Around the Association: Mavs Rally, T-Wolves Shine, Celtics Best Hawks

This article is part of our NBA Daily Recap series.

Welcome to Around the Association! Four days per week (Monday through Thursday), 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 a busy wild Tuesday night – here is all you need to know:

Nightly Notables

Mavericks come back on the Lakers

• The Mavericks started out Tuesday's contest against the Lakers on fire and led by over 20 points in the first half. However, after a strong third-quarter full of deep three-pointers from LeBron James, the Lakers ended up taking a two-point lead heading into the fourth.
• Luka Donic was not to be denied and took over late, pushing the Mavs to a 109-104 win. The All-Star guard ended with 25 points (9-21 FG, 0-5 3Pt, 7-11 FT), eight rebounds, five assists, two blocks and one steal in 38 minutes. 
  • Jalen Brunson was also huge for Dallas down the stretch as he ended with 22 points (9-15 FG, 4-6 3Pt), two rebounds, four assists and four steals in 34 minutes. This was Brunson's first time scoring over 20 points since the return of the All-Star break. The addition of Spencer Dinwiddie may have been quite detrimental to Brunson's fantasy value.
  • Spencer Dinwiddie: 14 points (5-11 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), one rebound, nine assists and one block over 24 minutes.
• LeBron James was once again outstanding for the Lakers, finishing with 26 points (10-18 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 3-5 FT), 12 rebounds, five assists and one steal in 38 minutes during yet another loss. The Lakers now sit at 27-34 and have lost all three of their contests since returning from the All-Star break. 
  • Carmelo Anthony had one of his better outings as of late, totaling 20 points (6-11 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 5-5 FT), three rebounds, one assist, one block and three steals in 31 minutes. The future-Hall-of-Famer only has reached the 20-point mark three times since the start of the new year.
  • Russell Westbrook: 12 points (5-17 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six rebounds, eight assists, one block and two steals over 38 minutes.

Edwards-less T'Wolves make a statement 

• The Warriors traveled into Minnesota to face the a Timberwolves missing Anthony Edwards due to a knee injury. However, Minnesota was able to control pretty much the entire game en route to a 129-114 victory. Karl-Anthony Towns was unstoppable as he produced 39 points (14-22 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 8-11 FT), nine rebounds and one assist over 32 minutes. KAT ranks as the No. 7 overall nine-category fantasy player this season
  • D'Angelo Russell cooked the Warriors all night long as he put up 22 points (8-17 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 4-4 FT), three rebounds, seven assists and two steals over 29 minutes. The guard has been on fire as of late, averaging 26.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists in the team's first four games post-All-Star break.
• The Warriors loss was certainly not Stephen Curry's fault as he finished the contest with 34 points (10-24 FG, 5-16 3Pt, 9-9 FT), five rebounds and four assists over 33 minutes. This was Curry's first time topping 30-points since Golden State returned from the All-Star break. 
  • Otto Porter: two points (1-4 FG, 0-2 3Pt), five rebounds, one assist and a career-high six steals over just 17 minutes.

Celtics rally against Hawks

• The Celtics got off to a rough start against the Hawks as Jaylen Brown left the game early due to an ankle injury while Boston found themselves down by as many as 17 points in the first half. However, the Celtics were able to storm back in the second half en route to a 107-98 win.
• Jayson Tatum stepped up in Brown's absence and finished the outing with 33 points (12-25 FG, 3-10 3Pt, 6-7 FT), eight rebounds and seven assists in 39 minutes. Tatum is averaging 28.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game in his first four games since returning from the All-Star break.
  • Derrick White had his best scoring out yet with the Celtics as he ended 18 points (7-13 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 3-3 FT), two rebounds and five assists across 28 minutes. If Brown is forced to miss time, White does have the potential to see his fantasy value rise.
  • Grant Williams: 18 points (6-11 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 4-4 FT), seven rebounds, one assist and one block across 28 minutes
  • Brown is expected to miss Thursday's game against Memphis.
• Trae Young briefly exited the contest with his own ankle injury, but was able to return to the game and finished 31 points (12-25 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 5-6 FT), two rebounds and six assists across 37 minutes in the loss. The All-Star guard is currently the 15th overall nine-category fantasy option on a per-game basis. 
  • Bogdan Bogdanovic continues to find his rhythm off of the bench as he ended 25 points (10-16 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, three assists and one steal in 37 minutes. The 29-year-old has recorded at least 23 points in three out of his last four outings. 

