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In a game made for the Garden, Captain Clutch closed it out.
Forty-two points. Eight straight New York wins. One instant classic at MSG.
5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀
Heavyweight Duels: Knicks take down Nuggets in thriller, Spurs beat OKC again, C’s stay hot in Houston
Roundup: Ant ignites Wolves, Bucks win in OT, Grizz close in crunch time, Cavs keep cooking
Trade Tracker: All the latest reports and official deals as today’s deadline nears
Prime Doubleheader: Surging Suns welcome Warriors, Raptors and Bulls collide
League Pass Spotlight: Knueppel & Hornets seek eighth straight win, Flagg faces Wemby
BUT FIRST … ⏰
Eight games get underway tonight, including a Prime doubleheader as the Raptors host the Bulls (7:30 ET | Tap to Watch), before the Warriors visit the Suns (10 ET | Tap to Watch).
SGA Update: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is expected to miss the next five games with an abdominal strain and will be re-evaluated after the All-Star break.
Trade Tracker: The trade deadline is just hours away (today at 3 p.m. ET), and more reported deals poured in yesterday, including names like Anthony Davis, Jonathan Kuminga & Coby White. See Section 3 for some of this week’s biggest reported moves, and tap here for every official deal.
All-Star Countdown: Below are more key dates to know, with 2026 NBA All-Star just eight days away:
- Friday, Feb. 13: Ruffles All-Star Celebrity Game at Kia Forum & Castrol Rising Stars at the Intuit Dome – secure your tickets here using promo code NEWS26
- Saturday, Feb. 14: NBA All-Star Saturday at Intuit Dome (5 ET, NBC & Peacock)
- Sunday, Feb. 15: The 75th NBA All-Star Game at Intuit Dome (5 ET, NBC & Peacock)
1. HEAVYWEIGHT DUELS: KNICKS WIN CLASSIC, SPURS BEAT OKC, C’S STAY HOT
To reach their longest win streak of the season, the Knicks had to endure a double-overtime marathon that demanded everything they had.
And when it was time to close, the reigning Kia Clutch Player of the Year delivered.
Knicks 134, Nuggets 127 (2OT): In a game that featured 19 ties, 20 lead changes and no lead greater than nine, Jamal Murray (39 pts, 6 ast) and Nikola Jokić (30 pts, 14 reb, 10 ast) put on a show for Denver, which had two chances to win at the buzzer.
The Knicks held firm on both occasions, forcing a Jokić miss at the end of regulation, then appearing to make a game-winning stand as the clock expired in overtime. A loose-ball foul, however, sent Christian Braun to the line, where he sank both free throws to force double OT.
Instead of losing momentum, New York – and its captain – came out even stronger.
Down 2, Jalen Brunson reignited the Garden with a personal 6-0 burst, then dropped a dime to Landry Shamet to push the lead to 6.
When Denver cut it to 3, Brunson answered again, drilling a dagger floater with 31 ticks left, before hitting the game-sealing free throws to extend New York’s win streak to eight. | Recap
- All-Stars Deliver: Brunson finished with 42 points (14-27 FG), 8 rebounds and 9 dimes, while Karl-Anthony Towns added a double-double (24 pts, 12 reb)
- Cap Takes Over: Thirty-three of Brunson’s points came after halftime, including 10 in double OT to single-handedly outscore Denver (8), stamping a signature win that both tested and revealed New York’s resolve
- “It was really mentally tough,” said Brunson on the dub. “And we needed that. We could’ve just quit, but we found a way.”
- “What an MVP performance,” added Knicks coach Mike Brown of Brunson. “On a national stage … versus a really good team.”
- Jokić Ties Big O: Despite the loss, Jokić recorded his 181st career triple-double, tying Oscar Robertson for the 2nd-most all-time
With SGA & OKC’s mainstays out for the regular-season finale between the Thunder & Spurs, the year’s fifth meeting took on a different flavor — but a tenacious effort from OKC’s reserves made for yet another grind-it-out battle between the West’s top two teams.
Spurs 116, Thunder 106: The Spurs led by as many as 22 in the first half, until the Thunder — led by Jaylin Williams’ 24-12 double-double — rallied to cut it to 4 in the fourth.
