JALEN BRUNSON

LeBron James moved within 89 points of breaking the NBA’s career scoring record and climbed into fourth place on the assists list, finishing with a triple-double in his return to Madison Square Garden as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the New York Knicks 129-123 on Tuesday night.

Brace yourself.

[Last week on Fact or Fiction: Should Kyrie Irving represent the NBA in the 2023 All-Star Game?] Porzingis blew out his knee in February 2018 and joined Knicks fans in souring on the situation around him during his rehab. Randle was good enough to lead the Knicks to their first playoff appearance since 2013 and warrant a $117 million extension. When Mitchell Robinson mans the middle, Thibodeau can field lineups capable of defending with a toughness Knicks fans might recognize from when he was last their assistant coach 20 years ago. The Knicks are building something, even if that something isn't the best thing yet, or ever will be.

Could Nikola Jokic join the rare club of three-peat MVPs? Is Jalen Brunson the Knicks' best free-agent signing ever? And what's up with the Clippers? We take stock around the NBA.

Week 12 of the fantasy basketball season is upon us, and, just like every Monday, I'll break down several players who are less than 50 percent of Yahoo fantasy basketball leagues. But before we get to this week's waiver pickups, here are the games played by each team in Week 12. The only knock on Quickley is his field-goal percentage, but fantasy managers won't be complaining much after seeing his production in points, threes, assists, and free-throw percentage. Advice: Add in 12 team points and H2H leagues. Advice: Add in 12 team points and H2H leaguesJeremy Sochan - PF, San Antonio Spurs (34% rostered)I love to see the positive movement on Sochan.

Luka Dončić had a franchise-record 60 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists in a historic triple-double on Tuesday night.

The first 60-point game in Dallas history also included Doncic's career high in rebounds and was the first 60-20-10 game in NBA history. Jalen Brunson missed the game with a hip injury, unable to play in what would have been his return to Dallas. After Miles McBride missed one of two free throws with 11.5 seconds left, Spender Dinwiddie, who scored 25 points, hit a 3-pointer to get Dallas within 113-112. The Mavericks inserted seldom-used center JaVale McGee for the rebound, and Dallas kept the ball alive on Doncic's intentional miss. Doncic put the Mavs ahead for good at 118-116 with two free throws midway through the extra period.

Luka Doncic had a franchise-record 60 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists in a historic triple-double, including the tying basket off his intentionally missed free throw to force overtime as the Dallas Mavericks rallied for a wild 126-121 victory over the New York Knicks.

Luka Doncic had a franchise-record 60 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists in a historic triple-double, including the tying basket off his intentionally missed free throw to force overtime as the Dallas Mavericks rallied for a wild 126-121 victory over the New York Knicks on Tuesday night. Dallas was down nine with 33 seconds left in regulation before getting even in a back-and-forth sequence capped by Doncic missing a free throw on purpose, ending up with the loose ball on the rebound and hitting a jumper for a 115-115 tie with 1.0 seconds remaining. The first 60-point game in Dallas history also included Doncic's career high in rebounds and was the first 60-20-10 game in NBA history.

DALLAS — (AP) — Jalen Brunson missed his first Dallas reunion after the New York Knicks point guard was ruled out of a meeting with the Mavericks with a sore right hip. Brunson played when the Knicks lost to the Mavericks 121-100 in New York in early December. Brunson was drafted in the second round by Dallas in 2018, the same year Mavs superstar Luka Doncic went third overall. Brunson blossomed as a starter alongside Doncic in coach Jason Kidd's Dallas debut last season, but was interested in being the lead point guard somewhere else. New York played in Dallas six days after the NBA docked the club a second-round pick in the 2025 draft for engaging in talks with Brunson before free agency opened June 30.

Jalen Brunson is missing his first Dallas reunion after the New York point guard was ruled out of a meeting with the Mavericks with a sore right hip.

Joel Embiid scored 35 points, James Harden had 29 points and 13 assists and the Philadelphia 76ers blew by the New York Knicks in the final quarter, extending their winning streak to eight games with a 119-112 victory.

Basketball is all the way back in New York. Plus, why the Lakers and Wizards are both pointing way down.