Raptors rally to handle Nets again 

• Just one day after getting crushed by the Raptors on its home floor, Brooklyn put up a much more valiant effort in Toronto. The Nets headed into the fourth quarter leading by eight points, but the Raptors were able to rally late to win the game 109-108.
• Scottie Barnes was everywhere in the win, finishing with 18 points (8-13 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block over 41 minutes. Over Toronto's back-to-back wins over the Nets, the rookie out of Florida State averaged 23.0 points, 14.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.0 steals per game.
  • Thaddeus Young is starting to creep his way into Toronto's lineup. The veteran forward finished with 11 points (4-9 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT), three rebounds, two assists and one steal in a reserve-high 23 minutes
  • Gary Trent: 24 points (6-17 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 1-2 FT), two rebounds, seven assists and two steals over 39 minutes.
• Even though it was a road contest, the Nets were still without Kyrie Irving, paving the way for James Johnson to lead Brooklyn in scoring. The veteran forward posted 19 points (7-11 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 2-3 FT), two rebounds, three assists and one block in 31 minutes. Kevin Durant (knee) is slated to come back as soon as the next game, which will certainly help Brooklyn get back on the right track.
  • LaMarcus Aldridge: 16 points (6-12 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 3-3 FT), nine rebounds and three assists over 29 minutes.

Best and Worst of the Night

• Best of the Night: Karl-Anthony Towns - 39 points (14-22 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 8-11 FT), nine rebounds and one assist over 32 minutes.
• Worst of the Night: De'Andre Hunter - four points (0-8 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 4-4 FT), three rebounds, one assist and two steals over 37 minutes
• Rookie of the Night: Cade Cunningham:  20 points (9-18 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 2-3 FT), nine rebounds, five assists and one steal over 32 minutes.

Quick Hitters

• The Wizards were able to hang on to a 116-113 win over the Pistons as Saddiq Bey and Killian Hayes both missed three-point attempts to send the game to overtime in the final seconds. Kyle Kuzma shined once again, finishing with 21 points (7-15 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 6-6 FT), nine rebounds, six assists and two blocks over 34 minutes. Over the last week of play, Kuz ranks as the third-best nine-category fantasy option on a per-game basis. 
  • Thomas Bryant: 16 points (6-10 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 3-3 FT), six rebounds, one assist and one block over 22 minutes.
• Jerami Grant has been getting back to his normal self as he ended with 26 points (9-17 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 5-5 FT), three rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block over 36 minutes. This marked the forward's second straight 26-point outing. 
  • Cade Cunningham: 20 points (9-18 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 2-3 FT), nine rebounds, five assists and one steal over 32 minutes, while also punching this tough poster

• Ivica Zubac carried the Clippers to a 113-100 victory over the Rockets as he finished with 22 points (8-12 FG, 6-7 FT), 12 rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block over 25 minutes. The center has been impressive as of late, averaging 13.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game over his last seven showings.
  • Marcus Morris: 18 points (6-14 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), one rebound, three assists and two steals over 28 minutes.
• Jalen Green was cold from deep but still finished with a team-high 20 points (9-21 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 1-2 FT), four rebounds, one assist, two steals and one block over 33 minutes during the loss to the Clippers. Since the All-Star break, the No. 2 overall pick is averaging 17.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.7 steals per game in his first three games back.
  • Alperen Sengun: 13 points (6-15 FG, 1-3 3Pt), nine rebounds, one assist, two steals and two blocks over 33 minutes.

A Look Ahead to Wednesday Night

• The Knicks look to get back on track as they head to Philly to face the 76ers
• The Heat and Bucks square off in Milwaukee
• The Nuggets look to keep hot against the Thunder