{"id":524774,"date":"2026-03-09T15:29:17","date_gmt":"2026-03-09T15:29:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/524774\/"},"modified":"2026-03-09T15:29:17","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T15:29:17","slug":"starting-5-spurs-roll-jayson-tatum-shines-what-to-know-for-week-21","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/524774\/","title":{"rendered":"Starting 5: Spurs roll, Jayson Tatum shines & what to know for Week 21"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

Two twenties. Two feats:<\/p>\n

Sunday in Cleveland: Jayson Tatum scores 20, exactly 300 days after his Achilles tear
\nTonight vs. Denver (7:30 ET, Peacock<\/a>): Shai Gilgeous-Alexander seeks his 126th straight 20-point game, which would tie Wilt Chamberlain for the longest such streak in NBA history<\/p>\n

See what else is trending around the league as the stretch run hits full speed \u2b07\ufe0f<\/p>\n

\"Jayson<\/p>\n

5 STORIES IN TODAY\u2019S EDITION \ud83c\udfc0<\/p>\n

ABC Sunday: Tatum shines alongside Brown in second game back, Luka leads Lakers past Knicks<\/p>\n

Sunday Night Basketball: Wemby sparks Spurs\u2019 15th win in 16 games, Suns cool Hornets<\/p>\n

East Heat: Miami tops Detroit, Orlando extends streak, Toronto rebounds in packed Playoff push<\/p>\n

Roundup: Scoot lifts Blazers, Pels beat Wiz, Russ triple-doubles in Kings dub<\/p>\n

Tonight & What\u2019s Next: Nuggets-Thunder & Knicks-Clips on Peacock open a loaded week of national games<\/p>\n

BUT FIRST \u2026 \u23f0<\/p>\n

\"Scores<\/p>\n

Five games tip off tonight, headlined by a Peacock doubleheader as the Nuggets visit the West-best Thunder (7:30 ET<\/a> | Tap to Watch<\/a>), before the Clippers host the Knicks (10 ET<\/a> | Tap to Watch<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Playoff Picture: Just 34 days remain until the regular-season finale. See what the Playoff bracket would look like if the postseason started today<\/a>, and check out more key dates below:<\/p>\n

April 12: Regular season ends (All 30 teams play)
\nApril 14-17: SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament
\nApril 18: NBA Playoffs begin<\/p>\n

1. ABC SUNDAY: TATUM STAMPS RETURN WEEKEND, LUKA SHINES VS. KNICKS<\/p>\n

\"Jayson<\/p>\n

ICYMI: Jayson Tatum is back.<\/p>\n

Less than 10 months after tearing his Achilles, Tatum made his season debut on Friday, electrifying TD Garden with a near triple-double (15 pts, 12 reb, 7 ast<\/a>) in a win over the Mavs.<\/p>\n

And on Sunday, exactly 300 days after the injury, the six-time All-Star delivered again.<\/p>\n

Celtics 109, Cavaliers 98: Tatum scored 20 points in 27 minutes, while Jaylen Brown stuffed the stat sheet (23 pts, 9 reb, 8 ast), powering the C\u2019s past the Cavs, despite 30 points from Donovan Mitchell, who returned from a four-game absence (groin). | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

JT Opening: Tatum came out scorching, scoring 12 in the 1st quarter as the Celtics jumped out to a 35-26 lead
\nJT Closing: Boston led the rest of the way, and after icing Friday\u2019s win with an exclamation 3, Tatum did it again \u2013 drilling a dagger trey with 1:59 left to stave off a late Cavs push
\nJays In Sync: It was the 191st time Tatum and Brown have each scored 20+ points in the same game, the most of any current NBA duo
\nC\u2019s In Stride: Boston is an East-best 17-5 since Jan. 20, moving just 2.5 games back of 1st-place Detroit and gaining a slight edge over NY (2.5 GB of Boston) and Cleveland (4 GB) for 2nd<\/p>\n

\"Jayson<\/p>\n

Game Respects Game: Harden posted 19 points and 10 dimes \u2013 including a must-see lob from the opposite free-throw line<\/a> \u2013 for Cleveland, which fell to 8-2 with him in the lineup.<\/p>\n

