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Offseason | NBA Week 26

NBA roundup: Bulls rout Lakers in LeBron James' return

Sun Mar 23 1:49am ET
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Coby White, Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey led the hot-shooting Chicago Bulls to a 146-115 win over the host Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night, spoiling the returns of LeBron James and Rui Hachimura.

White finished with 36 points on 12-of-17 shooting from the field, making 6-of-9 attempts from 3-point range for Chicago. Buzelis, a rookie, added 31 points on 12-of-18 shooting. Giddey perhaps one-upped them both, notching his 15th career triple-double by tallying 15 points, 17 assists and 10 rebounds. Giddey was also a decisive factor on defense with eight steals.

Luka Doncic led the way for the Lakers (43-27), scoring 34 points on 10-of-18 shooting, including 8 threes. Doncic scored 29 in the first half to keep it close briefly. Austin Reaves added 25 points on 9-of-13 shooting, while James chipped in 17 points on 7-of-16 shooting. He added six rebounds and four assists.

James played in his first game since leaving the Lakers' 111-101 loss in Boston on March 8 with a groin injury. The Lakers went 3-4 in James' absence, and they have lost six of their last nine overall.


Pacers 108, Nets 103

Tyrese Haliburton returned to the Indiana lineup from a three-game absence to put up 16 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds, and the Pacers rallied after nearly coughing up a 20-point lead to hold off Brooklyn in Indianapolis.

Pascal Siakam scored a game-high 26 points while Obi Toppin scored 10 points off the bench as one of five Indiana scorers in double figures. Myles Turner finished with 22 points and eight rebounds, while Bennedict Mathurin went for 13 points off the bench.

Trendon Watford, who was ejected from Thursday's matchup between these teams after a scuffle with Turner, returned to score 26 points. Cameron Johnson had 20 points and nine rebounds for the Nets, while Nic Claxton recorded nine points and 10 rebounds.

Hawks 124, Warriors 115

Trae Young scored 25 points and posted his 41st double-double of the season to help Atlanta defeat visiting Golden State.

The Warriors played without leading scorer Stephen Curry (24.2 points per game), who sustained a left pelvic contusion Thursday. The Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu notched 22 points and 12 rebounds for his 22nd double-double. Atlanta has won six of its last eight and holds a 1 1/2-game lead over Orlando in the race for the No. 7 spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Warriors were led by Jimmy Butler III's 25 points and eight assists. Moses Moody scored 20 and Brandin Podziemski added 19 points and eight rebounds.

Bucks 114, Kings 108

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 32 points and 17 rebounds as visiting Milwaukee rallied from a 14-point deficit to beat Sacramento.

Brook Lopez scored 21 points, Kevin Porter Jr. added 18 off the bench, and Taurean Prince had 15 for Milwaukee, which outscored the Kings 28-19 in the fourth quarter. Kyle Kuzma had 14 points and 14 rebounds and Gary Trent Jr. added 11 points. Damian Lillard missed his second straight game with a right calf injury for Milwaukee.

DeMar DeRozan led Sacramento with 22 points, while Keon Ellis had 20 points, six assists and a career-high nine rebounds. Jonas Valanciunas scored 18 points, Zach LaVine added 16, Keegan Murray had 13 and Jake LaRavia contributed 11.

Knicks 122, Wizards 103

Karl-Anthony Towns collected 31 points and 11 rebounds Saturday night, helping New York post a win over visiting Washington.

Mikal Bridges added 27 points while OG Anunoby had 23 for the Knicks, which snapped a two-game losing streak. Cameron Payne tallied 13 points, while Josh Hart had nine points and 12 rebounds.

Jordan Poole had 25 points for the Wizards, who dropped their fourth in a row. Marcus Smart scored 17 and Kyshawn George finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Player Notes
Brandin Podziemski Fri Apr 25 7:20pm

Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (illness) is not listed on the injury report for Saturday's matchup against the Houston Rockets. Ahead of Wednesday's Game 2 of the series, Podziemski was a late addition to the report due to a stomach bug. He was upgraded from questionable to available shortly before the game started, but Podziemski logged only 14 minutes of playing time, going 0-for-5 from the field. Having Podziemski back at 100 percent would be a big boost for the Warriors. The 22-year-old sophomore began the playoffs with an impressive performance, recording 14 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals during a 95-85 victory in Game 1.

Jimmy Butler Fri Apr 25 7:10pm

Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (pelvis) has officially been listed as questionable for Game 3 against the Houston Rockets on Saturday. On Friday, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said that "there's a chance he plays" after the veteran forward suffered a hard fall in Wednesday's Game 2. "I'm relatively optimistic," Kerr said. "I mean, Jimmy is Jimmy. We know he's willing to play through anything, so we'll see. I mean, this is a day-to-day thing for sure, and we'll see how he feels tomorrow, but I think there's a chance he plays." Jonathan Kuminga is expected to fill most of Butler III's minutes if he can't play on Saturday.

