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Ant-Man's 40-piece, Cleveland's 7th straight win lead 9-game Friday

Check out the best highlights and news from Friday with the NBA.com live blog, featuring Mavs-Wolves, Clippers-Lakers on ESPN.

NBA.com Staff

Donovan Mitchell drops 32 points in Cleveland’s 118-113 victory over Charlotte, extending their winning streak to 7 games.  (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)

Enjoy the best of Friday’s 9-game schedule with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news, notes and highlights.

What we know after Friday’s games:

  • Cleveland extended their winning streak to 7 games by defeating Charlotte 118-113, as Donovan Mitchell dropped 13 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter to fend off the Hornets. The Cavs are now 5-0 with James Harden in the lineup and have won 12 of their last 13 games overall.
  • In his first game back since Jan. 15, Tyler Herro cooked for a game-high 24 points in Miami’s decisive 128-97 win over Atlanta.
  • Anthony Edwards scored 40 points for the seventh time this season to secure Minnesota’s third straight victory, a 122-111 win against the Mavericks.
  • Milwaukee earned a third straight win of their own thanks to a combined 79 points from Cam Thomas (27 pts), Ryan Rollins (27 pts) and Kevin Porter, Jr. (25 pts). The Bucks are 6-1 over their last 7 contests.
  • Playing without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City picked up a gritty 105-86 win over Brooklyn. Jared McCain popped off for a season-high 21 points to celebrate his 22nd birthday.
  • Nikola Jokić (32 pts, 9 reb, 7 ast, 4 stl) and Jamal Murray (25 pts, 6 reb, 6 ast) led a potent Nuggets offense to a franchise record 157-103 win over Portland. Denver’s 157 points scored are the most ever in a road game.
  • Luka Dončić went off for a game-high 38 points and 8 made 3s in his return from a four-game absence to outduel Kawhi Leonard (31 pts) and the Clippers. Leonard left the 125-122 loss in the fourth quarter with left ankle soreness.

12:47 a.m. ET / Feb. 21

Tonight’s final scores:

Anthony Edwards is your player of the night! Ant dropped 40 points (16-30 FG, 5-13 3PM, 3-4 FT), 6 rebounds, one assist and one steal across 38 minutes.

12:53 a.m. ET / Feb. 21

Lakers hang on to beat Clips, 125-122

Luka Dončić drops a game-high 38 points (11-25 FG, 8-14 3PM, 8-11 FT) with 6 rebounds, 11 assists, 3 steals and one block to give the Lakers a second straight win.

Austin Reaves tallies 29 points on 9-for-15 shooting with 4 3PM, and LeBron James finishes with 13 points, 3 rebounds, 11 assists and one steal in 33 minutes.

Kawhi Leonard (31 pts, 4 reb, 5 ast) and Bennedict Mathurin (26 pts, 7 reb, 2 ast) were stellar in the loss, but they were both forced out of the contest early. Leonard left the game around the 5-minute mark of the fourth quarter with left ankle soreness, while Mathurin fouled out down the stretch.

12:39 a.m. ET / Feb. 21

Down to the wire in LA

The Lakers have a 118-115 lead over the Clippers with 1:36 remaining in the contest on ESPN!

12:28 a.m. ET / Feb. 21

Lakers holding edge in 4Q

Luka Magic in the fourth quarter as Dončić is up to 29 points, 6 boards, 10 assists and 3 steals. The Lakers have a 112-109 lead in crunch time on ESPN!

12:17 a.m. ET / Feb. 21

Battle for LA heating up

Luka Dončić has 26 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists, and Austin Reaves tallies a game-high 29 points on 9-for-14 shooting to give the Lakers a 104-103 lead with 7:30 left in the contest.

Bennedict Mathurin continues to scorch off the Clippers bench, posting 24 points and 6 rebounds in 25 minutes.

11:57 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

Tight game in LA

The Lakers counterpunch a 17-1 run by the Clippers, as they take a 91-88 lead with 3:18 remaining in the third quarter. Austin Reaves is up to 22 points on 8-for-10 shooting with 3 rebounds, 2 dimes and one steal in 21 minutes.

