NBA Thread

[Cricket Warrior]

James and Doncic inspire Lakers victory

LeBron James and Luka Doncic scored 60 points between them to fire the Los Angeles Lakers to a 112-108 win against the Philadelphia 76ers.

James scored 29 points, along with seven rebounds and six assists, and 12 of his tally came in the fourth quarter.

The 76ers had levelled the match at 105 apiece with one minute and 29 seconds remaining before James scored five consecutive points as the Lakers went on to seal the victory.

Doncic had returned to the Lakers line-up having missed the previous two games in a run of three on the road following the birth of his child.

He registered a triple-double of 31 points - which was a game high - 15 rebounds and 11 assists.

LeBron James and Luka Doncic inspire LA Lakers victory against Philadelphia 76ers

LeBron James and Luka Doncic score 60 points between them to fire the Los Angeles Lakers to a 112-108 win against the Philadelphia 76ers.

www.bbc.com

 

[BouncerGuy]

Thunder equal best 25-game start in NBA history

The Oklahoma City Thunder equalled the best 25-game start to a season in NBA history as they overpowered the Phoenix Suns 138-89 in the NBA Cup quarter-finals.

Defending champions the Thunder have won 24 of their first 25 games, equalling the Golden State Warriors' record from 2015-16.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, last season's Most Valuable Player, scored 28 points at Paycom Center, hitting the 20-point mark for a 96th straight game.

It was a franchise record 16th straight win for the Thunder, who face the San Antonio Spurs in the semi-finals in Las Vegas on Saturday.

"Winning is never boring," said Thunder forward Jalen Williams.

The Thunder have won 92 of their 107 regular-season games since the start of 2024-25, having topped last season's Western Conference with a 68-14 record.

The record for most wins in an NBA season is 73, achieved by the Warriors in 2015-16.

The Spurs reached the semi-finals by beating the Los Angeles Lakers 132-119 at Crypto.com Arena.

The NBA Cup is the competition's annual in-season tournament, with all matches except the final counting towards the regular-season standings.

The Thunder were beaten in last year's final by the Milwaukee Bucks.

BBC

 

[Obaidd]

SGA gets very little recognition for what he has done.

Last year he was the season MVP, finals MVP, and scored most points in the season.

There are only three other players who’ve done this in a single year:Kareem Jabbar, MJ and Shaq.

SGA will be an all time NBA legend iA. The writing’s on the wall.

 

[Obaidd]

James and Doncic inspire Lakers victory

LeBron James and Luka Doncic scored 60 points between them to fire the Los Angeles Lakers to a 112-108 win against the Philadelphia 76ers.

James scored 29 points, along with seven rebounds and six assists, and 12 of his tally came in the fourth quarter.

The 76ers had levelled the match at 105 apiece with one minute and 29 seconds remaining before James scored five consecutive points as the Lakers went on to seal the victory.

Doncic had returned to the Lakers line-up having missed the previous two games in a run of three on the road following the birth of his child.

He registered a triple-double of 31 points - which was a game high - 15 rebounds and 11 assists.

LeBron James and Luka Doncic inspire LA Lakers victory against Philadelphia 76ers

LeBron James and Luka Doncic score 60 points between them to fire the Los Angeles Lakers to a 112-108 win against the Philadelphia 76ers.

www.bbc.com

As far as lakers are concerned, their starters Doncic, James, Reaves are a dream trio on paper and getting good support from Hachimura and Ayton. Definitely see them going deeper into playoffs.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Wembanyama returns to help Spurs to NBA Cup final

Victor Wembanyama made his return from injury for the San Antonio Spurs and helped them reach the NBA Cup final with a win against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The French sensation, who missed 12 games with a left calf issue, scored 22 points as the Spurs dramatically beat the NBA champions 111-109 in Las Vegas.

Wembanyama also registered nine rebounds, two assists and two blocks during his 21 minutes on court as the Thunder lost for only the second time in 26 games this season.

"I knew I had limited minutes so I had to make the most out of it," said 21-year-old Wembanyama, whose team-mate Devin Vassell scored 23 points.

"Winning against a team like this, it might seem like it's just a game but it's a collective effort and it's not an easy thing.

"It's only their second loss of the season. It means something."

The NBA Cup is the competition's annual in-season tournament, with all matches except the final also counting towards the regular season standings.

