Sunday delivered a full slate of NBA excitement, with playoff implications, jaw-dropping performances, and last-second drama scattered throughout the league. With teams jockeying for position in the standings and stars stepping up in crunch time, this wasn’t just any regular season day—it felt like a playoff preview. Here’s your complete recap of all the biggest moments from Sunday’s action. Let’s swipe through and relive the chaos!
🔥 Luka Goes Nuclear
Luka Dončić continues to remind the league that he’s built for the big stage. The Dallas Mavericks superstar dropped 42 points, 12 assists, and 8 rebounds in a win over the Houston Rockets, including a dagger step-back three to ice the game. With the win, the Mavs moved up in the standings, continuing their push to escape the play-in tournament and lock in a top-six seed in the West.
“Luka just controlled everything,” head coach Jason Kidd said postgame. “That’s what great players do.”
🛑 Clippers Stop the Slide
The Los Angeles Clippers snapped their mini skid with a gritty road win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George combined for 55 points, while James Harden added 18 and orchestrated the offense with poise. The Clippers’ defense also came up big, holding Anthony Edwards to a quiet night by his standards. The win couldn’t have come at a better time, as L.A. fights to stay in the top half of the Western Conference.
🏀 Celtics Handle Business
Over in the East, the Boston Celtics cruised to a comfortable win against the Memphis Grizzlies, thanks to a balanced effort from their starting five. Jayson Tatum led the way with 28 points, while Jaylen Brown added 24. The Celtics continue to look like the most complete team in the league, with elite defense and a deep bench. Boston fans can rest easy—their squad is playoff-ready.
👑 LeBron Still Got It
LeBron James put on a vintage performance, scoring 35 points in the Lakers’ overtime win against the Pelicans. He hit clutch shots late and finished with 8 rebounds and 7 assists, proving once again that age is just a number for the King. Anthony Davis contributed 27 and 12, while D’Angelo Russell hit a crucial three in the extra frame. The Lakers, currently sitting in the play-in zone, are trending in the right direction at just the right time.
💥 Warriors Hold Off Late Charge
The Golden State Warriors survived a furious fourth-quarter comeback from the Portland Trail Blazers, with Stephen Curry pouring in 31 points, including five three-pointers. Jonathan Kuminga added energy and defense, and Draymond Green played quarterback on both ends of the floor. The Warriors remain in the thick of the playoff race, and every win counts as they look to avoid a play-in scenario.
📈 Eastern Play-In Shake-Up
The Eastern Conference play-in picture got even murkier after the Chicago Bulls edged out the Atlanta Hawks in a thriller. DeMar DeRozan was masterful down the stretch, scoring 10 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter. The loss puts pressure on the Hawks to make a late-season run, while the Bulls continue to gain confidence as they fight for a postseason spot.
🔍 Rookie Watch
Victor Wembanyama had another eye-popping stat line despite the Spurs’ loss to the Suns—finishing with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 blocks. Meanwhile, Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren helped spark a comeback win with 18 points and 3 blocks of his own. The Rookie of the Year race continues to heat up, and both big men are proving they’re already forces to be reckoned with.
From MVP-level performances to playoff-position shuffling, Sunday had everything fans could ask for. If the postseason intensity is already here, imagine what the actual playoffs will bring. Don’t blink—things are only going to get crazier from here.
Stay locked in. Swipe through, and let the madness begin. 👀📲
