Category: Basketball

As the NBA enters its postseason crescendo, its carefully cultivated image as one of the most progressive leagues in sports is once again in the spotlight due to its partnership with Rwanda, which has long been accused of human rights abuses and war crimes.

In March 2026, the Trump administration announced sanctions targeting Rwanda’s military and four senior officials for its role in abuses and military aggression in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Shortly after the announcement, one of the top teams competing in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) – a premier continental league co-founded by NBA Africa – suddenly withdrew from the competition. As it turned out, that team had deep ties to Rwanda’s sanctioned military.

“APR will no longer participate in the 2026 BAL season,” read a statement published by the BAL on 13 March.

Armée Patriotique Rwandaise Basketball Club, commonly known as APR, is a prominent Rwandan basketball club based in Kigali that dates back to the Rwandan genocide in the 1990s. The team is owned and funded by the Rwanda Defence Force – a fact that is proudly stated on the team’s BAL profile page. In January 2026, the RDF even hosted a luncheon for APR players and staff to celebrate their victory in the local Super Cup.

Under US treasury sanctions, any assets held by the RDF within American jurisdiction are frozen, and US entities are prohibited from engaging in transactions with the military or individuals connected to it. Because the BAL operates under the NBA – a US-based organization – permitting a team directly tied to a sanctioned military body to compete could expose the league to serious sanctions compliance risks. While the sanctions are limited to the RDF and do not extend to other sectors of the Rwandan government, it brought renewed attention to the NBA and its friendly ties with Rwanda’s infamous president, Paul Kagame.

Serving as the de facto ruler of Rwanda since 1994, Kagame drew international praise for commanding the rebel force that ended the Rwandan genocide. However, he has since ruled his country with an iron fist, allegedly committing severe and systematic human rights abuses both within Rwanda and beyond its borders. This includes forced disappearances, assassinations of political opponents, torture and state-imposed censorship. In 2024, Kagame topped his own record by winning the presidential election with more than 99% of the vote, reflecting his totalitarian grip over the African nation.

The NBA’s relationship with Rwanda officially began in August 2015, when some of the top coaches from the league hosted a basketball camp in the capital of Kigali as part of the Giants of Africa program. The following year, Kagame attended an NBA Africa luncheon with league commissioner Adam Silver as part of the All-Star Game festivities. In 2018, he delivered a keynote speech at a reception hosted by the NBA in New York City.

At the time, Kagame’s regime had already helped launch two wars in the DRC, which led to the deaths of millions of people in the region. Thousands of Kagame’s soldiers and allied M23 militia continue to operate in eastern DRC, displacing hundreds of thousands of people, plundering mines rich in strategic mineral resources and leaving a trail of massacres, rapes and other gross human rights abuses. Nevertheless, the NBA continued to deepen its ties to Kagame. When NBA Africa and Fiba launched the BAL, Rwanda secured the hosting rights for the inaugural season in 2021.

By positioning Rwanda as a key hub for basketball and the NBA in Africa, Kagame was able to frame himself as a leading African figure in a sport that was among the most popular in the United States and was gaining traction across the African continent. He has since made regular appearances at NBA games – flanked by an entourage of friends and family – attended NBA summits as a guest of honor, and made Rwanda a key player in Africa’s basketball aspirations.

In December 2023, Kagame’s former aide and cabinet minister, Claire Akamanzi, was appointed CEO of NBA Africa, further consolidating Kagame’s influence over the sport on the continent. Less than two years later in September 2025, Visit Rwanda – the official tourism brand of the Rwanda Development Board – announced a multi-year sponsorship agreement with the Los Angeles Clippers, further cementing its presence across the sport. The deal further expanded Visit Rwanda’s global sports portfolio, which also includes deals with Paris Saint-Germain and Atlético Madrid.

In February 2026, Kagame once again attended the NBA All-Star Game before meeting with top NBA officials to discuss the future of the game in Africa. Among those present at the discussions was NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum, who had previously defended the NBA’s ties to Kagame in an ESPN story. When two US senators later accused the NBA of “putting profit over principle”, Tatum once again defended the league by stating that the NBA follows “the lead of the US government as to where it’s appropriate to engage in business around the world”.

“If American policies were to change regarding business activities in and relating to Rwanda or any other BAL market, our actions would of course change accordingly,” Tatum wrote in response to the senators. After the withdrawal of the RDF-funded APR, the BAL announced that APR would be replaced by another local team called the RSSB Tigers, which is owned by the Rwanda Social Security Board. The team has since qualified for the BAL playoffs, which are set to take place in Kigali in May.

When contacted by the Guardian, the NBA reiterated that the league continues to comply with US government guidance regarding its engagement in Rwanda, and pointed me to Tatum’s previous statements on the subject.

For now, the NBA remains in compliance with US foreign policy, which has so far targeted only Rwanda’s military and a handful of officials. But whether its relationship with Rwanda, and with Kagame, will pose greater risks down the line remains an open question.

LeBron James tapped the ball away from Houston’s Reed Sheppard. Marcus Smart fired a two-handed pass to James, who bobbled it and slapped it to Luke Kennard. Kennard faked a shot. He whipped a pass back to James.

Down three with 14 seconds left in regulation of Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs Friday, James lined up a three. Two Houston players ran into each other while desperately trying to defend the shot.

With the ball hanging in the air and the game on the line, was there ever a doubt on the Lakers' bench?

Read more:Marcus Smart leads Lakers to commanding 3-0 lead over Rockets in playoff series

“Absolutely not,” guard Bronny James said. “It's the Lakers.”

Already one of the league’s best clutch-time teams, the Lakers stirred up magic again Friday, overcoming a six-point deficit in the final 30 seconds of the fourth quarter to earn a 112-108 overtime win over the Houston Rockets. The Lakers took a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series and will go for their first playoff series sweep since the second round in 2010 on Sunday in Houston.

