NBA: Mavs spoil Leonard's season debut, LeBron enjoys career-high night

New York, December 13: The San Antonio Spurs went 19-8 in Kawhi Leonard's absence and are now 0-1 with him on the court following their shock 95-89 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

Last season's NBA MVP candidate made his season debut on Tuesday (December 12) after missing the first 27 games of the campaign because of right quadriceps tendinopathy.

Leonard – coming off a season in which he average career highs in points (25.5) and assists (3.5) – was limited to 13 points in 16 minutes against the Mavericks.

LaMarcus Aldridge and Rudy Gay have stepped up in Leonard's absence and were once again leading San Antonio with 23 and 21 points respectively.

San Antonio were a quarter away from a five-game winning streak but shot 29 per cent and were outscored 28-20 in the fourth quarter.

LeBron James had a career-high 17 assists as the Cleveland Cavaliers saw off the lowly Atlanta Hawks 123-114.

James also had 25 points to lead the Cavs to their 15th win in 16 games.

Once the talk of the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Pistons are in danger of dropping below .500 and out of playoff contention after losing their seventh straight game – beaten 103-84 by the Denver Nuggets.

PORZINGIS SETTLES CONTEST

Kristaps Porzingis had a big night with 35 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks to lift the New York Knicks to a 113-109 overtime win against the Los Angeles Lakers. He became the first player in NBA history with 35 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks and five made three-pointers in a game.

SATORANSKY CALLED FOR VIOLATION

Trailing by three to the Brooklyn Nets with eight seconds remaining, the Washington Wizards called timeout to advance the ball past halfcourt. But Tomas Satoransky was unable to inbound the ball in time, drawing a five-second violation as Brooklyn sealed a 103-98 win with two free throws.

LEBRON LEADS THE WAY

James flexed his muscles to help overcame the Hawks on Tuesday.

LeBron James scored 25 PTS and tied a career-high with 17 AST in the @cavs 123-114 win over the @ATLHawks!

Cleveland also made a season-high 20 3-pointers.#AllForOne pic.twitter.com/MhmnuNrkZ0

— NBA (@NBA) December 13, 2017

TUESDAY'S RESULTS

New York Knicks 113-109 (OT) Los Angeles Lakers

Cleveland Cavaliers 123-114 Atlanta Hawks

Dallas Mavericks 95-89 San Antonio Spurs

Sacramento Kings 99-92 Phoenix Suns

Denver Nuggets 103-84 Detroit Pistons

Brooklyn Nets 103-98 Washington Wizards

Philadelphia 76ers 118-112 (OT) Minnesota Timberwolves

THUNDER AT PACERS

Paul George returns to Indianapolis for the first time since being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have disappointed to say the least to begin the season.

George is quickly being replaced in Indy by reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week Victor Oladipo, who Oklahoma City traded for the former. Oladipo is averaging 31.8 points this month and dropped 35 in the first meeting between the two teams in October.

Source: OPTA