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Nightly Pulse: NBA News & Highlights from March 3

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

A seven-game slate of hoops yields a stunning ending in Memphis and another dazzling performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander:

⭐⭐TOP PERFORMERS⭐⭐

  1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 51 points (18-30 FG), five rebounds, seven assists, one steal, one block
  2. Desmond Bane: 35 points (9-19 FG, 14-14 FT), 10 rebounds, 10 assists)
  3. Anfernee Simons: 34 points (13-26 FG, 6-11 3PM), four rebounds, three assists, two steals

Top Takeaways👉📝

  1. Amid key absences of five rotation players, Houston’s depth was on display as young prodigies Reed Sheppard (25 points, 10-17 FG) and Cam Whitmore (27 points, 10-19 FG) stepped up to counter Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 51-point masterclass. Sheppard’s comfort self-creating at multiple levels, as well as stopping-and-popping in transition or semi-transition, are eye-catching traits.
  2. Desmond Bane’s 35-point triple-double was spoiled by Dyson Daniel’s picking his pocket on the Grizzlies’ final possession Monday. Even with Ja Morant (shoulder) unavailable, attacking Defensive Player of the Year candidate Dyson Daniels one-on-one is becoming a no-go for opponents.
  3. Kyrie Irving (knee sprain) displayed resilience and grit returning to the court to take his free throws after injuring his knee while drawing a shooting foul. The Mavericks slipped to 32-30, holding a 3.5 game lead over Phoenix for the No.10 seed and final spot in the Play-In Tournament.

GREAT BARRIER THIEF STRIKES AGAIN🇦🇺🇦🇺

With the game on the line, Dyson Daniels picks Desmond Bane’s pocket and hits Caris LeVert ahead of the play for the buzzer-beating euro-step game-winner.

Caris LeVert scored Atlanta’s final seven points to finish with an efficient 25 points (11-19 FG, 3-8 3PM) to go along with five assists and three steals. Rookie Zaccharie Risacher was remarkably efficient as well, popping for 27 points (11-13 FG, 5-7 3PM) and four steals.

Trae Young and Onyeka Okongwu (16 points, 12 rebounds) each posted double-doubles. Young orchestrated his 13th game of the year with 15-plus assists, stacking 15 dimes with a poor shooting night (12 points, 5-17 FG). 

WATCH YA HEAD‼️ Detroit hosts dunk party in win

Cade Cunningham was diming up his big men Monday. First, he sets up a nasty slam for Paul Reed, then Jalen Duren unleashes on the rim off a behind-the-back Cunningham’s feed. The Pistons cruised to a 134-106 victory over Utah.

Cunningham led all scorers with 29 points (12-24 FG, 1-8 3PM) and tacked on nine assists and four steals. Jalen Duren (16 points, 12 rebounds) posted a double-double while connecting on 5-of-5 shots from the field, helping fuel Detroit’s 55.4% shooting as a team on 92 attempts.

Rookie Kyle Filipowski’s multi-level impact was on display en route to a career-high 25-point performance (7-13 FG, 4-7 3PM, 7-8 FT). He also recorded eight rebounds, one assist and four turnovers — part of a ghastly 27 turnovers for the Jazz.

Magic Number 50

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was as smooth as ever en route to 51 points (18-30 FG, 5-9 3PM, 10-10 FT) — marking his 4th 50-point game of the season! His consistent scoring was ultimately unstoppable in Oklahoma City’s 137-128 victory.

The 26-year-old started hot with a 20-point first quarter, and capitalized on the absence of Dillon Brooks (knee) and Amen Thompson (shoulder) throughout Monday’s matchup.

Fred VanVleet (ankle), Alperen Sengun (back) and Tari Eason (lower leg) were also unavailable for Houston, but the Rockets nonetheless rained in 45.7% of 35 3PA and remained in striking distance of the Thunder.

Kings roll, Kyrie Irving exits early for Dallas

Kyrie Irving (knee sprain) exiting in the first quarter of Monday’s game cast a dreary energy over Dallas, helping enable Sacramento’s 122-98 victory over the Mavericks.

