☘️ Pacers 132, Timberwolves 130 (OT)
☘️ Houston 144, 76ers 137 (OT)
☘️ Trail Blazers 112, Wizards 97
⭐⭐TOP PERFORMERS⭐⭐
- Quentin Grimes: 46 points (15-27 FG, 7-13 FT), 13 rebounds, four assists, two steals, one block
- Desmond Bane: 44 points (15-25 FG), six rebounds, four assists, one steal
- Obi Toppin: 34 points (12-19 FG, 7-10 3PM), 10 rebounds, two assists, one steal, one block
- Russell Westbrook: 12 points (5-18 FG), 12 rebounds, 16 assists, three steals, two blocks
Quentin Grimes etched his name into the @sixers history books tonight:
🏀 FIRST player in franchise history with 45+ PTS, 10+ REB, & 5+ 3PM in a game
🏀 FIRST player in franchise history with 45+ PTS & 8+ 3PM in a game https://t.co/Phukbhirqp pic.twitter.com/PhXSW3hLj1
— NBA (@NBA) March 18, 2025
Desmond Bane made Grizzlies history despite the loss.
🎯 44 PTS🎯 6 REB🎯 4 AST
🎯 7 3PM
He’s the FIRST player in franchise history to record 40+ PTS & 5+ 3PM on 100% shooting from 3! pic.twitter.com/faI8q7ElHI
— NBA (@NBA) March 18, 2025
Top Takeaways👉📝
- Quentin Grimes is blossoming into a star. Always a 3&D player with juice in transition and flashes of skilled finishing at the rim, the 24-year-old is thriving with increased usage and a prolonged stretch of health in Philadelphia. After being traded from the Knicks last season, he struggled with his health in Detroit and was strictly a role player in Dallas’ formerly-loaded backcourt. His talents are on display with beaming confidence in a Philadelphia offense devoid of star power at the moment.
- Denver’s role players — the ultimate swing factor in this chapter of the Jokić era — earned a near wire-to-wire victory over Golden State, with the Warriors leading for less than one minute of gametime Monday.
- Houston wins their seventh straight game by tying the largest comeback in franchise history (25 points). The Rockets are now 10-0 this season when Jalen Green scores 30+ points.
Tonight’s 25-point comeback win is tied for the largest comeback win in Rockets history!
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 18, 2025
Chaos in Houston. Rockets emerge victorious
In what the Rockets’ commentators called Jabari Smith’s “best game of the season,” Houston erased a 25-point deficit, overcame flame-throwing by Quentin Grimes (46 points, 15-27 FG, 8-14 3PM), and made do without Fred VanVleet (ejection), Dillon Brooks (fouled out) and Tari Eason (fouled out) down the stretch.
A rollercoaster of a game, Houston forced overtime with under four seconds remaining by deliberately missing a free throw and converting the putback…only to allow Jalen Hood-Schifino (12 points, four rebounds, one assist) an open free-throw line jumper at the buzzer. However, it rimmed out and Grimes’ magic couldn’t carry over into overtime. Houston 144, Philadelphia 137.
While Grimes was the star, Jalen Green was impressive as well. The 23-year-old posted a career-high 13 assists, marking just the third time in the past two years he has recorded double-digit dimes. His facilitation came alongside four turnovers and 30 points (10-26 FG, 5-17 3PM).
Jabari made a HUGE impact in tonight’s comeback OT win 👏
30 PTS | 8 REB | 3 AST | 2 STL@MemorialHermann | #LiftOff pic.twitter.com/QN4IqlYEOW
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 18, 2025
Huge night for Quentin Grimes despite the loss!
🔥 46 PTS🔥 13 REB
🔥 8 3PM
He’s averaging 32.6 PPG over his last 5. pic.twitter.com/r5JydH4YRq
— NBA (@NBA) March 18, 2025
OBI TOPPIN THE HERO. PACERS WIN
Toppin entered Monday’s game connecting on 33.5% of 3.5 three-point attempts per game this season, but his 34-point eruption was fueled by 7-for-10 shooting from deep — none more impressive than his contested fade-away game-winning three in the corner.
