NBA roundup: Suns prevail on Devin Booker's late jumper
Tue Mar 25 2:34am ET
Field Level Media
Devin Booker knocked down a 20-foot jumper with 1.7 seconds remaining to give the Phoenix Suns a 108-106 victory over the visiting Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night.
Kevin Durant recorded 38 points, eight rebounds and five assists as the Suns (35-37) won their fourth consecutive game. Booker added 19 points and 12 assists, Ryan Dunn had 12 points and nine rebounds and Nick Richards contributed 10 points and 10 rebounds for Phoenix.
The contest marked the first time Phoenix's Mike Budenholzer coached against Milwaukee since the Bucks fired him after the 2022-23 season. Budenholzer guided the Milwaukee Bucks to the 2020-21 NBA title.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 31 points, 10 rebounds and five assists for the Bucks (40-31), who dropped to 2-2 on a five-game road trip. Brook Lopez added 23 points and 10 rebounds but his 18-foot baseline jumper bounced off the rim as time retired.
Gary Trent Jr. scored 19 points off the bench and Kyle Kuzma scored 15 points for Milwaukee, which was without Damian Lillard (right calf strain) for the third straight game.
Bulls 129, Nuggets 119
Coby White scored 37 points, Josh Giddey had 26 points and nine assists, and visiting Chicago beat short-handed Denver.
Dalen Terry and Jalen Smith scored 14 points each, Nikola Vucevic had 13 points and Matas Buzelis contributed 10 for the Bulls, who finished 4-2 on their longest road trip of the season.
Jamal Murray scored 28 points and Peyton Watson added a career-high 24 for the Nuggets, who were without Nikola Jokic (ankle) and Aaron Gordon (calf).
Mavericks 120, Nets 101
Anthony Davis finished with 12 points in a 27-minute stint during his return from a left adductor strain as Dallas never trailed and took control early in a victory over Brooklyn.
In his first action since getting hurt against the Houston Rockets on Feb. 8, Davis played in short bursts, shot 6-of-9 and helped the Mavericks (35-37) win consecutive games for the first time in over a month. Naji Marshall led the way with 22 points off the bench as Dallas saw its reserves finish with 55.
Nic Claxton scored 19 points to lead the Nets (23-49), who lost their fourth straight and for the 15th time in 18 games. Cameron Johnson added 17 while Trendon Watford contributed 12 as the Nets shot 51.3 percent.
Magic 118, Lakers 106
Powered by 32 points from Franz Wagner and 30 from Paolo Banchero, Orlando blew past visiting Los Angeles.
The victory snapped a six-game home losing streak for the Magic.
Luka Doncic matched Wagner with 32 points for the Lakers, while LeBron James added 24 but the Lakers faltered on defense in the second half, allowing the Magic to take over. Orlando outscored the Lakers 34-18 in the third quarter.
Raptors 112, Wizards 104
Jakob Poeltl scored an efficient 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Toronto to a win over host Washington.
Poeltl made nine of his first 10 attempts on the way to a 10-of-13 performance from the field, helping Toronto end its four-game losing streak. Immanuel Quickley added a less efficient 21 points, making five of his 16 attempts from the floor.
Jordan Poole finished with 23 points on 8-of-13 shooting to lead the Wizards, who took their fifth loss in a row. Alex Sarr added 16 points on 6-of-19 shooting, while fellow rookie AJ Johnson scored a career-high 17 points on 5-of-9 shooting off the bench.
Pelicans 112, 76ers 99
Rookie Karlo Matkovic matched his career-high 19 points to lead a balanced scoring effort as host New Orleans pulled away from Philadelphia.
Kelly Olynyk finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. Antonio Reeves scored 17, and Yves Missi added 16 for the Pelicans, who won for just the third time in 12 games.
Justin Edwards and Jared Butler scored 19 points each, and Jeff Dowtin Jr., Guerschon Yabusele, and Chuma Okeke added 12 each to lead the Sixers, who lost their fifth straight game and 20th in the past 23.
Pacers 119, Timberwolves 103
Tyrese Haliburton recorded a 24-point, 11-assist double-double, and Indiana scored its fifth consecutive win with a defeat of Minnesota in Indianapolis.
