NBA news and highlights: Nikola Jokic stars vs. OKC, Celtics win eighth-straight and Warriors rally late

NBA.com India Staff

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NBA news and highlights: Nikola Jokic stars vs. OKC, Celtics win eighth-straight and Warriors rally late image

Friday's slate included nine games with some of the league's best teams and talent on display.

If you missed any of the action, don't worry because we have you covered with all the top storylines, best fantasy performers and can't miss highlights from around the Association!

Top storylines

Jokic leads Nuggets past Thunder in a heated affair

Nikola Jokic put in a powerhouse performance in the Denver Nuggets' 109-98 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Jokic poured in 26 points, 15 rebounds, nine assists and three steals as the Nuggets move to 19-9 on the season, closing out the fiery affair at home.

With the Nuggets leading 107-98 late in the fourth, Russell Westbrook and Jamal Murray had to be separated after getting into a heated exchange, with both being assessed technical fouls.

 

Murray had the last laugh as Denver held their nerve down the stretch, with the Canadian's late layup sealing the win.

Torrey Craig posted a career-high 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting, playing some impressive defence against Westbrook, who was held to 13 points on 5-of-15 shooting

Paul George led they way for OKC with a game-high 32 points, while Steven Adams had 26 points and 14 rebounds.

Dubs finish strong, survive scare against Kings 

The Sacramento Kings looked like they were on their way to one of their most impressive wins of the season, leading the Golden State Warriors by 10 points with three minutes left ... and then the Warriors reminded everyone just how quickly they can pile on the points.

Golden State outscored Sacramento 17-2 in those final three minutes to snatch the 130-125 win, with Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson combining for 95 points.

Curry scored a game-high 35 points, while Kevin Durant added 33 and Klay Thompson 27, including the clutch triple down the stretch to put the Warriors in front.


Buddy Hield led the Kings in scoring with 27 points, while Willie Cauley-Stein posted a double-double of 22 points and 11 rebounds. De'Aaron Fox added 25 points and nine assists.

Celtics win eighth-straight game

In the blink of an eye, the Boston Celtics are back, after extending their winning streak to eight games, beating the Atlanta Hawks by a final score of 129-108.

Kyrie Irving led the way with 24 points, scoring 12 in the first quarter as Boston raced out to a 23-5 lead, finishing the quarter up 42-19. Atlanta hit back in the second to cut the lead to just four points, but the Celtics regrouped at halftime to wrestle back control, thanks to a 41-point third quarter.

Jayson Tatum took over in the third, scoring 15 of his 22 points in the period, attacking the rim at will. Marcus Morris added 20 points on the night, while Gordon Hayward finished with 19 points and five assists and Daniel Theis 18.


Embiid erupts as 76ers fall short

Joel Embiid was unstoppable against Indiana, dropping 40 points, 21 rebounds and three assists, but it wasn't enough as the Pacers walked away with the 113-101 win.

Embiid shot a sizzling 13-of-22 from the field, pulling down eight offensive rebounds, but without Jimmy Butler, who missed the game with a groin injury, the Sixers struggled to close the game after another strong start.


Both Embiid and Ben Simmons, who posted 18 points and nine rebounds, started strong as Philly took a 10-point lead into the half, but the Pacers found another gear, dominating the third quarter to turn the game on its head. They outscored the Sixers by 22 points over the third and fourth quarters as the turnovers piled up for Philly.

They now sit fifth in the Eastern Conference at 19-11 on the season, while the Pacers move into third place (19-10) after winning their sixth game in a row.


Thaddeus Young led the Pacers with 26 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, with five Pacers scoring in double figures on the night.

Mudiay takes over as Knicks erase 21-point deficit

Emmanuel Mudiay put on the superhero cape for New York, sending the game into overtime against the Charlotte Hornets and scoring a career-high 34 points to lead the Knicks to a 126-124 win.

New York trailed by as many as 21 points, with Mudiay dominating the second half, scoring 14 points in the fourth quarter, including the jumper to tie it up at 113-113.


He continued his heroics in the overtime period, knocking down jumper after jumper as the Hornets missed 8-of-12 shots down the stretch.

Best fantasy performers

Kyrie Irving — 24 points, five rebounds, five assists, four steals

Emmanuel Mudiay — 34 points, eight assists, three rebounds, two steals

Spencer Dinwiddie — 27 points, six assists, four rebounds 

Giannis Antetokounmpo — 44 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists, two blocks

Joel Embiid — 40 points, 21 rebounds, three assists, one block

Nikola Jokic —  26 points, 15 rebounds, nine assists, three steals

Stephen Curry — 35 points , seven rebounds, six assists, three steals

Kevin Durant  — 33 points, eight assists, eight rebounds

De'Aaron Fox — 25 points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals

Kawhi Leonard — 28 points, six rebounds, four assists, one steal

Can't-miss highlights

Kyrie stops on a dime and puts it high off the glass.


Ben Simmons with the slick find.


Robert Williams is not respecting his elders with this block.


Thomas Bryant on Jarrett Allen's head!


Marc Gasol with eyes in the back of his head.


This is so ridiculous that even though it's not in-game, it makes the cut here.


De'Aaron Fox has got all the moves.


Monk runs the floor and gets rewarded with the JAM!


Box scores

Hawks at Celtics | Knicks at Hornets

Wizards at Nets | Bucks at Cavaliers | Pacers at 76ers | Heat at Grizzlies

Thunder at Nuggets | Raptors at Trail Blazers | Warriors at Kings

NBA.com India Staff