JALEN SMITH

INDIANAPOLIS — (AP) — To Ja Morant, the answer was a slam dunk. “Yeah, easy,” he said, because of its difficulty, when asked if it topped his rapidly expanding collection of sensational slams. 2 pick in the 2019 draft quickly emerged as one of the NBA's highest flyers and has gone on to become one of its best players. He would seem a shoe-in to win another award, the trophy for the slam dunk contest, if he ever entered the event at the NBA's All-Star weekend. "Bruh just do the ... dunk contest," he wrote.

To Ja Morant, the answer was a slam dunk.

Ja Morant threw down an instant dunk of the year candidate in the Grizzlies' win over the Pacers, getting reactions from the likes of Kevin Durant.

INDIANAPOLIS — (AP) — Stephen Curry started Wednesday night unsure whether he would play at Indiana because of a sore right knee. Curry was injured with about two minutes left in the third quarter as the Warriors tried to rally from a 20-point halftime deficit. But when Pacers forward Jalen Smith dribbled toward the baseline, Curry tried to stop him by sticking his left arm out. “The trainers told me midway through the fourth quarter that he wasn’t going to return,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. All-Star guard Klay Thompson missed his second straight game with a right knee injury and Andrew Wiggins sat out with an abdominal injury.

Curry was injured with about two minutes left in the third quarter as the Warriors tried to rally from a 20-point halftime deficit. But when Pacers forward Jalen Smith dribbled toward the baseline, Curry tried to stop him by sticking his left arm out. Curry grabbed his shoulder while standing hunched over on the court then walked to the locker room during the next timeout. “The trainers told me midway through the fourth quarter that he wasn’t going to return,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. All-Star guard Klay Thompson missed his second straight game with a right knee injury and Andrew Wiggins sat out with an abdominal injury.

Eight-time All-Star and two-time MVP Stephen Curry is expected to undergo an MRI on Thursday after injuring his left shoulder in a 125-119 loss at Indiana.

MADISONVILLE, Tenn. — An East Tennessee woman is accused of intoxication after she allegedly hung toilet paper all over a bathroom at a Taco Bell restaurant, authorities said. According to Sweetwater police Officer Jalen Smith, Coker had refused to leave the Taco Bell when employees told her the fast-food restaurant was closing, The Advocate & Democrat of Madisonville reported. When Smith arrived at the restaurant, he said Coker came out of the bathroom, and he could tell that toilet paper “had been hung everywhere,” according to the newspaper. When Smith questioned Coker and asked if she had been using drugs, she said she had not but had sometimes used methamphetamine, The Advocate & Democrat reported. The officer said Coker appeared to be dangerous to herself and others and arrested her.

Ivica Zubac scored a season-high 31 points and pulled down a career-best 29 rebounds as the Los Angeles Clippers pulled away in the second half to beat the Indiana Pacers 114-100.

The fourth week of the NBA season is in the rearview, and now it's time to reflect, overreact and assess the fantasy basketball landscape. His usage rate is on pace to be top-three all-time, but there's actually someone else also playing basketball in Dallas — Spencer Dinwiddie. Dinwiddie is vastly outperforming his preseason ADP of 120 and is currently 35th in per-game value through Tuesday. His preseason ADP was 82, and he's providing fourth-round production, so fantasy managers should appreciate the value he's bringing heading into Week 5. Just keep in mind that if Myles Turner is traded, Smith's and Isaiah Jackson's fantasy value will go up.

The 2022-23 NBA season is fast approaching, which means it's time to start getting ready for your fantasy basketball drafts. [Get in on the fun this fantasy hoops season: Create or join a league now!] He led the league in minutes played last season (37.9 per game) and has dual eligibility at power forward and center. Despite his shooting woes, his unique ability to generate rebounds, assists, steals and blocks remains an asset for fantasy basketball. If that changes closer to the season, he's someone that could move down to Tier 6.

Joel Embiid made his closing argument for MVP votes and all but wrapped up the NBA scoring title as the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Indiana Pacers 133-120.

76ers Pacers Basketball Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid goes to the basket against Indiana Pacers' Jalen Smith during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, April 5, 2022, in Indianapolis. Embiid banked in a 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer and shot 18 for 30 overall while moving into the NBA scoring lead with 30.4 points per game. The 76ers, meanwhile, continued to build momentum for a playoff push that begins next week — and perhaps Embiid's pitch as league MVP. Tyrese Maxey made a career-high eight 3s, seven in the first half, and had 30 points for the 76ers. Pacers: Indiana finished this season with a 16-25 record at home, its second straight sub-.500 mark after 31 straight seasons of posting winning records at home.

Joel Embiid had 45 points and 13 rebounds, and the Philadelphia 76ers made a franchise-record 17 3-pointers in the first half of a 131-122 victory over the Indiana Pacers that moved them into a tie with Boston atop the Atlantic Division.

Pacers Wizards Basketball Washington Wizards center Kristaps Porzingis (6) goes to the basket against Indiana Pacers forward Jalen Smith (25) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) (Nick Wass)WASHINGTON — (AP) — Kristaps Porzingis scored 25 points in his first game for Washington, and the Wizards beat the Indiana Pacers 133-123 on Sunday night. Kyle Kuzma scored 23 points for the Wizards, who took control of the game with a 39-point third quarter. Later in the first half, Porzingis provided another highlight when he blocked Oshae Brissett near the basket, although Brissett scored over Porzingis immediately afterward. After the Pacers started the final period with four straight points, Porzingis made a 3-pointer to push the lead back to eight.

