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Kristaps Porzingis Spills the Secret to Celtics’ Mastery Over Knicks

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Kristaps Porzingis Spills the Secret to Celtics’ Mastery Over Knicks

The Boston Celtics have a knack for turning games against the New York Knicks into personal statements, and Sunday night was no exception. In a commanding 118-105 win at home, the Celtics flexed their muscle on both ends of the floor, boosting their record to 41-16.

They might not be stealing headlines like last year’s juggernaut squad, but Kristaps Porzingis and company proved they’re still the team to beat for the 2025 Larry O’Brien Trophy.

This season’s Celtics aren’t as invincible as their 2023-24 championship run, but don’t let that fool you—they’re still a force.

When healthy and dialed in, their rotation is the NBA’s deepest and nastiest, especially on defense. Against the Knicks, they turned up the heat, smothering New York’s high-powered offense in a way that left Porzingis beaming. “We have good defenders.

We make it difficult on them. Obviously they have really talented offensive players, but our versatility and the guys we have on the team can make it really difficult for them,” he said post-game, via ESPN. “Obviously it’s a dangerous team anyway, but we respect them and we came out the right way in the first and we set the tone for the game.”

There’s something about the Knicks that lights a fire under Boston. The Celtics have now swept their three matchups this season, winning by an average of 21 points a jaw-dropping stat considering the talent on both sides.

Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, New York’s dynamic duo, were suffocated, combining for a shaky 18-39 from the field and coughing up five turnovers.

The Knicks, who boast the league’s fourth-best offense by rating, were held to just 43.5 percent shooting a testament to Boston’s lockdown effort.

Celtics Gearing Up for the Stretch Run

Coming off last year’s title, the Celtics made it loud and clear they’re not resting on their laurelsone ring isn’t enough.

With the playoffs less than two months away, Sunday’s win feels like a sign they’re ready to hit their peak. All five starters delivered double-digit scoring against the Knicks: Jayson Tatum led with 25 points, Jaylen Brown added 24 on 10-21 shooting, Derrick White and Jrue Holiday tormented New York’s guards, and Porzingis chipped in 15 points and seven boards.

It was a balanced, bruising performance that showed why Boston’s still the team to watch as the postseason looms.

Derrick White Proves Once Again He’s Boston’s Unsung Hero

When the Boston Celtics need someone to light a fire, Derrick White is the guy who steps up—and he did it again against the New York Knicks. I’m honestly running out of ways to sing his praises; he’s just that essential to this team.

White’s the kind of rare gem every championship squad needs but few can find. He can lock down an opponent’s top scorer, flip between running the offense or playing off the ball, and stretch the floor from the corner.

Against the Knicks, when Boston was teetering, White didn’t just show up he took over.

The Celtics were cruising with a 21-point halftime lead, but the Knicks flipped the script in the third, outscoring Boston 39-25 to slash the gap to seven by the fourth.

ESPN’s Katie George asked White what fueled New York’s comeback. “We kind of let some outside stuff affect us and they made shots. We just [have] to get back to playing how we play. We’re up seven we’re in a good spot,” he said, calm and collected.

Then, as the fourth quarter buzzer sounded, White ignited the Celtics’ offense and woke up the crowd.

He kicked things off with back-to-back threes, pushing the lead to 95-87. Sure, the margin only grew by a point overall, but those shots jolted a Boston attack that had gone ice-cold from deep in the third.

White stayed perfect, finishing 3-for-3 in the fourth for nine points to clinch the 118-105 win. On defense, he was a wall shadowing Mikal Bridges around the perimeter and hounding Jalen Brunson, always right where he needed to be.

Coach Joe Mazzulla summed it up postgame to NBC Sports Boston’s Abby Chin: “Derrick saved us on a couple of possessions.” He told CelticsBlog’s Noa Dalzell, “One of the best point guards in the league, and when he plays like that, we’re a different team.”

White’s become the guy you bet on in clutch moments, much like Marcus Smart before him. Back in the day, if a 4-1 fast break was charging down, I’d put money on Smart to kill it.

Now, it’s White I’d bank on whether it’s a game-saving stop or a big bucket against the odds. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown might be the headliners, but White’s the backbone that lets them shine. Without him, the Knicks could’ve hung around ‘til the end. Instead, his two-way brilliance gave Boston the cushion to coast to victory.


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Nuggets Coach Michael Malone Gives Blunt Assessment of Nikola Jokic’s MVP Case

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Nuggets Coach Michael Malone Gives Blunt Assessment of Nikola Jokic's MVP Case

The Denver Nuggets secured a crucial road victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night in a high-stakes battle featuring two of the NBA’s top MVP contenders.

Nikola Jokic once again showcased his dominance, delivering an effortless yet staggering 35-point, 18-rebound, and eight-assist performance to outduel Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Following the game, Nuggets head coach Michael Malone didn’t hold back in making his case for Jokic in the MVP conversation.

“If you didn’t know that Nikola won three MVPs and I put Player A and Player B on paper, and you had no idea that the guy that’s averaging a triple-double, the guy who’s top-three in the three major statistical categories things that no one’s ever done he wins the MVP 10 times out of 10,” Malone said.

