Around the Association: Jokic Goes Off (Again), Franz Wagner Erupts, Lakers Get Past Rockets

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 an exciting eight-game slate full of wild finishes and performances. Here is all you need to know:

Nightly Notables

Jokic pushes Nuggets past Warriors

• The Nuggets got off to a fantastic start against the Warriors as they led 60-36 at the half. However, the Warriors did not go away and were able to come back and even tie the game up in the final minutes.
• In the end, Andre Iguodala had a chance to drill a three-pointer to send the game to overtime, but his attempt was rejected by Nikola Jokic. This was another standout performance from the reigning MVP as he finished with 22 points (8-19 FG, 0-5 3Pt, 6-8 FT), 18 rebounds, five assists, four steals and one block in 35 minutes.
• Jokic is averaging 25.7 points, 20.3 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.0 blocks over his last three showings. Those numbers literally sound made up
  • Will Barton: 21 points (7-15 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 3-3 FT), four rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block in 36 minutes.
• Stephen Curry got off to a slower start Tuesday but was the main reason the Warriors were able to almost steal the game from Denver, as the All-Star started to catch fire late. He ended with 23 points (6-16 FG, 5-14 3Pt, 6-7 FT), four rebounds and four assists in 39 minutes.
  • After missing the team's last four contests due to COVID, Andrew Wiggins looked good in his return as he posted 21 points (8-20 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 2-3 FT), eight rebounds, two steals, one block and one assist in 32 minutes.

76ers top Raptors in wild game

• This has got to be one of the wildest games of the season as multiple players had career outings. In a tightly contested battle throughout, the 76ers were able to defeat the Raptors by a score of 114-109. Joel Embiid was practically unguardable as he posted 36 points (11-16 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 12-14 FT), 11 rebounds, four assists and one block in 34 minutes. Embiid now has three performances recording at least 36 points and 10 rebounds out of his last four appearances.
  • Tobias Harris had gotten off to a slower start to the year, but the wing has started to pick up his play as of lately. In fact, he posted his first career triple-double with 19 points (3-12 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 13-14 FT), 12 rebounds, 10 assists, one block and two steals over 36 minutes. Harris is averaging 20.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game over his last four appearances while ranking as the 39th overall nine-category fantasy player over the past week.
• Pascal Siakam made his first appearance back with the Raptors after missing the team's last two showings while stuck in health and safety protocols. He looked awesome in the loss, finishing with 28 points (11-21 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 6-6 FT), six rebounds, eight assists, one block and one steal over 42 minutes. Siakam does just rank as the 80th overall nine-category fantasy option this season, but I would be shocked if that number doesn't rise by the time the year is over.
  • Chris Boucher exploded in the loss as he dropped 28 points (10-14 FG, 5-7 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 19 rebounds, two blocks and one steal in 38 minutes. Both his scoring and rebounding marked new season-highs for the 28-year-old.

What the Franz!

• The Milwaukee Bucks may have decimated the Magic by a score of 127-110, but the real headline from the game is Franz Wagner's absolute explosion. The rookie out of Michigan went off for a new season-best 38 points (12-20 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 10-10 FT), seven rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal over 38 minutes. It was an incredibly efficient performance out of the wing who continues to turn heads in Year 1.
  • Wendell Carter: 19 points (6-14 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 5-6 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist and three steals across 33 minutes
• The Bucks continue to coast through games as this victory marked their fourth straight win. Giannis Antetokounmpo was up to his usual game-wrecking ways, finishing with 28 points (10-19 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 7-10 FT), six rebounds, six assists and one block across 29 minutes. This marked the two-time MVP's second game back from his lengthy stay in the league's health and safety protocols while he is averaging 32.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game over that span.
  • Bobby Portis: 19 points (7-9 FG, 5-5 3Pt), seven rebounds, one assist and one block over 28 minutes of play.

Lakers finally figure it out against Houston

• Coming into Tuesday's contest in Houston, the Lakers had lost five straight games, but the team was finally able to get back in the winning column after a 132-123 victory. The game was pretty close throughout honestly, but the Lakers' veterans took over late.
• LeBron James continues to defy aging with 32 points (11-19 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 7-9 FT), 11 rebounds, 11 assists, two blocks and one steal across 39 minutes. It's only by a few decimal places but James' 27.6 scoring average would be his highest since the 2009-10 season.
  • After being bashed on by both the fans and media, Russell Westbrook had one of his best games of the season in the win. He finished with 24 points (10-17 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 2-6 FT), 12 rebounds, 10 assists and two steals over 35 minutes. This looked way more like the type of Westbrook that we were seeing last season in Washington.
  • Carmelo Anthony: 24 points (9-15 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 2-2 FT), nine rebounds, two blocks and one steal.
• I was really impressed with what I saw out of Jalen Green despite the loss. The No. 2 overall pick ended with 24 points (8-16 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 4-5 FT), four assists, two rebounds and two steals across 38 minutes of action. His athleticism and bounce were on full display last night.
  • Kevin Porter: 22 points (8-17 FG, 5-9 3Pt, 1-2 FT), nine assists, five rebounds, one steal and one block over 34 minutes of action.