Kristaps Porzingis scored 25 points in his first game for Washington, and the Wizards beat the Indiana Pacers 133-123.

Malcolm Brogdon had 31 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists as the Indiana Pacers overcame a 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter and beat the Orlando Magic in overtime 122-114.

Wendell Carter Jr. had 21 points and 12 rebounds, and eight Orlando players scored in double figures as the Magic beat the Indiana Pacers 119-103.

APTOPIX Pacers Bucks Basketball Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo, middle, drives to the basket between Indiana Pacers' Jalen Smith (25) and Tyrese Haliburton (0) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash) (Aaron Gash)MILWAUKEE — (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a season-high 50 points, two off his career best, and pulled down 14 rebounds to lead the Milwaukee Bucks past the skidding Indiana Pacers 128-119 on Tuesday night. The Bucks (36-23) swept the four-game season series from the Pacers and have won eight straight against their Central Division foe. The Bucks led 34-27 after the first quarter before the Pacers grabbed a short-lived lead midway through the second. A pair of 3-pointers by reserve guard Lindell Wigginton sparked a 12-2 surge that grew the lead to double digits.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a season-high 50 points, two off his career best, and pulled down 14 rebounds to lead the Milwaukee Bucks past the skidding Indiana Pacers 128-119.

Deandre Ayton scored 27 points, Mikal Bridges added 18 and the Phoenix Suns beat Milwaukee 131-107 in a rematch of last year’s NBA Finals won by the Bucks.

Clippers Suns Basketball Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne (15) drives past Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) (Rick Scuteri)PHOENIX — (AP) — Chris Paul had a triple-double with 14 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists to help the short-handed Phoenix Suns beat the Los Angeles Clippers 106-89 on Thursday night. The 13 rebounds were a career high in his 1,128th regular-season NBA game. The Suns led by 17 points midway through the third quarter, but the Clippers cut it to 73-66 in the next few minutes. The Suns jumped out to a 56-40 halftime lead after outscoring the Clippers by 15 in the second quarter.

Chris Paul had a triple-double with 14 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists to help the short-handed Phoenix Suns beat the Los Angeles Clippers 106-89 on Thursday night.

Suns Hornets Basketball Phoenix Suns forward Jalen Smith dunks over Charlotte Hornets center Mason Plumlee during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) (Chris Carlson)CHARLOTTE, N.C. — (AP) — Devin Booker scored 24 points, Jalen Smith tied a career high with 19 points and 12 rebounds and the short-handed Phoenix Suns hammered the Charlotte Hornets 133-99 on Sunday night. The Suns made 17 shots from beyond the 3-point arc and outrebounded the Hornets 52-35. Despite missing more than 48 combined points per game from players who were out, the Suns bolted to a 73-47 halftime lead behind 20 points from Booker and 10-of-22 shooting from beyond the 3-point arc. TIP INSSuns: Abdel Nader also is out because of health and safety protocols. Hornets: Miles Bridges had 10 points in his first game back from health and safety protocols.

Devin Booker scored 24 points, Jalen Smith tied a career high with 19 points and 12 rebounds and the short-handed Phoenix Suns hammered the Charlotte Hornets 133-99.

Wizards Suns Basketball Phoenix Suns forward Jalen Smith (10) blocks the shot of Washington Wizards center Daniel Gafford, middle, as Suns forward Cameron Johnson (23) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) (Ross D. Franklin)PHOENIX — (AP) — JaVale McGee scored 17 points, Deandre Ayton added 15 and the Phoenix Suns cruised to a 118-98 victory over the Washington Wizards on Thursday night. Bradley Beal led the Wizards with 26 points on 11-of-18 shooting, but the rest of the team couldn't muster much offense. The Suns led for nearly the entire night and had a 62-50 advantage at the break. COUNTING ON CAMBackup forward Cam Johnson has been crucial for the Suns during All-Star guard Devin Booker's injury absence.

JaVale McGee scored 17 points, Deandre Ayton added 15 and the Phoenix Suns cruised to a 118-98 victory over the Washington Wizards on Thursday night.

Deandre Ayton had 28 points and 13 rebounds in his return from a non-COVID-19 illness, and the Phoenix Suns held off the Portland Trail Blazers 111-107 in overtime.

Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden dishes around Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)PHOENIX – James Harden relished the chance to share the scoring load when he joined the star-filled Brooklyn Nets earlier this season. Harden scored 38 points, Joe Harris added 22 and the Nets overcame a 24-point deficit to stun the Phoenix Suns 128-124 on Tuesday night. While Harden was the undeniable star for the Nets, his teammates provided plenty of good moments, too. Suns: Phoenix had a full roster for a second game in a row.

Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, right, looks for a shot over Denver Nuggets guard Facundo Campazzo during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in Denver. Moments like this are precisely why the Suns acquired Paul in a deal with Oklahoma City. “Him being able to knock down shots, and the ability and will to take those shots, is huge for us,” Suns coach Monty Williams said. But on the advice of Paul, Williams decided to challenge the play. The Denver big man is posting big numbers but his production isn’t translating into wins as the Nuggets fell to 1-4.

A second suspect in a series of carjackings that took place in February has been arrested, according to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies took into custody 26-year-old Jalen Smith for his role in multiple carjackings that started in Titusville on Feb. 18. Another suspect, 25-year-old Lanorris Habersham, was arrested on Feb. 20. Smith and Habersham then allegedly fled from the truck and carjacked another victim before fleeing the area, deputies said. Habersham is in Brevard County Jail with no bond, while Smith is awaiting extradition back to Brevard County Jail, deputies said.