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MILWAUKEE — The Knicks went from bricking to clicking. 

Three days after their frigid shooting night against the Cavs, the Knicks caught fire in Brew City — where it was an unseasonably warm Friday — while trouncing the Bucks without Giannis Antetokounmpo, 127-98. 

The Knicks alternated hot streaks from their three best players. Jalen Brunson owned the first quarter. Karl-Anthony Towns took over the second. OG Anunoby put the game away in the third quarter. The final 12 minutes felt like extended garbage time before the inevitable win for the Knicks (38-22), who finished 2-1 on their Midwest road trip and were happy to go home. 

“This is how we played offensively throughout most of the year,” coach Mike Brown said. “So for us to be able to space the ball correctly, make quick decisions with the basketball while touching the paint, playing off two feet, was huge. 

“We got a lot of mileage just from playing the game the right way. So I applaud our guys for playing the way they did on both sides of the ball tonight.” 

Brunson finished with 27 points and seven boards in 30 minutes. Towns, the NBA’s leader in double-doubles, had 17 points and 13 rebounds. Anunoby had his best game since returning from his toenail avulsion, scoring 24 points while shooting 5-for-7 on 3s. 

“It’s always good when you make shots,” Anunoby said. 

The Knicks needed that good result. They were coming off that disheartening defeat three nights earlier in Cleveland against a rising Finals contender. Their schedule pivots to the toughest five-game stretch of the season — v.s. San Antonio, at Toronto, vs. Oklahoma City, at Denver and at the Lakers. All those opponents are top six in their respective conferences. 

The Bucks (26-32), though, are just about average. And the conditions were ripe for a Knicks bounce-back. They had two days off before tipoff after a short flight from Cleveland.

They were fully healthy outside of Miles McBride, who spoke before the game and described his recovery from sports hernia surgery as a “slow process.” 

The Bucks, meanwhile, were again missing Antetokounmpo, the megastar who sat his 14th consecutive game with a strained hamstring. The Bucks had been playing better lately without Antetokounmpo, but they’re clearly a couple of levels lower without him. 

So the Knicks had a great opportunity Friday and took immediate advantage. They held a double-digit lead in the first quarter and led by 20 at the break. The same offense that looked broken in Cleveland was humming at Fiserv Forum. 

• CHECK OUT THE LATEST NBA STANDINGS AND KNICKS STATS

Brunson brought his chef’s hat to cook. He dropped 22 points in the opening quarter on 9-of-10 shooting with three rebounds and two assists. 

Towns picked it up in the second quarter with 12 points. The Knicks went into halftime with 77 points while shooting 60 percent on treys. 

It came after a hard and critical look at the film of the defeat to the Cavs on Tuesday, when they scored just 11 points in the third quarter — a season low for them in any quarter — while shooting 3-for-24. 

Brunson said that defeat went beyond just missed shots. 

“Let’s not be results-based. Let’s be process-based,” the point guard said. “And the process wasn’t there.” 

The process looked perfectly fine against the Bucks — Brunson’s included. 

“Our physicality offensively was there because we set screens the right way and then we played fast,” Brown gushed. “So it takes all of us to do it and when you do it and have one of those guys [like Brunson], he’s going to be able to break loose. That was good to see tonight.” 

Friday’s game between the Pistons and Cavaliers was delayed for roughly 12 minutes — all because the horn at Little Caesars Arena would not turn off.

During a timeout midway through the third quarter with the Pistons leading 65-64, an electrical malfunction caused the horn to keep running, prompting officials to stop the game until arena staff could fix the issue.

“I’m here at the scorer’s table, and there was a complete malfunction electrical-wise here,” sideline reporter Jorge Sedano said during the ESPN broadcast. “You can see this gentleman here working frantically to try and get everything reset.”

The arena horn won't turn off in Detroit pic.twitter.com/wRrWg3uCtQ

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 28, 2026

Sedano added that both the clocks and the score went out across the entire arena.

