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Top Stories Live Updates: Donovan Mitchell Returns to Lead ABC Doubleheader Featuring Cavs-Celtics, Knicks-Lakers
** **Check out the best highlights and moments from Sunday with the NBA.com live blog, featuring Cavs-Celtics and Knicks-Lakers on ABC.
** **NBA.com Staff | Updated on March 9, 2026 12:25 AM
** **Jayson Tatum scores 20 points in 27 minutes during Boston’s 109-98 win over Cleveland. Enjoy the best of Sunday’s epic 10-game slate with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news, notes and highlights.
** **• Sunday’s ABC Doubleheader: All Eyes on Sunday Night Basketball
• Jayson Tatum Returns, Shifting Balance of Power in the East
• Last Night’s Live Blog: Thunder First to 50 Wins
• Download the NBA App
6:15 p.m. ET // March 8, 2026
Sunday’s Final Scores:
Celtics 109, Cavaliers 98
Lakers 110, Knicks 97
8:22 p.m. ET // March 8, 2026
**Ousmane Dieng is getting another starting opportunity for Milwaukee tonight, and is seeking a third straight double-digits scoring effort. The swingman uses his length here to get the block on defense. Orlando will need an impactful performance from Dieng with Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined for calf injury maintenance.
Dieng denial!
pic.twitter.com/iehw8iQIiL — Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) March 9, 2026
8:02 p.m. ET // March 8, 2026
**Texas Showdown 🏀
The first of tonight’s double-header on NBC & Peacock is moments away from tipping off as the Houston Rockets host in-state rivals the San Antonio Spurs. It’s their final regular season matchup with San Antonio leading the season series 2-1. They also enter this game on a three-game winning streak.
showdown starting 🔜
pic.twitter.com/YppusVZzYi — Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 8, 2026
7:56 p.m. ET // March 8, 2026
**Six Quick Ones
Miami is all over Detroit as the third quarters comes to a close. Tyler Herro is up to 25 points and helped push the Heat lead to 27 with a pair of triples.
👌👌 https://t.co/0TpxALddwL
pic.twitter.com/iUv2U8JpVw — Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) March 8, 2026
7:42 p.m. ET // March 8, 2026
**Toronto is holding their double-digit lead throughout the third period as their stars continue to overpower Dallas. Scottie Barnes has 12 after drilling his second triple, while RJ Barrett is feeling it with 21 points to lead all scorers.
SCOTTIE LETTING IT FLY 🎯
pic.twitter.com/ZansgjJCN8 — Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) March 8, 2026
7:27 p.m. ET // March 8, 2026
**Establishing Connection 📶
Trae Young’s playmaking skills are on full display here, resulting in a triple for Tre Johnson. There’s a plethora of new talent for Young to familiarize himself with as the rest of the season plays out.
Trae ➡️ Tre
Perfect pass. Perfect shot.
pic.twitter.com/EZBoaq83xP — NBA (@NBA) March 8, 2026
7:08 p.m. ET // March 8, 2026
**Heat Bringing the Effort
It’s hustle like this that has Miami in front of Detroit 61-36 with 3:02 to play in the first half.
This pass by Jaime Jaquez Jr. 🎯
Dives for it at the logo. Finds Ware in the paint. Two easy points.
pic.twitter.com/UzD117nIJ3 — NBA (@NBA) March 8, 2026
Tyler Herro (game-high 14 pts) and Bam Adebayo (12 pts, 5 reb) have the Heat running on all cylinders.
Shot maker.
pic.twitter.com/xXLuRCJW0A — Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) March 8, 2026
Cade Cunningham has 13 points and 6 dimes to lead the Pistons in both categories.
6:58 p.m. ET // March 8, 2026
**Raptors Separating in 2Q
RJ Barrett has a game-high 13 points on 6-for-9 shooting to help Toronto take a 50-37 edge over Dallas with just under 4 minutes remaining in the first half.
MAMUUUUU
pic.twitter.com/ZrpQUil55w — Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) March 8, 2026
Daniel Gafford has a team-high 11 points on a perfect 5-for-5 from the field, along with 5 rebounds and 2 assists in 11 minutes.
Pass the rock 👌
📺: KFAA
pic.twitter.com/rTjVNgUFFf — Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) March 8, 2026
6:34 p.m. ET // March 8, 2026
**Heat Up 10 on Pistons in 1Q
Tyler Herro (4 pts, 2 ast) gets up for the nice finish, helping Bam Adebayo (7 pts, 2 reb) and Davion Mitchell (6 pts, 3-3 FG) fuel an early 25-15 advantage for Miami with 2:25 remaining in the opening quarter.
Finish that, 14😤
pic.twitter.com/BJSTFyLeKU — Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) March 8, 2026
Jalen Duren (6 pts, 2 reb) and Cade Cunningham (5 pts, 3 ast) are the engines on offense so far for Detroit.
6:30 p.m. ET // March 8, 2026
**Mavs Working to End 6-Game Skid
Daniel Gafford has a team-high 6 points on 3-for-3 shooting, while Cooper Flagg has 2 points, 2 boards, 2 assists and 2 blocks in an all-around effort early. The Mavericks trail the Raptors 24-19 with 3:47 left in the first quarter.
Dunkin' Dan 😤
📺: KFAA
pic.twitter.com/0vLqQQmQmI — Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) March 8, 2026
13 ➡️ 32 😈
#MFFLAGG https://t.co/JnfLTg5Dpc
pic.twitter.com/ZRNN2Jf3cZ — Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) March 8, 2026
Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett have the Raptors cooking with 7 points apiece on a combined 5-for-9 shooting.
