Top Stories

• Knicks clinch #2 seed in East

• Wolves fall to #3 seed West

• The Regular Season is over

• NO GAMES TONIGHT

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Games of the day

Last Night’s Top Games! (link to the box scores of every game from yesterday)

The Knicks finished 50-32, their best season since going 54-28 and also earning a No. 2 seed in 2012-13. They moved past Milwaukee after the Bucks lost earlier in Orlando, and will await the winner of the play-in game between Philadelphia and Miami on Wednesday. Brunson finished with 40 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, and tied Patrick Ewing for the second-most 40-point games in one season by a Knicks player. Hall of Famer Bernard King did it 13 times in 1984-85, when he set a franchise record with 32.9 points per game. Brunson finished up at 28.7, tying Carmelo Anthony for third. Chicago finished ninth in the East at 39-43 and will host No. 10 Atlanta on Wednesday. If they win that, the Bulls will have to beat the winner of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 game on the road Friday to earn the No. 8 seed in the playoffs.

Bradley Beal scored 36 points on 6-for-6 shooting from 3-point range and the Phoenix Suns beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 125-106 on Sunday to stay out of the play-in tournament and set up a rematch in the first round of the NBA playoffs. The Wolves will host Game 1 of the best-of-seven series next weekend. After losing all three games to the Suns this season, they've got a lot of work to do next week. Rudy Gobert had 21 points and seven rebounds and Mike Conley scored 17 points for the Wolves, who matched their season worst with 24 turnovers and gave up 13 offensive rebounds to the Suns in this lackluster performance.

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League News

Around the League

• Kyrie Irving and Kristaps Porzingis have been named Players of The Week for Week 24.

• After all 30 teams were in action yesterday, the playoff brackets are set and the regular season is over. The Play-In will be on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, determining who the 7 and 8 seeds will be for each conference. Tuesday the Lakers and Pelicans will play, with the winner being the 7 seed, followed by the Kings and Warriors, with the loser being eliminated. The winner of the Kings/Warriors game will play the loser of Lakers/Pelicans for the 8 seed. Wednesday the Sixers and Heat will play for the 7 seed, followed by the Hawks and Bulls with the loser eliminated. Then Friday will have the pair of games to decide the 8 seed in each respective conference.

• Injury Updates: Julius Randle (shoulder) is out for the season. Malik Monk (knee) will miss 4-6 weeks. Kevin Huerter (shoulder) is out for the season. Brandon Ingram (knee) will miss at least 1 week. Christian Wood (knee) underwent surgery and will be out multiple weeks. Benedict Mathurin (shoulder) underwent surgery and is out for the season. Josh Richardson (shoulder) had surgery and will be out for the season. Jarred Vanderbilt (foot) will miss at least 1 more week. Gabe Vincent (knee) will be out at least 1 more week. We wish all these guys speedy and successful recoveries.

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NBA MVP Race

1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Last week’s ranking: No. 1

Season stats: 26.6 ppg, 12.4 rpg, 9 apg

His case: Jokic ranks first in total plus-minus (664), second in total assists (691), third in total rebounds (954) and fifth in total points (2,048). The vet also ranks among the top 10 in a few hustle stats as well.

Then, take a look at statistics like true shooting percentage in clutch situations (69.8%) in evaluating Jokic’s case, or player impact estimate. Jokic checks most of the boxes, and, if the Nuggets win out, his case becomes even more airtight.

2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Last week’s ranking: No. 3

Season stats: 30.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 6.2 apg

His case: Tough decision here, given all the momentum Luka Doncic generated with wins and eye-popping numbers while Gilgeous-Alexander missed six of OKC’s last nine games. SGA has still played three more contests than Doncic, leading a team of virtual unknowns into Western Conference contention.

Despite the injury’s absence, Gilgeous-Alexander’s smoothness was displayed in Wednesday’s win over San Antonio. The two-way star has scored 66 total points in two outings since returning to the lineup.

3. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

Last week’s ranking: No. 2

Season stats: 33.9 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 9.8 apg

His case: That Doncic thrived during a chaotic season in Dallas shouldn’t be overlooked with the Mavericks winning 16 of their last 18 games, including Wednesday’s 111-92 triumph at Miami. Doncic lit up the Heat for 13 points in the first quarter en route to a 29-point night.

There’s no disagreement here if you’ve got Doncic at No. 2. He’s trekked a tougher road while cranking out more production than Gilgeous-Alexander. But he also plays alongside a future Hall of Famer, too.

 4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Last week’s ranking: No. 4

Season stats: 30.4 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 6.5 apg

His case: Like Doncic, Antetokounmpo has excelled despite adverse circumstances, flashing mind-boggling efficiency while averaging more than 30 points, 11.5 rebounds and a career-high 6.5 assists. He’s out for the remainder of the regular season due to a left soleus strain.

But let’s hope the eight-time All-Star returns for the start of the playoffs. Antetokounmpo started fast in Tuesday’s win over Boston before suffering this latest injury late in the third quarter.

5. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Last week’s ranking: No. 5

Season stats: 26.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 4.9 apg

His case: Maybe Anthony Edwards or Jalen Brunson belong in this spot. But it’s tough to downplay Tatum’s impact on a team that has been historically dominant this season. Boston locked up No. 1 in the Eastern Conference and the NBA a while ago and the maturing Tatum is the main reason for that.

Say what you want about the supporting cast. But Tatum has knocked down more 3-pointers (1,239) than any player before his 26th birthday (March 3) while ranking fifth in regular-season victories (327) over that span.

The Next Five

6. Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings (Last week’s ranking: No. 6)
7. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves (Last week’s ranking: No. 9)
8. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks (Last week’s ranking: unranked)
9. Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns (Last week’s ranking: unranked)
10. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns (Last week’s ranking: No. 7)

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Fantasy Leaders

Rudy Gobert makes his Top 3 debut

Overtime Thoughts

Hoopgrids

Hoopgrids is a daily basketball trivia game. You cross match each category to find a player that fits both. The rarer the player, the lower the score. The goal is to get the lowest rarity score possible.