Jokić makes history with 30/20/20 game as Lakers face Celtics Tonight: Starting 5, March 8

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Mile-High Moment: The pass that put Jokić in a class alone.

Tonight on ABC: The East and West’s No. 2 teams renew an all-time rivalry, when the Lakers and Celtics clash (8:30 ET)

5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION

March 8, 2025

The Ultimate Ace: The Joker’s greatest show yet and a stat line the NBA has never seen before

Lakers-Celtics: Two of the game’s fiercest rivals meet in a matchup 40 years in the making

Star Duos Collide: A new chapter in a storied rivalry defined by superstar duels

Streaks Atop The Standings: Cavs notch their 13th straight win, Thunder strike again

Roundup: Swipa returns to Sac-Town, West contenders collect key dubs and more

BUT FIRST … ⏰

One of the best rivalries in sports takes center stage…

Blockbuster In Boston: In a primetime ABC showdown, the defending champion C’s host LeBron, Luka and the Lakers, who enter TD Garden riding their longest win streak in five years (8:30 ET).

ABC Sunday Matinee: The top two Kia MVP candidates collide tomorrow, as SGA and the Thunder host Jokić and the Nuggets (1:00 ET), before KD and the Suns visit the Mavs (3:30 ET).

Today’s Reads: Andscape on KD mentoring rookie Ryan Dunn … Detroit Free Press on the Pistons’ turnaround from the eyes of owner Tom Gores … Plus, Jayson Tatum’s thoughts on tonight’s Celtics-Lakers showdown, via Clutch Points.

1. ONE OF ONE: JOK

IC

 

DELIVERS A PERFORMANCE FOR THE AGES

31 points. 21 rebounds. 22 assists. And a night that will live forever.

In his 10-year career, the Joker has wielded an unprecedented playmaking pen, from painting effortless masterpieces to rewriting records again and again.

But on Friday, the offensive artist and passing wizard redefined what’s possible on an NBA floor.

Nuggets 149, Suns 141 (OT): After seeing Denver’s 21-point lead evaporate, Jokić found Christian Braun for a go-ahead 3 with 1.4 seconds left in regulation, only for Kevin Durant (29 pts) to respond with a game-tying triple at the buzzer to force OT.

But more basketball for Phoenix also meant more Jokić, as the reigning Kia MVP – who entered OT with 26 pts, 18 reb, and 17 ast – added five more points, three boards and five dimes to seal a thrilling win and stamp an iconic performance. | Recap | Watch The OT Ending

In the NBA’s 78-year history, there have been over 66,600 total regular season games.

Yes, sixty-six thousand six hundred.

But on Friday, Jokić’s numbers stood alone, marking the first ever 30+ point, 20+ rebound and 20+ assist game – showcasing his all-around brilliance.

Elite Efficiency: Finishing 13-of-22 from the field (59.1%), it was just the second game in the last 50 years in which a player posted 25/20/15 while shooting over 55%The First Instance? Achieved by the Joker – in JanuaryHistoric Stat-Stuffer: He’s also just the third player in NBA history to record a 20/20/20 game, joining Wilt Chamberlain and his teammate Russell WestbrookUnprecedented Distribution: Jokić’s 22 assists were a career-high and the most by any center in a single NBA gameUnmatched Impact:

He’s only the second player in the play-by-play era to score 30+ points and generate 50+ points off assists in a game, joining Luka Dončić (May 2021)

Historic Heights: It was Jokić’s NBA-best 29th triple-double of the season, which he notched with 10:22 left in the 3rd quarter – highlighting a season that’s seen the three-time Kia MVP elevate his game to an even higher level. The 29 triple-doubles this season matches Jokić’s career-high for a season.

Rare Air: Friday marked Jokić’s seventh 15/15/15 game this season and his 14th all-time, tying Oscar Robertson for both recordsUncharted Territory:

With the unprecedented outing, Jokić moved closer to capping an unprecedented campaign, as he’s on pace to become the first player to rank in the top three in points, rebounds and assists in a single season

“When you are one of one in this league – and the tremendous history of this league – that says a lot,” said Nuggets coach Michael Malone postgame. “There’s a lot of good players in this league, but Nikola, in my opinion, is in a class all by himself.”