OBI CALLED GAME 🔥
Obi Toppin knocked down the corner three to give us the lead with 3.5 seconds remaining in overtime. pic.twitter.com/bP4BB3mE22
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) March 18, 2025
Bennedict Mathurin (22 points, 6-17 FG) was the only regular starter for Indiana amid a myriad of absences. Toppin’s excellence combined with contributions from a young Pacers bench ultimately fueled the overtime win.
T.J. McConnell was the floor general anchoring the gritty effort, finishing with 11 points (5-12 FG) and 13 assists vs. just two turnovers.
Anthony Edwards (38 points, 9-24 FG, 19-20 FT) led Minnesota, who had their eight-game winning streak snapped. Rudy Gobert was ejected (three points, seven rebounds, 21 minutes) early in the second half.
No Jokić? No Murray? No problem: Nuggets win✅
A booming night from Aaron Gordon (38 points, 14-23 FG) and the 203rd triple-double of Russell Westbrook’s career (12 points, 12 rebounds, 16 assists) fueled a 114-105 upset victory over Golden State to snap the Warriors’ seven-game winning streak.
Gordon fell just three points shy of matching his career high in scoring. Michael Porter Jr. (21 points, 7-18 FG) was Denver’s second-leading scorer while tacking on 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals in 41 minutes of action.
The Warriors drop to 14-2 since acquiring Jimmy Butler. Butler was Golden State’s leading scorer Monday, finishing with 23 points (8-16 FG, 6-10 FT). Stephen Curry (20 points, seven assists, seven turnovers) was out of rhythm en route to 6-for-21 shooting.
Denver remains in sole possession of third place in the Western Conference, while the Warriors remain in sixth place since Minnesota lost to Indiana.
Aaron Gordon STEPPED UP for the Nuggets in the big victory!
😤 38 PTS😤 6 REB
😤 4 3PM
That’s his highest point total as a member of the @nuggets! pic.twitter.com/2AQKG0k0AV
— NBA (@NBA) March 18, 2025
Bane vs. Beam Team🍿🍿🍿
Desmond Bane shined with 44 points (15-25 FG, 7-7 3PM, 7-7 FT), but Memphis still trailed for the entirety of the second half while playing Monday’s game without Ja Morant (hamstring).
Bane converting seven threes without a miss marks the fourth instance of such a feat this season, having also been done by Jose Alvarado, Stephen Curry and Ty Jerome.
A balanced attack from Sacramento yielded 52.3% shooting as a team, including connecting on 48.8% of 41 3PA, in the 132-122 victory.
The Kings secured the win behind a trio of 20-PT scorers 👑
Monk: 28 PTS | 7 AST | 3 BLK | 4 3PMLaVine: 23 PTS | 6 AST | 5 3PM
DeRozan: 22 PTS | 6 REB | 9 AST pic.twitter.com/6br0prrPwZ
— NBA (@NBA) March 18, 2025
Jake lights the beam with a Kings legend 🟣🔦 pic.twitter.com/ggdIC36Zox
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) March 18, 2025
Austin Reaves🤝Lakers win
Austin Reaves entered Monday’s game averaging 31.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 2.0 steals across his last three contests, and he lived up to his lofty bar in a 125-109 victory over San Antonio
Eerily finishing with 30 points (12-21 FG, 5-13 3PM), seven rebounds, six assists and two steals, the 26-year-old continues to play at an All-Star level. He is averaging 22.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 5.6 assists on 43.8/36.4/92.2% shooting since the beginning of February.
The presence of Luka Dončić has no doubt been a gravitational factor to help enable Reaves’ recent success, but Dončić struggled with his self-creation Monday, finishing with 21 points but shooting just 5 of 20 from the field. He avenged himself with nine rebounds and 14 assists vs. just three turnovers, however.
Stephon Castle continues his rookie ascension. The 20-year-old is averaging 20.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists across his last 10 games. His three-point stroke is still working progress, but his athleticism and combo-guard skillset are combining to make an excellent impact.
Austin Reaves led the way for the Lakers in their 2nd win in 2 days!
