Thunder beat depleted Knicks
New York’s Randle and Walker sidelined due to COVID-19 protocols
Shai Gilgeous-alexander returned from a one-game absence to score 23 points, and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat a depleted New York Knicks 9580 on Friday night.
Gilgeous-alexander, the reigning NBA Western Conference Player of the Week, sat out Wednesday’s loss at Phoenix with ankle soreness, but played a team-high 34 minutes on New Year’s Eve. Aaron Wiggins scored 13 and Ty Jerome had 11.
RJ Barrett had 26 points for the Knicks, who were without Julius Randle and Kemba Walker, who are in the NBA’S COVID -19 health and safety protocol. Immanuel Quickley had 11.
Celtics 123, Suns 108: Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart each scored 24 points, and Boston stopped a three-game slide by topping Phoenix.
Brown also grabbed 11 rebounds and Smart finished with eight assists, helping the Celtics bounce back from a 91-82 home loss to the Clippers on Wednesday night. Robert Williams had 10 points, 10 assists and 11 rebounds,
and Josh Richardson added 19 points.
Hawks 121, Cavaliers 118: Trae Young scored 35 points, Clint Capela had 18 points and a season-high 23 rebounds, and Atlanta rallied from a 16-point deficit.
Heat 120, Rockets 110: Jimmy Butler scored a season-high 37 points and short-handed Miami built a big lead early and held on to defeat Houston.
Bulls 108, Pacers 106: Demar Derozan made a 28-foot 3-pointer at the buzzer to give Chicago a victory over Indiana. Derozan led the Bulls with 28 points, hitting 8 of 24 shots and 11 of 12 free throws.
Raptors 116, Clippers 108: Pascal Siakam had 25 points and matched his career-high with 19 rebounds, Fred Vanvleet scored 31 points and Toronto beat Los Angeles.
Mavericks 112, Kings 96: Kristaps Porzingis had 24 points, nine rebounds and six assists to help Dallas roll past Sacramento.
Grizzlies 118, Spurs 105: Ja Morant had 30 points, eight assists and six rebounds, leading Memphis to a victory over San Antonio.
Obituary: Basketball Hall of Famer Sam Jones, the Boston Celtics’ “Mr. Clutch” whose sharp shooting fueled the league’s longest dynasty and earned him 10 NBA titles — second only to teammate Bill Russell — has died, the team said. He was 88. Jones died Thursday night in Florida, where he had been hospitalized in failing health, Celtics spokesman Jeff Twiss said.
COVID: The virus outbreak hasn’t just sent NBA teams looking for help from the G League. The NBA refereeing corps has had to do the same. A trio of G League officials — Tyler Mirkovich, Clare Aubry and Pat O’connell — were assigned games on Friday, the NBA debuts for all three. It was the first time that the NBA had to call up G League officials to work games this season . ... Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas has entered the NBA’S COVID-19 protocols . ... Clippers coach Tyronn Lue entered protocols Friday in Toronto, while Lakers coach Frank Vogel cleared protocols and rejoined his team . ... The NBA told teams that players who test positive — provided they return appropriate test results — can leave isolation after five days.
Note: The Cavaliers have agreed to acquire veteran guard Rajon Rondo in a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers for guard Denzel Valentine, a source said. Rondo replaces guard Ricky Rubio, who was lost to a season-ending knee injury.