NBA roundup: Clippers beat Lakers, extend success in new home
Mon Jan 20 1:35am ET
Field Level Media
James Harden scored 21 points to go along with 12 assists, Ivica Zubac added 21 points and 19 rebounds and the Los Angeles Clippers earned a 116-102 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night in the first game between the teams at Inglewood, Calif., since March 1999.
Norman Powell scored 22 points and Kawhi Leonard had 19 in his fifth game of the season as the Clippers won their fourth consecutive game overall and improved to 15-6 in their new $2 billion arena. Zubac added three blocks against his former team.
LeBron James scored 25 points and dished out 11 assists and Anthony Davis had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers, who lost their third consecutive road game and fell for the fourth time in their past six games overall.
Rui Hachimura scored 19 points and Austin Reaves added 14 before leaving late in the game due to a knee injury for the Lakers, who previously played at Great Western Forum in Inglewood from 1967-99.
Bucks 123, 76ers 109
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 34 points and grabbed 15 boards to lead host Milwaukee to a win over short-handed Philadelphia.
It marked the fourth win in a row for Milwaukee. Damian Lillard added 25 points thanks to a 16-point fourth quarter, while Khris Middleton chipped in 13 points to go along with eight assists off the bench.
Tyrese Maxey had 37 points on 14-of-28 shooting to lead Philadelphia, which was without Joel Embiid (left knee injury management) and Paul George (groin), among others. Four other Sixers scored in double figures, including Kelly Oubre Jr., who finished with 19 points. The 76ers have dropped six straight games.
Nuggets 113, Magic 100
Nikola Jokic notched his 18th triple-double of the season by posting 20 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists, Christian Braun added 20 points and 11 boards and Denver beat host Orlando.
Jokic, who leads the NBA in triple-doubles, went 7-for-9 from the field and didn't play in the fourth quarter. Peyton Watson had three blocks but left the game in the second quarter after taking a hit to the head. Denver has won six straight road games.
Wendell Carter Jr. had 16 points and 13 rebounds, and Anthony Black scored 14 points for the Magic, who have dropped three straight games. They were playing without Jalen Suggs (back), Gary Harris (hamstring), Franz Wagner (reconditioning) and Goga Bitadze (concussion protocol).
Thunder 127, Nets 101
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander collected 27 points and 10 assists to lead Oklahoma City to a win over visiting Brooklyn.
The Thunder have won 20 of their past 23 games overall and 12 straight at home. Oklahoma City shot 55.2 percent from the floor, its third-best field-goal percentage in a game this season.
Tyrese Martin and Johnson led Brooklyn with 15 points apiece. The Nets lost their third straight game and fell for the 19th time in 24 games.
Kings 123, Wizards 100
Domantas Sabonis had a double-double by halftime, De'Aaron Fox finished with one of his own and host Sacramento rolled over Washington, which has lost 10 games in a row.
Sabonis recorded his league-leading 37th double-double with game highs of 29 points and 18 rebounds as the Kings won for the ninth time in their last 10 games. Fox chipped in with 12 points and a game-high 13 assists in his seventh double-double of the year.
Backup Jonas Valanciunas topped the Wizards in points (23) and rebounds (12), hitting nine of his 11 shots off the bench. Coming off a 38-point explosion Saturday night at Golden State, Jordan Poole connected on just 4 of 11 shots and 3 of 9 3-point attempts en route to 11 points.
Trail Blazers 113, Bulls 102
Scoot Henderson recorded 25 points, eight assists and seven rebounds to help Portland deliver a victory over visiting Chicago.
Shaedon Sharpe added 23 points as the Trail Blazers snapped a five-game losing streak. Deni Avdija had 20 points, 12 rebounds and three steals, Jerami Grant scored 18 points and Deandre Ayton contributed 15 points and 13 rebounds for Portland.
Zach LaVine scored 27 points and Nikola Vucevic added 17 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists for the Bulls, who dropped their fifth consecutive game.
Heat 128, Spurs 107
Lightly-used reserve Kel'el Ware, a 7-foot rookie, tied his career high with 25 points, grabbed eight rebounds and blocked two shots as host Miami defeated San Antonio.
Ware played 34 minutes as he was needed to guard 7-foot-3 Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama, who finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and one block.
Duncan Robinson scored 21 points, Terry Rozier had 20 off the bench and Tyler Herro overcame a slow start to post 18 points for the Heat. Devin Vassell topped the Spurs with 23 points.
