Top Stories

• Anthony Edwards cooks Pacers

• Luka drops 4th straight 35pt triple double

• Nuggets take down Celtics

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Games of the day

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

Anthony Edwards is HIM. With KAT out for at least a month, the workload on Edwards will be more for the last part of the season. He started the streak off hot, with 44 points tonight, including the Wolves last 9 points and the game saving block. All of that almost didn’t happen, as 5 seconds into the game, Edwards turned his ankle and had to go back to the locker room. He returned a few minutes later looking good as new. Later in the first half he fell hard again, having to go to the sideline to be checked out. On the final play, Edwards again fell hard, even hitting his head on the backboard. He’ll definitely feel all of that today, but there’s no rest for the weary as they play Cleveland tonight.

Luka welcomed Miami to Dallas with 35 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. He played so well that Jimmy Butler had a bad game. These last few games Butler has been rounding into playoff form, but last night he only had 14 points to go with 6 turnovers. Terry Rozier paced Miami with 27/6/11, but he was the only real bright spot in the game where Luka dismantled the Heat defense.

Boston and Denver faced off in the betting favorite NBA finals matchup for this year. As usual, Boston folded under the brightest lights, and Nikola Jokic shined. Joker had 32/12/11 while Jayson Tatum (the man C’s fans swear should be the MVP) finished with 15 points and 5 turnovers. Jaylen Brown did his part pickup up the slack, scoring 41 points while going right the entire game. Kristaps Porzingis chipped in 24 but could not get a stop on Joker to save his life, so the 2 time MVP feasted on the inside. If this is a Finals matchup, Boston will need much more from Tatum to have a chance.

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League News

Around the League

• LeBron James and Jaylen Brown have been named Players of The Week for Week 19.

• Karl-Anthony Towns was having one of his most efficient and successful seasons, but now its been derailed by a torn meniscus. The #1 seeded Timberwolves can tread water in his absence, but winning a title is all but out of the question without your second best player (ask Jokic). Thankfully, after the procedure, Towns will be reevaluated in a month. Due to the possible quick recovery time, KAT could rejoin the team in the playoffs, depending on how far Minnesota can go without him. Don’t count the Wolves out, because with blossoming superstar Anthony Edwards on the team, there’s no telling what could happen.

• Injury Updates: Ben Simmons (back) is out for the season. Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) underwent surgery and will be re-evaluated in one month. Evan Mobley (ankle) will miss at least one week. Josh Richardson (shoulder) had surgery and will be out for the season. Russell Westbrook (hand) underwent surgery and is expected back by the playoffs. Scottie Barnes (hand) underwent surgery and will be out 4 weeks. Trae Young (hand) had surgery and will be re-evaluated in 3 weeks. Dyson Daniels (meniscus) will be re-evaluated in 2 weeks. OG Anunoby (elbow) will miss 2+ weeks. Jarred Vanderbilt (foot) will miss “several weeks”. Joel Embiid (torn meniscus) will be out for 1-2 months. Julius Randle (shoulder) will be out 2-3 more weeks. Desmond Bane (ankle) will miss 2-4 weeks. Marcus Smart (finger) will be out 3 weeks. Gabe Vincent (knee) will be out at least 3 more weeks. Mitchell Robinson (ankle) underwent surgery and will be out 2-5 weeks. 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 Moves

• The Miami Heat signed Patty Mills. Isaiah Thomas signed with the Utah Jazz G-League affiliate in hopes to return to the league. The Free Agent market is still deep with vets like Kemba Walker, Nerlens Noel, Dwight Howard, Rudy Gay, Blake Griffin, Tyreke Evans, Austin Rivers, Montrezl Harrell (he’ll be out for a few more months), 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. There are a few younger names on the market, like Kai Jones (yikes), Kevin Porter Jr (yikes again), Sharife Cooper, and Darius Bazley.

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NBA MVP Race

1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Last ranking: No. 1

Season stats: 25.8 ppg, 12.3 rpg, 9.3 apg

His case: Four-straight triple-doubles propelled four consecutive victories for Denver headed into last Thursday’s win against Miami. Nuggets coach Michael Malone passed off to Jokic some well-earned hardware Wednesday after the two-time MVP bolstered his triple-double with three steals.

He recently joined Westbrook as the only players since 1997-98 to post a triple-double before the fourth quarter in at least four consecutive games. All told, Jokic is spearheading Denver’s push to seize the West.

2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Last ranking: No. 2

Season stats: 31.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 6.5 apg

His case: The battle between rookies Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama caught all the eyeballs, but Gilgeous-Alexander remains the real headliner, despite OKC falling to the Spurs.

The 25-year-old continues to drop 30 points like it’s nothing. He’s now up to seven straight 30-point outings, and his 44 games with 30-plus points leads the NBA.

3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Last ranking: No. 3

Season stats: 30.6 ppg, 11.2 rpg, 6.3 apg

His case: We’re starting to see Milwaukee settle in under new coach Doc Rivers, and we can’t diminish Antetokounmpo’s role on the team. The two-time MVP is putting together his best shooting month of the season and he’s draining a career-high from the field by a longshot.

The Bucks have a long way to go to catch Boston for No. 1 in the East, but second place is within reach.

4. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Last ranking: No. 5

Season stats: 27 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 4.9 apg

His case: Yes, the Celtics are loaded. But teams gear up every night to shut down Tatum, and he consistently finds ways to lead Boston to victories. We listed the statistical credentials above and mentioned the fact Boston owns a sizeable lead in the Eastern Conference standings.

5. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

Last ranking: No. 4

Season stats: 34.4 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 9.7 apg

His case: Sorry Mavs fans, but the standings matter. The NBA’s leading scorer, Doncic dropped a 30-point triple-double (his 11th of the season) last Wednesday on his 25th birthday to pace a 136-125 win at Toronto.

We understand he’s scored 25-plus in nine straight games. But flashy highlights and massive numbers aside, Doncic needs to lift Dallas out of Play-In Tournament territory to climb near the top of this list.

The next five

6. Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings (Last ranking: T-6)
7. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers (Last ranking: No. 8)
8. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers (Last ranking: No. 10)
9. Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers (Last ranking: T-6)
10. Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns (Last ranking: No. 9)

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Fantasy Leaders

With KAT out, expect to see Ant here a lot more

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.