The NCAA will expand its DIvision I basketball tournaments from 68 to 76 teams next season. The change isn't expected to radically disrupt the familiar bracket for most casual fans. Here is a breakdown of some key numbers to know:
0 — The number of mid-major schools that advanced past the first weekend of either tournament the last two seasons.
1 in 9.2 quintillion — The estimated odds against picking a perfect bracket even before adding eight games to the mix.
4 — Games matching No. 12 seeds and No. 16 seeds in the opening round.
8 — The number of teams being added to each tournament (men and women). It's also the number of new games being added to each tourney.
15 — The number of years since the NCAA last expanded the tournaments (from 64 to 68 in 2011).
120 — Total number of games for the two tournaments over seven days between the bracket announcement and the conclusion of the secound round.
131 — As in $131 million, the amoung of new revenue the NCAA expects to share with tournament participants under the expansion.
300 — As in $300 million, the extra funding the NCAA expects to get from new advertising opportunities tied to expansion, including the addition of liqour ads that had largely been off limits.
2032 — The year the current $8.8 billion broadcast deal between the NCAA and partners like CBS, TNT and others expires, raising the potential for more change.
350,000 — As in $350,000, the value of a NCAA-distributed "unit' for a men's team that reached the tournament.
The Lakers have been without their leading scorer since April 2 when he suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain in a loss against the Thunder. Doncic missed the Lakers' remaining regular-season games and start of the postseason, including a first round, 4-2 series win against the Houston Rockets.
The Lakers advanced to face the Thunder in the conference semifinals, where they are down 1-0, following a 108-90 loss in Game 1 on May 5.
Doncic has been seen shooting at Lakers' practices. He told reporters after their Wednesday practice that he is doing "everything he can" to get back on the court and join the team in the playoff battle amidst a championship chase.
"I'm feeling good and working out every day, trying to come back," Doncic told reporters. "Right now, I'm running, but I haven't done any contact."
Luka Doncic’s first press conference since he injured his hamstring on April 2. He said his timeline to return to the #Lakers was 8 weeks. He’s ramping up. But still a ways to go. pic.twitter.com/Qux41bcTO0
Guard Sam Merrill was ruled out for Game 2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Eastern Conference semifinals series against the Detroit Pistons Thursday night with a left hamstring strain.
Merrill was on the court testing the leg during warmups, according to reports, but the team announced he would not play after he returned to the locker room.
He exited Game 1 on Tuesday after just 6 minutes and 41 seconds. He underwent an MRI on Wednesday and did not practice. Now, the Cavaliers, already down 1-0 in the series, are facing Detroit’s defense without their best shooter.
That’s a big issue for the Cavs.
The Pistons basically dared the Cavaliers to beat them from outside in Game 1. Without Merrill, Cleveland struggled. The Cavs turned the ball over 20 times, and the Pistons converted that into 31 points in the 111-101 win. Donovan Mitchell and James Harden combined for 45 points but also combined for 10 of those turnovers.
Merrill shot 42.1% from 3 during the regular season and averaged a career high of 12.8 points. He is in the first year of a four-year, $38 million extension with Cleveland.
“You can’t replace what Sam brings,” forward Jaylon Tyson said Wednesday. "He’s a key piece of this team. Our best shooter. Somebody’s got to step up for him.”
Tyson, Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder figure to absorb the minutes. In Game 1 without Merrill, that trio shot 5-of-11 from 3 and combined for 22 points in 56 minutes
DETROIT, MI - MAY 5: Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket during the game against the Detroit Pistons during Round Two Game One of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
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DETROIT (AP) — Cleveland Cavaliers reserve guard Sam Merrill is out of the lineup with a hamstring injury against the Detroit Pistons in Game 2 of their second-round series on Thursday night.
Merrill was injured early in a Game 1 loss to the Pistons on Tuesday night. He had an MRI and was held out of practice on Wednesday.
The 29-year-old Merrill averaged 12.8 points during the regular season and scored in double digits twice in the seven-game, first-round series against the Toronto Raptors.
The Los Angeles Lakers roster is already stretched thin as it is, but there's a chance they could be down one more body for Game 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night.
