Category: Basketball

If there’s one division among NBA players these days, it’s about foul baiting.

The tactic, which essentially is when players seek unnecessary contact or exaggerate existing contact with flops, can be an effective tool to draw whistles and get to the free throw line.

And on the night when the Boston Celtics lost a close game to the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, Celtics star Jaylen Brown called out players who foul baited and expressed frustration over the way officials reward that behavior.

“I just don’t foul bait,” Brown told reporters after Boston’s 104-102 loss. “I’m not looking to flop or anything like that, but it’s almost like you got to. Cause there’s a couple of plays in the fourth quarter where I felt like I drove strong, went up strong, and I didn’t get the benefit of the doubt. But maybe if I would have flopped, maybe I would have been able to sell those calls. And those decide games.

“So it’s like, we commend players for playing the game the right way, but we give the benefit to those who necessarily are trying to manipulate the game into their advantage. I just don’t think it's basketball. Let’s just play basketball. All the foul baiting, I think it’s whatever for me.”

Brown didn’t mention any player by name, but Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the players most effective at drawing contact and getting to the line. He ranks first in the NBA in free throws made per game (8.2) and third in attempts (9.2).

During one sequence midway through the third quarter Thursday night, Gilgeous-Alexander was driving down the left side of the paint when he crashed into Celtics center Luke Garza, drawing the foul.

On-court microphones from the Amazon Prime broadcast clearly picked up Brown shouting at officials in response to the whistle: “That’s not basketball.”

Gilgeous-Alexander would convert both free throws.

“Just accentuating contact,” Brown said when asked to characterize foul baiting. “It’s one thing to get fouled, but it’s like when you’re not even trying to score when you’re driving and flailing your body just to make it look like you’re getting fouled. I think that’s the part where it’s like, all right, come on. But I mean, that’s where our league is at. That’s where the NBA is at. So it’s like, get down or lay down. So maybe I need to flop a little bit more.”

Part of Brown’s frustrations stem from his ejection in a game against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday, March 10. Brown played just 14:42 and was ejected for arguing an apparent no-call when Spurs guard Stephon Castle made contact with Brown as he dribbled the ball near the sideline, eventually losing it in a turnover. Brown was assessed two technical fouls. The Celtics would go on to lose 125-116.

Brown said he was especially “pissed” about the ejection because he had circled this game on his calendar, given San Antonio’s positioning in the standings.

“I felt great,” Brown said of his ejection against the Spurs. “I felt like I was ready to have a big-time performance, and my night got ended short. In certain spots, maybe I could have been a little bit better, but you’re passionate. It’s a big game. You want to see emotion. You want to see your star players showing that emotion. I don’t think I deserved to get tossed. And I think the NBA agreed, because I didn’t get fined or anything like that. So it is what it is. It happens. People make mistakes, but I’m just looking forward now.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA foul baiting 'not basketball,' Jaylen Brown complains

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The New York Knicks will look to finish up their five-game road trip with a winning record as they visit the Indiana Pacers on Friday night.

Indiana is in a tailspin right now, which is why I’m backing the New York to cover the hefty spread in my Knicks vs. Pacers prediction.

Let’s take a closer look at how to bet tonight’s matchup in my free NBA picks for Friday, March 13.

Knicks vs Pacers prediction

Knicks vs Pacers best bet: Knicks -13.5 (-110)

“Just bet against the Indiana Pacers” may seem like a simplistic betting strategy, but it’s been an effective one.

Indiana has now lost 11 straight, and hasn’t covered in any of those games. In six of their last eight games, the Pacers have lost by 15+ points.

The New York Knicks have been one of the best offensive teams in the NBA this season. With an offensive efficiency of 116.4, they rank second only to the Denver Nuggets. 

That will place especially well against a Pacers team allowing 120.0 ppg on the year. I’m taking New York to cover tonight.

Knicks vs Pacers same-game parlay

Both teams have played towards the Over in recent games, and the Knicks offense should be able to push the score up against this Indiana defense.

I’ll also take Jalen Brunson to hit his scoring total after coming off two straight 28-point performances.

Knicks vs Pacers SGP

• Knicks -13.5
• Over 227.5
• Jalen Brunson Over 26.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: All Knicks, all night

Even for my lottery SGP, I’m sticking with the Knicks to cover, as that’s my lynchpin for all the prop bets I’m backing here.

