A career night and a career highlight.
Shaedon Sharpe left the internet in shambles on Wednesday with this dunk.
5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀
Feb. 27, 2025
Sky-High: A Detroit streak that hasn’t been seen in 17 years and an all-time Sharpe ascent
Roundup: OKC rallies late, Brunson, Harden & Haliburton close, Amen shines and more
Jokić vs. Giannis: Two Kia MVPs, two opposite styles, one must-see showdown (8 ET, TNT)
Wolves at Lakers: Can Minny slow down Luka, LeBron & the surging Lake Show? (10:30 ET, NBA TV)
LP Spotlight: Jimmy & Steph look to improve to 7-1 as a duo tonight in Orlando
BUT FIRST … ⏰
Mark your calendar…
Five games tip off tonight, including Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets visiting Giannis and the Bucks on TNT (8 ET), before the Lakers host the Wolves on NBA TV (10:30 ET).
On Friday, the top two teams in the East go toe-to-toe, followed by the Battle of L.A. in a massive ESPN doubleheader. Then, Saturday delivers a primetime ABC clash.
- Friday: Cavaliers at Celtics (7:30 ET, ESPN)
- Friday: Clippers at Lakers (10 ET, ESPN)
- Saturday: Warriors at 76ers (8:30 ET, ABC)
Today’s Reads: The Athletic on how Brian Keefe has helped revitalize Jordan Poole and how the Cavs are ready to face the Celtics on Friday … NBC on the Pistons’ win streak entering Wednesday.
1. MID-WEEK HEAT: PISTONS MAKE IT 8 STRAIGHT, SHARPE SOARS
Chauncey Billups. Richard Hamilton. Tayshaun Prince. Rasheed Wallace.
They made up the Pistons’ core the last time they won eight straight games.
That is – until Wednesday.
Pistons 117, Celtics 97: With the score tied 55-55 at the break and both teams looking to extend win streaks, Detroit outdueled the defending champs, outscoring Boston 62-42 in the 2nd half for its eighth win in a row while snapping the C’s heater at six games. | Recap
- Pistons’ Fuel: Malik Beasley tallied 26 points on six 3s, while Cade Cunningham added 21 points and 11 dimes in the win, moving Detroit a game back of Indy for 4th in the East
- Closing Statement: Detroit held Boston to 18 points in the 4th quarter, leading to the Celtics’ second-largest loss of the season
- JT Makes History: Jayson Tatum (27 pts) hit four 3s in the loss, becoming the first Celtic to total 200+ triples in four straight seasons
Winning Roots: Known for its historically rugged defenses, Detroit last won eight straight games in 2007-08 – when it allowed the fewest ppg in the NBA en route to its latest East Finals appearance.
This year’s squad follows the same formula, ranking 2nd in DefRtg since the New Year and first during its win streak.
- “That’s what we hang our hat on, is grit,” said Cunningham postgame on Detroit’s defense. “That’s our identity. We’re just trying to exceed everyone else’s energy.”
While the rising Pistons remained red-hot, a rising West guard reached new heights.
Blazers 129, Wizards 121: Shaedon Sharpe’s all-around game was on full display as he dropped a career-high 36 points on 50% shooting along with 8 boards, 5 dimes and 1 Dunk of the Year candidate to punctuate a Blazers win in D.C. | Recap
- Sky-High Sharpe: Sharpe’s thunderous throwdown registered the second-highest Dunk Score of the season (113.9) and a 41.1-inch vertical
- All-Time Air: The highest recorded vert this season? 45.1 inches – also registered by Sharpe. See his top 10 career dunks here
- But This One Was Different: “I don’t know how I got there,” said Sharpe on the finish. “But I got it, and I think it was crazy.”
2. ROUNDUP: OKC RALLIES, STAR GUARDS GO OFF & MORE
Thunder 129, Nets 121: Day’Ron Sharpe was a force (25 pts, 15 reb, 3 blk), leading five Nets in double figures as Brooklyn entered the half up 15.
