We had 11 games of NBA action on Wednesday with plenty of premier players and top teams on tap.
If you missed any of the action we had you covered on the best performers, closest games, can't-miss highlights and top storylines.
Top storylines
Stephen Curry goes off for 51 in three quarters
Within the first 12 minutes of the Golden State Warriors game you knew it was going to be one of those nights for Curry. He scored 23 points in the first quarter making his first five three-point attempts. He had 31 points after two quarters and even the halftime break couldn't cool him off.
He erupted for another 20 points in the third quarter to tie his career-high at Oracle Arena and unfortunately the fun had to stop there, just three points shy of his overall career-high of 54.The Warriors led by 18 going into the fourth and Curry spent the entire final quarter on the bench of the 144-122 win over the Washington Wizards.
This was Steph's sixth career 50-point performance and his 10th game with double-digit three-pointers made. His 10 career games with double-digit threes is by far the most in league history, as only his teammate Klay Thompson and J.R. Smith are next closest with three and no other player has ever registered more than one.
Mitchell scores 38, Harden leaves with an injury
Down by seven with just over five minutes left in the Houston Rockets vs. Utah Jazz game, the Rockets' reigning MVP left the game with hamstring tightness. After the game, Rockets Head Coach Mike D'Antoni had this to say on Harden's injury:
Mike D’Antoni gives an update on James Harden, says it was tightness in his hamstring and will be re-evaluated tomorrow. Unclear on the severity. pic.twitter.com/uyLuGf7YiT
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIkoNBA) October 25, 2018
As for the result of this game, Donovan Mitchell exploded for 38 points to lead the Jazz to a 100-89 victory to take revenge on the team that knocked them out of the postseason a year ago. Harden had 29 points, seven assists and five boards before he left the game and Carmelo Anthony had his first big outing with 22 points in the loss.
Antetokounmpo notches triple-double
Giannis Antetokounmpo made sure that the Milwaukee Bucks remained undefeated by posting a 30-point triple-double in a 123-108 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. The Greek Freak finished with 32 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists and also added three blocks and two steals on the defensive end.
From the start of the game it seemed like it was going to be all 76ers getting out to as much as a 14-point lead. In the second quarter the Bucks scored 40 points, taking the lead and never giving it back. Giannis dominated this game on both ends of the floor and his stat line tonight makes him the first player since Wilt Chamberlin in 1965 to have 25-plus points and 15-plus rebounds in the first four games of the season.
The Lakers win!
After starting the season 0-3, the Lakers finally got their first win of the season against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday. After a close first frame, the Lakers went off for 44 points in the second quarter and never looked back. They led by as much as 27 points before eventually closing out the game 131-113.
They had seven players in double-figures led by a team-high 23 points from Lance Stephenson. LeBron James had 19 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds in 28 minutes of play and JaVale McGee chipped in 20 points and six rebounds as well. Rookie DeAndre Ayton recorded a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds and Devin Booker added 23 points, seven assists and seven boards for the Suns.
Top performers
Giannis Antetokounmpo - 32 points (12-24 FG, 0-3 3PT, 8-9 FT), 18 rebounds, 10 assists, three blocks, two steals
Stephen Curry - 51 points (15-24 FG, 11-16 3PT, 10-10 FT), four rebounds, three assists, one steal
Zach LaVine - 32 points (10-22 FG, 1-5 3PT, 11-12 FT), five assists, four rebounds
Kawhi Leonard - 35 points (15-23 FG, 2-4 3PT, 3-4 FT), five rebounds, two assists, two steals, two blocks
Donovan Mitchell - 38 points (14-25 FG, 4-9 3PT, 6-8 FT), seven assists, five rebounds
Top highlights
This dunk was just two of Kent Bazemore's 32 points tonight. Also, this dunk would have busted the rim in NBA Street.
He did not think twice about what he was going to do. 😤 pic.twitter.com/j2r1xtJZ1V
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) October 25, 2018
I hope you enjoy Giannis in the open floor as much as I enjoy Giannis in the open floor. The Greek Freak with the windmill on the break.
Giannis drops the HAMMER🔨🔨#FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/81cLzGpAgb
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) October 25, 2018
LeBron decides he'll just assist himself to beat the buzzer, it's way easier that way.
That's how you close out a half!#LakeShow (📺: @SpectrumSN) pic.twitter.com/4bL4cGXRKi
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 25, 2018
De'Aaron Fox: best dunk of the night. Marc Gasol: best decision of the night.
DE’-AIR-ON FOX ⁰⁰
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) October 25, 2018
😱😱😱 pic.twitter.com/8x9T32mIUT
No, this shot did not count, but this was just the type of night Curry was having.
Toss it up! #KiaTipOff18 pic.twitter.com/kuOeey0YpL
— NBA (@NBA) October 25, 2018
Other nightly NBA antics
DeMarcus Cousins ate all John Wall's snacks in college.
John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins were roommates at Kentucky. Wall told me Boogie only wanted to listen to slow jams and he ate all his snacks.
— Kerith Burke (@KerithBurke) October 25, 2018
The Wizards share their thoughts on Curry's performance.
ok he's good
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) October 25, 2018