NBA roundup: James Harden scores 29,000th point in Cavs' win over 76ers
Tue Mar 10 3:40am ET
Field Level Media
James Harden scored 21 points and fellow trade-deadline acquisition Keon Ellis added 19, lifting the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 115-101 victory over the visiting Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night.
Harden, who is in his 17th season, reached the 29,000-point milestone for his career in the first quarter and finished the game with 29,017 points, good for ninth place on the all-time scoring list. Hall of Fame center Wilt Chamberlain is eighth with 31,419 points.
The Cavaliers won for the eighth time in nine home games. They are 23-9 since Dec. 29 and have moved into fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Donovan Mitchell chipped in 17 points and six assists for Cleveland, which led by 25 and won all four games over the short-handed 76ers this season.
Quentin Grimes scored 17 points and Justin Edwards had 14 points off the bench for the 76ers. Cameron Payne, starting in place of All-Star point guard Tyrese Maxey (right finger sprain), had 12 points and six rebounds.
Nets 126, Grizzlies 115
Day'Ron Sharpe tied a season high by scoring 19 points and Brooklyn pulled away for a victory over Memphis in New York.
Sharpe highlighted an 8-of-11 showing with a powerful one-handed dunk over Rayan Rupert to give the Nets a 98-88 lead with 10:33 remaining. Ochai Agbaji added a season-high 18 points on 8-of-9 shooting. He scored nine straight Brooklyn points, capped by a step-back 3-pointer for a 110-95 lead with eight minutes left. Rookie Nolan Traore hit four of Brooklyn's 17 3-pointers and contributed 17 points.
Memphis had eight available players as it sat Ty Jerome (calf), Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe) and rookie Cedric Coward (knee) on the front end of a back-to-back. Rupert led the Grizzlies with a career-high 20 points and Javon Small contributed 19. GG Jackson chipped in 18, Jaylen Wells finished with 17 and rookie Walton Clayton Jr. had 13.
Thunder 129, Nuggets 126
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points, including a step-back 3-pointer in the closing seconds, to help Oklahoma City to a home win over Denver.
Gilgeous-Alexander tied Wilt Chamberlain's NBA record with his 126th consecutive 20-point game. Gilgeous-Alexander added 15 assists and nine rebounds. Jaylin Williams scored 29 points on a career-high seven 3-pointers and contributed 12 rebounds to help Oklahoma City win without big men Chet Holmgren (flu) and Isaiah Hartenstein (calf).
Nikola Jokic had 32 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists, scoring 11 in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't quite enough to keep the Thunder from improving to 3-0 vs. the Nuggets this season. Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 28 off the bench while Aaron Gordon had 23 points and 10 rebounds.
Clippers 126, Knicks 118
Kawhi Leonard recorded 29 points, eight assists and seven rebounds and Los Angeles reached .500 for the first time in more than four months with a victory over visiting New York.
Bennedict Mathurin added 28 points and seven rebounds off the bench as Los Angeles evened its record at 32-32. Darius Garland sank five 3-pointers and had 23 points and seven assists as the Clippers won for the fifth time in six games. Brook Lopez and Derrick Jones Jr. added 16 points apiece for Los Angeles.
Karl-Anthony Towns scored 35 points on 13-of-17 shooting and also had 12 rebounds and seven assists before fouling out for New York. Jalen Brunson registered 28 points and eight assists, OG Anunoby scored 22 points and Josh Hart had 12 points and 13 rebounds for the Knicks, who dropped to 1-2 on a five-game road trip.
Jazz 119, Warriors 116
Blake Hinson knocked down a go-ahead 3-pointer with 29.2 seconds left, lifting Utah to a victory over Golden State in Salt Lake City.
Hinson made four 3-pointers and finished with 12 points to help Utah win for the second time in three games. Kyle Filipowski tallied 19 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and two steals for the Jazz. Brice Sensabaugh had a team-high 21 points.
De'Anthony Melton scored 22 points and collected seven rebounds to lead Golden State. Draymond Green finished with a game-high 11 assists. Gui Santos added 15 points, eight rebounds and five assists for the Warriors, who lost for the fourth time in five games. Brandin Podziemski had 14 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
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Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga (knee) is considered questionable for Tuesday's game against the Dallas Mavericks. He is dealing with a bone bruise in his left knee, and it might sideline Kuminga for a third consecutive game. Kuminga's absence from the rotation has given Zaccharie Risacher, Corey Kispert, and Mouhamed Gueye a chance to stake a claim for more playing time, but none of the trio has stepped up. The Hawks are increasingly depending on their starters as they chase a playoff spot.