The Lakers already won two nervy road games over the Rockets during the regular season. But the hero from those wins was dressed in a crisp white T-shirt and gray pants Friday. Luka Doncic, nursing a left hamstring injury, even took off his white jacket during the dramatic overtime. He had no reason to worry with James at the helm.

The 41-year-old played 45 minutes and four seconds, hit the game-tying three-pointer with 13.6 seconds left in regulation and had a team-high 29 points, 13 rebounds and six assists. Smart had 21 points, 10 assists and, for the second straight game, five steals, including one with 27.8 seconds left in regulation that set up three critical free throws.

The veterans have played in 406 combined playoff games and, hoping to add another win, showed the mentality shaped through each one.

“We're just trying to have that killer mentality right now,” said Smart, who had eight of the Lakers' 11 overtime points. “We got them on the ropes and then it's our job to try to finish.”

The Rockets were desperate to avoid the dreaded 0-3 hole. They stormed back from a 15-point first-half deficit and took a one-point lead with 4:59 remaining on a three-pointer from Sheppard. The Houston crowd, which did not fill up until well into the first quarter, erupted.

James turned the ball over for the fourth time in the fourth quarter when Alperen Sengun tipped a bounce pass away from Kennard. Sengun appeared to punctuate the season-saving win with a one-handed dunk over James with 40.6 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

In the moment, Lakers forward Rui Hachimura admitted later, the Lakers felt a slight dip in their energy. They needed something to turn the tide.

Smart intercepted a lazy pass by Houston forward Jabari Smith Jr., and Jae’Sean Tate fouled the Lakers guard on a three-point attempt with 25.4 seconds left. He made all three free throws. The crowd grew restless. When James hit the game-tying three, those wearing the Rockets’ red T-shirts stood in stunned silence.

A vocal minority of Lakers fans were buzzing.

“Next play. Next play,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said of the Lakers' mindset during the critical stages of the game. “I mean, look, there's a lot of things that happened tonight that were not perfect. ... But you just kind of get onto the next play. And that, to me, is a hallmark of poise; that's a hallmark of composure.”

While the Lakers had the league’s best record in clutch time games during the regular season (22-8), the Rockets ranked 16th. With a 22-23 record in games within five points in the final five minutes, the Rockets had the fifth-most clutch-time losses. Only Indiana, Memphis, Brooklyn, Dallas and New Orleans had more such losses.

Houston coach Ime Udoka called the foul on Smart “terrible.” Instead of passing to a wide-open Sengun, Sheppard tried to split a double-team on the decisive turnover. Sengun’s attempt at a game-winner when he got stood up by Jaxon Hayes on a turnaround baseline floater wasn’t the play the Rockets drew up, Udoka said.

Read more:Rare Kobe Bryant trading card 'at the top of every wish list' sells for record sum

“Horrendous mistakes,” the third-year Rockets coach said. “I don’t want to say youth or scared of the moment or whatever the case.”

The Rockets, who lost in seven games in the first round of the playoffs last year, were without star Kevin Durant for the second time this series. He missed the game with a sprained left ankle, an injury he sustained in the fourth quarter of Game 2. He was sidelined for Game 1 because of a knee contusion he picked up in practice. The 37-year-old was remarkably durable this season, ranking second in the NBA in minutes played. His presence was a lifeline for a team that lost point guard Fred VanVleet to a torn anterior cruciate ligament last September.

Durant was ruled out about 90 minutes before tip off. When told of the injury update during his pregame news conference, Redick was not fazed. The Lakers know who they have on their side.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things Lakers.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

LeBron James made a three-pointer to force overtime before the Los Angeles Lakers moved to the brink of a series victory in the NBA play-offs.

The NBA's four-time Most Valuable Player levelled the score with 13 seconds left against the Houston Rockets and almost clinched victory as he hit the rim with a three-pointer on the buzzer.

But the Lakers went on to win 112-108 in overtime to claim a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven first round of the play-offs.

James, 41, again stepped up in the absence of the injured Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, claiming a team-high 29 points and 13 rebounds.

Marcus Smart also recorded a double-double, scoring eight of his 21 points in overtime and adding a team-high 10 assists.

"With two of our best players down, we've got to play desperate," said Smart. "We've got to be the most desperate team.

"That's how we've been playing, and that's how we're winning, right? The chemistry has been good, and you're starting to see guys' confidence go up because of that."

An ankle sprain ruled out Houston's leading scorer Kevin Durant for the second time in the series.

The Rockets also host game four on Sunday and must win to prevent the Lakers earning a sweep of the series and booking their place in the Western Conference semi-finals.

Conference rivals San Antonio lead the Portland Trail Blazers 2-1 after fighting back to claim a 120-108 win on the road.

Stephon Castle scored 33 points for the Spurs while rookie reserve Dylan Harper added career bests of 27 points and 10 rebounds.

Victor Wembanyama was on the Spurs bench but could not play as this season's defensive player of the year remained in concussion protocol after suffering a head injury in game two on Tuesday.

The Boston Celtics took a 2-1 lead over Eastern Conference rivals Philadelphia as they claimed a 108-100 win at the 76ers.

Jayson Tatum scored 11 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter while Jaylen Brown also scored 25 points for Boston.

• James shines for Lakers while Wembanyama concussed

Whew. After 48 hard fought minutes of basketball, the Boston Celtics scraped out a gritty 108-100 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. With the win, the Celtics regain control of homecourt advantage and now lead the series 2-1.

The Celtics were dominating for the first 54 minutes of the series, but the Sixers have put together a hell of a response since then. It’s been back-and-forth, punches being thrown left and right, and at the end of three rounds, both teams are still standing. We’ve seen some haymakers, but no knockout punch just yet.

