This is potentially devastating news for the Timberwolves.
Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo each had to leave Game 4 in Minnesota with first-half leg injuries, and neither will return to the game.
DiVincenzo has suffered a torn Achilles, reports Shams Charania of ESPN, which is what it appeared to be when it happened. That injury not only ends this season for him but also sidelines him for most, if not all, of next season. DiVincenzo averaged 14.3 points per game in the playoffs and was 11-of-22 from 3-point range through the first three games.
Edwards is still undergoing tests on his left knee injury, and no diagnosis has been made. He appeared to hyperextend his left knee after he went up to challenge a Cameron Johnson shot at the rim.
Edwards had been playing through a case of what the team described as runner's knee in his right leg, the opposite of the one injured on this play.
Edwards had played in 61 games this season — and did not qualify for postseason awards — due to a variety of injuries. He'd been healthy in the playoffs so far and was averaging 23 points, eight rebounds and four assists a game through the first three games of the series against Denver, leading Minnesota to a 2-1 series lead entering Saturday.
A potentially bad injury day for the Minnesota Timberwolves might have just gotten a lot worse.
All-Star guard Anthony Edwards appeared to suffer a left knee injury Saturday, April 25 late in the second quarter during Game 4 of Minnesota’s first-round series against the Denver Nuggets. At the start of the second half, Edwards was not on the floor or on the bench. Later in the third quarter, the Timberwolves ruled him out for the remainder of the game.
The play came with 2:45 left in the first half, when Edwards jumped vertically to defend a Cameron Johnson layup during a fastbreak drive. When Edwards landed, his left knee appeared to hyperextend as his weight came down, and he immediately grabbed at the area, writhing in apparent discomfort. Edwards slapped the court a few times in obvious frustration.
Trainers rushed over as Edwards popped up to his feet. The trainers helped Edwards hobble off the floor, as he did not put any weight on the injured leg.
Edwards had been struggling from the floor, shooting 1-of-8 for just 5 points, adding 3 rebounds. At halftime, the Nuggets held a 54-50 lead, as Minnesota’s bench outscored Denver’s by a margin of 36-10.
Throughout his career, Edwards has been fairly fortunate in avoiding major injuries and has usually been available for Minnesota. In his first five seasons in the NBA, Edwards played in 381 of a possible 400 regular season games. Over that span, he had appeared in at least 72 games each season.
This year, however, Edwards battled a few nagging injuries, namely, knee and elbow issues that limited him to just 61 games played. That prevented him from being eligible for individual awards, and Edwards lost an appeal to receive an exemption.
In 61 games this season, Edwards averaged a career-high 28.8 points (which ranked third in the NBA behind only Luka Dončić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander), 5.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage (48.9%) and 3-point percentage (39.9%) were also career bests.
In February, he was selected to his fourth consecutive All-Star team.
Anthony Edwards hobbled off the court with a left leg injury in the second quarter of Game 4 of the first-round series between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets in the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Edwards had been playing through a right knee injury, but injured his other knee after an awkward landing trying to challenge a shot from Nuggets forward Cameron Johnson.
The Wolves entered Game 4 with a 2-1 series lead. Minnesota guard Donte DiVincenzo was also injured 90 seconds into the game with a season-ending Achilles injury that has now been confirmed. Minnesota has now lost its two best guards during a golden opportunity at home to put the Nuggets on the brink of elimination.
Update: Edwards has been ruled out for Game 4. He won’t return.
Donte DiVincenzo injury: Wolves guard tears Achilles vs. Nuggets in NBA Playoffs
DiVincenzo has been diagnosed with a torn Achilles tendon. He’s out for the series and will miss most or all of next season as he recovers.
Minnesota's Donte DiVincenzo has been diagnosed with a torn right Achilles tendon, sources tell ESPN. His season is over with a lengthy recovery. Devastating blow for the Timberwolves starting guard. pic.twitter.com/fx06g2WXDN
From the opening tip, the Knicks brought a physicality and intensity to Game 4 that they had been lacking all series — and the Hawks could not match it. New York played its best defense of the series, improved its player movement and, more importantly, showed much better intentionality in how it wanted to attack the Atlanta defense. On the other end of the court, Hawks players could not get to the rim, could not finish in transition, while the Knicks were in their element and found their groove.
