The NBA delivered a thrilling night of basketball action on Tuesday, highlighted by Trae Young’s dramatic buzzer-beating three-pointer that secured a 124-121 victory for the Atlanta Hawks over the Utah Jazz. In a showdown of the last two NBA champions, the Boston Celtics defeated the Denver Nuggets, while the Minnesota Timberwolves spoiled Zion Williamson’s return with a win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Other highlights included the Dallas Mavericks snapping a five-game skid against the Los Angeles Lakers and the Charlotte Hornets ending their 10-game losing streak against the Phoenix Suns.
Trae Young’s Heroics Propel Hawks Over Jazz
Trae Young was the standout performer for the Hawks, sinking a spectacular shot from the half-court line as time expired to clinch the win over the Jazz in Salt Lake City. The Jazz had forced a tie at 121-121 with just four seconds remaining after Collin Sexton drained a clutch three-pointer, setting the stage for Young’s heroics.
Trae Young’s 49-foot game-winner reminded us…
Of the LONGEST game-winners going back to 2014.
They get progressively longer. Enjoy. pic.twitter.com/e5VWTe77WN
— NBA (@NBA) January 8, 2025
Young finished the game with 24 points and an impressive 20 assists, leading Atlanta to an improved 19-18 record. The victory came despite a stellar 35-point performance from Utah’s Lauri Markkanen. The Hawks’ win reinforced Young’s reputation as one of the league’s most electrifying players and marked the third buzzer-beater of his career.
Celtics Outclass Nuggets in Battle of Champions
In Denver, the Boston Celtics secured a commanding 118-106 victory over the Nuggets in a clash between the last two NBA title winners. Jayson Tatum led the reigning champions with 29 points, while Kristaps Porzingis added 25 in a balanced offensive display.
Porzingis set the tone early, scoring 15 points in the first quarter to help the Celtics establish a 37-25 lead. Denver battled back to tie the game 57-57 at halftime, but Boston’s decisive 15-0 scoring run in the fourth quarter sealed the win.
The Nuggets, playing without three-time MVP Nikola Jokic due to illness, were led by Russell Westbrook’s 26 points. Despite a spirited effort from six Denver players who scored in double figures, the Celtics’ depth and composure proved too much for the short-handed Nuggets.
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Timberwolves Spoil Zion’s Return
Anthony Edwards delivered a standout performance for the Minnesota Timberwolves, scoring 32 points and grabbing nine rebounds to lead his team to a 104-97 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. The game marked Zion Williamson’s return to the court after a two-month injury absence.
Williamson contributed 22 points, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals, but his efforts were overshadowed by Edwards’ brilliance and the struggles of his teammate CJ McCollum. McCollum managed just five points on a dismal one-for-14 shooting night, while Dejounte Murray led the Pelicans with 29 points.
Mavericks Snap Losing Streak Against Lakers
The Dallas Mavericks ended their five-game losing streak with a convincing 118-97 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Quentin Grimes emerged as the unlikely hero for the injury-depleted Mavs, scoring 23 points off the bench and grabbing nine rebounds. Grimes was lethal from beyond the arc, sinking six of Dallas’ 18 three-pointers.
Despite missing Luka Dončić (calf strain) and Kyrie Irving (lower back sprain), the Mavericks dominated the Lakers, out-rebounding them 44-33 and scoring 15 second-chance points. Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 21 points and 12 rebounds, while LeBron James added 18 points, 10 boards, and eight assists. However, the Lakers had no answer for Dallas’ balanced attack, which also featured key contributions from P.J. Washington (22 points) and Spencer Dinwiddie (19 points).
Hornets End Losing Streak, Beat Suns
The Charlotte Hornets snapped a 10-game losing streak with a 115-104 victory over the Phoenix Suns. LaMelo Ball was the driving force for Charlotte, recording a double-double with 32 points and 10 rebounds. Miles Bridges added 21 points as the Hornets outscored the Suns 37-17 in the second quarter to seize control of the game.
Despite a valiant effort from Devin Booker, who scored 39 points and dished out 10 assists, the Suns dropped their fifth game in six outings. Kevin Durant contributed 26 points for Phoenix, but the team’s defensive lapses and inability to capitalize on key moments allowed the Hornets to secure the win.
Key Performances of the Night
- Trae Young (Hawks): 24 points, 20 assists, and a game-winning buzzer-beater.
- Jayson Tatum (Celtics): 29 points, leading Boston past Denver.
- Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves): 32 points and nine rebounds in a win over New Orleans.
- Quentin Grimes (Mavericks): 23 points and nine rebounds, lifting Dallas over the Lakers.
- LaMelo Ball (Hornets): 32 points and 10 rebounds, ending Charlotte’s skid.
