Around the Association: Wolves Hang On, Splash Bros Are Officially Back

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Published on January 19, 2022

Welcome to Around the Association! 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.

Here is all you need to know from last night's two-game slate:

Nightly Notables

T'Wolves win thriller against Knicks

The Timberwolves got off to a hot start against the Knicks, but New York was able to storm back in the second half to make Tuesday's contest at Madison Square Garden one thrilling battle. The Knicks eventually found themselves down 112-110 with the ball with just a few seconds left. Evan Fournier missed a tough layup, only for Alec Burks to get the rebound, but still miss the game-winning three-point shot which led to Minnesota walking away with the win. Karl-Anthony Towns led the way with 20 points (6-12 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 6-7 FT), five rebounds, three assists and one steal in 36 minutes.
- Jaylen Nowell was great in the clutch off the bench for Minnesota. The third-year pro finished with 14 points (5-12 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 3-4 FT), six rebounds, three assists and one steal over 23 minutes. Nowell has reached double-figures in five out of his last six showings.
- Anthony Edwards: 21 points (8-17 FG, 2-9 3Pt, 3-4 FT), three rebounds, three assists and two steals across 39 minutes
Despite missing his game-tying layup attempt, Evan Fournier still had one of his better games of the season for the Knicks. The French native ended the contest with a game-high 27 points (10-17 FG, 5-10 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal in 37 minutes. Fournier is more than capable of going off any given game for New York but his inconsistency will continue to hold him back in all fantasy formats.
- Kemba Walker made his return to the court for New York and played well in the loss, specifically in the fourth quarter, finishing with 19 points (6-13 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 3-5 FT), two rebounds, four assists and one steal over 30 minutes. He was one of the main reasons that New York was able to keep alive in the contest as he scored a clutch eight points in the final minutes of the game. Walker got the start at point guard over Burks.
- Julius Randle: 21 points (6-15 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 9-11 FT), nine rebounds, nine assists, four blocks and two steals across 39 minutes

Warriors take care of business against Detroit

The Warriors' contest against Detroit went exactly how you would think it go. Golden State dominated the whole entire game and eventually won the contest 102-86. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson looked like the splash bros we have dearly missed out on watching over the past few years, combing for 39 points while shooting 7-of-16 from three.
- Jonathan Kuminga entered the starting lineup for the Warriors and immediately made an impact during the win. The No. 7 overall 12 points (4-10 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist and one steal across 25 minutes. Kuminga looks like the real deal for the Warriors, which is quite a scary sight for the rest of the league.
Isaiah Stewart was one of the only Pistons' players to have a productive game in the blowout loss. The second-year center finished with 14 points (7-10 FG), 11 rebounds and one block across 28 minutes. This was Stewart's first double-double over his last 11 showings.
- Hamidou Diallo ended with his third double-double of the season, posting 16 points (5-17 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 5-7 FT), 13 rebounds and two steals over 35 minutes. Diallo is averaging 14.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per game over his last 10 appearances.
- Rodney McGruder: 19 points (7-10 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 1-2 FT), five rebounds, one assist and one steal over 22 minutes

Best and Worst of the Night

Best of the Night: Karl-Anthony Towns - 20 points (6-12 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 6-7 FT), five rebounds, three assists and one steal across 36 minutes
Worst of the Night: Alec Burks - Zero points (0-3 FG, 0-3 3Pt) and four rebounds across 16 minutes.
Rookie of the Night: Jonathan Kuminga: 12 points (4-10 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist and one steal across 25 minutes.

A Look Ahead to Wednesday Night

The Hornets travel to Boston to face the Celtics in what should be an intense contest
Young stars, Trae Young and Karl-Anthony Towns, face off when Minnesota travels to Atlanta.
The Bulls look to snap their four-game losing streak against the formidable Cleveland Cavaliers
The red-hot Grizzlies have a huge test on their hands as they play the Bucks in Milwaukee
The Raptors make their yearly trip to Dallas to battle Luka Doncic and the Mavericks.