Bronny James enjoys best NBA game as Luka Doncic scores 16 points in LA Lakers’ loss to Utah Jazz

Utah turned the tables on the LA Lakers after being thrashed in Luka Doncic’s first game on Tuesday, but there was a shining light for the star-studded Lakers today with Bronny James enjoying his best NBA game to date.

With the game beyond doubt Bronny James played the final eight minutes of the game, scoring nine points, including two three pointers, and made one assist.

The Jazz won easily 131-119 to end the Lakers’ six game winning streak but Bronny James thrilled the Salt Lake City crowd with a step back long bomb. Bronny James had sat two games out due to an arm injury.

Doncic, playing restricted minutes as he returns from an injury with his new team, scored 16 points in 23 minutes, while LeBron James had 18 points in 34 minutes. Laker guard Austin Reaves scored a game high 36 points.

The Jazz had four scorers hit over 30 points in a solid team effort with Walker Kessler and Keyonte George both scoring 33 points.

In other games the New York Knicks have broken the hearts of the Atlanta Hawks, winning a thrilling tie 149-148 in overtime, despite the brave efforts of Dyson Daniels.

The Knicks led by six with 10 seconds remaining, but the Australian made a big play late to steal Karl-Anthony Towns’ in-bound pass before being fouled.

Daniels made the first free throw and reduced the lead to 137-135 but missed the second. The Knicks failed to get the rebound and the Hawks got the ball to Young, who was fouled and made both to tie with 2.9 seconds to go.

In overtime, Jalen Brunson made the go-ahead jumper with 11.1 seconds left to close a thrilling final game before the All-Star break.

Towns finished with 44 points to reach 40 points in consecutive games for the first time in his career and become the fifth Knicks player to do so.

Brunson, who was the last Knicks player to do it, added 36 points and eight assists.

Trae Young had 38 points and 19 assists for the Hawks, who had a three-game winning streak snapped.

They had a chance to win it after Brunson’s jumper, but Young missed a jumper and Georges Niang a 3-pointer.

Boomers star Daniels had 23 points, four rebounds and four assists for the Hawks, who play 10 of their first 12 after the break at home.

A ninth win in 11 games sent New York into the break third in the Eastern Conference at 36-18.

In Chicago, the Bulls lost at home 128-110 to Detroit after the Pistons dominated them the previous night.

Cade Cunningham scored 29 points, while Tobias Harris and Ausar Thompson contributed 19. Jalen Duren added 16 points and 14 rebounds.

The Pistons rolled into the break with their fourth straight win after blowing out the Bulls 132-92 in the same arena on Tuesday.

Ayo Dosunmu scored 23 for Chicago, and Nikola Vucevic added 21 points and 13 rebounds. But the Bulls again had a rough time shooting 3-pointers, making nine of 41 after going 10 for 47 on Tuesday.

After being the second top scorer for the Bulls the night before, Australian Josh Giddey continued his consistent form to register 17 points, two rebounds and three assists on Wednesday.

In other matches, Jayson Tatum had 32 points and 14 rebounds as the Boston Celtics beat the San Antonio Spurs 116-103 for their third straight victory and seventh in eight games.

Paolo Banchero had 24 points and eight rebounds as the Orlando Magic shook off a cold-shooting first half to beat the Charlotte Hornets 102-86.

Obi Toppin had season highs of 31 points and 10 rebounds as the Indiana Pacers rallied from a 19-point deficit to defeat the NBA’s worst franchise the Washington Wizards 134-130 in overtime.

Brooklyn Nets defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 100-96, the East-leading Cleveland Cavaliers toppled the Toronto Raptors 131-108, while Milwaukee Bucks beat Minnesota Timberwolves 103-101.

Houston Rockets scored a 119-11 win over Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets got past Portland Trail Blazers 132-121.

Dallas Mavericks, led by Kyrie Irving with 42 points, proved too strong for Golden State Warriors winning 111-107, while the LA Clippers beat Memphis Grizzlies 128-114.

The Clippers did not use Ben Simmons while fellow Australian Patty Mills had one assist in three minutes of game time.

With AAP