Thursday may have been the teaser, but the NBA was officially back from the All-Star break on Friday, with 11 games on the schedule. Here are all the scores, highlights and updates from the night's action.
Enjoy.
NBA scores for Friday, Feb. 23
- Boston Celtics 110, Detroit Pistons 98 (Box Score)
- Charlotte Hornets 122, Washington Wizards 105 (Box Score)
- Indiana Pacers 116, Indiana Pacers 93 (Box Score)
- Milwaukee Bucks 122, Toronto Raptors 119 -- OT (Box Score)
- Cleveland Cavaliers 112, Memphis Grizzlies 89 (Box Score)
- Houston Rockets 120, Minnesota Timberwolves 102 (Box Score)
- New Orleans Pelicans 124, Miami Heat 123 -- OT (Box Score)
- Portland Trail Blazers 100, Utah Jazz 81 (Box Score)
- Los Angeles Clippers 128, Phoenix Suns 117 (Box Score)
- Denver Nuggets 122, San Antonio Spurs 119 (Box Score)
- Los Angeles Lakers 124, Dallas Mavericks 102 (Box Score)
Lonzo makes triumphant return
Lonzo Ball only played 17 minutes in his first game since Jan. 13, but he made the most of them. Ball compiled nine points, seven rebounds and six assists as the Lakers cruised to a 22-point win over the Mavericks. Ball had missed the Lakers' previous 15 games with a sprained MCL in his left knee.
Lonzo pushes the ball up the floor and finds Zubac for an easy dunk #LakeShow (📺: @SpectrumSN, @spectdeportes & ESPN) pic.twitter.com/ZTehokrW3F
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 24, 2018
The Brow makes history
Anthony Davis did something no player has ever done before, putting up 45 points, 17 rebounds, five blocks and five steals to lead the Pelicans past the Heat in overtime. No player has ever put up 45/15/5/5 since steals were first recorded during the 1973-74 season.
Anthony Davis posted a historic stat line of 45 PTS, 17 REB, 5 BLK, 5 STL to help the @PelicansNBA win in OT! #DoItBig pic.twitter.com/vIkqnkXGN3
— NBA (@NBA) February 24, 2018
Jokic records third straight triple-double
There's been no stopping Nikola Jokic recently. The big man recorded his third straight triple-double, putting up 28 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in Friday's win over the Spurs.
Elite company. pic.twitter.com/uMrSaoRdem
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) February 24, 2018
Blazers snap Utah's winning streak
The Utah Jazz had their 11-game winning streak snapped by Portland on Friday, thanks in large part to the work from backcourt mates Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. The duo combined for 50 points in the win.
It's cold here in Salt Lake, but @CJMcCollum is the one who put the game on ice. pic.twitter.com/O1qq4izK47
— Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) February 24, 2018
Butler exits game with scary knee injury
Wolves forward Jimmy Butler was helped off the court on Friday after suffering an injury to his right knee. X-rays reportedly came back negative, and an MRI is scheduled for Saturday.
Jimmy Butler leaves game vs. Rockets with an apparent knee injury.
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 24, 2018
Catch the latest news as the games come down to the wire on #CrunchTime pic.twitter.com/IntTGtA6MR
Holiday hits game-winner
Jrue Holiday got the call for the Pelicans' final shot of the game, and he knew just what to do. His floater gave New Orleans a one-point win.
Jrue Holiday hit the go-ahead floater in the lane for the @PelicansNBA win!#DoItBIG pic.twitter.com/hWW6ycCtyu
— NBA (@NBA) February 24, 2018
Kyrie, Celtics too much for Griffin, Pistons
The Celtics looked fresh in their first game since the All-Star break, taking care of the Pistons on Friday night. Kyrie Irving had 18 points, six assists and five rebounds while Daniel Theis added a career-high 19 filling in for the injured Aron Baynes. Blake Griffin struggled all night, scoring 17 points on 5-for-19 shooting while committing six turnovers.
FINAL: Celtics 110, Pistons 98
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 24, 2018
Daniel Theis sets a new career-high with 19pts (8-for-10 shooting) to go along with 7 boards. Marcus Smart had 12pts and 6ast in his return. Irving: 18pts, 6ast, 5reb. pic.twitter.com/YXlnP6qf5w
LeBron speeds ahead of the pack
Just a reminder that LeBron James is 33 years old and in his 15th NBA season. Nobody on the Grizzlies came close to keeping up with him on this breakaway.
.@KingJames breaks free! 💨 pic.twitter.com/Q8U54ugMwV
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 24, 2018
Beal beats the buzzer
Bradley Beal made a heads up play and knocked down the 3-pointer to give the Wizards some momentum heading into halftime.
Bradley Beal gets the heads up steal and nails the three as time expires!#DCFamily pic.twitter.com/OZBOR3uC1m
— NBA (@NBA) February 24, 2018
Kyrie, the magician
Man, you just shouldn't be able to do some of the things that Kyrie Irving does on the court.
Another smooth move from @KyrieIrving! 👀 pic.twitter.com/zEZhpJ41Uu
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 24, 2018
And-ones:
- Celtics guard Marcus Smart played Friday after missing the team's last 11 games with a hand injury.
- The Hawks and forward Ersan Ilyasova have reportedly reached an agreement on a buyout. He did not play on Friday.