MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The Memphis Grizzlies ruled out Ja Morant for the season because of a UCL sprain in his left elbow.
The Grizzlies said Tuesday night that Morant would need a platelet-rich plasma injection to aid with the healing. The Grizzlies expected Morant to make a full recovery in time for next season.
Morant, the 6-foot-2 guard in his seventh season out of Murray State, played in only 20 games this season for the Grizzlies. He averaged 19.5 points, the lowest since his second season in the league. The early end to the 26-year-old's season continues a trend for the oft-injured guard. He has played in only 79 games the last three seasons.
Morant sprained his elbow in late January after he had just missed two weeks because of calf soreness.
Taken second in the 2019 draft behind Zion Williamson, Morant was a nightly highlight film early in his career with the Grizzlies.
Morant challenged some of the NBA’s tallest centers with dunks at the rim and avoided defenders with whirling gyrations. His passes found cracks in defenses, and he regularly chased down blocks where he pinned the ball at the top of the square on the backboard.
Off-court troubles and growing behavior issues started surfacing in 2023 and diminished his impact on the court for the Grizzlies. Video in March 2023 of Morant flashing a gun at a Denver-area nightclub led to an eight-game suspension by the NBA even though no criminal charges were filed.
Months later, Morant was seen on a livestream flashing a gun, this time from the passenger seat of a car. After the league investigation, Silver announced that Morant would start the 2023-24 season with a 25-game suspension.
Jan 16, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) and Houston Rockets forward Dorian Finney-Smith (2) reach for a loose ball in the second half at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images | Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
Well, now it’s the most important game of the season. And Houston has lost all of their “This is the most important game of the season” games before now.
The game is on ESPN, and the Rockets have had some stinkers on national television this season. I could look at the record, but ir’s gotta be like 3-15.
Plus, the Minnesota Timberwolves are without Anthony Edwards, and this Rockets team has historically decided not to try against teams without their stars (see: Warriors, Golden State).
It all adds up to a crushing loss to an undermanned team on national television tonight. It’s the death knell for this iteration of the Houston Rockets.
Jalen Brunson provided exactly what the Knicks needed Tuesday night to escape MSG with a win over the Pelicans.
Although New Orleans came in with a 25-47 record, they were up to try and take down the Knicks at home, and they nearly did. The Knicks were only up 109-107 with 4:28 to go in the game. And only up four points with 1:41 remaining.
In addition to some careless play by the Knicks, the Pelicans' young shooters got hot and New York needed all 121 points to come away with the victory. But without Brunson's fourth-quarter performance, it may have been a very different story.
The Knicks All-Star guard scored 15 of his 32 points in the final frame on 4 of 5 shooting, including 7-for-7 from the free-throw line. With seven minutes remaining and the Knicks only up five, Brunson scored 10 straight points and five of the team's final seven points down the stretch to salt the game away.
"That’s what great players do," coach Mike Brown said after the game. "Great players, when it matters the most, when the pressure’s the highest, sometimes that means drawing two and kicking it out to OG [Anunoby] for a wide-open three or someone else. He was great at that tonight.
"For who he is and for me as a coach, I never put a cap on those guys. You don’t put a cap on Steph Curry in Golden State. Jalen Brunson here, and Jaylen Brown in Boston. You let those guys be who they are."
Heading into the fourth quarter, Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns were having better offensive nights. Anunoby entered with 21 points while Towns had an efficient 16 to go with his eight rebounds.
But when the offense became stagnant and turnovers started to stack, Brunson took the game over, as he's done so much during his New York tenure.
Last season's Clutch Player of the Year showed his superstar status in the final four minutes of Tuesday's win. Brunson scored nine points, including knocking down five free throws to ice the game away.
"That’s a position he wants to be in," Josh Hart said of Brunson's takeover. "We want him in that position. You learn when you watch his game and play this game that the last 3-4 minutes of a game are winning time. That’s where your superstars show why they are at that level. That’s what he did."
PHOENIX (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 23 points, 17 rebounds and tied a season high with 17 assists to lead the Denver Nuggets over the Phoenix Suns 125-123 on Tuesday night.
Jokic made the go-ahead basket, knocking down a 12-foot jumper with 11.5 seconds left. Phoenix’s Devin Booker got a good look at a potential winning 3-pointer, but it bounced off the rim.
