Malik Beasley meant business in New York City earlier this week. As the Detroit Pistons faced off against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, Beasley got off to a hot start.

In the first quarter of action, Beasley checked in off the bench for five minutes. He made all but one of his five shots from the field. All of his makes came from downtown. Beasley produced 12 points as the Pistons got off to a 37-26 lead over New York.

The next two quarters were quiet for the veteran sharpshooter. Coming out of the half, Beasley checked in for three minutes. He landed just one point during that time.

When Beasley collected another four minutes of action in the third quarter, he split free throws and missed both of his shots from the field. Once again, Beasley produced just one point.

At that point, Beasley claimed he had heard a lot of chirping from a fan seated near the court. After the game, the guard revealed he had words for that Knicks fan after getting the last laugh in the fourth quarter.

“Shoutout to the Knicks fan,” Beasley told The Athletic. “He said I hit four threes in the first quarter and hadn’t done **** since. I was like, ‘Watch this.’ Got the ball, hit the three, cussed him out, then I got the second one.”

Although the Pistons had a small cushion of a lead going into the fourth quarter, the Knicks didn’t make it comfortable in quarter four. It was a back-and-forth battle, with Detroit’s game getting threatened in nearly every possession.

Cade Cunningham led the way for Detroit by scoring 11 points in his final nine minutes on the court. However, Beasley’s nine points, which included two very timely threes, created a dagger sequence for the Knicks. Beasley had every right to gloat at The Garden.

The Pistons made it back home to Michigan with a 124-119 victory. Malik Beasley once again proved to be a fantastic offseason pickup, as he scored 22 points in 17 minutes.

Overall, Beasley has produced 17 points on 40 percent shooting from three in 40 games. While he gets the occasional start for Detroit, the 28-year-old veteran has been a star off the bench.

More Pistons on SI

Former NBA Champion’s Two-Word Cade Cunningham Statement

Detroit Pistons’ Ausar Thompson First to Post Statline in NBA History

Pistons Guard’s Blunt Statement on Anthony Edwards’ Career-High

Detroit Pistons Making Series of Roster Moves Before Blazers Matchup

MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee man accused of driving the wrong way toward Vice President Kamala Harris’ motorcade in October pleaded not guilty on Wednesday. 

Wrong-way driver

The backstory:

It happened on Oct. 21. Harris had just wrapped up a rally in Brookfield when the wrong-way vehicle passed her motorcade on I-94 near the Marquette Interchange. Prosecutors said 55-year-old Wayne Wacker was behind the wheel.

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Court filings said Wacker appeared to be driving at “close to highway speeds.” He was stopped near 13th Street, and deputies said he “had a very strong odor of intoxicates emitting from his person, bloodshot and glassy eyes, and extremely slurred speech.”

Wacker told deputies he was on his way home from a Walker’s Point bar and was “unaware” he was driving the wrong way on the interstate, the complaint states. He was taken to the nearby Milwaukee Intermodal Station for field sobriety tests, and the complaint states a preliminary breath test had a BAC reading of .252.

While waiting for a blood draw as part of the OWI investigation, prosecutors said Wacker told deputies he “had no recollection” of entering the freeway or almost striking another vehicle. He also said he had no idea Harris was in Milwaukee and had no intention of harming her or any member of her campaign. 

In court

What’s next:

Wacker is charged with second-degree recklessly endangering safety. Court records show his next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 18.

Minnesota is celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in a variety of ways this year with plenty of free, family-friendly events to choose from.

St. Paul area

MLK Community Conference:  ‘One Dream. One Minnesota.’

This second annual conference is in partnership with the State of Minnesota and Metropolitan State University, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at Metropolitan State University Founders Hall, 700 E. Seventh St., St. Paul. The event includes speakers, an interactive workshop, networking, resource booths and food. Spots are limited. To register and for more information, visit mn.gov/oeoa.

39th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration: ‘One Dream. One Minnesota.’

This free, state-supported event, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday, Jan 20, is hosted at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts, 345 Washington St., St. Paul. The event features community conversations and performances by Billy Steele and Fellowship Baptist Church, Jamecia Bennett, and Known MPLS. Dr. Yohuru Williams will MC and host a fireside chat by Josie R. Johnson and Reatha Clark King. The event will also be live-streamed on TPT.org. Spots are limited. To register and for more information, visit mn.gov/oeao.

