Around the Association: The Night of Upsets

This article is part of our NBA Daily Recap series.

Welcome to Around the Association!  Five days per week (Monday through Friday), this article will serve as a comprehensive recap of the previous night's NBA action, taking you through all of the biggest performances, notable box scores, injury updates and any other fantasy-relevant headlines from around the league.

Nightly Notables 

Wizards shock 76ers 

• The 76ers have been one of the hottest teams in the league over the past month, but they suffered a surprising loss to the Wizards on Wednesday. Washington had lost its last six games coming into the contest and was without Bradley Beal (wrist). However, it was able to hang in throughout and ended up winning 106-103.
• Kyle Kuzma impressed once again, finishing with 24 points (10-19 FG, 4-6 3Pt), seven rebounds, three assists, one steal and three blocks over 35 minutes. The forward is on fire as of late, averaging 26.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.7 steals and 2.3 blocks per game over his last three outings.
  • Spencer Dinwiddie had one of his better appearances in the victory, totaling 14 points (4-16 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 5-6 FT), 12 rebounds and 10 assists over 30 minutes. This marked the veteran point guard's first career triple-double. 
• Joel Embiid had a great game in the surprising loss, but it was a small step back from his absolute elite play he was showing off all January. The All-Star recorded 27 points (11-27 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 5-8 FT), 14 rebounds, six assists, one steal, and one block over 35 minutes. Embiid currently ranks as the sixth overall nine-category fantasy option on a per-game basis this season.
  • Tyrese Maxey continues to blossom in his second season in the league. The 6-foot-2 guard produced 22 points (9-16 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds, seven assists and one steal over 37 minutes. Over his last two appearances, Maxey is averaging 27.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game. 

Kings stun KD-less Nets

• The Brooklyn Nets had decent control of the team's contest in Sacramento for three quarters, but the Kings took off in the fourth and ultimately won 112-101. Tyrese Haliburton continued his solid play with De'Aaron Fox (ankle) still on the sidelines, as the Iowa State product ended with 12 points (5-15 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 1-1 FT), two rebounds, 11 assists and four steals across 40 minutes.
  • In his 10 appearances without Fox this season, Haliburton is averaging 20.7 points and 9.7 dimes per game and I think there is a legit chance that the Kings could be convinced to trade Fox if the right deal comes across come trade deadline time.
  • Davion Mitchell is also starting to impress me a lot more than he was at the start of the season. The guard nicknamed "Off-Night" is starting to find his role on offense as he ended with 18 points (8-19 FG, 2-8 3Pt), five rebounds, three assists and one steal over 35 minutes.
    • Mitchell has started each of the Kings' last four contests and is averaging 17.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game over that span.
• So what in the world is going on with the Nets? Wednesday's loss marked the team's sixth consecutive defeat while James Harden had one of his worst career games. The former MVP ended with four points (2-11 FG, 0-5 3Pt), seven rebounds, 12 assists and one block across 37 minutes while also adding in six costly turnovers. There is a lot of talk about Harden being out of Brooklyn this offseason, but honestly, I am not buying that. Everything will get back to normal for Brooklyn once Kevin Durant is back in the mix. If you were waiting for a good chance to bet on Brooklyn to win it all, the Nets are currently 3/1 at some shops.
  • Nicolas Claxton: 23 points (9-11 FG, 5-7 FT), 11 rebounds, one assist, five blocks and one steal across 29 minutes.

