Top Stories

• Murray’s return elevates Nuggets

• Lakers crush Cavs

• Joel Embiid is the MVP (if he played enough games)

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Games of the day

Last Night’s Top Games! (link to the box scores of every game from yesterday)

Murray returned from a strained right knee after missing seven games and had 16 points and six assists in 21 minutes of a 142-110 victory. He sat out the fourth quarter as did Nikola Jokic, who still recorded his 25th triple-double of the season, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who added a season-high 24 points. Murray's impact in his first appearance since getting hurt March 21 in a game against the New York Knicks went well beyond the numbers he put up. Reggie Jackson, who had started in Murray's place, returned to the bench and led Denver's bench unit with 18 points. All of this propelled the Nuggets (54-24) into sole possession of first place in the Western Conference, a half-game ahead of the Minnesota Timberwolves, who visit Denver on Wednesday night. The showdown between the Wolves and Nuggets could decide the top seed in the West, although Oklahoma City is just a game back.

D’Angelo Russell scored 28 points, LeBron James added 24 and the Los Angeles Lakers extended their winning streak to four with a 116-97 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday, moving into eighth place in the Western Conference. Anthony Davis added 22 points and 13 rebounds as the Lakers improved to 45-33 with their ninth win in 10 games. They still are in position to land in the play-in tournament, but finishing seventh or eighth means they would only need to win one game to earn a playoff spot. It is the first time since last calendar year the Lakers have been eighth in the conference. Darius Garland scored 26 points for Cleveland and Caris LeVert had 21 off the bench. The Cavaliers (46-32) remained in third place in the East but have dropped two straight and three of their last four.

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League News

Around the League

• Luka Doncic and Dejounte Murray have been named Players of The Week for Week 23.

• Joel Embiid has completely turned the Sixers around. They’re 3-0 since his return from injury. Against the Grizzlies last night, Embiid was 9 of 13 from the floor, making both of his 3-point attempts. He checked out with seven minutes left in the third quarter and coach Nick Nurse saw no reason for him to return as Philadelphia maintained a comfortable lead in the second half en route to its fourth consecutive win. Embiid, who was playing his third game after left knee meniscus surgery, said he is still feeling some rust from the inactivity. His points in each game continue to rise since his return, but he is not quite at full performance. They have 4 more games, against the Spurs, Pistons, Magic, and Nets. A fairly easy closing schedule, with plenty of opportunity for Embiid to get back in shape. He’s scoring over a point per minute since his return, and the Sixers have a real shot to finish the season going 7-0 since Embiid’s return. If he hadn’t gotten hurt, its not a stretch to think that he would have Philly as a top 3-4 seed. If that was the case, would he be the MVP favorite?

• Injury Updates: Julius Randle (shoulder) is out for the season. Jeremy Sochan and Devin Vassell will both miss the rest of the season. Malik Monk (knee) will miss 4-6 weeks. Kevin Huerter (shoulder) is out for the season. LaMelo Ball (ankle) is out for the season. Brandon Ingram (knee) will miss at least 1 week. Ausar Thompson (blood clot) is out for the season. Christian Wood (knee) underwent surgery and will be out multiple weeks. Bilal Coulibaly (wrist) sustained a fracture and will be out for the season. Alperen Sengun (ankle and knee) is likely out for the season. Saddiq Bey (knee) tore his ACL and is out for the season. Benedict Mathurin (shoulder) underwent surgery and is out for the season. Ben Simmons (back) is out for the season. Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) underwent surgery and will be re-evaluated in 1 week. Josh Richardson (shoulder) had surgery and will be out for the season. Scottie Barnes (hand) underwent surgery and will be out at least 2 weeks. Trae Young (hand) had surgery and will be re-evaluated in 1-2 weeks. Jarred Vanderbilt (foot) will miss at least 2 more weeks. Marcus Smart (finger) will be out 1 more week. Gabe Vincent (knee) will be out at least 1 more week. Tari Eason (leg) had surgery and will be out for the season. Patrick Williams (foot) had surgery and will be out for the season. Zach LaVine (foot) underwent surgery and will be out for the season. Robert Williams underwent knee surgery and will be out for the season. Ja Morant had surgery on a torn labrum and will miss the rest of the season. We wish all these guys speedy and successful recoveries.

Front Office News

• The Free Agent market is still deep with vets like Kemba Walker, Nerlens Noel, Dwight Howard, Rudy Gay, Blake Griffin, Tyreke Evans, Austin Rivers, and John Wall ready to contribute to winning or to mentor young guys. Joe Harris, Victor Oladipo, and Killian Hayes were all cut or waived by their teams and are available to be signed.

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NBA MVP Race

1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Last week’s ranking: No. 1

Season stats: 26.5 ppg, 12.4 rpg, 9.0 apg

His case: Denver lost, but Jokic put on a triple-double show Thursday against the Clippers with 36 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists as the Nuggets fell a half-game behind No. 1 Minnesota in the West.

The two-time MVP also faced a potential future MVP on Tuesday in Victor Wembanyama, who flirted with a quadruple-double. Jokic tied his season-high with 42 points — despite the Spurs rookie blocking his shot four times — and finished with 16 boards and six dimes.

2. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

Last week’s ranking: No. 2

Season stats: 33.8 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 9.8 apg

His case: When he wasn’t throwing no-look crosscourt dimes Tuesday in producing his 20th triple-double of the season, Doncic splashed 5-for-11 from deep to seize the Mavericks’ single-season record for made 3-pointers (258).

The Warriors snapped Dallas’ seven-game winning streak that night. But Doncic brought the Mavs back majorly, stepping through on the way to the bank to cash in a win Thursday against the Hawks. He scored 16 points in the second quarter.

3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Last week’s ranking: No. 3

Season stats: 30.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 6.3 apg

His case: Gilgeous-Alexander missed the fourth of Oklahoma City’s last five games Wednesday at Boston, effectively pumping the brakes for now on what’s been a strong MVP candidacy. Let’s not forget the 25-year-old has starred in 71 of the OKC’s 76 games up to this point.

Given the club’s lead over several teams in the West, Gilgeous-Alexander’s prospects remain alive if the Thunder can maintain and finish among the top three in the conference. OKC is now 1-4 without SGA.

4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Last week’s ranking: No. 4

Season stats: 30.7 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 6.5 apg

His case: Dropped a triple-double with 35 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists Tuesday in a loss at Washington. He nailed 15-for-21 from the floor while the rest of the team shot 37% as Milwaukee fell to 5-5 this season when the two-time MVP posts a triple-double.

Despite Antetokounmpo scoring 35-plus points in three of his last five games, the Bucks have lost four of five. Milwaukee plays its next four at home.

5. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Last week’s ranking: No. 5

Season stats: 27.2 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 4.9 apg

His case: Tatum pushed Boston to its first 60-win season since the 2008-09 season with a 24-point night Wednesday in a 135-100 trouncing of Oklahoma City. The victory marked the Celtics’ 11th in a row at TD Garden and ensures they’ll finish the regular season with the best record in the league.

Expect the Celtics to continue rolling, playing five of their last six at home.

The Next Five:

6. Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings (Last week’s ranking: No. 6)
7. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns (Last week’s ranking: No. 8)
8. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers (Last week’s ranking: No. 9)
9. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves (Last week’s ranking: unranked)
10. Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers (Last week’s ranking: No. 10)

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Fantasy Leaders

AD carried LA against Cleveland

Overtime Thoughts

Hoopgrids

Hoopgrids is a daily basketball trivia game. You cross match each category to find a player that fits both. The rarer the player, the lower the score. The goal is to get the lowest rarity score possible.