Los Angeles Clippers forward/center John Collins (neck) isn't expected to play this week, Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com reports. He will be out for a fifth consecutive game on Monday night against the New York Knicks. It looks like Collins will then miss at least three more games due to a neck strain. As a result of Collins' absence, Kobe Sanders' role on the team has grown, but he hasn't been a reliable source for fantasy value. Collins is the second Clippers big man to go down in a short period, joining Yanic Konan Niederhauser (foot), who has been ruled out for the season. Brook Lopez and Isaiah Jackson must now hold down the fort at center,
Golden State Warriors center Quinten Post will join the starting lineup for Monday's tilt against the Utah Jazz. The Warriors head into the action without Al Horford (toe) and Kristaps Porzingis (illness), giving Post a chance to make his 33rd start of the campaign. He has averaged 9.1 points and 4.4 rebounds as a member of the first unit. On Monday, he's in a good position to eclipse these numbers, as the Jazz have had trouble against opposing big men all season.
Sacramento Kings guard/forward DeMar DeRozan (illness) is poised to return from a one-game absence on Tuesday night against the Indiana Pacers. The team has removed DeRozan from the injury report after he sat out Sunday's loss to Chicago due to illness. DeRozan's absence allowed Daeqwon Plowden to start, and he had a fine performance with 16 points, three rebounds, and two assists. Plowden had totaled only 10 points as a reserve across the previous three games, so he shouldn't interest fantasy managers with DeRozan back.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (hip, foot) is listed as questionable for Tuesday's contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The veteran star didn't practice on Monday due to a right hip contusion and arthritis in his left foot. James also dealt with an elbow injury last week and has missed two games. If he can't return on Tuesday night, Rui Hachimura will continue to start. The Japanese forward finished Sunday's win over the New York Knicks with 13 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and one block. James' absence also leaves more minutes available to Jarred Vanderbilt and Jake LaRavia. At the same time, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, who combined for 60 of the Lakers' 110 points on Sunday, dictate the offense.
Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (illness) is back on the injury report as questionable ahead of Tuesday's matchup with the Houston Rockets. Luckily, he was added to the injury list because of illness, not the back issue that has bothered him for much of the season. With Collin Murray-Boyles (thumb) and Trayce Jackson-Davis (finger) unavailable, the Raports must lean on Sandro Mamukelashvili and Jonathan Mogbo inside the paint if Poeltl can't play.
Boston Celtics point guard Payton Pritchard (neck) is listed as questionable for Tuesday's showdown against the San Antonio Spurs. Pritchard is typically very durable, but he might be sidelined on Tuesday due to neck spasms. If Pritchard is ruled out for the contest, Baylor Scheierman and Hugo Gonzalez will be candidates for increased minutes. Scheierman has grown his fantasy reputation in recent weeks and is coming off his fourth double-double of the season.
Milwaukee Bucks point guard Kevin Porter Jr. (knee) will be sidelined for a fourth consecutive game on Tuesday against the Phoenix Suns. He is dealing with right knee synovitis. Ryan Rollins has returned to the starting lineup in Porter Jr.'s absence and will continue to have an expanded role on Tuesday night. Over the last three games, he has produced averages of 13.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 2.3 steals. On Tuesday, Rollins faces a tough matchup against the Suns, who allow the fifth-fewest fantasy points to point guards.
Phoenix Suns guard/forward Grayson Allen (knee) is listed as questionable for Tuesday's encounter with the Milwaukee Bucks. After making five consecutive appearances, Allen departed the lineup on Sunday against Charlotte to manage his right knee injury, and he might miss another contest on Tuesday. In Allen's absence, Haywood Highsmith entered the rotation on Sunday, but he shouldn't generate much interest among fantasy managers. In 21 minutes, Highsmith recorded three points, four rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma (back) has not been included on the injury report for Tuesday's contest against the Phoenix Suns. A back issue kept Kuzma sidelined on Sunday against Orlando, but his absence will be limited to one game. After being a DNP-CD for the first time in his career last Monday against Boston, Kuzma produced back-to-back good performances, shooting 13-for-20 from the field. He will try to keep his hot streak going on Tuesday against the league's 10th-best defense.
