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Nightly Pulse: NBA news & highlights from Nov. 15

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

🏆 Night 2 of the Emirates NBA Cup:

Pistons 99, Raptors 95

Magic 98, 76ers 86

Heat 124, Pacers 111

Lakers 120, Spurs 115

Knicks 124, Nets 122

Cavaliers 144, Bulls 126

Hawks 129, Wizards 117

Thunder 99, Suns 83

Pelicans 101, Nuggets 94

Rockets 125, Clippers 104

Timberwolves 130, Kings 126

Warriors 123, Grizzlies 118

⭐⭐TOP PERFORMERS⭐⭐

  1. De’Aaron Fox: 60 points (22-35 FG), three rebounds, seven assists, three steals, one block
  2. Anthony Davis: 40 points (14-26 FG), 12 rebounds, two assists, one steal, two blocks
  3. Jalen Brunson: 37 points (12-20 FG), three rebounds, seven assists
  4. Franz Wagner: 31 points (10-23 FG), 11 rebounds, six assists, two steals, one block, zero turnovers

Top Storylines👉📝

  1. Cleveland is firing on all cylinders. The Cavaliers posted a 127.7 offensive rating in the halfcourt during a 144-126 win over Chicago, which ranks in the 99th percentile among all team performances thus far. Donovan Mitchell (37 points) looks fresh and dangerous. 
  2. LeBron James (15 points, 16 rebounds, 12 assists) and Anthony Davis (40 points, 12 rebounds) were historically dominant in a win over San Antonio. James set a career-long streak of four consecutive triple-doubles. Davis recording his 10th career contest as a Laker with 40+ points and 10+ rebounds. Davis is averaging 31.1 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks on 55.7 percent shooting across 11 appearances this season.
  3. Battles in the East and West: The Knicks and Nets provided a thriller as Jalen Brunson (37 points) reigned supreme at the Garden despite 43 points from Cam Thomas and clutch play from Dennis Schröder (14 points, eight assists). Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards and De’Aaron Fox exchanged blows in OT, where Edwards was victorious after Fox’s 60-point eruption erased Minnesota’s lead in regulation.

Anthony Edwards prevails over De’Aaron Fox’s 60-piece

Fox brought Sacramento back from a 20-point deficit and finished with a franchise-record 60 points, but Edwards’ tough-shot making and stellar two-way play in overtime was insurmountable as Minnesota ultimately secured a 130-126 victory.

Vicious dunks and side-step threes highlighted Edwards night, with the 23-year-old showcasing All-NBA multi-level scoring and closing prowess. He finished with 36 points (14-27 FG, 6-14 3PM, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, two assists and only two turnovers in 42 minutes of action. Six other Timberwolves posted double-digit scoring, headlined by Julius Randle’s 26 points (8-20 FG, 2-7 3PM, 8-8 FT).

Fox surpasses Jack Twyman’s previous 59-point effort to set Sacramento’s new franchise scoring record. Fox delivered 26 points in Q4 + OT. Domantas Sabonis had 23 points (10-15 FG) and Keegan Murray’s 14 points (6-15 FG) round out the list of Sacramento players with double-digit scoring.

BRUNSON, BRIDGES COME UP CLUTCH🗽🗽

The Knicks win a heroics-filled battle over Brooklyn, beating the Nets 124-122.

Dennis Schröder orchestrated Brooklyn’s offense with eight assists on the night, while also guiding an extended final possession ending with the point guard hitting a corner three to give Brooklyn a 122-121 lead.

Jalen Brunson promptly answered. Brunson’s jab-rip and rise three in front of the Brooklyn bench gave the Knicks a 124-122 lead that would never be relinquished. Schröder hesi-drove on Mikal Bridges for a chance to force overtime in the final seconds, but Bridges recovered for a game-sealing block. Brunson finished with a game-high 37 points, while Bridges had 22 points.

Although uninvolved in the final dramatic sequence, Cam Thomas exploded for a career-high 43 points (16-22 FG, 7-10 3PM, 4-6 FT) and single-handedly kept Brooklyn in the game to fuel a double-digit comeback in the second half. He now has back-to-back games of his career with 40 point games at Madison Square Garden.

