In a thrilling showdown, the San Antonio Spurs secured a dramatic 121-120 victory over the Denver Nuggets, courtesy of a decisive jumper from little-used reserve Devonte’ Graham with 0.9 seconds remaining.
The defeat for the Nuggets, coming in the penultimate game of the regular season, resulted in them slipping into a three-way tie for the top spot in the Western Conference alongside the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Victor Wembanyama starred for the Spurs, delivering an impressive performance with 34 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists. His standout moment came during the third quarter, where he exploded for 17 points in under three minutes, including four 3-pointers and a crucial three-point play.
Despite Jamal Murray’s 35-point effort for the Nuggets and Nikola Jokic’s 22 points, 12 assists, and seven rebounds, Denver fell short in the final moments. After Graham’s go-ahead basket, the Nuggets failed to inbound the ball within five seconds, resulting in a costly turnover.
The loss adds further intrigue to the Western Conference playoff race, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the regular season.
Thunder Defeat Bucks with Convincing Performance
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 23 points, and Chet Holmgren added 22 as the Oklahoma City Thunder secured their fourth consecutive win with a 125-107 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s stellar performance saw him contribute 14 points in the first quarter alone, propelling the Thunder to a commanding 41-point period.
Despite efforts from Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton, who each scored 18 points for the Bucks, Milwaukee couldn’t contain Oklahoma City’s offensive firepower.
The loss sees the Bucks fall into a tie with the New York Knicks for the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference, with Milwaukee holding the tiebreaker advantage.
The Thunder’s recent surge in form adds excitement to the final stretch of the regular season, as they continue to push for a higher playoff seed.
Timberwolves Outlast Hawks in Tight Contest
Rudy Gobert’s dominant performance led the Minnesota Timberwolves to a hard-fought 109-106 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, propelling them into a three-way tie atop the Western Conference alongside the Denver Nuggets and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Gobert, who scored 25 points and grabbed 19 rebounds, showcased his prowess in the paint, providing a crucial presence on both ends of the floor.
Despite a strong effort from Trae Young, who scored 19 points and distributed seven assists for the Hawks, Minnesota’s resilience proved decisive in securing the win.
The victory sets up an intense final game of the regular season for the Timberwolves as they vie for playoff positioning in a tightly contested Western Conference.
Celtics Cruise Past Hornets Behind Pritchard’s Career Night
Payton Pritchard’s career-high 31 points propelled the Boston Celtics to a commanding 131-98 victory over the Charlotte Hornets, ending their two-game losing streak.
Pritchard, who also contributed 11 assists, delivered a stellar performance as the Celtics showcased their depth despite missing key players.
Tre Mann led the Hornets with 19 points and eight assists, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Boston’s dominance.
The win secures the Celtics’ position as the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, providing them with home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.
Other Results Across the League
- The Cleveland Cavaliers clinched a playoff berth with a 129-120 victory over the Indiana Pacers, led by Donovan Mitchell’s 33 points.
- The Miami Heat defeated the Toronto Raptors 125-103, with Nikola Jovic scoring 22 points to boost their playoff hopes.
- CJ McCollum’s stellar performance led the New Orleans Pelicans to a crucial 114-109 victory over the Golden State Warriors, bolstering their playoff aspirations.
- LeBron James and Anthony Davis combined for 73 points to guide the Los Angeles Lakers to a narrow 123-120 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
- The Chicago Bulls overcame the Washington Wizards 129-127, with Javonte Green scoring 24 points to secure their second road win in as many nights.
- The New York Knicks rallied from a 17-point deficit to defeat the Brooklyn Nets 111-107, behind Jalen Brunson’s 30-point performance.
The NBA regular season is nearing its conclusion, with teams jostling for playoff seeding and positioning in the final games.