Walker, Hornets beat Rockets 125-109 for 7th straight win

Associated PressMar 12, 2016, 11:00 PM EST

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Kemba Walker said the Charlotte Hornets are playing their best basketball of the season right now.

He thinks they can be even better.

If that’s the case, watch out NBA.

Walker scored 17 of his 26 points in the second half, and the Hornets used a 17-2 run to open the fourth quarter and beat the Houston Rockets 125-109 Saturday night for their seventh straight victory in front of a sellout crowd.

Charlotte has won 13 of its last 15 games and pulled within a half-game of the Miami Heat for the fourth-best record in the Eastern Conference. The Hornets are hoping to open a playoff series at home, where they are 25-9.

“We’ve got to keep it rolling,” said Walker, who tallied his 34th game with at least 20 points.

Marvin Williams added 25 points, Jeremy Lin scored 16 and Al Jefferson had 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the Hornets.

Corey Brewer had 21 points and Dwight Howard added 16 points and 13 rebounds for the Rockets. The Hornets kept James Harden in check most of the night, limiting the All-Star to 12 points on 2-of-14 shooting from the field. Harden had 10 assists.

The Hornets snapped a 10-game losing streak against the Rockets. Their last win against Houston game came on Nov. 26, 2010.

Led by Walker’s four 3-pointers, the Hornets made 15 of 31 shots from behind the arc.

The Rockets had won four of their previous five, but the Hornets blew open a tight game in the fourth quarter behind Walker and a solid transition game that led to easy baskets.

The Hornets entered the fourth quarter leading by three, but Walker began taking his game to a different level, hitting a 3-pointer and a pull-up jumper from 19 feet.

Then he scored on a fast-break layup off a dish from Lin and pulled up from the top of the key on another fast break and knocked down his fourth 3-pointer of the game.

“They hit the gas they started making shots,” Brewer said. “We had a bad start. They went on a 7-0 run and that was the game basically.”

Courtney Lee added two more 3-pointers and Walker scored again to push the lead to 24.

“I thought our guys just took it to another level in terms of their energy,” Hornets coach Steve Clifford said.

It was Charlotte’s defense that led to the production on the offensive end.

“Once we limited them in what they wanted to do and tried to take away their first option, the second options, they kind of got stagnant and we were able to get stops, and get the rebound, and get out and run in transition,” Lee said. “Then guys were making great plays for each other and we knocked down some shots.”

The Hornets are 5-0 on their current seven-game homestand.

“Coming out they made some 3-pointers early and we missed some 3-pointers,” Rockets coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “Those kinds of things change the tide. Our guys fought and they gave it what they had and I think tonight was one of those nights that they didn’t have it.”

TIP-INS

Rockets: Howard had his 32nd double-double of the season with 16 points and 13 rebounds.

Hornets: Charlotte has scored 60-plus points in the first half of three straight games, a season-best streak. The team is 10-0 when doing so this season.

FAST STARTS

The Hornets have scored 39, 35 and 35 points in the first quarter of their last three games.

They led by as many as 19 in the first half behind Williams, who had 14 points in the first quarter. Charlotte repeatedly dumped the ball low to Jefferson, who found backdoor cutters for easy layups and dunks.

WILLIAMS FIRING

The Hornets are getting great play from Williams, who has scored 20-plus points in back-to-back games for the first time this season.

“My teammates are doing a great job of getting me open,” Williams said. “I think we’re doing a good job of putting a lot of pressure on the defense. I’m definitely a beneficiary of playing with great players.”

UP NEXT

Rockets: Host Memphis on Monday night.

Hornets: Host Dallas on Monday night

Report: ‘Strong optimism’ Anthony Edwards could return to Timberwolves Sunday

By Kurt HelinMar 25, 2023, 3:19 PM EDT

Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images

What looked so bad when it happened may only cost Anthony Edwards three games.

Edwards rolled his ankle last week but could be back Sunday when the Timberwolves travel to Golden State, reports Chris Haynes at Yahoo Sports.

