Porzingis and Celtics equal record as Thunder roars again: NBA roundup

The Boston Celtics delivered a statement performance Monday night, cruising past the visiting Los Angeles Clippers 126-94. It wasn’t just another win—it was a masterclass in dominance, featuring a record-tying barrage of three-pointers and the season debut of Kristaps Porzingis, who added another dimension to Boston’s already stacked lineup.

Porzingis returns to bolster Boston’s six-game streak

After missing the first 17 games of the season recovering from offseason foot surgery, Porzingis returned to action and looked sharp. In 23 minutes, he scored 16 points, giving Celtics fans a tantalizing glimpse of what their revamped roster can achieve.

While Porzingis‘ return stole headlines, the Celtics’ second quarter was the real showstopper. Boston erupted for 51 points in the frame, including an NBA record-tying 12 made three-pointers. Jaylen Brown and Derrick White combined for 25 points in that quarter alone, leading the Celtics to their sixth consecutive win.

The Clippers, led by Ivica Zubac’s 23 points and 10 rebounds, saw their own five-game winning streak snapped. Any hopes of a comeback were snuffed out as Boston shot 43.1% from beyond the arc, draining 22 threes overall.

Can anyone stop Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder?

Over in Sacramento, the Oklahoma City Thunder handed the Kings their fourth straight loss in emphatic fashion, winning 130-109. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was unstoppable, tallying 37 points and 11 assists. With support from Jalen Williams’ 28 points, the Thunder controlled the game and bounced back from a brief slump to win their second straight.

The Kings struggled despite DeMar DeRozan’s 30 points and Domantas Sabonis’ double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds. Sacramento’s season is veering dangerously close to free fall, with their once-promising campaign hitting its roughest patch yet.

A night of comebacks, heartbreaks, and high drama

Elsewhere in the league, drama unfolded in Detroit, where Jaden Ivey’s buzzer-beater lifted the Pistons past the Raptors 102-100. Ivey, who finished with 25 points, gave Pistons fans a rare moment of joy, snapping a three-game losing streak. Meanwhile, Toronto’s Scottie Barnes poured in 31 points in vain, his effort overshadowed by Detroit’s last-second heroics.

In Memphis, Ja Morant returned to the lineup and immediately made his presence felt, leading the Grizzlies to a 123-98 win over Portland with a double-double of 22 points and 11 assists. On the flip side, the Trail Blazers couldn’t hit water from a boat, shooting a dismal 17.4% from three-point range.

Are the Celtics the team to beat?

The Celtics are clicking on all cylinders, combining Porzingis’ unique skill set with their lethal perimeter shooting. Monday night’s victory was a statement to the rest of the league: Boston is a complete team, and they’re ready to contend.

If their three-point clinic and Porzingis’ seamless reintegration are any indication, the Celtics may have just added the final piece to their championship retaining puzzle.

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