John Wall impressed on his Houston Rockets debut, while the Philadelphia 76ers' fine start to the NBA season continued.
In his first regular-season appearance since December 2018, Wall helped the Rockets to their first win of the season with a 122-119 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday.
Wall posted 22 points, nine assists and six rebounds on his Rockets debut after being traded from the Washington Wizards at the start of December.
James Harden again starred, finishing with 33 points, eight assists and six rebounds.
The 76ers improved to 4-1 and handed Orlando their first loss of the season, beating the Magic 116-92.
Joel Embiid was seven-of-11 from the field for 21 points, while he also pulled down nine rebounds.
Westbrook's Wizards fall again as Booker shines
Russell Westbrook posted another triple-double with 22 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds, but the Washington Wizards dropped to 0-5 after a 133-130 loss to the Chicago Bulls. Westbrook joined Oscar Robertson as the only players in NBA history to open a season with four triple-doubles in their first four games.
Thomas Bryant had 28 points for the Wizards after going 10-of-11 from the field.
THOMAS. BRYANT.
— NBA (@NBA) January 1, 2021
1-point game with 5 minutes to play on League Pass pic.twitter.com/MeKREifrdZ
Devin Booker's game-high 25 points helped the Phoenix Suns past the Utah Jazz 106-95. The Suns are 4-1.
Domantas Sabonis had a double-double of 25 points and 11 rebounds in the Indiana Pacers' 119-99 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Sabonis has posted at least a double-double in all five of his games this season.
Terrible Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder shot at just 37.5 per cent from the field in a 113-80 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.
Harden, Wall power Rockets
Harden and Wall finished with 55 points and 17 assists between them against the Kings.
Harden, Wall combine for points and assists in their first game as @HoustonRockets teammates!@JHarden13: 33 PTS, 8 AST@JohnWall: 22 PTS, 9 AST pic.twitter.com/pKugEKQ0TF
— NBA (@NBA) January 1, 2021
Thursday's results
Indiana Pacers 119-99 Cleveland Cavaliers
Chicago Bulls 133-130 Washington Wizards
Philadelphia 76ers 116-92 Orlando Magic
Houston Rockets 122-119 Sacramento Kings
Toronto Raptors 100-83 New York Knicks
New Orleans Pelicans 113-80 Oklahoma City Thunder
Phoenix Suns 106-95 Utah Jazz
Lakers at Spurs
The Los Angeles Lakers (3-2) and San Antonio Spurs (2-2) will meet again on Friday. LeBron James powered the Lakers to a win over San Antonio on Wednesday.