It all started with the guy the Knicks most needed to have a big game, Karl-Anthony Towns, who posted a 20-point triple-double.
Karl-Anthony Towns' triple-double leads New York to a game 4 victory!
The result was a blowout win for New York, with the game never in doubt from the middle of the third quarter on. A few minutes of garbage time made the final score 114-98, New York.
The series is now tied 2-2, with Game 5 back at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday. Expect these Knicks to show up again at MSG. These were the Knicks we all remember from last year's run to the Eastern Conference Finals. The question becomes, can the Hawks match it?
"Let's go Knicks! Let's go, Knicks!" chants rang out in the State Farm Arena as the Knicks took the lead in the first quarter and never surrendered it. It wasn't just their stars carrying the team, the Knicks got fantastic play from OG Anunoby and Josh Hart, they combined for 21 points on 9-of-16 shooting in the first half. Anunoby went on to finish with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Everything seemed to go right for New York, there was even a Grand Theft Alvarado moment from Jose Alvarado.
Jalen Brunson left the game in the third quarter after tweaking his ankle, went back to the locker room and got it re-taped, then returned to the court. Late in the game, he banged knees with a Hawks player as well. He was a little slowed by all this and had just 12 points on 5-of-15 shooting.
CJ McCollum was the Hawk who handled the pressure best, and he finished the game with 17 points but was 0-of-4 from 3-point range.
Hawks not named McCollum shot just 37% through the first three quarters, and as a team Atlanta was just 7-of-31 (22.6%) with 17 turnovers in those three quarters. Plus, they had zero fast break points.
Quin Snyder and the Hawks can chalk this up to it being "one of those games" and point out that it's now a best-of-three series. They are not wrong.
But when the Knicks bring this intensity again, will the Hawks be able to match it?
Early in Game 4 of Minnesota’s first-round series against the Denver Nuggets, shooting guard Donte DiVincenzo appeared to suffer an Achilles injury when he fell to the court on a non-contact play. The Timberwolves ruled DiVincenzo out of the game with a lower leg injury. ESPN is reporting that DiVincenzo suffered a torn right Achilles tendon.
The Injury happened with 10:43 to play in the first quarter, right after DiVincenzo took a deep 3 on the left wing. When the ball bounced off the rim, DiVincenzo lunged to track the ball down, but he fell to the floor and immediately grabbed his right calf area.
DiVincenzo sat on the floor and immediately motioned for Minnesota’s training staff to come to his aid. Once the trainers arrived, DiVincenzo writhed on the floor as the staffers tended to him.
Slow-motion replays later appeared to show his Achilles bounce or snap, which is also a common indicator of ruptures.
DiVincenzo was immediately removed from the game, and the Timberwolves ruled him out shortly afterward. During halftime, ESPN cameras showed DiVincenzo being led in a wheelchair down a hallway in the Target Center, with a large brace around his right leg and foot.
DiVincenzo played all 82 games this season and averaged 12.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. Prior to Game 4, DiVincenzo had been shooting 51.6% in the series.
The Knicks evened the series to 2-2 after beating the Atlanta Hawks in Game 4, 114-98, on Saturday night.
Here are the takeaways...
-- Things started out pretty evenly between both teams in the first six minutes, with neither side able to get a lead of more than four points. After Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns were responsible for New York's first nine points, it was nice to see Mikal Bridges, in the starting lineup despite two consecutive poor performances, which included being held scoreless in Game 3, get on the board with a driving layup on his first shot attempt.
Following the midway point of the first quarter, the Knicks closed the frame on a 14-6 run, helped out by players not named Brunson or Towns to open up a seven-point lead headed into the second quarter. OG Anunoby, Bridges and Mitchell Robinson all played a part in the run and were able to get easy buckets down low.
Defensively, New York held Atlanta to 20 points in the first 12 minutes and that defense kept at it in the second quarter as the Hawks struggled to find consistent scoring. Part of that was because the Knicks were outrebounding Atlanta all throughout the first half, grabbing offensive boards that led to second-chance points and not allowing the Hawks to get near the glass themselves.
