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NBA News

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

Thursday, February 12

Alex Sarr Out Two Weeks with Hamstring Strain, Misses All-Star Events

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Washington Wizards center Alex Sarr has been diagnosed with a right hamstring strain and is expected to miss approximately two weeks. The second-year big man sat out Wednesday's loss to the Cavaliers with tightness, with follow-up tests confirming the strain. As a result, Sarr will miss the Castrol Rising Stars exhibition at All-Star weekend in Los Angeles and is likely to miss several games post-break. Sarr is one of three players averaging at least 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game this season. Tristan Vukcevic (illness) may fill in as the starting center.

Jared McCain shines in Thunder debut after trade from 76ers

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Second-year guard Jared McCain is settling in with the Oklahoma City Thunder after being traded from the Philadelphia 76ers. Following a rookie season cut short by a knee injury and a recent hand injury, McCain has shown promise in his first two games with OKC. He recorded 7 points and 3 rebounds against the Clippers, followed by 12 points and 4 boards against the Suns. With his smart play and jumper, McCain is expected to have a prosperous run alongside teammates like Chet Holmgren and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Wednesday, February 11

Nikola Vučević Shines with 19 Points, 11 Rebounds in Celtics Win

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Nikola Vučević delivered his best performance with the Celtics, scoring 19 points and 11 rebounds for his second double-double in three games, including a season-high four 3-pointers. Playing 26 minutes against his former team, the Bulls, Vučević felt more comfortable and built chemistry, a sentiment echoed by Coach Mazzulla. He plans to use the All-Star break to further acclimate to the team's system, aiming for continued growth.

Jose Alvarado Ignites Knicks with 26 Points, 8 Threes, and Enforcer Mentality

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Jose Alvarado delivered a season-best performance for the Knicks, tallying 26 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 steals in 19 minutes during their win over Philadelphia. He set season highs in points and steals, tying a career-high with 8 three-pointers. Alvarado also embraced an enforcer role, receiving a technical foul for defending Mitchell Robinson after a hard foul, sparking a crucial 15-point run. Coach Mike Brown praised Alvarado for 'igniting' the team, with Josh Hart noting his needed toughness. Alvarado averages 14.0 points, 3.7 assists, 2.3 steals, and 3.3 three-pointers in 20.7 minutes through three games.

Draymond Green's Throwback Performance Not Enough in Warriors Loss

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Draymond Green delivered an exquisite all-around performance against the Spurs, tallying 17 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists in 30 minutes. He masterfully ran the offense and played strong defense on Victor Wembanyama. Despite his 'throwback game,' which saw him lead the team in rebounds and assists and tie for points, the shorthanded Warriors ultimately fell to San Antonio 126-113.

Leonard's Game-Winner Extends 20-Point Streak, Boosts Fantasy Value

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Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers to a 105-102 victory over the Rockets with 27 points, including 19 in the fourth quarter and a game-winning three-point play with 2 seconds left. He also grabbed 12 rebounds, extending his career-best 20-point streak to 33 games. Leonard has been in elite fantasy form, recently scoring 31 points against the Kings and 41 points versus the Timberwolves, with over 60 fantasy points in consecutive games. He was also mentioned by Kevin Durant for the U.S. All-Star squad.

Harden's Playmaking Shines in Cavs Debut, Calls NBA Loyalty 'Overrated'

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James Harden delivered a strong playmaking performance in his Cavaliers home debut, tallying 13 points and 11 assists in 28 minutes during a 138-113 win over the Wizards. His 11 assists directly led to 26 points, and this marks his second double-double in three games with Cleveland. Harden's presence has elevated the Cavs, sparking playoff favoritism debates and boosting teammate Jarrett Allen. Off-court, Harden stated that 'loyalty is overrated' in the NBA, emphasizing the business aspect and players' focus on championships and financial security.

Kevin Durant Leads Rockets with 21 Points, Jabs All-Star World Team

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Kevin Durant led the Rockets with 21 points in a narrow 105-102 loss to the Clippers, including a crucial late 3-pointer to tie the game. Off-court, Durant playfully jabbed Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, and the NBA All-Star World team, questioning their competition level. He also commented on his U.S. squad, which includes LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard, planning to compete hard in the upcoming All-Star Game, setting a tone for friendly rivalry.

LeBron Cleared for Mavs Game; All-NBA Streak Ends After 21 Seasons

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LeBron James is cleared to play Thursday against the Mavericks after recovering from left foot soreness. This season marks the end of his 21-season All-NBA streak, as he has missed 18 games, exceeding the 65-game threshold. Despite turning 41 and dealing with sciatica, James remains an All-Star, averaging 21.8 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds on 50.2% shooting, with at least 41 fantasy points in his last six games. Kevin Durant also mentioned him for the All-Star Game.

Victor Wembanyama Continues Dominance, Spurs Second in West

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Victor Wembanyama contributed 26 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 steal in the Spurs' 126-113 victory over the Warriors. This follows a dominant performance where he scored 40 points in 26 minutes or less, becoming only the fifth player in the shot clock era to achieve such efficiency. The Spurs are heading into the All-Star break with a 38-16 record, solidifying their position as the second-best team in the Western Conference.