🏀 30 PTS🏀 7 REB🏀 6 AST🏀 2 STL
🏀 5 3PM pic.twitter.com/HJsMlfTb5e
— NBA (@NBA) March 18, 2025
Everybody eats for Phoenix 🍽️🍽️🍽️
The Suns rained in 51.3% of 39 3PA while posting a 51.1/51.3/100% shooting slash off 92 shots and 15 free throws in a remarkable offensive showing to beat Toronto 129-89.
Devin Booker (27 points, 8-15 FG, 8-8 FT) was efficient en route to being the game-high scorer.
Scottie Barnes (16 points, four rebounds, three assists, five turnovers) led the Raptors in scoring, although an abysmal showing is the underlying theme. Toronto connected on just 40.4% of their two-point attempts.
Full team win tonight! 📊
Booker: 27 PTS, 3 3PM, 6 AST, 4 REBDunn: 17 PTS, 3 3PM, 6 REB, 2 BLKJones: 15 PTS, 4 3PM, 4 AST, 3 REBDurant: 14 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST, 1 STLMorris: 12 PTS, 4 3PM, 1 REB, 1 STLO’Neale: 11 PTS, 10 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK
Richards: 10 PTS, 4 REB, 1 AST… pic.twitter.com/ETa51ERPno
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) March 18, 2025
🚨BONUS BALL COMING IN HOUSTON & MINNESOTA🚨
In the Rockets final chance, Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams check into the game as free throw rebounders, with Jabari Smith needing to purposely miss. Everything goes according to plan:
ALPEREN SENGUN CLUTCH TIP-IN TO TIE IT!!!
FINAL 5 SECONDS COMING UP ON NBA LEAGUE PASS. pic.twitter.com/Nyw6lnbe53
— NBA (@NBA) March 18, 2025
Meanwhile in Minnesota, T.J. McConnell leads Indiana’s second unit into overtime, trading blows with the Timberwolves down the stretch. The Pacers are without the majority of their key players, yielding a closing lineup of McConnell, Quenton Jackson, Jarace Walker, Obi Toppin and Tommy Bryant.
T.J. MCCONNELL SENDS IT TO OVERTIME IN MINNESOTA 🚨🚨 pic.twitter.com/Lv4pS2FzW9
— NBA (@NBA) March 18, 2025
ZION TAKEOFF ON TIME🔥🔥
One portion of Beef Stew for dinner please!
Zion Williamson gets up to put it down. Unfortunately Monday’s contest is trending toward being a lost cause for New Orleans, who trail Detroit 112-79 with under six minutes remaining in the fourth.
ZION WILLIAMSON VICIOUS POSTER 💥💥
Rises up and throws one down!! pic.twitter.com/AjFc191M5X
— NBA (@NBA) March 18, 2025
Delayed takeoff in Houston
The Rockets have trailed by as many as 25 points, but came back to tie it entering the fourth quarter. Philadelphia has since regained a minor lead, but Houston is scrapping.
Jalen Green is flirting with a triple double (23 points, seven rebounds, 12 assists) while Dillon Brooks (22 points), Tari Eason (21 points) and Jabari Smith (20 points) join him as the only Rockets to get going offensively.
Quentin Grimes continues a scorching stretch to begin his Philadelphia career with 32 points (12-19 FG),10 rebounds and four assists in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter.
🧼 Glass cleaner
Bulls rookie, Matas Buzelis, showed off the hustle and the hops with this putback dunk against the Jazz.
Catch the action now on NBA League Pass as the Bulls lead late in the first quarter.
SPECIAL DELIVERY ❗@CHSN__ | @BuzelisMatas️ pic.twitter.com/m4NVEvNg2J
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) March 18, 2025
🪙 Pay that fan his money
HOUSTON: A fan just nailed a halfcourt shot to win $25,000.
File this under Things We Love To See.
COME TO A ROCKETS GAME AND YOU MIGHT WIN $25K LIKE THIS FAN ‼️
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 18, 2025
🏁 Pacers racin’
Indiana is in Minnesota tonight in one of the biggest games on the slate. The Timberwolves and Pacers went back and forth in the first quarter but the second was all Pacers. Indiana ripped a 14-0 run as part of a 30-16 second quarter to take a 14-point lead into the locker room.
