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Knicks unable to dig out of second-half hole for second straight night in 130-119 loss to 76ers

The Knicks chipped away at a big second-half deficit for the second consecutive game, but ultimately fell to the 76ers at the Garden, 130-119.

New York has now lost three straight games and two straight at home. The 76ers have now defeated the Knicks in both of their games this season, both at MSG. 

After not playing in the Knicks' disappointing loss to the Hawks on Friday, Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson returned to the lineup, but the size wasn't enough as the combination of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe combined for 62 points.

The last time Maxey was at the Garden (Dec. 19), the point guard posted 30 points with nine assists in the 76ers' win. Maxey one-upped himself on Saturday, scoring 36 points on 14 of 22 shooting with eight rebounds and four assists. He also had a steal and two blocks. 

Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 31 points on 10 of 21 shooting, four rebounds and four assists.

Here are the takeaways...

-It was a physical game early, with the refs swallowing their whistles for both teams -- to the chagrin of the players and coaches. The Knicks took advantage of the physicality, especially Brunson, who scored 12 points on 3-for-7 shooting and 5 of 7 from the free throw line. 

However, the 76ers shot 61 percent from the field thanks to their paint points. They only took three three-pointers in the quarter (1-for-3), with Joel Embiid (7 points), Edgecombe (7) and Maxey (6) giving Philadelphia the early 31-30 lead after one.

-Brunson was on the bench to start the second, and the combination of KAT, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Jordan Clarkson and Miles McBride was careless with the ball. The 76ers forced turnovers and frustrated Towns with their physicality, so much so that the big man picked up a technical foul with about eight minutes to go in the quarter. With Brunson on the bench, Towns forced it whenever he touched the ball, leading to turnovers and poor possessions. 

The three ball would help the Knicks cut into Philly's lead, but the 76ers used the three themselves to push their lead to double digits. A late flurry from the Knicks helped them cut their deficit to 66-58 at the half.

Brunson scored 21 points at halftime, while the only other Knick to score in double figures was Anunoby (12). Towns had just two points on 1 of 6 shooting. Philadelphia, after shooting just three threes in the first quarter, was 7 of 14 in the second and the Knicks could not adjust. Edgecombe had a team-high 18 points on 7-for-10 shooting (4 of 6 from three) in the first half. 

-The Knicks' defense continued to be porous in the third as the 76ers got whatever shot they want, building a game-high 17-point lead midway through the frame. The second group off the bench helped cut a 19-point deficit to 12 with a minute to go in the third, but Maxey's whip-around pass to former Knick Quentin Grimes for a three stopped New York's momentum. McBride made all three free throws when he was fouled taking a three as the Knicks went into the final quarter down 99-87.

-Towns' offensive game finally woke up to start the fourth as the big man went at Embiid down low to help the second unit cut the deficit to nine points. With 9:04, however, the Knicks had a chance to cut into the Philly lead even more, but Edgecombe blocked a Bridges three that led to a fastbreak, and the rookie guard finished it with a dunk to force a Mike Brown timeout. 

The Knicks tried to claw back, but Maxey wouldn't allow it. With four minutes to go, Maxey launched a deep three on a broken play in front of the Knicks bench to keep the 76ers lead in double figures. But a pair of McBride threes and some timely defense helped the Knicks cut the lead to seven with two minutes remaining.

A big offensive rebound by Paul George and a steal by Edgecombe in the final minutes sealed the game for Philadelphia.

-Embiid, who missed the last meeting, had 26 points with 10 rebounds and five assists. 

-Towns finished 23 points and 14 rebounds while Anunoby (19), Bridges (12) and McBride (20) rounded out the double-digit scoring for New York.

Game MVP: Tyrese Maxey

The young guard willed the 76ers to a win. Whenever the Knicks made their run, Maxey had an answer. 

Highlights

What's next

The Knicks hit the road after an off day on Sunday. They'll travel to Detroit to take on the No. 1 seed Pistons. Tip is set for Monday at 7 p.m.

