Category: Basketball

NBA confirms odd Russell Westbrook foul call in Kings' OT loss to Trail Blazers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Kings can’t catch a break this season.

Just when it appeared they were well on their way toward win No. 7 on the season, the unthinkable happened Thursday night at Moda Center.

Russell Westbrook was called for a foul on Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija with 1.5 seconds remaining in overtime. Even after an initial review, officials deemed that the foul occurred before time expired, sending Avdija to the free-throw line, where he knocked down the game-winning free throw.

With several hours to further review the call, the NBA confirmed the foul on Westbrook was the correct call in the league’s Last Two Minute Report, which states that Westbrook raised his right arm up into Avdija’s arm and initiated contact “that affects his shot attempt.”

It was a true rollercoaster ride for the Kings, who went back and forth with the Trail Blazers through the first three quarters before letting the game slip away in the fourth and then coming back from being down 15 points in the final two minutes of regulation to force overtime.

DeMar DeRozan, who knocked down a 3-pointer to send the game to overtime, was clutch again in the extra quarter as he made a 14-foot turnaround jumpshot that gave Sacramento the 1-point lead with 4.4 seconds left.

Celebration quickly turned into confusion and catastrophe for the Kings, who lost 134-133.

Luckily for them, they don’t have to wait long to get their revenge as they host the Trail Blazers on Saturday at Golden 1 Center.

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The Knicks could’ve easily rolled over and punted Thursday night’s game. 

They were just two days off of their NBA Cup clinching victory over the Spurs, and found themselves leaning on numerous reserves with three key pieces sitting out on the first night of a back-to-back. 

However, the captain refused to let them go down without a fight. 

After trailing by as many as 16 points twice in the ballgame, New York was able to pull to within two when Mike Brown called a timeout with 11.4 seconds remaining in regulation. 

At the time, Jalen Brunson had knocked down just one of his five shots and had a turnover during the fourth quarter. 

Still, the reigning Clutch Player of the Year called his own number during that timeout. 

“Mike drew up a play and allowed me to get right,” he said. “I asked if I could go for the win and he said sure -- I work at it all the time, it’s a shot that I’m comfortable taking.”

Brunson missed the same shot two possessions ago and had just taken a hard foul from Andrew Nembhard, but he looked more than comfortable as he took the inbounds pass and drilled a step-back dagger three with just 4.4 seconds left. 

After the Pacers took a timeout to draw up a play of their own, OG Anunoby came up with a massive steal on the other end, helping the shorthanded squad somehow pull out a gutsy come-from-behind victory. 

“Our MVP, the league’s MVP,” Brown said. “As Jalen’s walking onto the floor he turns to me and says, ‘I’m getting this win, I’m going for it.’ I said, ‘You do you, that’s who you are.’ Then he went out and came through -- that’s what real MVP’s do.”

Brunson finished the night with 25 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists.

JALEN KNOCKS IT DOWN FOR THE LATE LEAD! pic.twitter.com/hhsGACOA3z

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) December 19, 2025

NBA states controversial foul on Moses Moody in loss to Suns was correct call originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Warriors won’t point fingers for their losses, given how careless they’ve been with the ball this season.

But a foul call with less than one second remaining in regulation — yes, one second — only made matters worse in Thursday’s 1-point loss to the Phoenix Suns.

The controversial foul call on Moses Moody, which led to a game-winning free throw for Suns guard Jordan Goodwin, caused chaos and chatter for NBA fans on social media. And Friday morning, the NBA didn’t budge.

The league’s Last Two Minute Report revealed that the foul call on Moody was the correct call.

Again, the Warriors have no one but themselves to blame for another disappointing loss. They turned the ball over 20 times, which led to 30 Phoenix points.

Golden State, which now has lost three games in a row and five of its last seven, endured yet another deflating loss in a season in which it has struggled to close out games. Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters postgame that he was in disbelief the game ended the way it did.

