The Rundown: Suns escape Mavericks; Knicks win nine straight

Scoreboard

Suns 130, Mavericks 126

Pacers 125, Bulls 122

Lakers 113, Warriors 105

Nets 102, Hornets 86

Trail Blazers 122, Magic 119

Rockets 142, Spurs 110

Thunder 129, Jazz 119

Knicks 131, Celtics 129

Bucks 117, Wizards 111

Clippers 135, Grizzlies 129

What went down

In a game that happened while you were in bed, KD and Kyrie faced off for the first time since 2019 with Durant's Phoenix Suns escaping Irving's Dallas Mavericks.

The Suns-Mavericks matchup already had plenty of steam behind it since last season's classic seven-game series. This could brew into a full-blown rivalry with the addition of the former Broolyn Nets stars.

KD (35 PTS) FOR THE LEAD 😱

128-126 SUNS WITH 0:11 LEFT ON ABC pic.twitter.com/sgNLuGArLn

— NBA (@NBA) March 5, 2023

This game went down the wire and became a tough shot-making contest. Durant came out on top, drilling the go-ahead fadeaway and the free throws that iced the game. He finished with 37 points on an insane 12-for-17 shooting clip. Irving dropped 30 points for the Mavs on 10-for-19 shooting.

With 17 games left in the season, the Suns (36-29) are surging up the standings. They’re at fourth in the West, just two games behind Sacramento for third. The Mavericks (33-32) are in a dangerous spot, sitting at seventh, half a game behind the Minnesota Timberwolves for an outright postseason seat.

Speaking of dangerous positions, the Los Angeles Lakers continued their race against time to make the postseason with a big win over the Golden State Warriors.

39 points
8 rebounds
6 assists

Anthony Davis showed OUT in the Lakers W 🗣? pic.twitter.com/Rl7egqPjvr

— NBA (@NBA) March 5, 2023

Still without LeBron for at least another two weeks, Anthony Davis carried the Lakers against the Warriors with 39 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists.

The Lakers (30-34) are 11th in the West, just a game behind the New Orleans Pelicans for a spot in the play-in tournament. Golden State (34-30) are in fifth.

Out East, the New York Knicks gutted out their ninth consecutive win, outlasting the Boston Celtics in double overtime.

Without Jalen Brunson, Immanuel Quickley took charge for the Knicks, dropping big buckets in the second overtime period to give his team the edge. He finished with a career-high 38 points and eight rebounds. 

38 PTS (career-high)
8 REB
7 AST
4 STL
5 Threes

What a night for Immanuel Quickley. 9 straight W's for the @nyknicks 😤 pic.twitter.com/TzB1fSBIfp

— NBA (@NBA) March 6, 2023

Big-time baller

As long as it’s Dame Time, the Portland Trail Blazers are not going to tank.

Dame. Time.

41 PTS
9 REB
6 AST
2 STL
64.8 FPTS

Just another night for Damian Lillard. #RipCity pic.twitter.com/bDMWnwVm39

— NBA Fantasy (@NBAFantasy) March 6, 2023

Lillard had 41 points against Orlando, his third outing with 40+ in the last five games. Over the last three weeks, Lillard is averaging around 42 points per game as the Blazers try to make a climb up the standings. They’re currently ranked 12th in the West with a 29-34 record.

What he said

LeBron James treated NBA Twitter to quite a story. Like in reality, LeBron vs. Michael Jordan is going to remain in our dreams.

Just woke up from having a dream that MJ and I was shooting the sh*+ back and forth at the Men's National Championship game between North Carolina/Duke! Great vibes and EPIC CLASSIC GAME! It was a tie game/94-94/5 secs left/NC with the ball. My ass would wake up to use the

— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 5, 2023

Did you see that?

Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins gave an update on Ja Morant’s leave, saying their All-Star point guard is out indefinitely.

Taylor Jenkins says there’s no timeline for when Ja Morant will return. He says that he doesn’t want to go into specifics but says most important thing is Ja is seeking help. Jenkins calls it an “ongoing healing process” and Grizz will support and hold Ja accountable.

— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) March 6, 2023

In case you missed it, Morant has had a troubling season off the court. He is being sued for allegedly assaulting and pointing a gun at a minor. He also allegedly pointed a laser from a firearm at Indiana Pacers personnel last month.

Unlike those alleged actions, Morant’s most recent stumble was clear for everyone to see. He showed a gun during an Instagram Live a day ago.

All this comes in a season when Morant just released his first signature shoe with Nike and was named Powerade’s new brand ambassador.

The Grizzlies lost earlier today against the Los Angeles Clippers, but are still second in the West with a 38-24 record.