Brunson finished with a game-high 27 points in 31 minutes, shooting 11-of-17 from the field (64.7%), 4-of-6 from three-point range, and 1-of-2 at the line. He also contributed seven rebounds and three assists. He erupted for 22 points in the opening quarter, connecting on 9-of-10 shots and all three of his three-point attempts. The 22-point burst was the second-most points in a first quarter in franchise history, one shy of his own record set on Jan. 12, 2025, also against Milwaukee. It was his 10th career 20-point quarter, all recorded as a Knick, and the highest-scoring quarter by a New York player in any period this season.

In 55 games this season, Brunson is averaging 26.7 points, 6.1 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 0.7 steals per game while shooting 47.1% from the floor and 37.6% from the three-point range. He closed February averaging 23.8 points, 6.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 2.4 made threes, and 0.8 steals in 35.6 minutes per game. Since signing with the Knicks as a free agent in 2022 after four seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, Brunson has earned three consecutive All-Star selections, two All-NBA Second Team honors, and led the Knicks to their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 25 years last postseason.

New York shot 21-of-42 (50%) from three-point range and 60% overall in the first half while building a 77-57 halftime lead. The Knicks forced 16 turnovers that resulted in 19 points and had all five starters score in double figures for the 15th time this season. OG Anunoby scored 24 points on 8-of-10 shooting, Karl-Anthony Towns added 17 points and 13 rebounds, and Landry Shamet hit five threes for 15 points.

The Bucks, who had won eight of their previous 10 games and were playing their fifth game in eight days, played without Giannis Antetokounmpo (strained right calf), who missed his 14th straight game.

New York grabbed an important win over a below-.500 Milwaukee team. Up next, the Knicks will host the Western Conference’s No. 2-seeded San Antonio Spurs on Sunday.

The post Knicks’ Jalen Brunson makes history with 7,000th point in NY appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Entering the half with a 20-point deficit, the Bucks were able to play the Knicks even in the third quarter but ultimately went down without much of a fight in the game’s final frame, scoring just 15 points on the way to a 127-98 loss.

Discussing how the game got away from his Bucks on their home court, Doc Rivers laid it out plainly for those in attendance and beyond: Milwaukee simply got outplayed by New York.

“Yeah, yeah, I mean some of the guys on their team we gave shots, and we’re fine with that,” Rivers noted. “You know, and we still should have went out and guarded it, but I just thought they got everything they wanted and forgot the 3s. Like when they wanted to drive, they drove the ball, when they wanted to shoot, they shot the ball. And I just didn’t think we met their physicality and their intensity. And you know, it’s a good lesson for them. He knew that he knew how this game was gonna be played, and we just didn’t meet the moment.”

Now granted, heading into the game, few expected the Bucks to secure the win, as they still don’t have Giannis Antetokounmpo and have a 26-32 record with just a few more weeks left in the season. Still, after a few strong showings following the arrivals of Cam Thomas and Ousmane Dieng, it’s clear Rivers is ready to burn this game’s film and move on.

“I don’t think we met their physicality and intensity… we just didn’t meet the moment” says Doc Rivers after a tough loss at home to the Knicks #NBA #Postgame #FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/bDf3gS4EPK

— ESPN Milwaukee (@ESPNMilwaukee) February 28, 2026

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Check our Sneakers news for more upcoming releases and breaking content!

Jalen Brunson hails from New Jersey, but moved during his youth and attended Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois. Brunson’s accolades in four years are lofty, including Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year (2014, 2015), three-time All-State selection, McDonald’s All-American (2015), Illinois Mr. Basketball (2015), and leading Stevenson to their first-ever boy’s basketball IHSA 4A State title.

In honoring his illustrious career as a Stevenson Patriot, Brunson teased a new Nike Kobe 4 PE sneaker donning his alma mater’s color scheme. Brunson notably chose to forgo his own signature sneaker with sponsor Nike and instead favors having an endless supply of the late great Kobe Bryant’s signature sneakers at his disposal.

Brunson’s new Nike Kobe 4 PE (Stevenson HS)

Shouts to the 2015 IHSA State Champs.

Jalen Brunson took it back to his days at Stevenson High School in Illinois for his latest Nike Kobe 4 PE, inspired by the team’s colors. pic.twitter.com/v0zPRZ626L

— SLAM Kicks (@SLAMKicks) February 24, 2026

FIRST LOOK: Jalen Brunson shares his Nike Kobe 4 Protro “State Champs” PE @jalenbrunson1

Inspired by his Stevenson Patriots winning the Illinois State Title in 2015 pic.twitter.com/4Y5HdFUJKx

— Sole Retriever (@SoleRetriever) February 24, 2026

Appearing in a predominantly white base over the iconic Nike Kobe 4, we see prominent hits of yellow throughout the front midsole and outsole, along with the plastic heel support. The toe, tongue, side panels, sockliner, and back-half of the midsole are all done in clean white, contrasted by forest green flywire on the side panel. The Nike Swoosh comes in a shimmering metallic green outlined in gold and matching the Black Mamba logo on the tongue.

Finer details include Kobe Bryant’s No. 8 and No. 24 embossed into the leather on both heels as well as Bryant’s signature on the back heel support in green. The finishing touch comes on the inside of the tongue as a tab reading ’15 STATE CHAMPS is sewn in, made to resemble the championship banner Brunson helped raise in 2015.

While it’s still unknown whether or not this sneaker will release to the public, Jalen Brunson has already rocked these in-game and we’ve seen a steady cadence of his actual player exclusives releasing to the public. Keep it locked with our Sneakers news for more updates on when we may see these.

The post Jalen Brunson reps his high school with new Nike Kobe 4 PE appeared first on ClutchPoints.

On the court, it looks as if Towns has lost his understanding of how to score. Towns has spoken about his lack of understanding of his role in Mike Brown’s offense a lot this season. And his four-shot attempt performance in the team’s loss against Cleveland demonstrates that he still hasn’t figured it out.

Towns is far too skilled of a scorer to get only four shot attempts He averaged 24.4 points per game as recently as last season. And the team likely needs even more from him if they hope to win a championship. Instead, they’re getting less.

To take next step, Knicks need to feature Karl-Anthony Towns

To put it bluntly, the Knicks need Towns to do what he’s become known for, score the basketball. He’s a great rebounder. If he somehow develops into an elite passer and defender, that would be great, too. But New York needs Towns’ scoring.

The Knicks are ninth in points per game this season (117.1). They were seventh last season (115.8). So, while they score slightly more, they haven’t kept up with the broader increase in scoring per game across the league, as they’ve dropped two spots. Still, that type of relative drop isn’t the end of the world. In fact, the Knicks offense is still fairly impressive, when it’s working.

The same can be said of Towns. He’s had his share of success. But he’s scoring the second-fewest points of his career (20.0), which is simply the wrong direction for him. The Knicks hoped that Towns, Brunson, and Brown would complement each other. Instead, Towns has become more inconsistent than ever.

It’s important to remember that Towns received less criticism last season. He scored 24.4 points per game with 22 30-point outings—and the Knicks failed to reach the Finals then, too.

Mike Brown must generate more attempts for Karl-Anthony Towns 

Unfortunately, Brown’s system seems to limit Towns’ ability to reach his potential. Towns is rarely a focal point this season. He is averaging about 6.1 dunk or layup attempts per game this season. Comparatively, he averaged 7.85 dunk or layup attempts per game. He’s also having one fewer isolation play ran for him per game.

On the whole, Towns is  averaging three fewer shot attempts per game (16.9 in 2024-25 to 13.9 in 2025-26). And the shot attempts he’s not getting appear to be the ones he’d prefer to take. Towns’ lack of understanding of his role means he doesn’t know when and where his attempts might come. And that’s a problem.

Furthermore, without Towns carrying a bigger scoring load, there is significant—and some might say too much—pressure on Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, and others. And while Brunson’s impact is consistently strong, Anunoby is simply not the caliber scorer that Towns is. And asking him to be the second option on a championship team is probably too much. The same can be said of Mikal Bridges.

Karl-Anthony Towns salary dictates that he must do more 

Another problem with Towns scoring fewer points is his salary. Towns is objectively a top-tier offensive talent. And he’s being paid like it.

Towns is making $53 million this season, with another $57 million guaranteed next year and a player option for $61 million in 2027-28 (which he’ll likely decline). With the Knicks’ 2025-26 salary set at $211 million, Towns represents slightly more than 25% of it. That’s far too much for a player who isn’t being featured or utilized correctly.

Paying Towns like a franchise player restricts the team’s ability to maximize potential around him. But Towns is obviously talented enough to dictate star-level salary.

So, the answer for the Knicks is clear; if New York wants to see how far they can go, they must get Towns more involved. Give him the chance to succeed (or fail). But limiting him, limits the team’s potential and puts a ceiling on what they might accomplish this season—and beyond.

The post Karl-Anthony Towns is surging, but more is still needed for Knicks to be a real NBA championship threat appeared first on ClutchPoints.

However, Sochan is keeping a positive attitude as he adjusts to his new home.

“It’s a process. It’s my fourth game here,” Sochan said, per Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. “So we’ll figure it out. We’ll be good.”

Sochan became known as a versatile defender and opportunistic offensive player during his time with the Spurs, but ultimately found himself mostly out of the rotation in San Antonio this year.

The Knicks could certainly use another athletic defender, considering that many point to the team’s best two players, Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson, being clear negatives on that end of the floor as a reason not to take New York seriously as championship contenders.

Still, in order to carve out a consistent spot for himself in Mike Brown’s rotation, Sochan will have to be able to provide more on offense than he has so far during his Knicks tenure.

“I think it’s just learning how everyone wants to play. The vibe on the team and all those sorts of things,” he said.

The Knicks will next take the floor on Friday evening vs the Milwaukee Bucks.

The post Jeremy Sochan’s message to fans smashing panic button after horrific start to Knicks tenure appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Following the Knicks game against the Bulls on Sunday, Guerschon Yabusele caught up with a few of his Knicks teammates in Josh Hart, Ariel Hukporti, Jordan Clarkson, Mikal Bridges and Mohamed Diawara, and Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson.

Yabusele also took to social media to repost the video circulating of him with his former teammates along with the caption, ‘my brothers,’ and pair of emojis.

Yabusele was widely regarding as a great free agent signing by the Knicks in the offseason, but he never was able to find consistent minutes in the rotation this season, and a trade always seemed likely.

Since the deal, he’s seen an uptick in his playing time and role with the Bulls. He’s appeared in seven games, including five starts, at a little over 25 minutes per game. He’s averaging 10.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists with splits of 42.4 percent shooting from the field, 43.2 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 72.7 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

The No. 16 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, Yabusele began his NBA career with the Boston Celtics. He played two seasons with the Celtics before heading overseas. He would return to the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2024-25 season.

The post Guerschon Yabusele still has love for Knicks ‘brothers’ despite trade appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Cunningham’s historic performance solidified how much he and the Pistons have the Knicks’ number, he said, per the Draymond Green Show.

“I just think Cade is incredible. I think Cade is ready to take them next steps, man. He’s got his team number one in the East, came off the All-Star break 42 and 9 at the Garden, owning the New York Knicks,” Green said. “Cade Cunningham owns the New York Knicks. He’s making everybody better. He’s scoring the basketball. He’s so poised. You can’t speed him up. It’s so fun to watch. The way he’s received Detroit basketball is insane.”

The Pistons are a perfect 3-0 against the Knicks this season.

“It’s been fun to watch, man. Really enjoying watching the growth of Cade Cunningham. I remember talking a little junk to him his rookie year. Like, ‘Aw man, you ain’t it.’ He was like, “I ain’t it? What?” So, I love to see it,” Green added. “To see him come into his own, grow into the guy he’s growing into.”

Draymond Green says Cade Cunningham OWNS the Knicks

“42 and 9 at the Garden, owning the New York Knicks. Cade Cunningham owns the New York Knicks… The way he’s received Detroit basketball is insane.”

(via @DraymondShow)

pic.twitter.com/dUYGUyUEW9

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 23, 2026

For many, Cunningham is strengthening his case to win this year’s MVP award over candidates such as Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Denver Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokic.

J.B. Bickerstaff’s MVP statement on Pistons’ Cade Cunningham

Pistons All-Star Cade Cunningham undoubtedly has coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s vote for MVP. Bickerstaff discussed Cunningham’s impressive season after Cade’s historic 42-point performance in the Pistons’ 15-point victory against the Knicks, he said, per The Athletic’s Hunter Patterson.

“He’s been that all year long. I don’t think you pick an MVP based on just one game or one statement. He’s been this way for the entire season. He’s dominated both ends of the floor and impacted winning in a major way,” Bickerstaff said. “This is just another night of him being the same and doing the same he’s done night in and night out for us.

“Credit to him, credit to his work, credit to his conditioning, his will to want to win, his ability to be a great teammate and lead. That’s who he has been all season.”

Asked J.B. if Cade Cunningham made a statement for his MVP case with tonight’s performance:

“He’s been this way for the entire season. He’s dominated both ends of the floor and impacted winning in a major way. So this was just another night of him being the same.” pic.twitter.com/jlkcV1qdFt

— Hunter Patterson (@HunterPatterson) February 20, 2026

Cunningham and the Pistons are on a five-game winning streak, including seven of their last eight games.

The post Draymond Green says Pistons’ Cade Cunningham ‘owns’ the Knicks after MSG gem appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“It’s a blessing to have expectations, means we’re doing something right,” Towns said in a postgame interview. “Last year we did a lot right, fans are expecting even more. My career has been full of pressure, and I understand criticism comes with that when you’re not succeeding. Rightfully so.”

Karl-Anthony Towns talks weight of title expectations: "It's a blessing to have expectations, means we're doing something right. Last year we did a lot right, fans are expecting even more. My career has been full of pressure, and I understand criticism comes with that when you're… pic.twitter.com/eEyh72dLD3

— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) February 23, 2026

Last year, the Knicks made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals, and many people thought that they would beat the Indiana Pacers. That didn’t happen, but the Knicks made changes shortly after their defeat, firing Tom Thibodeau and hiring Mike Brown as the new head coach.

They added some key players between the offseason and the trade deadline, and they seemed poised to get back where they were last season, but this time, get over the hump.

It’s going to take a collective group effort, but they’re also going to have to get more from their star players, and that includes Towns. For some time, Towns has received criticism for not playing to his capabilities, which is something that has been said about him since he was with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

With the unique skillset that Towns has, he can be one of the more dominant players in the league, but he has to be consistent and show up every game. If that Towns shows up in the postseason, the sky could be the limit for the Knicks, but it won’t be all up to him to make things happen. He’s just one piece of the pie.

The post Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns says quiet part out loud about NBA championship expectations appeared first on ClutchPoints.

However, arguably Hart’s most impressive moment came during pregame warmups, when he took on Chicago mascot Benny the Bull in a game of air hockey, and ended up winning.

Josh Hart and Benny the Bull compete in a fierce game of air hockey before the game

Video via: https://t.co/dJI4pi79B3

Benny The Bull tends to do every now and then pic.twitter.com/InpxLpHdwc

— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) February 23, 2026

Hart then celebrated the victory in loud fashion.

Josh Hart has established himself as an integral part of the Knicks over the last few seasons, using his combination of athleticism and relentless hustle to turn himself into a menace on both the offensive and defensive glass, as well as showing an improved outside shooting touch in recent years.

When Hart is at his best and knocking down shots from the perimeter, the Knicks are a very tough team to beat, boasting several switchable wings on the defensive end of the floor, as well as multiple players who can create their own shot on offense.

Meanwhile, Sunday’s win over Chicago was the second straight win for the Knicks, having defeated the Houston Rockets in epic comeback fashion on Saturday evening at Madison Square Garden.

In that game, the Knicks’ defense roared to life in the fourth quarter, holding Houston to just 15 points in the final frame, with Jalen Brunson shaking off a rough shooting night to deliver several clutch buckets down the stretch.

The Knicks currently sit at 37-21, and are in a race with the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers for the coveted number two spot in the Eastern Conference.

In any case, New York will next hit the floor on Tuesday evening for a road game against the Cavaliers, with tipoff set for 7:30 pm ET.

The post Watch Knicks’ Josh Hart absolutely cook Benny the Bull in air hockey appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The coach replaced the starting wing with Landry Shamet, telling reporters after the game that assistant coach Rick Brunson deserved credit for the idea. On Thursday night against the Detroit Pistons, Bridges sat for the final 9:31 of the game. He also finished contests against the Sacramento Kings and Philadelphia 76ers in late January and early February, respectively, on the bench.

Bridges replaced Towns for the final five seconds of the game, with New York’s four-point lead allowing them to focus on defense. But the 29-year-old wing that Leon Rose and the Knicks’ front office signed to a $150 million extension this summer spent the vast majority of crunch time on the bench.

He watched Brunson dice up Houston’s defense alongside Josh Hart, who sat to make way for the newly-acquired Alvarado. The Brooklynite recorded his third, fourth, and fifth steals of the game in those minutes, making just one of three late shots but providing the energy and aggression New York needed to close out Kevin Durant’s group.