I’ll once again take Brunson to hit his points total, while also picking Karl-Anthony Towns to make Over 1.5 threes, as he’s hit three shots from deep in each of his last two games.

I’m also backing Mikal Bridges to pick up a block on the defensive end, since he’s gotten at least one in three of his last four games.

Knicks vs Pacers SGP

• Knicks -13.5
• Jalen Brunson Over 26.5 points
• Karl-Anthony Towns Over 1.5 threes made
• Mikal Bridges Over 0.5 blocks

Knicks vs Pacers odds

• Spread: New York -13 (-110) | Indiana +13 (-110)
• Moneyline: New York -800 | Indiana +550
• Over/Under: Over 227 (-110) | Under 227 (-110)

Knicks vs Pacers betting trend to know

The Pacers are 0-11 ATS in their last 11 games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. Pacers.

How to watch Knicks vs Pacers

Knicks vs Pacers latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

In today’s Dub Hub:

• Kristaps Porziņģis says he looks forward to playing alongside Stephen Curry once he returns from a knee injury.
• Moses Moody spotted with a brace on his right wrist during the Warriors’ Thursday practice.
• Bam Adebayo addresses critics who called his 83-point performance “unethical.”

The Golden State Warriors are still waiting to see what they look like at full strength, but Kristaps Porziņģis already knows that one pairing in particular could change the team completely: sharing the floor with Stephen Curry.

Following Golden State’s 130-124 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night, Porziņģis expressed how he is looking forward to eventually playing alongside the team’s franchise star.

“I wanna play with Steph. Who doesn’t… I know he’s doing everything he can to be back with us as soon as possible. And obviously it’s a completely different team with him, so hopefully I get that chance soon.”

Porzingis on hopefully getting to play with Steph soon

(🎥… pic.twitter.com/fChp2XHp0b

— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) March 11, 2026

Curry has now missed 15 games due to runner’s knee and is on track to miss at least 10 more days, which could mean another five-to-six game absence. The Warriors have gone 5–10 during that stretch, with Curry’s injury playing a major role in the team slipping to the ninth seed in the Western Conference standings.

Despite the slide, it remains unlikely that the Warriors fall out of the play-in entirely. The Memphis Grizzlies, who currently hold the 11th seed in the West, are nine games behind Golden State with just 17 games remaining in the regular season.

That’s what makes Porziņģis’ comments feel encouraging. Even as the losses have piled up, there is still reason to believe the Warriors have another level they can reach just in time for the postseason. Much of that hinges on the team finally getting healthy, but if that happens, a Curry–Porziņģis pairing — along with the added depth from the rest of the roster — could give Golden State a rare combination of elite spacing, defense, and size that they haven’t had in recent seasons.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Friday, March 13th:

Warriors News:

Steve Kerr: No conversation of drop-dead date for shutting Steph Curry down for season | The Athletic

The Warriors said Wednesday that Curry, who hasn’t played since Jan. 30 because of a lingering runner’s knee injury, was making “good progress” in his rehab, but would be out for at least another 10 days before being re-evaluated again. Curry, who turns 38 Saturday, has missed the last 15 games and is now on track to miss at least six more.

Kerr sounded hopeful Thursday that Curry was putting together solid workouts in his rehab process, but it remains unclear when, or if, Curry will play again this season. Kerr said Curry has only done individual on-court workouts with VP of player health and performance Rick Celebrini and assistant coach Bruce Fraser, and has yet to do work with the team.

“He did get on the court today, which is good,” Kerr said.

Kurtenbach: This Warriors season looks irredeemable. Why not embrace it? | The Mercury News

There’s plenty to glean from this final month of basketball. But without Curry in the lineup, absolutely nothing is truly applicable to this season. It’s a sunk cost. The organization’s entire focus should be squarely on setting the table for the next one.

And wouldn’t a nice, shiny, early draft pick help soothe the sting?

I’m being told this upcoming draft is arguably the most loaded in years. I’ll take those folks’ word for it. But adding premium, young talent (and in that 8-to-12 range, there will be some exceptional prospects) is the only way to insulate against that grim, post-Curry future we’ve been getting an early, unwanted glimpse of lately.

And the idea of pride being in the way is absurd. What pride could possibly be left to save after Tuesday?

