Kristian Ferrell
On 15 November 2024, the Emirates NBA Cup resumed with a 12-game slate, including a doubleheader featuring LeBron James and the Lakers facing Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs, followed by Steph Curry and the Warriors hosting the Grizzlies. The Nets and Knicks battled for New York, and Cleveland returned home aiming for their 14th win. Donovan Mitchell's 37 points led the Cavaliers to victory over the Bulls, while De'Aaron Fox's 54 points brought the Sacramento Kings back from a 20-point deficit, though they ultimately lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves. In other news, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of OKC scored 15 points in the final five minutes to tie the series with the Finals, and Moritz Wagner led all scorers with 28 points as Orlando defeated Philadelphia.
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What You'll Learn
- The Emirates NBA Cup resumed, with the Cavs seeking their 14th win
- Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs faced LeBron James and the Lakers
- James Harden aimed to surpass Ray Allen's record for second-most 3-pointers
- Donovan Mitchell scored a game-high 37 points, with Cleveland winning 144-126
- De'Aaron Fox scored 54 points, taking Sacramento from a 20-point deficit to a 130-126 victory
The Emirates NBA Cup resumed, with the Cavs seeking their 14th win
On November 15, 2024, the Emirates NBA Cup resumed with the Cavs seeking their 14th win of the season and their first in the Cup. The Cavaliers, who had become just the sixth team to begin an NBA season 13-0, aimed to extend their historic winning streak as they faced the Bulls in their Group Play opener.
The game tipped off at 7:30 ET on League Pass, with the Cavs looking to continue their dominant form. Cleveland's previous game had seen them put up 49 points in the first quarter, a franchise record, en route to a 77-73 halftime lead over Chicago. The Cavaliers' success was driven by a well-rounded offensive performance, with four players scoring over 16 points. Donovan Mitchell led the way with 17, followed by Darius Garland, Nikola Vučević, and Jarrett Allen, who each had 18.
The Emirates NBA Cup's second Cup Night featured a loaded 12-game slate, with two must-see matchups headlining the evening. LeBron James and the Lakers, the defending Cup champions, faced off against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs on ESPN. In the other highly anticipated game, Steph Curry and the Warriors hosted the Grizzlies.
The Cavaliers' quest for their 14th win was not the only notable storyline on November 15. James Harden of the Thunder was on the cusp of NBA history, sitting just four three-pointers shy of surpassing Ray Allen for second on the all-time three-point list. Additionally, Wembanyama, at just 20 years old, set career highs in points and three-pointers (8) to lead San Antonio past Washington.
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Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs faced LeBron James and the Lakers
Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs faced off against LeBron James and the Lakers on November 15, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The game marked a highly anticipated clash between two generational talents in Wembanyama and James, with the former being the top pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and the latter a four-time NBA Finals MVP. Adding to the intrigue was the trade request rumours surrounding James, sparking speculation about San Antonio as a potential destination.
The Spurs entered the game on a 4-game winning streak, while the Lakers had been on the road for much of the past week, facing a gruelling schedule that had left about half of their roster banged up. Despite their rookie phenom Wembanyama's impressive spin move on James, which went viral, the Spurs lost the game by a score of 119-101. Wembanyama finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in 33 minutes of playing time.
The Lakers' victory was largely due to the outstanding performance of James, who notched 23 points and 14 assists. The Spurs, however, bounced back from this loss, snapping an 18-game losing streak in their next encounter with the Lakers on December 16, 2023. They won that game 129-115, with Wembanyama playing a pivotal role, showcasing his defensive prowess with an 8-foot wingspan.
The highly anticipated rematch between Wembanyama and James did not disappoint, with the rookie finishing with 13 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. James, meanwhile, had 23 points, 7 rebounds, 14 assists, and 2 steals. This game marked a turning point for the Spurs, as they ended their losing streak and began to climb the rankings in defensive efficiency.
The rivalry between Wembanyama and James continued, with the two players facing off in several thrilling encounters. Wembanyama's performance in these games fuelled speculation about his potential, with many considering him a "special talent". The young star's impact on the Spurs was undeniable, and he played a pivotal role in shaping the team's success and defensive prowess.
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James Harden aimed to surpass Ray Allen's record for second-most 3-pointers
On November 15, James Harden aimed to surpass Ray Allen's record for the second-most three-pointers in NBA history. Harden, playing for the Los Angeles Clippers, entered the game against the Houston Rockets three three-pointers behind Allen, a Hall of Famer who played 18 seasons. Allen had surpassed Reggie Miller for the most three-pointers during the 2010-11 season and held the record for over a decade until Curry passed him during the 2021-22 season.
