🏀 Wolves take down Lakers, Suns get a much needed win🏀

December 14th

December 14, 2024

Top Stories

  • Wolves beat LeBron-less Lakers

  • Book and KD go off for Phoenix

  • Joel Embiid gets re-injured

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Games of the day

Anthony Edwards scored 23 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Los Angeles Lakers 97-87. Julius Randle added 21 points and Jaden McDaniels scored 18 for Minnesota, which won for the fifth time in six games. Rudy Gobert had a game-high 13 rebounds to go with 12 points. The Timberwolves are 14-2 against the Lakers at home since the 2015 season, including four straight wins. Anthony Davis led Los Angeles with 23 points and 11 rebounds, but the Lakers lost for the eighth time in 11 games. Austin Reaves scored 18 points in his first game back after missing five games with a pelvic injury, and Max Christie added 15. Los Angeles had 21 turnovers. LeBron James missed his second straight game for the Lakers with left foot soreness and was also was away from the team this week due to “personal reasons.” Coach JJ Redick said pregame he has no sense of when James will return.

Devin Booker scored 34 points and Kevin Durant added 30 in his return to Phoenix's lineup, leading the Suns to a 134-126 victory over the Utah Jazz. Durant and Booker also each had eight assists to help the Suns snap a three-game losing streak. Tyus Jones had 19 points and 11 assists. Durant missed three games because of a left ankle sprain. Suns center Jusuf Nurkic also was back after sitting out five games with a left ankle sprain and right thigh contusion. Jordan Clarkson led the Jazz with 23 points. John Collins added 22 points, and Lauri Markkanen had 19. Phoenix opened the second half with six straight baskets – three coming from Booker – for a 92-80 lead. The Jazz countered with a 15-4 run and pulled to 99-97 on a running alley-oop layup from Walker Kessler. Ryan Dunn capped a 9-2 run with a finger roll layup to extend the Suns' lead to 108-99. Utah did not draw closer than four points in the fourth quarter. Durant and Booker combined for 21 baskets and 16 assists.

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League News

Doncic’s 14th career Player of the Week

Herro’s 1st career Player of the Week

Around the League

  • Joel Embiid sustained a sinus fracture when he was struck in the face going for a defensive rebound late in the first half of the Philadelphia 76ers’ loss to the Indiana Pacers. Embiid was battling Bennedict Mathurin when he caught a forearm and elbow to the bridge of the nose. Embiid crumpled to the ground as play continued up floor and stayed down near the Philadelphia bench, holding his face. Embiid left Wells Fargo Center for evaluation, with the 76ers later announcing the sinus fracture. The team said he will be further evaluated this weekend. Embiid also has had number of face injuries, including an orbital bone fracture after a collision with Pascal Siakam during the 2022 playoffs and one in 2018 after colliding with Markelle Fultz. Last year, Embiid had Bell’s Palsy during a first-round playoff loss to New York.

  • Injury Updates: Kawhi Leonard (knee) is out indefinitely, but he practiced with the team this week and is getting closer to returning. James Wiseman tore his achilles and will be out indefinitely. Taylor Hendricks (leg and ankle) suffered a fractured fibia and dislocated ankle and will be out for the season. Paolo Banchero (oblique) has a tear and will be out indefinitely, and re-evaluated in 3-4 weeks. Isaiah Jackson (achilles) will be out for the season. Zion Williamson (hamstring) will be out multiple weeks. Chet Holmgren (hip) suffered a fracture and will be out 8-10 weeks. DeAnthony Melton (ACL) underwent surgery and will be out for the season. Grant Williams (ACL) suffered a tear and will be out for the season. LaMelo Ball (calf) will be out at least 2 weeks. Franz Wagner (oblique) has a tear and will be out at least 4 weeks. We wish all these guys speedy and successful recoveries.

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NBA MVP Ladder

1. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets

Last Ladder: No. 1
Season stats: 32.3 ppg, 13.6 rpg, 10.2 apg

His case: Not only is he on a historic start to a season, but his last two games were legendary. On back-to-back nights he totaled 104 points, 30 rebounds and 16 assists. Oh, and don’t forget the 74 total minutes played flying from one city to another — no nights off here.

And that’s what you want in your MVP, someone who shows up both physically and productively. There’s nothing not to like about “The Joker” right now. The pole position for this award belongs to him as we begin the home stretch to Christmas. That’s not up for debate.

2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Last Ladder: No. 2
Season stats: 32.7 ppg, 11.4 rpg, 6 apg

His case: Antetokounmpo is a case study in bucket efficiency and this season is shaping up as one of his best. He’s shooting 61.2% overall this season, which reflects how devastating he is when running downhill and charging the rim. The flip side — when he gets fouled his free throws are, shall we say, a bit trickier.

That and the recent rise in turnovers are the only blemishes. Otherwise, Antetokounmpo is simply doing work at both ends.

3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Last Ladder: No. 4
Season stats: 30.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 6.3 apg

His case: He showed out in the biggest (we use that word carefully pre-Christmas) game of the season when he torched the Mavericks to punch OKC’s ticket to Vegas. And that’s what you look for in MVP candidates — do they rise to the occasion along with the stakes?

He has 30 points in eight of his last 10 games and while he lives for the mid-range and trips to the free-throw line, his five 3-pointers vs. the Mavericks were the most 3-pointers he’s made in a game this season.

4. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Last Ladder: No. 3
Season stats: 28.2 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 5.7 apg

His case: As deep as the Celtics are, Tatum is the team leader in scoring, rebounds, assists and steals. He has always been a tremendous rebounder for a small forward and his average is a career best.

He had a pair of uncharacteristic lapses in scoring over the last week, failing to reach 20 points twice in three games. But those occasional dips are expected throughout a season and in no way reflect his consistent high-level production — that’s why he’s top five on this list.

5. Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks

Last Ladder: No. 5
Season stats: 24.9 ppg, 13.6 rpg, 3.2 apg

His case: Towns was extremely impressive during and especially in the clutch in the Knicks’ recent win in Toronto when he put the Raptors to sleep with a massive 3-pointer.

He’ll miss out on all the fun in Vegas despite coming shy of a 20-20 against the Hawks by a rebound and a point. Nonetheless, Towns, who is shooting 44% from deep, is not only making a strong case for an All-Star nod but also, an All-NBA spot if this keeps up.

The Next Five:

6. Luka Dončić, Dallas Mavericks
7. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
8. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
9. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
10. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

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Fantasy Leaders

Tyrese is turning back into himself

Overtime Thoughts

The bond and chemistry between brothers cannot be understated