NBA Notes: Knicks, Jalen Brunson, Spurs, Victor Wembanyama, Mavericks

Knicks

Jalen Brunson delivered when it mattered, scoring 26 points and guiding the Knicks to a 108-102 win over the 76ers on Wednesday for a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

After a Game 1 blowout, this one tightened up. There were 25 lead changes and 14 ties, with neither team leading by more than seven.

“Most importantly it’s staying poised, staying composed,” Brunson said, via the Associated Press. “Just figuring out one play at a time, one step at a time and not looking too far ahead.”

Brunson broke a late tie with 5:06 remaining and followed with another jumper to help create separation. Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby chipped in, with Anunoby finishing with 24 points before exiting late.

Coach Mike Brown said he had no update on Anunoby’s status.

“They started switching a little bit and he got to his spots and scored a bucket and that’s what he’s expected to do for us,” Brown said.

Karl-Anthony Towns added 20 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. Bridges scored 18.

Philadelphia, playing without Joel Embiid due to hip and ankle soreness, got 26 points from Tyrese Maxey and 19 each from Paul George and Kelly Oubre Jr.

“I thought we had maybe four wide-open shots in a row that didn’t go,” coach Nick Nurse said. “We just needed to keep the scoreboard moving and we played great offense. We just didn’t shot-make.”

Game 3 shifts to Philadelphia.

Spurs

Victor Wembanyama posted 19 points and 15 rebounds as the Spurs rolled past Minnesota 133-95 on Wednesday, evening their Western Conference semifinal series at one game apiece.

San Antonio set the tone early and never let up. Stephon Castle scored 21 points, De’Aaron Fox added 16, and the Spurs shot 50 percent from the field and 41 percent from deep.

Minnesota never found rhythm. Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, Jaden McDaniels and Terrence Shannon Jr. each scored 12 points, with Edwards again coming off the bench as he works back from a hyperextended knee.

The Spurs flipped the script quickly after a Game 1 loss. Wembanyama was aggressive from the start, and he and Fox combined to hit 12 of 25 shots after struggling in the opener.

Minnesota shot just 29.8 percent in the first half and fell behind by 25 before the break. The margin only grew from there.

Games 3 and 4 head to Minneapolis.

Mavericks

The Mavericks introduced Masai Ujiri as president of basketball operations, and while Jason Kidd remains head coach, nothing is being assumed, via Christian Clark of The Athletic.

“He’s done a great job, but we are going to look at this thing from head to toe,” Ujiri said. “That’s the right way to look at an organization and evaluate in every single way we can.”

Ujiri’s tone was measured, but his history suggests patience. He inherited coaches in both Denver and Toronto and stayed the course.

“I’m going to hear coach Jason Kidd out, his thoughts on everything,” Ujiri said. “Because some of the stuff here, I don’t know. For me, it’s that simple. If you go back to the history, it’s the same thing. I have to follow the process here. I’m excited to meet with him.”