Around the Association: Edwards Goes Off, Butler Exits OT Loss, Cunningham Tops Green

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.

It was a monster 13-game slate last night. Here is everything you need to know:

Nightly Notables

Curry and Wiggins spoil Edwards' career night

• Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins both put up big outings during the Warriors' 123-110 win over the Timberwolves. Curry poured in 25 points (8-16 FG, 3-9 3PT, 6-8 FT) to go with six assists, five rebounds, one steal and three turnovers in 34 minutes. Wiggins went off against his former team. He scored a season-high 35 points (14-19 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 4-4 FT) while recording four rebounds, two steals and four turnovers in 31 minutes of action. Wiggins had a few highlight dunks over Karl-Anthony Towns during his impressive revenge game.
  • Draymond Green left the game early due to a thigh bruise. The exact severity is unknown, but Kevon Looney figures to benefit if Green is forced to miss time. The 6-foot-9 big played a season-high 28 minutes while putting up 11 points (5-11 FG, 1-2 FT), 17 rebounds, two steals, one assist, one block and one turnover.

• Anthony Edwards balled out despite the loss. The second-year guard scored a career-high 48 points (16-27 FG, 7-13 FG, 9-12 FT) to go with five rebounds, five assists two steals and six turnovers over 42 minutes.

Kuzma pushes Wizards over Cavs

• The 7-3 Wizards faced off against the 7-4 Cavaliers in what turned out to be an intense battle. Washington was able to pick up its eighth win as they ended up winning by a close margin of 97-94. Kyle Kuzma came up clutch for the Wizards as he drilled a few triples late in the fourth. The first-year Wizard dropped in 22 points (8-14 FG, 6-9 3Pt), five rebounds, one assist, one steal, one block and three turnovers in 34 minutes
  • Even with Daniel Gafford back healthy and starting, Montrezl Harrell keeps producing. The tenacious big looked unstoppable out there as he totaled 25 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and two steals in just 25 minutes.
• In their first game without Collin Sexton (knee), thankfully Isaac Okoro (hamstring) was able to return to the lineup. However, he only mustered two points (1-4 FG, 0-2 3PT), six rebounds, two steals, one assist and one turnover in 28 minutes.
  • Jarrett Allen continues to be a force down ow for the Cavaliers. He dropped in another double-double, finishing with 13 points (6-10 FG, 1-4 FT), 10 rebounds, four assists, two steals, two blocks and four turnovers in 38 minutes.

Cunningham defeats Green in first career battle

• The first showdown between the No.1 and No. 2 overall picks from this year's draft did not disappoint. The contest was tight throughout but ended with the Pistons beating the Rockets by a score of 112-104. Cade Cunningham was very impressive in what was easily his best showing of the season. He put up 20 points (8-18 FG, 4-8 3Pt), four rebounds, three assists, two steals one block and four turnovers in 30 minutes. The rookie out of Oklahoma State is improving every game and is starting to find his place with the Pistons.
  • Jerami Grant also had his best game of the season during the win. The athletic forward put up 35 points (12-23 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 7-9 FT), five rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one turnover in 34 minutes.
• Jalen Green had one of his better performances despite the loss. The high-flying guard scored a team-high 23 points (8-20 FG, 3-11 3Pt, 4-4 FT) to go with five rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 38 minutes.
  • Christian Wood also had a strong performance in the loss. He put up  20 points (7-14 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 3-6 FT), nine rebounds and three assists in 37 minutes.

Bucks hold off Knicks late storm as Thibs benches starters

• Just a few days ago, the Bucks surrendered a 20-point lead to the Knicks and ended up losing in New York. Milwaukee found itself in a similar situation Wednesday night as the Knicks stormed back late from another 20 point deficit and ended up tying the game in the fourth. However, the Bucks were able to hold on this time, winning 112-100. Pat Connaughton was clutch for the Bucks and finished with 23 points (8-14 FG, 7-13 3Pt), nine rebounds, five assists and two turnovers over 31 minutes off the bench
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo neared a triple-double as he scored 15 points (5-15 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 3-4 FT) to go with 15 rebounds, eight assists, two blocks, a steal and three turnovers in 37 minutes
• Interestingly enough, it was the bench unit that led the Knicks' comeback. Tom Thibodeau benched his starting five for the entire fourth quarter. Derrick Rose led the way for the reserves, putting up 22 points (8-15 FG, 6-8 3Pt), seven assists, three rebounds, three steals and one block in 29 minutes.

