Basketball

PHOENIX (AP) — Victor Wembanyama strolled through the hallways at Footprint Center after the best game of his short NBA career when he passed 13-time All-Star Kevin Durant, stopping for a quick handshake and quick hug.

DENVER (AP) — Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd will miss Friday night's game at Denver with a non-COVID-19 illness. Kidd didn't make the trip and will be replaced by top assistant Sean Sweeney. It's the second time Sweeney has filled in.

PHOENIX (AP) — The San Antonio Spurs were flailing in the fourth quarter Thursday night, struggling to find their footing after the Phoenix Suns erased a 27-point lead and threatened to finish an epic comeback victory.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid envisioned winning an NBA championship with James Harden at his side. Embiid has a new idea of how to win one with the 76ers — play his former teammate and the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA Finals.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — CJ McCollum says he enjoys basketball too much to allow fatigue or a thrown-off routine to stop him from doing what he can to carry the short-handed New Orleans Pelicans through back-to-back games.

Atlanta Hawks (3-2, third in the Eastern Conference) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (4-1, fourth in the Western Conference) New Orleans; Saturday, 7 p.m.

Utah Jazz (2-4, 13th in the Western Conference) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (2-2, ninth in the Western Conference) Minneapolis; Saturday, 8 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Utah visits Minnesota in Western Conference action Saturday.

Los Angeles Lakers (3-2, fifth in the Western Conference) vs. Orlando Magic (3-2, fourth in the Eastern Conference) Orlando, Florida; Saturday, 7 p.m.

Sacramento Kings (2-2, 10th in the Western Conference) vs. Houston Rockets (1-3, 14th in the Western Conference) Houston; Saturday, 8 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Sacramento travels to Houston for a Western Conference matchup.

Phoenix Suns (2-3, 11th in the Western Conference) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (3-1, second in the Eastern Conference) Philadelphia; Saturday, 1 p.m.