Moses Moody shooting left-handed during practice as he nurses a right wrist injury 

Moses Moody, with a brace on his right wrist, is doing everything left-handed today at Warriors practice @NBCSWarriorspic.twitter.com/nsmtUjbWSb

— Dalton Johnson (@DaltonJ_Johnson) March 12, 2026

NBA News:

Gilgeous-Alexander eclipses Wilt for NBA’s longest 20-point streak | ESPN

“We’ve won throughout the streak, most importantly,” said Gilgeous-Alexander, who finished with 35 points and nine assists in the Thunder’s 104-102 win. “I just had so much fun playing the last year and a half, probably because I’ve done a lot of winning. … If you stay in the right mind frame, when you stay together, when you’re connected as a unit and just have fun throughout the whole process, you get the best out of things.”

Bam Adebayo responds to people calling his 83-point night unethical

Bam Adebayo responds to the critics and the "unethical" comments on his historic 83-point night. pic.twitter.com/HzQ7Zu0aJb

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 13, 2026

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Warriors Reacts: Should the Warriors re-sign Kristaps Porziņģis?

But staying on the court has been an issue. He’s appeared in just three games in his month-plus with the team, and has now had an issue suiting up every year for the last decade. The talent is tantalizing, and there’s no doubt that he’s an excellent fit with the team. But is he worth committing to beyond this year, especially if his All-Star talent drives up his price? Let us know how you feel!

A post to end the week:

LJ Cryer lost a bet and is wearing a Steve Kerr Arizona jersey during Warriors practice today @NBCSWarriorspic.twitter.com/VXtxw4Ra0c

— Dalton Johnson (@DaltonJ_Johnson) March 12, 2026

Follow @unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.

What happened against the New Orleans Pelicans can’t be swept under the rug.

In what was arguably the most embarrassing moment of the season, the Toronto Raptors allowed the Pelicans’ Dejounte Murray to punk Jamal Shead.

But despite the Raptors moving on to their next game against the Phoenix Suns on Friday, the rest of the NBA world, and especially Raptors fans, are justifiably stuck on this viral moment that perfectly captures the essence of this iteration of the team.

Always have your teammates’ backs.

It’s a rule in sports, both at the professional and amateur levels. It’s actually written in bold.

With tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on TSN, the Raptors have an opportunity to silence the deafening criticism with a win over a Suns team on a four-game winning streak.

Warming up the hot seat

There’s a complexity to coaching in the NBA that only those lucky enough to experience it can truly understand. For Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic, it’s difficult to gauge his coaching acumen. The organization has hidden behind a marketing strategy centred on it being the second year of a rebuild. There’s also the argument that Rajakovic doesn’t have the players to fit his pass-heavy and quick-decision-making system. It’s also easy to spot flaws in this roster, particularly the spacing issues.

All of these narratives make sense.

But for Rajakovic, there has to be a breaking point of some sort. If there isn’t, then what’s the point of playing out the rest of the season?

The Raptors’ commitment to Rajakovic’s system was obliterated when the front office traded for Brandon Ingram. There were earlier signs of a disconnect when Toronto traded for a guard more suited to play off-ball in Immanuel Quickley, and a bully-ball type of wing in RJ Barrett.

Adding rookie Collin Murray-Boyles and free-agent Sandro Mamukelashvili was an attempt to course-correct, but the core of the team is counterintuitive to what Rajakovic wants to do.

If the season still matters, the Raptors must commit to a play style that properly weaponizes the team’s best players, and that’s on Rajakovic. Scottie Barnes needs to spend less time in the corner. The Raptors shouldn’t exhaust a majority of the shot-clock trying to force-feed a specific look.

On the defensive end, something needs to change too.

The Raptors are a poorly constructed offensive team, but it was supposed to even out on the other side of the court. That’s why it’s depressing when the Raptors give up 122 points on 51 per cent shooting to a lowly-Pelicans offence.

Something has to change, especially if the Raptors aren’t going to show fight when opposing teams aren’t afraid to bully them.

The blame doesn’t fall exclusively on Rajakovic and the coaching staff. As the faces of the franchise, the change must begin with Ingram and Barnes. There has to be a level of takeover from the two All-Stars, especially if the game-planning approach remains the same. It’s not fair to compare Ingram and Barnes to the NBA’s upper echelon, but players like Kawhi Leonard and Lebron James have boiling points. When it’s reached, those types of players veto play calls, put the teams on their back, and live with the consequences.