Luke Kennard was added to the Lakers injury report on Wednesday with neck soreness. He's still on it as of the 5:30 p.m. NBA injury report for Thursday and is officially listed as questionable.
Kennard struggled in Game 1, shooting just 1-for-4 from the field for seven points, five rebounds, one assist and two turnovers. But the 29-year-old sharpshooter played a major role in the Lakers' first round series win over the Houston Rockets, scoring 27 and 23 points in the first two games as LA raced out to a 3-0 lead. He ultimately averaged 12.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists while shooting 44.6% and 41.7% from beyond the arc over their six games against Houston.
Luke Kennard (neck soreness) is questionable for tomorrow's Game 2 at OKC. Jarred Vanderbilt is doubtful. pic.twitter.com/sahX1xLzRW
The Lakers acquired Kennard from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second-round draft pick at the trade deadline on Feb. 5. Since his arrival, he's provided some much-needed shooting to Crypto.com Arena, emerging as a go-to complementary piece for LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
If Kennard sits for Game 2, that would add to the Lakers' injury woes this postseason.
Doncic has missed a month with a grade 2 hamstring strain and recently revealed he was originally given an eight-week timeline to return, meaning he likely won't be available until the end of the Western Conference Finals.
Jarred Vanderbilt is day-to-day with a dislocated right pinky and Austin Reaves has struggled to a 30.4% field goal percentage since returning from a grade 2 oblique strain in Game 5 against Houston.
Oklahoma City Thunder have been cruising so far through the 2026 NBA playoffs despite not being at full strength.
Thunder star Jalen "J-Dub" Williams has not played since suffering a Grade 1 left hamstring strain during the first round against the Phoenix Suns on April 22. Williams played in the first two games of the opening series and has been sidelined since.
Oklahoma City finished the Suns in a sweep and have since moved on to the Conference semifinals to face the Los Angeles Lakers, where they hold a 1-0 series lead after their 108-90 Game 1 win on May 5.
Williams missed the first game of the Thunder-Lakers series. His status for Game 2 mirrors his Game 1 status.
According to the NBA injury report (as of 5 p.m. ET), Williams is listed out for Game 2 with a left hamstring.
Williams, 25, averaged 17.1 points and 5.5 assists for the Thunder during the 2025-26 regular-season. He shot 48.4% from the field and just under 30% from 3-point distance. His average plus/minus is +6.9.
Despite missing those numbers, Oklahoma City has shown signs of success without Williams, who has sat out at times throughout the season with injuries. Williams played in 33 regular-season games. He was limited with two wrist surgeries and two hamstring strains.
The Thunder have been breezing by opponents with or without him, defeating their opponents by an average of 17.4 points in five games. Adding Williams would only make Oklahoma City seem unstoppable.
Williams is part of the Thunder core and the team's present run at a dynasty. He signed a five-year, $239.25 million deal as part of a designated rookie contract extension with Oklahoma City in July 2025.
Jalen Williams draft
Williams was selected by the Thunder with the 12th pick in the first round of the 2022 NBA Draft out of Santa Clara. The pick was originally acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers as a part of a deal that sent Paul George to LA for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Jalen Williams stats
Here are Jalen Williams' 2025-26 regular-season stats:
Points: 17.1
Rebounds: 4.6
Assists: 5.5
Field goal %: 48.4
3-point %: 29.9
Free throw %: 83.7
Blocks: 0.3
Steals: 1.2
Jalen Williams highlights
Check out Thunder guard Jalen Williams' highlights from last year's playoffs.
There are a few coaches around the league who, even if their team isn't winning much, the job they are doing catches the eye of scouts and front office people from other teams. They see development, smart use of often-limited rosters, and the building of cultures that will serve as a foundation once the talent is built up.
Charles Lee is one of those coaches, and after leading the Hornets to 44 wins this past season and the play-in, he was rewarded with a multi-year contract extension, the Hornets announced.
"I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue leading this team and building on what we've started here in Charlotte..." Lee said in a statement announcing the extension. "I'm excited about the direction we're headed and our team's bright future. Our players have shown a real commitment to growth, and I'm proud of the culture we're establishing together. We're just getting started, and I'm looking forward to the work ahead."
