BBNBA: Karl-Anthony Towns, Wolves pick up win over Maxey-less 76ers

It was a light Saturday slate in the NBA, with not a single former Kentucky Wildcat scoring more than 15 points in a game for the first time all season. The day was highlighted by a 12-point, eight-rebound performance from Karl-Anthony Towns, who helped lead his Minnesota Timberwolves to a 112-109 win over the injury-riddled Philadelphia 76ers. Towns shot 5-14 from the field overall, including a 2-7 mark from long range, while also dishing out three assists in his 31 minutes played.

It was a timely win for Minnesota, which is back to .500 with an 8-8 record and on a three-game win streak (all on the road). The Wolves had lost six of its previous seven outings before this recent stretch.

Meanwhile, Tyrese Maxey is expected to miss 3-4 weeks with a left foot fracture he suffered on Friday night against the Milwaukee Bucks, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The 76ers’ starting point guard was subbed out near the end of the first half (not before dropping 24 points) after landing awkwardly on his foot. X-rays on Friday came back negative but an MRI on Saturday revealed the fracture. Philly is also without Maxey’s backcourt counterpart, James Harden, who has been out since Nov. 1 and could return as soon as the beginning of December. The Sixers are also 8-8 this season, but that’s only good enough for ninth in the Eastern Conference standings.

John Wall drops 15 dimes in win over Spurs

In just 23 minutes of action for the LA Clippers on Saturday, John Wall came off the bench to drop 15 assists in a 119-97 victory over Keldon Johnson and the San Antonio Spurs.

The legendary former Kentucky point guard finished with just five points on 2-8 shooting, but he was masterful elsewhere. Wall also grabbed four rebounds and recorded four steals, posting a plus/minus of +21 in the limited playing time off the bench. His 15 assists were the most of his season by far — he’s finished with six dimes in six different games this year.

Here’s a fun John Wall fact for you: In all 11 seasons that he’s participated as an NBA player, Wall has registered a 15-assist game at least once. His career-high is 20 assists, which he posted as a member of the Washington Wizards during the 2016-17 season. Even at 32, Wall’s still got something left in the tank.

On the other end of the court, Keldon Johnson returned for the Spurs after sitting out Thursday’s game with a minor ankle injury. With that in mind, he didn’t play up to the improved standards he’s set for himself since this season began. Johnson went for 11 points (5-11 shooting) and two rebounds in 27 minutes. San Antonio is now 6-11 on the year, losing nine of its last 10 contests.

Other BBNBA notes

• Jarred Vanderbilt dropped seven points and nine rebounds in 28 minutes for the Utah Jazz, which picked up another big-time win by beating the Portland Trail Blazers 118-113. Utah now leads the Western Conference standings with a 12-6 record. Portland received four points and three rebounds in 21 minutes from rookie Shaedon Sharpe.

11/19/22 statistics

Player	Score	PTS	FG (3PT)	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	P/M	MIN
Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN)	112-109 W @ PHI	12	5-14 (2-7)	8	3	1	0	3	2	31
Keldon Johnson (SAS)	119-97 L @ LAC	11	5-15 (1-5)	2	1	1	0	0	-18	27
Jarred Vanderbilt (UTA)	118-113 W @ POR	7	3-6 (0-2)	9	1	0	0	0	14	28
John Wall (LAC)	119-97 W vs. SAS	5	2-8 (0-3)	4	15	4	0	1	21	23
Shaedon Sharpe (POR)	118-113 L vs. UTA	4	2-8 (0-3)	3	1	0	0	0	-3	21
Isaiah Jackson (IND)	114-113 W vs. ORL	2	0-1	3	1	0	1	1	-5	7
Brandon Boston Jr. (LAC)	119-97 W vs. SAS	DNP-CD	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Tyrese Maxey (PHI)	112-109 L vs. MIN	DNP-Foot	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Tonight in the NBA

3:30: Knicks (Quickley, Randle) @ Suns (Booker)
6:00: Hornets (Richards, PJ Washington) @ Wizards
6:00: Pistons (Diallo, Knox, Noel) @ Kings (Fox, Lyles, Monk)
7:00: Grizzlies @ Nets
7:00: Heat (Adebayo, Herro) @ Cavaliers
7:00: Warriors @ Rockets (TyTy Washington – G League)
7:30: Nuggets (Murray) @ Mavericks
9:30: Spurs (Johnson) @ Lakers (Davis, Gabriel)