The San Antonio Spurs suffered a huge blow in Game 4 of the conference semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves after superstar Victor Wembanyama was ejected from the contest.
Wembanyama was assessed a Flagrant Foul 2 after coming down with a rebound and swinging an elbow that connected with Timberwolves forward Naz Reid, striking him in the jaw with 8:40 in the 2nd quarter.
After a review, it was determined that the contact was deemed an unnecessary, non-basketball play with wind up, contact and follow through, resulting in the Spurs center's first-career ejection – regular season or postseason.
Minnesota held a slim lead, 36-34, at the time of stoppage. Following the elbow, Timberwolves fans at the Target Center were in unison chanting to the officials "kick him out" referring to Wembanyama.
MINNEAPOLIS — San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama was ejected for throwing an elbow out of frustration at the throat of Minnesota Timberwolves forward Naz Reid early in the second quarter of Game 4 of their rugged second-round NBA playoff series on Sunday night.
Wembanyama was whistled for an offensive foul as soon as he struck Reid, who had swarmed the NBA Defensive Player of the Year outside the paint along with teammate Jaden McDaniels after the 7-foot-4 Wembanyama rebounded a missed 3-pointer by the Spurs.
After a video review of the play, with the fans at Target Center chanting, “Kick him out! Kick him out!,” the foul was upgraded to a Flagrant 2 for excessive contact above the neck. That penalty triggers an automatic ejection, immediately swinging the balance of a pivotal game in the series toward the Timberwolves. The Spurs took a 2-1 lead with their 115-108 win in Game 3 on Friday.
After Wembanyama slapped hands with each of his Spurs teammates on his way off the floor, with the arena sound system blaring Michael Jackson’s “Beat it!,” Reid sank both free throws to give the Timberwolves a 38-34 lead. Wembanyama finished with four points, four rebounds and three fouls in 13 minutes.
With Reid, Julius Randle and McDaniels in their frontcourt, the Timberwolves have had plenty of muscle and tenacity to send at Wembanyama, even if he’s been good enough offensively to overcome it. He had 39 points on 13-for-18 shooting from the floor in Game 3.
The Knicks seem to just keep getting better as the NBA playoffs go on.
New York put together yet another dominating effort on Sunday afternoon, as they demolished the 76ers in Game 4 to put the finishing touches on their second-round sweep.
They used a hot start from three to open a double-digit advantage and never looked back from there, closing the seven-game set with a 144-114 beatdown on the road.
“This was just a heck of a game from our guys,” Mike Brown said. “The focus, the attention to detail, while bringing the energy and effort not just tonight but throughout the course of the series was at a pretty high level.
“Close out games are always the hardest to play with the level of desperation, especially when you’re on the road -- I give our guys a lot of credit, I give our staff a lot of credit -- they’ve been unbelievable from top-to-bottom.”
The Knicks now head into the Eastern Conference Finals for the second straight year, having won seven straight games since falling behind the Hawks 2-1 in their first round matchup.
Six of those seven victories have been by double-digits.
But with a meeting with the Pistons or Cavaliers awaiting, they know they can’t get complacent.
“We did what we needed to do to beat a good Sixers team,” Landry Shamet said. “We handled our business, paid really good attention to details offensively, and just went out and did what we had to do.
"But the beauty of the playoffs is all of that changes going into the next round -- there are a couple of different changes we have to make obviously, but group remains the same and we just have to play Knicks basketball."
"I think it’s really great to see our team in this mindset," Karl-Anthony Towns added. "The feeling that we have a lot more work to do, to see us not really relaxing, but in a way just look at these next few days as a way for us to realign ourselves and get ready for the next challenge."
Lakers star Austin Reaves, left, talks with coach JJ Redick during the Lakers' loss in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
In their darkest playoff hour, Lakers coach JJ Redick advised his players during practice Sunday to take the same mental approach for the win-or-go-home Game 4 that they've used since the first day of training camp.
The Lakers trail the Oklahoma City Thunder 3-0 in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series. The Lakers must beat the Thunder at Crypto.com Arena on Monday night or their season is over.
"Our first slide that we put up in training camp was [to] win the day,” Redick said. “Today was a quick offensive review and then just going over some stuff defensively. Got to win today and we got to win tomorrow. We know what we're facing being down 3-0. So it's just more of a mindset check than anything else."
No NBA team has ever come back to win a series when trailing 3-0, with those teams holding a 161-0 record.
Redick was asked what his team’s mood was like at practice.
"These guys are good,” he said.
