NBA roundup: Magic pull escape act, upend Nuggets
Sun Dec 28 12:19am ET
Field Level Media
Anthony Black scored a career-high 38 points, Desmond Bane tallied 24 including two free throws with 6.9 seconds left, and the host Orlando Magic beat the Denver Nuggets 127-126 on Saturday night, overcoming another triple-double by Nikola Jokic.
Black knocked down seven 3-pointers, also a career high, Wendell Carter Jr. contributed 18 points, Tristan da Silva had 17 and Paolo Banchero scored 12 for Orlando. Denver committed 16 turnovers and Orlando capitalized with 27 points, while the Magic only turned the ball over six times, resulting in four Nuggets points.
Jokic finished with 34 points, a season-high 21 rebounds and 12 assists for the 180th triple-double of his career, one behind Oscar Robertson for second all-time. It was his 16th triple-double of the season. Jamal Murray added 24 points, but missed a fade-away jumper at the buzzer.
Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 20 points and Peyton Watson added 15 for Denver, which has lost two straight on the road after an 11-game winning streak away from home.
Bucks 112, Bulls 103
In a return from injury, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a game-high 29 points to help visiting Milwaukee earn a victory over Chicago.
Antetokounmpo had missed eight straight games with a right calf strain for Milwaukee, which had dropped four of its last five games. Ryan Rollins added 20 points, while Bobby Portis had 17 points and 10 rebounds. Myles Turner chipped in 13 points and Kyle Kuzma scored 12.
Nikola Vucevic and Coby White led Chicago with 16 points apiece, while Josh Giddey tallied 13 points, nine assists and seven boards. Ayo Dosunmu had 11 points off the bench for the Bulls, who saw their five-game winning streak come to an end.
Jazz 127, Spurs 114
Lauri Markkanen poured in 29 points and Keyonte George added 28 as Utah made all the winning plays in the final minutes to beat host San Antonio.
Waller Clayton Jr. hit for 17 points off the bench for the Jazz, who followed up Friday's home win over East-leading Detroit by beating the Spurs, the second-best team in the West. Jusuf Nurkic had 16 points and Brice Sensabaugh had 11 for Utah.
Victor Wembanyama led all scorers with 32 points in his first start since Nov. 14 as the Spurs had their eight-game winning streak snapped. Keldon Johnson added 27 points and 10 rebounds off the bench, with Stephon Castle scoring 20 and Devin Vassell producing 11 points.
Knicks 128, Hawks 125
OG Anunoby scored 15 points and hit four free throws in the final 30 seconds to help visiting New York hang on for a close win over Atlanta.
Atlanta erased a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit and took the lead on a 3-pointer by Onyeka Okongwu with 2:01 remaining. After a pair of lead changes, Anunoby hit two free throws with 29.6 seconds left and added two more with 7.3 seconds remaining. Atlanta's Nickeil Alexander-Walker missed a game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer.
New York was carried by Karl-Anthony Towns, who had 36 points and 15 rebounds for his 21st double-double, and Jalen Brunson, who scored 34. Okongwu finished with 31 points and 14 rebounds before fouling out with 30 seconds left.
Kings 113, Mavericks 107
Keon Ellis scored a season-best 21 points, Russell Westbrook matched it with 21 of his own and Sacramento held off visiting Dallas to win for just the second time in its last eight games.
Rookie Maxime Raynaud chipped in with 19 points for the Kings, who led by as many as 18 in the first half and never trailed over the final two periods. Cooper Flagg overcame a slow start to pace Dallas with a game-high 23 points and five assists.
The Kings held Flagg without a field goal and to just two points in the first half while running up a 59-44 lead at the break. Ellis had 13 of his 21 points in that span. Seeking a second win in their last three games, the Mavericks got within 71-68 midway through the third quarter before the Kings went on a 9-0 run and held off every Mavs comeback attempt from there.
Heat 142, Pacers 116
Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Andrew Wiggins scored 28 points apiece as Miami pulled away with a dominant fourth quarter to beat visiting Indiana. Miami scored a franchise-record 83 points in the second half and won its second straight following a three-game losing streak.