“Clearly you hear the horn still going off, and there’s a level of frustration here trying to figure that out,” he said. “I spoke to both coaching staffs — [Pistons head coach] J.B. Bickerstaff and [Cavaliers head coach] Kenny Atkinson — and asked them, ‘Guys, have you ever dealt with anything like this at any level?’

“They both shook their heads and said, ‘No, this is definitely a first.’”

According to the Associated Press, the malfunction was ultimately caused by a power surge.

Fans across the arena looked visibly frustrated — as some covered their ears — as the horn continued to blare.

The delay was also long enough that both the Pistons and Cavaliers started to warm up again until it was fixed.

The horn finally turned off after 12 minutes, which prompted a loud roar from the Detroit crowd.

“There you go,” play-by-play announcer Ryan Ruocco said on the broadcast once the horn turned off. “The horn is stopped, and the fans applaud.”

For the remainder of the game, the scoring crew was tasked with using a manual airhorn while the arena was without the main scoreboard.

Tonight at the Fiserv Forum, the visiting Knicks (38*-22) took on the suddenly hot Bucks (26-32), which we never saw coming given their gawky adolescent phase. Without Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Deer had won eight of ten and clipped some of the league’s best along the way. Conversely, the unpredictable Knicks had alternated between world-beaters and egg-beaters since the All-Star break. Which Knicks team would show up for the last night of their three-game road trip? The winning one! Final score, 127-98.

The Knicks started slow, but then blasted off behind Jalen Brunson’s 22-point first quarter. J.B. mixed it up with jumpers, multiple triples, and free throws, missing only one of his 10 field goal attempts. His roomie Josh Hart provided a three, a transition finish, and a block that sparked an improved defensive effort that included steals from OG Anunoby (24 PTS, 5-7 3PT, 2 STL) and Mikal Bridges (10 PTS, 2 STL, 2 BLK).

Milwaukee tried to stay competitive with buckets from Ryan Rollins (13 PTS) and Myles Turner (19 PTS, 4 RBS), but they mostly huffed New York’s exhaust. Although Karl-Anthony Towns (17 PTS, 13 RBS) was scoreless in the quarter, the ‘Bockers whupped the home team in the paint (12-2), shot 6-of-9 from deep, and committed just one turnover to Milwaukee’s five. Heading into the second frame, their lead was 38-30.

Congratulations to Cap for scoring 7,000 points as a Knick and doing so in 265 games. He finished the night with 27 points on 11-of-17 from the field, 4-of-6 from deep.

To open the second period, coach Mike Brown went with Jose Alvarado (7 PTS, 5 AST), Bridges, Mohamed Diawara (10 PTS), Anunoby, and Towns. Mo buried a three to cap an 8–0 run and strengthen the case for more playing time . . . then the rook picked up two fouls and prompted Brown to try the Towns-Mitchell Robinson attack instead. Karl finally registered on the scoresheet, and although Porter answered with a few midrange jumpers, Milwaukee couldn’t trim their deficit to single digits.

When Brunson returned, the Knicks rolled on. They incinerated the nets, and their defense put the hammer down, with steals, deflections, rebounds, and blocks. A late 10-0 run pushed New York’s lead to 20 and forced coach Doc Rivers to call a third timeout. After that, KAT and Landry Shamet (15 PTS) stepped into the scoring spotlight, and by intermission, New York was up 77-57. That’s their second-highest scoring first-half total of the season.

The Knicks cruised through the half by shooting 61% from the field (59% from three, 13-of-22), limiting the Bucks to 54% overall, forcing nine turnovers that led to 14 points the other way, and scoring 18 fast-break points. They doubled Milwaukee in the paint (24-12), dished 20 assists on 28 makes, and blocked four shots. Milwaukee had zero steals. After two quarters, Brunson led all scorers with 25 points, and Turner had 18 for the home team.

OG Anunoby hit three three-pointers for the Knicks’ first nine points of the second half and scored 15 in the quarter. Soon after OG’s explosion, Brunson got dinged for his first technical foul of the year when AJ Green violated his landing space, but no whistle blew. Things got a little wobbly for our heroes. The Bucks cut a 24-point deficit to 15 thanks to nine points by Kyle Kuzma. Rather than losing their grip on the rope, New York regained it by returning to the tactics that had worked so well earlier—great defense, ball movement, and shot selection. In a flash, they went up by 22 again. Porter and Kuzma hit back-to-back longballs, but their spark never caught fire.