Haliburton's 11th consecutive double-double dating back to Feb. 23 paced Indiana offensively. Obi Toppin came off the bench to score 20 points, shooting 6-of-9 from outside. Aaron Nesmith shot 3-of-3 from 3-point range en route to 17 points. Bennedict Mathurin's 11 points extended his run of double-digit scoring performances to five games.
Anthony Edwards went 1-of-11 from deep, the same rate at which he shot in Indiana's 132-130 win at Minnesota on March 17. Edwards finished with 17 points. Julius Randle finished with nine points, less than half of his season average. Naz Reid's 20 points off the bench led the Timberwolves. Rudy Gobert posted a double-double with 16 points and 16 rebounds in the loss.
Celtics 113, Kings 95
Jayson Tatum poured in a game-high 25 points before spraining his left ankle, Payton Pritchard came off the bench to contribute 22 points and Boston ran away from host Sacramento for its sixth straight win.
Tatum also had seven rebounds and eight assists in 26 minutes before he came down on Domantas Sabonis' foot after a 3-point attempt with 3:35 left in the third period. Tatum shot 8-for-15 overall and Pritchard 8-for-18 as Boston avenged a 114-97 shellacking at home by the Kings in January.
DeMar DeRozan and Sabonis put up double-doubles for the Kings, DeRozan with a team-high 20 points and game-high 10 assists, Sabonis with 16 points and a game-high 17 rebounds.
- NBA roundup: Suns prevail on Devin Booker's late jumper
- Celtics star Jayson Tatum exits with sprained left ankle
- Mavs star Anthony Davis (adductor) to return vs. Nets
- NBA roundup: Thunder edge Clippers for 6th straight win
- Pelicans' Zion Williamson (back) out vs. Pistons
- NBA roundup: Bulls rout Lakers in LeBron James' return
- Grizzlies F Brandon Clarke (knee sprain) expected to miss rest of season
- Warriors sign F Kevin Knox for rest of the season
- Anthony Davis could return during Mavs' road trip
- NBA fines Nets, Pacers players after altercation
- NBA roundup: Rockets get by Heat for 9th straight win
- Hawks C Clint Capela (hand) out 3-4 more weeks
- Warriors' Stephen Curry has contusion, no structural damage
- Pelicans star Zion Williamson (back) out vs. Timberwolves
- NBA roundup: Bulls storm back from 19 down to beat Kings
- Warriors' Stephen Curry (pelvis) leaves game, has MRI
- Trail Blazers C Robert Williams III (knee) out 4-6 weeks
- Lakers G Luka Doncic (ankle) out vs. Bucks
- Bill Chisholm buying Celtics for record $6.1B
- NBA roundup: Luka Doncic, Lakers handle Nuggets
According to Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star, Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said that guard Bennedict Mathurin(ankle) is available for Monday's matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Mathurin is playing after carrying a questionable tag earlier due to a sprained left ankle. The 22-year-old has received a few starts recently but has shifted back to a bench role withAndrew NembhardandAaron Nesmithback in the lineup. He's registered at least 20 points in three of his last four outings, and he could make an impact for fantasy managers during tonight's matchup.
Tim Bontemps of ESPN reports that Dallas Mavericks forwardAnthony Davis(adductor) will play against the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night. However, according to Bontemps, Mavs head coach Jason Kidd said Davis will be on a 28-minute limit for tonight's game in Brooklyn. Davis has been out of action since February 8, his first game as a Maverick. With the big man's minutes restricted in his return, he is likely a risky option for fantasy managers for this evening's contest.
Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis (ankle) will return from a three-game absence for Monday's clash with the Celtics. It hasn't been a quality month for the veteran, missing time because of hamstring and ankle issues. He'll also return against one of the best teams in the National Basketball Association. Still, Sabonis is a must-start for fantasy managers. His presence will likely mean less work for Jake LaRavia, who has had double-digit scoring outings in each of his last three appearances.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (groin) is available for Monday's clash with the Magic. The 40-year-old suffered a strained groin during the March 8 loss to the Boston Celtics. As a result, he was sidelined for seven games. James returned for Saturday's loss to the Bulls, finishing with 17 points, six boards, four assists, and three steals. With that said, he could have trouble getting anything going on Monday versus a Magic team that has allowed only 106.1 points per game this season, the best mark in the NBA.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (knee) is available for Monday's game in Orlando. The 26-year-old missed 12 games before returning for Saturday's loss to the Chicago Bulls. Unfortunately, he didn't do much, finishing with only five points in 17 minutes. With LeBron James (groin), Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves available, Hachimura could struggle to find scoring opportunities against an Orlando team that has allowed a league-best 106.1 points per game this season, even if he plays more than he did on Saturday night.
Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (toe) won't play on Monday versus the Lakers. He's battling a sprained toe, so he'll miss his third-straight game on Monday night. Cory Joseph, who had 11 points in the win over the Wizards on Friday, will presumably remain in the starting lineup. Anthony Black, who had 13 points, six assists, and one block in that one, should also see more work than usual. But Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero will likely handle most of the opportunities on the offensive end.
New Orleans Pelicans forwardBruce Brown(rest) has been ruled out ahead of Monday's matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers. Brown will be sidelined for the second half of back-to-back games to rest after posting 12 points, two assists and one rebound across 35 minutes on Sunday against the Pistons. With Brown out, Jordan Hawkins and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl will likely have plenty of minutes and scoring opportunities, especially with seven Pelicans players unavailable this evening.
Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (adductor) will play on Monday night versus the Brooklyn Nets. AD was listed as doubtful on Sunday night, so most had assumed he wouldn't be out there. However, he'll return to the floor after being sidelined since February 8, his first game as a Maverick. With Dallas down Daniel Gafford (knee) and Dereck Lively II (ankle), Davis may need to hold things down at the five. But there's also a chance Kai Jones remains in the middle, with Davis moving over to the power forward spot. Either way, the former Laker will likely see a minutes cap, making him a risky option for fantasy managers.
New Orleans Pelicans guardCJ McCollum(rest) won't play against the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday. McCollum will get the night off to rest after dropping 40 points, five rebounds, seven assists and one steal over 37 minutes in Sunday's 136-130 loss to the Pistons. The 33-year-old is one of seven Pelicans listed as unavailable for tonight's contest.Yves Missi(hip) could also be sidelined, as he is listed as questionable due to right hip soreness. McCollum will likely be back in action against Golden State on Friday.
As expected, Denver Nuggets centerNikola Jokic(ankle) will be out of action on Monday against the Chicago Bulls. Jokic has been dealing with an ankle issue and will miss his fifth consecutive contest. The Nuggets start a five-game homestand tonight, and the big man will likely return soon. Fantasy managers can expect veteran center DeAndre Jordan to start versus the Bulls. He most recently posted 11 points, 15 rebounds, four assists and one steal across 38 minutes of work in a 116-111 win over the Rockets on Sunday.
New Orleans Pelicans forwardZion Williamson(back) won't play on Monday against the Philadelphia 76ers. Williamson will be out of action for the third consecutive contest due to a back contusion. The 24-year-old is one of seven Pelicans listed as unavailable for tonight's contest. Yves Missi (hip) could also be sidelined, as he is listed as questionable due to right hip soreness. The Pelicans won't be making the postseason, so how much Williamson will play during the final 10 regular season games is unclear. Kelly Olynyk, Jose Alvarado,Jordan Hawkins and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl will likely have heavy workloads this evening with so many Pelicans on the shelf.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (calf) has been ruled out for the third consecutive game due to a sore right calf. The Bucks aren't going to risk Lillard's health if they don't have to with the playoffs coming in just a few weeks. The timing of this extended absence couldn't come at a worse time for fantasy managers though. Ryan Rollins has moved into the starting five but has had a limited fantasy ceiling in both points and category leagues. Two names to look for streaming-wise have been Gary Trent Jr. (probable - back) and Kevin Porter Jr. Both saw more minutes than Rollins despite coming off of the bench, while Porter registered 18 points, six assists, and three rebounds in their last game on Saturday.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) remains on the injury report as usual but he's considered probable on Monday and should play against the Phoenix Suns. The former MVP will likely be the team's focal point once again with Damian Lillard (calf) ruled out. In their last game against the Sacramento Kings with Lillard sidelined, Antetokounmpo finished with 32 points, 17 rebounds, three assists, one steal, one block, and only two turnovers while shooting 12-for-20 from the floor. Look for him to have another big game against the Suns who have one of the worst defenses in the NBA (26th in Defensive rating).