Bridges replicates Celtics playoff magic with clutch 3-pointer vs. Bulls

On Sunday night, the second leg of the Knicks’ weekend back-to-back, the team defeated the Chicago Bulls. Bridges closed the six-point win, hitting a pivotal 3-pointer to seal the victory with 27 seconds left. Up until then, though, the wing had just eight points on 3-9 shooting in over 29 minutes of playing time. The clutch 3-pointer pushed him into double figures and saved the Knicks’ night.

The juxtaposition of late-game roles played by Bridges, from not playing at all to putting the dagger in Chicago’s back, is representative of more than just an up-and-down Sunday night. The two-way wing delivers performances that include quarters, halves, or an entire game’s worth of disappointing play. But, somehow, he often finds a way to make up for it in the end.

In each of the team’s first two games against the Boston Celtics in last year’s playoffs, Bridges won the Knicks the game with an incredibly timely defensive play. The second of those games featured a perfect example of Bridges’ extreme swings. The wing failed to score in the first three quarters, but notched 14 points and his game-winning save in the fourth.

Bridges’ early-game struggles and late-game heroics on Sunday night did not give New York a victory with playoff-level importance. But it further demonstrated the wing’s zero-to-hero range. Under a new coach in Brown, the Knicks are leaning into their depth as Bridges wanted last season. The players, Bridges included, can’t afford to see it as an insult to finish games on the bench.

Their competitive nature should allow them to use any crunch-time benchings as motivation. Someone like Shamet or Alvarado being red-hot from deep doesn’t have to mean that a certain starter’s play was unacceptable. Sometimes, the two coincide. Ultimately, the Knicks should not care.

Brown has stressed the importance of “finding ways to win,” and will likely continue to over the course of the season. That’s something his group needs to pursue with equal fervor, regardless of who’s on the court.

The post Why Knicks’ late-game Mikal Bridges benchings could be necessary amid title chase appeared first on ClutchPoints.

NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal called Towns soft during the postgame interview after the Knicks’ win over the Houston Rockets, telling him he was playing ‘soft’ at the beginning of the game.

Arenas defended Towns during an episode of the Gilbert Arenas Show on Sunday. He noted how the star big man has been embracing physicality, especially with his activity in the post and rebounding presence this season.

“When you look at KAT, he’s just running around and he says things in interviews. You think that’s actually how he plays the game. If you really look at the play, he does play a rugged style of basketball. He does bang. He’s just bang, bang, spin, got you. But he just has a shot. And there’s times where if he has a little guy on him, he shoots it. He has a big guy on him, he shoots it,” Arenas said at the 33:12 mark.

“But he will sit there post up, too a little for a big guy, but he’s smart enough to know, well yeah I have a little guy on me. If I try to bang first he’s going to flop, that’s an offensive foul. Well I can just shoot right over him. So I can’t say he plays the game wrong or right. He plays the game how he sees it in the moment.”

What lies ahead for Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks

It’s clear that Gilbert Arenas has noted a change in Karl-Anthony Towns’ style of play. The Knicks star has been adding more physicality to his game while showing off his elite shooting talent, standing tall as one of the best big men in the game.

Towns continues to shine in his 11th season in the league, his second with the Knicks. Throughout 53 appearances, he is averaging 19.9 points, 11.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.

New York has a 37-21 record on the season, holding the third spot in the Eastern Conference standings. They are above the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors while trailing the Boston Celtics and the Detroit Pistons.

Following Sunday’s win over the Chicago Bulls, the Knicks will look forward to their next matchup. They remain on the road as they face the Cavaliers on Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The post Gilbert Arenas pushes back on Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns ‘soft’ narrative appeared first on ClutchPoints.

New York reduced Houston’s lead in the first half of the fourth quarter with Brunson on the bench. The guard entered the game with 6:27 left, shooting 4-4 from the floor and dropping in a lead-taking mid-range jump shot with 29.5 seconds left. That was the guard’s 14th game-tying or go-ahead make since he joined the Knicks’ roster, good for second in the NBA in that span.

Brunson is behind just DeMar DeRozan in that regard, according to ESPN. The superstar guard told reporters after the game that, despite the make-or-miss reputation of the sport, his fourth-quarter masterpiece was about a change in approach and not just variance.

“I didn’t like how I was playing and saw that I had to switch it, that simple. It has nothing to do with shooting. It’s the mentality of trying to get downhill and making plays. And not being hesitant and not being passive. If there are mistakes, they’re aggressive mistakes. They want you to be on your heels. And I feel like in the first few quarters I was,” the Knicks’ captain told the media on Saturday.

Brown says Knicks “have to be better” after sneaking by Rockets

Reporters asked head coach Mike Brown about his group’s propensity to play down to their competition and flip the proverbial “switch” when needed. He said after the game that while he’s coached teams that could “flip the switch,” like the Golden State Warriors groups that featured Durant, they were unique situations he isn’t counting on replicating in New York.

“We found a way. But we have to be better,” Brown said.

The organization chose this coach to lead this group because of their focus on the team’s process, regardless of the results. Sunday night’s tilt in Chicago will bring the weekend’s back-to-back to a close. After that, the Knicks will have 24 regular-season games left. Brown, and his players will spend them honing that very process – trying to strike as close to perfection as possible.

The post How Knicks’ Jalen Brunson ‘flipped switch’ to deliver signature clutch comeback vs. Rockets appeared first on ClutchPoints.

New York played a great fourth quarter in their recent win against Houston. They closed the game on a 33-13 run, which included 18 points from Brunson. The Knicks also held the Rockets to 28% shooting in the final 10 or so minutes of the game. And their defense, led by new addition Jose Alvarado, forced numerous turnovers down the stretch.

The Knicks have played well against more top teams than just the Rockets. The Knicks have fared incredibly well against most of the league’s top competition this season. They are now 1-0 against Houston, 2-1 against the Boston Celtics, 2-0 against the Cleveland Cavaliers, 1-0 against the Denver Nuggets, 1-0 against the Los Angeles Lakers, and 1-1 against the San Antonio Spurs.

However, they have struggled mightily against the Pistons, a team they will likely see come the 2026 playoffs. In fact, New York is 0-3 on the season against Detroit, with their next matchup (very) loosely slated for the post-season.

Are the Pistons too tough for Knicks?

The Pistons present entirely different problems for the Knicks than other elite teams. First, their physicality is a lot to contend with. Detroit boasts the NBA’s second-best defensive rating (108.3). Their size down low is daunting. Jalen Duren is eighth in the league in rebounds (10.5 per game), and Isaiah Stewart is sixth in blocks (1.2 per game). Ironically, neither Duren nor Stewart was available for the Pistons’ most recent win over the Knicks on Feb. 19.

The Pistons also push the limits of physicality and officiating. They lead the league in fouls per game (22.3), according to StatMuse. And why not? When your team is built like Detroit’s, the only harm in fouling is landing in the penalty. Granted, that’s not ideal. But the cumulative effect of fouling results in a bump in reputation that makes teams think twice about how they attack open lanes.

The Pistons perimeter defenders are also exceptionally strong. Cade Cunningham and Ausar Thomson are two of the best at locking down opposing perimeter players. And both are physical enough to contend with bigger wings in the post and around the basket, as well.

It’s become clear that New York can’t match Detroit’s toughness while remaining focused and locked in.

Can Knicks offense muster enough consistently to topple Detroit Pistons?

If the Pistons are the more physical team, which they are, the Knicks must emphasize their own strength, finesse. That’s exactly how New York defeated Detroit in the first-round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. Brunson led the way. And for all of the Pistons’ defensive abilities, they simply didn’t have an answer for Brunson when he’s in his zone and protecting the basketball.

In the 2025 playoffs, Brunson averaged 31.5 points and 8.2 assists per game. His footwork and trickiness was on full display, which included a series-clinching shot. If the Knicks are going to succeed against the Pistons, Brunson has to get back to that kind of play.

In the 2025-26 regular season, Brunson scored the ball fairly well, averaging 29.7 points per game. But he also turned the ball over. A lot. Brunson averaged five turnovers per game against the Pistons in their regular season series, compared to just 2.6 turnovers per game in the first round last season—and 2.3 turnovers per game this season on the entire season (so far).

The Knicks support players also have to do more. Towns and OG Anunoby missed the second of three games this season with the Pistons. But when they played, they didn’t do nearly enough. Towns averaged 13.5 points across the two games, and Anunoby averaged 6.5 points per game.

Granted, there are more failures to highlight—like how the Knicks got crushed on the glass—but the simple fact is that the Knicks are unlikely to do well when their second- and third-leading scorers combine for an average of 20 points per game.

Fortunately, the Knicks have time to digest their recent losses against the Pistons and lick their wounds. New York has 25 games remaining before the playoffs, and they’re unlikely to have a first-round rematch with Detroit. That matchup is likely to come later in the playoffs. So, the Knicks have some time to figure out exactly how to approach the Pistons. But one thing’s for sure, they have their work cut out for them.

The post Knicks still have a Pistons problem despite success against Rockets and other top teams appeared first on ClutchPoints.

It was a strong game for Knicks big man Karl-Anthony Towns, who scored 25 points to go along with seven rebounds in the win.

After the game, Towns joined ESPN’s Inside the NBA for an interview, and Shaquille O’Neal had an interesting back and forth with the Knicks big man.

“If you guys win the chip, of course they’ll talk about Brunson, but it’s you and your play. You have to be dominant. You played well,” said O’Neal, per Hoopshype.

“They can talk about anybody as long as we get a ring, that’s the most important thing,” said Towns.

“No, you gotta play great. You’re a part of that 1-2 punch,” countered Shaq.

“Hell yeah but the main goal is to win, it don’t matter about who gets the credit,” responded Towns.

“Nope, you gotta play great to get the credit,” added Shq.

O’Neal has long been known as a critic of centers in today’s NBA, with some fans speculating that jealousy or spite could play a role in his disdain.

Perhaps O’Neal’s me-first attitude was part of what made him so dominant, but also why he is considered as a relative underachiever, considering his insane natural talent, in recent NBA history.

Towns, meanwhile, has faced accusations of being “soft” before in his career, but has always put the team before himself, which has continued into his time with the Knicks.

New York will look to make it two wins in a row when they next hit the floor on Sunday vs the Chicago Bulls.

The post Shaq pushes Karl-Anthony Towns in intense back and forth after Knicks-Rockets game appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“More fun to play with him,” Brunson said. “Against him, I didn’t really know he was on the other team. You guys can tell him I said that too.”

All jokes aside, Alvarado’s impact in the win against the Rockets can’t be overstated. Alvarado had arguably the top defensive play of the game, creeping up behind Rockets star Kevin Durant and swiping the ball free in one of his patented sneak moves. He then took the ball coast to coast and soared in for a layup over Tari Earson to slice Houston’s lead down to two, 103-101.

Alvarado played a total of 20 minutes off the bench, and finished with eight points, one rebound, four assists and a game-high five steals. He shot 3-of-9 from the field and was 2-of-5 from the 3-point line.

Since the trade, Alvarado has appeared in five games for the Knicks as the backup point guard, at a little over 20 minutes per game. He’s been averaging a career-high 11.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.6 steals with splits of 42.6 percent shooting from the field, 37.5 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 66.7 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

Undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft, Alvarado had played his entire career to this point with the Pelicans. Now, he gets to help the Knicks make a playoff run in the Eastern Conference.

The post Jalen Brunson roasts Jose Alvarado, and he wants him to know about it appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Post-game, Alvarado revealed that it was ‘all love’ between him and KD despite the trash talk they seemingly shared during the game.

Jose Alvarado says it's "all love" between him and Kevin Durant:

"That's big bro. He showed a lot of love when I first got to the league. He just loves how I compete and obviously, he's KD. It's just all love there." pic.twitter.com/EXOCpZZ4kh

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) February 22, 2026

“That’s big bro. He showed a lot of love when I first got to the league. He just loves how I compete and obviously, he’s KD. It’s just all love there,” he said per a clip on X by Knicks Videos.

The Knicks were trailing by as many as 16 points when Alvarado entered the game, and his defensive intensity and IQ were immediately on full display. The Knicks outscored Houston 33-15 in the fourth quarter, and much of that swing traced directly to Alvarado’s ball pressure.

Over his five appearances thus far, Alvarado has averaged roughly 13.3 points, 4.3 assists, and 3.7 steals while shooting at more than 55% overall and 37.5% from the deep. Alvarado’s palpable impact was even praised by Karl-Anthony Towns, who himself had a big night against Houston.

“They made him feel loved and feel welcomed. I think he’s reciprocated that energy with his own tenacity on the court. Shout-out to our fans who welcomed him and gave him the confidence, the belief and the love needed to do what he does best,” KAT said, also crediting Knicks supporters for welcoming the point guard.

Karl-Anthony Towns talks about the spark Jose Alvarado has given the Knicks and credits Knicks fans for welcoming him:

"They made him feel loved and feel welcomed. I think he's reciprocated that energy with his own tenacity on the court. Shout-out to our fans who welcomed him… pic.twitter.com/biafemEB0E

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) February 22, 2026

Regardless, the Knicks as a unit responded with one of their most resilient performances of recent memory, and fans will hope they continue in the same vein as they attempt to compete at the top of the Eastern Conference.

The post What Knicks’ Jose Alvarado said about Kevin Durant trash talk during Rockets wild game appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Post-game, KAT went in detail about how he helped his team spark the comeback, claiming that he challenged his teammates to come out firing in the final period.

“I just challenged our team to start the fourth as challengers. You know, we can win this game and I have seen us doing it. It starts at the first possession of the fourth quarter playing defence, we gotta get a stop. That is the most important possession of the game, the first play in the fourth quarter,” he explained per a post on X by Knicks Videos.

"I just challenged our team to start the fourth"

Karl-Anthony Towns talks about his message to his teammates before the fourth quarter, challenging them to get a stop to start the quarter: pic.twitter.com/NkwWAwj8kr

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) February 22, 2026

KAT went on to explain his own part, claiming that the Knicks expected to go out and get the win in the final period.

“And, I wanted to my part as well to get that stop. And from that point, you go on. It sets the tone for our team and set the intensity level that we needed to play for as we expected to go out and win,” he explained.

KAT helped New York post a decisive 14-2 run late in the fourth quarter, trimming Houston’s lead to two with just over three minutes remaining. But the Knicks were also helped by the Rockets’ failure to convert shots.

Houston missed eight consecutive shots during the Knicks’ decisive push and finished with 20 turnovers that translated into 30 Knicks points. Regardless, if KAT set the tone, Jalen Brunson delivered the final blow.

The All-Star guard scored 18 of his 20 points in the second half, including the tying jumper and the go-ahead pull-up that sealed the comeback. The Knicks will now take on the Chicago Bulls next.

The post Karl-Anthony Towns’ challenge to the Knicks that sparked season-best comeback vs. Rockets appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Jose Alvarado turns up the defense in the clutch and gets the tough finish pic.twitter.com/GgLqfuRA2Y

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 22, 2026

At the time of Jose Alvarado’s steal on Kevin Durant, the Knicks were trailing by four, 103-99. From that point on, the Knicks would outscore the Rockets, 9-3, en route to winning the game. Alvarado would finish with eight points, one rebound, four assists and a game-high five steals in 20 minutes of play. He shot 3-of-9 from the field and 2-of-5 from the 3-point line.

With the win, the Knicks improved to 36-21 and got back in the win column. They now trail the Boston Celtics by a single game for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference standings.

Alvarado was the Knicks’ big trade deadline acquisition, acquiring him from the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Dalen Terry and two second round picks. So far, he’s made the impact that the Knicks had hoped for following the trade.

Coming into Saturday’s game, he had appeared in four games since the trade, at a little over 20 minutes per game. He had been averaging a career-high 12.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals with splits of 44.7 percent shooting from the field, 37 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 66.7 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft, Alvarado has carved out a solid role for himself as a backup point guard in the league. Prior to this season, he had played his entire career with the Pelicans.

The post Watch Jose Alvarado pick Kevin Durant’s pocket before contested layup appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Head coach Mike Brown told reporters after the game that, other than having Towns set screens a bit higher, there weren’t any major changes made at halftime that facilitated the All-Star big man’s second-half scoring flurry. Ahead of Saturday night’s game against the Houston Rockets, Brown revealed just how liable Towns was for his lack of offensive involvement.

New York’s coach has maintained that any efforts to set players, including Towns, up for success have to start with him. On Saturday, he put more of the onus on the center than ever before. Brown made clear that the center needs to read opposing defenses and position himself accordingly to capitalize on opportunities to produce.

“KAT’s going to have to read those moments,” Brown said of Towns’ pick-and-pop involvement in the second half against the Pistons. “Because sometimes they’ll switch. And if they switch and they screw the switch up, then you might need to roll… If they don’t switch, and they’re aggressive on the ball, then he’s got to read that, and he’s got to pop.”

After two-thirds of a season’s worth of questions about Towns’ production, the coach gave it to reporters straight: Towns needs to control what he can, and let the rest fall into place.

Why KAT isn’t making the most of his ‘MVP-level’ Knicks teammate

Brown also claimed Towns can help the Knicks reap more benefits from their superstar point guard, Brunson. The coach explained that the importance of Towns correctly identifying opportunities to “pop” is tied to the problems he and Brunson can create for opposing defenses. The duo is only creating problems for themselves if they’re not reacting to the schemes in front of them.

