Uncategorized

Nightly Pulse: NBA News & Highlights from Feb. 27

Stay in the know on tonight's NBA action as we keep you updated with the latest news and happenings around the league.

NBA.com Staff

Big performances dominated the league Thursday night. Team USA’s Golden Trio of Stephen Curry, LeBron James and Kevin Durant each boomed, while Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Paolo Banchero dominated as well.

⭐⭐TOP PERFORMERS⭐⭐

  1. Stephen Curry: 56 points (16-25 FG, 12-19 3PM), four rebounds, three assists, two steals
  2. Paolo Banchero: 41 points (26-27 FG), six rebounds, five assists, two steals
  3. LeBron James: 33 points (11-21 FG), 17 rebounds, six assists, one steal, one block
  4. Nikola Jokić: 32 points (13-16 FG), 14 rebounds, 10 assists, one steal
  5. Giannis Antetokounmpo: 28 points (11-23 FG), 19 rebounds, seven assists, one block

Top Stories👉📝

  1. Stephen Curry delivers a historic performance. Curry now has 45 games with at least nine 3PM — far and away leading the NBA record books, with Damian Lillard’s 14 such contests  standing in second place. Thursday also marked Curry’s ninth 50-point game since his 30th birthday —  another NBA record.
  2. Nikola Jokić and Giannis Antetokounmpo led their teams to battle, with Antetokounmpo’s Bucks emerging victorious.
  3. LeBron James’ 33 points and 17 rebounds helps withstand a comeback from Minnesota.  that come back largely occurred without Anthony Edwards (ejected), with rookie Terrence Shannon popping for a career-high 25 points and showcasing the powerful transition game that  headlined his draft profile coming out of Illinois.

Greatness from Stephen Curry. Warriors win.

Despite Paolo Banchero’s best efforts (41 points, 16-27 FG), Stephen Curry’s 56-point performance fueled a 121-115 win for Golden State. Curry matched his career-high 12 3PM, finishing 12 for 19 from deep.

Thursday marks the 14th 50-point game of Curry’s career.

Rookie Quinton Post stepped up off the bench, posting an efficient 18 points (7-9 FG) along with five rebounds. Franz Wagner (27 points, two rebounds, four assists, three steals) co-starred for Orlando.

Lakers win; LeBron James strikes again

The Lakers continue winning. Los Angeles has assembled a 16-4 record across their last 20 games, climbing to 35-21 on the season and closing in on Houston to compete for a top-four seed in the Western Conference.

James delivered 16 points in the fourth quarter to hold off a furious Minnesota comeback led by rookie Terrance Shannon Jr. (25 points) and Jaden McDaniels (15 points). McDaniels’ contributions were more felt defensively, as the 24-year-old limped to 6-for-18 shooting Thursday.

James time-defying hooping helped offset Luka Dončić’s 6-for-20 shooting, although Dončić still finished with 21 points to go along with 13 rebounds and five assists. James logged his 14th game of the season with at least 30 points.

Giannis out-duels Jokić. Puts exclamation point on Bucks win

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 28 points, 19 rebounds and seven assists fueled a 121-112 victory over Denver despite a 32-point, 14-rebound, 10-assist triple-double from Nikola Jokić. The Nuggets led throughout the second quarter and going into halftime, but  Milwaukee took the lead and never looked back midway through the third quarter.

Brook Lopez had an impact that transcended the box score. His multi-level scoring ability and defensive presence was huge for making Denver work on both ends. The big man finished with 22 points (7-16 FG, 1-6 3PM, 7-8 FT), four rebounds, three assists and one block.

Jamal Murray had 20 points (9-20 FG) for the Nuggets while leading the team with five assists. Michael Porter Jr. posted a double-double with 12 points (5-22 FG, 2-11 3PM) and 10 rebounds but struggled with his efficiency.

Pristine ball movement in LA

The Lakers have amassed an 11-point lead at the end of the third quarter, pulling away from a Minnesota squad that is dealing with the ejection of Anthony Edwards from Thursday’s game.

