Happy Easter Monday, everyone. If you celebrate, have a fantastic day with family and friends with whatever you may end up doing. But regardless of your plans, kick off your day with the latest edition of The Morning Dunk as we recap all of the news, betting odds, and highlights from Easter Sunday's slate of NBA action.
LeBron Joins Exclusive Club, Gets Ovation In Road Game
Basketball lesson of the day: Never take LeBron James' greatness for granted, as he may not be around for too much longer.
James dropped 40 points on the Brooklyn Nets in a 116-104 win for the Los Angeles Lakers, joining fellow GOAT candidate Michael Jordan as the only players in league history with multiple games of 40 points or more after turning 39 years of age.
He drilled 9-of-10 from 3-point range while adding seven rebounds and five assists in 37 minutes of action. The crowd at the Barclays Center even gave James a standing ovation as he exited the game for the final time.
Standing ovation for LeBron James from the Brooklyn crowd. He checks out with 40 points on 13-for-17 shooting, 7 assists and 5 rebounds. He tied a career high in 3-pointers, going 9-for-10 from deep. pic.twitter.com/WeKY73OY0o
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 1, 2024
The Lakers' victory didn't stir any significant movement in the Western Conference play-in picture, as the team maintains its position as the ninth seed with a 1.5-game lead over the Golden State Warriors.
Luka Dominates As Rockets' Streak Finally Snapped
It took a superhuman effort, but the Houston Rockets have lost a basketball game for the first time since March 6.
Luka Doncic finished with 47 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, and a pair of steals while shooting 18-of-30 from the field and 9-of-16 from the perimeter to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 125-107 win at the Toyota Center.
The Rockets' 11-game winning streak was snapped as a result.
Truly. This is total nonsense. I have no idea how someone can make this shot on an NBA court. Luka Doncic is insane. https://t.co/Qky2TJs4X9 pic.twitter.com/efmoV3SdTl
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) April 1, 2024
Dallas has now won seven in a row SU and 11 of its last 12 games to be tied for fifth in the West alongside the New Orleans Pelicans with identical 45-29 records. Houston, meanwhile, falls two games behind the Warriors for the final play-in spot.
SGA Drills Game-Winner At Madison Square Garden
If Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hopes to regain momentum in the race for Most Valuable Player, then showings like the one he had on Sunday should help.
SGA drilled a go-ahead jumper with 1.8 seconds remaining to put the Oklahoma City Thunder ahead for good at Madison Square Garden with a 113-112 win over the New York Knicks.
He finished with 19 points in 35 minutes, breaking his previous record for the most points in a single season by a Canadian player with 2,150.
SGA 🥶 pic.twitter.com/ePpLXHvhPY
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) April 1, 2024
Gilgeous-Alexander sits a distant third in the MVP betting odds at +2500, well behind Nikola Jokic (-700) and Luka Doncic (+500).