Sooner or later, New York's lead grew to 16 points following a quick 10-4 spurt that included the Knicks scoring nine points in the span of 70 seconds thanks to back-to-back threes by Anunoby. Josh Hart, also coming off a tough shooting performance in Game 3, came alive to end the first half and scored nine of the Knicks' last 11 points before halftime to put New York up, 58-44, at the break.
After going 1-for-12 for two points collectively in Game 3, Hart and Bridges went 7-for-11 with 17 points in the first half.
-- Determined to make it a game, Atlanta began the second half on a 9-3 run to cut its deficit to eight points. The Knicks, though, countered immediately with an 11-0 run with Towns getting in the mix by dishing the rock. KAT was the biggest facilitator on the night with a playoff career-high 10 assists, the most on the team.
Still, Towns didn't let that stop him from being aggressive on offense as he scored the final seven points of the quarter for New York. His tip-in layup off an offensive rebound with three seconds left in the quarter gave the Knicks an 86-65 lead, their biggest lead of the night. Towns finished with 20 points on 6-for-10 shooting and secured 10 rebounds for his first career playoff triple-double and just the fifth triple-double of his career.
Meanwhile, Anunoby had a double-double (22 points, 10 rebounds) while Hart was rebound shy of a double-double of his own.
-- New York had things all but wrapped up in the fourth quarter and this time didn't let the Hawks come back. Miles McBride came off the bench and scored eight of his 11 points in the final frame, shooting 3-for-6 from downtown. The Knicks as a whole shot 14-for-31 from three-point range and held Atlanta to 10-for-41 from deep, although Nickeil Alexander-Walker did go 5-for-10 from beyond the arc.
Brunson scored 19 points but had six turnovers.
Game MVP: Karl-Anthony Towns
The big man came up big and did everything in this one by recording his first career playoff triple-double in a must-win sort of game for the Knicks.
But after an apparent injury scare, fans can breathe easier.
In New York’s eventual 114-98 victory Saturday, April 25, All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson, New York’s best player and captain, went into the locker room in the third quarter after getting banged up on a loose ball.
During the play, Brunson was getting defended by Hawks guards Dyson Daniels and CJ McCollum. Brunson appeared to tweak his right ankle before going down, but also may have also drawn contact to his head and neck area, as Daniels and McCollum wrapped Brunson up for a jump ball. Daniels also appeared to land on Brunson’s left ankle.
Brunson did take the jump ball, but lost it. Moments later, he asked for a substitution and jogged into the locker room with 10:29 left to play in the period. Brunson did not appear to have any notable limp as he walked down the tunnel.
The Knicks did not issue an immediate update about his status. They were up 58-49 at the time Brunson left the game.
Through 19:49 on the court, Brunson shot 4-of-11 for 10 points, though he had committed 6 turnovers.
Brunson returned to the floor with 6:53 left to play in the period, though he initially remained on the bench; he didn’t appear to have any additional wraps around his ankle.
Brunson checked back into the game with 5:38 left in the third, and continued to play with no apparent limitation.
Midway through the fourth quarter, however, Brunson got banged up once more, when Hawks center Onyeka Okongwu fell backwards and made contact with Brunson’s left knee. He immediately grabbed at it and appeared to be in discomfort, but Brunson stayed in the game.
Finally, with the game out of hand with 3:35 left to play, the Knicks emptied their bench to rest starters, and Brunson sat for the rest of the game.
He finished with 19 points on 7-of-18 shooting, adding 3 assists and 1 steal. Brunson also committed 6 turnovers.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looked every bit the reigning and likely future MVP, dropping 42 on the Suns while shooting 15-of-18 from the floor. That's the most any player has scored so far in the first round of the playoffs.
However, he was not the real difference on Saturday in Phoenix, it was Oklahoma City's depth. The Thunder bench scored 36 points — and that's after Ajay Mitchell moved into the starting lineup and scored 15 of his own — while the Suns' bench had just 12 points. The Suns' effort is there, their heart is there, but these two teams are in very different places.
The Thunder took Game 3 121-109, and now has a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Suns (the Thunder are now 11-0 in the first round over the past three seasons). Game 4 is Monday night in Phoenix, and you can watch it on Peacock. Oklahoma City led the entire second half but could never fully pull away from the Suns. Dillon Brooks led Phoenix with 33 points, while Jalen Green added 26. Devin Booker — who had an injury scare with his left ankle in the third quarter and went back to the locker room, only to re-emerge to a huge ovation from the home crowd — finished with 16 points. Booker said postgame he will play in Game 4 and wants the Gilgeous-Alexander defensive assignment.
