The Los Angeles Lakers, missing key players Austin Reaves and LeBron James due to injuries, improved their record to 7-2 by edging out the San Antonio Spurs in a close contest.
Luka Doncic delivered a standout performance with 35 points, 13 assists, nine rebounds, and five steals, helping the Lakers mount a late comeback to win 118-116. The team ended the game with a strong 21-10 surge in the final period, though the Spurs nearly forced overtime after an inbound error by Marcus Smart following Kelly Olynyk’s layup with just over a second remaining.
Justin Champagnie earned free throws on a foul during the Spurs’ last inbound attempt but missed both, sealing the Lakers’ triumph.
Deandre Ayton contributed 22 points and 10 rebounds for Los Angeles, who overcame a nine-point gap in the fourth. Doncic added eight points in the closing quarter, including a decisive three-pointer.
For San Antonio, Victor Wembanyama tallied 19 points and eight rebounds before fouling out late. Stephon Castle and Jeremy Sochan each scored 16 points. The Spurs, after starting 5-0, have now dropped two in a row.
Despite shooting struggles (9-for-27), Doncic made crucial plays in a game marred by fouls, with Harrison Barnes and Sochan also exiting early due to fouls.
The Lakers erased a 106-97 deficit by stifling the Spurs’ offense for over four minutes. Doncic’s key three gave them the lead, followed by Wembanyama’s charge foul on Rui Hachimura.
Reaves sat out his second game with a hamstring issue, while Doncic returned from missing the prior win against Portland. James remains sidelined with sciatica recovery.
Undefeated at Home: Knicks Dominate Timberwolves
Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns both notched double-doubles as the New York Knicks stayed flawless on their home court, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 137-114.
Brunson neared a triple-double with 23 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds, exploding for 12 points, five rebounds, and four assists in the third quarter alone, where New York outpaced Minnesota 40-28 to flip a halftime deficit into an eight-point advantage.
Towns recorded 15 points and 10 rebounds—his seventh double-double in eight outings—for the Knicks, who have won their first three of a seven-game home stretch and are 5-0 at Madison Square Garden.
Rockets Roll to Fifth Win in Row Against Grizzlies
Amen Thompson erupted for a season-best 28 points and 10 rebounds, while Alperen Sengun added 20 points and 16 rebounds, propelling the Houston Rockets to a 124-109 road win over the Memphis Grizzlies—their fifth straight victory.
Thompson hit 13 of 26 shots and dished seven assists, building on his recent 27-point game against Dallas.
Houston has dominated their last five foes by an average margin of 19.2 points.
Nuggets Preserve Home Perfection Versus Heat
Nikola Jokic dominated with 33 points, 16 assists, and 15 rebounds, supported by Aaron Gordon’s 24 points, as the Denver Nuggets kept their home record spotless with a 122-112 victory over the Miami Heat.
Tim Hardaway Jr. added 18 points from the reserves, Jamal Murray scored 14, Christian Braun had 11, and Peyton Watson set a personal best with 10 rebounds. Denver has now beaten Miami in 11 consecutive regular-season matchups.