But a late surge by Steph Castle & Wemby (22 pts, 14 reb) and a game-high 25 pts from Keldon Johnson helped San Antonio hold on for its fourth win over rival OKC. | Recap
- Making Their Move: The Spurs have won three of their last four and are five games behind OKC for the top spot out West
- Seizing Opportunity: The Thunder saw career-best scoring nights from Kenrich Williams (25 pts, 9 reb) and Jaylin Williams (24 pts, 12 reb), with 20 points from Aaron Wiggins (6 ast)
Also in Texas, the C’s stayed hot in Houston.
Celtics 114, Rockets 93: Derrick White (28 pts, 8 ast, 6 3s) led Boston without Jaylen Brown (leg) and Payton Pritchard was big off the bench (27 pts, 7 ast, 5 3s) as Boston pulled away from KD (15 pts) and Houston for its fourth straight win. | Recap
- The Payton Line: It’s Pritchard’s third career game of 25+ pts, 5+ ast, 5+ 3s off the bench for Boston. There have been six such games in franchise history
2. ROUNDUP: ANT SPARKS RALLY, BUCKS & GRIZZ WIN LATE, CAVS ROLL
With all four teams ahead of them in the standings in action Wednesday, the Wolves needed a double-digit comeback to capitalize.
Wolves 128, Raptors 126: Ant Edwards (30 pts, 8 reb, 5 ast, 3 stl) led seven double-figure scorers for the Wolves in a 2nd-half surge that erased an 18-point deficit.
He capped the comeback with a slick jumper to make it a two-possession game with just over a minute left, sealing Minnesota’s fifth win in six games. | Recap
- Comeback King: Before he hit the jumper to seal the win, Ant’s driving layup with 2:26 left gave the Wolves their first lead since it was 40-38
- Toronto Trio: Brandon Ingram (25 pts, 6 reb), Immanuel Quickley (23 pts, 5 reb, 8 ast) and Scottie Barnes (22 pts, 10 reb, 8 ast) paced Toronto, combining for 70 points
Two more games came down to the wire.
Bucks 141, Pelicans 137 (OT): Ryan Rollins (27 pts) and AJ Green (20 pts, 6 3s) paced seven double-figure Bucks scorers to overcome a career-best shooting night from Trey Murphy III with 44 points and a franchise-record 12 3s. | Recap
- Elite Eight: Murphy III matches Steph Curry’s mark for the most 3s in a game this season. He is just the eighth player in NBA history to hit 12+ treys in a game
Grizzlies 129, Kings 125: Ty Jerome jumpstarted Memphis in his third game back (28 pts, 7 ast), and Cam Spencer (20 pts, 5 ast) hit back-to-back clutch jumpers in the final minute, capped by a lead-extending 3 to edge Domantas Sabonis (24 pts, 15 reb) and the Kings. | Recap
To close the night, the Cavs kept cooking.
Cavaliers 124, Clippers 91: Donovan Mitchell posted a game-high in points (29), assists (9) and steals (4) as the Cavs earned their seventh win in eight games with a wire-to-wire dub over Kawhi Leonard (25 pts, 7 reb) and the Clips. | Recap
3. TRADE TRACKER: THE LATEST BUZZ ENTERING THE FINAL HOURS
With just hours left before the NBA trade deadline (today at 3 ET), here’s a look at a few of the biggest official deals and reported moves from Wednesday.
Note: All deals referenced are based on reports and are not official unless stated otherwise.
- Official: James Harden to the Cavs in exchange for Darius Garland and future 2nd-round pick, a deal that became official Wednesday
- Garland was welcomed by the Clippers at Intuit Dome Wednesday, as he attended the game against his former club, sitting with his father, a former Clips player
- The Warriors are reportedly acquiring Kristaps Porziņģis from Atlanta in exchange for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield
- The Wizards are reportedly acquiring Anthony Davis and more from the Mavs in 8-player deal…
- The Thunder are reportedly acquiring Jared McCain from the Sixers for picks…
- The Hornets are reportedly acquiring Coby White from the Bulls for Collin Sexton, more…
ICYMI: More deals and moves from earlier in the week.
