標籤: gamewinner

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the reigning NBA Finals and regular season MVP, Luka Doncic leads the league in scoring and Victor Wembanyama is the face of a dramatic franchise revival. But make no mistake, Nikola Jokic still has a strong case for being the best player in the NBA today. He reinforced that on Tuesday against the Phoenix Suns.

The Denver Nuggets superstar hit a bucket near the lower half of the free-throw circle with 11.5 seconds remaining, giving his team a 125-123 win at the Mortgage Matchup Center.

Jokic didn’t have his greatest scoring night – finishing with 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting – but he stepped up in the game’s most important moment. The future Hall of Fame center also posted 17 rebounds and 17 assists to record his 29th triple-double of the season. Despite facing more tough defenses recently, he has continued to make a terrifying impact on the court.

Clutch!

Nikola Jokic with a clutch bucket inside to win the game for Denver

pic.twitter.com/Y7sjzdM6Mt

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 25 March 2026

The 2023 Finals MVP and three-time regular season MVP knows what his role is on this team. He’s a brilliant playmaker, but the Nuggets are also relying on him to score at will. Jokic himself will admit that Denver did not have a chance to eliminate last year’s NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder due to poor shooting performance in the middle part of the Western Conference semi-finals. He intends to maintain his excellent form and strong health after this season.

The Nuggets are deeper than they have been since winning the title – Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 18 off the bench against the Suns – but the offense runs through Nikola Jokic. How he handles pressure will determine how dangerous this team is in 2026.

He certainly performed in The Desert. Ideally, No. 15 won’t have to play hero when Denver (45-28) hosts the lackluster Dallas Mavericks (23-49) on Wednesday.

In just three seasons, Victor Wembanyama has led the San Antonio Spurs back into playoff position after his game-winning performance against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night.

Wembanyama has achieved superstar status as the face of the Spurs franchise. The team has not reached the postseason since 2019, a drought that the young star center looks to end this season.

Luckily, San Antonio is enjoying its best season so far in 2020. They have a distinguished campaign ahead as the team is in the top position of the Western Conference, needing one more win to seal their ticket.

Wembanyama answered the call during San Antonio’s clash with Phoenix. With 10 seconds left on the game clock, he took the ball inbounds and hit the game-winning shot from mid-range to seal his team’s spot in the playoffs.

Wembley calls game for the Spurs 👽

They sent San Antonio to the playoffs for the first time since 2019!pic.twitter.com/X5BeZmjcXE

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 20 March 2026

Victor Wembanyama, how Spurs played against the Suns

Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs will be looking forward to their playoff journey together. Beating the Suns in game-winning fashion was the cherry on top.

Four players scored in double figures for San Antonio in the win, including Wembanyama. He finished with a stat line of 34 points, 12 rebounds, three steals, one assist and one block. He made 10 of 20 shots from the field, including 2 of 7 from beyond the arc and 12 of 12 from the free-throw line. De’Aaron Fox came in next with 23 points and seven rebounds, Julian Champagne had 14 points and two blocks, while Devin Vassell added 12 points and two assists.

San Antonio improved to a 52–18 record on the season and finished second in the Western Conference standings. They are above the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves, while trailing the Oklahoma City Thunder.

With four consecutive wins, Spurs will look forward to their next encounter at home. They will host the Indiana Pacers as tip-off takes place on March 21 at 8 PM ET.

The Los Angeles Lakers got a big win over the Denver Nuggets in overtime and they had to go through a lot of drama to get there. Austin Reeves intentionally missed his free throws at the end of regulation and was able to make a floater to get the ball back and tie the game.

At the end of overtime, Luka Doncic had the ball in his hands and did what he does best, making clutch shots. The Nuggets didn’t have enough time to get clean shots, and a game that looked like they were going to win turned into a Lakers win.

After the game, LeBron James spoke highly of Doncic and his ability to make clutch shots, and there will be more from him in the future.

James said, via ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, “Just a big shot by a generational player. … We wanted the last shot. We wanted to get the ball in our guy’s hands. So, this will be the first of many game winners for him and in a Lakers uniform.”