“Tonight we executed really well,” Kerr said. “It’s hard to believe that the game was decided on that call, you know, on an air ball that hits the side of the backboard, and guys behind the bench told me that Moses got all ball. Everybody’s tangled up … That, to me, it better be a foul to decide the game on a play like that.

“So, disappointing that we didn’t get to go to overtime because I thought our guys executed and did a great job in the last few minutes of giving ourselves a chance.”

The NBA’s final ruling doesn’t come as much of a surprise, but it certainly doesn’t make Dub Nation feel any better about the outcome.

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Doug Christie explains decision to bench Malik Monk in Kings' OT loss to Blazers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

As if the Kings’ 2025-26 NBA season couldn’t get any weirder, one of the team’s key contributors was benched in Thursday’s heartbreaking overtime loss to the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center.

Malik Monk received his first DNP-CD (Did Not Play, Coach’s Decision) of his Kings tenure, raising eyebrows in Sacramento and across the league.

After the down-to-the-wire, controversial loss, Kings coach Doug Christie explained why he opted not to play Monk.

“We were going with defense, but it’s a logjam,” Christie said (h/t The Sacramento Bee’s Jason Anderson). “We’ve got a lot of guards, so whenever it was Keon [Ellis] being the odd man out, then it was Keon being out. Tonight, we were playing Keon, so Malik was out.”

Ellis, whose DNP-CDs and inconsistent minutes have perplexed Kings fans and the NBA as a collective, played a season-high 32 minutes off the bench Thursday night, finishing with 10 points on 3-of-9 shooting, with four rebounds, three assists and six steals.

With DeMar DeRozan, Russell Westbrook, Dennis Schröder and Nique Clifford all playing at least 20 minutes, Christie couldn’t find the minutes for Monk, one of Sacramento’s most effective reserve players.

Despite trade rumors involving Monk dating back to this past offseason, Anderson reported, citing a source with knowledge of the situation, that Monk’s benching was not trade-related and rather simply a coaching decision.

Christie and his coaching staff still are searching for the solutions to this guard logjam, but he’ll remain open-minded in the meantime.

“Nothing is permanent,” Christie said. “Obviously, we’re going to continue to try to make it happen, but Keon played well. We’ll give Keon a run and allow him to continue to develop with those guys.

“He came in off the bench, I thought, and played fantastic with that bench unit. They did a really good job in the third quarter. It just kind of got away from us. We got stalled out a little bit, but they came back with the starters and Keon was a part of that group. … I thought those guys did a great job.”

Sacramento fell to 6-21 on the season, tied for the second-worst record in the Western Conference.

“We’re searching,” Christie said. “So far, it has not worked the way we want it to work. Now, I will say obviously we haven’t had our full deck, but the point is we’re continuing to search. We’re continuing to coach. We’re continuing to push.

“We’re not stopping anything that we’re doing to try to find a way to get ourselves, not only wins, but to find the ability to say this is the standard of what we’re going to do.”

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Mazzulla's latest wild idea: Why Celtics coach wants a wolf originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

If you’re unfamiliar with Joe Mazzulla’s “unique” personality, we’ll direct you to this list of the Boston Celtics head coach’s best quotes, which include his thoughts on psychological warfare, the animal kingdom and, of course, The Town.

If you are familiar with what makes Mazzulla tick, you may not be surprised by what he told 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Zolak & Bertrand during his weekly radio interview Friday.

“We obviously have a dog, but I’m trying to convince (my wife) to get a wolf that just kind of roams the area of our house, as kind of an extra layer of protection,” Mazzulla said.

If anyone would have a wolf guarding their property, it’d be Mazzulla, who never sits with his back to the door in restaurants and doesn’t use revolving doors because “if one of them gets stuck, then you’re just a sitting duck.”

It appears Mazzulla is meeting some resistance on the wolf front, however.

“Apparently the trainer said that another guy had one and it turned on him in the middle of the night,” Mazzulla added.

To the trainer’s point, wolves are wild animals for a reason. But Mazzulla insisted he wouldn’t find himself in the same predicament.

“I was like, ‘(The wolf) didn’t have a good enough relationship with him,'” Mazzulla replied.

