NBA roundup: Jaylen Brown leads Celtics to narrow victory over 76ers in NBA Cup opener
The Boston Celtics edged past the Philadelphia 76ers with a thrilling 109-108 victory on Friday night, marking the start of NBA Cup action and delivering Philadelphia its first defeat of the season. Jaylen Brown powered the Celtics with an impressive 32-point performance, while Anfernee Simons contributed 19 points to the winning effort. Derrick White and Payton Pritchard both added 15 points apiece as Boston secured its third consecutive victory after an 0-3 start to the season.
For the 76ers, Tyrese Maxey delivered an outstanding all-around game with 26 points and 14 assists. Joel Embiid added 20 points while rookie sensation VJ Edgecombe impressed with 17 points. Four Philadelphia players reached double figures in scoring, but it wasn't enough to maintain their undefeated record.
The game's dramatic conclusion saw Philadelphia mount a furious comeback, erasing a 10-point deficit in the final three minutes to pull within a single point. With 3.8 seconds remaining and possession of the basketball, the 76ers had an opportunity to steal the victory. However, Quentin Grimes over-handled the ball on the decisive possession, forcing Embiid into a last-second desperation heave that fell short as the clock expired.
Kawhi Leonard's buzzer-beater lifts Los Angeles Clippers over New Orleans Pelicans
Kawhi Leonard delivered a clutch performance for the Los Angeles Clippers, capping his 34-point night with a game-winning 22-foot jumper with just four-tenths of a second on the clock to defeat the visiting New Orleans Pelicans 126-124.
James Harden complemented Leonard's heroics with 24 points and a game-high 14 assists, while Ivica Zubac dominated the paint with 14 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. The victory improved the Clippers' perfect home record to 3-0.
Jordan Poole paced the Pelicans' offense with 30 points off the bench, but New Orleans dropped to 0-5 on the season despite his efforts.
Portland Trail Blazers complete comeback against Denver Nuggets
Jerami Grant converted two crucial free throws with 1.4 seconds remaining as the Portland Trail Blazers erased a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Denver Nuggets 107-109 in NBA Cup competition.
Deni Avdija led Portland's scoring attack with 23 points, while Shaedon Sharpe contributed 19 points in the Trail Blazers' third straight win. Grant finished with 16 points, and Jrue Holiday recorded 11 points with 13 assists. Portland closed the contest with seven unanswered points over the final 54 seconds to complete the comeback.
Jamal Murray topped Denver with 22 points, and Nikola Jokic posted another near triple-double with 21 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists. The loss snapped the Nuggets' three-game winning streak.
Chicago Bulls remain unbeaten with dominant victory over New York Knicks
Josh Giddey erupted for a career-best 32 points and Nikola Vucevic added 26 as the Chicago Bulls cruised past the visiting New York Knicks 135-125, improving to a perfect 5-0 for their best start since the 1996-97 season.
The Bulls' bench depth proved decisive once again, outscoring New York's reserves 53-21. Ayo Dosunmu chipped in 22 points while Matas Buzelis contributed 13. Giddey nearly recorded a triple-double with 10 rebounds and nine assists.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 29 points, but New York has now dropped three consecutive games after their strong season start.
Luka Doncic returns to lead Los Angeles Lakers past Memphis Grizzlies
Luka Doncic made a triumphant return from a three-game injury absence, delivering a masterful 44-point, 12-rebound, six-assist performance in 39 minutes as the visiting Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 117-112. The loss dropped Memphis to 1-8 all-time in NBA Cup play.
Austin Reaves provided excellent support with 21 points, continuing his strong form after averaging 40 points and 10 assists during Doncic's injury absence.
Jock Landale and Jaylen Wells each scored 16 points for Memphis, but star guard Ja Morant struggled throughout, finishing with just eight points on 3-of-14 shooting. Morant went scoreless in the second half and missed all six of his three-point attempts.
Phoenix Suns snap losing streak behind Devin Booker's 36 points
Devin Booker drained six three-pointers and scored 36 points as the host Phoenix Suns ended their four-game losing streak with a commanding 118-96 victory over the Utah Jazz.
Ryan Dunn recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, Grayson Allen contributed 14 points and seven rebounds, and Royce O'Neale added 13 points. The Suns avenged their 138-134 overtime loss at Utah from Monday.
Lauri Markkanen led Utah with 33 points and four three-pointers, Keyonte George added 17 points, and Walker Kessler pulled down 13 rebounds for the Jazz, who suffered their second straight defeat to open a five-game road trip.
Atlanta Hawks dominate third quarter to defeat Indiana Pacers
Jalen Johnson posted 22 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists as the Atlanta Hawks defeated the Indiana Pacers 128-108 despite both teams dealing with significant roster depletion in Indianapolis.
The Hawks seized control with a dominant third quarter, outscoring the Pacers 34-17 while holding a 20-8 rebounding advantage and limiting Indiana to just 5-for-24 shooting in the period. Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 17 points.
Atlanta played without Trae Young due to a right knee sprain, while Indiana remained winless through five games and was missing multiple players due to injuries.
Toronto Raptors snap losing streak against shorthanded Cleveland Cavaliers
Brandon Ingram tallied 20 points, eight rebounds and five assists, while RJ Barrett and Jamison Battle each scored 20 points as the Toronto Raptors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 112-101.
Scottie Barnes contributed 14 points, 10 rebounds and five assists for the Raptors, who snapped a four-game losing streak following their season-opening victory.
Reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley recorded a season-high 29 points with eight rebounds, and De'Andre Hunter scored 26 for Cleveland, which played without four injured starters including Donovan Mitchell.
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