Lee took over from Steve Clifford for the 2024-25 season, and an injury-riddled Charlotte squad won just 19 games — but you could see the development and potential. This season, with a healthy LaMelo Ball and the addition of rookie Kon Knueppel, Charlotte won 44 games, made the play-in and beat Miami in one of the best play-in games ever, but fell short of making the playoffs. Still, that is a 25-game leap from season to season, with a young and improving team.
"Charles has done an outstanding job establishing a foundation for who we want to be as a team," Hornets president of basketball operations Jeff Peterson said in a statement. "From day one, Charles and his staff have prioritized player development, creating an environment where each of our players are committed to getting better and continue to improve. He has built a team-first culture rooted in accountability, hard work and professionalism."
There are no details on the contract. When Lee signed two years ago to take over as head coach, it was reportedly a four-year contract, likely with a team option on the final year. This contract likely replaces that option year and adds at least two, so that would keep him under contract with the Hornets for at least three more seasons, until the summer of 2029.
Historically, it makes sense given this tournament has had significant growth since the first edition of eight teams in 1939. In fact, the 42 years without a major shift was the longest it had gone without expanding.
Why so long? That’s because it finally found the perfect balance. Now, the NCAA is trying to ruin its most sacred postseason, dismantling all the work necessary to make March the spectacle it is.
The organization will tell you it’s expanding the field because it was necessary, giving one-fifth of its 361 teams a shot at the exclusive spot. More teams means better matchups, so more drama and opportunities for madness. The NCAA also won’t mind the extra money that comes with it.
However, do those teams that are just missing out really deserve a shot? Because it has shown none of it looks pretty.
It has everything to do with who is getting these extra spots. You know who this expansion is really for, and if you need a hint: it’s not those small schools.
The NCAA tried to say since the first four out started in 2011, 42% of teams to just miss the cut came from non-power conferences. With that logic, more of the mid-majors will get in, right?
No way. The smaller conferences have dwindled recently. Of the 24 teams to miss out since 2021, just seven were mid-majors. That’s just 29%. Plus with the new seeding, automatic qualifiers all get bumped a seed down. So a No. 13 seed in the field of 68 can end up a No. 14 in the field of 76.
That’s why those at the mid-major level are skeptical they will see any benefits of this.
“I think the intention of expansion is only to get more power conference teams in the tournament, and that's frustrating. Every year, there's a couple of teams in that mid-major group that I think would add a lot to the tournament that get excluded,” UC Irvine coach Russell Turner told USA TODAY Sports in July. “You could be optimistic, but knowing how the tournament bids are being chosen with the formulas that they're using, I don't think that optimism is well placed.”
More and more, the selection committee has pushed away mid-majors in favor of power teams, and it’s an ugly way to go about it. Just look at who barely missed out on the field in 2026.
Congratulations, 18-14 Indiana and 17-16 Auburn get a shot to play for a title. Quality wins or not, they have zero business being in the bracket compared to teams that did more in their respective conferences.
With the way the tournament is trending, the regular season loses even more of its luster, and puts a bigger spotlight on the bigger conference teams that should be behind the curtain.
Now, those fringe contenders are going to do everything to schedule easier buy games to make the lipstick look a little bit better on the pig, leaving those quality mid-majors scrambling for opponents like Miami (Ohio).
When the race to the tournament really begins in February, we’re going to be discussing teams hovering around .500 because they are getting punched around in the Big Ten or SEC, but that one or two Quad 1 wins suddenly makes them a contender. Rather than make it an exciting sprint to the end, we’ll be spending time focusing on teams you want to shield your eyes from. It’s getting close to the “SEC-Big Ten-Big 12-ACC-Big East” invitational status.
It’s unfortunate, because the build up to Selection Sunday is part of the magic. You want to see quality teams fighting to get in, not a mid-off between squads fighting one of the worst fights you’ll ever watch.
The NCAA wants to get more people inside the door. The problem is the teams being let through are ones that shouldn’t even be knocking in the first place, and those that should get in aren’t even getting the invite. Let in a 26-6 Belmont team that won the Missouri Valley regular-season title over middling Indiana who’s limping on the porch because of program recognition.