But it was the only one the Bucks needed after Antetokounmpo had carried them for so long. Mitchell Robinson made one free throw and the Knicks got the rebound when he missed the second, leading to a free throw by Jalen Brunson that tied it with 47 seconds remaining. After Allen's 3-pointer, RJ Barrett missed a 3 for the Knicks and the Bucks closed it out from the free throw line. New York shot 42% from the field and 20% from 3-point range, plus a dismal 65% from the free throw line. Knicks: Brunson came up limping after the first possession of the game and soon after checked out and went back to the locker room.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 37 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists, then Grayson Allen made the tiebreaking 3-pointer with 30 seconds left after his superstar teammate fouled out to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 109-103 victory over the New York Knicks.

Luka Doncic scored 41 points in his NBA-leading fifth triple-double, and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Golden State Warriors 116-113 in the first meeting of last season’s Western Conference finalists.

DALLAS — (AP) — The timeline for Kemba Walker to contribute for the Dallas Mavericks is uncertain as the four-time All-Star joins a roster in need of playmaking help behind superstar Luka Doncic. Walker went unsigned the first six weeks of the season before the 32-year-old guard was officially added by Dallas on Tuesday. Plagued by knee injuries in recent years, Walker hasn't played since Feb. 16. Walker played most of the pandemic-altered 2019-20 season, the last of five consecutive seasons in which he averaged at least 20 points per game. Walker played just 43 games in his second season with the Celtics before an offseason trade to the Knicks.

The timeline for Kemba Walker to contribute for the Dallas Mavericks is uncertain as the four-time All-Star joins a roster in need of playmaking help behind superstar Luka Doncic.

The Dallas Mavericks are close to a deal with four-time All-Star guard Kemba Walker, a person with knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press on Monday. Walker's career has been on hold because of knee injuries, but the 32-year-old could give superstar Luka Doncic some much-needed backcourt help for the struggling Mavericks. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal isn't finalized and is pending a physical. Walker played most of the pandemic-altered 2019-20 season, the last of five consecutive seasons in which he averaged at least 20 points per game. Walker played just 43 games in his second season with the Celtics before an offseason trade to the Knicks.

A person with knowledge of the agreement says the Dallas Mavericks are close to a deal with four-time All-Star guard Kemba Walker.

Kevin Durant had 29 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists, becoming the first player since Michael Jordan to score at least 25 points in his team’s first 12 games, and the Brooklyn Nets routed the New York Knicks 112-85 after making Jacque Vaughn their head coach.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 30 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists as the Milwaukee Bucks remained unbeaten with a 119-108 victory over the New York Knicks.

There wasn't much debate about whether Julius Randle would come back down to Earth. The only question, once Randle reached that peak, was just how much it’d hurt when he landed back in the valley. As a result, Randle entered this season in an interesting position. After Monday's win over the Magic, Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau praised Randle for "the way he's diversifying his game" in the early going. The Knicks are actually doing it, with Brunson and Randle leading the pack.

Julius Randle had 25 points and 12 rebounds, Jalen Brunson scored 21 points and the New York Knicks kept No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic winless with a 115-102 victory.

Devin Booker scored 28 points, Damion Lee made a go-ahead baseline jumper with 9.7 seconds left and the Phoenix Suns rallied from 22 points down in the third quarter to beat the Dallas Mavericks 107-105 on Wednesday in the season opener for both teams.

By Gabe Allen, RotoWireSpecial to Yahoo SportsThe exhibitions are over and the NBA regular season has finally arrived. Without further ado, here are 15 saucy predictions for the 2022-23 fantasy basketball season. [Still time to get in on the fun this fantasy hoops season: Create or join a league now!] He averaged career highs of 9.3 boards in 29.0 minutes per game — or 11.6 boards per 36 minutes — last season. Without Dejounte Murray, who brought down 8.3 boards per game last season, Poeltl will feast on the glass and grab about 15 rebounds per night.

