DEJOUNTE MURRAY

DALLAS — (AP) — Dejounte Murray scored 30 points, Trae Young had 18 points and 12 assists in another matchup with Luka Doncic and the Atlanta Hawks beat the Dallas Mavericks 130-122 on Wednesday night. John Collins added 19 points as the Hawks won a season-best fourth consecutive game to get over .500 (23-22) for the first time since Dec. 27. Doncic scored 30 points but fell to 4-3 in head-to-head meetings with Young since they were traded for each other as top-five picks on draft night in 2018. Dallas took its first lead at 75-73 in the third quarter on a 3-pointer from Doncic that started an 11-0 run. The Hawks won two play-in games last season to get the eighth seed.

Dejounte Murray scored 30 points, Trae Young had 18 points and 12 assists in another matchup with Luka Doncic and the Atlanta Hawks beat the Dallas Mavericks 130-122.

ATLANTA — (AP) — Dejounte Murray hit two decisive free throws with 1.3 seconds left, Trae Young had 37 points and 13 assists, and the Atlanta Hawks held off the Orlando Magic 126-125 Monday night to snap their six-game winning streak. Murray hit both free throws, and Banchero missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer. “Like I was preaching after the game, we've got to grow up, starting with me," Murray said. Young scored 17 points in the third as the Hawks opened a 104-94 lead in the closing seconds of the period. Fultz, who led the Magic with 24 points, then got to the rim easily — too easily for Hawks coach Nate McMillan.

Dejounte Murray hit a pair of decisive free throws with 1.3 seconds left, Trae Young had 37 points and 13 assists, and the Atlanta Hawks held off the Orlando Magic 126-125 to snap their six-game winning streak.

Atlanta Hawks star Dejounte Murray is expected to miss two weeks with a left ankle sprain according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Sam Amick. Murray is the latest injured player on the Hawks’ squad as John Collins also deals with an ankle injury. Last season, the Atlanta Hawks finished in eighth place in the Eastern Conference. That season, Murray made his first All-Star with the Spurs while averaging 21.1 points, 9.2 assists, 8.3 rebounds and a league-best two steals per game. His playmaking takes some pressure from Young, who is averaging 27.2 points and 9.5 and per game.

Trae Young had 30 points and 14 assists and the Atlanta Hawks snapped a three-game losing streak with a 125-108 win over the Orlando Magic.

Griffin came off the bench in Trae Young's absence to add a career-high 24 and the Atlanta Hawks snapped the Milwaukee Bucks’ season-opening, nine-game winning streak with a 117-98 victory on Monday night. Milwaukee committed a season-high 19 turnovers, leading to 22 Atlanta points. Milwaukee’s winning streak was tied for the second-longest under fifth-year coach Mike Budenholzer and the longest since winning 18 in a row in 2019-20. The Hawks went up by as many as nine twice, the second time when Murray’s 17-footer made it 89-80 in the closing seconds of the third. The Hawks (7-3) are off to their best start to a season through its first 10 games since the 2016-17 team went 8-2.

Dejounte Murray scored 25 points, rookie A.J. Griffin came off the bench in Trae Young’s absence to add a career-high 24 and the Atlanta Hawks snapped the Milwaukee Bucks’ season-opening, nine-game winning streak with a 117-98 victory.

The 2022-23 NBA season is almost upon us, but Hot Take SZN is here, and at the end of another eventful offseason we will see how close to the sun we can fly and still stand the swelter of these viewpoints. And the New Orleans Pelicans will reintroduce oft-injured 2021 All-Star Zion Williamson to their revamped core. BetMGM gives the Cavaliers the best title chances of the group, and still their 30/1 odds rank 13th out of 30 NBA teams. McCollum is the Pelicans' best facilitator, but he might also be the best on the team at playing off the ball. Follow @brohrbachMore Hot Takes We Might Actually Believe:

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — (AP) — Dejounte Murray scored 25 points in his Atlanta debut and the Hawks beat the Milwaukee Bucks 123-113 on Thursday in the NBA’s first game in the United Arab Emirates and the Arabian Gulf. Murray added nine assists, eight rebounds and two blocked shots. His backcourt partner, Trae Young, added 22 points with three assists. Murray was acquired from the San Antonio Spurs for three first-round picks in the Hawks’ biggest offseason move. Aaron Holiday had 16 points and Justin Holiday added nine for the Hawks.

Dejounte Murray scored 25 points in his Atlanta debut and the Hawks beat the Milwaukee Bucks 123-113 on in the NBA’s first game in the United Arab Emirates and the Arabian Gulf.

Below are five players who fit that bill – some of the most polarizing players in fantasy this season. Russell Westbrook, Lakers (Overall ADP 88.6)Westbrook took a massive step back last season while being the third option behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Ben Simmons, Nets (Overall ADP 83.5)Simmons sat out the first half of last season while a member of the 76ers for mental health reasons. Zion Williamson, Pelicans (Overall ADP 40.9)Williamson’s injury situation last year could be classified as a saga. Bradley Beal, Wizards (Overall ADP 33.7)After two consecutive seasons averaging over 30 points per game, Beal crashed last year.

