The NBA delivered another night of thrilling action as the Denver Nuggets, missing Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, stunned the Golden State Warriors to snap their seven-game winning streak. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers dominated the San Antonio Spurs, and the Houston Rockets pulled off an astonishing second-half comeback to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers in overtime.
Nuggets Overcome Warriors Despite Missing Jokic
The Denver Nuggets proved they are more than just Nikola Jokic’s team, securing an impressive 114-105 victory over the Golden State Warriors. Aaron Gordon stepped up in a big way, scoring 38 points while adding six rebounds and three assists. Michael Porter Jr. provided additional firepower with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists.
Despite missing their two biggest stars, the Nuggets controlled the game for most of the night at San Francisco’s Chase Center. The Warriors struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 8-of-33 three-point attempts, which left them constantly chasing the game.
Aaron Gordon STEPPED UP for the Nuggets in the big victory!
38 PTS
6 REB
4 3PMThat’s his highest point total as a member of the @nuggets! pic.twitter.com/2AQKG0k0AV
— NBA (@NBA) March 18, 2025
Golden State attempted a fourth-quarter comeback, cutting a 15-point deficit down to just three, but Denver responded strongly in the closing minutes to seal the win. Jimmy Butler led the Warriors with 23 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Denver’s defensive pressure and offensive efficiency.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr did not hold back in his criticism of his team’s performance.
“We played poorly out of the gate and never found rhythm, and they played great,” Kerr said. “The right team won. We didn’t deserve that. We were awful.”
With the win, Denver improved to 44-25 and remained in third place in the Western Conference standings, while Golden State dropped to 39-29 and now sits sixth.
Lakers Cruise Past Spurs Without LeBron
The Los Angeles Lakers delivered a dominant performance against the San Antonio Spurs, securing a 125-109 win even without LeBron James.
Austin Reaves took charge, leading the Lakers with 30 points. Luka Doncic also had a strong showing, contributing 21 points, nine rebounds, and 14 assists.
Austin Reaves led the way for the Lakers in their 2nd win in 2 days!
30 PTS
7 REB
6 AST
2 STL
5 3PM pic.twitter.com/HJsMlfTb5e— NBA (@NBA) March 18, 2025
The Lakers never let up, building a commanding lead early and keeping the Spurs at bay throughout the game. The win keeps Los Angeles in fourth place in the West, just behind Denver, as they continue to push for a strong playoff position.
Houston Rockets Stage Incredible Comeback Against 76ers
One of the most thrilling games of the night came in Houston, where the Rockets overcame a 25-point third-quarter deficit to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers 144-137 in overtime.
The Sixers appeared to be in complete control after outscoring Houston 44-28 in the first quarter and taking a 78-57 lead at halftime. Their advantage stretched to 25 points early in the third, but that’s when the Rockets roared back.
Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks ignited the comeback, helping Houston outscore Philadelphia 45-24 in the third quarter. The Rockets then tied the game at 131-131 with just 3.9 seconds left, forcing overtime.
In the extra period, Houston took full control, securing their seventh consecutive victory and maintaining their position in second place in the West with a 44-25 record, 12.5 games behind leaders Oklahoma City.
Quentin Grimes led the Sixers with a spectacular 46-point performance, including eight three-pointers, but it wasn’t enough to stop the surging Rockets. Green and Jabari Smith Jr. both finished with 30 points for Houston.
Pacers Edge Timberwolves in Overtime Thriller
Minnesota played host to another overtime showdown, where the Indiana Pacers narrowly defeated the Timberwolves 132-130.
Obi Toppin was the star for Indiana, delivering a game-high 34 points along with 10 rebounds and two assists. Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 38 points, but his efforts fell just short as the Pacers found a way to close out the game in the extra period.
Knicks Blow Past Heat to Stay Third in the East
The New York Knicks solidified their position in the Eastern Conference standings with a convincing 116-95 victory over the Miami Heat.
Mikal Bridges led the charge with 28 points, while the Knicks blew the game wide open in the third quarter, outscoring Miami 41-15. By the time the fourth quarter began, New York had built a 27-point lead, effectively sealing the result.
With the win, the Knicks improved to 43-24, remaining in third place in the East. Miami, meanwhile, slipped to 29-39 and sits ninth in the standings.
Pistons Crush Pelicans in One-Sided Matchup
The Detroit Pistons continued their push for a higher playoff seed with a resounding 127-81 victory over the struggling New Orleans Pelicans.
Detroit improved to 38-31 and held onto sixth place in the East. Meanwhile, the Pelicans, now 18-51, find themselves just one spot above last-place Utah in the Western Conference.
Bulls Keep Jazz at the Bottom with Convincing Win
The Chicago Bulls added to Utah’s misery, handing the Jazz their 54th loss of the season with a 111-97 victory.
Utah continues to struggle, sitting at the bottom of the West, while the Bulls keep their hopes alive in the Eastern Conference with a much-needed win.
What’s Next in the NBA?
With the playoff race heating up, every game becomes crucial for teams fighting for positioning. The Nuggets have shown they can win without Jokic, the Lakers are finding ways to stay competitive despite injuries, and the Rockets are proving to be a dangerous team capable of massive comebacks.
As the season heads into the final stretch, all eyes will be on these teams to see if they can maintain their momentum and secure favorable playoff positions.
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