After the final buzzer, Mitchell showed more love for Tatum<\/a>, capping an emotional return weekend for one of the game\u2019s brightest stars.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe NBA is like a brotherhood,\u201d said Tatum postgame. \u201cGuys, even on the opposite team, happy to see me back out here. It was mutual love and mutual respect.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Luka<\/p>\n

As Tatum returned in style, Luka Don\u010di\u0107 stayed red-hot.<\/p>\n

Lakers 110, Knicks 97: After dropping 44 to beat Indy on Friday, Luka poured in 35<\/a> on Sunday, combining for 60 points with Austin Reaves (25 pts, 5 ast) in a wire-to-wire win over Karl-Anthony Towns (25 pts, 16 reb), Jalen Brunson (24 pts, 7 ast) and the Knicks. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

The Magic: Don\u010di\u0107 added 8 boards, 4 assists and 5 triples, including this absurd off-balance 3 to beat the shot clock while falling into the stands<\/a>
\nThe Production: He now has 2,481 points with Los Angeles, the most of any Laker through his first 80 games with the team
\nThe Pace, The Race: Don\u010di\u0107 leads the NBA with 32.5 ppg, as the Lakers sit 5th in the West \u2013 1\/2 game back of 3rd-place Minnesota \u2013 with five wins in their last six<\/p>\n

\"Luka<\/p>\n

LBJ\u2019s Milestone Moment: While Don\u010di\u0107 is scoring at a record rate in purple & gold, LeBron James \u2013 who was out Sunday (elbow & foot) \u2013 is coming off a record week, having passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (15,837) for the most made field goals in NBA history<\/a> on Thursday.<\/p>\n

King\u2019s Next Quest: James enters this week six games shy of passing Robert Parish (1,611) for the NBA\u2019s all-time games played mark<\/p>\n

2. SUNDAY NIGHT BASKETBALL: WEMBY WOWS AGAIN, SUNS SLOW HORNETS<\/p>\n

\"Victor<\/p>\n

On NBC\u2019s Sunday Night Basketball, Victor Wembanyama set the tone in a Texas showdown, and the Spurs never let off the gas.<\/p>\n

Spurs 145, Rockets 120: Wemby 3. Wemby driving bucket. Wemby and-one. Those were the Spurs\u2019 first eight points of the game<\/a> \u2013 and he was just getting started.<\/p>\n

After a back-and-forth opening frame, Wemby sparked a 37-point 2nd quarter for San Antonio, which then hung 41 in the 3rd, racing past Houston to extend its win streak to four. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Alien Amazing: Wemby finished with 29 points on 9-of-13 shooting, showcasing his full scoring arsenal, including an absurd fadeaway bank<\/a> and reverse jam through a sea of defenders \u2b06\ufe0f
\nAlien Everywhere: He added 8 boards, 2 steals and 4 blocks in 30 minutes, as San Antonio entered the 4th with a 16-point lead and never looked back
\nFlow State: Wemby on his absurd buckets: \u201cI\u2019m just freestyling sometimes<\/a>.\u201d
\nBig Buckets: Stephon Castle (23 pts, 5 ast), De\u2019Aaron Fox (20 pts, 10 ast) and Keldon Johnson (20 pts, 4 3s) combined for 63 points, as San Antonio finished with its highest-scoring total of the season<\/p>\n

\"Victor<\/p>\n

Wemby Doing Work: The Spurs are an NBA-best 15-1 since Feb. 1. In that span, Wembanyama has played in all 16 games, averaging 23.6 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.8 blocks.<\/p>\n

The last time a player averaged such numbers across 16 games, while leading his team to 15+ wins? The Spurs\u2019 David Robinson in his MVP season (1994-95).<\/p>\n

The Only Others To Do So? Hakeem Olajuwon and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar<\/p>\n

And it\u2019s not just Wemby. Seven Spurs are averaging double-figures amid the 15-1 surge, as San Antonio\u2019s posting an NBA-best 123.4 ppg. In that same span, it ranks 2nd in DefRtg, culminating in its best 16-game stretch since 2015-16.<\/p>\n

\u201cTeams have a tough time figuring us out,\u201d said Wemby postgame. \u201cWe have answers for anybody.\u201d
\nRace For No. 1: The Spurs are 47-17 overall, just 2.5 games back of OKC for the best record in the NBA and the West\u2019s No. 1 seed<\/p>\n

