Russell Westbrook etched his name further into NBA history on Saturday night, passing Magic Johnson for seventh place on the league’s all-time assists list as the Sacramento Kings defeated the Dallas Mavericks 113-107.
Westbrook finished with 21 points, five rebounds and nine assists, taking his career total to 10,149 assists — eight more than Johnson. His performance helped Sacramento secure its fourth straight win over Dallas, despite the Kings struggling for form this season. DeMar DeRozan sealed the victory with two late free throws after the Mavericks closed within four points in the final seconds.
At 37, Russell Westbrook also became just the 14th player in NBA history to reach 2,000 career steals, joining an elite group of players who have combined longevity and dominance. He is only the fifth player since the 1973–74 season to pair 25,000 career points with 2,000 steals, a club that includes LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Karl Malone, and Hakeem Olajuwon. In addition, Westbrook moved within nine points of tying Dominique Wilkins for 19th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, closing in on yet another legendary milestone.
Cooper Flagg led Dallas with 23 points, while P.J. Washington and Klay Thompson chipped in 17 and 14 respectively.
Jazz snap Spurs’ winning run
Jazz 127, Spurs 114
Lauri Markkanen scored 29 points and Keyonte George added 28 as the Utah Jazz held off a late rally to beat the San Antonio Spurs 127-114 on Saturday night, snapping the Spurs’ league-best eight-game winning streak. Victor Wembanyama starred on his return to the starting lineup with 32 points, seven rebounds, five blocks and three assists in his first start since Nov. 14 following a 12-game absence due to a calf injury, helping San Antonio close within three points early in the fourth quarter. Utah, which had knocked off Eastern Conference-leading Detroit the previous night, led from midway through the second quarter and regained control down the stretch, with Walter Clayton Jr. scoring 17 points and Jusuf Nurkic adding 16. Keldon Johnson recorded 27 points and 10 rebounds for the Spurs, who were without De’Aaron Fox, but San Antonio’s comeback fell short as Utah secured a second straight win.
Magic edge Nuggets despite Jokic triple-double
Magic 127, Nuggets 126
Anthony Black produced a career night as the Orlando Magic stunned the Denver Nuggets 127-126 on Saturday, rallying from a 17-point deficit to clinch a dramatic win.
Black finished with a career-high 38 points on 14-of-24 shooting, including seven three-pointers, and capped his performance with a crucial late steal off Nikola Jokic that led to a layup. Orlando shot an impressive 67.4 percent in the second half as it overturned the deficit.
Desmond Bane provided the finishing touch for the Magic, scoring 15 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter and calmly converting two free throws with 6.9 seconds remaining to put Orlando ahead for good.
Despite the defeat, Denver star Nikola Jokic delivered another historic performance, registering 34 points, 21 rebounds and 12 assists for his 180th career triple-double and 16th of the season. The outing moved Jokic within one of Oscar Robertson for second on the NBA’s all-time triple-doubles list and marked his eighth career 30-point, 20-rebound, 10-assist game, second only to Wilt Chamberlain.
Jamal Murray scored 24 points for the Nuggets but missed a long-range jumper at the buzzer after Bane’s free throws completed Orlando’s comeback. Tim Hardaway Jr. added 20 points as Denver shot 51.2 percent from the field, but the loss snapped an 11-game road winning streak and came in the opener of a seven-game trip.
Durant powers Rockets past Cavaliers
Rockets 117, Cavaliers 100
Kevin Durant scored 30 points in just three quarters as the Houston Rockets cruised to a dominant 117-100 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night. Houston took control early, never trailing after the opening minutes, and blew the game open with a decisive third-quarter run. Durant also added seven assists and four rebounds before sitting out the fourth quarter with the Rockets holding a 27-point lead. Reed Sheppard contributed 18 points and eight assists off the bench, while Jabari Smith Jr. finished with 15 points. Reserve Jaylon Tyson led Cleveland with 23 points and a career-high 14 rebounds, and Donovan Mitchell added 16 points as the Cavaliers suffered their second straight loss and fifth in seven games.
Heat explode late to overwhelm Pacers
Heat 142, Pacers 116
Miami dominated the fourth quarter to beat Indiana 142-116, with Andrew Wiggins and Jaime Jaquez Jr. scoring 28 points apiece. The Heat outscored the Pacers 44-22 in the final period to register their sixth 140-plus point game this season.
Giannis returns to lead Bucks past Bulls
Bucks 112, Bulls 103
Giannis Antetokounmpo returned from an eight-game absence to score 29 points and grab eight rebounds, leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a 112-103 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday and snapping Chicago’s five-game winning streak. The two-time MVP played just 25 minutes as coach Doc Rivers limited his minutes, and Milwaukee received strong support from Ryan Rollins, who scored 20 points, and Bobby Portis, who added 17 points and 10 rebounds. The Bucks pulled away late with an 8-0 run featuring three-pointers from Rollins and AJ Green, while Nikola Vucevic and Coby White each scored 16 points for Chicago. Milwaukee, 9-8 with Antetokounmpo in the lineup, outscored the Bulls down the stretch to secure the win despite minor jawing between players after the final buzzer.
Knicks hold off Hawks in thriller
Knicks 128, Hawks 125
Karl-Anthony Towns produced a season-high 36 points and grabbed 16 rebounds as the New York Knicks held off a late Atlanta surge to beat the Hawks 128-125. Jalen Brunson added 34 points as New York dominated the glass 56-38 and survived a dramatic final minute. After Nickeil Alexander-Walker briefly put Atlanta ahead with a steal and basket, OG Anunoby responded with clutch free throws and a key steal to seal the victory. Onyeka Okongwu led the Hawks with 31 points and 14 rebounds, while Jalen Johnson posted 20 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds before fouling out as Atlanta slumped to its sixth straight loss.
Nets continue December surge
Nets 123, Minnesota 107
Cam Thomas scored 30 points on his return from injury as Brooklyn Nets beat Minnesota Timberwolves 123-107. The Nets have now won five of their last seven games and boast the league’s best defensive record in December.
Suns sweep Pelicans in fiery encounter
Suns 123, Pelicans 114
Phoenix completed a back-to-back sweep over New Orleans with a 123-114 win in a game marked by third-quarter scuffles. Devin Booker scored 20 points as seven Suns finished in double figures. Jose Alvarado and Mark Williams were ejected after exchanging punches.
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