DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 29: Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic takes a foul on the way to the basket by Tobias Harris #12 of the Detroit Pistons during the first half at Little Caesars Arena on October 29, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The 2021 No. 1 pick is facing off against the 2022 No. 1 overall pick as the Detroit Pistons and Cade Cunningham go against the Paolo Banchero-led Orlando Magic. Belief in Paolo seems to ebb and flow depending on his efficiency, something Cunningham fans know well until last season. In his most recent contest, he flirted with a triple-double, notching 19 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in a 113-108 loss to the Houston Rockets. What Paolo doesn’t have that Cade can rely on even when his shot isn’t falling is quality defense and the ability to orchestrate his team’s entire offense.
Banchero relies much more on his scoring to be effective on a nightly basis. One night, you get a great game like against the Rockets, or the 36-point outing in a one-point win against the Lakers the prior game. But in his past 10, he’s shooting just 41% from the floor and 34% from deep. And there is another play from his draft class at his heels looking to establish himself as one of the best of 2022 — Jalen Duren.
Duren is on a tear recently, dominating on offense, owning the glass, and more than holding his own on defense. In Duren’s past 10 games, he’s averaging 31.6 points per game on 65% shooting He, Banchero, and the two OKC boys — Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren have formed a solid little top four in their draft class.
And while first thoughts when considering Orlando will always turn to Banchero, Detroit really needs to watch out for Desmond Bane. He’s hot from deep lately, and the Pistons have been giving up threes in a big way lately. If they let Bane go for 30-plus, it is going to be a long night.
Game Vitals
When: 6 p.m. ET Where: Kia Center, Orlando, Florida Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit Odds: Pistons -5
OXFORD, Miss. (AP) — Ny’Ceara Pryor scored 16 points, Fatmata Janneh had 15 points and 10 rebounds, and surging Texas A&M defeated slumping No. 19 Mississippi 66-58 in a regular-season finale on Sunday.
The Aggies (14-11, 7-9 SEC) head to the conference tournament on a five-game win streak while Ole Miss (21-10, 8-8) has lost four in a row.
Texas A&M never trailed and there was only one tie. Still, the Rebels were within 57-55 with 5:40 remaining in the game. Pryor then hit a 3-pointer to start a 9-2 run for the Aggies and they allowed only one point in the final four minutes.
Cotie McMahon had 19 points and nine rebounds for the Rebels and backup guard Tianna Thompson scored 12.
Salese Blow scored 11 points off the bench for the Aggies.
Pryor scored seven points in the first quarter, including one of Texas A&M's three 3-pointers in the first 4 1/2 minutes as the Aggies raced out to a 15-5 lead. They led 23-13 heading to the second quarter.
Mississippi knocked down four 3-pointers in the second quarter and the Rebels were within 32-30 with 2 1/2 minutes left in the half. The Aggies scored the last five points of the second quarter and the first six points of the third, building a 43-30 lead.
McMahon scored five points in a 7-0 run that got the Rebels within 48-43 inside of two minutes in the third, but Texas A&M pushed the lead to 53-45 heading to the fourth.
Up next
The conference tournament runs Wednesday through Sunday in Greenville, South Carolina. Ole Miss finished in a four-way tie for sixth place and Texas A&M finished tied with Alabama for 10th place.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Christian Ramírez scored in the 82nd minute on Sunday to help Austin FC beat D.C. United 1-0.
Ramírez headed home the rebound of a shot by Besard Sabovic that was redirected at the goal line by defender Silvan Hefti. The 34-year-old Ramírez, who has 56 career goals in MLS, was acquired off waivers Friday from the LA Galaxy.
Brad Stuver had two saves for Austin (1-0-1).
Sean Johnson had eight saves, which included a diving parries early in the first and second halves, for D.C. United (1-1-0).
Austin had 56% possession and outshot D.C. United 16-8, 9-2 on target.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 26: Gabe Vincent #4 of the Atlanta Hawks goes to the basket during the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards at State Farm Arena on February 26, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Atlanta Hawks (30-31) aim for .500 in a game against the Portland Trail Blazers (29-32) who are on the second leg of a road back-to-back set.
Starting lineup:
G CJ McCollum
G Nickeil Alexander-Walker
F Dyson Daniels
F Jalen Johnson
C Onyeka Okongwu
Please join in the comments below as you follow along.