Kawhi Leonard has a game-high 28 points on 10-for-17 shooting, while Luka Dončić posts 26 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists.

11:54 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

Clippers cruise to 17-1 run

The Clippers take an 88-86 lead, punctuated by and and-1 from Bennedict Mathurin (17 pts). Tune in now on ESPN!

11:48 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

Jokić threads the needle

Nikola Jokić goes no-look to Julian Strawther for a beautiful dish, giving the Joker 7 assists to go along with a game-high 32 points (10-15 FG, 3-4 3PM) and 4 steals with 8 rebounds. Denver is cruising in Portland, holding a 116-75 lead with 2:42 remaining in the third.

Donovan Clingan is the leading Blazer with 15 points and 8 rebounds, while Deni Avdija tallies 14 points, 8 rebounds and 13 assists.

11:25 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

Lakers up by 7 at halftime

The Lakers get a game-high 22 points from Luka Dončić to grab a 72-65 edge over the Clippers after two quarters. LeBron James has 11 points, 6 assists and one steal, and Austin Reaves tallies 14 points on 6-for-6 shooting, including this beauty.

Kawhi Leonard sizzles for 19 of his 21 points in the second quarter, adding 3 rebounds and 4 assists in 17 minutes. Bennedict Mathurin tallies 13 points in 12 minutes off the bench.

11:15 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

Incredible team basketball

This is what you love to see. Denver goes defense to offense to power an 82-53 lead over Portland at the break, as the Nuggets drop 41 points in each of the first two quarters.

Nikola Jokić has a game-high 24 points (8-13 FG, 3-4 3PM, 5-7 FT) with 5 boards, 4 assists and 3 steals in 18 minutes. Jamal Murray pours in 18 points with 5 3PM to go along with 6 rebounds, 5 assists and one steal.

Jrue Holiday (11 pts, 3 3PM) and Donovan Clingan (10 pts, 6 reb) are the leaders for the Blazers.

11:07 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

Kawhi in takeover mode

Kawhi Leonard has 19 of his team-high 21 points in the second quarter, but the Clippers trail the Lakers 66-62 with 2:52 remaining in the first quarter during the final battle for LA on ESPN!

Luka Dončić has a game-high 22 points on 7-for-11 shooting, and LeBron James chips in 11 points and 5 dimes.

10:58 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

McCain scores 21 to celebrate birthday

Jared McCain drops a season-high 21 points (7-12 FG, 3-6 3PM) on his 22nd birthday to give OKC a 105-86 win over Brooklyn. The Thunder hold the Nets to 17% shooting from 3-point range (7-41 3PM) while finishing 13-for-35 (37%) from downtown.

Michael Porter, Jr. tallies a game-high 22 points on 6-for-16 shooting (9-11 FT) with 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals in 38 minutes.

10:49 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

Lakers separating in 2Q

Luka Dončić cooks for a game-high 17 points on 6-for-8 shooting in 12 minutes, adding 2 boards and 4 assists. The Lakers have taken a 46-34 lead over the Clippers with 10:23 remaining before halftime.

Brook Lopez and Bennedict Mathurin have 9 points apiece to drive the Clippers.

10:44 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

Bucks roll to 3rd straight W

Ryan Rollins and Cam Thomas (27 pts, 11-17 FG) combine for 54 points in Milwaukee’s third straight victory, a 139-118 win over New Orleans. The Bucks have won three straight and are 6-1 over their last 7 games.

Zion Williams pours in a game-high 32 points on 13-for-17 shooting in 30 minutes, but it wasn’t enough to keep the Pelicans from dropping their second in a row.

10:38 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

Joker erupts in 1Q

Nikola Jokić is off to a ridiculously hot start in a high-scoring first quarter in Portland, as Joker drops 19 points on 7-for-12 shooting and 3-for-4 from long range. He adds 2 boards, 2 steals and one assist in 12 minutes to give Denver a 41-27 edge after one.

