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Nightly Pulse: NBA news & highlights from Dec. 1

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

🥳Sunday’s a fun day of NBA action🥳

We have ten games on tap with the No. 1 and No. 2 seed in each conference squaring off and plenty more to be excited about. 

  • Pacers 121, Grizzlies 136 (Final)
  • Magic 100, Nets 92 (Final)
  • Heat 116, Raptors 119 (Final)
  • Pelicans 85, Knicks 118 (Final)
  • Celtics 111, Cavaliers 115 (Final)
  • Thunder 116, Rockets 119 (Final)
  • Lakers 105, Jazz 104 (Final)
  • Spurs 127, Kings 125 (Final)
  • Mavericks 137, Trail Blazers 131 (Final)
  • Nuggets 122, Clippers 126 (Final)

📝Top stories of the night📝

  1. The Cavaliers put an end to their two-game skid and Boston’s seven-game win streak with a 115-111 win over the Celtics to remain atop of the East. Cleveland entered the final frame down 12 points, but Donovan Mitchell ignited and took over, scoring 20 points, while not missing a single shot as part of a 43-27 fourth-quarter effort from Cleveland that secured the victory. 
  2. The top two in the West collided and it was the Rockets taking down the Thunder, 119-116. This game came down to the wire, but it was a clutch hoop from Dillon Brooks that sealed the victory for Houston. The win was the Rockets’ third straight, while the loss for Oklahoma City put an end to their four-game win streak. The Rockets are now 15-6, while the Thunder remain the No. 1 seed at 15-5. 
  3. The Spurs made a franchise record 23 three-pointers in a 127-125 road win over the Kings. Wembanyama continued to do phenomenal things and recorded his first triple-double of the season and third of his career, putting up 34 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists. His performance made him the fourth player to record a 30-plus point triple-double before turning 21, joining Luka Dončić (10x), LeBron James (2x), and De’Aaron Fox (1x). San Antonio is now 11-9, and already halfway to their 22-win total from last season.

Milestones bonus: James Harden made his 3,000th career three-pointer, and LeBron James joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only other player with 15,000 made field goals in their careers.

⭐🌟Top performers🌟⭐

There were too many standout performances tonight to narrow it down. These guys all balled out. 

  • Fred VanVleet: 38 points (10-19 FG, 5-9 3 PT, 13-14 FT), three assists. 
  • Donovan Mitchell: 35 points (6-11 3PT), seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals. 
  • RJ Barrett: 37 points (15-20 FG), seven rebounds, and five assists. 
  • Luka Dončić: 36 points (15-24 FG, 4-10 3PT), 13 assists, seven rebounds.
  • Victor Wembanyama: 34 points (11-17 FG), 13 rebounds, and 11 assists. 
  • Nikola Jokić: 28 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists. 
  • James Harden: 39 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds.

Mann-sized dagger🗡️

Terance Mann knocks down the triple to give the Clippers a 123-116 lead with about a minute left that would seal the win.

The Clippers ultimately won 126-122 over the Nuggets. Harden had an impressive performance falling one rebound shy of a triple-double, with 39 points and 11 assists. Nikola Jokić tallied a league-leading 8th triple-double of the season, with 28 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists in the loss. It was his 138th career triple-double, which ties Magic Johnson for third all-time.

♛More Harden dominance♛

Harden gets Peyton Watson reeling before he knocks down the mid-range shot to open up the Clippers’ lead late in the fourth.

The Clippers have a 123-119 lead with just seconds remaining.

He is eating🥣

Harden is feasting with 30 points through three quarters, including six threes.

The Clippers currently have a 102-98 lead over the Nuggets early in the fourth.

San Antonio gets the W

The Spurs overcame a rough first quarter and pulled away in the fourth, outscoring the Kings 35-28 and ultimately getting the win, 127-125.

San Antonio shot lights out, 23-46 from deep, with their 23 long-range makes a franchise record. Wembanyama recorded a triple-double, scoring 34 points, pulling down 13 rebounds, and dishing out 11 assists. The Kings had a trio of 20-plus point scorers in the loss, with De’Aaron Fox scoring 23 and serving nine dimes, DeRozan scoring 28 with eight assists, and Domantas Sabonis pouring in 25 and 13 rebounds.

Swipe and dunk seals it📨

Quentin Grimes picks up the loose ball and finds Daniel Gafford on the other end for the dunk and a five-point lead with seconds remaining to secure the win.

The Mavericks picked up the win, 137-131 over Portland in a high-scoring affair. Dončić led Dallas with 36 points (15-24 FG, 4-10 3PT), 13 assists, and seven rebounds, but the team received strong contributions across the board, sans Kyrie Irving. Grimes scored 28 points (9-13 FG, 5-7 3PT), with five steals, and Spencer Dinwiddie scored 20 off the bench. Anfernee Simons was unable to carry his electric third-quarter performance over to the fourth, staying stuck on 27 points, while Shaedon Sharpe chipped in 22 in the loss. 

Murray gets emphatic😱

Keegan Murray beats Wembanyama to the rim and finishes with a strong one-handed slam.