“Just a big shot by a generational player. … We wanted the last shot. We wanted to put the ball in our guy’s hands. So, this is going to be the first of many game winners for him and in a Lakers uniform.” – LeBron James on Luka Doncic’s game winner pic.twitter.com/UhTsEIovS6

-Dave McMenamin (@mcten) 15 March 2026

Doncic has never been afraid to take the big shot, and more often than not, he nails it. James knows what his guy is capable of and probably doesn’t mind giving him one last shot at the end of every game.

With the win, the Lakers have the tiebreaker over the Nuggets, which is big as the Western Conference standings continue to tighten toward the end of the season.

The Lakers have played well last week, and they are making progress at the right time to be in a good position when the season ends. As long as they have a closer like Doncic, they should be in good shape moving forward.

OKLAHOMA CITY – For the second time in 10 days, All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated MVP candidate Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets, giving Jalen Williams an isolated shot. Gilgeous-Alexander’s historic night began when he tied Wilt Chamberlain’s record of 126 consecutive 20+ point games. He sealed the special night with a 3-pointer that would send the Nuggets home.

The shorthanded Thunder, who competed without Williams, All-Star Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso to name a few, were led by their MVP candidate in Gilgeous-Alexander against a Nuggets team eager to avenge last week’s overtime thriller. In terms of Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP race with Jokic, Williams believes SGA’s 35-point performance in the Thunder’s 129-126 win should seal the race, he said on Twitter with his ex, former .

“MVP. Don’t think too much!!!” Williams posted the score shortly after Monday’s win, as the Thunder extended their winning streak to six.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s near triple-double (35 points, 15 assists, nine rebounds) with a block and a steal led five Thunder players into double figures, including Jaylin Williams’ 29 points, including a career-high seven threes, and a dozen rebounds. In his first game since January, Ajay Mitchell led the second unit with 24 points on 9-for-16 shooting, and Isaiah Joe and Jared McCain both added 13 points, including three triples.

Jokic’s triple-double (32 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists) led the Nuggets. Aaron Gordon added 23 points and 10 rebounds, Tim Hardaway Jr.’s 28 points, including eight threes, led the bench production, while All-Star Jamal Murray added 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

Nikola Jokic shouts out Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as ‘special’

Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokic has been impressed by the Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is reminding everyone how difficult it is to record 20+ points in 126 consecutive games. jokic expansive Gilgeous-Alexander during his postgame media availability, according to ESPN’s Anthony Slater.

“I don’t know if people realize how hard it is to do that. To score 20 points in 10 (straight) games, not 120, no matter what, it’s special. He’s a special player,” Jokic said. “It’s a pleasure and a privilege to play against him.”

Nikola Jokic ties Wilt with 126 consecutive 20-point games at SGA

“I don’t know if people realize how hard it is to do that. To score 20 points in 10 (straight) games, not 120, whatever, it’s special. He’s a special player.” pic.twitter.com/YMSWvXGbhj

– Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) 10 March 2026

The Thunder will look to extend their winning streak to seven when they host the Celtics at Paycom Center on Thursday.

The Orlando Magic found themselves in a very tight matchup against the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night and in the end Orlando came out victorious. There may have been some magical moments, none of which were more particularly notable than Jalen Suggs’ ridiculously improbable made basket off a PJ Washington deflection. But Wendell Carter Jr. did his best to outdo his teammate by leading Orlando to victory with a memorable poster jam.

The Magic took a brave defensive stance with less than 10 seconds left, they went out in transition in half, and refused to call a timeout to set up the Mavericks defensively. Suggs stepped up the pace against Klay Thompson and got into two-man action with Carter. The Mavs then sacked Suggs and relieved Carter of the role man position. Every Mavs defender came up late, including Cooper Flagg, who tried to deny Carter’s slam – only to end up being put into a poster.

Magic finished taking Carter’s dunk led to a 115–114 victory over the Mavericks, as Dallas could not respond with a game-winner of their own.