The Thunder were beaten in last year's final by the Milwaukee Bucks and had a 16-game winning run ended by the Spurs as they exited this season's competition.

Oklahoma City had equalled the best 25-game start to a season when they went 24-1 by beating the Phoenix Suns in the quarter-finals, but they have now made the second best start to a campaign after 26 games as the Golden State Warriors were 25-1 at the same stage in 2015-16.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA's reigning Most Valuable Player, top scored for the Thunder against the Spurs with a game-high 29 points.

San Antonio will play the New York Knicks in the final after they beat the Orlando Magic 132-120.

Jalen Brunson scored a season-high 40 points to inspire the Knicks to victory, while team-mate Karl-Anthony Towns added 29 points.

"We came out here and did exactly what we said we wanted to do, which was play Knicks basketball," said Towns.

BBC

 

[BouncerGuy]

Knueppel the fastest player to 100 three-pointers

Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel became the fastest player to score 100 three-pointers in the NBA during a 139-132 defeat at the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The 20-year-old, the fourth pick at the 2025 draft, reached the landmark in only 29 games when he scored in the first quarter at Rocket Arena.

Utah Jazz's Lauri Markkanen held the previous record of 41 games, while playing for the Chicago Bulls in 2017-18.

Knueppel scored five of the nine three-pointers he attempted against the Cavaliers to finish with 20 points, while LaMelo Ball contributed 23 and Brandon Miller 20 for the Hornets.

But Donovan Mitchell racked up 30 points, DeAndre Hunter 27 and Darius Garland 27 with 10 assists for the Cavaliers.

The Cavaliers are seventh in the Eastern Conference and the Hornets 12th.

BBC

 

[hassan918]

Jokic breaks Curry record in historic triple-double​

Nikola Jokic recorded a 56-point triple-double and broke a record set by Steph Curry as the Denver Nuggets beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 142-138 on Christmas Day.

The Serb hit 56 points, recorded 16 rebounds and 15 assists - becoming the first player in NBA history to hit at least 55 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists in a triple-double.

Three-time MVP Jokic hit 18 of his 56 points in overtime, breaking Curry's record of 17 overtime points from 2016.

The Timberwolves took the game in Denver to overtime after clawing back a 15-point deficit in the final five minutes of the game.

Anthony Edwards top-scored for the Timberwolves with 44 points, including the game-tying three that took the game to overtime.

But the 24-year-old was ejected in the extra period for arguing over foul calls as the Nuggets claimed the win.

The Nuggets are third in the Western Conference, with the Timberwolves in fifth.

Source: BBC

 

[BouncerGuy]

Three-time MVP Jokic suffers 'gut-wrenching' injury

Three-time NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic suffered a "gut-wrenching" knee injury as the Denver Nuggets lost 147-123 at the Miami Heat.

Jokic was hurt late in the first half in an accidental coming together with team-mate Spencer Jones.

Jones stepped on the foot of Jokic who immediately collapsed to the ground clutching his knee.

The 30-year-old will have an MRI scan on Tuesday to determine the seriousness of the problem.

"Immediately, he knew something was wrong," said Nuggets head coach David Adelman.

"This is part of the NBA. Anyone who gets hurt, it's gut-wrenching, especially somebody as special as he is. We'll find out more tomorrow.

"We'll move on as a team. Obviously, right now, I'm more concerned just about him as a person and the disappointment of going through something like that."

Jokic, who leads the NBA season in rebounds and assists, had 21 points and eight assists in the game before suffering the injury.

BBC

 

[BouncerGuy]

James' birthday spoiled by Lakers' loss to Pistons

LeBron James' 41st birthday was spoiled by the Detroit Pistons, who claimed a 128-106 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Cade Cunningham scored 27 points for the Pistons, who remain top of the Eastern Conference with 25 wins from 33 games after avoiding a season-worst three-game losing streak.

Luka Doncic registered 30 points and 11 assists for the Lakers, with NBA all-time leading scorer James adding 17 points.

James became just the 12th player in NBA history to compete at age 41 or older.

He has now played 1,577 career games - second only to Robert Parish's 1,611 - as he contests his record 23rd NBA season.

The Lakers end 2025 having lost four of their past five games and sit fifth in the Western Conference.