The Suns trailed 117-109 with 3:19 left, but methodically worked their way back. Booker made a tough jumper in the lane to tie the game at 123 with 30.2 seconds remaining. He had 22 points and eight assists.
Jokic had his NBA-leading 29th triple-double of the season by early in the third quarter. The three-time MVP shot 9 of 16 from the field and delivered several pinpoint passes, including one that went the full length of the court for a layup by Christian Braun.
The Nuggets have fought injuries for most of the season, but are now close to full strength. Jamal Murray had 21 points and Tim Hardaway Jr. added 18 off the bench.
Denver had a 10-point lead at halftime, but Jordan Goodwin and Grayson Allen made back-to-back 3s late in the third to help Phoenix cut the deficit to 97-95 heading into the fourth. Allen and Jalen Green both had 21 points.
KNICKS 121, PELICANS 116
NEW YORK (AP) — Jalen Brunson scored 32 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, and New York beat New Orleans for its seventh straight victory.
Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby each added 21 points for the Knicks (48-25), who pulled within percentage points of the Boston Celtics (47-24) for second place in the Eastern Conference. Towns also grabbed 14 rebounds.
But it was Brunson who made the difference for the Knicks in a game that was close throughout the second half. He scored 10 straight points for New York midway through the fourth quarter, including back-to-back baskets after the Pelicans had cut it to 109-107 with 4 1/2 minutes remaining.
Zion Williamson scored 22 points and Jeremiah Fears had 21 for the Pelicans, who have lost two in a row after a three-game winning streak.
HORNETS 134, KNGS 90
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Coby White made six of Charlotte’s franchise-tying 26 3-pointers and finished with 27 points as it routed Sacramento for its fourth straight win.
LaMelo Ball had 20 points on six 3s and Moussa Diabate added 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Hornets (38-34), who pulled within two games of the Atlanta Hawks for sixth place in the Eastern Conference.
Daeqwon Plowden had 22 points and ex-Hornet Malik Monk had a career-high 14 assists for the Kings (19-54).
Kon Knueppel added four 3s for the Hornets as the rookie from Duke moved into second place in franchise history for 3s made in a season with 247. He needs 14 to pass Kemba Walker, now a player enhancement coach with the Hornets.
The 26 3-pointers matched the franchise record set on March 14, 2025, at San Antonio.
Charlotte raced to a 72-47 lead at halftime, shooting 13 of 29 from beyond the arc with Ball and White leading the way with four each at the midway point.
Charlotte pushed its lead to 46 early in the fourth quarter.
CAVALIERS 136, MAGIC 131
CLEVELAND (AP) — Donovan Mitchell scored 42 points, James Harden added 26 and Cleveland beat Orlando to extend its winning streak to four games.
It is Mitchell’s sixth game with at least 40 points this season, tied for fourth-most in the league.
The All-Star guard also continued his mastery of the Magic. It was his third 40-point game in 23 regular-season meetings against Orlando. He is averaging 27.2 against the Magic, the sixth-highest scoring average of any player in NBA history against Orlando.
Harden, who was scoreless in the first half of Saturday’s game at New Orleans, had 22 points and three 3-pointers in the first half as the Cavaliers had a 72-68 lead at halftime. It was his most points in the first two quarters since being acquired by the Cavaliers.
Evan Mobley had 19 points for Cleveland, making all eight of his shots from the field, along with nine rebounds and six assists.
Paolo Banchero had 36 points for Orlando (38-34), which has dropped six straight and dropped into a three-way tie with Charlotte and Miami for eighth place in the Eastern Conference.
Tristan da Silva had 18 points, while Desmond Bane and Jamal Cain scored 17 apiece for the Magic.
CHICAGO (AP) — Hall of Fame slugger Frank Thomas has filed a lawsuit against the Chicago White Sox and accuses the organization with which he played the bulk of his career of unauthorized use of his likeness on uniforms.
The lawsuit was filed March 19 in Cook County, Illinois, and also named Nike and Fanatics as defendants.
Thomas seeks payment in excess of $50,000 and demands a jury trial.
Thomas said the defendants profited from selling items using his identity without his permission, notably the sale of City Connect 2.0 jerseys that bear his name without his consent.
