Nightly Pulse: NBA News & Highlights from Nov. 22

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 4 of the Emirates NBA Cup🏆🏆

Final scores from Friday:

⭐⭐TOP PERFORMERS⭐⭐

  1. Nikola Jokić: 33 points (13-22 FG), 17 rebounds, 10 assists
  2. Giannis Antetokounmpo: 37 points (14-21 FG), 10 rebounds, 11 assists, two steals, one block
  3. Cameron Johnson: 37 points (14-21 FG, 9-13 3PM), one rebound, two assists, one steal
  4. Jalen Johnson: 25 points (10-19 FG), 13 rebounds, five assists, two blocks

Top Storylines👉📝

  1. Golden State advances to the Emirates NBA Cup knockout rounds. The 12-3 Warriors have the 5th-best net rating in the league and have their eyes set on Vegas.
  2. Dallas beats Denver without Luka Dončić (wrist). Nikola Jokić’s triple-double and heroics from Russell Westbrook weren’t enough to dig Denver out of a 24-point hole as Naji Marshall posts the best game of his young Mavericks career.
  3. Giannis Antetokounmpo continues orchestrating a turnaround in Milwaukee. The Bucks have won five of their last six games.

Warriors punch ticket🎟️🎟️

With their victory over New Orleans, Golden State wins West Group C and becomes the first team to advance to the Emirates NBA Cup knockout rounds. The Pelicans are officially eliminated from contention.

Seven more teams will eventually round out the bracket. Although Golden State and Dallas are both in West Group C, Dallas remains in position to earn the Western Conference wild card spot due to their plus-38 point differential through NBA cup contests thus far.

Mavericks win, supporting cast headlines

Seven Mavericks delivered double-digit scoring, including a season-high 26 points from Naji Marshall and a 22-point, 13-rebound double-double from P.J. Washington, as the Mavericks hung on in a wild affair to earn a 123-120 victory in Denver.

Nikola Jokić finished with 33 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists in his first game since Nov. 10th. Russell Westbrook finished with 16 clutch points, including 4-6 3PM, the majority of which came in the second half. Denver rallied from a 20-point halftime deficit to exchange the lead down the stretch in what was a one-possession game throughout the final minutes.

Jamal Murray finished with 14 points (4-16 FG) and 11 assists in 39 minutes.

Clean basketball fuels Clippers win✅

The Clippers’ 6th-ranked defense stifled the Kings, earning a 104-88 victory for Los Angeles. The Clippers committed just 12 turnovers and converted all 16 free-throw attempts as a team. James Harden posted 22 points and nine assists to lead the Clippers in both categories.

De’Aaron Fox delivered 29 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for Sacramento, while Domantas Sabonis dropped 24 points and 15 rebounds in his return from a multi-game absence due to a back injury. A slow start haunted Sacramento, as the Kings’ posted just 12 points in the first quarter and a league-wide season-low 29 points in the first half.

🚨DENVER AMID 24-POINT COMEBACK🚨

Nikola Jokić’s 30 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists leads Denver across the board as the Nuggets have stormed back to take a 108-106 lead over Dallas with 5:30 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Tough buckets in defensive affair☕☕

Amir Coffey (11 points) and Derrick Jones (13 points) convert acrobatic layups as part of the Clippers 76-64 lead over Sacramento heading into the fourth quarter.

Denver rallying to start Q3

After trailing by 20 points at halftime, the Nuggets have opened the third quarter on a 25-10 run, largely fueled by Michael Porter, who is up to 13 points and four assists. Nikola Jokić has racked up 21 points (9-15 FG), 10 rebounds and six assists to keep Denver afloat.

Dallas, playing without Luka Dončić (wrist), is getting strong efficient production from the frontcourt, as P.J.Washington, Derrick Lively, and Daniel Gafford combining for 25 points and 16 rebounds while shooting 11 for 17 from the field. Kyrie Irving has 17 points and five assists to lead the team in both categories.

🔴 Running with the Bulls 🔴

Chicago’s offense boomed in a 136-122 win over Atlanta, with each starter posting at least 18 points in a remarkably balanced attack. Zach LaVine’s 26 points (11-18 FG, 4-8 3PM) led the way, while Nikola Vučević stuffed the stat sheet with 18 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, one steal and four blocks.

Jalen Johnson and Trae Young both recorded 25-point double-doubles to co-lead Atlanta, as Johnson tacked on 13 rebounds and Young tacked on 13 assists. Johnson’s evolution continues, as the 22-year-old is averaging 20.2 points, 11.2 rebounds and 6.0 assists across his last five games.

Dyson Daniels (eight points, 3-14 FG) continued his defensive tirade with four steals. He has now compiled at least four steals + blocks in nine of 15 appearances this season.

Antetokounmpo’s excellence continues, Bucks win 129-117

Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 37 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists, while Damian Lillard posted a 24-point, 12-assist double-double to lead Milwaukee to their fifth win in the last six games. Friday marks Antetokounmpo’s second triple-double of the season.

Six Bucks posted double-digit scoring, with Gary Trent’s 18 points (6-10 3PM) representing the next highest total beyond Milwaukee’s star duo. The Bucks buried 47.2% of 36 3PA and never trailed in the contest.

Pascal Siakam scored 25 points for the Pacers. Bennedict Mathurin added 20 points and a team-high nine rebounds.