Rookie VJ Edgecombe scored with 1.7 seconds remaining in overtime to give the Philadelphia 76ers victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.

The 20-year-old contributed 25 points - including his clutch three-pointer - as the 76ers earned a 139-136 victory on the road.

Team-mates Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid led their side with 34 points apiece as the 76ers ended a three-game losing streak.

Ja Morant responded with 40 points for the Grizzlies, while rookie Cedric Coward added a career-high 28 points, but the hosts fell to back-to-back defeats.

There were also wins for the Los Angeles Clippers and the Boston Celtics on Tuesday.

The Clippers claimed a fifth straight victory with a dominant 131-90 win over the Sacramento Kings, while the Celtics beat the Utah Jazz 129-119.

BBC

 

[BouncerGuy]

Gilgeous-Alexander leads Thunder to overtime win

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 46 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to an overtime win over the Utah Jazz.

The NBA's reigning Most Valuable Player hit the shot to force overtime before helping the defending champions clinch a 129-125 victory.

Chet Holmgren added a double-double of 23 points and 12 rebounds as the Thunder improved to a 31-7 record and sit top of the Western Conference.

The San Antonio Spurs (26-11) are second in the West having won 107-91 at home to the fourth-placed Los Angeles Lakers (23-12).

Keldon Johnson scored 27 points as a balanced San Antonio attack overcame the individual brilliance of Luka Doncic, with Victor Wembanyama adding 16 points off the bench.

Doncic finished with 38 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the Lakers, who rested LeBron James after the veteran shone in Tuesday's win at New Orleans.

The Denver Nuggets (25-12) remain third in the West after claiming a 114-110 win at the Boston Celtics (23-13).

Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic (knee) missed his fifth straight game for Denver, for whom Peyton Watson scored a team-high 30 points while Jamal Murray added 22 and a career-high 17 assists.

The Celtics (23-13) slipped to third in the Eastern Conference as the New York Knicks won 134-111 at home to the Los Angeles Clippers (24-13) to halt a four-game losing streak.

Eastern Conference leaders Detroit are 28-9 after Isaiah Stewart scored a career-high 31 points as the Pistons won 108-93 at home to the Chicago Bulls.

BBC

 

[BouncerGuy]

Minnesota hold moment of silence for 'unspeakable tragedy'

The Minnesota Timberwolves held a moment of silence in memory of Renee Good - who was shot dead by a US immigration agent - before Friday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Good, 37, was killed less than four miles from the Timberwolves' Target Center following a confrontation on Wednesday morning.

"As we all know, our community has suffered yet another unspeakable tragedy," Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said.

"We want to just convey our condolences and heartfelt wishes and prayers and thoughts to the families and loved ones and all of those that are greatly affected by what happened."

Minnesota earned a fourth successive win - beating Cleveland 131-122 - with Julius Randle scoring 28 points, with 11 rebounds and eight assists.

The Timberwolves are fourth in the Western Conference with the Cavaliers, who have lost two of their last three matches, eighth in the Eastern.

The Indiana Pacers won 114-112 at the Charlotte Hornets to end a 13-game losing streak and deliver a 1,000th victory for coach Rick Carlisle.

Carlisle has coached the Detroit Pistons, the Dallas Mavericks and had two spells with the Pacers during his 25-year career.

The 66-year-old is the 11th coach to reach the milestone and the first to join the group since Doc Rivers in 2021.

Indiana remain bottom of the Eastern Conference with the Hornets in 12th.

In Salt Lake City, Utah Jazz halted a five-match losing run with a 116-114 win against the Dallas Mavericks.

The Chicago Bulls' meeting with the Miami Heat was postponed due to condensation on the court in Chicago.

The United Center hosted an NHL game on Thursday and after an unseasonably warm, rainy day in Chicago, the court was not playable 24 hours later.

Players from both teams went through their standard pre-game warm-up but the fixture was called off after 90 minutes following an agreement by the NBA league office, game officials and both teams' coaches.

BBC

 

[BouncerGuy]

NBA plans to 'tap into European football culture'

NBA commissioner Adam Silver says he wants to "tap into" Europe's football culture as part of the plans for a proposed European basketball league.

Silver says he has spoken to Manchester City and Manchester United, though BBC Sport understands neither intends to have a team should the venture come to fruition.