But OKC’s trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (27 pts, 5 ast), Chet Holmgren (22 pts, 17 reb, 3 blk) and Jalen Williams (22 pts) was too much, as the Thunder rallied for a bounce-back win after falling to the Wolves on Monday. | Recap
- Thunder Resolve: OKC outscored Brooklyn 39-25 in the 4th and is now 4-1 this season when trailing by double digits at the half. No other team is above .500 in such scenarios
Clippers 122, Bulls 117: James Harden dropped 30 points on seven 3s, including one dagger, as the Clips outlasted the Bulls to snap a three-game skid, despite Zach Collins’ big night (21 pts, 17 reb, 7 ast). | Recap
Knicks 110, 76ers 105: Paul George stuffed the stat sheet (25 pts, 8 reb, 7 ast, 3 stl) while Tyrese Maxey (30 pts, 5 ast) and Kelly Oubre Jr. (27 pts) helped fuel a 60-49 2nd half for Philly.
But Jalen Brunson stifled the Sixers’ push, scoring 14 of his game-high 34 points in the 4th quarter to hold off Philly, halting the Knicks’ two-game slide. | Recap
- Core Contributions: Mikal Bridges added 28 points, while Josh Hart hauled in 17 boards with Karl-Anthony Towns out (knee)
Pacers 111, Raptors 91: Tyrese Haliburton splashed seven 3s on his way to 33 points, 11 dimes and 3 steals as Indy outpaced Immanuel Quickley (18 pts, 6 ast) and Toronto for its fourth win in five games. | Recap
Rockets 118, Spurs 106: Amen Thompson’s breakout campaign continues as the sophomore went 12-of-15 from the floor for 25 points while adding 9 boards, 5 assists and 2 blocks, lifting the Rockets over Stephon Castle (22 pts) and the Spurs. | Recap
Heat 131, Hawks 109: Tyler Herro turned in 24 points and 10 dimes, while Duncan Robinson (24) and five other Heat joined him in double figures to top Trae Young (17 pts, 8 ast) and Atlanta. | Recap
Kings 118, Jazz 101: Led by Keegan Murray (26) and Zach LaVine (22), the Kings starting 5 combined for 92 points as Sacramento raced past Walker Kessler (25 pts, 14 reb) and the Jazz for its second win in a row. | Recap
3. TONIGHT ON TNT: GIANNIS’ BUCKS HOST JOKIĆ’S NUGGETS
Both stand 6-foot-11. Both are the last two players to win back-to-back Kia MVPs. And both are on their way to historic seasons.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokić share plenty in common, but the two international superstars dominate the game with entirely different styles.
The Greek Freak is a wrecking ball, who last season became the first player to average 30+ ppg on over 60% shooting. This season, he’s on track to do it again.
The Joker is a playmaking genius, on pace to become the first player to finish in the top 3 in points, rebounds and assists per game in a single season since the NBA began ranking player averages in 1969-70.
Tonight (8 ET, TNT), the two generational bigs will collide inside as the Bucks host the Nuggets.
How does each player operate?
Giannis ranks 2nd in the NBA in ppg with 31.0. 66.1% of those points come in the paint, where he’s averaging an NBA-best 20.5 ppg.
- Freaks Of Nature: That puts Giannis on pace to join Shaq (1997-2002) as the only players to average 20+ PITP in back-to-back seasons since the stat was first tracked in 1997-98
Giannis spins at the 3-point line, takes two steps and reaches the rim – no dribbles necessary.
And when the No. 34 train gets a full head of steam, there’s almost no slowing him down, as he leads the NBA in transition ppg (7.7) and total dunks (354).
Ranked right below Giannis in scoring is Jokić (29.2 ppg, 12.6 rpg, 10.4), who is not only averaging a triple-double but is on pace to become the first center in NBA history to post 10+ assists per game in a single season.
59.3% of Jokic’s isolations end in a pass, the 2nd-most among players with 100+ isolations.
Even more amazing? Despite playing the 5, Jokić leads the league in passes per game (77.1), showcasing his masterful feel as he ranks 3rd in kickout passes ⬆️ (490) and 7th in skip passes ⬇️ (114).