Fair point, Joe.

The Celtics are in the middle of their season and play three games in the next four nights, so Mazzulla might not have much free time to build a bond with one of nature’s fiercest predators. But there’s always the offseason.

Mazzulla’s Celtics take on the Miami Heat at TD Garden on Friday night, with tip-off set for 7 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Boston.

Steph Curry signs Devin Booker's ‘Chevy' Book 1 shoes after Warriors-Suns game originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

It has been more than one month since Stephen Curry ended a 12-year partnership with Under Armour, and the star Warriors guard has rocked an array of iconic sneakers on the court as the NBA’s newest “shoe free agent.”

Most recently, Curry sported two versions of Devin Booker’s Book 1 sneakers on Thursday before Golden State’s 99-98 loss to the Phoenix Suns. He wore the vibrant yellow “Chevy” Book 1’s during pregame warmups before switching to the more colorful “What The” Book 1’s during the game.

Booker appreciated the sneaker tribute in his on-court postgame interview and acknowledged Curry asked him to send a few pairs his way after his breakup with Under Armour.

After the game, the four-time NBA champion autographed his pregame warmup shoes and gave them back to Booker to display during his postgame press conference. Booker admitted to reporters he wants to see the greatest shooter of all time join the Nike family.

Curry didn’t have the most memorable night offensively with only 15 points on 3-for-13 shooting, but his 1-on-1 defense against Booker gave fans a quick glimpse of the new Book 2s that Nike is set to drop in 2026. Booker also struggled early in the game but finished with a team-high 25 points.

The Warriors have a chance to avenge their nail-biting loss against the Suns on Saturday night at Chase Center, and now it remains whether Curry will stick with the Book 1’s in the rematch or switch to something new.

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Dillon Brooks states he must do ‘some soul searching' after Steph Curry flagrant originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

It appears Dillon Brooks might actually feel bad for his bizarre and potentially dangerous Flagrant 1 foul on Steph Curry.

Key word: might.

After Brooks’ Phoenix Suns pulled out the 99-98 win over the Warriors on Thursday night following a controversial late foul call, the 29-year-old forward shared an eye-opening confession.

“I’ve got to do some soul-searching at home,” Brooks told reporters in Phoenix. “That’s really it. It’s the second time, but I’ll learn from it. I’ll figure it out.”

With less than one minute remaining in regulation, Brooks struck Curry in the midsection/chest area while contesting Curry’s 3-point shot attempt. Officials reviewed the play and assessed Brooks a Flagrant 1 foul.

After the game, Brooks also further detailed what led to his actions against Curry.

“I was just running, trying to get the rebound, so I tried to stop him, but I’ve been lifting too much,” Brooks said. “I don’t know. I can’t explain it. Just got to figure it out for the next game so I don’t do something that will put our team in a bad spot.”

Hm.

Just as Brooks appeared to finally have reached some self-reflection, he balanced it out with a playful explanation.

Curry, less in a joking mood after Golden State’s loss, described Brooks’ antics as “bush league” (h/t The SF Standard’s Danny Emerman).

Well, it’s clear that it doesn’t matter what jersey Brooks is wearing, as he’ll always be a Warriors archnemesis regardless.

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Draymond Green, uncharacteristic as of late, needs to be better for Warriors originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

We’ve long witnessed marvelous things Draymond Green does for the Warriors, from wrecking opposing offensive sets to smothering those who challenge his individual defense, to freeing Stephen Curry or Klay Thompson for open shots even when defenses know it’s coming.

Winning Draymond. The man who rallies the troops and connects the game at both ends. 

That’s who the Warriors are going to need to climb out of the hole they’ve dug for themselves.

That’s not the Draymond Green we’ve seen lately.

He has been too careless with his passes, too inefficient with his shooting and too much like someone who doesn’t meet Draymond’s standard. It’s hurting the Warriors – and it’s spreading a coating of dust over the remarkable legacy he has built since 2014.