Where, When, and How to Watch and Listen
Location: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
Start Time: 6:00 PM EDT
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Southeast (FDSNSE)
Radio: Sports Radio 92.9 the Game (WZGC-FM)
Streaming: FanDuel Sports Network app, Fubo (out of market), NBA League Pass (out of market), Youtube TV (NBA League Pass out of market)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 11: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics goes in for a layup against Quentin Grimes #5 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Xfinity Mobile Arena on November 11, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Philadelphia 76ers (33-26) at Boston Celtics (39-20) Sunday, March 1, 2026 8:00 PM ET Regular Season Game #60, Home Game #29 TV: NBC/Peacock, NBCSB, NBCSP Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, 97.5 Fanatic, Sirius XM TD Garden
The Celtics host the Philadelphia 76ers for the 4th, and final, game between them this season. All 3 games so far have been decided by either 1 or 2 points. On opening night, the 76ers won 117-116 in Boston. On December 31, The Celtics won 109-108 in Philadelphia. Then, on November 11, the 76ers won 102-100 in Philadelphia.
The Celtics beat the 76ers 3-1 last season and they were also 3-1 against the 76ers in the 2023-24 season. The Celtics are 275-202 overall all time and they are 157-59 all time at home against the 76ers. The Celtics are playing on the first night of back to back games. They will travel to Milwaukee to take on the Bucks on Monday. The Celtics are 7-3 in the first of back to back games.
Like the Celtics, the 76ers made a couple of moves at the trade deadline to get under the tax line. They traded Jared McCain to Oklahoma City in exchange for draft picks. They also traded Eric Gordon to Memphis to gain flexibility to convert Dominick Barlow from a 2-way contract to a standard contract. Like the Celtics they are staying under the tax line with 10 day contracts and will still have to sign another player eventurally.
The Celtics are 2nd in the East, 5.5 games behind 1st place Detroit. They are 1.5 games ahead of 3rd place New York , 3 games ahead of 4th place Cleveland, 5 games ahead of 5th place Toronto, 6 games ahead of 6th place Philadelphia and 7.5 games ahead of 7th place Orlando. The Celtics are 25-13 against Eastern Conference opponents and 8-5 against the Atlantic Division. They are 19-9 at home and 8-2 in their last 10 games. They are coming off a win in their last game.
The 76ers are 6th in the East, 11.5 games behind 1st place Detroit, 6 games behind 2nd place Boston, 3 games behind 4th place Cleveland, and 1 game behind 5th place Toronto. They are 1.5 games ahead of 7th place Orlando and 2 games ahead of 8th place Miami. They are 21-19 against Eastern Conference opponents and 8-6 against the Atlantic Division. They are 17-11 on the road 5-5 in their last 10 games. They have won their last 3 games.
The Celtics are at home for the 2nd straight game having played Brooklyn on Friday. After this game they will play Milwaukee on the road in back to back games. Next, they are back home for games against Charlotte and Dallas before a tough 3 game road trip through Cleveland, San Antonio, and Oklahoma City. Then they host Washington, Phoenix and Golden State. Then, it is one game at Memphis before a 3 game home stand against Minnesota, Oklahoma City and Atlanta.
The 76ers will return home after this game to host San Antonio and Utah before playing Atlanta and Cleveland on the road. Then they play Memphis at home before playing at Detroit Next they host Brooklyn and Portland before heading out on the road to play at Denver, Sacramento and Utah before returning home to play Oklahoma City and Chicago.
Although many were guessing that Jayson Tatum would return for this game because the game was moved to NBC, he remains listed as out on the injury report. Baylor Scheierman joins him on the injury report as questionable due to a fractured left thumb that he suffered against the Nets on Friday. If he can’t go I would guess that Ron Harper, Jr or Hugo Gonzalez would start, but you never know what Joe will do.
For Philadelphia, Joel Embiid is listed on their injury report as out due to a right oblique strain. Embiid reported soreness on his right side following the 76ers’ win over the Heat on Thursday and tests determined it to be a strain that will keep him out at least 3 games. I’m guessing that Andre Drummond will start in his place. Paul George is out due to a suspension for failing a drug test. Johni Broome is also out with a knee injury.