“Because now the only thing they can do is full-rotate,” Brown said of the challenges teams face when Towns screens and pops out to the 3-point line. “Because it’s hard. Even though [Detroit’s] bigs have great feet, they’re able to move, and they’re quick, and all that stuff. It’s hard for somebody to guard Jalen, put two on Jalen, and then get back to a guy like KAT. So, it’s a read, but we do have plays designed to where he will pop. And, or, plays designed to where he will roll,” Brown told reporters of Towns’ offensive process.

The Knicks’ coach is typically less concerned with Towns’ or any player’s results than he is with the actual games. Brown was asked numerous times about Towns’ relative lack of offensive involvement during the team’s eight-game win streak. He responded by consistently directing focus toward the team’s win-loss record in that time. He was also complimentary of the center on Saturday, saying he’s done “fantastic” at adjusting to the new system.

Brown’s pregame comments from Saturday about the Knicks’ offensive pecking order were clear. Brunson first, Towns second, and the rest of the chips will fall in whatever arrangement the matchup facilitates. The coach didn’t say that Towns needs to demand the ball from teammates. He didn’t say that the center isn’t getting the ball often enough. But he does seem to want Towns to position himself better. That can help everyone involved.

The post Mike Brown reveals how Karl-Anthony Towns can produce more in Knicks’ offense appeared first on ClutchPoints.

During a recent appearance on NBA on ESPN, Hall of Famer Charles Barkley didn’t hold back, claiming the four-time All-Star “doesn’t know how to play basketball.” While Barkley acknowledged that Towns is a “terrific 7-foot shooter,” his gripe centers on a lack of situational awareness and “basketball IQ” regarding mismatches.

“The matchup dictates whether you shoot 3s or you go post up,” Barkley explained. “When he got a little guy on him, there’s no need to shoot 3s… When you got a big guy on you, like Joel Embiid, take him outside, put him in a pick-and-roll.”

"I ain't letting no little dude guard me."

Charles Barkley discusses what he thinks needs to shift in KAT’s game before Rockets–Knicks pic.twitter.com/IVseE2bimj

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 22, 2026

As New York prepares to host the Houston Rockets at Madison Square Garden, the team is searching for consistency. Towns’ transition to the Big Apple has been statistically solid but tactically puzzling.

In the Knicks’ recent 126-111 loss, Towns finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds. On the surface, those are “All-NBA” numbers. However, a deeper look at the ESPN box score shows he attempted seven 4-pointers while often settling for perimeter looks even when smaller defenders switched onto him.

This passivity in the paint is exactly what triggered Barkley’s rant, echoing a sentiment Blake Griffin recently shared regarding the Knicks’ spacing issues.

If New York wants to climb the Eastern Conference standings, they need the Minnesota version of “KAT” that dominated both inside and out. Against a young, athletic Rockets team, Towns will have the perfect opportunity to prove Sir Charles wrong.

If he continues to drift to the arc when a mismatch is staring him in the face, the “puzzling” label will only get louder.

The post Charles Barkley reveals why Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns ‘doesn’t know how to play basketball’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Durant embraced Hall of Fame center Patrick Ewing inside Madison Square Garden. “PG’s finest,” the Knickerbockers great said, per the ESPN X account, referencing the 37-year-old’s upbringing in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Ewing rose to stardom around those parts, spending four years at the Washington D.C.-based Georgetown University in the 1980s before later becoming the Hoyas head coach.

Kevin Durant is stamped in The Garden pic.twitter.com/pASZROOGcI

— ESPN (@espn) February 22, 2026

Mutual respect flowed through MSG, as these two approximate 7-footers shared some words and a quick hug about an hour before the action tipped off. These men have both endured endless scrutiny, so they can probably relate to each other on a deeper level.

Ewing was labeled the Knicks’ savior in 1985, the man who would make The Garden a den of champions once again. New York reached the NBA Finals once and was unable to come away with the Larry O’Brien Trophy during the big man’s 15-year run with the franchise. Durant led the Oklahoma City Thunder in their infancy but was unable to reach the pinnacle with a team many consider to be the best to never win a title. He was brutally vilified after leaving to join the Golden State Warriors in 2016.

Although Durant claimed two Finals MVP awards with the Dubs, many still hold his accomplishments in lesser regard because he jumped to a super team. When people discuss any of these two NBA titans, they will inevitably use the words “but” or “what if.” That may never change, but they seem to be doing alright just the same.

Perhaps Kevin Durant and Patrick Ewing can catch up a little more after the game.

The post Watch Rockets’ Kevin Durant link up with Patrick Ewing before Knicks clash appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“It’s a new year,” Brunson told reporters at Madison Square Garden following the Knicks’ 126-111 defeat.

The young Detroit group, led by a jumbo playmaker and comprised mostly of gritty specialists in defined roles, is reminiscent of the New York squads led by Julius Randle. But, to borrow a dichotomy Jay-Z once laid out in an early-2010s rap masterpiece, Brunson has helped these Knicks transition in recent years from “underpaid” to “overrated.”

New York is supposed to be closer than ever to a championship. But Cade Cunningham’s Pistons are the lovable underdog that upsets NBA hierarchies with surprise road wins. And on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks were the contenders caught coasting.

The Pistons were missing centers Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart, with both suspended after the fight with the Charlotte Hornets. It didn’t matter much to Cunningham. His 42-point, eight-rebound, 13-assist performance outmatched the 33 points, six rebounds, and eight assists Brunson delivered on 60% field goal shooting.

Detroit’s regular season success didn’t help them against the Knicks in last year’s playoffs. But these Pistons seem to be working with bigger cylinders. The proverbial engine of their offense, Cunningham, has leveled up. This allows him to elevate his teammates to even greater heights.

The Knicks have work to do before the end of the season if they want to replicate last year’s playoff results against teams like the Pistons. They’ve reached the necessary heights several times, but too often seem to regress after reminding themselves they can do it.

Bridges finishes another close game on the Knicks’ bench

Thursday’s loss to the Pistons marked another close game that Mikal Bridges watched from the bench. The Knicks made just eight of their 35 attempts from behind the 3-point arc, with only four different players getting shots to fall. Brunson and Landry Shamet were the only two Knicks to make more than one, each knocking in three over the course of the 15-point loss.

Two of those 3-point makes by Shamet came in the last eight minutes of the fourth quarter, when he was on the court in place of starter Mikal Bridges. It’s important to the Knicks’ scheme versatility that starters like Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns are fine with sitting on the bench in favor of red-hot role players. But head coach Mike Brown said that Shamet closed over Bridges because the team needed to score. That wasn’t a ringing endorsement of the two-way wing that just signed a four-year, $150 million extension with a player option for the 2029-30 season.

“Landry had hit a couple shots. We needed to score. They’re both really good defenders. And so I just stayed with Landry. But it wasn’t anything where, ‘Oh, I’m going to sit Mikal because he’s not doing this, or he’s not doing that.’ We were looking to score points. And Landry was the only one to make a shot from behind the arc,” the coach said through some arguably nervous laughter.

A key part of the Knicks’ journey to contention this upcoming postseason will be finding balance with regard to the involvement of their star players – and what they bring to the table in games where shots aren’t being funneled their way. While Brown made clear that Bridges wasn’t at fault for what was not a late-game benching, but rather a situational adjustment, it’s on Bridges going forward to not give the coaching staff a choice.

Bridges didn’t ask to be traded for five first-round picks. He didn’t force the Knicks to offer him $150 million and a player option. But the ball is in the 29-year-old’s court with regard to how he chooses to respond to this adversity. His postgame confessional in Toronto was a fantastic start. New York cannot afford for it to be an outlier.

The post Knicks’ Jalen Brunson underscores need for ‘new year’ mentality after latest Pistons beatdown appeared first on ClutchPoints.

During ESPN’s Inside the NBA broadcast Friday night, Barkley announced he is no longer picking New York to come out of the East.

“I’m changing my pick Ernie. I told y’all I thought the Knicks was coming out of the East… The Cleveland Cavaliers are coming out of the Eastern Conference,” Barkley said.

Cleveland has surged up the standings following its trade with the Los Angeles Clippers to acquire James Harden in exchange for Darius Garland at this season’s deadline. The Cavaliers extended their winning streak to seven games with a 118-113 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night, improving to 36-21 on the season. Cleveland now sits third in the Eastern Conference, just one game behind the Boston Celtics for the second seed.

Since arriving in Cleveland, Harden has averaged 18.4 points, 8.6 assists, five rebounds and one steal per game while shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 48.1 percent from three-point range across five contests in 31.8 minutes per game.

“The Cleveland Cavaliers are coming out of the eastern conference,” – Charles Barkley pic.twitter.com/xF7XkMXzuG

— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) February 21, 2026

Charles Barkley shifts East pick as Cavaliers surge ahead of Knicks matchup

Harden’s presence has coincided with increased production from center Jarrett Allen. Over the same five-game span, Allen has averaged 22.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists and one block while shooting 76.3 percent from the field in 30 minutes per contest. For the season, the 27-year-old is averaging 14.9 points and 8.4 rebounds while shooting 62.7 percent across 45 games.

New York, meanwhile, has experienced a strong stretch of its own despite Barkley’s shift. The Knicks went 10-3 from late January into early February, including an eight-game winning streak. However, they slipped to the fourth seed after a 126-111 loss to the NBA-leading Detroit Pistons, dropping to 35-21 on the year.

The two Eastern Conference contenders are set to meet during New York’s upcoming three-game road trip. The Knicks visit Cleveland next Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. ET on Peacock.

With the Cavaliers riding momentum and climbing the standings, Barkley’s revised prediction underscores how rapidly the Eastern Conference hierarchy has shifted in the weeks following the trade deadline.

The post Charles Barkley drops the Knicks as his favorite to win the East appeared first on ClutchPoints.

New York (35–21) will host Houston (34–20) at Madison Square Garden while managing a report that includes one confirmed absence and several questionable designations tied largely to G League assignments and two-way contracts.

Miles McBride is officially listed as out due to injury/illness as he continues to recover from pelvic-related core muscle surgery. The 25-year-old guard last appeared in the Knicks’ 103–87 win over the Sacramento Kings on Jan. 27. He recorded nine points, four assists, two rebounds and two steals while shooting 4-for-11 from the field and 1-for-6 from three-point range across 30 minutes.

Before undergoing surgery, McBride was enjoying a career-best season. In 35 games with 14 starts, he averaged 12.9 points, 2.8 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game while shooting 43.4 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range in 28 minutes per contest.

Multiple Knicks listed questionable as team looks to rebound vs. Rockets

The Knicks also listed Pacome Dadiet (G League – On Assignment), Trey Jemison III (G League – Two-Way), Dillon Jones (G League – Two-Way), Tyler Kolek (G League – On Assignment) and Kevin McCullar Jr. (G League – Two-Way) as questionable.

Kolek, 24, last appeared in New York’s 138–89 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Feb. 11. He finished with three points, three assists and two rebounds while shooting 1-for-4 from the field in 10 minutes. In his sophomore season, Kolek is averaging 4.9 points, 2.9 assists and 1.9 rebounds across 48 games with one start, shooting 42.3 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from three-point range in 13.3 minutes per game.

New York enters Saturday’s contest looking to rebound from a 126–111 loss to the NBA-leading Detroit Pistons, who improved to 41–13 with the victory Thursday night.

Following the Rockets matchup, the Knicks will begin a three-game road trip starting Sunday against the Chicago Bulls (24–32). Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET.

Saturday’s meeting features two of the league’s top teams in their respective conferences, with both clubs entering separated by just one game in the loss column.

The post Knicks get multiple injury updates for Rockets clash appeared first on ClutchPoints.

With Cunningham scoring at will, the Pistons walloped the Knicks, 126-111, to notch their fourth straight win.

The two-time All-Star shot 17-of-34 from the field, including 5-of-11 from long distance. He added eight rebounds, 13 assists, and two blocks as he continues to show that he should also be considered a face of the NBA.

Actor Ben Stiller, a longtime fan of the Knicks, acknowledged Cunningham’s stellar performance.

“Cade kicked our butts. We gotta get better,” wrote Stiller on X.

The 60-year-old star of “Zoolander” and “There’s Something About Mary” is regularly spotted at courtside at Madison Square Garden, cheering for his beloved team.

He has sat through the Knicks’ woeful campaigns, and while the squad has found success in recent years, Stiller knows that there is always room for improvement.

Maybe he can urge the Knicks to watch “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story.”

New York coach Mike Brown admitted that they failed to employ their defensive strategy against the 24-year-old Cunningham, who is averaging 25.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 9.6 assists.

Like other stars, it seems like the do-it-all guard also enjoys playing at Madison Square Garden, a venue that knows how to appreciate good basketball, even by an opponent.

The Knicks have dropped their three meetings with the Pistons this season.

Cunningham has become an unstoppable force in his fifth year in Detroit, carrying over the momentum from his breakout campaign last season, where he was named to the All-NBA Third Team.

The post Knicks fan Ben Stiller admits Cade Cunningham ‘kicked our butts’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

On Thursday, the Knicks failed anew in their mission to score a win at Detroit’s expense, as they suffered a 126-111 loss to the visiting Pistons. It was the third loss for New York against Cade Cunningham and company in this campaign, which also means that they have just gotten swept in this regular-season series.

Each of those losses to Detroit was a double-digit blowout. The first one ended in a 121-90 score in Detroit, where the Pistons also defeated the Knicks, 118-80, in the second meeting.

Considering how the Pistons have absolutely manhandled New York this season, it appears that Detroit will be the Knicks’ biggest nightmare in the 2025 NBA Playoffs.

But for Knicks newcomer Jose Alvarado, New York’s outlook in the postseason, in case it meets the Pistons there, is not as discouraging as it looks.

“Playoffs is a whole different ballgame,” Alvarado said following the game (h/t Knicks Videos). “We’re not going to sit here and say, ‘oh, they beat us in the regular season…’ We’re not thinking like that.”

Nevertheless, it’s clear that the Pistons are a huge thorn in New York’s side.

The Knicks eliminated Detroit in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, but the Pistons have since become one of the best teams not just in the East but in the entire league. Only the reigning NBA champions Oklahoma City Thunder have more wins at this point of the season than Detroit, which improved to 41-13. The Knicks, on the other hand, dropped to 35-21.

The post Knicks’ Jose Alvarado downplays 3rd straight blowout loss to Pistons appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“Landry hit a couple shots down the stretch,” Brown said following the Knicks’ 126-111 loss to Cade Cunningham and company at Madison Square Garden in New York (via Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News). “We were looking to score points and Landry was the only one to hit shots from downtown tonight.”

Shamet played in more minutes in the second half than Bridges, getting 15:36 of playtime after the half to only 11:23 for the latter. In return, Shamet provided New York with 12 points on 4-for-8 shooting from the floor and 3-for-6 from behind the arc in the second half, while Bridges only had two points on 1-for-3 shooting in that span.

In any case, New York did not have enough firepower to keep up with Cunningham and the Pistons, who shot 52 percent from the field and went 13-for-30 from deep.

The Knicks, on the other hand, shot only 47 percent and missed a ton of shots from the 3-point region, going just 8-for-35 on their deep balls. Only Shamet and Jalen Brunson found considerable success from downtown, shooting 6-for-15 from deep together, while OG Anunoby, Jose Alvarado, Karl-Anthony Towns and Bridges combined for an atrocious 2-for-20.

The Knicks can be better on Saturday, as they hope for some positive regression on their outside shooting against the Houston Rockets at MSG.

The post Why Knicks’ Landry Shamet closed over Mikal Bridges late in Pistons loss appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Cunningham went off for a game-high 42 points on 17-of-34 shooting, including 5-of-11 from three-point range. He also had eight rebounds, 13 assists, and two blocks in another masterful showing.

He won his marquee matchup with Jalen Brunson, who was not too shabby with 33 points, six rebounds, eight assists, and two steals.

After the painful loss, Knicks coach Mike Brown regretted not forcing Cunningham to his weak spots, as reported by SNY’s Ian Begley.

“Regarding Cade Cunningham, Mike Brown said NYK didn’t force him to the sideline/let him get to the middle of the floor too often. One of the Knicks’ defensive adjustments during pre-All-Star winning streak: Forcing the ball to the sideline. Cunningham seemed to get anywhere he wanted tonight,” wrote Begley on X.

The 55-year-old Brown is a defensive-minded coach, and it must be killing him that they allowed Cunningham to toy with them.

The Knicks have now lost three times to the Pistons this season.

Detroit set the tone early, going on a 21-8 run in the first quarter to take control of the game. The Pistons had a double-digit lead at halftime, 58-48, and never took their foot off the gas.

The Knicks were atrocious from beyond the arc, shooting 8-of-35, and were outrebounded, 44-38.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 21 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists. OG Anunoby, who had a rare moment in the first half, and Mikal Bridges only had eight points apiece, with the former shooting 3-of-13, including 1-of-8 from long distance.

The Knicks fell to 35-21 and will look to bounce back against the Houston Rockets on Saturday.

