Sunday, February 22 gave basketball fans exactly what they ordered — a full 11-game NBA slate loaded with dominant performances, a couple of nail-biters, and some serious statement wins. Grab your highlights reel and let’s break it all down.
Oklahoma City Thunder 121, Cleveland Cavaliers 113
The Thunder flexed their Western Conference muscle with a road-tested performance in Cleveland, pulling away from the Cavaliers for an eight-point victory. OKC’s high-octane offense proved too much for a Cleveland squad that simply couldn’t keep pace down the stretch. A tough one for the Cavs at home.
Atlanta Hawks 115, Brooklyn Nets 104
Atlanta continued to build momentum with a solid 11-point win in Brooklyn. The Hawks’ offense found its rhythm early and never truly relinquished control, handing the Nets yet another frustrating home loss as Brooklyn’s rebuild grinds on.
Toronto Raptors 122, Milwaukee Bucks 94
This was a thorough dismantling. Toronto dropped 122 on Milwaukee and held the Bucks to just 94 — a 28-point rout that will have Bucks fans asking serious questions. The Raptors looked sharp on both ends of the floor in what was arguably the most lopsided result of the day.
Dallas Mavericks 134, Indiana Pacers 130
Buckle up — this one was a wild ride. Dallas and Indiana combined for 264 points in a track-meet thriller that came down to the wire. The Mavericks held on for a four-point edge, but give the Pacers credit for pushing the pace all night long. High-octane entertainment from start to finish.
Charlotte Hornets 129, Washington Wizards 112
Charlotte rolled into Washington and handed the Wizards a 17-point defeat, continuing what has been an encouraging stretch of play for the Hornets. Washington, meanwhile, remains one of the league’s most difficult watches right now as the losses continue to mount.
Boston Celtics 111, Los Angeles Lakers 89
The Celtics sent a message loud and clear in this marquee matchup. Boston dominated Los Angeles from wire to wire, winning by 22 points in a performance that underscored why they remain one of the elite teams in the NBA. The Lakers had no answers defensively, and it showed on the scoreboard.
Philadelphia 76ers 135, Minnesota Timberwolves 108
Philadelphia put on an offensive show, torching Minnesota for 135 points and cruising to a 27-point win. The 76ers shot the lights out and overwhelmed the Timberwolves in a game that was effectively over by halftime. A big confidence booster for Philly.
New York Knicks 105, Chicago Bulls 99
The Knicks ground out a gritty six-point win over the Bulls at home, proving once again that New York knows how to win the close ones this season. Chicago made it competitive throughout, but the Knicks’ playoff-tested composure ultimately made the difference in a tense finish.
Portland Trail Blazers 92, Phoenix Suns 77
Portland’s defense was the story here, holding Phoenix to just 77 points in a emphatic 15-point win. The Suns have been struggling to find their footing this season, and this loss will do nothing to ease the concern in the desert. The Blazers, on the other hand, earned a gritty victory worth celebrating.
Orlando Magic 111, LA Clippers 109
Heart-stopper alert. Orlando edged the Clippers by just two points in the closest game of the night. The Magic found a way to close it out despite the Clippers’ best efforts to steal one on the road, and the two-point margin tells you everything about how competitive this contest was from tip-off to the final buzzer.
Golden State Warriors 128, Denver Nuggets 117
Golden State wrapped up Sunday’s slate in style, heading to Denver and leaving with an 11-point victory over the Nuggets. The Warriors’ offense was humming at full volume, and Denver couldn’t generate enough stops to keep up. A big road win for Golden State as they push their Western Conference case.
Notable Storylines & What’s Next
Sunday’s action reinforced several key narratives across the league. The Boston Celtics look as formidable as ever after manhandling the Lakers, while the Oklahoma City Thunder showed they can win on the road against quality Eastern Conference opponents. The Toronto Raptors’ blowout of Milwaukee is a significant data point — either the Raptors are genuinely turning a corner, or the Bucks have some serious soul-searching to do. Keep an eye on the Golden State Warriors, too, who are putting together a quietly impressive run of results.
On the other end of the spectrum, Washington and Phoenix continue to struggle, and the Lakers will need to respond quickly after being embarrassed by Boston. With the trade deadline buzz still hanging in the air and playoff seeding battles heating up, every game from here on out carries extra weight. Monday’s slate is just around the corner — don’t touch that dial.
