Starting 5, Mar. 2: Knicks snap Spurs’ streak, SGA sparks OKC, Pistons & C’s stay winning & what’s trending

Fifty-nine straight road games with 20+ points, passing Wilt for the longest such streak all-time.

One road poster, reminding the league that the reigning Kia MVP is all the way back.

SGA hasn’t missed a beat in his return for the West-best Thunder, who are picking up steam with the Playoff push at a full sprint.

See what else is trending around the league with the regular-season finale just 41 days away ⬇️

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5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀

Mar. 2, 2026

Sunday’s Best: Knicks make statement against Spurs, Thunder & Pistons heat up atop the standings

Full Stride: Wolves climb to No. 4 out West, Celtics surge, Harden boosts Cavs

California Dubs: Luka & LeBron fuel Lakers, Clippers keep climbing

Roundup: Hawks win fourth straight, Bulls end slide in style, Grizzlies win

What’s Trending & What’s Next: Two key national games tonight tip off a critical week

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BUT FIRST … ⏰

Monday means more hoops…

Four games tip off tonight, including the Celtics visiting the Bucks on NBA TV (7:30 ET | Tap to Watch), before the Warriors host the Clippers on Peacock (10 ET | Tap to Watch).

Throwback Tuesday On NBC: NBC’s Coast 2 Coast Tuesday will feature a special throwback broadcast for the Spurs-76ers game (8 ET), including the return of Bob Costas, Doug Collins and Mike Fratello and other notable NBC voices from the 1990s and 2000s. See Section 5 for more.

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1. SUNDAY’S BEST: KNICKS SLOW SPURS, THUNDER & PISTONS WIN AGAIN

After an unbeaten February, the Spurs entered Sunday’s ABC showdown at MSG riding 11 straight victories, their longest win streak since 2015-16.

But to open March, it was the Knicks who marched to a statement win against the hottest team in hoops.

Knicks 114, Spurs 89: Victor Wembanyama continued to shine with 25 points, 13 boards, 4 blocks and 1 poster, but Mikal Bridges (25 pts, 5 stl, 5 3s), Jalen Brunson (24 pts, 7 ast) and the Knicks were too much, as New York pulled away to hand San Antonio its first loss since Jan. 31. | Recap

• NY Heat: Brunson scored 16 in the 1st half as New York entered the break up 10 and never trailed again, improving to 14-4 in its last 18 games
• NY Clamps: Over that span, the Knicks rank 1st in DefRtg, and it showed Sunday, holding the Spurs to a season-low in points in their largest loss of the season
• Wemby’s Block Party: Despite the defeat, Wemby became the fourth player in NBA history to record 100 career games with 3+ blocks before turning 23, joining Josh Smith, Shaquille O’Neal and Anthony Davis
• Races At The Top: New York is just 1.5 games back of Boston for 2nd in the East, while the Spurs sit 3 games back of OKC for the top spot out West

Speaking of which, the Thunder continue to roll with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander back healthy – and last night, the reigning Kia MVP joined a class of his own.

Thunder 100, Mavericks 87: After dropping 36 in an OT win over Denver on Friday, SGA turned in 30 along with 5 dimes and 4 steals on Sunday, powering OKC to a near wire-to-wire win over Dallas, which remains without Cooper Flagg (foot). | Recap

• Road Streak: SGA, ranked No. 1 on Shaun Powell’s latest Kia MVP Ladder, now has 59 straight 20‑point games on the road, passing Wilt Chamberlain for the longest such streak in NBA history
• Chasing Wilt: Shai has 123 consecutive 20-pieces overall, just three shy of Wilt’s all-time record (126)
• Champs Rumbling: Despite missing SGA from Feb. 3 to Feb. 26, the Thunder have won seven of their last nine games, including a 5-1 run in their last six

The only team with fewer losses than the defending champs? The East-leading Pistons.

Pistons 106, Magic 92: After trailing the entire 1st half, Detroit flipped the game with a 31-18 3rd quarter behind Cade Cunningham (29 pts, 6 reb, 10 ast), then slammed the door shut in the 4th to top Paolo Banchero (24 pts, 11 reb) and Orlando. | Recap

• Purring: It’s the Pistons’ third straight win and their eighth in the last nine games, moving to 45-14
• 45 Before 60: It’s just the second time in franchise history that Detroit has collected 45 wins before its 60th game. The other such season came in 2005-06
• The Engine? Cunningham, ranked No. 3 on the latest Kia MVP Ladder with 19 games of 25+ pts and 10+ ast this season – the most in the NBA

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2. FULL STRIDE: WOLVES & CELTICS STAY SURGING, HARDEN BOOSTS CAVS

There’s a new No. 4 in the crowded West race – and they’re starting to find another gear.