The post Mike Brown’s biggest regret after Knicks let Cade Cunningham go off for 42 points appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Knicks hosted the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden on Thursday in a possible preview of the conference finals. It was a nip-and-tuck affair from the onset, with both teams refusing to budge.

In the second quarter, Anunoby took it a bit too literally. He went up for a dunk, but Cade Cunningham blocked the ball, which then got stuck in the side of the rim for the classic, all-time favorite, soul-enriching wedgie.

Legendary commentator Ian Eagle, in all his booming ebullience, proudly bellowed: “OH! A DUNK WEDGIE! THAT DOESN’T HAPPEN VERY OFTEN!”

"It doesn't happen very often!"

Cade blocks the dunk attempt into the rim for a wedgie pic.twitter.com/AnRdLR3S1n

— NBA (@NBA) February 20, 2026

If that did not get you pumped up, nothing will.

Of course, fans had to react to the unusual moment, with some stressing that Cunningham got away with a foul.

“A wedgie block is crazy. Cade is doing everything out there,” said @PratikGrowth.

“At least it’s not a high school game where the referee has to get a ladder or broomstick,” noted @B82Scottie.

“Posting this clear foul as a highlight is crazy,” wrote @Nafta456.

“Show the replay close up. That’s a FOUL,” echoed @dj_immy_.

“This game is so bonkers,” posted @KOYIN_CENTRAL.

Anunoby’s wedgie was a bad omen, as the Knicks fell to the Pistons, 126-111. They dropped to 35-21, including 21-8 at home.

Anunoby struggled with eight points on 3-of-13 shooting, including 1-of-8 from long distance. He also had four blocks.

Jalen Brunson had 33 points, six rebounds, eight assists, and two steals. He also had six turnovers.

The post OG Anunoby’s dunk attempt in Knicks-Pistons results in ultra-rare NBA moment appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Before debuting with his new team in Thursday’s much-anticipated battle versus the first-place Detroit Pistons (40-13), the 22-year-old forward was sporting a Knickerbockers-inspired, blue and orange hairstyle, via ClutchPoints. Sochan is fighting for minutes and is therefore at least somewhat desperate, but this gesture shows how genuinely excited he is to play for this organization.

Jeremy Sochan rocking the blue and orange hair ahead of his Knicks debut pic.twitter.com/Xi4rIkSmb8

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 20, 2026

The Polish-American who was born in Oklahoma and raised in England fits New York’s culture more than most people may realize. He brings energy and defensive intensity, two qualities that fueled the Knicks during the 1990s and early 2000s. Sochan could provide crucial frontcourt depth and allow head coach Mike Brown to keep his core players fresh down the stretch.

Moreover, he still has time to develop into an impactful NBA contributor, and team president Leon Rose believes that process can potentially coincide with New York’s 2026 playoffs run. The 2022 Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year could significantly boost his free agency value if he helps the Knicks advance to the NBA Finals for the first time this century.

Jeremy Sochan averaged 10.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists while shooting 46.8 percent from the field and 28.7 percent from 3-point land in 212 games with the Spurs. The future is uncertain, but he is incredibly grateful to start fresh in The Big Apple. The top of his head illustrates that point quite clearly.

The post Knicks’ Jeremy Sochan shows off new look for NY debut vs. Pistons appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Knicks have flashed brilliant, championship-level potential that had superstar point guard Jalen Brunson in MVP conversations. And they have flashed essentially all of the issues off of which pundits and scribes base their doubts.

Head coach Mike Brown has preached the importance of selectively poor memory. The goal is to stay grounded, much similar to the philosophy of Knicks teams led by Tom Thibodeau. The coach, two-thirds of the way into his first season with this group, maintains that their midseason struggles are necessary evils helping lay a foundation for eventual playoff success. He declared ahead of their overtime loss to the Indiana Pacers that, based on his experience, the Knicks are on the right path.

“You hate to lose games, and I’m not signing up to lose games. But I’m a believer that we need to struggle a couple times this year. … It’s going to test our resolve as a group. You have to be connected if you want to give yourself a chance. Playoff runs, there’s nothing more stressful than that on the NBA level. Seven-game series, there’s four of them, so that really tests your resolve. … To be able to hit some adversity, go through it, stay connected, and come out of it hopefully a little stronger than what you were going into it, it’s something that I look forward to,” Brown told reporters ahead of the All-Star break.

Knicks’ post All-Star break path to NBA Finals run is clear, just not easy

The logical and methodical Brown is focused on his group playing winning basketball. The coach was asked about the relative dip in All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns’ production and focused solely on the games comprising an eight-game win streak. And when asked about what he’s learned about the Knicks’ players this season, he told media that the locker room’s solution-oriented approach to handling adversity has impressed him.

“To see the way they handled that 2-9 stretch, was really good. Because it could have been a lot of finger-pointing, infighting, it could have been a lot of that. And our guys were pretty steady in trying to find ways to right the ship,” the coach affirmed last Tuesday.

The same structured, step-by-step approach that the Knicks’ front office employed to build their current roster – do research, gather assets, wait for opportunities to strike, and execute aggressively when they arise – is similar to Brown’s systematic approach to coaching.

He, like many coaches, has baseline principles that he wants his team to execute. And the coach seems to have noticed the detail-oriented fervor with which he assigns roles to assistants or reportedly challenges players in practices, within team captain Jalen Brunson, and his teammates. Their responses to adversity thus far have involved acknowledging the issues at hand, discussing them as a team, and working with their coaches on executing solutions.

That process has been a winning formula thus far, all things considered. The ultimate test will still be the postseason, and whether or not the Knicks can make it to that fourth seven-game series.

The post Why Mike Brown thinks Knicks’ post-NBA Cup flop primes them for playoff success appeared first on ClutchPoints.

There is one player on the injury report who has been key for the Knicks this season, and it’s OG Anunoby. He’s listed on the injury report with a right toe/toe avulsion, and it’s uncertain if he’ll suit up against the Pistons.

Here is his status going into the game.

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OG Anunoby’s injury status vs. Pistons

Anunoby is listed as questionable against the Pistons, which means there is a chance that he plays. He did practice a day before the game, and he revealed that there was pain as his toenail was completely removed.

“There’s a lot of pain. It’s an open wound,” said Anunoby, per James L. Edwards III of The Athletic on X, formerly Twitter.

Hopefully, the injury doesn’t limit much of what Anunoby wants to do on the floor, and the Knicks may manage his minutes if he decides to play. Anunoby’s greatest strength is his defense, and he usually guards one of the better perimeter players on the opposing team. If he can’t do that to the best of his ability, the Knicks may bring him back slowly.

Luckily for the Knicks, they have Mikal Bridges, who is also a good perimeter defender and can fill that role for Anunoby.

It doesn’t sound like an injury that should hold Anunoby back for an extended time, and if he can play, he may be a full go.

The post Is OG Anunoby playing tonight in first game after All-Star break? Knicks vs. Pistons injury report appeared first on ClutchPoints.

One of Sochan’s most-notable features is the color of his hair, with the team’s official account on X, formerly Twitter, posting a picture of him with the New York Knicks colors on his head. The photo also had a quote that read, “I am super excited to be here and grow with the city and the team.”

from the newest knick pic.twitter.com/3ObxzeBgwq

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 18, 2026

As Sochan’s time with the Spurs this season was limited, his release can lead to a fresh start with the team, as he spoke about choosing New York in his introductory press conference on Wednesday.

“New York was always at the top,” Sochan said, via SNY. “I really had refreshing and really good conversations with the organization, the front office, and the coach. I was always excited about this opportunity.”

Jeremy Sochan is confident he’ll find his role with the Knicks

While the Knicks are looking to make a championship push this season, Sochan is hoping he can contribute in any way, but playing time won’t be just given. He spoke about choosing New York for its depth and how he’s confident in himself to carve out a role with the Knicks.

“One of the reasons why I picked New York is it’s a very deep roster with a lot of really talented players,” Sochan said Wednesday. “I still think I’m young, so being around players that have established themselves and done a lot in this league is a crazy opportunity for me.”

“I do believe in myself, and I believe I can do well on the court,” Sochan continued. “But I look at it as the bigger picture. I think I can be a part of this and grow in general.”

At any rate, it remains to be seen what Sochan’s role looks like as the Knicks’ season moves forward this year.

The post Knicks fans will love Jeremy Sochan’s new look appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Knicks must get right with Karl-Anthony Towns

Karl-Anthony Towns has played well of late. He has been a rebounding machine, averaging 14.2 rebounds per game across the past nine games. And that has positively impacted the Knicks and their outcomes.

However, he hasn’t scored the ball nearly as well as he’s capable of doing. Towns is averaging 16.3 points per game in that same time frame, shooting only 27.3% on about four 3-point attempts per game. That is horrendously bad given what we expect from him. But sadly, it’s not far off from his 2025-26 season output. Towns is averaging the second-fewest points per game of his career this season (19.8), as well as his second-worst 3-point percentage (35.1%).

That’s not going to cut it if the Knicks hope to win the 2026 NBA Championship. Head coach Mike Brown must do more to get Towns involved, likely by leaning on dribble hand-off action, increasing pick-and-rolls with Jalen Brunson, and featuring him in isolations in the post.

But it’s not entirely on Brown to make it happen. Towns has his work cut out for him, too. He must learn to accept missed calls and stop bickering with referees, hustle back on defense, and look for better shot opportunities.

Towns can also demand the ball. While Brown and Brunson are partially responsible for getting Towns involved, Towns has to make a strong case for receiving the ball. That means sealing his man behind him in the post and demanding the ball. It also means not settling for runners and bad or contested shots. But at the end of the day, Towns is just too talented to continue like this for much longer. He’s due for a return to the mean.

Jose Alvarado and Jeremy Sochan must acclimate

The Knicks have other work to do beyond getting Towns back to his pre-2025-26 output. New York must also work to acclimate their recent joiners, Jose Alvarado and Jeremy Sochan, into their rotation. Alvarado was added via trade before the trade deadline, appearing in three games for New York so far—and his impact has already been felt.

Alvarado adds an obvious intensity and scrappiness. He is a high-energy perimeter defender who disrupts opposing offenses and sets a tougher culture. His presence is even more important given the injury to Miles McBride, who will be out until late March with a sports hernia. Anything Alvarado can deliver on the offensive end of the floor is icing on the cake.

Jeremy Sochan’s role is less clear. The six-foot-eight-inch forward is a versatile defender, who adds significant toughness. He is expected to add valuable front court depth, probably taking minutes from Mohamed Diawara, at least initially.

Sochan’s ability to guard multiple positions should intrigue Brown. He will obviously be a reserve, but exactly how he fits into the team’s rotation must be explored. Sochan had three strong seasons with the San Antonio Spurs before being waived. His role became less clear this season, but he can still hopefully do what he did prior to this season, being a disruptive force who can create with the ball in his hands and move well without it.

Knicks must decide on a playoff rotation 

Both of the aforementioned points speak to the team’s need to shore up its rotation. New York has effectively added to its depth. And its top-end star power is considerable. Now, it’s about understanding who plays and who doesn’t.

Brown said he prefers to play a “9.5 man rotation” before the season began. Well, that makes for some tough decisions.

In addition to their starting five, the Knicks must consider playing time for Alvarado, Sochan, McBride, Mitchell Robinson, Landry Shamet, and Jordan Clarkson—not to mention Diawara. The team can approach its reserves in three separate groups: guards, forwards, and Robinson.

Robinson’s place is well-cemented. When healthy, he is an absolute must-play. And the only limitations here involve being careful not to lean too heavily on him.

There is likely only room for three of the guards—Alvarado, McBride, Shamet, and Clarkson—and that’s being generous. But it’s impossible to imagine Alvarado, McBride, and Shamet not playing regularly. Sadly, Clarkson is probably the odd-man out from this group. However, his presence remains valuable as he adds the most instant offense off the bench. Hopefully he remains engaged without a regular role—a tough ask of anyone.

That leaves the forwards. Shamet’s size could allow Brown to play him as a forward, as well. But ideally, Sochan can replicate much of what OG Anunoby and Josh Hart do. If that doesn’t work out as planned, the big question becomes does the team turn to Diawara for playoff minutes? And can he handle it if they do?

Thankfully, the Knicks have 27 games remaining to solve these issues. The team should be motivated to improve on last season’s results and advance to the NBA Finals—and preferably win it. And this could very well be their best chance to do so.

The post Karl-Anthony Towns among 3 issues Knicks must figure out before championship push appeared first on ClutchPoints.

During Pistons media day, Cunningham revealed that he had spoken with the Hall-of-Famer on potentially working out together.

“Me and Melo, we had talked a couple times,” Cunningham said back in September 2025. “We set up a couple workouts. One in Vegas and one in New York, but we just haven’t been able to link up. Our schedules were mixed up… I’m just trying to find ways to be the best version of myself this season and having respect from legends like that means a lot of as far as confidence and everything. I just want to continue to grow and get better.”

Carmelo Anthony, who has since joined NBC Sports as their analyst, recently spoke about Cunningham’s rise on a call with media for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game.

“I love it,” Anthony exclaimed. “I’ve been a fan and have been watching Cade since high school. I’ve watched his growth, development, and maturity over the past four or five years. We’ve been in contact. He reached out to get in the gym and wanted to work on certain aspects of his game. I saw that as a sign of maturity, with him wanting to slow the game down and wanting to pick his spots. He wants to get to his spots where he can be aggressive and efficient and take advantage of the mismatches. We’ve been talking, watching film and talking film. I’m that mentor for him and providing insight.”

This isn’t the first time Carmelo Anthony has spoken highly of the Detroit Pistons star. Back in March 2025, the former Nuggets and Knicks star highlighted Cade Cunningham on his podcast, “7PM in Brooklyn.”

“I think we seeing the development of Cade Cunningham,” Anthony said. “The patience of like going through the process. He’s starting to find his pace, find his flow, find his speed, his confidence, he’s shooting the ball. He doing s*** that’s like ‘I’m here,’ and as a result, they winning.”

Cade Cunningham is having another strong season for the Pistons, averaging 25.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 9.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 46.2 percent from the field and 33 percent from three. In 47 appearances this season, Cunningham is averaging career highs in assists, steals, blocks, and two-point field goal percentage.

Cunningham has led the Pistons to the best record in the Eastern Conference and the second-best record in the NBA at 40-13.

The Pistons open up their post-All-Star break schedule with a two game road trip against the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls. Given Carmelo Anthony lives in New York and had previously scheduled a workout with Cunningham in the Big Apple, it’ll be interesting to see if the two have an opportunity to get together before Thursday night’s game.

The post Carmelo Anthony’s Cade Cunningham plan will catch fans’ attention appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Recently, Anunoby got brutally honest on having his toenail removed.

“There’s a lot of pain. It’s an open wound,” said Anunoby, per James L. Edwards III of The Athletic on X, formerly Twitter.

However, he did add that the injury is getting better, with Edwards III reporting that the forward practiced on Wednesday.

The Knicks are certainly a much better team with Anunoby in the lineup, with his defensive and perimeter shot making turning him into one of the premier 3-and-D players in the league today.

Currently, the Knicks are in a battle with the Boston Celtics for the number two slot in the Eastern Conference, although the Cleveland Cavaliers might have something to say about that down the stretch of the season, as they have started to pick things up after trading for James Harden. The Detroit Pistons currently occupy the number one seed in the Eastern Conference by a wide margin.

When the Knicks are fully healthy, they have arguably the most talented team in the East, with Anunoby and Mikal Bridges both capable of having big scoring nights, and Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns leading the show.

It remains to be seen if the Knicks will be able to overcome some of the defensive woes that plagued them during last year’s Eastern Conference Finals loss to the Indiana Pacers, when the combination of Towns and Brunson was often played off the floor. Having Anunoby healthy will certainly help out in that regard.

The Knicks will next take the floor on Thursday evening vs the Pistons at home.

The post Knicks’ OG Anunoby drops painful revelation about toenail removal – ‘It’s an open wound’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Reports have surfaced that MSG’s board of directors approved a plan to “explore spinning off its hockey and basketball clubs” (via The New York Times).

If it goes through, the Knicks and their G League team, the Westchester Knicks, would become a separate company from the Rangers and their minor league team, the Hartford Wolf Pack, would similarly split off into a different company.

Still, nothing is “guaranteed to happen,” and there is “no timeline in mind to complete the move.” So, fans will have to keep an eye on the situation.

“We are exploring the opportunity to further create value for our shareholders by separating our two professional sports franchises into distinct companies,” Dolan said in a statement, via The New York Times. “Both the Knicks and Rangers are premier teams in their respective leagues, with storied histories and large and passionate fan bases.

“We believe this proposed transaction would provide each company with enhanced strategic flexibility, its own defined business focus, and clear characteristics for investors,” he continued.

Will James Dolan and Madison Square Garden split the Knicks and Rangers?

While Madison Square Garden’s board approved the plan, there are other factors at play. The NBA and NHL both have to approve the move. The New York Times also notes that there are “other considerations.”

As for the why, some are speculating that such a move would make it “easier” for Dolan to sell one of the franchises. The Dolan family became minority owners of the franchises in 1994. Shortly after, they became majority owners.