Jaden Hardy (ankle) was forced to exit in the third quarter, further depleting Dallas’ backcourt to an insurmountable degree. Kai Jones popped for a career-high 21 points (9-10 FG, 3-3 FT) while Naji Marshall delivered 18 points (7-13 FG 4-4 FT), five rebounds, and six assists.

It was all Sacramento otherwise in a wire-to-wire victory.

Zach LaVine led all scorers with 22 points (8-12 FG, 4-5 3PM, 2-2 FT), continuing his remarkably efficient offense since joining the Kings at the trade deadline. LaVine entered Monday’s contest averaging 25.8 points on 56.2/51.2/80.0 percent shooting on 18.7 shots across his last five games.

Portland speedruns Philadelphia, wins by 17

Anfernee Simons notched his 35th game with 30-plus points, moving into 8th place in Portland franchise history. The 25-year-old finished with 34 points (13-26 FG, 6-11 3PM, 2-2 FT) — marking his seventh game of the season with at least six made threes.

Shaedon Sharpe (20 points, 11 rebounds) and Donovan Clingan (13 points, 13 rebounds) each posted double-doubles while acting as the Trail Blazers’ secondary scoring options.

Andre Drummond feasted for Philadelphia, finishing with 25 points (11-19 FG), 18 rebounds, one assist and two steals in 29 minutes. Undrafted rookie Justin Edwards matched his second-highest scoring performance with 16 points (7-15 FG) on a night when Paul George (groin soreness) did not play.

Chef drops dimes, Warriors win

Stephen Curry posted a season-high 10 assists to go along with 21 points (6-14 FG, 3-9 3PM, 6-8 FT) as Golden State earned a 119-101 victory over Charlotte.

Buddy Hield led Golden State with 22 points (8-14 FG, 5-9 3PM). Draymond Green (16 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists) and Brandin Podziemski (19 points, 11 rebounds) each recorded double-doubles.

Miles Bridges boomed for 35 points (11-20 FG, 4-9 3PM, 9-9 FT), but Golden State nonetheless moves to 8-1 in games with Jimmy Butler since acquiring him.

Team win for Miami🤜🤛

A 19-point, 15-rebound double-double from Bam Adebayo lead all players in each category during Monday’s 106-90 victory over Washington. Five players for Miami scored between 15 and 19 points, including rookie Pelle Larsson.

Adebayo logged his 222nd career double-double Monday, becoming Miami’s all-time franchise leader in double-doubles — passing Rony Seikaly.

Only two players exceeded 10 points for the Wizards, with Khris Middleton (16 points) and Bub Carrington (14 points) chipping in beyond the rest. All 12 active players for Washington scored in Monday’s contest, but the team shot just 36.9% from the field on 84 attempts

Career-high hunting👀👀

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is putting forth a massive night, recording 45 points (16-25 FG), seven rebounds and four assists in just 28 minutes of action as Oklahoma City has a 102-89 lead entering the fourth quarter.

Gilgeous-Alexander is on pace to pass his previous career high of 54 points!

BALL LOB🎯🎯

Another night at the office for LaMelo Ball, connecting with Miles Bridges on a beautiful feed. Charlotte trails Golden State 69-63 in the final minutes of the third quarter.

Best to ever shoot it

Slow-motion Stephen Curry is a sight to behold. He has seven points (3-5 FG) midway through the second quarter to co-lead the Warriors, while Hornets’ rookie Tidjane Salaün has been the hottest shooter (9 points, 3-3 FG) thus far.

Stephen Curry: Exterminator

Curry has torched the Hornets in his career — likely much to the dismay in of his father, Dell Curry. Dell is the color commentator for Charlotte, as well as the franchise’s all-time leader and made threes.

Key Storylines for the Night 🍿🍿

  1. Quentin Grimes will look to follow-up on his 44-point eruption (18-24 FG) from Saturday’s loss to the Warriors. He could be a breakout candidate across the league down the stretch.
  2.  Golden State has posted a 7-1 record with Jimmy Butler — averaging an explosive 122.0 points per game. They’ll look to move to 8-1 Monday against Charlotte.
  3. Oklahoma City has a commanding 10.5 game lead atop the Western Conference, while Houston is in the thick of things at the No.5 seed. The Rockets are just one game behind Memphis to climb to No.4, but the Thunder present a formidable challenge in that ascension Monday.

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