To close out the quarter, Mitch blocked Portis, and Diawara sank two freebies, giving the visitors a 103-83 advantage.

The fourth quarter began with five more points from Diawara and another Anunoby trey. Milwaukee got some push from Portis and Cam Thomas, but Bridges took his turn, splashing in some buckets to stretch the lead to 29.

With the game well in hand, both teams emptied their benches around the 6:13 mark. Tyler Kolek received a nice ovation. Jeremy Sochan, Ariel Hukporti, Trey Jemison, and Jordan Clarkson also checked in for New York, while Gary Trent, Jr. and Thanasis Antetokounmpo stretched their legs for Milwaukee. From there, it was all cardio. Great game, and just when we forgot how enjoyable easy wins are.

Up Next

Back to MSG to host the San Antonio Spurs in an early matinee. Safe travels, Knickerbockers.

Box Score

* Should be one more, but what NBA Cup Final?

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Alex Lyon made 27 saves to beat his former Florida teammates for the second this month, helping the Buffalo Sabres top the Panthers 3-2 on Friday night for their eighth victory in 11 games.

Lyon played for the Panthers during the 2022-23 season. He has won two of his past four starts — both against Florida.

Beck Malenstyn gave Buffalo a 2-1 lead with 8:22 left, sending a slap shot from the point through traffic and past Daniil Tarasov. Florida challenged for goalie interference after Buffalo defenseman Mattias Samuelsson’s stick made contact with Tarasov’s glove, but the goal stood.

The Sabres won 2-1 at New Jersey on Wednesday night in their return from the Olympic break. They are tied with Detroit for second place in the Atlantic Division. Buffalo has missed the playoffs an NHL-record 14 straight years.

The two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers are in serious danger of missing the playoffs. Florida, which has lost six of its past eight, is eight points behind Boston for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with 23 games left.

Alex Tuch and Peyton Krebs also scored for Buffalo. Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett scored for Florida.

Buffalo got a needed insurance goal with 1:17 remaining on an empty-netter from Krebs. Florida cut it to a goal with 35 seconds left when Bennett’s shot went off the post and Buffalo defenseman Rasmus Dahlin inadvertently swept the puck in off of Lyon.

Florida played much of the game without defenseman Uvis Balinskis who blocked a shot late in the first period. After coming off the ice to get treated, Balinskis returned and played one more shift. He only played two in the second and did not come out for the third.

Up next

Sabres: At Tampa Bay on Saturday.

Panthers: At the New York Islanders on Sunday.

Up next

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhla

When the Brooklyn Nets first played the Boston Celtics this season, I wrote about how both teams were at or near the same competitive skill level. After all, it was way back in late November and Boston was a mediocre 7-7. They sat just two spots ahead in of Brooklyn in the East, and were still looking to find rhythm with a newly reconstructed roster.

What a stupid, hilarious assertion.

In the time since, Brooklyn’s been the Yin to Boston’s Yang. They’ve gone 13-31 while Boston’s gone 30-13. The Celtics are now knocking on the postseason door for a 12th straight season, while the Nets are knocking on heaven’s.

Sometimes, you just have to say it when you can.

But tonight, the Nets certainly couldn’t, not that I or anyone expected them to be able to. Brooklyn fell behind quickly in game no. 59. They turned it over three times in the contest’s first three minutes. The Celtics did what they do, and have somehow continued to do for years even with significant roster turnover — beginning the game 6-6 from deep. For Brooklyn, it would only get worse defensively from beyond the arc, but more on that later.

Josh Minott also played his first non-garbage time minutes in the first for the Nets. While Boston remained ahead during them, they gave us the only bit of basketball we could celebrate tonight. Early on, the 23-year-old put the athleticism that always made him an intriguing prospect on full display while creating for himself and others….

