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Nightly Pulse: NBA News & Highlights from Feb. 26

Stay in the know on tonight's NBA action as we keep you updated with the latest news and happenings around the league.

NBA.com Staff

Shaedon Sharpe delivered a Dunk of the Year nomination. Detroit controlled Boston. James Harden was in vintage form. Jalen Brunson was Mr. Clutch once again. These are the headliners from Wednesday’s slate of ball:

⭐⭐TOP PERFORMERS⭐⭐

  1. Tyrese Haliburton: 33 points (12-15 FG), three rebounds, 11 assists, three steals, two blocks
  2. Shaedon Sharpe: 36 points (13-26 FG), eight rebounds, five assists, one steal, one block
  3. Day’Ron Sharpe: 25 points (8-10 FG),  15 rebounds, five assists, two steals, three blocks
  4. Jalen Brunson:  34 points (8-17 FG, 15-16 FT), three rebounds, seven assists, one steal
  5. Chet Holmgren: 22 points (7-12 FG), 17 rebounds, four assists, two steals, three blocks

Top Storylines👉📝

  1. Detroit beats Boston by 20 while nearly leading wire-to-wire over the defending champions. Detroit’s winning streak extends to eight games and features the best defensive rating in the league over that span. The Pistons currently have firm control of sixth place in the Eastern Conference.
  2. Sharpe Nights: Shaedon Sharpe’s full array of talents was on display Wednesday, from a ferocious dunk to putting defenders in jail off a ball screen. The 21-year-old has more three-level scoring upside to continue blossoming. Moving to another Sharpe playing a team across the country, Brooklyn’s Day’Ron Sharpe posted the first 20-point game of his career while flashing versatile production. Sharpe has graded as an elite per-minute rebounder across his first four seasons in the league, but he has never logged 1,000 minutes in any campaign. He’s a breakout candidate down the stretch.
  3. Tyrese Halliburton’s confidence is brimming — averaging 25.8 points, 11.8 assists and 2.5 steals on 63.2/52.6/100% shooting since the All-Star break. 

So nice you’ll watch it twice

Shaedon Sharpe. Different bounce. Bad day to be a rim with Sharpe coming downhill. Liftoff. Tomahawk. Poster.

Knicks outlast 76ers comeback

New York’s largest lead of 19 points vs. Philadelphia’s largest lead of four points tells a story of Wednesday’s contest, however it was the 76ers who possessed a lead down the stretch of the fourth quarter — limiting turnovers and chipping away despite an inefficient performance from Tyrese Maxey (30 points, 12-32 FG).

Clutch Player of the Year candidate Jalen Brunson restored order for New York shortly after Philadelphia’s resilience, going on a solo 9-0 run in the final two minutes to seal the Knicks’ victory. Brunson finished with 34 points (8-17 FG, 3-5 3PM, 15-16 FT) and seven assists.

Josh Hart put forth a gritty performance (seven points, 17 rebounds, four assists, one steal, one block, seven turnovers) for the Knicks while Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) was inactive. His recklessness was matched by Paul George’s seven turnovers, although George boomed for 25 points (9-20 FG), eight rebounds, seven assists and four steals in addition.

Harden hits dagger, beats Bulls 🗡🗡

James Harden led all scorers with 30 points (9-20 FG, 7-14 3PM, 5-5 FT) as the Clippers earned a 122-117 victory over Chicago. Kawhi Leonard (17 points, eight rebounds, four assists, four steals) and Amir Coffey (20 points, 7-11 FG) co-starred as the Clippers rained in 51.4% of 37 threes as a team.

The Clippers move to 11-6 on the year when Harden and Leonard play together. Wednesday’s game was up-tempo and filled with quality facilitation and ball movement. Both sides combined to generate assists on 68 of 90 total made shots.

Zach Collins boomed in the absence of Nikola Vučević (calf), racking up 21 points (8-14 FG), 17 rebounds, seven assists, and two steals in 38 minutes. Wednesday marked Collins’ fifth appearance with Chicago since coming from San Antonio at the trade deadline.

Josh Giddey (21 points, eight rebounds, 12 assists) flirted with a triple-double while co-leading Chicago in scoring. Lonzo ball posted 15 points (6-10 FG 2-5 3PM, 1-1 FT), four rebounds, three assists, two steals, one block and zero turnovers

Pistons earn 8th straight W

In a game that was as commanding as it looks, Detroit never trailed by more than two points and possessed the lead for the entirety of the second half in Wednesday’s 117-97 win over Boston.

Playing without Jaylen Brown (thigh), Jayson Tatum (27 points, 10-19 FG) shoulder the Celtics’ scoring load, but Detroit pummeled Boston on the glass (61:40 rebounding advantage) and won the turnover battle (12:17).

Cade Cunningham (21 points, 11 assists) logged his third double-double across Detroit’s last four games. Malik Beasley led the Pistons with 26 points (10-15 FG, 6-11 3PM), continuing his scorching shooting. Beasley leads the league in catch-and-shoot shot attempts and is burying 44.9% of such threes.

Career night for Shaedon Sharpe🌟🌟

Sharpe delivered 36 points (13-26 FG, 3-7 3PM, 7-10 FT), eight rebounds and five assists off the bench to lead Portland to a 129-121 victory over Washington. The 21-year-old was dynamic around the basket, scoring through a combination of offensive rebounds, cuts, and dribble drives — highlighted by beautiful change-of-speeds and savvy control navigating multiple defenders.

For Washington, Richaun Holmes was perfect from the field en route to 20 points (7-7 FG, 6-6 FT) along with five rebounds. Jordan Poole led the Wizards with 24 points (8-17 FG, 3-9 3PM). Corey Kispert chipped in 20 points (6-13 FG, 5-6 3PM).

