NBA roundup: Thunder emerge with scrappy OT win over Nuggets
Sat Feb 28 3:01am ET
Field Level Media
Chet Holmgren produced 15 points and a career-high 21 rebounds and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 36 points in his return from injury, lifting the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 127-121 victory over the visiting Denver Nuggets on Friday.
Gilgeous-Alexander, playing his first game since sustaining an abdominal strain on Feb. 3, helped the Thunder dig out of an early 16-point deficit.
In overtime, though, Gilgeous-Alexander remained on the bench. It didn't matter, as Alex Caruso continued his strong play from the end of regulation. He finished with 12 points.
Denver's Jamal Murray hit a trio of 3-pointers in the final 30 seconds to finish with 39 points. Nikola Jokic finished with 23 points, 17 rebounds and 14 assists while teammate Christian Braun also scored 23.
Pistons 122, Cavaliers 119 (OT)
Jalen Duren scored 33 points and grabbed 16 rebounds as host Detroit rallied from a nine-point deficit late in regulation to win in overtime against Cleveland.
Cade Cunningham supplied 25 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists before fouling out in regulation for the Pistons, who have won seven of their past eight. Ausar Thompson had 18 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
Jarrett Allen's 25 points and nine rebounds led the Cavaliers, who have lost three of the past four. Cleveland played without its starting backcourt, Donovan Mitchell (groin) and James Harden (thumb).
Celtics 148, Nets 111
Nikola Vucevic had 28 points and 11 rebounds in 25 minutes as Boston pulled away in the second half for a victory over visiting Brooklyn.
The Celtics, who had a six-point lead midway through the third quarter, outscored the Nets 82-54 in the second half. Jaylen Brown logged 28 points, seven rebounds and nine assists for Boston, which hit 66.7% of its field-goal attempts while earning its 10th win in 12 games.
Michael Porter Jr. led Brooklyn with 18 points. Danny Wolf scored 16 as the Nets dropped their seventh game in a row.
Grizzlies 124, Mavericks 105
Cam Spencer scored 25 points and Olivier-Maxence Prosper added 16 points and a career-high 10 rebounds -- his first career double-double -- as visiting Memphis handed Dallas its seventh straight home loss.
Scotty Pippen Jr. chipped in with 15 points for the Grizzlies, who snapped a three-game losing streak. GG Jackson and Jaylen Wells had 12 points each.
Brandon Williams amassed 16 points and eight rebounds for the Mavericks, who have lost 12 of their past 14 games. Daniel Gafford added 14 points on 7-of-8 shooting.
Knicks 127, Bucks 98
Jalen Brunson scored 22 of his game-high 27 points in the first quarter, helping visiting New York secure a victory over Milwaukee.
OG Anunoby added 24 points and Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds for New York, which shot 21-for-42 (50%) on 3-point attempts. Landry Shamet scored 15 points, while Josh Hart had 12 and Mikal Bridges and Mohamed Diawara scored 10 apiece.
Myles Turner led Milwaukee with 19 points, followed by Kyle Kuzma with 17 and Bobby Portis with 14. Ryan Rollins scored 13, while Kevin Porter Jr. finished with 11 points and 10 assists for the Bucks, who had won eight of their previous 10 games.
- NBA roundup: Thunder emerge with scrappy OT win over Nuggets
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- Chris Bosh: 'Covered in my own blood' during health scare
- Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards fined $25K for throwing ball into stands
- Wizards sign 2-way rookie Jamir Watkins to NBA deal
- Jazz F Lauri Markkanen (hip, ankle) out vs. Pelicans
- Banned from NBA, Jontay Porter joins USBL's SuperHawks
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Denver's C Nikola Jokic recorded a triple-double, finishing with 23 points, 14 assists and 17 rebounds in a 121-127 loss to Oklahoma City on Friday, Feb. 27.
Miami Heat guard/forward Norman Powell (groin) is considered week-to-week after sustaining a right groin strain Thursday against Philadelphia, likely sidelining him for multiple games. Powell had been operating as a high-usage scorer, so his absence opens meaningful offensive volume. Tyler Herro, who posted 25 points with four triples, four rebounds, and seven assists in 32 minutes last game, is positioned for a larger role and is a strong hold. Pelle Larsson logged 33 minutes with nine points and six assists and remains a viable streamer while Powell is out.
