UNDATED (AP) — The Phoenix Suns’ team-record winning streak has ended at 18 games.
Stephen Curry bounced back from one of the worst shooting nights of his career by scoring 23 points as the Golden State Warriors ripped the Suns, 118-96. Three days after going 4 of 21 while missing 11 of 14 3-point tries in a 104-96 loss in Phoenix, Curry shot 8 of 20 with six 3s, five rebounds and five assists.
Andrew Wiggins added 19 points as Golden State extended its home winning streak to 11.
Deandre Ayton had 23 points and six rebounds for Phoenix.
Checking out Friday’s other NBA action:
— The Clippers posted a 119-115 win over the Lakers behind Luke Kenard, who scored 17 of his 19 points in the second half and hit two clutch 3-pointers in the final minutes. Paul George scored 19 points for the Clippers, who never trailed and never pulled away in the city rivals’ first meeting of the season. LeBron James had 23 points and 11 rebounds in his first game back from a one-game absence under the NBA’s health and safety protocols.
— Kevin Durant delivered 30 points in the Nets’ fifth victory in six games, a 110-105 downing of the Timberwolves. Durant was 12 of 13 from the line in leading five Nets with at least 10 points. Patty Mills finished with 23 points and James Harden contributed 20 with nine assists and seven rebounds.
— Donovan Mitchell had 34 points and six assists to lead the Jazz over the Celtics, 137-130. Mike Conley added 29 points and seven assists, while teammate Rudy Gobert tallied 18 points and 12 rebounds. Utah made a season-high 27 3-pointers and shot 53% from long distance to overcome Jayson Tatum’s game-high 37 points for Boston.
— Kyle Lowry made up for the absence of four Miami starters by scoring a season-high 26 points in the Heat’s 113-104 decision at Indiana. Duncan Robinson scored a season-high 24 points and made four 3s for the Heat, while Tyler Herro added three treys and 18 points. Miami was 16-of-34 shooting from beyond the arc, compared to the Pacers’ 9 of 36.
— The 76ers outlasted the Hawks, 98-96 as Joel Embiid drained a jumper with 42 seconds remaining to give Philadelphia its first lead of the second half. Embiid provided 28 points and 12 boards for the Sixers, who have won both meetings with Atlanta this season after being knocked out by the Hawks in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals last spring. Trae Young had 25 points for the Hawks, who led 90-80.
— Cleveland has a four-game winning streak after Darius Garland furnished 32 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds to a 116-101 win at Washington. The Cavaliers led by 29 following a 19-0 spurt that bridged both halves. Jarrett Allen had 28 points and 13 rebounds for his sixth consecutive double-double.
— The Pelicans missed 18 of their first 20 shots and still came away with a 107-91 trouncing of the Mavericks. New Orleans outscored Dallas, 63-43 after halftime for its fourth win in six games following a 3-16 start. Brandon Ingram delivered 24 points, while Jonas Valanciunas and Willy Hernangomez each had double-doubles.
— Eric Gordon capped his 24-point performance by hitting a short jumper with 1.6 seconds left to send the Rockets to their fifth win in a row, 118-116 over the Magic. Christian Wood had 20 points for the Rockets and Garrison Mathews scored 10 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter. Cole Anthony dropped in eight of his game-high 26 points while Orlando tied the game with a 13-0 run in the final period.
Blazers executive Neil Olshey dismissed after probe
UNDATED (AP) — The Portland Trail Blazers have fired Neil Olshey.
The team’s president of basketball operations and general manager was let go after an investigation into workplace conduct.
The Blazers hired an outside firm last month to investigate workplace environment concerns stemming from allegations of misconduct involving Olshey.
The Blazers promoted director of player personnel Joe Cronin to interim general manager.
In other NBA news:
— Wesley Matthews is back with the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks signed the swingman Friday, bringing him back after he spent the 2019-20 season with them. Matthews has averaged 12.6 points in 849 games over 12 seasons.