Norman Powell had 23 points, Nikola Jovic scored 19 and Pelle Larsson added 16 for Miami, which led 98-94 at the end of the third quarter before outscoring the Pacers 44-22 in the fourth. Kel'el Ware contributed 15 points and seven rebounds.
Pascal Siakam led Indiana with four 3-pointers and 33 points. Bennedict Mathurin scored 23 of his 25 points in the second half, Andrew Nembhard had 15 points and a career-high 16 assists, and Jay Huff had 11 points.
Suns 115, Pelicans 106
Devin Booker finished with 20 points, including six in the fourth quarter, and Dillon Brooks added 18 points to lead Phoenix Suns to a win over New Orleans, completing the two-game road sweep.
Collin Gillepsie and Jordan Goodwin were among the seven Suns to finish with double-digit points with 17 and 16, respectively. Royce O'Neale chipped in with 15 points and Jamaree Bouyea added 12. Mark Williams, who was ejected for fighting in the third quarter, finished with 10 points.
Trey Murphy III led the Pelicans with 24 points and Zion Williamson scored 22 points on 8-for-11 shooting. Derik Queen, who was celebrating his 21st birthday, recorded a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Saddiq Bey added 17 points and Jeremiah Fears finished with 18 points and eight rebounds.
Rockets 117, Cavaliers 100
Kevin Durant scored a game-high 30 points, while Reed Sheppard added 18 off the bench as host Houston rolled past Cleveland.
Durant, who didn't play in the fourth quarter, shot 11 for 17 from the floor and added seven assists to pace the Rockets. Sheppard drilled four 3-pointers and produced a game-high eight assists in 32 minutes.vAmen Thompson (13 points, nine rebounds) and Jabari Smith Jr. (15 points, seven boards) rounded out the balanced attack for Houston, which shot 48.9% and 16 for 35 from deep.
Jaylon Tyson (23 points, 15 rebounds) produced a double-double off the bench for the Cavaliers. Donovan Mitchell added 16 points and six assists while Sam Merrill chipped in 13 points.
Nets 123, Timberwolves 107
Cam Thomas scored 30 points off the bench in an impressive return from a hamstring injury and surging Brooklyn earned a victory over Minnesota in Minneapolis.
Thomas made 9 of 15 shots, three 3-pointers and nine of nine free-throw attempts in 20 minutes as the Nets won a season-high third straight game. Michael Porter Jr. added 27 and 10 rebounds. He shot 9-for-16 and hit three clutch 3s in the final five-plus minutes. Nic Claxton contributed 14 as the Nets shot a season-best 54.8%.
Anthony Edwards was questionable for the game with a sore shoulder after scoring 44 points in Thursday's overtime loss at Denver and led the Timberwolves with 28 points. Jaden McDaniels added 16 for the Wolves, who lost for the fourth time in 14 games.
- NBA roundup: Magic pull escape act, upend Nuggets
- Bucks F Giannis Antetokounmpo set to return Saturday
- X-rays negative for Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel (ankle)
- Jazz rookie F Ace Bailey dealing with left hip strain
- NBA roundup: Jaylen Brown extends scoring streak as Celtics top Pacers
- Lakers' Austin Reaves out at least 4 weeks due to calf injury
- Mavs F Anthony Davis (groin) to miss a few games
- Sixers sign F MarJon Beauchamp to two-way contract
- NBA roundup: Spurs smother Thunder for third time in 13 days
- Lakers G Austin Reaves (calf) ruled out vs. Rockets
- Mavericks F Anthony Davis (groin) won't return vs. Warriors
- Nuggets F Cameron Johnson (knee) out 4-6 weeks
- Cavaliers F Evan Mobley to return vs. Knicks
- Luka Doncic (leg) to return for Lakers on Christmas
- Ben Simmons buys ownership stake in pro fishing team
- Heat's Terry Rozier seeks to have government charges dismissed
- Nuggets F Cameron Johnson (knee) to undergo MRI
- NBA roundup: Spurs knock off Thunder in matchup of West's best
- Wizards F Cam Whitemore out indefinitely with DVT
- Hawks C N'Faly Dante out for season with torn ACL
Brooklyn's G Cameron Thomas scored 30 points on 9-of-15 shooting in a 123-107 win over Minnesota on Saturday, Dec. 27. Thomas is owned in only 53.4% leagues.