Thomas claims he has received no compensation or other consideration from Nike, Fanatics and the White Sox for the use of his name and likeness
“The complaint we filed alleges violations of the Illinois Right to Publicity Act," wrote William T. Gibbs of Corboy & Demetrio, the law firm representing Thomas, in a statement. "Companies may not profit from anyone’s identity without their permission. We believe our filing speaks for itself.”
Thomas, a two-time MVP with the White Sox who hit 521 homers in a career that spanned from 1990 to 2008, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.
The White Sox did not immediately return a request for comment Tuesday night.
Memphis Grizzlies All-Star guard Ja Morant has been officially shut down for the remainder of the season, the team announced Tuesday night.
Morant, 26, has been sidelined since Jan. 21 with a UCL sprain in his left elbow that he has since been rehabilitating.
However, a recent consultation advised the team to shut Morant down for the remainder of the season after lingering pain. So, the Grizzlies did just that.
"Following a recent consultation to advise on lingering discomfort, it was recommended that Morant receive a PR (platelet-rich plasma) injection to further optimize ligament healing," the team said. "Morant will begin offloading the elbow following the injection and will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season."
The Grizzlies star is expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Memphis has a 24-47 record and remains in the 11th spot in the Western Conference. There are 11 games left. Although it's not yet mathematically impossible, it's highly unlikely the Grizzlies make the postseason, let alone the NBA Play-In.
Morant has averaged 19.5 points, the lowest since his second season in the league. He's added 3.3 rebounds and tied a career-high with 8.1 assists per game. He shot 41% from the field. Morant appeared in 20 games during the 2025-26 season for Memphis.
He's appeared in 79 games in the previous three seasons with the Grizzlies, who selected Morant with the second overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft out of Murray State. Morant won the NBA Rookie of the Year award and is a two-time All-Star and led Memphis to four playoff appearances since joining the league in 2019.
Additionally, the team announced Brandon Clarke is out for the season with a right calf strain.
"Recent imaging indicated that additional healing is required prior to clearance for high-intensity court work. Clarke will continue his rehabilitation program and will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season," the team said in a news release.
Clarke is also expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Grizzlies center Zach Edey underwent a procedure to address lingering discomfort in his left elbow. The team said he is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for the 2026-27 season, with Clarke and Morant.
CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 24: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers enters the court before the game against the Orlando Magic on March 24, 2026 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t have their best defensive effort, but their offense more than made up for it as they defeated the Orlando Magic 136-131.
All grades are based on our usual expectations for each player. A “B” grade represents that player performing to our expectations for them.
James Harden
26 points, 7 assists, 3 rebounds
Harden and Paolo Banchero spent much of this game attacking each other in isolation. Harden didn’t fare well defensively in that matchup, but he made up for it by getting clean looks at the other end.
This game was a great example of how Harden can completely change a game with his ability to manage an offense. He made sure that they got the right shot every time down the court.
He also made this absurd pass, which counts for something.
The Cavs came into this game with the third-best offense in the league since Harden’s debut. Performances like this show why.
That said, the defense was bad. Some of that blame falls on Harden’s shoulders. That’s going to knock his grade some.
Grade: B-
Donovan Mitchell
42 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds
Mitchell has struggled to find his rhythm since injuring his eye before last Tuesday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Even though his eye still doesn’t look 100%, his game looks a lot closer to what we’ve come to expect, as he was once again playing at an All-NBA level.
The Magic weren’t able to keep Mitchell from getting to the paint. This created space for him to get his outside shot off. And once he does that, it’s impossible to contain him, including down the stretch as he put the Magic away late with a runner going to the basket for his 40th point.
This all resulted in an efficient 42-point performance on 14-22 shooting.
As with Harden, Mitchell’s defense wasn’t great. That’s going to knock down what was a spectacular offensive performance.
Grade: B+
Evan Mobley
19 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 block
This wasn’t the most impressive statistical performance from Mobley by just looking at his point total, but the process was good offensively. He hunted out mismatches and then took advantage by either getting the easy basket or setting up his teammates around him. This led to him being a perfect 8-8 from the floor.
Mobley wasn’t bad on defense, but you would hope that having the Defensive Player of the Year would help keep a bad Magic offense from scoring 131 points. That is going to drop his grade down some as well.