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Mirkovic’s 13 points, 10 rebounds help No. 20 Illinois top Penn State 73-65 at Philly’s Palestra

David Mirkovic had 13 points and 10 rebounds and Kylan Boswell scored 18 points to lead No. 20 Illinois to a 73-65 win over Penn State on Saturday night at the Palestra. Keaton Wagler scored 16 points and Zvonimir Ivisic added five blocked shots for the Illini (11-3, 2-1 Big Ten) in the first of a 12-day stretch in which they play three of four conference opponents on the road. Kayden Mingo scored 16 points for a Penn State, which is trying to end a two-year run of missing the NCAA Tournament.

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Stirtz scores 27 points, No. 25 Iowa holds off a comeback try by UCLA in 2nd half for a 74-61 win

Bennett Stirtz scored 27 points and No. 25 Iowa held off a second-half comeback attempt by UCLA for a 74-61 win on Saturday. The Hawkeyes (12-2, 2-1 Big Ten) led by as many as 24 points in the first half and 20 points early in the second half before the Bruins (10-4, 2-1) stormed back. UCLA went on an 18-2 run early in the second half and closed within 61-57 with 3:13 remaining before Iowa pulled away.

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Former Flyers Defenseman Dubiously Suspended After Trade

Former Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Egor Zamula has been suspended by the Pittsburgh Penguins organization before spending a single second on the ice for his new club.

On Saturday, the AHL transactions log reflected a new entry showing that Zamula, 25, had been suspended by the AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

The ex-Flyers defender has yet to appear in a single game since being traded by Philadelphia on Dec. 31 and is currently believed to be refusing to report to the Penguins.

Zamula was officially registered as a Wilkes-Barre player the same day of the trade, per the transactions log.

Update: according to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, Zamula was suspended for failure to report.

It is worth noting that the formerly undrafted Russian recently switched agents and began being represented by Dan Milstein of Gold Star Hockey, which occurred shortly after the Flyers assigned Zamula to the AHL.

The goal, we can only assume, was to find Zamula an opportunity to play in the NHL, but that is clearly something that was not being afforded by the Penguins right away.

Flyers Defenseman Benched After Struggles, Agent's Criticism of TeamFlyers Defenseman Benched After Struggles, Agent's Criticism of TeamJust two games into the season, <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers">Philadelphia Flyers</a> defenseman Egor Zamula has already been benched for his continued struggles.

Previously, it was reported that Zamula's camp offered a mutual contract termination to the Flyers as a potential solution to the situation, but that the Flyers had preferred a trade for a player to help the organization.

They got that in Phil Tomasino, but it would appear that Zamula and/or Milstein aren't happy with the final outcome of the trade.

Earlier in the season, Penguins prospect Emil Pieniniemi had also been suspended after refusing to report to the ECHL Wheeling Nailers, though that suspension has been since lifted.

The 25-year-old Zamula has one year remaining on his contract at a $1.7 million cap hit and will be a restricted free agent at the end of the 2025-26 season.

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Sabres' Win Streak Ends At 10, But Now It's On Buffalo To Shake Off Loss And Start A New Win Streak

Jack Quinn (left); Ivan Provorov (right) -- (Russell LaBounty, USA TODAY Images)

We knew a loss for the Buffalo Sabres was coming – the Sabres weren’t going to win their final 53 games of the NHL’s current regular-season, and they fell to the last-place-in-the-Eastern-Conference Columbus Blue Jackets by a 5-1 score on Saturday. But Buffalo’s 10-game winning streak has only gotten them back in the Stanley Cup playoff conversation, as their 11-14-4 start to the season dug them a considerable hole to claw their way out from. 

And even now, after winning ten straight, the Sabres (a) are not in a playoff position, and (b) they’re only four standings points ahead of the Blue Jackets. This tells you all you need to know about the overall parity/mediocrity in the league, but it also tells you that the ultimate judgement on the Sabres’ season will be in how they respond to their loss in their latest game. 

