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NBA roundup: Jalen Green's buzzer-beater lifts Suns past Magic in 2OT

Sun Feb 22 1:06am ET
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Grayson Allen scored 27 points in his return from a four-game absence and Jalen Green made up for a miserable shooting night with a game-winning 3-pointer at the final buzzer as the host Phoenix Suns overcame an injury to Dillon Brooks in a 113-110 double-overtime victory over the Orlando Magic on Saturday.

Green, who was 6-of-26 from the field, scored the Suns' final six points, gave them a 110-107 lead on a driving left-handed layup with 33.9 seconds remaining and responded to Jevon Carter's game-tying three with one of his own for his first career game-winner.

Collin Gillespie added 19 points for the Suns, who were without All-Star guard Devon Booker, who will be sidelined at least a week with a hip injury sustained in Thursday's loss.

Desmond Bane scored 34 points before fouling out in overtime, Paolo Banchero scored 26 and Carter had 15 points for the Magic.


Knicks 108, Rockets 106

Jalen Brunson hit the tiebreaking jumper with 29.5 seconds left for host New York, which mounted a furious fourth-quarter comeback from an 18-point deficit to stun Houston.

The Rockets trailed by as many as 13 points in the second quarter before outscoring the Knicks 72-41 over the next 24 minutes and taking a 93-75 lead on Dorian Finney-Smith's layup with 10:53 left in the game. But the Knicks outscored the Rockets 33-13 the rest of the way while limiting Houston to 4 of 15 shooting and forcing nine turnovers.

With the Knicks up two, the Rockets fouled OG Anunoby, who sank two free throws with 5.4 seconds left before Kevin Durant hit a 3-pointer to pull the visitors within 107-106 with 2.4 seconds left. Landry Shamet split a pair of free throws, and Durant missed a half-court heave at the buzzer.

Pelicans 126, 76ers 111

Jordan Poole scored 23 points to lead seven double-digit scorers as the Pelicans topped the visiting 76ers.

Zion Williamson added 21 points, eight assists, six rebounds and three steals for New Orleans, while Saddiq Bey added 20 points. DeAndre Jordan was not one of the double-digit scorers for the Pelicans, although the former Sixer chipped in with 15 rebounds, six points and four blocks.

Tyrese Maxey paced the Sixers with 27 points, seven assists and five steals, but he shot just 9 of 23 from the field. Kelly Oubre Jr. added 25 points for Philadelphia, which has lost eight of its last nine games without Joel Embiid (knee/shin), including each of its last four contests.

Heat 136, Grizzlies 120

Andrew Wiggins poured in 28 points and Norman Powell 25 as host Miami defeated Memphis, handing the Grizzlies their 11th loss in their last 14 games.

The Heat, who improved to 17-11 at home, also got 14 points and a game-high-tying six assists from Tyler Herro, who came off the bench in just his second game since missing more than one month due to three fractured ribs. Bam Adebayo was quiet with 13 points, five under his average.

Memphis was led by GG Jackson, who scored a season-high 28 points and grabbed nine rebounds off the bench. Jaylen Wells added 25 points, but the Grizzlies fell to 9-18 on the road.

Pistons 126, Bulls 110

Jalen Duren had 26 points and 13 rebounds, and Cade Cunningham and Tobias Harris scored 18 points apiece to lead visiting Detroit past skidding Chicago.

The Pistons forced 23 Bulls turnovers while sending Chicago to its season-worst eighth straight loss, surpassing a seven-game skid from Nov. 24-Dec. 7. Duncan Robinson (17 points) and Paul Reed (15) also scored in double figures Detroit, which finished with a 68-38 edge in points in the paint. Cunningham dished 13 assists to go with nine rebounds.

The Bulls' Josh Giddey scored a game-high 27 points while matching Robinson for the game high with five 3-pointers. Matas Buzelis, Isaac Okoro and Jalen Smith each scored 15 points for Chicago.

Spurs 139, Kings 122

Victor Wembanyama racked up 28 points, 15 rebounds, six assists and four blocked shots to lead a balanced San Antonio attack in a win over the hapless Kings in Austin, Texas, the Spurs' home away from home.

