Trail Blazers outlast Warriors as NBA Sunday thrills

The Portland Trail Blazers survived a 48-point explosion from Stephen Curry to defeat the Golden State Warriors 136–131 on Sunday night (Monday in PHL) at Moda Center.

Jerami Grant and Shaedon Sharpe scored 35 points each to lead Portland, which won only for the second time in its last eight games.

Deni Avdija delivered a strong all-around performance with 26 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds for the Trail Blazers.

Grant knocked down seven 3-pointers and Sharpe added five as Portland shot 51.3% from beyond the arc, making 20 of 39 attempts.

Curry went 12 of 19 from 3-point range, finishing one shy of his career-high mark set early in the 2016–17 season and one point short of his season best.

Curry is averaging 43.5 points and has made 18 3-pointers over his past two games after missing five straight contests due to a quadriceps injury.

Jimmy Butler III contributed 16 points, seven rebounds, and three steals for Golden State, which has dropped eight of its last 12 games.

Draymond Green recorded 14 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and three steals but committed eight of the Warriors’ 18 turnovers.

Golden State shot 24 of 47 from 3-point range for a 51.1% clip, while both teams finished at 50.6% overall shooting.

Curry’s 11th 3-pointer put the Warriors ahead 124–121 with 3:11 remaining before Grant and Avdija swung momentum back to Portland in the final two minutes.

Toumani Camara forced a key turnover with 15 seconds left and Sharpe sealed the win with two free throws as Portland closed it out.

Earlier Sunday in Minneapolis, Julius Randle posted 24 points and 10 rebounds as the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Sacramento Kings 117–103.

Naz Reid added 20 points and 11 rebounds for Minnesota, which has won seven of its last eight games despite missing Anthony Edwards and Mike Conley.

Jaden McDaniels scored 21 points, while Donte DiVincenzo and Bones Hyland added 18 each for the Timberwolves.

The Kings were led by DeMar DeRozan, Precious Achiuwa, and Dennis Schroder with 17 points apiece, as Sacramento lost its seventh game in eight outings.

In Cleveland, Kon Knueppel scored 29 points and Brandon Miller added 25 points and a career-high 13 rebounds as the Charlotte Hornets shut out the Cavaliers in overtime for a 119–111 win.

Cleveland became the 12th team in NBA history to be scoreless in an overtime period, the first since Nov. 7, 2015.

LeBron James capped a dramatic finish in Phoenix by hitting two free throws with three seconds left and blocking a potential game-winning shot as the Los Angeles Lakers edged the Suns 116–114.

Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 29 points, while James added 26 and Deandre Ayton posted a double-double with 20 points and 13 rebounds.

The Lakers avenged an earlier loss to Phoenix despite shooting just 18.9% from 3-point range and surviving a wild final minute.