The Oklahoma City Thunder shut down the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday with a convincing 122–102 road win, powered by a 40-point night from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who went 16-of-19 from the field.
Meanwhile, the New York Knicks handed the Brooklyn Nets a crushing 120–66 loss, the worst defeat in franchise history.
Spanish forward Santi Aldama did not play for the Memphis Grizzlies in their 124–122 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
The Thunder, reigning NBA champions, improved to 37–8, the best record in the league, after delivering a statement performance at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 40 points, seven rebounds and 11 assists in just 33 minutes for Oklahoma City.
The Bucks have now lost four of their last five games and remain outside the playoff picture. Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded 19 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists in the loss.
Knicks humiliate the Nets
The Knicks responded to four straight losses by putting on a historic performance in front of their home crowd, delivering the largest win in franchise history.
Mike Brown’s team surpassed the previous record margin of 48 points, achieved against the Philadelphia 76ers in 1972 and again in 1994.
New York also finished just one point shy of matching the largest win of the NBA season, set by the Charlotte Hornets in a 150–95 victory over the Utah Jazz.
Jalen Brunson orchestrated the blowout with 20 points, while Dominican center Karl-Anthony Towns added 14 rebounds and eight assists.
The Nets, coached by Jordi Fernández, posted their lowest scoring output of the season, finishing 29 points below their previous low of 95 points against Miami on December 18.
Pistons take care of business
The Detroit Pistons handled their visit to the New Orleans Pelicans with ease, earning their seventh win in the last eight games to solidify their place atop the Eastern Conference.
Even without Cade Cunningham, Detroit was led by Jalen Duren, who posted a 20-point, 15-rebound double-double.
For New Orleans, Zion Williamson logged just 14 minutes, totaling four points and four rebounds, before leaving the game due to a health issue, the franchise confirmed.
Win for Hugo González
Madrid native Hugo González made the most of his 10 minutes on the floor, contributing five points and two rebounds in the Boston Celtics’ 119–104 home win over the Indiana Pacers at TD Garden.
Hugo González of the Boston Celtics
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Selected 28th overall in the most recent NBA Draft, González knocked down two of his three shot attempts in a comfortable victory for coach Joe Mazzulla’s team.
The 19-year-old had been scoreless in Boston’s previous loss, in which he played just 1:47.
Jaylen Brown once again led Boston with 30 points, adding 10 rebounds and five assists. Neemias Queta and Sam Hauser chipped in 17 points apiece.
Despite being without Jayson Tatum for the entire season, the Celtics sit second in the Eastern Conference at 27–16, while the Pacers, last season’s Finals participants, remain at the bottom of the standings.
Jalen Johnson led Atlanta with 32 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists.