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Tag: NBA

  • 3 things to watch in Trail Blazers-Spurs Game 5

    3 things to watch in Trail Blazers-Spurs Game 5

    Victor Wembanyama has provided a dominant presence inside against the Trail Blazers.

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    Just four games into the 2026 NBA playoffs, the San Antonio Spurs have aced important tests.

    They won a game in which they trailed by 15 in the third quarter without Victor Wembanyama and won a game in which they trailed by 19 late in the second quarter with their star center. They also navigated a game-and-a-half without Wembanyama, who sustained a concussion in Game 2 against the Portland Trail Blazers.

    Those are encouraging developments for a young, talented roster with minimal playoff experience and a coach (Mitch Johnson) in his first playoff series.

    Now, they face another test: eliminating a playoff opponent in a closeout game.

    Up 3-1 in their first-round Western Conference series against the Trail Blazers, the Spurs can advance to the conference semifinals with a victory in Game 5 on Tuesday (9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).

    Here are three things to watch in Game 5:

    1. Can Spurs close out series?

    Harrison Barnes and Luke Kornet are the only Spurs with significant playoff experience. De’Aaron Fox has one prior playoff series on his resume, but the other key participants (Wembanyama, Devin Vassell, Stephon Castle, Keldon Johnson and rookies Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant, and Mitch Johnson) are trying to get their first series win.

    So far, they have met the task. Castle scored 33 points in Game 3, while Harper had 27 points and 10 rebounds in Game 3. Vassell does a bit of everything and generated 11 points, six rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal in Game 4. Keldon Johnson, the Kia Sixth Man of the Year, is searching for more offense but keeps opponents honest, and Bryant was outstanding in Game 3 (though the box score won’t reflect that).

    “There’s no jealousy. Nobody cares about their stat line. It’s our greatest strength,” Wembanyama said.

    At home with a conference semifinals series against either Minnesota or Denver on the line, the Spurs get another chance to show their growth.

    2. How can Blazers extend series?

    The Trail Blazers have had some moments and led by 19 in Game 4. They just haven’t been able to sustain leads. Portland interim coach Tiago Splitter said all options were on the table when it came to the starting lineup.

    One option would be to start Robert Williams III at center and move Donovan Clingan to the bench. In the series, the Blazers have been better offensively and defensively with Williams in the game than with Clingan. That would give Portland more athleticism to match up with the Spurs and Wembanyama.

    But it’s not just on one player.

    The Trail Blazers’ bench needs to be better, and Scoot Henderson needs to play more as he did in Game 2 (31 points) and less like he did in Game 4 (zero points).

    With that said, the Spurs’ third-ranked regular-season defense has had a say in Portland’s offensive issues.

    3. Wembanyama’s growing leadership

    In the two full games Wembanyama has played in the series, he is averaging 31 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.5 blocks, two assists, and two steals, and shooting 57.9% from the field and 60% from 3-point range. The Spurs’ success for the remainder of the playoffs is dependent on Wembanyama, and that’s a lot to ask from a 22-year-old.

    “He was already extremely talented,” Fox said. “But using his voice is the biggest change that I’ve seen from when I got here last year to the beginning of this year until now. He’s always talking both offensively and defensively scheme-wise. Whatever he sees on the court, he’s voicing to us. That’s probably been the biggest growth that he’s had this year.”

    Coach Mitch Johnson’s belief in Wembanyama is unwavering.

    “I’ve learned to trust that young man,” Johnson said. “I’m rolling with him, and the challenge now is for him to continue to play the way he did in the second half (of Game 4 with 18 points, five rebounds, five blocks) for the whole game. When he does that, we’ll be tough. If he doesn’t do that, there’s a ripple effect for our team, and that’s the responsibility that comes with being the face of the franchise and the best player.”

    * * *

    Jeff Zillgitt has covered the NBA since 2008. You can email him at jzillgitt@nba.com, find his archive here and follow him on X.

  • Recap: Thunder advance, Magic, Nuggets win

    Recap: Thunder advance, Magic, Nuggets win

    Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder advanced to the second round by finishing their sweep of the Suns.

    We’re bringing you the best of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news, notes and highlights from Monday’s action.

    The Magic defeated the Pistons 94-88 in a defensive slugfest, led by Desmond Bane (22 pts, 5 3PM), earning a 3-1 lead in the series. They have a chance to become the seventh No. 8 seed to overcome a No. 1 seed on Wednesday.

    The Thunder advanced to the second round by beating the Suns 122-113, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (26 pts) and crew earned their third first round sweep in three years.

    The Nuggets controlled the game against the Timberwolves, winning 125-113 behind Nikola Jokić (27 pts, 12 reb, 16 ast, 2 blk).

    What we know about Monday’s games:

    • The Magic earned a 3-1 lead, while the Thunder advanced to the second round and the Nuggets cut their disadvantage to 3-2.
    • Postgame Pressers:
    • Magic-Pistons will reconvene Wednesday (7 ET, Prime), while Nuggets-Timberwolves will be back on Thursday.

    APRIL 28, 2026 / 1:40 ET

    Postgame Presser: Timberwolves-Nuggets

    APRIL 28, 2026 / 1:35 ET

    Monday’s results

    Nikola Jokić (27 pts, 12 reb, 16 ast, 2 blk) is your top performer of the night.

    APRIL 28, 2026 / 1:23 ET

    Nuggets win to return to force Game 6

    125-113, as the Nuggets forced 25 turnovers and dominated inside with 62 points in the paint to outlast the Timberwolves.

    Nikola Jokić (27 pts, 12 reb, 16 ast, 2 blk) was in command, doing all that on just 16 shots.

    Julius Randle (26 pts) led six Wolves in double figures in defeat.

    This series will be back in action on Thursday.

    “Tonight was the only thing that mattered,” said Cameron Johnson (18 pts). “Everybody came out with the same mindset, the same focus.”

    APRIL 28, 2026 / 1:03 ET

    One time for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

    APRIL 28, 2026 / 12:42 ET

    Postgame Presser: Thunder-Suns

    APRIL 28, 2026 / 12:32 ET

    What a pass from the Joker

    Nikola Jokić (18 pts, 11 reb, 15 ast) just spun an absolute dime to Christian Braun for the slam, as the Nuggets open up a 94-72 lead over the Timberwolves with just under a minute remaining in the third quarter.

    APRIL 28, 2026 / 12:15 ET

    Thunder advance to the second round

    131-122, sparked by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (26 pts, 5 ast), Chet Holmgren (22 pts, 8 reb, 2 stl) and Ajay Mitchell (18 pts, team-high +23).

    Oklahoma City led by as many as 15 in a contest that saw nine lead changes and six ties. It’s their third-straight first round sweep in the last three years.

    Collin Gillespie (20 pts, 6 3PM) was the top scorer for the Suns.

    APRIL 28, 2026 / 12:07 ET

    One time for Jamal Cain

    Just a classic posterization here.

    APRIL 27, 2026 / 11:45 ET

    Denver up 60-51 at the break

    Nikola Jokić (13 pts, 6 reb, 10 ast) knocked down a 3-pointer as the second quarter wound down, while Jamal Murray (10 pts) is doing his thing.

    Julius Randle (12 pts, 3 reb) is the top scorer for the Timberwolves, who have committed 14 turnovers so far.

    “It’s a dogfight. That’s just how it’s going to be,” said Spencer Jones (9 pts). “We’re just being really physical.”

    APRIL 27, 2026 / 11:30 ET

    Thunder lead 106-98 after three

    Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (26 pts, 5 ast) has the Thunder on the verge of advancing to the second round, as they lead the Suns with one quarter to go.

    Oklahoma City is 15-of-30 from 3-point range so far, outdoing Phoenix, which is 13-of-29 (44.8%).

    APRIL 27, 2026 / 11:11 ET

    Postgame Presser: Pistons-Magic

    APRIL 27, 2026 / 10:57 ET

    Orlando wins, takes 3-1 lead

    94-88, led by Desmond Bane (22 pts), Franz Wagner (19 pts) and Paolo Banchero (18 pts, 8 reb).

    The Magic shot just 32.8% from the field, but forced 20 turnovers by the Pistons and won the rebounding battle 69-63 to earn 10 more field goal attempts on the night. Detroit shot 39.8% from the field in this defensive struggle.

    Wendell Carter Jr. (12 pts, 11 reb) played Jalen Duren (12 pts, 8 reb) to a standstill, leaving the Pistons searching for a scoring advantage from their secondary players.

    Cade Cunningham (25 pts, 9 reb, 6 ast) fought his way to a reasonable night, but Tobias Harris (20 pts) and Duren were the only other scorers to crack double digits. The Pistons were just 6-of-30 (20%) from 3-point range.

    A No. 8 seed has upset a No. 1 seed six times in NBA history.

    • 2023: Heat over Bucks (4-1)
    • 2012: 76ers over Bulls (4-2)
    • 2011: Grizzlies over Spurs (4-2)
    • 2007: Warriors over Mavericks (4-2)
    • 1999: Knicks over Heat (3-2)
    • 1994: Nuggets over SuperSonics (3-2)

    Can the Pistons become the seventh? The series will reconvene on Wednesday at 7 ET.

    APRIL 27, 2026 / 10:47 ET

    Thunder lead Suns 75-67 at the break

    Phoenix is fighting to stay alive, but Oklahoma City is relentless. The Thunder are outshooting the Suns 61.4% to 59.5% from the field, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (17 pts on nine shots).

    Collin Gillespie (17 pts) leads the Suns in scoring.

    APRIL 27, 2026 / 10:45 ET

    ‘The bank is open late’

    Desmond Bane (22 pts) just kissed a 3-pointer off the glass to give the Magic a 92-86 lead with 1:16 to go in the fourth.

    APRIL 27, 2026 / 10:33 ET

    Pistons and Magic going down to the wire

    87-85 with 4:14 to go, as these two tough Eastern Conference squads battle it out.

    The game is getting physical late. Catch the finish on NBC and Peacock!

    APRIL 27, 2026 / 10:21 ET

    Jamal Cain hits the trampoline

    Oh my, Jamal Cain just detonated all over Jalen Duren. A 121.5 on the Dunk Score Scale!

    “He just kept going up,” said Austin Rivers. “The arena is still buzzing.”

    82-77 Magic with 7:41 to go in the fourth quarter.

    APRIL 27, 2026 / 10:05 ET

    Thunder lead Suns early

    30-26 Oklahoma City, but Collin Gillespie (11 pts on 4-of-4 shooting) and Dillon Brooks (9 pts) are going off for Phoenix.

    APRIL 27, 2026 / 9:47 ET

    Pistons start the third on a run

    63-58 Magic with 6:29 to go in the third quarter, after Orlando started the quarter on a 9-2 run.

    APRIL 27, 2026 / 9:30 ET

    Magic lead 54-52 at the break

    It’s been a back-and-forth battle in the Kia Center so far tonight, with both teams holding double-digit leads in the first half.

    Franz Wagner (17 pts on 12 shots) is the lead scorer for Orlando, while Cade Cunningham (16 pts, 3 reb, 4 ast) is the top man for Detroit.

    The Pistons have 12 giveaways so far — nearing their average of 17 for the series. Orlando’s taken advantage to the tune of a 19-3 advantage in points off turnovers.

    APRIL 27, 2026 / 9:05 ET

    Detroit takes a lead

    46-37 Pistons with 4:36 to go in the first half.

    Tobias Harris (10 pts on 4-of-5 shooting) has been crucial early for Detroit, steadying them during Orlando’s early surge and providing consistent scoring.

    APRIL 27, 2026 / 8:44 ET

    Pistons lead after one

    Detroit battled back to take a 27-26 lead at the end of the first quarter.

    Cade Cunningham (10 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast) took command of the Pistons’ attack despite four turnovers, while Franz Wagner (8 pts, 3 stl) leads the Magic in scoring.

    APRIL 27, 2026 / 8:20 ET

    Detroit can’t keep possession

    Seven turnovers in the first six minutes for the Pistons, including on five straight possessions. Orlando has an early 12-3 lead in points of turnovers.

    19-10 Orlando with 6:13 to go in the first.

    APRIL 27, 2026 / 8:13 ET

    Magic force an early timeout

    12-5 Orlando to start the contest on NBC and Peacock, with Wendell Carter Jr. and Desmond Bane knocking down early 3-pointers.

    Bane hit seven 3-pointers in Game 3 — Detroit would like to avoid seeing that again.

    Carter Jr.’s confidence is a bellwether for this series. He’s been threatening to outdo the All-Star Jalen Duren — if that happens, we could have an upset.

    APRIL 27, 2026 / 7:45 ET

    Starting Lineups: Pistons-Magic, Game 4

    Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons look to even their 2026 NBA Playoffs first-round series against the Orlando Magic on NBC and Peacock at 8 ET.

    Detroit:

    • PG Cade Cunningham
    • SG Duncan Robinson
    • SF Ausar Thompson
    • PF Tobias Harris
    • C Jalen Duren

    Orlando:

    • PG Jalen Suggs
    • SG Desmond Bane
    • SF Franz Wagner
    • PF Paolo Banchero
    • C Wendell Carter Jr.

    Watch the matchup between Wendell Carter Jr. and Jalen Duren tonight — Carter had 14 points and 17 rebounds in Game 3, dominating the pivot battle.

    APRIL 27, 2026 / 7:30 ET

    Monday’s injury report

    Kevin Huerter is available for the Pistons, while Jonathan Isaac is out for the Magic.

    Jalen Williams is out for the Thunder. Jordan Goodwin is questionable for the Suns, while Mark Williams is out.

    Donte DiVincenzo and Anthony Edwards are out for the Timberwolves. Aaron Gordon is questionable for the Nuggets, while Peyton Watson is out.

  • Live Updates: 2026 NBA Playoffs, R1 | Thunder look to eliminate Suns

    Live Updates: 2026 NBA Playoffs, R1 | Thunder look to eliminate Suns

    Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder are looking to sweep the Suns and advance to the second round on NBC Sports Network and Peacock.

    We’re bringing you the best of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news, notes and highlights from Monday’s action.

    The Magic defeated the Pistons 94-88 in a defensive slugfest, led by Desmond Bane (22 pts, 5 3PM), earning a 3-1 lead in the series. They have a chance to become the seventh No. 8 seed to overcome a No. 1 seed on Wednesday.

    What we know about Monday’s games:

    • Teams with a 2-1 lead have historically gone on to win an NBA Playoffs series 80% of the time.
    • With a 3-1 lead, it’s been 95.6% of the time, with 13 teams recovering from such a gap in NBA history.
    • If the series goes to 2-2, the home team for Game 5 has won 73.1% of the time.
    • With a 3-0 lead, NBA teams have won 100% of the time in the Playoffs, with the 2023 Boston Celtics the last to force a seventh game.

    APRIL 28, 2026 / 12:07 ET

    One time for Jamal Cain

    Just a classic posterization here.

    APRIL 27, 2026 / 11:45 ET

    Denver up 60-51 at the break

    Nikola Jokić (13 pts, 6 reb, 10 ast) knocked down a 3-pointer as the second quarter wound down, while Jamal Murray (10 pts) is doing his thing.

    Julius Randle (12 pts, 3 reb) is the top scorer for the Timberwolves, who have committed 14 turnovers so far.

    “It’s a dogfight. That’s just how it’s going to be,” said Spencer Jones (9 pts). “We’re just being really physical.”

    APRIL 27, 2026 / 11:30 ET

    Thunder lead 106-98 after three

    Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (26 pts, 5 ast) has the Thunder on the verge of advancing to the second round, as they lead the Suns with one quarter to go.

    Oklahoma City is 15-of-30 from 3-point range so far, outdoing Phoenix, which is 13-of-29 (44.8%).

    APRIL 27, 2026 / 10:57 ET

    Orlando wins, takes 3-1 lead

    94-88, led by Desmond Bane (22 pts), Franz Wagner (19 pts) and Paolo Banchero (18 pts, 8 reb).

    The Magic shot just 32.8% from the field, but forced 20 turnovers by the Pistons and won the rebounding battle 69-63 to earn 10 more field goal attempts on the night. Detroit shot 39.8% from the field in this defensive struggle.