Probable Starting Matchups PG: Derrick White vs Tyrese Maxey
Derrick White | NBAE via Getty ImagesTyrese Maxey | NBAE via Getty Images
SG: Baylor Scheierman vs VJ Edgecombe
Baylor Scheierman | Denver Post via Getty ImagesVJ Edgecombe | NBAE via Getty Images
SF: Jaylen Brown vs Kelly Oubre, Jr
Jaylen Brown | Getty ImagesKelly Oubre, Jr | Getty Images
PF: Sam Hauser vs Dominick Barlow
Sam Hauser | NBAE via Getty ImagesDominick Barlow | Getty Images
Celtics Reserves Payton Pritchard Hugo Gonzalez Luka Garza Amare Williams Nikola Vucevic Jordan Walsh Delano Banton (10-day)
2-Way Players Ron Harper, Jr Max Shulga John Tonje Injuries/Out Jayson Tatum (Achilles) out Baylor Scheierman (thumb) questionable
Head Coach Joe Mazzulla 76ers Reserves Quentin Grimes Kyle Lowry Justin Edwards Trendon Watford Cameron Payne Adem Bona Jabari Walker
2-Way Players Dalen Terry MarJon Beauchamp Tyrese Martin Injuries/Out Johni Broome (knee) out MarJon Beauchamp (illness) questionable Joel Embiid (oblique) out Paul George (suspension) out Head Coach Nick Nurse
Key Matchups Derrick White vs Tyrese Maxey Maxey is averaging 29.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 2.1 steals per game while shooting 46.5% from the field and 37.6% from beyond the arc. In the first 3 games against the Celtics, he averaged 29 points, 5 rebounds, 9.7 assists, 1.7 steals and 1 block while shooting 45.6% from the field and 58.3% from beyond the arc. He is quick and shoots the ball well and so the Celtics will have their hands full defending him but they must make it a priority to slow him down.
Jaylen Brown vs Kelly Oubre, Jr Oubre is averaging 14.5 points, 4.8 rebounds. and 1.7 assists. He is shooting 46.9% from the field and 37.6% from beyond the arc. In the 3 games against the Celtics this season, he averaged 13 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 0.3 assists while shooting 44.8% from the field and 27.8% from beyond the arc.
Honorable Mention Baylor Scheierman vs Vj Edgecomb Edgecombe is one of the leaders for Rookie of the Year. He is averaging 15.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 43.1% from the field and 36.0% from beyond the arc. In the first 3 games against the Celtics, he averaged 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while shooting 45.8% from the field and 39.1% from beyond the arc. The Celtics need to be ready for him and defend him both in the paint and on the perimeter. If Sheierman can’t play, then Hugo Gonzalez, or Ron Harper Jr or, knowing Joe, anyone else on the team may start in his place.
Keys to the Game Defense – As always, defense is a key to winning this, and every, game. The Celtics defense has been getting better as the season has gone on. In the first 20 games of the season, the Celtics were 18th on defense. In the 2nd 20 games, they ranked 12th. In the last 16 games, they have the 3rd best defense. Overall, they are 7th with a defensive rating of 112.1. The 76ers are 16th with a defensive rating of 114.2. The Celtics must play tough lock down defense in this game if they want to beat the 76ers.
Rebound – Rebounding is also one of the biggest keys to winning every game.. The Celtics are 30-8 in games that they tie or out-rebound opponents. They are just 9-12 in games tin which they are out-rebounded. They simply have to fight harder to grab rebounds than their opponents. Every Celtic has got to crash the boards and fight for every rebound.
Move the Ball Carefully – The Celtics need to move the ball and find the open man. They play their best when they share the ball. They are 25-2 when they have more than 25 assists in a game. However, the Celtics need to take care of the basketball and limit turnovers. They have to make careful passes and also be aware while dribbling and not drive into a crowd or allow a defender to steal the ball since the 76ers average 19.2 points off turnovers per game.
Effort and Focus – The Celtics have to put out more effort in this game than the 76ers. The 76ers play hard and the Celtics have to play harder. They have to be more aggressive on the boards, in going to the basket, in diving for loose balls, and just playing harder overall. They also have to stay focused on taking good shots and making them. They can’t afford to lose focus or to allow the 76ers to play harder than them. X-Factors Home Game – The Celtics need to feed off the energy of the crowd and hopefully, the 76ers will be distracted by travel and the hostile crowd. The Celtics should also be motivated by the fact that the 76ers came into their building on opening night and beat them there. The Celtics should protect their home court and play harder because of it.