Philly has had a balanced scoring series so far with Tyrese Maxey leading the way with 27 points per game, followed by Paul George at 18, VJ Edgecombe at 17.7, Kelly Oubre at 13, and then Drummond at 8 ppg. Boston, on the other hand, has been very top heavy. Jaylen Brown is averaging 29 points per game, Jayson Tatum at 23, and then the only other double-digit scorer is Payton Pritchard, who squeaks through at 10.3 ppg.

Notably, Boston hasn’t gotten nearly enough from Derrick White in the scoring department. He’s just below the double-digit threshold, currently averaging 9.7 points per game, but he’s third on the team in field goals attempted, and is shooting an abysmal 29.4% from the floor (3.3 FGM/11.3 FGA), and 20% from three (1.7 3PM/8.3 3PA). It’s been easy to get frustrated with White’s production, or lack thereof, but he will always make winning plays at the end of the game, just as he did last night.

Sixty seconds left on the game clock, Celtics up by 3. Pritchard takes his time bringing the ball up, dishing it to Tatum after crossing half-court. Fifty seconds left on the game clock, Tatum waits patiently as the play develops.

Forty-three seconds on the game clock, 6 seconds on the shot clock; Tatum makes his move, driving against Adem Bona, and then kicks it to Nikola Vucevic in the corner. Thirty-nine seconds on the game clock, 3 on the shot clock; Vuc takes the corner three. The ball taking it’s time in the air. It’s off.

Thirty-seven seconds left on the game clock. Derrick White, after crashing in from the opposite corner, skies over the top of two Sixers players to grab the offensive board and keep the most crucial possession of the game alive. He takes a second to catch his balance and kick the ball over to Payton Pritchard to avoid falling out of bounds with the ball.

Thirty-three seconds left on the game clock; the Celtics reset the possession with Tatum at the top of the key. He burns some time. Twenty-eight seconds left on the game clock; Tatum sizes up Adem Bona. He pulls up for three.

Bang.

25.3 seconds left on the game clock, Celtics up by 6. Tatum hit the dagger. Philly timeout. The rest is history.

JAYSON TATUM CLUTCH MAN

BIG BOARD BY DERRICK WHITE pic.twitter.com/1AtKB0K92u

— NikNBA🏀 (@NIKNBAYT) April 25, 2026

Obviously, JT is the one who put Boston up and the game away, but he doesn’t get that opportunity without Derrick White’s awareness. There’s no doubt that White had a really rough showing, 3-12 from the floor, 1-8 from three. It would be easy for most coaches to leave a player having a game like that on the bench at the end of the game, but White has proven time and time again that he will show up and make the right play, and that he did.

If Derrick doesn’t get that rebound, Philly is only down 3 with a perfect chance for a 2-for-1 opportunity. Instead, The Celtics get to limit the Sixers to one last meaningful possession while they hold a two-possession lead.

That also wasn’t the only time White showed up when the Celtics needed him. As hard as Philly was to contain, White managed to pick up 1 steal and 3 blocks over the course of the game. He fought through his own struggles, and gave his full effort on each and every play.

After the game Tatum had this to say about White: “We need him. I can say it 100 times. We need him, we need him, we need him… D-White is an unreal basketball player that still just has his imprint on the game, and makes plays on both end of the floor… When he’s open, we’re going to pass it to him, we want him to be aggressive.”

Joe Mazzulla shared a similar message: “Anybody that ever doubts D-White, they don’t really care about winning. There’s a competitive confidence piece there, there’s a character piece there. He’s not defined by shot making… Those two rebounds were big-time rebounds, and he can impact winning in so many different ways. I’m always gonna double down on his competitive character and who he is.”

It’s going to be hard for Celtics fans to stomach every shot Derrick misses; believe me, I feel it too. But he has a long history of making the right play. The coaches trust him, his teammates trust him, and we should too.

PHILADELPHIA — A few feet behind my press row seat, a Philadelphia 76ers fan donning a vintage Allen Iverson jersey turned to his friend.

“This time, we’re going to pull it off.”

The score was 85-84 in favor of the Celtics with just under 9 minutes to play in Game 3, but inside Xfinity Mobile Arena, it felt like the tides were turning after Tyrese Maxey hit another three-pointer — his second consecutive, unanswered jumper, which evoked shades of his big fourth quarter in the 76ers’ Game 2 victory.

The Celtics called a timeout, and for a moment, as 76ers fans rejoiced, it felt like time stood still.

It’s in those moments that, as a writer, the story typically begins to unfold in my head.

Teams that win Game 3 end up winning around 80% of NBA playoff series.

Philadelphia looks really, really confident.

And finally, the most overarching thought:

Was this really how such a special Celtics season was going to end?

But, although I had already visualized a 76ers win, Maxey never scored again. The Celtics’ championship pedigree and undying belief in one another powered them to their most crucial victory of the year.

“I liked the mindset that we had, the competitiveness, the togetherness,” said Joe Mazzulla after the 108-100 win. “I thought there was great communication, great body language, great togetherness – just things that can help you get through stuff.”

Jaylen Brown checked into the game with 8 minutes to play

Brown, like most of the Celtics’ top performers, was in the midst of a night that came with plenty of highs and plenty of lows when he came back into the game to close out the fourth quarter. He had already turned the ball over 5 times — two of which came on offensive fouls.

But, with the season seemingly on the line, he delivered.

It started with a defensive play; he stole the ball from Maxey to find a streaking Derrick White, who laid it in to give the Celtics a 3-point lead with 7 minutes to spare.

Then he took over offensively; from the 6:10 mark in the fourth quarter to the 2:39 mark, Brown was the only Celtic to make a basket for Boston.

