Porzingis Back in Action for the Celtics

After a five-month hiatus, Kristaps Porzingis made a triumphant return for the Boston Celtics against the Clippers on Monday. The big man wasted no time making an impact, knocking down Boston’s first basket and firing off four 3-pointers in the first four minutes.

In the Celtics’ commanding 126–94 victory, Porzingis delivered 16 points, six rebounds, and two blocks in 23 minutes. More importantly, the Latvian star looked comfortable on the floor after an extensive recovery from ankle surgery in June.

Boston’s defense, already formidable, should benefit greatly from Porzingis’ rim protection as the team aims to build on its 14-3 start and defend their NBA championship.

Ja Morant Electrifies Memphis in His Return

If you were wondering if Ja Morant would be rusty after missing eight games with a hip and pelvic injury, wonder no more. The Grizzlies’ two-time All-Star was in full attack mode during Memphis’ 123-98 blowout win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Morant poured in 22 points, 20 of which came in the first half, while dishing out 11 assists and adding his usual flair to the highlight reel. From a jaw-dropping alley-oop to Jaren Jackson Jr. to a behind-the-back dime to Brandon Clarke, Ja’s playmaking had the Memphis crowd roaring.

With averages of 20.8 points, 9.3 assists, and 5 rebounds in just nine games this season, Morant is proving why he’s one of the most electric players in the league.

Hope for The Suns’

The Phoenix Suns’ dynamic duo is expected to make their much-anticipated return against the Los Angeles Lakers in Tuesday’s NBA Cup game.

Durant has been out since Nov. 8 with a left calf strain but started the season with MVP-worthy numbers, averaging 27.6 points on an incredibly efficient 53.3% shooting.

Meanwhile, Beal has been sidelined since Nov. 12, dealing with his own calf injury. Both stars have had consecutive full practices and are ready to reignite the Suns’ early-season dominance.

The Suns are 1-6 without Durant this season, underscoring how crucial his return is.

Warriors Let Another Big Lead Slip

The Golden State Warriors are finding new ways to frustrate their fans. For the second game in a row, they let a sizable lead evaporate, this time falling 128-120 to the Brooklyn Nets at Chase Centre on Monday night.

An 18-point third-quarter lead? Gone. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the Warriors were outscored 41-28, unable to match Brooklyn’s energy and poise.

Steph Curry led the way with 28 points, hitting 8-of-16 from deep. Andrew Wiggins added 18, and Moses Moody contributed 15, all in the first half. But once again, the Warriors’ Achilles’ heel reared its ugly head: free throws.

The Nets went 26-for-30 at the line compared to the Warriors’ 11-for-17. That’s a 15-point swing in an eight-point loss.  For Golden State, this trend is becoming a pattern. Big leads squandered, crucial moments lost, and glaring issues at the charity stripe.

Elfrid Payton’s Assist Masterclass

Elfrid Payton reminded the league why he’s still got game. The veteran guard tallied a staggering 21 assists in the Pelicans’ 114-110 loss to the Pacers on Monday, tying the season-high mark.

Payton added 14 points, seven rebounds, and two steals to his all-around performance, showing that he can still thrive with the ball in his hands. Despite the loss, the Pelicans outscored the Pacers by 10 points during Payton’s 31 minutes on the floor.

The Pelicans, who have been plagued by injuries this season, turned to Payton for a steady hand. And he delivered. But with Dejounte Murray set to return to the lineup on Wednesday, Payton’s minutes and touches could dwindle

Kyrie Irving Sparks Mavs Over Hawks

With Luka Doncic sidelined for the third straight game due to a wrist strain, Kyrie Irving took charge for the Dallas Mavericks in their 129-119 win over the Atlanta Hawks.

Irving dropped 32 points, adding seven rebounds and six assists in a game where he turned up the heat in the second half, nailing five straight field goals. The Mavs got additional firepower from Jaden Hardy, who had a season-high 23 points in his first start, and solid contributions from Naji Marshall and Spencer Dinwiddie with 22 points each.

On the other side, Jalen Johnson stood out for Atlanta with 28 points and 10 rebounds, while Trae Young dished out 16 assists alongside his 18 points. Despite the effort, the Hawks have now dropped four of their last five games.

Dallas is showing resilience, winning five of their last six without Doncic.

Knicks Bounce Back in Mile-High Style

The New York Knicks delivered a statement win over the Denver Nuggets, cruising to a 145-118 victory at Ball Arena. It was a redemption game for New York after Saturday’s disappointing loss to the Jazz. The Knicks came out with intensity, building a double-digit lead within two minutes and never looking back.

OG Anunoby was unstoppable, dropping a career-high 40 points on 16-of-23 shooting, including a sizzling 5-of-7 from three. He also chipped in five rebounds and four assists, cementing his reputation as one of the NBA’s top two-way players this season.

Karl-Anthony Towns rebounded from a tough outing to notch another double-double. He outperformed Nikola Jokic with 30 points and 14 rebounds, marking his seventh 30-point game of the season.

Indy to Host Back-to-Back Basketball All-Star Events

Indianapolis is becoming the epicentre of pro basketball excitement. After hosting the NBA All-Star Game earlier this year, the city will welcome the WNBA All-Star Game in July.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is hyped, and much of the buzz centers around Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever rookie phenom. Clark’s star power has ignited the WNBA, boosting league interest to unprecedented levels.

That’s all for today, thanks for reading.

We’ll see you tomorrow!

— The Players Unlimited Team