NBA roundup: Nuggets spoil Jimmy Butler's return to Heat
Sat Jan 18 1:54am ET
Field Level Media
Nikola Jokic posted his league-leading 17th triple-double of the season, bundling 24 points with 12 rebounds and 10 assists in the Denver Nuggets' 133-113 road win over the Miami Heat on Friday night.
Jamal Murray led all scorers with 30 points for Denver, which won for the fifth time in six games and defeated Miami for the 10th straight time.
The game marked the return of Heat star Jimmy Butler, who served a seven-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team. Butler, who has asked for a trade, played 33 minutes and posted 18 points, three rebounds and two assists.
Tyler Herro, who had at least 32 points in three straight games, tallied a team-high 22 for Miami. Bam Adebayo chipped in 16 points and 11 rebounds and Nikola Jovic also scored 16 for the Heat in their third straight loss.
Mavericks 106, Thunder 98
Kyrie Irving scored 25 points to lead Dallas to a home win over Oklahoma City, which was missing star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander due to a sprained right wrist.
The Mavericks snapped a three-game losing streak, while the Thunder lost for just the second time in their past 16 games. Oklahoma City, which came into the game having won four consecutive games, including a 20-point victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday, was without Gilgeous-Alexander for the first time this season.
P.J. Washington and Spencer Dinwiddie scored 16 apiece for Dallas, which finished with 29 points off the Thunder's 15 turnovers while Oklahoma City managed just 17 off the Mavericks' 17 giveaways. Jalen Williams led Oklahoma City with 19 points but shot just 7 of 22 from the floor, while Luguentz Dort added 18.
Pelicans 136, Jazz 123
CJ McCollum scored 26 points, Zion Williamson had a double-double and host New Orleans defeated Utah.
Williamson finished with 24 points and 14 rebounds, Trey Murphy III and Jose Alvarado scored 19 each, Daniel Theis had a season-high 18 and Jordan Hawkins added 11 for the Pelicans, who enjoyed their highest point total and largest margin of victory this season.
Keyonte George scored 26, Collin Sexton had 24, Drew Eubanks had 17, Svi Mykhailiuk had 16 and Brice Sensabaugh added 15 to lead the Jazz, who will visit New Orleans again Monday night.
Grizzlies 140, Spurs 112
Santi Aldama poured in a career-high 29 points as short-handed Memphis walloped host San Antonio to sweep a two-game series between the teams.
Jaylen Wells and Desmond Bane added 22 points each and Jaren Jackson Jr. contributed 19 for the Grizzlies, who played without Ja Morant (right foot soreness). Bane also had 14 assists.
Devin Vassell led San Antonio with 21 points. Stephon Castle scored 20, and Victor Wembanyama racked up 19 points and 12 rebounds.
Celtics 121, Magic 94
Jayson Tatum scored a game-high 30 points and Kristaps Porzingis finished with 23 to lead Boston past visiting Orlando.
Jaylen Brown added 20 points, six rebounds and a game-high six assists for the Celtics, who entered the game with double-digit losses in three of their previous five contests.
Cole Anthony amassed 23 points and seven rebounds and Paolo Banchero added 21 points for the Magic, who took their fourth loss in five games.
Timberwolves 116, Knicks 99
Anthony Edwards paired 36 points with a season-high 13 rebounds and Minnesota rode a red-hot outside shooting performance to earn a road win over New York.
Edwards was 8 of 13 from 3-point range while Naz Reid drained all six of his 3-point attempts for the Timberwolves, who tied a season high with 22 3-pointers and shot a season-best 55 percent from beyond the arc. Minnesota closed the fourth quarter on a 25-12 run to win for the fifth time in seven games.
Jalen Brunson had 26 points for the Knicks, who have lost six of nine since a nine-game winning streak. Cameron Payne and OG Anunoby had 18 points apiece while Mikal Bridges finished with 15 points and Josh Hart added 12.
Hornets 125, Bulls 123
LaMelo Ball had 26 points and nine assists and Mark Williams notched a double-double of 19 points and 19 rebounds to lift visiting Charlotte to a victory over slumping Chicago.
Charlotte opened the fourth quarter on a 21-2 run before holding on to win consecutive road games for the first time this season. The Hornets have won back-to-back games only once before this season, a pair of home games on Nov. 6 and 8.
Miles Bridges scored 21 points for Charlotte. Seth Curry and Nick Smith Jr. chipped in 15 points each. Chicago's Nikola Vucevic notched a double-double of 40 points and 13 rebounds while going 17-for-25 from the floor. Zach LaVine (19 points) and Coby White (18) followed. Chicago has lost five of six to fall six games below .500.
Bucks 130, Raptors 112
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 35 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead Milwaukee past visiting Toronto.
Damian Lillard added 26 points as the Bucks earned their sixth win in seven games. Bobby Portis contributed 15 off the bench as seven Milwaukee scorers tallied at least nine points.