“This was like a Game 7 for us,” he said at the podium, after a 25-point, 7-rebounds, 4-assist, 3-block performance.

I kept going back to the four minutes in the fourth quarter in which Brown put the offense on his back and scored eight consecutive points, keeping the Celtics alive amid the many things that went wrong (17 turnovers, a Neemias Queta foul trouble, the list goes on).

During that whole time, I couldn’t help but think about all the discourse that has long surrounded Brown’s career: his on-off numbers, the advanced analytics, being pigeonholed as an NBA Robin, and all the inevitable noise that comes with being a star player on one of the NBA’s most storied franchises.

You could put away the spreadsheet; when it mattered most, Brown got bucket after bucket with his team’s season on the line.

“That’s what it comes down to,” Brown said. “All your preparation comes down to those moments. Both teams are tired. Your team is maybe, offensively, in a little bit of a rut. Gotta figure out how to get a basket. Gotta figure out how to create some momentum for your team. And I feel like I did just enough to shift things in our favor.”

Asked Jaylen Brown about this stretch:

“That’s what it comes down to. All your preparation comes down to those moments. Both teams are tired. Your team is maybe
offensively in a little bit of a rut. Gotta figure out how to get a basket. Got to figure out how to create some… https://t.co/jZgko3j1nSpic.twitter.com/rzGuUOO4z6

— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) April 25, 2026

Then, with just over two minutes to spare in the ballgame, he passed the torch to his co-star.

Jayson Tatum, clutch-time heroics, and playing with joy

In the final 130 seconds of the basketball game, Jayson Tatum got to the free line, hit two pull-up three-pointers, and found Payton Pritchard for a huge three-pointer to beat the shot-clock buzzer.

Tatum’s biggest shot — the unequivocal dagger — came after an offensive rebound from Derrick White. White passed it out to Brown, who had the ball in his hands with Kelly Oubre Jr. defending him.

This is why Derrick White and Jayson Tatum are champions pic.twitter.com/VdFY4tXXzX

— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) April 25, 2026

Brown generally likes that match-up (he’ll take most). But, a few feet away, he saw that Jayson Tatum had Adem Bona guarding him. That was an even better match-up.

So, Brown didn’t hesitate before passing the ball to Tatum, who quickly called for the iso. After 118 playoff games together, the correct play was instinctive.

“In those moments, I got nothing but trust for Jayson Tatum,” Brown said. “When it comes down to it, we’ve been through it.”

The final three-pointer gave the Celtics a 106-100 lead with 27 seconds to go.

And, as the ball splashed through the net, the look on Jayson Tatum’s face conveyed one expression: joy.

“I just missed being a part of moments like that, where it’s just like a back-and-forth game,” Tatum said. “We had some moments where things didn’t go our way, and then we had to fight back and get the lead. And it was just a figure-it-out type of game, and make winning plays. The rebound that D-White got, the steal that JB got, P hitting that big shot. Just as a basketball player, being on the team where everybody’s just contributing and making plays.”

Tatum is still rehabbing, he reminded us after Game 1. It hasn’t even been a year since his Achilles rupture. Still, he finished the night with 25 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds, scoring or assisting on all of the team’s field goals in the final two minutes. He played a whopping 42 minutes.

But, asked about other people’s expectations for his play, he smiled.

“Obviously, I’m not 100% yet and whatnot, but the expectations of what people want me to do is the last thing that has crossed my mind,” he said. “Just the amount of joy I’ve been able to find in just being back out there, and being out there with my teammates, is all I think about.”

Joy, as a matter of fact, was everywhere. It was all over Luka Garza’s face each time Nikola Vucevic hit a big three. Hugo Gonzalez practically represented it as he jumped up and down after his veterans made game-saving play after game-saving play.

It was all over Deuce Tatum’s face as he danced after his dad hit the dagger; the same dad he watched rely on crutches just months earlier.

But perhaps no one felt the joy more than Tatum.

“I just missed being a part of moments like that,” he said. “And it was just fun.”

For Joe Mazzulla, that fourth quarter stretch — which began with Brown and ended with Tatum — embodied the team’s championship experience.

But, really, it started with both stars’ even response to disappointment in Game 2.

“I trust our group,” Brown said at the TD Garden podium, pointing to the team’s growth throughout the season. “We just got to continue to have the right mentality, have each other’s back, just breathe.”

“What I’ve learned throughout my 9 years in the playoffs is just stay even-keeled throughout, right?” Tatum said. “And I think the team that sticks together and does that from an emotional standpoint will be fine.”

That unflappable demeanor, perhaps even more than their big fourth quarter, is what stood out most to their head coach.

“I think it shows up in how you handle playoff losses, how you handle a bad game, how you handle winning,” Mazzulla said. “I think the experience just kind of shows up in – they’re poised on a day-to-day basis – not getting too high, not getting too low, having a clear understanding of what’s at stake and what’s needed on a consistent basis. And I thought you saw that tonight.”

The other 2024 champions stepped up, too

It wouldn’t be fair to give all the Game 3 credit to the Jays, though the duo did score or assist on all of the Celtics’ fourth-quarter points (with the exception of two end-of-game free throws).

Derrick White has made headlines for his shooting struggles this season; in his series, he’s shooting 29.4% from the field and 20% from three.

But he secured two offensive rebounds in the final four minutes, both of which led to Celtics baskets. His second rebound is what led to the Tatum dagger three-pointer.

“We need him,” Tatum said. “I can say it 100 times. We need him. We need him. We need him. And, it’s tough as a basketball player. We’ve all been through it when you’re not hitting shots at the rate that you expect to or want to. It’s just sometimes you just don’t make them. But D-White is an unreal basketball player that still just has his imprint on the game and makes plays on both ends of the floor.”

Mazzulla said it best: “Anyone who ever doubts D-White, they don’t really care about winning.”