Then, with added emphasis, he continued: “And if you don’t think so, then I think you guys are all full of s—.”

Despite Jokic’s brilliance, Gilgeous-Alexander remains the frontrunner for this year’s MVP award.

However, Malone was quick to praise the Thunder star, acknowledging his greatness while also standing firmly behind his own player.

With a significant portion of the season still to play, Jokic and the Nuggets have a chance to maintain their momentum.

If they continue their red-hot form, voters may reconsider and ultimately decide that the Serbian big man deserves a fourth MVP instead of crowning a new face.

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Wizards Rookie Matches Kobe Bryant, Luka Doncic With NBA Milestone

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Wizards Rookie Matches Kobe Bryant, Luka Doncic With NBA Milestone

Washington Wizards’ rookie Carlton “Bub” Carrington has etched his name into NBA history, joining an exclusive club alongside legends Kobe Bryant and Luka Doncic.

In Monday’s game against the Toronto Raptors, Carrington became just the third player in league history to record over 250 assists and 100 three-pointers before turning 20 years old.

Despite the Wizards’ 104-119 loss in Toronto, the 19-year-old added to his impressive resume by dishing out five assists and knocking down a three-pointer in 26 minutes of action.

His latest feat not only places him in elite company with Bryant and Doncic but also cements his place in Wizards history. Carrington is now the second-fastest rookie in franchise history to reach 100 three-pointers, achieving the milestone in 62 games.

The only player to do it faster? Bradley Beal, who hit the mark in 60 games during the 2012-13 season.

Carrington was originally selected 14th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2024 NBA Draft before being traded to Washington, along with Malcolm Brogdon, in exchange for Deni Avdija. Since joining the Wizards, he has steadily carved out a key role on the team.

So far this season, Carrington has played in 62 games, starting in 42 of them. He is averaging 9.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists across 29.3 minutes per game, while shooting 40.3% from the field and 34.7% from beyond the arc.

For a young player still finding his footing in the league, Carrington’s rapid rise and record-breaking performances suggest a bright future ahead in Washington.

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Steph Curry Makes History With Unprecedented Career Move

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Steph Curry Makes History With Unprecedented Career Move

Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry has once again made history, this time off the court.

On Monday, March 10, Davidson College announced that Curry has taken on a new role as one of the assistant general managers for their basketball program, alongside fellow alumnus Matt Berman.

Curry’s decision is unprecedented, making him the first active player in major U.S. professional sports to accept an administrative position with an NCAA team, according to ESPN.

“The Davidson experience is top notch,” Curry said in a statement released by the school. “My journey from when I got to Davidson in 2006 to now demonstrated that I had the opportunity to play basketball at the highest level, got a great education, an amazing network through the Davidson alumni and continue to wave the Davidson flag. I want very talented, high character student-athletes to have that same experience.”

Assistant GM Role and the NIL Era

With the rapid evolution of college sports under the new NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) rules, Davidson is looking to leverage Curry’s influence and leadership to strengthen their basketball program within the competitive Atlantic 10 conference.

As part of his commitment, Curry, along with his wife Ayesha and longtime Davidson supporters Don, Matt, and Erica Berman, will launch an eight-figure initiative known as the Curry-Berman Fund, designed to support both the men’s and women’s basketball programs.

In his new advisory role as assistant general manager, Curry will provide guidance to Davidson’s basketball teams, offering mentorship and strategic insights.

“The goal for this is to invest in the next student-athlete that’s coming into Davidson today,” Curry said. “They don’t have to take cuts on what the market says they deserve to be part of the brand of what it means to be a Davidson scholar-athlete with integrity in your academic experience.”

He emphasized the importance of education and long-term opportunities for student-athletes, adding: “The commitment to a four-year graduation process provides countless opportunities professionally in sports or as a game changer in life. And that leads into my role as an assistant GM with Matt Berman – our ability to be a resource and a sounding board for the program, but also support each student-athlete, to develop personal relationships with each of them to help guide them every step of the way through their Davidson experience.”

A Full Circle Moment for Curry

Davidson College played a crucial role in Curry’s rise to basketball stardom after he was overlooked by the bigger ACC programs in the region.

During his time at Davidson, Curry set the NCAA single-season record for three-pointers as a sophomore and won conference player of the year honors twice before declaring for the NBA Draft after his junior year.

Selected by the Warriors with the No. 7 pick in 2009, Curry has since built a legendary career, winning four NBA championships, an Olympic gold medal, and earning recognition as the greatest shooter in basketball history. Despite his immense success, he never forgot his roots.

A testament to his dedication, Curry kept a promise to his mother to finish his studies. In 2022, he completed his undergraduate degree as part of Davidson’s class of 2010, taking online courses to fulfill his academic requirements.

Now, Curry has officially come full circle, returning to Davidson not just as an alumnus but as an active leader, working to shape the next generation of Wildcats.

His involvement is a game-changer, setting a new precedent for how professional athletes can give back to their collegiate programs while still playing at the highest level.

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