If the Sabres suddenly swing the other way on a five-or-six-game losing streak, they’ll almost assuredly be back in the Eastern basement again, and all this goodwill they’ve built up between the start of the 10-game win streak back on Dec. 9 will melt away in the heat of fan resentment. However, if they bounce back, not only could they catch the third-place Montreal Canadiens (who are only four points ahead of Buffalo), but the second-place Tampa Bay Lightning (five points ahead of the Sabres) and first-place Detroit Red Wings (six points ahead of Buffalo) are also realistic targets for the Sabres.

So it’s not how the streak ended that’s the issue. It’s the response Buffalo has in their final 42 games that will dictate whether 14 years of fan anger will extend another year, or whether the Sabres can finally get over the hump and give their paying customers the satisfaction they’ve deserved by getting into the playoffs.

In 2026, The Goal For The Sabres Couldn't Be Clearer: It's Playoffs-Or-Bust For BuffaloIn 2026, The Goal For The Sabres Couldn't Be Clearer: It's Playoffs-Or-Bust For BuffaloThe Buffalo Sabres ended the calendar year 2025 on a high. But in 2026, Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen has to do everything in his power to get his team into the Stanley Cup playoffs and end Buffalo's 14-year playoff drought. And that means going all-in by or before the trade deadline.

As we’ve argued, Buffalo GM Jarmo Kekalainen should be going all-in on a playoff spot this season. And the good news is that the slate is now clean after this 10-game win streak. There’s no more deficit to worry about. The opportunity is there for the taking for the Sabres, and their next game – on Tuesday, against the lowly Vancouver Canucks – is one they absolutely have to win, less the worrywarts in Buffalo’s fan base have more material to dwell on.

The Sabres’ 10-game streak gave Sabres fans legitimate hope that this team may at long last be different. Now it’s on Buffalo to demonstrate they can shake off a one-off, keep their eyes on the prize, and put together win streaks on the regular the rest of the way this year.

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Steph Curry, Warriors respond again with win after another early Draymond exit

Steph Curry, Warriors respond again with win after another early Draymond exit originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – There’s a trend surrounding the Warriors that’s starting to become more noticeable than their fondness for turnovers.

With two minutes and 25 seconds remaining in the first half and the Warriors struggling in a frustrating second quarter, Draymond Green received two quick technical fouls for an automatic ejection.

Green was loud with his voice and his hands towards umpire Simone Jelks as Kyle Filipowski, whom Green was defending, clearly camped in the paint beyond the allowed three seconds. That resulted in his first tech. 

As Green turned his attention to Jelks, Lauri Markkanen went right past him for a dunk. 

Then came the second tech as Green turned his attention towards referee Kevin Cutler, who nearly instantly felt a verbal line was crossed, sending the 35-year-old back to the Warriors’ locker room for the rest of the game. The Warriors’ response on the court was just as immediate. 

Markkanen made both free throws from Green’s two techs, giving the Jazz a four-point swing and a 12-0 run. They led 60-48 after the two free throws. But whether it was a fire lit inside them or something else, the Warriors outscored the Jazz 10-5 to end the half and by 21 points the rest of the game for a 123-114 win.

Collectively, the Warriors didn’t agree with Green being tossed so quickly. And they won’t lean into the notion that the team is better without him. 

“Nah, hell nah. That ain’t the formula,” Jimmy Butler said. “No, no, no, no, no. We need Two-Three out there. When you’re a man down, you got to pick up everything. It’s generally hard to cover up what he does on both sides of the floor. …It’s so hard to do what he does. But it’s a collective effort when he’s not out there.” 

“I can tell you this: You look at Draymond’s career and he’s on the plus side in a massive way over and over again,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr added.

