NBA Weekly Recap: Feb. 26
This week the NBA was filled with electric moments, from buzzer-beaters to high-scoring battles the players did not disappoint.
Let's start with the best game this week, with the Los Angeles Clippers taking on the Sacramento Kings. The Kings won by a score of 176-175, marking the second-highest scoring game in NBA history (the first was in 1983, Pistons 186 – Nuggets 184). Fun fact: the Clippers' 176 points were one point more than team Lebron scored in this year's all-star game.
After two hard-fought games, the Boston Celtics managed to stay on top in the eastern conference. Their 44-17 record is the best in the NBA, and they aren’t showing any signs of slowing down.
The Celtics faced off against the Philadelphia 76ers in a fierce rivalry matchup. Stars on both teams came to play. Joel Embiid had a monster game putting up 41 points, 12 rebounds and four assists. Despite his efforts, the Sixers couldn’t find any answers for Jaylen Brown (26 points, four rebounds and three assists) and Jayson Tatum (18 points, 13 rebounds and six assists).
A Jayson Tatum game-winning three decided the game in the final seconds. Tatum's three hit the net with 1.3 left on the clock. In desperation, Embiid heaved a game-tying full-court shot that ended up going in. But, after reviewing the play the referees determined that he had let the ball go after the buzzer, making the basket not count.
The Dallas Mavericks finally brought home their first win this season with both Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving on the court. The dynamic duo combined for 51 points and 16 assists. Despite a whole lot of criticism from NBA fans about how he tears down locker rooms, Kyrie finished the game with a +/- of 34.
I think we have all heard by now that the Nets recently traded star players Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. So how are they doing now? Their first game after the blockbuster trade looked promising with newly acquired Mikal Bridges dropping a career-high 45 points in his first game as a net.
He led the team to a convincing 116-105 win. But the “Mikal Magic” did not last very long. Only 2 days later, the Nets proceeded to lose to the Bulls 131 to 87. That’s a 44-point loss. The Nets are now officially in rebuild mode.
Logan Davis is a third-year broadcast journalism major. To contact him, email lbd5248@psu.edu