The Warriors on Thursday night donated a game to the Phoenix Suns. Gave it away with 20 turnovers that led to 30 points. Twenty turnovers in the second half were too much for the Warriors to overcome, and it ensured a 99-98 loss.

Draymond was responsible for five of the turnovers, with 10 of his teammates sprinkling the other 15. This comes four days after he committed eight of Golden State’s 18 turnovers and welcomed the blame in a 136-131 loss to the Trail Blazers in Portland.

“Just making bad reads, bad decisions,” Green told reporters Sunday in Portland. “(I’ve got to) be more decisive, take better care of it. I’m too f—–g old to be doing that.”

And yet, two practices later, there was another dud on Thursday.

“I’m just going to throw the pass when I know it’s there instead of second-guessing,” Green told reporters in Phoenix. “I’m a great f—–g passer. So, if I see the pass there, I’m not second-guessing. I’m just going to throw it. If I turn it over, I turn it over.

“But I’m a great passer, so I won’t second-guess my passing. I’m just going to throw it when I know it’s there.”

Those two statements provide a glimpse into what has made Draymond worthy of the Hall of Fame. He’s professional enough to acknowledge valid criticism and stubborn enough to keep believing in himself despite two forgettable performances. It’s a second-round pick mentality that has led to some of the highest honors the NBA has to offer.

With the Warriors dropping into ninth place with a 13-15 record, everyone on the roster is searching for answers. They lost a 10-point fourth-quarter lead and the game when Curry scored 48 points, 21 in the fourth quarter.  They lost a 14-point third-quarter lead and the game when Jimmy Butler III tallied 31 points.

Even with coach Steve Kerr in his 12th season of urging better ball security and his seventh season of pleading for it, one of his stars commits 13 turnovers over a two-game span at a time when the Warriors need a stretch of stellar play to at least look like a team capable of winning a playoff series.

“He’s trying too hard right now,” Kerr said of Green after the loss to the Suns. “He’s such a competitor, he’s trying too hard to make plays and just needs to slow down a little.”

Kerr has a point. Some of Draymond’s passes are forced, some are easily anticipated by opponents who spend a few minutes studying video of Golden State’s offense. It would not be difficult to produce a 10-minute video of Draymond not playing at the level that has made him and the franchise a winner. Champions.

There is no championship on the horizon for Golden State this season. Not even close. Not with this roster and not the way this team is playing.

“We’re not making winning plays,” Green said in Phoenix. “We’re not making winning plays.”

Winning plays are precisely what have made Green so valuable to the Warriors. They’d like to believe, at 36, he still can summon winning plays. He believes he can, and there have been flashes this season.

Draymond knows he needs to be better. He is being challenged to meet the standard he set for himself, and the Warriors are in deep trouble if he can’t at least come close.

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With the NBA Cup now in the rearview mirror, it's time to get back to a semi-regular schedule. Some rotational changes in the past week have provided a couple of players with an extended opportunity, while others have simply turned things around following a slow start to the season. As always, the waiver wire is the place to be, providing managers with bargain players who could be about to ascend in the fantasy basketball rankings. And remember, never assume a player is rostered. It always pays to double-check, just in case they have been overlooked.

Identifying players who are benefiting from expanded roles–whether it's an offensive threat delivering points and threes or a defensive-minded player boosting your blocks and steals–is vital as you navigate the season.

Let's dive into nine key NBA sleepers whose current stats suggest they are poised for significant value and are currently rostered in fewer than 40% of Yahoo leagues.

Yahoo High Score Leagues

Wendell Carter, Orlando Magic (33% rostered)

Carter continues to quietly go about his business, putting together arguably the best season of his career. Although his ceiling is somewhat limited, Carter has been able to add an element of consistency to his game, providing adequate production on both ends of the floor. This has translated into fantasy value, even in high-score leagues. He has scored at least 36 fantasy points in each of his last three games, averaging 38.7 points per game during that span. Although Orlando has an adequate backup in Goga Bitadze, it appears as though Carter has both hands on the starting job. If you are looking for a reliable plug-and-play option, look no further than Carter.