Milwaukee Bucks forward/center Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) isn't listed on the injury report for Tuesday's contest against the Phoenix Suns. The former MVP continues to manage a calf injury and didn't play on Sunday against Orlando as Milwaukee completed a back-to-back set. Since returning to action this month, Antetokounmpo has averaged 23.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.7 steals in 26.3 minutes. With him back in the fold, Jericho Sims will be bumped to the bench on Tuesday.
Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier (illness) will miss a second consecutive game on Monday night against the Golden State Warriors. He was initially expected to return to the lineup after missing time for personal reasons, but an illness will keep Collier sidelined. Due to Collier's absence, Cody Williams, Elijah Harkless, and Svi Mykhailiuk could be a lot busier than usual in the backcourt. Collier's next chance to return will be on Wednesday against the New York Knicks.
Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (illness) will play on Monday against the Golden State Warriors. It initially looked unlikely that George would play in the game after he was added late to the injury report with a questionable designation. The team has now upgraded him to available. George has had a wonderful campaign and could be extremely busy on offense against Golden State, as there aren't many other scoring options available for the Jazz. Through three appearances this month, George has averaged 29.3 points in 30.0 minutes per game.
Memphis Grizzlies guards Ty Jerome (calf) and Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe) have been ruled out for Monday's clash against the Brooklyn Nets. Both players were listed as doubtful on the initial injury report. With Jerome and Pippen Jr. sidelined, Cam Spencer, Javon Small, Jahmai Mashack, and Walter Clayton Jr. will share the minutes in the backcourt. Of this group, Spencer has been the most consistent fantasy performer, averaging 11.4 points and 5.5 assists in 23.8 minutes this season.
Memphis Grizzlies forward Taylor Hendricks (thumb) will skip Monday's contest against the Brooklyn Nets. He landed on the injury report with a sore right thumb and was initially listed as doubtful. Memphis will be extremely shorthanded in the frontcourt, so GG Jackson II and Olivier-Maxence Prosper must be prepared for a busy night. With only eight players available to the team, the Grizzlies will likely use smaller lineups more often as well. Hendricks could be an option to return on Tuesday against the Philadelphia 76ers.
According to Ben Anderson of KSL News, Salt Lake City, Utah Jazz guard/forward Ace Bailey (illness) is unavailable for Monday's matchup with the Golden State Warriors due to an illness. Bailey's next chance to suit up is Wednesday against the Knicks. The 19-year-old rookie is averaging 12.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists across 57 games this season. Brice Sensabaugh will likely take on extra work and is an excellent streaming option for fantasy managers during tonight's clash. On Saturday against Milwaukee, Sensabaugh finished with 17 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals across 17 minutes.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center Chet Holmgren (illness) will miss a second straight game on Monday against the Denver Nuggets. This isn't unexpected, as the team had listed him as questionable on the initial injury report. With Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) also missing for the Thunder, Jaylin Williams is set to have a massive role in the frontcourt. Kenrich Williams is likely to have an increased workload as well. Meanwhile, Isaiah Joe could remain in the starting lineup after taking Holmgren's place on Saturday against Golden State and producing a good 18-point outing.
Memphis Grizzlies guard/forward Cedric Coward (knee) won't suit up for Monday's game against the Brooklyn Nets. The team has ruled him out after initially handing him a doubtful tag on the injury report. Memphis is set to have only eight players available for the contest, so players like Walter Clayton Jr., Jahmai Mashack, and Rayan Rupert should see plenty of time on the court. Coward could return to action on Tuesday for the second leg of a back-to-back against Philadelphia.
Denver Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray (ankle) will play in Monday's tasty matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The first-year All-Star injured his left ankle last week and was initially considered questionable for Monday's game. Murray struggled in his first meeting with the defending champions this season but had an outstanding game against them a couple of weeks ago. In a shootout with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Murray finished with 39 points, eight rebounds, six assists, two steals, and one block in a 127-121 overtime loss on Feb. 27.
According to Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet, head coach JJ Redick said forward LeBron James (elbow, foot) didn't practice on Monday but is still considered day-to-day. James has missed two straight games due to a left elbow contusion and arthritis in his left foot, and could also miss Tuesday's matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves. If he doesn't suit up, Rui Hachimura will likely start again, while Jarred Vanderbilt and Jake LaRavia could also see additional minutes.