OH MY SCOTTIE B🤯
pic.twitter.com/jF2Swb5qUc — Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) March 8, 2026
6:23 p.m. ET // March 8, 2026
**Luka Scores 35 in Lakers’ W
The NBA’s leading scorer Luka Dončić (32.5 ppg) drops a game-high 35 points (11-25 FG, 8-10 FT) and 5 made 3s to help LA top New York, 110-97. He also tallies 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals in 38 minutes, and Austin Reaves finishes with 25 points (8-16 FG, 3-6 3PM), 4 boards, 5 assists, 3 steals and one block.
Luka Dončić in the Lakers' victory:
🪄 35 PTS
🪄 8 REB
🪄 4 AST
🪄 2 STL
🪄 5 3PM
pic.twitter.com/UXbO5aQTkM — NBA (@NBA) March 8, 2026
Los Angeles picks up their second straight victory and improve to 5-1 over their last six games. The Knicks struggle to find any rhythm from behind the arc, shooting 8-for-34 (23.5%) from 3. Karl-Anthony Towns (25 pts, 16 reb) and Jalen Brunson (24 pts, 6 reb, 7 ast) are the leading scorers for New York.
5:54 p.m. ET // March 8, 2026
**Knicks Within 13 👀
Jalen Brunson (23 pts, 5 reb, 6 ast) caps a 12-2 run over the last 2:16 of the fourth quarter to cut New York’s deficit to 99-86 with 8:16 remaining in the game.
5:43 p.m. ET // March 8, 2026
**Lakers Up Big Going to 4Q
Luka Dončić (game-high 28 pts) and Austin Reaves (22 pts) fuel a 34-20 scoring advantage in the third quarter for the Lakers, and they lead the Knicks 88-69 heading to the final frame.
Austin Reaves 😲
Nasty cross to create separation. Perfect release. The net barely moves.
pic.twitter.com/LQguz6PwZ5 — NBA (@NBA) March 8, 2026
Jalen Brunson (14 pts, 6 ast) and Karl-Anthony Towns (14 pts, 8 reb) continue to pace four Knicks in double figures scoring.
5:32 p.m. ET // March 8, 2026
**Another Spell from Luka
Luka Dončić is up to 22 points on 6-for-16 shooting with 4 boards, 4 dimes and 2 steals, and Austin Reaves matches him with 22 points on 7-for-12 shooting with 2 made 3s.
Luka Magic 🪄
Shot clock speeding to zero. Releases it off one leg. Shot falls. He falls.
https://t.co/9xb4yjbBbH
pic.twitter.com/6OcuMgiC8e — NBA (@NBA) March 8, 2026
For the Knicks, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns have 14 points apiece to lead four players in double figures scoring, but New York trails LA 76-65 with 3:19 remaining in the third.
5:13 p.m. ET // March 8, 2026
**Protect the Board at All Costs
Little bit of comedy on the sidelines in Knicks-Lakers, currently live on ABC!
"They can steal my computer… you can take my clothes, just don't take my board." 😂
@DavePasch setting his priorities straight after Marcus Smart crashed into the broadcast setup.
pic.twitter.com/KOJ2HQOnkU — NBA (@NBA) March 8, 2026
4:57 p.m. ET // March 8, 2026
**Lakers Lead Knicks 54-49 at Half
Luka Dončić finishes the first half with 14 points (3-10 FG, 1-6 3PM, 7-8 FT), 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals, while Austin Reaves drops a game-high 17 points on 5-for-9 shooting (6-7 FT) in 18 minutes. LA holds a 5-point lead at halftime despite one made field goal and a 16-8 run from New York to close out the half (6+ minutes).
Luka laughing after baiting his friend Brunson into a foul 😂
pic.twitter.com/XlFu8NqmNs — SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 8, 2026
Jalen Brunson (11 pts, 2 reb, 3 ast), OG Anunoby (11 pts, 4 reb, 1 stl) and Karl-Anthony Towns (10 pts, 7 reb, 1 stl) are stuffing the stat sheet to help the Knicks trim down what was once a 13-point deficit.
Bridges lockdown. Hart steal. OG fastbreak slam! Knicks turning defense into offense on a 12-4 run!
pic.twitter.com/8PEC0Zrrh4 — NBA (@NBA) March 8, 2026
loving landry's energy ⚡️
pic.twitter.com/j8o5UqkCT2 — NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) March 8, 2026
4:20 p.m. ET // March 8, 2026
**Lakers Up 8 After 1Q
Luka Dončić has a game-high 12 points in 12 first-quarter minutes, and the Lakers lead the Knicks 31-23 going into the second.
mitch with AUTHORITY 🔨
pic.twitter.com/KD9xVl3bgd — NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) March 8, 2026
Jalen Brunson has 6 points and 2 dimes to lead the Knicks, while Karl-Anthony Towns has 2 points, 4 rebounds and one assist in 6 minutes.
4:05 p.m. ET // March 8, 2026
**Bigger Than Basketball
"The NBA is like a brotherhood… It was mutual love and mutual respect." ❤️
After the C’s win, Jayson Tatum (20 PTS) spoke on playing against longtime friend Donovan Mitchell in his second game back in action!
pic.twitter.com/3oTKG0ETZK — NBA (@NBA) March 8, 2026