Wolves 117, Nuggets 108: Entering Sunday a half-game back of Denver, Minnesota jumped its West rival for 4th behind Anthony Edwards (21 pts, 6 ast, 2 blk) and Jaden McDaniels (20 pts, 9-12 FG), overcoming another offensive clinic from Nikola Jokić (35 pts, 13 reb, 9 ast) for a huge W. | Recap

• Turning Point: The Wolves took control with a 36-19 2nd quarter, then held off a late Nuggets push, with McDaniels scoring six key points down the stretch
• Late-Game Ant: Edwards added a big 3 in the 4th as he continues to level up in crunch time, ranking 3rd in total clutch points this season (130)
• Howling: It’s Minnesota’s third straight win as it moves to 4-1 since the All-Star break. In that span, Ant is pouring in 30.8 ppg
• Masterful Joker: One assist shy of another triple-double, Jokić still leads the NBA with 22 this season, eleven more than the next closest player (Jalen Johnson: 11)
• Mile-High Attack: Jokić ranks 1st in rebounds (12.6) and assists (10.5) per game and 6th in scoring (28.8), powering Denver’s league-best offense (120.3 ppg)

As the Wolves climbed the West standings, the Celtics continued to surge in the East.

Celtics 114, 76ers 98: With Philly seeking a fourth straight win, Tyrese Maxey (23 pts, 6 ast) and VJ Edgecombe (23 pts, 5 reb) combined for 46 points.

But the Sixers had no answer for Neemias Queta, who dropped a career-high 27 points (10-14 FG), 17 rebounds and 3 blocks, while Jaylen Brown also stuffed the stat sheet (27 pts, 8 reb, 8 ast), guiding Boston to its sixth win in seven games. | Recap

• Boston Balance: Since Jan. 30, the C’s are tied with the Pistons and Spurs for the best record in the NBA at 11-2. In that span, Boston ranks 3rd in OffRtg and 1st in DefRtg
• JB Balling: Brown continues to excel as the Celtics’ lead man, averaging career-highs across the boards (29 pts, 7.7 reb, 8.6 ast), while ranking 5th in ppg
• Ranked 4th? Maxey (29.1), who tallied his 65th game of 30+ pts and 5+ assists, passing Wilt Chamberlain (64) for the 4th‑most in 76ers history
• Wholesome Hustle: Meanwhile, Edgecombe made a new friend after flying into the stands to save a loose ball

While Boston stayed winning, the Cavs got back on track with James Harden back in the lineup.

Cavaliers 106, Nets 102: After a two-game slide with Harden sidelined (thumb), the Beard provided a big boost in his return, posting 22 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists, while Jarrett Allen stayed hot (20 pts, 6 reb), as Cleveland staved off Michael Porter Jr. (26 pts) and Brooklyn. | Recap

• Clicking In Cleveland: The Cavs, who were without Donovan Mitchell (groin), are now 7-1 with Harden in the lineup
• Dishing & Dunking: Since joining Cleveland, Harden’s averaging 19.3 points and 8 assists, while Allen’s scoring has spiked from 13.9 to 21.5 ppg

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3. CALIFORNIA DUBS: LUKA & LEBRON LEAD LAKERS, CLIPPERS CLIMB

The West Playoff race is jam-packed, with five teams – from No. 3 Houston to No. 7 Phoenix – separated by 3.5 games.

Holding the final guaranteed Playoff spot are the 6th-place Lakers, who closed a strong weekend with a convincing win.

Lakers 128, Kings 104: After beating the Warriors on Saturday, the Lakers took down another in-state rival last night, as Luka Dončić put on a show (28 pts, 5 reb, 9 ast, 1 circus trey), alongside LeBron James (24 pts, 5 ast), leading Los Angeles past Sacramento. | Recap

• Luka Leading: Dončić continues to pace the league in scoring with 32.5 ppg while ranking 4th in assists per game (8.6)
• Heated Race: The Lakers own a 2-game cushion over 7th-place Phoenix and are just 1.5 games back of 3rd-place Houston

Three seeds behind the Lakers sit the 9th-place Clippers, who just keep climbing.

Clippers 137, Pelicans 117: On a three-game skid, LA earned a timely win without ever trailing, as Kawhi Leonard (23 pts, 5 ast) led nine Clippers with 9+ points to outpace rookie Jeremiah Fears (28 pts, 4 ast) and the Pels. | Recap

• On The Rise: With the win, LA jumped Portland for 9th, while moving 2.5 games back of 8th-place Golden State
• Key Monday Duel: That sets up a critical showdown tonight, with the Dubs hosting the Clips on Peacock (10 ET)

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4. ROUNDUP: HAWKS SOAR, BULLS END SLIDE, GRIZZLIES WIN

Make that four straight for the Hawks.

