Spurs-Pelicans first game lost with both shorthanded
San Antonio’s game in New Orleans was called off Monday night in the latest virus-related postponement for the NBA, one that came when the league determined that neither team would have enough players available.
Also Monday, Clippers stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George were ruled out for Tuesday’s game in Atlanta because of the league’s protocols.
Contact tracing was cited as the cause of the Spurs-Pelicans postponement. But instead of it involving one team — as has been the case with the previous 21 postponements prior to Monday — this one involved both clubs.
MONDAY’S GAMES
LeBron James went on tear in the fourth quarter on his former home court, scoring 21 of his 46 points to keep the Los Angeles Lakers unbeaten on the road with a 115-108 victory over Cleveland. … James Harden and Kevin Durant each scored 20 points despite three relatively quiet quarters, and Brooklyn broke away to beat Miami 98-85 at New York. …Michael Porter Jr. scored 30 points and Denver overcame Jamal Murray’s ejection for a shot to the groin of Dallas’ Tim Hardaway Jr. to win at Dallas 117-113. … Jaylen Brown scored 26 points and Jayson Tatum added 24 after missing five games because of COVID protocols as Boston won at Chicago. … Delon Wright scored a career-high 28 points, leading host Detroit, which has the NBA’s worst record, to a 119-104 win over Eastern Conferenceleading Philadelphia. …
Stephen Curry scored 36 points with seven 3pointers, Andrew Wiggins had 23 against his old team, and Golden State beat Minnesota 130-108 at San Francisco. … Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 24 points, Mike Muscala added 23, and Oklahoma City snapped a three-game losing streak with a 125-122 victory at Portland. … Malcolm Brogdon scored a career-high 36 points and Myles Turner scored 11 of his 21 in the final 8½ to help Indiana pull away for a 129-114 win over visiting Toronto. … Nikola Vucevic scored 28 points and rookie Cole Anthony added 21 as host Orlando defeated Charlotte 117-108.