    Wendell Carter Jr. (12 pts, 11 reb) played Jalen Duren (12 pts, 8 reb) to a standstill, leaving the Pistons searching for a scoring advantage from their secondary players.

    Cade Cunningham (25 pts, 9 reb, 6 ast) fought his way to a reasonable night, but Tobias Harris (20 pts) and Duren were the only other scorers to crack double digits. The Pistons were just 6-of-30 (20%) from 3-point range.

    A No. 8 seed has upset a No. 1 seed six times in NBA history.

    • 2023: Heat over Bucks (4-1)
    • 2012: 76ers over Bulls (4-2)
    • 2011: Grizzlies over Spurs (4-2)
    • 2007: Warriors over Mavericks (4-2)
    • 1999: Knicks over Heat (3-2)
    • 1994: Nuggets over SuperSonics (3-2)

    Can the Pistons become the seventh? The series will reconvene on Wednesday at 7 ET.

    APRIL 27, 2026 / 10:47 ET

    Thunder lead Suns 75-67 at the break

    Phoenix is fighting to stay alive, but Oklahoma City is relentless. The Thunder are outshooting the Suns 61.4% to 59.5% from the field, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (17 pts on nine shots).

    Collin Gillespie (17 pts) leads the Suns in scoring.

    APRIL 27, 2026 / 10:45 ET

    ‘The bank is open late’

    Desmond Bane (22 pts) just kissed a 3-pointer off the glass to give the Magic a 92-86 lead with 1:16 to go in the fourth.

    APRIL 27, 2026 / 10:33 ET

    Pistons and Magic going down to the wire

    87-85 with 4:14 to go, as these two tough Eastern Conference squads battle it out.

    The game is getting physical late. Catch the finish on NBC and Peacock!

    APRIL 27, 2026 / 10:21 ET

    Jamal Cain hits the trampoline

    Oh my, Jamal Cain just detonated all over Jalen Duren. A 121.5 on the Dunk Score Scale!

    “He just kept going up,” said Austin Rivers. “The arena is still buzzing.”

    82-77 Magic with 7:41 to go in the fourth quarter.

    APRIL 27, 2026 / 10:05 ET

    Thunder lead Suns early

    30-26 Oklahoma City, but Collin Gillespie (11 pts on 4-of-4 shooting) and Dillon Brooks (9 pts) are going off for Phoenix.

    APRIL 27, 2026 / 9:47 ET

    Pistons start the third on a run

    63-58 Magic with 6:29 to go in the third quarter, after Orlando started the quarter on a 9-2 run.

    APRIL 27, 2026 / 9:30 ET

    Magic lead 54-52 at the break

    It’s been a back-and-forth battle in the Kia Center so far tonight, with both teams holding double-digit leads in the first half.

    Franz Wagner (17 pts on 12 shots) is the lead scorer for Orlando, while Cade Cunningham (16 pts, 3 reb, 4 ast) is the top man for Detroit.

    The Pistons have 12 giveaways so far — nearing their average of 17 for the series. Orlando’s taken advantage to the tune of a 19-3 advantage in points off turnovers.

    APRIL 27, 2026 / 9:05 ET

    Detroit takes a lead

    46-37 Pistons with 4:36 to go in the first half.

    Tobias Harris (10 pts on 4-of-5 shooting) has been crucial early for Detroit, steadying them during Orlando’s early surge and providing consistent scoring.

    APRIL 27, 2026 / 8:44 ET

    Pistons lead after one

    Detroit battled back to take a 27-26 lead at the end of the first quarter.

    Cade Cunningham (10 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast) took command of the Pistons’ attack despite four turnovers, while Franz Wagner (8 pts, 3 stl) leads the Magic in scoring.

    APRIL 27, 2026 / 8:20 ET

    Detroit can’t keep possession

    Seven turnovers in the first six minutes for the Pistons, including on five straight possessions. Orlando has an early 12-3 lead in points of turnovers.

    19-10 Orlando with 6:13 to go in the first.

    APRIL 27, 2026 / 8:13 ET

    Magic force an early timeout

    12-5 Orlando to start the contest on NBC and Peacock, with Wendell Carter Jr. and Desmond Bane knocking down early 3-pointers.

    Bane hit seven 3-pointers in Game 3 — Detroit would like to avoid seeing that again.

    Carter Jr.’s confidence is a bellwether for this series. He’s been threatening to outdo the All-Star Jalen Duren — if that happens, we could have an upset.

    APRIL 27, 2026 / 7:45 ET

    Starting Lineups: Pistons-Magic, Game 4

    Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons look to even their 2026 NBA Playoffs first-round series against the Orlando Magic on NBC and Peacock at 8 ET.

    Detroit:

    • PG Cade Cunningham
    • SG Duncan Robinson
    • SF Ausar Thompson
    • PF Tobias Harris
    • C Jalen Duren

    Orlando:

    • PG Jalen Suggs
    • SG Desmond Bane
    • SF Franz Wagner
    • PF Paolo Banchero
    • C Wendell Carter Jr.

    Watch the matchup between Wendell Carter Jr. and Jalen Duren tonight — Carter had 14 points and 17 rebounds in Game 3, dominating the pivot battle.

    APRIL 27, 2026 / 7:30 ET

    Monday’s injury report

    Kevin Huerter is available for the Pistons, while Jonathan Isaac is out for the Magic.

    Jalen Williams is out for the Thunder. Jordan Goodwin is questionable for the Suns, while Mark Williams is out.

    Donte DiVincenzo and Anthony Edwards are out for the Timberwolves. Aaron Gordon is questionable for the Nuggets, while Peyton Watson is out.

  • Live Updates: 2026 NBA Playoffs, R1 | Pistons-Magic opens a three-game night

    Live Updates: 2026 NBA Playoffs, R1 | Pistons-Magic opens a three-game night

    Desmond Bane and the Orlando Magic look to take a commanding 3-1 lead over the Detroit Pistons to open tonight’s slate on NBC and Peacock.

    We’re bringing you the best of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news, notes and highlights from Monday’s action.

    What we know about Monday’s games:

    • Teams with a 2-1 lead have historically gone on to win an NBA Playoffs series 80% of the time.
    • With a 3-1 lead, it’s been 95.6% of the time, with 13 teams recovering from such a gap in NBA history.
    • If the series goes to 2-2, the home team for Game 5 has won 73.1% of the time.
    • With a 3-0 lead, NBA teams have won 100% of the time in the Playoffs, with the 2023 Boston Celtics the last to force a seventh game.

    APRIL 27, 2026 / 7:45 ET

    Starting Lineups: Pistons-Magic, Game 4

    Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons look to even their 2026 NBA Playoffs first-round series against the Orlando Magic on NBC and Peacock at 8 ET.

    Detroit:

    • PG Cade Cunningham
    • SG Duncan Robinson
    • SF Ausar Thompson
    • PF Tobias Harris
    • C Jalen Duren

    Orlando:

    • PG Jalen Suggs
    • SG Desmond Bane
    • SF Franz Wagner
    • PF Paolo Banchero
    • C Wendell Carter Jr.

    Watch the matchup between Wendell Carter Jr. and Jalen Duren tonight — Carter had 14 points and 17 rebounds in Game 3, dominating the pivot battle.

    APRIL 27, 2026 / 7:30 ET

    Monday’s injury report

    Kevin Huerter is available for the Pistons, while Jonathan Isaac is out for the Magic.

    Jalen Williams is out for the Thunder. Jordan Goodwin is questionable for the Suns, while Mark Williams is out.

    Donte DiVincenzo and Anthony Edwards are out for the Timberwolves. Aaron Gordon is questionable for the Nuggets, while Peyton Watson is out.

  • NBA announces early entry candidates for NBA Draft 2026

    NEW YORK, April 27, 2026 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced today that 71 players have filed as early entry candidates for NBA Draft 2026, which will be held Tuesday, June 23 (First Round) and Wednesday June 24 (Second Round) at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

    Players who have applied for early entry have the right to withdraw their names from consideration for the Draft by notifying the NBA of their decision in writing no later than 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 13. Under NCAA rules, in order to retain college basketball eligibility, college players who have entered NBA Draft 2026 must withdraw by Wednesday, May 27.