Coaching – Joe Mazzulla is in his 4th season as Celtics’ head coach. He won a title with a very talented team that was packed with shooting stars. Now he has to win in a different way since his personnel has changed and so far he is doing a great job of it. Nick Nurse is in his 8th season as a head coach overall and his 3rd as the 76ers head coach. He won a title with the Raptors in 2019. The 76ers returned their core this season and added a very talented lottery pick and so Nurse has a lot to prove with this team.
Officiating – Officiating is always an x-factor. Every crew calls the game differently. Some call it tight and call every bit of contact while others allow more physical play. Some favor the home team while others call both sides evenly. The Celtics have to adjust to the way the refs are calling the game and not allow the no calls and bad calls to affect their focus on playing the game.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey is going to have another operation on his ailing left ankle.
The 7-foot-3 Edey has been sidelined since Dec. 7 because of a stress reaction in his ankle. He is averaging 13.6 points, 11.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks over 11 games in his second season.
Edey's operation is expected to address ongoing discomfort and bone stress, according to the team. He also had surgery on his left ankle in June after he was voted to the All-Rookie first team.
The 23-year-old Edey, a two-time AP National Player of the Year at Purdue, missed 12 games early in his rookie season because of a sprained left ankle.
Edey is expected to make a full recovery, the Grizzlies said, and a timeline will be provided following his surgery.
The team also said forward Brandon Clarke will be re-evaluated in approximately two weeks. The 29-year-old Clarke has been out since Dec. 20 because of a strained right calf.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Sophie Hart scored 17 points, Amaya Battle added 10 of her 16 points in the second half and No. 22 Minnesota beat Illinois 78-73 on Sunday in the regular-season finale for both teams to clinch a double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament.
Minnesota (22-7, 13-5 Big Ten), which lost 75-61 to No. 18 Michigan State last time out, has won 10 of 11 and will be the No. 4 seed in Big Ten Tournament, which begins Wednesday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
The Gophers tied the program's single-season record for conference wins, previously set in the 1982-83 and '84-85 seasons.
Berry Wallace hit a 3-pointer before Cearah Parchment drew a charge and then scored in the post to make it 70-all with 1:01 left in the game, but Grace Grocholski, Mara Braun and Tori McKinney combined to go 8 of 8 from the free-throw line from there to seal it.
Braun had 11 points, six rebounds and five assists, Finau Tonga also scored 11 points and McKinney added 10.
Wallace led Illinois (19-10, 9-9) with 15 points while Maddie Webber and Aaliyah Guyton each scored 14. Parchment and Destiny Jackson added 13 points apiece.
Hart scored six points in a 14-3 first-quarter run that made it 16-9 with 3:24 left in the period and Minnesota never again trailed.
The Gophers used a 11-3 spurt in the second quarter to push the lead to 15 points before Illinois scored eight consecutive points to close the first half that made it 36-29 at the intermission.
Up next
Minnesota: Plays Friday in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament.
Illinois: The 10th-seeded Illini play Wednesday in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — Sydney Shaw, Kierra Wheeler, Jordan Harrison, and Gia Cooke combined for 85 points and No. 17 West Virginia hit a season-high 15 3-pointers as the Mountaineers beat Cincinnati 118-60 on Sunday in the regular-season finale for both teams.
Shaw scored a career-high 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the field, and went 6 of 9 from 3-point range. Wheeler had 21 and 10 rebounds, Harrison added 20 points and 10 assists, and Cooke scored 20. The Mountaineers (24-6, 14-4 Big 12), who scored their most points in a win since 2002, have a double-bye into the Big 12 Tournament which begins Wednesday.
West Virginia jumped ahead with an early 18-3 run, spanning most of the first quarter and carrying over into the second to take a 35-9 lead. Cincinnati (11-19, 6-12) could never find its footing, committing 18 turnovers for 25 West Virginia points.
The Bearcats were led in scoring by Mya Perry, with 19.
Up next
West Virginia: Plays Friday in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City.
Cincinnati: Will be the No. 13 seed in the Big 12 Tournament and plays Wednesday in the first round.
LAVAL, Quebec (AP) — Ann-Renée Desbiens made 17 saves for her fourth shutout of the season and the Montreal Victoire beat the Minnesota Frost 4-0 on Sunday to take the PWHL lead.