There’s strong optimism Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards (ankle) could make his return Sunday against the Golden State Warriors, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) March 25, 2023

Edwards is averaging 24.7 points and 5.9 rebounds a game this season, and he has stepped up to become the team’s primary shot-creator with Karl-Anthony Towns out for much of the season. The Timberwolves have been outscored by 3.4 points per 100 possessions when Edwards is off the court this season.

Towns returned to action a couple of games ago, and with Edwards on Sunday it will be the first time since November the Timberwolves will have their entire core on the court — now with Mike Conley at the point. With the Timberwolves tied for the No.7 seed in an incredibly tight West (they are 1.5 games out of sixth but also one game out of missing the postseason entirely) it couldn’t come at a better time. It’s also not much time to develop of fit and chemistry the team will need in the play-in, and maybe the playoffs.

Nets announce Ben Simmons diagnosed with nerve impingement in back, out indefinitely

By Kurt HelinMar 25, 2023, 1:11 PM EDT

Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Ben Simmons — who has been in and out of the Nets’ lineup all season and often struggled when on the court — is out indefinitely due to a nerve impingement in his back, the team announced Friday.

Ben Simmons Medical Update: pic.twitter.com/kRcxsjrHLG

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) March 24, 2023

A nerve impingement — sometimes called a pinched nerve — is when a bone or other tissue compresses a nerve. Simmons has a history of back issues going back to his time in Philadelphia, and he had a microdiscectomy about a year ago, after he was traded to Brooklyn.

With two weeks and nine games left in the season, logic would suggest Simmons is done for the season. Coach Jacque Vaughn said Thursday that Simmons has done some individual workouts but nothing with teammates, however, he would not say Simmons is shut down for the season or would not participate in the postseason with Brooklyn.

Simmons had not played since the All-Star break when he got PRP injections to help deal with ongoing knee soreness. When he has played this season offense has been a struggle, he has been hesitant to shoot outside a few feet from the basket and is averaging 6.9 points a game. Vaughn used him mainly as a backup center.

Simmons has two fully guaranteed years and $78 million remaining on his contract after this season. While Nets fans may want Simmons traded, his injury history and that contract will make it very difficult to do so this summer (Brooklyn would have to add so many sweeteners it wouldn’t be worth it).

The Nets have slid to the No.7 seed in the West — part of the play-in — and have a critical game with the Heat on Saturday night.

Frustration rising within Mavericks, ‘We got to fight hard, play harder’

By Kurt HelinMar 25, 2023, 12:07 PM EDT

If the postseason started today, the Dallas Mavericks would miss out — not just the playoffs but also the play-in.

The Mavericks fell to the No.11 seed in the West (tied with the Thunder for 10th) after an ugly loss Friday night to a tanking Hornets team playing without LaMelo Ball and on the second night of a back-to-back. Dallas is 3-7 with both Kyrie Irving and Luka Dončić playing, and with this latest loss fans booed the Mavericks. What was Jason Kidd’s reaction? Via Tim MacMahon of ESPN:

“We probably should have been booed in the first quarter,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said…. “The interest level [from players] wasn’t high,” Kidd said. “It was just disappointing.”

That was a little different than Kyrie Irving’s reaction to the boos.

Kyrie Irving on boos in Dallas: "So what? … You obviously want to play well, but you it's only five people on the court that can play for Dallas Mavericks. If the fans wanna change places, then hey, be my guest. Got years of work ahead to be great enough to be on this level."

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) March 25, 2023

Then there is franchise cornerstone Luka Dončić, who sounded worn down, by the season and the losing in Dallas.

"I used to have more fun, smiling on the court, but it's just been so frustrating for a lot of reasons."

Luka Doncic following the Mavericks' loss to the Hornets

🎥: @GrantAfseth pic.twitter.com/UNWD7iAuUG

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 25, 2023

“We got to fight hard, play harder. That’s about it. We got to show we care and it starts with me first. I’ve just got to lead this team, being better, playing harder. It’s on me….

