Playoff jockeying tightens
The NBA playoff picture tightened over the weekend — the Knicks are still chasing a top‑two Eastern seed and a Warriors–Knicks matchup shook up bracket projections Bleacher Report. Detroit’s slim hopes took a hit in a 110–108 loss to Toronto that further complicates the East race, and Steph Curry says he’s working toward a late‑season return as Golden State races the calendar Pistons loss Curry return.
The Knicks sit 44–25 in the standings, one game behind the Boston Celtics in the Atlantic and five games back of Detroit for second in the Eastern Conference. (basketball-reference.com) Jalen Brunson scored 30 in Sunday’s comeback win at Madison Square Garden, and the Knicks’ late surge moved Basketball‑Reference’s 10,000‑simulation projection to a roughly 52.5–29.5 finish for New York. (espn.com) Golden State arrived in New York short‑handed — Brandin Podziemski led the Warriors with 25 points — and the loss left the Warriors 32–35 as they fight to climb out of the play‑in zone. (sportsdata.usatoday.com) Steph Curry said he’s “working to get back” after missing multiple games with knee inflammation, a timeline reinforced by the Warriors’ announcement of another absence extension and Coach Steve Kerr’s public expectation that Curry will return this season. (nytimes.com) Detroit’s three‑game win streak ended in a 119–108 loss to Toronto — Brandon Ingram 34, Cade Cunningham 33, Jakob Poeltl 21 points and 18 rebounds — a result that helped Toronto hold onto sixth in the East. (espn.com) The Knicks’ next test is hosting the Indiana Pacers on March 17 at Madison Square Garden, while Detroit heads to Washington on March 17 as both clubs begin critical two‑week stretches that could decide seeding. (espn.com)
