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Luka on his inaugural lob to LeBron:
“Next time, he’ll launch it.”
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**5 HEADLINES IN TODAY’S ISSUE 🏀 Feb. 23, 2025**
Saturday Spectacle: Luka shines against Denver, securing a buzzer-beating victory and more
**Knicks vs. Celtics:** Will New York seize a defining win against the reigning champions? (1 ET, ABC)
**Mavs vs. Warriors:** Klay makes his second return to the Bay, alongside a new standout player (3:30 ET, ABC)
**ESPN Doubleheader:** Featuring five elite scorers showcasing their unique styles, all leading to the same outcome
**LP Highlight:** Can the Pistons end a decade of disappointment? Plus, more star matchups
**BUT FIRST …** ⏰ Sit back, relax, and soak in the excitement…
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**ABC Matinee:** Riding a 9-2 wave and a current 4-game victory streak, the Celtics will host the Knicks at TD Garden (1 ET), followed by Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and the Mavs visiting Steph Curry and the Warriors (3:30 ET).
**ESPN Doubleheader:** This evening, the NBA’s top offenses collide as the Grizzlies take on the Eastern Conference-leading Cavs (7 ET). Next, Ant and the Timberwolves will host SGA and the Western Conference-leading Thunder (9:30 ET).
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1. **LUKA IN HOLLYWOOD, CLAXTON SEALS THE GAME & 3 ADDITIONAL WESTERN WINS**
Three weeks ago, Luka Dončić was traded to the Lakers in a move that sent ripples throughout the NBA.
In his initial three games with the Purple and Gold, Dončić, possessing the third-highest scoring average in NBA history, recorded 14.7 points per game as he adjusted to his new team.
On Saturday, he surpassed that score before the end of the second quarter.
**Lakers 123, Nuggets 100:** In a stellar performance, Luka scored 16 points in the first quarter, ending the game with a season-high 32 points, alongside 10 rebounds and 7 assists, leading the Lakers to an impressive win over Nikola Jokić (12 pts, 13 reb, 10 ast) and Denver, ending the Nuggets’ nine-game winning streak. | Recap
Two critical questions arose after the Lakers obtained Dončić:
Confronted by one of the top teams in the West, which has eliminated the Lakers in each of the last two postseasons, Los Angeles responded to both.
And consider this: ⬆️
**Nets 105, 76ers 103:** Tyrese Maxey scored 31 points to rally Philadelphia from a 17-point deficit, but Nic Claxton had the final say, contributing 16 points, 9 rebounds, 5 blocks, and the game-winning putback at the buzzer for a thrilling Brooklyn victory. | Recap
**Suns 121, Bulls 117:** To snap a four-game losing streak, the Suns’ trio of Devin Booker (29), Kevin Durant (27), and Bradley Beal (25) combined for 81 points, steering Phoenix to a win over the Bulls. | Recap
**Jazz 124, Rockets 115:** Keyonte George (30 pts, 8 reb, 6 ast) and Lauri Markkanen (23 pts, 10 reb) ignited a 37-25 fourth quarter, helping the Jazz recover against Alperen Sengun (27 pts, 12 reb, 7 ast) and the Rockets after two consecutive losses. | Recap
**Blazers 141, Hornets 88:** In a remarkable bounce-back performance, the Blazers set a season-high in points, led by Anfernee Simons with 25, while Toumani Camara, Jabari Walker, and Shaedon Sharpe each added 20 to demolish Charlotte, achieving the largest victory margin in franchise history. | Recap
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2. **RISING CELTICS WELCOME KNICKS TO LAUNCH ABC MATINEE**
With a record of 37-19, the Knicks are enjoying their best start in 28 years after 56 games.
However, New York is winless (0-6) against the NBA’s top three teams (CLE, OKC, BOS), including a staggering 37-point defeat in Cleveland on Friday — their biggest loss this season.
Today (1 ET, ABC), the Knicks have the chance to make a strong comeback as they face Boston, which has handed them two losses by 20 or more points this season, including a 131-104 blowout at Madison Square Garden two weekends ago.
**Tatum vs. NY Tactical Battle:** After Tatum lit up the Knicks from beyond the arc in October, New York aimed to pressure him away from the 3-point line early in their second meeting.
His counter? An electrifying dunk scoring the opening points of the game, setting the tone for the evening.
Will Tatum strike again tonight, or will the Knicks find an answer in their quest for a signature victory?
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3. **MORE ON ABC: KLAY’S SECOND RETURN TO THE BAY**
Klay Thompson’s initial game back in the Bay on Nov. 12 was unforgettable as the beloved Warriors player received accolades before hitting six 3-pointers.
However, Golden State emerged victorious with a nail-biting 120-117 win, buoyed by Steph Curry’s 37 points and a decisive 10-0 run to finish the game.
Today (3:30 ET), Klay is back at Chase Center as an opponent, this time partnered with a new star who has fans buzzing in the Bay Area.
Meanwhile, the Mavs come into Sunday on a 5-1 streak, including three consecutive wins, despite missing Anthony Davis (left adductor strain).
Which reshaped team will continue their ascent this afternoon?
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4. **TOP-TIER GUARDS FEATURE IN TONIGHT’S ESPN DOUBLEHEADER**
**Javs. Spida & Garland.**
**SGA vs. Ant.**
And a generous serving of points.
That’s what awaits viewers on ESPN as five of the most innovative scoring guards take center stage, with the Cavs hosting the Grizzlies (7 ET), followed by the Thunder visiting the Timberwolves (9:30 ET).
All five players frequently grace highlight reels, but each has their unique scoring method.
**Ja – Dynamic Acceleration:** Driving the league’s most potent offense, Morant scores at an impressive rate (20.5 ppg). His pace ranks third (minimum 20 GP), sixth in transition scoring (6.3), and eighth in points per drive (10.0).
**Mitchell & Garland – Pick-and-Roll Dilemma:** The Cavs, tied with the Grizzlies for having the highest scoring offense in the league (122.8 ppg), led by Donovan Mitchell (24.0) and Darius Garland (21.3), have collectively scored 955 points handling pick-and-roll plays – more than any other duo.
**The Explosive Ant:** Anthony Edwards tops the NBA in total three-pointers made (231) and pull-up points per game (12.0). If defenders close in, he’ll easily blow past them, ranking seventh in points off drives.
**SGA – Midrange Virtuoso:** The only guard surpassing Ant in scoring this season? The NBA’s leading scorer, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (32.2), who holds the second spot for total midrange field goals and third in midrange shooting percentage (50.4).
Who will shine the brightest this evening?
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5. **LP SPOTLIGHT: PISTONS STRIVE FOR 6TH STRAIGHT WIN AS MORE STARS CLASH**
In January, the Pistons recorded their first five-game winning streak since the 2018-19 campaign.
Now, they’re on another five-game tear and will aim for a sixth straight win — the first since 2014-15.
Tonight (6 ET), they’ll seek to break a decade-long winless streak as they head to Atlanta, featuring a six-game lineup on League Pass.
Five additional games will kick off on League Pass, starting with James Harden and the Clippers taking on Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers (5 ET), followed by Giannis (GTD) and the Bucks facing Tyler Herro (GTD) and the Heat in a showdown of Eastern contenders (6 ET).
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