Overview
- Cleveland lost in Milwaukee without several regulars, as Dennis Schröder moved into the starting lineup, scored 26 points, and missed a late potential tying shot after Jarrett Allen led the Cavs with 27.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo missed his 13th straight game for the Bucks due to a calf injury.
- Oklahoma City fell 124-116 to Detroit while missing its four top scorers, then lost Isaiah Joe and Branden Carlson during the game, and sat Isaiah Hartenstein with a calf issue.
- Two days earlier, Cleveland beat New York 109-94 to pull level with the third-place Knicks, led by Donovan Mitchell’s 23 points while Dennis Schröder added a team-best five assists despite a low-scoring night.
- Orlando edged the Lakers 110-109 without Franz Wagner as Paolo Banchero scored 36 and Tristan da Silva added 13 points, with LeBron James missing a late three after Luka Dončić had a team-high 22 on inefficient shooting.