Around the Association: Nets Storm Back, Barrett Catches Fire, LeBron And Lakers Roll Celtics

This article is part of our NBA Daily Recap series.

Welcome to Around the Association!  Five days per week (Monday through Friday), this article will serve as a comprehensive recap of the previous night's NBA action, taking you through all of the biggest performances, notable box scores, injury updates and any other fantasy-relevant headlines from around the league.

It was just a three-game slate last night, but here is all you need to know:

Nightly Notables

Nets come back against Mavs

• The Brooklyn Nets had not lost back-to-back games yet this season but were in real danger of dropping two in a row when they trailed by 17 points in the third quarter. However, Brooklyn was able to storm back in the fourth quarter and won by a score of 102-99.
  • Tim Hardaway had a chance to tie the game at the buzzer but he couldn't drill his three-point attempt. Kevin Durant had yet another strong showing with 24 points (10-22 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 3-3 FT), seven rebounds, three assists, one steal and a block in 40 minutes. It has been another show-out season for the two-time champion, as he has scored more than 20 points in 22 of his 23 appearances this season.
    • James Harden nearly dropped a triple-double in the win, finishing with 23 points (7-13 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 6-7 FT), 12 assists, nine rebounds and one block in 41 minutes. The former MVP is averaging 22.8 points, 10.8 assists and 8.3 rebounds per game over his past four showings.
• Luka Doncic made his return to the court after missing Dallas' last contest due to both a thumb and ankle injury. Despite some rough outside shooting, he still dropped 28 points (9-21 FG, 3-11 3Pt, 7-8 FT), nine assists and six rebounds in 36 minutes. In terms of counting stats, Luka remains an elite fantasy option, but his percentages and high turnover rate have damaged his value in roto leagues. 
  • Doncic was not the only Maverick player to make his return to the court as Kristaps Porzingis suited up after missing his last two showings due to a knee injury. The big-man dropped 17 points (6-17 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 12 rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block in 31 minutes. It has been a rejuvenating season for Porzingis as he ranks as the 10th-best nine-category fantasy option on a per-game basis.

RJ Barrett leads Knicks in San Antonio

• There was a stretch of five games in late November and early October when RJ Barrett averaged 25.0 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 50.0 percent from three, indicating that he was about to have a major breakout season. However, since that red-hot stretch, the Duke product had averaged just 10.4 points per game on 22.4 percent shooting from deep.
• Barrett was finally able to get back on track Wednesday night during the Knicks 121-109 win over the Spurs, dropping 32 points (11-20 FG, 7-8 3Pt, 3-4 FT), five rebounds, two assists and two steals in 39 minutes. Hopefully, Barrett can produce more performances like this and get his consistency figured out in year No. 3
  • Julius Randle: 15 points (5-12 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, seven assists, one steal and one block across 35 minutes.
• Despite the losing effort, Derrick White filled up the stat sheet for the Spurs. The guard ended the contest with a season-high 26 points (9-18 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 5-5 FT), six rebounds and seven assists across 34 minutes. White is starting to find his groove with the Spurs this season, averaging 19.8 points, 4.8 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game over his last four showings.
  • Dejounte Murray: 15 points (6-15 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 1-1 FT), seven rebounds, seven assists and one steal across 34 minutes.
  • Keldon Johnson exited the game early due to an ankle injury. It is unclear just how severe the injury is, but it is certainly a situation to monitor.

Lakers handle Celtics

• The Boston Celtics were able to beat the Lakers in their first matchup this season, but Los Angeles got its revenge after winning by a score of 117-102 on Wednesday night. LeBron James had an efficient performance in the win, recording 30 points (13-19 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five assists and four rebounds in 36 minutes. James is on fire as of late, dropping 30 or more in four out of his past five games.
  • Russell Westbrook was held to just 12 points during the two team's first matchup this season, but the guard had a much better showing in their second battle this season. He ended the contest with 24 points (9-16 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 5-6 FT), 11 assists, three rebounds and one steal.
• With Jaylen Brown (hamstring) sidelined yet again, Jayson Tatum was really the only Celtics player to have a decent game. The All-Star forward recorded 34 points (13-22 FG, 5-7 3Pt, 3-5 FT), eight rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal in 33 minutes.

Best and Worst of the Night 

• Best of the Night: RJ Barrett -- 32 points (11-20 FG, 7-8 3Pt, 3-4 FT), five rebounds, two assists and two steals in 39 minutes.
• Worst of the Night: Tim Hardaway -- 11 points (5-14 FG, 0-7 3Pt, 1-1 FT), three rebounds, one assist and one steal
• Rookie of the Night: Cam Thomas -- Six points (3-8 FG, 0-3 3Pt) and five rebounds in 17 minutes.

A Look Ahead to Thursday Night 

• The Hornets and 76ers have a rematch after their overtime thriller on Monday.
• Can the Bulls keep winning despite their COVID absences when they travel to Cleveland?
• The Milwaukee Bucks travel to Miami to face the Heat.
• James Harden makes a return to Houston when the Nets travel to Houston to play the Rockets.
• The Grizzlies look for their sixth straight win when the Mavericks come to town
• Stephen Curry is 16 three-pointers away from breaking Ray Allen's all-time record. He can't possibly do that in one game when the Warriors play the Trail Blazers tonight, right? ....Right?