A busy NBA Saturday started with an afternoon matchup on the West Coast, as the Los Angeles Clippers dispatched the West-leading Denver Nuggets in fairly easy fashion. 

Later on, the Sixers made a statement by showing that they were up to the task of taking care of a shorthanded Raptors roster as Philadelphia never provided Toronto with a chance to get comfortable without their star player, Kawhi Leonard, in the lineup as they have on other occasions this season when the All-Star forward has sat out.

We also saw the Washington Wizards escape with a thrilling triple-overtime win over the Phoenix Suns and Kevin Durant play hero for the Golden State Warriors in their win over Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks. 

NBA schedule for Saturday, Dec. 22

*All times Eastern

NBA schedule for Sunday, Dec. 23

*All times Eastern

George goes off again, Thunder sneak past Jazz

Paul George has been on an absolute tear lately, and he kept it up with another impressive performance in the Thunder's win Saturday night in Utah. George finished with 43 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. It was his second straight game with exactly 43 points, and his third 40-point game this month. 

Bryant makes history, Beal gets 40-point triple-double in Wizards' 3OT win

The Wizards appear to have landed a steal when they picked up former second-round pick Thomas Bryant, as he has turned into a contributor for Washington upon being inserted into the starting lineup. Saturday night, the big man made a bit of history by converting on all 14 of his attempts from the field. Meanwhile, Bradley Beal recorded a 40-point triple-double, finishing with 40 points, 11 rebounds and 15 assists in the Wizards' wild triple-overtime win.

Simmons and Embiid lead Sixers past Leonard-less Raptors

The Raptors didn't have Kawhi Leonard on Saturday night, but the Sixers still looked impressive in their dominant victory. As did their two stars, who led the way all night long. Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons combined for 53 points, 23 rebounds and nine assists on a remarkably efficient 21-of-28 shooting. 

Harden, Capela boost Rockets past Spurs 

Don't look now, but the Rockets have won six of their last seven games, and are climbing in the Western Conference standings. On Saturday night they took down the Spurs thanks to James Harden and Clint Capela. The reigning MVP went for 39 points and 10 assists, while Capela added 21 points and 23 rebounds. 

Durant hits from the same spot again for the Warriors

Kevin Durant has made a habit out of coming up clutch for the Warriors on the offensive end since coming to Golden State and he did it again on Saturday night by pulling up from what has to be his favorite spot at Oracle Arena and hitting a clutch jumper to seal the win for his team.

Jordan sets up Doncic for a slam dunk

Luka Doncic continues to impress as he moves deeper into his rookie season and with the Slovenian sensation squaring off against Stephen Curry and the Warriors tonight the eyes of the basketball world are on him and he is getting the job done in the early going, as evidenced by this finish off of a feed from DeAndre Jordan.

Jackson posterizes Morris after a steal

Josh Jackson has struggled to live up to the expectations which were placed on him upon entering the league but he showed a glimpse of the type of talent he possesses on Saturday night by coming up with a steal and then dunking all over Wizards forward Markieff Morris. 

Draymond finds his touch from the perimeter

Draymond Green told the rest of the league after their loss to the Jazz that they would be in trouble once his shot starts falling. Well, he got off to a strong start on Saturday night against the Mavericks with this deep three.

Harris and Gallinari help Clippers crush West-leading Nuggets

Tobias Harris and Danilo Gallinari each scored 21 points on Saturday afternoon as the Clippers took down the Nuggets, who currently lead the Western Conference. Before the Clippers' 21-point win, the largest margin of defeat this season for the Nuggets was just 10 points. 

Butler sets up Simmons for a monster slam dunk

The addition of Jimmy Butler continues to pay dividends for the Sixers and he reiterated that fact on Saturday night by helping set up Ben Simmons for an emphatic finish above the rim with this assist. 

Lowry and Siakam set the tone for the Raptors

The Raptors and Sixers are squaring off in a matchup which could be an Eastern Conference Finals preview and Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam are doing their part to get Toronto off to a hot start as the pair combined for 19 points in the opening quarter of play in Philadelphia. 

Baker recovers for big block

Kelly Oubre Jr. was back in Washington not long after being traded away, but his return did not get off to a great start. Early in the second quarter, he was out on the fastbreak and got swatted by none other than Ron Baker. 

Ayton rocks the rim early and often

No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton got off to a nice start against the Wizards, throwing down multiple jams in the first quarter. 

Harris finds his groove early for the Clippers

Tobias Harris has been a consistent performer for the Clippers all year long and he made sure that Los Angeles got off to a strong start against the Nuggets on Saturday by converting on 50 percent of his attempts from the field for 19 points in the opening half of play.