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NBA News

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

Thursday, February 26

Durant Drops 40 Points, Surpasses 32,000 Career Points

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Kevin Durant delivered a vintage performance, logging a season-high 40 points (14-28 FG, 2-10 3Pt, 10-10 FT), 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals in 40 minutes during the Rockets' 113-108 comeback win over the Magic. He scored 26 of his game-high points in the second half, propelling Houston to victory. This scoring barrage moved Durant past 32,006 career points, placing him within striking distance of Michael Jordan for fifth all-time, and marked his 431st career 30-plus point game, tying Kobe Bryant for fifth.

Reed Sheppard Ignites Rockets' Comeback with 20 Points

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Reed Sheppard, returning to a bench role, registered 20 points (7-11 FG, 5-7 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in 31 minutes during the Rockets' 113-108 comeback win over the Magic. He was crucial in the comeback, scoring 17 of his points in the second half, including 11 in the third quarter and 11 during a decisive 21-0 run. This was his eighth 20-plus point game, and with Jabari Smith's recent ankle injury, Sheppard could see an expanded role against the Heat on Saturday.

Jabari Smith Exits Game with Right Ankle Injury; Status for Saturday Uncertain

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Jabari Smith did not return to Thursday's game against the Magic after suffering a right ankle injury at the 1:42 mark of the fourth quarter. He appeared to roll his ankle when stepping on Alperen Sengun's foot. Smith finished with 13 points (6-7 FG, 1-1 3Pt), one rebound, and one assist in 29 minutes during the 113-108 win. He will undergo further tests to determine the severity, putting his availability for Saturday's game against the Heat in jeopardy. Josh Okogie, Reed Sheppard, and Dorian Finney-Smith are candidates for increased roles if Smith misses time.

Desmond Bane's 30 Points Not Enough to Hold Off Rockets' Comeback

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Desmond Bane recorded 30 points (12-19 FG, 6-10 3Pt), six rebounds, four assists, and two steals in 38 minutes during the Magic's 113-108 loss to the Rockets on Thursday. Despite his 17 first-half points helping build a large lead, his efforts couldn't prevent Houston's third-quarter comeback. This marks Bane's 10th 30-plus point performance this season, with four coming in his last six games, and his fourth game with at least six three-pointers. Since the All-Star break, he's averaged 27.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 4.0 threes, and 1.8 steals on 61.9% shooting.

Bam Adebayo Secures Double-Double by Halftime in Loss to 76ers

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Bam Adebayo notched 29 points (10-20 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 5-8 FT), 14 rebounds, three assists, and one steal in 36 minutes during Thursday's 124-117 loss to the 76ers. Adebayo started strong, securing his double-double by halftime. The 28-year-old center has been performing well in February, averaging 20.1 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.7 triples, and 1.1 steals per game.

Julian Champagnie Leads Spurs with 26 Points in 11th Straight Win

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Julian Champagnie scored 26 points, including a key three-pointer early in the second quarter that extended the lead to 48-26, to lead the San Antonio Spurs to their 11th straight victory with a 126-110 win over the Brooklyn Nets. San Antonio (43-16) is on its longest winning streak since the 2015-16 season.

Dylan Harper Scores 12 Points in Spurs' Victory

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Dylan Harper scored 12 points for the San Antonio Spurs in their 126-110 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. His role was not significantly impacted by the availability of Stephon Castle or Keldon Johnson, both of whom played despite being listed as questionable earlier.

Wembanyama Has Quiet 12-Point Night in Spurs' Win

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Victor Wembanyama had his second straight quiet offensive night, finishing with 12 points in the Spurs' 126-110 victory over the Nets. Despite his scoring, he contributed by winning the opening tip and dropping a pass to Stephon Castle for a spectacular two-handed dunk, helping the surging Spurs secure their 11th straight win.

Devin Vassell Scores 14 Points in Spurs' Victory

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Devin Vassell scored 14 points for the San Antonio Spurs in their 126-110 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. His playmaking role was not impacted by Stephon Castle's availability, as Castle was cleared to play despite initial hip tightness concerns.