The 2022-23 NBA season is fast approaching, which means it's time to start getting ready for your fantasy basketball drafts. He earned All-NBA first-team honors and will again be an excellent source for points, threes, assists and free-throw percentage. He's a unique talent who will be a reliable source of points, threes, steals and blocks at the guard position. Josh GiddeyI shared my thoughts on Giddey in my point guard tiers article since he'll be logging heavy minutes at both point guard and shooting guard this season. He's locked in as the starting shooting guard this year and should be a consistent source of points, threes and steals.

As ESPN's Zach Lowe recently detailed, the six trades sending three or more future first-round picks to one team since 2019 equal the number of similar deals in 43 years prior. The first of them came in 2004, when the Denver Nuggets paid three first-round picks in a sign-and-trade for Kenyon Martin. Brooklyn still has Simmons, Seth Curry and two future first-round picks to show for Harden, which is more than Houston can say to date. He won Rookie of the Year honors, before they dealt him and a future first-round pick for Drew Gooden inside of two years. They have Brandon Ingram, all their own first-round picks and six more left from dealing Davis and Jrue Holiday.

Zach LaVine is staying in Chicago.

A person with direct knowledge of the decision says Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook is exercising his option to play for $47.1 million next season.

Paolo Banchero thinks he should be No. 1.

Nikola Jokic is a finalist to win a second straight NBA MVP award, along with two-time winner Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid.

CJ McCollum scored 27 of his 32 points in the first half, Brandon Ingram shook foul trouble to add 27 points and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the San Antonio Spurs 113-103 on Wednesday night in a Western Conference play-in game.

Luka Doncic strained his left calf in Dallas’ 130-120 win over San Antonio in what turned out to be a meaningless regular-season finale, putting the superstar’s status in question for the playoff-bound Mavericks.

Timberwolves Spurs Basketball Minnesota Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots against San Antonio Spurs' Jakob Poeltl during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Monday, March 14, 2022, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate) (Darren Abate)SAN ANTONIO — (AP) — Karl-Anthony Towns had a team-record 60 points — the most scored in the NBA this season — and the Minnesota Timberwolves outlasted the San Antonio Spurs 149-139 on Monday night. San Antonio has lost two straight since Gregg Popovich earned his 1,336th career victory to become the winningest coach in NBA history. Spurs forward Keldon Johnson had 34 points, Dejounte Murray added 30 points and 12 assists, and Lonnie Walker IV scored 22. Towns had 14 points and five rebounds while playing the entire first quarter against Jakob Poeltl and Zach Collins.

Karl-Anthony Towns had a team-record 60 points, the most scored in the NBA this season, and the Minnesota Timberwolves outlasted the San Antonio Spurs 149-139.

Gregg Popovich became the winningest coach in NBA regular-season history, getting his 1,336th victory when the San Antonio Spurs rallied to beat the Utah Jazz 104-102.

Raptors Spurs Basketball San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich reacts to a play during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Toronto Raptors, Wednesday, March 9, 2022, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (Eric Gay)SAN ANTONIO — (AP) — Fred VanVleet had 26 points and the Toronto Raptors beat the San Antonio Spurs 119-104 on Wednesday night, delaying Gregg Popovich’s coronation as the winningest coach in NBA history. The Spurs entered the game 3-36 when trailing by double digits and VanVleet and the Raptors made sure that dubious trend continued. Spurs: San Antonio is 12th in the West with 16 games remaining. … Keita Bates-Diop missed Monday’s game with an undisclosed illness and sat out the Raptors’ game with a sore lower back.

Fred VanVleet had 26 points and the Toronto Raptors beat the San Antonio Spurs 119-104 on Wednesday night, delaying Gregg Popovich’s coronation as the winningest coach in NBA history.

Terry Rozier scored 31 points and the Charlotte Hornets beat San Antonio 123-117 on Saturday night, leaving Spurs coach Gregg Popovich a victory short of tying the NBA record. San Antonio has lost four straight since beating Washington on Feb. 25 to move Popovich within one of Don Nelson’s record of 1,335 regular-season victories. LaMelo Ball added 24 points for Charlotte, P.J. Washington and Montrezl Harrell each had 15 and Mason Plumlee had 13 rebounds.

Ja Morant threw down a massive dunk over 7-footer Jakob Poeltl and scored a career-high 52 points, lifting the Memphis Grizzlies over the San Antonio Spurs 118-105.

The NBA All-Star Game seems to be tailor-made for Ja Morant and LaMelo Ball.

Kevin Durant wanted no part of James Harden on the day their partnership in Brooklyn ended.

Devin Booker scored 28 points, Mikal Bridges added a season-high 26 and the Phoenix Suns overcame a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter to win their 10th straight game, beating the San Antonio Spurs 115-110 on Sunday night.

The NBA's virus numbers continue to rise.

