NBA roundup: Thunder rally from 29 down to beat Grizzlies
Fri Apr 25 3:00am ET
Field Level Media
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points and Jalen Williams had 26 to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to an improbable 114-108 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday to take a 3-0 lead in their Western Conference first-round series.
Chet Holmgren scored 23 of his 24 points in the second half as the Thunder overcame a 29-point deficit in the first half and didn't lead in the game until Williams dropped in a free throw with 1:20 remaining to go ahead 109-108.
Memphis played without Ja Morant in the second half after he sustained a hip injury late in the first half. Scotty Pippen Jr. scored 28 points to lead the Grizzlies. Jaren Jackson Jr. added 22. Morant had 15 points and five assists in 15 minutes before the injury. He was diagnosed with a left hip contusion. Without Morant, the Grizzlies were outscored 63-31 in the second half.
Morant left the game with 3:14 to go in the second quarter after falling hard on his left side while soaring in for a layup on a fastbreak. Morant was undercut by Luguentz Dort on the play. He hobbled slowly to the sideline after spending several minutes on the floor being attended by the Grizzlies' training staff.
Clippers 117, Nuggets 83
Kawhi Leonard recorded 21 points, 11 rebounds and six assists and Los Angeles took a 2-1 series lead with a convincing victory over Denver at Inglewood, Calif.
James Harden had 20 points -- all in the first half -- to go with nine assists and six rebounds, while Norman Powell also scored 20 for the fifth-seeded Clippers. Ivica Zubac registered 19 points and nine rebounds as Los Angeles won its second straight in the best-of-seven, first-round series.
Denver star Nikola Jokic recorded 23 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists for his 20th career postseason triple-double. Jamal Murray also scored 23 points and Aaron Gordon added 15 points and seven rebounds for the fourth-seeded Nuggets.
Knicks 118, Pistons 116
Karl-Anthony Towns scored 31 points and Jalen Brunson added 30, including 12 in the fourth quarter, to give visiting New York a victory over Detroit in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.
OG Anunoby put up 22 points for the Knicks, who hold a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series on Sunday in Detroit. Brunson, who averaged 35.5 points in the first two games, also had nine assists and seven rebounds in Game 3.
Cade Cunningham and Tim Hardaway Jr. led Detroit with 24 points apiece, and Cunningham dished out a game-high 11 assists. Dennis Schroder scored 18 points for the Pistons, who have not won a home playoff game since May 2008.
- Knicks F OG Anunoby (toe) out vs. 76ers
- Pistons' Isaiah Stewart banned 7 games, 3 others punished after brawl
- NBA roundup: Pacers pull out OT upset of Knicks
- Spurs guard Stephon Castle exits game with pelvis injury
- LeBron James (foot) out; ineligible for awards, All-NBA honors
- Celtics star Jayson Tatum (Achilles) participates in scrimmage
- Raptors' Brandon Ingram to replace Stephen Curry in ASG
- Thunder's Nikola Topic back after cancer battle
- Cavaliers sign F Nae'Qwan Tomlin to 2-year contract
- NBA roundup: Pistons top Hornets at Fight Night in Charlotte
- Stephen Curry (knee) to miss All-Star Game
- Brawl between Pistons, Hornets results in four ejections
- Suns take aim at recent home woes against retooled Mavs
- Celtics star Jayson Tatum (Achilles) cleared to return to practice
- Pacers F Johnny Furphy out for season with torn ACL
- Bucks sign former Nets G Cam Thomas
- NBA roundup: Knicks forge standings tie with Celtics in head-to-head win
- Two-time champ Damian Lillard to participate in 3-point contest
- Rockets' Alperen Sengun replaces Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in ASG
- Knicks' OG Anunoby out, Karl-Anthony Towns to play vs. Celtics
Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (knee) is questionable for Thursday's contest against the Dallas Mavericks. He could be out for the third time in four games due to a sore right knee. Ayton's absence would allow Jaxson Hayes to make another start, with Maxi Kleber and Drew Timme seeing additional minutes off the bench. As a starter, Hayes has managed 11.0 points and 4.2 rebounds per game this season. Dallas allows the fifth-most fantasy points in the league to centers, making this an attractive matchup for L.A.'s big men.
