NBA roundup: Pacers sink Bulls on Pascal Siakam's buzzer shot
Sun Nov 30 1:39am ET
Field Level Media
Pascal Siakam hit a 14-foot jumper at the buzzer and finished with 24 points and nine rebounds as the Indiana Pacers beat the Chicago Bulls 103-101 on Saturday night in Indianapolis.
The Bulls' Tre Jones scored on a driving layup with 7.5 seconds left to tie the game before Siakam made a shot over two defenders to help the Pacers win back-to-back games for the first time this season.
Bennedict Mathurin had 19 points for Indiana, which won for the fourth time in its first 20 games. Teammates Isaiah Jackson, Jay Huff and Andrew Nembhard each scored 14 points.
Jones and Josh Giddey led Chicago with 17 points apiece. Nikola Vucevic had 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists, while Kevin Huerter and Ayo Dosunmu each had 15 points. Giddey added 11 boards and seven assists for the Bulls, who have lost three straight and four of their last five.
Mavericks 114, Clippers 110
Klay Thompson turned back the clock with six 3-pointers en route to a season-high 23 points, Cooper Flagg went for a career-best 35, and Dallas held off host Los Angeles.
Resting Anthony Davis on the second night of a back-to-back, the Mavericks trailed 103-101 after a John Collins 3-pointer for the Clippers with 2:22 to go. But Thompson, playing in his hometown, capped a 17-point final period with a go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:52 remaining and the Mavs held on from there.
Thompson's 20-point night was just his second of the season. He had contributed just 10 points to a 129-119 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers when the Mavericks tipped off a two-night stay in Southern California on Friday. Flagg's 35 points were six more than his previous high.
Timberwolves 119, Celtics 115
Anthony Edwards scored 39 points to offset 41 from Jaylen Brown and Minnesota finished strong to top Boston in Minneapolis.
Julius Randle added 16 points and nine rebounds for the Timberwolves, who snapped a three-game losing streak. Donte DiVincenzo scored 15 points and made 4 of 7 from deep. Neemias Queta recorded a double-double with 19 points and 18 rebounds for the Celtics.
Minnesota outscored Boston 60-46 in the second half to rally for the victory. After a Queta dunk put the Celtics on top 71-59 with 11:45 to go in the third quarter, the Timberwolves outscored their opponent 24-11 over the next seven minutes to grab an 83-82 lead with 4:23 left in the quarter, then hang on in a back-and-forth battle down the stretch.
Hornets 118, Raptors 111 (OT)
Miles Bridges scored 10 of his 35 points in overtime as Charlotte, after a huge fourth-quarter run, knocked off visiting Toronto, ending the Raptors' nine-game winning streak.
Kon Knueppel poured in 20 points, Collin Sexton had 18 points and LaMelo Ball posted 14 points for the Hornets, who won their second game in a row following a seven-game losing streak. It was a long climb back for Charlotte, which trailed by 17 points in the first quarter and as many as 12 in the fourth.
Scottie Barnes poured in 30 points for Toronto, while teammates Brandon Ingram and Immanuel Quickley both scored 22. The Hornets were 10-for-39 on 3-point attempts, but benefitted from the Raptors' 16 turnovers.
Bucks 116, Nets 99
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 29 points to lead Milwaukee to a convincing victory over visiting Brooklyn, ending its seven-game losing streak.
AJ Green added 15 points on 5-for-7 shooting from beyond the arc and Bobby Portis added 13 off the bench. Kevin Porter Jr., who made his return from surgery after a right knee meniscus injury took him out of the Bucks' opening-night game on Oct 22, also added 13 points as all five Milwaukee starters scored in double digits.
The Nets' skid moved to four with the loss. Reserve Danny Wolf led Brooklyn with a career-high 22 while Jalen Wilson added 13 as the Nets' bench outscored their starters 63-36. This was the first time the Bucks held an opponent under 100 points this season.
Pistons 138, Heat 135
Cade Cunningham had 29 points and eight assists as Detroit held off host Miami.