Pelicans rally past Cavs

• This was surprisingly a phenomenal game. The Cavaliers were winning by as many as 23 points before the Pelicans were able to come back late and steal the win from Cleveland by a score of 108-104. Garrett Temple played the role of the unlikely hero as he drilled five three-pointers in the fourth quarter while finishing with 17 points (6-7 FG, 5-6 3Pt, 0-2 FT), three rebounds, three assists and one steal across 37 minutes. Temple is averaging 19.5 points per game over his last showings.
  • Herbert Jones continues to show glimpses of him becoming a really good player in a couple of years. The rookie out of Arkansas ended with 26 points (10-18 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 4-4 FT), seven rebounds, three assists and three blocks across 36 minutes. Jones' lack of consistency in year No. 1 still makes him a hard fantasy option to trust each night.
• Ricky Rubio was off to a golden start to Tuesday's loss before things took a turn for the worse. The point guard was chopping the Pelicans' defense apart as he had 27 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists before being forced to leave the game early due to a knee injury. We're yet to get an official diagnosis, but the injury did not look good for the veteran, who's been a key piece to the Cavs' surprising season.
  • Looking at the positive side of things for Cleveland, Evan Mobley made his return to the lineup after missing the team's last four appearances due to COVID. The rookie looked just as good as he did before as he ended with 22 points (9-12 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 3-3 FT) and seven rebounds in 30 minutes. Feel free to fire the star youngster back into fantasy lineups.

Best and Worst of the Night

• Best of the Night: LeBron James - 32 points (11-19 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 7-9 FT), 11 rebounds, 11 assists, two blocks and one steal across 39 minutes.
• Worst of the Night: Tyrese Maxey - Five points (2-11 FG, 1-4 3Pt), two rebounds and one steal across 36 minutes.
• Rookie of the Night: Franz Wagner - 38 points (12-20 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 10-10 FT), seven rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal over 38 minutes

Quick Hitters

• Jimmy Butler stuffed the stat sheet during the Heat's 119-112 win over the Wizards. The wing finished with 25 points (8-16 FG, 9-9 FT), eight rebounds, a career-high 15 assists, two blocks and two steals across 36 minutes.
  • Tyler Herro: 32 points (9-19 FG, 5-7 3Pt, 9-10 FT), six rebounds and three assists over 35 minutes.
• Spencer Dinwiddie had one of his better showings of the season in the loss to Miami as he neared a triple-double with 24 points (8-16 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 4-5 FT), seven rebounds and 11 assists across 42 minutes.
  • Daniel Gafford: 16 points (7-7 FG, 2-2 FT), 11 rebounds, three assists and one steal across 36 minutes.
  • Bradley Beal remains in COVID-19 protocols, but he did finally get the vaccine this week, which bodes well for his longer-term status.
• Julius Randle led the way as the Knicks were able to push past the Timberwolves by a score of 96-88. The forward finished with 13 points (5-20 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 2-3 FT), 15 rebounds, two assists and one block across 37 minutes.
  • Mitchell Robinson: 14 points (7-8 FG, 0-2 FT), 18 rebounds, two steals and a block.
• The Minnesota Timberwolves probably played their last game extremely short-handed as Anthony Edwards, Patrick Beverley, Naz Reid and Taurean Prince have all been cleared from health and safety protocols.
• Tyrese Haliburton solid playmaking effort helped push the Kings to a 117-111 win over the Thunder. The second-year guard ended with 24 points (9-14 FG, 5-8 3Pt, 1-1 FT), two rebounds, 10 assists, two blocks and one steal over 33 minutes. Haliburton has recorded double-digit assists in five out of his last six showings.
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued to be aggressive despite the loss, finishing with 33 points (9-24 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 14-17 FT), five rebounds and five assists across 35 minutes. SGA is averaging 30.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game over his four showings.
   

A Look Ahead to Wednesday Night

• The Hornets and Pacers appear set for a highly contested battle
• Can the Lakers build upon their performance Tuesday and leave Memphis with a win?
• We have a Chris Paul revenge game when the Suns take on the Thunder.
• Donovan Mitchell leads the Jazz into Portland to face Damian Lillard and Co.
• Can Kristaps Porzingis keep up his improved play when the Mavericks head into Sacramento?