We're not quite in barrel-scrapping territory in the East ... but it's pretty close. Out West, things are more competitive.

Knicks Top Performers Mikal Bridges – 28 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds Karl-Anthony Towns – 24 points, 11 rebounds OG Anunoby – 15 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 6 steals Grizzlies Top Performers Jaren Jackson Jr.

Reduced to mere spectators for metropolitan dominance, the Grizzlies (31-16) endured their worst loss of the season. Paced by 21 points from Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis has a chance for a revenge when the Knicks come by on Feb. 28.

The Memphis Grizzlies (31-16) had their six-game winning streak snapped by the New York Knicks (31-16), 143-106, Monday at Madison Square Garden.

Grizzlies center Jaren Jackson Jr. is a 2025 NBA All-Star reserve for the Western Conference, marking his second All-Star selection.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 24 points and 11 rebounds, and Jalen Brunson had 20 points and six assists for the Knicks, who scored 143 points for the second straight game and won their fourth straight. New York (31-16) won for the 16th time in its past 22 games.

The Memphis Grizzlies’ rotations go 11 players deep. They boast two All-Stars: electrifying guard Ja Morant and Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. Their reserves are stacked with size, with the first four players off the bench standing 6-5 or taller.

No other Knicks are joining Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson in San Francisco. Despite a late fan- and media-driven push to get Josh Hart on the All-Star team, the Knicks were shut out of the reserves.

Perhaps the best indication of what’s important for these Knicks was the theme of Wednesday night’s postgame locker room interviews.

The Memphis Grizzlies avoided a season sweep versus the Houston Rockets thanks to Jaren Jackson Jr.'s winning free throws.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis Grizzlies forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr. is officially an NBA All Star! Jaren Jackson Jr. was named a reserve for the 74th NBA All-Star game, marking his second trip to the competition after being selected as a reserve in 2023.

Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball is the biggest surprise considering he led fan voting among players at his position in the East and he finished third among player voting. He had a much stronger voting from fans than media, though.