The Minnesota Timberwolves pulled off a thrilling 140-139 victory over the Denver Nuggets, bolstered by Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s stellar performance, including 26 points and the winning free throws. His elevated role came with the absence of Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo, making him an appealing option for fantasy managers.

In other notable performances, Ryan Rollins shined for the Milwaukee Bucks, notching a career-high 23 points as a starter. Julian Champagnie stepped up for the San Antonio Spurs, while Grayson Allen filled in effectively for the Suns. Mitchell Robinson of the Knicks also had a strong showing, and Ja'Kobe Walter impressed for the Raptors in a losing effort.

In a thrilling encounter, the Minnesota Timberwolves edged out the Denver Nuggets 140-139 in double overtime, marking a pivotal moment in the Western Conference standings. Nickeil Alexander-Walker delivered an impressive performance, scoring 26 points and dishing out eight assists while taking advantage of increased playing time due to suspensions. With this victory, Minnesota is now locked in a tie for the sixth seed in the West, crucial as they aim to avoid the play-in tournament.

Other standout players included Ryan Rollins of the Milwaukee Bucks, who put up 23 points and five assists in a career-best showing, and Julian Champagnie, who capitalized on teammate Jeremy Sochan's absence with 19 points for the Spurs. Grayson Allen also made his mark for the Suns with 23 points of his own, while Mitchell Robinson excelled for the Knicks with a double-double against the Cavaliers. Each of these players represents enticing options for fantasy managers looking to bolster their rosters in the final stretch of the season.

The New York Knicks face a critical juncture as injuries pile up, particularly in the point guard position. With Jalen Brunson and Miles McBride sidelined, and Cam Payne potentially out after spraining his ankle, the team finds itself relying heavily on rookie Tyler Kolek and veteran Delon Wright. This scenario follows a surprising trade that sent Jericho Sims to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Wright, a move that raised eyebrows at the time but now proves vital.

Kolek, a 24-year-old rookie, has shown flashes of brilliance, but he struggles defensively. Meanwhile, Wright brings experience and defensive prowess to a depleted roster. Head coach Tom Thibodeau remains confident, asserting that they have enough depth to weather the storm. The Knicks currently hold a precarious grip on the Eastern Conference's No. 3 seed, making these next games essential for securing their playoff positioning.

The New York Knicks have struggled offensively in the absence of All-Star Jalen Brunson, who is sidelined with a right ankle sprain. While the Knicks were a top-five offense with Brunson, his absence has seen them plummet to eighth-worst in offensive rating over the six games he missed. Following a heavy loss to the San Antonio Spurs, the Knicks fell to defeat again against the Charlotte Hornets, marking their sixth loss in nine games.

The Knicks' inability to generate quality offense has been evident, with the team failing to reach 100 points against lower-ranked opponents. Josh Hart acknowledged the struggles, emphasizing the need for better playmaking. Meanwhile, LaMelo Ball had a standout performance for the Hornets, leading multiple players in double figures. With Brunson out for an extended time, the Knicks will need to rally to maintain their playoff positioning against the struggling Washington Wizards next.