The next two games at home will likely serve as valuable insight into what the rest of the season could look like.

Players to Watch

Expect a gritty game from Shead. The home crowd is well aware of what happened to the backup point guard. If Shead can leverage the crowd’s appreciation for him, it could lead to one of the better moments of the season.

For Phoenix, Jalen Green has seemingly figured something out during their winning streak. Green is averaging 27.5 points on 50.1 per cent shooting in the last four contests. The explosive guard is getting the All-Star type of volume that fits his chaotic offence, and the Suns are benefiting from it.

The first major-conference job to come open on this year’s men’s college basketball coaching carousel has officially been filled.

Kansas State has hired Belmont’s Casey Alexander to be its next head coach, the university announced March 13.

Alexander has signed a five-year contract, which will pay him $3.3 million during the 2026-27 season before he receives a $50,000 base salary increase each remaining year on his deal.

REQUIRED READING: Why Kansas State might've gotten it right with Casey Alexander | Wheeler

After taking over for his former coach, Rick Byrd, Alexander went 166-60 in seven seasons at his alma mater. The Bruins won at least 20 games in each of his seven seasons there and won three conference regular-season championships.

This past season, Belmont went 26-6 and won the Missouri Valley regular-season title before being upset by Drake 100-79 in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament, almost certainly denying it a shot at the NCAA tournament. The Bruins never played in the NCAA tournament under Alexander, though they qualified for the 68-team field in 2020 before the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 53-year-old Alexander was previously the head coach at Lipscomb and Stetson, where he combined to go 137-120 in eight seasons.

Alexander’s teams have been known for their up-tempo style and offensive explosiveness. Six of Alexander’s seven Belmont squads finished among the top 100 teams in adjusted offensive efficiency, according to KenPom, an impressive feat from a small-conference program. He became known for his excellent player evaluation, which allowed Belmont to sign the likes of Wil Richard, Ja'Kobi Gillespie and Cade Tyson before each player transferred to a power-conference program.

"I'm incredibly excited to join the team at K-State and can't wait to get the journey started," Alexander said in a statement. "K-State has such a rich tradition and a wildly passionate fan base and I'm grateful for the opportunity provided by (Kansas State athletic director) Gene Taylor to be a part of it."

The 53-year-old Alexander replaces Jerome Tang, who was fired on Feb. 15 after four seasons at the school. The university fired him for cause, which Tang plans to fight in court.

Kansas State made the NCAA tournament nine times over a 12-season stretch from 2008-19, which included two Elite Eight appearances, but it has missed the tournament in five of the past six seasons in which it was held.

The Wildcats went just 28-37 over the past two seasons despite high-priced additions out of the transfer portal like P.J. Haggerty and Coleman Hawkins.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Casey Alexander hired as Kansas State men's basketball coach

Following his second career ejection, Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown remained adamant that his reaction toward officials Tyler Ford and Suyash Mehta was justified.

Brown didn’t believe Mehta had grounds to eject him and felt the NBA’s decision not to fine him was an indication the league, too, believed he was in the right after getting tossed. Brown didn’t speak publicly after Wednesday night’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs, opening up for the first time about the ejection after Thursday night’s 104-102 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

“Obviously, I was pissed that I didn’t get to compete in that game,” Brown told reporters, per NBC Sports Boston. “That was another big-time matchup that I had circled on my calendar. Obviously, playing against the Spurs, (they’re) a good team, and I came out to a great start. Felt great. I felt like I was ready to have a big-time performance. And you know, my night got ended short.

“In certain spots, maybe I could have been a little bit better. But, you know, you’re passionate. It’s a big game. You know, you want to see emotion. You want to see your star players showing that emotion. I don’t think I deserve to get tossed and, you know, I think the NBA agreed because I didn’t get fined or anything like that, so it is what it is. It happens. People make mistakes, but I’m just looking forward now.”

Brown lasted only 14:42 before his much-anticipated battle against Wembanyama was interrupted.