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Max Strus
11 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal
Struss did a lot of things well on the court, including running the pick-and-roll as a secondary initiator.
More importantly, he hit three of his eight triples, which were much needed. He came into this game going 3-15 from deep in his last three contests.
Grade: B
Keon Ellis
2 points, 3 rebounds, 0 assists, 1 block, 1 steal
Ellis did some good things on the defensive end once again, but he needs to provide something more offensively if he’s going to be a meaningful part of the playoff rotation.
Head coach Kenny Atkinson ripped the team’s defensive effort. But on a night that the Cavs desperately needed what Ellis can provide on that end, the offense was too inconsistent for him to be out there to close the game.
Grade: D+
Dennis Schroder
6 points, 2 assists, 1 rebound
Schroder has seemed out of place the last few weeks. That continued again. He wasn’t able to make a noticeable impact outside of a few baskets in the fourth quarter. That’s disappointing from someone who provided so much in the first few weeks after the trade.
Grade: D+
Dean Wade
2 points, 1 assist, 1 rebound
Wade wasn’t able to get his shot to go, which limited his effectiveness offensively. And while he provided good defense, he wasn’t anything special on that end, on a night Banchero got whatever he wanted offensively.
Grade: D-
Thomas Bryant
9 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals
Bryant continues to be a star in his role, even if that role is mostly a minor one in the grand scheme of things. He’s done a good job of anchoring lineups where he’s the only big and he’s done a great job of spacing the floor when he’s out there with Mobley.
Tonight, Bryant was perfect from the floor (4-4) and finished tied with Strus for the best plus/minus on the team at +13. You really can’t ask for more from your third center that was forced into duty with Jarrett Allen out of the lineup.
Grade: A
Sam Merrill
19 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals
Merrill continues to fit extremely well with Harden. The two have developed a great chemistry with Merrills off-ball movement. That was on display once again as Harden continually found Merrill for easy baskets, including an easy layup on a baseline out-of-bounds that felt like two free points.
But to credit all of Merrill’s success to Harden would be a mistake. He’s more than made the most of his opportunity in the starting lineup. That was on display again as he was an impactful all-around scorer, as he went 2-6 from deep and finished four of his five shots in the paint.
Merrill is going to make it a real conversation as to whether he should be left in the starting lineup once Allen returns.
DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 14: Bruce Brown #11 of the Denver Nuggets is defended by Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks during a game at American Airlines Center on January 14, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
What, really, is there to be gained for the Dallas Mavericks (23-49) as they prepare to face the Denver Nuggets (44-28) on Wednesday at Ball Arena?
A draft lottery ball or two? A feint glimmer of sunshine in an otherwise dreary season and amidst a stretch of just four wins in the team’s last 27 games? Surely not a rogue win against a quality opponent. Surely not that, right?
Not so fast, my friend.
Just because the Mavericks are actively avoiding the win column these days doesn’t mean a winning result is out of the question on Wednesday. Tipoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. CDT.
Middling in Denver
The Nuggets have gone just 13-13 over the last two months. Dallas has already beaten Denver twice this year. Sure, those two wins came before February’s trade deadline, with a completely different Mavericks roster, but the Nuggets will also be playing on the second night of a back-to-back set on Wednesday, while the Mavs will roll into town after a day off.
Denver had just started Tuesday night’s game at the Phoenix Suns at the time of this writing.
Wednesday’s game will mark one week since the Nuggets blew a 125-118 loss at the Memphis Grizzlies, whose tactics toward avoiding wins has been even more creative than the Mavericks’ have lately. Ty Jerome nearly completed his first-career triple-double in that loss, coming up just one rebound and one assist shy to go along with 21 points for the Grizzlies in the win that snapped Memphis’ eight-game skid.
Despite the mediocre stretch, Denver still sits in fourth in a crowded Western Conference playoff race and still has plenty to play for. The Nuggets just haven’t been firing on all cylinders lately.
The NBA Rookie of the Year race is far from a foregone conclusion, with Monday’s NBA broadcast crew going so far as advocating for giving the award to both Flagg and Charlotte Hornets forward Kon Kneuppel, who averages 19.1 points on 43.4% 3-point shooting and five rebounds per game as Charlotte makes a push in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The last time the NBA had co-Rookies of the Year was 1999-2000, when Steve Francis and Elton Brand shared the honors. Dallas head coach Jason Kidd shared the award for the 1994-95 season with Grant Hill of the Detroit Pistons.