    Early Entry Candidates For NBA Draft 2026

    Below is the list of non-international players from colleges who have applied for early entry into NBA Draft 2026.

    Player School or Team Height Status
    Matt Able North Carolina State 6-6 Freshman
    Darius Acuff Jr. Arkansas 6-3 Freshman
    Amari Allen Alabama 6-8 Freshman
    Nate Ament Tennessee 6-10 Freshman
    Christian Anderson Jr. Texas Tech 6-3 Sophomore
    Alijah Arenas USC 6-6 Freshman
    Flory Bidunga Kansas 6-10 Sophomore
    Finley Bizjack Butler 6-4 Junior
    John Blackwell Wisconsin 6-4 Junior
    Shane Blakeney Drexel 6-5 Junior
    Anton Bonke Charlotte 7-2 Junior
    Cameron Boozer Duke 6-9 Freshman
    Mikel Brown Jr. Louisville 6-5 Freshman
    Rowan Brumbaugh Tulane 6-4 Junior
    Brayden Burries Arizona 6-4 Freshman
    Elliot Cadeau Michigan 6-1 Junior
    Cameron Carr Baylor 6-5 Sophomore
    Chris Cenac Jr. Houston 6-11 Freshman
    Rueben Chinyelu Florida 6-10 Junior
    Jacob Cofie USC 6-10 Sophomore
    Cruz Davis Hofstra 6-3 Junior
    Kennard Davis Jr. BYU 6-6 Junior
    Keanu Dawes Utah 6-9 Junior
    AJ Dybantsa BYU 6-9 Freshman
    Gabe Dynes USC 7-5 Junior
    Eian Elmer Miami (OH) 6-6 Junior
    Isaiah Evans Duke 6-6 Sophomore
    Jeremy Fears Jr. Michigan State 6-2 Sophomore
    Kingston Flemings Houston 6-4 Freshman
    Colby Garland San Jose State 6-0 Junior
    Allen Graves Santa Clara 6-9 Freshman
    Juke Harris Wake Forest 6-7 Sophomore
    Isiah Harwell Houston 6-6 Freshman
    Lou Hutchinson Alabama A&M 6-7 Junior
    Morez Johnson Jr. Michigan 6-9 Sophomore
    Acaden Lewis Villanova 6-2 Freshman
    Aday Mara Michigan 7-3 Junior
    Milan Momcilovic Iowa State 6-8 Junior
    Malachi Moreno Kentucky 7-0 Freshman
    Paulius Murauskas Saint Mary’s 6-8 Junior
    Ebuka Okorie Stanford 6-2 Freshman
    Dennis Parker Jr. Radford 6-6 Junior
    Koa Peat Arizona 6-8 Freshman
    Darryn Peterson Kansas 6-6 Freshman
    Labaron Philon Jr. Alabama 6-4 Sophomore
    Jayden Quaintance Kentucky 6-10 Sophomore
    Sebastian Rancik Colorado 6-11 Sophomore
    Billy Richmond III Arkansas 6-6 Sophomore
    Hannes Steinbach Washington 6-11 Freshman
    Andrej Stojakovic Illinois 6-7 Junior
    Dailyn Swain Texas 6-8 Junior
    Tyler Tanner Vanderbilt 6-0 Sophomore
    Meleek Thomas Arkansas 6-5 Freshman
    Aiden Tobiason Temple 6-5 Sophomore
    Bryson Tucker Washington 6-7 Sophomore
    Henri Veesaar North Carolina 7-0 Junior
    Keaton Wagler Illinois 6-6 Freshman
    LeJuan Watts Texas Tech 6-6 Junior
    Caleb Wilson North Carolina 6-10 Freshman
    Tounde Yessoufou Baylor 6-5 Freshman

     

    Below is the list of international players who have applied for early entry into NBA Draft 2026.

    Player Team/Country of Team Height Status
    Mohammad Amini Nancy (France) 6-7 2005 DOB
    Pavle Backo Mega (Serbia) 7-0 2007 DOB
    Bassala Bagayoko Bilbao (Spain) 6-10 2006 DOB
    Francesco Ferrari Virtus Bologna (Italy) 6-9 2005 DOB
    Marc-Owen Fodzo Dada Nancy (France) 5-11 2006 DOB
    Vsevolod Ishchenko Lokomotiv (Russia) 6-3 2005 DOB
    Jack Kayil Alba Berlin (Germany) 6-3 2006 DOB
    Sergio de Larrea Valencia (Spain) 6-6 2005 DOB
    Karim Lopez New Zealand Breakers (Australia) 6-8 2007 DOB
    Alexandros Samodurov Panathinaikos (Greece) 6-11 2005 DOB
    Luigi Suigo Mega (Serbia) 7-2 2007 DOB
  • Rudy Gobert an undeniable factor in Wolves’ 3-1 series lead

    Rudy Gobert an undeniable factor in Wolves’ 3-1 series lead

    Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert has effectively shadowed Denver star Nikola Jokić throughout their first-round series.

    • Download the NBA App

    Nikola Jokić, through the prime of his career, has crafted a reputation as a thinking man’s NBA player.

    Rudy Gobert, in essentially the same time frame, has been viewed as a guy who doesn’t get to sit with the cool kids at lunch.

    One has been voted the Kia Most Valuable Player three times, a tribute to his vision, footwork, touch, size and indispensability to the Denver Nuggets. The other has been voted the Kia Defensive Player of the Year four times, tied for the most ever.

    Yet some media, fans and – this is the real issue – rival players see the Minnesota Timberwolves’ center as the guy Most Likely to Get Catfished. Someone to snicker at, and often not even behind his back.

    Over the course of his 13 seasons, about the only thing in which the 7-foot-1 “Stifle Tower” has come up short has been respect.

    “I think Rudy’s probably the most misunderstood player in the history of the game,” Minnesota point guard Mike Conley said of his teammate with the Wolves and the Utah Jazz. “The way that he impacts winning, just because it doesn’t look pretty all the time or is not the sexiest thing, people bypass the other 95 things he does for our team.”

    Said Wolves coach Chris Finch: “He’s about the right things, and it’s just laughable, small-minded and petty all the crap that people decide to give Rudy.”

    Gobert and the Wolves have the Nuggets on the brink, down 3-1 in their best-of-seven series that continues Monday at Denver’s Ball Arena (10:30 p.m. ET, NBC & Peacock). They have Jokić and the NBA’s most potent offense of 2025-26 in disarray, stuck below 100 points the past two games.

    The Nuggets’ star labeled his performance through four games as “average,” and in some categories, it’s been worse. He has missed 53 of his 87 shots, is 5-of-27 on 3-pointers and had more turnovers than assists (4-3) in Game 3.

    Denver led the NBA in 3-point percentage (39.6%) and effective field goal rate (57.7%) during the regular season. Against Gobert and the Wolves’ defense now, it ranks last among the 16 playoff teams in both (28.5% and 45.8%). The Nuggets are averaging 10.1 fewer points in the paint in the series (39.5) than they did over 82 games (49.6).

    And yet, for a variety of reasons, Gobert’s reputation remains sullied, dismissed and the subject of eye rolls from both casuals and plenty of folks who should know better. From what we can tell, the criticism from outside and resentment from inside stem from a short list of factors:

    • He isn’t much of a scorer, averaging 12.5 points and only 7.1 shots per game, so fans and foes who most value buckets aren’t impressed. But Gobert has maxed out his earnings, nearly $300 million so far, largely for his work at the end of the court, so many opponents disregard.

    • His ball skills are (no pun intended) rudimentary. Just last week in Game 1, Gobert tried to execute a dribble handoff as a bounce pass behind his back. It did not go well.

    • He is a Euro from back before international players were appreciated quite like they are now. Gobert was the 27th pick in the same 2013 Draft that produced Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo at No. 15.

    • His 8,107 career defensive rebounds (including playoffs) and 1,974 blocked shots rank 28th and 27th all-time, and are in direct opposition to what gets most of the other guys paid. Gobert’s mere looming presence makes their basketball lives tougher, and many don’t like it.

