A deal to end the government shutdown is too late for about 30 bison on the Fort Peck reservation in northern Montana.

LaMelo Ball’s first home game of the season didn’t go anywhere near as well as the All-Star point guard hoped.

The Charlotte Hornets say All-Star point guard LaMelo Ball will have an MRI on his injured left ankle.

LaMelo Ball returned from a 21-game absence with 11 points, leading the Charlotte Hornets to a 107-94 victory over the Detroit Pistons.

Houston Rockets guard Victor Oladipo (7) shoots as Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart (28) defends during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 19, 2021, in Houston. (Troy Taromina/Pool Photo via AP)HOUSTON – Frank Jackson had a season-high 23 points and the Detroit Pistons handed the Houston Rockets their franchise-record 19th straight loss, 113-100 on Friday night. The injury-plagued Rockets were playing just their fourth game of the season where Christian Wood, Victor Oladipo and John Wall were all available. Wall had 21 points and seven assists, Oladipo had 19 points, and Wood 18 points and 11 rebounds. Rockets: Wall was charged with a flagrant foul on a second-quarter collision with Frank Jackson and later received a technical foul for arguing with officials in the third quarter.

NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)TAMPA, Fla. – Wayne Ellington scored 25 points and the Detroit Pistons beat the virus-depleted Toronto Raptors 129-105 on Wednesday night to snap a three-game losing streak. The Raptors played without Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby, three of their top four scorers, and reserves Malachi Flynn and Patrick McCaw because of the NBA's health and safety protocols. Toronto's scheduled Sunday night game against Chicago Bulls also was postponed. Raptors: F Yuta Watanabe got his first NBA start, but did not score.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 28: Jerami Grant #9 of the Detroit Pistons looks to drive to the basket during the second half against the New York Knicks at Little Caesars Arena on February 28, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)DETROIT – Julius Randle scored 17 of his 25 points in the second half and the New York Knicks moved above .500 with a 109-90 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night. Pistons: Detroit has been holding Blake Griffin out while trying to resolve his future. Detroit went 0-3 against the Raptors in 2019-20.

⚔️ Saben Lee vs. Dennis Smith Jr.Who’s playing point guard for the Detroit Pistons depends on which game you’re watching. Rose was traded to the Knicks for point guard Dennis Smith Jr., and Delon Wright is now dealing with a groin injury. Last night, the rookie Saben Lee and Dennis Smith Jr., who we talked about in the last newsletter, put on a point guard show in a win against the Orlando Magic. In 29 minutes, Saben Lee scored a career-high 21 points, including 3/3 from three point land. AdWe’ve seen what Dennis Smith Jr. is capable of -- he has some success on his record, especially as a playmaker.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 28: Jerami Grant #9 of the Detroit Pistons drives against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at State Farm Arena on December 28, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)DETROIT – The Brooklyn Nets are dealing with a bit of a challenge while Kevin Durant is sidelined. Jerami Grant equaled a career high with 32 points and the Detroit Pistons took advantage of Durant's absence Tuesday night, beating the Brooklyn Nets 122-111. It was the third straight loss for the Nets, who are without Durant because of coronavirus protocols. Grant also tied his career high with 32 points in the loss to the Lakers.

(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)NEW YORK – Derrick Rose is reuniting with Tom Thibodeau after a trade that brings him back to New York. The Knicks agreed to acquire the former NBA MVP from the Detroit Pistons on Sunday, a person with knowledge of the details said. The Knicks will send Dennis Smith Jr. and a second-round pick to the Pistons, the person told The Associated Press. Once it is, it reunites Rose with Thibodeau, his coach in Chicago when the guard became the youngest MVP in NBA history at 22 in 2011. Rose later spent one season in New York, averaging 18 points in 2016-17, before rejoining Thibodeau again in Minnesota.

(Brad Penner/Pool Photo via AP)NEW YORK – Kawhi Leonard scored 28 points and the Los Angeles Clippers rang up the highest point total of the season against the NBA's leading defense, beating the New York Knicks 129-115 on Sunday for their 10th win in 11 games. The Clippers shredded the NBA leaders in fewest points per game allowed to break away after leading by one after two quarters. Los Angeles came back from the locker room with seven straight points and didn't slow down the rest of the third quarter. Leonard and Jackson each scored 10 points in the period, when the Clippers made five 3-pointers and scored 35 points, taking a 101-91 lead to the fourth. Knicks: Reggie Bullock, who missed the last three games with a sore neck, returned to the starting lineup and scored eight points.