2. LAKERS AT CELTICS: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW (8:30 ET, ABC)

On Feb. 17, 1985,

Magic Johnson dropped 37 points and 13 assists to lead the Lakers to a 117-111 win against Larry Bird (33 pts, 15 reb) and the Celtics.

That showdown

wasn’t just a Finals preview – as L.A. beat Boston for the title four months later – it was also the last time the Lakers and Celtics met 50+ games into a season while both holding top-two seeds in their conference.

Until tonight (8:30 ET, ABC).

“Every game should feel like the most important game,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said Thursday on facing the Lakers. “But at the same time, you feel the honor of playing in a rivalry game like [this] because you’ve seen the battles.”

The NBA’s two most decorated franchises also boast two of the hottest teams, with L.A. and Boston each sitting 2nd in their respective conferences.

Lake Show Surging: Los Angeles has won eight straight games and is an NBA-best 20-4 since Jan. 15, leading to the league’s 4th-best overall recordConsistent C’s:

Boston is 11-3 since February and has owned the NBA’s 3rd-best record since late November, trailing only Cleveland & OKC

Winning Formulas: With 35 NBA titles between them, L.A. and Boston know what it takes to reach the summit – starting with a strong defensive foundation.

C’s Shutdown: While the Celtics’ offense is on a historic pace, their defense has been lights out, allowing the third-fewest ppg (108.3) and ranking third in opponent FG% (45.3)Lockdown Lakers:

Meanwhile, L.A. ranks first in points allowed (106.3) and DefRtg (107.6) since Jan. 15, fueling its 20-4 run

Strength vs. Strength: Amid their eight-game win streak, the Lakers have clamped down beyond the arc, forcing opponents into a league-low 30.7% from deep.

But tonight, they’ll face one of the most prolific 3-point attacks the game has ever seen.

Boston 3-Party: With 1,126 made 3s through 63 games, the Celtics are on pace for 1,465 – over 100 more triples than the 2022-23 Warriors’ single-season record (1,363)Deep From Deep: Six of the Celtics’ top eight leading scorers are shooting over 35% from downtown, as they’re hitting an NBA-best 17.9 3s per gameScoring Surplus:

That includes Derrick White (212 3PM), Jayson Tatum (211) and Payton Pritchard (207), only the third NBA trio to each hit 200+ treys in a season

After dropping Round 1 in Los Angeles, 117-96, can the defending champs strike back on their home floor?

3. A NEW CHAPTER IN A RIVALRY FILLED WITH LEGENDS

“Lakers versus Celtics have always been very intense rivals, and it’s because of the people and the players that have come before all of us.” – Kevin Garnett, 2010

From Russell vs. West to Bird vs. Magic to Pierce vs. Kobe, the Celtics & Lakers haven’t just forged an iconic rivalry but also a legendary list of superstar showdowns from generation to generation.

Tonight marks a new chapter in their rich history of duels, as Luka Dončić joins LeBron James in their first outing against Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

LeBron & Luka: Only two players in the NBA are averaging 27+ points, 8+ rebounds and 5+ assists over the last eight games – James (29.4 pts, 10.5 reb, 5.5 ast) and Dončić (27.7 pts, 8.7 reb, 9.3 ast), resulting in eight straight L.A. wins.

But like the Lakers’ success, LeBron & Luka’s offensive numbers begin on the defensive side of the floor.

L.A. Intensity: The Lakers not only lead the NBA in DefRtg during their 20-4 run, but also in opponent FG% (43.0), stemming from an uptick in both 2-point and 3-point shot contestsKing’s Defense:

In that span, James ranks 2nd in DefRtg among players logging 30+ minutes per game (min. 20 GP) while holding opponents to just 42.8% shooting

Enter, Luka: Forcing more missed shots creates more breakout opportunities for LeBron, who now has one of the game’s greatest playmakers looking for him down court.

One Step Ahead: Since his Lakers debut on Feb. 10, Luka has made 44 “pitch-ahead” passes, generating 68 points – both the 4th most in the NBADeep Connection: 12 of those pitch-ahead passes have found James, resulting in 21 points – the 3rd-most by any duo in that spanBigger Impact: LeBron leads the league in total fastbreak points since Dončić’s debut, boosting the Lakers to 2nd in transition points per possession this season“I’m a natural-born wide receiver,

and he’s a natural-born quarterback,” said LeBron on his connection with Luka. “So it fits perfectly.”

