NBA roundup: Garland sinks game-winner for Cavs, Fox impresses in Spurs debut

Darius Garland (25) sank a three-pointer from the half-court logo just as the clock expired, securing a 118-115 victory for the Cleveland Cavaliers over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday.

Cleveland, leading by 12 points with 9:03 left in the game, managed to withstand a late surge from the Pistons, driven by Cade Cunningham, who scored 21 of his 38 points in the final quarter.

After being fouled while attempting a three-pointer, Cunningham converted all three free throws to equalize at 115-115 with five seconds remaining. However, Garland ensured the Cavaliers emerged victorious, following their previous day's loss to the reigning champions, the Boston Celtics.

"Great players make significant plays," remarked Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson regarding Garland's performance.

Evan Mobley contributed 30 points for the Cavaliers, who played without Donovan Mitchell due to a sore shoulder. Garland concluded the game with 25 points.

In another matchup, the Spurs edged the Hawks 126-125 in a thrilling finish in Atlanta, where Victor Wembanyama secured the game-winning free throw, marking the debut of star guard De'Aaron Fox with a victory.

The Spurs, who had a 20-point lead early in the fourth quarter, nearly let the game slip away, but Wembanyama delivered when it mattered most.

His tip-in dunk following a missed shot by Fox put the Spurs ahead 125-123 with 30.4 seconds remaining.

Trae Young responded with a drive to the basket, tying the game at 125-125 with 8.5 seconds left. However, Onyeka Okongwu fouled Wembanyama at the rim, allowing the Spurs star to calmly sink the first free throw before intentionally missing the second, leaving the Hawks unable to mount a response as time expired.

This dramatic conclusion marked Fox's first game with the Spurs after being acquired in a three-team trade from the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.

Both Fox and Wembanyama scored 24 points, with Fox also contributing 13 assists and three steals, while Wembanyama recorded 12 rebounds.

"I think I performed adequately," Fox stated. "I was quite effective in the first half, but not as much in the second. Overall, as a team, we excelled in the first half."

In the third quarter, we conceded 43 points, Fox remarked, emphasizing that maintaining consistency would be crucial as he and his new teammates aim for a late playoff surge.

In league news, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shone for the Oklahoma City Thunder, the leaders of the Western Conference, scoring 50 points as they decisively defeated the Phoenix Suns 140-109 in the second half.

"Just trying to be aggressive, play basketball, and take what the defense gives me," Gilgeous-Alexander stated following his third 50-point game in the last seven outings.

Trailing by two at halftime against a Suns team that was shooting over 60 percent from the field, the Thunder retaliated fiercely, beginning the third quarter with a 20-2 scoring run.

Gilgeous-Alexander contributed 18 points in the third quarter, during which the Thunder outscored the Suns 43-16 to take command of the game.

This was merely one of the standout performances on a night when Anthony Edwards scored 49 points, leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 127-108 victory over the Chicago Bulls at home.

Edwards made six of the Timberwolves' 20 three-pointers and converted 17 of his 18 free-throw attempts, helping Minnesota avoid a third consecutive loss.

Giannis Antetokounmpo was a late scratch for the Milwaukee Bucks due to tightness in his left calf; however, Damian Lillard rose to the occasion with 29 points and 12 assists, guiding the Bucks to a 112-102 win against the Hornets in Charlotte.

Bobby Portis contributed 23 points and 17 rebounds for the Bucks, who ended a four-game losing streak.

The Miami Heat, led by Tyler Herro's 30 points, triumphed over the 76ers 108-101 in Philadelphia, coinciding with news of the Heat's trade of disgruntled star Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors.

Bam Adebayo added 18 points and 13 rebounds, while Nikola Jovic provided 23 points off the bench for the Heat.

Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 31 points, as the team played without star big man Joel Embiid, who rested after recording a triple-double in his return from a month-long injury absence.

The Warriors, who were informed prior to the game that Dennis Schroder and Andrew Wiggins had been traded to Miami as part of the deal for Butler, fell short in a closely contested match against the Jazz in Utah.

Keyonte George of Utah made the decisive basket with 26.6 seconds left, allowing the Jazz to secure a 131-128 win.

Jordan Clarkson topped the scoring for Utah with 31 points, while George contributed 26 points from the bench. Six players from the Jazz scored in double digits, successfully countering a 32-point effort from Golden State's standout, Stephen Curry.