Alex Caruso had 13 points in this game, while Chet Holmgren had 10 and seven rebounds.
The Thunder were without Jalen Williams, who injured his hamstring in Game 2 and is week-to-week. The Suns were without center Mark Williams (foot) and guard Jordan Goodwin (calf).
This has been the most surprising series of the first round.
Rather than being about what it lacks — no Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves for the Lakers, Kevin Durant has played in just one of the three games — it has been about guys stepping up in the biggest moments... or not stepping up.
LeBron James has turned back the clock, taken on the role of the Lakers' primary shot creator and scorer again, and has thrived. Marcus Smart has played like the Defensive Player of the Year version of himself from four years ago. Luke Kennard is showing everyone he is the best shooter in the NBA not named Curry, plus he can do more than just shoot. JJ Redick has silenced his coaching critics, and the Lakers' role players are all being put in good positions and then stepping up.
It's been the opposite in Houston, where, as a team, they are shooting under 40%, their offense just looks clunky, and a frustrated Ime Udoka is calling out his team.
Can the Rockets turn things around at home and extend their season? We're going to find out.
See below for additional information on the Knicks-Hawks game and how to watch the 2026 NBA Playoffs on NBC and Peacock.
How to watch Lakers vs. Rockets, Game 4:
When: Sunday, April 26 Where: Toyota Center, Houston Time: 9:30 p.m. ET Announcing team: Noah Eagle (play by play), Grant Hill (analyst), Ashley ShahAhmadi (courtside reporter) TV: NBC Live Stream: Peacock Series: Lakers lead 3-0
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets game preview
Losing Game 3 was a gut punch for Houston — back at home, they were up six with 28 seconds to play. Then a series of mistakes — two sloppy turnovers and Tari Eason fouling Marcus Smart on a 3-pointer — erased that lead and forced overtime. Where the Rockets lost.
"Horrendous mistakes," was how a frustrated Rockets coach Ime Udoka described it postgame. "I don't know if you want to say youth or scared of the moment, or whatever the case. You have a six-point lead with 20 or 30 seconds to go, get a rebound, you just have to hold the ball and get fouled."
How will the Rockets respond to that ugly loss? Like a fighter who just gets mad after taking a punch, or will they fold? The answer to that question will not only impact whether there's a Game 5 in this series, but it could also impact the Houston offseason.
Alperen Sengun leads the Rockets with 24 points and 11.7 rebounds a game, although he has had his struggles on both ends of the court. Amen Thompson is averaging 19.7 points per game, while Jabari Smith Jr. is adding 19.3.
There are a lot of things that have the Lakers holding a commanding 3-0 series lead, but the biggest is that to a man they have fully bought into their coach's system, they are trusting one another and executing, and with that the role players are stepping up.
It also helps to have the timeless LeBron James. At age 41, the guy in the GOAT conversation is adding to his legacy in this series. With the Lakers' two leading scorers and primary shot creators — Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves — out, LeBron has stepped up into that role and thrived. He's averaging 25.1 points, 9.7 rebounds and 8.7 assists per game. He's lifting everyone else up around him, and despite all the quality individual defenders the Rockets have, they have no answers for LeBron.
Luke Kennard is thriving at 21.3 points per game while shooting 52.9% from 3-point range, and Marcus Smart is adding 20.3 points and 8.3 assists a night.
One big question for Game 4 is health: Kevin Durant remains questionable with a left ankle sprain. He was listed as questionable up until the last minute before Game 3, when he was ruled out. For the Lakers, Austin Reaves also is listed as questionable, but it is less likely he returns for this game.
How to watch the NBA on NBC and Peacock:
NBC Sports will present up to 23 games in the First Round and 11 games in the Conference Semifinals across either NBC and Peacock, or Peacock and NBCSN. Playoff programming concludes with exclusive coverage of the Western Conference Finals on NBC and Peacock.
Which playoff rounds will be available on Peacock?
