The Boston Celtics defeated the Milwaukee Bucks with 18 points and 12 rebounds from Hugo Gonzalez that overshadowed the return of Giannis Antetokounmpo, while Trae Young was ejected in Houston Rockets‘ win in Washington without having yet made his debut with the Wizards.
Gonzalez played his third game as a starter this season (the first since January) and recorded his second double-double in the NBA, in an offensive and defensive display by the Spaniard, who made the court look small in the Bucks 81-108 Celtics.
Joe Mazzulla entrusted him with the defense of Antetokounmpo, and the Madrid rookie responded brilliantly: 18 points, 16 rebounds -11 defensive and 5 offensive-, three steals, two blocks and one assist for only one turnover.
“The work ethic is there. I’m just trying to keep doing what I do and keep trusting. Obviously, not every day is going to be like today, but I trust the work. I thank my teammates who made great defenses and allowed me to get some rebounds,” Gonzalez said in a courtside interview.
In addition, Gonzalez’s defense on Antetokounmpo paid off: the Greek finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds, but with 38.9% shooting from the field after making only seven of his 18 attempts, far from the 64.5% he averages this season.
Although it is true that Antetokounmpo reappeared more than five weeks after injuring his right calf and showed a lack of rhythm
Trae Young ejected
On the same day that it was leaked that the Wizards intend to make Trae Young’s debut this Thursday in a game against the Utah Jazz, the point guard, traded on January 7, was ejected for entering the court to protest to the referees.
“Don’t think I’m going to get kicked out many more times, D.C., but when I come back with my brothers, I’ll bring that same energy and competitiveness,” Young said on social media after the game, which the Rockets won 118-123.
‘KD’ is on 32,068, just 224 behind Michael Jordan
Kevin Durant finished with 30 points, in a race against time to surpass Michael Jordan this season and snatch fifth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. KD is on 32,068, just 224 behind the legend.
Beyond Durant’s 30 points, three Rockets players posted double-doubles: Alperen Sengun (32 points and 13 rebounds), Amen Thompson (22 points and 12 rebounds) and Reed Sheppard (19 points and 10 assists)
Nuggets are not convincing
The Denver Nuggets have gone from third to fifth place in the West in a matter of days. The Utah Jazz, who are prioritizing the draft and are without several of their top players, gave Nikola Jokic and company a hard time.
The Nuggets won 125-128, regaining the lead with 32 seconds remaining with free throws from Jamal Murray, who finished with 45 points and eight assists.
Murray’s impressive numbers made up for a quiet performance from Jokic, who finished with 22 points, 12 rebounds and five assists, far from the triple-double he is averaging for the second consecutive season in the NBA.
Keyonte George scored 36 points to thrill the duel in Salt Lake City.
In addition to these games, the Golden State Warriors fell 101-114 at the hands of the Clippers after the Los Angeles team overcame a 17-point deficit in Darius Garland’s debut.
Garland, traded by the Cleveland Cavaliers to Los Angeles in exchange for James Harden, came off the bench and finished with 12 points