Dolan has been adamant that he’s not interested in selling the teams. However, he and MSG executives have stated their interest in selling minority stakes.

Another possible reason for the move, as The New York Times notes, is that it could serve as a “precursor” to making the Knicks and Rangers privately traded teams. They are both publicly traded at the moment.

The post James Dolan reveals plan for MSG to possibly split up Knicks, Rangers appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Check our Sneakers news for more upcoming releases and breaking content!

Brunson has been wearing Nike Kobe sneakers almost exclusively since his time as a Villanova Wildcat, extending the tradition en route to becoming an All-NBA talent with the New York Knicks. His PE (player exclusive) run began with the “Statue of Liberty” colorway of the Nike Kobe 6, most recently manifesting once again in the form of the newest “Arancia” Nike Kobe 3 Low.

Nike Basketball debuted the “Warning Label” collection at 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, offering top Nike athletes like LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Ja Morant their own specialized colorways of their signature sneakers. Brunson was no different as Nike put together a “Warning Label” Nike Kobe 3 PE for him to rock during the festivities.

Nike Kobe 3 Low “Warning Label”

A first look at the “Warning Label” Promo Nike Kobe 3 Protro Low

These feature a gold shimmer on the upper and will not be releasing to the public. pic.twitter.com/UFVmWQ2aR9

— Black Cotton Apparel (@bcapparel) February 16, 2026

Jalen Brunson debuts the Promo ‘Warning Label’ Nike Kobe 3 Protro Low pic.twitter.com/6PK0X6G95J

— House of Heat° (@houseofheat) February 15, 2026

Jalen Brunson’s “Warning Label” Nike Kobe 3 differs slightly from the retail pair that released during NBA All-Star Weekend

The pair was given to players in Nike’s Future Game at Crenshaw High School https://t.co/PfgdCmJOYH pic.twitter.com/fdap0t5zda

— Nice Kicks (@nicekicks) February 15, 2026

Per Nike’s promotional warning label: “This collection is more than a threat. It’s a promise that our athletes’ ruthless nature and true colors shine when they step foot on the court.” The collection features the Nike A’One (A’ja Wilson), Nike KD 18 (Kevin Durant), Nike Ja 3 (Ja Morant), Nike Sabrina 3 (Sabrina Ionescu), and Nike Freak 7 (Giannis Antetokounmpo).

The “Warning Label” Nike Kobe 3 Low comes in a loud purple and iridescent color scheme matching the common theme throughout the collection. The midsole, outsole, sockliner, and laces are all done in a uniform soft purple hue. The hallmark feature is the iridescent color throughout the upper’s webbing, giving these an unmistakable and exclusive look.

While aforementioned pairs are currently available via Nike, Brunson’s Kobe 3 PE will remain exclusive to himself and the players in Nike’s Future Game. Do you think Nike should release this specific pair?

The post Jalen Brunson ‘Warning Label’ Nike Kobe 3 official look appeared first on ClutchPoints.

In the end, none of them won the trophy, as Team Stars conquered the mini-tournament. It was the young guns, including Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards and San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama, who shone the brightest at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.

Edwards was named All-Star Game MVP, while Wembanyama almost single-handedly carried Team World. Edwards acknowledged Wembanyama for setting the tone in the midseason spectacle, and Brunson agreed.

“I think Wemby’s a leader. The way he carried himself is fantastic for this game. I think he’s done a great job, and you see what his impact is on and off the court around this game. So he’s doing what he does,” said Brunson.

Jalen Brunson agrees with Anthony Edwards and says Victor Wembanyama set the tone for the intensity of the All-Star Game

“I mean, yeah. I think Wemby’s a leader. The way he carries himself is fantastic for this game. I think he’s done a great job, and you see what his impact… https://t.co/yOCqsqKPoM pic.twitter.com/DYzrcmrFm1

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 16, 2026

The 22-year-old Wembanyama, who played in his second straight All-Star Game, tallied 33 points on 10-of-13 shooting, eight rebounds, and two blocks in two games, although they lost both of them.

For his part, the 29-year-old Brunson had 13 points, three rebounds, four assists, and two steals in three games.

Even before the much-anticipated contest, Wembanyama made it clear that he doesn’t see it as a relaxed exhibition, stressing the need to play hard to compete.

Team World still had a chance to advance to the final, but Wembanyama missed the three-pointer that would have sent the game against Team Stripes into overtime.

Meanwhile, Brunson and the Knicks will return to action on Thursday against the Detroit Pistons.

The post Knicks’ Jalen Brunson has ‘leader’ take on Victor Wembanyama after NBA All-Star Game appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The younger Brunson playfully roasted his father during the trophy presentation, noting that while the elder Brunson did his job, being around him is never a good time.

This momentum comes as the Knicks enter the break with a 35-20 record and the third seed in the Eastern Conference.

These types of interactions often highlight the team’s chemistry, though some teammates test Brunson’s patience more than others.

In a video posted by ClutchPoints via the NBA, the Knicks leader revealed his pick for a specific superlative.

“I’m not going to say his name, but number 3 [Josh Hart] on the Knicks… he’s the most annoying person ever,” Brunson joked.

"I'm not going to say his name, but number 3 [Josh Hart] on the Knicks… he's the most annoying person ever."

– Jalen Brunson

(via @NBA)
pic.twitter.com/4re547kgzb

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 15, 2026

The bond between the former Villanova teammates is well-documented, and this latest comment adds another chapter to their ongoing public banter.

While Hart might be a nuisance in the locker room, his presence has been vital to a Knicks squad that has won 8 of its last 10 games.

This surge followed a pivotal players-only meeting called by Brunson after a disappointing loss to the Mavericks.

The star guard has embraced his role as the team’s undisputed leader, emphasizing that his motivation comes from proving to himself that he belongs at the highest level.

Brunson stated that he is not afraid to fail as he pushes the Knicks toward championship aspirations.

He challenged his teammates to show they care enough to put in the necessary effort, a demand that has clearly resonated as the team prepares for the final stretch of the regular season.

The post Knicks’ Jalen Brunson drops unsurprising pick for ‘most annoying person ever’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

After Brunson, fellow 2026 All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns and fan favorite Allan Houston led the Knicks squad to victory, No. 11 took the opportunity to unload verbal blows on the celebrity passer, who also happens to be his father and coach. New York assistant and former NBA player Rick Brunson was roasted during the trophy presentation.

When asked if he was enjoying himself, the younger Brunson decided to lay into his old man.

“No, whenever I’m with him, it’s never fun,” he told NBC Sports reporter Ashley ShahAhmadi, via the BrickCenter X account. “It was a passer, I wouldn’t say a ‘celebrity’ passer, but he did his job.”

Jalen Brunson on if he’s having fun yet:

“No.” pic.twitter.com/ZdyPZTXdv9

— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) February 14, 2026

TEAM KNICKS ARE YOUR SHOOTING STARS CHAMPIONS

They scored 47 points in the 2nd Round to secure the win.

(via @NBA)pic.twitter.com/SdpYtHt6Zj

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 14, 2026

The Brunson men spend so much time together in the locker room and on the road, so one would assume that they regularly engage in some old-fashioned ribbing. Ultimately, everyone performed their job effectively enough to secure New York the win. The Knicks trio scored 47 points in the final round to defeat Team Cameron, which consisted of former Duke stars Jalen Johnson, Kon Knueppel and Corey Maggette.

Jalen Brunson will remain a key part of the festivities, as he gets set to be an All-Star Game starer for the second straight year. Since his father will not be on the court during the action, one can only hope that the 29-year-old has some fun before leaving Los Angeles’ Intuit Dome.

The post Why Knicks’ Jalen Brunson wasn’t having fun even after winning Shooting Stars event appeared first on ClutchPoints.

For Brunson, the Knicks’ recent stretch is an example of how successful they can be when everyone’s on the same page, as the All-Star guard is looking forward to finishing the regular season on a high note ahead of the postseason, he said, per NBATV’s Chris Haynes.

“It was more about proving myself that I belonged versus proving people wrong,” Brunson said. “I just wanted to kind of prove to myself this is where I’m supposed to be. No matter what happens, I’m not afraid to fail.”

Ahead of his third consecutive All-Star Game appearance since joining the Knicks, Brunson’s having arguably one of his better seasons, averaging 27.0 points on 47.0% shooting, including 37.4% from deep, 6.1 assists, and 3.3 rebounds.

Jalen Brunson’s soul-searching demand for Knicks

Knicks All-Star Jalen Brunson called out his team after losing to the Mavericks. Calling out his team for not putting forth the effort they’re capable of, Brunson didn’t hold back, per ESPN.

“There’s been a lot of things to pinpoint, but I mean, as a team, we know what we have to do,” Brunson said. “It’s either we do it, we care enough to do it, or we don’t.”

After the Knicks’ defense gave up 75 points in the first half of a 17-point loss to the Mavericks, Brunson didn’t hold back, and his team hasn’t lost more than twice in 10 tries.

The post Knicks’ Jalen Brunson reveals why he’s ‘not afraid to fail’ in New York appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Now in his second season with the Knicks, Towns continues to expand his brand beyond the hardwood. The 2026 All-Star reserve is averaging 19.8 points and 11.9 rebounds while anchoring a roster that reached the Eastern Conference Finals last spring. His presence at NBA All-Star Weekend already carried significant buzz before the viral interaction added another layer to his spotlight.

The Rizzler, whose real name is Christian Joseph, has become a fixture at major sporting events. The nine-year-old TikTok sensation is widely recognized for his signature “Rizz Face” and meme-driven persona. His appearance at the Intuit Dome plaza further highlighted how deeply the NBA embraces influencer culture and digital-native fandom.

On Friday night, following the Rising Stars festivities at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, The Rizzler shared a photo from his official X (formerly known as Twitter) account, capturing the moment with the Knicks star big man.

“Rizz x KAT link up”

Rizz x KAT link up pic.twitter.com/6vb8EsO2OA

— The Rizzler (@Da_Rizzler419) February 14, 2026

The image quickly circulated online, with fans reacting to the striking height difference between the seven-foot Knicks center and the young internet personality. The playful crossover instantly began trending, blending NBA stardom with viral “aura” culture in a way that defines the modern All-Star Weekend.

For Knicks supporters, the moment reinforced Towns’ approachable personality during an event built on celebrity access, fan engagement, and brand activations.

This weekend marks the 11-year veteran’s sixth career All-Star appearance, but his focus extends beyond the viral photo. He will compete Saturday in the Kia Shooting Stars competition as part of Team Knicks alongside Jalen Brunson and Allan Houston before suiting up Sunday for Team World in the league’s new three-team All-Star format.

While the link-up may not affect the standings, it underscored how the Knicks continue to sit at the center of basketball, entertainment, and culture.

The post Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns links up with The Rizzler at NBA All-Star weekend appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Sochan reacted to the team’s announcement on X (formerly Twitter) with just two words, “Bing Bong!”, a playful reference to the franchise’s fan-favorite slogan and catchphrase.

The No. 9 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft out of Baylor joins a Knicks team currently positioned third in the Eastern Conference with a 35-20 record, behind the Boston Celtics (35-19) and Detroit Pistons (40-13). The signing comes as New York looks to bolster its bench ahead of a deep playoff push in what is widely being considered a comparatively weak Eastern Conference season.

A versatile forward renowned for his defensive skills and ballhandling, Sochan played 212 games over four seasons with the Spurs, averaging 10.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. He started 149 contests and averaged 27.3 minutes per game in his first three seasons. However, his role diminished this year, featuring in just 28 games and averaging a career-low 4.1 points and 2.6 rebounds in 12.8 minutes per outing.

San Antonio agreed to waive the 22-year-old after failing to find a trade before the February 5 deadline. Following the waiver procedure, reportedly 10 teams showed interest in signing Sochan, with the Knicks emerging as frontrunners. New York’s roster flexibility, supported by recent moves including the trades of Guerschon Yabusele and the acquisition of guard Jose Alvarado, allowed the team to absorb Sochan’s prorated veteran minimum contract without exceeding the NBA’s second-apron hard cap. Alvarado has since averaged 14.0 points, 3.7 assists, and 2.3 steals in three games, giving the Knicks another boost at guard.

Now with the Knicks, his second career team, Sochan will be eligible for the playoffs as he was waived well before the March 1 deadline. While unlikely to see heavy minutes, his presence provides insurance in the frontcourt and adds depth to a team aiming for a championship run.

The post Knicks’ Jeremy Sochan drops perfect reaction to NY signing announcement appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Before the world knew him as a star, with the postseason runs, lucrative contracts, and All-NBA nods, he was his mother’s son first. That identity, by Towns’ own admission, remains the most important one.

When Jacqueline Cruz-Towns passed away in 2020 due to COVID-19, the talented center was devastated. The timing was cruel. The pandemic made everything tougher, including Towns’ grief.

But he had to stay strong for his mother. He had to do his job. Still, there were times when sorrow seeped in.

“Usually, her ritual with me was, I’d be doing my warmup lines, we’d run out, we’d go into our two lines, and we’d start doing our layup lines. My mom made it her thing to stand next to the stanchion and just wave at me. It felt great, being your mom’s there, nothing can be wrong. She got me,” shared Towns on NBAT2.

“I remember that first game back in Minnesota, I kept looking and kept thinking someone’s gonna show up, and no one’s gonna show up, so it was a different feeling.”

It was a difficult year for the six-time All-Star. After Cruz-Towns, more family members succumbed to COVID-19. The emotional toll was staggering, but Towns moved forward, displaying the resiliency that has helped his career.

Towns has always credited his mother for molding him into the person he is. Everything he has achieved was rooted in her guidance. He continually honors her through his societal contributions, particularly in health awareness and youth education.

Cruz-Towns may not be in the crowd anymore to cheer for her son, but her presence will always remain with Towns, whose fuller story is not about basketball but about a mother’s belief.

The post Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns opens up about losing his mother appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Sochan revealed his decision to join the Knicks earlier this week. This comes after the Spurs made the choice to release him into free agency waivers. That saw his time with the franchise come to an end after four seasons, having played a solid role throughout their rebuilding years.

The young forward will provide versatility on the New York roster, improving its depth as the team desires a deep playoff run. Towns caught the news by surprise after finding Sochan’s post on social media.

“No way this how I find out ,” Towns wrote.

What’s next for Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks

Karl-Anthony Towns and the Knicks will be looking forward to seeing what Jeremy Sochan brings to the table.

Sochan was active as a playmaker throughout his four-year stint with the Spurs. After 212 career appearances with San Antonio, he averaged 10.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. He shot 46.8% from the field, including 28.7% from beyond the arc, and 72.3% from the free-throw line.

Sochan’s role was the smallest it has been this season, seeing the likes of Devin Vassell, Julian Champagnie, Harrison Barnes, and rookie Carter Bryant play over him in the rotation. Going to New York will allow him to have an active role off the bench, where the forward position can afford to have versatility and playmaking production.

New York has a 35-20 record on the season, holding the third spot in the Eastern Conference standings. They are above the Cleveland Cavaliers by one game and the Toronto Raptors by three games, while trailing the Boston Celtics by 0.5 games and the Detroit Pistons by six games.

The Knicks are on break due to All-Star Weekend, but will resume play next week. They will be at home when they host the Pistons on Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The post Karl-Anthony Towns shares unexpected way he learned Jeremy Sochan joined Knicks appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Now comes the next question: When will Mike Brown put the veteran into the Knicks’ rotation?

Knicks insider for The New York Post Stefan Bondy revealed the timetable for Sochan’s Knicks debut.

“Jeremy Sochan is expected to join the Knicks on Monday and will be available Thursday versus the Pistons, the first game back from All-Star break, sources say,” Bondy posted on the social media website X, formerly Twitter. “Heard the opportunity to play for a contender with veteran leadership was important for Sochan.”

How Jeremy Sochan landed with the Knicks

Sochan, again, arrives to New York as a rare free agent move ahead of NBA All-Star weekend. He also heads to the Knicks as a non-trade.

The San Antonio Spurs decided to release him — leading to his Knicks arrival.

Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson wasn’t proactively playing the 22-year-old Sochan. He even received a combined 49 minutes of action during the month of January.

Sochan was a top-10 NBA Draft selection for the Spurs during a time Gregg Popovich coached the franchise. The Polish native eventually landed on the league’s All-Rookie team in 2022-23 after averaging 11 points a night.

The 6-foot-8 forward elevated his PPG to 11.6 during his sophomore NBA campaign. But his numbers slightly dipped to 11.4, and he also played just 54 games.

He settled for only 4.1 PPG through 28 games this season. Sochan also watched his rebounds decline — going from 6.5 RPG in 2024-25 to 2.6 this season. But he’ll add some forward depth for NYK during its attempt to claim the franchise’s first Eastern Conference title since the 1999 season.

The post When is Jeremy Sochan expected to make Knicks debut? appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Oh hell no…. https://t.co/0vz3nedpef

— Josh Hart (@joshhart) February 12, 2026

Sochan demonstrated his humor by posting a video of a man singing ‘Empire State of Mind’ by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys in the most off-key fashion. It was a nice, fun moment after the week started badly for him. The San Antonio Spurs released Sochan, buying out the rest of his contract and making him available to sign with any team.

