Quentin Grimes erupted for a career-best 44 points as the Philadelphia 76ers stunned the Golden State Warriors 126-119 on Saturday, snapping their nine-game losing streak just a day after confirming superstar Joel Embiid would miss the rest of the season.
The Sixers handed Stephen Curry and the Warriors a harsh reality check following Curry’s electrifying 56-point performance in Orlando two nights prior.
The Golden State sharpshooter finished with 29 points and a season-high 13 assists, but the Warriors struggled in the absence of Jimmy Butler, who was ruled out late due to back spasms.
Philadelphia seized control with a dominant 37-point second quarter, heading into halftime with a 67-55 lead.
Though the Warriors rallied to tie the game at 116-116 with just over two minutes remaining, Grimes responded with a crucial layup before Guerschon Yabusele drained a clutch three-pointer to help seal the win.
Despite Embiid’s absence due to a lingering knee injury, Grimes remained optimistic about the Sixers’ postseason hopes.
“We’ve still got a lot of games and a chance to make the play-in,” he said.
Around the NBA
Bucks 132, Mavericks 117
Giannis Antetokounmpo came close to a triple-double with 29 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists, while Damian Lillard added 28 points as Milwaukee outlasted Dallas.
The Bucks closed the first half on a 15-4 run to lead 71-63 at the break. Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with 31 points but was limited to just four in the third quarter as Milwaukee took control.
Pistons 115, Nets 94
One night after their longest winning streak in 17 years ended, the Detroit Pistons bounced back to dominate Brooklyn.
Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren, and Malik Beasley each scored 18 points for Detroit, with Beasley hitting six of his 10 shots before being ejected in the fourth quarter.
Duren added 11 rebounds and six of the Pistons’ 15 blocks, while Cade Cunningham chipped in 15 points and nine assists.
Spurs 130, Grizzlies 128
De’Aaron Fox delivered the game-winner with 2.6 seconds remaining as the San Antonio Spurs edged Memphis to snap a four-game skid.
San Antonio led by as many as 22, but Jaren Jackson Jr. (42 points) kept the Grizzlies in it, drilling a step-back three to tie the game at 128-128 with 23.4 seconds left.
Fox and Devin Vassell led the Spurs’ starters with 20 points each, while rookie Stephon Castle poured in 24 off the bench as San Antonio’s reserves outscored Memphis’ bench 71-41.
The win was a morale booster for the Spurs, who are without Victor Wembanyama for the rest of the season due to a shoulder blood clot.
The team also confirmed that legendary coach Gregg Popovich will not return this season as he recovers from a stroke suffered in November.
