Boston did not leave room for interpretation in Philadelphia.
The Celtics produced the most decisive result of Sunday’s 13-game global basketball slate, beating the 76ers 128-96 on the road. Minnesota added another statement in the NBA window with a 112-96 win over Denver, while Toronto edged Cleveland 93-89 and San Antonio handled Portland 114-93.
Beyond the NBA, the ACB delivered a run of tight finishes, Nacional escaped Aguada 98-94 in Liga Uruguaya, and the Golden State Valkyries W held off the Seattle Storm W 78-76 in NBA W action.
NBA: Boston and Minnesota Make the Loudest Statements
The Celtics’ 128-96 win at Philadelphia stood out immediately because of the margin and the venue. Boston reached 128 points away from home while holding the 76ers to 96, turning a rivalry matchup into the clearest separation game of the night.
Minnesota’s 112-96 victory over Denver carried a similar tone. The Timberwolves controlled the scoreboard by 16 points, limiting the Nuggets to 96 and finishing with one of the strongest two-way results on the NBA board.
Toronto played a different kind of game, grinding out a 93-89 win over Cleveland. In a low-scoring matchup defined by thin margins, the Raptors found enough late-game separation to protect home court.
San Antonio produced the NBA’s other road statement, beating Portland 114-93. The Spurs were the only road NBA team on the night besides Boston to win by more than 20, creating clear distance in a matchup that never tilted back toward the Trail Blazers on the final scoreline.
ACB: Barcelona Survives, Burgos Wins Away
The ACB slate delivered the night’s densest cluster of close games. Barcelona left Baskonia with a 95-92 win, a three-point road result that stood as one of the most competitive finishes of the day.
Granada also survived a narrow test, beating MoraBanc Andorra 89-86. The three-point margin mirrored the Baskonia-Barcelona finish and reinforced a broader theme in Spain: possessions mattered deep into the final stretch.
Breogan created more breathing room in its 93-86 win over Joventut Badalona. The seven-point final still fit the competitive profile of the ACB schedule, but Breogan’s ability to reach 93 gave it enough cushion to finish the job at home.
San Pablo Burgos delivered the highest-scoring ACB win of the day, beating Manresa 101-94 on the road. Burgos was the only ACB team on the slate to break 100, and that offensive output was enough to offset Manresa’s 94 at home.
SLB: Bristol and Cheshire Win Big
The SLB results split sharply between decisive home wins and a road victory. Bristol Flyers beat Newcastle Eagles 94-75, producing a 19-point margin and one of the league’s most complete scorelines of the day.
Cheshire Phoenix went even heavier, beating Leicester Riders 98-77. Cheshire’s 21-point win was the largest SLB margin on the schedule and came with the league’s top scoring total of the day.
Manchester Basketball supplied the road result, defeating Sheffield Sharks 82-74. In a lower-scoring game than the other SLB matchups, Manchester created enough separation to leave Sheffield with an eight-point win.
Global Notes: Nacional Escapes, Valkyries Edge Storm
In Liga Uruguaya, Nacional beat Aguada 98-94 in one of the tighter high-scoring games on the full slate. Both teams pushed into the 90s, but Nacional’s four-point road edge decided it.
In NBA W action, the Golden State Valkyries W beat the Seattle Storm W 78-76. The two-point margin made it the closest final of the day, with Golden State protecting home court in the narrowest result across all 13 games.
Scoreboard
Liga Uruguaya
Nacional 98, Aguada 94
NBA W
Golden State Valkyries W 78, Seattle Storm W 76
NBA
Minnesota Timberwolves 112, Denver Nuggets 96
Toronto Raptors 93, Cleveland Cavaliers 89
San Antonio Spurs 114, Portland Trail Blazers 93
Boston Celtics 128, Philadelphia 76ers 96
ACB
Breogan 93, Joventut Badalona 86
Barcelona 95, Baskonia 92
Granada 89, MoraBanc Andorra 86
San Pablo Burgos 101, Manresa 94
SLB
Bristol Flyers 94, Newcastle Eagles 75
Manchester Basketball 82, Sheffield Sharks 74
Cheshire Phoenix 98, Leicester Riders 77