From Jalen Brunson to Collin Sexton to Kelly Oubre Jr., here are 10 players who are currently undervalued in Yahoo fantasy basketball drafts. Jalen Brunson, Knicks (Overall ADP 65.0)Away from the league-leading usage rate of Luka Doncic, Brunson will have the ball in his hands more than ever. Keldon Johnson, Spurs (Overall ADP 72.2)San Antonio is arguably in the deepest rebuild of any team, and Johnson projects as the No. Kyle Lowry, Heat (Overall ADP 103.7)The veteran isn’t a breakout candidate like other players on this list, but he’s being slept on. Kelly Oubre Jr., Hornets (Overall ADP 138.7)The absence of Miles Bridges opens up tons of usage in Charlotte.

[Get in on the fun this fantasy hoops season: Create or join a league now!] From a fantasy perspective, he'll only need to improve his field goal percentage (41.6%) and cut down on his turnovers (3.7/g) to make him an elite fantasy player. Overall, Fox finished 98th in per-game value last season, but I think he heads closer to his post-Haliburton trade numbers this season. All pieces that should help Fox deliver his best real-life and fantasy season to date with an imminent breakout that propels him to be a top-35 player in fantasy basketball this season. Points, assists, efficiency and reliability don't grow on trees, especially in the mid-rounds of fantasy drafts.

The New York Knicks were the 11th seed in the Eastern Conference, and although they missed out on Donovan Mitchell, Leon Rose feels they're in a good place.

Jalen Brunson Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson (13) sets up a play during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)The NBA has begun an investigation into the New York Knicks for alleged tampering regarding free agent pickup Jalen Brunson, sources told Yahoo Sports. NBA will look into whether the Knicks made contact with Brunson prior to the start of the free agency period. This is a developing story and will be updated.

Free agency opens Thursday in the NBA, with teams able to begin negotiating at 6 p.m. Eastern with players who are not under contract. “We’ll see what happens as free agency opens up and everything else,” Clippers owner Steve Ballmer said. “We still do need to surround the team with vets and that’s the plan in free agency,” Warriors general manager Bob Myers said. “It’s easier to get some of the older players, we think, in free agency than young players. Young players are probably the most in-demand in free agency.”True, and that’s another element of this time of year: Young players, and not grabbing them in free agency this year, but keeping them out of free agency in future years.

Free agency opens Thursday in the NBA.

Luka Doncic had 30 points and 14 rebounds as the Dallas Mavericks avoided being swept with a 119-109 victory over Golden State in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals.

ABC had 3.74 million viewers, NBC had 2.95 million, Fox had 2 million, Univision had 1.4 million, Ion Television had 950,000 and Telemundo had 800,000. ABC’s “World News Tonight” won the evening news ratings race with an average of 7.4 million viewers. For the week of May 16-22, the top 20 prime-time shows, their networks and viewerships:NBA Playoffs: Golden State at Dallas (Sunday), TNT, 7.42 million. NBA Playoffs: Dallas at Golden State (Friday), TNT, 6.77 million. NBA Playoffs: Dallas at Golden State (Wednesday), TNT, 6.52 million.

When the NBA playoffs take the TV court even the most popular shows find the competition tough.

Stephen Curry scored 31 points, Andrew Wiggins added 27 while posterizing Luka Doncic on a dunk and the Golden State Warriors beat the Dallas Mavericks 109-100 for a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference finals.

Stephen Curry had 21 points and a game-high 12 rebounds, Golden State’s defense held Luka Doncic in check, and the Warriors beat the Dallas Mavericks 112-87 for a 1-0 lead in the Western Conference finals.

The NBA’s long regular season can be tedious, but make no mistake, it matters.

Luka Doncic scored 33 points and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Phoenix Suns 113-86 on Thursday night to force a Game 7 in the Western Conference semifinals.

Mavericks Suns Basketball Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) dunks against Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson (13), Mavericks forwards Maxi Kleber (42) and Dorian Finney-Smith, right, during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Tuesday, May 10, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) (Ross D. Franklin)PHOENIX — (AP) — Devin Booker scored 28 points, Deandre Ayton added 20 and the Phoenix Suns beat the Dallas Mavericks 110-80 on Tuesday night to take a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference semifinals. Phoenix opened up the second half on an 11-4 run, highlighted by Booker's two 3-pointers, for a 61-50 lead. The Suns led 82-60 going into the fourth with Booker pouring in 12 points during the third. Booker scored 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field.

Devin Booker scored 28 points, Deandre Ayton added 20 and the Phoenix Suns beat the Dallas Mavericks 110-80 night to take a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference semifinals.

