November 16 Recap: Fox Scores 60 in Duel with Ant, Brunson Shines in Battle of the Boroughs, Cavs Remain Undefeated

On a high-flying Emirates NBA Cup night, Ant was working overtime to put on a show.

THE LINEUP

Nov. 16, 2024 | What’s inside today’s edition?

Cup Night Drama: A 60-piece in an OT thriller, an interborough game-winner and a frantic finish

Historic Streaks: LeBron checks off another ‘first,’ Cavs move to 14-0

Elite Company: Dyson Daniels dominates, Bam goes off, Harden ties Ray’s record

Roundup: Two more win streaks were on the line, but only one survived Cup Night 2

League Pass Plotlines: Inside Wemby’s second-year surge and the Spurs’ new spark

BUT FIRST … ⏰

A Saturday for the fans…

Saturday marks the first of two straight NBA ID Member Days. This weekend, NBA ID members can stream League Pass on us, starting with today’s five-game slate, featuring a Texas tango between the Spurs and Mavericks (8:30 ET, NBA TV).

A Court Fit For Champions: On Friday, the NBA unveiled the court design for the Emirates NBA Cup Semifinals (Dec. 14) and Championship game (Dec. 17), held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. And as expected, it’s a showstopper.

1. EMIRATES NBA CUP NIGHT DELIVERS THE DRAMA —  AND BUCKETS

On Tuesday, the opening night of the Emirates NBA Cup, fans were treated to three games decided by five points or less.

On Friday, the Cup drama — and scoring outbursts — soared to new heights.

In the highest-scoring performance of the season, and with his co-stars DeMar DeRozan and Malik Monk out, De’Aaron Fox stepped up and went off, pouring in a franchise-record 60 points, including 20 in the 4th quarter to force overtime against the Wolves.

But Anthony Edwards refused to let the win slip away, scoring seven of Minnesota’s 15 points in OT while assisting on two of its three other baskets to earn a hard-fought 130-126 win. | Recap | Catch The Final 3:11

Ant’s Historic Splash: Edwards finished with 36 points and six 3s to become the youngest player to reach 850 made triples in NBA history at 23 years and 102 days oldOnly four other players

have ever reached the mark before turning 25: Luka Dončić (23y, 326d), Trae Young (24y, 165d), Jayson Tatum (24y, 246d) and Bradley Beal (24y, 276d)

Fox Catches Fire: Fox went 22-of-35 from the field, 6-of-10 from 3 and had 54 points at the end of regulation — 10 more than his previous career-high (44)Royalty: He also added seven helpers and three steals, joining Chris Webber as the only Kings to total 50+ points and 3+ steals in a gameAnt On Fox:

“Always been a big fan of his. To me, he is one of the best point guards in the league.” 

Knicks 124, Nets 122 (East Group A): In another thrilling finish between cross-town rivals, after trailing by as many as 21 in the 2nd half, Dennis Schröder splashed a 3 to put Brooklyn up one with 11.5 seconds to play.

But Jalen Brunson responded with a triple of his own with 6.2 ticks left, and Mikal Bridges called game against his former team with a block at the buzzer to blow the roof off MSG. | Recap | Watch The Epic Ending

Brunson Ballin’: Brunson finished with 37 points and seven dimes, while Bridges (22 pts) and OG Anunoby (25 pts) combined for 47Brunson: “We’re gonna fight. That’s just us. That’s our identity.”Cam Cooks:

Cam Thomas went a perfect 7-of-7 from the floor and 5-of-5 from deep for

19 points in the 1st quarter

on his way to a season-high 43 (16-22 FG, 7-10 3P)

Pistons 99, Raptors 95 (West Group A): In a game that never saw a lead greater than eight, Jakob Pöltl (25 pts, 18 reb, 3 blk) helped Toronto take control early in the 2nd half, but Detroit outscored the Raptors 26-17 in the 4th quarter and prevailed in a frantic final sequence thanks to clutch free throws from Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren. | Recap | Watch The Wild Ending

Motown Momentum: Malik Beasley scored seven of his team-high 20 points in the 4th, and the Pistons are now 2-0 in Group PlayPöltl’s Paint:

Pöltl joined Chris Bosh as the only players in Raptors history to total 25+ points, 15+ boards and 3+ blocks in a game.