RUN-&-GUN CAVS REMAIN PERFECT💯💯

Donovan Mitchell erupted for a game-high 37 points while three other Cavaliers exceeded 20 points to emerge victorious over by a final score of 144-126. Cleveland moves to 15-0 on the season, which is tied for the fourth-best start in NBA history.

Displaying excellent ball movement, chemistry and shot making, Cleveland connected on 48.8 percent of 43 3P attempts and assisted on 33 of 51 buckets. They only recording 13 turnovers.

Coby White racked up an efficient 29 points (8-15 FG, 6-11 3PM, 7-7 FT), matching his season-high with six made threes. Nikola Vučević finished with 25 points and eight rebounds.

🚨🚨FOX TAKEOVER TO FORCE OT🚨🚨

De’Aaron Fox will not be denied en route to the sixth-highest scoring performance in Kings’ history with 54 points entering overtime. Sacramento has overcome a 20-point Minnesota lead and Fox is chasing 60.

Warriors rolling🧘🧘

Golden State wins their third consecutive game to move to 9-2 on the year, with consistent play from Draymond Green and a remarkably deep rotation fueling success. Stephen Curry posted 13 points on a night when Buddy Hield had a team-high 18 points and 10 Warriors scored at least eight points!

Lindy Waters exited Friday’s contest with a hyperextended knee, but Golden State’s 12-man rotation continues thriving.

Jaren Jackson battled Draymond Green throughout Friday’s contest and finished with an impressive 32 points (11-20 FG, 0-4 3PM, 10-11 FT), six rebounds, one assist, one steal and two blocks. Desmond Bane chipped in 18 points, 7-13 FG, 1-4 3PM, 3-4 FT).

BAD DAY TO BE A RIM 

Anthony Edwards adds to his poster collection with a vicious slam in Sacramento. He’s looking extra shifty with his handle tonight and there’s no stopping him once he’s getting downhill already.

Pass of the Year??

Brandin Podziemski🤯🤯🤯 Insane coordination and power from the 21-year-old. The Warriors offense is looking rhythmic and potent.

Rockets’ young core dominates, Harden makes history 

Alperen Sengun recorded the third triple-double of his career with 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, while Fred VanVleet posted a versatile performance of his own with 18 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists. Jabari Smith led the Rockets with 28 points and 11 rebounds, showcasing the pedigree shot-making (5-8 3PM) that made him the third overall pick three years ago.

James Harden led the Clippers with 21 points, hitting three threes to tie Ray Allen for second all-time in made triples. His next opportunity to pass Allen in the record books comes Sunday versus Utah.

HAWKS DUB🦅🦅🦅

Fueled by 62 points in the paint and 13 rebounds from each of Clint Capela, Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu, Atlanta earned a 129-117 victory over the Wizards. Dyson Daniels led Atlanta in scoring with 25 points (10-14, 2-5 3PM, 3-3 FT). Trae Young posted 18 points (5-18 FG, 4-9 3PM, 4-4 FT) and nine assists.

Daniels is the first player since Michael Jordan to record at least 15 points and five steals in four consecutive contest. He has blossomed in a starting role after being acquired from New Orleans in the Dejounte Murray trade last offseason.

Reigning No.2 overall pick Alex Sarr stuffed the box score with a career-high 20 points, seven rebounds, two assists, four steals and three blocks. Kyle Kuzma (24 points, 11-18 FG) ascended to a high-usage role in his third game back after an extended absence due to a groin injury.

Balanced Detroit attack outdoes big game from Jakob Pöltl

Malik Beasley led the Pistons with 20 points (8-15 FG, 4-9 3PM), and he was joined by five other Pistons with double-digit scoring. Cade Cunningham delivered 15 points (6-21 FG, 2-9 3PM), six rebounds and 10 assists for his sixth double-double of the year.

Pöltl was a force inside, finishing with 25 points (12-21 FG, 1-4 FT), 19 rebounds, three assists, one steal and three blocks. He joins Chris Bosh as the only players in franchise history to post 25 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks in a game. Pöltl corralled a whopping 11 offense rebounds, although Detroit was still victorious in the rebounding battle by securing a 68-63 edge. 