Luka Doncic scored 26 points and the Dallas Mavericks took advantage of foul trouble for Chris Paul to beat the Phoenix Suns 111-101 on Sunday, evening the Western Conference semifinal series at 2-2.

Luka Doncic had 26 points and 13 rebounds, and the Dallas Mavericks turned up the defensive pressure to get back in their Western Conference semifinal series with Phoenix, beating the Suns 103-94.

The Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat are the top seeds in the playoffs and at the moment, they look like it coming off impressive performances.

Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson each scored 24 points and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Utah Jazz 98-96 on Thursday night in Game 6 to wrap up the first-round series.

Luka Doncic had 33 points and 13 rebounds in his first home playoff game coming off a calf injury and the Dallas Mavericks routed the Utah Jazz 102-77 for a 3-2 lead in their first-round playoff series.

Rudy Gobert gave Utah the lead with an alley-oop dunk with 11.0 seconds left and the Jazz held off the Dallas Mavericks 100-99 on Saturday in Game 4 to tie the first-round series.

Scoring has rarely looked so difficult for Kevin Durant.

Mavericks Jazz Basketball Dallas Mavericks guard Spencer Dinwiddie (26) tries to get a rebound next to Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley, rear, during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, April 21, 2022, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) (Rick Bowmer)SALT LAKE CITY — (AP) — Jalen Brunson scored 31 points playing with a bruised back and the Dallas Mavericks — without the injured Luka Doncic — beat the Utah Jazz 126-118 on Thursday night to take a 2-1 lead in the first-round playoff series. Conley got the Jazz to 103-102, but Dinwiddie made two baskets and Brunson scored six points on three straight possessions to make it 113-104. Once the Jazz finally matched the Mavericks and played without a center, the court opened up for Utah. … Eric Paschall only played 10 minutes (at center) but scored six points and Utah outscored Dallas by nine points during that time.

Jalen Brunson scored 31 points playing with a bruised back and the Dallas Mavericks — without the injured Luka Doncic — beat the Utah Jazz 126-118 on Thursday night to take a 2-1 lead in the first-round playoff series.

Jazz Mavericks Basketball Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, center, reacts in the closing seconds of a win over the Utah Jazz in Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Monday, April 18, 2022, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) (Tony Gutierrez)The Dallas Mavericks bought some time to get Luka Doncic involved in their first-round series against Utah by winning Game 2 at home without their star. "But obviously we want him back healthy so he stays healthy and helps us because we know he's our best player." “I know he’s doing everything in his power not to let his team down. “I think people think about it, and I think that’s normal,” Utah coach Quin Snyder said.

The Dallas Mavericks are buying time to get Luka Doncic involved in their first-round series against Utah after winning Game 2 at home without their star.

Jazz Mavericks Basketball Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) defends against a shot by Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson (13) in the second half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Monday, April 18, 2022, in Dallas. His 3-pointer with 4:21 put Dallas ahead to stay at 99-98, and he then added another on the next possession. We’ve just got to let it fly.”Game 3 is Thursday night in Utah, where Dallas has lost its last 11 games. Brunson, who had 24 points when the Mavs lost 99-93 in Game 1, made his first five shots — with three 3s — in the first 6 minutes. Mavericks: The Mavs finished 21 of 41 on 3s (51.2%) and shot 50% overall (36 of 72).

Jazz Mavericks Basketball Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson (13) and Spencer Dinwiddie, right, celebrate a 3-point basket made by Brunson in the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz, Monday, April 18, 2022, in Dallas. Game 3 is Thursday night in Utah, where Dallas has lost its last 11 games. Brunson, the starting point guard with Doncic out, became the fifth Dallas player to score 40 points in a playoff game. Donovan Mitchell had 34 points for Utah, while Bojan Bogdanovic had 25 and Jordan Clarkson 21. ___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

Jalen Brunson scored a career-high 41 points, Maxi Kleber had 25 with eight of Dallas’ playoff-record 22 made 3-pointers and the Mavericks won Game 2 against Utah 110-104 to even the first-round series.

Donovan Mitchell scored 30 of his 32 points after halftime, Bojan Bogdanovic finished with 26 and the Utah Jazz opened the playoffs with a 99-93 victory over Dallas.

