Trae Young delivered a standout performance, registering a career-high 22 assists, the highest in the NBA this season, to lead the Atlanta Hawks to a 135-124 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. In addition to his playmaking, Young contributed 20 points, helping Atlanta overcome the Cavaliers and snap Cleveland's impressive undefeated home record. The Cavaliers, who had been on a tear with a 17-1 record prior to the game, suffered just their second loss of the season, ending their perfect home streak.
De'Andre Hunter was pivotal in the win, pouring in 26 points, while Jalen Johnson added 22 points for the Hawks. Cleveland's Donovan Mitchell scored 30 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Hawks’ offensive surge. Evan Mobley also recorded a double-double, but Cleveland fell short, dropping to 17-2 on the season. The loss also ended Cleveland's five-game winning streak, and they will now look to regroup as they continue their strong start to the season.
In another exciting matchup, the Oklahoma City Thunder edged out the Golden State Warriors 105-101. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the standout performer for Oklahoma City, scoring 35 points, while also playing a key role in his team’s third consecutive victory. Golden State struggled without their star player Stephen Curry, who missed the game due to knee pain. Jalen Williams, who was injured in the second half following a dunk by Jonathan Kuminga, also left the game early. Despite a late three-pointer from Andrew Wiggins that narrowed the gap, Luguentz Dort sealed the win for the Thunder by blocking Wiggins' potential game-tying layup. Although Gilgeous-Alexander missed a critical free throw in the final moments, his earlier contributions ensured the Thunder held on for the win.
Golden State, meanwhile, had Jonathan Kuminga back from illness, and he scored 19 points in the loss. The Warriors also saw Draymond Green accumulate his sixth technical foul of the season during the game, adding to the team's frustrations.
Over in Houston, Jalen Green starred in the Rockets' 122-115 overtime victory against the Philadelphia 76ers. Green scored a season-high 41 points, leading his team to victory in a game that featured dramatic moments down the stretch. Alperen Sengun contributed 22 points and dominated in the closing stages against Philadelphia’s smaller lineup. Amen Thompson also played a crucial role, adding 19 points and 13 rebounds, as Houston extended their impressive run of nine wins in their last 11 games.
Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 39 points, showcasing an impressive second-half performance, but he was held scoreless in overtime, which proved critical. Guerschon Yabusele's three-pointer gave Philadelphia an early lead in the overtime period, but Houston responded with a decisive run to close out the game. Philadelphia, despite strong individual efforts, fell short, while Houston’s deep roster secured another notable win.
Overall, the night was marked by impressive individual performances and key team victories, as the Hawks, Thunder, and Rockets all secured important wins against challenging opponents. Cleveland, Golden State, and Philadelphia will be looking to bounce back as the season progresses.
