Doncic’s 53 points lift Lakers as Cavs top Sixers in LeBron James’s return

The Cleveland Cavaliers ended LeBron James' first homecoming with a 119-95 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday, halting the Sixers' five-game winning streak. James, returning to his hometown after opting to join the Cavaliers as a free agent in June, received both cheers and boos when he returned to the court. The four-time NBA champion, playing his 24th season at age 41, contributed eight points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals, and six turnovers in his 24th NBA season.

Philadelphia center Joel Embiid struggled, missing all nine of his shots and going 6-for-6 from the free-throw line for six points. Jaylen Brown, a recent addition to the Sixers, scored 20 points for the visiting team. Cleveland dominated the rebound battle, outdoing the 76ers 56-42 despite the absence of center Jarrett Allen. Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell led the team with 10 points in the first quarter.

The Boston Celtics dominated the Charlotte Hornets 119-80, fueled by Jayson Tatum's 34 points, including five three-pointers, on 44 attempts. Tatum led the Celtics to a 46-point first-quarter lead and finished with eight rebounds and nine assists. The Celtics' relentless offense was unmatched, leading to a wire-to-wire victory over the Hornets.

Oklahoma City Thunder continued their hot streak with a 128-97 win against the Memphis Grizzlies, with Jayson Mitchell scoring a career-high 35 points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 28 points for the Thunder, who maintained a 13-game winning streak after defeating the Grizzlies for a third straight time. The absence of key Grizzlies players Jaylen Williams, Cason Wallace, and Chet Holmgren played no role in the Thunder's dominance as they jumped to a 71-49 halftime lead.