{"id":568834,"date":"2026-03-27T23:46:21","date_gmt":"2026-03-27T23:46:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/568834\/"},"modified":"2026-03-27T23:46:21","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T23:46:21","slug":"starting-5-hornets-put-away-knicks-a-new-face-atop-kia-mvp-ladder-a-weekend-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/568834\/","title":{"rendered":"Starting 5: Hornets put away Knicks, a new face atop Kia MVP Ladder & a weekend preview"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

No. 1 is the new Number 1.<\/p>\n

With just over two weeks to go in the regular season, Wemby just took over the top spot in Shaun Powell\u2019s Kia MVP Ladder<\/p>\n

\"Victor<\/p>\n

5 STORIES IN TODAY\u2019S EDITION \ud83c\udfc0<\/p>\n

Thursday In The East: Hot Hornets snap Knicks\u2019 streak, Pistons power forward, Magic stop skid<\/p>\n

Kia MVP Ladder: Wemby is reaching new heights, including the top spot on Shaun Powell\u2019s latest Ladder<\/p>\n

NBA TV Doubleheader: Cavs look to split two-game set with Heat, postseason-bound Portland hosts Flagg, Mavs<\/p>\n

Where They Stand: Examining the teams playing best since the calendar flipped to 2026<\/p>\n

What\u2019s Next: A loaded Saturday & Sunday national slate with big postseason implications<\/p>\n

BUT FIRST \u2026 \u23f0<\/p>\n

\"Scores<\/p>\n

Friday brings 10 games, including an NBA TV doubleheader as the Cavs host the Heat (7:30 ET<\/a> | Tap to Watch<\/a>), before the Mavs visit the Blazers (10 ET<\/a> | Tap to Watch<\/a>).<\/p>\n

2026 BAL Season Is Here: The sixth season of the Basketball Africa League tips off today<\/a>. Featuring 12 teams, the season will be played across three African cities, culminating with the Playoffs and Finals from May 22\u201331 in Rwanda.<\/p>\n

1. 3-GAME THURSDAY: HORNETS HALT NY, PISTONS ROLL, MAGIC END SKID<\/p>\n

\"Kon<\/p>\n

On Thursday\u2019s opening possession, Jalen Brunson collected the first of what would be 17 1st-quarter points.<\/p>\n

Charlotte\u2019s sharpshooting trio, though, ensured it would be the Knicks\u2019 only lead of the night.<\/p>\n

Hornets 114, Knicks 103: Kon Knueppel (26 pts, 11 reb, 8 ast, 6 3s), LaMelo Ball (22 pts, 5 reb, 6 ast, 4 3s) and Brandon Miller (21 pts, 8 reb, 4 3s) combined for 69 points and 14 of Charlotte\u2019s 16 triples as the Hornets won their fifth straight and halted the Knicks\u2019 run at seven games. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cJust coming in with the mentality of \u2018Win the day,\u2019 and get better within each day,\u201d Knueppel said of Charlotte\u2019s stretch-run mindset. \u201cWe\u2019re not trying to look ahead, we\u2019re not trying to dwell in the past.\u201d
\nMr. 250: Leading the league in made 3s, Knueppel passed 250 total triples<\/a> Thursday, the only player age 22 or younger to reach that mark in NBA history
\nRare Rookie: Knueppel also becomes just the 6th rookie ever to total at least 25\/10\/5\/5 3s in a game, joining Victor Wembanyama, Cade Cunningham, Stephen Curry, Paul Pierce and Jason Kidd<\/p>\n

\"Miles<\/p>\n

LaMelo was also ready to meet the moment, speaking postgame about his team\u2019s first win over the 3-seed Knicks this season.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was born for moments like this,\u201d Ball told Kris London<\/a> and Alexis Morgan on NBA TV\u2019s special presentation of the game
\nSwarm Of Threes: LaMelo (150), Kon (130) and Miller (129) rank No. 2-4 in total 3s made since Jan. 1. Read on to Section 4 for more of the best of the new year
\nStrong Start: Brunson (13 ast) piled up 17 of his 26 points in the 1st quarter for the Knicks, who remain 3rd in the East but slip a full game behind the Celtics
\nEast Shuffle: Charlotte stands firmly in 9th place, even now with 8th-seed Orlando and 10-seed Miami, all 39-34, 1 game behind Philly in 7th<\/p>\n