With a current working title of NBA Europe, the plan is to launch a permanent league across the continent that could start as soon as the 2027-28 season.

As many as 16 teams across the continent could be involved, with a team from both London and Manchester expected to feature.

The league is expected to be made up of new franchises, current basketball teams and football clubs who do and do not currently have associated basketball teams.

"We're having conversations with everyone, and it's part of why this process has gone on so long," Silver told BBC Sport.

"I began speaking publicly around the Paris Olympics, and we wanted to make sure we've covered everybody. We've talked to all interested parties, we're covering all areas and all opportunities."

Silver also confirmed that he has spoken to Real Madrid, Barcelona and Paris St-Germain as he looks to mix established European teams with new ones.

However, reports say the existing EuroLeague - which features Real and Barcelona - has concerns about the new venture, threatening legal action against the NBA should clubs break existing agreements to take part in the new competition.

But Silver, speaking before the NBA's first regular season match in London since 2019 on Sunday, feels the already existing strong support of football clubs could play a major role in growing the game across Europe.

"I want to be careful [of] those traditions," he said.

"That culture is so special, so unique, so long held, I don't want to fool myself or anybody else potentially involved in this new league that they can be easily transferred.

"At the same time, we want the benefits of that incredible wisdom and knowledge obtained over decades of operation.

"As an American, I see that religious fervour around people's football clubs here, and we could only be so lucky to tap into that. It's more singularly focused here. To me, that represents opportunity.

"We don't come into the market thinking we're going to take from football. What we see is a large opportunity and entertainment ecosystem, and we're seeing that all over the world that people are turning to premium live sports."

BBC

 

[BouncerGuy]

Broncos quarterback Nix breaks ankle in play-off win

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix will miss the rest of the season after fracturing his ankle in Saturday's thrilling 33-30 play-off win over the Buffalo Bills.

Head coach Sean Payton said the 25-year-old suffered the injury three plays before kicker Wil Lutz scored the winning field goal in overtime.

Nix continued for two more plays despite the injury to help complete the win, but will now miss Denver's bid to make the Super Bowl for the first time in a decade.

Instead, Payton confirmed back-up quarterback Jarrett Stidham will start next Sunday's AFC Championship game against either the Houston Texans or New England Patriots.

Nix is scheduled to have surgery on Tuesday.

Earlier, Nix threw three touchdowns to book the Broncos' first appearance in the AFC Championship game since winning the Super Bowl in February 2016.

Nix has played an instrumental role in Denver finishing as top seed in the AFC with a 14-3 record in the regular season.

The second-year quarterback has led eight game-winning drives this season, the most by any player in the Super Bowl era aged 25 or under.

He has thrown 25 touchdowns, rushed for four and thrown for 3,931 yards in the Broncos' best season since last winning the Lombardi Trophy.

Stidham is in his third year in Denver but appeared in just one game this season and has not attempted a pass in the NFL since the 2023 season.

He will be the first quarterback to make his maiden start of the season in the Conference Championship since Roger Staubach for the Dallas Cowboys in 1972.

"We'll be ready for the next challenge," said Payton, who now has to plan how to make it to the Super Bowl without his star quarterback.

What are the remaining play-off games?

Conference seed in brackets, all kick-off times GMT

Divisional Round

Sunday, 18 January

• Houston Texans (5) @ New England Patriots (2) - 20:00
• Los Angeles Rams (5) @ Chicago Bears (2) - 23:30

Conference Championships

Sunday, 25 January

• AFC Championship: Texans or Patriots @ Denver Broncos (1) - 20:00
• NFC Championship: Rams or Bears @ Seattle Seahawks (1) - 23:30

Super Bowl 60

Sunday, 8 February - 23:30

BBC

 

[BouncerGuy]

Antetokounmpo expects to miss up to six weeks

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo expects to be out for about four to six weeks with a calf injury.

Antetokounmpo played 32 minutes of his side's 102-100 defeat by the Denver Nuggets on Friday before coming off in the final minute of the game.

"Probably the next steps will be, go to [an] MRI tomorrow," said the 31-year-old, who produced 22 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists against the Nuggets.

"After the MRI, they'll tell me, probably, I popped something in my calf, in my soleus, something. They'll probably give me a protocol of four to six weeks that I'll be out.

