NBA: Luka Doncic burns Mavs, Lakers sweep NBA Cup group

NBA Cup Recap: Doncic, Reaves, Gilgeous-Alexander Lead Key Wins

Lakers 129, Mavericks 119

Luka Doncic scored 35 points and recorded 11 assists against his former team as the Los Angeles Lakers finished perfect in NBA Cup group play with a 129-119 victory over the visiting Dallas Mavericks on Friday.

Austin Reaves led the Lakers with 38 points and eight rebounds, while Deandre Ayton added 17 points and eight rebounds. LeBron James contributed 13 points and seven assists in his fourth game of the season after returning from sciatica.

Doncic improved to 3-0 against Dallas since his surprising trade from the Mavericks in February. Los Angeles, which had already secured a quarterfinal spot in the NBA Cup, finished 4-0 in West Group B.

For Dallas, P.J. Washington tallied 22 points and nine rebounds, and Anthony Davis added 12 points in his first game on his former home court since being traded to Dallas. Davis was returning after missing 14 games with a calf injury.

Thunder 123, Suns 119

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 37 points to help Oklahoma City extend its winning streak to 11 games with a home victory over Phoenix in NBA Cup action. Both teams advanced to the knockout round.

The win sent the Thunder to the knockout stage after a 4-0 record in West Group A. Phoenix, who fell to 3-1 in NBA Cup play, earned a wild-card spot as the Western Conference’s top second-place team.

Oklahoma City also improved to 19-1, becoming the fifth team in NBA history to win at least 19 of its first 20 games. After a nine-game streak of 13-point or more victories, the Thunder now have back-to-back tight wins following an eight-point victory over Minnesota.

Spurs 139, Nuggets 136

Devin Vassell scored 18 of his season-high 35 points in the fourth quarter to lead San Antonio past Denver, securing West Group C and a spot in the NBA Cup quarterfinals.

Julian Champagnie added a season-high 25 points and 10 rebounds. The Spurs closed the game by making seven of eight free throws in the final minute.

Denver’s Jamal Murray scored 37 points, while Nikola Jokic recorded 21 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists. Cameron Johnson added a season-high 28 points. The Nuggets finished 2-2 in NBA Cup play.

Hawks 130, Cavaliers 123

Jalen Johnson notched his second triple-double of the season with 29 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists, leading Atlanta past Cleveland. Both teams were eliminated from the NBA Cup, finishing 2-2 in East Group A.

Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell poured in 42 points, marking his 21st career game with 40-plus points. Evan Mobley added 20 points and 14 rebounds, while Darius Garland contributed 15 points and 10 assists. Former Hawk De’Andre Hunter scored 16 in his return to Atlanta.

Knicks 118, Bucks 109

Jalen Brunson led New York with 37 points as the Knicks defeated Milwaukee to advance to the NBA Cup knockout stage.

Josh Hart added 19 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists, while Miles McBride scored 19. New York finished atop East Group C with a 3-1 record, earning their third straight win. Mikal Bridges contributed 14 points.

Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo returned from a four-game absence to lead the Bucks with 30 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists. Kyle Kuzma added 20 points, but Milwaukee dropped its seventh straight game.

76ers 115, Nets 103

Tyrese Maxey posted 22 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists as a short-handed Philadelphia squad never trailed en route to a win over Brooklyn.

The Sixers were missing Joel Embiid, VJ Edgecombe, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Trendon Watford. Jared McCain contributed 20 points off the bench, while Brooklyn rookie Egor Demin recorded career highs with 23 points and nine rebounds. Both teams finished 1-3 in East Group B.

Hornets 123, Bulls 116

Brandon Miller scored a season-high 27 points, and Miles Bridges added 22 to help Charlotte snap a seven-game losing streak with an NBA Cup victory over Chicago.

Collin Sexton contributed 21 points off the bench, LaMelo Ball added 16 points and eight assists, and Kon Knueppel scored 12 for the Hornets, who finished 1-3 in East Group C. Coby White and Josh Giddey each tallied 25 points for Chicago.

Magic 112, Pistons 109

Desmond Bane scored 37 points and grabbed eight rebounds as Orlando edged Detroit to advance to the NBA Cup knockout round.

The Magic finished 4-0 in East Group B. Franz Wagner added 21 points and seven rebounds. Cade Cunningham led Detroit with a triple-double of 39 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists but missed key free throws in the final seconds.

Pacers 119, Wizards 86

Pascal Siakam scored 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as Indiana dominated Washington. Both teams finished 1-3 in East Group A.

Bennedict Mathurin contributed 20 points and four assists for the Pacers. Alex Sarr led the Wizards with 24 points.

Jazz 128, Kings 119

Keyonte George led Utah with 31 points, while Lauri Markkanen added 28 to avoid a winless NBA Cup round. Utah finished 1-3 in West Group A.

Sacramento’s Zach LaVine scored 34 points, including three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. The Kings ended 0-4 in NBA Cup play.

Grizzlies 112, Clippers 107

Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 24 points, and Zach Edey grabbed 19 rebounds to lead Memphis to a comeback win over Los Angeles in the NBA Cup finale.

Vince Williams Jr. added 16 points, while Jaylen Wells and Santi Aldama each scored 13. The Grizzlies went 3-1 in West Group B but did not advance. Kawhi Leonard scored 39 points for the Clippers, with James Harden adding 23 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds. -Field Level Media/Reuters