Houston Rockets forward/center Jabari Smith Jr. (ankle) will not play in Saturday's game against Miami due to a right ankle sprain. Smith turned his ankle in Thursday's win over Orlando and will miss at least one contest, with his next chance to return coming Monday against Washington. Reed Sheppard is the leading candidate to absorb extra minutes after posting 20 points with five triples, three rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks in 31 minutes off the bench last game. Sheppard has been trending up and is more than a short-term streamer, especially if the added minutes continue.
Golden State Warriors forward/center Kristaps Porzingis (illness) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Lakers after practicing Friday as he looks to end a three-game absence. Porzingis appeared in one game since joining Golden State, posting 12 points with two triples and one block in 17 minutes, flashing immediate fantasy upside. If active alongside Draymond Green (back), Porzingis would likely cut into Al Horford's minutes and could push Quinten Post out of the rotation. Horford's short-term value would take a hit, while Porzingis carries clear upside if fully cleared.
Golden State Warriors forward/center Draymond Green (back) is listed as probable for Saturday's matchup against the Lakers after sitting out Wednesday for lower-back injury management on the second night of a back-to-back. Head coach Steve Kerr indicated he is expected to return to the lineup. Over his last five games, Green has averaged 10.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.8 three-pointers in 27.4 minutes, offering steady multi-category production. With Green returning, the frontcourt minutes should settle back into place, which likely eats into Al Horford's short-term streaming appeal as Green steps back into his normal role.
Denver Nuggets forward Spencer Jones (shoulder) and forward Julian Strawther (toe) are available for Friday's game against Oklahoma City. Jones has been managing a right shoulder strain but will continue in a reserve role after posting six points and seven rebounds in 26 minutes against Boston. He has averaged 5.0 points and 5.3 rebounds in 21.3 minutes over his last four contests and remains a fringe option. Strawther, who has been playing through a left toe sprain, started again Wednesday and recorded 12 points with two triples. He carries deeper-league appeal but remains matchup dependent.
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (illness) and guard Jalen Pickett (knee) are available for Friday's game against Oklahoma City. Murray saw only brief action in Wednesday's win over Boston because of illness but is set to resume his full workload as the starting point guard. He remains a strong fantasy play given his 28.4 percent usage rate and consistent scoring alongside Nikola Jokic. Pickett returns from a two-game absence but averages 15 minutes per game and remains off the fantasy radar in most formats.
New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (Achilles) has been ruled out ahead of Saturday's game against the Utah Jazz. The Pelicans are going to play it safe and rest Murray during the first game of this back-to-back set. The expectation is that Murray will be back in the mix for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Murray made his season debut versus the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. He missed the first 58 games of the season while recovering from a torn Achilles. He finished with 17 points, nine assists, and four steals during Thursday's game. Murray should offer strong upside once he's back to full speed. Bryce McGowens, Jordan Poole, and Jeremiah Fears should all see increased playing time with Murray out on Saturday.
New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward Trey Murphy III (shoulder) has been ruled out ahead of Saturday's game against the Utah Jazz. This will mark the fifth game in a row that Murphy has missed due to a right shoulder contusion. He is being ruled out a full day in advance, so he's probably not close to returning. The Pelicans haven't given a clear timetable on his return yet. His absence should mean Bryce McGowens and Jordan Poole continue to see increased run. Poole is inconsistent at times, but his scoring upside makes him worth rostering in most fantasy formats.
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Caleb Martin (back) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. This sounds like a minor issue, so hopefully Martin will return for Sunday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Mavs are banged up with P.J. Washington (ankle), Cooper Flagg (foot), and Klay Thompson (rest) all absent on Friday. That means Khris Middleton, Brandon Williams, and Max Christie should all see increased playing time. Honestly, all three of them are suitable streaming options with the Mavs thin on depth right now.
Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (rest) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Unsurprisingly, the Mavs have decided to rest the veteran guard in the second leg of the back-to-back set. The expectation is that Thompson will be back in the mix for Sunday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The absence of Thompson should mean an uptick in fantasy value for Brandon Williams, Max Christie, and Miles Kelly. Among the three, Williams is the most consistent streaming option ahead of Friday's slate.
Dallas Mavericks forward/center P.J. Washington (ankle) is ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. He was tagged as questionable, but has now been downgraded to out due to a left ankle sprain. Washington will sit out both games of the back-to-back set after sustaining an ankle injury on Tuesday. His next chance to play will come on Sunday versus the Oklahoma City Thunder, so fantasy managers will need to check back ahead of that game. Khris Middleton figures to see an expanded role in the rotation once again with Washington out on Friday. He finished with 17 points, five rebounds, and four assists in 33 minutes of action on Thursday. Middleton is worth a look as a streaming option while Washington is sidelined.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, forward/center Taj Gibson has agreed to a deal with the Memphis Grizzlies, marking his return to the NBA for a 17th season at age 40. With Memphis lacking healthy frontcourt players, Gibson could step into legitimate rotation minutes behind Olivier-Maxence Prosper. Prosper has averaged 25 minutes recently, and Gibson's presence may cap his upside slightly. Still, Gibson looks more like a steady veteran presence and insurance big for Memphis rather than someone fantasy managers need to target, except maybe in the deepest of leagues.
Memphis Grizzlies guard/forward Cedric Coward (knee) will remain sidelined for Friday's matchup against Dallas due to a sprained knee. The rookie wing is set to miss his sixth straight game, and Memphis has shown little urgency in rushing him back. Jaylen Wells should continue to see steady minutes after logging eight points, two rebounds, three assists, and two triples in 27 minutes last game. Walter Clayton Jr. should see minutes as well, but he is only a fringe streamer in deeper formats.
Free agent forward Kyle Anderson has agreed to a contract buyout with Memphis and is expected to sign with Minnesota once he clears waivers. The 32-year-old veteran is unlikely to command enough minutes in the Timberwolves' rotation to hold standard-league value, projecting more as frontcourt depth. His departure opens the door for Olivier-Maxence Prosper to continue starting in Memphis. Prosper logged three points, two rebounds, and one block in 20 minutes last game after posting 17 points in 25 minutes previously, making him a volatile deep-league streamer.
Miami Heat guard/forward Norman Powell (groin) did not return to Thursday's game against Philadelphia after sustaining a setback with his right groin in the second quarter. He finished with three points, three rebounds, and two assists in 10 minutes before being ruled out. Powell had been averaging 22.5 points in 30.0 minutes, so his absence would open up significant usage. Jaime Jaquez Jr. posted 19 points, four rebounds, and two steals in 30 minutes off the bench and is a viable short-term add. Pelle Larsson and Tyler Herro should also see expanded roles.
Houston Rockets forward/center Jabari Smith Jr. (ankle) did not return to Thursday's 113-108 win over Orlando after rolling his right ankle late in the fourth quarter. He finished with 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting with one rebound and one assist across 29 minutes before exiting. Further evaluation is pending, and his status for Saturday is uncertain. Reed Sheppard would be the top fantasy beneficiary after posting 20 points, three rebounds, four assists, two steals, two blocks, and five triples in 31 minutes. Josh Okogie and Dorian Finney-Smith are deeper-league streamers if Smith sits.
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (hip) will miss at least two weeks after imaging confirmed a hip impingement with inflammation and a bone bruise suffered in practice. The 28-year-old had been averaging 23.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 28.0 minutes, leaving a sizable frontcourt void. Kyle Filipowski is the priority add after posting 13 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two triples in 18 minutes as a starter last game. Brice Sensabaugh and John Konchar should see added run, while Ace Bailey and Isaiah Collier could absorb more usage.
Pelicans' F Saddiq Bey scored 42 points on 14-of-20 shooting in a 129-118 win over Utah on Thursday, Feb. 26.
Lakers' G Luka Doncic scored 41 points on 12-of-21 shooting in a 110-113 loss to Phoenix on Thursday, Feb. 26.