Lakers beat Miami in OT thriller

• The Lakers were without LeBron James yet again as the Heat came into town. The game went back and forth all night, but Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook were able to push the Lakers to a 120-117 overtime win.
  • Davis recorded 24 points (10-23 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 13 rebounds, four assists, one steal, one block and four turnovers in 44 minutes. Westbrook had one of his best showings of the season as he recorded his second straight and third triple-double. The 32-year-old recorded  25 points (10-22 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 14 assists, 12 rebounds, two blocked shots, one steal and eight turnovers over 43 minutes.
    • Malik Monk was clutch for the Lakers down the stretch and particularly in overtime. The first-year Laker recorded 27 points (10-13 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 3-4 FT), six rebounds, three assists, a blocked shot and three turnovers across 35 minutes.
• To make matters worse for the Heat, Jimmy Butler left the game in the first half due to an ankle injury and did not return. Tyler Herro figures to see more time without Butler as he impressed yet again off the bench, but missed a potential game-tying three to send the game to double overtime late for the Heat. Herro finished with 27 points (11-22 FG, 5-8 3Pt), four rebounds, three assists and three turnovers 42 minutes.
  • Bam Adebayo had a career performance before fouling out late in overtime. The dynamic forward recorded 28 points (9-20 FG, 10-11 FT), 10 rebounds, a career-high six steals, four assists and four turnovers 33 minutes.
  • Kyle Lowry neared a triple-double Wednesday night after going scoreless in his last showing. He finished with 18 points (5-14 FG, 2-10 3Pt, 6-7 FT), 11 assists, six rebounds and one steal over 47 minutes.
  • The Heat play a tough back-to-back Thursday against the Clippers, and there's a good chance they'll be without Butler.

No Jokic, No Problem

• Even with Nikola Jokic serving his one-game suspension after blind-siding Markieff Morris and Michael Porter (back) being out Wednesday night, the Nuggets were still able to scrape together a 101-98 victory. Will Barton showed out in the win, finishing with 30 points (11-19 FG, 6-9 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six rebounds, three assists, two steals and two turnovers over 34 minutes.
  • Zeke Nnaji looked good for Denver off the bench. The second-year big dropped a season-high 19 points (7-10 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 3-4 FT) to go with five rebounds and one block in 20 minutes. Nnaji looks like he may provide some value in games when Jokic is inactive.
• Malcolm Brogdon had a strong performance despite the loss. He dropped a team-high 25 points (11-21 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 0-1 FT) while recording five assists, three rebounds, three steals, two blocks and two turnovers in 34 minutes.
  • Domantas Sabonis was able to dominate the interior in the absence of Jokic. The 6-foot-11 forward scored 20 points (9-14 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-1 FT) while grabbing a season-high 19 rebounds in 33 minutes of action.

Best and Worst of the Night

Best of the Night: Anthony Edwards -- 48 points (16-27 FG, 7-13 FG, 9-12 FT), five rebounds, five assists two steals and six turnovers in 42 minutes

Worst of the Night: Kemba Walker -- Two points (1-7 FG, 0-3 3Pt), two assists, one steal and one turnover in 18 minutes

Rookie of the Night: Cade Cunningham -- 20 points (8-18 FG, 4-8 3Pt), four rebounds, three assists, two steals one block and four turnovers in 30 minutes

Quick Hitters

• Kevin Durant had one of the most efficient performances you will ever see during Brooklyn's 123-90 beatdown against the Magic. Durant shot 91.2 percent from the field finished with 30 points (11-12 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 6-7 FT)  five rebounds, two assists and six turnovers across 29 minutes.
  • James Harden also performed well during Brooklyn's blowout. The 32-year-old dropped his third triple-double of the season in just three quarters, ending with 17 points (6-11 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 4-5 FT), 11 rebounds, 11 assists, two steals and six turnovers in 30 minutes
  • I was impressed with LaMarcus Aldridge's play Wednesday night. The veteran forward scored 21 points (9-16 FG, 3-5 3Pt) and added eight rebounds and one block in 22 minutes.
• It has been a slower start to the season for Jayson Tatum, but the young forward's near-triple-double helped push Boston to a dominant 104-88 win. Tatum ended with 22 points (8-24 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 12 rebounds, seven assists, one steal and two turnovers in 36 minutes.
  • Dennis Schroder is starting to find his groove with Boston. The first-year Celtic finished with 20 points (8-15 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four assists, three rebounds and eight turnovers in 34 minutes. That is back-to-back 20-point games for Schroder.
  • Robert Williams dropped yet another incredibly efficient double-double. Williams put up 16 points (8-11 FG, 0-1 FT), 13 rebounds, two steals, one assist, one block and two turnovers in 32 minutes. His 72.3 field-goal percentage leads the entire league.
• Lonzo Ball was on fire during Chicago's 117-107 win over the Mavericks. The 24-year-old finished with 21 points (7-14 FG, 7-10 3Pt), six rebounds, six assists and one steal in 39 minutes.
  • Ball was not the only Bull hot from deep as Zach LaVine continued his dominant play for Chicago. The electrifying guard recorded 23 points (8-12 FG, 5-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT) three rebounds, three assists, one steal and one turnover in 39 minutes.
  • Alex Caruso continues to be a huge defensive addition for the Bulls bench unit. The first-year Bull dropped in 16 points (6-7 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 1-1 FT), six steals, two rebounds and one assist in just 23 minutes. Caruso's hustle play led to this awesome sequence