Redick then was asked what his squad has shown him that gives him hope the Lakers can still win.
“Affirmation,” he responded.
Even after losing three games by an average of 19.6 points per game, the Lakers still cling to some hope.
Rui Hachimura has been on what Redick called a “heater” from three-point range. He has made 57.1% of his threes and has shot 54.1% from the floor in the series, averaging 18.3 points per game.
Hachimura thought back to the Lakers’ first-round series against the Houston Rockets and how they had a commanding 3-0 lead. But the Rockets fought back to make the series 3-2 before the Lakers closed out the series.
"It’s crazy, but I think that’s the mentality we need," Hachimura said. "I think it’s one at a time. I think especially with this type of team, you can't really make mistakes. ... We have to keep the same energy the whole game. That’s the only way we can win. So, we know what we do."
Lakers star LeBron James plays against the Thunder in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals on Saturday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
What they need to do is play better in the third quarter. The Lakers have been outscored 92-61 in the third quarter by the Thunder.
“I feel like every game we're getting closer,” Hachimura said. “Especially last night ... apparently we had the best offensive game of the series, even the playoffs. I think we had really good looks, great looks. But I think defensively we, especially in the third quarter, we kind of slowed down. I don't know [if] we got burned out or we got tired, whatever.
"So, I think our focus is like how we play in the first half we have to do in the whole game. ... That's going to be our goal."
The Lakers have managed to slow down Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander by having Marcus Smart guard him and putting constant double teams on the reigning NBA most valuable player.
Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 21.0 points per game in the series, far below the 31.1 points he averaged during the regular season. He’s averaging 5.7 assists per game, which is below his 6.6 during the regular season, and he’s shooting 45.8%, which is below his 55.3% for the season. He’s averaging four turnovers in the series as well.
But Chet Holmgren, who is averaging a double-double in the series at 21.3 points per game and 10.0 rebounds, has been a handful for the Lakers. Ajay Mitchell is averaging 20.7 points per game and 6.6 assists.
That’s why the Lakers are on the verge of seeing their season end. The Lakers have faced adversity all season, but Game 4 will be the ultimate test.
"Being on the Lakers, you feel like your back’s against the wall every game,” Redick said. “So I think the whole season has prepared us to be in a position where we're in the second round of the Western Conference and being in the mix with a great basketball team."
OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — The Ottawa Charge are returning to the Walter Cup Final for a second straight season.
Michela Cava scored at 1:12 of the second overtime to lead Ottawa to a 4-3 win over the Boston Fleet, winning the best-of-five semifinal series in four games.
Ottawa lost last year’s final to the Minnesota Frost.
The Charge will meet the winner of the Montreal Victoire-Frost series, which will be decided with Monday’s Game 5.
Sarah Wozniewicz, Rebecca Leslie and Brooke Hobson also scored for Ottawa. Goaltender Gwyneth Philips made 43 saves.
Shay Maloney, Megan Keller and Sophie Shirley scored for the Fleet. Aerin Frankel made 29 saves.
After losing the first game, Ottawa went on to win the next three. Boston had not lost three straight games all season.
Cava redirected a Katerina Mrazova shot for the winning goal.
The two teams combined for five goals in the second to tie the game 3-3 after 40 minutes.
Ottawa took a 2-0 lead early in the period. Jenner fired a sharp-angle shot from below the goal-line that deflected off Leslie’s skate as she battled to the crease. The play was reviewed, but the goal stood.
The Fleet then scored three straight in a span of 1:33 to take a 3-2 lead.
Joel Embiid pretty much begged 76ers fans not to sell their tickets and to show up for the home games during their second round matchup with the Knicks.
The team tried its best to keep New Yorkers from being able to acquire them, as well.
The organization went as far as donating tickets to local community groups in an effort to keep Knicks fans out.
Spoiler alert: It didn’t work.
“I used to think Philly was a sports town, I don’t know anymore,” Josh Hart said after the Knicks defeated the Sixers to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
The orange and blue faithful absolutely dominated Xfinity Mobile Arena in Game 3, and it was even worse with a chance to close the series out on Sunday for Game 4.
New York fans once again showed up and showed out.
Cheers were so loud when the Knicks were welcomed to the court pregame that if you weren’t looking you would've thought the home team was being introduced.
And those cheers only grew louder and louder as the Knicks jumped out to commanding double-digit advantage behind a historic three-point shooting opening quarter.
“It’s one of the coolest things in the world hearing Knicks fans take over opposing arenas,” Jalen Brunson said.