Peacock's NBA Playoffs coverage spans multiple rounds, including Round 1, the Conference Semifinals, and the Western Conference Finals, with coverage evolving as the postseason progresses.
Will Peacock show both Eastern and Western Conference playoff games?
Yes. During earlier rounds, such as Round 1 and the Conference Semifinals, Peacock will carry a mix of Eastern and Western Conference playoff games.
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TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 23: James Harden #1, Evan Mobley #4 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the game against the Toronto Raptors during Round One Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2026 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers stumbled in their first playoff game on the road. They’ll get another chance to take care of business and head back home with a 3-1 series lead over the Toronto Raptors.
To do that, they’ll have to look much better than they did in Game 3.
The Cavs were thoroughly outplayed for 48 minutes on Thursday. Toronto owned them in the paint, turned them over at a high rate, and lit them up from behind the three-point line when the game mattered most. A 20-point thrashing in the fourth quarter made the final score look as bad as the rest of the game felt.
How do the Cavs fix this?
Shifting Cleveland’s focus back to the paint is a good start. Of course, they have to take care of the ball and limit quality three-point attempts for their opponent, but just getting their own shot diet back on track is a non-negotiable. The Cavs took 45 three-point attempts in Game 3 but only 36 two-pointers. That’s playing with fire.
I’m hoping to see the Cavs work harder to break Toronto’s shell and score in the paint. James Harden and Donovan Mitchell, specifically, have to be better at generating looks inside. They can’t afford another cold shooting night from downtown. Diversifying their shot chart is a more sustainable way to win.
Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE. The link to the 2016 championship shirt HERE.
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 21: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on April 21, 2026 at Crypto.com Arena...
Kevin Durant was not on the Rockets’ bench as they melted down against the Lakers on Friday night, but Ime Udoka has revealed the reason why.
Durant, who also missed Game 1 of this first round series with a bruised right knee, sat out of the Rockets’ 112-108 overtime loss to LA with a sprained left ankle.
And as Udoka told reporters in his post-game press conference, the 37-year-old was receiving treatment for the issue during the game.
Udoka added on Saturday that Durant, who scored 23 points in his team’s Game 2 loss earlier this week, was running on an underwater treadmill as Game 3 went on.
Kevin Durant, seen during Game 2, has played in just one of three games during the series NBAE via Getty Images
The Rockets could have badly used Durant’s composure as they blew a six-point lead with 34.4 seconds left in Game 3, as both Jae’Sean Tate and Reed Sheppard committed costly turnovers that led to 3-pointers from Marcus Smart and LeBron James.
From there, LA outscored their hosts 11-7 in overtime as it took a commanding 3-0 series lead.
Ime Udoka says Kevin Durant continues to get treatment today on his left ankle.
Durant remains questionable for Sunday. Will test his ankle during shootaround tomorrow + pregame tomorrow night.
“Getting treatment still around the clock. I think there's some soreness. [Durant]… pic.twitter.com/dZglPrwmkY
Durant is questionable for Houston’s do-or-die Game 4 on Sunday, with Udoka telling reporters on Saturday that the 16-time All-Star was dealing with soreness.
His injury woes this postseason come after an extremely durable regular season, as he appeared in 78 games for Houston — his most since he played the same amount for Golden State in 2018-19.
Udoka said earlier this week that Durant’s latest ailment occurred when he was attempting to run down Lakers guard Luke Kennard towards the end of Game 2.
Ime Udoka told reporters that Durant was receiving treatment on his ankle during Game 3 AP
Durant finished that game, an eventual 101-94 Lakers win, shooting seven-of-12 from the field and adding six boards and four assists to his 23 points.
He also committed nine turnovers.
The Rockets will hope to save their season when they host the Lakers on Sunday.
Apr 24, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) walks on the. court after a play during overtime against the Los Angeles Lakers during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun just wrapped up his second consecutive All-Star campaign, with averages of 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 51.9 percent from the field, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks per contest. Sengun also racked up 34 double-doubles, which tied Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic for ninth-most in the NBA.
Sengun and the Rockets drew a favorable first-round postseason matchup against the aforementioned Lakers, due to injuries to Doncic and Lakers guard Austin Reaves but it hasn’t quite materialized into a favorable outcome thus far. The Rockets are down 0-3 and face a grim but realistic possibility of getting swept.
