NBA roundup: Kawhi Leonard nets 45 as hot Clippers win, move over .500
Thu Mar 12 2:47am ET
Field Level Media
Kawhi Leonard scored 45 points and Bennedict Mathurin added 22 as the Los Angeles Clippers remained red-hot in March with a 153-128 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Inglewood, Calif.
Darius Garland scored 21 points and Jordan Miller had 14 as the play-in-tournament eligible Clippers improved to 6-1 this month. Los Angeles (33-32) became the first team in NBA history to move over .500 after they were 15 games under in the same season. Leonard delivered his fifth game with at least 40 points this season and his second against the Timberwolves.
The Clippers set a season high in points scored and are 15-5 at home since Dec. 20, while avenging a 94-88 loss to the Timberwolves at home on Feb. 26.
Anthony Edwards scored 36 points and Naz Reid added 18 as Minnesota lost its third consecutive game. Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle and Jaylen Clark each had 11 points for the Timberwolves, who have dropped from third to fifth place in the Western Conference during the current skid.
Pelicans 122, Raptors 111
Trey Murphy III produced a game-high 28 points to lead New Orleans past visiting Toronto, giving the Pelicans their seventh win in the past 10 games.
Dejounte Murray had a season-high 27 points and Zion Williamson added 19 for New Orleans, which shot 51.5% from the floor.
The victory spoiled the return of former Pelicans star Brandon Ingram, in his first season with Toronto after spending the previous six in New Orleans. Ingram scored 22 points, while Immanuel Quickley put up 25 as Toronto lost for the fourth time in five games.
Magic 128, Cavaliers 122
Desmond Bane scored 35 points, including five in the final 18 seconds, as Orlando beat visiting Cleveland for the Magic's fifth straight win.
Paulo Banchero had 25 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, and Tristan da Silva added 23 points for the surging Magic, who moved into a tie for fifth place in the Eastern Conference with the Toronto Raptors. Cleveland is fourth, three games ahead of both.
James Harden finished with 30 points, his most since joining the Cavaliers in a trade from the Los Angeles Clippers, along with five rebounds and eight assists Donovan Mitchell had 25 points and Keon Ellis scored 20 off the bench for Cleveland.
Knicks 134, Jazz 117
Jordan Clarkson scored 17 of his season-high 27 points during a decisive surge over the final 16 minutes for New York, which overcame an 18-point first-half deficit to beat Utah in Salt Lake City.
Jalen Brunson scored 28 points for the Knicks and converted a three-point play that put New York ahead for good at 96-94 with 1.6 seconds left in the third. OG Anunoby had 22 points and Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 21 points while Mohamed Diawara added 10 points off the bench.
Brice Sensabaugh scored 29 points to lead five players in double figures for the Jazz, who made 14 of their first 18 3-point attempts -- including eight in a row in the first quarter -- before cooling off and losing for the 17th time in 22 games.
Nuggets 129, Rockets 93
Nikola Jokic had 16 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds, Jamal Murray scored a game-high 30 points, and host Denver beat Houston to close the gap in the Western Conference standings.
Houston entered the night in third place in the West, 1 1/2 games ahead of sixth-place Denver. Four teams are within a game of the third seed in the West. Christian Braun scored 19 points, Cameron Johnson added 17 points and Tim Hardaway Jr. contributed 14 for the Nuggets, which won the season series 3-1.
Amen Thompson scored 16 points, Josh Okogie had 12, Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. had 11 each and Alperen Sengun finished with 10 for the Rockets, who beat the Raptors at home on Tuesday night.
Hornets 117, Kings 109
Miles Bridges had nine of his 26 points in a key third-quarter run, LaMelo Ball and Kon Knueppel combined for 11 3-pointers and 54 points, and Charlotte rallied from a halftime deficit to win in Sacramento.
In a contest matching teams that had won 24 hours earlier, Ball finished with a team-high 30 points, Knueppel chipped in with 24 and Brandon Miller added 20 for Charlotte, which won for the eighth time in its last 10 games.
DeMar DeRozan poured in a season-high 39 points for the Kings, who saw a rare two-game winning streak come to an end. Down by five at the half then tied at 73-all in the sixth minute of the third period, the Hornets took the lead for good with an 11-2 burst.