(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) (Tony Gutierrez)DALLAS — (AP) — Luka Doncic won't play for the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of their playoff series against Utah on Saturday because of the calf injury the All-Star guard suffered in the regular-season finale. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said before Saturday's game that Doncic is day to day, but wouldn't play the opener in the best-of-seven series. Jalen Brunson, who averaged 16.3 points per game in the regular season, will be the starting point guard in Doncic's place. Doncic finished the regular season as the NBA’s third-leading scorer at 28.4 points per game. The 23-year-old Doncic was hurt last Sunday night in the third quarter of what proved to be a meaningless home game for the Mavericks.

Luka Doncic won’t play for the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of their playoff series against Utah because of the calf injury the All-Star guard suffered in the regular-season finale.

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.

Luka Doncic scored 32 points and matched a season high with 15 assists to help the Dallas Mavericks defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 118-112.

Spencer Dinwiddie made a 3-pointer at the buzzer against his former team, giving the Dallas Mavericks a 113-111 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.

Dorian Finney-Smith hit a 3-pointer from the right corner with 3.3 seconds left and the Dallas Mavericks, playing without All-Star guard Luka Doncic, overcame a 19-point deficit for the second time this week to beat the Sacramento Kings 114-113 on Saturday.

Luka Doncic had 49 points and 15 rebounds and the Dallas Mavericks never trailed in a 125-118 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night, their sixth victory in seven games.

Luka Doncic scored 28 of his career-high 51 points in the first quarter, and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Los Angeles Clippers 112-105.

Franz Wagner scored 18 points, including the tiebreaking layup with 54 seconds remaining, and the Orlando Magic beat the Dallas Mavericks 110-108 on Sunday.

Kristaps Porzingis scored 12 of his 19 points in the first quarter of his first game in two weeks and the Dallas Mavericks cruised to a 108-92 victory over the Orlando Magic.

Luka Doncic had a triple-double with 27 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists and the Dallas Mavericks used a second-half rally to rout Memphis 112-85 on Friday night, ending the Grizzlies’ winning streak at 11 games.

RJ Barrett scored 32 points, Mitchell Robinson had a season-high 19 and the New York Knicks snapped the Dallas Mavericks’ six-game winning streak with a 108-85 victory.

Luka Doncic scored 26 points and the Dallas Mavericks celebrated before a ceremony to retire Dirk Nowitzki’s number by beating cold-shooting Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors 99-82 on Wednesday night.

Donovan Mitchell scored 33 points and the Utah Jazz beat the COVID-19-depleted Dallas Mavericks 120-116.

Rookie Austin Reaves swished a 3-pointer with 0.9 seconds left in overtime to give the Los Angeles Lakers a 107-104 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

Kristaps Porzingis scored 30 points, Luka Dončić had 26 in his return to the Dallas lineup, and the Mavericks defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 112-104 in overtime.

Mikal Bridges and Devin Booker each scored 19 points, Chris Paul added 18 points and 14 assists and the Phoenix Suns ran their winning streak to 11, rallying to beat the Dallas Mavericks 112-104 on Friday night.

Cam Reddish scored 20 points, Trae Young added 19 and the Atlanta Hawks opened the season with a 113-87 rout of the Mavericks to ruin the debut of Dallas coach Jason Kidd.

Kawhi Leonard scored 36 points, Paul George added 29 and the Los Angeles Clippers spoiled Luka Doncic’s home playoff debut, beating the Dallas Mavericks 118-108 to get back in the first-round playoff series.

(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) (Tony Gutierrez)DALLAS — (AP) — Buddy Hield scored 27 points, Marvin Bagley III had 23 points and nine rebounds and Sacramento beat Dallas 111-99 on Sunday night, giving the also-ran Kings a season sweep of the playoff-contending Mavericks. Dallas sixth man Tim Hardaway Jr. missed his second game of the season with right ankle soreness. Bagley returned to the startling lineup in his second game back after missing 23 with a broken left hand. Bagley and Hield combined for 13 of the points on a 15-3 run that gave the Kings an 87-70 lead in the third quarter. Mavericks: Dallas goes to Miami on Tuesday looking for a season sweep of the Heat, who had won both games in the previous three seasons.