NBA roundup: Nikola Jokic, Nuggets dominate 76ers
Wed Jan 22 2:34am ET
Field Level Media
Nikola Jokic had 27 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists for his fourth straight triple-double and the host Denver Nuggets beat the reeling Philadelphia 76ers 144-109 on Tuesday night.
Jokic needed just three quarters to record his 19th triple-double of the season and the 149th of his career. Russell Westbrook, who finished with 11 points and nine assists on Tuesday, is the all-time leader in triple-doubles with 202.
Julian Strawther had a career-high 23 points thanks in part to a season-high five 3-pointers. Christian Braun scored 20 points and Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. contributed 19 apiece for Denver, which tied its season high in points as it won for the 11th time in 14 games.
Tyrese Maxey tallied 28 points and 10 assists, and Yabusele scored 22 points for Philadelphia, which lost for the seventh straight time.
Lakers 111, Wizards 88
Anthony Davis recorded 29 points, 16 rebounds, five assists and four blocked shots to help Los Angeles beat visiting Washington.
LeBron James added 21 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds for his ninth triple-double of the season and 121st of his career. Austin Reaves had 16 points and eight assists and reserve Dorian Finney-Smith also scored 16 points as the Lakers won for just the third time in seven games.
Bilal Coulibaly scored 17 points, Jordan Poole had 15 points and seven rebounds and reserve Corey Kispert also had 15 points for the Wizards. Washington lost its 11th straight game and fell to 1-18 on the road this season. The Wizards have won an NBA-low six games.
Raptors 109, Magic 93
Scottie Barnes had 17 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists as Toronto defeated visiting Orlando.
RJ Barrett added 19 points and eight rebounds for the Raptors, who have won three of their past four games. Gradey Dick scored 17 points, while Bruce Brown contributed 15 and fellow reserve Kelly Olynyk had 12 to go along with four blocks.
Paolo Banchero had 26 points and 12 boards for the injury-riddled Magic, who have lost four games in a row. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 20 points, Anthony Black chipped in 17 and Wendell Carter Jr. had 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Trail Blazers 116, Heat 107
Anfernee Simons scored a game-high 24 points and Deandre Ayton added 22 points and 15 rebounds as Portland beat host Miami.
Simons returned after missing Portland's previous game due to a strained right elbow. Deni Avdija added 16 points and 10 rebounds for Portland, which has won two straight games after dropping five in a row.
Duncan Robinson put up 22 points for the Heat, who have lost four of their past five games. Miami played without leading scorer Tyler Herro (groin).
Knicks 99, Nets 95
Jalen Brunson was held to 17 points but delivered the go-ahead basket with 2:18 remaining for visiting New York, which struggled on offense for most of the fourth quarter before making enough plays down the stretch in a victory over Brooklyn.
Karl Anthony-Towns amassed 25 points, 16 rebounds and six assists. OG Anunoby added 20 points for the Knicks, who earned the win despite scoring only 15 points in the fourth. Brunson missed 10 of his first 14 shots before hitting three baskets and scoring eight points in the last 2:18 to give New York a ninth straight win over the Nets.
D'Angelo Russell led the Nets with 23 points and 10 assists but shot 6-for-17 from the floor. Cameron Johnson added 16 points but was 6-for-20 from the field. Brooklyn shot 37.2 percent, lost its eighth straight home game and fell for the ninth time in 10 games overall.
-Field Level Media
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Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) will miss a fourth straight game on Wednesday against Utah. He remains on the sidelines due to a left soleus strain Hartenstein suffered last Tuesday against Philadelphia. A day later, the team announced that Hartenstein would be re-evaluated in a week, but he isn't ready to return against the Jazz. With Hartenstein unavailable, the Thunder have operated without a natural center in the starting unit. Players like Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins have taken on bigger workloads to compensate for the loss of Hartenstein.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard/forward Jalen Williams (hip) is listed as questionable for Wednesday's meeting with Utah. After sustaining a right hip strain, Williams may need to skip a second consecutive game. With Williams unavailable on Sunday against Brooklyn, Isaiah Joe made his 11th start of the campaign. The sharp-shooting guard went off for 24 points on 8-for-10 three-point shooting. It wasn't surprising, as no team allows a higher three-point shooting percentage to the opposition than the Nets. Joe is in a great position to do further damage on Wednesday, as Utah gives up the most three-point attempts per game in the Association.