Thankfully, this isn’t the complete end of the tournament. Teams like 2024 Indiana State and 24-win Boise State in 2025 that barely missed out then will get a shot in the future, and that’s what most teams are asking for. If there is a better focus on getting the right teams – not brands – then expansion wins.
The days leading up to Selection Sunday will be ugly, but this doesn’t wreck the tournament completely. The first round and everything after stays intact, meaning the first round madness is still going to happen. For as much has been changed, the best part is untouched. It will just be an unfortunate start before the greatest show in basketball can officially begin.
The NCAA hasn’t killed the NCAA Tournament, but it’s getting better at ruining it.
The Minnesota Timberwolves did not respond well to a San Antonio Spurs’ adjustment in Game 2. This Spurs vs. Timberwolves same-game parlay focuses on Minnesota’s likely adjustment in Game 3 on Friday, May 8.
SGP leg #1: Anthony Edwards Over 4.5 assists (+115)
The San Antonio Spurs sent a second defender at Anthony Edwards as often as possible in Game 2. Whenever the Minnesota Timberwolves’ superstar crossed halfcourt, a second defender charged at him in an effort to get the ball out of Edwards’s hands as quickly as possible.
Minnesota did not handle that well, in part because its best response is currently in a walking boot on a scooter after tearing his Achilles in Game 4 against the Nuggets. Without Donte DiVincenzo hoisting 29-foot 3-pointers, it was more difficult to break the Spurs’ traps.
But the Timberwolves will need to adjust. The defensive focus is on Edwards. He needs to move the ball to open teammates.
SGP leg #2: Naz Reid Over 1.5 threes (-120)
The best remaining Minnesota shooter, Edwards aside, is Naz Reid. For much of March and even the first round against the Nuggets, Reid’s shoulder bothered him too much to properly stress a defense.
But he has now gone 5-of-7 from beyond the arc in this series. He can hit those 30-footers that will best open up the court for Edwards.
Reid has hit multiple 3-pointers in four games against San Antonio this season.
SGP leg #3: Rudy Gobert Under 11.5 rebounds (-120)
More Reid may mean less Rudy Gobert. This whole series should mean less Rudy Gobert.
Victor Wembanyama is such a defensive force; the Timberwolves need five scorers on the court as often as possible, and Gobert simply is not that.
Minnesota’s problem in Game 2 was not its defense, though that was not necessarily spectacular. It was the offense.
Get Douglas Farmer's full breakdown of this game, including his best bet, plus the latest NBA odds, injuries, and betting trends, in his Spurs vs Timberwolves predictions for Game 3.
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The Los Angeles Lakers' depth was already tenuous heading into the playoffs. It's even more so now ahead of Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals on Thursday night.
Jarred Vanderbilt went down with a gruesome hand injury when his fingers hit the backboard while trying to contest an alley-oop towards the end of the first half in Game 1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, resulting in a full dislocation of his right pinky that also broke skin. But there's optimism that the Lakers' fan favorite avoided the worst-case scenario.
During the off day on Wednesday, Lakers head coach JJ Redick told reporters that "they were able to put his finger back together," with stitches and put the finger in a splint.
Jarred Vanderbilt injury update: Status ahead of Game 2
Vanderbilt is considered day-to-day and is officially listed as doubtful for Game 2, according to the latest NBA injury report.
"He's obviously a tough-minded player and person," Redick told reporters. "... Certainly the pain is involved (in a return), from my understanding. Basically, making sure that the tissue is healed enough to protect his skin barrier and the bone."
#Lakers head coach JJ Redick and teammate Jaxon Hayes discuss Jarred Vanderbilt’s open dislocation of his right pinky finger and how he’s now “day to day” after doctor’s had to put it back together and sew it up with stitches last night during Game 1 against #OKC. #Thunder… pic.twitter.com/9zic7yLW9w
Vanderbilt was screaming and doubled over in pain as he walked off the court towards the locker room at the 5:51-mark of the second quarter. Athletic trainers placed a towel over his hand to conceal the graphic injury, but some camera angles did show a bone in his pinky sticking out through the side of his skin.
The Thunder bench reacted and moved out of the way when they got a glimpse of it.