On their home floor, at that. Sengun hasn’t exactly been consistent throughout the series, averaging 19.5 points on 15-of-39 shooting from the floor (38.5 percent) through the first two games of the series. Game 3, however, saw a much different Sengun.
He was aggressive and did all he could to will this Rockets ball club to victory. Well, outside of long-range shooting, as he went just 1-of-5 from 3-point land, but that shouldn’t be a surprise.
All told, Sengun had 33 points, 16 rebounds (5 offensive), 6 assists, 3 steals and a block, in 47 minutes of action. This was the version of Sengun that was expected from the start of the season.
Several hours before tip-off of Game 3, a report surfaced from Will Guillory of The Athletic, stating that Sengun could very well be moved this summer, if the Rockets find themselves eliminated early in the postseason in a disappointing fashion (like they have).
According to Guillory, Sengun could be moved for a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, or Donovan Mitchell. The Rockets were linked to Antetokounmpo earlier in the season, so it’s not surprising to see his name again.
It’ll be interesting to see what else the Rockets do this offseason, from a roster construction standpoint, because adding another superstar will force the team to surrender roster depth and leave the Rockets compromised, as it pertains to replacing that depth.
PORTLAND, OREGON - APRIL 24: Devin Vassell #24 and Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs celebrate after a 120-108 win against the Portland Trail Blazers following Game Three of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Moda Center on April 24, 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 far as I can tell, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili only scored 30 points in the same game twice.
I remember both instances well.
The first came during the clinching Game 6 win against the Phoenix Suns in the 2007 Western Conference Semifinals, a critical home win with the series potentially going back to Phoenix for a deciding Game 7.
The second came the following year, in Game 3 of another hotly contested Western Conference Semifinal against the Chris Paul-era Hornets (now Pelicans), in a series that did go seven games.
Parker and Ginobili were 24 and 29 respectively in the 2007 postseason — 25 and 30 the following year.
And last night, at the tender ages of 21 and 20, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper not only came within a three-pointer of duplicating that feat, but they also nearly became the youngest pair of Spurs to score 30 points in a postseason game, period.
On the one hand, it’s almost shocking to find that Tony and Manu only combined to score 30 points together twice in all the years they played together.
On the other hand, it’s absolutely crazy to think of Castle and Harper following in their footsteps when only one of the two can even legally buy an alcoholic beverage.
Crazier still to consider that they performed the way they did in the absence of San Antonio’s franchise player.
That the fledgling duo effectively carried the Spurs in the fourth quarter of a dark postseason hour left me sitting there in shock at what I’d just witnessed.
With 5:09 left in the 3rd quarter, the Spurs were down 65-80, and ESPN had Portland’s chance of winning at 91.4%, their highest percentile of the game. Things looked grim. I had long ceased my pacing over the officiating, and that propulsive agitation had largely left me.
I was sitting in my brother’s most comfortable chair, engaged in conversation about Wemby’s concussion, discussing how Game 4 might go, brainstorming what I could even write about on a night that had felt deflating.
The Spurs were flailing. They couldn’t seem to stifle Portland’s guard duo of Scoot Henderson and the well-heeled Jrue Holliday. The offense that had worked so well against most teams in the absence of Victor Wembanyama just couldn’t find that extra gear.
Possessions looked stagnant as Portland’s game plan to minimize De’Aaron Fox’s effectiveness (and an unusually early four fouls) had San Antonio’s 2nd leading scorer of the regular season looking overly careful as ball movement stalled along with him.
Twitter was awash with tweets crashing out about both Fox and the team at large, so I closed it out and started thinking ahead, as my brothers asked about San Antonio’s chances for the rest of the series.
Caught up in conversation, I almost missed Dylan Harper blocking the snot out of 17-foot driving jump-shot, and then following it up with a clutch three-pointer about 30 seconds later.
The bench went wild. Wemby was so blown away that he turned around and put his head in his hands in disbelief, and I felt that same thing in the pit of my stomach that I’d felt back in 2014 when Manu Ginobili threw down a statement dunk on Chris Bosh — certainty.
The Spurs were only up by three points with that dunk, but I (and I think both Portland and their crowd) knew it was over. The Spurs certainly played like they knew it was. Whatever well of confidence it was that had dried up over the previous four-and-a-half quarters was overflowing and pouring out all over the hardwood.