And, Payton Pritchard hit one of his most clutch shots as a Celtic, beating the shot clock buzzer with a deep three and talking smack all the way down the floor. That three-pointer — his fifth of the night — gave the Celtics a 5-point lead with just over a minute to play.

PAYTON PRITCHARD pic.twitter.com/W519OI4OjA

— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) April 25, 2026

Mazzulla acknowledged that Pritchard hadn’t been super involved in the offense up until that point.

But, with the clock winding down, he delivered.

“We found him,” Mazzulla said, “and he made it.”

Nikola Vucevic doesn’t have the playoff experience that many of his teammates do. Still, the Celtics’ trade deadline acquisition became the team’s most oft-used post player on Friday, tallying 11 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks in 30 minutes.

And, he watched in awe as Tatum and Brown lifted the team to victory.

“Two great players, different players that have been in these situations so many times; you can just tell [when the] game is coming down to the wire, they’re just very poised,” Vucevic said. “They didn’t let the moment or physicality affect them. They knew what they wanted to do. They knew what spots they wanted to get to.”

By the time Tatum and Brown walked off the floor, Xfinity Mobile was mostly filled with Celtics fans, who cheered as they watched one of the NBA’s most successful duos walk off the parquet.

“This was a big win for us,” Brown said.

They just need 14 more.

Boston Celtics (56-26, second in the Eastern Conference) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (45-37, seventh in the Eastern Conference)

Philadelphia; Sunday, 7 p.m. EDT

LINE: Celtics -7.5; over/under is 213.5

EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Celtics lead series 2-1

BOTTOM LINE: The Boston Celtics visit the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference first round with a 2-1 lead in the series. The Celtics won the last meeting 108-100 on Friday, led by 25 points from Jaylen Brown. Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 31.

The 76ers are 27-25 against Eastern Conference opponents. Philadelphia ranks eighth in the Eastern Conference in rebounding with 43.6 rebounds. Andre Drummond leads the 76ers with 8.4 boards.

The Celtics have gone 36-16 against Eastern Conference opponents. Boston ranks fourth in the Eastern Conference with 12.5 offensive rebounds per game led by Neemias Queta averaging 3.0.

The 76ers make 46.2% of their shots from the field this season, which is 2.0 percentage points higher than the Celtics have allowed to their opponents (44.2%). The Celtics are shooting 46.7% from the field, which equals what the 76ers' opponents have shot this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Quentin Grimes is scoring 13.4 points per game and averaging 3.6 rebounds for the 76ers. Maxey is averaging 24.5 points and 3.4 rebounds over the last 10 games.

Derrick White is averaging 16.5 points and 5.4 assists for the Celtics. Brown is averaging 24.0 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: 76ers: 5-5, averaging 109.8 points, 44.4 rebounds, 22.0 assists, 8.2 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 46.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 110.6 points per game.

Celtics: 8-2, averaging 119.9 points, 45.5 rebounds, 27.2 assists, 6.7 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 49.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.3 points.

INJURIES: 76ers: Joel Embiid: day to day (abdomen).

Celtics: None listed.

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

San Antonio Spurs (62-20, second in the Western Conference) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (42-40, eighth in the Western Conference)

Portland, Oregon; Sunday, 3:30 p.m. EDT

LINE: Spurs -5.5; over/under is 219

WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Spurs lead series 2-1

BOTTOM LINE: The San Antonio Spurs visit the Portland Trail Blazers in the Western Conference first round with a 2-1 lead in the series. The Spurs won the last meeting 120-108 on Saturday, led by 33 points from Stephon Castle. Jrue Holiday led the Trail Blazers with 29.

The Trail Blazers are 29-23 in conference games. Portland ranks sixth in the NBA with 46.0 rebounds led by Donovan Clingan averaging 11.6.

The Spurs have gone 36-16 against Western Conference opponents. San Antonio is second in the league with 47.0 rebounds per game. Victor Wembanyama leads the Spurs with 11.5.

The Trail Blazers average 14.5 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.5 more made shots on average than the 13.0 per game the Spurs give up. The Spurs average 119.8 points per game, 4.0 more than the 115.8 the Trail Blazers allow.

TOP PERFORMERS: Clingan is averaging 12.1 points, 11.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks for the Trail Blazers. Deni Avdija is averaging 25.2 points over the last 10 games.

De'Aaron Fox is scoring 18.6 points per game and averaging 3.8 rebounds for the Spurs. Devin Vassell is averaging 2.1 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Trail Blazers: 6-4, averaging 113.8 points, 44.2 rebounds, 24.8 assists, 8.9 steals and 5.8 blocks per game while shooting 45.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.8 points per game.

Spurs: 7-3, averaging 119.7 points, 47.1 rebounds, 27.9 assists, 7.5 steals and 5.4 blocks per game while shooting 48.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.1 points.

INJURIES: Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard: out for season (achilles).

Spurs: Jordan McLaughlin: day to day (ankle), David Jones Garcia: out for season (ankle), Victor Wembanyama: day to day (concussion).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Cleveland Cavaliers (52-30, fourth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Toronto Raptors (46-36, fifth in the Eastern Conference)

Toronto; Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

LINE: Cavaliers -3.5; over/under is 220.5

EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Cavaliers lead series 2-1

BOTTOM LINE: The Cleveland Cavaliers visit the Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference first round with a 2-1 lead in the series. The Raptors won the last meeting 126-104 on Friday, led by 33 points from Scottie Barnes. James Harden led the Cavaliers with 18.

The Raptors are 33-19 in conference matchups. Toronto has a 7-4 record in games decided by 3 points or fewer.

The Cavaliers are 33-19 in Eastern Conference play. Cleveland averages 119.5 points while outscoring opponents by 4.1 points per game.

