NBA Cup roundup: Warriors advance to next round, Giannis dominates
The second annual in-season tournament resumed Friday with eight games in group play. For an explanation on how the tourney works, tap here.
To see what happened during Tuesday's action, tap here.
Friday's results
- Nets 98-113 76ers
- Celtics 108-96 Wizards
- Pacers 117-129 Bucks
- Hawks 122-136 Bulls
- Blazers 88-116 Rockets
- Warriors 112-108 Pelicans
- Mavericks 123-120 Nuggets
- Kings 88-104 Clippers
Check out our NBA scores page for box score recaps for each game, and the NBA Cup tab on our NBA standings page for group standings.
Top performers
Jared McCain (Sixers): The Philadelphia 76ers rookie continues to step up in the absence of Joel Embiid and Paul George. McCain poured in a team-high 30 points against the Brooklyn Nets on 11-of-20 shooting. The Duke product was just four points shy of matching a career high and topped 20 points for a seventh straight game. Only one rookie in NBA history has averaged more points as a starter than McCain's 26 per game: Michael Jordan.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks): The Greek Freak recorded his 47th career triple-double in a dominant performance against the Indiana Pacers. The 29-year-old recorded 37 points, 10 assists, 11 rebounds, and two steals while shooting 66.6% from the field. Antetokounmpo is now tied with Larry Bird and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with seven 35-point triple-doubles.
Nikola Jokic (Nuggets): The three-time MVP returned with another staggering performance after missing the Denver Nuggets' previous three games due to the birth of his second child. In the Nuggets' loss to the Dallas Mavericks, Jokic recorded his seventh triple-double of the season, tallying 33 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Highlight of the night
Giannis Antetokounmpo is a MONSTER π± pic.twitter.com/EUoaGHRT5M
β NBA TV (@NBATV) November 23, 2024
While Reed Sheppard had an outstanding behind-the-back pass to assist Tari Eason's transition dunk, the Greek Freak takes the cake for his hustle on both ends - denying Bennedict Mathurin's layup before running the lane and bringing home an alley-oop pass off the backboard from Gary Trent Jr.
Tweet of the night
You made learning fun thank you for taking a picture with me π https://t.co/CWgeEhmhNg pic.twitter.com/EYcvaXOl5J
β Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) November 23, 2024
Jaylen Brown the Science Guy? The Boston Celtics wing was able to meet Bill Nye, the legendary television show host, after his team beat Nye's hometown Washington Wizards. Brown tweeted in November that he wanted to meet Nye, calling it an "honor" to shake his hand after he influenced his educational journey - which led him to play basketball at Cal.
Stat of the night
The Houston Rockets have been one of the pleasant surprises of the young NBA season, improving to 12-5 with a dominant 28-point victory over the lowly Portland Trail Blazers. Dillon Brooks recorded 28 points and six rebounds and was plus-13, putting him just behind fellow Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the NBA's highest plus-minus this season.
What's next
The Golden State Warriors are the only team to secure a knockout-round spot via Friday's results courtesy of their win over the New Orleans Pelicans and the Nuggets' loss to the Mavericks.
The NBA Cup picks up again Tuesday with a five-game slate including a matchup between the red-hot Rockets and slumping Minnesota Timberwolves, while LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers visit the Phoenix Suns.
Tap the NBA Cup tab on our NBA standings page for the latest group standings.