Montreal moved a point ahead of Boston in the standings. The Victoire have won five straight and eight of nine to improve to 9-3-0-5.
Maureen Murphy had a goal and an assist, Maggie Flaherty, Dara Greig and Laura Stacey also scored and Hayley Scamurra added two assists.
Montreal captain Marie-Philip Poulin returned after missing a game because of a lower-body injury sustained in the Olympics. She assisted on Stacey’s goal.
Nicole Hensley made 29 saves for Minnesota. The Frost (7-2-3-4) were playing their first game since the Olympic break.
Minnesota was 0 for 4 on the power play, including 54 seconds of 5-on-3 in the third period.
It was not only the first assist of many for the Lakers, who blew out the Warriors to get back on track after a three-game losing streak, but it also was the first road trip James had his daughter on in his career outside of All-Star Weekend.
“She’s a good luck charm,” James said of his daughter.
Austin Reaves interrupted James’ postgame media availability to joke that James’ daughter was going to Denver for the Lakers’ next road game against the Nuggets.
“Don’t say that too loud,” James said while laughing at Reaves. “Because she’ll definitely be like, ‘Dad, can I go to Denver?’ She already said, ‘When is the next road trip?’ “
James said he and his daughter visited Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge on Friday night before going out to dinner.
LeBron James had a special guest as Zhuri 11, joined her father on court pregame in the Bay! On Feb 28, 2026 NBA/X
“I miss a lot of moments spending time with my kids because of my career,” James said. “And any time I get to have — over the course of my career, any time I got moments with them either individually, two of them, three of them all together, whatever the case may be — it’s always special for me. So, to have my daughter want to come on the road and be with me (is special). Spent a lot of time (Friday). It was awesome.”
James made it clear that despite the pregame handles she showed off, his daughter is a volleyball player.
“Don’t get my wife mad — my wife is done with this basketball s— ,” said James, whose oldest son, Bronny, also plays for the Lakers and younger son, Bryce, plays collegiately at Arizona. “She’s done with it. She’s a volleyball player. But she’s been around the game for a while, so she does got good handles. She got a good form, too. But my wife ain’t playing that. Not another one.”
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 1: Landry Shamet #44 and Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks celebrates during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on March 1, 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
In a nationally televised broadcast, the Knicks (39*-22) hosted the Spurs (43-17*) for a 1 0’clock matinee today. San Antonio came into the game as the league’s hottest team, having won 11 consecutive games. Would New York be intimidated? They would not. After a low-scoring, poor-shooting first quarter, the Knicks hit the jets. Powered by Jalen Brunson (24 PTS), Mikal Bridges (25 PTS, 5 STL), and a defensive effort that held the Spurs to their fewest points of the season, the Knicks won handily, 114-89.
TomRogerAstro says, “Look at the box score! Knicks got 97 shots to their 77!” Yessir! That’s what happens when you out-rebound a team 54-41.
This masterclass had a less than promising beginning. To start the first quarter, the Knicks flailed about while the Spurs started strong. The guests opened with a 12-5 run, powered by Victor Wembanyama (25 PTS, 13 RBS) thundering in the paint, Devin Vassell (18 PTS) creating havoc on both ends, and De’Aaron Fox (7 PTS, 6 AST) pushing the tempo. Not a great first impression for our heroes.
Out of a timeout, the Knicks ran two plays for Karl-Anthony Towns (12 PTS, 14 RBS) to attack the lane—one successful, one not. Searching elsewhere for a spark, coach Mike Brown soon replaced Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Towns with Landry Shamet (7 PTS), Mohamed Diawara (14 PTS, 4 RBS, 4-of-13 3PT), and Mitchell Robinson (4 PTS, 5 RBS, 1 BLK). By the 1:30 mark, though, New York trailed 21-14. Then Dylan Harper flagrantly violated Brunson’s landing zone and ignited the Burner! Jalen converted 2-of-3 free throws, followed by a floater-and-one, and capped his run with a 25-footer. J.B. finished the frame with 11 points, the sole Knick with more than two so far. Despite hitting 8-of-23 from the field and 2-of-9 from deep, New York won the quarter 22-21. Jalen finished the game with 24 points on 7-of-16 shooting, plus seven assists.
That marked New York’s lowest-scoring first quarter since their March 6 game in Detroit, when they managed just 17 points. Although that sounds worrisome, consider that San Antonio’s 21 was their second-lowest Q1 total of the season. It’s safe to say that both teams took a while to loosen up for the early tip-off.