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Cooper Flagg (foot) is listed as doubtful for Thursday's clash against the Los Angeles Lakers. The star rookie is on the injury report due to a left midfoot sprain and appears set to exit the lineup after appearing in six consecutive games. Assuming Flagg won't play, the Mavericks will need more playmaking from Tyus Jones and Brandon Williams, while Naji Marshall might be his replacement in the starting unit. At the same time, Klay Thompson, who missed Tuesday's loss to Phoenix, could absorb most of the available minutes in the rotation.
Los Angeles Lakers guard/forward Austin Reaves (calf) will return from a one-game absence on Thursday against the Dallas Mavericks. The team has not included Reaves on the injury report. Reaves is managing a calf injury and didn't play on Tuesday night against San Antonio when the Lakers completed a back-to-back. After returning from a calf strain, Reaves has been limited to 24.8 minutes per game across four outings. He has averaged 20.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.3 steals. During Monday's matchup versus Oklahoma City, Reaves logged close to 30 minutes, which could be a sign he may soon be ready to handle his usual workload.
Los Angeles Lakers point guard Luka Doncic (hamstring) has been ruled out for Thursday's matchup with the Dallas Mavericks. He will skip the meeting with his former team due to a left hamstring strain. This will be Doncic's fourth consecutive absence. Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, and Kobe Bufkin have a chance to see more action with Doncic out of commission. Meanwhile, LeBron James and Austin Reaves are responsible for keeping the Lakers' offense ticking.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (foot) is not on the injury report for Thursday's game against the Dallas Mavericks, indicating he will return to the lineup. The veteran superstar sat out the second leg of a back-to-back against San Antonio on Tuesday. With Luka Doncic (hamstring) out, James has taken on more playmaking duties, finishing each of his last three appearances with a double-double. He is averaging 21.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 8.6 assists, and 1.2 steals for the month.
Golden State Warriors guard/forward Will Richard (knee) won't play on Wednesday against the San Antonio Spurs. He is battling a right knee contusion, and Golden State has downgraded Richard from questionable to out. After having some standout moments early in the campaign, Richard has not been a major part of the rotation in recent weeks. Across this month, he has been limited to 16.5 minutes per game. De'Anthony Melton, Gary Payton II, and Brandin Podziemski will absorb Richard's minutes on Wednesday night.
Denver Nuggets guard/forward Spencer Jones (concussion) will not return to action on Wednesday against the Memphis Grizzlies. There was initially a chance Jones would be back after the team listed him as questionable on the injury report. However, he has been ruled out ahead of tip-off. Julian Strawther is set to remain in the starting lineup and has plenty to offer fantasy teams, having averaged 19.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.0 steals over the last two games.
Golden State Warriors guard De'Anthony Melton (glute) will play on Wednesday against the San Antonio Spurs. He has been upgraded from questionable to available. Melton has been a starter for three consecutive games, averaging 10.7 points and 2.7 steals in 24.6 minutes. The 27-year-old will be a crucial defensive piece against San Antonio's backcourt, which is spearheaded by De'Aaron Fox. Offensively, this is a bad matchup for him, as San Antonio ranks third in defensive efficiency.
Denver Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray (hip) will be in the lineup on Wednesday against the Memphis Grizzlies. The team has officially listed him as available after initially giving Murray a probable designation on the injury report. On Wednesday, Murray has a chance to record his first three-game double-double streak of the season. He narrowly missed one in his first meeting with the Grizzlies this season, posting 29 points and eight assists in a 125-115 win on Nov. 24.
Memphis Grizzlies guard/forward Cedric Coward (knee) and guard Walter Clayton Jr. (calf) have been ruled out for Wednesday's game against Denver, with Coward resting a sore right knee and Clayton sidelined by a right calf contusion. The short-handed backcourt opens minutes for Ty Jerome and Scotty Pippen Jr., who combined for 30 points and 11 assists in the last outing, while Cam Spencer and Jaylen Wells should see expanded roles. Jerome profiles as the top streamer, with Pippen a viable deep-league add until Memphis gets healthier.