Sochan’s role with the Spurs has diminished since the team selected him with the ninth overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. His rookie season started off slowly, averaging 11 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while shooting 45.3% obver 56 games. Ultimately, not much improved in the 2023-24 season, as Sochan averaged 11.6 points and 6.4 rebounds per game while shooting 43.8% from the floor. Sochan averaged 11.4 points and 6.5 rebounds per game while shooting 53.5% from the floor last season.

But this season saw a major decrease in his minutes. Sochan averaged 4.1 points per game while shooting 47.5% over 28 games. Now, he gets a chance for a fresh start with a new team. New York was one of Sochan’s top destinations, and the best-case scenario is that he ends up here. While his playing status has not been confirmed, he is likely to back up OG Anunoby.

Sochan will get his opportunity to show he was worth the top pick the Spurs gave him. Additionally, he will get a chance to showcase his humor to Hart, and the rest of his new teammates.

The post Knicks’ Jeremy Sochan’s hilarious first NYC post has Josh Hart losing his mind appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Sochan, 22, was the ninth-overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Spurs. An All-Rookie team performer during the 2022-23 season, Sochan was not a main part of head coach Mitch Johnson’s rotations this season and has logged just 49 minutes since the start of January, leading to his release.

Many teams had been in contact with Sochan and his representation since his release from San Antonio, especially given that the buyout market for impactful forwards is light. Sochan was drawing interest from 10 different teams, including New York, according to ESPN.

Upon clearing waivers on Friday, Sochan will sign a minimum contract to be a key secondary player on the Knicks’ bench. With the franchise seeing a clear opportunity to win the Eastern Conference this season, the Knicks have added yet another essential talent to their bench since the trade deadline.

Along with targeting Jose Alvarado, whom New York added in a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans before last Thursday’s deadline, the Knicks were also discussing paths to trade for Sochan from the Spurs, as reported on ClutchPoints. Ultimately, with the Spurs holding no interest in taking on Guerschon Yabusele’s contract, the Knicks were able to swing deals with the Chicago Bulls and Pelicans to land Alvarado.

The Knicks had one open roster spot to fill in the buyout market, and this roster spot will be filled by Sochan on Friday. In doing so, New York, which is currently $1.1 million below their second apron hard cap before signing Sochan, will remain in good financial standing for the remainder of the year.

At 6-foot-8, Sochan will provide the Knicks with much-needed forward depth behind Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart. Between his athleticism and length, Sochan should be able to make a difference defensively when his number is called. In 212 career games with the Spurs, Sochan averaged 10.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game while shooting 46.8 percent from the floor.

Appearing in 28 of the Spurs’ 53 games this season, Sochan averaged 4.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in roughly 12.8 minutes per game.

New York is currently 35-20 entering the All-Star break and is a half-game behind the Boston Celtics for the second seed in the Eastern Conference.

The post Jeremy Sochan chooses Knicks out of 10 suitors after Spurs release appeared first on ClutchPoints.

After the 76ers’ 49-point loss, Maxey had advice for his team, per Sixers Wire’s Ky Carlin.

“Just relax,” Maxey said. “It’s going to be a big push for us. We determine our own fate right now, and I think we feel we’re in a good position. Tonight is what it is, and we’ll be alright.”

Tyrese Maxey’s message to the #Sixers for the All-Star break: pic.twitter.com/9tnDAKmghL

— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) February 12, 2026

Tyrese Maxey finished with 32 points on 9-of-21 shooting, including three threes, and 11-for-13 from the free-throw line for the 76ers. Rookie VJ Edgecombe added 14 points, and Dominick Barlow chipped in 13 points, four rebounds, and two steals.

Jose Alvarado’s 26 points, including eight threes, and five steals off the bench led five Knicks players in double figures. Miles Bridges finished with 22 points, six assists, and two steals, and Karl-Anthony Towns added 21 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists.

Quentin Grimes talks about 76ers’ Paul George’s suspension

76ers veteran Paul George’s surprising 25-game suspension will open up playing time for his teammates, including Quentin Grimes, who addressed the recent suspension. Between the 76ers trading Jared McCain to the Thunder and George’s absence, Grimes will look to make the most of his opportunities between now and the end of the season.

Grimes addressed what George’s suspension means for his role and the rest of his 76ers teammates, he explained, per Essentially Sports’ Mark Medina.

“I’m staying ready. That was uncertain and unexpected. But that’s why I put in the work all summer and throughout the season,” said Grimes, per Mark Medina of Essentially Sports. “That way, I would stay ready for more opportunities and more shots. That’s a tough position for the team. But you have to be ready when your name is called and step up.”

Grimes and the 76ers are expected to reach a contract extension during the offseason.

The post 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey says quiet part out loud about All-Star break after 49-point loss to Knicks appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Funny enough, three of their top five wins in franchise history have come against the 76ers, with the other two being in 1994 and 1972.

In this latest game, it wasn’t the starters who led the way; it was Jose Alvarado, who finished the game with 26 points and made eight three-pointers. He also finished with five steals, which is no surprise with his nickname being Grand Theft Alvarado.

After the game, Alvarado was more focused on talking about the three-pointers than the steals.

“I always thought I was a great shooter, a good shooter. Obviously, it’s getting better, and I’m going to keep getting better,” Alvarado told MSG Network. “I’m just getting in rhythm with the system, the plays, the coaching staff. But they’re doing a great job making it super easy. Today went my way.”

The Knicks are going into the All-Star break with some momentum, and the hope is that they can come into the second half of the season with that same energy.

Currently 35-20 and third in the Eastern Conference, the Knicks have a chance to climb as high as the No. 2 seed, but they’ll have to pass the Boston Celtics, who have also played well this season.

It will be an important second half for the Knicks, but they’ve been in this position before with the same players. It will be up to Jalen Brunson to lead the way, and others such as Karl-Anthony Towns to help him in the process.

The post Where Knicks’ 49-point win over 76ers ranks among biggest in franchise history appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Alvarado’s impact was immediate and multifaceted. He made all eight of his three-point attempts, the only field goals he attempted during the game, and added two of three free throws, three rebounds, four assists, and five steals. New York outscored Philadelphia by 35 points during his 19 minutes on the floor, achieving a staggering plus-minus of +35. His performance made him the first bench player in NBA history to record at least 25 points, eight threes, and five steals in a single game.

Alvarado, who spent his first five NBA seasons with New Orleans and played high school basketball at Christ the King in Queens, N.Y., is now averaging 14 points, 3.7 assists, 2.3 steals, and 3.3 three-pointers per game in 20.7 minutes through three contests with the Knicks.

“I always thought I was a great shooter, a good shooter. Obviously, it’s getting better, and I’m going to keep getting better,” Alvarado told MSG Network in his walk-off interview. “I’m just getting in rhythm with the system, the plays, the coaching staff. But they’re doing a great job making it super easy. Today went my way.”

Jose Alvarado on fitting in with the Knicks roster in their blowout win over the 76ers in Philly.@LT__Murray | @WaltFrazier | #NewYorkForever pic.twitter.com/JUNHMqDXvi

— KNICKS ON MSG (@KnicksMSGN) February 12, 2026

The guard’s historic night included a series of highlight plays that embodied New York’s fast-paced, unselfish style. In one sequence, Alvarado cut off Karl-Anthony Towns’ shoulder to the rim, received a back-cut pass, drew defenders, and kicked out to teammates before relocating and sinking a three-pointer. Moments later, he hustled back after a turnover, stripped Philadelphia center Adem Bona, and connected on another three from the corner.

Defense was another area where Alvarado shone. He earned Defensive Player of the Game honors from head coach Mike Brown, using his quick hands and anticipation to record five steals. He also confronted 76ers forward Trendon Watford after a hard foul on Knicks center Mitchell Robinson, which led to a benches-clearing scuffle and offsetting technical fouls. Alvarado later described the incident as disrespectful to Robinson and said it motivated his historic performance.

The team’s success was shared, with valuable contributions from other players. Towns added 21 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists on 8-of-13 shooting, while Mikal Bridges scored 22 points on 9-of-15 shooting. Mohamed Diawara chipped in 14 points and five rebounds off the bench, and Josh Hart flirted with a triple-double, finishing with six points, nine assists, and seven rebounds. New York’s bench collectively scored 72 points. On the other side, the Sixers lagged without All-Star Joel Embiid (right knee management) and starting wing Paul George (25-game suspension), with Tyrese Maxey leading Philadelphia with 32 points.

The win helped the Knicks rebound heading into the 2026 NBA All-Star break after dropping two of their last three games. They have now won 11 of 13 and will resume play when they host the Detroit Pistons on Thursday, February 19, at 7:30 p.m. EST.

The post Knicks’ Jose Alvarado wants more respect on 3-point shot after huge game vs. 76ers appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Initially landing in San Antonio as the ninth overall pick out of Baylor, Sochan was a major project of Greg Popovich before he transitioned out of coaching into the front office. He played minutes as a point guard in an attempt to become a Ben Simmons-style supersized guard in a positionless basketball system, found success in the full court as an athletic finisher around the hoops, and ultimately transitioned into a sparkplug off the bench for Mitch Johnson when Victor Wembanyama became the unquestioned focal point of the team.

While Sochan’s development largely plateaued between 2023-25, with the Spurs opting to use him as a deep reserve in 2025-26, there were still teams that showed an interest in his services earlier this month, even if a deal couldn’t be agreed to before the deadline passed.

Now free to sign with any team he pleases, Sochan will not only be looking for a landing spot for the remainder of the season but a potential long-term destination for 2026-27 and beyond. Will he sign with a team with clear NBA Finals aspirations? Or will he instead look for fit over Finals odds, knowing that an impressive stat line to close out the season will help his cause in free agency? Needless to say, his mid-season free agency has the potential to be fascinating.

Jeremy Sochan could finally join the New York Knicks

For a time, it looked like the Knicks were going to leave the 2026 NBA trade deadline with Sochan in their rotation, with San Antonio reportedly not interested in taking back Guerschon Yabusele as compensation due to his 2026-27 player option.

Fortunately for the Knicks, not only were they able to pivot and ultimately leave the deadline with Jose Alvarado, who torched the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night off the bench, but now, they might just be able to have their cake and eat it.

Unlike in seasons past, when Tom Thibodeau would run his starters into the ground during the regular season, the Knicks actually are far more willing to share the load under Mike Brown, with 10 players on the roster having recorded at least 600 minutes of action before the All-Star break. Of those 10 players, however, only four are natual front court players: Mikal Bridges, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Mitchell Robinson, with Josh Hart having to play up as a 6-foot-5 forward at times due to the team’s sheer volume of quality backcourt options.

What kind of role would Sochan play for the Knicks? Is he good enough to guarantee himself a spot in their playoff rotation, when regular contributors like Tyler Kolek and Landry Shamet could be relegated to the bench? That remains to be seen, but he would be afforded a multi-month runway to show what he can do as a forward with some ball-handling abilities, which could then breed playoff opportunities if everything falls his way.

Could Jeremy Sochan find a long-term home with the Phoenix Suns? 

Despite having moved on from two multi-time All-Stars in Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, the Phoenix Suns would still be playoff-bound if the season ended today, with the seventh seed in the Western Conference guaranteeing the team a spot in the Play-In Tournament.

With four players who have started at least 40 games for the team in 2025-26, and a fifth, Collin Gillespie, falling just short of that mark at 34, the Suns are building a quality program that can succeed for years to come if everything shakes out in their favor.

What the Spurs don’t have, however, is a young forward who can build alongside players like Gilespie, Mark Williams, Khaman Maluach, and Devin Booker into the future, with Dillon Brooks currently 30, and Royce O’Neale the elder statesman of the group at 32. Sochan could immediately benefit from playing alongside floor generals like Booker and Gillespie, who are averaging 6.3 and 4.7 assists per game, respectively, and could form a quality two-man game with Jalen Green on the second unit when the former Houston Rockets guard is afforded a chance to run the offense.

Is Jeremy Sochan the ultimate Philadelphia 76ers reclamation project?

And last but not least, after leaving the trade deadline with just 13 players on standard NBA contracts, could the Philadelphia 76ers be the team that brings in Sochan as the ultimate high-energy guy at the four spot?

After largely looking to fill out their power forward spot with floor spacers during the Joel Embiid era, the 76ers made a conscious effort to change up their gameplan in 2025 in order to take some of the rebounding pressure off of “The Process,” signing Dominick Barlow and Jabari Walker on two-way contracts to provide rebounding and hustle on the offensive glass, especially when Tyrese Maxey is driving to the hoop.

So far, the results have been very encouraging, with Barlow earning a standard NBA contract for his efforts and Walker potentially following suit before the end of the regular season, but neither player – nor Trendon Watford, the team’s other power forward – is a particularly effective shooter when the ball lands in their hands outside of right under the basket.

While Sochan was never able to become a 3-point shooter in San Antonio, capping out at just 30.8 percent from 2023-25, he did shoot over 50 percent from the field last season, and averaged over 11 points per game over his first 184 games of professional action.

With Maxey and VJ Edgecombe a pair of highly athletic combo guards capable of doing serious damage in the open court, maybe Sochan could become a power forward who splits the difference between Watford and Barlow, all the while providing some pop in the pick and roll as both a screener and ball handler.

The post 3 best Jeremy Sochan destinations after Spurs release appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Coach Brown says the Knicks, including All-Star Jalen Brunson, got clean looks in overtime but were unable to capitalize and fell short, he said, per SNY TV’s Ian Begley.

“I thought Jalen down the stretch had some pretty good looks. He got to his spot. Or he got to the spots that he normally gets to. He just came up short. But we got the ball where we needed to get the ball, and we got the looks that we wanted to look for during that time. Sometimes they just don’t go in, and tonight was one of those nights.”

While Mike Brown watched the Knicks end the night shooting at a 50% clip, they went 14-for-46 from deep, including 2-for-5 in overtime against the Pacers. Brunson’s 40 points led five starters in double figures, including Mikal Bridges’ 22 points, and Towns’ double-double (22 points, 14 rebounds).

Karl-Anthony Towns on clutch free throws for Knicks

Knicks All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns broke down his clutch free throws that sent the Pacers into overtime in Tuesday’s loss. Amidst his second season with the Knicks, the clutch moment is an unforgettable one at Madison Square Garden, Towns said, per SNY.

“It’s cool. It’s the kind of moment you live for, you know, being at MSG, with the game in your hands, and you’re able to do something to give your team a chance to win,” Towns said.

“It was really cool. It was a moment I was definitely hyped for. I got really excited for it. I was ready to go up there and make those shots for our team.”

"It was really cool. It was a moment I was definitely hype for. I was ready to go up there and make those shots for our team"

Karl-Anthony Towns on hitting both free throws to send the game into overtime tonight: pic.twitter.com/i9IXJef9vV

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) February 11, 2026

The Knicks will face the 76ers on the road on Wednesday.

The post Knicks’ Mike Brown isn’t sweating shooting struggles in Pacers loss – ‘One of those nights’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

What makes this loss all the more frustrating for the Knicks was that they got a good game from Jalen Brunson, who put up 40 points, five rebounds, and eight assists in 42 minutes of play. Of course, Brunson did miss a few key shots in regulation and overtime, so it’s not like he’s blameless in this defeat, but even then, getting a good night like that from the team’s best player should, more often than not, result in a win.

This only proves all the more in DeMarcus Cousins’ eye that the Knicks are a piece away from getting over the hump.

“I do think they still have things to figure out. On paper, they have the talent. They’ve been together long enough. They have the experience together. It’s just about remaining consistent. [But] I do think they’re a piece away. They need to add another scoring option. I think it’s a lot of pressure on [Jalen] Brunson every night to be the go-to-guy,” Cousins said on FanDuel TV’s Run It Back.

"They need to add another scoring option. It's a lot of pressure on [Jalen] Brunson."

DeMarcus Cousins believes that the Knicks are still ONE PIECE away

(via @RunItBackFDTV)

pic.twitter.com/mXbB7mjHkr

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 11, 2026

Karl-Anthony Towns is supposed to be the Knicks’ secondary go-to-guy

As much as Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby would want to step up as the second scoring option for the Knicks, that responsibility should fall on Towns’ shoulders. However, Towns hasn’t looked very comfortable under head coach Mike Brown this season, and he’s being called for some very silly fouls as of late, putting a damper on his impact for the Knicks.

Towns has to get back to his 2024-25 level for the Knicks to be able to get over the hump in the East.

The post Why DeMarcus Cousins believes Knicks are still a piece away appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Knicks stormed back from an 11-point deficit in the extension to cut the lead to one, 135-134, after Brunson’s three-pointer with 5.6 seconds left. Quenton Jackson, however, nailed two free throws to seal the upset win for the Pacers.

The Knicks looked like they were done in regulation, but Towns was fouled by Aaron Nesmith on a putback attempt with 0.2 seconds remaining. Towns drained the two free throws to force the extra period.

Even though they lost, KAT said he was comfortable during the pressure-packed moment.

“It’s cool. It’s the kind of moment you live for, you know, being at MSG, with the game in your hands, and you’re able to do something to give your team a chance to win,” said Towns in a video posted by SNY.

