HARDEN DOES IT ALL FOR NETS VS. WOLVES
James Harden had 38 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds, tying the Nets’ single-season record with his 12th triple-double in just 32 games, and Brooklyn held off the Minnesota Timberwolves 112-107 on Monday night in New York.
Kyrie Irving added 27 points in his return after missing the three-game road trip last week for family reasons. He started fast, but Harden did the biggest work late, with 13 points in the final period.
“He’s our leader and he’s meant a lot to us. Another triple-double and you can’t take it for granted, but you tend to, a little bit, because he’s able to pull these out of a hat almost every night,” Nets coach Steve Nash said.
Hall of Famer Jason Kidd had 12 tripledoubles for the Nets in both the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons.
The Nets won for the 18th time in 21 games, even as they continue a lengthy stretch without Kevin Durant because of a strained left hamstring. They don’t yet have LaMarcus Aldridge, who signed Sunday but needs to get back in shape after being inactive the last month.
“On paper it looks good, but we’ve got to actually get out there and get going,” Harden said. “I’m excited for those guys to get back very, very soon so we can get this thing going.”
Karl-Anthony Towns had 31 points and 12 rebounds for the Timberwolves in a much better effort than Saturday, when they yielded 129 points in a blowout loss to Houston.
“That got out of hand early and we weren’t ready to play, but tonight we came ready to play and it showed,” rookie Anthony Edwards said. “We didn’t come out with a win, so I don’t think anybody should be satisfied with that, but I mean we competed.”
Edwards had 23 points and 10 boards, but missed a free throw that could have tied it in the final minute and then a short jumper that could have given Minnesota the lead.
Wizards 132, Pacers 124: Russell Westbrook had 35 points, a season-high 21 assists and 14 rebounds for his NBA-leading 16th triple-double, helping host Washington past Indiana. Westbrook also claimed the franchise career triple-double record in just his 38th game with the Wizards.
Clippers 129, Bucks 105: Marcus Morris scored 25 points and three other starters had at least 20 points, helping host Los Angeles to its sixth straight victory. Kawhi Leonard added 23 points and nine rebounds, Luke Kennard had a season-high 21 points and Reggie Jackson added 20 points. The Clippers made 19 3-pointers, one off their season high.
Warriors 116, Bulls 102: Stephen Curry made a triumphant return from a five-game absence with a bruised tailbone to score 32 points with six 3-pointers as host Golden State snapped a four-game losing streak.
Heat 98, Knicks 88: Jimmy Butler scored 27 points and visiting Miami snapped a sixgame losing streak with a win over New York. Bam Adebayo scored 20 points, Duncan Robinson added 20, and Tyler Herro finished with 18 as Miami improved to 23-24
Pelicans 115, Celtics 109: Zion Williamson scored 28 points and New Orleans held on after blowing most of a 17-point, fourth-quarter lead to beat Boston in the Celtics’ first game in front of their home fans since before the pandemic. Jayson Tatum had 34 points and nine rebounds for Boston, which had won two in a row.
Mavericks 127, Thunder 106: Luka Doncic scored 25 points to help Dallas roll past host Oklahoma City. Kristaps Porzingis had 20 points and nine rebounds, and Tim Hardaway Jr. added 19 points for the Mavericks.
Grizzlies 120, Rockets 110: Jonas Valanciunas scored a season-high 30 points, including eight down the stretch, and added 15 rebounds to help visiting Memphis outlast Houston to snap a two-game skid. Kelly Olynyk had a season high 25 points to lead the Rockets.
Pistons 118, Raptors 104: Saben Lee scored 14 of his 19 points in the first half in his second career start, and host Detroit beat Toronto. Fred VanVleet scored 22 for the Raptors, who lost for the 12th time in 13 games.
Jazz 114, Cavaliers 75: Donovan Mitchell scored 19 points and Rudy Gobert added 18 points and 17 rebounds to power host Utah to its sixth straight win.
Kings 132, Spurs 115: De’Aaron Fox scored 24 points, Richaun Holmes had 23 points and 12 rebounds, and visiting Sacramento beat San Antonio for its fifth straight victory. Buddy Hield added 20 points for Sacramento, which has won seven of eight.