Around the Association: Clippers Madness, Jokic and Embiid Still Rolling, AD Returns as Lakers Top Nets

This article is part of our NBA Daily Recap series.

Welcome to Around the Association! 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.

Here is all you need to know from a wild night in the league.

Nightly Notables 

Kennard turns into Jordan

• One of the craziest games of the season came out of Washington last night. The Wizards got out to a massive lead against the Clippers and were winning by over 30 points at halftime. Los Angeles was able to storm all the way back, but a win still seemed out of reach as the Clippers were down by six points with just 10 seconds left.
• Luke Kennard did his best Tracy McGrady/Reggie Miller impression as he was able to score seven points in the last 10 seconds to complete one of the best comebacks in NBA history. The Clippers won 116-115. Kennard finished with 25 points (8-13 FG, 5-8 3Pt, 4-4 FT), eight rebounds, six assists and one steal in 30 minutes.
  • Amir Coffey played an integral role in the comeback, as well. The Minnesota product finished with a career-high 29 points (10-21 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 6-6 FT), five rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals in 37 minutes. Coffey has started the last 10 games for the Clippers and is averaging 13.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.1 assists during that span.
• While this was one of the ugliest losses in league history, it certainly was not Bradley Beal's fault. The All-Star guard was hitting tough buckets all game long and ended with 23 points (8-15 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 5-6 FT), nine rebounds, six assists and one steal over 40 minutes. Beal has dished out at least five dimes in 16 straight games as his 6.5 assists per game mark on the season would be a career best.
  • Kyle Kuzma: 19 points (6-14 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 6-8 FT), 12 rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal over 35 minutes.

Ant-Man goes off

• The Timberwolves traveled to Portland to face the Trail Blazers and found themselves down at halftime. However, Anthony Edwards completely took over the second half and brought Minnesota right back into the game. With the game tied 107-107 in the final seconds, D'Angelo Russell showed off his icy veins after Anfernee Simons was charged with goaltending on a Russell drive. Minnesota left victorious 109-107.
• Edwards finished with 40 points (14-27 FG, 5-13 3Pt, 7-11 FT), nine rebounds, three blocks and three steals over 39 minutes. This marks his fourth 40 point outing of his brief NBA career.
  • Russell had a solid game in addition to winning the ballgame for the Timberwolves. The veteran guard ended with 22 points (7-16 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 5-6 FT), two rebounds and four assists over 35 minutes. Russell is averaging 25.3 points over his last three outings.
• I continue to be really impressed with Nassir Little. The UNC product ended with 20 points (7-11 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 2-3 FT), eight rebounds and two assists in 29 minutes. He was forced to exit the game in the third due to a shoulder injury, but returned for the final few minutes of the game. Little is averaging 9.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game this season, which would all be career-highs.
  • Jusuf Nurkic posted his sixth straight double-double with 20 points (8-18 FG, 4-6 FT), 14 rebounds, four assists and one steal in 31 minutes. He is averaging 20.3 points and 15.2 rebounds per game over that span.

AD to the rescue

• After missing the team's last 17 games due to a knee injury, Anthony Davis made his long-awaited return to the court as the Lakers traveled to Brooklyn to face the Nets. LA was able to walk away with 106-96 win, but Brooklyn was without both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
• LeBron James was absolutely incredible once again, finishing with 33 points (14-21 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 3-3 FT), seven rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks across 34 minutes. The 37-year-old turned back the clock with back-to-back steals and breakaway dunks to essentially put the game away. James ranks as the second overall nine-category fantasy option on a per-game basis this season.
  • Anthony Davis did not blow anyone away with his performance, but he did prove how integral his interior presence is. The big man totaled eight points (3-8 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, two assists, four blocks and one steal in 25 minutes. Davis' return helps to take the pressure off both LeBron James and Russell Westbrook as they try to turn around Los Angeles' disappointing start to the season.
• Acting as the Nets' only All-Star, James Harden was incredible in the loss. The offensive machine ended the game with 33 points (11-24 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 9-9 FT), 12 rebounds, 11 assists, one block and two steals. Harden led Brooklyn in points, rebounds and assists in the loss while this also marked his second 30-point triple-double over his last three contests.

Jokic and Cade battle it out

• The Nuggets and Pistons squared off once again and it was a fairly close contest throughout. Denver ended up winning 110-105 behind yet another masterful performance out of Nikola Jokic. The reigning MVP produced 28 points (9-20 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 7-7 FT), 21 rebounds, nine assists and one steal across 34 minutes.
• Jokic is absolutely in his groove right now, averaging 32.4 points, 14.0 rebounds, 10.6 assists and 2.0 steals per game over his last five appearances.
  • I really liked what I saw out of Aaron Gordon in this one. The athletic forward totaled 16 points (6-11 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 3-4 FT), five rebounds, five assists, one block and one steal in 34 minutes while constantly making smart plays for Denver in the win. Gordon has reached double-figure in six straight games and is averaging 17.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game over that span.
• Cade Cunningham had perhaps the best game of his career during the loss. The No. 1 overall pick recorded a career-high 34 points (14-26 FG, 6-9 3Pt), eight rebounds, eight assists, four blocks and two steals in 40 minutes. Cunningham's highlight of the game came early in the contest where he made Jokic look like an absolute fool on a step-back three.
• The highly touted rookie is starting to show off his true talents, averaging 25.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 1.7 steals and 2.7 blocks per game over his last four appearances. Over the past week, Cunningham ranks as the 19th overall nine-category fantasy option on a per-game basis.
  • Saddiq Bey: 21 points (8-17 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 2-3 FT), two rebounds, three assists and two steals in 34 minutes.