Luke Kornet and Carter Bryant had come together in the most wholesome of combos to stifle the Trailblazers every moment that they shared the court. Stephon Castle was driving with such a ’damn the torpedoes’ attitude and ferocity that he was drawing fouls seemingly at will, and making the Blazers pay any time they sagged off of him a little around the arc.
Even De’Aaron Fox was finally finding space as the Portland players frantically shifted focus from threat to materializing threat. It was over, everywhere but the clock. They weren’t letting this one go.
Whether they were seizing their destiny or forging it, it seemed that nothing could bother them. Nothing could disturb the flow they were in. And when you get to witness something like that, you don’t say anything.
You just sit there and shut up, and cheer, and hope that it lasts for the rest of the postseason.
My brothers aren’t really big basketball fans, and yet, for a few minutes, the entire living room went quiet.
Every Spurs fan who had seen it before knew what they were watching, even if they didn’t know how to say it, and every Spurs fan who hadn’t got the thrill of watching it for the first time.
Last night Stephon Castle scored the 2nd most points in a player’s 1st playoff road game ever. Dylan Harper became the youngest guard in NBA history with a playoff double-double, the second youngest player to score 20+ points off the bench in the playoffs (after Kobe Bryant), the fourth rookie to ever score 25+ points and tally 10+ rebounds in a postseason game, and tied Manu Ginobili’s rookie record for most points in a postseason quarter.
Together, they joined Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook as the only duos age 21 or younger to each score 25+ points each in the same playoff game.
Sometimes in life, we do get to know exactly when we’re living in a special moment.
It was Game 3 of a first-round series. It meant nothing and everything. But it felt like an omen of things to come, and there’s a good chance I’ll remember it until I can’t remember things anymore.
I suspect I won’t be the only one.
Takeaways
Absolutely no one is ever going to be able to convince me that Luke Kornet’s contract wasn’t a significant underpay. That the Spurs were able to take advantage of the Celtic’s being relatively cash-strapped (and sold) has made this one of the best San Antonio free-agent signings of my lifetime. With Wemby and without, he’s been absolute nails, not just rim-protecting and doing the dirty work, but also taking advantage of any defensive lapses from the opposition in a way that he didn’t for most of the regular season. The Spurs needed every point and heady pass that he had in him, and he rewarded them with what was pretty arguably his best performance of the season. Even with positive comments from Boston fans, no one really understood what a playoff riser Kornet is. He’s been worth every penny, and more.
If there weren’t already going to be some questions about the off-season fate of Harrison Barnes, there almost certainly will be now. After Carter Bryant performance, I expect the Spurs will only be willing to keep Barnes on the cheap. Barnes is a great teammate who clearly missed winning after time in the basketball purgatory that is Sacramento, so he may very well do that, but Bryant’s box score does not fully express how vital he was to last night’s win. Seemingly, all 6 of his rebounds were heavily contested and/or kept possessions alive, and once he was paired with Kornet in the latter half of the game, San Antonio’s defense began to find stop after stop. Adding to that his three very timely blocks, and as long as he can splash the occasional three, I think the Spurs have their power-forward for the postseason (at least), as there’s just no other player who can match his athleticism on the roster, now that it’s mostly under control.
Also, I think a lot of credit has to go to Mitch Johnson on this one, who’s figuring out how to mix and match his roster to Portland’s adjustments (and in the face of some questionable calls) seemingly on the fly. Whether pairing Kornet and Bryant was a preconceived strategy or an act of desperation hardly matters because at least we have the satisfaction of knowing that Johnson won’t play it safe in the face of defeat. This was one of his most canny adjustments this year, and I think it says a lot about how much faith he has in an incredibly young roster, and how much faith they have in him. I have to say, I think the Spurs got this one right again. Shocker.
Apr 25, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives around Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) in the first half during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images | Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
The first round series between the Phoenix Suns and the Oklahoma City Thunder shifted to downtown Phoenix on Saturday afternoon, and while the setting changed, the result did not. Oklahoma City handled the Suns 121-109 and now holds a commanding 3-0 lead.
