NBA roundup: Timberwolves surge past James Harden, Clippers
Sun Dec 7 1:30am ET
Field Level Media
Jaden McDaniels scored 27 points on 10-for-13 shooting and the Minnesota Timberwolves rallied for a 109-106 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday in Minneapolis.
Julius Randle finished with 24 points for the Timberwolves, who won their fifth game in a row. Naz Reid finished with 19 points off the bench, and Anthony Edwards scored 15 points despite making only three of 11 shots from the field.
James Harden scored 34 points on 10-for-18 shooting to lead the Clippers. Kawhi Leonard finished with 20 points, and Ivica Zubac posted a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds.
Harden surpassed Carmelo Anthony to move into sole possession of 10th place on the NBA's all-time scoring list. He finished the game with 28,303 career points, which bumped Anthony (28,289 points) out of the league's all-time top 10.
Nets 119, Pelicans 101
Michael Porter Jr. scored a season-high-tying 35 points and Brooklyn led virtually the entire way in a victory over NBA-worst New Orleans in New York.
The Nets won for the third time in four games thanks to Porter's third straight 30-point game and eighth overall. Brooklyn also improved to 5-6 in its past 11 since dropping 11 of its first 12. Porter made 14 of 23 shots, including 5 of 10 3-pointers. He also added nine rebounds as the Nets led by as many as 28.
Trey Murphy III scored 23 but the Pelicans lost their sixth straight. New Orleans dropped to 3-21 overall and 1-11 under interim coach James Borrego.
Hawks 131, Wizards 116
Jalen Johnson recorded his second consecutive triple-double with 30 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists as Atlanta snapped a three-game losing streak by beating host Washington.
Onyeka Okongwu scored 21 points, Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 17 and Luke Kennard had 15 for the Hawks, who led by as many as 20 in the second quarter before Washington rallied in the second half. Vit Krejci scored 14 points, Dyson Daniels had 12 and Asa Newell 11.
CJ McCollum led the Wizards with 28 points, including seven 3-pointers. Tristan Vukcevic scored a season-high 18, Justin Champagnie added 16, Will Riley and Kyshawn George had 15 apiece and Bub Carrington scored 14.
Warriors 99, Cavaliers 94
Pat Spencer scored 12 of his career-high 19 points in the fourth quarter of his initial NBA start and Gui Santos added 14 points off the bench, lifting injury-plagued Golden State past host Cleveland.
The Cavaliers trailed 97-94 with 4.1 seconds remaining when Donovan Mitchell got a clean look at a 3-pointer from the right wing, but it bounced off the rim. Two-way point guard Spencer grabbed the rebound and converted both free throws to ice the win.
Buddy Hield had 13 points and Quinten Post collected 12 points and nine rebounds for the Warriors. Mitchell poured in 16 of his game-high 29 points in the fourth, including four 3-pointers. Evan Mobley had 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Darius Garland scored 17 points as Cleveland shot a season-low 34.6% from the field and 23.8% on 3-pointers.
Pistons 124, Bucks 112
Cade Cunningham led seven Detroit players in double figures with 23 points and added 12 assists as they rolled past visiting Milwaukee.
Isaiah Stewart had 19 points and Jalen Duren powered for 16 points and 16 rebounds for the Pistons. Ausar Thompson supplied 13 points, eight assists and six rebounds. Javonte Green also contributed 13 points, while Caris LeVert tossed in 11 and Jaden Ivey added 10.
Kevin Porter Jr. topped the Bucks with 32 points, six assists and four steals. Kyle Kuzma contributed 15 points, Myles Turner had 12 points and Gary Trent Jr. added 11. Ryan Rollins chipped in 10 points with six rebounds and six assists.
Kings 127, Heat 111
Zach LaVine scored 29 of his season-high 42 points in the first half, helping lead visiting Sacramento to a victory over Miami.
LaVine made eight of his 13 3-point attempts for the Kings, who snapped a four-game skid, improving to 3-10 on the road. Keegan Murray added 16 points, while Nique Clifford scored 15 and DeMar DeRozan tallied 13 for Sacramento, which led by as many as 28.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. led the Heat with 27 points, followed by Simone Fontecchio's 20 and Norman Powell's 18. Andrew Wiggins scored 13 points and Nikola Jovic added 12 for Miami, which dropped its third straight.
Mavericks 122, Rockets 109
Anthony Davis scored 29 points on 14-of-19 shooting and collected eight rebounds to help host Dallas post a solid win over Houston.
Brandon Williams matched his season high of 20 points and Cooper Flagg added 19 points as the Mavericks won for the fourth time in five games. Naji Marshall scored 15 points, P.J. Washington added 14 points, seven rebounds and matched his career high of five steals, and Ryan Nembhard had 11 points and seven assists.
