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NBA News

Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Saturday, February 28

Anthony Edwards: Clutch Playmaker, Rising Star, Overlooked Icon?

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Anthony Edwards showcased his clutch ability again Thursday, hitting a game-ending three against the Clippers. Despite a growing resume including an All-Star MVP, Olympic gold, and back-to-back Western Conference Finals appearances, Edwards is often overlooked in superstar discussions. The article suggests this stems from market size and inconsistent 48-minute intensity, though his offensive game and personality are rapidly developing. Edwards' ceiling remains high if he can maintain consistent intensity beyond just clutch moments.

Mavericks to Convert Ryan Nembhard to Standard Deal

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The Dallas Mavericks are converting point guard Ryan Nembhard's two-way contract to a standard NBA deal, per Shams Charania. This move follows the waiving of Tyus Jones, opening a roster spot. Nembhard, an undrafted rookie from Gonzaga, is averaging 6.7 points, 4.9 assists, and 1.8 rebounds while shooting 37.9% from 3-point range in 38 appearances. He previously recorded a historic 25-point, 10-assist game without a turnover.

Dallas Mavericks Waive Tyus Jones

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The Dallas Mavericks have waived veteran point guard Tyus Jones, per Marc Stein. This move allows Jones to pursue a deal with a playoff contender and enables the Mavericks to convert Ryan Nembhard to a standard contract. Jones appeared in eight games for Dallas with two starts, averaging 3.1 points and 2.6 assists. He was acquired from the Charlotte Hornets in a three-team deal involving Anthony Davis.

Reed Sheppard to Start, Draws Steph Curry Shooting Comparisons

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Reed Sheppard will start for the Houston Rockets against the Heat on Saturday due to Jabari Smith's ankle sprain. Sheppard is drawing comparisons to Steph Curry for his shooting prowess, hitting 40.7% on catch-and-shoot threes and 38.1% on pull-up threes per game. He's averaging 16.9 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.4 rebounds over his last eight games, including two starts.

Jabari Smith Targeting March 5 Return

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Jabari Smith is targeting a return on March 5 against the Golden State Warriors. He will miss Saturday's game against the Heat and Monday's game against the Wizards, allowing for extra rest on the road. Reed Sheppard is expected to start in Smith's place for at least Saturday's contest.

Anthony Davis Remains Out for Wizards' Saturday Game

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Anthony Davis is listed as OUT for the Washington Wizards' Saturday night game against the Toronto Raptors. He joins Trae Young, Cam Whitmore, and Alex Sarr on the sidelines due to injury. The Wizards, with a 16-42 record, face a challenging matchup against the 34-25 Raptors. Davis was also involved in a three-team trade that sent him to the Wizards.

Computer Projections Favor Smart Over 7.5 Points vs. Warriors

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Computer projections are bullish on Marcus Smart for tonight's Lakers-Warriors game, projecting him for 9.0 points. This is a five-star play as Smart has hit the over on 7.5 points in seven of his last 10 games. The matchup against the Warriors is favorable for scoring, with opposing starting SFs having a high three-point rate and frequently getting to the free-throw line.

Clingan Cleared to Play Saturday vs. Hornets After Illness

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Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (illness) is available for Saturday's game against the Hornets. He was initially a game-time decision, having missed Thursday's game against the Bulls. After feeling better and participating in pregame shootaround, he was cleared to play. His return could lead to a less involved role for Robert Williams.

Avdija Out for Saturday's Game, Misses Third Straight with Lower-Back Injury

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Deni Avdija (back) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Hornets. This marks his third consecutive missed game as he continues to manage a lower-back injury. His next chance to play will be the second leg of the Trail Blazers' back-to-back set against the Hawks on Sunday. Kris Murray, Sidy Cissoko, and Jerami Grant are expected to operate in elevated roles during Avdija's absence.

Holmgren Achieves Career-High 21 Rebounds in Overtime Win vs. Nuggets

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Chet Holmgren logged a career-best 21 rebounds, along with 15 points (5-8 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 4-6 FT), three assists, three blocks, and one steal in 38 minutes during Friday's 127-121 overtime victory over the Nuggets. This marked his 19th double-double of the season, shattering his previous high of 17 boards. He averaged 14.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.6 blocks across 10 February appearances.