In the second quarter in San Antonio, Brown felt wronged after being pushed out of bounds, leading to a turnover. Officials didn’t catch Stephon Castle’s arm extension, which left Brown off-balance and infuriated by the no-call. He immediately confronted Ford, the crew chief, earning his first technical foul. Moments later, Mehta — from afar — issued a second technical, resulting in an automatic ejection. Teammates, staff, and a security guard had to restrain Brown as he continued to pursue Mehta.

Once the tension eased, Brown returned to Boston’s locker room and immediately posted on X: “This the sh*t I be talking about.”

Brown’s teammates came to his defense, with Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, and coach Joe Mazzulla all expressing confusion over Mehta’s decision to eject him on behalf of the crew chief. Boston was left disadvantaged, forced to overcome Wembanyama shorthanded in the second half, amid a three-game road trip including visits with the two best teams in the Western Conference.

It wasn’t the first time Brown had refused to withhold his criticism of the officials. On Jan. 10, when Boston hosted Wembanyama and the Spurs at TD Garden, he ripped the referees for a glaring free-throw discrepancy: the Celtics attempted four shots, while San Antonio took 20. Brown called out what he saw as a clear double standard.

The next day, the NBA fined him $35,000 for his comments.

In Oklahoma City, Brown experienced a rare, favorable whistle. He totaled 14 free-throw attempts — for only the fourth time this season — falling just short of his career high of 16. The difference in the moment felt so pronounced that he briefly thought he had set a new season high.

“I think that might be a record this season,” Brown told reporters.

While Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander broke Wilt Chamberlain’s consecutive 20-point games record, Brown tried to play spoiler with a 34-point performance of his own. Without Tatum, White, and Nikola Vučević he kept Boston competitive in a down-to-the-wire battle with Oklahoma City. In the closing seconds of the fourth quarter, Brown hit a clutch 19-foot turnaround fadeaway to tie the game at 102-102.

Even though Brown drew some favorable calls, he’d prefer nobody rely on them at all.

“I don’t foul-bait,” Brown told reporters. “I’m not looking to flop or anything like that, but it’s almost like you got to. Because there were a couple of plays in the fourth quarter where I feel like I drove strong, went up strong, and I didn’t get the benefit of the doubt. Maybe if I would’ve flopped, maybe I would’ve been able to sell that call — and those decide games.”

Brown added: “We commend players for playing the game the right way, but we give the benefit to those who are trying to manipulate the game to their advantage. I just don’t think it’s basketball. Like, let’s just play basketball. All the foul-baiting — I think it’s whatever for me.”

Boston came away from its three-game road trip still as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, holding a 1 ½-game lead over the New York Knicks. Brown is focusing on what’s ahead for the Celtics, rather than dwelling on his ejection or the league’s foul-baiting epidemic.

“It’s already in the past. It’s over with,” Brown told reporters. “So I just gotta move forward.”

With the Western Conference a tight-knit race yet again this season, this series will look at the standings and games to watch across the league as the Lakers look to secure home court and move up the standings.

It appears that the Lakers are peaking at the right time. They have won four straight games, doing so while beating top teams like the Wolves and opponents they are favored against, such as the Bulls.

Now, the Lakers find themselves with the third-best record in the West, a position they undoubtedly want to keep.

Here’s a look at the current playoff standings in the middle of the conference:
3. Lakers — 41-25, 10.5 GB
4. Rockets — 40-25, 11 GB
5. Nuggets — 41-26, 11 GB
6. Wolves — 40-26, 11.5 GB
7. Suns — 39-27, 13 GB

LA’s next game will be a huge one as they take on Denver. If they win that contest, they’ll own the tiebreaker over the Nuggets, and considering how tight this Western Conference race is, that might matter.

Besides the Lakers winning their games, they need to keep an eye on their surrounding opponents and hope they lose as well, so they can begin building a gap between themselves and everyone else.

Let’s take a look at the big games to watch around the league for the next couple of days and who you should be rooting for.

Friday

Pelicans at Rockets — Despite their record, New Orleans isn’t a tanking team. They’ve won three of their last four games. Can they upset the Rockets and help the Lakers before Houston takes on LA next week?

Wolves at Warriors — With Steph Curry still out, Golden State hasn’t looked like the kind of team that can compete against Minnesota. That’s bad news for the Lakers.

Suns at Raptors — Toronto has been struggling as of late, losing four of their last five games. Meanwhile, the Suns have won four straight as they try to fight their way out of the play-in.