MLK Jr. Day of Service

St. Clement’s and St. John’s Episcopal Churches host a morning of service for children in kindergarten through fifth grade, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday, Jan 20, at St. Clement’s Episcopal Church, 901 Portland Ave., St. Paul. The free event will include service projects and “engagement with racism and justice through a faith lens.” Food will be provided, as well as a caregiver’s lounge with coffee and WiFi for adults. For more information, visit saintmarysepiscopal.org.

Conceive Believe Achieve photo gallery

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, 345 Washington St., St. Paul, local nonprofit Conceive Believe Achieve is displaying a 30-foot photo gallery display on Dr. King’s life. For more information, visit conceivebelieveachieve.org.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Morning of Service

This event is free and open to the public, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at Two Rivers High School South Gym at 1897 Delaware Ave., Mendota Heights. Attendees will participate in multiple volunteer opportunities. Former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page will also visit the site. For more information, visit isd197.org/news/mlk-day.

Hamline’s MLK 2025 Observation

From 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, Hamline University hosts a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. commemoration in Anderson Rooms 111 and 112, 1536 Hewitt Ave., St. Paul. Hot beverages and light food will be provided at this free event. A keynote address will be given by Hamline alum and St. Paul City Council Member Anika Bowie, as well as performances by Afro Contigbo, gospel singer Sherri Orr, and a presentation of the 2025 Beloved Community Awards. For more information, visit hamline.edu/news.

Minneapolis area

10th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday of Service: Upholding our beloved community, build comfort pies, stronger ties

Sweet Potato Comfort Pie hosts a celebratory event in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19, at the Metropolitan Ballroom and Clubroom, 5418 Wayzata Blvd., Golden Valley. The event will feature 96 sweet potato pies (representing Dr. King’s age) to be given to those determined most deserving, a vocal performance by Jamela Pettiford and GQ Unit, Saxophonist Jerome Richardson and Heart and Soul Drum Academy, led by Baba Jesse Buckner. For more information, visit sweetpotatocomfortpie.org.

44th Annual U of M Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Concert

The free concert is hosted and curated by the University of Minnesota, 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19, at the Ted Mann Concert Hall, 2128 S. Fourth St., Minneapolis. U of M alum G. Phillip Shoultz III of VocalEssence will weave the words of Dr. King with reflections and musical performances from Kamoinge Strings of Walker West Music Academy, VocalEssence Singers Of This Age, Jornae Dance Collective led by U of M alum Suzette Jornae Gilreath, Youth Speakers mentored by Joe Davis Poetry, and more. For more information, visit diversity.umn.edu/MLKTribute.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast

The 35th annual breakfast, which host General Mills says is one of the largest in the country, will be held from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. (doors open at 7 a.m., with pre-event programming starting at 7:30 a.m.) Monday, Jan. 20, at the Minneapolis Convention Center,1301 Second Ave. S., Minneapolis. The event will feature keynote speaker Michele Norris and multiple musical and art performances. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit MLKBreakfast.com.

MLK Jr. Resale Select Treasure Hunter

At this free event, volunteers can help the Resale Select store sort through and find items to put on the shelves, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at Interfaith and Outreach Community Partners, 1605 County Road 101 N., Plymouth. Volunteers are asked to wear comfortable shoes and clothing as they will be standing for the majority of the time. To sign up and for more information, visit handsontwincities.org.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration

The Powderhorn Park Association and Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board host this 27th annual celebration, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at the Powderhorn Park recreation center. The free artist showcase features storytellers, visual art, performance art, art activities, lunch and giveaways. For more information, visit ppna.org/mlkcelebration.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration

The free event hosted by Minneapolis Parks and Recreation, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Recreation Center, 4055 Nicollet Ave. S, Minneapolis includes a keynote address from Dr. Betty Jo Webb. Derreck Robinson will receive the “Living the Dream Award,” which “honors someone who embodies Dr. King’s message of justice for all and commitment to community, and their actions reflect his teachings and legacy.” There will also be performances by Lyrical Youth Dance Group and songs by Nunnabove. For more information, visit minneapolisparks.org.

Unity in Colors: An MLK Commemoration

This free “drop-in” program, 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24, at the Sibley Recreation Center, 1900 E. 40th St., Minneapolis, invites people of all ages and backgrounds to contribute to creating a collective piece of art. The hope is to “embrace the spirit of unity, equality and diversity as you express your creativity through coloring pieces of art that will come together to form a stunning commemorative board dedicated to Dr. King’s vision of a harmonious and inclusive society,” according to the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board. To register online and for more information, visit minneapolisparks.org.

Originally Published: January 15, 2025 at 6:27 PM CST