NBA roundup: Kings stun Warriors to advance to tourney quarter-finals
In a thrilling showdown between the Sacramento Kings and the Golden State Warriors, the game reached a crescendo when Malik Monk, under immense pressure, nailed a challenging 13-foot shot with merely 7.4 seconds remaining. Stephen Curry, facing relentless defense, attempted a desperate 37-footer as the buzzer sounded, but it missed its mark. This decisive moment solidified the Sacramento Kings' 124-123 victory over the visiting Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, clinching their triumph in West Group C of the NBA in-season tournament.
DeAaron Fox emerged as a standout performer, scoring an impressive 29 points, propelling the Kings to a flawless 4-0 record in group play and securing their advancement to the tournament quarter-finals. Their upcoming clash will be against the New Orleans Pelicans, hosted by Sacramento on Monday.
The Warriors, despite valiant efforts from Curry and Andrew Wiggins, who both contributed 29 points each, fell short in their quest to clinch the group. Hindered by the unfortunate losses of Chris Paul and Gary Payton II to leg injuries during the game, the Warriors, once leading by a commanding 24 points, faced a staggering turnaround in the second half, being outscored 69-51.
Meanwhile, in another intense matchup, the Brooklyn Nets emerged victorious against the Toronto Raptors in the final game of group play in the NBA in-season tournament. Mikal Bridges showcased brilliance with 22 points, including a pivotal three-point play with 4:15 left, steering the Nets to a 115-103 win. Despite their third consecutive win and a commendable 3-1 finish in Group C, the Nets were eliminated from the tournament due to a tiebreaker based on point differentials.
Spencer Dinwiddie led the Nets' charge with 23 points, supported by Royce O'Neale and Cameron Johnson contributing 18 each. Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes displayed exceptional performances for Toronto, both achieving double-doubles with Siakam securing 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Barnes scoring 17 points alongside 11 rebounds.
Elsewhere, the Boston Celtics secured their victory in East Group C by overpowering the visiting Chicago Bulls in their final NBA in-season tournament group-play encounter. Jaylen Brown delivered a stellar performance, amassing 30 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, while Jayson Tatum added 21 points to secure the Celtics' win. Coby White and DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls' effort with 19 points each, yet their team faced a challenging stretch, losing five of their last games, including their last seven road games.
In a wire-to-wire dominance, the New York Knicks secured their spot in the knockout round of the NBA in-season tournament with a commanding victory over the Charlotte Hornets. Julius Randle spearheaded the Knicks' charge, achieving a remarkable double-double with 25 points and 20 rebounds, while Immanuel Quickley and Josh Hart contributed 23 and 17 points, respectively. This win propelled the Knicks to a 3-1 finish in East Group B, securing the East's wild-card spot, setting them up for a quarterfinal clash against Milwaukee on December 5.
Moreover, the Milwaukee Bucks secured their spot in the tournament quarter-finals with a compelling 131-124 victory over a short-handed Miami Heat squad. Damian Lillard showcased his prowess, scoring 32 points, with 13 of those crucial points coming in the fourth quarter. Giannis Antetokounmpo provided ample support with 33 points and 10 rebounds, steering Milwaukee to a perfect 4-0 record in group play. Despite a valiant effort from Bam Adebayo, who scored 31 points and secured 10 rebounds for Miami, the Heat, missing key players like Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro due to injuries, finished 2-2 and were eliminated from the tournament.
Across other matchups, the Minnesota Timberwolves held off the Oklahoma City Thunder in a tight contest, securing a 106-103 win despite Anthony Edwards leaving the game due to a hip injury. Rudy Gobert's impressive performance of 17 points and 16 rebounds contributed significantly to Minnesota's victory, marking their 13th win in 17 games this season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander showcased his skill with 32 points for Oklahoma City, but their 1-3 record in the tournament had already eliminated them from advancing.
Meanwhile, Donovan Mitchell led the charge for the Cleveland Cavaliers, scoring an impressive 40 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in a convincing 128-105 victory over the visiting Atlanta Hawks. Despite their 3-1 record in East Group A play during the NBA in-season tournament, Cleveland fell short of advancing to the quarter-finals, as Atlanta finished group play with a 1-3 record.
Lastly, the Dallas Mavericks staged a remarkable comeback in the group-play finale of the NBA in-season tournament, rallying for a 121-115 home win over the Houston Rockets. Luka Doncic nearly achieved a 40-point triple-double with 41 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists, while Kyrie Irving contributed 27 points, with 22 of those coming in the second half. The Rockets' Alperen Sengun delivered an impressive performance with 31 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, alongside Jabari Smith Jr. and Dillon Brooks adding 16 points each. Despite their identical 2-2 records, the Rockets fell short of clinching a spot in the tournament quarter-finals.
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