NBA: Visiting Hornets shock Thunder with blowout win

Brandon Miller scored 28 points to lift the Charlotte Hornets to a stunning 124-97 road victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The loss marked OKC's first regular-season home defeat against an Eastern Conference opponent since March 2024, and their first loss against an Eastern team since Jan. 8, 2025, against the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was also the first time this season that the Thunder were held to under 101 points.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led OKC with 21 points on 7-of-21 shooting, while Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren added 16 and 15 points, respectively. The Thunder shot 59.1% from the field in the first quarter but finished at just 37% for the game.

Charlotte’s surprising victory was its first over OKC since March 2023. Miller’s performance was complemented by Kon Knueppel’s 23 points and five 3-pointers, and Miles Bridges’ 17-point, 11-rebound double-double. Moussa Diabate also led the team with 12 rebounds, while the Hornets finished with a season-high 51.4% shooting from beyond the arc.

Pistons Dominate Knicks, 121-90

Cade Cunningham scored 29 points and recorded 13 assists as Detroit cruised past New York in a matchup of Eastern Conference contenders.

Javonte Green added 17 points, Jaden Ivey 16, and Daniss Jenkins 12, with Detroit’s bench contributing 58 points overall. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 25 points but struggled with six turnovers and no assists. Miles McBride added 17 points off the bench, while Mikal Bridges chipped in 10.

This was the first meeting between the two top Eastern teams since the Knicks eliminated the Pistons in the first round of last season’s playoffs. New York has now lost four straight games.

Rockets Edge Suns, 100-97

Kevin Durant hit a 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds left to give Houston a thrilling comeback win over Phoenix, completing the four-game season series sweep.

Durant scored 26 points, while Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson each added 17. Thompson also contributed seven rebounds and six assists. The Rockets overcame a poor 9-for-37 shooting performance from three-point range (24.3%).

Devin Booker led the Suns with 27 points, while Dillon Brooks and Royce O’Neale each scored 15. Phoenix briefly led 97-94 after a late 10-0 run, but Durant’s clutch shot sealed the win.

Celtics Extend Winning Streak, 115-101 Over Bulls

Anfernee Simons scored a game-high 27 points, including eight 3-pointers, as Boston extended its winning streak to four games against Chicago.

Payton Pritchard added 21 points, while Neemias Queta posted a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Despite shooting just 40% from the field, the Celtics matched their season high with 20 offensive rebounds. Jaylen Brown struggled, finishing with 14 points on 6-of-24 shooting.

Matas Buzelis led Chicago with 26 points, and Nikola Vucevic contributed 15 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists. The Bulls were missing point guard Josh Giddey (left hamstring strain) and center/forward Jalen Smith (concussion).

Raptors Sweep Hawks with 118-100 Win

Brandon Ingram scored 19 points to lead five Toronto starters in double figures, helping the Raptors complete a four-game season sweep of Atlanta.

Scottie Barnes added 18 points and 10 assists, while RJ Barrett and Collin Murray-Boyles each had 17 points. Immanuel Quickley contributed 16 points as the Raptors jumped out early and never trailed.

Onyeka Okongwu recorded 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Hawks, who have lost two of their last four games. Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 14, and Jalen Johnson added 13 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists.

Nuggets Edge Sixers 125-124 in Overtime

Bruce Brown scored the game-winning basket with 5.3 seconds remaining in overtime, helping a short-handed Denver team top Philadelphia.

The Nuggets were missing seven of their top eight scorers, including all five starters, but Jalen Pickett stepped up with a career-high 29 points. Brown also drew a critical goaltending call on Joel Embiid in the final moments.

Embiid led the Sixers with 32 points and 10 rebounds, while Tyrese Maxey added 28 points and VJ Edgecombe 17. Philadelphia’s three-game winning streak came to an end.

Clippers Hold Off Warriors, 103-102

Kawhi Leonard scored 24 points and grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds to lead Los Angeles past Golden State, overcoming the absence of James Harden.

Ivica Zubac posted a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, while Kobe Sanders added 20 points. Leonard helped the Clippers secure their seventh win in the last eight games.

Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 27 points, Jimmy Butler III scored 24, and Gary Payton II added 14. Butler had a chance to win in the final seconds but missed a fadeaway shot as time expired.

Trail Blazers Rout Jazz, 137-117

Deni Avdija recorded 33 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds to lead Portland past Utah.

Shaedon Sharpe added 29 points, seven assists, five rebounds, and five 3-pointers. Donovan Clingan grabbed 17 rebounds and scored 12 points, while Toumani Camara contributed 15 points. Reserves Sidy Cissoko and Caleb Love each added 14 points.

For Utah, Lauri Markkanen scored 22 points, and Jusuf Nurkic posted 21 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists. Keyonte George added 15 points, but the Jazz fell to their fourth straight loss and eighth in the last 10 games.

—Field Level Media/Reuters