Franz Wagner on fire🔥🔥🔥🔥

Wagner’s 28 points (9-18 FG, 4-8 3PM, 6-6 FT) leads all scorers as Orlando holds a 78-72 advantage over Philadelphia in the third quarter. Add in Moritz Wagner’s 12 points and that forms a strong night from the Wagner family. They represent Orlando’s only double-digit scorers thus far.

Jared McCain’s 24 points (8-13 FG, 4-9 3PM, 4-4 FT) anchors Philadelphia’s offense, marking his fourth consecutive game with at least 23 points. Joel Embiid’s ramp up continues as well, with the big man adding 17 points (5-12 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 7-7 FT).

AD erupting 

Davis has 26 points (9-15 FG, 8-8 FT), five rebounds and one block in 17 minutes of action as the Lakers lead San Antonio 68-60 at halftime.

Davis and Max Christie (11 points) represent the only Lakers with double-digit scoring, while Victor Wembanyama leads San Antonio with 16 points. Rookie Stephon Castle has 15 points as well.

Explosive Offense: Cleveland pacing Chicago

Cleveland leads Chicago 77-73 at the half, fueled by a franchise-record 49 points from the Cavaliers in the first quarter. Darius Garland and Nikola Vučević each have 18 points, while Donovan Mitchell (17 points) and Jarrett Allen (16 points) join Garland to fuel Cleveland’s high-octane performance. 

Including Vučevic, eight Bulls have scored at least four points. Chicago has rained in 13 of 25 3P attempts. Patrick Williams has a team-high six assists.

CP3 notches 12,000th assist👏👏

Chris Paul joins John Stockton and Jason Kidd as the only players in NBA history to reach 12,000 assists. His milestone dime comes at the benefit of Victor Wembanyama, as Paul catches the 7-foot-4 phenom rolling to the hoop.

Herro vs. Haliburton in Indiana, Miami with the lead

Tyler Herro leads Miami with 14 points (4-11 FG, 1-5 3PM, 5-5 FT) while Haywood Highsmith (5-5 FG, 1-1 3PM) is perfect from the field. Nikola Jović (11 points) rounds out Miami’s trio of double-digit scorers.

Tyrese Haliburton’s 16 points (6-12 FG, 4-8 3PM) represents his third-highest scoring half of the season. He has also tacked on four assists to lead Indiana in both categories.

CAM THOMAS ACTIVATED🗣🔥🔥🔥

Thomas has poured in a career-high five first-quarter threes en route to 19 total points (7-7 FG) as Brooklyn trails New York 37-32 at the end of the opening frame.

Jared McCain staying hot

McCain gets back-to-back buckets for Philadelphia, showing off a mean crossover on defensive ace Jalen Suggs, poised finishing, and an above-the-rim attack. The rookie is hooping.

James Harden looking to make history

Harden is three shots away from tying Ray Allen with 2,973 career 3PM. He brought his Louis with him as the Clippers head to Houston, creating a chance for Harden to climb the leaderboard in his former building.

Trae Young back in action

Young is styling in his return from a one-game absence due to an Achilles injury. He and Atlanta’s 11th ranked offense welcome Washington to town Friday.

Tyrese Haliburton sets the tone

Haliburton leads Indiana against Miami, sans Jimmy Butler (ankle), as both teams look to avenge losses to Orlando and Detroit, respectively in the opening night of the Emirates NBA cup. The 24-year-old is hungry.

Key Storylines🍿🍿

  1. Teams jockey for position in the second night of Emirates NBA Cup. Four teams, one winner from each group plus a Wild Card from each conference, will advance to bracket play with a chance to compete for the championship in Las Vegas.
  2. Cleveland looks to tie the 1957-58 Celtics and 2002-23 Mavericks in a tie for fourth place in the longest win streaks to start a season in NBA history. Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen will have to do so without Evan Mobley (illness).
  3. James Harden looks to pass Ray Allen and move into 2nd place on the all-time 3PM leaderboard. Friday’s opportunity to pass Allen comes against Harden’s former team in Houston.

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