“It was really cool. It was a moment I was definitely hyped for. I got really excited for it. I was ready to go up there and make those shots for our team.”

"It was really cool. It was a moment I was definitely hype for. I was ready to go up there and make those shots for our team"

Karl-Anthony Towns on hitting both free throws to send the game into overtime tonight: pic.twitter.com/i9IXJef9vV

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) February 11, 2026

The 30-year-old center, who imposed his will in the paint, finished with 22 points, 14 rebounds, and three assists.

Brunson led New York with 40 points, five rebounds, and eight assists, while Hart chipped in 15 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists.

The Knicks suffered only their second loss in 11 games and fell to 34-20, including 21-7 at home.

They allowed the Pacers to grab control of the game in the third quarter, giving up 31 points.

New York will look to bounce back on Wednesday versus the Philadelphia 76ers.

The post Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns breaks down clutch free throws to force overtime appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Yabusele made life easier for the Knicks by restructuring his contract and removing his player option for next season. He knew he was not getting any playing time in New York, so he facilitated a trade with such a move, helping the team get back Alvarado and helping himself get minutes with the Bulls.

But for as short-lived and as unsuccessful as Yabusele’s Knicks stint was, he still made a mark in their locker room, if Mitchell Robinson’s two-word message on Instagram for the French international is any indication.

“Come back,” Robinson wrote as the caption to his Instagram story containing a picture of him and Yabusele together.

Mitchell Robinson to Guerschon Yabusele on IG: “Come back” pic.twitter.com/pND25Ya66D

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) February 10, 2026

Yabusele prioritized getting his career back on track, as it was likely that he’d be stuck with the Knicks if he didn’t waive his player option for next season. He has to be beloved in New York just for that, even though things didn’t work out in the end between them.

Knicks’ Guerschon Yabusele move doesn’t work out

When the Knicks signed Yabusele, many fans were pleased. He was very good after all in his first season back stateside, averaging 11.0 points and 5.6 rebounds for the Philadelphia 76ers.

However, Yabusele wasn’t able to find his footing under head coach Mike Brown, finding himself behind Karl-Anthony Towns, Robinson, and even Ariel Hukporti in the Knicks’ center rotation. Yabusele has always been the kind of guy to bet on himself, so he is now playing for a new contract as he racks up stats for the Bulls.

The post Knicks’ Mitchell Robinson sends 2-word message to Guerschon Yabusele after trade appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Blazers traded for Hart back in 2022 as part of the CJ McCollum deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, and during that year, the Blazers were in the middle of a tank job amid Damian Lillard’s injury woes. With their playoff dreams long lost, the Blazers decided to make Hart one of their featured offensive weapons.

In 13 games upon his arrival with the Blazers, Hart did average 19.9 points per game — an average that he’s not likely to touch anytime soon with the Knicks. However, they did go 4-9 during those games, which made the beloved role player realize something profound about his career.

“Yeah I was getting buckets. And that’s when I knew, I was like, you know what? I’m a good basketball player and I can help a team win, but if I’m the number one or number two option on that team… not a great team. Not a great team,” Hart said on his podcast, Roommates Show.

Matt: “The season when you got traded from New Orleans to Portland, those 13 games that you played on Portland for, you averaged 20 a game.”

Josh: “Yeah I was getting buckets. And that’s when I knew, I was like, you know what? I’m a good basketball player and I can help a team… pic.twitter.com/h2fPhJ2EZg

— Roommates Show (@Roommates__Show) February 11, 2026

Josh Hart is NOT a primary scoring option for the Knicks

Hart is the fifth scoring option in the Knicks’ starting lineup, and he might be fifth regardless of who’s on the floor. He’s an impressive runner in transition, and he makes incredible use of his off-hand, but he has significant shortcomings when it comes to scoring in the halfcourt.

The good news is that the Knicks don’t need Hart to score that much. They need him to defend multiple positions, clean up on the glass, and hit open shots — which he’s done often for New York since arriving on the team in 2023.

The post Knicks’ Josh Hart reveals hilarious realization from Trail Blazers tenure appeared first on ClutchPoints.

All hope seemed lost in the final seconds of the game, as Landry Shamet misfired on a 3-pointer that would have given the team the lead. Indy did not account for a hurtling Towns, however. The star center recovered the ball in mid air and drew a foul with 0.2 seconds left on the clock, via the BrickCenter X account. He made both free throws to tie the score at 124, but the Knickerbockers fell in overtime, 137-134.

LANDRY SHAMET MISSES THE GAME WINNER BUT KAT GETS FOULED pic.twitter.com/2165BZGEiD

— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) February 11, 2026

New York was unable to capitalize on the second chance that Towns gifted it and once again suffered a bitter defeat versus the Pacers. With or without Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana continues to punch this franchise in the gut.

Jalen Brunson dropped a game-high 40 points on 15-of-31 shooting, Towns posted 22 points and 14 rebounds, Bridges added 22 of his own and Josh Hart made franchise history with a triple-double (15-11-11), but New York leaves the arena with its second loss in three contests.

High-motor plays like the one Towns made to temporarily save the game typifies the brand of Knicks basketball that fans want to see. Unfortunately, Mike Brown’s squad did not put forth a worthy effort on the defensive end.

And just like that, New York (34-20) squanders much of the trust it built during its recent eight-game winning streak. Karl-Anthony Towns and company will need to stay active on the offensive glass when they battle the Philadelphia 76ers (30-23) on Wednesday night. If the Knicks head into the All-Star break on back-to-back losses, the next eight days are going to feel like an eternity.

The post Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns sent Pacers game to OT with unreal play with 0.2 left appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Knicks struggled to find a rhythm when Hart was sidelined for the first few weeks of the campaign. He was recovering from a surgical procedure on his ring finger after injuring it in the last season’s playoffs. But as soon as he returned, New York was back in business.

The Knicks were 9-1 in their last 10 games entering their matchup against the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday. Hart, as usual, was all over the floor.

With 4:30 left in the fourth quarter, he tallied his 17th triple-double as a member of the Knicks. He climbed to the third spot in the team’s all-time list, passing Richie Guerin. Hart trails Walt Frazier, who clowned the Pacers, and Michael Ray Richardson with 23 and 18, respectively.

Josh Hart has just recorded his 17th triple-double as a Knick

He now ranks 3rd all-time in franchise history!
pic.twitter.com/2XIKf65Rvg

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 11, 2026

He should get a congratulations, at the very least, from Jalen Brunson.

The 30-year-old Hart entered the NBA as a hotshot from Villanova, a national champion and Big East Player of the Year. Knowing, however, that he needed to play a different role to stay in the league, he adjusted his game, showing a willingness to do the dirty work and be the consummate teammate.

With the Knicks, he has played a bigger role, sometimes even serving as the barometer of their success.

As of writing, the Knicks are trailing the Pacers in overtime. Hart has 15 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists.

The post Josh Hart moves up all-time Knicks rankings with 17th triple-double appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Pacers acquired Zubac, along with Kobe Brown, at the trade deadline via a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, and three future draft picks.

Zubac will shore up Indiana’s thin frontline as soon as he returns to action, giving the team a legitimate presence in the paint and a double-double threat.

Knicks commentator Mike Breen heaped praise on the 28-year-old center during the broadcast, but NBA legend Walt Frazier could not help but clown the Pacers and Zubac for missing the game.

“It’s called tanking, folks,” said the Knicks analyst, eliciting a chuckle from Breen, as posted by BrickCenter on X.

Knicks announcer on Zubac not playing:

“It’s called tanking, folks.” pic.twitter.com/bE0LCeAhqB

— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) February 11, 2026

The Pacers entered the game against the Knicks with a four-game losing streak and a woeful 13-40 record, the second-worst in the league.

Indiana has been hampered by injuries all season, with Tyrese Haliburton and Obi Toppin still out, and Mathurin, Jackson, Andrew Nembhard, TJ McConnell, and Aaron Nesmith all missing time. On Monday, it was announced that Johnny Furphy is out for the season due to a torn ACL.

With the way things are going, the Pacers will end up in the lottery, giving them a good chance to get the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s draft, with AJ Dybantsa of BYU and Darryn Peterson of Kansas being tabbed as the top prospects.

The post Knicks legend clowns Pacers’ Ivica Zubac for sitting out: ‘It’s called tanking, folks’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

While the Knicks have been active in the trade market lately, their moves typically come early in the season and not at the deadline. New York acquired OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns early in the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 seasons, respectively, while adding Mikal Bridges during the 2024 offseason.

However, the Knicks found themselves in a unique situation late in the 2025-2026 season. New York lost backup point guard Miles McBride to a sports hernia, giving it a clear need to add backcourt depth for its final stretch. McBride went down while averaging a career-high 12.9 points per game, making him the team’s fifth-leading scorer.

McBride is expected to return for the playoffs, but the 34-19 Knicks are in lockstep with the Boston Celtics for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. New York has an outside shot of catching up to the conference-leading Detroit Pistons, but its main goal is to hold off the Celtics for the No. 2 seed.

Forced into unfamiliar territory in a do-or-die season, Leon Rose made a pair of moves at the 2026 NBA trade deadline that could have just saved the Knicks’ season.

Knicks’ trade deadline recap

The Knicks made two moves on trade deadline day, but it was really just one long transaction. Rose began the day with a small move, sending reserve forward Guerschon Yabusele to the Chicago Bulls for Dalen Terry.

The move seemed insignificant in the moment for both teams. Yabusele only averaged 2.7 points and 1.5 rebounds in 8.9 minutes off the bench for New York, while Terry posted slightly better numbers, averaging 3.5 points in 11.1 minutes. If anything, Terry is the slightly better player, given his 41.3 percent three-point accuracy in his fourth season with the Bulls.

However, the move turned out to be part one for the Knicks, who flipped Terry just hours later. The team’s second move sent Terry to the Pelicans for fan-favorite backup point guard Jose Alvarado. The second trade gave New York the player it wanted all along.

The Knicks also sent two second-round picks and cash considerations to the Pelicans for Alvarado. New Orleans subsequently waived Terry hours after the deadline.

Alvarado joins the Knicks averaging 7.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 0.9 steals in 41 games for the Pelicans. His numbers are slightly down from a career year in 2024-2025, during which he averaged 10.3 points, 4.6 assists and 1.3 steals per game.

Knicks’ 2026 NBA trade deadline grade

Miles McBride and Jose Alvarado are functionally different players, which proves the Knicks’ goal was not simply to replace their injured guard. New York’s sole goal was to add a quality guard to provide backcourt depth in McBride’s stead, and it found an excellent one in Alvarado at great value.

With Alvarado in their rotation, the Knicks now have another elite perimeter defender who gives Mike Brown a secondary ballhandler to spell Jalen Brunson. Alvarado is not the same shooter as McBride, but he was shooting a career-high 36.3 percent from three-point range with the Pelicans before the trade. Alvarado is also a better playmaker, both in half-court sets and in transition.

The scrappy 27-year-old wasted no time getting settled in his debut, notching 12 points, two rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block in 25 minutes off the bench. His presence cut into the playing time of Jordan Clarkson and Tyler Kolek, who combined for just 12 minutes.

Alvarado is not a name that will make national headlines, but he fits exactly what the Knicks needed amid their championship pursuit. New York was likely going to release Terry after the deadline anyway, making the trade a clear win for the ‘Bockers at the deadline.

Grade: A

The post Knicks 2026 NBA trade deadline grade after 2 deals appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Peaks, pivots, pressure

The Knicks’ 2025-26 campaign has been defined by extreme momentum swings and recalibration. Under head coach Mike Brown, New York hit its early crescendo by capturing the 2025 NBA Cup in December. They defeated the San Antonio Spurs in a statement victory that validated the franchise’s aggressive offseason retooling.

Jalen Brunson has elevated from All-Star to full-fledged offensive engine. He has posted career-best scoring numbers while orchestrating one of the league’s most efficient offenses. Brown’s motion-heavy system unlocked additional layers of playmaking and spacing. He helped propel the Knicks to a blistering 23-9 start that briefly positioned them as the East’s most balanced contender.

Yet success invited strain. January exposed structural stress points as the Knicks stumbled into a 2-9 skid. Defensive lapses crept in as players adjusted to Brown’s pace-driven philosophy. Recurring injuries to OG Anunoby and Josh Hart disrupted lineup continuity. The offense remained potent, but the defensive identity showed flickers of vulnerability.

Rebound mode

To their credit, the Knicks didn’t fracture. They recalibrated. By mid-February, they had reignited momentum, riding an eight-game winning streak into the trade deadline. That surge included a franchise-record 54-point demolition of the Brooklyn Nets.

Now sitting at 34-19 and battling for the East’s second seed, New York looks every bit the contender Leon Rose envisioned when he doubled down on the roster last summer. The Karl-Anthony Towns acquisition continues to shape their offensive ceiling. Meanwhile, Brunson’s leadership has steadied late-game execution.

Still, beneath the win streak lies a familiar contender’s dilemma: Are they complete or merely hot? That question essentially framed their deadline strategy.

Deadline recap

New York’s headline transaction revolved around replacing injured guard Miles McBride. With McBride expected to miss the remainder of the regular season, the Knicks prioritized perimeter defense and backup playmaking.

Their maneuvering was creative. Guerschon Yabusele was first dealt to the Chicago Bulls for Dalen Terry. Terry, along with two second-round picks, was then flipped to the New Orleans Pelicans for Jose Alvarado.

In effect, the Knicks converted an expendable forward into one of the league’s most disruptive point-of-attack defenders. On the surface, it was tidy business. Championship analysis, though, lives beneath the surface.

Too small dilemma

The first red flag lies in roster geometry. Once McBride returns for the postseason, the Knicks will feature three primary guards under 6-foot-2: Brunson, McBride, and Alvarado.

Individually, each offers value. Brunson is the obvious offensive fulcrum. McBride provides defensive tenacity and off-ball shooting. Alvarado brings chaos energy and ball pressure.

Collectively, however, the trio presents matchup vulnerabilities. Playoff basketball magnifies size mismatches. Against teams like Cleveland, who are fresh off adding James Harden, or Boston, reinforced by Nikola Vucevic’s interior presence, New York risks being physically overwhelmed in multi-guard lineups. Deploying two undersized guards simultaneously could compromise switching schemes and rebounding structure in high-leverage minutes.

In chasing McBride insurance, the Knicks may have created rotational redundancy rather than diversified lineup optionality.

Center depth gamble

If the backcourt question is tactical, the frontcourt issue is existential. New York chose not to address center depth at the deadline. That decision could loom larger than any guard acquisition.

Mitchell Robinson remains a defensive force but carries an extensive injury history. Towns has performed admirably during the Knicks’ surge. Yet, he is not a traditional rim-protecting anchor. Behind them, the depth chart thins rapidly. Developmental bigs like Ariel Hukporti and Trey Jemison III lack playoff seasoning. That omission stands out.

The Milwaukee Bucks added Nick Richards to bolster their interior rotation. Boston fortified its frontcourt. Cleveland’s size remains imposing. New York, meanwhile, is one ankle roll away from deploying untested rim protection in postseason crucibles. That is genuine structural risk.

Gamble hidden in momentum

Had New York pivoted resources toward someone capable of absorbing physical playoff minutes, they could have insulated both Robinson and Towns while preserving lineup flexibility. Instead, they reinforced a strength while leaving a vulnerability exposed. It is the classic contender’s miscalculation: optimizing the present rotation instead of fortifying the postseason rotation.

The Knicks did not sabotage their title pursuit at the 2026 trade deadline. Jose Alvarado will help. His defense, tempo, and edge align with New York’s identity.

But the deeper audit reveals a subtle gamble. By doubling down on small-guard depth and passing on frontcourt reinforcement, the Knicks bet that health and matchup luck will hold through four playoff rounds.

If they do, the deadline will be remembered as savvy restraint. If they don’t, the conversation will shift to the rim protector they never acquired when winning the East was within reach.

The post Knicks’ biggest 2026 NBA trade deadline mistake appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“Tip-off today was at 12:30 and hey, maybe that contributed to the sluggishness from the Boston Celtics. Forgot to mention that, by the way, this team has not played a game all season before 3:30 in whatever time zone they were in. Today, this tip-off was at 12:30,” the announcer said.

That was only from one broadcast. Another postgame Celtics’ talk show suggested that one of the reasons the team lost to the Knicks was because Boston fans were not in attendance for the game due to the Super Bowl featuring a local team.

“When the Knicks were rolling, it was a little loud like in terms of Knicks fans being in there. I was driving in today and I was stunned by the number of New York license plates I saw on the Pike,” the talk show host said. “They’re going to the Super Bowl so all Patriots fans were going to sell their tickets today, and so they just invaded The Garden. It felt like if you weren’t wearing a Drake Maye jersey, you were wearing a Brunson jersey.”

Now when it comes to the first point, the Knicks had to play at the same early time and had no problem so that doesn’t hold much merit. And the second point, if a team can’t win in their home arena because they can’t block out the noise, then that doesn’t bode well for their playoff chances.

