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Category: NBA Rumors

Latest NBA Rumors and News.

  • NBA Notes: Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Hawks, Jalen Johnson, Cavs

    NBA Notes: Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Hawks, Jalen Johnson, Cavs

    Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks, NBA
    AP

    Bucks

    This season has slid sideways fast in Milwaukee, and the backdrop is impossible to ignore, ESPN writes in its midseason report card. Giannis Antetokounmpo questions are back, whether the organization likes it or not.

    Yes, Giannis missed 14 games. Yes, the Bucks went 3-11 without him. That matters. But what matters more is that even with Antetokounmpo on the floor, Milwaukee has still been outscored. That is the bigger red flag.

    The rotation has been thin, inconsistent, and too reliant on players who simply are not producing at a playoff level. There is no obvious trade deadline fix that suddenly turns this into a contender.

    At this point, the Bucks are fighting just to stay in the play-in picture, not talking about winning a series. For a team built around a generational star, that is a tough place to be.

    Hawks

    Atlanta is hoping this grade (D-minus) looks harsh only because the timing was awkward.

    The Trae Young era ended with a thud. The Hawks went 2-7 in the nine games Young played before being dealt, then immediately looked more stable without him. That alone says plenty.

    It is too early to judge the long-term impact of CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, but one thing is clear: Jalen Johnson is ready. He has stepped into the lead offensive role and produced across the board when Young has been out.

    The record still lags behind expectations, but at least the Hawks now have clarity. That is something they did not have before.

    Cavaliers

    This one is jarring.

    Only Oklahoma City entered the season with a higher projected win total than Cleveland, and here the Cavs are, scrambling to stay in the top half of the East.

    Injuries explain some of it. Darius Garland missed time early and has not quite looked right since returning from toe surgery. Max Strus was sidelined for a long stretch.

    Even so, the Cavs have had very little continuity. They have played just 11 games with their preferred starters available, excluding Strus, and while 7-4 is respectable, it is not dominant.

    The Cavs should be better in the second half. But after finishing first in the East a year ago, the reality is they are now battling just to secure home court in round one. That is a significant step back.

  • NBA Notes: Hornets, LaMelo Ball, Raptors, Scottie Barnes, Nets

    NBA Notes: Hornets, LaMelo Ball, Raptors, Scottie Barnes, Nets

    LaMelo Ball, Hornets, NBA
    AP

    Hornets

    Charlotte still has real questions hovering in the background, ESPN writes in its midseason grades. LaMelo Ball and his long-term fit. Brandon Miller still trying to find efficiency, now shooting under 42 percent for a third straight season.

    But those concerns have been pushed aside by a rookie class that looks like it changed the franchise’s trajectory. Fourth overall pick Kon Knueppel has been electric, knocking down threes at a historic clip and already flashing star upside.

    Second-rounders Sion James and Ryan Kalkbrenner have not just held their own but started games and contributed winning minutes.

    For a team desperate for optimism, the rookies have delivered it. That matters.

    Raptors

    Even optimistic projections did not have Toronto sitting near the top of the East at midseason. Yet here they are. The perimeter group has clicked faster than expected, led by Scottie Barnes playing at an All-NBA level.

    The Raptors also absorbed the loss of Jakob Poeltl, who has not played since late December, without much slippage. Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles stepped into the starting lineup and looked comfortable.

    Toronto has probably outperformed its point differential and has been excellent in close games. Some regression would not be shocking. Even so, this season has already exceeded expectations by a wide margin.

    Nets

    Rebuilds are tricky to grade, especially when winning too much is not really the goal. Brooklyn does not control its first-round pick after this season, so balance is required.

    So far, the Nets have managed it. They remain in the bottom tier of the standings while still competing most nights. A minus 4.8 point differential puts them well ahead of the true bottom dwellers.

    That competitiveness has been driven largely by Michael Porter Jr., who has played like an All-Star and boosted his trade value significantly. Moving Porter before the deadline would help Brooklyn lean into the rebuild while sending him to a team with real postseason ambitions.

    Threading the needle is hard. The Nets have done it reasonably well so far.