They exploded again after Mitchell Robinson knocked both of his free throws when Philly turned to the Hack-A-Mitch strategy in an effort to slow things down late in the second quarter.
Minutes later, a contingent of Knicks fans behind the basket were shown holding up pictures of Robinson’s posterization of Joel Embiid as the big man attempted free throws on the other end.
And with the hometown fans making their way towards the exits, chants of ‘Knicks in 4’ and ‘Let’s Go Knicks’ rang throughout the area down the stretch in the blowout victory.
Philly sounded like MSG West, once again.
“I got a lot of respect for you, Knicks fans,” Mike Brown said.
“When you can take over a 'sports town,' that gives the guys so much confidence,” Hart said. “JB, myself, Mikal [Bridges] have ties here so it never felt like a road game, and they made sure to echo that.”
Tyrese Maxey – 23.5 VJ Edgecombe – 16 Joel Embiid – 14.5 Paul George – 10 Kelly Oubre Jr. – 6 Justin Edwards – 4 Dominick Barlow – 3 Andre Drummond – 3 Quentin Grimes – 3 Jared McCain – 3 MarJon Beauchamp – 2 Adem Bona – 1 Porter Martone – 1 Cam Payne – 1 Jabari Walker – 1 Trendon Watford – 1 15th roster spot – 1
Well, it’s over.
The Philadelphia 76ers season comes to a close in the second round of the playoffs, with the New York Knicks completing their 4-0 sweep of the Sixers on their floor. Well, it sounded like the Knicks’ floor, but it was technically the Sixers’.
Game 4 was about as bad as it could get. The Sixers were already down more than 20 points by the close of the first frame. It just never even looked like a competitive contest. The Knicks had 81 points by halftime, holding a 24-point advantage. The Sixers players might have packed for Cancun during the break. New York sweeps Philadelphia, in Philadelphia, with a 144-114 final score in Game 4. If you are looking for a recap of the game for some sick reason, we have you covered here.
I think the reality is that we all knew this was how it would end, with a whimper. The same way this team has gone out year after year. Knocking out the Boston Celtics was nice along the way, and kudos to the players for making that happen in spite of the organizational management this season… but reality always sinks in at some point: this is not a contending team. They never were really expected to be contenders this season, but this is the harsh result of the fact that they really just aren’t. We knew it before the season even started and the organization’s front office all but confirmed it at the trade deadline.
This is where that gets you. Sure, you made the second round when you really weren’t expected to… but does it matter when this is how it ends? If nothing changes going forward?
But I digress. There will be plenty of time for all the post-mortem chatter.
For the final time of the 2025-26 season, let’s get to the Bell Ringer.
The Sixers fans
<p>(Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)</p><br> | Getty Images
The Sixers fans are going to get criticized after the crowd distribution at Game 4, with a large majority of the crowd at Xfinity Mobile Arena donning Knicks gear. I don’t think that will be fair criticism by any means.
After years of stagnation, frustrating injuries, the same roster construction issues never being resolved, the trade deadline “strategy” (if you can even call it that) this February… Even after all of that, the Philadelphia fans showed up for the end of the regular season fight to the Play-In Tournament. They showed up all regular season, through the highs and lows. They showed for that Play-In Tournament game that sent the Sixers to the actual playoffs. They showed up in the first round, and even a bit for Game 3 of this second round despite incredibly high prices to get a seat at the game.
So no, I do not blame the Philadelphia fans for not showing up for Game 4. It would have meant giving $400 per ticket to an organization that has spit in their faces just to then watch a Sixers team get immediately outplayed into a more than 25-point deficit. The only one that put in any perceivable effort was Joel Embiid, who was actively battling through his entire body being in pain throughout. Sorry, that’s just not worth the price of admission.
If this Flyers’ run (and the cheers following their elimination) has taught us anything about the fans of Philadelphia, it’s that they are just looking for something to cheer about. Effort and heart from the organization and the team. This wasn’t that. One of the many ways in which the Sixers are not the Flyers, despite having similar playoff runs on paper these past few weeks.
All of that is to say that there’s only one candidate for the final Bell Ringer of the 2025-26 season: you. You, the fans that find a way to keep being interested in and supporting this team even when it’s been really hard to. You, the fans that keep reading and commenting on our work here at Liberty Ballers even when it would be totally reasonable to be checked-out on all things Sixers. You, the sicko Philly fan that keeps caring even when all evidence tries to convince you not to.
