Around the Association: Taking You Through A Wild 13-Game Slate

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 busy 13-game slate last night, here is all you need to know: 

Nightly Notables

The Joker dominates Pelicans in OT win 

• Nikola Jokic put up yet another absolutely masterful performance as the Nuggets defeated the Pelicans 120-114 during overtime in New Orleans. The reigning MVP finished with 39 points (17-23 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 5-9 FT), 11 rebounds, 11 assists and one steal over 36 minutes of action. This was his ninth 30-point triple-double of his career.
  • Will Barton - 20 points (7-18 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six assists, three rebounds, one steal and one block over 41 minutes.
• Jonas Valanciunas wasn't quite as good as the center he was matched up against, but the first-year Pelican put up yet another strong performance for the team. JV finished with 27 points (12-21 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-3 FT), 11 rebounds, three assists and three blocks over 39 minutes. This was his second straight appearance recording three blocks.
  • Brandon Ingram - 16 points (6-12 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 3-3 FT), eight rebounds, five assists and four steals over 43 minutes.

Rockets win again, spoil Harden's return

• The Houston Rockets just keep winning. The team was able to take down the Brooklyn Nets by a score of 114-104 in order to earn their seventh straight victory. Eric Gordon continues to really impress me here in year No. 14 as the veteran guard finished with 21 points (8-12 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 3-3 FT), two rebounds, two assists and one block over 28 minutes despite being ejected late in the game as well. Gordon now has three straight showings dropping at least 21 points.
  • Garrison Mathews is also another player who really is not getting enough attention this season. The wing recorded 19 points (5-13 FG, 3-11 3Pt, 6-7 FT), three steals, two rebounds and one block over 38 minutes in the win. Matthews has started the last six games for the Rockets and has averaged 16.8 points and 3.2 rebounds during their winning streak.
• James Harden made his return to Houston for the first time with fans in the building. The Nets were without Kevin Durant (rest) while Harden approached a triple-double with 25 points (4-16 FG, 3-12 3Pt, 14-16 FT), 11 rebounds, eight assists and two steals over 39 minutes. He also finished with eight turnovers.
• Kuz for the win

• One of the most exciting games of Wednesday's busy slate came in Detroit when the Washington Wizards came into town. The contest was tightly contested throughout, but ended with Kyle Kuzma drilling a corner three with less than a second left. It was a great game for the improved forward as he finished with 26 points (8-18 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 6-7 FT), seven rebounds, four assists and one steal in 39 minutes on top of sealing the deal for Washington.
  • Bradley Beal - 25 points (10-19 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 5-8 FT), six rebounds, three assists and one steal over 43 minutes.
• Jerami Grant led the way for Detroit despite falling short in overtime. The forward impressed from the free-throw line as he ended with 28 points (6-16 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 14-15 FT), five rebounds, three assists, one block and two steals over 39 minutes. Grant is averaging 25.6 points and 5.2 rebounds over his past five showings, but Detroit finds itself amidst a 10-game losing streak.
  • Frank Jackson - 19 points (6-9 FG, 5-7 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, one assist and one steal over 31 minutes.

Dallas ends losing streak, snaps Memphis' winning streak

• Coming into Wednesday night, the Memphis Grizzlies had won five straight showings while the Dallas Mavericks had dropped their past three games. However, Dallas was finally able to get back in the win column after beating the Grizzlies by a score of 104-96. Luka Doncic led the way for the Mavericks, dropping 26 points (10-19 FG, 5-10 3Pt, 1-2 FT), eight rebounds, seven assists and one steal across 36 minutes.
  • Kristaps Porzingis - 19 points (6-13 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 5-5 FT), four rebounds, one assist and one steal over 23 minutes.
• It was yet another very strong showing out of Jaren Jackson despite the losing effort Wednesday night. The Michigan State product finished with 26 points (9-19 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 6-8 FT), seven rebounds, one assist, two blocks and one steal across 34 minutes. JJJ ranks as the 37th overall nine-category fantasy option on a per-game basis this season.