- NBA roundup: Clippers beat Lakers, extend success in new home
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- Disgruntled Heat star Jimmy Butler back in action vs. Nuggets
- Sixers C Joel Embiid (knee) out another 7-10 days
- NBA roundup: Thunder clobber Cavs in battle of NBA’s best
- Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo stay atop All-Star voting
- LeBron James not involved in 'F1 for basketball' startup
- LeBron James' family remains evacuated due to wildfires
- NBA roundup: Clippers lay historic beating on Nets
- Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin gets 1-game ban for bumping ref
- Nuggets' Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon out vs. Rockets
- Knicks C Karl-Anthony Towns (thumb) out vs. 76ers
- Hornets trade Nick Richards to Suns for Josh Okogie
- NBA makes wildfire-related schedule updates
- NBA roundup: Bucks stop Kings’ 7-game winning streak
- Jimmy Butler reiterates to Heat that he wants to be traded
- Spurs stars bring smile to JJ Redick's kids after fire
Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (ankle) is listed as questionable ahead of Monday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Beal has missed each of the last two games due to a left ankle sprain. The fact that he was upgraded to questionable means that Beal is trending in the right direction. The Suns are likely to use a committee approach to fill the void if Beal continues to miss time. That means, Ryan Dunn, Grayson Allen, and Royce O'Neale should all see increased playing time. Both Allen and Dunn are worth looking at as streaming options if Beal is forced to miss another game.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (ankle) is questionable heading into Monday's game against the Celtics. The 36-year-old injured his ankle late in Saturday's win over the Washington Wizards. Head coach Steve Kerr labeled him as "day-to-day." However, Curry indicated he was planning to play, so fantasy managers may not be without him on Monday night. With Draymond Green (calf), Jonathan Kuminga (ankle), and Brandin Podziemski (abdomen) sidelined, the Warriors could rely on Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schroder, and Buddy Hield for most of their production if Curry isn't available.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (foot) is listed as questionable ahead of Monday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Morant is in danger of missing his second straight game due to a foot injury. He has reportedly been playing through the issue for some time, but possibly it's getting worse. The absence of Morant should mean that Scotty Pippen Jr. gets additional playing time. Pippen got off to a hot start to the season, but has cooled down lately. He's still worth a look as a streaming option if Morant is unable to play.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo (toe) has been ruled out ahead of Monday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. DiVincenzo will now miss his third game in a row due to toe issue. The absence of DiVincenzo should mean that Mike Conley gets additional playing time. The 37-year-old has played over 20 minutes in each of the last two games. Conley will be a slightly more appealing fantasy option until DiVincenzo returns.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (illness) is questionable heading into Monday's game against the Jazz. The former Duke Blue Devil is no stranger to the league's injury report. He's already missed 32 games this season for various reasons. But Williamson is in danger of missing this one because of an illness. If he's out versus Utah, Javonte Green, averaging 7.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in 14 starts this season, is the favorite to replace him in the lineup, although CJ McCollum, Trey Murphy III, and Dejounte Murray (elbow) should benefit the most on the scoring end.
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (ankle) is listed as questionable ahead of Monday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. This doesn't come as a shock after Gobert rolled his ankle during Saturday's contest. Luckily, Gobert was able to finish the contest, but is now dealing with a right ankle sprain. The Wolves are likely going to wait and see how Gobert feels on Monday before making a final decision. If he sits, Naz Reid figures to have an increased role. Reid has been playing fairly well lately, so the absence of Gobert would only increase his value.
Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson (calf) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Detroit Pistons. Thompson is now in danger of missing a second straight game after sitting out on Saturday's contest. Another absence for Thompson would mean increased roles for Cam Whitmore and Tari Eason. On Saturday, Whitmore looked solid as he posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. He'd be worth looking at as a streaming option if Thompson is once again unavailable.
Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (knee) has been upgraded to available ahead of Sunday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. As expected, LaVine has been cleared to play after being listed as probable heading into this game. Fantasy managers have been getting solid results from the veteran guard this month. It's anyone's guess how long LaVine will remain in a Bulls uniform, but fantasy managers can feel free to get him active in their lineups on Sunday. The 29-year-old figures to take on his normal workload and might see a slight increase in minutes with Lonzo Ball (knee) unavailable.
Los Angeles Lakers center Anthony Davis (calf) has been upgraded to available ahead of Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Davis is back in the mix after missing Friday's contest due to a calf issue. He was questionable coming into this game, but he appears to be feeling good enough to play. Jaxson Hayes played 33 minutes on Friday, but now he'll likely go back to seeing minutes in the teens. Davis shouldn't be limited at all after a one game absence, so fantasy managers can go ahead and get him active in their lineups.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (foot) will play on Sunday versus the Clippers. As usual, the 40-year-old was listed on the injury report because of his nagging right foot injury. But, as expected, he'll be out there. James has only missed three games this season. He's also remained productive, averaging 23.8 points, 8.8 assists, and 7.5 rebounds, keeping him a must-start in all fantasy setups.