You are the only ones worthy of the Bell Ringer here. We appreciate you.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 09: Ajay Mitchell #25 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket against Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter in Game Three of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 09, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Harry How/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In what’s become a far too familiar script, the Lakers fell to the Thunder in Saturday’s Game 3 and now trail 3-0. A deficit that’s never been overcome in NBA history. LA’s season is now on the brink of ending on Monday as they attempt to extend the series back to Oklahoma City in Game 4.
In Groundhog Day fashion, the purple and gold led at halftime and held momentum going into the break. It was a two-point advantage in Game 3 after a one-point advantage in Game 2. The Thunder, though, play a complete game, and it takes 48 focused minutes to even keep it close.
The ugly third quarter reared its head again, as OKC used a 33-20 period to turn a deficit into another blowout win, leading by as much as 27 and revealing just how far these two teams are from one another.
Their physicality and aggression wear on opponents, eventually breaking the Lakers’ spirit in each game. After a few back-and-forth baskets, with a tied game at 63, OKC broke out a 15-2 run.
The reigning MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, gets the most attention, understandably, but the Lakers’ killer in this series continues to be guard Ajay Mitchell. The third quarter on Saturday was no different.
Mitchell finished 3-3 from the field with nine points, three assists and zero turnovers in the game-changing third. He hit an early three on the wing to begin the quarter, but where he’s really killed the LA is on straight-line drives, as shown below.
Watch as he runs an action with Isaiah Hartenstein and attacks the basket with a floater that settles in.
His shot puts OKC up seven, with a timeout by head coach J.J. Redick to follow.
The explosive guard finished 10-17 from the field for 24 points, ten assists with zero turnovers. He averaged over 20 for the series with 6.7 assists, burning the Lakers on any overhelp against SGA or taking over in the minutes he sat.
Labeled as the deepest team in the league going into the playoffs, OKC leveraged that all series, including in the third. They have an unending supply of quality role players to plug and play.
Shooting just 6-18 on 3-pointers in the first half, they hit 5-9 in the third, including two massive ones from sharp shooter Isaiah Joe. What looked like a strong defensive possession with closeouts led to a huge basket, quickly taking a five-point lead to eight in the clip below.
On the Lakers’ offensive end, after 57 points at halftime, they mustered just 20 in the third quarter. The Thunder adjusted and increased their physicality on the Lakers’ main ball handlers.
Austin Reaves had eight assists at halftime, getting going downhill and finding teammates either on skip passes or at the basket. OKC shut off those passing windows in the third. Watch below as LeBron James runs a ball screen at the top of the key and swings it over to Reaves in the corner.
No advantage is created as all the Thunder are in the correct defensive position on the floor. Reaves attacks the on-ball pressure from Mitchell looking to score, but is shut off at the rim by Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren. A mid-air pass is quickly stolen for one of his three turnovers in the quarter.
A few possessions later, LeBron and Reaves run their patented middle ball screen action. Mitchell gets a hand on the pocket pass to disrupt the play. Watch below as LeBron quickly looks to fling the ball to Jaxson Hayes and turns it over.
“The turnovers, I think we had five of them in the third,” Redick said postgame. “I think all of them led to them getting fast-break transition baskets. I don’t know what it ended up being, but at one point, they were 11-17 from three in the second half. You’re not getting stops, it’s harder to score.”
LeBron and Reaves combined to go just 1-5 in the third quarter with four turnovers. It’s not enough against a team you need to play perfectly against to just keep it close, let alone steal a win.
The competitive first halves in this series and the constant shots of the bench, with superstar Luka Dončić looking on helplessly, can spark interest in what this matchup would look like in a different situation.
But the reality is that LA has lost the third quarter 92-61 in this series through Game 3 with an average margin of victory of 20 points per game. No matter how you spin it, these teams are nowhere close to each other, and a long summer awaits.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MAY 08: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs blocks a shot by Naz Reid #11 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first quarter in Game Three of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Target Center on May 08, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to the Game Thread. Veterans of the Game Thread know how we do things around here, but for all you newbies we have a few rules. Our community guidelines apply and basically say be cool, no personal attacks, don’t troll and don’t swear too much. The rule against trolling also applies to members of this site that visit other fan sites, especially sites of the opposing team. Be polite and don’t insult your hosts.
Happy Mother’s day everyone. The Spur took back home court advantage on Friday night in Minnesota with Victor Wembenyama taking over the game, both at the star, and more importantly, at the end, where he was able to control the game despite picking up his fifth foul with 6 minutes left in the game. Both teams depended heavily on their superstar player, with Antony Edwards 32 points almost matching Wemby’s 39.