The Raptors are shooting 48.2% from the field this season, 1.8 percentage points higher than the 46.4% the Cavaliers allow to opponents. The Cavaliers average 14.3 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.8 more made shots on average than the 12.5 per game the Raptors give up.

TOP PERFORMERS: Barnes is averaging 18.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.5 blocks for the Raptors. RJ Barrett is averaging 20.3 points and 3.4 assists over the last 10 games.

Harden is averaging 23.6 points and eight assists for the Cavaliers. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 18.1 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Raptors: 5-5, averaging 116.8 points, 38.9 rebounds, 29.4 assists, 8.1 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 52.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 110.1 points per game.

Cavaliers: 7-3, averaging 118.9 points, 42.5 rebounds, 26.3 assists, 8.3 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 50.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.3 points.

INJURIES: Raptors: Immanuel Quickley: out (hamstring).

Cavaliers: None listed.

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Los Angeles Lakers (53-29, fourth in the Western Conference) vs. Houston Rockets (52-30, fifth in the Western Conference)

Houston; Sunday, 9:30 p.m. EDT

LINE: Rockets -5.5; over/under is 207

WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Lakers lead series 3-0

BOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Lakers look to clinch the series over the Houston Rockets in game four of the Western Conference first round. The Lakers defeated the Rockets 112-108 in overtime in the last matchup on Saturday. LeBron James led the Lakers with 29 points, and Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 33.

The Rockets are 29-23 in Western Conference games. Houston leads the Western Conference in rebounding, averaging 48.1 boards. Sengun leads the Rockets with 8.9 rebounds.

The Lakers are 33-19 in Western Conference play. Los Angeles has an 8-3 record in games decided by 3 points or fewer.

The Rockets score 115.2 points per game, 0.6 more points than the 114.6 the Lakers allow. The Lakers score 6.3 more points per game (116.3) than the Rockets allow their opponents to score (110.0).

TOP PERFORMERS: Sengun is averaging 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists for the Rockets. Amen Thompson is averaging 19.8 points over the last 10 games.

Deandre Ayton is scoring 12.5 points per game and averaging 8.0 rebounds for the Lakers. Rui Hachimura is averaging 2.2 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Rockets: 6-4, averaging 117.2 points, 47.2 rebounds, 25.7 assists, 8.9 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 47.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.9 points per game.

Lakers: 7-3, averaging 110.9 points, 39.6 rebounds, 28.7 assists, 10.3 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 51.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.2 points.

INJURIES: Rockets: Fred VanVleet: out for season (acl), Steven Adams: out for season (ankle), Kevin Durant: day to day (ankle).

Lakers: Austin Reaves: day to day (oblique), Luka Doncic: out (hamstring).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Jayson Tatum continued to shine in his return from injury with 25 points and Jaylen Brown also scored 25 to help the Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 108-100 on Friday night and take a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference first-round series.

Game 4 is Sunday in Philadelphia.

Tatum was 5 of 9 on 3-pointers in just his 19th game this season following surgery last May to repair his Achilles tendon. Brown scored eight straight points late in the fourth for a 96-92 lead that put some distance between them and a Sixers team brimming with confidence following a surprise Game 2 win in Boston.

Tatum buried a 3 for a 100-96 lead and Payton Pritchard hit a step-back 3 to make it 103-98. Tatum, still looking to regain his top form after not playing for nearly a year, may just be there and hit the final 3-point dagger for the 106-100 lead that even sent Allen Iverson headed toward the exit.

Philadelphia played again without center Joel Embiid for Game 3 as he continues to ease his way back into practice following an appendectomy on April 9.

Tyrese Maxey scored 31 points and Paul George added 18.

LAKERS 112, ROCKETS 108, OT

HOUSTON (AP) — LeBron James scored 29 points, including a tying 3-pointer with 13 seconds left in regulation, Marcus Smart had eight points in overtime and Los Angeles took advantage of Houston team missing Kevin Durant for a win to take a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference first-round series.

The Lakers rallied from a six-point deficit with under 30 seconds remaining and can sweep the series Sunday night in Houston.

Smart added 21 points and 10 assists, and Rui Hachimura added 22 points for the Lakers.

Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 33 points and 16 rebounds. Amen Thompson added 26 points and 11 rebounds.

SPURS 120, TRAIL BLAZERS 108

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Stephon Castle had 33 points and San Antonio overcame the absence of Victor Wembanyama to beat Portland for a 2-1 series lead.

Dylan Harper added 27 points and 10 rebounds for the Spurs, who trailed by 15 points in the third quarter. Game 4 of the first-round series Sunday at the Moda Center.

Before the game Spurs coach Mitch Johnson announced that Wembanyama would not play while he continues to recover from a concussion he sustained in Game 2 on Tuesday night.

Jrue Holiday had 29 points for the Trail Blazers, who were making their first home playoff appearance since 2021, but couldn’t ultimately take advantage Wembanyama’s absence.

After defending their home court in the first two games, the Lakers headed to Houston knowing they would receive the Rockets’ best punch in Game 3. And that they did.

With the news they would be without Kevin Durant for the second time in the series, the Rockets played every bit like a team whose back was against the wall. They crashed the offensive glass, flew around the court and tried every option they had on the bench in search of a different result.

However, just like they did in the first two games, the Lakers endured every swing and matched Houston’s desperation en route to a nail-biting 112-108 win in overtime.

It wasn’t a perfect game. No playoff games typically are. But the Lakers proved once again that they can win ugly and in unfathomable ways. And that’s the reason they own a commanding 3-0 lead in the series with a chance for the sweep on Sunday.

Here are the biggest takeaways from the crazy win.

