NBA: Knicks Surge, Playoff Race Heats Up – Latest News & Scores

Knicks Surge, Wolves Stun Celtics, and Jokić Continues Dominance in Sunday’s NBA Action

The Recent York Knicks extended their winning streak to six games, even as the Minnesota Timberwolves pulled off a significant road victory against the Boston Celtics on Sunday. Meanwhile, Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets continued his stellar season with another triple-double. These results, alongside other key matchups, are shaping the playoff picture with just 22 days remaining until the start of the postseason.

Knicks Keep Rolling, Top Wizards

The Knicks defeated the Washington Wizards 145-113, never trailing in a dominant performance. Karl-Anthony Towns led the way with 26 points and 16 rebounds, while Jalen Brunson added 23 points and 4 assists. Josh Hart contributed 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. New York’s offense was relentless, scoring over 32 points in each quarter and finishing with 40 points in the final frame. This victory ties the Knicks with the Celtics for second place in the Eastern Conference, though Boston currently holds the tiebreaker having played one fewer game.

Towns recorded his league-leading 50th double-double of the season, marking his sixth season reaching that milestone. The Knicks’ defensive improvements have been notable, allowing an NBA-best 105.2 points per game during their win streak. Tyler Kolek, who likewise scored 42 points and 11 dimes earlier in the day for the Westchester Knicks, New York’s G League team, added 11 points in the fourth quarter.

Timberwolves Silence Celtics in Boston

In a major upset, the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Boston Celtics 102-92 on NBC’s Sunday Night Basketball. This marked Minnesota’s first win in Boston in 7,685 days, dating back to March 6, 2005. The Timberwolves overcame a slow start, falling behind by 15 points early in the second quarter, and played without star Anthony Edwards, who is sidelined with an inflamed left knee.

Bones Hyland stepped up with 23 points, while Jaden McDaniels added 19 points and 6 rebounds. Minnesota’s defense proved crucial, holding the Celtics to their fourth-lowest point total of the season. The Timberwolves outscored Boston 26-15 in the fourth quarter, improving to 3-1 in games played without Edwards. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 29 points.

Jokić’s Triple-Double Lifts Nuggets

Nikola Jokić recorded his NBA-leading 28th triple-double of the season, finishing with 22 points, 14 rebounds, and 14 assists in the Denver Nuggets’ 128-112 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. It was his 192nd career triple-double, placing him second in NBA history. Jokić also reached his 85th triple-double through three quarters, the most since the 1997-98 season.

Jamal Murray contributed 22 points and 7 assists for the Nuggets, who had seven players score in double figures. Denver’s balanced scoring and efficient offense, leading the league in scoring (120.8 ppg) and 3-point percentage (39.2%), proved too much for Portland.

Suns Snap Losing Streak, Kings Edge Nets

The Phoenix Suns ended a five-game losing streak with a 120-98 win over the Toronto Raptors. Devin Booker scored 25 points and dished out 6 assists, while Jalen Green added 20 points and 7 assists. Collin Gillespie contributed 16 points and 4 three-pointers.

The Sacramento Kings defeated the Brooklyn Nets 126-122. Malik Monk led all scorers with 32 points, including seven three-pointers, and rookie Maxime Raynaud added a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds.

Western Conference Playoff Race Heats Up

The Western Conference playoff race is intensifying, with the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, and Los Angeles Lakers all on winning streaks. The Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, hold the best record in the West at 56-15. The Spurs, powered by Victor Wembanyama, have surged to a 21-2 record since February 1, securing a playoff berth. The Lakers, led by Luka Dončić, are on a nine-game winning streak.

Dončić is averaging an impressive 40 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 7.4 assists during the Lakers’ streak, joining Wilt Chamberlain as the only players to average 40+ points during a 9+ game run. LeBron James continues to craft history, playing in his 1,612th game on Saturday, passing Robert Parish for the most games played in NBA history.

Eastern Conference Battle Tightens

The Eastern Conference is equally competitive, with six teams separated by just 2.5 games. The Detroit Pistons lead the conference, despite recently losing Cade Cunningham to a collapsed lung, and have won three straight games, largely due to the play of Jalen Duren. The Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers are also on winning streaks, vying for playoff positioning.

Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Charlotte are also in the mix, making the race for the final playoff spots in the East incredibly tight. Jalen Johnson of the Hawks is averaging 22.7 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Quentin Grimes is leading the Sixers with 23 points per game in their recent games.

Upcoming Schedule Highlights

Tonight’s schedule features a doubleheader on Peacock, with the San Antonio Spurs visiting the Miami Heat and the Golden State Warriors facing the Dallas Mavericks. League Pass will also offer eight matchups, including the Los Angeles Lakers against the Detroit Pistons. Key games later this week include the Magic vs. Cavaliers, Nuggets vs. Suns, Hawks vs. Pistons, and Heat vs. Cavaliers.