If you thought the NBA playoff race was going to settle down, Wednesday night just proved otherwise. From a historic rebounding milestone in Houston to a franchise-altering winning streak in Atlanta, the league is currently on fire.
Here is everything you need to know from the latest round of action.
Luka and LeBron Silence the Rockets
In what felt like a heavyweight title fight, the Los Angeles Lakers outlasted the Houston Rockets 124-116. Luka Doncic was an absolute magician, putting up 40 points, 10 assists, and 9 rebounds—falling just one board shy of a triple-double.
But the night belonged to LeBron James for more than just his 30 points. By grabbing his 5th rebound of the game (finishing with 5), LeBron officially crossed the 12,000-rebound mark, becoming only the 23rd player in NBA history to reach that milestone. He also tied a career-high for efficiency, shooting a ridiculous 13-of-14 from the floor. The Lakers have now won seven straight and look like the team nobody wants to see in April.
The Atlanta Hawks Are Unstoppable
The Atlanta Hawks are officially the hottest team in the Eastern Conference. They walked into Dallas and dismantled the Mavericks 135-120, extending their winning streak to 11 games.
CJ McCollum led the way with 24 points, but the highlight of the night was Jonathan Kuminga’s 75-foot buzzer-beater. It was the longest shot by a Hawks player in the play-by-play era and perfectly summarized a night where everything Atlanta touched turned to gold. At 38-31, they are charging up the standings and making a serious case for a guaranteed playoff spot.
Wolves Cruise Without Ant-Man
There were worries in Minnesota when it was announced Anthony Edwards would miss time with knee inflammation, but the Timberwolves didn’t get the memo. They steamrolled the Utah Jazz 147-111.
Ayo Dosunmu stepped into the starting lineup and played like a vet, dropping 23 points and 9 boards. Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle dominated the paint, combining for 42 points. Minnesota led by as many as 38, proving that their depth is legitimate even when their superstar is in street clothes.
Quick Hits from Around the League:
• Toronto Raptors put on a clinical offensive display, crushing the Chicago Bulls 139-109.
• Memphis Grizzlies finally snapped their 8-game losing streak with a 125-118 win over the Nuggets, led by a massive night from Ty Jerome.
• New Orleans Pelicans handled the LA Clippers 124-109, keeping the pressure on the top half of the Western Conference.