The Spurs led by eight points at halftime and 11 after three quarters before putting away Sacramento to capture their season-best eighth straight game. Stephon Castle, Keldon Johnson and De'Aaron Fox added 18 points each for the Spurs, with Harrison Barnes hitting for 14 and Dylan Harper scoring 12 points.

Keegan Murray and DeMar DeRozan tallied 20 points apiece for the Kings, who fell for the 16th game in a row and added to the franchise record for consecutive losses. Malik Monk had 19 points, Maxime Raynaud finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds for Sacramento.

Player Notes
Anfernee Simons Sun Feb 22 7:50am

Chicago Bulls guard Anfernee Simons (wrist) will not return to Saturday's game against Detroit after injuring his left wrist in the second quarter. He finished with 4 points on 2-of-6 shooting and two rebounds in 13 minutes off the bench, and his availability for Sunday against New York is now in question. If Simons sits, Tre Jones and Collin Sexton would be in line for expanded roles, especially if Josh Giddey is rested on the back end of the back-to-back. Jones posted seven points and six assists in 26 minutes Saturday, while Sexton's production remains scoring-dependent. Jones is the steadier short-term add for assists and steals.

Kristaps Porzingis Sun Feb 22 7:40am

Golden State Warriors forward/center Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles) is listed as probable for Sunday's game against Denver and is expected to come off the bench again with increased minutes. The 30-year-old made his team debut Thursday, finishing with 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting, two threes, one rebound, one assist, and one block in 17 minutes. If his minutes tick up, he becomes even more secure in standard leagues, especially with Stephen Curry (knee) out. There's obvious injury risk baked in with Porzingis, so he comes with volatility, but a 29.0 percent usage rate shows the upside is real when he's on the floor. Draymond Green and Al Horford could see slight role shifts as the rotation settles.

John Collins Sun Feb 22 7:30am

Los Angeles Clippers forward/center John Collins (head) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Orlando after sustaining a head laceration and neck soreness in Friday's loss to the Lakers. His next chance to suit up comes Thursday. In his absence, Bennedict Mathurin should continue handling elevated usage after posting 26 points and seven rebounds in 32 minutes last game. Nicolas Batum saw 15 minutes with three rebounds, two assists, and one steal, but remains a low-upside option. Mathurin is the preferred short-term play, while Batum and Kobe Sanders are fringe, deeper-league considerations. Kawhi Leonard's (ankle) status could further shape wing minutes.

Shaedon Sharpe Sun Feb 22 7:30am

Portland Trail Blazers guard/forward Shaedon Sharpe (calf) remains out for Sunday's game against Phoenix, marking his sixth consecutive absence as the team continues to err on the side of caution. The backcourt minutes are still up in the air. Vit Krejci scored 11 points with two threes in 17 minutes last game, Matisse Thybulle added five points and three steals in 13 minutes, and Sidy Cissoko chipped in two steals and two blocks in 16 minutes. All three are fringe, risky streaming options in deeper formats.

Aaron Nesmith Sun Feb 22 7:20am

Indiana Pacers guard/forward Aaron Nesmith (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Dallas as he continues to recover from a right ankle sprain. This will be his second straight absence, leaving wing minutes available but without a clear fantasy winner. Ben Sheppard logged 20 minutes in the last game and finished with eight points, five rebounds, three assists, and one steal, while Kobe Brown played 33 minutes and posted 12 points, five rebounds, two threes, and two steals. Both remain fringe and risky options for streaming in deeper formats. Pascal Siakam and Jarace Walker should continue to absorb stable usage.

Ivica Zubac Sun Feb 22 7:10am

Indiana Pacers center Ivica Zubac (ankle) is out for Sunday's game against Dallas as he continues to recover from a sprained ankle. With the Pacers managing multiple rotation injuries, there is little incentive to rush him back. Jay Huff should remain in the starting lineup after erupting for 22 points with five threes in 16 minutes last game, and he previously logged 15 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks in 21 minutes. Huff is a clear streamer in standard formats, while Micah Potter profiles as a deep-league add after posting 18 points and four threes. Jarace Walker also gains frontcourt stability minutes.