In the win for the Knicks, it was Jalen Brunson who led the way with 31 points. Josh Hart added 19 points, Mikal Bridges finished with 14 points, Karl-Anthony Towns had 11 points and rookie Mohamed Diawara added 10 points. Jose Alvarado made his Knicks debut after the trade deadline and he finished with 12 points.

The post Celtics announcer gives crazy reasons for Knicks’ road win appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Alvarado made his debut with the New York franchise, seeing his time with the New Orleans Pelicans end after five seasons. He played a solid role in helping New Orleans make the playoffs twice in 2022 and 2024, showing incredible grit as a playmaker and defender.

He also brings home a playstyle that allowed him to be sneaky with his steals, catching opponents by surprise. That signature move of his continued as he pulled it off in his Knicks debut against Boston. The play happened in the fourth quarter as Alvarado snuck up behind Jaylen Brown and poked the ball away from him as Landry Shamet gained possession and dished the pass to his teammate for the easy layup.

his first knicks SNEAK ATTACK pic.twitter.com/x2UtCclqTa

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) February 8, 2026

How Jose Alvarado, Knicks played against Celtics

Jose Alvarado is proud to represent his home state, helping the Knicks blow out the Celtics 111-89 on the road.

The game was relatively close as New York only led 60-53 at halftime. However, the Knicks came alive in the second half by containing Boston’s attack, outscoring them 51-36 in the last 24 minutes of regulation.

Six players scored in double-digits for New York in the win, including Alvarado. He impressed in his debut off the bench with 12 points, two rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block. He shot 5-of-12 from the field, including 2-of-6 from beyond the arc. Jalen Brunson led the way with 31 points and eight assists, Josh Hart came next with 19 points and six rebounds, Mikal Bridges had 14 points and four rebounds, while Karl-Anthony Towns put up 11 points and 10 rebounds. Meanwhile, Mohamed Diawara provided 10 points and three rebounds.

New York improved to a 34-19 record on the season, holding the second spot in the Eastern Conference standings. They are above the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers while trailing the Detroit Pistons.

The Knicks will look forward to their next matchup, being at home. They host the Indiana Pacers on Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The post Jose Alvarado pulls off patented sneak attack for first time with Knicks appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Knicks were coming off an embarrassing rout against the Detroit Pistons, 118-80, at Little Caesars Arena on Saturday. But even the tight schedule did not hamper the Knicks in bouncing back against the Celtics.

Brunson, who struggled against the Pistons with 12 points on 4-of-20 shooting, had 31 points on 12-of-21 shooting, three rebounds, and eight assists versus the Celtics.

New York also got a big lift from Jose Alvarado, who made his debut for the Knicks after being acquired at the trade deadline from the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Dalen Terry and two second-round draft picks.

Before the game, Alvarado asked Brunson where he usually wants the ball, so he would be aware and “make it easier” when they play together. Brunson had the perfect response.

“Most importantly, I want you to play, right? When you play, you play free, you play smart, whatever you gotta do. You’ll see,” said the three-time All-Star.

Jose Alvarado: "When we get into the game together, where do you want the ball mostly?"

Jalen Brunson: "I just want you to play."

Alvarado & Brunson before the game.

(via @NBA)

pic.twitter.com/LlHGmLmGYf

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 8, 2026

It is always good to see new teammates trying to build chemistry right off the bat.

The 27-year-old Alvarado provided extra spunk for the Knicks against the Celtics, chipping in 12 points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 25 minutes off the bench.

He will be expected to play the same role moving forward, injecting energy and aggressiveness even in short minutes.

The Knicks improved to 34-19 and will host the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday.

The post Knicks’ Jalen Brunson sends perfect message to Jose Alvarado before clash vs. Celtics appeared first on ClutchPoints.

To say the Knicks performed well in this one would be an understatement, as New York wound up coasting to a 111-89 win over their divisional rivals, to tie Boston for the number two seed in the East.

The Knicks’ defense was dominant in this one, as 89 points was the lowest total that the Celtics have reached during their tenure with Joe Mazzulla as head coach, per Knicks Videos on X, formerly Twitter.

Of course, it helped that the Celtics had a brutal game from behind the arc, with Payton Pritchard, Jaylen Brown, and Nikola Vucevic combining to go 2-16 from three-point range. However, the Knicks still did what they needed to do to make things difficult on the Celtics, who had the number one offensive rating in the NBA entering this matchup.

The Knicks now sit at 34-19 and are looking to retake control of the number two seed in the East after a losing skid recently knocked them down in the Eastern Conference standings.

New trade acquisition Jose Alvarado had a solid game on Sunday in Boston, scoring 12 points and providing his trademark pesky defense throughout the afternoon. New York will also hope to get OG Anunoby back soon, as the forward missed another game due to injury.

In any case, up next for the Knicks is a home game against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night in a rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference Finals. After that, New York will have just one more game until the All-Star break, on Wednesday against the Philadelphia 76ers.

The post Knicks just did something never seen in Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla era appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Alvarado impressed the Knicks right away: Dropping 12 points in only 25 minutes in the 111-89 romp over the Boston Celtics. His new teammate Josh Hart was one who embraced him right away.

José, José, José, José!

— Josh Hart (@joshhart) February 8, 2026

The now former Pelican even selected a new jersey number before his debut — one tying into his “Grand Theft Alvarado” nickname. He’s now known as “GTA 5” on the floor.

Alvarado became a force on defense — grabbing two steals and blocking shot. He even turned this steal off Jaylen Brown into two points.

Jose Alvarado picks Jaylen Brown’s pocket from behind with the steal, and scores.

This is why the Knicks have him pic.twitter.com/1WEr9mXGZf

— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) February 8, 2026

But the reason behind blaring the Grammy winning artist before halftime of Super Bowl Sunday? Alvarado is a native of Puerto Rico just like the famed musician. Alvarado also plays for Puerto Rico’s national team.

Knicks welcoming Jose Alvarado right away

Head coach Mike Brown immediately witnessed the impact of Alvarado on the floor.

“He gives us a different look because he’s so quick with the ball,” Brown said via James L. Edwards III of The Athletic.

Alvarado himself said he felt like the Knicks’ locker was home. He’s now 1-0 with the Knicks.

He even embraced his newest team blaring Bad Bunny via Stefan Bondy of the New York Post.

“Hell yeah. Can’t wait, you know. That’s a big opportunity for Puerto Ricans expanding. Especially me, being Boricua. But it’s big,” Alvarado said. “For him to do what he did for us when he did the show (in Puerto Rico), it was tremendous. I went to the show, it was the best show I’ve ever been a part of. And he’s just doing a great job and I’m glad he’s able to show it at the highest level.”

Safe to say he’ll be tuning in with the Knicks off on Sunday.

The post Knicks blast Bad Bunny in locker room after Jose Alvarado’s grand debut appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Knicks have always had a hard time with the Celtics, until they were able to beat them in the playoffs last season.

Heading into the matchup, the Knicks have a few players on the injury report. Karl-Anthony Towns is dealing with a right eye laceration, while OG Anunoby has right toe soreness.

Here is their injury status for the game.

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Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby’s injury status vs. Celtics

Towns and Anunoby were initially listed as questionable against the Celtics. Towns has since been made available for the game, while Anunoby is out. Josh Hart was also listed as questionable as he’s dealing with right ankle soreness, but he’ll give it a go.

Towns suffered an eye laceration against the Denver Nuggets, and he was still able to play after the injury. Even during the game, he was letting it be known that he wanted to keep playing, and he did.

“I want to play. It’s a great game, it’s great basketball being played right now on TV, and you know, this is what the fans want,” Towns said. “It’s okay, I look like I fought Shakur Stevenson.”

Towns did not play against the Detroit Pistons, so it was going to be interesting to see if he played.

This is a matchup that can go a long way in the standings, as the Celtics are one game ahead of the Knicks as the No. 2 seed.

The post Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns in, OG Anunoby out vs. Celtics appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Knicks acquired Alvarado at the deadline for Dalen Terry, whom they obtained in an earlier trade for Guerschon Yabusele. The high-energy point guard was not available for their game on Friday, but he could potentially make his debut on Sunday, Ian Begley of SNY reported.

The 27-year-old has spent his entire career to this point with the Pelicans. He averaged 7.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 0.9 steals in 41 games with New Orleans before the trade.

New York targeted Alvarado at the deadline to replace Miles McBride as its backup point guard. McBride, who last played on Jan. 27, will need surgery to address his sports hernia, which will likely keep him out for the remainder of the regular season.

McBride was having a career year before the injury, posting 12.9 points and 2.9 assists per game, while hitting 42 percent of his three-point attempts.

The Knicks have been using Tyler Kolek, Jordan Clarkson and Landry Shamet to fill McBride’s role, but none are as consistent as “Deuce” on either end of the floor. Shamet, however, has been on a hot streak to start February, averaging 14.5 points off the bench in his last three games.

Alvarado cannot replace McBride’s floor-spacing threat, but he will bring more energy on defense. As aggressive as McBride is defensively, Alvarado has been one of the most pesky and relentless on-ball defenders in the league for years.

The post Jose Alvarado available for Knicks debut vs. Celtics appeared first on ClutchPoints.

With Miles McBride sidelined for an extended period of time, the Knickerbockers sought backcourt depth ahead of the trade deadline. They sent two future second-round draft picks and Dalen Terry to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for the scrappy point guard. New York head coach Mike Brown will trust Alvarado to bring intensity off the bench, as well as his patented sneak attack.

Jose Alvarado will wear jersey No. 5 for the Knicks, per @EtienneCatalan.

GTA 5 is fully embracing the ‘Grand Theft Alvarado’ nickname pic.twitter.com/LowGi0qHWu

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 6, 2026

The undrafted talent out of Georgia Tech frequently catches players by surprise, knocking the ball loose from their grasp and driving toward the basket. That peskiness gave way to the birth of Grand Theft Alvarado, and it is a big reason why he has averaged 20-plus minutes per game through four and a half NBA seasons. The Brooklyn, New York native neutralizes his 6-foot-frame with a relentless playing style that ignites teammates and irks opponents.

Quite simply, he is exactly what the fan base craves. Jose Alvarado is averaging 7.9 points, 3.1 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 0.9 steals per contest while shooting 41.8 percent from the field and 36.3 percent from 3-point land. He has yet to join the team and will therefore be inactive for Friday night’s clash with the Detroit Pistons. But Madison Square Garden is sure to give the new No. 5 a warm welcome when he makes his Knicks debut.

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Here’s everything we know about the injuries to Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart, especially their playing statuses vs. the Pistons.

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Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart injury status vs. Pistons

With the Knicks looking a bit different after the trade deadline with the addition of Jose Alvarado, the team looks to take full control of the Eastern Conference with a win over the Pistons, putting them in sight. However, the team prefers to be at full strength, but that may not be the reality.

Towns is listed as “questionable” with a “right eye laceration” that he suffered in the aforementioned win over the Nuggets on Wednesday. Though sustaining the injury in the game, he would get it patched up and bandaged, as he ended up finishing the game with 24 points and 12 rebounds.

As for Aunoby, he is currently listed with right toe soreness, but it doesn’t appear to be that serious, as he’s “probable” for Friday’s game against the Pistons. Anunoby also played the last game, recording 20 points, eight rebounds, and four assists.

Subsequently, looking at Hart, he is “questionable” with what is listed as a “left ankle sprain” as he didn’t play in the win over the Nuggets, looking to make a hopeful return to the lineup, or he’ll miss the second straight game.

Knicks injury report

Anunoby, OG Probable Injury/Illness – Right Toe; Soreness

Hart, Josh Questionable Injury/Illness – Left Ankle; Sprain

Jones, Dillon Out G League – Two-Way

McBride, Miles Out Injury/Illness – Left Ankle; Left Ankle Injury Management and Core Muscle Injury

Towns, Karl-Anthony Questionable Injury/Illness – Right Eye; Laceration

Yabusele, Guerschon Out Not With Team

Pistons injury report

Not yet submitted as of 12:30 p.m. (EST).

The post Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart on injury report vs. Pistons appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Yabusele’s stint with the Knicks ended early, despite signing with the team this past offseason. New York sent him to Chicago in exchange for Dalen Terry. They later sent Terry and draft compensation in a separate deal to the New Orleans Pelicans for Jose Alvarado.

Yabusele had a player option for next season. Despite this, the Knicks worked with him to decline the option so they can complete the trade and allow the big man to become a free agent this summer, per reporters K.C. Johnson, Ian Begley and Joel Lorenzi.

“Guerschon Yabusele worked with Knicks to amend 2nd year of his contract, removing the player option in order facilitate trade with Chicago, per league sources. Trade gives him opportunity to compete and play this season in CHI and evaluate his options this summer,” Begley wrote.

“Guerschon Yabusele no longer has a player option for next season and will be a UFA this offseason, sources can confirm. He had worked with Knicks to amend contract before the Dalen Terry trade,” Johnson noted.

“Sources can confirm that agreement between Bulls and Guerschon Yabusele comes with him waiving his player option ($5.77 mil) next year. He’ll expire this year. Will be interesting to see how long he’s with Bulls, as I’m told he has strong interest on an overseas deal,” Lorenzi reported.

What’s next for Knicks after Guerschon Yabusele trade

It is unfortunate that things didn’t work out for Guerschon Yabusele throughout his short-lived stint with the Knicks. However, he was unable to make a strong impact in the rotation, paving the way for his next chapter with the Bulls.

Yabusele was relatively active throughout the first half of New York’s season. Appearing in 41 games, he averaged 2.7 points and 2.1 rebounds per game. He shot 39.3% from the field, including 29.4% from beyond the arc.

New York boasts a 33-18 record on the season, holding the second spot in the Eastern Conference standings. They are even with the Boston Celtics for second place while trailing the Detroit Pistons by five games.

Rolling with eight consecutive wins, the Knicks will look forward to their next matchup. They are on the road when they face the Pistons as tip-off will commence on Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The post How Knicks adjusted Guerschon Yabusele’s contract in Bulls trade appeared first on ClutchPoints.

As for the New York Knicks, they’re currently the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, and though it seems like they have everything they need, you can always get better. That’s why they made the move to acquire Jose Alvarado from the New Orleans Pelicans in return for Dalen Terry, two second-round picks, and cash.

For the Pelicans, this deadline seems to be quiet for them, and it has been assumed that they weren’t going to make any big moves, even though they don’t have their 2026 first-round pick.

Let’s evaluate what this trade does for both teams.

Knicks get a high-energy guard in Jose Alvarado

Alvarado has made a name for himself throughout the league and is known as “Grand Theft Alvarado” for his intensity on both sides of the ball. On defense, he’s giving up a few inches, but you couldn’t tell by the way he plays. He makes it up by being sneaky and stealing the ball when you least expect it, which he has been very successful at through his career.

On offense, he fits in wherever he needs to, and has shot the three-ball at a consistent rate (36%) this season.

If you look at what Alvarado has done for the Pelicans, he has similar traits to what Josh Hart does for the Knicks. That’s good news for the Knicks, as they have two players who play bigger than they are and are willing to get their hands dirty.

With the news that Miles McBride is set to undergo surgery and could be out until the playoffs, this was a good move for the Knicks, and he should be a good fit for the team for the rest of the season.

Knicks trade grade: A-

Pelicans gain assets for future, plus young role player

For a team that doesn’t have a first-round pick and is at the bottom of the Western Conference standings, the Pelicans have been quiet. With the Alvarado trade, they were able to get picks and cash in return, which helps them for the future, and no one knows at this moment what that will look like.

Terry was just traded by the Chicago Bulls to the Knicks for Guerschon Yabusele, and it seems as if they didn’t plan on keeping him. He’ll now be headed to the Pelicans, where there is a chance he could see some minutes coming off the bench. Defensively is where he has shown the most flashes, as he’s good at deflecting the ball and can guard several positions on the floor.

With this move, the Pelicans were able to get some picks to work with in the future, and a player who will be nice depth with Alvarado gone.

Pelicans trade grade: B 

The post Knicks, Pelicans trade grades for Jose Alvarado deal appeared first on ClutchPoints.

NBA Insider Jake Fischer shared a post claiming that Knicks fans will love what Alvarado brings to the table. Stiller responded to Fischer’s post with a perfectly hilarious response.

“Madison Square Garden is gonna absolutely erupt when Jose Alvarado skins his knees diving for a loose ball and slides right into Ben Stiller,” said Fischer.

“I’ll be waiting with open arms,” responded Stiller.

The 27-year-old guard has built a reputation for himself after displaying consistent grit and determination on the court. Standing at 6-foot-0, what Alvarado lacks in size, he makes up for in hustle plays, while also serving as a strong perimeter defender. He should be a nice compliment to the backcourt when coming off the bench behind Jalen Brunson.

Before the trade, Jose Alvarado spent all of his career in New Orleans, primarily playing as a backup. He has played in 41 games so far this season, averaging 7.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 0.9 steals per game. Alvaraod also owns a 41.8% field goal percentage while shooting 36.3% from beyond the three-point line.

Alvarado will have his first opportunity to make his debut with the Knicks on Friday when New York takes on the Detroit Pistons on the road. If he does not play in that contest, then his next opportunity would be on Sunday for the club’s scheduled contest against the Boston Celtics.

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