• Despite the losing effort, Luka Doncic neared a triple-double against the Bulls. The All-Star guard recorded 20 points (6-18 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 7-10 FT), 10 assists, eight rebounds, four steals, one block and four turnovers in 33 minutes.
  • Kristaps Porzingis looked sharp for Dallas as he continues to return from an early-season back injury. The 7-foot-3 big finished with 22 points (9-16 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 12 rebounds, one assist and one turnover in 33 minutes.
• Luguentz Dort had his best performance of the season as the Thunder took down the Pelicans 108-100 for their third straight win. Dort finished with a season-high 27 points (8-13 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 9-10 FT), five rebounds, two assists and one turnover in 34 minutes.
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to stuff the stat-sheet for the Thunder. The guard recorded 24 points (7-19 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 8-11 FT), seven rebounds, five assists, two blocks, one steal and five turnovers in 36 minutes.
• Nickeil Alexander-Walker had a career performance despite the losing effort. The Virginia Tech product dropped a career-high 33 points (10-22 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 9-11 FT), 10 rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block in 34 minutes
  • Jonas Valanciunas keeps recording double-doubles for the free-falling New Orleans Pelicans. He put up 25 points (9-20 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 6-7 FT), 15 rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block in 39 minutes. This marked his 10th straight double-double.
• Kelly Oubre went off during Charlotte's 118-108 defeat over the Grizzlies in Memphis. The first-year Hornet dropped a season-high 37-points (13-17 FG, 7-9 3Pt, 4-4 FT) to go with five rebounds, two steals, one assist and two turnovers in 31 minutes off of the bench.
  • Gordon Hayward was the most effective starter for the Hornets. The veteran wing put in 25 points (6-15 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 11-11 FT), five rebounds, five assists, one steal and five turnovers in a team-high 38 minutes.
• Despite falling to the Hornets, Ja Morant continued to do Ja Morant things during the defeat. The high-flying guard put up 32 points (13-27 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 5-5 FT), eight assists, seven rebounds, three steals and three turnovers in 37 minutes of play.
  • Dillon Brooks made his return to the court after missing Memphis' first 10 games due to a hand injury. The 25-year-old picked up exactly where he left off in the playoffs, totaling 20 points (8-17 FG, 4-7 3Pt), six assists, four rebounds, two steals and two turnovers in 26 minutes off of the bench. Brooks is sure to find himself back in the Grizzlies' starting lineup sooner than later.
• Dejounte Murray continued his strong early-season play during San Antonio's 136-117 trouncing of the Kings. The two-way guard put up 26 points while recording seven assists, six rebounds, two steals and one turnover in 32 minutes of play.
  • Thaddeus Young showed out off the bench in the win. The veteran forward put on his Thadgic Johnson hat as he finished with 17 points (7-10 FG, 3-6 FT), eight assists, five rebounds, one steal, one block and one turnover in 24 minutes.
• This was finally the game that De'Aaron Fox's fantasy managers were waiting for as the Kings fell to the Spurs. The Kentucky product dropped a season-high 37 points (14-24 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 7-8 FT) to go with six assists, three blocks, two rebounds, one steal and four turnovers in 35 minutes. Hopefully, this is a sign of things to come for Fox.
• It was the Frank Kaminsky show during Phoenix's 119-109 win over Portland. The Wisconsin product dropped a career-high 31 points (12-18 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 5-5 FT) while accumulating seven rebounds, three assists, one block and one turnover in 32 minutes off of the bench. Deandre Ayton (leg) has missed three straight games for the Suns while Kaminsky has averaged 19.0 points and 6.0 rebounds in that span.
• Damian Lillard had a solid showing in the loss. He put up a season-high 28 points (12-23 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 3-4 FT) to go with seven rebounds, seven assists and two turnovers in 38 minutes. After a sluggish start to the year, Lillard is averaging 26.7 points per game while shooting 49.7 percent from the field across his last three showings.

