Boston Celtics End Cavaliers' Unbeaten Streak, Russell Westbrook Makes History, Lakers Rookie Sets Record

Boston Celtics Hand Cleveland Cavaliers First Loss of the Season

In a thrilling matchup, the Boston Celtics handed the Cleveland Cavaliers their first defeat of the season with a nail-biting 120-117 victory on Tuesday night. The Cavaliers, who had started the season 15-0, became just the fourth team in NBA history to achieve this feat. However, despite a valiant comeback effort from Cleveland, the Celtics, led by Jason Tatum’s all-around performance, ultimately held on to secure the win.

Tatum's Dominant Performance

Jason Tatum was the standout star, contributing 33 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals in an all-encompassing performance. The Celtics benefitted from a well-rounded team effort, with six players scoring in double figures. Al Horford added 20 points, Derrick White chipped in with 19, and Jaylen Brown contributed 17 points.

White reflected on the importance of the game, highlighting the excitement surrounding the matchup against the league’s only unbeaten team. “Everybody knew that they were undefeated and coming to our building,” White said. “It was a really big game in that aspect.”

Cavaliers’ Fightback Falls Short

Cleveland's Donovan Mitchell led the charge for the Cavaliers, finishing with a game-high 35 points, while Evan Mobley recorded 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists. Despite a strong second-half push, the Cavaliers couldn’t overcome the Celtics' lead, with the defending champions holding steady through Cleveland's late rally.

Mobley expressed pride in his team's resilience, saying, “I feel like we didn’t start the best, but overall, we played a pretty good game. I think it was a good test, and we could beat anybody.” The result brings both teams to 1-1 in the NBA Cup standings, which will culminate with the semifinals and finals in Las Vegas in December.

Russell Westbrook Achieves Career Milestone

In other NBA news, Russell Westbrook reached a career milestone by recording his 200th triple-double during the Denver Nuggets' 122-110 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Westbrook finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 14 assists, further cementing his legacy as the NBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles. He now holds a 19-triple-double lead over Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson, who sits in second place.

Westbrook expressed gratitude for the achievement, acknowledging the players who came before him. “It’s a blessing. I’m truly grateful to be able to play the game to do that,” he said. The victory was important for the Nuggets, who were without reigning MVP Nikola Jokić for a third straight game. Jamal Murray stepped up with 27 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds.

Lakers Rookie Dalton Knecht Sets Record

Los Angeles Lakers guard Dalton Knecht made NBA history on Tuesday night, tying the rookie record for most three-pointers in a game with nine, leading the Lakers to a 124-118 win over the Utah Jazz. Knecht finished with a career-high 37 points, helping the Lakers extend their win streak to six games.

LeBron James, impressed by Knecht’s breakout performance, couldn’t help but reflect on how the rookie had fallen to the 17th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. “They didn’t ‘find’ DK,” said James. “The other 16 teams f**ked it up.”

Knecht’s nine three-pointers tied the rookie record, joining Rodrigue Beaubois (2010), Yogi Ferrell (2017), and Keyonte George (2024) as the only rookies to accomplish the feat. The win pushed the Lakers into a strong position in the standings, with their best start since February 2021.

NBA Headlines Summary

• Celtics defeat Cavaliers to end their 15-0 start, with Tatum leading the way.
• Westbrook reaches 200 career triple-doubles, solidifying his place in NBA history.
• Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht makes history with nine three-pointers in a game.