Once they found their footing, the Knicks went kaboom. They rode a 34-6 run from the end of the first quarter into the second, building a 14-point lead by midway through Q2. Stunned? Me, too. Bridges set the tone with a steal-and-score, a transition finish, and a three-pointer, while KAT hit the glass, scored inside, and facilitated from the post. New York’s defense tightened, too, generating multiple forced turnovers, deflections, and steals.
San Antonio responded by cranking up their ball pressure, creating a few steals and deflections. Once Wembanyama returned from a break, he stretched the floor with a pull-up three and finished at the rim. Still, his squad’s poor shooting and rebounding kept them on their heels, and by halftime, New York led 51-41.
That was the lowest-scoring first-half the season for San Antonio. The home team had shot better overall (43% to 37%), were slightly more effective from three (30% to 26%), and dominated the glass 27-20. Further, they had a 22-16 advantage in the paint and 14 fast-break points. Brunson led all first-half scorers with 16; Wemby had 13 for the Texans.
In the locker room, the Spurs revised their game plan: more double-teams and more touches for Wembanyama. The strategy produced mixed results. San Antonio chipped away at the deficit, but a Nova-themed response from Brunson, Josh Hart, and Bridges forced the lead back into double-digits.
Indeed, for every Spurs punch, there came a Knicks counterpunch. After Fox hit a three to trim it to 61–51, Bridges answered with a three of his own, and Towns threw down a thunderous transition dunk. Vassell and Wembanyama shouldered most of the visitors’ offensive load, while Mitchell Robinson continued to bully their frontcourt.
San Antonio stayed competitive behind Wembanyama—a backdoor layup, a late dunk—plus a Barnes three near the buzzer. But Bridges was on a heater and carrying the Knicks. Mikal poured in more buckets, stole more steals, and refused to be contained.
With five seconds left in the quarter, Jose Alvarado made a free throw. On the ensuing inbound, Wembanyama inexplicably passed the ball directly to the Spurs bench for his sixth turnover of the game—a moment that seemed to encapsulate San Antonio’s afternoon. Heading into the fourth, the Knicks led 80–69.
The Knicks opened the final frame on a 17-9 run. Diawara hit a three and a midrange jumper, Anunoby drilled a three, and Towns controlled the glass with a putback and two free throws. San Antonio still struggled to convert on offense, and Bridges picked their pocket for another score. Their advantage reached 16, and then 22 by mid-frame, as all of the Knicks got in on the scoring bonanza. From there, it was all maintenance. With two-ish minutes remaining, Mike Brown sent in the reserves and gave the main guys a well-deserved rest. Mark this one as a contender for game of the year, fans.
Up Next
On to Toronto for a tilt on Tuesday. Safe travels, Knickerbockers.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 01: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the first quarter of the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 01, 2026 in New York City. 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 Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jeremy Sochan got revenge and barely had to stand up, as the San Antonio Spurs got humbled and had their 11-game win streak snapped on national TV. It was their first game back at Madison Square Garden since Victor Wembanyama set it on fire in a close, losing effort in last season’s Christmas Day game.
Neither side was shooting well early, yet Wembanyama’s defense set the mood, altering shots and poking balls loose. The Spurs raced out to a 12-point lead within the first eight minutes after pushing the pace and exposing the perimeter, but they loosened up when Wembanyama rested, ending the frame down a point thanks to Jalen Brunson going wild, careless turnovers and fouls.
New York’s avalanche extended to a 29-4 run between the first and second quarters, as the Spurs’ offense fractured. Their first bench points came with six minutes to go in the half, and that showed a faint sign of a heartbeat, which Wemby soon cranked up with a seven-point burst.
They went to intermission down 10 (scoring a season low of 41) with their biggest problems being unable to guard penetration, getting outrebounded, and their ball movement being below par.
The Spurs subsequently got some help in the third quarter with Karl-Anthony Towns picking up two fouls in 93 seconds, and Devin Vassell plus Wemby combining for combining for five baskets, yet they were still sloppy, picking up turnovers and giving up second-chance points. The Spurs even did that thing again: giving their supporters hope off a few minutes of competent play. It included Castle’s hustle reinvigorating them, but their help defense kept getting exposed.