  • NBA Notes: Rockets, Kevin Durant, Blazers, Deni Avdija, Sixers

    NBA Notes: Rockets, Kevin Durant, Blazers, Deni Avdija, Sixers

    Kevin Durant, Rockets, NBA
    Getty

    Rockets

    Houston is almost exactly where the projections said they would be, and that is part of the reason the grade lands here. That would be a B-plus, according to ESPN’s latest midseason rankings.

    Expectations were noisy after Fred VanVleet went down with an ACL tear in September, leaving the Rockets without a proven point guard on paper.

    Instead, they adapted. Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard stabilized the position, with Sheppard taking a real leap in Year Two. And Kevin Durant has been exactly what Houston hoped for, anchoring a top-five offense even through a recent dip.

    The other piece here is luck. Or lack of it. Houston sits at 25-15 but has struggled mightily in clutch games, going 9-12 in tight finishes.

    They are near the bottom of the league in clutch defensive rating, which feels fluky given the personnel. If that normalizes, the ceiling rises.

    Trail Blazers

    Portland has arguably overachieved given the circumstances. No Scoot Henderson yet. Nearly two months without Jrue Holiday. Reserve guards Matisse Thybulle and Blake Wesley sidelined at the same time.

    Into that vacuum stepped Deni Avdija, who has looked like an All-Star-level creator while handling primary ball duties. The numbers back it up. Big scoring. Big usage. Real responsibility.

    All of that happened while the Blazers were dealing with off-court chaos following Chauncey Billups being arrested as part of an FBI gambling investigation. Tiago Splitter slid into the interim role seamlessly.

    The one caution flag is the point differential. It lags behind the record. Still, given everything, Portland has earned the grade.

    76ers

    The Sixers have quietly stayed afloat despite barely seeing Joel Embiid and Paul George together. Just 15 games. Yet Philadelphia is still hanging around the top four in the East.

    That starts with Tyrese Maxey, who has played at an All-NBA level, and rookie VJ Edgecombe, who looks comfortable far earlier than expected.

    Dominick Barlow has also carved out a role as a starting power forward on a two-way deal, which says a lot about both him and the Sixers’ adaptability.

  • NBA Notes: Spurs, Victor Wembanyama, Nuggets, Nikola Jokic, Thunder

    NBA Notes: Spurs, Victor Wembanyama, Nuggets, Nikola Jokic, Thunder

    Victor Wembanyama, Spurs, Heat, NBA
    Imagn

    Spurs

    Yeah, the Spurs are back. And it doesn’t feel fluky, as ESPN wrote in its midseason grades.

    San Antonio has navigated long stretches without De’Aaron Fox, Victor Wembanyama, and No. 2 pick Dylan Harper, yet here they are, tied for second in the West. That alone tells you something.

    What really jumps off the page, though, is the way the Spurs have handled the Thunder head-to-head. Those wins weren’t cute. They were authoritative.

    And they came with Wembanyama and reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle both 22 or younger, plus Harper (19) playing real minutes.

    This doesn’t feel like a cute “ahead of schedule” story anymore. This feels like the start of something sustainable.

    Nuggets

    Denver’s season has been a reminder that context matters.

    The Nuggets have had their preferred starting five together just 10 times. They went 8-2 in those games. That tracks. What’s impressive is how they’ve stayed afloat despite the rotating injuries, including Nikola Jokic missing time with a knee contusion.

    Young guys stepped in. The defense held. The offense didn’t crater. And now, Denver is right where it expected to be in the standings.

    When healthy, this still looks like the second-best team in the league, and it’s not a hard argument to make.

    Thunder

    The bar was absurd. And Oklahoma City somehow cleared it. Again.

    A 24-1 start will inflate any projection, but even after a few dents — including three losses to San Antonio and back-to-back slips against Phoenix and Charlotte — the Thunder remain on a historic pace.

    They posted a plus-12.9 point differential last season. This year? Plus-13.0. And they’ve had their ideal starting lineup together for just five games.

    That’s the scary part.