- NBA roundup: Kawhi Leonard nets 45 as hot Clippers win, move over .500
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Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams (ankle) has been downgraded from doubtful to out for Thursday's contest against the Los Angeles Lakers. Williams was trending in the wrong direction throughout the day, having been listed as questionable on the initial injury report. The 24-year-old hasn't been able to build any momentum this season and will be sidelined for the sixth time in seven games. Chicago begins a back-to-back set, and it's unclear whether Williams will be in contention to play on Friday against the Clippers.
Chicago Bulls forward/center Guerschon Yabusele (foot) will miss Thursday's encounter with the Los Angeles Lakers. He has been ruled out for the contest after being downgraded to doubtful on the injury report earlier on Thursday. Meanwhile, Jalen Smith (calf) has been cleared to play and will anchor the frontcourt with Nick Richards. Bulls head coach Billy Donovan has already announced that Smith is likely to be held out of Friday's matchup with the Clippers, which would allow Yabusele to take on a significant role again if he's ready to return.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (foot, hip) will return to action on Thursday night against the Chicago Bulls, ESPN's Dave McMenamin reports. The veteran superstar has dealt with several health issues recently, missing three games. Rui Hachimura has been a starter during James' absence and will likely drop back to the bench for Thursday's tilt. James had a 24-point outing in his first meeting with the Bulls this season. He has averaged 19.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 1.1 steals since making his 22nd All-Star appearance.
Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (ankle) will suit up on Thursday against the Los Angeles Lakers. Due to an ankle injury, Buzelis was initially listed as probable for the game. The 21-year-old sophomore is fresh off a career night against the Warriors and should be full of confidence ahead of Thursday's matchup. Since the All-Star break, Buzelis has produced averages of 19.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game.
Golden State Warriors guard/forward Moses Moody (wrist) will be out for a fifth straight game on Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Warriors announced earlier this week that Moody has resumed on-court activities. According to head coach Steve Kerr, the 23-year-old could be an option during the team's upcoming six-game road trip, which begins on Sunday in New York. Gary Payton II and Will Richard will continue to enjoy extra playing time until Moody returns.
Chicago Bulls forward/center Jalen Smith (calf) has been upgraded from questionable to available for Thursday's matchup against the Lakers. Smith recently logged 12 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, one block, and two 3-pointers in 34 minutes as a starter and should continue seeing meaningful frontcourt minutes if his workload remains intact. His availability could cut into Nick Richards' playing time, lowering Richards' short-term streaming appeal. Smith's mix of boards, blocks, and some floor spacing keeps him on the radar as a deeper league hold, especially if he continues to see stable playing time.
Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (ankle) has received the green light to play on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Lakers. He was listed as probable on the initial injury report. Despite dealing with a right ankle sprain, Giddey logged 43 minutes in Tuesday's overtime against Golden State, so he doesn't appear to be limited in any way. Giddey produced a 21-13-17 line against the Warriors and will head out for his third consecutive triple-double on Thursday.
Golden State Warriors center Quinten Post (foot) is listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Dutch big man is managing a foot injury and could be out for the third time in four games. Post has delivered some fine performances during his sophomore campaign, but the Warriors won't miss him as long as Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis are healthy. Both veterans are expected to play on Friday night.
Chicago Bulls guard Collin Sexton (leg) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Lakers after initially being listed as questionable due to a left leg injury. His absence should continue to open minutes for Tre Jones, who delivered 22 points, five assists, four rebounds, one steal, and two 3-pointers across 34 minutes off the bench in the last game. Second-year guard Rob Dillingham also saw 20 minutes with five points and four assists, making him a deeper league streamer. Jones profiles as the safer short-term fantasy play, while Dillingham remains a riskier upside option.
Golden State Warriors guard De'Anthony Melton (adductor) is questionable to play on Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Melton has been a regular on the injury report this season while managing a knee injury, but he has now hurt his left adductor muscle. This issue could sideline him for a second consecutive game. Will Richard started in Melton's absence on Tuesday against Chicago and may keep his spot for Friday's game. The 23-year-old rookie had eight points, four rebounds, one assist, and three steals in an overtime defeat. Pat Spencer, who contributed 17 points and six assists, and Gary Payton II, who had a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double, are also in a position to see more action without Melton.
New York Knicks forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) is listed as questionable for Friday's meeting with the Indiana Pacers. The six-time All-Star has landed on the injury report with bilateral knee soreness. If Towns sits out the action, the Knicks are expected to promote Mitchell Robinson to the starting lineup. While moving into the first unit would boost Robinson's fantasy appeal, he has averaged only 3.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.0 steals in 19.1 minutes as a starter this season. Ariel Hukporti's role would also increase if Towns doesn't play.
