Giannis has knee issue, Bucks get 13th straight win
Giannis Antetokounmpo left late in the first quarter with a right knee issue to spoil his rapid return from a sprained wrist, but the Milwaukee Bucks still trounced the Miami Heat 128-99 on Friday night for their 13th consecutive victory.
Antetokounmpo was in the starting lineup just four days after heading to New York to have his right wrist examined. The two-time MVP was on the floor late in the first quarter when he passed the ball and immediately motioned to the bench as the Bucks called a timeout to enable him to head to the locker room.
Bucks officials said in the second quarter that Antetokounmpo had knocked knees with an opponent and wouldn't return to the game. He had four points, four rebounds and four assists in just six minutes.
The Bucks still had no trouble extending the longest winning streak in the NBA this season. The Bucks pulled ahead for good four minutes into the game and rolled to their most lopsided victory of the season.
Jrue Holiday scored 24 points, and Bobby Portis had 18 points and 11 rebounds in his return from a sprained right medial collateral ligament that caused him to miss 11 games.
Jae Crowder, acquired at the trade deadline, made his 2022-23 debut and had nine points in 16 minutes. Crowder hadn't played at all for Phoenix this season as the Suns attempted to deal him.
Jimmy Butler scored 23 points for Miami.
Devin Booker scored 25 points, Chris Paul added 16 and Phoenix beat Oklahoma City. Surging Phoenix has won 12 of 16 as it waits for superstar Kevin Durant to return from a knee injury to make his Suns debut.
WARRIORS 116, ROCKETS 101 >> Klay Thompson scored 42 points and matched his season high with 12 3-pointers, leading undermanned Golden State past Houston. Donte DiVincenzo added 15 points as the Warriors hung tough in the second game of a roadhome back-to-back following a loss at the Lakers on Thursday night.
Julius Randle matched his career high with 46 points and New York overcame a 19-point deficit to beat Washington. Jalen Brunson broke a 109-all tie with a bank shot in traffic with 42.1 seconds remaining, and the Knicks held on.
Zach LaVine scored 32 points on 12-of-17 shooting and Chicago drubbed Brooklyn to snap a six-game skid. Chicago held Brooklyn to a season low in points; its previous worst was 92 in a loss to Boston in December. The Nets lost by their biggest margin this season. HAWKS 136, CAVALIERS 119 >> Trae Young scored 34 points and Atlanta beat Cleveland in its first game under interim coach Joe Prunty. The Hawks played their first game since coach Nate McMillan was fired on Tuesday. Darius Garland led Cleveland with 33 points.
LaMelo Ball had 32 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists and the dagger 3-pointer down the stretch to lead Charlotte past Minnesota.
The Lakers are uncomfortably familiar with the best-laid plans, and exactly what they're worth.
Their latest grand strategy of starting three former teammates alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis lasted all of 8½ minutes after the All-Star break, when D'Angelo Russell stepped on Donte DiVincenzo's foot and twisted his right ankle.
Now, the Lakers' latest starting lineup — meant to take them through the rest of the regular season and possibly beyond — might be on hold. Russell is doubtful for Sunday afternoon's game in Dallas against the Mavericks, who recently retooled themselves with Kyrie Irving. The one big positive Coach Darvin Ham could offer was that Russell, a 2019 All-Star, has no “structural” damage in his ankle — though he trotted out of the arena Thursday night with a concerning limp.
But Ham also said Russell, 27, was attentive during Friday's practice, as the Lakers prepared for their three-game trip against some challenging Western
Conference clubs.
“Even though he's not able to be physically active with the rest of the group, he's out here listening as we're talking about Dallas,” Ham said of Russell. “Doing some things on the court, he's right there on the sidelines soaking it all in and continuing to learn our system, our terminology. So, it's good, man. It's a good vibe.”
If the Lakers are forced to use a 31st starting lineup Saturday, the silver lining is that they've gotten used to it. The team's depth shined through in their 124-111 victory over short-handed Golden State on Thursday, with eight players scoring in double figures (including five off the bench). James and Davis combined for just 25 of those points — and while the Lakers will want to squeeze more production out of their stars, it's reassuring that they don't need to.
“Simply put, it says we've really improved our roster by leaps and bounds,” Ham said. “Those guys that we brought in, our guys that's in the fold and have gotten minutes, are able to be aggressive and feel comfortable being aggressive.”
Ham cited the increasing comfort level of Rui Hachimura, who had 14 points on 5-for-9 shooting against the Warriors, as well as the outburst from Malik Beasley who had 25 points to lead the team. Jarred Vanderbilt didn't have a dramatic stat line with four points, nine rebounds and two assists, but his hustle and defense have brought an element to the starting lineup it was missing.
The back line is liable to be tested this week in Dallas. While Irving and MVP candidate Luka Doncic are