Camara has a career night and the Trail Blazers use a 49-point third quarter to top 76ers 135-118

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Toumani Camara scored a career-high 30 points and shot 8 of 10 from 3-point range, Deni Avdija had 26 points and 10 rebounds and the Portland Trail Blazers used a huge third quarter to cruise to a 135-118 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, who played without Joel Embiid on Monday night.

Jerami Grant and Donovan Clingan each added 15 points for the Trail Blazers, who trailed 65-64 at halftime before outscoring the 76ers 49-22 in the third to take control.

Embiid, who scored 33 points in a win at Phoenix on Saturday night, sat out against Portland to rest his right knee after an off day. Tyrese Maxey had 30 points and Kelly Oubre Jr. 19 for the 76ers, who wrapped up a 3-2 Western road trip and lost for just the second time in eight games overall.

Philadelphia took a 67-64 lead coming out of halftime on Andre Drummond's layup, but the 76ers never led again.

Grant made a 3-pointer to tie it and Avdija — who sat out last Saturday in a win against Memphis with a back ailment — followed with a 3 of his own to put Portland ahead. That set off an 18-4 run that was capped by another 3 by Avdija to make it 82-69.

The Trail Blazers took their biggest lead of the game at 28 points on Robert Williams III's 3-pointer with 29 seconds left in the third to put Portland up 113-85.

Scoot Henderson, who sat out last Saturday with a left hamstring ailment after making his season debut for the Trail Blazers the previous night, returned and had 12 points and seven assists.

Portland finished 22 of 54 from 3-point range.

76ers: Host the New York Knicks on Wednesday night.

Trail Blazers: Play at Minnesota on Wednesday night.

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Philadelphia 76ers forward/guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (9) grabs for a loose ball ahead of Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)

Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey looks to shoot against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)

Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) and Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) hug following an NBA basketball game Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)

Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija reacts after scoring against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)

Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara dunks against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas climb picked up more steam Monday night as the No. 9 Jayhawks knocked off top-ranked Arizona 82-78.

Less than a month after falling out of The Associated Press Top 25, Kansas (19-5, 9-2 Big 12) has won eight in a row and clawed its way back into Big 12 title contention, trailing previously unbeaten Arizona (23-1, 10-1) by one game. Houston is currently in second, a half-game ahead of Kansas. The third-ranked Cougars face Utah on Tuesday night.

“We couldn’t lose this game,” senior guard Melvin Council Jr. said after knocking off Arizona. “We were just ready and prepared and we knew it was going to be a long game with a bunch of runs.”

Kansas trailed by as many as 11 points in the game and did not hold a lead until the clock read 9:32 in the second half. Four Jayhawks finished in double figures, led by Flory Bidunga and Council Jr, who scored 23 points apiece. Bidunga also grabbed 10 rebounds.

The Jayhawks played without freshman standout Darryn Peterson, who was experiencing flu-like symptoms and missed the game. Self revealed after the game that Peterson had missed practice on Sunday and didn’t know until about a half hour before the game that he would be unavailable. Despite missing 11 games, Peterson leads the Jayhawks in scoring, averaging 20.5 points.

“A lot of teams, this time of year, when you get to early February, they know where their ceiling is, and the great teams are operating pretty close to their ceiling, Kansas coach Bill Self said. “I don’t know where our ceiling is, and I know that we’re not close to it yet, though.”

The victory ended a 23-game winning streak for Arizona. It was the second-longest streak in Division I men’s basketball behind Miami (Ohio), which has won 24 straight.

With the win, Kansas improved to 2-2 against top-10 opponents this season. It was also the Jayhawks’ first win against the AP’s top-ranked team at Allen Fieldhouse.

“Kansas is a hell of a team,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd said after the game. “They beat the No. 1 team in the country at home tonight. They did a hell of a job and their coach did a hell of a job.”

Four Jayhawks finished the game in double figures, with Bryson Tiller scoring 18 and Jamari McDowell adding 10.

Brayden Burries led all scorers with 25 points for Arizona. Teammate Motiejus Krivas recorded a double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds, and Ivan Kharchenkov scored 13.

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Kansas guard Elmarko Jackson (13) attempts to score as Arizona forward Ivan Kharchenkov, right, defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)

Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) reacts after scoring during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Arizona, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)