Nobody can take away Green’s accomplishments in a Golden State jersey. He’s a four-time champion, a future Hall of Famer, one of the most unique players in NBA history and only a handful of guys historically can be mentioned in the same breath as him defensively. 

The numbers, especially over the last month, also unveil a different picture of the current version of Green and the Warriors as a whole. 

Kerr used 11 players Saturday night, and only three had a negative plus/minus. De’Anthony Melton was a minus-3 in 25 minutes off the bench, but he stuffed the stat sheet with 13 points, seven rebounds, three 3-pointers, two assists and two steals. Rookie Will Richard was a minus-1 over 18 minutes in reserve. Both were in the positive in the second half sans Green. 

In 12 minutes before his ejection, Green was a minus-15. Since Dec. 1, he has produced a positive plus/minus twice in 11 games – once against the 12-win Charlotte Hornets, and once against the 10-win Brooklyn Nets. Overall, he now is a minus-65 in that month-long span. 

Green, in his last seven games, has been ejected twice and left the bench early in another. He hasn’t finished three of his last four home games at Chase Center. The Warriors responded to his ejection against the Phoenix Suns and were a plus-16 without him. They then outscored the Orlando Magic by 28 points after his incident with Kerr on the bench. 

Wins for the Warriors followed both times, as well as Saturday night against the Jazz. 

The saving grace one night after a 37-point trouncing from the Oklahoma City Thunder was Steph Curry’s 20-point third quarter, which also was without his running mate of the last 14 years. Curry went into the half with nine points on 2-of-7 shooting and then reeled off his latest vintage third-quarter flurry to the tune of 20 points on 6-of-8 shooting, 4 of 6 on threes and was a plus-11 in 11-plus minutes to give the Warriors a four-point lead going into the fourth quarter. 

Fans were in for a treat during that stretch. Curry pulled off both his signature look-away 3-pointer with the ball in the air in the third quarter, as well as yet another triple nearly from the logo. 

Trying to get him to pick between the two was like asking him to choose a favorite of his four children. 

“They’re both great,” Curry said, before repeating the same answer behind a smile. “They’re both great.” 

Still serving a show on a nightly basis, Curry’s longtime coach knows where the credit belongs. 

No plays need to be drawn up. Advice would be a laughing matter. Watch him let it fly and reap the rewards. 

“It wasn’t me, it wasn’t my play calls or anything. It was just Steph,” Kerr said. “That’s how good he is. 

“But again, everything felt right in the second half. The spirit, the energy, the level of competitive fight. You’re much more likely to make shots when you have that approach.”

The same spirit, energy, level of competitive fight and approach must be in conjunction with Green on the floor for the Warriors to ride the momentum they believe they’re building right now. It’s the only way to fight the narrative that matches the numbers, enjoying a win without this trend blossoming into something bigger.

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Onetime NBA draft pick James Nnaji of Baylor gets frequent boos in college debut at TCU

James Nnaji, a 2023 NBA draft pick making his college debut for Baylor, was booed when he entered the game at TCU and every time he touched the ball after that. The jeers were loud the couple of times the 7-foot center tried to protest a call, and Baylor coach Scott Drew made sure to get Nnaji out of the game after the 21-year-old Nigerian picked up a fourth foul with 4:42 remaining in the Horned Frogs' 69-63 victory in their Big 12 opener Saturday. Imagine the delight of the TCU fans — and the chagrin of the solid Baylor contingent among them in a meeting of conference rivals with campuses 100 miles apart — if Nnaji had been forced to make the walk to the bench with a fifth foul.

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Boopie and the Mustangs: SMU point guard leads the way in win over No. 12 UNC to open ACC play

Boopie and the Mustangs could become quite a hit in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Miller had 27 points on 10-of-13 shooting and tied his career high with 12 assists, Washington scored nine of the Mustangs' first 11 points after halftime Saturday to put them ahead to stay after coach Andy Enfield wasn't even sure he would be back on the court, and SMU won its ACC opener 97-83 over the No. 12 Tar Heels.