It will be interesting to see whether Flagg or Knueppel can separate himself from his former roommate as the race goes down to the wire.
Support staff
Which members of the current Mavericks roster should stick around as Flagg’s running mates? Good showings against quality opponents surely hold some weight in the conversation, as does the individual value each player holds in the offseason trade market.
P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford have both rebounded in recent games after underwhelming stretches of play earlier in the season, but is either of them the right fit for the future? Marvin Bagley III worked himself into irrelevance in recent years after being selected second overall in the 2018 NBA Draft but has raised eyebrows at times since being traded to the Mavericks in a deadline day deal six weeks ago.
Klay Thompson’s shooting stroke seems to have returned recently as well, not that any of this has led to more wins for the Mavericks. With the team’s most glaring need at the guard position and a stout draft class awaiting those with their eyes set on the top of the class, it’s easy to see a future where all four of those role players return for the Mavericks next season. Not many teams may be willing to part with decent draft capital for any of them.
We may as well sit back and evaluate their fit as the Cooper Flagg Era takes shape.
How to watch
The Mavericks and the Nuggets tip off at 9 p.m. CDT on Wednesday from Ball Arena in Denver. The game will be televised locally on KFAA Channel 29 and streamed on MavsTV and NBA League Pass where available.
Marian (35-2) claimed the third NAIA title in program history and denied Dordt (34-3) a three-peat. The Defenders were in the championship game for the fourth time in the last five years.
After scoring just nine points in the second quarter, Marian took the lead for good during a 20-6 run in the third. Dordt was just 5 of 15 from the field in the frame.
Senior Kenna Kirby added 14 points and Kiley McNally, twin sister of Abbey, had eight points and 12 rebounds for the Knights, who dominated the glass 49-35. Abbey McNally was named the tournament MVP.
Macy Sievers and Gracie Schoonhoven each scored 15 points for the Defenders. Aubrey Burkhart added 14 points.
Dordt led 32-28 after Olivia Harazin beat the halftime buzzer with their fourth 3-pointer of the game. The Defenders finished 6 of 15 from behind the arc.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 24: Donovan Mitchell #45 and James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrate a three-point basket made by Harden during the first half against the Orlando Magic at Rocket Arena on March 24, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
James Harden and Donovan Mitchell combined for 68 points, Evan Mobley posted a balanced night with 19 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, and the Cleveland Cavaliers downed the visiting Orlando Magic 136-131 to inch one step closer to clinching a spot in the playoffs. Paolo Banchero paced the Magic with 36 points and Tristan Da Silva added 18 points and six rebounds.
The Cavs surrendered 39 points in the first quarter to an Orlando team that can only be regarded as pedestrian on that end of the floor. The Magic are 15th in points per game (115.4), 20th in field goal percentage (46.3), and 27th in three-point percentage (34.4). At the halfway point, the Magic were on pace for 136 points and were shooting 52% overall and 42% from deep, and they kept that going all the way to the finish. Cleveland’s defense left a lot to be desired, especially on close-outs and simply losing defenders off switches. There is some level of simply allowing open shots, and even a team like the Magic will make a team pay.
Orlando played the way they wanted to, and the Cavs did not impede them on that path all too much. They shot the ball beyond what they have all season and were able to play a physical brand of basketball that is meant to shake opposing teams out of their comfort zone. A lesser Cavs team would have crumbled under the pressure, but a better one probably would not have allowed themselves to be in this place from the start. Nevertheless, Cleveland pulled it together at the end
Mobley started off the game aggressively, plowing through defenders and seemingly making a concerted effort to maintain a level of momentum from the last few games. That fizzled out rather quickly, but his stat line was still respectable. It remains a work in progress, especially against a physical team like Orlando. He remained looking more like a big man, cleaning up shots and getting baby hooks to fall, instead of being a focal point. Which, in this case, when both guards were playing exceptionally well, is not as glaring.
Speaking of those guards, Mitchell and Harden carried the offensive workload all night. Mitchell led all scorers with 42 points and shot a blistering 63% from the floor. But his cold-blooded floater with 13.7 seconds left is what sealed the deal for the Cavs, using his body to generate just a window of daylight. For good measure, he then iced the game with two free throws.