While Vanderbilt is unlikely to play on Thursday, it seems like he avoided the worst possibility of a fracture. The only other Lakers listed on the injury report were Luka Doncic (out with a grade 2 left hamstring strain) and Luke Kennard, who is questionable with neck soreness.
PORTLAND, OREGON - APRIL 02: Dejounte Murray #5 of the New Orleans Pelicans looks on during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on April 02, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Soobum Im/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As the days roll on, the discussion on who Phoenix should trade for continues to rise at a rapid rate. With most fans wanting to see some change to this team, something will have to give. Even if Mat Ishbia preached keeping most of this team, there will be some turnover within the roster. Just how big will that be?
That is the real question no one has the answer to. As fans mull over who the team should pursue, they really do not know what kind of upgrade they are looking for. Is it a big splash or on the margins? Only time will tell what Brian Gregory and Mat Ishbia decide to do, but in the meantime, let’s discuss the possibilities they can make this offseason.
The latest article in this series looks at a different position than the previous one, even though the team has an abundance of guards; a shakeup could be necessary for the team’s best direction.
I haven’t seen his name come up at all, but I really think Dejounte Murray would be a great fit next to Book.
Now, there has been no linkage to Dejounte Murray wanting out, or even to the Pelicans wanting to move off him, but the writing is basically on the wall. With the Pelicans looking to develop their young players, there’s really no spot for Murray. If Jeremiah Fears is their future, they need to invest in him, not Murray. He is also out of the timeline the Pelicans want to be in. He is older, and even if their front office THINKS they can compete, it is clear they are further behind than they evaluated them to be in the Wild Wild West.
Hence, even if he is not “available” at this second, I do think he will be off this Pelicans team, as he will want to be on a team that is competing. Does this make sense for the Suns to pursue? If so, how could they get it done?
How could it get done?
Looking at Murray’s contract, there are multiple ways the Suns could look to acquire the point guard, though I think there are two realistic options. For starters, he is owed $63.5 million over the next two seasons, with a near-$31 million player option next season. That means it would either require Jalen Green’s $36 million deal or a combination of Grayson Allen’s and Royce O’Neale’s contracts to reach right under $30 million.
Which would make the most sense?
I can see both of them getting the job done, but one is better than the other. With the Green contract, you fully swap a guard for a guard, messing with the continuity a bit but getting a better fit around Devin Booker, your star player. Not only that, but it then leaves you the remaining assets in Royce O’Neale and Grayson Allen to either keep or to get the size you need in the front court to compete against their Western Conference opponents.
If you trade Allen and O’Neale for Murray, you do find a guard replacement for Green, but then have to sell on him. With the league then knowing the Suns need to move off Green, the low-ball offers will come streaming in. For a guy already on a 72M contract that most front offices are scared to look at, it will not help the Suns get a beneficial return.
Therefore, I think the first option is the best for all parties involved: a Green for Murray swap.
Why does it get done?
Suns
This is a significant change from the previous renditions in this series. As noted in those three, I said there should not be a deal. Here I stand on my ten toes and state that the Suns should pursue this one, and I believe the Pelicans would be interested as well.
For starters, let’s evaluate this from a Suns perspective, as I truly do think that adding Murray would be a positive for this team. Even if Murray has been injured recently, like the previous names discussed, this one is a bit different.
He suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in the 2024-2025 season, which kept him sidelined for most of the year as he only suited up in 31 games. He then recovered for most of this season, allowing him to return healthy for 14 games. With the Pelcians having no sense of direction, either, this was a good thing for the betterment of his career. Besides these two seasons, though, the guard has played fewer than 65 games only twice: once in his rookie year and in 2018-2019, when he tore his ACL in the preseason.
These serious injuries could be scary, especially since one happened recently, but in his short time back with the Pelicans, Murray seemed to have it still. Even with a small sample size of 14 games, he averaged 16.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 1.6 steals on 48/31/87 shooting splits. The guard would also help the Suns and fit their style.
Similar to Jrue Holiday, who was written about earlier this week, Murray would complement Devin Booker in many ways. This would allow Booker to return to his true position as a shooting guard and give him help with playmaking and ball-handling duties. He is also a solid defender and has a 6’ 10” wingspan, allowing him to use his length to create some big turnovers for the Phoenix defense.