Hawks 135, Blazers 101: Onyeka Okongwu drained seven 3s en route to 25 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists, while Jonathan Kuminga stayed scorching with his new squad (20 pts, 7 reb) as Atlanta topped Portland for its fourth straight W, moving to .500. | Recap

• Kuminga Cooking: Kuminga is 3-0 and averaging 21.3 ppg on 67.7% shooting with the Hawks, who sit 9th in the East, 1.5 games behind No. 8 Miami
• Portland Pushing: Despite being without All-Star Deni Avdija (back) since Feb. 22, the Blazers remain in Play-In position, holding 9th out West

Bulls 120, Bucks 97: Josh Giddey recorded his eighth triple-double of the season (20 pts, 14 reb, 10 ast) and the Bulls used an electric 27-0 run between the 3rd and 4th quarter to take control, beating the Giannis-less Bucks to end an 11-game skid. | Recap

• Matching Pippen: It’s Giddey’s 15th career triple-double as a Bull, tying Scottie Pippen for the 2nd-most in franchise history. Only Michael Jordan (28) has more
• East Duel Tonight: Bobby Portis (18 pts) and Cam Thomas (15 pts) led Milwaukee, which will look to rebound tonight against Boston on NBA TV (7:30 ET)

Grizzlies 125, Pacers 106: Walter Clayton Jr. (7 pts, 4 stl) dished out 14 dimes, tying Ja Morant for the Grizzlies’ rookie single-game record, while seven other Memphis players scored in double figures, outpacing Indy for its second win in a row. | Recap

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5. WHAT’S TRENDING & WHAT’S NEXT: BIG MONDAY OPENS KEY STRETCH

The postseason race has escalated into a full-fledged sprint. But the road between now and the final day of the regular season (April 12) looks a bit different for everyone.

With the stretch run at its peak, NBA.com’s John Schuhmann broke down the remaining strength of schedule for all 30 teams:

There are 158 games remaining that involve two of the 21 teams that are still competing for Playoff or Play-In position (the current top 10 in each conference plus the Bucks).

There are plenty of big games left to be played and much at stake, whether it be home-court advantage in the Playoffs, an automatic berth (via a top-six finish) or positioning in the Play-In, where every spot has an advantage over the one below. | Read More

Tonight on Peacock (10 ET), the Warriors and Clippers meet as a pair of Play-In squads hoping to inch closer to the Playoff picture. They sit 8th and 9th in the West, respectively.

• Smooth Sailing: After a 6-21 start, the Clips have gone 22-10, slingshotting into Play-In position
• Klaw Control: Amid the run, Kawhi Leonard (28 GP) has averaged 29.8 ppg, the highest-scoring 28-game stretch of his career
• Big Stakes: 2.5 games ahead of LA is Golden State, which has remained in postseason position with Steph Curry sidelined (knee)
• Big Response: The Warriors have leaned on their depth without Steph, as seven players averaged 10+ ppg in February

In the East, the Celtics have held steady in 2nd since Jan. 15. But plenty of obstacles are ahead, beginning with tonight’s contest against the Bucks (7:30 ET, NBA TV).

• Gauntlet Ahead: Based on cumulative opponent win percentage, Boston’s remaining strength of schedule is the 4th-toughest overall and the hardest in the East
• In The Hunt: After a 5-1 run, Milwaukee has dropped its last two outings, but is just 3 games back of Play-In position, looking to make up ground

On League Pass, Nikola Jokić and the 5th-place Nuggets look to rebound from Sunday’s loss as they visit the Jazz (9 ET). One game ahead of Denver out West is 3rd-place Houston, which takes on the Wizards (7 ET).

What’s Next: The postseason race rolls on this week with a slew of marquee games on the national stage, highlighted by NBC’s throwback broadcast of Spurs-76ers on Coast 2 Coast Tuesday.

NBC’s Throwback Tuesday: Before the Suns visit the Kings (8 PT), Philly and San Antonio go toe-to-toe (8 ET) as NBC brings back Doug Collins, Bob Costas, Mike Fratello and more classic voices from the 1990s and early 2000s.

Wednesday on ESPN: In a heavyweight duel at MSG, the West-leading Thunder visit the East’s 3rd-place Knicks (7 ET). Then, the Bucks host the soaring Hawks (9:30 ET).

Thursday on Prime: A crucial night amid the West race as the Rockets host the Warriors (7:30 ET), before the Lakers meet the Nuggets in a rivalry showdown (10 ET).

Friday on ESPN: A 2024 Finals rematch between the Celtics and Mavs tips off at TD Garden (7 ET), before the Clips face Victor Wembanyama and the surging Spurs (9:30 ET).