Rudy Gobert Sun Feb 22 7:00am

Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert will miss Sunday's game against Philadelphia after the league handed him a one-game ban for exceeding the regular-season flagrant foul threshold following Friday's win over Dallas. The 33-year-old averages 32 minutes with a 13.4 percent usage rate, so the fantasy swing comes from his absence, not volume. Naz Reid is the clear beneficiary after posting 21 points, seven rebounds, four threes, four assists, one steal, and two blocks in 31 minutes last game. Reid profiles as a strong short-term start, while Joan Beringer is only a deep-league dart. Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards should see marginal rebounding and usage bumps.

Devin Booker Sat Feb 21 11:40pm

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (hip) will be sidelined for at least one week as a result of the right hip strain he suffered in Thursday's loss to the San Antonio Spurs. The 29-year-old has struggled to stay healthy of late, most recently missing seven contests because of a sprained right ankle. Unfortunately, the latest update means he will miss even more time moving forward. With Dillon Brooks (hand) out indefinitely, the Suns will need to lean on Grayson Allen, Collin Gillespie, and Jalen Green. Jordan Goodwin, who had 17 points from off the bench in Saturday's double-overtime win over Orlando, should see even more work and scoring opportunities, at least until Booker is cleared to return.

Dillon Brooks Sat Feb 21 11:20pm

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks sustained a broken left hand in Saturday's double-overtime loss to the Magic. He is projected to be out "for an extended period of time," although he will meet with physicians on Sunday to "determine an exact timetable." The 30-year-old has played exceptionally well this season, averaging a career-high 21.2 points with 3.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.1 steals. With Devin Booker (hip) out at least a week, losing Brooks is a tough blow to the Suns, a team looking to remain in the Play-In conversation. At any rate, fantasy managers can expect Collin Gillespie, Jalen Green, and Grayson Allen to lead the offense, at least until Booker is back in the mix. Jordan Goodwin, amassing 17 points versus Orlando, should also gain attention from fantasy managers.

Davion Mitchell Sat Feb 21 7:20pm

Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell (illness) has been ruled out ahead of Saturday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Mitchell was able to play through the illness on Friday, but will sit out the second night of this back-to-back set. He finished with seven points, seven assists, and five rebounds across 27 minutes of action on Friday. The Heat will have a significant void to fill in the rotation with Tyler Herro still under a minutes limit. Dru Smith and Kasparas Jakucionis are likely going to see increased roles with Mitchell being ruled out. Herro is the best fantasy option among the guards, but Jakucionis could be a decent streaming option for Saturday's slate.

Dru Smith Sat Feb 21 7:20pm

Miami Heat guard Dru Smith (calf) has been upgraded to available ahead of Saturday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Smith was uncertain coming into this game due to left calf soreness that limited him to three minutes on Friday. He was able to shed the questionable tag and will suit up for Saturday's game. That is good news for the Heat, with fellow guard Davion Mitchell (illness) being ruled out for this game. The expectation is that Smith and Kasparas Jakucionis will see increased playing time on Saturday. Smith has been a viable streaming option when he's able to log in 20-plus minutes on the court. It's unclear if he'll play that much on Saturday, but it's possible with Mitchell out and Tyler Herro still limited.

Nikola Jovic Sat Feb 21 7:10pm

Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic (back) is ruled out ahead of Saturday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Jovic has been downgraded to out after being listed as questionable earlier in the day. He's dealing with lower back tightness and will miss this game after playing only three minutes during Friday's contest. His absence should free up playing time for Kel'el Ware and Simone Fontecchio in the rotation. Between the two, Ware is the much better fantasy option for Saturday's slate.

Tyler Herro Sat Feb 21 7:00pm

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (ribs) is available to play ahead of Saturday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. As expected, Herro has been cleared to play after making his return to the court on Friday. It was unclear if Herro would play in both games of the back-to-back set following a 15-game absence due to a rib injury. He finished with 24 points, four rebounds, and three assists across 23 minutes of action. The assumption is Herro will have a similar workload once again while he works his way back to full speed. Fantasy managers in season-long formats can get Herro active on Saturday.