The Knicks followed up taking charge fouls, forcing turnovers and smacking them with more threes, which forced to the Spurs to mix in a zone defense. Wembanyama took a rest early in the period and he came back after the hosts made an extra dent. The Spurs later submitted with fewer than four minutes left.
Observations
The Knicks have some muscle, and they played fearlessly against the team that had the biggest target on its back. They put the most pressure on the ball, were nastier on the glass, and made life difficult in the paint. The Spurs got within striking distance in the second half, but weren’t able to get over the hump. They finished scoring 92.7 points per 100 possessions, good enough for the third percentile, per Cleaning the Glass.
Wembanyama was the only Spur who showed up prepared and scored in double figures in the first half. The others were too willing to go one-on-one or take tough shots, and they defended in third gear. Still, it wasn’t all great for Wemby as he finished with seven turnovers and logged an abysmal 3-point shooting percentage (16.7). Aside from him, Vassell and Castle were the only ones in to score in double figures.
Brunson and Towns are two weak defenders, and the Spurs didn’t put them in screen rolls enough. Consider how Towns cannot guard at the level of the screen, giving the ball handler too much space.
Blocks can be mentally devastating for the player denied because they start attacking less forcefully or stick to the perimeter. Castle boldly attempted a jam, getting stopped by OG Anunoby early, and only took two more shots in the lane by intermission. Then he made four shots in six attempts in the second half.
Jon Gruden has told a great story of Peyton Manning jogging up the sidelines, incredulously asking, “Are you out of your [expletive] mind,” after blitzing him? It’s exactly what raced through my mind when Josh Hart challenged Wemby, getting his shot swatted like a mosquito with a flyswatter.
It was a rough afternoon for Dylan Harper, who picked up two fouls within six minutes by lunging at a 3-point shooter and brushing up on the ball handler after biting on a fake. Still, he’s a rookie, so he gets somewhat of a pass, but De’Aaron Fox gets none. He committed the cardinal sin of fouling Brunson on a 3-point attempt in the fourth quarter, which extended New York’s lead to 21.
This was a statement that they can still compete with — and take command of — the NBA’s best.
Before and during that Cup triumph, the Knicks looked like bona fide contenders.
But too often since that game, the Knicks were concerningly missing that identity — particularly against other supposed contenders.
Knicks guard Jalen Brunson reacts after hitting a 3-pointer during a win over the Spurs at MSG on March 1, 2026. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
Sunday, though, it reemerged.
Brunson, after missing his first three shots from the field, scored the last 11 Knicks points to end the first quarter and they somehow carried a one-point lead into the second quarter.
Five of those points came on a five-point possession, when Brunson drew a flagrant foul on Dylan Harper while taking a 3-pointer — he hit two of three free throws, then after the Knicks kept possession, had an and-one, on Harper again.
Knicks wing Mikal Bridges (25) dunks over the Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama (1) on March 1, 2026. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
Then the Knicks opened the second quarter on an 11-0 run — part of 19-0 and 26-2 runs spanning back to the first quarter — to take a 12-point lead before the Spurs called timeout.
That 19-0 run was the longest unanswered run allowed by the Spurs this season.
The Knicks shot 52.2 percent from the field during a red-hot second quarter and entered halftime up 10.
Their lead never went below eight points the rest of the way.
“We started taking the right shots,” coach Mike Brown said. “I told our guys ‘let that thing fly.’ Once we started letting it fly, good things started to happen.”
Mikal Bridges in the third quarter picked up where Brunson, who finished with 24 points, left off in the first half.
He delivered one of his most efficient shooting performances of the year, recording a team-high 25 points.
He went 10-for-17 from the field and 5-for-9 from 3-point range, 14 of those points came in the third quarter as the Knicks largely traded baskets with the Spurs, maintaining their lead.
“We’ve got a lot of guys who can score, so sometimes the touches might be limited,” Bridges said. “Just control what I can control, and that’s bringing energy on both ends and trying to make the right read and be aggressive.”
He also had five steals — he picked off Harper’s pass and dunked on the other end midway through the fourth quarter to increase the Knicks lead to 18 points.
Then Bridges picked off De’Aaron Fox’s pass later in the quarter and set up Landry Shamet for a dunk, increasing the lead to 19 points and providing an exclamation point.
“Sometimes, the ball has energy to it,” Josh Hart said of Bridges. “He was able to knock down some of those shots, get involved and then defensively he was able to play the passing lanes, you saw that today. It’s great to really get him going.”
