UNDATED (AP) — What a difference a day made for the Miami Heat, but the day was highlighted by a trailblazing coach.
Becky Hammon made history by becoming the first woman to serve as head coach in an NBA game.
Hammon took over when Gregg Popovich was ejected in the second quarter of the Spurs’ 121-107 loss to the Lakers. As he exited the court, Popovich pointed a finger at Hammon and had a succinct message for his assistant coach: “You got ’em.”
Lakers forward LeBron James spoiled the historic moment by delivering 26 points, eight assists and five rebounds on his 36th birthday.
In Miami, Goran Dragic scored 26 points off the bench and the Heat bounced back from Tuesday’s 47-point loss to Milwaukee by downing the Bucks, 119-108.
Tyler Herro delivered 21 points and grabbed a career-best 15 rebounds for Miami, which trailed by 14 early in the second half and rallied to get a split of the two-game, two-night series.
The Bucks led 84-73 early in the third quarter before the Heat dominated the rest of the way. Milwaukee hit 16 3-pointers just a night after torching Miami for an NBA-record 29.
The Bucks wasted a triple-double by Giannis Antetokounmpo, who finished with 26 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Also on the NBA schedule:
— Jaylen Brown poured in 18 of his career-high 42 points in the second quarter of the Celtics’ 126-107 rout of the Grizzlies. Jayson Tatum scored 16 points and Brown matched a career-best with seven 3-pointers on 10 attempts.
— Kevin Durant dropped in 33 points to lead seven Nets in double-figures in a 145-141 downing of the Hawks. Kyrie Irving finished with 27 points and Joe Harris added 23 as Brooklyn handed Atlanta its first loss of the season.
— Kawhi Leonard scored 28 points in his return from a two-game injury absence, guiding the Clippers to a 128-105 rout of the Trail Blazers. Paul George added 23 points to the Clippers’ second straight lopsided victory.
— LaMelo Ball scored 22 points and Miles Bridges had 20 with 16 rebounds in the Hornets’ 118-99 blowout over the Mavericks. Terry Rozier provided 18 points, including a pair of 3-pointers early in a 14-0 run that gave Charlotte a 25-point lead in the second half.