Jalen Williams Exits Suns Game with Hamstring Injury Recurrence

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Jalen Williams departed Wednesday's 136-109 win over the Suns late in the third quarter with an apparent right hamstring injury, a recurrence of a strain that previously sidelined him for 10 games. Before his exit, Williams was highly efficient, scoring 28 points (11-12 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 4-5 FT) along with four rebounds and five assists in just 20 minutes. The Thunder are expected to take a cautious approach, utilizing the upcoming All-Star break for his recovery.

Alperen Sengun Plays Through Contusion, Delivers Clutch Moments

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Alperen Sengun was confirmed available for Wednesday's game against the Clippers despite a lower leg contusion, playing through the mild injury for the second leg of a back-to-back. In the game, he made a layup to cut the Clippers' lead to one point and later shot 1-for-2 from the free-throw line with 7.2 seconds left to tie the game at 102. On Tuesday, he played 35 minutes, recording 22 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. This season, Sengun is averaging 20.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game for the Rockets.

Julius Randle Explodes for Season-High 41 Points in Timberwolves Win

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Julius Randle delivered a season-high 41 points (14-24 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 10-11 FT), seven rebounds, two assists, and one steal in 33 minutes, leading the Timberwolves to a 133-109 victory over Portland. This performance, highlighted by a windmill dunk, marked his 12th career 40-point game and first since 2023. Randle is averaging 22.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in 56 games this season, showcasing a strong offensive output.

Jamal Murray Scores 22, Available Despite Hip Inflammation

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Jamal Murray was available for Wednesday's game against the Grizzlies despite left hip inflammation, contributing 22 points and going 4-for-4 from the foul line in the final 11.7 seconds to help the Nuggets secure a 122-116 win. The star point guard has been strong in February, averaging 25.6 points, 9.6 assists, and 4.4 rebounds in 37.4 minutes over five appearances, heading into the All-Star break.

Dillon Brooks Receives 16th Technical Foul, Faces One-Game Suspension

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Dillon Brooks was assessed his 16th technical foul of the season during Wednesday's 136-109 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. He faces a likely one-game suspension if the NBA does not rescind the penalty, as reported by Duane Rankin. If the suspension stands, Brooks will miss the Phoenix Suns' Feb. 19 matchup against the Spurs following the All-Star break. In Wednesday's game, Brooks contributed 23 points (9-19 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 4-5 FT), five rebounds, four assists, and two steals across 24 minutes.

Sam Merrill Explodes for Career-High 32 Points, Ties 3-Point Record

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Sam Merrill delivered a career-high 32 points (11-12 FG, 9-10 3Pt, 1-1 FT), five rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block in just 25 minutes during the Cavaliers' 138-113 win over the Wizards. He was nearly perfect from the field in the first half, including 7-7 from three, tying his career high in 3-point makes and surpassing his previous season high by 10 points. Merrill is averaging 13.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists this season, with the Cavs performing significantly better with him on the court.

Cooper Flagg Out Through All-Star Weekend with Left Midfoot Sprain

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Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg has been ruled out through All-Star Weekend due to a left midfoot sprain, confirmed by an MRI. The injury occurred Tuesday against the Suns, where he scored 27 points. Flagg will miss Thursday's game against the Lakers and the Rising Stars game, with an expected return on February 20. The No. 1 overall pick is averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists this season, and is a Rookie of the Year frontrunner, having recently set an NBA record for a teenager with four consecutive 30+ point games.

Isaiah Collier Delivers 12 Points, 14 Assists in Jazz Victory

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Isaiah Collier contributed 12 points and 14 assists for the Utah Jazz in their 121-93 victory over the Sacramento Kings. His strong playmaking and scoring helped the Jazz secure their second consecutive win, extending the Kings' losing streak to 14 games.

Lauri Markkanen Scores 19, Jazz Eye Future Frontcourt Partnership

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Lauri Markkanen scored 19 points, contributing to the Jazz's 121-93 victory over the Kings. He played restricted minutes in Wednesday's game, having been removed from the injury report, and has not exceeded 27 minutes in his last four outings. The Jazz envision Markkanen forming a long-term frontcourt partnership with Jaren Jackson Jr. as they aim to transition into a playoff contender. Markkanen combined with Jackson Jr. for 15 baskets over three quarters in the win.

Cade Cunningham Delivers Efficient 28 Points, Nears Triple-Double vs. Toronto

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Cunningham recorded 28 points (9-14 FG, 6-11 3Pt, 4-6 FT), seven rebounds, nine assists, three steals, and one block in 30 minutes during Wednesday's 113-95 win over Toronto. This marked his 28th time hitting the 25-point mark this season, achieving it efficiently with just 14 shots, and he tied his season high in three-pointers made. Over his last 10 games, Cunningham is averaging 25.5 points, 9.3 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals.