CELTICS LOSE IRVING, STILL BEAT HORNETS TO EXTEND STREAK
Irving leaves game after getting hit by an elbow from Aron Baynes Thunder snaps four-game losing streak with ninepoint win over Clippers Antetokounmpo posts 28 points, 12 rebounds against Spurs
Jayson Tatum and Shane Larkin each had 16 points and the Boston Celtics overcame an injury to Kyrie Irving to beat the Charlotte Hornets 90-87 on Friday night for their 11th straight victory.
Terry Rozier had 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists, playing an increased role after Irving left in the first quarter after taking an elbow to the face. Jaylen Brown added 10 points and 13 rebounds.
Celtics center Aron Baynes’ elbow inadvertently struck Irving when Baynes was landing after a rebound attempt. Irving was bleeding from the nose as he was escorted back to the locker room. Irving was ruled out for the rest of the game while he was monitored for possible concussion symptoms.
Kemba Walker led the Hornets with 20 points and 11 assists.
THUNDER 120, CLIPPERS 111
In Oklahoma, Paul George scored 42 points and Oklahoma City beat Los Angeles to snap a four-game losing streak.
It was George’s highest points total since joining the Thunder in an offseason trade. He made 13 of 22 shots and had nine rebounds and seven assists.
Russell Westbrook had 22 points and eight assists and Carmelo Anthony and Alex Abrines each scored 14 points in the Thunder’s highest-scoring game of the season.
Lou Williams scored 35 points for the Clippers, and Blake Griffin had 17 points on 5-for-19 shooting. Los Angeles has lost four straight.
BUCKS 94, SPURS 87
In San Antonio, Giannis Antetokounmpo had 28 points and 12 rebounds, and Milwaukee snapped a four-game skid with a victory over San Antonio in Eric Bledsoe’s debut with the Bucks.
Bledsoe started in his first game with Milwaukee three days after being acquired in a trade with Phoenix. Bledsoe made his first attempt, a runner from 13 feet, and he finished with 13 points and seven assists on 6-for15 shooting.
Antetokounmpo elevated to the rim for a series of layups and dunks in shooting 12 or 24. San Antonio’s LaMarcus Aldridge had 20 points on 8-for-14 shooting.
PISTONS 111, HAWKS 104
In Detroit, Andre Drummond had 16 points, 20 rebounds and a career-high seven assists, and Reggie Jackson made a pair of 3-pointers in the final minute to lift Detroit past Atlanta.
The Central Division-leading Pistons won for the seventh time in eight games. Detroit (9-3) is off to its best start since 2005-06, when the Pistons went 10-2 and ended up winning 64 games.
Dennis Schroder had 17 points and 11 assists for Atlanta. At 2-10, the Hawks have the worst record in the Eastern Conference.
MAGIC 128, SUNS 112
In Phoenix, Aaron Gordon scored 22 points and Nikola Vucevic added 19 to help Orlando beat Phoenix.
Terrence Ross and reserve Jonathon Simmons scored 17 points apiece and Evan Fournier had 14 for the Magic. They have won two straight to reach 8-4, their best start in five seasons. /