\"Jalen<\/p>\n

After surrendering just their 9th home loss of the season, the Pistons were ready to turn the page.<\/p>\n

Pistons 129, Pelicans 108: Jalen Duren (30 pts, 10 reb, 7 ast, 2 stl, 2 blk) fueled Detroit past Zion Williamson (21 pts, 6 reb) and New Orleans, as the Pistons never trailed after the first 13 minutes while bouncing back from Wednesday\u2019s OT home loss. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Efficiency First: Duren (10-12 FG) is the first Detroit player ever<\/a> to post 30+\/10+\/5+ on 80 FG% or better, and joined Isiah Thomas as the only Pistons under 22 to post such a line
\nBack To Business: Detroit improves to 4-1 since Cade Cunningham\u2019s injury, and extends its lead atop the East to 4 games over Boston<\/p>\n

\"Paolo<\/p>\n

To move up from the East\u2019s final Play-In spot, Orlando had to snap out of its season-worst skid.<\/p>\n

Magic 121, Kings 117: Paolo Banchero (30 pts, 9 reb, 7 ast<\/a>) lifted Orlando past DeMar DeRozan (33 pts, 11 ast) and the Kings, with Desmond Bane pitching in 23 points, as the Magic navigated nine ties and a clutch finish to snap their six-game skid. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Kings Close In: Sacramento launched an 8-0 run in under 90 seconds to make it a 1-point game with 50 ticks remaining, powered by six points from Daeqwon Plowden (23 pts)
\nOrlando\u2019s Answer: Jalen Suggs (8 pts) hit his second triple of the game in response, with 27.4 left to play, to keep the Magic ahead for good
\n\u201cIt\u2019s better to learn lessons in a win than in a loss,\u201d Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said postgame. \u201cTo get the win and find a way through it all, that\u2019s important right now for us.\u201d
\nMoving Win: Orlando jumps from 10th to 8th in the East, past Miami and Charlotte via tiebreakers, to pull within a game of the 7-seeded Sixers<\/p>\n

\"Miles<\/p>\n

2. KIA MVP LADDER FIRST LOOK: WEMBY SURGES TO TOP SPOT<\/p>\n

\"Victor<\/p>\n

Sixteen days remain in the regular season, and for the first time since January, there\u2019s a new name atop Shaun Powell\u2019s Kia MVP Ladder:<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama.<\/p>\n

The 7-foot-4 phenom has turned \u201cthat can\u2019t be real\u201d into routine amid the Spurs\u2019 23-2 run. In that span, he has 90 blocks and an NBA-best +388 plus-minus \u2013 97 points more than the next closest player.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s made his case for the Kia MVP on and off the court<\/a>. And now, he\u2019s jumped from No. 3 to No. 1 in Powell\u2019s latest rankings:<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a new No. 1 on the Kia MVP Ladder, and it\u2019s the player who\u2019s influencing wins at both rims and has his team within range of securing the top seed in the West\u2026<\/p>\n

Wembanyama is transforming into a historic defender in such a short period of time \u2026 he is different in that he entered the league with solid defensive instincts and, coupled with his enviable size, is making a massive impact here in his third season \u2026<\/p>\n

Wembanyama is ready now because the evidence is compelling enough. | Read More<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Shai<\/p>\n

Sizzling Sprint: While Wemby has claimed Powell\u2019s latest top spot, the race for the Kia MVP is far from over, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (No. 2), Nikola Joki\u0107 (No. 3) and Luka Don\u010di\u0107 (No. 4) all red-hot and in action tonight.<\/p>\n

Before they take the floor, Powell breaks down each of their Kia MVP cases:<\/p>\n

Steady Shai: \u201cThe game has never seen a guard average 30 points and do so this efficiently \u2026 Gilgeous-Alexander also has the most 30-point games in under 30 minutes per game and the least turnovers per game by a 30-point scorer. That also reflects his historic efficiency.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joki\u0107 Aces: \u201cThe last three games were classic if typical Joki\u0107 \u2013\u00a023-point triples in all three, and the most recent game, he nearly went 20-20-20<\/a>. He\u2019s one of only three players to drop that stat line.\u201d<\/p>\n