De'Aaron Fox Scores 14 Points in Spurs' 11th Straight Win

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De'Aaron Fox scored 14 points for the San Antonio Spurs in their 126-110 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday night, extending their winning streak to 11 games. The Spurs (43-16) are on their longest winning streak since the 2015-16 season.

Stephon Castle Cleared to Play, Scores 18 in Spurs' Win

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Stephon Castle, initially listed as questionable with left hip tightness, was cleared to play Thursday against the Nets and delivered 18 points in the Spurs' 126-110 victory. He scored 13 points by the end of the first quarter, including a spectacular two-handed dunk off the opening tip. Castle had previously scored in double figures in four straight games, averaging 16.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.3 steals in that stretch.

Keldon Johnson Plays Through Shoulder Sprain, Scores 13

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Keldon Johnson, initially listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Nets due to a left shoulder sprain, ultimately played and scored 13 points in the Spurs' 126-110 victory. His late addition to the injury report for the second half of a back-to-back set suggested it could have also been a maintenance day. If he had been unable to play, San Antonio may have increased the roles of Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant.

Trae Young Sidelined with Injury Against Former Team

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Trae Young, who was traded to the Washington Wizards in January, was sidelined with an injury during his former team, the Hawks', 126-96 victory over Washington. He was one of several Wizards players out with injuries for the game.

CJ McCollum Scores 25 Points Against Former Team

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Atlanta newcomer CJ McCollum scored 25 points, along with 6 rebounds and 3 assists, against his former team in the Hawks' 126-96 win over the Washington Wizards. Having worked his way into the starting lineup, McCollum made a 27-foot three-pointer and a subsequent free throw right before halftime, extending Atlanta's lead to 75-56.

Brandon Miller Leads Hornets with 33 Points, Seven Rebounds

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Brandon Miller paced the Hornets in scoring, supplying 33 points (11-19 FG, 6-11 3Pt, 5-6 FT), 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal in 26 minutes during Thursday's 133-109 victory over the Pacers. Miller was highly efficient from beyond the arc, hitting six triples and drilling 59.3 percent of his three-point attempts over his last three matchups. He also contributed defensively, recording at least one steal for a third consecutive game.

Jaren Jackson Jr. Shut Down for Season After Knee Surgery

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Jaren Jackson Jr. has been shut down for the season following knee surgery. He was previously part of a controversial strategy where he played limited minutes for the Jazz, and his season-ending surgery was mentioned in the context of the team's injury woes and tanking debate, alongside Jusuf Nurkic.

Markkanen Out At Least 2 Weeks with Hip Impingement, Bone Bruise

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Lauri Markkanen has been ruled out for at least two weeks after an MRI on his hip, following an injury suffered in Wednesday's practice, revealed symptomatic hip impingement with associated inflammation and a bone bruise. He also tweaked his ankle, though that MRI was clean. Averaging 26.7 points and 6.9 rebounds this season, his absence will create increased opportunities for teammates John Konchar, Brice Sensabaugh, and Kyle Filipowski. He will be re-evaluated in two weeks.

Stephen Curry Praises Knueppel as Rookie 3-Point Record Falls

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Stephen Curry, who holds the NBA's single-season record with 402 three-pointers, was mentioned as Kon Knueppel broke the rookie 3-point record. Curry, who made 166 threes at 43.7% as a rookie, praised Knueppel's high-level shooting, quick release, confidence, and underrated playmaking, noting his game just suits the NBA style, whether fast-paced or slowed-down.

SGA Cleared for Friday Return After Abdominal Strain

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Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been removed from the injury report and is cleared to return to the Oklahoma City Thunder's lineup Friday against the Nuggets, after missing nine games with an abdominal strain. He is expected to have some minutes restrictions. Gilgeous-Alexander, a frontrunner to repeat as MVP, is averaging 31.8 points, 6.4 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and shooting 39% from three this season. His return comes in time to qualify for postseason awards and help the Thunder maintain their top seed.

Sion James Assists Knueppel's Record-Breaking 3-Pointer

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Sion James, a former college teammate of Kon Knueppel, assisted Knueppel's record-breaking 207th three-pointer, which set the new NBA rookie record for most 3-pointers in a single season. James delivered a kickout pass to Knueppel late in the third quarter of the Hornets' 133-109 win over the Pacers.