Harden exhibited some of that legendary offensive superiority, demonstrating his ability to bend a defense at will. His passing is always a weapon seemingly everywhere on the floor, as he hit another touchdown pass to Dean Wade in the first quarter. But Harden also stayed in attack mode the whole night, something he did not do initially when traded to Cleveland. Several times he initiated a switch to get onto Goga Bitadze and, instead of trying to find a pocket, just attacked him head on. That lead to layups, fouls, or at least the defense had to respond by sending an extra defender.
The Cavs allowed the Magic to make it closer than it needed to be, but the result is the same: a key win in a close fight in the middle of the Eastern Conference.
It’s a quick turnaround for the Cavs, who will get Miami tomorrow night on the second half of a back-to-back. Tip is at 7:30 pm.
OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns were having bigger nights scoring-wise at the time, but with the game in the balance, the Knicks went to old reliable Jalen Brunson.
And he delivered a late-game takeover. How often have we seen this script?
Brunson scored 10 straight Knicks points — and 15 of their last 18 — late in the fourth quarter, carrying the Knicks in crunch time en route to a 121-116 win over the Pelicans on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden. It marked the Knicks’ seventh straight win — tying their second-longest win streak of the season.
Karl-Anthony Towns, who scored 21 points, goes up for a shot as Zion Williamson defends during the Knicks’ 121-116 win over the Pelicans on March 24, 2026 at the Garden. Jason Szenes for New York Post
“Just trying to be myself,” Brunson said. “Stick to my habits, focus on my work ethic, what’s gotten me here. And keep it that way.”
Brunson assisted a Josh Hart layup during that stretch as well, meaning he had a hand in 17 of the Knicks’ final 18 points. Brunson finished with a game-high 32 points and seven assists.
“That’s the position that I know he likes to be in,” Hart said. “We want him in that position. You learn, when you watch this game and you play this game, the last three or four minutes of a game is winning time. That’s when your players, your superstars, your main guys go out there and show why they’re at that level.
“That’s what he did.”
It also helped that the Knicks hit 11 of 12 free throws in the fourth quarter and 20 of 22 overall.
They also had a 14-2 advantage in second-chance points.
Jalen Brunson, who scored 32 points, celebrates after hitting a 3-pointer during the first quarter of the Knicks’ win over the Pelicans at the Garden. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
After entering just a half-game behind the Celtics in the standings for the No. 2 seed in the East, the win creates a virtual tie, though the Knicks’ winning percentage (.658) is a few points lower than the Celtics’ (.662). If the Celtics lose Wednesday to the Thunder, the Knicks would jump ahead of them.
Coach Mike Brown had warned of the Pelicans’ ability to play fast before the game, and it certainly came to fruition. A fast-paced first half saw the Knicks struggle defensively before they were able to slow it down a bit in the second half.
Zion Williamson, who torched the Knicks for 32 points the last time the teams met, had 22 points on an efficient 8-for-10 from the field. But he didn’t take over the game.
Towns and Anunoby spent plenty of time on him, but Anunoby was particularly effective — he both blocked and stripped him during the fourth quarter.
It’s fitting that seven players scored in double digits for the Knicks’ seventh straight win. Anunoby and Towns each finished with 21 points, though Anunoby only had three in the second half.
Mitchell Robinson made an impact off the bench with 10 points and eight rebounds — four of them offensive.
Mikal Bridges added 14 points — just three in the second half — and Hart and Jordan Clarkson each had 10.
As a whole, the Knicks shot an impressive 51.8 percent from the field and 39.4 percent from 3-point range.
“It was a funky game,” Brown said. “Both teams offensively were really good, nobody could really get a stop.”
Josh Hart, who scored 10 points and added eight rebounds, drives pass Zion Williamson during the third quarter of the Knicks’ win over the Pelicans at the Garden. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
But the balanced scoring attack became a Brunson scoring attack when it mattered most.
“Great players,” Brown said, “when it counts the most, when the pressure is the highest, they make the game easier for everyone else.”
Though they’re pretty low in the standings, the Pelicans are not nearly as sorry as the bottom feeders — comprised of G-Leaguers — that the Knicks had largely faced during the first six games of their winning streak.