Tonight would be a great time for the Spurs to get a bigger contribution from the rest of the cast. De’Aaron Fox and Julian Champagnie made plays in clutch time, and Harper was a calming influence, but a whole team effort would reduce the anxiety of the Spurs fan base if they can put together a winning effort tonight. The Spurs would take a 3-1 series lead in the series with a win, and teams that lead 3-1 have gone on to win 95% of the time in 6 game series in NBA history. This year, 3-1 leaders have won 60% of the time, with both the Sixers and Pistons beating the odds to back to win three straight games and take their first round series, so a 3-1 deficit is not a death sentence, but it certainly is a tough spot to be in.
I think veteran players like Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell will find their shooting touch tonight in their ninth career playoff games. This could be another Game 2 style blowout, or it could be a tough toe to toe battle like games 1 and 3. Chris Finch is annoying, but he seems to be good at motivating his team and making adjustments. The Spurs have to be ready for something new tonight, and be able to adapt. Winning on the road is always difficult, and the arena will be loud tonight. Mitch might rely more on Carter Bryant, who seems to be improving game by game. If the starters can provide a dominant performance for the first three quarters, the Spurs can unleash Jordan McLaughlin on Minnesota late and make this a fun night for fans of the Silver and Black. GO SPURS GO!!
Game Prediction:
Jordan McLaughlin gets his first playoff triple double.
San Antonio Spurs at Minnesota Timberwolves, Second Round, Game 4 May 10, 2026 | 6:30 PM CT Streaming: Peacock TV: NBC Reminder: It is against site policy to post links to illegal streams in the comments.
With opportunity knocking for some team to step up and show they were the team to beat in the East, the New York Knicks answered that door.
The Knicks slammed that door on Joel Embiid and the 76ers on Sunday before they could get their foot in the way.
In a building that sounded far more like Madison Square Garden than Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, the Knicks started 9-of-10 from 3-point range, hit 11 from beyond the arc in the first quarter, led by double-digits less than 4:30 into the game, and never looked back.
THE KNICKS HIT 11 THREES IN Q1
11 3PM is the most in a first quarter in a postseason game by any team in the play-by-play era!
New York led by 19 after the first quarter and 24 at the half — after hitting 18 first-half 3-pointers on 29 attempts (62%), tying the NBA playoff record for most 3-pointers in a half. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns scored or assisted on 59 of the Knicks 81 first-half points.
The Knicks pushed that lead up to 30 by the middle of the third quarter, and if this were a Little League game, the mercy rule would have kicked in.
New York went on to win 144-114, sweeping Philadelphia out of the playoffs 4-0.
New York advances and will face the winner of the Detroit vs. Cleveland series, which the Pistons lead 2-1. The Knicks will head into that series on a seven-game winning streak, winning those games by an average of 26.4 points.
Philadelphia heads into a summer with a lot of questions… and no easy answers.
The Knicks return to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second straight season, but they look more dominant. Part of that was New York finally starting to use Towns as a hub in the high post, taking advantage of his passing if teams bring a double team.
As for Sunday's Game 4, there is only so much to say.
New York was red hot and focused from the opening tip, and it finished with 25 made 3s, tying the NBA record for most 3-pointers in a playoff game.
KNICKS TIE THE NBA'S POSTSEASON RECORD FOR THREE-POINTERS MADE WITH 25!
144 POINTS ARE THE MOST THEY HAVE SCORED IN THE POSTSEASON IN FRANCHISE HISTORY pic.twitter.com/AvoqtuagbU
Deuce McBride led the way with seven 3-pointers and 25 points, while Brunson had 22 points and Josh Hart and Towns each scored 17.
Joel Embiid scored 24 points, while Tyrese Maxey added 17 for Philadelphia.
The 76ers have not advanced past the second round in 25 years. On the court, this has become Maxey's team — he should make an All-NBA team this year — especially paired with VJ Edgecombe in the backcourt. The Knicks need to pivot to building around them as the future.
However, Embiid and Paul George are on the books next season for a combined $112 million and $119 million for the 2027-28 season (that assumes George picks up his player option for that season, a safe bet). Because both have injury histories and availability concerns, trading them would be difficult at best (the 76ers would likely have to send draft picks to the team taking them as a sweetener).
That's the 76ers' offseason problem. The Knicks now get to rest before the Eastern Conference Finals start.
CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 9: Max Strus #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates during the game against the Detroit Pistons during Round Two Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2026 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers have fallen in five games in the second round of the playoffs the previous two years. They have a chance to avoid that specific fate this season if they can defend home court in Game 4 against the Detroit Pistons and tie the series in the process.
Cleveland’s offense came alive in Game 3 after registering just 101 and 97 points in the first two games of the series. They did this by getting to the basket and then converting in-rhythm threes that came from forcing the defense to collapse.
So far, the team that has shot better from three has won this series. In the first two games, Detroit couldn’t miss as they went 38.5% and 50% from distance. The Cavs were able to get out to a 17-point lead in Game 3 due to shooting it better from the outside, and the Pistons missed 13 straight triples. Detroit was able to climb back into the game late because they went 7-10 from three to close.
There’s been a lot of talk this series about needing to be the more physical team to win this series. At least through three games, it’s been the one who shoots better from three that prevails. We’ll see if that trend continues in Game 4.
Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE. The link to the 2016 championship shirt HERE.
With their win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, May 10, the New York Knicks advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second consecutive year. They are the first team into the NBA's final four, but they might not be on that conference finals island for long.
Atalanta deal blow to Milan’s Champions League hopes
Paris Saint-Germain left it late to earn a 1-0 home win over Brest on Sunday to all but guarantee a fifth successive Ligue 1 title as Désiré Doué came off the bench to score an 82nd-minute winner.
The victory advanced PSG to 73 points with two games left, six ahead of second-placed Lens, who also have two games remaining, and with a far superior goal difference. PSG require a single point from their next match at Lens on Wednesday to be mathematically certain of the title.
On Sunday, May 10, LaMelo Ball and Ana Montana announced that they welcomed their first child together in January. They had a son named LaOne, continuing the tradition of "La" names.
LaVar Ball, the founder of Big Baller Brand, is LaMelo's father. He also has sons LiAngelo and Lonzo, who have each spent time in the NBA and have become pop culture figures in their own right.
The Charlotte Hornets point guard and the model broke the news on Mother's Day via a feature in People and shared how becoming parents impacted them.
"Welcoming LaOne into the world has changed our hearts in the best way," they said in a joint statement. "Family has always meant everything to us, but becoming parents has given us an entirely new perspective on love, purpose, legacy and what truly matters most."
The publication shared photos of each parent with LaOne, only showing the baby's legs. He is wearing an infant version of Ball's signature sneaker, the Puma MB.01.
The couple also said they are establishing a nonprofit called I Am Fertility to assist aspiring families with IVF treatment and other means of conceiving a child. Montana, whose given name is Analicia Chaves, said that she conceived LaOne through IVF. The nonprofit established The Hope Grant, which will give a gift of $5,000 to two families to assist them on their own fertility treatments.
"At one point during my IVF journey, I felt overwhelmed, emotional, isolated and unsure where to turn," she told the publication. "That experience inspired me to create I Am Fertility as a safe space where women don't have to face this journey alone."
Montana shared more thoughts about her first Mother's Day on Instagram. She posted a gallery that started with a black and white video of herself holding LaOne's hand. The message on the video is a play off Justin Bieber's "Everything Hallelujah" song, which has become a popular social media trend.
"My first of many Mother's Day, Hallelujah/Living in an answered prayer, Hallelujah/Found my purpose, Hallelujah/Launched my nonprofit iAMfertility, Hallelujah/A God that provides, Hallelujah," the video read.
Ball, the 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year, showed his support and celebrated the holiday with her in the comments.
"We love you mamí," he wrote with a series of heart emojis, "happy mother’s day"
Also on May 10, the Hornets were the first name to be called in the NBA draft lottery, which gives them the No. 14 pick.
The Minnesota Timberwolves will try to even their Western Conference semifinal series against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4. The San Antonio Spurs took a 2-1 lead with a 115-108 victory in Game 3. The Spurs are favored by 4.5 points. The over/under for the matchup is set at 218.5.
How to watch San Antonio Spurs vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Moneyline: Minnesota Timberwolves +156 (37.5%) / San Antonio Spurs -187 (62.5%)
Over/Under: 218.5
Series schedule, results
Game 1:Timberwolves 104, Spurs 102 Game 2:Spurs 133, Timberwolves 95 Game 3:Spurs 115, Timberwolves 108 Game 4: San Antonio at Minnesota (Sunday May 10, 7:30 ET, NBC/Peacock) Game 5: Minnesota at San Antonio (Tuesday May 12) Game 6: San Antonio at Minnesota (Friday May 15)* Game 7: Minnesota at San Antonio (Sunday May 17)*