Sacramento Kings guard Devin Carter (illness) appeared on the injury report as questionable for the Monday night matchup with the Boston Celtics while he deals with some sort of illness. The rookie guard has seen quite the fluctuation in minutes lately and has struggled to find his shooting efficiency, so his fantasy value is very limited, especially if Malik Monk (questionable - illness) suits up. Over the last nine games, Carter has averaged 5.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. If Carter doesn't play, some more minutes will be available for Markelle Fultz, unless Keon Ellis gets shifted back to the bench.
Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (illness) may only need to miss one game for an illness after receiving a questionable status for Monday's game against the Boston Celtics. The 27-year-old has gone from sixth man to an everyday starter this season and has seen sizeable jumps in production with similar efficiency. This year, he's averaging 18.1 points, 5.9 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 2.2 threes per game. So, if he plays, he's a must-start in most fantasy formats. On the other hand, Keon Ellis would be a solid streaming option if Monk can't play. Against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday, Ellis dropped 20 points, nine rebounds, and six assists.
Brooklyn Nets forward Ziaire Williams (hamstring) received a questionable status for the matchup with the Dallas Mavericks on Monday. The fourth-year wing is experiencing some hamstring tightness which kept him out of their last game on Saturday against the Indiana Pacers. Tyrese Martin took Williams' spot in the starting five against the Pacers and registered nine points, five assists, and four rebounds. Martin is a bit inconsistent as a streaming option, but if Williams can suit up, Martin's value will dip back down. Keon Johnson and Jalen Wilson serve as better options for fantasy managers looking to fill injury voids.
Sacramento Kings center/forward Domantas Sabonis (ankle) is in the midst of a three-game absence which could span to four games on Monday after being listed as questionable for the matchup with the Boston Celtics. The star big man has only appeared in three games in the month of March after missing just three games during the rest of the season. Jonas Valanciunas should remain in the starting five if Sabonis can't play. Over the last three games as a starter, Valanciunas averaged 12.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. If Sabonis does take the court, however, he becomes a must-start again while Valanciunas only holds value in very deep category leagues.
Brooklyn Nets guard D'Angelo Russell (ankle) has been tagged as questionable for Monday's matchup with the Dallas Mavericks. The Nets have been looking forward to the draft lottery rather than the playoffs, so Russell has been on a trend of playing a few games and getting one off for rest. This could be the first time he's missed consecutive games since February. If he's unable to suit up, Keon Johnson and Tyrese Martin should remain in the starting five. In their last game, Johnson posted 17 points, four rebounds, one assist, and three steals across 33 minutes.
Dallas Mavericks guard Brandon Williams (back) is considered probable to play on Monday against the Brooklyn Nets. The 25-year-old has been a popular fantasy waiver wire pickup ever since Kyrie Irving (knee) went down with a knee injury. In his last seven games, Williams averages 17.1 points, 4.9 assists, 3.9 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.3 threes across 28.0 minutes per game. His fantasy value may not be as high as it once was, but he should still receive a sizeable chunk of minutes off of the bench since Dante Exum (hand) and Caleb Martin (hip) both remain sidelined.
Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (ankle) is in danger of missing the first game of the week against the Minnesota Timberwolves with an ankle sprain. Over the last nine games, Mathurin has averaged 16.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.8 threes per game while shooting 43.4% from the floor and a red-hot 47.1% from deep. He even received a few starts in that span but shifted back to a bench role with Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith back in the lineup. If he can't suit up Monday, look for Obi Toppin, T.J. McConnell, and Ben Sheppard to get some extra minutes off of the bench.
