Magic's perfect NBA Cup record, finals trip on line vs. Knicks
Fri Dec 12 7:06pm ET
Field Level Media
The resilient Orlando Magic take a perfect NBA Cup record into the tournament's semifinals Saturday, while the New York Knicks roll into Las Vegas having feasted ever since Thanksgiving week.
In their duel to decide who will represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Cup finals Tuesday, the Magic once again will be without a top player, with Franz Wagner not expected to play, while the Knicks have nearly been unbeatable since Nov. 24 with an 8-1 record.
Wagner came away with a high left ankle sprain during the Magic's 106-100 road loss to the Knicks on Sunday. He was not on the court when Orlando earned its spot in the NBA Cup East final with a 117-108 home victory over the Miami Heat on Tuesday.
But Paolo Banchero is back for Orlando. He scored 18 points with seven rebounds against the Heat in his third game since sitting out 10 contests with a strained left groin.
Wagner and Banchero have played just one full game together since Nov. 14, but the team has managed to go 9-4 in that stretch. The Magic went a perfect 4-0 in NBA Cup group play before getting past the Heat in an elimination game.
While Banchero and Wagner have fluctuated in and out of the lineup, Desmond Bane has not missed a game, averaging 19.0 points with 4.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists in his first season with the team following an offseason trade from the Memphis Grizzlies. He torched Miami for 37 points Tuesday.
"I think it's a collective," Bane said. "Paolo is on the floor, just working his way back. Every time he puts the ball on the floor, it seems like there are three guys coming after him. And the beautiful thing about him, he's a very willing passer. ... I am getting more comfortable, but I think everybody is."
The Magic not only faced the Knicks less than a week ago, but the teams have already played each other three times this season, with Orlando winning two of them. The Magic handed the Knicks their only home loss this season, 124-107, on Nov. 12.
Even with both teams in the top four of the Eastern Conference and now set to take each other on to represent the East in the NBA Cup final, Knicks head coach Mike Brown was hesitant to call the matchup an intense rivalry.
"It's a little tough just because I don't think (either) team has been completely healthy when we played each other," Brown told reporters this week. "I don't necessarily feel like it's on the rivalry level yet. But it can be in due time, but I don't think it's there yet."
New York's Jalen Brunson scored 30 points with nine assists as the Knicks got past the Magic last weekend, then he scored 35 points in a 117-101 victory at Toronto on Tuesday that earned New York the trip to Las Vegas. Karl Anthony-Towns added 14 points and 16 rebounds.
The Knicks shot 52.5% from the floor in the victory while going 45.7% from 3-point range. Brunson went 6 of 9 from distance.
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Denver Nuggets' G Jamal Murray scored 42 points on 15-of-24 shooting in a 121-115 win over the Wizards on Saturday, Jan. 17.
Denver Nuggets' G Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 30 points on 10-of-18 shooting in a 121-115 win over the Wizards on Saturday, Jan. 17. Hardaway Jr. is owned in only 20.3% leagues.
Minnesota Timberwolves' G Anthony Edwards scored 55 points on 19-of-33 shooting in a 123-126 loss to San Antonio on Saturday, Jan. 17.
Celtics' F Sam Hauser scored 30 points on 10-of-21 shooting in a 132-106 win over Atlanta on Saturday, Jan. 17. Hauser is owned in only 1.5% leagues.
Boston's F Jaylen Brown scored 41 points on 14-of-30 shooting in a 132-106 win over Atlanta on Saturday, Jan. 17.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (thigh) won't return to Saturday's matchup with the Miami Heat. The 24-year-old was having a productive evening. However, he would eventually be ruled out with what the team is calling right thigh soreness, so he will finish this one with eight points, three boards, and three assists in 14 minutes. Of course, the Thunder will likely take the safe approach, meaning there's a chance he won't suit up on Monday in Cleveland. If that's the case, Aaron Wiggins and Ajay Mitchell should both be in line for more work.
Minnesota Timberwolves forward/center Naz Reid (shoulder) won't return to Saturday's meeting with the Spurs. He got the start in place of Rudy Gobert (hip). Unfortunately, the 26-year-old would end up logging only five minutes before eventually being ruled out because of left shoulder soreness. Minnesota plays again on Tuesday in Utah, although there likely will be an update in the next day or two. As far as the remainder of Saturday's contest is concerned, 2025 No. 17 overall selection Joan Beringer should see considerably more action.
Memphis Grizzlies forward/center Santi Aldama (calf) is listed as questionable for Sunday's meeting with the Orlando Magic. The Spaniard could be absent for the first time this season due to a right calf contusion. While Aldama has made eight consecutive appearances as a reserve, he often plays 30-plus minutes, meaning his absence would leave a notable gap in the rotation. GG Jackson II and John Konchar could take on extra minutes on Sunday if Aldama doesn't play.
Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (knee) will miss a seventh consecutive game on Sunday against the Memphis Grizzlies. With the Magic currently in Europe, Suggs will have some additional time to recover next week, but it's unclear when he will be ready to return. With Suggs on the shelf, Anthony Black, Tyus Jones, and Jase Richardson carry extra fantasy value. Black has been the best of the bunch, scoring 20-plus points in three consecutive games.
Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant (calf) has been officially listed as probable for Sunday's tilt against the Orlando Magic in London. On Saturday, Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo hinted that Morant is on track to return after he came through a full practice. The probable designation indicates that the Grizzlies star is indeed expected to be back in the lineup. Morant's return will end Cam Spencer's run as a starter, though he will remain a significant piece in the rotation.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (ankle) will remain out on Sunday against the Houston Rockets. He will miss his seventh consecutive game due to a sprained left ankle. Since Dec. 22, Jones has played in only one game, and it's unclear when he will be cleared to return. At the start of this week, Pelicans interim head coach James Borrego labeled Jones day-to-day. With Jones out, Saddiq Bey should log another start on Sunday. The Villanova product has averaged 17.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in a starting role this campaign.
Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans. He hopes to end a four-game absence. While Eason has been nursing a right ankle sprain, Josh Okogie has started three straight games. Yet, the Nigerian veteran has been anonymous in each contest, scoring only a total of 10 points. Eason was having a strong offensive stretch before his injury, shooting 41.7 percent from deep in January and averaging 13.4 points with 8.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals.
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (hip) will be inactive on Saturday against the San Antonio Spurs. He will skip the second leg of a back-to-back after notching a 10-point, 13-rebound double-double across 32 minutes in Friday's loss to the Houston Rockets. Naz Reid will likely slide into the starting lineup, while rookie Joan Beringer will be more involved in the action. Reid recently notched 19 points and three rebounds in his first start of the campaign against the Milwaukee Bucks. On Saturday night, he has a much tougher matchup against Victor Wembanyama.
Detroit Pistons guard/forward Ausar Thompson (heel) has shed a probable tag and will suit up on Saturday against the Indiana Pacers. The 22-year-old is ready to play through a heel contusion. Thompson has struggled offensively in recent weeks, averaging only 8.7 points per game in January. He will look to overcome the slump on Saturday night against the Pacers, who are allowing the eighth-most points per game this season.
Detroit Pistons forward/center Paul Reed (personal) will be in the lineup on Saturday against the Indiana Pacers. Due to personal reasons, Reed was initially iffy for Saturday's action. However, Detroit upgraded him to probable in the afternoon, and he has now been listed as available. Reed will return from a one-game absence. Since both Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart are healthy, Reed's playing time on Saturday may be limited to only a handful of minutes.
Brooklyn Nets guard/forward Ziaire Williams (conditioning) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest against the Chicago Bulls. The 24-year-old recently missed time due to illness and is now working on his conditioning to get back into game shape. Sunday's game will Mark Williams' sixth consecutive absence. Brooklyn will also be without Michael Porter Jr. (rest) and Drake Powell (knee) on Sunday, which should create more playing opportunities for Danny Wolf, Terance Mann, and Nolan Traore.
Detroit Pistons point guard Cade Cunningham (wrist) will be active against the Indiana Pacers on Saturday. The team has upgraded his status from probable to available. Cunningham has been dealing with a wrist contusion in his shooting hand. He shot only 18.8 percent from the field in Thursday's win over the Phoenix Suns. However, the Pistons star is in a good bounce-back spot on Saturday, as the Pacers have not been a good team this season.
Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. (rest) won't be in action on Sunday against the Chicago Bulls. The team has decided to rest him for the first leg of a back-to-back. Porter Jr. is Brooklyn's leading scorer, and without him on the floor, the rest of the starting unit gets to play a larger role on offense. Meanwhile, Danny Wolf is expected to step into Porter Jr.'s starting role, as he has done in the past. The 21-year-old rookie has averaged 10.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.7 steals as a starter.
Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (hamstring) is listed as doubtful to suit up for Sunday's game against the Brooklyn Nets. This isn't shocking news considering Giddey hasn't played in a game since December 29. He's still working his way back from a hamstring injury, but the doubtful tag suggests that he's not quite ready to play yet. The expectation is that Tre Jones will continue to start in Giddey's place. He scored 34 points with seven assists during Tuesday's game against the Houston Rockets. Jones has enough upside to warrant rostering in most fantasy formats while Giddey is out.
Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams (ankle) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Brooklyn Nets. Williams was only able to play 12 minutes on Friday before exiting due to a sprained right ankle. Another absence would likely mean an extended look for Dalen Terry and Jalen Smith in the rotation. When healthy, Williams hasn't been much of an asset, averaging 6.5 points, 1.2 assists, and 2.9 rebounds in 18.5 minutes per game. He's too inconsistent at the moment to be trusted in most fantasy formats. Smith is the preferred streaming option with back-to-back double-doubles. He'll once again be a strong streaming choice if Williams is unable to play.