  • NBA Notes: Celtics, Jaylen Brown, Pistons, Cade Cunningham, Suns

    NBA Notes: Celtics, Jaylen Brown, Pistons, Cade Cunningham, Suns

    Jaylen Brown, Celtics, NBA
    Getty

    Celtics

    This one has surprised just about everyone, ESPN writes in its midseason grades. Even factoring in the fact that Jayson Tatum is rehabbing an Achilles, Boston has been far better than expected. Third-best point differential in the league at midseason? That’s real.

    Jaylen Brown has taken another leap, putting up a career-best 29.7 points per game and carrying the offense like a true No. 1. Payton Pritchard and Derrick White have barely missed time. Neemias Queta has quietly stabilized the middle after a full center reset, and Jordan Walsh has looked comfortable sliding into a bigger role.

    Credit Joe Mazzulla for keeping it together. He belongs squarely in the Coach of the Year discussion.

    Pistons

    Detroit isn’t running away with things like it did during that early 13-game heater, but make no mistake — this is real. The Pistons sit atop the East behind a top-two defense and a growing offensive identity.

    Cade Cunningham has played his way into the MVP conversation, Jalen Duren looks All-Star ready, and J.B. Bickerstaff has this group defending with size and purpose. Losing Malik Beasley hasn’t slowed them much at all.

    Suns

    So far, most people got this wrong. Phoenix said goodbye to star power and leaned into toughness. And it’s working.

    Built around edge-setters like Dillon Brooks, the Suns force turnovers, compete nightly, and haven’t fallen off offensively nearly as much as expected. Collin Gillespie has emerged as a steady lead guard, earning the nickname “Villain Jr.” along the way, and rookie coach Jordan Ott looks like he might finally end the Suns’ sideline carousel.

    So far? Team owner Mat Ishbia wins this one.

  • NBA All-Star starter breakdown: Different format, same arguments

    NBA All-Star starter breakdown: Different format, same arguments

    Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers, Cavs, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder, NBA
    File photo

    The NBA finally made it official, and yeah, this one landed with a thud and a shrug at the same time.

    The 2026 All-Star starters are set, and for the first time in two decades, LeBron James is not one of them.

    Out East, the starters are Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson, Cade Cunningham, and Tyrese Maxey. That means no Donovan Mitchell in the starting five, despite another monster season in Cleveland.

    The West starters are Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokić, and Victor Wembanyama.

    The big takeaway isn’t who made it. It’s who didn’t. James’ record streak of 21 straight All-Star starts is over, thanks to missed games early and a quieter-by-his-standards season. He’ll still have a strong shot to be voted in as a reserve by the coaches, but the era officially shifted a notch on Monday.

    This year’s All-Star Game will feature the new USA vs. World format, played Feb. 15 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, with three eight-man teams and a short, tournament-style setup. Starters are split evenly — five Americans, five internationals.

    Reserves will be announced Feb. 1. That’s where Mitchell, James, and several others figure to re-enter the picture.

    Different names. Same arguments. Different format. Same drama.

  • Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr. not necessarily seeking trade

    Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr. not necessarily seeking trade

    NBA center Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies
    Getty

    Jaren Jackson Jr. is not pounding the table to get out of Memphis. He just wants answers.

    According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, Jackson does not necessarily want to be traded by the Grizzlies, despite leaguewide chatter suggesting otherwise. What he wants, more than anything, is clarity.

    “He doesn’t necessarily want out,” MacMahon said. “He just wants to understand what the plan is.”

    That question hangs over everything in Memphis right now. Ja Morant continues to dominate trade conversations, and if the Grizzlies do decide to move Morant, it would naturally invite questions about whether Jackson is next.

    Jackson is owed $35 million this season and remains one of the league’s most impactful two-way bigs. He is averaging 18.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks while shooting efficiently from the field and from three. He is a two-time All-Star and a former Defensive Player of the Year. Those players do not come cheaply.

    The Grizzlies sit 10th in the West and have just one playoff series win in the Morant-Jackson era. That reality has led some around the league to wonder if a deeper reset is coming.

    Teams are already circling. HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reports interest from the Celtics and Pistons, even as Memphis maintains that Jackson is someone they want to build with.