Jaylen Wells, Memphis Grizzlies (25% rostered)

After a slow start to the season, Wells has been able to turn things around over the past month, having scored at least 30 fantasy points in five of his 10 games during that time. In his past four games, Wells is averaging 32.3 fantasy points, a vast improvement on what he was putting up to begin the campaign. The Grizzlies continue to find ways to win and are now in the Play-In picture in the Western Conference. Although Wells' fantasy value is largely tied to points and threes, he has been getting busy on the defensive end, averaging 2.0 steals per game over the past four. Any peripheral production is a bonus, meaning now is the time to take a chance on Wells, at least until he cools off.

Jaylon Tyson, Cleveland Cavaliers (30% rostered)

Earlier in the week, it was announced that Tyson would be part of the starting lineup in Cleveland, at least for the foreseeable future. While this certainly makes sense from a reality standpoint, it also provides fantasy managers with a sense of assuredness moving forward. Tyson has been one of the more surprising names this season, providing relatively consistent production despite his role fluctuating. In seven games during the month, Tyson is averaging 33.7 fantasy points per game. On the whole, it's been a disappointing season for the Cavaliers, meaning Tyson should continue to play heavy minutes, looking to turn the season around for Cleveland.

Standard 9-Category Leagues

Jock Landale, Memphis Grizzlies (13% rostered)

Due to popular demand, Landale makes his second straight appearance on this list, as he continues to play some of the best basketball of his career. With Zach Edey slated to miss multiple weeks due to a foot injury, Landale has solidified himself as a key piece in the Grizzlies' rotation. Despite coming off the bench, his playing time has been more than adequate, logging 30, 28 and 27 minutes in each of the past three games. During that span, he has averaged 12.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.0 three-pointers and 2.0 combined steals and blocks, good enough for top 50 value in standard formats. There is almost certainly going to be some inconsistency moving forward, but on the whole, Landale is doing enough to be rostered in more than 13 percent of leagues.

Bub Carrington, Washington Wizards (15% rostered)

Carrington is another player who has quietly put together an impressive stretch, scoring double digits in four straight games. During that time, he has averaged 17.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.0 steals and 3.3 three-pointers in 37.0 minutes per game. Injuries to other players, most notably to Khris Middleton, have provided Carrington with a nice opportunity to convince the coaching staff that he should be heavily featured on a nightly basis. He had scored double digits only five times in his first 21 games prior to this run, highlighting just how poor he had been. With that said, Washington has nothing to lose, meaning Carrington's current role could last, at least until he cools off.

Dominick Barlow, Philadelphia 76ers (6% rostered)

Despite the fact that Philadelphia is beginning to get healthy players back on the floor, Barlow continues to play a significant role as a member of the starting lineup. He has started in nine straight games, scoring double digits in six of those. While his offensive output has been modest, to say the least, his ability to chip in across multiple categories has made him a top 90 player over the past week. In two games during that time, he has averaged 10.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.0 combined steals and blocks in 30.7 minutes per game. While he won't be a viable option for everyone, those looking for across-the-board upside could do worse than taking a flier on Barlow.

Standard Points Leagues

Bobby Portis, Milwaukee Bucks (21% rostered)

Portis has been able to ramp up his production over the past two weeks, thanks in large part to the continued absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo. In five games during that time, Portis has averaged 18.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals, good enough for 32.5 fantasy points per game. It should be noted that Kyle Kuzma missed the Bucks' most recent game due to illness, providing Portis with some additional playing time. However, he has been able to do just enough, even with Kuzma on the court, to be considered in standard points leagues. 

Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs (24% rostered)

Harper continues to impress, scoring a career-high 24 points in Thursday's win over the Wizards. While the production has been intriguing, the playing time continues to be a concern, given the guard depth in San Antonio. He is basically competing for minutes with De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Julian Champagnie and Keldon Johnson. This situation is not built for fantasy, making Harper a somewhat risky addition. However, the talent is obvious, and he has played at least 22 minutes in five of the past six games. He has scored at least 30 fantasy points in three of those, providing us with a glimpse of what could be possible. Despite the risk, he is worth a look, at least as a short-term addition.

