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The NBA’s final unbeaten team fell on Monday night, but it required an overtime thriller to bring the
Rockets Ascend as Luka Dončić Continues Historic Run
The Houston Rockets moved into first place in the West after a dominant 109-93 win over the Boston Celtics. Houston relied on a balanced offensive attack, with eight players scoring at least eight points, while Marcus Smart provided a defensive spark against his former team. The victory pushed Houston to a 7-1 record, matching Memphis for the best plus-minus in the league at +12.9.
Meanwhile, Luka Dončić continued his remarkable form in the Lakers' 138-117 victory over the Miami Heat. Dončić recorded 42 points, 13 assists, and seven rebounds, marking his fifth consecutive game with at least 35 points, five rebounds, five assists, and five three-pointers. This achievement ties Damian Lillard’s 2020 record for the longest such streak in NBA history. Dončić is currently averaging 43.4 points over his last five appearances.
Key Performances Across the League
Elsewhere in the Western Conference, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 117-112 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, hitting a tiebreaking three-pointer with 33 seconds remaining. In Golden State, Steph Curry erupted for 34 points, including 18 in the third quarter, to help the Warriors rally past the Phoenix Suns 116-113. The San Antonio Spurs and Portland Trail Blazers also continued their winning ways, with the Spurs moving to 5-2 and the Blazers improving to 5-1 after defeating the Denver Nuggets.
In the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia 76ers maintained their strong start by moving to 7-1 with a 126-107 win over the Chicago Bulls, led by Tyrese Maxey’s 26 points. The Detroit Pistons also extended their winning streak to three games, defeating the Charlotte Hornets 124-91 behind a 33-point effort from Cade Cunningham. The New York Knicks secured a comeback victory against the Brooklyn Nets, using a 25-5 run in the fourth quarter to seal a 103-90 win.
The league will now observe a scheduled pause on Tuesday for U.S. Election Day, with teams encouraging civic participation through the NBA’s “Get In The Game. VOTE” campaign. Action is set to resume on Wednesday with a 14-game schedule, including an ESPN doubleheader featuring 76ers-Pistons and Mavericks-Spurs.