Hawks Secure Play-off Spot And James Passes Milestone

The Atlanta Hawks secured a spot successful nan NBA play-offs and nan Southeast Division title pinch a 124-102 triumph complete nan Cleveland Cavaliers connected Friday.

The Hawks, who only needed to triumph 1 of their remaining 2 games to guarantee a top-six decorativeness successful nan Eastern Conference, blew distant nan already qualified Cavaliers successful nan 3rd quarter, scoring 35 points to widen their 61-48 half-time lead to 96-65.

Guard CJ McCollum scored a game-high 29 points for nan Hawks, who clinched their first divisional crown since 2021 and avoided having to travel done nan play-in tournament, for teams finishing seventh to tenth successful each conference, for nan first clip successful 5 seasons.

Veteran LeBron James became nan 4th subordinate successful NBA history to grounds 12,000 profession assists arsenic he helped nan Los Angeles Lakers unafraid home-court advantage successful nan first information of nan play-offs pinch a 101-73 triumph against nan Phoenix Suns.

James made 12 assists successful summation to 28 points and six rebounds arsenic nan Lakers recorded their 15th triumph successful 19 games to guarantee a top-four decorativeness successful nan Western Conference.

Former Utah Jazz constituent defender John Stockton is nan NBA's profession assistance leader, pinch 15,806, pinch Chris Paul (12,552) and Jason Kidd (12,091) besides up of James (12,010).

Elsewhere, nan Boston Celtics clinched nan 2nd seed successful nan Eastern Conference pinch an emphatic 144-118 triumph complete nan New Orleans Pelicans.

The 18-time NBA champions scored a record-equalling 29 three-pointers, guardant Sam Hauser starring nan measurement pinch eight, arsenic they wrapped up nan Atlantic Division title.

That consequence intends nan New York Knicks, who hit nan Celtics successful their erstwhile match, will person to settee for being 3rd seeds contempt beating nan Toronto Raptors 112-95.

The Raptors slipped down to sixth spot pursuing nan defeat, pinch an identical grounds (45-36) to seventh-placed Orlando Magic pinch 1 lucifer to play successful nan regular season. The Magic hit nan Chicago Bulls 127-103 to widen their winning streak to 5 matches.

Victor Wembanyama, returning from a one-game wounded absence, starred for Western Conference 2nd seeds San Antonio Spurs successful their 139-120 triumph complete nan Dallas Mavericks. The 22-year-old Most Valuable Player contender made 40 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists.

The Denver Nuggets stay successful nan hunt for 3rd spot successful nan Western Conference aft beating reigning champions and apical seeds Oklahoma City Thunder 127-107.