On the other end, it was one of the best defensive showings of the season for the Knicks.
The 89 points were their lowest of the season for the Spurs — six points fewer than their previous low.
Victor Wembanyama, who has delivered some of the best games of his career against the Knicks, finished with 25 points.
But the Knicks didn’t let him wreck the game, as he so often does.
They had Karl-Anthony Towns match up with him on that end to start the game, then amid a big second quarter for Wembanyama, pivoted to having OG Anunoby guard him.
Towns and Anunoby mixed and matched on Wembanyama in the second half.
The Knicks also forced Wembanyama into seven turnovers.
Karl-Anthony Towns reacts after scoring during the Knicks’ win over the Spurs on March 1, 2026. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
He only had two points in the fourth quarter.
As a whole, the Knicks held the Spurs to 41.6 percent shooting from the field and 26.5 percent shooting from 3-point range.
“That’s a really good team,” Brown said. “They missed some shots, but I think our weakside defense was really good. For them to shoot 26, 27 percent from 3, our activity on the weakside was really good.”
Towns only took nine shots and finished with 12 points, but he recorded yet another double-double, adding 14 rebounds — five on the offensive glass.
The dynamic young Spurs backcourt of Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell — along with the veteran Fox — have the ability to disrupt opposing ball handlers.
But they hardly bothered Knicks guards Sunday.
Sunday’s Knicks looked like the NBA Cup Knicks.
It was a needed reminder of what this team’s ceiling is when they’re firing on all cylinders.
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Bryan Rust, Ben Kindel and Justin Brazeau each had a goal and an assist, helping the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Vegas Golden Knights 5-0 on Sunday.
Rickard Rakell and Egor Chinakhov also scored as Pittsburgh improved to 10-1-3 in its last 14 games. Erik Karlsson had two assists, and Arturs Silovs made 22 saves in his first shutout since opening night on Oct. 7 at the New York Rangers.
Vegas goaltender Adin Hill stopped 17 shots. The Golden Knights dropped to 4-7-2 in their last 13 games.
Vegas captain Mark Stone left late in the first period with an undisclosed injury. Penguins defenseman Kris Letang gave Stone a seemingly harmless shove to the left arm with his stick in the neutral zone, though it may have caught him in the gap between his elbow and shoulder pads. Stone grimaced in pain, went down to one knee and skated off.
Kindel, a first-round pick in the 2025 draft who turns 19 on April 19, scored his 15th goal with 5:04 left in the first.
The Penguins grabbed control with three more goals in the second. Rust and Rakell each scored on the power play.
Brazeau made it 5-0 with 5:01 left in the third. It was Brazeau's 16th on the season, extending his career high.
Up next
Both teams play again on Tuesday night. The Golden Knights visit Buffalo, and the Penguins are at Boston.
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — Tariq Francis scored 19 points and Rutgers, which once led by 20 points in the first half, defeated Maryland 69-65 on Sunday to sweep the season series between the teams.
Rutgers won 68-57 at home against Maryland in the other meeting this season.
Trailing by 19 at halftime, Maryland stormed back early in the second half. Elijah Saunders and Andre Mills hit 3-pointers and the Terrapins added five three throws in a 13-0 run that got them within 45-41 six minutes into the second half.
Maryland took the lead once at 48-47 and the score was tied at 54 with a little under five minutes remaining. Rutgers quickly went back ahead 60-54 and led the rest of the way. The Terrapins were within two points twice in the final half-minute but both times Rutgers delivered at the free-throw line to preserve the win.
Darren Buchanan Jr. scored 14 points and Jamichael Davis had 12 for Rutgers (12-17, 5-13 Big Ten).
Mills had 15 points and 10 rebounds and Saunders had 11 and 14 for Maryland, which had a 50-26 advantage on the boards but had 19 turnovers to six for Rutgers. Solomon Washington had 15 points and four blocks and David Coit scored 10 for the Terps (11-18, 4-14).
Maryland made only 1 of 14 3-pointers and had 14 turnovers in the first half. Rutgers had a 14-0 advantage in points after turnovers, helping the Scarlet Knights take a 39-20 halftime lead. In one eight-minute stretch the Scarlet Knights outscored the Terrapins 18-4.
The Scarlet Knights gained their second road win of the conference season.