Donovan Clingan, Jrue Holiday and Scoot Henderson all drop 6 points apiece for the Blazers.

 

10:29 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

Clippers-Lakers live on ESPN!

Luka Dončić returns from a four-game absence for the Lakers tonight, and he’s got 8 points and 3 dimes in 8 minutes so far.

Brook Lopez has a game-high 9 points for the Clippers, who trail the Lakers 26-19 with 3:13 left in the first quarter.

10:15 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

Ant drops 40, Wolves win 3rd straight

Anthony Edwards comes up clutch to seal Minnesota’s third consecutive win tonight, defeating the Mavericks 122-111. Ant-Man finishes with a game-high 40 points (16-30 FG, 5-13 3PM) in 38 minutes, adding 6 boards, one assist and one steal.

Khris Middleton (18 pts, 6 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl), Marvin Bagley III (15 pts, 13 reb) and Naji Marshall (15 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast, 3 stl) lead seven Mavs in double figures. Dallas drops their tenth game in a row.

10:07 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

Cam Thomas on a heater

Milwaukee’s Cam Thomas has 27 points in 21 minutes off the bench, while Ryan Rollins is right behind him with 24 on 9-for-14 shooting and 6 3PM.

Zion Williamson has a game-high 32 points, but the Pelicans trail the Bucks 125-110 with 4:37 remaining in the game.

10:01 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

Dreams do come true

Blazers rookie Yang Hansen has his wish granted before their matchup against the Nuggets, meeting his favorite player Nikola Jokić.

9:58 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

Ant is so cold

Anthony Edwards is up to a game-high 31 points on 12-for-25 shooting with 4 3PM, giving Minnesota a 111-107 advantage over Dallas with 3:26 remaining in the contest.

Seven Mavs are in double figures scoring, led by Khris Middleton (16 pts, 7 reb), Marvin Bagley III (15 pts, 13 reb) and Naji Marshall (15 pts, 3 stl).

9:54 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

Cavs win 7th in a row

Charlotte holds a 23-11 advantage in offensive rebounds, but none were more impactful than Jarrett Allen’s (26 pts, 14 reb, 1 blk) on this possession to extend Cleveland’s edge to 112-103 with less than 2 minutes remaining.

The Cavs go on to win 118-113, as Donovan Mitchell (32 pts, 4 ast, 2 stl) and James Harden (18 pts, 4 reb, 8 ast) combine for 50 points to improve to 5-0 since the acquisition of The Beard.

 

Kon Knueppel continues his historic rookie season for the Hornets, dropping a game-high 33 points (11-20 FG) and 7 made 3s, adding 6 boards, 2 assists and one steal in 37 minutes.

9:44 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

Mavs clawing back vs. Wolves

Dallas trailed by as many as 18 in the first half, but they’ve fought back to trim the deficit to just 3, 101-98, with 9:11 remaining on ESPN!

Naz Reid (18 pts, 3 3PM), Anthony Edwards (game-high 26 pts) and Rudy Gobert (20 pts, 15 reb) are keeping the Wolves in front.

Brandon Williams (13 pts) and Naji Marshall (15 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl) lead the charge for the Mavericks, who are fighting to avoid their tenth straight loss.

9:37 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

Wizards win 2nd straight

Washington picks up their second win in as many nights against the Pacers, 131-118. Alondes Williams goes for a career-high 25 points (9-11 FG, 2-4 3PM, 5-5 FT) and 10 rebounds to go along with 4 assists, 2 blocks and one steal in 29 minutes off the Wizards bench.

Jay Huff (22 pts, 5 3PM) and Quenton Jackson (21 pts, 3 reb, 3 ast) pace six Indiana players in double figures scoring.

9:25 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

Bucks fight back

Cam Thomas pours all 18 of his points in the second quarter, as Milwaukee leads New Orleans 84-77 with 7:55 remaining in the third. Kyle Kuzma (14 pts) and Ryan Rollins (16 pts) are right behind him in a balanced Bucks attack.

Zion Williamson drops 21 points in the first half, while Derik Queen has 14 points, 7 boards, 2 assists, 2 steals and one block for the Pelicans.