Via Magic Film Room on X (formerly Twitter):

Wendell Carter Jr. takes the lead with a clutch dunk, Jalen Suggs throws a great pass pic.twitter.com/aQEnWm34tR

– The Magic Way (@MagicFilmRoom) 6 March 2026

Magic choke down 76ers for sixth place in East

The Magic have struggled with injuries this season, with Suggs not getting enough of his game and Franz Wagner still out indefinitely with an ankle problem. Still, Orlando remains within striking distance of the sixth and final outright playoff spot in the East, as this latest win over the Mavs brings them to 33-28 on the season, or half a game behind the Philadelphia 76ers.

The competition for the sixth place is going to become even more intense. The Charlotte Hornets are destroying every team in their path, the Atlanta Hawks are hitting their stride, and the Miami Heat can always be counted on to compete until the end.

The Phoenix Suns pulled out a chaotic 113-110 double-overtime win against the Orlando Magic in this Sunday’s NBA game, thanks to a performance from Jalen Green that was both frustrating and heroic. With key contributors like Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks sidelined, Green was forced to take a higher amount of shots, finishing the night with an inefficient 6-of-26 shooting.

Despite his struggles, he remained aggressive, attacking the paint and creating opportunities until the end. When the score was tied at 110, Green caught a pass from Royce O’Neale and hit a fadeaway three-pointer at the buzzer to seal the victory. After the game, Green mocked his mentality during that final play, saying, “At that point, it’s double OT; we just want to go home.”

The bizarre nature of the game caught the attention of notable NBA analyst Bill Simmons. He went on to comment to Simmons’ description of “indescribable” perfectly captured the duality of Green’s night, in which the game was marked by offensive struggles, culminating in her finding the net on the most important shot of the evening.

The clutch moment marks a significant milestone in Green’s season, which has been largely hampered by a hamstring injury that has kept him out of 41 of the team’s first 43 games. Since returning in late January, the Suns have viewed him as a mid-season spark, akin to a trade deadline acquisition.

While his rhythm has been inconsistent, head coach Jordan Ott defended his star’s performance, calling him an “incredible shot maker” and emphasizing how challenging it can be to hit a game-winner after struggling for four quarters. With the win, which snapped a two-game losing streak, Phoenix is ​​counting on Green’s ability to provide high-level scoring as they push for a playoff position in the Western Conference.

PHOENIX – Jalen Green hit the game-winner for the Phoenix Suns in a 113-110 double overtime win against the Orlando Magic on Sunday, turning a perhaps forgettable performance into an unforgettable one.

Despite hitting 6 of 26 shots from the field, his final performance was the most important. A fadeaway corner 3-pointer that sealed the win.

Teammates rushed him, shit broke out in the Mortgage Matchup Center, and what could have been disappointment for the Phoenix faithful turned into pure glee.

When Green walked into the press conference room, he was surprised that it was his first NBA game-winner. But winning the game may not have been the only thing on his mind as he prepared to take the final shot.

At that point, it’s double OT, we were just trying to get home,” Green joked. “But like I said, my teammates, my coaches kept talking to me all night. Just keep shooting. It doesn’t matter what the last shot is.”

When I asked Jalen Green why he didn’t think too much about taking that last shot on a tough night of shooting, he joked.

“At that point, it’s double OT, we’re just trying to get home.”

Continued: “But like I said, my teammates, my coaches talked to me all night long. It’s just… pic.twitter.com/Lxw0JF4Qs4

– Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) 22 February 2026

Originally, the play was designed for Colin Gillespie. However, head coach Jordan Ott said Green had told Royce O’Neale to look for him if there was room.

It’s safe to say there was, and the rest is history. As mentioned earlier, he took 26 shots, but most of them were his normal looks. Despite Green’s obvious frustration, he continued taking his usual shots.

Every single property being promoted is something that can never be taken for granted. There must have been a good portion of game-winners in it.

Jalen Green’s game-winner shows irreplaceable impact for Suns

With Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks and Jordan Goodwin sidelined Saturday, someone had to step up. Green wasted no time in taking matters into his own hands.

Early in the game, he seemed to settle for perimeter shots. However, as the game progressed, he attacked the paint more often and opened up shooting pockets for his teammates.

One thing remained the same: He was getting to his spots and attempting the shots he always does. Although some fans were not happy, his shot-making is what makes him stand above the rest.