Embiid dominate Charlotte once again

• Earlier this week, the 76ers bested the Hornets in a thrilling overtime matchup. On Wednesday, Philadelphia was able to hold off the Hornets once again en route to a 110-106 victory in Charlotte. Joel Embiid was impressive in the win, finishing with 32 points (8-17 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 15-19 FT), eight rebounds, four assists and one steal over 33 minutes. During Philly's two wins over Charlotte this week, Embiid has averaged 37.5 points, 11.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists per showing.
  • It was another strong showing for Seth Curry who was in a giving mood, dropping  23 points (8-14 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 3-4 FT), a season-high eight assists, four rebounds and one steal across 35 minutes
• It was yet another valiant effort for the Hornets as the team is missing LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, Jalen McDaniels, and Mason Plumlee due to COVID protocols. Gordon Hayward led the way with his teammates' absences, finishing with 31 points (10-18 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 9-10 FT), five rebounds, seven assists, one block and one steal in 41 minutes. This was the forward's first 30 point outing this season.
  • Kelly Oubre continues to make the most out of Charlotte's COVID situation as he dropped 22 points (8-22 FG, 3-12 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals in 41 minutes. The first-year Hornet is averaging 28.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game over his past three outings while rankings as the No. 12 overall nine-category fantasy option on a per-game basis over the past week.

SGA leads Thunder over Raptors in his native country

• Prior to this week, the Oklahoma City Thunder had dropped eight straight contests. However, the team now finds itself on a two-game winning streak after beating the Raptors by a score of 110-109. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a great performance in his native country, finishing with 26 points (6-17 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 12-2 FT), nine assists, two rebounds and one steal over 36 minutes of action.
  • Luguentz Dort (also in native country) - 22 points (8-18 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 2-4 FT), six rebounds, three assists and one block across 38 minutes.
• Dispite coming up short in the end, it was a solid effort from Pascal Siakam throughout. The forward finished with 23 points (10-15 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 1-3 FT), 11 rebounds and five assists over 38 minutes. Siakam is starting to find his groove, putting up 23.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game over his past four outings.
  • Fred VanVleet - 19 points (6-20 FG, 5-13 3Pt, 2-4 FT), nine assists, eight rebounds and one steal over 39 minutes.

Best and Worst of the Night 

• Best of the Night: Nikola Jokic - 39 points (17-23 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 5-9 FT), 11 rebounds, 11 assists and one steal over 36 minutes
• Worst of the Night: Giannis Antetokounmpo - 15 points (4-13 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 7-12 FT), six rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal across 33 minutes.
• Rookie of the Night: Brandon Boston - 27 points (9-13 FG, 5-8 3Pt, 4-4 FT), two rebounds and four steals in 25 minutes

Quick Hitters

• Brandon Boston helped lead the Clippers past the Boston Celtics by a score of 111-108 with Paul George (elbow) out of the lineup. The rookie out of Kentucky dropped in a career-high 27 points (9-13 FG, 5-8 3Pt, 4-4 FT), two rebounds and four steals in 25 minutes. Boston is starting to really come into his own as of late and now has three double-digit scoring efforts in his past five appearances.