Embiid keeps it rolling

• While Jokic continues to shine for Denver, Joel Embiid is playing equally as well for the 76ers. The Pelicans came into town very short-handed without the likes of Devonte' Graham (ankle), Josh Hart (ankle), Jonas Valanciunas (rest) and Brandon Ingram (ankle), but the game was actually tied after three quarters.
• Embiid stepped up late and scored 12 points in the fourth quarter to push the 76ers to a 117-107 win over New Orleans. The All-Star center put up 42 points (12-24 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 18-20 FT), 14 rebounds, four assists and four blocks over 33 minutes. Embiid is averaging a ridiculous 42.5 points, 12.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.3 steals across just 32.3 minutes per game over his last four outings. He is currently my favorite to win MVP.
  • Tobias Harris had one of his better games of the season in Philly's win. The veteran forward, whose name has floated around trade talks, finished with 33 points (13-19 FG, 3-3 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal in 39 minutes. Harris is starting to find some consistency as of late, averaging 23.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game over his last four appearances.
• Nickeil Alexander-Walker entered the starting lineup for the Pelicans and the young guard showed out despite the losing effort. NAW totaled 31 points (11-22 FG, 5-9 3Pt, 4-7 FT), four rebounds, five assists and one block in 37 minutes. This marked his second 30-point outing this season and if his fellow teammates are forced to miss more time, Alexander-Walker could emerge as a more-than-serviceable streamer.
  • Willy Hernangomez came out of nowhere and produced one of the best performances in his career during the defeat. The center ended with 29 points (11-15 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 6-7 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist and one block in 30 minutes. This was one surprising effort considering Hernangomez hadn't seen the court at all during the team's last nine showings.

Best and Worst of the Night

• Best of the Night: Joel Embiid - 42 points (12-24 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 18-20 FT), 14 rebounds, four assists and four blocks over 33 minutes
• Worst of the Night: Harrison Barnes - Four points (1-12 FG, 0-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds and two assists across 29 minutes.
• Rookie of the Night: Cade Cunningham - 34 points (14-26 FG, 6-9 3Pt), eight rebounds, eight assists, four blocks and two steals in 40 minutes

Quick Hitters

• The Warriors were able to roll to a 130-92 win over the Mavericks after Kristaps Porzingis was ejected for playing soccer.
• Stephen Curry continues to struggle from deep but still neared a triple-double with 18 points (7-16 FG, 2-10 3Pt, 2-3 FT), nine rebounds, seven assists and one steal across 29 minutes.
  • Jonathan Kuminga is really starting to turn some heads as he totaled 22 points (8-9 FG, 4-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and five rebounds over 18 minutes and added one ferocious dunk.

• Luka Doncic still had a very solid game despite getting blown out by the Warriors. The young star ended with 25 points (7-17 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 7-7 FT), eight rebounds and three assists across 27 minutes. Doncic is averaging 27.1 points, 11.0 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game over his last nine showings.
• Pascal Siakam was able to push the Raptors to a 125-113 win over the Hornets with a near-triple-double. The forward totaled 24 points (9-16 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 5-5 FT), nine rebounds, a career-high12 assists and one block across 39 minutes.
  • Gary Trent dropped a season-high 32 points (11-21 FG, 5-10 3Pt, 5-5 FT) to go with two rebounds, two assists and one steal across 35 minutes
• LaMelo Ball was solid for Charlotte in the team's loss to Toronto. The likely first-time All-Star recorded 25 points (8-16 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 8-9 FT), three rebounds, seven assists and one steal over 32 minutes.
  • Miles Bridges: 22 points (6-10 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 8-8 FT), four rebounds and three assists over 30 minutes
• The Celtics absolutely demolished the Kings 128-75 behind a pair of strong performances by both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Tatum totaled 36 points (14-23 FG, 7-14 3Pt, 1-2 FT), four rebounds, six assists and one block in 31 minutes.
  • Jaylen Brown: 30 points (11-19 FG, 5-12 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 10 rebounds and three assists over 24 minutes.
• Sacramento's 53-point loss was incredibly ugly. Buddy Hield was the only Kings' player to reach double figures with just 11 points (4-14 FG, 3-9 3Pt), five rebounds, one assist and one steal in 24 minutes.
• The Spurs also rolled to a blowout win after crushing the Rockets 134-104 in Houston. Dejounte Murray continued his solid play, finishing with 19 points (8-15 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, 10 assists and three steals over 24 minutes.
  • Jakob Poeltl: 18 points (9-13 FG), nine rebounds, three assists and two blocks.

A Look Ahead to Wednesday Night  

• Nikola Jokic looks to keep up his absurd play as he leads Denver into Brooklyn to face the shorthanded Nets.
• The Suns and the Jazz square off yet again, but Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert both remain out for Utah.
• How do the Mavs respond to last night's trouncing against the Warriors when they travel to Portland?