NBA news and highlights: Kemba Walker scores 43, the LA Clippers win five in a row and the Bucks edge Nuggets

NBA.com India Staff

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NBA news and highlights: Kemba Walker scores 43, the LA Clippers win five in a row and the Bucks edge Nuggets image

Monday was filled with NBA action with nine games and some of the league's top teams and players on display.

If you missed any of the action, we've got you covered with the top storylines, best fantasy performers and can't-miss plays of the day.

Top storylines

Cardiac Kemba does it again

After errupting for 60 points in an overtime loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday, Kemba Walker made sure the Charlotte Hornets got the win on Monday.

The Boston Celtics led 87-84 going into the fourth quarter and even had a double-digit lead with 10 minutes remaining before Kemba got going. He scored 21 of his 43 points in the fourth quarter shooting 7-for-10 from the field and 4-for-6 from three including a step-back dagger to seal the victory.


This was Walker's third 40-point game, tying him with Damian Lillard for the most in the NBA this season. He also joined a list of greats like Wilt Chamberlain, Pete Maravich, Michael Jordan, Tracy McGrady and Kobe Bryant, becoming the sixth player in NBA history to follow up a 60-point game with a 40-point game. Kemba has scored 103 points over his last two games for an average of 51.5 points per game in that span. He's been absurdly efficient too – shooting 59.3 percent from the field and 48.1 percent from three.

The Celtics' struggles continue, falling to 9-8 on the season after their second straight loss.

Clippers win five in a row

The Los Angeles Clippers have been a nice surprise early in the NBA season. They defeated the Atlanta Hawks 127-119 behind a monster fourth quarter comeback to win their fifth consecutive game and advance to 11-5.

Trailing by seven going into the final quarter, the Clippers posted 38 points to assure that they weren't leaving Atlanta without a win. The surge was led by Mike Scott, who buried four 3-pointers while Lou Williams orchastrated the offense with eight assists. It's been a team effort all season long for the Clippers and that did not change tonight – they had six players in double-figures with five of those six players scoring more than 15 points. Montrezl Harrell led all scores with 25 points and also added 11 rebounds and five steals to the box score.

The rookie battle between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Trae Young did not disappoint either. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 16 points while Young had a big night with 25 points and 17 assists.

The Clippers five game win streak puts them in a tie for first place in the West with the Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis Grizzlies. Yes, you read that correctly.

The Bucks win a close one

A little over a week ago, the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Denver Nuggets in a close game. Since then, the Nuggets have hit a bit of a slump, losing two of their next three games. Tonight was a similar story as the Bucks were able to close out another close game, defeating the Nuggets 104-98.

As you would assume, it was Giannis Antetokounmpo who got it done for Milwaukee with 29 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and two steals. His help came from Eric Bledsoe, who has been great this season. He scored 23 points on 8-of-10 shooting from the field and knocked down three 3-pointers in the victory but no three was bigger than this one:


Bledsoe buried this shot to give the Bucks a six point lead with under four minutes remaining and to finish off Denver, Giannis completed this ridiculous alley-oop to put the game away:


The Bucks are now 12-4 and trail the Toronto Raptors by a half game for first place in the East. The Nuggets fall to 10-7 after starting the season 9-1.

Top fantasy performers

Giannis Antetokounmpo - 29 points (13-25 FG), 12 rebounds, six assists, two steals

Devin Booker - 37 points (13-28 FG, 6 3PM), eight assists, three rebounds

Mike Conley Jr. - 28 points (10-18 FG, 7 3PM), seven assists, five rebounds, two steals

Anthony Davis - 29 points (13-22 FG), nine rebounds, four assists, two steals, two blocks

Joel Embiid - 33 points (12-23 FG), 17 rebounds, three steals, one assist, one block

Montrezl Harrell - 25 points (5-10 FG, 15-18 FT), 11 rebounds, five steals, two blocks, one assist

Kyrie Irving - 27 points (12-25 FG), 11 assists, five rebounds, two assists

Jamal Murray - 17 points (7-14 FG), nine assists, eight rebounds, one block

Ben Simmons - 19 points (9-13 FG), 11 rebounds, nine assists, one steal

Kemba Walker - 43 points (14-25 FG, 7-13 3PT), five assists, four rebounds, one steal

Russell Westbrook - 27 points (11-24 FG), 11 rebounds, six assists, three steals

Trae Young - 25 points (8-22 FG), 17 assists, three rebounds

Can't-miss highlights

Scary Terry on the fast break


Giannis racking up frequent-flyer miles


Jab, two dribbles and rise up HB!


Rookie on rooke crime as JJJ peels Luka then finishes with a smooth spin move


Kemba doing a little bit of everything here


Go up and get it young fella!


There is absolutely nothing that can be done to stop this


Five hole followed by a huge slam from Willie Trill


De'Aaron as quick as a Fox leading to the dime


Box scores

Celtics at Hornets | Cavaliers at Pistons | Jazz at Pacers | Suns at 76ers

Clippers at Hawks | Mavericks at Grizzlies | Nuggets at Bucks | Spurs at Pelicans

Thunder at Kings

NBA.com India Staff