We’re headed for a tight finish in Sacramento, as the Spurs lead by four with just under two minutes to play.

3️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ Club

James Harden joined Stephen Curry as the only other player in NBA history to make 3,000 three-pointers.

Congrats, James!

🔨The big man brought the hammer🔨

Ivica Zubac drops a poster dunk for two of his three first-half points.

The Clippers and Nuggets are knotted up at 59 as they head into the break. Harden and Jokić continue to provide the bulk of the scoring for their squads with 16 and 19 points respectively.

🤯Third quarter eruption🤯

Anfernee Simons exploded in the third quarter, scoring 24 points.

The Mavericks and Trail Blazers both erupted for a 39-39 third quarter, with Dallas holding a 112-101 lead now early in the fourth. Simons leads Portland with a total of 27 points, and it’s Luka pacing the Mavericks with 30 points and 11 assists.

💪🏾Grown man move💪🏾

Isaac Jones gets up and snatches the rebound out of the air away from Devin Vassell and throws it down with purpose.

The Kings will enter the final quarter with a 97-92 lead.

That’s a smooth Euro🧈

Harden puts two of his eight points on the board with a nice Euro step to the rim for the finish.

Nikola Jokić is cooking with 15 points, but Harden and the Clippers are the ones holding a 32-23 lead after a quarter of play in Los Angeles.

 

Finishes it with the lefty lay-in👈

LeBron James makes the clutch bucket as the shot clock expires to put the Lakers up three, and for good with 41 seconds remaining.

The Lakers pulled out a 105-104 win over Utah, as LeBron James (27 points, 14 assists) and Anthony Davis (33 points, 11 rebounds) both served up double-doubles. Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with 22 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in the defeat.

Transition jam💪

Grant gets the smooth one-handed dunk when Portland gets out on the break.

Portland trails the Mavericks 61-58 at the half. Dončić has been money in his return, scoring 20 points on 8-13 shooting with six rebounds and eight assists.

🚀Brooks hits the game winner🚀

Dillon Brooks hits the clutch two-point bucket as the shot clock expires giving Houston a 115-113 lead and ultimately sealed the victory for the Rockets.

The battle of the top two teams in the West, went to Houston, 119-116. Fred VanVleet was on fire, scoring 28 points, while Alperen Sengun fell one assist shy of another triple-double, also scoring 20 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 in the loss.

From way downtown🎯

Fred VanVleet hits an insane three to give Houston a 113-110 lead before Cason Wallace hits one of his own to tie it up at 113 with less than a minute remaining.

Pick, pass, alley-oop🧨

Chris Paul gets the steal and feeds Victor Wembanyama, who spots the streaking Stephon Caste for the alley-oop.

The Kings though are the ones with the early advantage, 33-23 late in the first quarter. DeMar DeRozan already has 12 points on perfect 5-5 shooting, with four dimes and two steals.

Beast mode Bron😤

James bullies his way to the rim for the and-1 due to goaltending.

James has 13 points and nine assists at the half with the Lakers leading Utah 58-56. Anthony Davis is the team’s top scorer though with 15 points.

Defense➡️Offense

Gilgeous-Alexander knocks the ball away then gets it back for the breakaway dunk.

The Thunder have a 98-93 lead early in the fourth, backed by Gilgeous-Alexander’s 30-point effort. Fred VanVleet is working to keep pace, as he has 26 of his own on 7-12 shooting.

LeBron is serving out dimes🍽️

James dishes a sweet pass past Micah Potter for the two-point lay-in to Max Christie.

James already has 10 points and eight assists a few minutes into the second quarter, but the Jazz lead 41-35.

Barnes hits the dagger🗡️

Scottie Barnes hits the three to give the Raptors a 116-110 lead.

Toronto defeated Miami 119-116 in the end, with Barnes coming just shy of a triple-double, notching 23 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists. Barrett led all scorers with 37 and also contributed seven boards and five assists. Herro shined for Miami in the loss, scoring 31 points on 9-16 FG, including 6-12 from deep. Bam Adebayo pulled down 20 rebounds.

💥Mobley slams the door shut with authority💥

Mobley drops the hammer that gives the Cavaliers a four-point lead with 34 seconds left that ultimately sealed the victory.

Cleveland ultimately pulled off the 115-111 lead after a battle of free throws took over the final seconds of the game. The Cavaliers’ victory will put an end to the Celtics’ seven-game win streak and could be viewed as a bit of payback for spoiling their perfect start to the season. Mitchell was clutch down the stretch scoring 20 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter and was a perfect 6-6 shooting in the final frame, while Darius Garland scored 22 of his own and dished out eight dimes. Boston was without Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, and both Tatum (33 points) and Payton Pritchard (24 points) stepped up in their absences, although the team came up just short in the end.

🚦Traffic navigator🚦

Gilgeous-Alexander gets to the lane smoothly around defenders and puts it up and in with the right hand.

It’s the Rockets though with a 62-60 lead at halftime. Gilgeous-Alexander has poured in 15 to lead the Thunder, while Fred VanVleet’s 15 paces Houston.