  Rookie Report

• Evan Mobley: 19 points (7-15 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 4-5 FT), seven rebounds, two assists, one block and two turnovers in 25 minutes
  • The No. 3 overall pick keeps showing out for Cleveland. Mobley has scored at least 18 points in three straight showings as he is starting to really find his groove for the Cavs.
• Scottie Barnes: 21 points (7-11 FG, 7-8 FT), seven rebounds, four assists and three turnovers in 31 minutes.
  • The rookie out of Florida State keeps impressing for the Raptors. Barnes scored a team-high 21 points and is certainly a viable fantasy starter in category leagues.
• Jalen Suggs: ­Seven points (2-8 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 3-4 FT), five assists, four rebounds and three turnovers in 26 minutes.
  • Suggs continues to struggle with his shot thus far. Suggs missed another four three-pointers and should not be started in most fantasy formats just yet.
• Josh Giddey: seven points (3-10 FG, 1-3 3Pt), 12 rebounds, nine assists, one steal and five turnovers in 31 minutes.
  • Giddey continues to be one of the more impressive rookies as he dropped in a near-triple-double. The rookie's shooting numbers are shaky, but his counting stats (6.7 RPG; 6.2 APG, 1.4 SPG) are impressive.
• Franz Wagner: 10 points (4-11 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, six steals, one assist and four turnovers in 32 minutes.
  • Wagner impressed on the defensive end once again. The rookie out of Michigan swiped away a season-best six steals against Brooklyn. Wagner continues to turn heads in Orlando.
• Davion Mitchell: 13 points (6-16 FG, 1-8 3pt), six assists, three rebounds and two turnovers in 26 minutes
  • Mitchell had one of his better scoring outings during Sacramento's loss to the Spurs. The No. 9 overall selection of this year's draft is starting to heat up, scoring double-digits in five out of his last six showings.
• Trey Murphy: Five points (2-8 FG, 1-4 3Pt) four rebounds, and one steal in 16 minutes
  • Murphy continued his disappointing start to his career Wednesday night. The rookie out of Virginia is still looking for his first double-digit effort of the season.
• Corey Kispert: Nine points (4-7 FG, 1-3 3pt), four rebounds and one turnover in 14 minutes.
  • The rookie sharpshooter had one of the better games of his young career Wednesday night. Kispert's nine points marked a season-high so hopefully, this is a sign of things to come for the rookie out of Gonzaga.
• Chris Duarte: six points (2-9 FG, 2-7 3Pt), three rebounds, one assist and one turnover in 21 minutes.
  • This was one of the more disappointing performances for Duarte to begin his career. The 24-year-old rookie was held to just six points and struggled with his shot throughout. This seems like an uncharacteristic performance from Duarte.
• Bones Hyland: 12 points (3-8 FG, 2-5 3Pt), four assists, three rebounds, and one turnover in 22 minutes.
  • The rookie out of VCU had one of his better performances of the season as the Nuggets were without Jokic. Hyland dropped in a season-high 12 points and his four assists also marked a season-high as well. Hyland is continuing to rise in coach Michael Malone's rotation.
• Jeremiah Robinson-Earl: Two points (1-4 FG, 0-2 3Pt), five rebounds and one steal in 11 minutes.
  • It was not the best showing for the Villanova product, who came off the bench behind Derrick Favors. Robinson-Earl has some value on nights when he starts, but he's too inconsistent to roster in most season-long leagues.
• Herbert Jones: Four points (1-7 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-3 FT), six rebounds, four assists, two steals, one block and three turnovers in 32 minutes.
  • The second-round rookie continues to see heavy minutes for the Pelicans as they are without Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. This was Jones' first game back after missing three games due to ankle sores and he still saw 32 minutes of action. The wing continues to struggle to score the ball, but he was able to do a nice job accumulating stats Wednesday night.
• Ayo Dosunmu: Seven points (3-9 FG, 1-3 3pt), one rebound and one turnover in 19 minutes.
  • The second-rounder out of Illinois continues to see solid minutes off the bench for the Bulls. It will be interesting to see how many minutes Dosunmu plays once Coby White returns to the Bulls lineup.

Looking Ahead to Thursday Night

• The Toronto Raptors look to end their three-game losing streak as they face off against the depleted 76ers
• Myles Turner leads the Pacers defense against Rudy Gobert and the Jazz in Salt Lake City
• How do the Heat perform without Jimmy Butler when they match up against the Clippers?