The NBA delivered an electrifying Sunday night, headlined by Donovan Mitchell’s fourth-quarter heroics that propelled the Cleveland Cavaliers to a thrilling victory over the Boston Celtics. The action-packed evening also saw triple-doubles from rising star Victor Wembanyama and reigning MVP Nikola Jokic, as well as key performances in high-stakes games across the league. From narrow escapes to dominant displays, the night showcased the league’s intensity as teams fight for position.
Mitchell’s Heroics Lead Cavaliers to Revenge Over Celtics
Donovan Mitchell delivered a clutch 35-point performance, including 20 points in the fourth quarter, to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 115-111 win over the Boston Celtics. The Cavaliers avenged their earlier NBA Cup loss to the Celtics, snapping Boston’s seven-game win streak in the process.
Mitchell’s late-game brilliance erased a 14-point second-half deficit as Cleveland rallied at home. “We needed this win,” Mitchell said postgame. “We weren’t playing like ourselves in the last two games, and this was our chance to make a statement.”
The Cavaliers improved to 18-3, maintaining their top spot in the Eastern Conference standings. The Celtics, who played without starting guards Jaylen Brown (illness) and Derrick White (foot injury), fell to 16-4. Jayson Tatum led Boston with 33 points, including 17 in a dominant third quarter that gave the Celtics an 84-72 lead heading into the fourth.
Mitchell and Darius Garland combined for critical late-game free throws to seal the victory. Garland finished with 22 points, complementing Mitchell’s scoring and keeping Cleveland in control during crunch time.
Western Conference Showdown: Rockets Edge Thunder
In a battle of Western Conference leaders, the Houston Rockets edged the Oklahoma City Thunder 119-116 behind a season-high 38 points from Fred VanVleet. The Rockets improved to 15-6, while the Thunder fell to 15-5 despite a 32-point effort from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
VanVleet’s leadership and clutch shooting were pivotal in Houston’s narrow victory, further establishing the Rockets as contenders in the competitive West.
Wembanyama’s Triple-Double Fuels Spurs’ Win
Victor Wembanyama delivered one of the most memorable performances of his rookie season, recording a triple-double with 34 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 127-125 victory over the Sacramento Kings. The French phenom showcased his all-around game, carrying the Spurs in a tightly contested road win.
Wembanyama’s poise and versatility continue to dazzle the league, solidifying his status as one of the NBA’s brightest young stars.
WEMBY’S SUNDAY TRIPLE-DOUBLE:
34 PTS (64.7 FG%)
14 REB
11 AST (career high)
3 BLK
5 3PM@spurs get the huge road win in Sacramento! pic.twitter.com/cEjlImx2Pq— NBA (@NBA) December 2, 2024
Lakers Hold Off Jazz in Nail-Biter
The Los Angeles Lakers secured a hard-fought 105-104 win over the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City. Anthony Davis and LeBron James led the way for the Lakers, with Davis scoring 33 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, while James added 27 points and 14 assists.
Despite a late push from the Jazz, the Lakers held on for the victory, showcasing their ability to grind out wins in closely contested matchups.
Jokic’s Triple-Double Falls Short Against Clippers
Nikola Jokic continued his MVP-caliber campaign with a triple-double, tallying 28 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists for the Denver Nuggets. However, his efforts weren’t enough as the Los Angeles Clippers, led by James Harden’s 30 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds, claimed a 126-122 victory.
The Clippers’ balanced offensive attack proved too much for the Nuggets, overshadowing Jokic’s stellar individual performance.
Doncic Returns to Lead Mavericks Past Trail Blazers
Luka Doncic made a triumphant return after missing five games with a wrist injury, scoring a game-high 36 points along with 13 assists and seven rebounds to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 137-131 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Despite missing Kyrie Irving (shoulder) and Klay Thompson (foot), the Mavericks showcased their depth and resilience in a high-scoring affair.
Magic Extend Winning Streak
The Orlando Magic extended their winning streak to six games with a 100-92 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. Franz Wagner led the way for the Magic with 20 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, continuing his strong form as Orlando improved to 15-7. The Nets struggled to match Orlando’s consistency, falling short in a competitive contest.
Knicks Cruise Past Pelicans
The New York Knicks delivered a dominant performance, defeating the New Orleans Pelicans 118-85 at Madison Square Garden. Mikal Bridges led the Knicks with 31 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 14 points and 19 rebounds. The Knicks controlled the game from start to finish, solidifying their position in the Eastern Conference standings.
Other Notable Performances
- Toronto Raptors 119, Miami Heat 116: R.J. Barrett scored 37 points to lead the Raptors to a narrow win over the Heat in Toronto. Barrett’s scoring proved pivotal as Toronto edged Miami in a tightly contested game.
- Memphis Grizzlies 136, Indiana Pacers 121: Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 25 points, leading the Grizzlies to an emphatic home win over the Pacers.
NBA Results
| Matchup | Score |
|---|---|
| Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics | 115-111 |
| New York Knicks vs. New Orleans Pelicans | 118-85 |
| Toronto Raptors vs. Miami Heat | 119-116 |
| Houston Rockets vs. OKC Thunder | 119-116 |
| Utah Jazz vs. Los Angeles Lakers | 104-105 |
| Portland Trail Blazers vs. Dallas Mavericks | 131-137 |
| Sacramento Kings vs. San Antonio Spurs | 125-127 |
| Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets | 126-122 |
The NBA continues to deliver excitement as teams jostle for position in a competitive season. From Donovan Mitchell’s fourth-quarter takeover to Victor Wembanyama’s historic triple-double, Sunday’s games provided memorable moments for fans across the league. As the season progresses, the intensity and stakes only promise to grow.
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