Bringing them back

Donovan Mitchell nails the clutch three to bring the Cavaliers with two in the final minutes.

Cleveland trailed by 12 entering the final frame, but Mitchell and the rest of the Cavs stormed back and tied the game at 101 with less than two minutes remaining.

Dončić returns

Luka Dončić will suit up tonight after a five-game absence due to a sprained wrist.

👀 Barrett is still on a heater👀

Barrett has not slowed down and goes into spin cycle mode before the easy lay-in.

Barrett is now up to 31 points on 12-16 FG, as the Raptors hold a 98-87 lead late in the third quarter.

 

🔥Tatum going off🔥

Tatum highlights galore as the 26-year-old had a strong third quarter and aided in building an 84-76 lead for the Celtics early in the final frame.

Tatum is now up to 29 points to go with eight boards and four assists.

🏀Ball movement🏀

The Thunder go around the horn until Shai Gilgeous-Alexander knocks down the open three.

The Rockets currently hold the lead though, 37-34 early in the second quarter. Dillon Brooks leads all scorers with 10.

Tough two-handed slam🙌

Missi powers his way around Towns and gets up for the strong slam.

Despite the nice dunk, It’s been a rough night for New Orleans, who trail the Knicks 81-51 late in the third quarter.

Fadeaway and-1️⃣

Barrett remains on fire with 21 points on 8-11 shooting to guide the Raptors to a 65-60 halftime lead.

Tyler Herro isn’t far behind with 18 points (6-9 FG, 4-7 3PT) for the Heat. Bam Adebayo has 11 rebounds and six assists.

Crafty in the lane🧶

Jayson Tatum dances from the arc to the paint and finishes with the left hand.

We have a tight one in Cleveland, as the Cavaliers hold a 51-49 lead at the half. Darius Garland’s 15 points off 3-4 long-range shooting leads all scorers. Tatum and Porziņģis each have 12 for the Celtics. 

🪣Baseline bucket🪣

Miles McBride rides the baseline and goes under the basket before tossing it up with the left hand for the basket.

The Knicks are still all over the Pelicans, holding a 57-28 lead at halftime. Karl-Anthony Towns has 17 rebounds already, while Mikal Bridges is still New York’s leading scorer with 16.

🪟 Using the window🪟

Caris LeVert goes high off the glass to avoid Porziņģis and bank in two of his five points.

The Cavaliers hold a 38-32 lead over the Celtics near the halfway point of the second quarter.

Barrett is cooking🍳

RJ Barrett has 13 first-quarter points on 5-6 shooting, aiding in a 34-24 Raptors lead after a quarter of play.

⛔Not allowed in here⛔

OG Anunoby rises for an emphatic block on Daniel Theis that turns into a three for Mikal Bridges.

It’s all Knicks after one, as the Pelicans trail 33-10 after the first quarter. Bridges is on fire with 13 early points on 5-7 shooting.

Orlando works their Magic🪄✨

The Magic won their sixth straight game in a 100-92 victory over the Nets.

Franz Wagner fell a few digits short of a triple-double with 20 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists to lead Orlando. Goga Bitadze stuffed the stat sheet as well, with 12 points, 13 rebounds, three steals, and two blocks.

🐻Grizzlies get the W🐻

Memphis tallies their sixth straight win with a 136-121 win over the Pacers.

The Grizzlies offense has been cooking during their win streak and posted another massive total Sunday. Jaren Jackson Jr. scored a game-high 25 points and secured eight rebounds, three blocks, and two steals. Ja Morant (19), Desmond Bane (16), Jaylen Wells (13), Santi Aldama (15), Jake LaRavia (11) and Marcus Smart (16) all scored in double figures.

Tight one in Brooklyn🤏

Dennis Schröder is heating up in the fourth and currently sits on 18 points in an 83-83 tie with Orlando about halfway through the final quarter. 

Pinpoint pass📍

Marcus Smart bounces a laser to Jake LaRavia who dunks it home.

The Grizzlies have a 120-110 lead halfway through the fourth in a balanced team effort, as seven players have scored in double figures.

🍿📖Top3️⃣storylines📖🍿 

  1. The Celtics were the first team to put one in the loss column of the previously 15-0 Cavaliers, and tonight they’ll square again with the top spot in the East on the line. Cleveland comes into the contest losers of two straight, while Boston is red-hot having won seven in a row. However, the Celtics will be without Jaylen Brown (illness) and Derrick White (foot). 
  2. The top two teams in the West also collide, with the 15-4 Thunder hosted by the 14-6 Rockets. Houston has won eight of their last 10 games, while Oklahoma City has won four straight games, and both teams boast two of the top defenses in the NBA. 
  3. The early games will see two of the other hottest teams in the NBA in action, the Grizzlies and Magic. Both teams have won five straight contests and currently sit as the No. 3 seed in their respective conferences. Memphis will be working to keep their streak going when they host the Pacers and the Magic will be tasked with taking down the Nets in Brooklyn. 

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