“I think it’s pretty normal when you miss that many games,” head coach Jordan Ott said when asked about Green’s streak and game-winner.

“You’re not able to practice, not be able to get into much rhythm … but what’s hard is to go through that and then hit a shot like that. He’s an unbelievable shot maker, unbelievable scorer. That’s what those guys do.”

Jordan Ott said @Amanda_Pflugrad That he still has full confidence in Jalen Green after tonight’s performance.

“I think it’s very normal when you miss so many games. You don’t get to practice, get a lot of rhythm… but what’s hard is to go through that and… pic.twitter.com/p1rUPFRA7v

– Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) 22 February 2026

His irreplaceable influence grew even more on Saturday. He could see his minutes reduced or he might not play at all if the Suns play in back-to-back contests on Sunday.

Despite this, he would likely sink his first game-winner within moments.

The 2026 NBA All-Star Game saw an increase in efforts, which many believed was no longer possible in the annual exhibition. While Anthony Edwards has recently expressed a cynical view of the competitiveness of events, he arrived on Sunday with a different mindset. Team Stars won 37–35 over Team World, a result Edwards attributed to the tone set by Victor Wembanyama.

The Minnesota Timberwolves guard noted that the San Antonio Spurs center came out with an intensity that forced everyone else to match his level of play.

This energy change was a key factor in saving the game from the lack of effort seen in previous years.

The match reached its climax with Scotty Barnes’ game-winning three-pointer, which Wembanyama saw as a failure in defensive actions. In an interview about the defeat and his reaction to the final game, Victor Wembanyama made direct criticism of his team’s performance.

He said, “Yeah. That was our second time not allowing a three – a quarter of the game, actually. I expected us to be smart right there, so it was disappointing. But I think it’s good to be honest with ourselves. And when it’s a game we love – it’s a game I personally cherish – so being competitive is the least I can do.” His refusal to accept poor execution highlighted the serious approach he brought to the weekend. HoopsHype took note.

Anthony Edwards, who earned the MVP trophy after scoring thirty-two points all night, was adamant that Wembanyama was a catalyst for change in the environment.

During his postgame comments, Edwards shared his perspective on the intensity of the night. He said, “I will not lie, Wemby has set the tone. He came out playing hard. It is difficult to compete with him, so, that is what happened. Sorry for my language. But that is what happened.”

This level of participation from the league’s youngest stars has provided a new blueprint for All-Star Games success.

North Carolina A&T mounted a miraculous comeback that ended with a game one win, clinching victory in the NBA HBCU Classic.

North Carolina A&T and Hampton, who both compete in the Coastal Athletic Association, were invited to compete in the latest edition of the NBA HBCU Classic. The date and time of the game has changed from previous editions, as the Classic usually takes place on the Saturday afternoon before All-Star Saturday night.

Trent Middleton Jr. for leadership.

North Carolina A&T gets a stop for the W.

Wild finale at the 2026 NBA HBCU Classic presented by @To! pic.twitter.com/5LebfdItHN

– NBA (@NBA) 14 February 2026

The game was still thrilling, and its ending was worthy of the huge stage the NBA gave it. As the clock expired, the Aggies were down 70 to 68. North Carolina A&T guard Trent Middleton Jr. brought the ball upfield and was able to penetrate the defense and hit an acrobatic layup that went through the basket. He was also fouled in the game, resulting in an and-one which he ultimately converted at the free-throw line.

With 4.5 seconds left, Hampton still had a chance to cruise to the win. But Jalike Gaines-Wyatt’s floater went out and the Aggies prevailed. Gaines-Wyatt and forward Xavier Long both had 17 points for Hampton, who looked like they would go on and secure the win. For the Aggies, Middleton Jr. tallied 15 points, including the game-clinching one, and Lewis Walker had 18 points, with Will Felton contributing 12 points off the bench.

With the win, North Carolina A&T has snapped a four-game losing streak and are set to face Charleston on Thursday at 7 p.m. Meanwhile, Hampton was on a two-game win streak after defeating Elon and William & Mary, and will host Hofstra on Thursday at 8 p.m., with the game being televised on CBS Sports Network.