Harden was successful in tying Allen's record of 2,973 three-pointers, making three of six attempts in the first quarter. He noted that the Houston Rockets were trying to prevent him from shooting three-pointers. Harden expressed some disappointment that he didn't eclipse Allen's record in Houston, where he had played for nine years and become a star, but he was more focused on getting his team back on track for wins.
Harden achieved this feat in significantly fewer games than Allen, who needed 1,300 games to make 2,973 three-pointers. Harden passed him in 1,086 games. Harden is one of only three players in NBA history to have made 300 three-pointers in a season, making 378 in 2018-19. He is also 15th in the NBA's career list in points and 13th in assists.
With this achievement, Harden moved into second place for the most career three-pointers, trailing only Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, who had 3,779 three-pointers entering Friday night's game. Harden's pursuit of this record demonstrates his extraordinary shooting abilities, and he joins an elite group of players who have achieved remarkable milestones in three-point shooting.
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Donovan Mitchell scored a game-high 37 points, with Cleveland winning 144-126
On November 15, 2024, Donovan Mitchell scored a season-high 37 points, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 144-126 victory over the Chicago Bulls. This win marked the Cavaliers' 14th consecutive victory, creating one of the best starts in league history and setting a franchise record. The Cavaliers became the sixth team to achieve a 14-0 win streak and the first since the Golden State Warriors' 24-0 start in the 2015-16 season.
Cleveland's triumph extended beyond Mitchell's impressive performance. Darius Garland contributed 29 points, while Jarrett Allen added 24 points and Caris LeVert scored 22. The Cavaliers' dominance was evident from the start, as they set a franchise record with 49 points in the first quarter. This strong start laid the foundation for their eventual victory.
Mitchell's impact on the game was significant, especially in the fourth quarter. He opened the final period with a 3-pointer and scored Cleveland's first nine points, showcasing his ability to step up in crucial moments. Mitchell's scoring prowess and leadership helped the Cavaliers maintain their lead and ultimately secure the win.
The Chicago Bulls also had notable performances despite the loss. Coby White led the team with 29 points, while Nikola Vucevic added 25 points. With just 2:55 remaining, the Bulls trailed by only four points after Ayo Dosunmu's dunk. However, the Cavaliers' strong defence and precise shooting, including 3-pointers from LeVert and Mitchell, sealed their victory with a 21-7 run to close out the game.
The Cavaliers' 14-0 start under first-year coach Kenny Atkinson is a remarkable achievement, surpassing even their winning streaks during LeBron James' tenure with the team. This specific game against the Bulls highlighted the depth and talent of the Cavaliers' roster, with multiple players stepping up to contribute to their historic winning streak.
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De'Aaron Fox scored 54 points, taking Sacramento from a 20-point deficit to a 130-126 victory
On November 15, 2024, De'Aaron Fox, playing for the Sacramento Kings, scored a career-high 60 points in a thrilling 130–126 overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Fox's remarkable scoring feat set a new franchise record for the most points scored by a Kings player in a single game. This outstanding performance marked the beginning of a historic two-game stretch for Fox, as he became just the third player in NBA history to score at least 109 points over two consecutive days.
Fox's scoring prowess was on full display as he led the Kings in their comeback attempt against the Timberwolves. Trailing by 20 points at one stage, Fox's relentless attacking play kept the Kings in the game. With time winding down and the outcome still in the balance, Fox stepped up and delivered when it mattered most. He showcased his exceptional skills, scoring from all areas of the court and finding ways to get to his favourite spots despite tight defensive coverage.
Fox's ability to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates was instrumental in Sacramento's near-victory. With each basket, he fuelled the team's momentum and kept them within striking distance. Fox's performance in this game further solidified his reputation as one of the NBA's most dynamic and talented offensive players. His speed, agility, and court vision allowed him to consistently find high-percentage scoring chances, keeping the defence guessing.
Fox's 60 points in this game, coupled with his 49 points and nine assists in the subsequent 122–117 win over the Utah Jazz, cemented his place in the Kings' record books. This back-to-back achievement placed him alongside DeMarcus Cousins, who previously held the franchise record with 104 points in 2016. Fox's ability to consistently put up high numbers demonstrated his all-around excellence as a basketball player and his value to the Sacramento Kings franchise.
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Frequently asked questions
The Emirates NBA Cup resumed with a 12-game slate, including a doubleheader featuring LeBron James and the Lakers facing Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs, followed by Steph Curry and the Warriors hosting the Grizzlies.
LeBron James passed Wilt Chamberlain to become 5th on the NBA's all-time scoring list.
Paul Brown's team, the Bengals, defeated the team that fired him, the Browns, by a score of 14-10.