“I think you can see it with me on the court. Sometimes I don’t feel it’s me. I’m just being out there. I used to have really fun, smiling on court, but it’s just been so frustrating for a lot of reasons, not just basketball.”

Dončić would not elaborate on what, outside basketball, has frustrated him.

Look at seeds 5-10 in the West and you see teams that have struggled but have the elite talent and experience to be a postseason threat: The Phoenix Suns (Devin Booker, plus Kevin Durant is expected back next week), the Golden State Warriors (Stephen Curry and the four-time champions), the Los Angeles Lakers (Anthony Davis and maybe before the season ends LeBron James).

Should the Mavericks be in that class? On paper yes, they have clutch playoff performers of the past in Dončić and Irving, but an energy-less loss to Charlotte showed a team lacking the chemistry and fire right now that teams like the Lakers (beating the Thunder) and Warriors (beating the 76ers) showed on the same night.

The Mavericks feel like less of a playoff threat, especially with their defensive concerns. They don’t have long to turn things around — and get into the postseason.

Watch Anthony Davis score 37, spark Lakers to key win against Thunder

Associated PressMar 25, 2023, 10:35 AM EDT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Anthony Davis had 37 points and 14 rebounds, Dennis Schröder added 13 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter and the Los Angeles Lakers got a vital victory for their playoff hopes, 116-111 over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night.

Lonnie Walker scored 20 points in an impressive return to the rotation for the Lakers, who won their third straight to move even with Minnesota in seventh place in the Western Conference standings despite the injury absences of LeBron James and D’Angelo Russell.

“It was a must-win game for us,” said Davis, who made 15 of his 21 shots. “We had to come out and get this game, and we came out offensive and defensively just playing extremely well. … We’ve got to .500, and now it’s time to get on the other side.”

37 points and 15 boards in the W 😤

AD showed out tonight as the Lakers moved to 37-37. pic.twitter.com/TIG9GCba0h

— NBA (@NBA) March 25, 2023

With Davis leading the way on both ends of the court, Los Angeles (37-37) reached .500 for the first time this year. The Lakers started the season 2-10, but they’re 12-6 since the trade deadline with a rapidly cohering roster and the looming return of the NBA’s career scoring leader.

“This team is locked in and connected,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said. “The vibe and the spirit have been great. Guys are really trying to figure out how we can be better. That’s what you want. … Guys are competing because they know what they’re representing. They know the history of the franchise they’re representing.”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey scored 27 points apiece for Oklahoma City, which lost for only the fourth time in 12 games down the stretch. The Thunder (36-38) dropped into a tie with Dallas for 10th in the West despite holding the Lakers to only 42 points in the second half after LA put up 41 in the first quarter alone.

“That’s a testament to our ability to scrap and hang in there,” Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault said. “That’s how you want teams to score against you. All the things they got down the stretch are things we’re willing to live with. It’s hard to slow that down.”

Russell sat out with a sore right hip, joining James on the sideline at an important game for the Lakers’ playoff hopes. Los Angeles still improved to 8-5 during James’ latest injury absence.

Oklahoma City erased all of Los Angeles’ early 17-point lead when Gilgeous-Alexander’s jumper tied it at 102-102 with 5:25 to play. Davis responded with three points, and Walker hit a tiebreaking shot with 3:50 left.

Schröder replaced Russell in the starting lineup and had another standout game, including six points in the final 3:18 while the Lakers hung on. Walker got his most significant playing time since early March in Russell’s absence, and the former starter responded with four 3-pointers.

“I’ve just been in the gym, being positive and focused on what we’re trying to accomplish,” Walker said. “I love these guys, and I’m fortunate to play with them.”

Ham said Russell’s hip injury was “not too serious, but serious enough where we need to manage it.”

Gilgeous-Alexander played despite the Thunder being on the back end of consecutive games. The Thunder have been resting him in the second game of recent back-to-backs.

Check out more in the Timberwolves

Check out more on the Nets

Check out more on the Mavericks

Check out more on the Lakers