    • The Luka Dončić shot from the right wing in the 2024 Dallas-Minnesota series that got replayed incessantly that spring, when Gobert got isolated against the Mavericks’ gifted scorer. (Gobert later offered context in his defense, saying, “My whole career, I’m very likely to be crossed over. … But let’s see what happens over the course of hundreds and hundreds of possessions.” But you know what they say about a picture’s worth vs. however many words were in the big man’s quote.)

    • His status as the NBA’s “patient zero” of COVID, owing to the goofy video in which he touched the microphones and recorders of media folks on his way out of a news conference. This was in March 2020, before Gobert or anyone knew how huge the pandemic would be.

    • Some footage from February 2019, when Gobert felt he was snubbed from what would have been his first All-Star selection. He cried while sharing his feelings about his mother’s sacrifices in nurturing his early basketball training and a sense of disrespect. Sure enough, some wise guys pounced.

    Rudy Gobert and Ayo Dosunmu speak to the media following the Wolves’ Game 3 win.

    Maybe Gobert’s work in this series, though, will finally change some shallow minds. Consider some of the stats:

    • Gobert has defended 81 shots within six feet of the rim, an area with an expected success rate of 52.8%. The Nuggets? Converting only 35.8%.

    • In Game 4, Denver shot only 24.3% in the second half. That was its fourth-worst shooting half, regular season or playoffs, of the Jokić era.

    • Jokić has shot 6-of-26 when guarded by Gobert in the second halves of the series. Including 2-of-16 in the fourth quarters of Games 2-4.

    • During the season, Gobert ranked No. 1 in allowing just 0.77 points per isolation plays (minimum 200 plays or more).

    For years, Gobert’s coaches have said things similar to what Finch said last week about his guy’s pushback on Jokić: “Some of the best defense I’ve ever seen, one on one from anyone, really, against that caliber player … You know, pedigree and brings it every single night with a ton of great pride.”

    ‘People just don’t want to go at Rudy’

    Rudy Gobert gets up for a key block on Nikola Jokić.

    Gobert has worked on his overall game, well, forever. He got attention two summers ago for focusing on offensive skills under noted shooting coach Chris Matthews. He has improved his footwork, balance and stamina by cross-training in boxing, MMA and dance. Eating smart by working with a nutritionist has been a passion since he hit the NBA.

    He is a ready and informative interviewee, and he has never been known to criticize an opponent who didn’t instigate against him. Then there is random stuff, like giving every behind-the-scenes worker at Minnesota’s Target Center a signed Christmas card annually, with $50 inside. It’s a gesture that continues since his Utah days, a holiday brightener for more than 450 people.

    This is a man some NBA players want to tease or mock? C’mon.

    Only after a few of his teammates spoke up to praise Gobert’s work in this series has any appreciation been shown. One of them, Anthony Edwards, popular among his foes for his athletic skills, his ability to take over games, his fun-loving smile and his let-it-rip profanity as one of the current cool kids.

    “Everybody’s gonna say this about Rudy. He’s this. He’s that,” Edwards said after Game 2. “They don’t understand what he means to us when he’s on the floor. People don’t want to lay the ball up around him. People just don’t want to go at Rudy.”

    Edwards was the one who told Gobert that night before the final quarter to stop fouling and play his straight-up defense.

    “Regardless of what they say about him on the offensive end of the floor,” Edwards said, “he’s a four-time Defensive Player of the Year for a reason. He’s been doing it at a high level for a long time, and we need him on the floor.”

    The contrast is stark with Jokić, an offensive wonder who isn’t known for his defense. Once the light bulb came on over the Wolves’ heads to start driving to the basket with no fear of rim protection, they have been like picnic ants discovering a sandwich. Minnesota has scored 228 of its points in four games in the paint, 70 more than the Nuggets.

    All of this coincides with this season’s DPOY results. Ballots were gathered right before the playoffs and announced last week, with San Antonio Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama as the first unanimous winner of the award. Oklahoma City Thunder 7-footer Chet Holmgren finished second and the Detroit Pistons’ Ausar Thompson was third.

    Seven times in his career, Gobert finished third or higher. But not this time. He didn’t seem surprised, either, saying he wasn’t motivated vs. Jokić by this particular snub.

    “No extra juice. I know who I am,” the 33-year-old said. “Not the first time I get disrespected, probably not the last. I’m gonna keep being myself. If they want to disrespect greatness, take it for granted, whatever, sooner or later they’ll realize the impact.”

    Let’s help: In this year’s playoffs, Gobert leads the pack in defensive net rating by a wide margin (+15.7). Per ESPN Analytics, the New York Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns is second (+12.2) and Jokić ranks third (+10.1), mostly for how denuded Denver is when he sits, period.

    More to the point, Wembanyama is fourth (+9.6), Thompson 12th (+7.0) and Holmgren 51st (+2.8). One stat isn’t the measure of everything, but it supports the view that Gobert is as effective now as he was when he won his first DPOY eight years ago.

    Know this, too: Three years after Gobert retires, he’ll be on the stage at the Springfield Symphony Hall, getting an orange sport coat and a glitzy ring for his enshrinement into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

    A lot of his opponents and longtime deriders will be sitting home, their turns on the whoopee cushions.

    * * *

    Steve Aschburner has written about the NBA since 1980. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.

  • Reports: Anthony Edwards (left knee) likely to miss several weeks

    Reports: Anthony Edwards (left knee) likely to miss several weeks

    Anthony Edwards is averaging 18.5 points per game in the playoffs for the Wolves.

    Per multiple reports, Minnesota star Anthony Edwards is expected to be out several weeks after suffering left knee injuries in Game 4 vs. Denver.

    Edwards’ left knee remained structurally intact when he was injured during Game 4, but he suffered a bone bruise and also hyperextended the knee. ESPN and The Athletic first reported the diagnosis on Edwards.

    Edwards was hurt in the first half of the Timberwolves’ 112-96 win over against the Nuggets on Saturday night, a victory that gave the Timberwolves a 3-1 lead in that series. But the Wolves also lost fellow starting guard Donte DiVincenzo in that game with a torn Achilles tendon, meaning his season is over and his 2026-27 season is likely in great jeopardy as well.

    Game 5 of the series is Monday night in Denver (10:30 p.m. ET, NBC & Peacock).

    DiVincenzo was having surgery to repair the Achilles on Sunday in New York, the Timberwolves announced. That timeframe – surgery one day after the injury – follows what Boston’s Jayson Tatum did after he suffered the same injury in last season’s playoffs.

    Tatum started rehab quickly and missed about 10 months, returning for the final stretch of this season. If DiVincenzo follows the same timeline, he could be back before the end of next season.

    Edwards is one of the NBA’s most dynamic players, someone who – if he had met the league’s eligibility criteria by playing in a few more games – would have been a lock to make the All-NBA team for a third consecutive season.

    He averaged 28.8 points per game in 2025-26, third best in the NBA behind Luka Dončić of the Los Angeles Lakers and reigning Kia MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Edwards also averaged five rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.

    Edwards was fourth in scoring for the U.S. Olympic team that won a gold medal at the Paris Games in 2024. He missed 21 games this season, by far the most of his career.

    This injury happened with him on the defensive end, while he was contesting a layup attempt by Denver’s Cam Johnson. Edwards leaped in an effort to block the shot, and when he landed his left leg appeared to be at an unusual angle. His knee buckled, and when he hobbled off the floor, he seemed unable to put much, if any, weight on that leg.

    Timberwolves forward Julius Randle said he didn’t see DiVincenzo before leaving the arena, and he had a quiet exchange with Edwards when he saw him in the locker room.

    “I just dapped him up,” Randle said. “There’s not much to say in those moments. … Somebody who’s going through those situations is processing a lot.”

    Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

  • Starting 5: Quartet of Game 4s shine bright on Sunday

    Wemby’s return, Boston’s 3s help Spurs, Celtics go up 3-1. Raptors get even with Cavs & Rockets extend series on Sunday.

    From 19 points down … to 21 up.

    Wemby and the Spurs packed a historic rally into what seemed like a blink to grab a 3-1 series lead.