Murray Pours in Game-High 39 Points in OT Loss to Thunder

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Jamal Murray delivered a game-high 39 points (12-26 FG, 7-13 3Pt, 8-10 FT), along with eight rebounds, six assists, one block, and two steals in 47 minutes during the Denver Nuggets' 127-121 overtime loss to the Thunder. Despite his stellar performance, which led all scorers, the Nuggets fell short. Murray, who played only eight minutes Wednesday due to illness, has been highly productive in February, averaging 24.6 points, 6.6 assists, 4.7 boards, 2.9 threes, and 1.3 combined steals/blocks over his last 10 games.

Cam Thomas Criticizes Nets After Waiver, Now with Bucks

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Cam Thomas, recently waived by the Brooklyn Nets and now with the Milwaukee Bucks, expressed his dissatisfaction with his former team, stating, "They don't believe in nobody." Since joining the Bucks, Thomas is averaging 14 points per game on 27.7% three-point shooting, though his minutes and scoring have recently declined after initial strong performances (34 vs Orlando, 27 vs New Orleans). Thomas is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Jokić Incensed by Dort's Flagrant 2 Tripping Foul in Thunder Win

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Nikola Jokić expressed strong displeasure regarding Lu Dort's tripping foul during the Thunder's heated win over the Nuggets. The foul, which incensed Jokić, was upgraded to a flagrant 2. This incident occurred during a game where the Nuggets ultimately lost in overtime, despite a triple-double from Jokić and a 39-point performance from Jamal Murray.

Kyle Anderson Reunites with Timberwolves After Grizzlies Buyout

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Kyle Anderson is reportedly reuniting with the Minnesota Timberwolves after securing a buyout from the Memphis Grizzlies. Anderson previously signed a two-year deal with the Wolves in 2022, becoming a pivotal player in their 2022-23 playoff push and their 2024 Western Conference Finals run. His impactful plays included a season-high 23 points against his former team, a game-winning steal against Golden State, and a crucial assist in the 2024 WCF. The article also recalled an incident where Rudy Gobert punched Anderson during a timeout in 2023.

Trae Young Remains Out for Wizards' Saturday Game vs. Raptors

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Trae Young is confirmed OUT for the Washington Wizards' Saturday night game against the Toronto Raptors. He is sidelined alongside Anthony Davis, Cam Whitmore, and Alex Sarr due to injury. The Wizards will be without these key players as they face the Raptors, who are comfortably in a playoff spot.

Alex Sarr Ruled Out for Wizards' Saturday Game Against Raptors

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Alex Sarr is confirmed OUT for the Washington Wizards' Saturday night game against the Toronto Raptors. He is among several key players, including Trae Young, Anthony Davis, and Cam Whitmore, who will not be available due to injury. The Wizards will need to contend with the Raptors without these players.

Tristan Vukcevic Listed as Day-to-Day for Wizards vs. Raptors

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Tristan Vukcevic is currently listed as DAY-TO-DAY for the Washington Wizards' Saturday night game against the Toronto Raptors. He is joined by Kyshawn George with the same designation, while Trae Young, Anthony Davis, Cam Whitmore, and Alex Sarr are all confirmed OUT. His status will be updated closer to game time.

Cam Whitmore Ruled Out for Wizards' Saturday Night Matchup

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Cam Whitmore will remain OUT for the Washington Wizards' Saturday night game against the Toronto Raptors. He is part of a group of injured players that also includes Trae Young, Anthony Davis, and Alex Sarr. The Wizards are looking to bounce back from recent losses but face a tough challenge against the Raptors.

Friday, February 27

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Dominates with 36 Points in Return from Abdominal Strain

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdomen) made a dominant return for the Oklahoma City Thunder after a nine-game absence, scoring 36 points (12-29 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 12-13 FT) with 9 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in 34 minutes during Friday's 127-121 overtime win over the Nuggets. The reigning MVP sat out the entire overtime period due to monitored playing time, alleviating concerns about the 65-game MVP eligibility rule. He opened his account with a layup but received an early technical foul for throwing the ball at Nikola Jokic. SGA expressed feeling "good" and "thankful to be back" after missing nine games since February 3rd. The Thunder begin a three-game road trip Sunday in Dallas.

Mohamed Diawara Scores 10 Points, Returns to Knicks' Rotation with Strong Performance

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Mohamed Diawara contributed 10 points (2-3 3Pt) for the New York Knicks in their commanding 127-98 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night. The rookie, who has been alternating rotation spots, returned to his pre-All-Star break form, posting a game-best plus-25 in just 22 minutes. This strong performance arrived after three straight games of sparse playing time, with Diawara stepping into the ninth rotation spot. He emphasized the importance of staying ready, stating, "First year, I’m a rookie, so everything is not going to be great. So I just have to stay ready and wait until my name gets called.”