NBA wrap: Kemba Walker leads Hornets to win over Celtics, Thunder falls in Russell Westbrook's return

Walker tallied 43 points, five assists and four rebounds to lead the Hornets to a 117-112 win over the Celtics at the Spectrum Center.

Charlotte Hornets' Kemba Walker (15) celebrates with Tony Parker (9) after Parker's basket against the Boston Celtics late in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte.

Kemba Walker continued his stellar start to the season Monday.

The 28-year-old guard tallied 43 points, five assists and four rebounds to lead the Hornets to a 117-112 win over the Celtics at the Spectrum Center. Walker also connected on seven of his 13 3-point attempts in the victory.

The Hornets trailed by as many as 10 points in the fourth quarter but rallied and took the lead on a 3-pointer by Walker. He then scored Charlotte’s next six points and added a game-securing step-back 3-pointer with 33.3 seconds left to play.

Walker was coming off a 60-point performance in the Hornets’ loss to the 76ers Saturday.

Elsewhere, Thunder star Russell Westbrook scored 29 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in his return from a sprained ankle. He was also involved in a heated exchange with Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein in the third quarter.

The Thunder ended up falling to the Kings 117-113. The Pacers also pulled away for a 121-94 win over the Jazz.

STUDS OF THE NIGHT

Pelicans forward Julius Randle came of the bench to get a triple-double in his team’s 140-126 victory over the Spurs. He finished with 21 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists.

Joel Embiid scored 33 points and grabbed 17 rebounds in the 76ers’ 119-114 win over the Suns.

DUDS OF THE NIGHT

Nuggets forward Juan Hernangomez tallied just six points and shot 2-of-10 from the field against the Bucks. Denver fell 104-98.

Harrison Barnes missed 11 of his 14 shots and was a minus-15 in the Mavericks’ 98-88 loss to the Grizzlies.