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Nightly Pulse: Around the NBA on Oct. 17

Catch up on the best of the NBA action from game highlights to memorable moments

NBA.Com Staff

Final Five: What You Need To Know From Tonight’s NBA Action

Knecht Three

Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht stepped up huge in Thursday’s showdown with the Suns. Knecht scored the last seven Laker points in regulation and 12 in the fourth quarter to help fuel the Laker comeback. The party didn’t stop there, though. 

Knecht ended up pouring in another 13 in overtime for good measure as the Lakers found their way to victory in the Valley of the Sun. Take a bow, rook.

The Pacers Mount Huge Comeback in OT Win

Don’t tell the Pacers that the preseason doesn’t count. Down 20 in the second half, Indiana stormed back to send the game into overtime. Ben Sheppard and Enrique Freeman combined for 29 off the bench to fuel the comeback. Here’s coach Rick Carlisle after the game

https://twitter.com/Pacers/status/1847102962025304276

Jalen Green is ready for the Season

Green was feeling it early and finished the night with 30 points as the Rockets soared to victory over the in-state rival Spurs. The breakout candidate led the Rockets in scoring in each of their final two preseason games and he looks to be ready for the season to start Wednesday against the Hornets.

https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets/status/1847106880541544777

Bufkin Flexes for 30

Bufkin drew into the starting lineup Thursday and showed out with a game-high 31 points. Coming off a 15-point performance in Wednesday’s preseason game, Bufkin is making a compelling case for a role going into the regular season.

Garza Goes Off

With the Timberwolves resting their regular starters, Garza got the chance to start and he rewarded his coaches with that decision. The big man out of Iowa left a strong impression in the preseason finale with 29 points. Garza even hit three triples and pulled down nine rebounds.

https://twitter.com/Timberwolves/status/1847089533722284491

Finals Around The League

  • Pacers 121, Hornets 116
  • Mavericks 109, Bucks 84
  • Rockets 129, Spurs 107
  • Thunder 104, Hawks 99
  • Nuggets 132, Timberwolves 126
  • Lakers 128, Suns 122
  • Clippers 113, Kings 91

🤯Thriller in the Desert 🌵

It may have just been a preseason game in the record books, but Thursday night’s showdown between the Lakers and Suns was a memorable one. The stars showed up — Anthony Davis dropped a cool 35 and 10 and Devin Booker added 22 for the Suns. Bronny James got 17 minutes and had some fun moments. But it was another Los Angeles rookie who stole the show: Dalton Knecht.

The first-year player out of Tennessee had been playing well all preseason, but he took his game to another level Thursday. With the Lakers trailing late, Knecht put the team on his back and delivered a clutch performance on a national stage.

Knecht hit eight 3-pointers on the night en route to putting up 35 to match Davis. Any way you split up his stat line, it’s impressive. He had 12 fourth-quarter points. He scored the Lakers’ final seven points in regulation to force overtime. From late in the fourth quarter to the end of the game, Knecht had 20 of LA’s final 22 points.

Treat yourself to this cutup of Knecht’s scoring barrage to seal the game.

Knecht Steals The Show On Big Stage

The Lakers trailed by five late in the fourth quarter before rookie Dalton Knecht completely took over. He scored the Lakers’ final seven points in regulation and had 20 of the Lakers’ final 22 points as L.A. stormed back for the win. It’s a fitting ending to what has been a revelatory preseason for Knecht, who made as strong of a closing argument as he could to have a role for the Lake Show this season.

Knecht Cannot Stop

Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht has scored the last 20 points for the Lakers to not only force overtime but give the Lakers the lead. He’s up to 35 on the night late in the first OT period.

He just might be making a little bit of a splash with his teammates.

Knecht Raining 3s in The Desert

The rookie connects for the game-tying 3 with time winding down!

Dalton Knecht, who has the 2nd-most 3-pointers in the preseason, drains one to pull the Lakers within three.

☕Late Night Coffey

Clippers shooting guard Amir Coffey has given a jolt to the offense tonight with 18 points off the bench. He’s 3-for-6 from beyond the arc, including this triple to grow the lead to 20.

AD With 30 😯

Anthony Davis has just hit 30 points in tonight’s preseason game against the Suns. The Brow is 12-for-27 from the floor on a busy night and has also pulled down 11 rebounds in 32 minutes.