Seconds after soaring past Hugo González for a jam on the break, he went over Nikola Vučević and Day’Ron Sharpe for two more just before the horn. Minott finished with nine points and two rebounds in 16 minutes of play while shooting 4-7 from the field.

Following their new teammate’s lead, Brooklyn kept attacking the paint in the first half, even as Boston continued to advertise the 3-pointer as a viable offensive weapon. The Nets outscored the Celtics inside 32-22 in the first half. They pushed to the cylinder anytime they could on the break and weren’t bashful about attacking known rim-receptionist Vučević in the halfcourt either.

And while the Celtics still led at halftime by a 66-57 margin, shooting 12-20 from deep by that point, Brooklyn seemed to be making progress. Just 24 hours removed from a game where they lost the turnover battle 15-8 and finished -10 in points off them, they were winning it 8-4 and with a +6 advantage through two vs Boston. They also put the Celtics at the line for just 11 first half shots after giving San Antonio 21 attempts in the first half last night.

Nevertheless, Boston started the second half 5-5 from the field, jumping up by two touchdowns less than three minutes into the third. The Boston three-party raged on in the process. The Celtics went 5-7 from deep in the period, hitting skip passes and leveraging around screens like a well-oiled machine they are.

Between a quick five from Egor Dëmin, who was scoreless in the first half, and Nolan Traoré probing and creating, the Nets tried to hang around, but if they did, it was only by a coogi thread.

Brooklyn went into the fourth down 109-83. Then, after the Celtics started a perfect 4-4 from the field again, they were down 117-83.

So, that meant extended garbage time, and a look at a Net with even less experience here than Minott. This morning, Brooklyn signed rookie Grant Nelson to a 10-day contract. The Alabama product checked in with 9:50 remaining. He ended up tallying three points, dishing four assists, and blocking two shots.

That burn gave him 60 minutes played in three games in two leagues in three days. I think he’ll sleep well tonight.

Ben Saraf, who the Nets swapped in from Long Island with Drake Powell, also logged nine minutes down the stretch. His first few weren’t as memorable as Nelson’s, as he got called for an illegal screen just seconds after checking in. However, he did rebound, putting in seven points while shooting 3-3 from the field. Ochai Agbaji and Danny Wolf also combined for 15 points on 6-11 shooting in the fourth.

An honest man would remind you that all that production came against Boston’s deep bench guys, but the ultimate beat down Boston delivered should be sobering enough on its own. The Celtics had a magnet ball that never lost its pull, even as Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard tested it with “heat check” heaves. Those two combined for 50 points on 18-24 shooting from the field and 8-9 from three. Pritchard finished as a +40 in 28 minutes.

Even Ron Harper Jr., who’s appeared in just 14 games and 11-42 from deep this year, dusted himself off, came in, and buried a three in the final two minutes. The Celtics collectively shot a ludicrous 22-34 from three.

“Better technique, better knowing who the personnel is,” Fernandez said postgame. “And obviously, you know we were not good enough. When you shoot 49% from the field, 40% from three, and you turn over 11 times, you should be able to give yourself a chance or fight. And it was like a really, really poor defensive game, probably the worst of the season, and I know we’ve shown better. So there’s something for me to fight for.”

Fernández often talks about wanting to see that “fight” from his players. It felt like he missed that tonight, and it’s hard to argue otherwise.

“Yeah, it was a complete-on quit, when you lose by almost 40 points,“ he said. ”They scored 82 points in one half of basketball. Obviously, give them credit because they’re very good team, but we can be better than this.“

Final: Boston Celtics 148, Brooklyn Nets 111

Milestone Watch

Not much going on. Grant Nelson played three games in three days: with the Long Island Nets Wednesday and Thursday and tonight for Brooklyn. He played a little less than 50 minutes.

Meanwhile, over at Tankathon, the Nets are still third in lottery chances, but they’re now a half game out of second.

Next Up

The Nets will host the Cleveland Cavaliers for a third and final time this season at the Barclays Center on Sunday afternoon. Brooklyn hasn’t beat the Cavs since their hold skipper Kenny Atkinson took over the team in in 2024. This one tips off at 3:30 p.m. ET.

