Around the League: Saturday's top highlights, performers and storylines

Kyle Irving

•
Around the League: Saturday's top highlights, performers and storylines image

Saturday's NBA action had seven games on tap with several of the league's top teams and players on display.

If you missed any of the action, we have you covered with all the best storylines, top performers and can't-miss highlights!

Top storylines

Bucks, Pelicans and Raptors all stay undefeated

The Toronto Raptors reached a franchise-record 6-0 to start the season behind the play of Kyle Lowry and Kawhi Leonard in their 116-107 win over the Dallas Mavericks.

Leonard had 21 points, nine rebounds and five assists while Lowry notched his fourth straight double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Luka Doncic did his part for the Mavs, scoring 22 points on 50.0 percent shooting to go with five rebounds and four assists.

The Milwaukee Bucks had what was expected to be a tough road game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite Giannis Antetokounmpo scoring a season-low 15 points, the Bucks destroyed the Timberwolves all game long. They had a 36-point second quarter that gave them a commanding 25-point lead at halftime and Minnesota never fought back. Milwaukee had five players in double-figures and Jimmy Butler had a tough day for the T'Wolves, scoring four points on 2-for-11 shooting.

The Brooklyn Nets had their road win against the New Orleans Pelicans all but wrapped up before things went wrong. The Nets led 115-108 with two minutes remaining but the Pelicans would not give up. Jrue Holiday had six of New Orleans' last eight points including what would become a game-winning mid-range jumper after a bad turnover from Brooklyn.

Holiday finished with 26 points and Anthony Davis stuffed the stat sheet with 18 points, 14 rebounds, five blocks, four steals and three assists.

Durant drops 41 at Madison Square Garden

The game began with Knicks fans giving Kevin Durant an extremely warm welcome during introductions in hopes to recruit him to New York this offseason. It's safe to say Durant looked right at home at MSG, torching the Knicks for 41 points on an insanely efficient 17-for-24 from the field.

The Knicks went into the fourth quarter holding onto a three point lead but Durant refused to let the Warriors lose. He scored a career-best for points in a quarter with 25 in the fourth and the Warriors poured in 47 points as a whole in the final frame to earn a 128-100 victory on the road.

Top performers

Kemba Walker - 30 points (11-18 FG, 5-10 3PT, 3-3 FT), seven assists, six rebounds

Kevin Durant - 41 points (17-24 FG, 5-9 3PT, 2-2 FT), nine rebounds, five assists

Montrezl Harrell - 30 points (8-13 FG, 14-15 FT), six rebounds, two steals, two blocks, one assist

Stephen Curry - 29 points (10-18 FG, 6-11 3PT, 3-3 FT), four rebounds, two assists, one steal

Carmelo Anthony - 24 points (8-18 FG, 6-10 3PT, 2-3 FT), two rebounds, two blocks, one steal

Can't-miss highlights

KD got a ton of buckets against the Knicks but this fast break dunk stands out:


Kemba Walker's stepback is a thing of beauty.


Anthony Davis with the early nomination for Dunk of the Year here:


There is nothing that can stop Giannis from getting to the rim here. Sorry, Taj Gibson.


The Smoothie King Center was rocking after this Jrue Holiday game-winner:


Other NBA nightly antics

The Knicks picked an interesting game to have Ashanti perform the National Anthem and halftime show...


DeMarcus Cousins recorded his first stat as a member of the Warriors.


The Kings' Twitter account poked fun at the Wizards after their close 116-112 win.


Box scores

Chicago Bulls at Charlotte Hornets

Dallas Mavericks at Toronto Raptors | Golden State Warriors at New York Knicks

Los Angeles Clippers at Houston Rockets | Milwaukee Bucks at Minnesota Timberwolves | Brooklyn Nets at New Orleans Pelicans

Washington Wizards at Sacramento Kings

Kyle Irving

Kyle Irving Photo

You read that wrong – not Kyrie Irving. From Boston, graduated from the University of New Hampshire. Sixth season as a content producer for NBA.com's Global editions. Covering the NBA Draft has become his annual "dream come true" moment on the job. Irving has a soft spot for pass-first point guards, with Rajon Rondo and Steve Nash being two of his favorite players of all time.