Nightly Pulse: NBA News & Highlights from Dec. 19

Posted by December 19, 2024 NBA
Nightly Pulse: NBA News & Highlights from Dec. 19

Thursday’s loaded lineup 🏀😳🏀

⭐️ THURSDAY’S TOP PERFORMERS  ⭐️

  1. Karl-Anthony Towns: 32 points (10-12 FG, 5-5 3PM), 20 rebounds, six assists, two steals
  2. Victor Wembanyama: 42 points (13-24 FG, 7-15 3PM), six rebounds, five assists, four blocks, two steals
  3. Zach LaVine: 36 points (11-15 FG, 6-11 3PM), six rebounds, four assists
  4. Cameron Johnson 33 points (10-15 FG, 4-10 3PM), 10 rebounds, six assists, two blocks
  5. Anfernee Simons: 28 points (11-20 FG, 4-11 3PM), 10 assists, one rebound

Thursday Night’s Headlines 📰⬇️

  1. Karl-Anthony Towns made a triumphant return to Minnesota, leading the Knicks to a big win over the Timberwolves. It shouldn’t be a surprise at this point, as KAT has turned in 22 double-doubles this year, tied with Domantas Sabonis for tops in the league. His career-best 14.2 rebounds per game also leads the NBA this season.
  2. San Antonio outlasts the Hawks in a thrilling overtime contest. Victor Wembanyama’s 2nd year leap continues, as he scored 42 on the night along with seven threes. While he was a mainstay all night, Chris Paul took over when it mattered most, hitting a 4-point play down the stretch in regulation. For Atlanta, Trae Young dished 16 assists, De’Andre Hunter scored a season-high 27 points and Jalen Johnson continued his high-level play with 22 points and nine rebounds.
  3. The Grizzlies ran amok all over the Warriors tonight. 51 points marks the largest margin of victory in the NBA this year. Every active player touched the court and scored for Memphis. Santi Aldama continues to earn recognition, leading scorers with 21 points along with 14 rebounds. While Memphis hangs on to 2nd in the west, Golden State falls to 10th. Stephen Curry stille struggled with just two points, while Dennis Schröder’s debut was modest at best.
  4. More history for LeBron in the Lakers win over in-state rival Sacramento. James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s all-time leader in minutes played, just over a week before his 40th birthday. His 19 points, six rebounds and seven assists combined with a 20-20 performance from Anthony Davis helped make the historic night a victorious one for LA.

🤩 Must-See Plays 🤯

Simons Sends Denver Home at the Buzzer 🚨

Anfernee Simons lets the league know he’s like that with a game-winner off the glass, one upping Nikola Jokić’s game-tying basket moments prior.

Wemby ➡️ Wemby 🤦‍♂️

Some things in life aren’t fair, Victor Wembanyama is one of them.

Rockets Roll 🚀 Pelicans Grounded 🫠

Jalen Green was stellar in Houston’s 133-113 victory against New Orleans, scoring . The Rockets are right back in the winning column after a semi-finals loss in Las Vegas for the NBA Cup.

On the other hand, New Orleans falls to last in the west with a 5-23 record on the season. Injuries haven’t helped, but this season has been a massive disappointment for the Pelicans.

🏁 Indy Finding its Groove 🏁

A 9-14 start wasn’t in the cards coming off of their trip to the ECF last year. The squad has now won four of their last five and are tied for 8th in the East.

Pascal Siakam was a force against Phoenix, ending the game with 25 points and 18 rebounds. Tyrese Halliburton’s double-double and the trio of Myles Turner, Andrew Nembhard and Benedict Mathurin all scoring 16+ points are good signs for Indiana.

Obi Toppin even pulled out an Eastbay slam dunk for good measure. It was one of those nights.

Meanwhile, Devin Booker exited early for the Suns due to a groin injury. Kevin Durant did his best to pick up the slack, but his 37-point 10-rebounds effort wasn’t enough for the win.

Lights. Cam. Action. 📸

No Cam Thomas, no Dennis Schröder, no Nic Claxton (ejected in the 2Q) – no problem. Cam Johnson was more than sufficient for Brooklyn tonight, turning in a 33-point 10-rebound double-double, good for his third 30-point outing this year. His 15 4th quarter points were crucial in the 101-94 victory.

Toronto was short-handed, missing RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl. Ben Simmons turned in a second solid outing as starting PG following the Schröder trade. He finished the night with 12 points, five rebounds and seven assists.

Simons at the Buzzer, TWICE!! ⛹️✌️ 

Anfernee Simons shines as the buzzer sounds, giving Portland the huge upset win over the Denver Nuggets. He finished with 28 points and 10 assists, while Shaedon Sharpe chipped in 27.

Denver’s 4th quarter comeback falls short, as Jokić finishes with 34 points on the night.

AD was a Menace Tonight 😈

21 points, 20 rebounds, 6 blocked shots, 3 steals. Anthony Davis did it all on the road, helping the Lakers take down the Kings.

Vintage LeBron 🍷

The chasedown block, followed by the fast break finish. Never gets old. These pacific division rivals are in a close one down the stretch.