Now seeking their 11th win in 12 games, can Jokić and the Nuggets keep rolling, or will Giannis and the Bucks impose their will at home?
4. PLAYOFF PUSH IN L.A.: LAKERS & WOLVES DUEL ON NBA TV
On Monday, the Wolves secured their largest comeback victory in 27+ years, roaring back from 25 points down to knock off the West-leading Thunder in OT.
One night later, it was the Lakers who shined, as Luka Dončić recorded a triple-double against his former team, while LeBron James took over late to lead Los Angeles past Dallas, marking its 13th win in 16 games.
Tonight, both coming off emotional wins in the heart of the West Playoff race, the Lakers and Wolves meet (10:30 ET, NBA TV).
- Full Circle: With 19 pts, 15 reb and 12 ast against the Mavs, Luka has now recorded at least one regular-season triple-double against 29 of the 30 NBA teams
- The Only Club Left? The Wolves
- Historic Company: Just two other players have tallied a regular-season triple-double against every NBA team: LeBron and Russell Westbrook
- On the eve of his 26th birthday, Luka will aim to become the third, adding to his already elite resume, as he trails only the Big O for the most triple-doubles at age 25 or younger while ranking 7th all-time
Since Jan. 20, the Lakers are an NBA-best 13-3. And while Luka’s Hollywood arrival has drawn the spotlight, another key factor has played into L.A.’s success – defense.
- Lockdown Lakers: Before Jan. 20, Los Angeles ranked 24th in DefRtg (115.7). Since then, it’s jumped to first (106.0)
- The Tone-Setter? James, who at 40, owns the 5th-best DefRtg in February among players who have logged 30+ minutes per game in 5+ outings
- “LeBron is playing at an All-NBA Defense level,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick after Tuesday’s win. “I watch it every night … there’s no conservation of energy at that end of the floor.”
However, in the Lakers’ last two meetings with Minnesota, the Wolves’ defense has dictated terms, holding Los Angeles under 90 points for back-to-back wins.
Now a half-game back of the Clippers for the final Playoff spot out West, can Minnesota slow down the Lakers again? Or will Luka and LeBron keep the Lake Show surging?
5. LP SPOTLIGHT: WINNING WARRIORS HEADLINE 3-GAME SLATE
The streaking Warriors tip off a crucial five-game road trip tonight in Orlando on League Pass (7 ET).
The two squads – each battling for Playoff position – met on Feb. 3 in a 104-99 win for the Warriors, with Steph Curry and Andrew Wiggins teaming up for 49 points.
Now, with Jimmy Butler alongside Curry, the Warriors are nearing their longest win streak all season, having strung together four victories for the first time since Oct. 29 to Nov. 4.
- Cohesive basketball has turned the tides for the Dubs, highlighted by an assist-to-turnover ratio that jumped from 12th in January to 2nd in their last seven games
- The Butler Did It: Since dropping 25 in his Warriors debut on Feb. 8, Butler has helped his team to six wins, with Golden State boasting the league’s No. 2 NetRtg in that span
- Compliments to the Chef: Curry has made the most of more open looks with Butler in the fold, sinking 42.1% of his wide-open 3s
- Tightened Up: Following Butler’s entry into the starting lineup, Golden State’s DefRtg has leaped from No. 25 last month to No. 1 across the last seven contests
Alongside Draymond Green – the 2016-17 NBA Defensive Player of the Year – Butler has stepped in as a defensive leader for Golden State.
- “You love that defensively,” said Warriors head coach Steve Kerr on Butler’s communication. “It always helps if you can hear a voice behind you. The two of them together are really impressive.”
Orlando is 9-17 since the New Year but just four games back of the No. 6 seed in the East as it eyes a late-season push to regain Playoff position.
- Strength vs. Strength: If there’s a team that can match the Warriors’ defensive tenacity, it’s the Magic, who allow the fewest ppg in the NBA (105.5)
Two more matchups tip off tonight on League Pass, with the Hornets visiting the Mavs (8:30 ET) and the Suns hosting the Pelicans (9 ET).