Phoenix will be favored at home, but perhaps former Laker Brandon Ingram can have a big game and pull off the upset.

Sunday

Wolves at Thunder — No team is playing better than Oklahoma City right now. Anthony Edwards is going to have to play his best game of the season if the Wolves are going to have a shot at winning this game. Minnesota will also be on the road for this contest, making this matchup that much harder to win.

Monday

Suns at Celtics — With the Suns playing the Celtics on Monday, it’s in LA’s best interest for Boston to win and Phoenix to lose. So, yes, this is one of the rare instances that Lakers fans will be cheering for Boston to come out on top.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

Over the last three and a half seasons, Jalen Brunson has become one of the premier players in the league. He’s a three-time All-Star who has made the All-NBA Second Team twice, is constantly heralded as one of the best scorers in the league, and he’s coming off a Clutch Player of the Year Award. But maybe the biggest reason he’s earned the respect as one of the league’s finest is his consistency. 

Brunson, like every other player to ever grace a basketball court, has off games. Missed shots, bad decision-making, ugly process on the offensive end, and bad defense, even for his standards, those things all happen from time to time. But Brunson, maybe more so than any other player in the league, has also developed the reputation of bouncing back and doing so emphatically. 

Whenever Brunson has the rare, and uncharacteristic stinker of a game, more often than not, the point guard and leader of the Knicks answers back by not only getting back on track, but playing some of his best basketball. But over the last few weeks, that hasn’t necessarily been the case. 

Brunson has still put up very respectable numbers overall, but when compared to his usual numbers, which is a pretty high bar, he’s underperformed. Over his past 13 games, Brunson is averaging 21.7PPG while shooting 44.1% from the field, which are both noticeably lower than the 27.4PPG on 47% shooting he was averaging prior. Not only that, but his turnovers per game have also seen a slight uptick, as they have gone from 2.2 turnovers per game to 2.8. This minor but still non-insignificant difference in play and numbers has led Knicks fans to voice concern, while others have voiced outright disappointment and even condemnation. 

Which begs the question: Should Knicks fans be worried? Short answer, no. And here’s why.

While Brunson has come down to earth and has looked surprisingly human over the last few weeks, Brunson’s dip in production can be explained by a change in his role/responsibilities and how opponents have defended the Knicks. This isn’t just about a player simply experiencing a decline in production due to poor play. 

Now, Brunson himself would surely be the first one to tell you that he hasn’t played up to par, and that he can, and should play better. But over the last few weeks, Brunson has shifted some of his focus, which has sacrificed some of his usual scoring numbers for the betterment of the team. The point guard has upped his defensive intensity, which has coincided with the recent improvement of the team’s defense, and he’s opted, either by choice or by the way defenses are playing him, to be a bit more of a playmaker than he was to start the season.

TL turning on Brunson when he’s working on evolving into a true number one on a championship team 💔

He has to work harder to break even on defense, all while balancing being the lead playmaker and scorer and fans are mad that trajectory isn’t linear.pic.twitter.com/Wfr8CEPZSz

— OG Anunoby Addict (@PlayoffBoundNYK) March 9, 2026

Brunson started the season averaging 20.8 field goal attempts per game over his first 49 games. But over his aforementioned—and recent—13-game stretch, those numbers have gone down drastically to just 16.9 attempts per game. And his assists have gone up from 6.1APG to 8.0APG during that span as well. Some of this can be attributed to the fact that defenses, especially the very good ones, have continued to force Josh Hart to make plays, either as a scorer or a passer, and put extra pressure on Brunson to get rid of the ball. Some of it also seems like a choice by him, and or by head coach Mike Brown, as he’s shifted to getting guys involved a bit more often.

There are still some red flags to be wary of. Outside of Wednesday night’s Jazz game, in which he really only played one good half of good Brunson-like basketball, he’s lacked the IT factor that he so often provides, and we’ve seen Brunson struggle a bit more than Knicks fans are accustomed to seeing. He’s looked maybe half a step slow, a bit more hesitant on drives, still falters at times when tasked with being more of a playmaker than a scorer (often due to his height, and not inability to read the game), and it’s been close to a month since he’s scored more than 30 points in a game. Furthering that concern is the fact that, as you can see below, Brunson’s numbers have taken quite a dip since injuring his ankle in the first quarter against the Kings on January 14th.

