CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Kemba Walker poured in a career- and franchise-high 52 points on 16-of-34 shooting to lead the Charlotte Hornets to a 124-119 double-overtime victory over the Utah Jazz on Monday in one of the NBA’s afternoon games in honor of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
Walker scored nine points in the second overtime, including a difference-making 3-pointer with 2:53 remaining that pushed Charlotte’s lead to 116-110. Both Walker and Hornets center Cody Zeller had four free throws apiece in the final 36.3 seconds to fend off a 3-pointer from Utah guard Trey Burke and secure the triumph.
Walker also had eight assists and nine rebounds in helping his Hornets win for just the second time in the last 11 games.
Utah guard Gordon Hayward began the game trying his best to keep pace with Walker offensively, totaling 36 points on 12-of-24 shooting.
Knicks 119, 76ers 113 (2OT)
NEW YORK — The New York Knicks, who led by as many as 18 points in the third quarter, knocked off Philadelphia in double-overtime at Madison Square Garden.
Carmelo Anthony returned to the Knicks’ lineup after missing two games with a sprained ankle. He scored 19 points, grabbed seven rebounds and had seven assists in 49 minutes.
Rookie Jahlil Okafor led the 76ers with 20 points despite sitting out the fourth quarter and both overtimes.
Trail Blazers 108, Wizards 98
WASHINGTON — C.J. McCollum scored 25 points and Portland pulled away with a 23-1 run in the third quarter to beat Washington.
Meyers Leonard had 18 points and Damian Lillard scored 16 for the Trail Blazers, who led by as many as 24 points in the fourth quarter.
Garrett Temple scored 18 points for the Wizards, who have lost two straight after reaching .500 following a four-game winning streak.
Grizzlies 101, Pelicans 99
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Mike Conley posted a double-double with 15 points and 10 assists in his first game back from an Achilles injury as Memphis defeated New Orleans.
Conley missed six games with soreness in his left Achilles and coach Dave Joerger held him to 28 minutes.
Marc Gasol also had a double-double with 16 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, two steals and a block for the Grizzlies. The Jazz got 21 points, eight rebounds and three blocks from Anthony Davis and Ryan Anderson added 14 points off the bench.