Thunder beat short-handed 76ers

By Canadian Press on January 14, 2025.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 points and Jalen Williams had 24 to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 118-102 win over a Philadelphia 76ers team missing three All-Stars on Tuesday night.

Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George sat out with injuries as the Sixers continued their slide down the Eastern Conference standings.

The Thunder built a 21-point lead and have won 18 of 19 games headed into Thursday’s rematch against Cleveland in a matchup of teams with the best records in each conference.

With the stars out, Justin Edwards led the 76ers with 25 points, and Jeff Dowtin Jr. had 18.

HAWKS 122, SUNS 117

ATLANTA (AP) — Trae Young scored a season-high 43 points and Atlanta overcame Devin Booker’s 35 points to beat Phoenix.

Kevin Durant scored 14 of his 31 points in the third quarter for Phoenix (19-20), which lost for the 11th straight time in Atlanta. Durant added nine rebounds.

The Suns are still looking for their first win in Atlanta since March 24, 2014.

The Hawks (20-19) were without forwards De’Andre Hunter (left foot soreness), Larry Nance Jr. (right hand) and Jalen Johnson (right shoulder inflammation), who missed his fourth consecutive game.

The injuries left Atlanta rookie Zaccharie Risacher with the challenge of guarding Durant. Hawks coach Quin Snyder described the matchup before the game as an “unique experience.”

Young, whose status was listed as questionable with an illness, made six 3-pointers and 11 of 14 free throws to carry the Hawks.

CAVALIERS 127, PACERS 117

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Donovan Mitchell scored 35 points and Cleveland Cavaliers beat Indiana.

Darius Garland scored 24 points and Evan Mobley added 22 points and 13 rebounds for the Cavaliers.

Pascal Siakam scored 23 points and Bennedict Mathurin 19 for the Pacers, who had their six-game winning streak halted. Myles Turned added 17 points.

The Cavaliers led 82-77 in the third quarter before going on a 10-0 run that included 3-pointers by Max Strus, Georges Niang and Mobley. Cleveland led 100-89 after three periods.

Indiana cut its deficit to 111-106, but could get no closer.

With Indiana trailing 120-111, Mathurin lost his cool and was ejected with a double technical with 3:58 left. Mitchell sank both technical free throws and Mobley hit one of two free throws.

The Pacers had ended the host Cavaliers’ 12-game winning streak with a 108-93 victory on Sunday night.

Indiana played without All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who was sidelined with left groin strain.

BUCKS 130, KINGS 115

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 30 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds for his 50th career triple-double as Milwaukee beat Sacramento to snap the Kings’ seven-game win streak.

Antetokounmpo’s triple-double was his fifth of the season. He had a sixth in the Bucks’ NBA Cup championship victory over Oklahoma City, but players’ statistics from that game aren’t official.

Damian Lillard had 24 points, Brook Lopez 21 and A.J. Green 16 for the Bucks, who never trailed and led by as many as 28.

DeMar DeRozan scored 28, De’Aaron Fox 20 and Keon Ellis 16 for Sacramento. Domantas Sabonis had 16 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.

Sacramento’s Malik Monk didn’t play due to a sore right groin. The Bucks didn’t have Khris Middleton (ankle injury management) or Gary Trent Jr. (hip flexor strain).

The Associated Press