New Orleans Pelicans forward/center Zion Williamson (illness) carries a questionable tag on the injury report ahead of Wednesday's game against Milwaukee. An illness knocked Williamson out of the lineup for Monday's contest against Utah, and the same issue might cause him to miss another game. Javonte Green returned to the starting unit to fill in for Williamson but had a quiet evening. He finished a 123-119 overtime win with one point, three rebounds, two steals, and one block. Green averages 7.1 points and 4.1 rebounds as a starter for the season, so he hasn't been very productive for the Pelicans, even in a larger role.
New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (elbow) is listed as probable for Wednesday's clash against Milwaukee. He landed on the injury report with an elbow issue a while back, but the injury has yet to keep Murray out of the lineup. The 28-year-old has averaged 18.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 7.9 assists, and 1.8 steals since the turn of the year. Jose Alvarado's fantasy stock would receive a substantial boost if Murray suffers a setback and cannot play on Wednesday.
Cleveland Cavaliers forward/center Evan Mobley (calf) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against Houston. He is forced to miss a third straight game due to a right calf strain. Caris LeVert (wrist) and Max Strus have shared starts during Mobley's absence. LeVert has also picked up an injury and is questionable for Wednesday's game. This means Strus will likely remain among the starters, though he recorded only nine points, two rebounds, and two assists on Monday versus Phoenix. An ankle injury has limited Strus to 14 appearances this season, and he has been far from his best, averaging 7.6 points while shooting 39.8 percent from the field.
Milwaukee Bucks forward/center Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) has once again picked up a probable tag on the injury report ahead of Wednesday's action against New Orleans. His name has become synonymous with the Bucks' report, but the eight-time All-Star has played in 11 consecutive games. There is no reason to believe he won't be in the lineup against the Pelicans. Antetokounmpo's scoring output has dipped a bit this month, but he still fills the box score night in, night out. In the last game against Philadelphia, Giannis Antetokounmpo dominated with 34 points, 15 rebounds, and six assists.
Milwaukee Bucks small forward Khris Middleton (ankle) is probable for Wednesday's matchup against New Orleans. He has sat out a couple of games this month but is expected to play on Wednesday. However, Milwaukee also has a game scheduled for Thursday against Miami, and Middleton could take the night off then. Middleton has provided steady but unspectacular production in 2024-25, averaging 12.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. Strangely, he is shooting an excellent 53 percent from the field this month but has struggled from downtown, sinking only 25 percent of his attempts.
Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (ankle) is questionable for Wednesday's clash against Brooklyn. The veteran star recently missed a pair of games with an ankle sprain and remains on the injury report because of the issue. However, Beal got through 25 minutes of action on Monday versus Cleveland, signaling he can play through the injury. Beal has struggled lately and settled for only five points on Monday. Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale should cover most of Beal's minutes off the bench if he needs to skip another game due to his ankle.
Los Angeles Lakers' F LeBron James recorded a triple-double, finishing with 21 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds in a 111-88 win over the Wizards on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
Nuggets' C Nikola Jokic recorded a triple-double, finishing with 27 points, 10 assists and 13 rebounds in a 144-109 win over the 76ers on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (foot, injury management) is good to go heading into Tuesday's game versus the Wizards. The multi-time All-Star has appeared on the injury report often throughout the 2024-25 campaign. However, he's only missed three games. With a favorable matchup versus the Wizards on tap, James could be in line for an above-average fantasy performance. But there's also a chance he spends more time on the bench if the Lakers build up a decisive lead. Either way, James remains a must-start, although that's not news to anyone.
Los Angeles Lakers center Anthony Davis (calf) will play on Tuesday versus Washington. AD battled a foot injury throughout most of the 2024-25 campaign. However, he's recently appeared on the injury report because of calf soreness. Fortunately, it won't be enough to keep Davis off the floor for the favorable matchup against the Wizards, and he could be more productive than normal against arguably the worst team in the National Basketball Association.
Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (groin) is good to go for Tuesday's game versus Denver. The 34-year-old has spent plenty of time on the injury report this season. However, he's missed the last two games because of a groin injury. But now that George has been cleared, fantasy managers can get him back in their starting lineups. Unfortunately, George's return will likely result in Ricky Council IV heading back to the bench, significantly decreasing his fantasy value.
Philadelphia 76ers center Andre Drummond (toe) has been cleared to play in Tuesday's game against the Nuggets. The 31-year-old was limited to just one appearance in Philadelphia's previous eight contests because of a toe injury. Fortunately, he'll be back on the floor versus Nikola Jokic and company. Drummond has been decent in his 15 starts during the 2024-25 campaign, averaging 8.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.6 steals, giving him streaming value for fantasy managers. With Guerschon Yabusele (knee) also in the equation, it will likely result in little-to-no work for Adem Bona, who had 10 points, six boards, one steal, and one block as a starter in Sunday's loss to Milwaukee.
Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall (illness) is questionable for Wednesday's game versus Minnesota. The former Pelican has had the best year of his career. Unfortunately, he's not feeling well, jeopardizing his availability for Wednesday's contest. Luka Doncic (calf), Dwight Powell (hip), and Jaden Hardy (ankle) are already ruled out. But with Klay Thompson (ankle), Dereck Lively II (ankle), and Quentin Grimes (back) also uncertain to suit up against the Timberwolves, Marshall could find himself on the floor to begin the game. The 26-year-old has played well enough in his 14 starts during the 2024-25 campaign, averaging 11.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. But he might be more productive depending on who is available.
Dallas Mavericks forward Klay Thompson (ankle) is questionable for Wednesday's matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The former Warrior hasn't had a productive year, averaging 13.6 points, the second-lowest mark of his career, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. However, he's at least remained relatively healthy, missing only five games throughout the 2024-25 campaign. But the Mavs are in trouble as far as depth is concerned, considering Luka Doncic (calf) and Jaden Hardy (ankle) will remain sidelined, with Dereck Lively II (ankle), Naji Marshall (illness), and Quentin Grimes (back) carrying questionable designations. As of now, Spencer Dinwiddie and Kyrie Irving appear to be on tap for a productive evening on Wednesday. But others should also benefit, depending on who is cleared to suit up.
Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (shoulder) is questionable for Wednesday's game versus the visiting Pistons. He missed five games because of right shoulder inflammation. However, the 23-year-old has appeared in Atlanta's previous two contests, amassing a double-double in both. Atlanta will play the Raptors on Thursday, so head coach Quin Snyder may hold him out for precautionary reasons. If that's the case, there's several directions Snyder could go as far as the starting unit is concerned. But it's logical to assume De'Andre Hunter, Vit Krejci, and Dyson Daniels could benefit, although Trae Young would remain the favorite to lead the team in scoring.
Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell (back) is listed as questionable ahead of Wednesday's game against the Boston Celtics. It's worth noting that Powell was also questionable for Monday's contest, but ended up playing against the Chicago Bulls. He looked fine on the court as he finished with 27 points across 38 minutes of action in the loss. The Clippers are dealing with a handful of injuries, so it's uncertain who would benefit the most from the loss of Powell. Right now, Kris Dunn (knee), Terance Mann, and Kevin Porter Jr. all stand to gain value if Powell is unable to go.
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (Achilles) is listed as probable ahead of Wednesday's game against the Detroit Pistons. Young has been tagged on the injury report for quite some time due to this Achilles issue. However, Young has only missed one game this month, so the chances of him sitting out on Wednesday are low. Fantasy managers should check back ahead of tip-off on Wednesday just in case something changes. Vit Krejci would likely see more playing time if Young is unable to play. He's well worth a look as a streaming choice, especially with increased playing time.
Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac (illness) has been ruled out for the rest of Tuesday's game against the Toronto Raptors. Isaac was questionable coming into this game due to an illness, but he ultimately decided to suit up. He only managed to play about five minutes before exiting the contest due to this illness. The Magic have ruled him out for the rest of the night, which is a bummer for anyone who started him in fantasy leagues. Trevelin Queen and Wendell Carter Jr. figure to see an increased roles for the rest of the game and possibly longer if Isaac misses more time.
