NBA November 4 games: Brooklyn Nets beat Charlotte Hornets 114–104

Wembanyama decides a close finish

San Antonio had led early in the third quarter before Washington put Dallas ahead 103–100 with a three-pointer at 5:38. Marshall tied the game at 111 with another three at 1:41; after Wembanyama’s decisive free throw, Irving missed a contested shot with 2.5 seconds left.

ESPN called it San Antonio’s sixth straight win, while Eurohoops described it as the fifth straight.

Three of Wembanyama’s blocks came within 13 seconds in the second quarter. His eight blocks were the most in a game of at least 50 points since blocks became official in 1973–74. He joined Bob McAdoo as the second player since then to record at least 50 points, 20 rebounds and five blocks in a game.

Wembanyama had 29 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks in the first half. ESPN said he was the first player since the play-by-play era began in 1996–97 to record at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in a half; Guardian Sport described it as a first in the past 30 seasons. He made all 15 of his first-half free throws, tying James Harden’s 2019 mark for the most without a miss in a first half in a comparison dating to 1997–98.

According to ESPN, Wembanyama joined Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor as the only NBA players with at least 50 points and 20 rebounds in a one-point win, and was the first since Chamberlain in 1964. He became the fifth player with multiple 50-point games at age 22 or younger; his previous one was against Washington in November 2024.

Wembanyama made 16 of 28 shots from the field, including one of eight three-point attempts and 14 of 18 shots in the paint, and 19 of 23 free throws. BBC Sport said he was the first player in 52 years with at least 50 points, 20 rebounds and five blocks, and the fifth since 1982 with at least 50 points and 20 rebounds. San Antonio’s record improved to 6–2.

Philadelphia leads the league

Philadelphia’s win over Detroit avenged its only defeat of the season and gave it the NBA’s best record at 8–1. Jaylen Brown scored a season-high 30 points, and Joel Embiid added 26 points and 15 rebounds. All five Philadelphia starters scored in double figures. LeBron James contributed 13 points and 10 rebounds but said it was too early to talk about the Finals.

The Philadelphia–Detroit game was a meeting of the Eastern Conference leaders. Brown blocked Cade Cunningham in a play ESPN described as game-saving. ESPN also reported that James made an NBA-record 16,000th career field goal and that Philadelphia’s 4–0 road start was its first since 2000–01.

Luka Doncic scored 40 points for the Lakers, his sixth straight game with at least 35. Nikola Jokic had 32 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for Denver, his third triple-double of the season. A triple-double means reaching double figures in three statistical categories in one game.

The Lakers improved to 7–2 with their third straight win. Doncic also had nine rebounds and seven assists, made six threes and shot 11 of 23 from the field after a slow start. It was his third consecutive 40-point game and fifth of the season. He was averaging 38.5 points, 8.1 rebounds and 8.0 assists.

Doncic had 308 points in his first eight appearances, the first player to pass 300 in that span since Michael Jordan’s 303 in 1988–89. Eurohoops reported that only Wilt Chamberlain had scored more in his first eight games, doing so three times, with a high of 418 in 1962–63.

A courtside spectator was escorted out after forcefully throwing the ball toward referee Chelisa Painter. Doncic confronted the spectator before officials and arena staff intervened. BBC Sport reported that the ball struck Painter as she signaled Lakers possession.

Jokic’s triple-double was the 201st of his career and his 90th completed before the fourth quarter. Russell Westbrook led the career list with 209.

Atlanta beat Washington 120–105 and Boston beat Milwaukee 109–102. New York beat Chicago 135–105; OG Anunoby scored 18 points as the reigning champions improved to 4–4 with their biggest win of the season. Indiana beat Memphis 107–103, and New Orleans beat Utah 120–113 in overtime.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 42 points as Oklahoma City beat Cleveland 124–116. Minnesota beat Houston 117–107 despite Alperen Sengun’s triple-double of 17 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. Portland beat Phoenix 132–119.

Charlotte is scheduled to face Boston on Friday, while Philadelphia is scheduled to visit Cleveland that day. CBS Sports said Knueppel should be considered questionable for the Boston game.