NBA Sunday Recap: Thunder, Nuggets, Heat, and Clippers Claim Victories

Get the latest NBA updates as the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Clippers secure wins, while the Brooklyn Nets, Orlando Magic, San Antonio Spurs, and Los Angeles Lakers suffer defeats.

The Oklahoma City Thunder bounced back from their previous loss with a resounding 127-101 victory over the struggling Brooklyn Nets on Sunday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge, scoring 27 points to pace the Thunder. The 26-year-old guard also contributed 10 assists and four steals, making a significant impact on the game.

Gilgeous-Alexander's performance was all the more impressive given that he had missed the Thunder's previous game against Dallas due to a wrist injury. His return to the lineup was a welcome boost for Oklahoma City, who dominated the contest from start to finish. The Thunder's strong start saw them outscore the Nets 39-19 in the first quarter, setting the tone for a comfortable win.

Went to work for the W 💼 pic.twitter.com/tmB1xejUQA

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) January 20, 2025

The Thunder's victory was never in doubt, as they opened up a 29-point lead late in the game before cruising to the finish line. The win extended Oklahoma City's lead at the top of the Western Conference to 6.5 games over second-placed Houston. With a 35-7 record, the Thunder continue to set the pace in the conference.

Oklahoma City Thunder Head Coach Mark Daigneault and his coaching staff will serve as coaches during the 2025 NBA All-Star Game in San Francisco on Feb. 16 at Chase Center, it was announced today by the National Basketball Association.

📲 https://t.co/Cf4prrE4WN pic.twitter.com/eherAef6AK

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) January 20, 2025

The Denver Nuggets remained in contention with the Oklahoma City Thunder's chasing pack after securing a 113-100 victory over the Orlando Magic in Florida. The Nuggets' star player, Nikola Jokic, played a pivotal role in the win, achieving his 18th triple-double of the season. Jokic's impressive performance included 20 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists, three steals, and three blocks.

Despite trailing by 10 points midway through the second quarter, the Nuggets regained control in the third quarter, outscoring the Magic 39-25. This surge enabled Denver to establish a 24-point lead in the fourth quarter, ultimately sealing their victory. The win marked the Nuggets' sixth consecutive road win, improving their record to 26-16 and solidifying their position in fourth place in the Western Conference.

The Milwaukee Bucks secured a 24-17 record with their Sunday victory, positioning themselves fourth in the Eastern Conference standings. Although they trail conference leaders Cleveland (35-6) by 11 games, the Bucks remain a formidable force in the East.

Perfect 4-0 homestand. pic.twitter.com/HFrMjM4Hyp

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) January 20, 2025

In another matchup, the Miami Heat dominated the San Antonio Spurs 128-107, improving their season record to 21-20. Kel'el Ware led the Heat's scoring effort with 25 points off the bench, while guard Duncan Robinson contributed 21 points. However, the game marked another underwhelming performance from Miami's star player Jimmy Butler, who finished with just eight points from 3-of-7 shooting. Butler's recent struggles have been compounded by his seven-game suspension earlier this month, which was handed down after he expressed a desire to leave the franchise.

The Los Angeles Clippers delivered a convincing 116-102 victory over their city rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers. Norman Powell paced the Clippers with 22 points, while James Harden and Ivica Zubac added 21 points apiece. Despite a 25-point effort from the 40-year-old LeBron James, the Lakers were unable to overcome the Clippers' dominance. The Clippers took the lead in the first quarter and maintained a comfortable double-digit advantage for most of the game, securing the win.