Reigning NBA champions Denver Nuggets suffered their heaviest defeat of the season as they were beaten 119-93 by Oklahoma City Thunder.
It is the Nuggets’ second defeat by Thunder in the space of two weeks and ends their six-match winning streak.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 40 points for Thunder and Chet Holmgren added 24 points.
“I think we just came out a little flat,” said Nuggets’ Jamal Murray.
“And I think, just internally, we’ve got to be a little better knowing that the other team is playing hard as hell.
“We’re a great team, and we normally figure it out.”
Nikola Jokic had 19 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and seven turnovers for the Nuggets, but they were without forward Aaron Gordon for the second consecutive game because of hand and facial injuries sustained from dog bites.
Also on Friday, Boston Celtics‘ winning run at home continued as they beat Toronto Raptors 120-118.
Jaylen Brown had 31 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in the Celtics’ fifth consecutive victory.
With the Raptors trailing by just three points Pascal Siakam was fouled with 1.4 seconds remaining, but his side were unable to control the rebound from his missed free throw to capitalise.
Elsewhere, Washington Wizards beat Brooklyn Nets 110-104 to earn their first win in four games.
Kyle Kuzma scored 26 points and Deni Avdija added 21 points and 13 rebounds for the Wizards.
Devin Booker, with 35, was one of four Phoenix Suns players to score at least 21 points in their 133-119 victory over Charlotte Hornets.
Kevin Durant, Jusuf Nurkic and Eric Gordon were the other contributors as the Suns secured back-to-back wins for the first time in more than a month.
Terry Rozier was the Hornets’ standout performer with 42 points, one shy of his career-best, and added eight assists.
Portland Trail Blazers avenged Thursday’s defeat by San Antonio Spurs to beat the same opponents 134-128 with Jerami Grant and Malcolm Brogdon scoring 27 points each.
LA Clippers played their fourth consecutive match without injured star Kawhi Leonard but still earned a 117-106 win over Memphis Grizzlies.
Clippers’ Paul George scored 23 points and Ivica Zubac added 15 points with 20 rebounds.
Franz Wagner‘s season-high 32 points and nine rebounds helped Orlando Magic beat the New York Knicks 117-108.
Paolo Banchero also added 29 points and 10 rebounds as the Magic earned their third win in four games to recover from their previous four-game losing run.
Sacramento Kings recovered from a 23-point deficit to beat Atlanta Hawks 117-110, with De’Aaron Fox scoring 31 points, including seven three-pointers.
The return of Donovan Mitchell from illness could not save Cleveland Cavaliers from a 119-111 defeat by Milwaukee Bucks.
Mitchell contributed 34 points and nine assists but Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s 34 points and Damian Lillard‘s 31 secured Bucks’ victory.
Philadelphia 76ers coped without Joel Embiid as they beat Houston Rockets 131-127, with Tyrese Maxey scoring 42 points.
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