Jock Landale Fri Apr 25 7:00pm

Houston Rockets center Jock Landale (knee) will remain absent on Saturday against the Golden State Warriors. He was seen going through drills and moving well during Friday's practice, but the team has ruled him out for a third consecutive contest. Landale's next opportunity to return will be on Monday night. However, even if he is back in the lineup, Landale is not expected to have a significant role in the rotation with Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams healthy.

Jae'Sean Tate Fri Apr 25 7:00pm

Houston Rockets forward Jae'Sean Tate (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's Game 3 against the Golden State Warriors. The versatile veteran will be sidelined for a fifth consecutive game due to an ankle injury. Tate averaged only 11.3 minutes per game over 52 regular-season contests and is not expected to have a regular role in the rotation during the playoffs. Rockets head coach Ime Udoka has mainly relied on Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, and Steven Adams to generate production off the bench.

Jaylen Brown Fri Apr 25 6:40pm

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (knee) has been ruled available for Friday night's Game 3 against the Orlando Magic. Brown hasn't missed any games this series and put up a strong performance in Game 2 with 36 points and 10 rebounds. He likely won't have that same level of production tonight given Jayson Tatum's return to the lineup, but fantasy managers and DFS players should expect him to have a productive night as long as confidence from Game 2 carries over.

Kevin Love Fri Apr 25 6:40pm

Miami Heat forward/center Kevin Love (personal) will miss Saturday's Game 3 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The veteran big man, who won the championship with the Cavaliers in 2016, remains away from the team for personal reasons. Miami's frontcourt has relied heavily on Bam Adebayo and Kel'el Ware recently, while Nikola Jovic also re-entered the rotation in Game 2, scoring 11 points and grabbing eight rebounds off the bench. Jovic played six more minutes than Ware and may have a significant role to fill again on Saturday.

Jrue Holiday Fri Apr 25 6:40pm

Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (hamstring) has been ruled out for Friday night's Game 3 against the Orlando Magic. Holiday appears to have strained his hamstring during Game 2 as he hasn't been listed on the injury report prior to today. The 34-year-old hasn't been putting up many points this series but has been facilitating well with five assists in Game 1 and six assists in Game 2. In Holiday's absence, veteran big man Al Horford will get the start. Horford also got the start in Game 2 filling in for the injured Jayson Tatum and put up nine points and grabbed 10 rebounds. With Tatum back in the lineup Horford may not grab 10 rebounds again, but he should be able to provide some small value to fantasy managers and DFS players looking to take a shot.

Terry Rozier Fri Apr 25 6:40pm

Miami Heat point guard Terry Rozier (ankle) will remain sidelined for Saturday's clash against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He sprained his left ankle at the start of the week and was unable to participate in Friday's practice. Even if he returns to the lineup for Game 4, it is not guaranteed that Rozier will see any minutes, as he has been a major disappointment for Miami this season. Duncan Robinson and Pelle Larsson filled the backup guard minutes in Wednesday's Game 2 after Davion Mitchell moved into the starting lineup.

Darius Garland Fri Apr 25 6:30pm

Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland (toe) is listed as questionable for Saturday's Game 3 matchup against the Miami Heat. The two-time All-Star missed some time toward the end of the regular season due to a left great toe sprain and is back on the injury report with the same issue. Garland has been off to a hot start in the postseason, averaging 24.0 points and 7.0 assists while shooting 51.6 percent from the field. His absence will definitely be felt if Cleveland rules him out for the contest. Ty Jerome, who was fantastic in Game 1 with 28 points, would likely take on a larger role in the rotation without Garland.

Luke Kennard Fri Apr 25 6:30pm

Memphis Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard (Achilles) is listed as questionable for Saturday's Game 4 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Kennard is dealing with soreness in his right Achilles. The 28-year-old has not been very productive against the Thunder, scoring just 14 total points in 63 minutes. With Memphis fighting for their playoff lives on Saturday, and Ja Morant already ruled out, there could be a chance that Kennard sees more volume as the Grizzlies fight with desperation. However, the ceiling doesn't appear to be all that high. Fantasy managers and DFS players should be able to find better options elsewhere.

Jayson Tatum Fri Apr 25 6:30pm

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (wrist) has upgraded to available for Friday night's Game 3 against the Orlando Magic. Tatum missed Game 2 with the injury but is set to return and help the Celtics take a 3-0 lead over Orlando. The 27-year-old was underwhelming in Game 1 compared to his norms, putting up just 17 points and making just one three-pointer, though he did grab 14 rebounds. With a few days of rest under his belt, Tatum should be in much better position to make a bigger impact on Friday. Fantasy managers and DFS players should feel free to fire away and get him in their lineups.