Saddiq Bey, New Orleans Pelicans (32% rostered)

Despite the return of Jordan Poole and Zion Williamson, Bey has remained in the starting lineup, logging at least 33 minutes in three of the past five games. During that time, he has averaged 17.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists, good enough for 31.3 fantasy points per game. His long-term role remains somewhat clouded, especially once Williamson ramps up his playing time. Bey could eventually move back to the bench, but for now, it appears as though he has earned the trust of the coaching staff. 

When Brice Sensabaugh drilled a wide-open three pointer in the third quarter, Lakers coach JJ Redick quickly called a timeout and began to gesture with both hands toward his players, clearly showing his displeasure with their defense.

The Lakers responded.

They especially picked up their defensive intensity for an important spurt in the fourth quarter, slowing down the Utah Jazz and in the process the Lakers’ offense took off, the two converging at the right time to push them to a 143-135 win Thursday night at the Delta Center.

The Lakers gave up 41 points in the first quarter and a season-high 78 at the half. They allowed 57 points in the second half and put the Jazz away by scoring 41 points in the fourth quarter.

“Obviously we know this Utah team can score points at a very high rate, but it was very imperative that we got stops,” said LeBron James, who had another productive night with 28 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds. “We had to get stops to start that fourth and then it allowed our offense to click.”

But even with the Lakers building a 12-point lead in the fourth, the Jazz continued to put stress on L.A.’s defense, getting within four points late in the game.

The Lakers had answers every time, keeping the game in their hands behind Luka Doncic’s triple-double — 45 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds.

His 45-point triple-double and five steals made Doncic just the second player in NBA history to accomplish that feat since steals became official in 1973-74. Detroit Cade Cunningham (46 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists, five steals) is the other player to do so, producing that against the Wizards on Nov. 2025 in overtime.

Doncic was 14-for-28 from the field, four-for-12 from three-point range and had just one turnover in 39 minutes and 33 seconds of play.

Doncic also was the first Laker to have a 40-point triple-double since Magic Johnson in 1981.

“I think, honestly, I could do so much more,” Doncic said. “But I think that one turnover is the best stat-wise on this stat sheet. So, we had seven turnovers, which is impressive for us and we won the game. And again, that's what matters. But I think we locked in a lot in the second half. We did a great job.”

The Lakers got a scare when James went down holding his left knee after a collision with Utah’s Walter Clayton Jr.

James was dribbling the basketball near the three-point arc when Clayton went for a steal, but instead his knee hit the inside of James’ knee, knocking the Laker to the floor with 7:52 left in the second quarter.

James eventually got up and continued to play, taking a rest with 4:53 left in the half.

James described what happened on the play.

“Just a little bolt to the knee, like a sharp pain to the knee,” James said. “Got kneed on the the inside, like the medial side of the knee. And just kind of wanted to take my time a little bit as it calmed down or whatever the case may be. Or hoping it calmed down. Told Mike (Mancias) my trainer, I said, 'We dodged a bullet there.' ”

The Lakers were already without starters Austin Reaves (left calf strain) and Deandre Ayton (left elbow soreness), but then they added key role player Gabe Vincent (lower back tightness) to the injury list, leaving them without three main players entering the game at Utah. Vincent will be reevaluated in a week.

Jaxson Hayes started at center in place of Ayton and Smart started at guard for Reaves.

Injuries also hit the Jazz, as star forward Lauri Markkanen, the ninth-highest scorer (27.8) in the NBA this season, was out because of a right groin injury.

Smart had 17 points, which included him going three-for-four from three-point range in the fourth quarter.

Hayes had 16 points, making all seven of his field goals.

Redick talked to his team at halftime about their poor defensive effort and he did again in the third quarter during that timeout.

His message was simple.