"This is from my experience being around the NBA."

He added: "After that, I'm going to work my butt off to come back. That will probably be the end of February, beginning of March."

The two-time MVP recently criticised his team-mates amid their poor form.

The loss to the Nuggets was a fifth defeat in six games for the Bucks and leaves them 11th in the Eastern Conference. Their final game of the regular season is on 12 April.

"We're not playing hard, we're not doing the right thing, we're not playing to win, we're not playing together," said Antetokounmpo following their previous outing, which ended with the Bucks being beaten by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

"Our chemistry is not there, guys are being selfish, rather try to look for their own shots than look for the right shot for the team. Guys are trying to do it on their own."

BBC

 

[hassan918]

Harden to join Cavaliers in pursuit of first title​

James Harden is set to join the Cleveland Cavaliers from the Los Angeles Clippers, with Darius Garland moving in the opposite direction after the sides agreed a trade.

Harden, 36, is an 11-time NBA All-Star and regarded as one of the greatest guards in history, but he has never won an NBA title.

Although the deal is yet to be confirmed by the NBA, Harden said the opportunity to win a first championship was key in deciding to move.

The Cavaliers are fifth in the Eastern Conference in their pursuit of a play-off spot, while the Clippers are ninth in the West.

"I see an opportunity to win in the East - they got a very good team, coaching staff, all of the above," Harden told ESPN.

"As much as I wanted to stay in LA and give it a go, I've never won one before. As a basketball mind, I think we have a bit better chance."

Harden has helped the Clippers climb the table after a dismal 6-21 start this season, but sat out Sunday's defeat by the Philadelphia 76ers while talks with the Cavaliers progressed.

Harden, who won the NBA's Most Valuable Player Award in 2018 while with the Houston Rockets, denied speculation that he requested a trade from the Clippers.

"That wasn't the case at all. In life, not even just basketball, when things don't work out, there are ways to end things in relationships without having to crack each other," he said.

"Maybe we just don't see a future with each other. Maybe we just outgrew each other. Whatever the case may be, I feel like our situations weren't like that."

Across stints at five franchises, Harden has scored 28,805 points, putting him ninth on the NBA's all-time list.

The Cavaliers have not won a title since 2016.

Garland, 26, averages 18 points this season in a campaign blighted by injury.

As part of the trade, the Clippers secured a second-round pick for this year's draft.

The Clippers host the Cavaliers on Wednesday, but Harden and Garland must pass medicals before the trade is confirmed.

Source: BBC

 

[Cricket Warrior]

NBA legend Chris Paul announces retirement at 40

NBA legend Chris Paul has announced his retirement after being released by the Toronto Raptors.

The 40-year-old, widely regarded as one of the sport's greatest point guards, was a 12-time NBA All-Star and 2006 Rookie of the Year.

One of only seven players to enjoy an NBA career spanning 21 seasons, Paul also helped the United States claim Olympic gold medals in Beijing in 2008 and then four years later in London.

"This is it! After 21 years I'm stepping away from basketball," he posted on Instagram., external

"Mostly I'm filled with so much joy and gratitude! While this chapter of being an 'NBA player' is done, the game of basketball will forever be ingrained in the DNA of my life.

"I've been in the NBA for more than half of my life, spanning three decades. It's crazy even saying that."

Paul, who was nicknamed the 'Point of God', averaged 16.8 points, 9.2 assists, 4.4 rebounds and two steals a game during a 1,370-game career that started at the New Orleans Hornets in 2005 and effectively ended after a second spell at the Los Angeles Clippers.

He also featured for the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, the Phoenix Suns and the Golden State Warriors, but never played on an NBA championship-winning team.

He came closest to a gold ring in 2021, when Phoenix reached the NBA finals, only to lose to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Paul, who retires second in NBA history for both assists (12,552) and steals (2,728),

had not played since 1 December, with the Clippers trading him to Toronto earlier this month.

Chris Paul: NBA legend announces retirement at 40

NBA legend Chris Paul announces his retirement at 40, following a 21-year career, after being released by the Toronto Raptors.

www.bbc.com

 

[BouncerGuy]

Spurs extend winning run to close gap on Thunder

The San Antonio Spurs beat the Toronto Raptors to extend their winning run and close in on NBA Western Conference leaders Oklahoma City Thunder.