For someone who started his career with the San Antonio Spurs, who believed in a defensive identity and culture, this would easily translate for Murray in a scheme with Jordan Ott at the helm. Murray would bring fear to opponents on the offensive end, alleviating pressure on Booker to hunt his own shots. Murry would also be a solid ball handler and playmaker who could help initiate the offense with Booker on the court, but with either Collin Gillespie or Jordan Goodwin alongside him, too.
The age may be a factor for some of these other players I said no to trading for, but with Murray, it’s not as glaring an issue. Yes, he will be turning 30 and getting older, but he is not at the age of Jrue Holiday or Anthony Davis. Nor is he said to be looking for a max contract like one of those guys is.
One of the best parts as well is that the Suns save money in this deal, a little under 4M that could be used to help bring back Gillespie and Goodwin while arguably finding a better fit for the roster and direction.
In review, he is everything the Suns could look to add in a point guard that will not disrupt the ability of Devin Booker to get touches still or attack the shots he wants. Murray, with a solid defensive frame, fits the identity the franchise wants to pursue on defense while not being a long-term detriment, given his age and salary.
Pelicans
Now, here comes the difficult part: convincing the Pelicans to do this deal… Ha, you thought I was being serious? The Pelicans’ front office is widely regarded as one of the most dysfunctional in this association. After their trade for Derik Queen at the draft, giving up their unprotected first-round pick for this season, they thought they were going to compete in the playoffs. Unfortunately for them, they did not even make the Play-In, so they had to hand over a lottery pick to the Atlanta Hawks.
This shows me that Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver, the two in charge over there, have no idea what is going on, and it was clearly evident this season. They still believe they can build around Zion Williamson and continue to make those comments even after this year. Both Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones, arguably their two most valuable players, remained on the roster when teams were willing to trade for them. The Pelicans are trying to find their path, but keep struggling to get there or even establish a true star for their squad. Since Zion has been injured, they haven’t been able to jump-start the rebuild, and the process has been ongoing.
That is why I believe the front office will take this deal. They would see Jalen Green as adding a former number two pick, who has the potential to be a guy for them, pairing him with Zion and their lot of players to try and push for a deep playoff run. Green helped get Phoenix there this year and showed up in the playoffs. That’s a strong buying point for Dumars and co to decide to want this deal.
Not to mention that Green would be a better fit next to Fears, allowing the young guard to get the keys to himself as PG instead of competing with Murray. The Pelcians also get younger, taking on the 24-year-old who still has the potential to change his narrative in this league. Green could bring some much-needed rim pressure and work well paired with offensive hub Derik Queen.
Ultimately, I can see the Pelicans taking on Allen and O’Neale as well, thinking those role players would get them to make the play-in, but that is something I see Phoenix declining, rather than going with a 1-for-1 swap.
Final Thoughts
That said, I am not shipping Green for anyone. There are very few guards I’d consider it for, and Murray happens to be one of the only ones that are going to be “available” to do so.
So what would you guys do if you were the Suns? Would you consider a deal for Dejounte Murray if he wanted out, and do you think that either of these deals could get done? Your thoughts are more than appreciated, and I hope you have enjoyed the new series on Bright Side so far!
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 6: OG Anunoby #8 of the New York Knicks drives to the basket during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round Two Game Two on May 6, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
After two contests in New York, one that was over by the third quarter and one that came down to the final minutes, the Philadelphia 76ers trail the Knicks in their Eastern Conference Semifinals series, 2-0. Joel Embiid missed Game 2 with hip and ankle injuries and his status remains up in the air moving forward. Tyrese Maxey committed six turnovers in the latest loss and later connected the dots that he had jammed his injured pinky finger during the game, causing him additional discomfort. They say a series doesn’t start until the road team wins, but the Sixers are certainly testing that sentiment with the overall feeling about how things are going at the moment.
Aside from the fact that Philadelphia looked to figure some things out in the close Game 2 defeat, the biggest cause for optimism going forward is injury luck swinging back slightly in the other direction. Knicks wing OG Anunoby left Game 2 late with what we later found out is a hamstring injury.
