The NBA's plot is twisting in the final third of the 2022-23 regular season, and it could be just the beginning of more unexpected turns down the stretch.
The Boston Celtics have comfortably dominated the Eastern Conference this season but fell out of first place for the first time in 2023 after a lopsided loss to the New York Knicks on Monday.
Boston now trails the Milwaukee Bucks by half a game in the standings. Speaking of the Knicks, Tom Thibodeau's squad might be on track to reclaiming the heart of New York.
With a six-game win streak, they have now surpassed their crosstown rival Brooklyn Nets in the standings. Despite some impressive moments from young players, the Nets haven't avoided the expected consequences of trading away Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, having lost seven of their past nine games, and are in danger of falling into the play-in tournament.