The Jays: While Luka & LeBron’s chemistry blossoms, Tatum & Brown have mastered theirs, cementing themselves as an all-time 1-2 punch.

Combo Buckets: Despite a loss to Cleveland last Friday, Tatum (46) and Brown (37) combined for 83 points, marking the 28th time they’ve both scored 30+ in the same gameBoston’s Best: That’s the most such games in Celtics history (trailed by Larry Bird & Kevin McHale with 9) and the 8th-most in NBA historyInitiating: This season, Tatum has stepped up as a distributor, averaging a career-high 5.8 assists per game this seasonFinishing:

One of his favorite targets? Brown, who leads Boston in points in the paint (11.3 ppg)

Tonight, the two dynamic duos will look to go toe-to-toe, adding to an iconic rivalry defined by star showdowns.

Tatum: “ABC. Celtics-Lakers, it’s what the fans want to see.”

Seven more games tip off today on League Pass, highlighted by another marquee interconference clash as the surging Pistons visit Steph Curry and the red-hot Warriors (8:30 ET).

4. STREAKS ATOP THE STANDINGS: CAVS JOIN ELITE COMPANY, OKC ROLLS

The clutch Cavs did it again – this time for lucky No. 13.

Cavaliers 118, Hornets 117: Miles Bridges erupted for a career-high 46 points, helping put Charlotte up nine with 5:39 left.

But Cleveland never blinked, closing the game on a 23-13 run, capped by a go-ahead De’Andre Hunter putback and six free throws from Donovan Mitchell (24 pts) in the final 16 seconds to seal their 13th straight win, improving to an NBA-best 53-10 overall and 21-6 in clutch games. | Recap

Historic Heaters: The Cavs are just the 11th team to rattle off two 13+ win streaks in a season and the fourth since 2000Scoring Surge: Posting 126.1 ppg amid its current streak, Cleveland’s only the third team in NBA history to tally 13 straight wins while averaging 125+ ppgThe Other Two Teams?

The 1959-60 Celtics and 1971-72 Lakers – both NBA champions

The top team out West

is also picking up wins.

Thunder 107, Blazers 89: With SGA out, OKC’s depth shined, with Aaron Wiggins (30 pts) leading six double-digit scorers and Jaylin Williams notching his first career triple-double (10 pts, 11 reb, 11 ast) to beat the Blazers, marking the Thunder’s sixth straight win. | Recap

5. SWIPA RETURNS TO SAC-TOWN, KEY WEST WINS & MORE

After 7+ seasons donning Purple & Black, De’Aaron Fox got a royal welcome in his return to Sacramento, but he couldn’t stop the beam from shining bright.

Kings 127, Spurs 109: In his first game as a visitor at the Golden 1 Center, Fox received a standing ovation before posting 16 points and 8 dimes. But the Kings got the win behind Zach LaVine’s 36 points and seven 3s. | Recap

Grizzlies 122, Mavericks 111: With Memphis on a four-game skid, Ja Morant (31 pts, 8 ast) and Desmond Bane (27 pts, 16 reb, 6 ast) took charge, and after 11 ties and 14 lead changes, Morant slammed the door shut, scoring the game’s final 7 points to top the Mavs. | Recap

Historic Voices: Doris Burke, Angel Gray and Cassidy Hubbarth were on the call for ESPN, marking its fourth All-Women’s NBA broadcast

Wolves 106, Heat 104: Despite only taking 10 shots, Anthony Edwards made his presence felt (13 pts, 13 reb, 6 ast) while Mike Conley, Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo added 15 points apiece to edge out Bam Adebayo (29 pts, 13 reb) and the Heat for their fourth straight win. | Recap

Clippers 105, Knicks 95: After hitting six 3s en route to a 50-ball on Wednesday, James Harden drained five triples for 27 points while adding seven dimes to lead the Clips past Josh Hart (14 pts, 20 reb, 6 ast) and the Knicks, who were without Jalen Brunson (ankle). | Recap

Raptors 118, Jazz 109: Walker Kessler delivered a monster performance with 18 points, and a career-high in rebounds (25) and blocks (8), but it wasn’t enough as Immanuel Quickley (34 pts) and the Raptors never trailed for their third win in a row. | Recap

Big-Time Company: Only five other players have recorded 25+ rebounds and 8+ blocks in a game: Dikembe Mutombo, Shaq, Hakeem, Elvin Hayes and Kareem

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