Top Stories

• Rockets beat Mavericks

• Wemby drops a 5×5

• Milwaukee is in serious trouble

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Games of the day

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

Jalen Green had 23 points and 12 rebounds, Alperen Sengun added 17 points and 12 rebounds, and the Houston Rockets held off a fourth-quarter Dallas run to beat the Mavericks 108-102. The Rockets led by 23 points late in the third quarter before the defending Western Conference champions cut Houston's lead to 103-100 with a minute to play. Dillon Brooks also had 17 for the Rockets, and Tari Eason scored 15 off the bench for the Rockets, whose bench outscored the Mavericks’ 33-21. Luka Doncic led Dallas with 29 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter. Kyrie Irving scored 28, and Klay Thompson was the only other Maverick to score in double figures with 12 points.

Victor Wembanyama had 25 points and nine rebounds to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 106-88 victory over the Utah Jazz on Thursday night. Wembanyama also had seven assists, five steals, and five blocks, getting at least five in five categories for the second time in his career. Chris Paul added 19 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds for the Spurs. Collin Sexton led the Jazz with 16 points, and John Collins added 14 points and 11 rebounds. Utah played without starting forward Lauri Markkanen who was out with back spasms. San Antonio erased a double-digit deficit twice and went ahead for good midway through the third behind a 12-0 run. Julian Champagine and Keldon Johnson combined for three baskets off steals over four possessions to end the run and give the Spurs a 63-55 lead. The Spurs led by up to 20 points in the fourth quarter. Wemby made history with his 2nd 5×5 game of his career, becoming the 3rd NBA player in history to record multiple in their career. The other 2? Hakeem Olajuwon with 6 (in 1,238 career games) and Andrei Kirilenko with 3 (in 797 career games). Wemby has 2 in 76 career games…

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League News

Around the League

• Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 37 points and 11 rebounds, connecting on 17 of 22 shots. Brook Lopez scored 12 and Bobby Portis Jr. finished with 11 points. Milwaukee has now lost four straight. Damian Lillard continues to struggle with his shooting. Lillard was 1 for 12 in the game , including missing all six of his 3-pointers. Lillard is just 6 for 27 on 3s in his last three games. Some of these losses, like Boston, can be excused because of the level of the team. But losing to Memphis, who is good but was missing 7 rotational players (including 2 starters in Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart) is less excusable. Despite having 2 DPOY candidates in Giannis and Brook, as well as a solid perimeter defenders in Gary Trent Jr, the Bucks can’t stop ANY opposing guards or wings. The Jrue Holiday trade hurt them more than anyone could have in hindsight, especially with Dame seemingly regressing. If the Bucks fall short again, which could be anything less than the ECF, there are rumors that Giannis could possibly ask out…

• Injury Updates: Joel Embiid (conditioning) will be re-evaluated later this week to see when he can make his debut. Paul George (knee) hyperextended it during the preseason, and will be re-evaluated later this week. Kawhi Leonard (knee) is out indefinitely, and his recovery might “take longer than expected” according to the team. Kristaps Porzingis (foot) is still recovering from offseason surgery and will miss some games. Khris Middleton (ankle) will miss a few games. Isaiah Hartenstein (hand) will be re-evaluated in 5-6 weeks with a fracture. Dejounte Murray (hand) is confirmed to have fractured it and will miss a few weeks. James Wiseman tore his achilles and will be out indefinitely. Brandon Miller (hamstring) will be re-evaluated in 1 week. Stephen Curry (ankle) rolled it and will be re-evaluated on Friday. Taylor Hendricks (leg and ankle) suffered a fractured fibia and dislocated ankle and will be out for the season. Scottie Barnes (orbital) will miss at least 3 weeks with a fracture. Paolo Banchero (oblique) has a tear and will be out indefinitely, and re-evaluated in 4-6 weeks. (We wish all these guys speedy and successful recoveries.

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Fantasy Leaders

Wemby drops a 5×5 to take the top spot

Overtime Thoughts