NBA news and highlights: Rockets soar over Warriors, Nuggets dominate, Clippers impress

NBA.com Staff

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NBA news and highlights: Rockets soar over Warriors, Nuggets dominate, Clippers impress image

Thursday (AEDT) was a quieter day of NBA action, but the three-games produced plenty of big moments.  of action in the NBA with a busy 11-game schedule.

If you missed anything, we've got you covered with the top storylines, best fantasy performers, and can't-miss highlights.

Top Storylines

Rockets are a-ok

After starting the 2018/19 season 1-5, the Houston Rockets have found their groove and won six of their past eight games. Taking them all the way back to .500.

In a rematch of the Western Conference Finals, the Rockets showed why they're one of the most feared teams in the league as they blew the Warriors out of the water.

The game was put to rest in the fourth when Houston went on a 21-0 run and handed the Warriors their fourth loss of the season.




Both teams endured less than ideal weeks, but it was the Rockets who fired on the day.

The Warriors starting five made a piece of unwanted history as they failed to hit a three from nine attempts. It's the first time since 2013 a Warriors starting five hasn't hit a triple.

Nuggets run up the score

Denver put on a show for their home fans as they ran riot over the Atlanta Hawks.

Seven players for the Nuggets ended the game with double-digit scoring, led by Juan Hernangomez's 25.

 The Hawks had no answers for big man Nikola Jokic who displayed a quality all around game.


The win vaults the Nuggets to 10-5 on the season and helped snap a four-game losing streak.

For the Hawks they now sit at 3-12 and are just narrowly above the bottom placed Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Clippers aren't messing around

After clearing out Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan over recent years, the Los Angeles Clippers had been taken off a lot of peoples radars. This year they're showing they shouldn't be written off.

In a tense back and forth battle against the San Antonio Spurs, the Clippers managed to hold off a late push to record their third straight victory and move to 9-5 on the season.

That sits them level with the Oklahoma City Thunder in equal fourth place of the Western Conference standings.

With solid contributors all over the floor, it was finisher Lou Williams who came up with the biggest bucket of the game to secure the win for his squad.




They'll now head off on a three-game Eastern Conference road trip with games against the Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards.

Best Fantasy Performers

James Harden: 27 points (8-23 FG), 3 rebounds, 3 assists

Nikola Jokic: 12 points (5-11 FG), 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals

Juan Hernangomez: 25 points (9-12 FG), 9 rebounds

DeMar DeRozan: 32 points (12-29 FG), 6 rebounds, 5 assists

Lou Williams: 23 points (9-20 FG), 3 rebounds

Can't-Miss Highlights

Trademark step-back from Harden


Oh Jeremy, don't treat them like that


CP3 is a defensive wizard


Patty in the right place at the right time


DeMar with the fancy 360 finish


Lou Williams has ice in his veins


Box Scores

Warriors 86, Rockets 107 | Hawks 93, Nuggets 138 | Spurs 111, Clippers 116

NBA.com Staff

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