Aussie gun Josh Giddey has delivered a “surgical” performance to best Tyrese Haliburton’s Pacers while the Hornets have been hit with a hammer blow.
Two superstars have gone head to head the Mavericks and Hawks clash, while the Grizzlies scored a slender victory over the Cavaliers.
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Read below for all today’s action in the NBA!
Holiday holds up Bucks without Giannis | 01:06
GIDDEY’S ‘SURGICAL’ DISPLAY
Aussie superstar Josh Giddey has masterminded a huge 126-106 win over the Indania Pacers with an efficient double-double at the Paycom Center.
The shooting guard recorded an impressive 16 points to go with 11 assists, 6 rebounds, a steal and a block in a performance labelled “surgical”.
One particular pass from Giddey to Thunder gun Shai Gilgeous-Alexander caught the eye of NBA fans, as the 20-year-old flicked the ball under his armpit for his fellow guard to slam it home.
Gilgeous Alexander himself had a night to remember — scoring 23 points to go with six assists and three rebounds.
Luguentz Dort also stood tall, scoring 22 points, with 11 rebounds, a steal and a block, with Isaah Joe scored 23 off the bench, shooting seven from 12 from the three-point line.
After watching Giddey’s stunning dish, pundits claimed the Aussie gun could end up being one of the top three players of his draft which includes Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Scottie Barnes and Jalen Green.
Giddey was also met with a standing ovation from the Oklahoma City crowd after fouling out in the fourth quarter.
The Thunder now sit 10th in the Western Conference, one win behind the Timberwolves while the Pacers are currently eight in the east.
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HORNETS’ HAMMER BLOW
Hornets gun LaMelo Ball has suffered an ankle injury after contesting a Jabari Parker Junior lay-up
Teammate PJ Washington can be seen landing on Ball’s foot, which turns as he puts his weight down upon landing.
“Damn, that was bizarre,” the commentator said when watching a replay.
The 21-year-old guard was helped off the field by Charlotte’s medical staff and it remains unclear how severe the injury is.
It is the third sprained ankle of the season for Ball, with his first ruling him out for the opening 13 games of the season.
But despite his absence from the third quarter onwards, the Hornets were able to beat the Rockets 122-117 on the road as they remain with the worst record across both conferences.
Second-year guard Jalen Green scored a staggering 41 points, while centre Alpheren Sengun was able to pour in 24, however it wasn’t enough to get the job done.
Seven Hornets players scored more than 10 points, with their whole starting five scoring above 12 including Terry Rozier’s impressive 26.
The Hornets now sit one win away from coming off the bottom of the east, but pundits believe Ball’s injury could see them tank for draft picks.
MURRAY STUNS DONCIC’S MAVERICKS
Dallas star Luka Doncic and Atlanta gun Dejounte Murray went toe-to-toe in a high-scoring affair — but the Hawks came away with a 130-122 win in the end.
Both Murray and Doncic scored 30 points, but the Hawks guard has the greater support, with Trae Young (18) and John Collins (19) both chiming in.
Between Murray and Collins, the pair shot seven from 11 from three-point range, while Young tallied 12 assists in the ongoing Doncic and Young rivalry.
Elsewhere, the Knights overcame the Wizards with Jalen Brunson pouring in 32 points.
The Grizzlies scraped a one-point victory over the Cavaliers, with both Darius Garland and Ja Morant scoring 24.
The Cleveland guard also tallied 14 assists in an impressive display at the FedExForum.
Miami also destroyed the Pelicans 124-98 in a comprehensive display, with Bam Adebayo starring at centre with 26 points and eight rebounds.