LeBron James leads all scorers and is amid a massive performance overall, booming for 27 points (10-14 FG,4-7 3PM), 11 rebounds, four assists, two steals in one block in 27 minutes thus far.

Triple-double Zion! Pelicans win.

Zion Williamson (27 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists) notched the first triple-double of his career and his second game this season with double-digit assists as New Orleans earns a 124-116 victory over Phoenix.

Double-doubles from Karlo Matković (17 points, 10 rebounds) and Yves Missi (11 points, 10 rebounds) were critical in the Pelicans frontcourt, keeping even with Phoenix in the rebounding battle. CJ McCollum was New Orleans second-leading scorer with 19 points (7-18 FG).

Devin Booker (36 points, seven rebounds, nine assists) and Kevin Durant (28 points, five rebounds) carried Phoenix. Bol Bol and Tyus Jones each chipped in 15 points, with this quartet comprising the vast majority of Phoenix’ offense — which only featured 12 bench points as a team. Nick Richards ripped down 16 rebounds to go along with 10 points.

The Suns fall to 2-8 in their last 10 games and sink deeper into the 11th seed with a 27-32 record overall.

Mavericks & Kyrie get it done✅

Kyrie Irving led Dallas with 25 points (11-24 FG) along with nine rebounds and five assists in the Mavericks 103-96 victory over Charlotte.

Mark Williams headlined Charlotte’s cast of contributors — notching his first ever game with that least 25 points in 15 rebounds. These four players represented all Hornets with double-digit scoring.

BEEP BEEP🏎️💨🏎️💨

CHRISTIAN BRAUN COMING THROUGH. Braun drops the hammer on Brook Lopez!

Trey Murphy cooking early🔥🔥🔥🔥

Limitless range. Murphy’s prowess from super deep is also a spacing asset for New Orleans, forcing opponents’ perimeter defense to be more extended than usual.

“RECORD-SETTING FEEL” 👀👀

Stephen Curry is 9 for 12 from beyond the arc through three quarters. Klay Thompson’s single-game record of 14 made threes could be in jeopardy!

Curry has erupted for 43 points (13-19 FG) in total as Golden State holds an eight-point lead in the opening seconds of the fourth quarter.

Don’t get caught!

Nikola Jokić is a smooth operator as always, getting former Defensive Player of the Year Brook Lopez to jump on his pump-fake and foul him on the three.

CURRY FROM DEEP😳😳

Paolo and Steph duel 🍿🍿

Paolo Banchero (24 points, four rebounds, four assists) and Stephen Curry (21 points, one rebound, two assists) are battling as Orlando controls a 66-52 lead over Golden State at halftime. Steph’s final three points came on one of the longest heaves of the year.

SLAM TO START THE NIGHT💥💥

Paolo Banchero has eight early points headlined by this violent slam off a roll and nice pocket pass from Cole Anthony. Banchero also has two first-quarter fouls which is a storyline to monitor for the remainder of the first half.

Mitchell Robinson debut on the horizon

In top news from this evening, Mitchell Robinson (ankle) could make his season debut Friday vs. Memphis. The 26-year-old is recovering from a series of ankle and foot injuries. He would be notable addition for the Knicks in the wake of Ariel Hukporti’s (knee) incoming multi-week absence as well as the huge workloads that Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns endure.

Key Storylines for the Night 🍿🍿

  1. This year’s third matchup of Minnesota vs. Dončić will take place for the first time in Purple and Gold. It’s a new chapter to a budding rivalry after the Slovenian phenom ended Minnesota’s playoff run in the Western Conference Finals last year.
  2. Denver and Milwaukee will match up for the first time this year. These teams last played each other in February of 2024, with Antetokounmpo registering 36 points, 18 rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks in a 17-point victory.
  3. The Warriors are 6-1 since adding Jimmy Butler and will look to continue their momentum versus the Magic.

Related

Latest