Detroit’s Daniss Jenkins delivered a career-best performance with 30 points, including crucial baskets in the final 25 seconds, as the Pistons stunned the visiting Los Angeles Lakers 113-110 on Monday night, bringing an end to LA’s impressive nine-game winning streak.
Jenkins also dished out eight assists while Jalen Duren dominated inside with 20 points and 11 rebounds, helping Detroit secure their fourth consecutive victory. The Pistons accomplished this feat while missing All-Star guard Cade Cunningham for the third straight game due to a collapsed lung diagnosis from last week.
Los Angeles was led by Luka Doncic’s 32-point effort, with Austin Reaves contributing 24 points and Deandre Ayton recording a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds. LeBron James nearly achieved a triple-double with 12 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds.
Doncic was available to play after the Lakers successfully appealed his 16th technical foul from Saturday, which had triggered an automatic suspension. The league rescinded the technical on Sunday, allowing the superstar to suit up. However, Doncic’s contested three-point attempt at the final buzzer missed the mark entirely.
In other NBA action, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 22 points powered Oklahoma City past Philadelphia 123-103, extending the Thunder’s winning streak to 12 games. The Thunder shot efficiently across all categories while VJ Edgecombe led the undermanned 76ers with 35 points.
Pascal Siakam erupted for a season-high 37 points as Indiana finally broke their franchise-record 16-game losing streak with a 128-126 victory over Orlando. The Pacers hadn’t won since before the All-Star break on February 11th, with Siakam making a crucial defensive play by blocking Paolo Banchero’s potential game-tying layup at the buzzer.
Victor Wembanyama showcased his versatility with 26 points, 15 rebounds, five blocks, and four assists in San Antonio’s dominant 136-111 win over Miami. The Spurs have now won 11 straight games with Wembanyama in the lineup and boast the NBA’s best record since February 1st at 22-2.
Kawhi Leonard set a career-high for three-pointers made in a season while scoring 28 points in the LA Clippers’ 129-96 blowout of Milwaukee. The Clippers shot 58% from the field and connected on 17 of 38 three-point attempts in the lopsided victory.
Chicago overcame a blown 22-point lead to defeat Houston 132-124, with Collin Sexton’s 25 points and Matas Buzelis’ 23 points leading seven Bulls players in double figures. Despite Kevin Durant’s 40-point performance and Alperen Sengun’s triple-double of 33 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists, the Rockets fell short on the road.
Atlanta continued their home dominance with a 146-107 rout of Memphis, extending their home winning streak to 11 games. Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 26 points, including 22 in the first half, as the Hawks improved to 14-2 since the All-Star break.
Toronto snapped a two-game skid with a convincing 143-127 victory over Utah, led by RJ Barrett’s 27 points and Sandro Mamukelashvili’s 23 points. The Raptors shot an impressive 61.4% from the field and 54.1% from three-point range.
Toumani Camara established career highs with 35 points and nine three-pointers in Portland’s 134-99 demolition of Brooklyn. The Trail Blazers moved within a half-game of the eighth playoff spot in the Western Conference with the victory.
Golden State concluded their six-game road trip with a 137-131 overtime victory over Dallas, though Moses Moody suffered a knee injury after hitting a crucial three-pointer in the extra period. Cooper Flagg led Dallas with 32 points in the losing effort.
