Around the Association: Steph Makes History, OT Battles + COVID Looms Large

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Published on December 15, 2021

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 just a three-game slate, but it was filled with intense games and record-breaking performances. Here is all you need to know:

Nightly Notables

Stephen Curry makes history

The Warriors defeated the New York Knicks 105-96, but more importantly, Stephen Curry passed Ray Allen to become the all-time leader in three-point field goals made. The two-time MVP finished with 22 points (8-19 FG, 5-14 3Pt, 1-2 FT), three rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal over 35 minutes and it only took Curry seven minutes to break Allen's mark.
- Draymond Green: Eight points (3-6 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 11 rebounds, seven assists, three blocks and one steal over 31 minutes.
Julius Randle had one of his better outings of the season during the loss. The forward ended with 31 points (10-21 FG, 5-8 3Pt, 6-6 FT), seven rebounds, three assists and two steals over 37 minutes of action. This has been a major down year for Randle as his season-long averages of 19.5 points, 9.9 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game are all lower than last year's figures.
- Derrick Rose: 15 points (5-13 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six assists, four rebounds and one steal over 34 minutes.

KD carries Nets in overtime

In perhaps one of the best games of the season, the extremely shorthanded Brooklyn Nets defeated the Toronto Raptors by a score of 131-129 in overtime.
- Kevin Durant was absolutely dominant in the win, posting his second triple-double of the season with 34 points (12-29 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 8-8 FT), 13 rebounds, 11 assists and one block in 48 minutes. However, it was Patty Mills who came up clutch for Brooklyn and hit the game-tying three-point shot to send it into overtime. The first-year Net dropped 30 points (10-20 FG, 7-14 3Pt, 3-4 FT), four rebounds, two assists and one steal in 43 minutes and figures to see more usage with James Harden set for a multi-game absence.
  - David Duke made his first career start and finished with 10 points (4-13 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 2-3 FT), 13 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals in 38 minutes. He and Kessler Edwards both figure to see more opportunities as the Nets deal with their COVID situation. Brooklyn had only the league minimum of eight players available Tuesday.
Fred VanVleet was awesome for the Raptors in the losing effort. The 27-year-old dropped 31 points (10-23 FG, 6-14 3Pt, 5-5 FT), four rebounds, nine assists and two steals across 47 minutes of action in the defeat. This was surprisingly VanVleet's first 30-point outing in over a month, but the improved guard still ranks as the 21st overall nine-category fantasy option on a per-game basis during that span.
- Gary Trent was on fire during the loss with 25 points (9-19 FG, 6-12 3Pt, 1-2 FT), two rebounds, five assists and three steals over 42 minutes. The Duke product has scored 24 or more in three out of his last four showings.
- Scottie Barnes: 23 points (7-13 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 6-8 FT), 12 rebounds and five assists over 44 minutes.

CP3 and Lillard duel in overtime

Even with both CJ McCollum (chest) and Devin Booker (hamstring) sidelined for the Portland Trail Blazers and Phoenix Suns, Tuesday's contest provided one of the more thrilling matchups of the season as the Suns won 111-107 in overtime. Chris Paul facilitated as he has all season long with 24 points (10-19 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 3-4 FT), eight rebounds, 14 assists and three steals in 41 minutes while hitting some clutch shots down the stretch. Paul continues to outplay his age as his 10.3 assists per game mark would rank as his highest since his LA days.
- Deandre Ayton returned from a two-game absence due to non-COVID illness in a major way. The fourth-year big supplied 28 points (12-17 FG, 4-5 FT), 13 rebounds, two steals and one assist over 44 minutes. In the six-game span of games that Booker has missed, Ayton is putting up 20.3 points per game.
Despite taking the loss, Damian Lillard was great as he continues to work back from his abdomen injury. The All-Star guard dropped 31 points (11-31 FG, 5-16 3Pt, 4-5 FT), 10 assists, two rebounds and one block in 47 minutes. Lillard's 31 field-goal attempts marked a new-season high as he should continue to see additional opportunities with McCollum sidelined.
- Norman Powell is also the main candidate to slide in as Portland's second option with McCollum on the bench. The wing finished with 23 points (9-17 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 2-3 FT), six rebounds, and two steals over 39 minutes of play. This was Powell's third time dropping 23 or more in his last four showings. He's routinely approached, or topped, 40 minutes over that stretch.

COVID issues: From bad to worse

In terms of basketball played, Tuesday night was one of the more incredible nights of the season. However, in terms of COVID and the future of the season, it was a nightmare. Players including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Donte DiVincenzo, Dwight Howard, Malik Monk, James Harden, Bruce Brown and Talen Horton-Tucker were all placed into the league's health and safety protocols.

Best and Worst of the Night

Best of the Night: Kevin Durant -- 34 points (12-29 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 8-8 FT), 13 rebounds, 11 assists and one block in 48 minutes
Worst of the Night: Evan Fournier -- Two points (1-5 FG, 0-4 3Pt), one rebound and one block over 28 minutes.
Rookie of the Night: Scottie Barnes -- 23 points (7-13 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 6-8 FT), 12 rebounds and five assists over 44 minutes.

A Look Ahead to Wednesday Night

LeBron James and the Lakers face off against the Luka Doncic-less Mavs in Dallas.
We got an elite big-man battle when the Minnesota Timberwolves travel to Denver to face the Nuggets.
Does Paul George (elbow) return as the Clippers matchup against the Jazz?