This Thomas Bryant sequence 💪💪
The stuff on one end and the flush on the other!!
Part of a 14-0 Pacers run on NBA League Pass 👀 pic.twitter.com/DOILYwO4tn
— NBA (@NBA) March 18, 2025
A big factor has been Indiana turning defense into offense with an 11-4 advantage in fast break points.
🤝Detroit connection
Two of the Pistons’ young stars, Cade Cunningham and Ausar Thompson, are showing off a serious rapport in tonight’s game against the Pelicans.
Peep these two plays with Cunningham setting up Thompson on the oop and Thompson returning the favor a few possessions later.
Cade lobs it to Ausar in transition pic.twitter.com/2K1mluG9pi
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) March 18, 2025
AUSAR WITH THE NASTY NO-LOOK PASS 🔥 pic.twitter.com/BeqGUeKyMI
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) March 18, 2025
😤 Eason is Beastin’
Houston’s Tari Eason is having himself a night with 17 points in 17 minutes of action. He’s gone 7-for-10 from the floor, including 1-2 from three. Eason has added four rebounds and an assist.
👏 17 points in 17 minutes for 1️⃣7️⃣@TAR13ASON pic.twitter.com/TpoC8Ovrx7
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 18, 2025
Despite his efforts, the Rockets have their work cut out for them as they trail Philadelphia by nearly 20 points late in the second quarter.
🔍 Knicks cut lead but trail Heat at half
The Heat got off to a hot start but New York battled back in the second thanks in large part to a personal 15-point run by Karl-Anthony Towns. Miami responded, though, and holds a 49-47 lead at the break.
Not sure if the best part of all this was the block, the pass or the dunk 🤯 pic.twitter.com/fwTbglLT26
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) March 18, 2025
Catch the second half on ESPN.
💪 Quentin Grimes came to play
76ers jump out to big early lead over Rockets
The 76ers have gotten off to a red-hot start in Houston as they take a 44-28 lead into the second quarter. Quentin Grimes has been the catalyst .
The Houston native and product raced out to 12 first-quarter points as part of Philadelphia’s electric opening period in which it shot 66.7 percent from the floor.
HE GOT HIS OWN REBOUND FROM THREE. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/HZglj61Z80
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) March 18, 2025
Can Philly keep it up against one of the best in the West? Tune into NBA League Pass to find out.
🚧 One-man wrecking crew
The Knicks trailed the Heat by 11 after the first quarter. Karl-Anthony Towns was having none of it.
KAT has gone onto score 15 consecutive points for the Knicks and we now have a tie ballgame mid-way through the second quarter.
EVERY ONE OF KAT’S FIFTEEN CONSECUTIVE POINTS 🤯⬇️ pic.twitter.com/rgAHEg07xc
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) March 18, 2025
Even KAT’s heat checks are falling.
🔥Hot Hot Heat
The Miami Heat shot 52% from the floor in the first quarter en route to taking an 11-point lead over the Knicks. Tyler Herro has led the charge by going 5-for-6 from the floor and Duncan Robinson has canned a pair of three-pointers.
Catch the action live on ESPN.
Dunc scoring in all kinds of ways to help fuel our 12-0 opening run 🔥 pic.twitter.com/LeSHCUOYWz
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) March 17, 2025
🔑 NBA key storylines tonight
- Western Conference clashes: The playoff race keeps heating up out west and there are some key matchups to monitor tonight. The No.6-seeded Warriors host the No.3-seeded Nuggets on ESPN and the No.4 Grizzlies head to Sacramento to face the No.9 Kings. The second-seeded Rockets and fifth-seeded Lakers are also in action.
- Cross-conference goodness: The Timberwolves and Pacers square off in one of the best matchups on the slate this evening. Minnesota is clawing to get a top-six spot in the West while the Pacers are trying to hold onto the No.5 spot in the East. Tip-off is at 8:00 on NBA League Pass.
- Crucial game in the desert: Phoenix and Toronto are on the outside looking in for a playoff spot in their respective conferences. They square off tonight in Phoenix with both teams in desperate need of a win to keep pace for a spot in the Play-In.
🤓 Required reading