Brooklyn Nets center Day'Ron Sharpe (thumb) will miss the rest of the season after being diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb that requires surgery. Sharpe had carved out a steady reserve role, averaging 8.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 steals across 62 appearances. Danny Wolf should see the biggest opportunity increase after posting 13 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in 28 minutes last game. Josh Minott and Chaney Johnson could also see deeper rotation minutes, though both profile as risky deep-league streamers.
New York Knicks guard/forward Josh Hart (knee) is considered questionable for Friday's tilt against the Indiana Pacers. He is bothered by a sore left knee and missed Wednesday's win over Utah after being questionable. It remains to be seen whether the same happens on Friday night. While Landry Shamet moved into the first unit to replace Hart, Jordan Clarkson benefited the most from his absence against Utah. He reappeared as a regular in the rotation and popped off for a season-high 27 points against his former team. Shamet had a quiet night with seven points, three rebounds, four assists, and one steal.
San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (ankle) will rejoin the lineup on Thursday against the Denver Nuggets. The veteran made 364 consecutive appearances before missing the last five games due to an ankle problem. Barnes might have extra responsibilities on Thursday with Victor Wembanyama (ankle) out of the lineup, though he will once again come off the bench. As a reserve, Barnes has averaged 7.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists this season.
Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (hamstring) is out for Friday's game against the Trail Blazers after suffering a right hamstring strain during Wednesday's loss to the Knicks. With Utah likely to be cautious this late in the season, George could remain sidelined beyond one game. Isaiah Collier should see an expanded role after posting nine points, two rebounds, five assists, and one 3-pointer in 19 minutes last game. With fantasy playoffs already underway in many leagues, Collier is trending toward must-roster status. Brice Sensabaugh and Ace Bailey could also see modest usage bumps.
Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (knee) will join Jayson Tatum (Achilles) on the sidelines on Thursday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder. White has been downgraded from questionable to out ahead of tip-off. Boston also had Payton Pritchard (neck) on the initial injury report, but he has been cleared to play. With White unavailable, Pritchard will play a huge role in the backcourt and is expected to lead the offense with Jaylen Brown. Meanwhile, there are minutes available for Sam Hauser, Baylor Scheierman, and Hugo Gonzalez.
Los Angeles Clippers guard Darius Garland (toe) is out for Friday's game against the Bulls for injury management in the first leg of a back-to-back. Kobe Sanders is expected to move into the starting lineup, while Kris Dunn could also see added ballhandling duties. Dunn produced five points, two rebounds, six assists, and four steals in 24 minutes during his last start and offers short-term streaming appeal for assists and defensive stats. Sanders remains a deeper league flier after playing just six minutes last game, while Kawhi Leonard could take on more offensive responsibility.
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (back) may have to exit the lineup on Friday against the New Orleans Pelicans, as he has been listed as questionable on the injury report. The Turkish star is experiencing lower back pain and could be sidelined for the first time since Jan. 9. While losing Sengun would be a blow for Houston, Clint Capela is a capable replacement and would be an intriguing fantasy option if he moves into the first unit on Friday night. It's a promising matchup for Houston's big men, as New Orleans ranks sixth in the league for most fantasy points allowed to centers.
San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama (ankle) is out for Thursday's game against the Nuggets after testing the injury during warmups but not feeling ready to play. Luke Kornet and Kelly Olynyk are candidates to absorb the available frontcourt minutes, with Kornet the likely starter. Kornet finished with four points, three rebounds, and two assists in 11 minutes last game and could offer deep-league streaming value for rebounds and blocks if his role expands. Olynyk remains a speculative option after a recent DNP, while De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle could see slightly higher usage.
Denver Nuggets forward/center Aaron Gordon (hamstring) won't play on Thursday night against the San Antonio Spurs. The veteran put in a 22-minute shift in Wednesday's win over Houston and will rest as Denver wraps up a back-to-back set. Cameron Johnson, Spencer Jones, and Tim Hardaway Jr. are all candidates for more playing time on Thursday. Jones is likely to take Gordon's spot in the starting lineup. However, even as a starter, Jones hasn't put up good enough numbers to be a must-add player for fantasy teams.