  • NBA Notes: Nets, Cam Thomas, Heat, Tyler Herro, Pistons

    NBA Notes: Nets, Cam Thomas, Heat, Tyler Herro, Pistons

    Cam Thomas, Nets, NBA
    Getty

    Nets

    The Nets like what they’re seeing from Cam Thomas. They’re just not ready to give him more, per Brian Lewis of the New York Post.

    Thomas has settled into a bench role since returning from a hamstring injury about three weeks ago, and that role appears locked in for now. In Sunday’s loss to Chicago, Thomas leaned more playmaker than scorer, posting three points and 10 assists in 24 minutes.

    Coach Jordi Fernandez made it clear the Nets are prioritizing health over expansion.

    “We’re happy where he is,” Fernandez said, pointing to Thomas’ willingness to facilitate and the need to be cautious with his body.

    That caution comes with context. Thomas is headed toward free agency and is dealing with the same hamstring issues that limited him to twenty-five games last season. Since returning, he’s averaging 12.0 points while shooting just over 40 percent, and Brooklyn is 4-16 in games he’s played.

    Heat

    The Heat will be without Tyler Herro for at least part of their road trip.

    Herro did not travel after suffering a rib contusion and is now scheduled for an MRI, according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel’s Ira Winderman. What was initially believed to be minor is now less certain.

    Injuries have defined Herro’s season. He has already missed 31 of Miami’s first 42 games, and the Heat are once again bracing for more lineup juggling.

    Pistons

    The Pistons hit the midpoint of the season Monday sitting where very few expected: On top of the East.

    Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press pointed to three drivers: defense, dominance in the paint, and efficiency. Detroit ranks second in the league in all three categories.

    It’s rare company. The Pistons have won at least 30 of their first 40 games for only the second time in franchise history, matching the 2005-06 team. They’re also tracking toward a 60-win season.

    At some point, it stops being a surprise and starts being the standard.

  • NBA All-Star starters announced; Donovan Mitchell, LeBron James left out

    NBA All-Star starters announced; Donovan Mitchell, LeBron James left out

    Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA
    File photo

    The starters are set, and yes, people around the league noticed who was not on the list.

    The NBA announced its All-Star starters, with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson, Cade Cunningham, and Tyrese Maxey representing the Eastern Conference.

    Out West, the starting group features Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, and Victor Wembanyama.

    The format will again be different. This year’s game will be a U.S. vs. World tournament, played Feb. 15 at the Clippers’ Intuit Dome, featuring three teams and four 12-minute games. How the rosters are divided has not yet been announced.

    Antetokounmpo earns his 10th straight start. Brown is a five-time All-Star. Brunson makes it three in a row. Cunningham becomes the first Piston to start an All-Star Game since Allen Iverson in 2009, while Maxey earns his first starting nod.

    Curry is now a 12-time All-Star. Doncic makes six. Gilgeous-Alexander starts again. Jokic keeps rolling. Wembanyama becomes the Spurs’ first starter since Kawhi Leonard.

    And yes, Donovan Mitchell and LeBron James did not make the starting five. That will be part of the conversation until reserves are announced.

  • NBA Notes: Thunder, Jalen Williams, Raptors, RJ Barrett, Celtics

    NBA Notes: Thunder, Jalen Williams, Raptors, RJ Barrett, Celtics

    Jalen Williams, Thunder, Pascal Siakam, Pacers, NBA
    File photo

    Thunder

    The Thunder now have a clearer, if still uncomfortable, picture with Jalen Williams.

    Williams’ right hamstring strain will be re-evaluated in a couple of weeks, the team’s PR department announced. That lines up with the initial expectation that the injury would sideline him for multiple weeks.

    Williams was hurt during Saturday’s loss in Miami, grabbing at the back of his right leg midway through the second quarter before limping off. While the Thunder initially labeled it thigh soreness, the follow-up confirmed the hamstring strain.

    The timing stings. Williams already missed the first 19 games of the season after undergoing two surgeries on his right wrist. In 24 appearances, he’s averaged 16.8 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.8 rebounds, continuing to anchor both ends when healthy.

