Jackson’s late jumper lifts Clippers past reeling Magic
Reggie Jackson hit a step-back jumper with 2.2 seconds remaining to give the Los Angeles Clippers a 106-104 victory over the Orlando Magic on Saturday.
Jackson — who had nine of his 25 points in the fourth quarter — hit a 20-footer following a timeout after Orlando tied it at 104 on Cole Anthony's 3-pointer with 23.6 seconds left.
The Clippers held on for their straight victory when Terrence Ross missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
Luke Kennard had a season-high 23 points and seven 3-pointers for Los Angeles. Terance Mann added 16 points.
The Clippers were missing Paul George for the second straight game due to a right elbow contusion.
Anthony led the Magic with 23 points, including five 3-pointers and Ross came off the bench to add 22 points. Orlando has dropped four straight and 14 of its last 16.
TIP-INS
Magic: Franz Wagner had 20 points, which is his fourth game this season with at least 20. ... Orlando jumped out to a 22-13 lead with four minutes remaining in the first quarter by making five of its first six from beyond the arc. ... Gary Harris had 14 points and Mo Bamba added 11. ... Wendell Carter Jr., who had 14 rebounds, reached 1,000 career defensive rebounds.
Clippers: LA had a 49-44 lead at halftime after it held the Magic to 4 of 18 from the floor and 1 of 10 on 3-pointers. ... Rookie Brandon Boston Jr., who scored 25 points in Wednesday's win over Boston, missed his first six shots and scored seven points on 3-of-11 shooting. ... Ivica Zubac had 10 points. ... Los Angeles has won 17 of its last 20 meetings with Orlando going back to 2011-12.
ELSEWHERE
Mavericks: Dallas superstar Luka Doncic has been ruled out of the Mavericks’ game Sunday at Oklahoma City because of left ankle soreness.
Doncic reinjured the ankle in the second half at Indiana on Friday and said he probably shouldn't have kept playing in the 106-93 loss.
It will be the fifth missed game since the 22-year-old sensation
Asprained the ankle Nov. 15 against Denver. Dallas is 0-4 without Doncic this season.
Although Doncic has played most of the games since the injury, the Mavericks are 3-9 in that stretch and have shot less than 50% in every game expect one in which they set a franchise record at 68.7% shooting.
A loss to the Thunder would drop Dallas two games below .500 for the first time this season under first-year coach Jason Kidd.
Pelicans: Zion Williamson has experienced a “regression” in his surgically repaired right foot, further delaying the Pelicans star forward’s longawaited return to the court.
“After experiencing persistent soreness in his right foot, Zion Williamson underwent medical imaging which showed a regression in the bone healing of his fifth metatarsal,” the Pelicans said in a statement released Saturday after the team practiced.m“As a result, the volume and intensity of his training will be reduced for an extended period to help allow for further bone healing.”
This marks the second setback since Williamson was cleared in late November to participate in five-on-five practices at full speed. When he was scheduled to take part in his first full practice of the season on Dec. 2, the team announced that it wanted him to rest instead because of renewed foot soreness.
At that time, first-year head coach Willie Green outlined why the club was being cautious and patient with Williamson’s recovery, even as the Pelicans struggled to win without him in the lineup.
“It’s more important to be patient,” Green said. “We’re talking about somebody’s career. Any time you’re dealing with that aspect of professional sports, that is important. That’s how we’re looking at this.”
The Pelicans have started this season 8-20 without Williamson. But since beginning 2-14, New Orleans has gone 6-6 in its past 12 contests. The Pelicans next play Sunday night in San Antonio.
Williamson played in just 24 games as a rookie because of a preseason right knee injury (lateral meniscus). In his second season, he played in 61 of 72 games, averaging 27 points per game.
He hurt his foot last summer while performing
Abasketball drills with his stepfather, with whom he has entrusted his offseason training. The Pelicans revealed the injury on the first day of training camp in September, saying they hoped he’d be ready to play by the regular-season opener on Oct. 20. Williamson agreed with that timeline, which has since proved overly optimistic by at least two months.
Now there’s no definitive timeline for Williamson’s return, with the Pelicans saying only that “additional updates will be provided as warranted.”
LATE FRIDAY
Suns 111, Celtics 90: JaVale McGee had season highs with 21 points and 15 rebounds, Chris Paul added 12 assists and the Phoenix Suns routed Boston.
Lakers 116, Thunder 95: LeBron James scored 33 points on 13-of-20 shooting and Los Angeles — playing without Anthony Davis, who was ruled out with knee soreness — rolled past Oklahoma City.
AA