• Boxscore: Boston Celtics 148, Brooklyn Nets 111 – NBA
• Game Highlights: Boston Celtics 148, Brooklyn Nets 111 (Video) – NBA
• Jordi Fernandez PostGame Interview (Video) – YES Network
• Brown, Vucevic score 28, Celtics shoot season-high 66% in a 148-111 win over the Nets – Kyle Hightower – AP
• Nets have no answers for scorching-hot Celtics in worst defensive game of the year – Brian Lewis – New York Post
• Josh Minott flashes vs. former team, but Celtics’ 3-point barrage buries Nets in 37-point loss ($) – C.J. Holmes – New York Daily News
• Nets’ Michael Porter Jr. drops 18 in 148-111 loss at Celtics – Sharif Phillips-Keaton – USA TODAY

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — The Alabama Supreme Court has denied a request by former professional basketball player Charles Bediako to play for the University of Alabama again this season while he appeals his eligibility case against the NCAA.

According to online court records, the high court on Friday denied Bediako's emergency motion for an interim injunction so he could play again for the Crimson Tide. Bediako said an expedited decision was needed because the end of the regular season and postseason tournaments are fast approaching.

An email seeking comment was left with Bediako’s lawyer after regular business hours on Friday.

Bediako, who played in the NBA G League, on Monday filed an appeal of Tuscaloosa Circuit Court Judge Daniel Pruet’s recent decision that ended Bediako's temporary playing status with the University of Alabama.

Bediako, a 7-foot center from Canada, spent two seasons (2021-23) at Alabama, averaging 6.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks, and helped the Crimson Tide make the NCAA Tournament both years. He wasn’t selected in the 2023 NBA draft, but played three years in the G League, the NBA's minor league.

He filed a lawsuit against the NCAA after it denied Alabama’s request to allow him to return to collegiate competition this season. His lawyers argued that Bediako remains within his five-year college eligibility window. NCAA President Charlie Baker and SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey have opposed Bediako’s reinstatement.

A judge, who later recused himself from the case, issued a temporary restraining order that allowed Bediako to play while the case moved forward. He ended up playing in five games. But Pruet on Feb. 9 ruled against Bediako, writing that the player “failed to demonstrate that he is entitled to the injunctive relief that he seeks.”

Bediako has been playing for Canada in FIBA World Cup qualifiers, including in Thursday's 96-85 win over Puerto Rico.

Alabama’s regular season ends on March 7. The SEC men’s basketball tournament takes place in mid-March, and the NCAA Tournament will be held from March 17-April 6.

___

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The Nets had come into TD Garden losers of 6 in a row on Friday night, they left losers of 7 in a row. The Celtics beat the Nets in blowout fashion, 148-111 behind a big 28 point game from Jaylen Brown.

Only Jayson Tatum missed this one for the Celtics. They started the group that has become the usuals; Derrick White, Baylor Scheierman, Sam Hauser, Jaylen Brown and Neemias Queta. Brooklyn, meanwhile, had no one missing on the injury report. They started Egor Demin, Nolan Traore, Michael Porter Jr., Noah Clowney and Nic Claxton.

The Nets have beaten the Celtics once already and the last time these two teams played, it went to 2OT. Brooklyn had given Boston problems this year so it was important that the Celtics brought the energy for 48 minutes. Especially since it was the first home game back off of a west coast trip.

Spoiler alert: they didn’t give the Celtics any problems on Friday.

The Celtics were hot from there early, making their first 5 makes and going 8/10 from the field. However, Brooklyn was able to hang around because Boston could not get a stop as the Nets started the game 7/11 themselves.

Former Celtic Josh Minott checked into the game for the Nets in the first quarter. He had 4 points and a huge poster dunk on Hugo Gonzalez in the period.

HUGE Josh Minott dunk, I miss him and am going to post his highlights too pic.twitter.com/DBEplaXG2b

— Danielle Hobeika (@DanielleHobeika) February 28, 2026

The Celtics led 35-32 at the end of the first quarter. They went 6/7 from three point range with the only miss being a Gonzalez heave at the end of the quarter. Nikola Vucevic led the way with 10 points and 5 rebounds off of the bench.