Gary Payton II Fri Apr 25 6:30pm

Golden State Warriors guard/forward Gary Payton II (shoulder) has been tagged as questionable for Saturday's Game 3 against the Houston Rockets. He hurt his right shoulder during Wednesday's Game 2 loss. The defensive pest has averaged 3.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in 14.0 minutes against the Rockets in the series. Payton II's absence from the lineup would open extra minutes for Buddy Hield. The Warriors may even consider using Pat Spencer more after his impressive 11-point effort on 5-for-7 shooting in Wednesday's game.

Rui Hachimura Fri Apr 25 6:10pm

Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (face) is available for Friday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The listing isn't surprising as Hachimura has been able to suit up for games one and two. The 27-year-old has been consistent through the first two games of the series, averaging 10 PPG and five RPG. He logged 34 minutes in game two and should see a similar amount of minutes tonight as long as the Lakers are able to keep it close. Fantasy managers and DFS managers may be able to find better options for tonight's slate of games given the expected low-scoring game in Minnesota.

Ja Morant Fri Apr 25 6:10pm

Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant (hip) is not expected to be in the lineup for Game 4 against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday. Sources have told ESPN that Morant will miss Game 4 due to the left hip injury he suffered in Thursday's Game 3 loss. Following his exit from Thursday's game, Morant was spotted on crutches in the tunnel, and he was unable to practice on Friday. Memphis received excellent minutes from Scotty Pippen Jr. in Thursday's loss, and his role is poised to grow even larger in Saturday's game. Meanwhile, Luke Kennard is anticipated to take Morant's spot in the starting lineup. The three-point specialist averaged 12.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals while starting during the regular season.

Jimmy Butler Fri Apr 25 4:30pm

Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (glute) was diagnosed with a deep glute contusion after his MRI didn't show any fractures or structural damage. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the six-time All-Star is in "serious jeopardy" of missing Game 3 against the Houston Rockets on Saturday. Butler was going up for a rebound and was undercut by Amen Thompson before falling straight on his glute/lower back, so the fact that the MRI didn't reveal any serious damage is a breath of relief for the Warriors. If he's unable to play, Jonathan Kuminga could see some big minutes again, while Quinten Post will likely see an increase in usage as well.

Jaylen Brown Fri Apr 25 4:30pm

Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown (knee) was a late addition to the injury report for Game 3 against the Orlando Magic, and his status was set at questionable. He's dealing with a knee issue, which could put the Celtics shorthanded. Jayson Tatum (wrist) is considered doubtful, and Jrue Holiday (hamstring) is also listed as questionable. Brown contributed 36 points and 10 rebounds in their Game 2 victory while Tatum was sidelined, so that production is going to fall on the rest of the team if he can't suit up. Payton Pritchard would likely join the starting lineup in that case, while Sam Hauser and Luke Kornet likely see a bump in minutes as well.

Cade Cunningham Fri Apr 25 11:40am

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham collected his third consecutive double-double in the 118-116 loss to the New York Knicks in Game 3. In the first postseason run of his career, Cunningham has provided some big-time stats, but has shown the youth in his game with 17 total turnovers. On Thursday, he posted 24 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds, four steals, two blocks, and six turnovers. His shooting was a bit shaky after going 10-for-25 from the floor and 2-for-5 from deep, but Cunningham is the engine of the entire Pistons' offense in more ways than just scoring. He'll look to help the Pistons even up the series on Sunday in Game 4.

Jalen Brunson Fri Apr 25 11:20am

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson registered another 30-point game en route to a 118-116 win in Game 3 over the Detroit Pistons. The Villanova product finished the game with 30 points, nine assists, seven rebounds, one block, and one turnover. He shot 9-for-20 from the floor, 1-for-7 from beyond the arc, and 11-for-13 from the charity stripe. His three-point shooting has left a lot to be desired through three games (29.2%), but his ability to get to the rim and to the free-throw line has allowed him to average a red-hot 33.7 points per game. He'll look to keep up his scoring ways in Game 4 on Sunday.

Karl-Anthony Towns Fri Apr 25 11:10am

New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns posted his best offensive performance of the first-round series on Thursday. The former Timberwolf registered 31 points, eight rebounds, one assist, one steal, and two blocks while shooting 10-for-18 from the floor and 4-for-8 from three. After dropping Game 2 at home, the Knicks needed this two-point victory to gain their home-court advantage again. This game bumped Towns' averages up to 21.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game. Game 4 tips off on Sunday in Detroit before returning to New York for at least one game.

Nikola Jokic Fri Apr 25 2:00am

Nuggets' C Nikola Jokic recorded a triple-double, finishing with 23 points, 13 assists and 13 rebounds in a 83-117 loss to the Clippers on Thursday, Apr. 24.


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