Sunday's Time Schedule
The Sunday NBA slate offered a chaotic mix of offensive explosions, overtime thrillers, and concerning injury news, turning what looked like a routine Sunday’s Time Schedule into a headline-generating day of action. While the league’s elite jockeyed for position in the mid-December standings, the day was defined by a vintage performance in the Pacific Northwest that ultimately went for naught.
In Portland, the Golden State Warriors found themselves on the wrong end of a shootout despite a heroic effort from Stephen Curry. The two-time MVP erupted for 48 points, draining a season-high 12 three-pointers—marking the 28th time in his career he has eclipsed double-digit triples in a single game. However, the Portland Trail Blazers played spoiler, snapping a three-game skid with a 136-131 victory. The Blazers countered Curry’s brilliance with a two-headed monster: Jerami Grant and Shaedon Sharpe each dropped 35 points, overwhelming Golden State’s defense in the clutch.
Meanwhile, in the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers hit a stumbling block that left their star visibly frustrated. Facing a Charlotte Hornets squad missing key playmaker LaMelo Ball, the Cavs were expected to handle business at home. Instead, they were dragged into overtime and fell 119-111. Donovan Mitchell, who was seen pounding the scorer’s table in disbelief, couldn't rally his troops in the extra session, as Cleveland missed all 10 of their field-goal attempts in OT. The loss raises questions about the Cavs' consistency as they attempt to chase the top seed in the East.
The day also brought unfortunate news on the injury front. During the Minnesota Timberwolves' 117-103 victory over the Sacramento Kings, Kings guard Zach LaVine suffered a left ankle injury midway through the second quarter. LaVine, the team's leading scorer, landed awkwardly after a drive and did not return, casting a shadow over Sacramento’s immediate future in a crowded Western Conference. Elsewhere, Zion Williamson returned to the lineup for the New Orleans Pelicans, scoring 18 points to help secure a 114-104 win over the Chicago Bulls, proving that when healthy, he remains a game-changer.
In Portland, the Golden State Warriors found themselves on the wrong end of a shootout despite a heroic effort from Stephen Curry. The two-time MVP erupted for 48 points, draining a season-high 12 three-pointers—marking the 28th time in his career he has eclipsed double-digit triples in a single game. However, the Portland Trail Blazers played spoiler, snapping a three-game skid with a 136-131 victory. The Blazers countered Curry’s brilliance with a two-headed monster: Jerami Grant and Shaedon Sharpe each dropped 35 points, overwhelming Golden State’s defense in the clutch.
Meanwhile, in the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers hit a stumbling block that left their star visibly frustrated. Facing a Charlotte Hornets squad missing key playmaker LaMelo Ball, the Cavs were expected to handle business at home. Instead, they were dragged into overtime and fell 119-111. Donovan Mitchell, who was seen pounding the scorer’s table in disbelief, couldn't rally his troops in the extra session, as Cleveland missed all 10 of their field-goal attempts in OT. The loss raises questions about the Cavs' consistency as they attempt to chase the top seed in the East.
The day also brought unfortunate news on the injury front. During the Minnesota Timberwolves' 117-103 victory over the Sacramento Kings, Kings guard Zach LaVine suffered a left ankle injury midway through the second quarter. LaVine, the team's leading scorer, landed awkwardly after a drive and did not return, casting a shadow over Sacramento’s immediate future in a crowded Western Conference. Elsewhere, Zion Williamson returned to the lineup for the New Orleans Pelicans, scoring 18 points to help secure a 114-104 win over the Chicago Bulls, proving that when healthy, he remains a game-changer.
