The Golden State Warriors have gone down to the Orlando Magic at home 115-101 on Sunday (all times AEDT) after Klay Thompson was a late scratch with knee soreness.
Despite participating in warm ups and being announced as a starer, Thompson was pulled from the line-up right before the tip.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr revealed post-match Thompson’s knee – the same knee the sharpshooter tore his ACL on nearly four years ago – flared up during warm ups and that the decision to sit him was precautionary.
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Paolo Banchero scored a team-high 25 points for Orlando, Franz Wagner added 24 points and Markelle Fultz racked up 16 points, seven assists and six steals in the win.
With it, the Magic improved to 15-24 on the season.
It meanwhile marked the Warriors’ second-straight loss at home following a shock defeat to the Detroit Pistons after only losing two games at Chase Centre previously this season – falling to 20-20 overall.
Furthermore, Golden State’s record against the three worst teams in the East – Orlando, Charlotte and Detroit – fell to 1-5 in a damning feat.
ELSEWHERE …
Luka Doncic posted his third triple-double in his last six games to lead the Dallas Mavericks past the New Orleans Pelicans 127-117.
Doncic finished with 34 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists – his ninth triple-double of the season – and Christian Wood added 28 points, six boards and two blocks as Dallas improved to 23-17.
The Slovenian star admitted his status for Monday’s game against OKC is uncertain due to a nagging ankle issue.
Jonas Valanciunas (25 points, 10 rebounds) and Naji Marshall (24 points, three steals) impressed for the Pelicans, but they fell to 1-2 since Zion Williamson suffered a hamstring injury.
The Pelicans were also missing Brandon Ingram (toe) and CJ McCollum (rest) in this one.
In Chicago, Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan combined for 71 points to help the Bulls take down the Utah Jazz 118-126.
Both LaVine (36 points, six triples, seven rebounds) and DeRozan (35 points, seven assists) turned in massive performances to continue Chicago’s recent revival – riding a three-game winning streak including eight wins from its last 11 games.
Lauri Markkanen paced Utah with 28 points to continue his brilliant season, however the Jazz dropped their sixth game form their last seven as their playoff hopes dwindle.
Earlier, the Boston Celtics survived a late rally from the San Antonio Spurs to win 121-116 behind 34 points from Jayson Tatum.
Jaylen Brown chipped in 29 points and Malcolm Brogdon posted 23 off the bench as the C’s were without Marcus Smart for most of the second half after he suffered a knee contusion following a collision with Zach Collins.
Collins, Tyus Jones and Josh Richardson led eight Spurs players in double-figures with 18 points each.
Gregg Popovich’s team was without Keldon Johnson (hamstring), while it’ll be without Devin Vassell for the next several weeks as he prepares to undertake knee surgery.
ALL RESULTS
CELTICS 121 SPURS 116
JAZZ 118 BULLS 126
PELICANS 117 MAVERICKS 127
MAGIC 115 WARRIORS 101
LAKERS – KINGS