Tobias Harris supplied a season-high 26 points for the Pistons, who nearly squandered a 22-point lead in the fourth but snapped a two-game skid. Duncan Robinson, playing against his former team for the first time, tossed in 18 points while Paul Reed added 13 with 10 rebounds.
Andrew Wiggins led the Heat, who saw their six-game winning streak snapped, with 31 points. Normal Powell had 28 points and Tyler Herro contributed 24. Bam Adebayo added a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Nuggets 130, Suns 112
Nikola Jokic had 26 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds, Tim Hardaway Jr. tied a season high with 23 points while making a season-high seven 3-pointers, and Denver beat host Phoenix for the Nuggets' seventh straight road victory.
Jamal Murray had 24 points and five threes for Denver, which was 22 of 38 from distance (57.9%). Jokic fell just short of his 11th triple-double this season as the Nuggets rebounded from a home loss to San Antonio on Friday that cost them a spot in the NBA Cup quarterfinals.
Dillon Brooks had 27 points, Devin Booker had 24 and Royce O'Neale had 15 for the Suns, who had won nine of 12 and had advanced to the NBA Cup quarterfinals Friday despite a loss at Oklahoma City.
Warriors 104, Pelicans 96
Jimmy Butler III and Gary Payton II recorded double-doubles in the absence of All-Star Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski ignited a late lead-taking run and Golden State outlasted New Orleans in San Francisco.
Having lost two of three to start a five-game homestand and facing the prospect of going without the injured Curry, the Warriors used a late 12-point flurry to overcome 12-for-47 shooting (25.5%) on 3-pointers.
Zion Williamson had a game-high 25 points and seven rebounds for the Pelicans, who have lost 11 of their last 12. Yves Missi grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds to complement nine points, while Saddiq Bey totaled 21 points and Jeremiah Fears 16.
- NBA roundup: Pacers sink Bulls on Pascal Siakam's buzzer shot
- Thunder C Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) out at least 10-14 days
- Hawks PG Trae Young (knee) to be re-evaluated in two weeks
- NBA roundup: Luka Doncic burns Mavs, Lakers sweep NBA Cup group
- Thunder star Jalen Williams (wrist) making season debut vs. Suns
- Mavericks F Anthony Davis (calf) to return vs. Lakers
- Wizards' Corey Kispert to miss time with thumb fracture
- Warriors G Stephen Curry to have MRI on right quad
- NBA roundup: Celtics snap Pistons’ 13-game winning streak
- Knicks G Landry Shamet (shoulder) out 4-plus weeks
- Raptors G/F RJ Barrett (knee sprain) out at least a week
- NBA roundup: Lakers win 5th straight, clinch West Group B
- Mavericks C Dereck Lively II (foot) out at least 3 more games
- Ex-NBA champ Rick Fox running for office in Bahamas
- Lakers sign F Drew Timme to two-way contract
- Suns' Mat Ishbia sued by minority owners over alleged fraud
- NBA roundup: Pistons top Pacers, tie franchise mark with 13th straight win
- Chauncey Billups pleads not guilty in rigged poker case
- NBA roundup: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Hawks hold off Hornets
- Rockets F Kevin Durant (personal) to miss two games
Celtics' F Jaylen Brown scored 41 points on 17-of-32 shooting in a 115-119 loss to Minnesota on Saturday, Nov. 29.
Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (ankle) won't play in Saturday's game against the Clippers. The 27-year-old was in line to suit up. However, he injured his ankle during pre-game warmups and was ruled out after the contest started. The Mavericks were already down Anthony Davis (calf), Dereck Lively II (foot), and Daniel Gafford (foot), meaning Dallas was without another big. Washington has played well this season, averaging a career-high 16.0 points with 7.8 boards, 2.3 assists, and 1.2 blocks. If he isn't available for Monday's game in Denver, Naji Marshall, who got the start on Saturday night, could continue to see more minutes.
According ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk, Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (knee) is "progressing well" in his recovery from a sprained right MCL and will be re-evaluated in two weeks. The 27-year-old appeared in five games before going on the shelf. However, fantasy managers were frustrated by the lack of production, with Young averaging a career-low 17.8 points, 7.8 assists, and 19.2% shooting from behind the arc. The Hawks have remained competitive while he's been away, so the team could take things even slower regarding his rehab. With that said, Young has an excellent chance of getting on track in terms of his statistical contributions once he's back on the floor, although he may see limited minutes for at least a few contests. In the meantime, Jalen Johnson is expected to continue playing at an All-Star level, with increased scoring anticipated from Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who had 30 points in Friday's NBA Cup win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) will be sidelined for at least 10-14 days. The 27-year-old, who has averaged 12.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 1.3 steals, missed his first game of the season in Friday's NBA Cup win over the Phoenix Suns. He'll now miss even more time due to a right Soleus strain. Luckily, Jalen Williams made his 2025 campaign debut versus the Suns, which will certainly help. Jaylin Williams, who had 14 points in 21 minutes of action on Friday, can be considered for streaming purposes until Hartenstein is cleared to return.
Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (ankle) won't suit up on Saturday against the Clippers. Gafford most recently amassed five points, four rebounds, and one steal in Friday's NBA Cup loss to the Lakers. However, in an attempt to preserve his health, he'll sit out the second of back-to-back contests, likely returning on Monday in Denver. With Dereck Lively II (foot) and Anthony Davis (calf) also sidelined, P.J. Washington may slide over to the center position, with Naji Marshall gaining more attention from fantasy managers by moving into the starting lineup. Moussa Cisse should also be in line for extra work versus one of the worst defensive teams in the National Basketball Association.
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (leg) has been ruled out ahead of Saturday's game in Miami. The 22-year-old has played well this season, most recently amassing 16 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks, and one steal in Friday's NBA Cup loss to the Orlando Magic. However, availability is once again becoming a concern, with Duren now missing his third contest of the 2025 campaign. Fantasy managers will need to wait and see if he'll be back on Monday against the visiting Atlanta Hawks. Isaiah Stewart, averaging 12.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks in five starts this season, is the favorite to replace Duren in the rotation versus a Heat team that has won their last six contests.
Dallas Mavericks forward/center Anthony Davis (calf) won't play in Saturday's matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers. AD returned for Friday's NBA Cup loss to the Lakers after missing a month because of a calf injury. As expected, he wasn't as productive as usual, finishing with 12 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three blocks in 28 minutes. Fantasy participants should anticipate Davis to return for Monday's meeting with the Denver Nuggets, assuming he didn't suffer a setback on Friday night. With Daniel Gafford (ankle) and Dereck Lively II (foot) also sidelined, Moussa Cisse might work his way into the starting lineup. However, the 23-year-old has a significantly higher ceiling than normal even if he doesn't start, giving him credibility as a streaming option for fantasy managers in Saturday's game against one of the worst defensive squads in the National Basketball Association.
Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (ankle) is questionable for Saturday's meeting in Minnesota. The 26-year-old has started in all 17 of his appearances during the 2025 campaign. As a result, he's having the best season of his career, averaging 9.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks, making him a viable starting option in deeper fantasy setups. Queta wasn't available for Friday's NBA Cup win over the Detroit Pistons, opening the door for Luka Garza to enter the starting lineup. That will likely be the case again if Queta can't suit up. However, Garza didn't do much in his enhanced role on Friday, going scoreless in 11 minutes of work.
Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (calf) is in line to play on Saturday in Minnesota. The 31-year-old has played as well as expected throughout the 2025 campaign. However, he hasn't benefited from the absence of Jayson Tatum (Achilles). In fact, he's seen reduced production in several statistical categories. Still, White remains a must-start fantasy option in all formats, assuming he plays, despite the difficult matchup on tap. He could be even more productive if Jaylen Brown (back) can't suit up because of low back spasms.
Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown (back) is questionable for Saturday's contest in Minnesota. The 29-year-old had 33 points, 10 boards, five assists, two steals, and two blocks in Friday's NBA Cup win over the Detroit Pistons. As expected, Brown has benefited from the absence of Jayson Tatum (Achilles) by averaging a career-high 28.2 points during the 2025 campaign. He also hasn't missed a game. It doesn't sound as if the injury is too serious, although the team may give him the night off for precautionary purposes heading into Sunday's meeting with the Cavaliers, the second of back-to-back outings for the C's. If that happens, Sam Hauser, Payton Pritchard, and Baylor Scheierman could see more scoring opportunities behind Derrick White (calf), assuming he plays, versus a challenging Timberwolves defense.
Sacramento's G Russell Westbrook recorded a triple-double, finishing with 16 points, 14 assists and 12 rebounds in a 119-128 loss to Utah on Friday, Nov. 28.
Atlanta's F Jalen Johnson recorded a triple-double, finishing with 29 points, 12 assists and 12 rebounds in a 130-123 win over the Cavaliers on Friday, Nov. 28.
Cavaliers' G Donovan Mitchell scored 42 points on 15-of-28 shooting in a 123-130 loss to Atlanta on Friday, Nov. 28.
Detroit's G Cade Cunningham recorded a triple-double, finishing with 39 points, 11 assists and 13 rebounds in a 109-112 loss to the Magic on Friday, Nov. 28.
Dallas Mavericks forward/center Anthony Davis (calf) is available for Friday's meeting with the Los Angeles Lakers. AD hasn't played in a month after suffering a left calf strain during the win over the Indiana Pacers on October 29. Before going down, he was averaging 20.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, and 1.6 steals. While there may be some rust in the equation, Davis can be plugged back into all fantasy lineups, even with a reduced workload of 24-to-27 minutes versus his former club.
Washington Wizards guard/forward Kyshawn George (illness) is back in the starting group after missing one game and remains firmly on the breakout track. He delivered 17 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists in his last appearance and continues to produce mid-round numbers with 16.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists on strong shooting. His return tightens Washington's rotation and trims opportunities for Bilal Coulibaly, Bub Carrington, and Justin Champagnie, each of whom had seen expanded usage. George remains a reliable all-formats option with stable usage and minutes.
Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward Paul George (ankle) will start Friday against Brooklyn after being upgraded from questionable, giving the team a needed boost with multiple wings still sidelined. George has averaged 13.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists across his first three outings in limited minutes, and his return pushes Dominick Barlow, Justin Edwards, and Jabari Walker into reduced roles. Fantasy managers should expect his workload to climb gradually, but usage volatility persists with Joel Embiid (knee), Kelly Oubre (knee), and VJ Edgecombe (calf) out.
Chicago Bulls guard/forward Kevin Huerter (pelvis) will be available Friday against Charlotte, though his fantasy outlook remains shaky after logging just 19 and 10 minutes off the bench in his last two appearances. His reduced role aligned with Coby White's return to full availability, which tightened Chicago's guard rotation and pushed Huerter into a smaller workload. Tre Jones' 28-minute, 11-assist outing may also keep him in a steady bench role. Huerter stays a watchlist option until he regains meaningful minutes.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III (elbow) is uncertain for Saturday's game at Golden State because of right elbow soreness, which could keep him out of the opening game of a back-to-back. The Pelicans are already without Jordan Poole (quadriceps) and Herbert Jones (calf), which pushed Saddiq Bey into a 39-minute workload Wednesday that produced 18 points, 10 rebounds, and three steals. A Murphy absence would keep Bey in strong streaming range, while Micah Peavy and Bryce McGowens offer deeper-league utility given the team's depleted wing rotation.
Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (knee) will play on Friday against Charlotte. The veteran didn't suit up for Monday's loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. Fortunately, it appears the lengthy layoff did him some good, limiting his time away to only one game. Vucevic will be returning versus a Hornets defense that has struggled throughout the 2025 campaign, giving him more than enough upside for season-long fantasy managers and DFS participants. His presence will mean less work for Jalen Smith, who had 13 points and six rebounds on Monday night.
