Overview
- The Rockets, who trailed by 21 early Tuesday, beat the Suns 119-105 in Phoenix behind Kevin Durant’s 24 points, a result that leaves Phoenix outside the West’s top six and strengthens Houston’s push up the bracket.
- Following Tuesday’s results, Minnesota clinched the West’s final automatic playoff berth with a 124-104 win over Indiana, locking one more top-six slot and shrinking the margin for teams chasing seeding.
- Stephen Curry returned Sunday from a 27-game knee absence and scored 29 in 26 minutes, but Houston edged Golden State 117-116 on Alperen Sengun’s go-ahead basket with 11.1 seconds left as Durant tallied 31.
- Victor Wembanyama left Monday’s Spurs win over the 76ers with a left rib contusion and did not play the second half; he has 63 appearances and must log at least 20 minutes in one of San Antonio’s final three games to meet the NBA’s 65-game awards rule, with ESPN reporting the team is confident he will play again before the regular season ends.
- The Lakers’ seeding took a hit Tuesday with a 123-87 home loss to the Thunder as LeBron James rested and injured scorers Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves remained out for the rest of the regular season, raising the risk of a drop from the No. 3 race.