NBA Scores and Power Rankings Shake Up

The ejection of Trae Young in Washington occurred before he ever played a second for the Wizards. Young, who has been sidelined with knee and quad injuries since his trade from Atlanta, was in street clothes when he stepped onto the court from the bench during an altercation, leading to the automatic ejection. The Denver Nuggets needed a massive 45-point performance from Jamal Murray to squeak by the Utah Jazz. The game nearly turned in the final minute when Nikola Jokic was called for his sixth foul, but a successful coach's challenge overturned the call, allowing Denver to hang on for the win. Boston's blowout win over Milwaukee spoiled the return of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who had missed the previous 15 games with a right calf strain and was on a minutes restriction. The Celtics were dominant despite being shorthanded themselves, playing without five-time All-Star Jaylen Brown due to illness. With Boston's stars out, role players stepped up. Payton Pritchard scored 25 points, while rookie Hugo González had a breakout game with career-highs of 18 points and 16 rebounds. In the Rockets' win, center Alperen Sengun led all scorers with 32 points and 13 rebounds. Houston dominated the interior, out-rebounding the Wizards by a staggering 32-rebound margin (59 to 27) and scoring 62 points in the paint. Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg has been sidelined since February 10th with a left midfoot sprain. His extended absence, which has now stretched to seven games, has impacted his standing in the Rookie of the Year race. There is now "rising optimism" that Flagg could make his return on Friday in Boston. The game holds special significance for the 19-year-old phenom, who grew up in Maine as a Celtics fan.