    Williams did not speak publicly after the game but posted a cryptic Instagram image that hinted at frustration. In the meantime, Chet Holmgren is expected to take on a larger scoring role if Williams remains out.

    Raptors

    The Raptors are cautiously optimistic about RJ Barrett.

    Barrett has missed 21 of the past 27 games with knee and ankle issues but showed no ill effects after a hard workout before Sunday’s game, according to Sportsnet’s Michael Grange. There is hope he can return during the current road trip, possibly by Wednesday in Sacramento.

    The outlook is less encouraging for Jakob Poeltl, who has barely played since mid-December due to a lower back strain. Poeltl went through pregame work but remains short of full speed, complicating Toronto’s ability to move him before the deadline.

    Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles filled in at center but exited Sunday after taking a hit to the hand. X-rays were negative, and he was diagnosed with a bruised thumb.

    Celtics

    Sam Hauser flirted with history Saturday and came up just short.

    Hauser tied Marcus Smart with 11 made threes in a game but missed his final six attempts while chasing the record, per The Athletic’s Jay King.

    “At that point, it was just like, let’s get them up,” Hauser said. “And then I got dead tired.”

    The looks were there. The legs were not.

  • NBA trade proposal sends Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving to Hawks

    NBA trade proposal sends Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving to Hawks

    NBA guard Kyrie Irving of the Dallas Mavericks
    Getty

    This one lives in the gray area where logic, timing, and risk all collide. That is usually where the most interesting hypotheticals sit.

    The Dallas Mavericks are not shopping Kyrie Irving. At least, not that anyone knows of. But if Dallas ever decides to pivot, the market will be narrow. Big-money point guards are not easy to move, especially midseason, and most contenders already have their backcourts set.

    One team that could line things up with an eye toward next season is the Atlanta Hawks. With that in mind, here’s a proposal from James Piercey of Dallas Hoops Journal:

    Hawks receive

    • Kyrie Irving

    Mavericks get

    • CJ McCollum
    • 2029 first-round pick (top-five protected)

    Why Dallas Listens

    This is not about McCollum as a centerpiece. It is about flexibility and future value.

    McCollum can stabilize a lineup short-term and still gives you 18 points a night, but the real prize is the first-round pick. With Cooper Flagg now central to the franchise’s long-term plan, Dallas needs to restock draft capital wherever it can. Irving’s age, injury history, and contract make an unprotected first unlikely. A lightly protected pick may be the realistic ceiling.

    Irving is owed roughly $40 annually through 2027-28. That matters.

    Why Atlanta Thinks About It

    The Hawks did not move on from Trae Young to tear things down. They did it because they believed the roster functioned better without him. Atlanta’s core is set. What it lacks is a late-clock scorer who can elevate everyone else.

    Irving fits that. When healthy, he still bends defenses and creates space without monopolizing possessions. That matters for players like Jalen Johnson.

    Bigger Picture

    According to Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal, Irving is expected to be physically capable of returning after the All-Star break following ACL surgery. That lines him up more with next season than this one.

    Dallas already has the hardest piece to find. Now comes patience. Atlanta is closer than its record suggests. This is the kind of swing that reflects that belief.

  • NBA Notes: Hawks, Kristaps Porzingis, Nets, Michael Porter Jr., Pacers

    NBA Notes: Hawks, Kristaps Porzingis, Nets, Michael Porter Jr., Pacers

    Kristaps Porzingis, Hawks, NBA
    Getty

    Hawks

    The Hawks are playing the waiting game with two important pieces.

    Atlanta announced Monday that Kristaps Porzingis and Zaccharie Risacher are both making progress and will be re-evaluated in about a week.

    Porzingis has missed five straight games with left Achilles tendinitis and has appeared just seventeen times all season. When available, he has been productive, averaging 17.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in limited minutes.

    He also carries a $30.7 million expiring contract, which has kept his name circulating in trade conversations.

    Risacher, the No. one pick in the 2024 draft, has been sidelined with a left knee bone contusion. He is averaging 11.2 points per game in his second season and has already missed more time this year than he did as a rookie. Atlanta has consistently signaled it has no interest in moving him, even in star-level talks.