2. HISTORIC STREAKS: ANOTHER LEBRON MILESTONE, ANOTHER CAVS WIN

At 39 years old and playing in a record-tying 22nd NBA season, LeBron James — the NBA’s all-time leader in points (40,756) and All-Star selections (20) — is still crossing off ‘firsts.’

With 15 points, 16 boards and 12 dimes, James notched his fourth straight triple-double, marking the first time he’s ever achieved such a streak, while Anthony Davis tallied a game-high 40 points to lift the Lakers over the Spurs, 120-115, in a back-and-forth battle in West Group B. | Recap | Watch The Fantastic Finish

The King Makes History: James (39y, 321d) is the oldest player to record four straight triple-doubles, topping Russell Westbrook’s mark (33y, 49d) from 2021LeBron, Russ & Magic: James now stands alongside Westbrook and Magic Johnson (2x) as the only Lakers to have recorded four consecutive triple-doublesThe Cherry On Top? A Lakers win, capped by LeBron’s clutch layup to give them a three-point lead with 25.1 seconds left, followed by his two free throws to ice the gameAD On The Win: “Off to the right start in defending the Cup.”CP3 Hits 12K:

Chris Paul (11 pts, 11 ast) joined John Stockton and Jason Kidd as the only players in NBA history to reach 12,000 assists

on a lob to Victor Wembanyama

, who led San Antonio with 28 points, 14 boards and four 3s

Speaking of streaks, the Cavaliers remain red-hot as their historic run rolls on.

Cavaliers 144, Bulls 126 (East Group C): Donovan Mitchell cooked up a season-high 37 points and hit seven of the Cavs’ 21 3s as Cleveland outpaced Coby White (29 pts, 6 3s) and the Bulls to improve to 14-0. | Recap

Buckets In Bulk: Darius Garland (29 pts), Jarrett Allen (24 pts) and Caris LeVert (22 pts) all added 20-pieces and Cleveland’s 144 points are the most by any team in regulation this seasonUnprecedented: The Cavs’ 14-straight wins mark their longest win streak in franchise history at any point in a seasonHow About The New Guy?

With the win, Kenny Atkinson became the first coach in NBA history to win his first 14 games with a franchise

Cleveland is just the sixth team to start 14-0 in NBA history and is one win shy of matching the second-best start the league has ever seen.

2015-16 Golden State Warriors: Started 24-01993-94 Houston Rockets: Started 15-01948-49 Washington Capitols: Started 15-01957-58 Boston Celtics: Started 14-02002-03 Dallas Mavericks: Started 14-02024-25 Cleveland Cavaliers:

14-0

3. DANIELS, BAM AND THE BEARD JOIN ELITE COMPANY

Hawks 129, Wizards 117 (East Group C): Dyson Daniels (25 pts, 6 stl, 2 blk) was everywhere, leading eight Hawks in double figures while becoming the second player to notch 6+ steals in four straight games since 1973-74 (when steals were first recorded). And Atlanta surged past Washington for its second Cup win. | Recap

Rare Air: Daniels also became the second player to tally 15+ points and 5+ steals in four straight games since 1973-74The first player to do so? Michael JordanSarr Shines: The Wizards’ No. 2 overall pick, Alex Sarr (20 pts, 3 blk, 4 stl, 3 3s), became the sixth rookie in NBA history to total 20+ points, 3+ blocks, 3+ steals and 3+ triples in a gameAt 19 years and 203 days old,

Sarr’s the youngest player to achieve the feat, passing Victor Wembanyama’s previous mark (19y, 343d)

Heat 124, Pacers 111 (East Group B): Bam Adebayo (30 pts, 11 reb, 7 ast) combined with Tyler Herro for 50 points and Miami never trailed in the 2nd half to pull away from Tyrese Haliburton (18 pts, 8 ast) and the Pacers – last year’s runners-up – in the Pacers’ Group Play opener. | Recap

Heat History: Adebayo also added five steals, joining LeBron James and Eddie Jones as the only players in Heat history to total 30+ points, 10+ rebounds, 5+ assists and 5+ steals in a game

Rockets 125, Clippers 104: Alperen Sengun (16 pts, 10 reb, 10 ast) turned in a triple-double while Jabari Smith Jr. dropped a game-high 28 points to lead the Rockets to a wire-to-wire win over James Harden (21 pts) and the Clippers, marking their second victory over LA in three days. | Recap

