Basketball

NEW YORK (AP) — Karl-Anthony Towns missed his second straight game because of a sprained right thumb, sitting out against his former team when the New York Knicks hosted Minnesota on Friday night. Jericho Sims started at center for the Knicks.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid again has swelling in his left knee and will miss the Philadelphia 76ers’ upcoming road trip, the latest injury setback for the All-Star center who has played in only 13 games this season.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — DeMar DeRozan had 33 points, Malik Monk added 26 points and nine assists and the Sacramento Kings beat the Houston Rockets 132-127 on Thursday night. Monk made the last four free throws for Kings.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 40 points and eight assists in three quarters, and the Oklahoma City Thunder rolled past the Cleveland Cavaliers 134-114 on Thursday night in a matchup of teams with the best records in the NBA.

Oklahoma City Thunder (34-6, first in the Western Conference) vs. Dallas Mavericks (22-19, seventh in the Western Conference) Dallas; Friday, 8:30 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Thunder -6.5; over/under is 222.

Houston Rockets (27-13, second in the Western Conference) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (13-27, 13th in the Western Conference) Portland, Oregon; Saturday, 10 p.m.

Phoenix Suns (20-20, 10th in the Western Conference) vs. Detroit Pistons (21-20, ninth in the Eastern Conference) Detroit; Saturday, 4 p.m.

Philadelphia 76ers (15-24, 11th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Indiana Pacers (23-19, sixth in the Eastern Conference) Indianapolis; Saturday, 7 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Philadelphia enters the matchup with Indiana as losers of four games in a row.

Washington Wizards (6-33, 15th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Golden State Warriors (20-20, 11th in the Western Conference) San Francisco; Saturday, 8:30 p.m.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made a loud statement in an MVP-worthy season with another 40-point performance Thursday night.