Amen Thompson met Victor Wembanyama above the rim in Austin, and Houston walked away with the last word. Thompson’s rejection of Wembanyama in the closing seconds sealed a 114-110 Rockets win over San Antonio on the University of Texas campus, ending a game that had tightened with every possession.
Thompson’s block closes Houston’s Austin win
Houston had built its night around Alperen Sengun’s all-around production, then needed Thompson’s length and timing to finish it. Sengun posted 29 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, while Thompson supplied 20 points, 10 boards, four assists and two steals.
San Antonio made the final minute uncomfortable. Dylan Harper’s 20-point night included a poster dunk that pulled the Spurs within two with 46 seconds left. Thompson missed a midrange look on Houston’s next trip, giving San Antonio one final opening. Wembanyama, who finished with 25 points and 13 rebounds, went toward the basket, but Thompson rose to erase the attempt.
- Kevin Durant scored 20 points on 10 field-goal attempts and called Thompson’s play a game-saving block, marveling at how quickly the 6-foot-7 wing got up against the 7-foot-5 Wembanyama.
- Fred VanVleet said only a small number of people on the planet could make that defensive play, calling it another example of Thompson’s rare ability.
- Houston’s win came in a physical game that stayed in the balance until the final seconds.
Tatum handles the late work as Boston turns back New York
Jayson Tatum put Boston on his back late, scoring seven straight points over the final 1:24 as the Celtics held off the Knicks, 107-103. Tatum’s line was loaded: 36 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals.
Afterward, Tatum said his approach has been shaped by joy and gratitude, explaining that time lost to injury gave him a renewed appreciation for playing.
- Karl-Anthony Towns recorded 22 points and 10 rebounds for New York.
- OG Anunoby added 20 points and 10 boards, while Josh Hart had 10 points and 12 rebounds.
- Paul George scored 15 points with seven rebounds, including a smooth driving finish for his first basket before his new home crowd and a buzzer-beater to end the first half.
- George said Tatum was outstanding throughout the game and made it look easy.
- Mitchell Robinson, facing his former Knicks teammates after signing with Boston during the offseason, said watching Tatum’s performance from the same side was “mind-blowing.”
- Towns said the Knicks still have affection for Robinson and joked that there remains a seat for him at their practices.
Record margin in Atlanta and a crowded scoreboard elsewhere
Atlanta delivered the loudest margin of the night, crushing Charlotte 128-81 for the largest victory in Hawks franchise history. The 47-point gap surpassed the club’s prior high of 46, set against Sacramento on Nov. 15, 2017. Dyson Daniels had 11 points and seven steals in the rout.
The rest of the league’s slate featured comebacks, a teenager’s historic line and several big individual stat sheets.
- Bulls 132, Bucks 125: Caleb Wilson scored 19 of his 21 points after halftime as Chicago rallied with seven players in double figures. Tre Jones handed out eight assists and posted a team-best plus-24, helping spark a 16-0 second-quarter run finished by a Buddy Hield 3-pointer. Hield had 13 points on 5-for-6 shooting. Tyler Herro scored 34 for Milwaukee and made five 3s, including a four-point play.
- Raptors 112, Wizards 102: Scottie Barnes produced 28 points, 14 rebounds and five assists in Toronto’s road win. The Raptors attempted 101 shots to Washington’s 79 and held a 19-6 advantage on the offensive glass.
- Timberwolves 115, Magic 93: Minnesota pulled away behind Anthony Edwards’ 15 points and continued chemistry between Edwards and LaMelo Ball, who had 12 points, five assists and two steals. Wendell Carter Jr. scored 20 on 8-for-9 shooting for Orlando.
- Mavericks 121, Pacers 105: Kyrie Irving led Dallas with 24 points, his first 20-point game since March 1, 2025. Tyrese Haliburton posted 18 points and seven assists for Indiana.
- Pistons 128, Heat 111: Detroit started on a 17-2 run and led the whole way. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 36 points, 12 rebounds and five assists for Miami.
- Jazz 120, Pelicans 119: Jaren Jackson Jr. finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds as Utah edged New Orleans, which has opened its season with two one-possession games.
- Grizzlies 111, Warriors 108: Cameron Boozer had 25 points, 13 rebounds and six assists as Memphis closed on a 20-2 run. At 19 years and 97 days old, Boozer became the third-youngest player in NBA history with at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, behind only Cooper Flagg and LeBron James. Stephen Curry scored 23, while Yaxel Lendeborg put up 18 points, 13 rebounds and six assists for Golden State.
- Lakers 125, Clippers 117: Luka Dončić helped the Lakers claim the Los Angeles matchup with 23 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
- Trail Blazers 128, Kings 120: Deni Avdija scored 26 and six other Portland players reached double figures. Darius Acuff Jr. poured in 33 for Sacramento, the most points ever scored by a teenager in Kings franchise history, while Domantas Sabonis compiled 27 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists.
Philadelphia’s hot start leads Friday’s NBA TV doubleheader
The 76ers bring a fast start into their home meeting with Milwaukee at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBA TV. Philadelphia opened by beating the defending champion Knicks at Madison Square Garden on ring night, then produced the biggest comeback in franchise history during the play-by-play era in its home opener. That comeback was also the largest of LeBron James’ career.
Tyrese Maxey has been Philadelphia’s constant through it, leading the club at 30 points per game on 50 percent shooting in his seventh season. Sixers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey compared the young guard’s potential role beside a star to Kyrie Irving’s impact with James, saying Maxey is among the league’s best young point guards and still improving.
The nightcap sends Golden State to Phoenix at 10 p.m. ET on NBA TV. The teams met in last season’s SoFi Play-In Tournament, when the Suns eliminated the Warriors behind Jalen Green’s 36 points and eight 3-pointers. Curry scored 17 in that game. Green said afterward that Curry has been a mentor figure and called him one of basketball’s greatest shooters and players.
Young embraces a reset in Washington
Trae Young enters Washington’s game against Chicago at 8 p.m. ET on League Pass with a different backdrop after an injury-shortened 2025-26 season. Young, a four-time All-Star in his first seven years, appeared in only 15 games last season after leading the league with 11.6 assists per game.
Now part of a reshaped Wizards group, Young said the situation feels like a breath of fresh air for both him and the city. He said the team must capitalize on the opportunity created by its new arrivals.
Young and Anthony Davis combined for 54 points in Washington’s season-opening victory over Milwaukee. Their next test comes against Wilson and the Bulls.
Friday schedule
- 76ers vs. Bucks — 7:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV
- Wizards vs. Bulls — 8 p.m. ET, League Pass
- Suns vs. Warriors — 10 p.m. ET, NBA TV
- Golden State Valkyries vs. Atlanta Dream, WNBA Finals Game 4 — 1 p.m. ET from State Farm Arena, NBC, Peacock and USA Network. Atlanta leads the series, with Golden State trying to level the Finals against Angel Reese and the Dream.