⏳ 55,447 ⌛️ Most Minutes in History 👑

LeBron James became the NBA all-time leader in minutes played tonight, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

KAT Dominant in Return to Minny 😤

The Knicks coasted to victory on the back of Karl-Anthony Towns’ monster night. He notched 32 points and 20 rebounds. New York also hit 20 threes as a team, on 45% shooting from deep.

Knicks in Front, Bigs in their Bag 🎒

KAT and Julius Randle both turn in 20-point first halves, but the Knicks lead comfortably, 73-51. Towns already has a double-double while shooting 4/4 from three.

Portland-Denver Dead Even at Half ⚖️

Jokić leads all scorers with 17, while there are already five Trail Blazers in double figures.

CP3 Steals the Show in OT 🎯

The veteran floor general got San Antonio to the extra period, and sealed it in the end. Victor Wembanyama had a monster game with 42 points and four blocks.

Grizzlies Put the Clamps on Steph 🔐

For the first time ever, Curry finished with just two points in a game where he played 20+ minutes. Dennis Schröder notched just five points and five assists in his Warrior debut. Every single Grizzlies player scored on the night.

Mercy Rule ? 😭

Memphis enters the 4th quarter with a 50-point lead against the Warriors. 11 different Grizzlies are in the scoring column, they’ve also racked up 19 combined blocks and steals.

 

Grizz Up by THIRTY at Halftime 3️⃣0️⃣

Memphis firing on all cylinders against the Warriors. Stephen Curry finshes the half with just two points, and zero made field goals.

Ja Pins Draymond  📌

Morant’s major rejection leads to a scuffle and 4th personal foul for Draymond Green in Memphis.

Bulls Win in Boston, LaVine Scores Season High 3️⃣6️⃣

Chicago hands the Celtics their sixth loss on the season. All Bulls starters finished in double-digits scoring. Chicago improves to 13-15.

Bulls Running with the Champs 🍀

Chicago hoping to steal one in Boston, led by Zach LaVine’s 27 points.

Wizards Get the Dub 💫

LaMelo Ball’s 34 points and 13 assists weren’t enough for Charlotte to pull this one out. Washington breaks a three-game skid.

Bilal Cleared for Takeoff  🛫

Coulibaly utilizes his entire wingspan for this one.

Kispert beats the 3Q Buzzer 🕰

Corey Kispert scores 8 straight to close the quarter, capped off by this last second layup. Anybody’s game in Washington as the 4th quarter begins.

Ball ➡️ Bridges 🏀 Alley-Oop

LaMelo dropping finds Miles Bridges in transition. Ball is closing in on a 2nd straight double-double.

4-Point Play from the Logo 4️⃣👽

Nothing but net for Victor Wembanyama on the deep trey plus the foul. The ROY has a strong case to make his first All-Star Game this year.

Back to Business for OKC 💼

The Thunder pick up where they left off after a runner-up finish in the NBA Cup. Orlando drops their third straight, but are still several games above .500 on the season.

SGA’s Nearly Perfect 1st Half  ✅

Shai finishes the half with 24 points, while shooting 10/11 from the field. So much for an NBA Cup hangover. OKC leads Orlando 65-46 heading into the 3rd.

Gradey Dick Putback with Authority  🔨

The 2nd year man, known for his 3-point shooting, can also play above the rim.

Cade with the Switcheroo Slam ⛹️💪

Cunningham’s highlight comes as the Pistons try to catch up against the Jazz. They trail at halftime 67-54.

Keyonte Soars Over Jalen Duren ✈️

The guard showing some serious bounce in what could be a dunk of the year candidate!

Utah Jazz Drop 48 in the First Quarter 🔥

The Jazz fell just shy of a new team record for first quarter points, also drilling nine threes in the process. Detroit, meanwhile, managed just 19 points in the opening period.

Calling Bank from the Corner ??? 😱

Keyonte George somehow sinks this corner three, as the Jazz are on fire against the Pistons.

KAT Returns to Minnesota 🍿👀

The former No. 1 overall pick spent nine seasons in Minnesota, but tonight he enters the Target Center as a guest for the first time. He was swapped for fellow All-Star big man Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo – who will be facing off against his Villanova brethren as well.


🌟 All-Star Voting Begins Tonight 🌟

 

Key Storylines to Follow 📰✍️

  1. The entire western conference in action tonight, guaranteeing a shakeup to the standings. Only a half-game separates the Grizzlies, Rockets and Mavericks from 2nd place. Teams 5-11 are separated by a whopping two games. We’ll see who capitalized on the days off.
  2. Dennis’ debut in Golden State. The Warriors made a splash by going after the veteran Dennis Schröder. His addition comes at a much needed time, as the team is 2-8 in their last ten games.
  3. Top picks facing off for the first time. Tonight’s Hawks-Spurs matchup features the No. 1 overall pick in the last two drafts in Zaccharie Risacher and Victor Wembanyama. The teams’ records are nearly identical, and both could benefit from a win tonight.
  4. Knicks and Timberwolves clash. These two teams made the biggest trade of the offseason. Fireworks during a meeting earlier this season makes this a must-see matchup.

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