Sacramento, Calif. — The Kings finally halted their franchise-record losing streak, defeating the Grizzlies 123-114 on Monday night in Memphis and ending a skid that stretched back to Jan. 16.
Russell Westbrook scored 25 points, Precious Achiuwa posted 22 points and 12 rebounds, and both DeMar DeRozan and Daeqwon Plowden added 20. Plowden put in 10 of his points during the fourth quarter to secure the victory. Sacramento, still holding the NBA’s worst record, used an 18-6 burst early in the third to reclaim control after Memphis briefly moved in front.
The injury-riddled Grizzlies, again missing eight players, were led by Javon Smalls with 21 points and nine assists. Olivier-Maxence Prosper added 17 points and GG Jackson had 16. Memphis sits 11th in the Western Conference.
Joe’s all-around night lifts Thunder
Thunder guard Isaiah Joe matched his season high with 22 points in a win over Cleveland, shooting 6-for-11 from deep while recording a career-best five steals, three assists and two rebounds in 30 minutes. “Being undersized out there, you don’t want to be the weak link,” Joe said, pointing to defense as a point of pride. Teammate Cason Wallace, who logged the first double-double of his career, praised Joe’s movement and cutting, noting, “He has a full game, for sure.”
Jazz center to undergo nose surgery
Utah center Jusuf Nurkic will miss the remainder of the season after electing to have surgery to address long-standing breathing and sleeping issues stemming from a broken nose, according to Chris Haynes. The 31-year-old has not played since the All-Star break and finishes the campaign averaging 10.9 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists over 41 games.
Nurkic’s expiring $19.3 million contract was viewed as a trade chip, but Utah held on to the veteran. He will enter unrestricted free agency this summer, and the Jazz — projected to have ample cap space — have not ruled out a reunion.
Source: Hoops Wire
