WASHINGTON — In a stunning display of talent, Jalen Green dominated the court, scoring an impressive 22 of his total 29 points during a thrilling third quarter. The Houston Rockets showcased their prowess by routing the short-handed Washington Wizards with a final score of 135-112 on Tuesday night, solidifying their position as a formidable opponent.

Alongside Green, Alperen Sengun made significant contributions with 26 points and 10 rebounds, while Amen Thompson delivered an outstanding performance with 20 points and 15 boards. Fred VanVleet rounded out the Rockets’ offensive attack with 19 points, helping the team improve to 6-1 in away games against Eastern Conference rivals. This victory highlights the Rockets’ growing momentum and potential as they continue their season.

The Rockets faced an early challenge, overcoming a 20-point deficit in the first quarter, which represents the fewest points allowed by the struggling Wizards in any period this season. This remarkable comeback demonstrates Houston’s resilience and capability to adapt under pressure, proving their strength in high-stakes situations.

On the opposing side, Corey Kispert led the Wizards with 23 points, while Jonas Valanciunas contributed 18 points. Unfortunately for the Wizards, this defeat marks their third consecutive loss, raising concerns about their performance and strategy moving forward.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In a much-needed turnaround, LaMelo Ball shone brightly with a remarkable 32 points and 10 rebounds, propelling the Charlotte Hornets to a much-anticipated victory over the Phoenix Suns, thus snapping a daunting 10-game losing streak.

Nick Richards also made a significant impact, adding 15 points and 12 rebounds off the bench, showcasing the depth of the Hornets’ roster. As the team improves to 8-27, this victory serves as a crucial boost to their confidence and momentum as they pursue a better season.

Despite Devin Booker‘s stellar performance with 39 points and 10 assists, and Kevin Durant chipping in 26 points, the Suns (16-19) have struggled lately, losing five of their last six games. This inconsistency raises questions about their ability to contend effectively in upcoming matches.

The Hornets surged ahead with a 13-point lead at halftime after outscoring the Suns 37-17 in the second quarter, led by Ball’s impressive 10 points. Remarkably, after a scoreless first quarter, Ball exploded for 29 points in the second half, showcasing his shooting prowess with 8-of-15 accuracy, including four 3-pointers.

Charlotte’s dominance was evident as they out-rebounded Phoenix 59-42, emphasizing their control of the game and the importance of rebounding in securing a win.

DALLAS — In a spectacular turnaround, Quinten Grimes delivered a standout performance with 26 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, helping the Dallas Mavericks end a frustrating five-game losing streak with a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Grimes matched his career high by sinking six 3-pointers on an impressive 6-for-11 shooting. P.J. Washington also contributed significantly, shooting 9 for 14 to finish with 22 points and eight rebounds, while the Mavs collectively shot 52% (18 of 38) from the field, highlighting their offensive efficiency.

Notably, the Mavericks managed to secure this victory without their top scorers. Luka Doncic has been sidelined with a left calf strain since December 25, while Kyrie Irving has missed the last two games due to a bulging disk in his back, raising questions about the team’s ability to cope without their stars.

Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 21 points and 12 rebounds, while LeBron James added 18 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. However, Los Angeles has struggled recently, suffering their second consecutive loss and three defeats in their last five games, which places additional pressure on their performance moving forward.

TIMBERWOLVES 104, PELICANS 97

NEW ORLEANS — Anthony Edwards highlighted an outstanding 32-point performance with seven 3-pointers, leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to a victory over the New Orleans Pelicans and overshadowing Zion Williamson‘s much-anticipated return from a 27-game absence.

Williamson, who had been recovering from a left hamstring strain, returned to the court with a commendable performance, scoring 22 points, along with six rebounds, four assists, three steals, and a block in just 27 minutes of play during his seventh game this season.

Former Pelican Julius Randle contributed 16 points, while ex-LSU star Naz Reid made an impact with 13 points and 12 rebounds for Minnesota. The Timberwolves led for most of the game, extending their lead to as much as 13 points, with Rudy Gobert dominating defensively with 14 rebounds and six blocks.

Edwards set the tone early, hitting four early 3-pointers and scoring 14 points within the first seven minutes of play. This performance marked the ninth time this season he has surpassed the 30-point mark, showcasing his scoring abilities and importance to the team.

SALT LAKE CITY — In a thrilling finish, Trae Young hit a sensational buzzer-beating 3-pointer from beyond the halfcourt line, securing a thrilling victory for the Atlanta Hawks over the Utah Jazz.

Young received an inbounds pass, quickly dribbled to just before halfcourt, and launched the 49-foot game-winner as time expired. This dramatic shot came after Collin Sexton had seemingly forced overtime with a tying 3-pointer with just four seconds left on the clock.

Finishing the night with 24 points and an impressive 20 assists, Young’s performance was instrumental in snapping the Hawks’ three-game losing streak. Dyson Daniels also contributed significantly with 16 points, seven assists, and six rebounds, while Clint Capela scored 18 points and De’Andre Hunter added 17, showcasing the team’s offensive depth.

Lauri Markkanen shone for the Jazz, making a season-high eight 3-pointers and scoring a season-best 35 points. Collin Sexton added 24 points, while Walker Kessler finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds, illustrating the competitive nature of the matchup.

DENVER — In a hard-fought battle, Jayson Tatum led the Boston Celtics with 29 points, while Kristaps Porzingis contributed 25 as they fended off a depleted Denver Nuggets team, which missed three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic due to illness.

Porzingis also recorded 11 rebounds, while Jrue Holiday added 19 points. Despite attempting 35 3-pointers, which is significantly lower than their season average of 50.17, the Celtics effectively outscored the Nuggets 60-46 in the paint, demonstrating their ability to adapt their game plan.

Russell Westbrook led the Nuggets with 26 points, and Michael Porter Jr. contributed 15 points and 10 rebounds, but the Nuggets fell to 10-7 at home this season after finishing 33-8 last year. This decline raises concerns regarding their current form and ability to compete effectively.

After trailing by as many as 15 points in the first half, the Nuggets fought back to keep the game close in the final stretch. A brief stoppage occurred with 8:56 remaining when a spilled cup of ice needed cleaning, but the game resumed with Christian Braun hitting a crucial 3-pointer to tie the game at 93.

SAN FRANCISCO — Bam Adebayo played a crucial role for the Miami Heat, scoring 19 points, securing nine rebounds, and delivering five assists, including two timely dunks that helped the team snap a three-game losing streak with a victory over the Golden State Warriors.

Stephen Curry had an impressive night, scoring 31 points, while Trayce Jackson-Davis added 19 points. Draymond Green contributed with seven points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, but the Warriors faced significant frustration as many fans booed the home team, leading to early exits from the Chase Center for the second consecutive game.

Nikola Jovic made his mark with consecutive baseline 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, finishing with 20 points, while Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored 18 points. Miami’s victory came after a challenging double-overtime defeat against Sacramento just a day prior, demonstrating their resilience and ability to bounce back.

Buddy Hield added 11 points, eight rebounds, and five assists off the bench for a Warriors team seeking to recover after suffering a staggering 30-point loss to the Kings the previous game. This ongoing struggle raises questions about their performance consistency and strategies for improvement.