---

A fourth quarter (and overtime) in two parts

It may seem like it happened last week, but the Lakers led by 15 at one point in Game 3. They dictated the terms, their offense clicked and they looked like the team deserving to be up so convincingly in the series. Then the second half happened. And then it snowballed in the fourth quarter.

After trailing for the majority of the first half, the Rockets outscored the Lakers by 11 points in the second (excluding overtime). They clamped down on the Lakers’ offense and continued to be relentless in the paint and the glass on the other end. With 41 seconds left in regulation, the Rockets were suddenly up six. The brooms would have to be put back into closets across Los Angeles.

The Lakers had blown it. They had not only failed to step on the neck of their weakened foe, but had, even worse, afforded them hope — or so it seemed.

Like they have done all year, the Lakers ultimately came through in the clutch. LeBron James’ game-tying 3-pointer capped off a wild final minute and sent the contest into overtime, where the Lakers ultimately staved off the Rockets’ potentially final gasp.

All of the turmoil, injuries and close games the Lakers endured this season actually ended up preparing them for moments like this. The playoffs are fought in the trenches and it’s the trenches where the Lakers have thrived.

Marcus Smart’s omnipresence

If LeBron James’ clutch 3-pointer goes on to be the lasting picture of Game 3, then it was Marcus Smart’s fingerprints and sweat that were smeared over the lens.

To say Smart played a part in the win would be a severe understatement. In his 39 minutes, Smart finished with 21 points, 10 assists, 4 rebounds, 7 stocks (5 steals and 2 blocks) and was the only starter with a positive net rating. The Lakers wound up needing every stat.

Beyond the all-encompassing numbers, Smart consistently found himself involved in every big play down the stretch.

It was his steal and three free throws that breathed life back into a Lakers’ team left for dead with 25 seconds left. It was his three that opened the scoring in overtime. And it was his timely rebounds and trips to the free-throw line that sealed it.

The Houston Rockets had possession with 27.8 seconds left in regulation and a 101-95 lead

Marcus Smart outscored Houston by himself 11-7 to end the game, including 8-7 by himself in overtime alone pic.twitter.com/xV5OXfCPgz

— Law Murray 🪺 (@LawMurrayTheNU) April 25, 2026

Smart’s Game 3 performance was the latest example of what has made him so valuable this season and the Lakers’ collective spirit in the first round.

No matter how severe the odds, Smart feels like he can beat them with sheer effort and guile alone. And so far, he’s proving he’s right.

A big night from the bench

Once it became known that the Lakers would be without Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves for a portion, if not all, of their series against the Rockets, it became evident that it would take a collective effort to extend their season.

After getting key contributions from the likes of Smart and Luke Kennard in the first two games, it was the bench in Game 3 that came up big.

The foursome of Jaxson Hayes, Jake LaRavia, Jarred Vanderbilt and Bronny James scored a combined 24 points and were each a positive in the plus/minus department. In contrast, the Rockets’ six reserves scored just 3 points and all finished with a negative plus/minus.

Outside of their totals, each player off the bench also chipped in from a momentum perspective.

Hayes’ hard rolls and athleticism on both ends helped alleviate a quiet offensive game from Ayton. LaRavia and Vanderbilt’s hard-nosed defense and second chance creation kept the team afloat during the rough patches. And Bronny James’ helpful second quarter minutes — highlighted by his alley-oop finish that was thrown from his father— provided a spark.

It was always going to take the entire team to make up for what is currently lost. And with all signs pointing to a near return for Reaves, the Lakers have not only succeeded in holding down the fort, but also put themselves in a better position than anyone could have imagined.

All stats courtesy of Cleaning the Glass unless otherwise stated. You can follow Alex on Bluesky at @alexregla.bsky.social.

The San Antonio Spurs had a tough time in Portland, dealing with physicality and athleticism, but they dug deep for their most impressive win of the season without the mighty Victor Wembanyama. They mucked up the Trail Blazers offensive sets and held them to 111.5 points per 100 possessions, which is good enough for the 37th percentile, per Cleaning the Glass.

They helped loads off the 3-point line to clog the inside, but Portland’s pressure was as unforgiving, forcing six early turnovers and making it equally as difficult to score in the paint with all the incoming help. Yet, the Spurs who stepped up the most were Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle. They gave the team direction when it was badly needed and took them to the finish line.

Observations

• The Spurs faced their largest deficit of the night in the third quarter (15), and took a one-point lead going into the fourth thanks to their defense getting nasty and some big-time scoring from Harper, which carried over into crunch time. One questioned if it was a peak into the future, watching Castle and Harper bail out the team, but after pondering before the deadline of this write-up, the future is now. They are both great shot creators and will be the best backcourt in the NBA before long when they start sharing the court more often at the start of games and polish their 3-point shots.
• Without Wembanyama (concussion), this is an even series. The Spurs’ front line was vulnerable because it had to go small when Luke Kornet sat, yet they were able to stop the Blazers from going wild on the glass. Still, the Blazers had no fear of attacking the lane for a bucket or kick-out pass, and they did damage in transition for most of the game. This also unlocked 29 free throw attempts for the Blazers, but them being so ineffective at the line was a big help to the Spurs.
• Portland’s attack wasn’t anything special. The transition success stemmed from the defense forcing misses, plus turnovers and the Spurs’ inability to generate free throw attempts for 2.5 quarters, which cut the flow of the game. 
• Last season, Andrew Nembhard was the player whose stock went up the most in the playoffs. This year, it’s maybe Scoot Henderson, whose hot streak continued behind a stream of 3-point shots in the first half, but he went cold after intermission.
• Jrue Holiday is a timeless baller, which adds credibility to any advice he gives the youngsters. He was giving it to the Spurs for three quarters, attacking through screen rolls and did well denying the ball. His fingerprints were all over the third quarter, when the Blazers built their largest lead of the game (15). 
• Deni Avdija is one of the biggest foul baiters in the league, which got him a ton of free throw attempts to soften the blow of his poor shooting.  He even drew two of Fox’s three first-half fouls, which limited his aggression following intermission.
• The Trail Blazers came into this game, making only 30.3 percent of their 3-point attempts, and the only spot they shot well from deep was the left corner. They shot 36.8 percent this time, but that number is affected mostly by the Spurs defense making them tighter after intermission.
• Carter Bryant was instant impact when he came in, hustling to break up transition and screen for his teammates. Yet he was a bit exposed because the Blazers didn’t want to guard him closely for lack of a dependable outside shot, which made things harder for his teammates. Still, he was way more of a positive than a negative.