\"Collin<\/p>\n

To cap Sunday Night Basketball, the Suns locked down one of the league\u2019s hottest teams.<\/p>\n

Suns 111, Hornets 99: Devin Booker netted a game-high 30 points and 10 dimes, and Phoenix held Charlotte to 41 points in the 2nd half, ending the Hornets\u2019 franchise-best road win streak at 10. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Suns Shining: Collin Gillespie and Jalen Green chipped in 24 points apiece for Phoenix\u2019s fourth win in five games, as it moves 2 games back of Denver for 6th
\nCharlotte Slowed: After winning six straight as part of a 16-3 run, the Hornets have dropped two in a row. They still hold a 4-game cushion for 10th in the East<\/p>\n

\"NBA<\/p>\n

3. EAST HEAT: MIAMI & ORLANDO EXTEND STREAKS, TORONTO ANSWERS<\/p>\n

\"Tyler<\/p>\n

Toronto has held 5th in the East since Feb. 5, but two teams are heating up fast behind it: Miami and Orlando.<\/p>\n

Heat 121, Pistons 110: Bam Adebayo (24 pts, 9 reb, 6 ast) eclipsed the 10,000 career points mark, Tyler Herro scored 25 as Miami never trailed after the opening basket, topping Cade Cunningham (26 pts, 10 ast) and Detroit for a fifth straight win. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Bam & Flash: Adebayo is just the second player to hit 10K career points with the Heat, joining Dwyane Wade
\nWhite-Hot Push: Miami has wins over Houston, Charlotte and Detroit amid its 5-0 run, sitting right behind 6th-place Orlando via tiebreaker for the final Playoff spot
\nSlight Stall: It\u2019s Detroit\u2019s fourth straight loss, marking its longest skid of the season. The Pistons still sit atop the East at 45-18, their best 63-game start since 2007-08<\/p>\n

\"Paolo<\/p>\n

As the Heat surge, the Magic are streaking in lockstep.<\/p>\n

Magic 130, Bucks 91: Paolo Banchero dropped 33 points on 12-of-16 shooting, Jalen Suggs was also feeling it (20 pts, 7-9 FG, 3 3s) and Orlando never trailed in a win over Milwaukee, which was without Giannis Antetokounmpo. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Banchero Balling: It\u2019s Paolo\u2019s fourth 30-piece since the All-Star break. In that span, he\u2019s averaging 26.2 pts, 9.2 reb and 5.7 ast over nine games<\/p>\n

Raptors 122, Mavericks 92: In his third game back after a near-month-long absence (foot), Cooper Flagg flashed his all-around game (17 pts, 8 reb, 6 ast, 2 stl, 3 blk), but the Raptors got the win behind RJ Barrett (31 pts, 6 reb) and eight double-digit scorers. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Neck & Neck: Toronto snapped a two-game skid with the victory. It now holds a one-game lead over Orlando and Miami for 5th, while 8th-place Philly sits 2 games back
\nCoop Back Balling: Sitting at No. 2 on the latest Kia Rookie Ladder<\/a>, Flagg has picked up right where he left off, averaging 17 pts, 7 reb and 6 ast in his three games back<\/p>\n

4. ROUNDUP: BLAZERS & PELS WIN, RUSS FUELS KINGS<\/p>\n

\"Scoot<\/p>\n

Blazers 131, Pacers 111: Scoot Henderson scored 19 of his game-high 28 points in the 1st half as Portland entered the break up 69-52 and rolled the rest of the way, beating Indy to move to 31-34. The Blazers are a game back of the Clippers for 9th in the West. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Pelicans 138, Wizards 118: After making his Wizards debut on Thursday, Trae Young tallied 17 points and 8 dimes in his second game with Washington, but Trey Murphy III (24 pts), Saddiq Bey (23 pts) and the Pels were too much, pulling away for their second win in three games. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Kings 126, Bulls 110: Maxime Raynaud (26 pts, 11 reb, 3 blk) was a force, while Russell Westbrook added a turnover-free triple-double (23 pts, 11 reb, 12 ast) to lead Sacramento past Josh Giddey (15 pts, 12 reb, 10 ast) and Chicago. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Royal Russ: Westbrook joins Chris Webber as the only Kings to record a 20-point triple-double with no turnovers since turnovers were first tracked in 1977-78
\nGiddey \ud83e\udd1d Pippen: It\u2019s Giddey\u2019s 16th triple-double as a Bull, moving him past Scottie Pippen for the 2nd-most in franchise history, while trailing only Michael Jordan (28)<\/p>\n

