Russell leaps for a game-defining slam as Denver climbs to the No. 2 spot in the Western Conference—meanwhile, the Cavaliers celebrate setting a franchise record with their 16th consecutive victory.
### 5 HEADLINES IN TODAY’S ISSUE 🏀 March 15, 2025
**Tonight’s Featured Game:** Steph embarks on his latest milestone journey against the Knicks on ABC at 8:30 PM ET.
**Free League Pass Preview:** This Saturday, watch the contenders for the Kia MVP Ladder in action.
**Record-Breaking Streak:** The Cavaliers establish a new franchise high for consecutive wins, achieving this milestone for the second time this season.
**Eastern Conference Recap:** The Celtics secure a playoff spot, the Pacers tie with the Bucks, and the Hornets score heavily from beyond the arc.
**Shifting Dynamics in the West:** A reshuffling of positions from seeds 2-5 occurs, tightening the race for the Play-In tournament.
### AND FIRST … ⏰ Get ready for a day full of complimentary basketball…
**Free League Pass:** Today marks the FINAL opportunity to stream League Pass at no cost using your NBA ID. Click here to claim yours.
**ABC Prime Time:** Two of the hottest teams in the NBA will headline ABC matchups this weekend. Tonight, the Warriors seek their seventh straight victory against the Knicks at 8:30 PM ET. Tomorrow, the Cavaliers will attempt to extend their 16-game win streak against the Magic at 1 PM ET, followed by the Suns taking on the Lakers at 3:30 PM ET and the Thunder facing the Bucks on ESPN at 9 PM ET.
#### 1. TONIGHT ON ABC: WARRIORS AND STEPH WELCOME THE KNICKS
Upon becoming the first player in NBA history to hit 4,000 career three-pointers, Steph Curry was immediately faced with questions about his legacy.
The journey to answering those inquiries commences tonight in San Francisco as Curry and the Warriors take on the Knicks at 8:30 PM ET on ABC.
After celebrating his 37th birthday last Friday, Curry took just over three years to ascend from 3,000 to 4,000 three-pointers.
With LeBron James redefining what it means to perform at 40 in the league, the prospect of Curry continuing to make three-pointers into his 40s—and adding to the remarkable highlights below—no longer seems far-fetched.
Curry’s path to becoming the all-time greatest shooter is distinct.
Though he is renowned for his shooting prowess, his ball-handling skills also deserve recognition for their role in his success.
Curry’s talent in shooting both off the catch and off the dribble distinguishes him from other elite shooters, illustrated by several moments where he creates his shots under pressure.
– **Mar. 8, 2015 vs. Clippers:** Navigating through four opponents to find an opening.
– **Jan. 15, 2024 vs. Grizzlies:** Executing multiple crossovers, leading to a driving finger roll and a signature shimmy.
Curry is also celebrated for his vibrant celebrations. From the no-look three to the scream, shimmy, and “Night Night,” his post-shot antics are some of the most memorable in the game.
– **Oct. 29, 2023 vs. Rockets:** Even Curry was astonished by this incredible move in Houston.
– **June 16, 2022 vs. Celtics:** A memorable farewell as he bids ‘Night, Night’ to Boston during the 2022 NBA Finals.
#### 2. TONIGHT ON LEAGUE PASS: MVP FRONT-RUNNERS TAKE CENTER STAGE
As the MVP race heats up, catch the latest Kia MVP Ladder leaders on League Pass tonight for free with your NBA ID.
Three additional games are scheduled on League Pass, featuring the Rockets aiming for their sixth consecutive victory against the Bulls at 8 PM ET, alongside the Heat at Grizzlies (8 PM ET) and Pelicans at Spurs (8:30 PM ET).
#### 3. CAVS WIN 16 IN A ROW, WOLVES SECURE SEVENTH STRAIGHT
For the second time this season, the Cleveland Cavaliers have set a franchise record for consecutive wins.
– **Cavs 133, Grizzlies 124:** Even without star Donovan Mitchell and facing a Grizzlies team on a four-game win streak, the Cavaliers demonstrated their depth, overcoming Ja Morant’s 44-point performance to claim their 16th straight win. |Recap|
– **Wolves 118, Magic 111:** After being outscored 29-16 in the third quarter and trailing by 11 early in the fourth, Minnesota found its rhythm, delivering 40 points in the final period to snag their seventh victory in a row. |Recap|
### Postseason Race Updates
#### 4. EASTERN CONFERENCE RECAP: CELTICS CLINCH, PACERS LEVEL WITH BUCKS, HORNETS LIGHT IT UP
– **Celtics 103, Heat 91:** Derrick White contributed 12 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter as Boston surged past Miami to secure a playoff berth. Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday combined for 53 points along with 10 three-pointers in the victory. |Recap|
– **Pacers 112, Sixers 100:** Trailing by as much as 16 during the first half, the Pacers rallied to outscore the Sixers 65-49 after halftime, powered by Pascal Siakam’s 27 points and Tyrese Haliburton’s 14 points and 10 assists. |Recap|
### Postseason Race Updates

– **Hornets 145, Spurs 134:** With LaMelo Ball (27 pts, 15 ast, 7 threes), Josh Green (six threes), and Nick Smith Jr. (six threes), the Hornets set a franchise record by sinking 26 three-pointers, becoming the fifth team in 25 years to hit 18+ threes at a shooting percentage of 65% or greater in a half. |Recap|
– **Raptors 126, Jazz 118:** Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley each racked up 20 points, leading Toronto past Utah. |Recap|
#### 5. THE WESTERN PLAYOFF PICTURE GETS SHAKY
The notion that “every game counts” couldn’t have been clearer Friday night in the Western Conference playoff race.
Let’s explore the details.
– **Nuggets 131, Lakers 126:** Jamal Murray continues to add to his reputation for clutch performances, doing so on Friday night in Denver.
With just 52 seconds remaining, and the Nuggets trailing 126-123, they closed out the game with an 8-0 run led by Murray’s game-winning three with 5.6 seconds left, defeating the Lakers who were without LeBron James (groin) and Luka Dončić (calf). |Recap| Watch the Wild Final 4:20
– **Rockets 133, Mavs 96:** Tari Eason scored a career-high 30 points, while Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun contributed 39 points together, as the Rockets celebrated their fifth consecutive win. |Recap|
### Western Playoff Race Updates
– **Clippers 121, Hawks 98:** After trailing by eight at halftime, LA ignited an 11-2 run to start the third quarter, taking the lead and maintaining it for the remainder of the game. The Clippers dominated the third quarter 35-8 and cruised to victory with James Harden and Kawhi Leonard each scoring 25 points. |Recap|
– **Suns 122, Kings 106:** Kevin Durant and Devin Booker each scored 22 points, and the Suns drained a season-high 24 three-pointers at 55.8% efficiency to defeat the Kings, continuing their pursuit of a Play-In spot. |Recap|
### Western Play-In Race Updates