The Pelicans entered having won five of their prior seven games and Williamson, when healthy and available, is still a top-level talent. And without a first-round pick this year, they have no incentive to tank.
Trailing by one roughly nine minutes into the game, the Knicks ripped off a 15-0 run to end the first quarter and take a 14-point lead into the second quarter.
But the Pelicans began the period on an 18-2 run and took the lead. The Knicks then stabilized and by halftime led by six.
They were outscored by five in the third quarter and took a one-point lead into the fourth. When Brunson checked back in with 7:25 left in the game, as so often happens, it became his show.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 29: Dillon Brooks #3, Devin Booker #1 and Collin Gillespie #12 of the Phoenix Suns pressure Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets during the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center on November 29, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Phil Horton scored 18 points, Jailen Anderson added 16 and Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) beat Langston (Okla.) 76-71 on Tuesday night for its second NAIA championship in three seasons.
Top-seeded Freed-Hardeman (35-1) won its 32nd straight game to secure the program's first Red Banner since 2024 — also against Langston.
Horton gave Freed-Hardeman a 71-61 lead with 2:37 left before Langston battled back.
Langston freshman Jaden Williams converted a three-point play, following an offensive rebound, with 14.5 seconds left to pull within 74-71. After a timeout, Freed-Hardeman ran off some time before Lane Lauderbaugh was fouled and made two free throws to seal it.
DJ McIntyre had 14 points for Freed-Hardeman. Anderson scored 10 of his points at the free-throw line to help Freed-Hardeman go 23 for 26.
Orlando Thomas scored 20 points and Antonio Lewis added 10 for No. 4 seed Langston (29-8), which was battling for the Red Banner for the second time in three years. The Lions shot 51% from the field despite going 4 of 14 from 3-point range.
Rico Sain made a putback shot just before the halftime buzzer to give Freed-Hardeman a 33-30 lead at the break. Horton led his team with 10 first-half points.
Tajahri Cave gave Langston its last lead at 53-52 with 9:54 left.
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 24: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks receives the Bob Lanier Community Assist Award before the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on March 24, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Two teams with palindromic records squared off at Madison Square Garden tonight. One team sits three slots down from the top of their conference, while the other is five up from the bottom of theirs. The distance between the clubs is misleading, though. With Zion Williamson sporting the physique of a Marvel hero, Dejounte Murray finally back from injury, and Jordan Poole riding the pine, the Pelicans (25-48) are a much more dangerous team than their statistics suggest. After the home team piled on a 14-point first-half lead, tonight’s contest swung back and forth and stayed close until late in the final frame. Thanks to Captain Clutch dropping 15 in the fourth, the Knicks (48*-25) escaped the Birds, 121-116, and extended their win streak to seven. Good times in Gotham!
With two Knicks turnovers in the first three minutes, the game got off to a choppy start. The Pels took an early lead. Zion Williamson (22 PTS) drew multiple defenders on the offensive end and did a good job of harassing Jalen Brunson (32 PTS, 7 AST) on at least one possession. Dejounte Murray (7 PTS, 12 AST), playing just his 11th game back since returning from a torn Achilles tendon, did an adequate job guarding Brunson, too. NOLA might have the league’s 24th-ranked defense, but they’re ninth for steals, and the Knicks seemed surprised by their aggression.
Early on, OG Anunoby (21 PTS, 3 STL, 5-13 3PT) drove New York’s offense with an array of scores (a threeball, a dunk, free throws). New Orleans did a slightly better job of spreading the love, though, with Saddiq Bey (18 PTS) and Herbert Jones (13 PTS, 6 AST) combining for 11 of their 16-14 lead midway through the frame.
Around the 5:30 mark, coach Mike Brown subbed in Jordan Clarkson (10 PTS, 5 AST) and Mitchell Robinson (11 PTS, 8 RBS) for Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns (your NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award winner for February). In a little over a minute, the trusty reserves connected for an alley-oop and grabbed three boards between them, helping to give New York its first lead of the game. Soon after, Clarkson jumped the passing lane for a pick-six, then tossed another alley-oop to Mitch. With three pointers from Brunson and Anunoby, the Knicks completed a 20-point turnaround to take a 42-28 lead into the second quarter.