    Keep reading for what you gotta know from a wild Playoff weekend, three games tonight on NBC & Peacock and what’s ahead this week ⬇️

    Victor Wembanyama

    5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀

    What’s Trending – West: Four teams one win from advancing, four fighting to survive

    What’s Trending – East: Two series tied 2-2, Orlando making Magic, C’s one win from closing

    Spurs Surge Back (Again): Wemby’s dominant return ignites another epic San Antonio swing

    Rockets Respond: Shorthanded Houston clamps down on Lakers to force Game 5

    East Dubs: Raptors even series at 2-2, C’s splash 24 treys to take 3-1 lead

    BUT FIRST … ⏰

    Scores & Schedule

    Three Game 4s tip off tonight across NBC & Peacock, with the Magic (up 2-1) hosting the Pistons, before the Thunder (up 3-0) and Wolves (up 3-1) look to advance.

    Catch Up Quick: From the bracket, to schedules, to the latest news from every single series, tap here for the NBA Playoffs Hub.

    The Kia Rookie of the Year winner will be announced at 7 ET on Peacock ahead of Pistons-Magic. The three finalists? Philly’s VJ Edgecombe, Dallas’ Cooper Flagg, Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel. See this week’s full NBA Awards announcement schedule here.

    Playoff bracket

    1. WHAT’S TRENDING – WEST: CLOSEOUTS OR COMEBACKS?

    Victor Wembanyama, De'Aaron Fox, Alperen Sengun, Reed Sheppard

    Four series. Four teams one win away from advancing. Four opponents with their backs against the wall.

    A wild Playoff weekend produced fireworks out West, from a frantic Friday to two Saturday takeovers, a pair of San Antonio rallies and a season-saving win in Houston.

    How We Got Here: Sunday opened with Victor Wembanyama’s return igniting a 2nd-half Spurs avalanche, before the Rockets avoided elimination.

    • Back-To-Back Comebacks: After rallying from 15 down on Friday to take a 2-1 series lead, the Spurs erased a 19-point deficit on Sunday, outscoring Portland 73-35 in the 2nd half to go up 3-1
    • Top Two, Twice: It’s the second-largest Spurs comeback in postseason history and the second-largest 2nd-half Playoff point differential (+38) since play-by-play tracking began in 1997-98
    • Wemby Masterclass: Leading the way? Wemby, who returned from concussion protocol in dominating fashion (27 pts, 12 reb, 7 blk, 4 stl) – a Playoff stat line unseen in 20+ years
    • Rockets Rebound: In a 3-0 hole against LeBron James’ Lakers – after an epic Game 3 OT duel – Houston answered with an emphatic 19-point win last night, forcing a Wednesday Game 5 in Los Angeles (10 ET, ESPN)

    Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Ayo Dosunmu

    Saturday Sizzle: Saturday delivered two statement wins from the Thunder and Wolves, highlighted by a rare pair of 40-balls – one from the reigning Kia MVP, and the other from a scorching-hot spark plug.

    • Ayo Emergence: After losing Anthony Edwards (knee) and Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles), Ayo Dosunmu dropped 43 for the Wolves off the bench on 13-of-17 shooting, lifting Minnesota past Denver to take a 3-1 lead
    • Ant & DiVo Updates: Edwards is reportedly expected to miss multiple weeks with a bone bruise and hyperextension in his left knee, while DiVincenzo’s season is over with a torn Achilles
    • Thunder Strike Again: Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander erupted for OKC, scoring 42 on 15-of-18 shooting to fuel a 121-109 win in Phoenix, giving the Thunder a 3-0 series lead
    • 40-Ball Fire: Dosunmu’s 43 points are the 2nd-most by a reserve in NBA Playoff history, while SGA is the first player ever to score 42+ pts on at least 83.3% shooting in a postseason game

    Nikola Jokić, Dillon Brooks

    Huge Games Tonight On NBC & Peacock: The Suns and Nuggets will look to respond tonight with their backs against the wall, as Phoenix welcomes OKC for Game 4 (9:30, Peacock), while Denver hosts Minnesota for Game 5 (10:30 ET, NBC/Peacock).

    • Been Here Before: The last team to rally from a 3-1 deficit to win the series? The Nuggets in 2020 – both in the First Round (vs. UTA) and the West Semis (vs. LAC)
    • Phoenix Fight: The Suns will look to become the first team to erase a 3-0 series deficit behind Dillon Brooks, their emotional leader who’s stepped up with back-to-back 30-pieces

    2. WHAT’S TRENDING – EAST: PRESSURE RISING, PIVOTAL WEEK LOADING

    Bam Adebayo, Giannis Antetokounmpo

    While four teams face elimination out West, the East is tightening: two series tied at 2-2, the No. 1 seed trailing 2-1 and the Celtics one win from advancing.

    • Knicks & Hawks tied 2-2
    • Cavs & Raptors tied 2-2
    • Celtics lead 76ers 3-1
    • Magic lead Pistons 2-1

    Now the pressure shifts to a pivotal week, with two Game 5s in Knicks-Hawks and Raptors-Cavs, while Detroit fights to avoid a 3-1 hole and Boston looks to close the door.

    How We Got Here: Sunday saw key Game 4 wins from the Raptors and C’s – both winners of two straight – highlighted by a thriller in Toronto.

    • Raps Respond: After going down 2-0, Toronto evened the series with back-to-back home wins, capped by a 17-5 closing run to take Game 4
    • Up Next: Cleveland hosts Game 5 on Wednesday (7:30 ET, ESPN)
    • C’s Control: After splitting Games 1 & 2 in Boston, the Celtics took both in Philly, punctuated by a Game 4 win behind a franchise Playoff-record 24 triples
    • Game 5 Tuesday: Facing elimination, Philly looks to respond tomorrow night in Boston – where it took Game 2 (7 ET, ESPN)

    Cade Cunningham, Paolo Banchero

    8-Seed Magic: After splitting the first two in Detroit, the Magic took Saturday’s Game 3 at home, becoming just the third No. 8 seed in the last decade to grab a 2-1 series lead over a No. 1 seed.

    • Core Clicking: Paolo Banchero led the way with a near triple-double (25 pts, 12 reb, 9 ast), while Desmond Bane (25 pts) and Franz Wagner (17 pts) combined for 42
    • Game 4 Tonight: Detroit will look to even the series tonight (8 ET, NBC/Peacock), while Orlando seeks a 3-1 lead

    CJ McCollum, Karl-Anthony Towns

    Hawks-Knicks Thrills: New York’s 1-0 series lead flipped into a 2-1 deficit after back-to-back one-point losses – with Hawks vet CJ McCollum at the center of both heartbreakers.

    But the Knicks answered Saturday behind Karl-Anthony Towns, leveling the series at 2-2 to set up a massive Game 5.

    • Big Spot, Big KAT: Facing a potential 3-1 deficit on the road, Towns went off for a monster triple-double (20 pts, 10 reb, 10 ast), securing a key 114-98 win
    • Crucial Tuesday Tilt: Now comes a pivotal Game 5 at MSG (8 ET, NBC/Peacock), where the two teams split Games 1 & 2
    • Exactly How Pivotal? In a best-of-seven series tied 2-2, the winner of Game 5 has taken the series 81.5% of the time (194-44)

    3. WEMBY ERUPTS, SPURS STORM BACK TO TAKE 3-1 LEAD

    Victor Wembanyama

    They were down 17 at halftime. They won by 21.

    How’d the Spurs do it? With a Wembanyama takeover, a historic 2nd-half swing and a reminder that they’re far more than a one-man show.

    Spurs 114, Blazers 93: After exiting Game 2 with a concussion, Wemby returned in full force, posting 27 points, 12 boards, 7 blocks and 4 steals to ignite a 73-point 2nd half, as the Spurs raced past Deni Avdija (26 pts, 7 reb) and the Blazers to take a 3-1 series lead. | Recap

    • Wemby 🤝 Shaq: Wembanyama is the first player to record 25+ pts, 10+ reb and 7+ blk in a Playoff game since Shaquille O’Neal in 2004
    • Spurs Epicenter: Since blocks were first tracked in 1973-74, only two other Spurs have posted such a stat line in the postseason: Tim Duncan (2003) and David Robinson (1991 & ‘93)
    • Dream Dominance: Add 4 steals, and only one player has matched it since 1973-74: Hakeem Olajuwon (2x)
    • And A Reminder: It was Wemby’s first career road Playoff game

    De'Aaron Fox, Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle

    Spurs Ball(ing): Down 58-41 at the break, Wemby posted 18 points and 5 blocks in the 2nd half without missing a shot (5-5 FG, 8-8 FT) as the Spurs outscored the Blazers by 38 in the final two quarters.

