Joe Ingles’ return from a career-threatening ACL injury to his left knee continues apace, with the Australian contributing 11 points in the Milwaukee Bucks’ 139-118 loss to the Boston Celtics.
The 35-year-old Ingles last week became the oldest Australian to play in the NBA, and he was back on the court on Christmas Day, although he was unable to prevent his side from slipping to a third-straight defeat.
Boston and the Bucks have the top two records in the NBA, but both have struggled recently, with the Celtics having lost five of seven before this game.
Jayson Tatum led the way for Boston, scoring 41 points – including 20 in the third quarter – while Jaylen Brown added 29.
The Celtics pulled away in the third, opening up a double-digit lead Milwaukee only briefly chipped into.
In Dallas, LeBron James racked up 38 points – one shy of his season high – but was still unable to prevent the LA Lakers falling to a 124-115 defeat thanks to a rampant third quarter from the Mavericks.
Dallas, who had trailed from the opening bucket, took the lead for the first time in the game during the 51-point third period.
It was the highest-scoring Christmas quarter in NBA history, and a league-best this season, and came after Dallas fans erupted at the sight of retired star Dirk Nowitzki on the video boards late in the first half.
Nowitzki’s old team joined the celebration soon enough, on the day a statue celebrating his achievements was unveiled.
Luka Doncic top-scored for the Mavericks with 32 points.
The Philadelphia 76ers put in an impressive final quarter at Madison Square Garden to overcome the Knicks 119-112.
Joel Embiid finished with 35 points and James Harden had 29 and 13 assists as the 76ers extended their winning streak to eight games.
Having never led through three, they outscored the Knicks 24-9 to open the fourth, turning a one-point deficit into a 116-102 lead.
“It was one of those games where you’ve just got to stick around,” Harden said. “Like, stick around, stick around – and then fourth quarter you give yourself a chance.”
The Knicks have lost three straight following an eight-game winning streak.
“We’re just not doing enough to win right now and that’s what we have to fix,” coach Tom Thibodeau said.
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