    At 20-24, the Hawks are clinging to the East’s final play-in spot and could use bodies quickly.

    Nets

    The Nets continue to look lost without Michael Porter Jr.

    Brooklyn fell again Sunday with Porter resting and is now 0-8 without its leading scorer. Those losses have come by an average of more than 16 points, as relayed by Brian Lewis of the New York Post.

    Coach Jordi Fernandez did not sugarcoat it.

    “We didn’t compete to the best of our ability,” Fernandez said, taking responsibility and promising a film-heavy reset.

    Pacers

    The Pacers officially brought back Tony Bradley on a second 10-day contract.

    Bradley has logged meaningful minutes since returning, but this is his final 10-day allowance. If Indiana wants to keep him beyond January 28, it will have to convert him to a standard deal.

  • Rival teams still not convinced Bucks keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo

    Rival teams still not convinced Bucks keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo

    Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks, NBA
    File photo

    The Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo have spent the past two weeks trying to put a lid on trade chatter. Around the league, that lid is still rattling.

    ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said on NBA Countdown that rival teams are actively pressing pause on deals because they are not convinced Antetokounmpo will still be in Milwaukee after February 5. Front offices are reluctant to burn assets now when they may need them if the two-time MVP suddenly becomes available.

    “The biggest question in the NBA right now is are the Bucks really going to stand for this and is Giannis really going to stand for this,” Windhorst said, adding that recent losses have only increased uncertainty (via Hoops Rumors).

    NBA insider Zach Lowe echoed that sentiment, naming the  Hawks, Warriors, Lakers, Heat, and Knicks as teams monitoring the situation and protecting flexibility.

    Giannis is under contract through next season and holds a massive player option for 2027-28. Lowe noted that if Antetokounmpo declines an extension this fall, it would effectively function as a trade demand. The Bucks are 5-5 since Giannis returned from injury and have been crushed when he sits. They are stuck in 11th place in the East.

    Lowe floated Ja Morant as a potential swing move, though Morant reiterated Sunday that he prefers to stay in Memphis.

    Milwaukee is coming off a brutal stretch, losing three straight, including blowouts to San Antonio and Minnesota. At 17-24, the Bucks are still within reach of the play-in, but the margin for error is gone.

    The Bucks insist they are buyers. The league is not convinced. And until that changes, everything else stays on hold.

  • NBA Notes: Lakers, Luka Doncic, Hornets, Brandon Miller, Blazers

    NBA Notes: Lakers, Luka Doncic, Hornets, Brandon Miller, Blazers

    Luka Doncic, Lakers, NBA
    AP

    Lakers

    The Lakers finally looked like themselves again.

    Luka Doncic dropped 25 points and seven assists, LeBron James added 24 and seven, and the Lakers handled the visiting Raptors 110-93 on Sunday night.

    The real boost came from Deandre Ayton, who returned from a knee injury and went a perfect 10-of-10 from the field, finishing with 25 points and 13 rebounds.

    It was his highest-scoring night since early November and a reminder of what the Lakers look like when they have size that matters.

    Doncic bounced back after sitting Saturday in Portland, knocking down five threes. James also logged back-to-back games for the second time this season, completing five games in seven days at age 41.

    The win snapped a rough stretch and came just before an eight-game road trip.

    Hornets

    The Hornets took advantage of circumstance and did not apologize for it.

    Brandon Miller scored 23 points, Tidjane Salaun posted 13 points and 11 rebounds off the bench, and Charlotte ran past the host Nuggets 110-87.

    Miller has averaged nearly 26 points over his past three games. Charlotte had struggled against Denver historically, but this one tilted early.

    The Nuggets were without five of their top eight scorers, including Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon, and never recovered.

    Trail Blazers

    The Trail Blazers keep stacking wins.

    Deni Avdija returned from a back injury and filled the box score with 26 points, eight assists, and eight rebounds in a 117-110 road win over the Kings.

    Shaedon Sharpe added 26 of his own, while Donovan Clingan dominated inside with 21 points and 17 boards.

    Portland has now won 12 of 15 and is back at .500 for the first time since mid-November.