Top Stories

• Lakers survive Raptors comeback

• Ant and Randle take down Jokic

• The league isn’t playing out how most expected

🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀

Games of the day

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

Anthony Davis scored a season-high 38 points and had 12 rebounds, LeBron James had 27 points and 10 assists, and the Los Angeles Lakers never trailed in a 131-125 win over the Toronto Raptors. Austin Reaves scored 20 points and D’Angelo Russell had 19 as the Lakers built a lead that the Raptors were unable to overcome despite their best efforts. Los Angeles led by as many as 26 before the Raptors battled back in the second half. RJ Barrett had a season-high 33 points and a career-high 12 assists, but Toronto lost its fourth straight. Gradey Dick scored a career-high 31 points and Jakob Poeltl had 19 points and 12 rebounds.

Anthony Edwards hit a go-ahead 7-foot floater with 25.7 seconds left, and Rudy Gobert iced the game with two free throws to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves past the Denver Nuggets 119-116. Edwards scored 29 points, Gobert had 17 points and 14 rebounds and Julius Randle added 23 points and seven assists for the Timberwolves, who recovered from a 25-3 fourth-quarter run by the Nuggets. Nikola Jokic had 26 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds and hit two free throws with 2 mins left to put Denver up 116-109, before Minnesota roared back. Jokic had a chance to tie the game at 119, but Gobert forced an off balance, contested corner 3-pointer with 2 seconds to go. Gordon led the Nuggets with 31 points and 11 rebounds in a rematch of last season's Western Conference semifinal. Michael Porter Jr. added 26 points for the Nuggets, who lost Jamal Murray to the concussion protocol in the third quarter after colliding with Randle. Anthony Edwards also became the 2nd player in NBA HISTORY to hit at least 5 3’s in each of his first 5 games of a season. The other? Stephen Curry.

🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀

League News

Around the League

• The NBA season (albeit 5ish games in) is playing out much differently than the expectations of most. The Brooklyn Nets were supposed to be leading the race for Cooper Flag, but they’re currently 3-3, good for the 5th seed. Cam Thomas is averaging 28 ppg, and when you add Dennis Schroder’s 22 ppg, they’re the highest scoring backcourt in the league. Milwaukee (1-4) and Philadelphia (1-3) were slated as contenders this season but haven’t started strong. Philly has an excuse though, as neither Joel Embiid or Paul George have suited up for them yet. Cleveland (6-0) has their best start without LeBron since the 70s, and finally seemed to realize no team has the ability to both deal with either their All Star Guards or 2 big men down low. The Denver Nuggets (2-3) are clearly missing KCP, as they struggle to space the floor around Joker. There’s plenty of season left, but some of these teams need to start righting the ship now.

• 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. Herb Jones (shoulder) will be out for a minimum of 2-4 weeks. CJ McCollum (adductor) will miss at least 2-3 weeks. (We wish all these guys speedy and successful recoveries.

🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀

🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀

Fantasy Leaders

Expect to see Jokic on here almost every game he plays

Overtime Thoughts