Probably the best possible, in any case a matrix with $O(n^3)$ turning points, is $$\begin{pmatrix}
1&1&\dots&&&\color{red}1&2\\
\vdots&\vdots&&&\!\!\!\color{red}{ {_{\displaystyle \raise -3pt\cdot}\displaystyle\cdot \,^{\displaystyle \cdot}}}&\color{red}2&3\\
\vdots&\vdots&&& \!\!\! \color{red}{ {_{\displaystyle \raise -3pt \cdot}\displaystyle\cdot\, ^{\displaystyle \cdot}}} &\color{red} \vdots& \vdots \\
1&1&\dots &&&\color{red}{n-1} &n\\
1&1&\dots &&\!\!\!\!\color{red}{n-1} &n&n\\
\vdots&\color{red}{ {_{\displaystyle\raise -3pt \cdot}\displaystyle\cdot \,^{\displaystyle \cdot}}}&\color{red}{ {_{\displaystyle \raise -3pt\cdot}\displaystyle\cdot \,^{\displaystyle \cdot}}}&&& \vdots & \vdots \\
\color{red}1&\color{red}2&\dots&&&n & n \\
2&3&\dots&&&n & n \\
\end{pmatrix}$$ with constant antidiagonals, which has $\displaystyle \sum_{i=1}^{n-1}(n^2-i)=n^3-n^2-\frac{n(n-1)}2=O(n^3)$ turning points (in red). Or am I missing something?
(BTW is there a Latex command for rising \ddots
?)
Wolfgang
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