• Despite falling short, Jayson Tatum continues to ball out for the Celtics with Jaylen Brown (hamstring) sidelined. The All-Star forward produced 29 points (9-20 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 9-10 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists, one block and two steals in 36 minutes. Over his past five appearances, Tatum is putting up 31.4 points and 10.0 rebounds per game.
  • Al Horford - 11 points (4-8 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds and seven assists in 34 minutes.
• De'Aaron Fox had one of his better outings of the season during Sacramento's 142-130 win over the Magic. The speedster guard recorded 33 points (12-18 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 7-8 FT), three rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal in 33 minutes. This was just Fox's third 30-point outing of the season.
  • Tyrese Haliburton - 18 points (6-9 FG, 5-6 3Pt, 1-1 FT), three rebounds, 11 assists, two blocks and three steals over 38 minutes.
  • Richaun Holmes left the contest early due to an eye injury. Tristan Thompson saw 20 minutes off of the bench and record 14 points (6-11 FG, 2-3 FT) and 10 rebounds.
• Cole Anthony matched De'Aaron Fox's big game with his own impressive outing despite the losing effort. The electrifying second-year pro recorded 33 points (12-22 FG, 6-9 3Pt, 3-4 FT), four rebounds, eight assists and one steal across 35 minutes. Anthony has gone for 24 or more points in three out of his last four appearances while totaling over seven assists in all of those appearances as well.
  • Wendell Carter - 19 points (7-14 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 4-6 FT), 10 rebounds, six assists and one block over 36 minutes.
• Stephen Curry is now just 10 three-pointers away from breaking Ray Allen's all-time three-point record after a solid showing during Golden State's 104-94 win over the Trail Blazers. The sharpshooting shot-creator finished with  22 points (8-19 FG, 6-17 3Pt), two rebounds, two assists and one steal in 33 minutes. It is fully record-breaking season as Curry attempted just two shots from inside the three-point arc.
• Norman Powell continues to benefit from both Damian Lillard (abdomen) and CJ McCollum (lung) being out of the Trail Blazers' lineup. The wing finished with a 26 points (8-23 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 9-11 FT), five assists and one steal over 43 minutes. Powell is averaging 27.5 points per game over his past two showings.
• The Utah Jazz handled the Minnesota Timberwolves by a score of 136-104. Donovan Mitchell is going absolutely crazy right now and not enough people are talking about him at all. The All-Star guard finished with 36 points (14-23 FG, 5-12 3Pt, 3-3 FT), five rebounds, two assists and one block over 34 minutes. Mitchell has now scored 30 or more points in his last four contests while averaging 33.8 points on 42.9 percent shooting from deep per game over that span.
  • Royce O'Neale - Nine points (3-3 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), six rebounds, seven assists, one block and three steals across 29 minutes.
• The Timberwolves may have picked up the L, but that did not stop Karl-Anthony Towns from having yet another big outing for Minnesota. KAT recorded 22 points (7-11 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 6-8 FT), seven rebounds, five assists and one block in 34 minutes. The center has gone for 20 or more points in 11 out of his past 12 showings.
  • Patrick Beverley missed the Timberwolves' last six games due to groin injury, but returned Wednesday night en route to 16 points (8-11 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 0-1 FT), two rebounds and two assists in 23 minutes.
• Caleb Martin had a career night when the short-handed Miami Heat took down the Milwaukee Bucks 113-104 in the South Beach. With Jimmy Butler (tailbone) sidelines, The Nevada product produced 28 points (9-12 FG, 6-8 3Pt, 4-4 FT), eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks across 34 minutes. Martin has started two games this season and is averaging 23.0 points per game during those appearances.
  • Kyle Lowry looked good for the Heat, dropping his sixth double-double of the season with 22 points (9-21 FG, 4-13 3Pt), 13 assists, two rebounds and one steal in 39 minutes.
• Jrue Holiday ended the defeat to the Heat with a season-high 27 points (12-17 FG, 3-7 3Pt), four rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal across 37 minutes. The two-way guard has gone for 20 or more points in three out of his past four appearances.
  • It was an unusually quiet night for Giannis Antetokounmpo as the two-time MVP finished with just 15 points (4-13 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 7-12 FT), six rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal across 33 minutes.
• Darius Garland helped to push the Cavaliers over the short-handed Chicago Bulls by a score of 115-92. He finished with a team-high 24 points (9-16 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 3-3 FT) to go with six assists, three rebounds and one steal across 32 minutes. The third-year pro has scored 24 or more in three out of his last four showings.
  • Lauri Markkanen finished with 14 points (5-8 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), one rebound and one assist across 27 minutes against his former team.
• Zach LaVine neared a double-double in Chicago's loss to Cleveland as he put up 23 points (9-21 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 4-7 FT), nine assists and four rebounds in 35 minutes. The All-Star guard figures to pick up additional usage with DeMar DeRozan in COVID protocols.
  • Nikola Vucevic is also a candidate to see his usage bumped up without DeRozan as he recorded 18 points (8-23 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 12 rebounds and two blocks over 30 minutes. After only recording one game with over 20 shot attempts this season, Vucevic has crossed that total in each of his last two appearances.
  • Lonzo Ball - 19 points (6-12 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 3-3 FT), seven assists, four rebounds and three steals over 39 minutes.
• Despite the news breaking that several Pacers' players want out of the organization, the team was still able to cruise to a 122-102 victory over the Knicks. Domantas Sabonis was dominant with 21 points (7-8 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 5-7 FT), 11 rebounds, five assists and one block across 33 minutes. This marked his fifth straight double-double
• Just one day after dropping 32 points for the Knicks, RJ Barrett totaled a team-high 19 points (5-12 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 6-7 FT), two rebounds and three assists over 35 minutes in New York's loss.