Norman Powell Sat Feb 21 7:00pm

Miami Heat guard Norman Powell (illness) is available to play ahead of Saturday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. As expected, Powell will suit up after being listed as probable on the injury report. Powell returned to the court on Friday after missing the final two games before the All-Star break due to an illness. He finished with 15 points, two assists, and three rebounds across 25 minutes of action on Friday. His overall scoring might take a slight hit with Tyler Herro back in the mix now. Fantasy managers should still feel comfortable starting Powell in season-long formats on Saturday.

Dejounte Murray Sat Feb 21 6:50pm

New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (Achilles) has been downgraded to out ahead of Saturday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Murray was listed as doubtful for this game and will ultimately remain on the sideline. Murray hasn't played since tearing his Achilles in January of 2025. The organization believes Murray is extremely close to getting back on the court. His next chance to play will come on Tuesday versus the Golden State Warriors. Fantasy managers should expect Murray to have heavy minutes restrictions once he's cleared to play. Murray is worth stashing in most fantasy formats, with his return to the court hopefully coming soon.

Cooper Flagg Sat Feb 21 5:30pm

Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Cooper Flagg (foot) remains out for Sunday's matchup with Indiana. The rookie has already missed two games because of a left midfoot sprain. He was spotted wearing a walking boot during the All-Star break, so he'll likely miss extended time moving ahead. Truth be told, with the Mavs not expected to make the postseason, Flagg probably won't be rushed back, with or without the boot. Without Flagg on the court, Naji Marshall and Khris Middleton are favorites to roll with the first-five. Both men may end up getting the start on Sunday, depending on the status of Max Christie (ankle), who currently holds a questionable tag. If Christie is also sidelined, Middleton and Marshall should be classified as starting fantasy options for the favorable outing on the horizon.

Scottie Barnes Sat Feb 21 5:20pm

Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (personal) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's meeting with Milwaukee. He's out with a personal issue, so his next opportunity to return will be on Tuesday against the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder. Without Barnes on the court, Jakob Poeltl may move back into the starting lineup, with Collin Murray-Boyles sliding over to the four. Poeltl has been limited since returning from his lengthy stint on the shelf because of a back injury, logging 20 minutes or less in the last two games, meaning his fantasy upside should remain capped even if he is back with the first-five. There's also a chance Sandro Mamukelashvili gets the start, with the 26-year-old averaging 16.0 points, 6.6 boards, and 2.9 assists in 11 starts during the campaign.

Jalen Suggs Sat Feb 21 4:40pm

Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (back) won't play on Saturday against Phoenix. The 24-year-old has been sidelined multiple times this season. However, since returning from an eight-game absence due to a knee injury, he's appeared in Orlando's previous 11 contests. Only time will tell if the back spasms will keep Suggs out beyond Saturday's contest, including for Sunday's meeting versus the Clippers. In the meantime, Jevon Carter, most recently amassing 14 points, four assists, and three rebounds in Thursday's blowout win over the Sacramento Kings, might enter the starting lineup, with Jett Howard in line for more minutes from off the bench.

Grayson Allen Sat Feb 21 4:40pm

Phoenix Suns guard/forward Grayson Allen (ankle) will return on Saturday versus Orlando after missing the last four games. The 30-year-old is having a fantastic campaign, averaging 17.0 points, a career-high, with 3.0 boards, 4.0 assists, and 1.4 steals, He will come off the bench, with Jalen Green entering the starting lineup. However, Allen should remain heavily involved, especially with Devin Booker (hip) sidelined for this one.

Jaden Ivey Sat Feb 21 4:20pm

Chicago Bulls guard Jaden Ivey (knee) will miss time. The former Piston is experiencing soreness in his left knee and will be re-evaluated in two weeks. He was acquired from Detroit ahead of the deadline. In Ivey's four games with the Bulls, he's averaged 11.5 points, 4.8 boards, 4.0 assists, and 2.0 steals. Considering his injury history, which includes a fractured left leg and right-knee surgery, fantasy managers shouldn't be shocked to see his absence extend beyond the two-week window. Fortunately, Chicago's backcourt is loaded, so Collin Sexton and Tre Jones should both gain extra minutes behind Anfernee Simons and Josh Giddey moving forward. Rob Dillingham, most recently amassing four points in 10 minutes in Thursday's loss to Toronto, might also see additional action, although not enough to earn him a starting spot in most fantasy setups.


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