Brunson’s effective field goal percentage overall, rim field goal percentage, short midrange field goal percentage, and the aforementioned points per game have all gone down significantly. It is a smaller sample size, and Brunson and the Knicks have played some very good defensive teams over that stretch, but it’s still worth noting.

That being said, even during that span, it’s not like Brunson hasn’t had good games. He’s had a 31-point game against the 76ers, a 42-point masterpiece on 52% shooting against the Nuggets, a 31-point game on 57% shooting against the Celtics two nights before a 40-point 48% shooting game against the Pacers, and a 33-point game on 60% shooting against one of the best defensive teams in the league, the Pistons.

If fans want to be concerned, it’s more than understandable. At the end of the day, regardless of how good the Knicks look on paper, New York, especially come playoff time, only goes as far as their captain takes them. But it is admittedly somewhat odd seeing just how many fans have turned on maybe the single most important figure in the franchise’s history, especially since some of his statistical decline has come from him doing the very things those fans have wanted more of-defensive effort, and playmaking. He’s not free of flaws, and he, like Patrick Ewing, Carmelo Anthony, and all of the other Knicks legends that came before him, should be called out when underperforming. But the internet has seen a greater-than-usual place for takes about how “he needs to be traded,” “can’t lead this team in the playoffs,” and even how “he’s washed up.”

people hating on brunson lately are so weird… he’s been working on the things he was most criticized for (defense and playmaking) but that’s now a problem for y’all too?

— certified bling bling boy (@c_blingblingboy) March 8, 2026

If you turning on Brunson so quickly that means you ain’t believe in him like that in the first place. Stay on that side.

— Skip Sayless 🇹🇹🇭🇹♒️🗽 (@travbryanmusic) March 9, 2026

Overall, though, my trust in Brunson remains. While there are factors to weigh and things to keep an eye on, my worry level about Brunson has yet to reach a high level. What he’s done, and not done most recently, matters, and that shouldn’t be completely downplayed. But over his 314-game sample size as a Knick, Brunson has continued to surprise, overperform, and show up, especially when it matters most. The hope is that between now and the first round of the playoffs, Brunson can get some much-needed rest, continue to sharpen his ability to balance scoring and playmaking, while maintaining some semblance of the defensive improvements we’ve seen, and ultimately get back to the playoff Brunson we know he can be.

After days and weeks of speculation over his future, Kim English’s tenure as Providence’s men’s basketball coach has come to an end.

The university announced Friday, March 13 that English would not return for a fourth season as Friars coach.

"We appreciate Kim and his staff for their efforts over the past three seasons leading our men's basketball team," Providence athletic director Steve Napolillo said in a statement. "We wish him and his family all the best in the future."

REQUIRED READING: Who's the next Providence basketball coach? Here's 11 names

English went 48-52 in three seasons at the school, including a 15-18 mark this season that put Providence ninth in the 11-team Big East.

The 37-year-old English, a former all-conference player at Missouri who was a second-round pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, was brought in to replace Ed Cooley after his contentious move from Providence to Georgetown in 2023. English had previously gone 34-29 in two seasons at George Mason before being hired by the Friars.

On March 5, with his team at 14-16 after a 22-point loss at home against Marquette, reports emerged that English wouldn’t return to Providence.

After the Friars’ 85-72 loss to St. John’s on Thursday in the quarterfinals of the Big East tournament, English gave an impassioned response when asked about his job security and future.

"I don't want anyone's sympathy,” he said. “I don't like anyone's pity. Don't text me nothing sad, 'Hope you're OK, keep your head up.’ I’m not that guy. Kick me while I'm down. I'll get up. I've never been more proud standing in the locker room than I was after this season.”

Providence was an NCAA Tournament regular under Cooley, making the event seven times over nine seasons in which it was held from 2014-23, which was highlighted by a Sweet 16 run in 2022.

The Friars are one of three major-conference job openings in the northeast, along with Syracuse and Boston College. Candidates for the position are likely to include South Florida coach Bryan Hodgson, Utah State coach Jerrod Calhoun, Merrimack coach Joe Gallo and Yale coach James Jones, among others.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kim English fired as Providence Friars basketball coach

Thursday night’s Hawks vs. Nets game was put on a brief pause after a referee was injured in a bizarre fashion.