"The players gotta go out and do it,”: Redick said. “So it's not, I don't know if it sparked 'em or not, and I just know that after that they were better."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

The Knicks returned to regular season action after winning the NBA Cup when they traveled to Indiana to take on the rival Pacers on Thursday night.

Despite the Pacers' tough start to the season thanks to injuries to key players, it was not a cakewalk for New York, which was missing five rotation pieces, including two starters. The Knicks' bench needed to step up, and it did. Although Jalen Brunson's heroics are the headline for the team's 114-113 win, it was the play of young Tyler Kolek that the Knicks captain had to focus on.

"I was garbage," Brunson told the MSG broadcast on the court after the win. "To start the game, and then in the second half was garbage as well. I want to thank the lord for Tyler Kolek, for playing the way he's playing... and saving me. We found a way to win this one."

Brunson still scored 25 points -- on an inefficient 10 of 23 shooting -- and came up clutch when it mattered for his team. Kolek, however, was the lynchpin for the Knicks when they were down double-digits in the third quarter. In just three minutes, Kolek scored three points but dished four assists, for a team-high plus-eight on the court. That play carried over into the fourth quarter, where he scored four points and posted three rebounds and three assists.

In total, Kolek scored a career-high 16 points and had a career-high 11 assists for the first double-double of his NBA career.

"Our guys had plenty of opportunities to say, ‘Hey, we gave the good old College try, and we'll wrap it up...figure it out tomorrow, especially being in Vegas," head coach Mike Brown said of his team's resilience. "As long as we were and going through what we went through out there and then, having so many guys out…nobody would have been mad at them. On a couple of different occasions. If they just threw the towel in. It's not our group.

"We have a standard, and no matter who's on the floor, we expect everybody to hold each other accountable to what our standard is."

"They’re willing to give me the ball and I want to give them the ball, too," Kolek said of his play after the win. "Just having the trust of my guys and with my coaches."

"Tyler was fabulous," Brown said of Kolek. "He was fabulous on both ends of the floor, but you're talking about a guy that played 26 minutes and had 11 assists, so he impacted the game on both ends of the floor."

It's been a coming-out party for Kolek of late. The Marquette product gave the Knicks solid minutes in their semifinal game against the Magic, being a plus-18 in 16 minutes on the court. He then scored 14 points in 20 minutes in the NBA Cup Finals against the Spurs on Tuesday, closing out the game alongside Brunson. (Though that game technically doesn't count toward the team's record or the player's individual stats)

With Miles McBride and Landry Shamet still hurt, Brown will lean on Kolek more down this stretch of games. And if the guard continues to perform, he'll continue to see important minutes.

"He works as hard as anyone. This dude’s always in the gym…He works so hard," Brunson said of Kolek. "He has that ability to stay ready because of his work ethic. The world may be surprised to it, but we knew this was what he was capable of."

"Work always pays off," Kolek says of his preparation. "It's undefeated. What you put in, you're gonna get out. I firmly believe in that, and I put in a lot of time."

Kolek and the Knicks will now head home to host the 76ers on Friday night.

NEW YORK (AP) — Norman Powell scored 24 points, Kel’el Ware had 22 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks, and the Miami Heat snapped a five-game losing streak with a 106-95 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday night.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 19 points and Bam Adebayo had 17 rebounds despite battling foul trouble as the Heat won for just the second time in December. They came into the month with 13 wins, tied for their most ever before December, but had gone 1-5 since.

Michael Porter Jr. scored 28 points for the Nets, who went cold after equaling the most lopsided victory in franchise history in their last game. Nic Claxton added 16 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists.

Brooklyn beat Milwaukee 127-82 on Sunday but shot under 39 percent from the field in this one and was just 11 for 49 (22 percent) from three-point range.

Still, Miami's lead was just 86-82 with under five minutes remaining. Ware made a three-pointer and Jaquez followed with consecutive baskets to extend the Heat lead to 93-82 with 4:01 left.

The Nets missed 10 of their 13 three-point attempts in the fourth quarter.

Up next

Heat: Visit Boston on Friday.

Nets: Host Toronto on Sunday.