Devin Vassell scored 21 points and De'Aaron Fox 20 as the visitors triumphed 110-107 at Scotiabank Arena to claim a 10th successive win for the first time since the 2015-16 season.

Victor Wembanyama scored only 12 points for the Spurs but made a crucial block - his fifth of the game - with 44 seconds remaining.

The Spurs improved to 42-16, while the Thunder are 45-15 after losing 124-116 at Eastern Conference leaders Detroit Pistons.

Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren scored 29 points apiece for the Pistons, while the NBA's Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missed a ninth straight game for the Thunder because of injury.

The Pistons improved to 43-14, going ahead of the Thunder for the league's best record and extending their lead the top of the Eastern Conference above the Boston Celtics, who lost 103-84 at the Denver Nuggets.

Nikola Jokic scored 30 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for the Nuggets.

The Milwaukee Bucks overcame the continued absence of two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo with a calf injury to win 118-116 at home against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Cavs were without new signing James Harden after he suffered a broken thumb in Tuesday's win over the New York Knicks.

The Houston Rockets beat the Sacramento Kings 128-97 - their biggest victory of the season - while the Golden State Warriors won 133-112 at the Memphis Grizzlies.

BBC

 

[BouncerGuy]

Gilgeous-Alexander closes in on Chamberlain record

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander moved to within two games of breaking a decades-old NBA record as he scored 27 points to help the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 104-97 home win over the Golden State Warriors.

He has scored at least 20 points in 125 consecutive games for the defending champions, a sequence that began on 1 November 2024.

The legendary Wilt Chamberlain holds the record of 126 games - set between October 1961 and January 1963.

The Thunder host the Denver Nuggets on Monday and the Boston Celtics on Thursday.

Victory at Paycom Center was the Thunder's fifth in a row. They became the first side to 50 wins this season and sit top of the Western Conference.

Gilgeous-Alexander said: "If we were the best team last year, all year, we win a championship, and we get better, we should put ourselves in great position to repeat.

"This year's had a little bit more ups and downs for us, but I think we've done a pretty good job keeping that front of mind."

The Warriors - again missing the injured Stephen Curry - scored seven unanswered points to reduce the Thunder's lead to 99-97 before a three-pointer from Gilgeous-Alexander in the final minute.

Michael Porter Jr scored 30 points as the Brooklyn Nets came from 23 points down to win 107-105 at Eastern Conference leaders Detroit Pistons and end a 10-game losing streak.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 27 points as the Milwaukee Bucks beat the visiting Utah Jazz 113-99.

Jalen Johnson's 35 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists helped the Atlanta Hawks to a 125-116 home win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Kawhi Leonard scored 28 points as the Los Angeles Clippers overturned a 19-point first-half deficit to win 123-120 at the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Orlando Magic won 119-92 at the Minnesota Timberwolves despite Anthony Edwards' 34 points for the hosts.

BBC

 

[hassan918]

'It's Wilt, me, then Kobe' - Adebayo scores 83 points​

Bam Adebayo scored 83 points - the second highest number in an NBA game - as the Miami Heat beat the Washington Wizards 150-129.

The center said it was a "special moment" when he passed Kobe Bryant's 81-point tally, set in 2006.

Wilt Chamberlain's record of 100 points has stood since 1962.

Adebayo scored 36 of 43 free-throws - records for the most free-throws attempted and most free-throws made - at Kaseya Center in Miami.

"It's Wilt, me, then Kobe, which sounds crazy," he said.

The 28-year-old described it as a "special moment" and said he "really got emotional" when he realised the scale of his achievement.

"I wish I could relive it twice," Adebayo said.

Paying tribute to his family and trainers, he said: "They've seen me at the lowest, at the bottom of the bottom, trying to figure out how to really pick myself up.

"To have this moment and share it with all them, it's a pretty emotional moment."

The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 120-106 at home thanks to Luka Doncic's 31 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists.

The Lakers climbed to fourth in the Western Conference, ahead of the Timberwolves on a tie-breaker as they both have 40-25 records.

Eastern Conference leaders the Detroit Pistons moved to 46-18 with a 138-100 win at the Brooklyn Nets as Jalen Duren scored 26 points.

Source: BBC