New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby has been diagnosed with right hamstring strain and will be day to day, sources tell ESPN. Anunoby is the Knicks second-leading scorer this postseason at 21.4 points per game. He is listed questionable for Game 3 on Friday against Philadelphia. pic.twitter.com/q1zLXpbRkr
It does appear that Anunoby avoided a serious strain and various reports have mentioned him as day-to-day to perhaps out up to a week. He has a history of hamstring injuries, most recently missing three weeks earlier this season with one. The Knicks faced a similar situation two years ago in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against Indiana; OG’s hamstring injury then was a turning point in the Pacers coming back from a 2-0 deficit to win that series. Could history repeat itself here?
While next man up mentality always applies, and the Knicks certainly have better roster depth than the Sixers, there’s no denying what a huge loss Anunoby would be for New York if he misses any time. He’s unquestionably their top two-way player and someone that has earned the “16-game player” designation with how his numbers regularly improve in a postseason environment. In this current postseason, OG is averaging 21.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.9 steals, 1.1 blocks and 0.5 turnovers.
He, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart taking on the difficult defensive assignments and generally covering a ton of ground allow the Knicks to get away with two negative defenders in Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. Anunoby’s versatility and ability to credibly guard four positions allows head coach Mike Brown a ton of lineup malleability. I mentioned the Knicks have solid depth, but they don’t really have any similar big wings coming off the bench. They either get much smaller with more guard types receiving playing time like Deuce McBride, Landry Shamet and Jordan Clarkson. Or New York could try additional minutes with the two bigs beside each other, assuming Mitchell Robinson is back from his illness-related Game 2 absence. Either way, there’s something for the Sixers to exploit that simply isn’t there with a perfect jack-of-all-trades guy on the floor in Anunoby.
Even if it comes out that Anunoby is officially missing one or two games, I’m not going to sit here and tell you that changes everything from the Sixers’ perspective. They still have their own gigantic healthy mystery box to unravel in the form of Joel Embiid, after all. But if you’re looking for avenues Philadelphia could walk down to get back into this series, the Knicks missing the guy most critical to making everything else work would be a good place to start.
On Thursday, May 7, the NCAA formally ratified a proposal to expand both the men’s and women’s tournaments from 68 to 76 teams — or, approximately one-fifth of all Division I programs.
“I’m in favor of three weeks,” Tennessee coach Rick Barnes said to a group of reporters. “It’s really hard to win six games in three weeks. I’m all in favor of the smaller teams having a chance to be in this tournament, I really am.
“As long as we stay in a three-week period, I think that’s all we got and I think it’s the best sporting event going because we’re going to allow more and more teams to be a part of it, obviously, and it’s going to impact the country in every state. I don’t have a problem with that at all, but the fact is, it’s hard to win six games. But there may be somebody to come through there and win seven or eight games, whatever it takes to get to the championship.”
The men’s tournament will maintain “March Madness Opening Round” games in Dayton, Ohio, on the Tuesday and Wednesday following Selection Sunday; the city will play host to six games across those two days. An additional location, which the NCAA has not divulged, will host the other six games.
Six of those opening-round matchups will feature the 12 lowest-placed conference championship automatic qualifiers while the other games will pit the 12 lowest-seeded at-large bid recipients.
Not every coach is quick to embrace the move to expand the field.
“I think for me, they can call us mid-major, we’re low-mid-major in the Big South, whatever gives us the best opportunity to win a game is what I’m for,” UNC Asheville coach Mike Morrell told USA TODAY Sports. “Without really knowing what that looks like, then I think my opinion could be skewed a little bit. When I was at the University of Texas (as an assistant coach), we were a 10-seed and a 6-seed. I think if you were to ask me 10 years ago, I would have said expand that thing and get as many of those high-major guys as we can.
“I understand that’s the reason, but I just think it really … I don’t know that dilutes is the right word but it negates some regular-season importance because you’re allowing so many of these quote unquote big boys in. How many teams are going to get in now with losing records in their league? I’ve got to imagine it’s going to be a much higher percentage.”
Tom Crean has coached in 20 career NCAA Tournament games across stops at Marquette, Indiana and Georgia. He remains close to the sport as an analyst for radio and TV.