🗣️Bronny Bucket

Bronny James collects his own rebound and finishes at the rim to bring the Lakers within 10 points. Catch the end of the game as we tick into the fourth quarter.

Clippers Catching Fire 🔥

The Clippers take a 27-point lead into the half over the Kings. LA can seemingly do no wrong as it’s shooting 59 percent from the floor as a team. Jordan Miller and Terance Mann have led the way thus far for the Clippers.

Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis are pacing the Kings’ scoring with 11 points apiece.

KD Gets UP!

Kevin Durant drives the lane and slams it home. The Suns lead the Lakers late in the third quarter and Durant is up to 19 points on the night.

Russell Threads the Needle 🪡

D’Angelo Russell snaps off a nifty pass to Max Christie for the easy 2

 

Jordan Miller is Heating Up in LA

Miller is a perfect 5-for-5 from the floor in his first six minutes tonight as the Clippers add to their lead.

Kings vs Clippers Update

The Clippers have built a double-digit lead into the second quarter over the Kings. Terance Mann is the first player in double figures (10) and Jordan Miller has chipped in eight off the bench for the Clips.

 

Halftime in The Valley

The Suns lead the Lakers by five at the break. Devin Booker has poured in 20 on 7-for-11 shooting while Austin Reeves has led the way for the Lake Show with 18 first-half points.

 

🥲Father-Son Moment in PHX

Lebron imparts some wisdom on Bronny during Thursday’s preseason game against the Suns.

🎬Action!🎥

The Kings and Clips have tipped off in LA. Catch the game live on League Pass

Rockets Take Down Spurs in Texas Showdown

Jalen Green was the star of the night as he poured in 30 points over 27 minutes. He canned seven of 13 attempts from beyond the arc and went 7-for-8 from the line.

Fred VanVleet (15) and Amen Thompson (18) both had strong efforts in the Houston win.

A pair of San Antonio youngsters impressed as Sidy Cissoko (15) and rookie Stephon Castle (16) had big nights off the bench.

The Brow is Back

Anthony Davis has 15 first-quarter points as the Lakers lead going into the second quarter. Devin Booker has chipped in nine for the Suns.

Heads up! 😂😂

You’ll want to turn the sound on for this

How will Kevin Harlan be able to call the game from here?

OKC Dub

Chet Holmgren, Ousman Dieng and Isaiah Joe led the way tonight as OKC the Thunder closed out their preseason with a 4-1 mark.

The Hawks had some impressive performances of their own headlined by Kobe Bufkin’s 31 points. Bufkin sunk seven treys and added four assists on the night.

 

The Thunder open their season next Thursday at Denver while the Hawks host the Nets on Wednesday.

☀️Tip-Off Time in The Valley

KD, Devin Booker and Co. finish out their preseason with a home game against the Lakers. L.A. draws a road game against the Warriors on Friday night to finish their preseason.

🍿Popcorn Time In Minnesota

The Nuggets lead the Timberwolves early in the fourth quarter. Jamal Murray leads the way for Denver with 25 while Luka Garza is dominating down low with 27 for Minnesota. Catch the finish on NBA League Pass 🎬

🚀 Rockets Taking Off

Jalen Green is unconscious from distance tonight with seven treys and 30 points overall 🔥

Mavs Cruise to Victory in Preseason Finale

The Mavericks got the dub to close out their preseason over a Bucks team that was at less than full strength. Klay Thompson and Kyrie Irving did the heavy lifting in the first half and then promising youngsters like Olivier-Maxence Prosper and Brandon Williams carried it from there.

🏅Pacers Complete the Comeback

Indiana trailed by 20 points in the second half but rallied to get the W over the Hornets in OT.

Myles Turner carried the Pacers early with 18 points and the combo of Ben Sheppard and Enrique Freeman keyed the comeback.

There were positive takeaways for Charlotte, too, as Brandon Miller banked 20 first-half points and Moussa Diabate had 11 points and three blocks.

The Hornets finish the preseason 2-3 while the Pacers wrap with a 2-2 mark.

🚨Pacers Force OT against Hornets

Trailing by as much as 20 in the third quarter, the Pacers have mounted a comeback to force overtime and lead with just over a minute to go. Catch the finish on NBA League Pass!

🧟Monster Mash

Olivier-Maxence Prosper get UP for the slam😤 and sends the Mavs bench into a frenzy.