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (ankle) will suit up on Sunday versus Chicago. He missed the last three games because of a sprained ankle. Fortunately, Jerami Grant recently returned from a lengthy stint on the shelf, so he filled the void in the lineup. With that said, head coach Chauncey Billups is looking for more efficiency on the defensive side of the ball, meaning Avdija will start alongside Grant, with Shaedon Sharpe heading back to the bench. While Avdija is already a capable fantasy producer, his ceiling was raised even more after the team announced that Anfernee Simons (elbow) won't suit up.
Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (ankle) won't play on Sunday against the Bulls. Deandre Ayton (back) didn't suit up for Saturday's loss to the Rockets. As a result, Williams got the start and finished with four points, four rebounds, three blocks, and one steal. But with Ayton back in the equation, Williams wouldn't have started. However, with Williams and Donovan Clingan (ankle) both out, Jabari Walker, amassing 10 points, five rebounds, and one steal versus the Rockets, could remain involved.
Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton (back) will play on Sunday versus the Bulls. He was sidelined for Saturday's loss to the Rockets because of low back soreness. While the 26-year-old was in danger of missing another contest, he'll be back on the floor on Sunday night. With Donovan Clingan (ankle) and Robert Williams III (ankle) both out, Ayton will get all the minutes he can handle, with Jabari Walker, amassing 10 points and five rebounds on Saturday night, in line to remain involved from off the bench.
Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell (back) will play on Sunday against the Lakers. The 31-year-old has averaged 23.7 points and shot 45.2% from behind the arc this season, both career-highs. He was on the injury report because of a back issue. But Powell is good to go, so fantasy managers can get him back in their lineups. Unfortunately, his production has declined since the start of the 2024-25 campaign. It likely won't improve as long as Kawhi Leonard is healthy and on the floor. At any rate, Powell's availability should mean less work for Terance Mann.
Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons (elbow) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Chicago Bulls. Simons seemed to be fine during Saturday's game, but he must've picked up an elbow injury during the contest. As a result, Simons will take a seat as the Blazers will take the cautious approach in the second leg of this back-to-back set. Scoot Henderson should be asked to step up and be the primary ball handler while Simons is out. Henderson is coming off a double-double during Saturday's game. He has been on a hot stretch lately, so he appears to be a strong fantasy option for Sunday's slate.
Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac (back) will play on Sunday night against the Lakers. The veteran has a back injury, so he was in danger of missing his first game of the 2024-25 campaign. Fortunately, he'll be out there for the intracity clash between the clubs. He has had the best season since entering the National Basketball Association, averaging career-highs in points (14.9), rebounds (12.5), and assists (2.6), making him worthy of a start in any fantasy format. With that in mind, his presence will mean less work for Mo Bamba and Nicolas Batum, who would have both been in line for more minutes.
Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. This is the front end of a back-to-back set, so it's not shocking to see Ball getting the night off on Sunday. This seems to be for rest purposes, but regardless fantasy managers should consider Ball as day-to-day. His absence should mean that Ayo Dosunmu should see increased run in the rotation. Dosunmu recently returned from injury, but has looked solid in his last two games. He should have increased fantasy value with the Bulls being shorthanded on Sunday.
Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (illness) will suit up versus the Lakers. The 35-year-old was questionable because of an illness. But he'll be out there, avoiding his third absence of the 2024-25 campaign. Harden has had a productive year, averaging 21.4 points, 8.0 assists, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.4 steals, keeping him a starting fantasy option for all managers.
Philadelphia 76ers forward Guerschon Yabusele (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Yabusele will miss both games of the back-to-back set due to swelling in his right knee. The Sixers are going to be shorthanded once again with Joel Embiid (foot) also sidelined on Sunday. Adem Bona will likely see an increased role with Andre Drummond (toe) also out. Bona will be worth a look for Sunday's slate after a 12-point outing during his last game.
Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (groin) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. George will now miss both games of the back-to-back set due to groin tightness. The absence of George should mean increased roles for Ricky Council IV, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Eric Gordon. Oubre is already worth starting in most fantasy formats, but Council is also worth a look after an 18-point outing on Saturday. Tyrese Maxey should be asked to do the heavy lifting on offense with George and Joel Embiid (foot) both out.