Golden State survives chaos, emerges victorious

In final minutes filled with clutch threes, missed free throws, and stolen inbounds, Golden State’s rebounding ultimately secured a 112-108 win. The Warriors can clinch West Group C if Denver loses to Dallas.

Andrew Wiggins built on a 13-point first quarter to finish with an uber-efficient 30 points (9-14 FG, 3-5 3PM, 9-9 FT). Stephen Curry supplied 19 points and a team-high seven assists.

Trey Murphy’s shot attempt to give New Orleans a one-point lead in the final seconds rimmed out, adding a sour note to an otherwise excellent performance for the 24-year-old, who finish with 24 points (9-17 FG, 5-9 3PM, 1-2 FT), four rebounds and four assists.

Rockets cruise, win 116-88

Houston’s 4th-ranked defense flexed its muscle, generating 28 points off turnovers and corralling 66 rebounds. Tari Eason logged an astounding plus-33 net rating while providing 22 points and eight rebounds in 22 minutes.

The Rockets’ plus-49 point differential and 2-0 record in West Group A creates a strong position to advance to the knockout round of the Emirates NBA Cup.

Dillon Brooks finished with a team-high 28 points (10-15 FG, 6-8 3PM, 2-4 FT) for Houston. Amen Thompson racked up 10 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks.

Shaedon Sharpe co-led Portland with 13 points on a night when the Trail Blazers connected on just 33.0 percent of 91 shots as a team.

Celtics’ stars hold off Washington

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined for 47 points, 20 rebounds and 13 assists, propelled by Brown’s  game-high 31 points, as Boston defeated Washington 108-96. The Celtics connected on just 23.9% of 46 3PA, but Sam Hauser (13 points, 3-5 3PM) did his part off the bench.

Jordan Poole posted a team-high 23 points (9-19 FG, 3-7 3PM, 2-3 FT) for Washington, while Malcolm Brogdon supplied an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double.

Philadelphia pulls away late for 113-98 win

Jared McCain (30 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals) posted his second 30-point game of season as his Rookie of the Year candidacy continues skyrocketing. His production stabilized Philadelphia’s offense while Tyrese Maxey (hamstring) operated on a minutes restriction. Maxey was sharp in his limited run, however, finishing with 26 points (11-17 FG), four rebounds, five assists and four steals.

Cameron Johnson sank a career-high nine threes en route to 37 points. Cam Thomas (18 points) and Nic Claxton (12 points) represented the only other Nets with double-digit scoring.

Jalen Green liftoff🚀🚀🚀

Green earns a 91.3 Dunk Score with a 89 jump rating and a 97 power rating. The 22-year-old’s 2024-25 dunk mixtape is off-the-charts.

CAM JOHNSON TAKEOVER

Johnson is heatchecking threes and mixing in the occasionally drive to the rack as Brooklyn and Philadelphia are locked in a tight battle. Johnson buried 6-of-12 3PA in Tuesday’s win over Charlotte and picked up right where he left off.

Joker returns: Nikola Jokić back in action

Jokić returns from a three-game absence due to paternity leave. Now a father of two, Jokić will look to pick up where he left off through 10 appearances thus far, averaging 29.7 points, 13.7 rebounds and 11.7 assists.

Matas Buzelis flashing📈📈

Buzelis punishes the closeout and dunks over the help on a nice attack to the basket. The rookie’s 6-foot-10 frame creates a dynamic two-way future as he begins polishing his offensive game.

Quenton Jackson introducing himself to the league

Jackson showcases a beautiful euro-step and reverse finish around Brook Lopez. The young guard started his career in Washington and has made multiple G League stops, but he’s stepping up in Indiana with Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith amid extended absences.

Don’t see this everyday🤯🤯

Luke Kornet finishes Jrue Holiday’s lob with a no-look dunk! A 7-foot-6 wingspan plus some muscle memory took over for the 29-year-old big man.

More McCain🎯🎯

McCain has now knocked down at least three 3PA in eight consecutive contests, taking the franchise record from JJ Redick. McCain is raining in 41.0% of 5.6 threes per game this season.

Win or go home👀👀

Golden State enters Friday with an opportunity to clinch Group C in the Western Conference, while Memphis, New Orleans, Washington and Philadelphia are at risk of being eliminated from a chance at qualifying for bracket play.

Zach LaVine reppin’ Chicago

LaVine arrives with fresh kicks in hand as Chicago welcomes Atlanta. The 29-year-old has compiled 52 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists while raining in 11 of 21 3PA across his last two games.

Frames from Portland📸📸

A lot of good vibes coming from the Trail Blazers. Portland enters Friday’s contest with a 3-1 record in their last four games, including a victory over Minnesota in their first Emirates NBA cup contest last Tuesday.

Key Storylines for the Night 🍿🍿

  1. Indiana heads to Milwaukee in a rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference playoff matchup. The Bucks seek vengeance after Indiana won the playoff series 4-2 and nearly swept the regular-season series with a 4-1 record in 2023-24.
  2. Sacramento welcomes DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis back from multi-game absences to face Ivica Zubac and the Clippers in a formidable battle of the bigs.
  3. Two of the top five offensive rebounding teams in the league square off in Houston as Portland comes to visit. Alperen Şengün has been on a tear across his last seven games, averaging 21.7 points, 11.1 rebounds and 5.6 assists while shooting 53.5 percent from the field.

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