With a little over eight minutes to go in the fourth quarter of Brooklyn’s matchup with Atlanta at State Farm Arena, Sha’Rae Mitchell ran into a camera operator and sustained a head injury.

NBA ref Sha'Rae Mitchell WENT DOWN with an injury after hitting her head on a camera operator

She was able to stay in the game pic.twitter.com/jHLHvm0t7R

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 13, 2026

Mitchell was initially annoyed with the cameraman for being so close to the court in the middle of play, as lip readers noted she yelled, “Get off the court” following the incident.

But moments later, pain appeared to set in and she needed several moments to collect herself.

The 40-year-old, who played college basketball at UC Santa Barbara and became a full-time official in 2023, walked over to the scorer’s table and sat down in an attempt to recover.

For around a minute, she held her head in her hands and looked dazed.

Fortunately, she was able to shake it off and finish out the game.

The Hawks had the lead at the time of the delay, but the Nets ended up going on an immediate 8-3 run when play resumed.

Atlanta, though, was able to hold off Brooklyn to win, 108-97. Jalen Johnson led all Hawks scorers with 21 points. He added nine rebounds and nine assists.

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The Detroit Pistons are handling who’s in front of them. They’ve exploded offensively after a brief four-game rut. Detroit takes on the Memphis Grizzlies tonight. You need to scroll three times to view their full injury report.

Tonight’s matchup won’t be a battle between two playoff teams, but the Pistons are finding a rhythm from deep. Some of the most important strikers are trending in the right direction as the playoffs approach.

Game Vitals

Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan

When: 7:30 PM

Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit

Odds: Pistons (-15.5)

Analysis

The Brooklyn Nets and last night’s Philadelphia 76ers aren’t the most stout defensive teams, but making shots can do good for a player’s mental. Duncan Robinson went 8/10 from deep in the two demolitions. That type of hot streak needs to continue against the great teams.

Robinson is shooting 35 percent from 3 against top-10 defenses, according to Cleaning The Glass. It makes sense that tougher defenses make shooters take more difficult shots, but maybe a hot stretch vs lesser opponents can trigger an overall parade from range.

Javonte Green’s shooting is always an extra. If he can make defenses pay consistently, his playoff minutes might increase. It’s no secret that teams are going to leave streaky shooters like Green to bottle up Cade Cunningham. Green was nails going 4-6 from 3 last night. This version of Green is a 3-and-D menace who seems up for the moment.

Marcus Sasser has stepped in as a shot taker and maker. He’s a sparkplug. He won’t start when Ausar Thompson eventually returns, but Sasser is another piece on the board JB Bickerstaff can play. Sasser has always shown he can get buckets, and there will be dry spots in the postseason where he could help the team.

Cade had it going from deep in three of the past four games. He only shot the ball six times last night. His off-the-bounce shooting could swing a playoff series one way or another. He has shot 36 percent on 3.5 pullup 3-point attempts for the season. Was last year more about poor pullup shooting or Cade seeing playoff defenses for the first time? I’d bet he’s better this time around.

The Grizzlies saw the playoffs last year, too, but they’re far from that type of team now. They’ve trotted out a very young roster over the last few weeks. 21-year-old GG Jackson has been one of their focal points lately. Ty Jerome has been too. He missed the last game with a calf injury.

This isn’t Jackson’s first time getting the keys over the final stretch of the year. During the last 18 games of the 2024 season, Jackson averaged 20 points. He had a 44-point bomb on the last day of the regular season.

Olivier-Maxence Prosper has been the Grizzlies’ big with Zach Edey out for the year. Prosper isn’t the force and paint beast Edey is, but he can shoot the rock. 38 percent of his shots are from 3, and he’s solid.

Javon Small, Jaylen Wells, and Rayan Rupert are other candidates who could play 30-plus minutes tonight. The Grizzlies are on a six-game losing streak with a minus-7.6 net rating in that span. They won’t win the Western Conference, but Detroit has to focus on itself. Don’t play down to your comp and continue to handle who is in front of you.

Lineups

Detroit Pistons (47-18): Cade Cunningham, Marcus Sasser, Duncan Robinson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Memphis Grizzlies (23-42): Javon Smart, Rayan Rupert, Jaylen Wells, GG Jackson, Olivier-Maxence Prosper

Question of the day

Is Javonte Green a 25-30 MPG type player when he’s hitting 3s?