This Knicks offense is firing on ALL CYCLINDERS. 🔥
Brunson shakes. OG dish to the paint. Clarkson throws it up… Mitch SLAMS it.
Our heroes fell prey to overconfidence, missing seven shots and turning the ball over thrice while rookie Jeremiah Fears (21 PTS, 2 STL, 20 MIN) sparked a 21-6 run for the Birds. Jones and Karlo Matković (12 PTS) helped, too. New York didn’t get a bucket until Mikal Bridges (14 PTS, 7 AST) hit an 11-footer at the 6:41 mark. The Knicks fell behind but reclaimed a slim lead when Anunoby drilled his fourth three-pointer of the half with five minutes to go.
Bridges stepped out of the shadows for a pair of big buckets and an assist to lead a rally that gave the Knicks a seven-point lead with 40 seconds left. Then Murray grabbed a Towns (21 PTS, 14 RBS) miss and dished an alley-oop to Trey Murphy that cut the half-time score to 66-60.
Despite their awful start to Q2, the Knicks were in control at intermission because they’d been cleaner, more efficient, and better on the glass. They shot 57% overall and 53% (10-of-19) from downtown, and had a 21-15 rebounding edge. Their defense could have been better, as evidenced by New Orleans making 51% from the field and 47% from yard and committing just four turnovers. Anunoby led the first-half scoring with 18, and Jones logged 11 for the guests.
James Borrego’s club came out of halftime with a mandate to better incorporate Williamson and Murphy. Leading a rally that reclaimed the lead, Zion was a bull with frequent drives and trips to the line. Trey added eight points in the period, including a pair of deep threes, and Murray steered the ship, distributing dimes and initiating action.
For the Knicks, Towns kept things steady inside, scoring (putback dunk, hook shot, layup, free throw) and cleaning the glass. Anunoby and Mikal Bridges hit big threes, and Brunson was active but inefficient with several misses. Josh Hart (10 PTS, 8 RBS) did his usual dirty work (rebounds, a mid-range jumper). But if the Knicks planned to win, the battles would be fought at the rim. Fittingly, an alley-oop toss from Brunson to Robinson gave our heroes a one-point lead at the quarter’s conclusion.
Perhaps sensing that more length was needed, Coach Brown fielded Mohamed Diawara to start the fourth quarter. His driving finger-roll past three defenders was the first bucket of the period, and the rookie found Towns on the next possession for a three-pointer. I cannot wait to watch this kid develop.
With the Knicks holding onto a four-point lead, rookie Derik Queen violated Hart’s landing space on a three-point shot. Josh missed it, but the foul preserved his streak of nine-straight makes, and he canned the three freebies. No lead was safe tonight, though. Back-to-back buckets by Jones and Fears cut the differential to three with plenty of time remaining. Fears, an Oklahoma alum and the seventh pick in the draft, showed a lot of promise off the bench. NOLA might have something there.
— Role Player Performances (@BenchHighlights) March 25, 2026
One strategy change was to have Bridges bring the ball up the court and let Brunson conserve some energy. The coach’s adjustment yielded dividends, with Brunson scoring the Knicks next six points. Still, they had no answer for the 19-year-old Fears, as the young dynamo scored five points, stole the ball from Bridges, and fired an assist to Bey on a breakaway. Two-point game with four-and-a-half left.
After Captain Clutch added two more buckets, Bey hit free throws, and Hart and Zion cancelled each other out, the score was 115-111 with 1:41 to go. With every point counting, Jones mouthed off to the ref over a foul on Brunson and gifted the Knicks a technical. Brunson cashed in the three-bies for a seven-point advantage.
A Zion and-one, a missed Hart free-throw, and a Murphy layup made it a three-point game with 17 seconds left. Borrego’s bunch stopped the clock with a take foul on Brunson. He made both to seal the win.
Quoth foiegrastyle, “Mitch and Zion talkin food I know it.” I can only imagine the sundy and sordid topics about which those two cowboys might have been conversing. Someone please pitch Hula a Zion-Mitch reality show that follows them on cross-country excursions. That’s an Emmy-award-winning idea, right there.
Up Next
New York has nine games left before the playoffs. They visit Charlotte (yeah, yeah, I double-checked) on Thursday. Safe travels, Knickerbockers.
