Category: Basketball

Basketball News

Posted on

Seven ejected as Timberwolves, Pistons altercation spills into front row

Detroit Pistons v Minnesota Timberwolves

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 30: Ronald Holland II #00 of the Detroit Pistons and Donte DiVincenzo #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves fight in the second quarter. Holland II and DiVincenzo were ejected from the game at Target Center on March 30, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Berding/Getty Images)

Getty Images

That really escalated quickly. I mean, that really got out of hand fast.

There had been rising tension between the Pistons and Timberwolves for a few plays, with both Donte DiVincenzo and Rudy Gobert having words with Isaiah Stewart. Then, in the middle of the second quarter, Naz Ried drove the lane and was fouled by Pistons rookie Ron Holland. Reid confronted Holland and pointed at him, Donte DiVincenzo stepped in to support Reid (he didn't want a part of Stewart but jumped in on the rookie) and suddenly it was on — and spilling into the first row.

These videos show some of the tension building up, and then the fight.

After a fairly lengthy review, the referees came down hard. For Minnesota, Reid, DiVincenzo, and assistant coach Pablo Prigioni were all ejected. For Detroit, Holland, coach J.B. Bickerstaff, Isaiah Stewart and Marcus Sasser were ejected. That is seven people in total, although it's questionable what Holland did that earned an ejection (it was a common foul, then Reid and DiVincenzo escalated things).

Luke Walton took over coaching the Pistons for the rest of the game but did not pick up a win. Minnesota got the victory 123-104 behind 26 points from Julius Randle and 25 from Anthony Edwards. The Pistons were without Cade Cunningham for this one.

Fines and suspensions are coming for both teams at a time neither needs a setback. Detroit is currently the No. 6 seed in the East, with a 1.5 game lead over the Bucks to keep that spot so they are still looking to rack up wins. Minnesota may need wins more as they sit No. 7 in the West, but are just 1.5 games back on No. 5 seed Memphis, and they are just half a game up on the No. 8 seed Clippers (just three games separate the Lakers at No. 4 and the Clippers at No. 8, every team in that group needs wins to hold their position or improve it).

Posted on

Knicks overcome Trail Blazers as OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges step up

The Knicks, who hope to get Jalen Brunson back from injury soon, overcame an off night by Karl-Anthony Towns as OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges combined for 56 points in Sunday's 110-93 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Takeaways

  1. Deni Avidija dropped a game-high 33 points, and the Knicks (47-27) needed someone to keep up -- especially with Towns struggling. New York got a pair of team-high scorers as Anunoby and Bridges rose to the occasion, contributing 28 points apiece. Anunoby and Bridges were a combined 23-of-38 shooting in 37 and 40 respective minutes.
  2. The same could be said with Anunoby and Bridges leading the charge on the other end of the floor in the second half, where the Knicks held Portland (32-43) to 35 points. Initially, New York trailed 58-50 at halftime and by a largest deficit of 14 points (68-54 with roughly eight minutes into the third quarter). In a game where the Knicks lacked the offensive firepower from Towns, who finished with 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting over 32 minutes despite a double-double via 11 rebounds, New York's wing-anchored defense clamped the Blazers down the decisive stretch.
  3. Totaling 14 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, Josh Hart flirted with a triple-double in 38 minutes while making the plays that mattered late as the Knicks pushed a double-digit lead into the final three minutes. New York needed Hart to hit another gear.
  4. The Knicks are 20 games over .500 for the first time since early March. They were 40-20 after their March 2 game at the Miami Heat, a 116-112 overtime win. New York ends this month with a 7-5 record in the absence of Brunson, who started missing games March 7.

Who's the MVP?

Anunoby and Bridges, who gave the Knicks the two-way play that they needed to mount their comeback and eventual 17-point win.

What's next

The Knicks return to action in Tuesday's 7:30 p.m. game against the Philadelphia 76ers.