Around the NBA: Jahlil Okafor goes for 26, Embiid and Towns suspended two games each

Joel Embiid, Karl-Anthony Towns get 2-game suspensions

As a result of their scuffle in Wednesday night’s Sixers vs. Timberwolves game, the NBA has handed out a 2-game suspension to both Joel Embiid and Karl-Anthony Towns.

This means Embiid misses Saturday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers (11/2) and Monday’s game against the Phoenix Suns (11/4). Given that the Sixers are starting out a Western Conference road trip during which they’ll play the Blazers, Suns, Utah Jazz, and Denver Nuggets, I don’t think it’s the worst thing in the world for Embiid to sit the next two games. He gets some load management and the Sixers still have a decent chance at victory.

Pelicans defeat Nuggets 122-107 as Jahlil Okafor scores 26 points

The New Orleans Pelicans dropped the Denver Nuggets 122-107 as former Sixer Jahlil Okafor went off for 26 points (8-13 FG/10-13 FT), 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and a block.

The victory was the Pelicans’ first of the season, which has gotten off to a disappointing start to say the least. Good to see Big Jah giving life to the team. Another former Duke star, Brandon Ingram, also had a notable line going for 25 points (7-12 FG/2-4 3PT/9-11 FT), 3 rebounds, and 5 assists. Ingram has been locked in through five games, averaging 26.8 points (51.0%/50.0%/76.9%), 8.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists.

Heat get the win over Hawks 106-97

The Miami Heat defeated the Atlanta Hawks 106-97 on Thursday night as Kendrick Nunn put in yet another impressive peformance on his way to 28 points (10-15 FG, 4-6 3PT, 4-4 FT), 2 rebounds, and 2 steals. Nunn, who spent last season in the G League with the Santa Cruz Warriors, has been quite the surprise for the Heat. He’s averaging 22.4 points per game on the young season while shooting 51.8% from the field and 48.4% from deep, and he’s perfect from the line (albeit on just 9 attempts).

Other Games

San Antonio Spurs 97, Los Angeles Clippers 103