Nuggets' C Nikola Jokic recorded a triple-double, finishing with 34 points, 12 assists and 21 rebounds in a 126-127 loss to Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell (concussion) will be back in the lineup on Sunday against the Philadelphia 76ers. He missed two games while going through concussion protocol. Mitchell has been one of the most productive reserves in the NBA this season, averaging 14.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. He will eat into the minutes of Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe. On Sunday, Mitchell has a mediocre matchup against a team that allows 35.9 bench points per game.
Los Angeles Clippers guard/forward Bogdan Bogdanovi (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Detroit Pistons. The veteran played only two minutes in Friday's win over the Portland Trail Blazers, exiting with a hip problem, but he will miss Sunday's action due to left hamstring injury management. Some of Bogdanovic's minutes could be filled on Sunday by the returning Derrick Jones Jr. Kobe Sanders and Jordan Miller may also see additional minutes in the rotation, but they aren't relevant in fantasy.
Golden State Warriors guard De'Anthony Melton (knee) won't suit up for the first leg of a back-to-back on Sunday against the Toronto Raptors. Melton missed almost the entire 2024-25 campaign due to a torn ACL, and the team is managing his workload. The 27-year-old will likely be brought back into the lineup on Monday against the Brooklyn Nets. With Melton out on Sunday, Buddy Hield and Pat Spencer could get back into the rotation after both players sat out Christmas Day action against the Dallas Mavericks.
Washington Wizards guard/forward Kyshawn George (hip) is listed as questionable for a meeting with the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday. He is experiencing soreness in his left hip flexor and may have to miss his third game of the season. George's performance has been one of only a few bright spots for Washington in 2025-26, as the second-year player leads the team with 5.1 assists and has averaged 15.0 points, along with 5.7 rebounds. Tre Johnson, Will Riley, and Malaki Branham (thumb) could get more run-outs on Sunday if George misses the game, though the latter is also listed as questionable.
Los Angeles Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. (knee) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Detroit Pistons. He hasn't played since Nov. 16 due to an MCL sprain. Considering he has been out of action for well over a month, Jones Jr. will likely see only limited action on Sunday. But he will be a valuable addition to a Clippers team that is trying to turn its season around. Players such as John Collins, Kobe Sanders, and Jordan Miller could see their playing time affected by Jones Jr.'s return.
Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (ankle) is expected to miss a second consecutive game on Sunday against the Sacramento Kings, as the team has listed him as doubtful on the injury report. Hayes is bothered by soreness in his left ankle. Luckily for the Lakers, they have starting center Deandre Ayton fully healthy and wouldn't need to rely much on Hayes anyway. Maxi Kleber and Jarred Vanderbilt are backup options at center in a juicy matchup on Sunday against a team that has allowed the most fantasy points in the league to opposing fives in 2025-26.
Memphis Grizzlies guard/forward Vince Williams Jr. (knee) will remain on the shelf Sunday against the Washington Wizards, missing a fifth consecutive game. The 25-year-old exited the lineup earlier this month with left patellar tendinitis, and his return date remains uncertain. Cam Spencer has recently taken on a larger role in the backcourt rotation and will continue to see plenty of minutes, even with Ja Morant back in the mix. Spencer has logged a couple of double-doubles in December, averaging 17.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 7.3 assists.
Memphis Grizzlies center Jock Landale (calf) is considered questionable for Sunday's fabulous fantasy matchup against the Washington Wizards. Washington has allowed the second-most fantasy points to centers this season, but Landale may miss his opportunity to feast due to a sore right calf, which already kept him sidelined on Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks. With Landale out, Christian Koloko logged 28 minutes off the bench on Friday, making the biggest impact on the defensive end with one block and three steals.
Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (knee) will sit out the first leg of a back-to-back on Sunday against the Boston Celtics. It would have been a special matchup for him against his former team, but Williams III also played on Friday night. By keeping him off the floor against Boston, the Trail Blazers will have Williams III play two games in four nights instead of three, reducing injury risk. Duop Reath will serve as the main backup center on Sunday. Williams III will presumably return to the lineup for Monday's favorable matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, who give up the fifth-most fantasy points to centers.
Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (Achilles) won't be in the lineup for a fifth consecutive game on Sunday against the Boston Celtics. The veteran is struggling to shake off soreness in his left Achilles tendon. Kris Murray's workload has recently increased as Grant's replacement in the starting lineup, but his fantasy production has been disappointing at 7.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game. Sidy Cissoko has played more off the bench during Grant's absence.
Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (back) has been ruled out for Sunday's clash against the Golden State Warriors. He will miss a third consecutive game due to a lower back strain. Overall, Poeltl has played in only one of the last five games because of his back issue, and even then, he was limited to seven minutes. Sandro Mamukelashvili has enjoyed a strong stretch during Poeltl's injury woes and has a chance to post a second consecutive double-double on Sunday. For a second straight game, Toronto's frontcourt may also be without Collinn Murray-Boyles (illness), who is considered questionable.
Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (abdomen) is considered probable for Sunday's matchup against the Toronto Raptors. He has sustained a left abdominal contusion, but this likely won't keep Podziemski off the court. The 22-year-old has had his most consistent stretch of the season lately, finishing with double-digit points in five consecutive games. He has averaged 14.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists during that stretch, logging nearly 30 minutes per game despite coming off the bench.
Toronto Raptors guard/forward RJ Barrett (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's encounter with the Golden State Warriors. After missing time because of a knee sprain, the Canadian star practiced fully on Friday and could return from a 15-game absence on Sunday afternoon. With Barrett returning, Ochai Agbaji will move back to the bench, and Ja'Kobe Walter may also see his role reduced. However, Barrett likely won't play his usual minutes in his first game back from injury and thus won't offer full fantasy value.
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (ankle) will be absent on Sunday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He has been ruled out due to a sprained right ankle, while the former MVP also continues to manage a right knee injury. Embiid's exit from the lineup is a signal for fantasy managers to hop back on the Andre Drummond train. This season, he has delivered solid performances when starting in place of Embiid, averaging 10.1 points and 11.9 rebounds.
Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (knee) is listed as probable for Sunday's matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder. While George has managed a knee injury throughout the campaign, he has begun to play regularly, missing only one of the last eight games. In his most recent three appearances, George has struggled badly to hit shots, going 12-for-39 from the field. Scoring won't be easy against his former team either, as the Thunder hold the NBA's best defensive rating.
New York Knicks forward Mohamed Diawara will start in Saturday's meeting with the Atlanta Hawks. Josh Hart (ankle) will miss the next few games, at the very least, after tweaking his ankle in the Christmas win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Diawara has started once this season, amassing five points, three boards, and one steal. He's not expected to be more productive than that, with the Knicks likely leaning more on Tyler Kolek and Jordan Clarkson to fill the void in the rotation.
Utah Jazz guard/forward Ace Bailey (hip) will miss his first career game on Saturday against the San Antonio Spurs. He injured his left hip during Friday's win over the Detroit Pistons, exiting the action after logging 11 minutes. The 19-year-old rookie made his 21st consecutive start on Friday night. On Saturday, Bailey will be replaced in the first unit by Brice Sensabaugh, who impressed in Friday's win with a 20-point effort.
Utah Jazz forward/center Kevin Love (rest) won't play on Saturday night against the San Antonio Spurs. The team has begun resting the veteran in back-to-back situations, and Love is getting Saturday off after a 14-point, five-rebound performance in 16 minutes in Friday's victory over the Detroit Pistons. Love's absence creates more playing opportunities for Kyle Filipowski, who was limited to 11 minutes against Detroit. However, with Jusuf Nurkic available and starting, Filipowski may still struggle to produce fantasy value.