The second-year man out of Marquette has seven points and a +8 rating through 12 minutes. Mavs up big midway through the fourth.

 

 

Jamal Murray 😤

Murray poured in 19 points in the first half Thursday against the T’Wolves. He went 3-for-3 from three and sunk all eight of his free throws. Denver leads by nine at the break.

Halftime in OKC

The Hawks take a slight lead into the half with Kobe Bufkin leading the way on 18 points.

Chet Holmgren has looked ready for the season with 15 points on 50 percent shooting from the floor.

Pacers Closing in Against Hornets

The Hornets took a double-digit lead into halftime but the Pacers have cut it to seven points midway through the fourth. Catch the ending now on NBA League Pass.

Halftime in Big D

Big first halves from Kyrie Irving (14 Points) Klay Thompson (11) have the Mavs up 16 at the break.

The Bucks, playing without Giannis or Dame, are being paced by Gary Trent and Anzejs Pasecniks with 10 points apiece.

Rookies Showing Out

First-rounder Reed Sheppard finds his way through traffic for the bucket

 

Stephon Castle pouring in three of his 13 first-half points

Klay Heating Up

 

Thompson has hit three triples in the first half and is up to 11 on the night as the Mavs build a significant early lead over the Bucks. Klay trails only Kyrie Irving for the team lead in scoring. If you need a Kyrie update…look no further

Halftime In Indianapolis

The Hornets lead the Pacers 61-49 at the halfway mark. Brandon Miller leads the way for Charlotte with 20 points, including five triples. Myles Turner got off to a hot start for the Pacers with 16 points on a perfect 6-for-6 shooting performance over 17 minutes.

Timberwolves vs Nuggets

We’ve got a playoff rematch blessing our preseason viewing tonight.

 

Denver is rolling with a regular-season-ready lineup featuring the Joker and Jamal Murray

Meanwhile, the T’Wolves are running with their young bucks in the second night of a back-to-back.

Brandon Miller is Feeling it (Pt. 2)

Hornets’ second-year man, Brandon Miller, is off to a red-hot start tonight against the Pacers.

He hit five treys in the first half en route to putting up 20 points in his first 18 minutes.

Kyrie is Ready to Roll

Irving scored 10 of the Mavs’ first 17 points, including this slick pull-up triple. On the other side, Gary Trent Jr leads the Bucks with six early points.

Thunder vs Hawks

Check out the starting fives for tonight’s Thunder vs Hawks clash in OKC.

The Hawks are playing the second leg of a back-to-back while the Thunder will roll with a lineup that looks regular-season ready.

Spurs vs Rockets (League Pass)

Tonight’s starting five for the Spurs 👇

Tre Jones and Zach Collins will step into the starting lineup with Chris Paul and Victor Wembanyama sitting for rest purposes.

Brandon Miller is Feeling It (Hornets vs Pacers on League Pass)

The Hornets’ second-year star has started the game 4-for-5 from beyond the arc. Miller is the first Hornet in double figures this evening

Myles Turner is Cooking

Turner started the game 5-for-5 with 12 points and we’re only midway through the first quarter.

Peep the nasty stepback 👀

Mavs vs Bucks Pregame Notes

The Mavs will be without Luka Dončić tonight, among others.

Meanwhile, the Bucks will not have either Giannis Antetokounmpo or Damian Lillard in action.

Thursday Night Fits 🕺

Peep the styles around the NBA for tonight’s action

 

Pacers vs Hornets Pregame Notes

Seth Curry is moving into the starting lineup for the Hornets as he looks to solidify his role. LaMelo Ball will take the floor in his final preseason tuneup before the season gets underway. He has looked in midseason form already in the preseason, averaging 18.7 points per game in just 22.7 minutes per game.

 

The Pacers will roll with what appears to be a regular-season starting five tonight including Aaron Nesmith, who returns after nursing an ankle injury earlier in the week. Bennedict Mathurin has been a bright spot for Indiana thus far in the preseason with a 15.0 PPG average in three appearances.

More Preseason on Deck

We’re onto the final two nights of the NBA preseason before the real deal gets underway on Tuesday.

Tonight’s action features the Pacers vs Hornets, Timberwolves vs. Nuggets, Suns vs Lakers and more. Follow us all night for the best moments across the NBA.

Things tip off at 7 Eastern; here are tonight’s starting 5️⃣for Pacers vs Hornets

 

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