Following a night of crushing defeats and major returns around the NBA, The Morning Dunk has got you covered with all of the news and highlights to get you caught up.
Warriors Hit New Low With Loss To Undermanned Grizzlies
Just when you thought they hit rock bottom and could only rise up from there, the Golden State Warriors somehow found a way to sink even lower as their 2023-24 campaign continues to be a wash.
Golden State had Draymond Green return to the lineup on Monday, yet still couldn't overcome the efforts of a depleted Memphis Grizzlies squad which got a combined 47 points out of Vince Williams Jr. and GG Jackson in a 116-107 loss at FedExForum.
A fully healthy Golden State Warriors team just lost to a Memphis Grizzlies team without Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart, Steven Adams, Brandon Clarke, and more.
— GrizzMuse (@GrizzlyMuse) January 16, 2024
WOW.
Jackson became the second-youngest player in NBA history at 19 years and 29 days to record back-to-back games with at least 20 points after scoring 23 points with five 3-pointers off the bench against the Warriors.
Youngest player in the NBA, GG Jackson's reaction when he heard Shaq interviewing him after dropping 23 PTS ❤️ pic.twitter.com/hfpIXCnY6N
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 16, 2024
Golden State opened as the two-point underdogs but eventually became the 7.5-point favorites, falling to 0-9 in its last nine games against the spread when on the road in Memphis. Only three games separate the two sides in the standings SU, as the Warriors are now 18-22 and just 12th in the Western Conference.
Butler's Return Lifts Heat
In this case, the Butler actually did it.
Following a seven-game absence due to a sprained toe, Jimmy Butler finally returned to the starting lineup on Monday and looked like he hadn't skipped a beat. Butler led all scorers with 31 points, including 15-of-16 at the charity stripe, to lead the Miami Heat past the Brooklyn Nets in overtime with a narrow 96-95 victory.
Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro combined for 60 points, with Herro hitting clutch 3-pointers in OT before Butler knocked down the game-winning free throws!
— NBA (@NBA) January 16, 2024
Butler: 31 PTS (8/12 FGM), 5 REB, 4 AST
Herro: 29 PTS, 4 3PM, 11 REB pic.twitter.com/OJvXKXobe0
Miami went 4-3 during the aforementioned stretch sans Butler and are 9-6 on the season SU when he doesn't suit up. Meanwhile, the loss extended the Nets' losing streak to three games SU, although Brooklyn just barely covered as the two-point underdogs to improve to just 2-8 over its last 10 outings ATS.
Embiid Goes Off In Return To Lineup
While hovering eerily close to the cutoff for NBA Most Valuable Player eligibility, Joel Embiid provided a powerful reminder as to why he still belongs in the conversation for a second straight piece of hardware.
The Philadelphia 76ers big man pulverized the Houston Rockets to the tune of 41 points, 10 rebounds, and three dimes following a three-game absence in a 124-115 win.
Joel Embiid with 41 PTS & 10 REB in 31 MINS
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) January 15, 2024
He's scored 40+ in 6 of his last 12 games. He had 50+ in 2 of those.pic.twitter.com/USXev1ndDP https://t.co/V6voOm0q2A
Philadelphia is just 3-7 without Embiid, who needs to compete in at least 65 games to qualify for a potential MVP nod.
