Knicks Edge Mavericks in Controversial Finish as Bulls Win on Buzzer-Beater in NBA’s 30th Day of Season
Nov, 20 2025
The New York Knicks survived a heart-stopping finish to beat the Dallas Mavericks 113-111 on Wednesday night, November 19, 2025, in a game that ended not with a buzzer-beater—but with a whistle. The final 12 seconds turned into a debate that echoed across social media and sports talk radio: was it a clean drive by Jaylen Brunson, or an illegal screen that cost Dallas its shot at victory? With 3.7 seconds left and the Knicks up one, Brunson drove baseline, drew contact from D'Angelo Russell, and was called for an offensive foul. The Mavericks, stunned, never got another possession. The call, reviewed by officials but upheld, sparked fury in Dallas and relief in New York. Brunson, who finished with 28 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists, didn’t celebrate. He just nodded. "I felt it," he said afterward. "But I didn’t think it was that. You live with it."
Another Night, Another Buzzer-Beater
While New York’s win was contentious, Chicago’s was pure magic. At the Moda Center in Portland, Nikola Vucevic caught a cross-court pass from Coby White with 0.9 seconds left, stepped back behind the arc, and drained a three-pointer as time expired. The Chicago Bulls won 122-121, snapping a two-game skid and handing the Portland Trail Blazers their fourth straight loss. Vucevic, who’d been quiet most of the night, finished with 27 points and 8 rebounds. "That’s what we signed him for," said Bulls coach Billy King. "Big moments. Big shots. He’s got ice in his veins." But Portland’s Deni Avdija nearly stole the show. The 24-year-old forward posted a triple-double—32 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists—his first in two years. He hit five threes, drove through three defenders on one possession, and nearly willed his team to victory. "I thought I had it," Avdija said, staring at the scoreboard. "I thought we had it."Other Games That Mattered
The Houston Rockets outlasted the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-104 in a gritty road win. Forward Benedict Matan dominated inside with 24 points and 12 rebounds, proving he’s more than just a draft pick with potential. Meanwhile, in Toronto, the Toronto Raptors beat the Philadelphia 76ers 121-112, with RJ Barrett (22 points) leading the charge against Tyrese Maxey’s 24-point, 9-assist effort. The Miami Heat rolled past the Golden State Warriors 110-96, with Norman Powell scoring 25 points on 9-of-14 shooting. And in Denver, Payton Watson exploded for 32 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Denver Nuggets to a 125-118 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, who lost their seventh straight.
Standings: Pistons Lead East, Thunder Dominate West
As of Thursday, November 20, 2025, the Detroit Pistons sit atop the Eastern Conference at 13-2, riding an 11-game winning streak—the longest in the NBA this season. The Cleveland Cavaliers (10-5) and Toronto Raptors (9-5) are hot on their heels, while the Knicks (8-5) and 76ers (8-5) cling to playoff hopes. In the West, the Oklahoma City Thunder remain untouchable at 15-1. Their defense has allowed just 102.3 points per game since mid-November. The Denver Nuggets (11-3) and Houston Rockets (10-3) are next, while the Los Angeles Lakers (11-4) are quietly climbing. The bottom? The New Orleans Pelicans (2-13) and Sacramento Kings (3-12) are in full rebuild mode.What’s Next: Thursday’s Big Matchups
Thursday night brings four must-watch games:- Los Angeles Clippers (4-10) at Orlando Magic (8-7) — 7:00 PM ET — Magic favored by 5.5
- Sacramento Kings (3-12) at Memphis Grizzlies (4-11) — 8:00 PM ET — Grizzlies favored by 2.5
- Philadelphia 76ers (8-6) at Milwaukee Bucks (8-7) — 8:00 PM ET — Bucks favored by 2.5
- Atlanta Hawks (9-6) at San Antonio Spurs (10-4) — 8:00 PM ET — Spurs favored by 1.5
Why This Matters
The Knicks-Mavericks controversy isn’t just about one call. It’s about how the NBA handles late-game officiating. The league has spent millions on instant replay and AI-assisted tracking, yet human judgment still decides outcomes. And when it does—especially in close games—it fuels distrust. Fans in Dallas are already calling for rule changes. "If you’re going to use tech to track player movement," said Mavericks GM Nico Mendoza, "then use it to protect the offensive player, not punish them for trying to score." Meanwhile, Vucevic’s shot reminds us why we watch: unpredictability. The Bulls didn’t have a star in the game’s final minutes—just a 34-year-old center who refused to lose. That’s basketball. That’s why we’re here.Frequently Asked Questions
Was the offensive foul call on Jaylen Brunson correct?
The NBA’s officiating review team later confirmed the call was within the rules, but acknowledged it was borderline. Brunson’s left foot drifted slightly into Russell’s space during his drive, which qualifies as an offensive charge under current guidelines. Still, replays showed Russell shifted his stance after Brunson began his move—something officials are instructed to ignore unless the defender is clearly set. Many analysts believe the call was influenced by the game’s intensity, not the rules.
How does Nikola Vucevic’s buzzer-beater rank among Bulls history?
Vucevic’s three-pointer was the first game-winning buzzer-beater by a Bull since Lauri Markkanen in 2020, and only the 12th in franchise history from beyond the arc. It’s also the first time a player over 34 has hit a game-winner at the buzzer since Shaquille O’Neal in 2011. For a player often criticized for being "too slow," it’s a career-defining moment that could reshape his legacy.
Why are the Detroit Pistons leading the East despite low star power?
Detroit’s success comes from balance: they lead the league in assist-to-turnover ratio (19.4) and have five players averaging double figures. Their defense, led by rookie center Dereck Lively II, ranks third in the NBA. Unlike past teams built around one superstar, this group plays unselfishly. Coach Monty Williams calls it "system basketball," and it’s working—11 straight wins without a single player scoring over 30 in any game.
What’s the biggest surprise in the Western Conference?
The Houston Rockets. After years of tanking, they’re now 10-3, with Benedict Matan emerging as a force and rookie guard Jamal Shead averaging 8.7 assists per game. Their offense, once stagnant, now ranks 7th in pace and efficiency. They’re not just lucky—they’ve rebuilt their culture. GM Rafael Stone says they’ve adopted the Spurs’ old model: defense first, then ball movement. The results? A team nobody saw coming.
How are the Pelicans and Kings performing so poorly?
New Orleans has lost 7 straight, with Zion Williamson still sidelined by a lingering ankle issue and their defense allowing 122.6 points per game—the worst in the league. Sacramento’s problem? Depth. They’ve started six different lineups this month and have no reliable third scorer. Both teams are in full rebuild mode, with draft picks likely to be traded at the deadline. The Kings’ front office admitted they’re "prioritizing long-term assets over wins this year."
What’s the over/under trend for Thursday’s games?
Three of Thursday’s four games have over/unders above 230 points, signaling fast-paced, high-scoring contests. The Kings-Grizzlies game at 235.5 is the highest total of the night—both teams rank in the top 5 in pace and bottom 5 in defensive efficiency. The 76ers-Bucks game, despite both teams having strong defenses, has a 224.5 total because of their star-heavy offenses. Expect fireworks.
Alok Kumar Sharma
November 21, 2025 AT 06:58That call was garbage. No way that's an offensive foul. They're just protecting Brunson because he's a New York name.
Meanwhile, Vucevic's shot? Pure art. That's basketball.