Luka Magic: \u201cThe league\u2019s leading scorer is nearly averaging a triple-double and is ripping through a torrid March with games of 60 points, 50 points and three with 40 points. He\u2019s averaging 39.5 ppg over his last 11 games.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tonight on League Pass, SGA leads the Thunder against the Bulls (8 ET), before Joki\u0107 and the Nuggets host the Jazz (9 ET) and Luka\u2019s Lakers welcome the Nets (10:30 ET).<\/p>\n

3. ON NBA TV: HEAT, CAVS RUN IT BACK, BLAZERS HOST FLAGG\u2019S MAVS<\/p>\n

\"Donovan<\/p>\n

Flames died down. The fire cooled. Five straight games didn\u2019t go in the Heat\u2019s favor.<\/p>\n

But they stuck with the same message they\u2019d been spreading for two weeks.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been talking about this collective grit,\u201d said coach Erik Spoelstra. \u201cYou just have to put your head down and compete and control what you can control.\u201d<\/p>\n

Their skid ended on Wednesday. Tonight (7:30 ET, NBA TV), the Heat meet the Cavaliers for the second time in three days, looking to back up their victory.<\/p>\n

Checking In: Miami is 10th in the East \u2014 eyeing the Playoff picture \u2014 and two games behind 5th-place Atlanta, having lost in the First Round each of the last two seasons
\nTemperature Turned Up: On Wednesday, the Heat had eight double-figure scorers, and flexed their 112.2 defensive rating by holding the Cavaliers to 103 points
\n\u201cWe\u2019ve taken a lot of pride in trying to build a top-five defense,\u201d Spoelstra said. \u201cAnd we want it to show, right now, when it matters the most.\u201d<\/p>\n

One defeat didn\u2019t change Cleveland\u2019s postseason outlook. It still holds a four-game lead for 4th, and the duo of James Harden and Donovan Mitchell helped create that cushion.<\/p>\n

X-Factor: The Cavaliers are 14-5 with Harden in the lineup, and since making the move from LA, the 17th-year guard has shot 45.2% on 3s
\nBehemoth Backcourt: Combined, Mitchell (26.7 ppg, 5.3 apg) and Harden (21 ppg, 7.7 apg) account for 47.7 ppg and 13 apg
\n\u201cIt\u2019s two different styles, which makes us unique and tough to guard,\u201d Mitchell said. \u201cWe\u2019ve been scoring and getting to the paint in two different systems, essentially.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Deni<\/p>\n

The postseason will also feature Portland, which hasn\u2019t gotten this far since a 2021 First Round exit.<\/p>\n

The Trail Blazers can take one step closer to the Playoffs tonight (10 ET, NBA TV) with a defeat of the visiting Mavericks.<\/p>\n

Locked Down: Over the last 10 games, Portland has the No. 1 defensive rating (106) and has six players averaging 12 ppg or more
\nMr. Dependable: Donovan Clingan has 10 double-doubles this month, and since Jan. 1, boasts 23 \u2014 tied with Victor Wembanyama for 2nd-most behind Karl-Anthony Towns<\/p>\n

4. WHERE THEY STAND: THE TOP TEAMS OF 2026 SO FAR<\/p>\n

\"Charlotte<\/p>\n

They were 11-22 on Dec. 31.<\/p>\n

They\u2019re 27-12 since.<\/p>\n

The 2025-26 Hornets have shown us that the flip of a calendar can mean more than just a new year.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a fresh start, even in the middle of a season.<\/p>\n

We saw it last season with the Pacers, who went 16-18 in 2024, before going 34-14 in 2025 to close the regular season en route to the NBA Finals.<\/p>\n

NBA.com\u2019s Shaun Powell has analyzed the standings strictly through the lens of 2026. With just over two weeks left in the regular season, which teams have made the most of the new year?<\/p>\n

\u201cThis question matters for a few reasons: there are more games in 2026 than in 2025, fortunes often flip during the season\u2019s final three-and-a-half months and those shifts tend to reveal a team\u2019s true identity.<\/p>\n

For example, 2026 gave the Charlotte Hornets a chance to develop a rotation full of young players, and now they\u2019re enjoying the trend in the right direction. \u2026<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a look at the standings in both conferences since New Year\u2019s Day<\/a>:\u201d | Read More<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Boston<\/p>\n