Thunder overcome Luka's huge night

• One of the more exciting games of the season took place in Dallas last night. The game was tight throughout and the Mavericks found themselves up by two points in the final seconds of regulation. Josh Giddey whipped a perfect inbound pass to Kenrich Williams for a game-tying layup to send the contest to overtime. OKC ended up taking over in OT and won the game 120-114.
• Luguentz Dort recorded a team-high 30 points (9-17 FG, 6-10 3Pt, 6-6 FT), six rebounds, three assists and one block across 40 minutes while absolutely taking over in overtime. He dropped 14 out of the Thunder's 17 overtime points.
  • Tre Mann also stepped up for the Thunder as SGA remains sidelined. The rookie out of Florida finished with a new career-high 29 points (8-14 FG, 6-8 3Pt, 7-8 FT), three assists, one block and one steal across 41 minutes. This was Mann's first time topping 20 points this season.
  • Josh Giddey: 14 points (7-13 FG, 0-3 3Pt), seven rebounds, 10 assists and two steals over 36 minutes.
• Luka Doncic was incredible for Dallas despite coming up short in OT. The All-Star guard ended with 40 points (16-33 FG, 5-13 3Pt, 3-4 FT), six rebounds, 10 assists and three steals across 43 minutes. This was his second 40-point outing of the season. Doncic has been on fire recently, averaging 29.3 points, 9.5 rebounds and 9.0 assists per game over his last 10 appearances.
  • Reggie Bullock: 23 points (8-16 FG, 5-13 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds, one assist and three steals over 38 minutes. 

Magic rally against Pacers

• In a game that many people would look right past, the Pacers were up by nearly 20 points in the third quarter. However, the Franz Wagner-led Magic stormed back and ended up winning 119-118. The rookie out of Michigan ended with 17 points (7-13 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds and two assists over 30 minutes while constantly drilling tough floaters throughout. Wagner continues to be one of the best rookies out of his class.
  • Gary Harris had one of the better outings of his season in the comeback win. The defensive-minded guard recorded 22 points (6-15 FG, 6-11 3Pt, 4-4 FT), three rebounds, five assists and two steals over 32 minutes. This was his sixth 20-point outing of the season.
  • Wendell Carter: 19 points (7-13 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 5-5 FT), 18 rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal over 34 minutes.
• Indiana's loss was certainly not Caris LeVert's fault. The 27-year-old guard put up 26 points (10-24 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 5-8 FT), five rebounds, five assists, one block and two steals across 34 minutes. This was LeVert's first 20-point outing out of his last six appearances as he continues to try and keep the Pacers on track without the likes of Myles Turner (foot), Domantas Sabonis (ankle) and Malcolm Brogdon (Achilles).
  • Promising rookie Isaiah Jackson injured his ankle in the first few seconds of the loss, which paved the way for Terry Taylor to show out for Indiana. The undrafted rookie out of Bowling Green ended with 24 points (10-15 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 16 rebounds, three assists and one steal across 37 minutes. Taylor is on a two-way contract, but this performance bodes well for his chances of staying with Indiana in the long-term.

Lakers hold on against Portland 

• LeBron James (knee) missed his fourth straight contest, but the Lakers were able to rally in the fourth quarter and defeat the Trail Blazers 99-94 in LA. Anthony Davis shined with 30 points (10-18 FG, 10-14 FT), 15 rebounds, two assists and three blocks in 37 minutes.
  • Over his last three appearances, Davis is averaging 29.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.7 blocks per game and clearly has added fantasy value as long as James remains on the sidelines
  • Carmelo Anthony had a nice revenge game against Portland, finishing with 24 points (8-12 FG, 5-6 3Pt, 3-4 FT), eight rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 33 minutes. 
  • Russell Westbrook: Nine points (3-12 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 2-3 FT), 10 rebounds, 13 assists and one steal in 34 minutes.
• Norman Powell led the way for the Trail Blazers during their loss. The wing finished with 30 points (10-20 FG, 5-11 3Pt, 5-6 FT), five rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal across 41 minutes. Powell currently ranks as the 81st overall nine-category fantasy option on a per-game basis.
  • Anfernee Simons: 19 points (7-18 FG, 5-11 3Pt, 5-6 FT), two rebounds, three assists and one steal over 35 minutes. 

Best and Worst of the Night

• Best of the Night: Luka Doncic - 40 points (16-33 FG, 5-13 3Pt, 3-4 FT), six rebounds, 10 assists and three steals across 43 minutes.
• Worst of the Night: Miles Bridges - Six points (2-8 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 2-3 FT), three rebounds and one block over 30 minutes
• Rookie of the Night: Evan Mobley - 29 points (12-20 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 5-9 FT), 12 rebounds, two assists and one steal over 36 minutes.