RJ Barrett put up 21 points and 10 rebounds to pace the Raptors, who had a two-game winning streak end and lost for the sixth time in eight games.
Lakers 102, Nets 101
Austin Reaves scored a career-high 38 points, LeBron James added 29 points with eight assists, and Los Angeles overcame the absence of Anthony Davis to earn a victory over visiting Brooklyn.
Gabe Vincent scored 10 points off the bench as the Lakers improved to 2-1 in a stretch of six consecutive games in the Los Angeles area, with five of those at home.
D'Angelo Russell scored 19 points off the bench against his former team as the Nets dropped to 1-4 on a six-game road trip that ends Sunday at Oklahoma City. Russell was traded from the Lakers to the Nets on Dec. 29. Ziaire Williams and Tosan Evbuomwan each scored 15 points for Brooklyn.
- NBA roundup: Nuggets spoil Jimmy Butler's return to Heat
- 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
- NBA roundup: Lakers lose, Clippers win in return to action
- Wolves G Terrence Shannon Jr. (foot) out 2-4 weeks
- 76ers owners announce new arena in South Philly for 2031
- Wolves star Anthony Edwards fined for fifth time this season
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (foot) won't suit up versus the Spurs on Friday. The 25-year-old had 21 points, 12 assists, and two steals when the Grizzlies and Spurs met on Wednesday night, the first of back-to-back contests between the clubs. However, he popped up on the injury report due to foot soreness. Without Morant in the equation, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane are the favorites to lead the way offensively. But Scotty Pippen Jr., who will presumably enter the starting lineup, Jaylen Wells, and Santi Aldama are all worth streaming.
Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic (illness) won't play on Saturday in Detroit. The 30-year-old has missed the last five games because of an illness, although it's been reported the Suns are looking to move him. But with no teams interested in his services, at least at the moment, there's a chance he'll remain on the roster. However, Nurkic likely won't see playing time, even if he's cleared to play in the near future, considering Nick Richards, Mason Plumlee, and Oso Ighodaro are above him on the depth chart.
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (rib) is expected to play on Saturday versus the Celtics. He has been dealing with a rib contusion, keeping him off the floor for Wednesday's win over the Chicago Bulls. Keaton Wallace got the start in that one and finished with a game-high 27 points. However, with Young likely to return against Boston, Wallace probably won't be as productive, assuming he's active.
Phoenix Suns forward Bradley Beal (ankle) is doubtful ahead of Saturday's matchup with the Pistons. The veteran tweaked his ankle and wasn't available versus the Wizards on Thursday. But it appears he'll miss his 11th game of the 2024-25 campaign on Saturday night. Without him, Ryan Dunn will likely remain in the starting lineup, with the 22-year-old amassing 18 points, 11 rebounds, and one block against Washington. With double-digit scoring performances in the last four games, Dunn deserves starting consideration from fantasy managers for the meeting with Detroit.
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (knee) is upgraded to available ahead of Friday's game against the Miami Heat. Murray was listed on the injury report with left knee inflammation, but that isn't going to stop him from playing on Friday. The 27-year-old continues playing big minutes as he's averaging 35 minutes per game coming into Friday's contest. He won't be asked to shoulder as big of a workload on offense with Nikola Jokic (elbow) back in the mix. Fantasy managers can go ahead and get Murray active in their lineups ahead of tip-off.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (elbow) is officially active ahead of Friday's game against the Miami Heat. The superstar big man is back in the mix after missing Wednesday's game due to sprained elbow. There is no word on Jokic being limited, so fantasy managers should expect him to have his full workload on Friday. DeAndre Jordan will head back to his role of backup center and playing minutes in the teens, which keeps him off the fantasy radar. Fantasy managers can go ahead and get Jokic active in their lineups ahead of tip-off.
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (back) is available ahead of Friday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Irving appears to be good to go after missing six of the last seven games due to a lingering back issue. There is no word on Irving being limited, so fantasy managers should expect him to have his normal workload on Friday. His return will push Spencer Dinwiddie back to the bench where he won't have as much streaming appeal. Fantasy managers can feel safe getting Irving back in their lineups as he'll be asked to do the heavy lifting with Luka Doncic (calf) still sidelined.
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (calf) is available ahead of Friday's game against the Miami Heat. Head coach Mike Malone said that Gordon is active and will come off the bench during this game. Gordon sat out of Wednesday's contest which was the second game of a back-to-back set. The Nuggets have been cautious with Gordon as he works his way back from injury. Peyton Watson is likely to continue to benefit until Gordon is back to 100 percent health. Fantasy managers in season-long formats can get Gordon active, but he won't be an ideal DFS option with limited playing time.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (wrist) is uncertain to play on Friday versus Dallas. He hasn't been listed on the league's official injury report, at least not yet. However, after dropping 40 points on the Cavs on Thursday, SGA is now dealing with a sore wrist. For now, fantasy managers should consider him a game-time call. But if Gilgeous-Alexander isn't out there, Luguentz Dort and Jalen Williams should both see a bump in scoring chances. Alex Caruso and Isaiah Joe may also enter the starting lineup, giving one of them upside for fantasy managers.
Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (hip) is available ahead of Friday's game against the Charlotte Hornets. Giddey has been on the injury report quite a bit lately, but he has played in every game this month. He could be asked to do more on offense with Zach LaVine (illness) uncertain for Friday. Regardless, Giddey offers enough with rebounds and assists to warrant starting in basically all fantasy formats.
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (thumb) won't play on Friday versus Minnesota. KAT is dealing with multiple issues involving his thumb, a sprain and a bone chip. While he'll play with the chip, he won't get back on the floor until the swelling goes down. Without him, Jericho Sims will get the start. However, Precious Achiuwa, amassing 10 points, six boards, and three blocks from off the bench on Wednesday versus Philadelphia, has a higher fantasy ceiling.
Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (illness) is listed as questionable ahead of Friday's game against the Charlotte Hornets. LaVine popped up on the injury report with an illness and is in serious danger of missing this contest. If that happens, Coby White (neck), Ayo Dosunmu, and Julian Phillips should all see increased roles in the rotation. Dosunmu recently returned to the court, but could be an interesting streaming option if LaVine is unable to go. Fantasy managers will have to check back closer to tip-off.
Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu (calf) is available to play ahead of Friday's game against the Charlotte Hornets. He made his return to the court on Wednesday after missing 10 games due to a calf injury. He finished with nine points, three rebounds, and two assists in 25 minutes of action during that game. The assumption is that he'll get a slightly longer leash on Friday. He could be asked to have a bigger role if Zach LaVine (illness) is unable to play. Fantasy managers in season-long formats can feel comfortable getting Dosunmu back into their lineups on Friday.
Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams (knee) is available ahead of Friday's game against the Chicago Bulls. As expected, Williams is ready to go after being listed as probable on the injury report. Williams has been playing some excellent basketball recently with two straight double doubles coming into Friday's contest. He finished with 31 points and 13 rebounds during his last game and really has no competition at the center spot. Fantasy managers should make sure to get Williams back into their lineups for Friday's slate.
Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (neck) is officially available ahead of Friday's game against the Charlotte Hornets. As expected, White will continue to play through his neck issue. The 24-year-old has looked fine in each of the last two games, so fantasy managers shouldn't be worried about this issue slowing him down. White could be asked to play a bigger role with Zach LaVine (illness) uncertain for this game. Regardless, fantasy managers should make sure to get White in their lineups ahead of tip-off.
Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller (wrist) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Chicago Bulls. Miller appears to have suffered a wrist sprain during Wednesday's game. As a result, Miller won't play on Friday, so his next chance to get on the court will be on Monday. The loss of Miller is going to be tough to fill given Miller is playing over 30 minutes per game. The expectation is that the Hornets are going to use a committee approach to help fill the void. Cody Martin, Nick Smith, and Josh Okogie should all see more minutes on Friday. Out of the three, Martin is the best streaming choice and could be worth a look while Miller is out.
According to NBA reporter Chris Haynes, Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler will return tonight against the Denver Nuggets after serving a seven-game suspension. Butler is expected to be in the starting lineup after serving a suspension Miami imposed. The 35-year-old has made it clear that he wants to be traded making it a challenging situation. DFS managers may want to stay clear of Butler, as there is no telling how many minutes the disgruntled forward will play this evening.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley will move into the starting five ahead of Friday's game against the New York Knicks. Fellow guard Donte DiVincenzo (toe) is out on Friday, which is why Conley is getting the starting nod. The veteran guard has been mainly playing off the bench since the beginning of January. Conley is averaging 7.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists across 24 minutes per game this season. The 37-year-old has finished with nine points or less in each of his last five games. He might offer low-end streaming appeal as a starter, but he's unlikely to be a viable fantasy option going forward.
Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports that Milwaukee Bucks guard/forwardGary Trent Jr.(hip) has been cleared to play Friday against the Toronto Raptors. Trent Jr. had previously missed three consecutive contests due to a left hip flexor strain. Before the 25-year-old was sidelined, he averaged 11.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 22.5 minutes across his last 10 outings. With Trent Jr. returning, AJ Green will likely see his playing time reduced.
The Milwaukee Bucks announced that Milwaukee Bucks guard/forward Khris Middleton (ankles) has been cleared to play against the Toronto Raptors on Friday. The 33-year-old veteran forward has played 16 games so far this season since making his debut on Dec. 6 after having offseason surgery on both ankles. In his last outing, he collected 14 points, two rebounds, six assists, and two steals coming off the bench against the Magic on Wednesday.