Boston’s defense was lacking in the first half. Entering Friday’s game, the Celtics had the best defense in the league over the past 1o games.

look at the celtics defense https://t.co/tJqxbJdc10

— jack (@janderson22_) February 27, 2026

However, Brooklyn was getting whatever they wanted throughout the half. Finishing with 32 points in the paint for the half.

The Celtics still led 66-57 after the half. Jaylen Brown led the team with 14 points to go along with 5 rebounds and 4 assists while Nikola Vucevic had 12 points and 7 rebounds.

Neither team could get a stop for a lot of the third quarter as well. The Celtic stayed hot from three as they were 16/26 from three for the game in the middle of the third quarter as they took their largest lead of the night.

They never looked back.

A 27-7 run gave the Celtics a 109-83 cushion at the end of the third quarter. Jaylen Brown led the team with 28 points while Nikola Vucevic had 24 and 10 off of the bench and was a +25 in the game.

The lead ballooned to 34 points in the 4th quarter as Payton Pritchard put in a nice layup leading to a Brooklyn timeout.

Jaylen Brown finished the game with 28 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds. He was dominant throughout the game shooting 9/12 from the field and 4/4 from three. Meanwhile, Nikola Vucevic finished with 25 points and 11 rebounds and Payton Pritchard scored 22 points and was a +40 for the game.

The Celtics shot an astronomical 67% from the field and 65% from three while Brooklyn shot 49% from the field and 41% from three. Boston’s next game is Sunday night at 8 EST against the 76ers from TD Garden.

The good thing about the Lakers is that when things are going well, the attention the franchise receives is more than virtually anyone else in sports gets.

However, the other side of that coin is that when losses are piling up, the media frenzy is just as loud, perhaps even louder.

After the Lakers lost to the Suns, head coach JJ Redick discussed the negativity that comes with being the most popular basketball team on Earth.

Whether fair or not, the standard in Los Angeles is to win all the time, with no exceptions or grace allowed. So, when fans or the media can’t see the path towards a title, the blame game begins and that’s a contest no one can win.

Simply put, the Lakers, given the size of their fanbase and the amount of national TV games they play, aren’t allowed to struggle quietly. If something is going wrong in LA, it will be broadcast on every show, podcast and website imaginable.

It also doesn’t help that the Lakers are playing poorly.

During this losing streak, the Lakers have been blown out by the Celtics, lost to a Magic team missing key players, and failed to generate any stops in the fourth quarter against Phoenix.

When you have awful losses on the largest stage, it’s going to get people talking about your flaws ad nauseam.

As Don Draper said in the television show “Mad Men,” “If you don’t like what’s being said, change the conversation.”

The only way the Lakers can do that is by winning games. And the path towards that is fixing the defense, optimizing the offense and getting the trio of LeBron James, Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves all playing well together.

Also, there are only 20-plus games left to get that done. So, yeah, the 2025-26 Lakers might be cooked.

But yes, Redick is right. It does get loud in LA.

Hopefully, one day, the noise is about the team going on a title run, and the conversation is about how the Lakers have one of the best run franchises in the NBA.

Right now, the dialogue is much darker. And no matter how loud the noise is, the play on the court warrants the criticisms.

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

Ahead of their Saturday showdown at Rupp Arena, the Kentucky Wildcats and Vanderbilt Commodores have unveiled their SEC Injury Report.

For Kentucky, you will be absolutely stunned and shocked to hear that Jayden Quaintance, Jaland Lowe, and Kam Williams all remain out. Williams is out of a walking boot, and Mark Pope is keeping the faith that the sophomore guard can return toward the end of this season, but it’s far from a certainty.

For the Commodores, starting guard Frankie Collins remains out, though he hasn’t played since December 17, so Vandy is plenty used to being without him.

Only one other player is on the injury report, and that’s reserve guard Mike James, who is doubtful to play. The former Louisville guard is averaging just 1.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in 11.1 minutes per game.

Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt Injury Report

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