9:10 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

Wiggins goes coast-to-coast

Aaron Wiggins (4 pts) and Chet Holmgren (10 pts, 2 reb) give the Thunder a 42-30 edge over the Nets with 2:17 remaining before halftime.

Michael Porter, Jr. is the high man for Brooklyn with 8 points in 16 minutes of action.

9:03 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

4Q action in Charlotte

Donovan Mitchell is starting to take over down the stretch for Cleveland, as he’s up to 24 points (7-18 FG, 8-9 FT) to give the Cavs a 95-91 edge with 10:09 remaining in the game.

Kon Knueppel remains the game’s leading scorer with 27 points and 7 3PM.

8:59 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

Ant-Man cooks in 2Q

Wolves 69, Mavs 57

Anthony Edwards heats up and finishes with a game-high 20 points (7-14 FG, 3-7 3PM), adding 4 boards and one dime in 19 first-half minutes. Rudy Gobert tallies 12 points (5-6 FG) and 11 boards in 17 minutes.

Khris Middleton leads Dallas with 12 points (4-8 FG), while Marvin Bagley III and Brandon Williams each have 10 points apiece.

8:52 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

Oh my, Will Riley!

Rookie Will Riley (12 pts) sparks a 35-24 scoring edge for Washington in the third quarter, as they tie the Pacers at 92 apiece heading to the final frame.

Jay Huff (22 pts, 5 3PM) and Quenton Jackson (15 pts) lead four Pacers in double figures scoring.

8:43 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

Cavs-Hornets go back and forth

Ten lead changes and two ties at the 5:40 mark of the third quarter, with Charlotte leading Cleveland 77-76.

Jarrett Allen (24 pts, 10 reb, 2 ast) and Donovan Mitchell (15 pts, 3 ast, 2 stl) are shining for the Cavs, who are trying to win their seventh straight.

Kon Knueppel has been unconscious tonight for the Hornets, as he’s got a game-high 27 points (9-16 FG) and 6 made 7s!

8:39 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

Kuz getting loose

Kyle Kuzma (7 pts, 1 stl) and Ryan Rollins (11 pts, 3 3PM) lead the Bucks, who trail the Pelicans 38-33 after one quarter of play.

Zion Williamson has a game-high 14 points on 6-for-9 shooting in only 8 minutes for New Orleans.

8:25 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

Hawks play hot potato

Jalen Johnson (7 pts, 11 reb, 4 ast), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (10 pts) and CJ McCollum (13 pts) have the Hawks within one as halftime approaches, as Atlanta trails Miami 46-45 with 2:55 remaining.

Bam Adebayo (10 pts, 4 reb, 4 ast) and Tyler Herro (11 pts, 3 reb) are doing work for Miami.

8:21 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

All the angles of Reid’s poster

Just leaving these here.

8:16 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

NAZ. REID.

Naz Reid (6 pts, 2 reb, 1 stl) goes through the entire Mavericks team and finishes with force, helping Minnesota take a 42-27 lead with 10 minutes remaining before halftime.

Brandon Williams is the high man for Dallas with 6 points off the bench.

8:13 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

Utah up big at halftime

Jazz 67, Grizzlies 55

Vince Williams, Jr. (6 pts, 2 reb, 3 ast), Kyle Filipowski (14 pts) and Ace Bailey (12 pts, 6 reb, 3 ast) power a strong first half for Utah.

Olivier-Maxence Prosper (10 pts, 4 reb) and Javon Small (9 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast) lead the way for Memphis.

8:02 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

DDV can’t miss

Donte DiVincenzo drops 9 points on 3-for-3 shooting from long range, adding 4 assists and no turnovers in 8 minutes for the Wolves. Minnesota takes an early 29-17 lead over Dallas with 3:38 remaining in the first quarter.

Khris Middleton and Tyus Jones each have 4 points apiece to pace the Mavericks.

7:58 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

Huff is HOT

Jay Huff has a game-high 18 points and 5 3PM in only 9 minutes for Indiana, who hold a 55-42 advantage over Washington with 5:08 left before halftime.