5. WHAT\u2019S TRENDING & WHAT\u2019S NEXT: SGA CHASES HISTORY TONIGHT & MORE<\/p>\n

\"Nikola<\/p>\n

Wilt Chamberlain is synonymous with records \u2013 from his 100-point game on March 2, 1962, to averaging 50.4 ppg that same season.<\/p>\n

Now, another mark long tied to the legend is within reach.<\/p>\n

Tonight (7:30 ET, Peacock), when the Nuggets visit the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander can tie Chamberlain\u2019s NBA record of 126 consecutive 20-point games \u2013 a streak SGA started on Nov. 1, 2024.<\/p>\n

And while history could be matched, the paths SGA and Wilt took toward the milestone couldn\u2019t be more different, writes NBA.com\u2019s Steve Aschburner:<\/p>\n

Chamberlain was the game\u2019s most unstoppable force \u2013 bigger and stronger than predecessor George Mikan, more skilled, athletic and powerful than the bigs who followed\u2026<\/p>\n

Gilgeous-Alexander is an entirely different scorer, a ball handler with elusive moves, a green light in the mid-range like few others in the modern NBA. | Read More<\/a><\/p>\n

Tonight\u2019s Duel: Standing in SGA and OKC\u2019s way is Nikola Joki\u0107 (28.8 pts, 12.5 reb, 10.3 ast) and Denver, seeking a key win in the heart of the West Playoff race, while Joki\u0107 sits right below Shai on Shaun Powell\u2019s Kia MVP Ladder<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Kawhi<\/p>\n

In the second leg of tonight\u2019s Peacock doubleheader, the Clippers host the Knicks (10 ET), looking to continue their climb up the West standings. LA sits one game back of 8th place.<\/p>\n

Uncharted Waters: After opening the season 6-21, LA has improved to 31-32. No team in league history has finished above .500 following such a start
\nKlaw Cooking: Kawhi Leonard has powered the turnaround with a team-high 29.5 ppg on 50.2% shooting from the field during the turnaround
\nTonight\u2019s Test? A Knicks team that\u2019s owned the NBA\u2019s best DefRtg since Jan. 21, going 16-6 in that span while allowing the 2nd-fewest points in the paint (40.6 ppg)<\/p>\n

On League Pass, the 8th-place Sixers visit the 4th-place Cavs (7 ET) in search of a timely win \u2013 though Tyrese Maxey (sprained right finger) will miss at least two games<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Grizzlies at Nets (7:30 ET)
\nWarriors at Jazz (9 ET)<\/p>\n

\"Jayson<\/p>\n

What\u2019s Next: A scintillating slate of national games loom with the postseason push turning into a sprint.<\/p>\n

That includes a monster Coast 2 Coast Tuesday on NBC as Jayson Tatum and the Celtics visit Wemby\u2019s Spurs (8 ET), before Anthony Edwards\u2019 Wolves face Luka, LeBron and the Lakers (8 PT).<\/p>\n

Wednesday on ESPN: The streaking Magic welcome the Cavs (7:30 ET), followed by a top-six West showdown between the Rockets and Nuggets (10 ET)
\nThursday on Prime: The East-leading Pistons take on the Sixers (7 ET) ahead of a meeting between the Thunder and Celtics (9:30 ET), the last two NBA champions
\nFriday on Prime: Cooper Flagg is back in action as the Mavs host the Cavs (7:30 ET), before the Wolves face the Warriors (10 ET)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Two twenties. Two feats: Sunday in Cleveland: Jayson Tatum scores 20, exactly 300 days after his Achilles tear…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":524775,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[434],"tags":[49,48,459,82,10952],"class_list":["post-524774","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nba","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-nba","tag-sports","tag-starting-5"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/524774","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=524774"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/524774\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/524775"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=524774"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=524774"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=524774"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}