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

NBA.com India Staff

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

Sunday's NBA slate had nine 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

Undefeated no longer

The Detroit Pistons and New Orleans Pelicans went into Saturday's games with perfect records. They both lost their first games of the season.

In Detroit, the Boston Celtics were in control the entire game. They led by 22 at the half, holding the Pistons to just 41 points before defeating them 109-89. The Celtics had a balanced scoring attack with five players in double-figures led by Jaylen Brown's 19 points. Gordon Hayward added 15 points and Marcus Morris, Terry Rozier and Daniel Theis combined for 49 points off the bench.They doubled the Pistons' seven threes and shot a solid 41.2 percent from deep in the win. Boston became the only team in the NBA to limit their opponent to less than 90 points two times so far this season.

In New Orleans, the back-to-back games caught up to the Pelicans as they were without star foward Anthony Davis in this loss. They held a lead after the first quarter but were outscored 38-16 in the second to trail by 15 at the half. The Jazz won 132-111 behind 20-point games from Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert and Ricky Rubio. Rubio posted 28 points and 12 assists, Gobert had 25 points and 14 rebounds and Mitchell had 22 on an efficient 7-for-10 from the field.

LeBron passes Shaq, Dirk and Kobe

Early in the third quarter LeBron James spun baseline for a layup to pass Shaquille O'Neal for sixth all-time in made field goals. James is now at 11,339 field goals made, needing 380 more to pass Kobe Bryant and move into the top five.


Three minutes later, he buried a mid-range jumper to pass Dirk Nowitzki for sixth-leading scorer all-time. He is now at 31,202 points, needing 217 points to pass Wilt Chamberlin to crack the top five.


He also passed Kobe for fourth all-time for 30-point games in NBA history. He is three shy of passing Karl Malone for third. Despite LeBron's great night, the Lakers fell short against the Spurs for the second time this season, 110-106.

MORE: Milestones to keep an eye on this season

Top performers

DeMar DeRozan - 30 points (14-23 FG, 2-2 FT), 12 rebounds, eight assists, two steals, one block

LeBron James - 35 points (13-21 FG, 2-6 3PT, 7-8 FT), 11 rebounds, four assists, two steals

Damian Lillard - 42 points (15-28 FG, 5-11 3PT, 7-7 FT), seven rebounds, six assists

Ricky Rubio - 28 points (8-14 FG, 3-7 3PT, 9-9 FT), 12 assists, six rebounds, one steal

Kemba Walker - 37 points (12-14 FT), six rebounds, six assists, two blocks, one steal

Can't-miss highlights

Can we start giving LeBron assists for these?


Robert Williams checks into the game for the Celtics and... boom! This was Williams' first career NBA bucket.


Kemba Walker making Cody Zeller's life real easy on this one.


Look out below!


Markelle Fultz going coast-to-coast and getting UP!


"Now you see me, now you don't" - Eric Bledsoe to Nikola Vucevic, probably.


Box scores

Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons | Utah Jazz at New Orleans Pelicans

Chicago Bulls at Atlanta Hawks | Indiana Pacers at Cleveland Cavaliers | Charlotte Horents at Philadelphia 76ers

Portland Trail Blazers at Miami Heat | Phoenix Suns at Memphis Grizzlies

Orlando Magic at Milwaukee Bucks | Los Angeles Lakers at San Antonio Spurs

NBA.com India Staff