Tonight\u2019s slate is full of chances to watch 2026\u2019s winningest teams:<\/p>\n

Two of the East\u2019s best this year collide, as the Hawks (25-13 since Jan. 1) visit a Celtics squad boasting a 28-12 record in 2026 (7:30 ET)
\n\u201cSo much has gone right for the Hawks after a 16-19 start. Nickeil Alexander-Walker thrived\u2026 and, coupled with the playmaking of Dyson Daniels, the drop-off in guard play was surprisingly minimal. Jalen Johnson also blossomed into an All-NBA-level player.\u201d
\nFrom one of the West\u2019s best of the year, the 26-15 Clippers continue their historic turnaround visiting the Pacers (7 ET)
\n\u201c\u2026 Even after losing James Harden and Ivica Zubac at the February trade deadline\u2026 and throughout 2026, Kawhi Leonard has played some of the best ball of his career.\u201d<\/p>\n

Also on League Pass, KD and the Rockets look to keep climbing as they visit the Grizzlies (8 ET), plus the Raptors host the Pelicans (8:30 ET) before the Wizards visit the Warriors (10 ET).<\/p>\n

5. WHAT\u2019S NEXT: STACKED WEEKEND ON THE NATIONAL STAGE<\/p>\n

\"Victor<\/p>\n

After 10 games tonight, 15 more matchups get underway across Saturday and Sunday.<\/p>\n

That includes six national showdowns with heavy postseason implications.<\/p>\n

Saturday starts on Prime (3 ET), with Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs seeking an eighth straight win as they visit the Bucks. San Antonio is 22-4 (.846) against the East this season \u2013 the best interconference record of any team.<\/p>\n

Chasing The Champs: The Spurs will look to keep that rolling as they eye their 24th win in 26 games, sitting two games back of OKC for the West\u2019s top seed<\/p>\n

Wolves at Pistons (5:30 ET, ABC): Next up, depth vs. depth. The East-leading Pistons are 4-1 since Cade Cunningham\u2019s lung injury, while the Wolves are 4-1 without Anthony Edwards (knee). Which squad will stay hot on ABC?<\/p>\n

Jazz at Suns (10 ET, NBA TV): The night wraps with Devin Booker\u2019s Suns seeking a timely win against the Jazz, with Phoenix 3.5 games back of Houston for the West\u2019s 6th and final Playoff spot.<\/p>\n

\"Shai<\/p>\n

Nipping at the Suns\u2019 heels? The 8th-place Clippers, who have cut Phoenix\u2019s 7th-place lead to 3 games.<\/p>\n

LA opens Sunday on NBA TV (3:30 ET) against Milwaukee, with Kawhi Leonard, Darius Garland and Co. seeking a 4th straight win.<\/p>\n

Knicks at Thunder (7:30 ET, NBC): Then, Sunday Night Basketball on NBC, featuring Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the West-best Thunder hosting Jalen Brunson\u2019s Knicks. In their last 20 combined games, OKC (9-1) and New York (7-3) have gone 17-3.<\/p>\n

Now, both seek a crucial win in heated races atop their conferences.<\/p>\n

Warriors at Nuggets (10 ET, NBC): To cap Sunday Night Basketball? A red-hot Nikola Joki\u0107 and Jamal Murray lead Denver\u2019s top-scoring offense against Golden State.<\/p>\n

After a historic Wednesday \u2013 with Joki\u0107 posting back-to-back 20\/15\/15 games and Murray erupting for 53 \u2013 the Nuggets sit just 1.5 games back of the Lakers for 3rd. Can the duo deliver again for a key Sunday dub?<\/p>\n

Want to share\u00a0Starting\u00a05\u00a0with a friend?\u00a0Send them this link<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Shape the Starting 5.\u00a0\u00a0Email us here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t have the NBA App? Download it here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"No. 1 is the new Number 1. With just over two weeks to go in the regular season,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":568835,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[557],"tags":[64,63,590,85,8019],"class_list":{"0":"post-568834","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nba","8":"tag-au","9":"tag-australia","10":"tag-nba","11":"tag-sports","12":"tag-starting-5"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/568834","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=568834"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/568834\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/568835"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=568834"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=568834"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=568834"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}