- Official: Grizzlies trade Jaren Jackson Jr. to Jazz (Feb. 3)
- Celtics to reportedly acquire Nikola Vučević from the Bulls for Anfernee Simons, more…
- Official: Pistons acquire Kevin Huerter, Dario Šarić in 3-team trade (Feb. 3)
- Official: Cavs add Keon Ellis, Dennis Schröder, more in 3-team deal (Feb. 3)
4. TONIGHT ON PRIME: RISING SUNS HOST DUBS, BULLS VISIT RAPTORS
January was a triumphant time for the Suns.
Along the way, they continued to click on the court. Jordan Ott was named West Coach of the Month, while Dillon Brooks was West Player of the Week for Jan. 26 to Feb. 1.
They’ve scorched a path. And slowly but surely, they’re climbing the league ranks.
Tonight (10 ET, Prime), the Suns host the Warriors, having won 16 of their last 23 games. Another victory at Mortgage Matchup Center would make eight in the last 11.
- Last Time Out: Phoenix overcame a 19-point deficit to Portland on Tuesday, winning 130-125, behind six double-figure scorers in the absence of Devin Booker (ankle)
- Rising Up: Third-year guard Collin Gillespie posted a career-best 30 points, leading the way with eight 3s
Offense by committee is how the Suns have operated in 2025-26. They have six double-figure scorers, including a well-balanced starting five.
- Fear Factors: Beyond Booker, it’s the trio of Brooks (20.9 ppg), Grayson Allen (16.9) and Gillespie (13.8) who offer scoring options
- Standing Tall: Buoyed by Brooks’ signature toughness, Phoenix has also embraced an intense defensive approach — currently No. 8 with a 112.3 DefRtg
That’s where the similarities with Golden State begin. This season, the Warriors possess the league’s 10th-best DefRtg at 112.4.
- More Mirrors: They, too, boast depth with seven double-figure scorers since Jimmy Butler III’s knee injury on Dec. 19, led by Stephen Curry’s 27.2 ppg
But first, this evening’s doubleheader opens with the Bulls visiting the Raptors (7:30 ET, Prime) as the two East squads meet for the first time in 2025-26.
- Telling Tale: Chicago won all four of last year’s matchups by an average of 11.5 points, and by as many as 19, but things have changed for Toronto this season
- One Of One: Scottie Barnes – now a two-time All-Star – is the NBA’s lone player averaging 15+ points, 5+ assists, 1.5+ blocks and 1+ steals per game
- “This is a guy that said, ‘I’ll do what I need to do,’” said NBC analyst Vince Carter of Barnes this week. “He’s been a distributor, all-around guy. He deserves this.”
5. LEAGUE PASS SPOTLIGHT: STREAKING HORNETS VISIT ROCKETS
Eight straight wins.
The last time the Hornets achieved such a single-season streak, their current top-three scorers, Brandon Miller, LaMelo Ball and Kon Knueppel, weren’t even born.
Tonight on League Pass (8 ET), Charlotte looks to match a run that’s gone untouched since December 1999, riding a seven-game heater into Houston.
But the Hornets’ surge isn’t just about a streak – it’s about a shift. One driven by its rookie star, Knueppel, and a wave of young talent coming into its own, writes NBA.com’s Steve Aschburner:
Eleven of the 18 players on Charlotte’s roster are under 25, and seven haven’t yet turned 24. Even a few prominent veterans — Miles Bridges (27 years old), LaMelo Ball (24) and Brandon Miller (23) — are still establishing themselves in the league.
That influx of young guys could have altered the dynamics of coach Charles Lee’s locker room … So far, the Hornets’ rookies have been an elixir. | Read More
One spot above Knueppel on Aschburner’s latest Kia Rookie Ladder sits Cooper Flagg, who reclaimed the top spot thanks to his record three-game tear.
Tonight, he faces Victor Wembanyama as the Mavs host the Spurs (8:30 ET), highlighting five more games on League Pass. Meanwhile, the Sixers aim for a sixth straight win as they visit the Lakers (10 ET).
- Wizards at Pistons (7 ET)
- Nets at Magic (7 ET)
- Jazz at Hawks (7:30 ET)
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