109: Elimination Sunday
Toumani Camara and Shaedon Sharpe both posted double-doubles, but the headline was the elimination of both Portland and San Antonio from playoff contention.
Stephon Castle led the Spurs with 22 points.
Bucks 111, Pelicans 107: Trent Jr. Takes Charge
With Giannis resting, Gary Trent Jr. poured in 29 points, and Brook Lopez (20 pts, 12 reb) delivered for the Bucks on the road.
New Orleans was paced by Antonio Reeves (23 pts) but has now lost three straight.
Sunday Standouts
| Player | Team | Stat Line |
|---|---|---|
| Nikola Jokic | Nuggets | 41 pts, 15 reb, 13 ast |
| Coby White | Bulls | 37 pts, 6/8 3PT |
| Zach LaVine | Kings | 37 pts, 7 3PT |
| Dillon Brooks | Rockets | 24 pts |
| Luka Doncic | Lakers | 30 pts, 4 3PT |
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