Kevin Durant scored 27 points despite sitting out the fourth quarter and Jabari Smith Jr. added 22 points for the Rockets. Aaron Holiday had 19 points and fellow reserve Reed Sheppard had 12 as Houston sustained its worst losing margin of the season.
- NBA roundup: Timberwolves surge past James Harden, Clippers
- NBA roundup: Kevin Durant hits 31K career points in Rockets' win
- Lakers without LeBron James, Luka Doncic vs. Celtics
- Ex-NBA champ Elden Campbell died by drowning
- NBA roundup: Lakers win, but LeBron James' double-figure streak ends
- Clippers waive F Jahmyl Telfort as roster adjustments continue
- Lakers' Luka Doncic (personal) out vs. Raptors
- Bucks F Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) out 2-4 weeks
- NBA roundup: Jamal Murray nets 52 as Nuggets extend road win streak
- Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo out for game with right calf strain
- Suns' Devin Booker (groin) will miss at least 1 week
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks discussing future
- Warriors G De’Anthony Melton (knee) set to return vs. 76ers
- NBA fines 76ers for violating rules leading up to Joel Embiid's return
- Ex-NBA champ, Clemson star Elden Campbell dies
- Clippers release G Chris Paul in late-night move
- NBA roundup: Jaylen Brown (42), Celtics hold off Knicks
- Pelicans F Zion Williamson questionable vs. Timberwolves
- Longtime NBA F Danilo Gallinari, 37, announces retirement
- Nuggets G Jamal Murray sprains ankle in loss to Mavs
Kings' G Zach LaVine scored 42 points on 12-of-24 shooting in a 127-111 win over Miami on Saturday, Dec. 6.
Atlanta's F Jalen Johnson recorded a triple-double, finishing with 30 points, 12 assists and 12 rebounds in a 131-116 win over Washington on Saturday, Dec. 6.
Nets' C Nicolas Claxton recorded a triple-double, finishing with 14 points, 10 assists and 11 rebounds in a 119-101 win over the Pelicans on Saturday, Dec. 6.
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (ankle) won't suit up on Sunday versus the Nuggets. He injured his left ankle in Friday's win over the Toronto Raptors. Luckily, Charlotte won't play again until Friday against the visiting Chicago Bulls, so he'll have some extra time to rest. With Collin Sexton (quadriceps) out as well, KJ Simpson, who logged 28 minutes on Friday, could enter the starting lineup. However, he only had eight points while committing seven turnovers, so he's not the safest streaming option by any means. Tidjane Salaun, coming off a 21-point effort, might also be in line for more minutes and scoring chances.
Toronto Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley (illness) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Boston Celtics. He has averaged 16.8 points during the 2025 campaign, down from last season (17.1). However, the 26-year-old has improved in several statistical areas, including rebounds (4.4), assists (6.3), and three-point shooting (39.1%). Quickley also hasn't missed a game after being limited to 33 appearances in 2024. If he can't suit up, Jamal Shead, Gradey Dick, or Collin Murray-Boyles could enter the starting lineup. Either way, all three players should see more action, although none of them can be trusted fully for streaming purposes in any fantasy setup.
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Klay Thompson (knee) won't play in Saturday's intrastate meeting with the Rockets. This will only be his second absence of the 2025 campaign. However, the 35-year-old has averaged a career-low 11.0 points, so his absence won't mean much for fantasy managers. Still, without Thompson, it could at least mean more minutes for D'Angelo Russell, Brandon Williams, and Jaden Hardy, although none of those players are consistently reliable from a fantasy standpoint.
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (illness) won't play on Saturday against the Dallas Mavericks. He'll now be sidelined for another contest after missing Friday's win over the Phoenix Suns because of an illness. Fortunately, the Rockets won't play again until Thursday versus the Los Angeles Clippers, so Sengun will have a few more days to feel better. With Steven Adams (ankle) also out, Clint Capela, coming off a four-point, seven-rebound, four-block effort, could be in line for his most productive game of the 2025 campaign.
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (toe) won't play on Saturday versus the Kings. The 25-year-old began the season on the shelf due to foot and ankle injuries. Since returning, he appeared in five games, averaging 23.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and a career-high 48.4% shooting from behind the arc. Herro will now miss his second-straight contest due to a right big toe contusion. He's considered day-to-day, so fantasy managers will wait to see if he'll be back on Tuesday in Orlando. Without Herro, Bam Adebayo and Norman Powell are the favorites to be the top contributors on the scoring end, although Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel'el Ware, and Andrew Wiggins could have more prominent roles.
Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (knee) won't play on Saturday against Cleveland, marking his second-straight absence. He was listed as questionable, meaning there's a chance he might be back on Sunday versus the Bulls, his former team. However, with Draymond Green (foot) and Stephen Curry (quadriceps) also sidelined, fantasy managers could see an uptick in scoring from Buddy Hield, Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski, Jonathan Kuminga.
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (foot) won't play on Saturday against Cleveland. He logged only nine minutes before exiting Thursday's loss to the Philadelphia 76ers because of a right foot injury. Fantasy managers anticipated the 35-year-old would miss time. However, considering he was questionable, it appears the door is open for his return on Sunday in Chicago. With Jimmy Butler III (knee) and Stephen Curry (quadriceps) also out, fantasy managers could see more scoring primarily from Moses Moody, Jonathan Kuminga, Buddy Hield, and Brandon Podziemski.
Washington Wizards forward Khris Middleton (knee) is questionable for Saturday's matchup with Atlanta, continuing a stretch where his availability and production have been hard for managers to rely on. The veteran has bounced in and out of the lineup, and his recent line of 16 points, three rebounds, and four assists underscores a solid but low-ceiling role when active. If he sits, Justin Champagnie, rookie Will Riley, and Cam Whitmore (illness) should absorb extra wing minutes, with Champagnie's rebounding and Whitmore's scoring making them deeper-league streamers rather than standard-league priorities.
Golden State Warriors guard De'Anthony Melton (knee) is questionable for Saturday's game in Cleveland after logging 21 minutes in his season debut Thursday. Melton produced 14 points, three assists, two steals, and one block on 45.5 percent shooting, but the team is expected to manage his workload, especially on back-to-backs. That creates volatility for fantasy managers. It also opens small windows for Will Richard, who posted five points and two steals in 20 minutes, and for Gary Payton II, but both remain fringe streaming plays rather than priority adds.
Golden State Warriors forward/center Draymond Green (foot) is questionable for Saturday's game in Cleveland after exiting Thursday's loss early and playing only nine minutes. Green had been productive before the setback, averaging 10.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 5.8 assists across his last five full outings, with at least six assists and nine rebounds in three of those games. If he cannot go, Quinten Post becomes the preferred streaming option after posting 10 points, three rebounds, and four assists in 25 minutes, while Trayce Jackson-Davis remains a deeper-league contingency play.
Golden State Warriors guard/forward Jimmy Butler III (knee) is questionable for Saturday's matchup in Cleveland after missing Thursday with left knee soreness. Butler delivered at least 20 points in four of his past five full outings, highlighted by a 24-point, eight-rebound, 10-assist performance in his most recent complete game, though he did log just six points in 15 minutes before exiting early against Oklahoma City. If he sits, Moses Moody becomes the cleanest streaming option after scoring 14 points with one steal in 23 minutes, while Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield gain short-term value.
Atlanta Hawks' F Jalen Johnson recorded a triple-double, finishing with 21 points, 16 assists and 18 rebounds in a 133-134 loss to the Nuggets on Friday, Dec. 5.
Denver's C Nikola Jokic scored 40 points on 13-of-26 shooting in a 134-133 win over Atlanta on Friday, Dec. 5.
Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (calf) will return to action Friday against the Indiana Pacers. According to K.C. Johnson of theChicago Sports Network, White will have a 24-minute limit in the contest. The 25-year-old has missed three games with a sore left calf. His season debut was delayed by a right calf injury, and White's calf problems must be a major concern for the Bulls. On Friday, White will replace Ayo Dosunmu (thumb) in the rotation.
Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams (wrist) and guard/forward Dalen Terry (calf) will be active against the Indiana Pacers on Friday. Both players were initially listed as probable for the game. Having the two available is great news for an injury-hit Bulls squad. However, fantasy managers should not expect Williams and Terry to make much noise. Williams has been limited to 7.3 points and 3.2 rebounds in 20.7 minutes this season. Meanwhile, Terry has averaged fewer than 10 minutes per game, posting 2.6 points and 1.6 rebounds.
Chicago Bulls guard/forward Ayo Dosunmu (thumb) will miss his third game of the season on Friday versus the Indiana Pacers. He has been ruled out with a right thumb sprain. Dosunmu has logged 35-plus minutes in each of the last three games, so his exit from the lineup opens up a lot of playing time for other players. Dalen Terry (calf), Jevon Carter, and the returning Coby White (calf) should soak up most of the minutes. White is by far the best fantasy option of the trio, but he will be limited to 24 minutes on Friday.
Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (leg) will miss Friday's action against the Detroit Pistons. He has been downgraded from questionable to out. Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers will have Robert Williams III (knee) back in the mix on Friday, helping to compensate for the absence of Clingan. Williams III will start the contest, with Duop Reath providing backup at the center position. Kris Murray (hip) may also pick up some of the available minutes in his return from a one-game absence.