Alondes Williams (8 pts, 4 reb) and Sharife Cooper (9 pts, 4-4 FG) lead the way for the Wizards.

7:55 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

Knueppel keeps climbing

Kon Knueppel has 11 points and 3 3PM to lead Charlotte in both categories, but his team trails Cleveland 47-33 with 6:44 remaining in the first half.

Donovan Mitchell (13 pts, 2 stl) and Jarrett Allen (11 pts, 3 reb) power a 16-3 run to end the opening frame for the Cavs. James Harden is doing a little bit of everything with 7 points (2-3 FG), 2 boards, 3 assists and one steal in 10 minutes.

7:36 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

GG with a head of steam

GG Jackson (3 pts, 1 blk) blows by his man for a ferocious slam, but Memphis trails Utah 32-28 after the first. Rookie Javon Small has a team-high 7 points on 3-for-4 shooting.

Isaiah Collier has a game-high 9 points on 3-for-4 shooting in 8 minutes for the Jazz.

7:29 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

Cavs-Hornets live on League Pass

Jarrett Allen (11 pts, 3 reb) fuels the Cavs, who lead the Hornets 21-17 with 4:14 left in the first quarter.

Brandon Miller leads Charlotte with 6 points and 2 3PM, while Kon Knueppel (3 pts) ties Donovan Mitchell’s overall rookie season (2017-18) for the second most 3’s in a rookie season in NBA history (187 3PM).

7:23 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

Jazz-Grizzlies underway

Isaiah Collier (4 pts, 1 ast) and Ace Bailey (5 pts) give the Jazz an early 11-10 edge over the hosting Grizzlies midway through the opening quarter.

6:50 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

What we know before Friday’s games:

Donovan Mitchell and James Harden look to secure a seventh straight victory for Cleveland when they visit Charlotte on League Pass. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

The Cavaliers have been on a tear over the last month and a half of action. Since Dec. 29, Cleveland is an NBA-best 18-5 (.783 WIN%) while ranking second in scoring (120.3 ppg), field goal percentage (49.6), assists (30.0) and plus-minus (8.4). In the first four outings of the James Harden era, the Cavs are 4-0 and rank second in scoring (125.3 ppg) and third in FG% (51.0) and plus-minus (15.3).

The Cavs are in Charlotte to battle the Hornets on the tail end of back-to-backs for both squads (7 ET, League Pass).

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdomen) and Jalen Williams (hamstring) remain out for Oklahoma City’s contest versus the Brooklyn Nets (8 ET, League Pass).

A matchup with Eastern Conference playoff implications awaits, as the Miami Heat (29-27, 8th in East) visit the Hawks (27-30, 9th in East) in Atlanta (7:30 ET, League Pass). The season series is split at one game apiece, with Atlanta earning a 127-115 victory back on Feb. 3.

Denver hopes to rebound from a tough one-point loss to the Clippers last night when they travel to Portland (10 ET, League Pass). The Nuggets have lost five of their last seven games dating back to Feb. 1, while the Trail Blazers are 4-1 over their last five outings.

6:15 p.m. ET / Feb. 20

Welcome to a 9-game Friday night of NBA hoops!

Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves host the Dallas Mavericks to tip off ESPN’s primetime doubleheader (7:30 ET). (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

The Dallas Mavericks, who will be without Cooper Flagg (foot), hope to avoid a tenth consecutive loss when they visit the Timberwolves to jump start ESPN’s primetime doubleheader (7:30 ET). Anthony Edwards, fresh off his 2026 NBA All-Star MVP award, will look to continue that momentum for Minnesota as they aim to secure a third straight win.

We’ll follow that up with the fourth and final battle for Los Angeles this season, as a healthy Lakers squad getting Luka Dončić (hamstring) back from a four-game absence will host a resurgent Clippers squad fueled by Kawhi Leonard (10 ET). The Clips are 2-1 versus the purple and gold in 2025-26 after taking the last two matchups at home.

Here’s tonight’s complete schedule:

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