His only shock about Thursday’s news? That it took 15 years to materialize.
Crean rightly expects a tougher road for the final teams earning their way into the field — at-large and as lower mid-major conference champs.
“It was inevitable from the moment that it was floated out there years back and I’m surprised it took this long to come to fruition,” Crean told USA TODAY Sports. “I believe you will see more teams that would have been 14s or 15s have to play their way in, and you’ll see some brand name and Power conference teams end up as 12s or maybe even 13s.
“An occasional outlier, lower-mid or mid-major will jump in, but it’s not really set up for that with the metrics and the money allocations.”
On the heels of a 2025-26 basketball season that saw Miami (Ohio) barely earn an at-large selection despite 31 wins before Selection Sunday because of a soft nonconference schedule that ranked as low as No. 360, Crean expects more scheduling woes in that ecosystem.
“If people thought scheduling was hard before for lows and mids,” said Crean, a 2003 Final Four to his credit, “it’s going to get even tougher.”
After guiding Asheville into the 2023 NCAA Tournament and earning a No. 15 seed, only to be “shipped to Sacramento for a road game against UCLA,” Morrell battles the conflicting emotions of wanting a pathway for his Bulldogs to win versus preserving the scarcity of an invitation.
“If it allows more of a chance for us to a win a game and increase revenue for our league, at Asheville, we do actually have an NCAA Tournament win in our history from a play-in game but you still get a unit, you still get a share,” Morrell said. “As a lover of college basketball, I don’t love (expansion). I think there’s a real honor to playing in that tournament. A real earned right to playing in that tournament, and I don’t want to see it diluted by more teams in there.”
Army coach Kevin Kuwik has 10 previous NCAA Tournament appearances as an assistant coach but is still seeking to engineer the Black Knights’ first entrance into the Big Dance.
“As a fan of the tournament, I'm probably kind of a purist so this doesn't really excite me,” Kuwik told USA TODAY Sports. “But as a coach, it ultimately comes down to this is the dream we have, this is what we have to do to get there, so let's get to work.
Joel Embiid is day-to-day. Again. And nobody knows when, or even if, he will play again.
The Philadelphia 76ers are staring at a 2-0 series hole against the New York Knicks after Embiid sat out Wednesday’s Game 2 with a sprained right ankle and right hip soreness. ESPN reported on Thursday that he is day-to-day with no guarantee he plays Friday.
The 108-102 loss Wednesday night puts the 76ers’ season on the brink heading into Friday’s Game 3 at Xfinity Mobil Arena.
Coach Nick Nurse said Embiid woke up Wednesday with significant soreness before the shootaround. He received treatment and was ruled out by the Sixers' medical staff.
“He really wants to be out there,” Nurse said. “Coming back from that appendectomy so quickly was not easy for him to do. He worked extremely hard. I just know from his reaction – he was genuinely sad.”
The latest setback adds another chapter to a brutal postseason for the oft-injured star.
Embiid underwent an emergency appendectomy on April 9 and missed the first three games of the first-round series against Boston. He came back and was dominant, averaging 28 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in four games as the Sixers rallied from 3-1 down to beat the Celtics in seven games.
In Game 1 against the Knicks, Mikal Bridges ran into Embiid's midsection on a screen. There is speculation the collision aggravated the hip, but Embiid would not call it a dirty hit and said he needed to do a better job of protecting himself.
Embiid played just 38 regular-season games this year, the third consecutive season he hasn’t cracked 40. Since his MVP season in 2022-23, he has appeared in just 96 regular-season games and has missed time in six of his eight playoff runs. He started his career by missing two full seasons with a foot injury and has missed more than 130 additional games since.
This season alone, Embiid dealt with a strained right oblique, a right shin stress reaction and ongoing management of both knees. That was all before the appendectomy. The Sixers rarely played him in back-to-back games all year in an effort to keep him available for the playoffs.
Without Embiid Wednesday, the Sixers competed but could not close, committing 18 turnovers in the loss. Tyrese Maxey had 26 points. The Knicks got 26 from Jalen Brunson and 24 from OG Anunoby, who left late with an undisclosed injury.
The Sixers are now two losses from elimination with Game 3 Friday at 7 p.m.
