NBA roundup: Suns torch Lakers, while Celtics beat Bucks to remain perfect
Kevin Durant and Devin Booker collectively scored 63 points, leading the Phoenix Suns to a 109-105 victory over LeBron James (39 points) and the Los Angeles Lakers, marking the Lakers' first loss of the season in NBA action on Monday.
Booker contributed 33 points while Durant added 30, allowing the Suns to avenge their previous defeat to the Lakers, who had won 123-116 in Los Angeles on Friday.
The Lakers entered Phoenix with a strong 3-0 record under new head coach J.J. Redick and initially appeared set to extend their winning streak, racing to a 26-8 lead in the first quarter, fueled by 16 points from the impressive Anthony Davis.
However, the Suns fought back to take a narrow 50-48 lead before the Lakers responded with a powerful 35-point third quarter to regain the advantage. In the final quarter, the Suns outperformed the Lakers, scoring 33 points to Los Angeles' 22, ultimately securing the win.
Davis was the leading scorer for the Lakers with 29 points, complemented by 15 rebounds and three assists, while Austin Reaves contributed 23 points. In contrast, James experienced an unusual off-night, managing only 11 points on 3-of-14 shooting.
Suns coach Mike Budenholzer praised his team's resilience in overcoming an early 18-point deficit. "The toughness, the edge that the guys are developing and growing, the competitiveness," Budenholzer remarked. "When you can take a punch like that in the first quarter, leaning on your defense to get back into it—having that edge on defense tonight really stood out."
In another matchup, the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics showcased a commanding second-half performance to maintain their unbeaten record, defeating the Milwaukee Bucks 119-108 at the TD Garden.
The Bucks held a narrow 56-53 lead at halftime, bolstered by 16 points from Damian Lillard and 13 from Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, Boston surged back after the break, hitting seven three-pointers and outscoring the Bucks 37-26 to establish an eight-point lead heading into the final quarter.
Jaylen Brown played a pivotal role in securing the Celtics' victory, contributing nine points in the fourth quarter to finalize the game, leading Boston to a perfect 4-0 record.
Brown was the top scorer for the Celtics with 30 points, while Payton Pritchard made a significant impact off the bench, scoring 28 points, which included eight successful three-pointers.
Jrue Holiday added 21 points to the team's total, and Jayson Tatum contributed 15 points.
Following the game, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla commended Pritchard for his performance.
"He kept us in it in the first half - he's just finding different ways to impact games," Mazzulla remarked. "Tonight it was shooting and his defense; sometimes it's his passing - the kid's a competitor. I just love watching him play."
In a parallel development, the Cleveland Cavaliers maintained their unbeaten streak, improving to 4-0 at the top of the Eastern Conference with a hard-fought 110-104 win over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks had a lead of 13 points at one point during the third quarter, but Cleveland managed to reduce that lead to just four points by the start of the fourth quarter.
Darius Garland took charge in the final quarter, scoring 15 points as the Cavaliers outscored the Knicks 36-26 to secure the win.
Garland concluded the game with 34 points, while Donovan Mitchell contributed 25 points.
In other action on Monday, Paolo Banchero delivered an impressive performance, scoring 50 points as the Orlando Magic triumphed over the Indiana Pacers with a score of 119-115.
Banchero also recorded 13 rebounds and nine assists, while Jalen Suggs added 25 points to the offensive effort.
Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 26 points, and Indiana appeared to be in control after outscoring the Magic 39-22 in the third quarter.
However, the Magic rallied in the fourth quarter, outscoring Indiana 26-17 to clinch the victory.
In Toronto, Nikola Jokic shone with 40 points, leading the Denver Nuggets to a thrilling 127-125 overtime win against the Raptors.
Jamal Murray compelled the game into overtime by executing a reverse layup with only 0.3 seconds left in regulation, leveling the score at 114-114. Subsequently, Nikola Jokic dominated the overtime period, contributing seven points to lead Denver to victory.
SportsLigue