Keita Bates-Diop scored a career-high 30 points and the San Antonio Spurs routed the slumping Los Angeles Lakers 138-110 in the final event at Staples Center under the 22-year-old arena’s original name.

Suns Spurs Basketball San Antonio Spurs' Keldon Johnson (3) drives against Phoenix Suns' Cam Johnson during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate) (Darren Abate)SAN ANTONIO — (AP) — Devin Booker had 23 points, Deandre Ayton had 21 points and 14 rebounds and the Phoenix Suns won their 13th straight, rolling past the San Antonio Spurs 115-111 on Monday night. San Antonio point guard Dejounte Murray had 18 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for his seventh career triple-double. San Antonio outscored Phoenix 20-10 to open the fourth quarter, pulling with 100-95 with 6 minutes remaining. The Suns went on a 10-0 run following a timeout.

Devin Booker had 23 points, Deandre Ayton had 21 points and 14 rebounds and the Phoenix Suns won their 13th straight, beating the San Antonio Spurs 115-111 on Monday night.

Anthony Davis had 34 points and 15 rebounds to help the Los Angeles Lakers beat the San Antonio Spurs 114-106 on Sunday.

Dejounte Murray had 20 points and 11 rebounds and the San Antonio Spurs frustrated the Orlando Magic with their opportunistic defense in a 102-89 victory Friday night.

Dillon Brooks scored eight of his 24 points in the fourth quarter to help put Memphis ahead to stay and the Grizzlies eliminated the San Antonio Spurs 100-96 on Wednesday night in the first Western Conference play-in game.

Alec Burks scored a season-high 30 points in his return from a three-game absence and the New York Knicks kept up their chase of home-court advantage in the playoffs by rallying to beat the San Antonio Spurs 102-98.

James Harden had 18 points and 11 assists in his return from an 18-game absence to help the Brooklyn Nets beat the San Antonio Spurs 128-116 on Wednesday night.

Spurs Nets Basketball San Antonio Spurs' Dejounte Murray (5) defends Brooklyn Nets' James Harden (13) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, May 12, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) (Frank Franklin II)NEW YORK — (AP) — James Harden returned to action for the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night after missing more than a month with a strained right hamstring. Harden came off the bench with 8:06 remaining in the first half against the San Antonio Spurs. That's far off their 27-7 mark in games in which Harden has played since the Nets acquired him from Houston in January. ___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DeMar DeRozan had 23 points and the San Antonio Spurs set a franchise record for points in the first half while rolling to a 146-125 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.

Jaylen Brown hit a 3-pointer with 16.7 seconds remaining in overtime, Jayson Tatum scored a career-high 60 points and the Boston Celtics rallied from a 32-point deficit to beat the San Antonio Spurs 143-140.

Erik Spoelstra got a milestone win, and it didn’t come easily.

DeMar DeRozan scored 19 points in just three quarters of work, Dejounte Murray added 17 and the San Antonio Spurs routed the slumping Orlando Magic 120-97.

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio played its first home game with fans and welcomed back four players who sat almost a month due to COVID-19 protocols. San Antonio held an opponent under 80 points for the first time since beating Golden State 89-75 on March 19, 2018. While that quartet returned fully, San Antonio was without veterans DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge. San Antonio is attempting to trade Aldridge after agreeing to part ways with the veteran forward after his role was lessened. … San Antonio is 16-2 when leading by 10 points at any time in the game.

Brooklyn Nets' James Harden, left, and San Antonio Spurs' Patty Mills chase the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 1, 2021, in San Antonio. “I thought they were great,” San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said. All five starters scored in double figures for San Antonio. San Antonio is still without Rudy Gay, Keldon Johnson, Derrick White, Devin Vassell and Quinndary Weatherspoon, who are sidelined due to the league’s health and safety protocols. Spurs: The Spurs announced fans can return to the AT&T Center beginning March 12 against Orlando.

Hammon became the first woman to direct an NBA team, taking over the Spurs after coach Gregg Popovich was ejected in a 121-107 loss to the Lakers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)SAN ANTONIO – Becky Hammon would have preferred a victory over history after becoming the first woman to direct an NBA team. The Lakers took their first double-digit lead at 35-25 on Kyle Kuzma’s 3-pointer with 1:14 remaining in the first quarter. Lakers coach Frank Vogel did not elaborate on Caruso’s status. Spurs: Popovich said the Spurs will monitor Aldridge’s knee soreness on a day-to-day basis.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Evan Fournier scored 26 points, including a couple of late 3-pointers, and the Orlando Magic beat San Antonio 111-109 on Friday night to hand the Spurs their fourth straight defeat. DeMar DeRozan scored 21 for the Spurs, who shot 50.6 percent from the field but gave up 64 points in the second half. A flagrant foul call helped the Magic maintain their lead in the final seconds. Gordon made the free throws and the Magic kept the ball, enabling Nikola Vucevic to add another foul shot for a four-point edge. The Spurs shot 53 percent in the first half and led 56-47 at halftime.