Quick Hitters

• Nikola Jokic (toe), Aaron Gordon (hamstring), Donovan Mitchell (concussion) and Rudy Gobert (calf) were all sidelined for Denver's clash with the Jazz, but the game was still a nail-biter throughout. Utah ended up winning 108-104 behind a solid performance from Trent Forrest. The Florida State product ended with 18 points (6-7 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 5-6 FT), two rebounds, eight assists and one steal in 39 minutes. 
  • Mike Conley: 17 points (6-14 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), one rebound, five assists, four steals and one block over 28 minutes.
• Bryn Forbes was on fire for Denver off the bench during the loss. The recently acquired veteran ended with 26 points (10-13 FG, 4-5 3Pt, 2-3 FT), one rebound and two assists over 30 minutes.
• The Boston Celtics held control of practically their entire contest against the Hornets, but Charlotte did storm back late to make it interesting. Boston held on to a 113-107 win behind a solid all-around performance from Jayson Tatum as he ended with 19 points (6-16 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 6-6 FT), six rebounds, nine assists and one steal.
  • Josh Richardson: 23 points (8-12 FG, 6-8 3Pt, 1-2 FT), two rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block over 30 minutes.
• Charlotte's loss cannot be blamed on LaMelo Ball as the second-year star finished with a career-high 38 points (12-24 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 10-13 FT), six rebounds, nine assists and two steals over 38 minutes. Ball is averaging 27.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game over his last five showings. 
  • Terry Rozier: 23 points (10-22 FG, 3-9 3Pt), five rebounds, four assists and three steals over 40 minutes. 
• The Memphis Grizzlies did their thing in New York City and ended with a 120-108 win over the Knicks. Ja Morant fell back down to earth as he "only" ended with 23 points (9-27 FG, 0-6 3Pt, 5-8 FT), four rebounds, nine assists and three steals over 36 minutes. 
  • Ziaire Williams absolutely balled on the big stage, producing 21 points (9-11 FG, 3-5 3Pt), four rebounds, three assists and one steal over 33 minutes. This was easily the rookie out of Stanford's best game of his short career thus far.
  • Jaren Jackson: 26 points (8-14 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 6-7 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist, one steal and two blocks over 33 minutes. 
• Evan Fournier continues to be one of the more inconsistent players I have ever seen. Wednesday was one of his better showings, as he ended with a game-high 30 points (11-18 FG, 8-12 3Pt), five rebounds, two assists and one steal over 32 minutes during the team's loss to Memphis.
  • Julius Randle: 18 points (7-18 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 3-5 FT), 12 rebounds, nine assists and one steal over 36 minutes while being ejected late. 
• The Cavaliers are struggling without Darius Garland. The Rockets were able to defeat Cleveland 115-104 behind a 21-point (6-13 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 6-7 FT), five-rebound, five-assist, one-steal and one-block performance from Jalen Green. The No. 2 overall pick this season looks noticeably more composed as his rookie season progresses.
  • Christian Wood: 21 points (7-14 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 4-5 FT), seven rebounds, four assists and two steals over 34 minutes. 
  • Cleveland has now lost to both the Pistons and Rockets in a span of three games. Evan Mobley cannot be blamed for the defeat, as he recorded a career-high 29 points (12-20 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 5-9 FT), 12 rebounds, two assists and one steal over 36 minutes.
    • Kevin Love: 21 points (8-20 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 4-5 FT), 13 rebounds, three assists and one block over 29 minutes. 

A Look Ahead to Thursday Night

• The Hawks look to end the Phoenix's 11-game winning streak when the Suns come to Atlanta.
• The Bulls-Raptors contest in Toronto should be an exciting and tight match up
• Can the Kings shock the world once again and take down the Warriors just one day after beating Brooklyn?
• The Lakers and Clippers are set to battle in a cross-town contest with no LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard or Paul George.