    It’s the first time that a team has trailed by 15+ points at halftime of a Playoff game and then won by 20 or more.

    While Wemby lit the fuse, San Antonio’s depth turned the spark into an inferno – showcasing what makes the Spurs so dangerous.

    • Fox Fire: De’Aaron Fox (game-high 28 pts, 6 reb, 7 ast) matched Wemby with 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting in the 2nd half, as the duo outscored Portland on their own (36-35)
    • Castle Cooking: Stephon Castle (16 pts, 8 ast) – after making history with Dylan Harper to earn a Game 3 win – orchestrated with 6 dimes in the 2nd half, including this go-ahead oop to Wemby
    • Vassell Voltage: Devin Vassell (11 pts, 6 reb) helped spark the rally with 9 points in the 3rd, before San Antonio outscored Portland 40-19 in the 4th to ice it
    • “I love when others benefit from unselfish efforts,” said Wemby on the win. “That’s the culture here – it’s the way we play.”
    • What’s Next: San Antonio returns home Tuesday with a chance to close the series in Game 5 (9:30 ET, ESPN)

    4. ROCKETS RESPOND: HOUSTON FORCES GAME 5 WITH HUGE WIN

    Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson

    With their season on the line after dropping a Friday thriller, the Rockets responded with resilience.

    Rockets 115, Lakers 96: With Kevin Durant (ankle) out for a second straight game, Houston used a complete team effort to win. All five starters scored 16+, while the defense clamped down for its first win of the series, cutting the Rockets’ deficit to 3-1. | Recap

    • Full Tank: Amen Thompson (23 pts, 7 ast), Tari Eason (20 pts, 8 reb, 5 stl) and Alperen Sengun (19 pts, 6 reb) led the way as Houston’s starters combined for 95 points
    • Reed Hot: Reed Sheppard added 17 on four 3s, including a pair of treys to spark a 34-18 3rd quarter, as Houston entered the 4th up 20 and rolled the rest of the way
    • “We were all in,” said Thompson on the win. “Alpi gave us a motivational speech this morning, and we took that and ran with it. Now, we gotta do it next game in L.A.”

    Reed Sheppard, Tari Eason

    Identity Dub: Ten different Rockets scored, but it was their defense that drove them to victory.

    Facing elimination on their home floor, Houston turned up the pressure from the opening tip – responding with one of its best defensive efforts of the season.

    • No Air: The Rockets held the Lakers to just 5-of-22 (22.7%) from deep, Los Angeles’ fewest made 3s in a game since December 2024
    • Wreaking Havoc: Houston also forced the Lakers into 23 turnovers, one shy of their season-high, resulting in 30 points the other way
    • Takeaway Time: That included 17 steals for Houston – its most in a Playoff game in 45 years – while limiting LeBron James to 10 points, 9 assists and 8 turnovers
    • “Our aggressiveness was on display from the start,” said Rockets coach Ime Udoka postgame. “That’s what made the difference.”
    • What’s Next: Houston will look to cut its deficit to 3-2 on Wednesday as the series shifts back to L.A. for Game 5 (10 ET, ESPN)

    5. EAST DUBS: RAPTORS EVEN SERIES, CELTICS SEIZE CONTROL

    Jamal Shead, Scottie Barnes

    Make that 2-2 between Toronto and Cleveland.

    Raptors 93, Cavaliers 89: After Donovan Mitchell (20 pts, 6 reb) sparked a 15-2 Cavs run to take the lead midway through the 4th, the Raps responded with a 17-5 closing burst, with Scottie Barnes (23 pts, 9 reb, 6 ast, 3 blk) scoring six points in the final 35 seconds to earn a wild win. | Recap

    • Defense Delivers: Mitchell scored 12 in the 4th to spark the Cavs, but Toronto held Cleveland to just 2-of-10 shooting in the final 4:55 to stymie the run
    • Stars Finish: Barnes, Brandon Ingram (23 pts, 6 reb) and RJ Barrett (18 pts, 8 reb) took over on the other end, scoring 16 of Toronto’s final 17 points to take the lead for good with 47 ticks left
    • Six Grit: That included a string of clutch free throws from Barnes and four straight stops in the final two minutes, earning a series-tying win despite trailing for at least five minutes in every quarter
    • “We want it so bad,” said Barnes on the win. “We’re fighting … we’re taking it one possession at a time, and that’s what allowed us to get through it.”
    • Rook Steps Up: Collin Murray-Boyles (15 pts, 10 reb) came up clutch on both ends, joining Barnes and Jamario Moon as the only Raptor rookies to post a double-double in a Playoff game
    • Up Next: Cleveland hosts Wednesday’s pivotal Game 5 (7:30 ET, ESPN), with Toronto aiming to earn the series’ first road win

    Payton Pritchard, Jayson Tatum

    The C’s are one win shy of the East Semis.

    Celtics 128, 76ers 96: Jayson Tatum did it all (30 pts, 7 reb, 11 ast, 5 3s), while Payton Pritchard caught fire off the bench (32 pts, 5 ast, 6 3s), as the C’s drilled a franchise Playoff record 24 3s to take a 3-1 series lead, overcoming Joel Embiid’s big return (26 pts, 10 reb, 6 ast). | Recap

    • Fire-Starter: Pritchard poured in 18 points on four 3s in the 1st half, sparking a 25-6 run to give the Celtics an 18-point lead entering the break
    • Door-Slammer: Then Tatum took control, posting 25 points and 7 dimes in the 2nd half as Boston outscored Philly 72-48 to seal the deal – finishing the night 24-of-53 from deep (45.3%)

    Payton Pritchard

    • Bench Burst: Pritchard’s 32 points are a Playoff career-high, trailing only Kevin McHale (34 in 1991) for the most by any Celtic reserve in a postseason game
    • Buzzer & Banter: The highlight? A patented Pritchard buzzer-beater to end the 1st quarter, plus some friendly jawing with Reggie Miller
    • JT Rolling: It’s Tatum’s second straight 25+ point game on over 50% shooting, both of which have resulted in wins
    • Game 5 Tuesday: Embiid and Tyrese Maxey (22 pts, 6 ast) led Philly, which will look to respond in tomorrow’s Game 5 to avoid elimination (7 ET, ESPN)

  • 3 things to watch in Pistons-Magic Game 4

    Orlando finds the Magic to re-take series lead vs. Detroit after Game 3.

    • Download the NBA App

    Almost nothing has been settled yet in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, but we know this much about the Orlando Magic: What they are from this point forward is up to them.

    No more of this hot-cold, up-down, focused-vague stuff from the Magic anymore, please.

    They have a 2-1 lead on Detroit in their first-round playoff series, they are at home Monday for Game 4 (8 ET, NBC/Peacock), they are as healthy as teams generally are at this point in the calendar and they are fresh off a rousing victory Saturday in Game 3.

    The stars are aligned for Orlando to make a definitive statement about its season and its ambitions in that wedding ceremony tradition: Win now or forever hold your peace about any wouldas, shouldas or couldas for what this was all about.

    If Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Desmond Bane and the rest truly are an atypical No. 8 seed – a possibility based on their work against the Pistons so far – they’ll demonstrate in the next several days.

    Otherwise, the Magic will let Detroit off the hook, the Pistons will reset for the East semifinals and the unfulfilled promise of the first 82 will become their through-line.

    Here are three things to watch for as Detroit tries to even up the series and regain homecourt advantage:

    1. Duren won’t go quietly into summer

    No doubt about it, the Pistons young center, Jalen Duren, has struggled in the first three games. A finalist for Kia Most Improved Player, his series stats (9.0 ppg, 8.3 rpg) are down near his rookie levels. He has been limited mostly to alley-oops and put-backs on offense, and even the want-to work of rebounds has been a challenge.