Harden Ties Allen: With three triples on the night, Harden matched Ray Allen’s record for the second-most made 3s in NBA history (2,973)

4. ROUNDUP: OKC & ORLANDO ROLL, PELS SNAP SKID, DUBS DUB

Thunder 99, Suns 83 (West Group B): Entering the night allowing the second-fewest points in the NBA (103.8 ppg), the Thunder held Devin Booker (12 pts) and the Suns to a season-low, including just 14 in the 1st quarter, to fuel a near wire-to-wire win. | Recap

All OKC: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander posted a game-high 28 points to lead 10 different OKC scorers

Magic 98, 76ers 86 (East Group A): Joel Embiid (20 pts, 8 reb) and Jared McCain (29 pts, 5 3s) helped the Sixers build a 10-point lead in the 3rd quarter. But Franz Wagner (31 pts, 11 reb, 6 ast) was too much for Philly and rallied Orlando for its fifth straight win, improving them to 7-0 at home and 2-0 in Group Play. | Recap

Pelicans 101, Nuggets 94 (West Group C): Entering the night on a six-game slide, the Pels picked up a timely win as Brandon Ingram dropped 29 points, capped by a silky stepback dagger above, to elevate New Orleans over the Nuggets, who had won five straight games but were without Nikola Jokić. | Recap

Warriors 123, Grizzlies 118 (West Group C): Brandin Podziemski pulled off the potential pass of the year, Buddy Hield finished with 18 points and four 3s, and all 12 Warriors who touched the floor scored a bucket as Golden State staved off Jaren Jackson Jr. (32 pts) and the Grizzlies for their second Cup dub. | Recap

5. WEMBY’S 2ND-YEAR SURGE & THE SPURS’ NEW SPARK

In 2023-24, Victor Wembanyama became the first player in NBA history to record 1,500+ points, 700+ rebounds, 250+ assists, 250+ blocks and 100+ 3s in a single season on his way to being named the unanimous Kia NBA Rookie of the Year.

He also became just the second rookie to lead the NBA in blocks per game (3.6) — joining Manute Bol (1985-86) — while ranking first among all rookies in scoring (21.4 ppg).

For the last five NBA seasons, sophomores have averaged 1.4 fewer points per game in their first 15 outings compared to their rookie season.

Wembanyama, however, has done the opposite. Through 13 games this season, he’s not only increased his scoring average to 22.7 points per game but also improved his shooting efficiency.

As a rookie, Wemby shot 46.5% from the floor and 32.5% from 3 with an effective field goal percentage of 51.9%As a sophomore, he’s elevated his numbers in all three categories (47.2 FG%, 33.9 3P%, 55.5 eFG%)What’s driving this jump? Better shot opportunities. As a rookie, 50.0% of Wemby’s field goal attempts registered as open or wide open and 38.2% were considered tight (defender 2-4 feet away)This season,

his open and wide-open looks have increased to 61.7%, while his tight attempts have decreased to 28.4% (statistics as of Nov. 15)

A key factor behind Wemby’s open looks? The addition of 20-year vet and 12-time All-Star Chris Paul, who leads the team with 8.8 dimes per game and joined the 12k assists club last night with an oop to — guess who — Wemby.

CP3 Spark: Paul’s 4.38 assist/turnover ratio leads the team and is the fifth-best in the NBA among players averaging 25+ minutes in 10+ outingsHis Favorite Target? Wemby: Of Paul’s 114 assists this season, 38 have gone to Wembanyama (35.2%)The Student & Master: Those 38 assists account for over 50% of Wemby’s assisted field goals this year, marking the third-highest assist duo in the NBA as of FridayWemby On Paul:

“I don’t see many guys who can bring the same amount of knowledge as him … He has just brought us a whole new view of the game.”

Fueled by the CP3-Wemby connection, San Antonio is second in the league in assist percentage (69.2%) and has six wins — a mark they didn’t attain last season until Jan. 10.

On Saturday, the Spurs will look for win No. 7 on the season as they face Luka Dončić and the Mavs in Dallas (8:30 ET). The in-state showdown headlines Saturday’s five-game slate, which NBA ID members can stream for free on NBA League Pass.

Bucks at Hornets (3 ET)Raptors at Celtics (8 ET)Lakers at Pelicans (8 ET)Jazz at Kings

(

10 ET

)