Denver Nuggets guard/forward Christian Braun (ankle) has been cleared to play on Wednesday against the Memphis Grizzlies. He is ready to suit up for a fifth consecutive game after initially having a probable tag on the injury report. Braun has started to pick up momentum and matched his season high with 20 points in Monday's loss to Cleveland. He also had five rebounds and a pair of assists. With a softer defensive matchup on Wednesday night, Braun may have an even bigger impact.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (ankle) will play against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night. The Nuggets superstar is dealing with an ankle sprain, but the team has upgraded his status from probable to available. Jokic can crush any opposition, but Wednesday's matchup looks particularly juicy for him, as the Grizzlies lack size. The three-time MVP is aiming for his fourth straight triple-double, a feat Jokic hasn't accomplished since the opening games of the season.
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen will play limited minutes on Wednesday against the Sacramento Kings, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports. "The plan for him is to play tonight on some restricted minutes, and then we'll see how he's feeling after the game, and we'll address tomorrow," Jazz head coach Will Hardy told reporters. Utah finishes a back-to-back on Thursday against Portland. Markkanen hasn't actually logged his normal minutes for a while, sitting out fourth quarters. He hasn't played more than 27 minutes in any of his last four appearances. Despite a lighter workload, Markkanen has still made an impact, averaging 22.3 points and 5.8 rebounds over the last four games.
Houston Rockets guard/forward Tari Eason (lower leg) has been upgraded from questionable to available for Wednesday's game against the Clippers, marking his first appearance in both legs of a back-to-back set this season. Eason has averaged 13.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.6 three-pointers, and 1.2 steals in 31.3 minutes over his last five games, though he managed just six points on 20 percent shooting Tuesday. He remains a serviceable category contributor, especially in steals and threes. His availability keeps Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson in stable roles while limiting deep-league minutes for Josh Okogie.
Houston Rockets forward/center Alperen Sengun (lower leg) has been upgraded to available for Wednesday's game against the Clippers after initially being listed as probable. He will play the second leg of a back-to-back after logging 35 minutes with 22 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in Tuesday's 102-95 win. Sengun has averaged 19.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks in 33.1 minutes over his last five games. He remains a locked-in fantasy anchor, while Clint Capela stays in a limited reserve role behind him.
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (ankle) will miss Wednesday's meeting with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The team has ruled him out for the game after initially listing him as questionable. Booker played 32 minutes in Tuesday's win over Dallas and will rest his right ankle on Wednesday night. Jalen Green (hamstring) will also depart the lineup, which should result in additional minutes for Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin. Booker's absence also opens up additional scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (hamstring) won't play in the second leg of a back-to-back on Wednesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He will exit the lineup after a 12-point, four-assist effort across 20 minutes in Tuesday's win over Dallas. Devin Booker (ankle) also won't be in action against the defending champions, making Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin more appealing fantasy options. With the number of backcourt absences, we are also likely to see Jamaree Bouyea in the rotation on Wednesday.
Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (toe) won't suit up on Wednesday against the New Orleans Pelicans, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports. The team initially listed Wiggins as questionable for the contest due to toe inflammation. Wiggins joins Tyler Herro (ribs), Pelle Larsson (forearm), and Norman Powell (back) on the sidelines. This will give Jaime Jaquez Jr., Simone Fontecchio, Nikola Jovic, Kasparas Jakucionis, and Dru Smith more opportunities to showcase their talent. Jaquez Jr. has the most fantasy upside, but he has struggled recently, scoring just 13 points across the last two games.
New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (ankle) will be in action on Wednesday against the Philadelphia 76ers. The big man was rested for the first leg of a back-to-back on Tuesday versus Indiana, but is ready to provide cover to Karl-Anthony Towns at the No. 5 spot against Philadelphia. Robinson has posted 4.8 points and 6.8 rebounds in 20.5 minutes per game this month. New York's bigs will contend with a Sixers frontcourt missing Joel Embiid (knee), which should make their job easier on Wednesday night.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (illness) has been upgraded from questionable to available for Wednesday's game against Portland. Edwards has been on a tear, averaging 31.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.6 steals, and 2.8 three-pointers in 37.6 minutes over his last five games. He posted 30 points, six rebounds, and six assists in 38 minutes in his most recent outing. With a 32.2 percent usage rate, Edwards remains a locked-in fantasy anchor. His availability keeps secondary options like Ayo Dosunmu and Naz Reid in complementary roles.