    Duren showed up for Game 1 as only the second player in NBA history to average at least 19.5 points on 65% shooting in a season – Wilt Chamberlain was the other.

    He’s adrift now, the Magic having disrupted Duren’s two-man game with Cade Cunningham and found paths past him at the other end.

    But the 22-year-old’s underachieving has led to some big-time over-blaming from fans and media. Detroit has had other issues – shooting woes and Cunningham’s turnovers, to name two. And Duren has appeared in just nine playoff games to date.

    It would be silly for anyone to write him off in the series.

    “It’s understanding, for all of us, that what we did [in a 60-22 season] is good enough,” said coach J.B. Bickerstaff. “Not overthinking and … because it’s the playoffs, wanting to do more or be different.”

    Said Cunningham of his usually ferocious teammate: “These last three games haven’t went the way he wants, or we might want for him. But I and the whole team have no doubt that he’s going to figure it out.”

    2. Wendell Carter Jr. as Orlando’s X factor

    Carter doesn’t get a lot of attention in how the Magic conduct their business. Banchero and Wagner are the big versatile forwards with the ball in their hands. Bane is the deep threat. Jalen Suggs is the point guard flying around with football toughness.

    Carter, deep into his eighth NBA season, is the plow horse grinding in the paint.

    But he also happens to be a gauge on how this season has gone. Since the start of the regular season (including SoFi Play-In Tournament and playoff games), Orlando is 22-10 when Carter scores 14 points or more, 26-29 when he doesn’t.

    In this series, Carter had 17 points in Game 1 and 14 with 17 rebounds in Game 3, compared to three points and six fouls in the Game 2 loss.

    “I can never say enough about [him],” said Magic coach Jamahl Mosley during the season. “What he does without even having to get a shot, get a play run for him … he just does everything the right way. And he’s continuing to just play, setting solid screens, hitting rollers, guarding multiple positions without batting an eye.”

    Carter also has shown there are more than two ways to be tough, offering an alternative to Duren’s rippling muscles or Isaiah Stewart’s glare, which could make an opponent run through the stands and out an arena door.

    “It’s pretty simple,” Carter said after Game 3. “I knew I had to be the most physical player on the court.”

    3. No cramps in Bane’s stroke

    The exertion and fatigue got so intense in Game 3, Orlando’s Desmond Bane had to sub out for the final 1:29 – his legs were cramping up after he logged 38:19 and matched Banchero with 25 points Saturday. A more encouraging stat for the Magic was his 7-for-9 success behind the arc, much improved from his 3-for-15 in the series’ first two games.

    There wasn’t much talk of scapegoating Bane after the Game 2 defeat – he gave Orlando a strong performance in his first season in central Florida, appearing in all 82 games, averaging 20.1 points and narrowly missing the elite 50-40-90 shooter’s club.

    Still Bane is the non-superstar for whom the Magic sent four first-round draft picks to Memphis in a stunning trade last summer. He was viewed as a final puzzle piece for Orlando, with the finished picture showing them playing beyond the first round.

    “I could go on and on about Desmond Bane,” Mosley said Saturday. “Because he’s such a professional, because he doesn’t rattle, because he stays the course and comes to work every single day.”

    Seven 3s tied a Magic franchise playoff-game high, previously reached by Dennis Scott. And it was one shy of Bane’s personal best in a postseason game with the Grizzlies.

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    Steve Aschburner has written about the NBA since 1980. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.

  • 3 things to watch in Thunder-Suns Game 4

    The Oklahoma City Thunder defeat the Phoenix Suns, 121-109, to take a 3-0 series lead.

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    The Oklahoma City Thunder are lapping the field.

    They’re the only team with a double-digit average scoring margin in the first round, and they’ve won their three games by an average of 20 points. Through Saturday, they have both the No. 1 offense and the No. 1 defense in the playoffs and, though the Phoenix Suns are the No. 8 seed, they’re certainly not the weakest team in the field.

    But the Suns are facing an early elimination in their first-round series with the champs, having struggled on both ends of the floor.

    Here are three things to watch as the Thunder go for the sweep in Monday’s Game 4 (9:30 ET, Peacock/NBC Sports):

    1. To double or not

    Shai Gilgeous-Alexander torched the Suns in Game 3, scoring a career-playoff-high 42 points on 15-for-18 shooting from the field and 11-for-12 at the free throw line.

    He put multiple defenders through the ringer, whether they were the guy initially guarding him on a possession or the guy who switched after a screen.

    We can’t expect similar efficiency on Monday, but the Suns’ defensive game plan has to start with slowing down the reigning MVP. They’ve struggled to defend Gilgeous-Alexander 1-on-1, and they haven’t had much success when sending a double-team, either.

    Through the first three games, Gilgeous-Alexander has been double-teamed on 28% of his touches, the highest rate among 123 players with at least 50 total touches through Saturday. The Suns have increasingly doubled Gilgeous-Alexander in this series, and the Thunder did their best against the doubles in Game 3, scoring 30 points on 21 chances when he drew multiple defenders to the ball.

    Sometimes, Gilgeous-Alexander handled the double-teams himself, slicing past defenders that didn’t do a good enough job of cutting off his path to the basket. But when he was forced to get rid of the ball, his teammates made some plays:

    Jaylin Williams drive in Game 3

    The Suns can be better by being even more aggressive with their double-teams. The primary objective of the double is to get the ball out of Gilgeous-Alexander’s hands.

    But secondarily, it’s important to make the pass out of the double as difficult as possible. When the double-teamer brings more pressure, he’s more likely to deflect the pass or, at least, make it go backwards and give the defense some time to scramble back into a no-advantage situation.

    Midway through the second quarter on Saturday, Oso Ighodaro came with a strong double against Gilgeous-Alexander in the post. It helped that the baseline acted as a third defender, but the pressure kept the MVP from getting off a strong pass. He almost turned it over and the Thunder lost their advantage:

    Oso Ighodaro double-team on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

    There’s no right answer for the Suns here, and they’ll likely mix things up against Gilgeous-Alexander in Game 4.

    2. Who’s the second scorer?

    The Suns’ level of success when double-teaming Gilgeous-Alexander depends in part on the ability of his teammates to make plays. And there’s obviously more doubt in that regard with Jalen Williams on the shelf, nursing the hamstring injury he suffered in Game 2.

    The Thunder started Ajay Mitchell in place of Williams in Game 3, and Mitchell had his least-efficient scoring game of the season among the 56 in which he’s attempted at least five shots. His 15 points came on 5-for-20 shooting from the field and 4-for-4 at the line, and his ability to act as a secondary playmaker will be under the spotlight going forward.

    There’s an opportunity for Chet Holmgren to play a bigger role offensively and, while he scored just 10 points in Game 3, he was efficient and created three of his five buckets out of no-advantage situations.

    Most impressive was his drive against Royce O’Neale and finish over Ighodaro early in the fourth quarter, when Gilgeous-Alexander was off the floor:

    Chet Holmgren drive

    Both Mitchell and Holmgren were on the floor for the entirety of Gilgeous-Alexander’s 10 minutes on the bench on Saturday, and we can expect that to be the case for as long as Williams is out. The Thunder scored just 20 points on 19 offensive possessions (105 per 100) in those minutes and may need to be better against better competition in future rounds.

    3. Can the Suns generate more 3s?

    It’s not good for the Suns that they’ve attempted nine more mid-range shots than the Thunder in this series. They’ve shot relatively well (21-for-43, 48.8%) on those shots, but unless you’re shooting from mid-range at Gilgeous-Alexander’s level (55% this season), the math isn’t going to work out well for you.

    And as a heavy underdog, the Suns probably need to be shooting as many 3s as possible to increase the variance in these games.

    Royce O’Neale shot 54% on corner 3s in the regular season and is 3-for-3 from the corners in this series, but three attempts in three games isn’t enough.

    In a series where they should be generating and shooting as many 3s as possible, the Suns have taken a lower percentage of their shots from beyond the arc (43.5%) than they did in the regular season (45.3%).

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    John Schuhmann has covered the NBA for more than 20 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on Bluesky.