Rookie Spotlight

• Cade Cunningham: 21 points (8-20 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 4-4 FT), four rebounds, three assists and two steals across 37 minutes.
  • Despite Detroit dropping 10 straight contests, the No. 1 overall pick is seriously starting to figure out as of late. Cunningham is averaging 23.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game over his last four appearances while ranking as the 52nd overall nine-category fantasy option on a per-game basis over the past week.
• Evan Mobley: 16 points (8-11 FG) nine rebounds, five blocks, two steals and one assist across 31 minutes.
  • What a game for the rookie out of USC. He finished with an incredibly efficient 16 points while also making his mark felt on defense with seven combined blocks and steals. The interior force continues to be ine of the biggest bright spots out of a very strong rookie class.
• Scottie Barnes: 18 points (8-17 FG, 2-7 3Pt), eight rebounds, five assists, two blocks and one steal over 38 minutes.
  • As he has done all season long, the rookie out of Florida State impressed on both ends of the floor. Barnes' 15.2 points per game leads all rookies while his 8.0 rebounds per game is good for second.
• Josh Giddey: 13 points (5-12 FG, 3-5 3Pt), eight assists, four rebounds and one block over 30 minutes.
  • The No. 6 overall pick is starting to impress me more as as scorer as he gains more experience in the league. His passing is already at an elite level, but if he can figure out his scoring, Giddey has the makings of being a really good player down the line. The rookie out of Australia has reached double-digit scoring figures in eight out of his past nine appearances.
• Franz Wagner: 19 points (5-10 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 7-7 FT), six rebounds, four assists and one steal
  • It was yet another solid all-around outing for the rookie out of Michigan. Wagner continues to be one of the most sound rookies out of this year's draft class and has scored 15 or more points in seven of his last eight appearances.
• Davion Mitchell: 18 points (7-10 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 3-4 FT), four assists and three rebounds in 24 minutes.
  • It continues to be quite an inconsistent season for Mitchell. The rookie out of Baylor now has three games with single-digit scoring and three games with double-digits in his past six showings. It is clear that Mitchell has the talent and skills to belong in the league, but putting it all together on a consistent basis may take some time.
• Chris Duarte: 23 points (9-11 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 3-4 FT), three rebounds, six assists and one steal over 30 minutes
  • The rookie out of Oregon continues to provide for the Pacers despite all of the turmoil going on with the roster. Honesty, I was a little bit surprised to see that this was just his second 20-point outing since the season opener, but his 13.5 points per game ranks sixth amongst all rookies.
• Cam Thomas: 18 points (7-15 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 3-3 FT), two rebounds and one steal over 32 minutes.
  • It was only a matter of time before the rookie out of LSU started to find himself in coach Steve Nash's rotation. With Kevin Durant sidelined due to rest, Thomas saw a season-high in minutes en route to a season-high in points. The guard is an incredibly gifted scorer and it will not surprise me to see him hit some lofty scoring totals here in year No. 1
• Herbert Jones: 19 points (8-11 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), seven assists, three rebounds, two blocks and one steal across 38 minutes.
  • The rookie out of Alabama's inconsistent season continued Wednesday night as he had one of his better outings of the season during New Orleans' loss to Denver. Jones was efficient from the field and also was able to punch in a poster on Nikola Jokic.

• Josh Christopher: 18 points (7-7 FG, 4-4 3Pt), two rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block over 23 minutes.
  • What a game from Christopher as the rookie finished the game 100 percent from the field. This was by far Christopher's best showing of the season and hopefully will help him find himself more involved in coach Stephen Silas' rotation.

A Look Ahead to Thursday Night 

• Rudy Gobert and Joel Embiid clash in a battle between elite centers when Utah travels to Philadelphia
• Can LeBron James keep up his impressive play when the Lakers travel to Memphis to take on the Grizzlies?
• Familiar Western Conference foes, the Nuggets and the Spurs, meet in San Antonio.