Bronzed Boomer Matisse Thybulle back in business

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NBA Scores: Denver Nuggets 157 Portland Trail Blazers 103

Denver (36–21) │ Portland (27–30)
Moda Center – Portland, OR
February 21, 2026 (AEDT)

Game Snapshot

• Quarter Scores: 41–27 │ 41–26 │ 43–32 │ 32–18
• Largest Lead: Nuggets – 54 points
• Game Flow: Denver dominated all four quarters, shooting efficiently and building separation early.

Australian wing Matisse Thybulle, who won a bronze medal with the Australian Boomers at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, made his return for Portland after thumb surgery, playing 13 minutes off the bench in his first game since November 1.

Thybulle finished with five points on 1-of-5 shooting, going 1-of-4 from three and 2-of-2 from the free-throw line. He added two rebounds, one assist and three steals, immediately impacting passing lanes and perimeter defence despite the scoreline.

Denver controlled the contest from the opening tip. Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 32 points on 10-of-15 shooting, adding nine rebounds and seven assists. Jamal Murray contributed 25 points and six assists, while Julian Strawther scored 19 as Denver shot 57% from the field and 21-of-41 from three.

For Portland, Jrue Holiday had 19 points and Deni Avdija recorded 15 points and 13 assists, but the Trail Blazers shot 41% from the field and were outscored 82–53 in the first half.

Thybulle’s return was the primary positive for Portland. After being sidelined since early November following thumb surgery, the 28-year-old moved without restriction, rotated defensively and recorded three steals in limited minutes. His presence adds perimeter depth as Portland navigates the remainder of the season.

By the Numbers

Denver – FG: 57% │ 3PT: 51% │ FT: 81% │ REB: 60 │ AST: 41 │ TOV: 15
Portland – FG: 41% │ 3PT: 32% │ FT: 62% │ REB: 36 │ AST: 25 │ TOV: 18

🇦🇺 Box Scores

Matisse Thybulle – 13 MIN │ 5 PTS │ 1/5 FG │ 1/4 3PT │ 2/2 FT │ 2 REB │ 1 AST │ 3 STL │ 0 BLK │ -16

NBA Scores: Miami Heat 128 Atlanta Hawks 97

Miami (30–27) │ Atlanta (27–31)
State Farm Arena – Atlanta, GA
February 21, 2026 (AEDT)

Game Snapshot

• Quarter Scores: 29–16 │ 28–35 │ 30–24 │ 41–22
• Largest Lead: Heat – 31 points
• Game Flow: Atlanta responded in the second quarter, but Miami broke the game open with a 41-point fourth.

Australian guard Dyson Daniels started and finishing with four points on 2-of-7 shooting in 29 minutes for Atlanta. He added seven rebounds, three assists and two steals while defending across multiple positions. Daniels handled secondary playmaking duties and pushed pace in transition, but Atlanta struggled to generate consistent offence in the half court.

Off the bench, Jock Landale logged 19 minutes, scoring three points on 1-of-7 shooting and pulling down six rebounds. Landale provided interior minutes during second-quarter rotations and helped on the defensive glass, but the Hawks were outscored by 20 during his time on the floor.

Miami’s closing stretch decided the contest. The Heat shot 52% from the field and outscored Atlanta 41–22 in the final quarter. Tyler Herro led Miami with 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting, while Bam Adebayo recorded 17 points and eight rebounds. Andrew Wiggins added 13 points and seven boards.

For Atlanta, Onyeka Okongwu scored 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker contributed 20. However, the Hawks shot 38% overall and committed 13 turnovers as Miami’s defensive pressure increased late.

The Heat’s fourth-quarter run featured transition scoring and second-chance points, turning a manageable deficit into a decisive margin.

By the Numbers

Miami – FG: 52% │ 3PT: 37% │ FT: 79% │ REB: 58 │ AST: 31 │ TOV: 8
Atlanta – FG: 38% │ 3PT: 42% │ FT: 60% │ REB: 46 │ AST: 26 │ TOV: 13

🇦🇺 Box Scores

Dyson Daniels – 29 MIN │ 4 PTS │ 2/7 FG │ 0/1 3PT │ 0/1 FT │ 7 REB │ 3 AST │ 2 STL │ 0 BLK │ -17

Jock Landale – 19 MIN │ 3 PTS │ 1/7 FG │ 0/4 3PT │ 1/2 FT │ 6 REB │ 1 AST │ 0 STL │ 0 BLK │ -20

NBA Scores: Cleveland Cavaliers 118 Charlotte Hornets 113

Cleveland (36–21) │ Charlotte (26–31)
Spectrum Center – Charlotte, NC
February 21, 2026

Game Snapshot

• Quarter Scores: 30–20 │ 29–33 │ 31–36 │ 28–24
• Largest Lead: Cavaliers – 12 points
• Game Flow: Cleveland built an early cushion, absorbed Charlotte’s third-quarter surge and closed at the line.

Cleveland defeated Charlotte by five points on the road, shooting 53% from the field and 26-of-28 from the free-throw line to secure the result late.

Australian wing Josh Green played 20 minutes off the bench for Charlotte, scoring 11 points on 3-of-7 shooting. He hit 2-of-6 from three and 3-of-3 from the free-throw line, adding two rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block. Green provided second-unit spacing and perimeter defence as the Hornets rallied in the third quarter to briefly take the lead.

Charlotte was led by Kon Knueppel, who scored 33 points on 11-of-20 shooting, including 7-of-15 from three. LaMelo Ball added 18 points and six assists, while Brandon Miller contributed 18 points despite shooting 6-of-19.

For Cleveland, Donovan Mitchell led the way with 32 points, and Jarrett Allen posted 26 points and 14 rebounds. James Harden added 18 points and eight assists as the Cavaliers closed the game at the stripe.

Australian guard Tyrese Proctor was available but did not play (DNP – Coach’s Decision).

Cleveland’s composure in the final two minutes proved decisive, converting free throws and limiting second-chance opportunities to withstand Charlotte’s late push.

By the Numbers

Cleveland – FG: 53% │ 3PT: 48% │ FT: 93% │ REB: 39 │ AST: 24 │ TOV: 12
Charlotte – FG: 39% │ 3PT: 36% │ FT: 95% │ REB: 45 │ AST: 26 │ TOV: 14

🇦🇺 Box Scores

Josh Green – 20 MIN │ 11 PTS │ 3/7 FG │ 2/6 3PT │ 3/3 FT │ 2 REB │ 2 AST │ 1 STL │ 1 BLK │ -4

Tyrese Proctor – DNP – Coach’s Decision