The Toronto Raptors announced Friday that point guard Immanuel Quickley will not be available for the remainder of the team’s first round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Quickley, who was recovering from a hamstring issue, re-injured it during the rehabilitation process. The team added that an update will be provided “as appropriate”.

After several injury-plagued seasons, Quickley appeared in 70 this past year – his most since 2022-2023 when he was a member of the New York Knicks. He is also one of the team’s better three-point shooters at 37% and he attempts the most threes per game on the team. That floor spacing is imperative on a team that is challenged offensively at keeping up with their opponents when the scoring starts coming. On the year, Quickley averaged 16.4 points and 5.9 assists per game.

In his absence, the Raptors have started Jamal Shead and Ja’Kobe Walter so far in the series. Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles, who was very effective in Game 3 with 22 points off the bench, could also start in Quickley’s place.

The Cavs catch a break with Quickley being ruled out for the series, which narrows the margin of error even more for the Raptors. Cleveland’s offense was very poor in Game 3, but they muscled their way through the first half with a tie and put themselves in position to win entering the fourth quarter. The final score is not indicative of how much the Cavs fought back, so there is good reason to believe the offense will look better in Game 4 just due to regression back to the mean. Toronto, meanwhile, shot 61% from deep in Game 3 – well above their season average.

They did not necessarily need him for Game 3, but Toronto certainly would have liked to see Quickley on the court for another near must-win Game 4. The Raptors trail the series 2-1, and its is fair to say that the first two games are more indicative of what the baseline is for these two teams. The Cavs have had one of the best offenses since the All-Star break, and the Raptors have struggled mightily in that same timeframe.

The Cavs and Raptors will square off in Game 4 on Sunday afternoon.

HOUSTON — Lakers coach JJ Redick had a clear message before his team’s Game 3 first round playoff series matchup against the Rockets on Friday night. 

“The desperate team normally wins in the playoffs,” Redick said, “the more desperate team.”

Despite missing two of their best players in Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves for the entire series, the Lakers have been the better team in the matchup.

And on Friday night, they were also the more desperate team.

After trailing by six points fewer than 30 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Lakers pulled off a miraculous comeback against the Kevin Durant-less Rockets, beating the Rockets 112-108 in overtime on Friday night at Toyota Center to take a three-game lead in the series.

“There’s a lot of things that happened that were not perfect, including some stuff I did,” Redick said postgame. “But you just kind of get onto the next play. And that, to me, is a hallmark of poise; that’s a hallmark of composure. It’s tough to win on the road in the playoffs. Even without KD, they’re a great basketball team and that was a huge test for us, especially in that moment where we’re down six.”

LeBron James led the Lakers with 29 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals. 

Marcus Smart had 21 points, 10 assists, 5 steals and 2 blocked shots. 

Rui Hachimura scored 22 points, including 16 in the first quarter, while Luke Kennard added 14 points, 6 assists and 6 rebounds. Jaxson Hayes had 12 points and 4 rebounds off the bench.

The Rockets scratched and clawed their way back into the game after falling behind by 15 in the first half, trailing by 11 at halftime and five at the end of the third quarter.

Alperen Sengun (33 points, 16 rebounds, 6 assists), Amen Thompson (26 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists) and Jabari Smith Jr. (24 points, 6 rebounds) all had their best games of the series so far. 

But the Lakers prevailed. 

What it means

The Lakers are up 3-0 in the best-of-seven series against the Rockets, all guaranteeing that they’ll advance to the second round of the playoffs.

No team in NBA history has come back from down 0-3 in a playoff series, with the teams that were up 3-0 advancing all 125 times since the NBA moved to a 16-team playoff in 1984.

The Lakers haven’t been up 3-0 in a playoff series since 2010 when they swept the Jazz in the second round.

Turning point

With the Rockets leading 101-98 with 20 seconds left in regulation, James tapped the ball out of Sheppard’s hand from behind to Smart in the frontcourt. 

Smart passed the ball to James, who passed to Kennard, who passed back to James, who hit a corner 3-pointer to tie the game at 101 apiece with 14 seconds left. 

Hayes got the defensive stop on Sengun on the Rockets’ ensuing possession, with James grabbing the defensive rebound. 

James missed the potential game-winning 3 at the end of regulation to send the game into overtime.

---

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters

Co-MVPs: LeBron James and Marcus Smart

Both James and Smart made big plays in the fourth and overtime to secure the victory for the Lakers.

James had the game-changing sequence at the end of the fourth to give the Lakers a shot at winning. 

Smart had big steals, a crucial offensive rebound and knocked down several free throws late to keep the Lakers ahead. 

“Both those guys made big-time plays,” Redick said.

Stat of the game: 6

That’s how many points the Rockets led by, 101-95, late in the fourth before their collapse. 

NBA teams were 1,713-1 when leading by six or more in the last 30 seconds of regulation in the playoffs in the last 29 years, according to ESPN.

Now, they’re 1,713-2.

Up next

Game 4 of Lakers-Rockets is scheduled for Sunday at Toyota Center, with a 6:30 p.m. PT tipoff.