Sharpe’s dunk-of-the-year nomination headlines Wednesday’s game:

🟣🟣 Light the Beam 🟣🟣

Sacramento moves to 30-28 on the season by defeating the Jazz 118-101. The Kings sank 41.7% of 36 threes as a team while controlling a dominant 57-39 advantage over Utah on the glass.

Domantas Sabonis’ double-double streak was snapped at nine consecutive games, finishing with just 12 points and nine rebounds.

Keegan Murray led all scorers and posted a season-high 26 points (9-16 FG, 5-10 3PM, 3-4 FT), while Walker Kessler boomed for 25 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and zero turnovers for the Jazz.

Stars guide Pacers to victory

Tyrese Haliburton (33 points, 11 assists) and Myles Turner (18 points, 10 rebounds) were Indiana’s leading scorers Wednesday, as well as pacing the team in assists and rebounding, respectively. Haliburton’s 12-for-15 shooting performance made him the first player since Chris Paul during his Clippers tenure to record a double-double with five made threes on at least 80% shooting.

Toronto’s cast delivered a balanced scoring performance, with six players reaching double-digit points. However, 18 turnovers plagued the Raptors, who connected on just 22.2% of 27 threes as a team.

Thunder dominate 4th Quarter, win 129-121

After trailing for the first 40 minutes of Wednesday’s contest, a balanced scoring attack from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (27 points), Aaron Wiggins (24 points), Chet Holmgren (22 points) and Jalen Williams (22 points) fueled a 129-121 victory over Brooklyn.

Starting in the final minutes of the third quarter, Oklahoma City’s 36-9 run flipped the script on Wednesday’s game, as Brooklyn defense was repeatedly gashed down the stretch. A 68:28 Oklahoma City advantage in paint points fueled the comeback victory.

In addition to Holmgren’s scoring, the 22-year-old pulled down a game-high 17 rebounds and was in fierce competition vs. Day’Ron Sharpe — who boomed for a breakout performance of 25 points (8-10 FG, 2-3 3PM, 7-7 FT) , 15 rebounds, five assists, two steals and three blocks in just 31 minutes of action.

Sharpe entered Wednesday’s contest averaging 9.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 blocks in just 17.3 minutes across nine February contests, and he flashed elite upside in his career-high performance.

Heat get hot♨️♨️♨️

Miami drained a blistering 54.8 of 42 3PA as a team, fueling a 131-109 victory over Atlanta. Miami’s barrage was keyed by:

  • Tyler Herro: 24 points, 4-8 3PM
  • Duncan Robinson: 24 points, 6-13 3PM
  • Davion Mitchell: 20 points, 5-5 3PM
  • Haywood Highsmith: 14 points, 4-5 3PM

Dyson Daniels led Atlanta with 18 points (8-10 FG, 1-1 3PM, 1-2 FT) as one of six Hawks to finish with double-digit points. Trae Young finished with 17 points (4-12 FG, 1-6 3PM, 8-8 FT), eight assists and four turnovers.

Rock fight. Rockets Win 🤛

Houston ripped down 70 rebounds while San Antonio shot just 42.0% from the field — including 17.9% on 39 3PA — en route to a 118-106 victory. The Rockets led by 26 points entering the fourth quarter, while also possessing the lead for all 48 minutes.

San Antonio’s shooting volatility has become remarkably pronounced in the absence of Victor Wembanyama. Stephon Castle (9-22 FG, 1-7 3PM) and Keldon Johnson (8-13 FG, 0-3 3PM) co-led the Spurs with 22 points each.

Amen Thompson continues making a nightly impact for Houston, finishing Wednesday’s game with 25 points (12-15 FG), nine rebounds, five assists and two blocks. His combination of twitchy athleticism and contact initiation is overcoming his inconsistent, still developing jumper.

COBY WHITE HAMMER 🔨🔨

Coby White gets a poster of his own! Dunks flying around the league. The Bulls hold a 55-54 over the Clippers in the final minutes before halftime.

Brooklyn gunning away💣💣

The Nets rained in seven first quarter threes, led by Cameron Johnson and Keon Johnson each hitting two. While Aaron Wiggins leads all scorers with 13 points (6-10 FG), Brooklyn leads Oklahoma City 43-39 in the opening minutes of the second quarter.

TEXTBOOK BUCKET

Jayson Tatum dips his shoulder to get the defender off balance, then shakes him with a clean off-arm push before crossing over into three points. However, Detroit leads Boston by nine points at the end of the first quarter, although Tatum leads all scorers with 12 points (5-7 FG).

19 Q1 points for Mikal Bridges

Entering Wednesday’s contest averaging just 11.6 points shooting across his last five games, Mikal Bridges (19 points, 8-11 FG) is booming versus Philadelphia. The 28-year-old’s cutting and shot-making is fully on display.

Tyrese Haliburton👀👀👀

Tyrese Haliburton showing some of the gun-slinging confidence that made him one of the deadliest offensive players in the league throughout the first half of last season. When he’s taking and making his step-back threes, Indiana’s offense is potent.

Oklahoma City Blues

Blues and bags and jackets out as the stylish Thunder find themselves in Brooklyn.

Key Storylines for the Night 🍿🍿

  1. Pascal Siakam and Indiana welcome his former team as Toronto comes to town. Siakam is averaging 20.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists across five contests against the Raptors since being acquired by Indiana at the 2024 trade deadline.
  2. Detroit is on a seven-game winning streak, moving into sixth in the Eastern Conference. A litmus test for their recent success comes in the form of second-place Boston on Wednesday.
  3. James Harden and Kawhi Leonard are both active Wednesday, marking the 17th occasion this duo has suited up together this season. Los Angeles is 10-6 over that sample.

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