Credit Phoenix as the effort was there. The building had life, the energy showed up, and for stretches the Suns looked ready to push back. Execution never fully followed. Against OKC, that margin matters. It always does.
Phoenix went 13-of-41 from deep (31.7%), although holding the turnovers to 11 was a positive step. Dillon Brooks led the way again with 33 points on 11-of-21 shooting, including 4-of-9 from three. Jalen Green added 26 points, six assists, and five rebounds. Devin Booker finished 6-of-16 for 16 points, with seven assists and four boards.
This was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s night. He went 15-of-18 from the field and 11-of-12 from the line, pouring in a career playoff high 42 points while adding eight assists and four rebounds.
The win gives the defending champions a firm grip on the series at 3-0, with a chance to close it out Monday.
Game Flow
First Half
It was a much cleaner start for the Suns at home as the team looked engaged and energized by the home crowd. The Thunder started 4-of-4 from the field, but they also were turning the ball over, doing so 3 times in the first 6 minutes. One of those turnovers? An SGA push off.
The Suns turned those 3 early turnovers into 6 points and a 15-13 lead during a 9-2 Phoenix run. It was at that point in the game, 5:37 left in Q1 and up 2, that Jordan Ott used a challenge following a ball that the officials called out on Collin Gillespie, but appeared to be off of Ajay Mitchell. The challenge was successful.
With 3 minutes left in the quarter, we witnessed something we haven’t yet seen this postseason: Grayson Allen.
And there it is Grayson Allen checking in with 3:29 left first quarter
OKC responded with a 13-3 run and took a 28-27 lead.
The Thunder bench was sharp as they outscored the Suns’ second team unit 11–4 in the period. The team was also more efficient from beyond the arc, as they went 5-of-9, whereas the Suns went 3-of-11. SGA had 9, Booker had 7, and the Thunder led 33-28 after one.
The defensive intensity from the Thunder’s second-team unit to open the second quarter was impressive. They create pressure and they swarm. And on offense, Jared McCain looked like the lottery pick he is (why did you give him to the Thunder for scraps, Philly?!). Both he and Ajay Mitchell looked great at the start of the second, and their constant movement confused Suns’ rookie Khaman Maluach, who did not look great on the defensive end.
Rough Maluach stretch. He looked completely lost on numerous possessions there
Still, the Suns were hanging around, despite being 5-of-17 from deep. Midway through the second, Phoenix trailed 44-40, and with 4 minutes left, they took the lead.
Jalen Green looked impressive in the first half as his aggression was creating opportunities for the Suns at the cylinder, which we know is an area of opportunity for them. He had multiple and-1 opportunities, and with three minutes left in the quarter, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault opted to challenge a play in which Green went to the basket and converted an and-1. The challenge was successful as it was determined that Oso Ighodaro pushed Alex Caruso into Green; therefore, it was an offensive foul.
The Suns lead 51-50, but OKC ended the half on a 12-2 run to take a 62-53 lead into the half.
SGA was 7-of-7 from the field and led all scorers with 17 points, and Ajay Mitchell added 10. For Phoenix, it was Dillon Brooks who led the scoring with 13. Devin Booker was 4-of-8 for 11 points, and Jalen Green had 10. Phoenix was 14-of-23 (60.8%) from two and 5-of-19 (26.3%) from three in the half.
Second Half
The second half opened with SGA drawing a foul on Collin Gillespie. Jordan Ott opted to challenge, seeing as SGA created contact when he elbowed Gillespie in the face on the play prior to any contact by Collin. The call was overturned, which meant Ott was 2-for-2 on challenges, but had none remaining.
They called this a foul on Gillespie, and the Suns had to burn their last challenge to get it overturned. pic.twitter.com/yNNhbUK6rQ
Devin Booker went down on a play in which Lu Dort extended his leg in an attempt to negate Booker’s progress. Booker went to the locker room as a result.
The Thunder continued to be surgical, answering every Suns run with an impressive one of their own. Suns put together a 5-0 run? Thunder respond with a 7-0 run. Rinse. Repeat. Jalen Green provides a spark with a pair of made threes? SGA responds on the other end. Phoenix kept attempting to chip away, but it was no easy task.
Phoenix did outscore OKC 26-25 in the quarter, but that was due to the Thunder going 1-of-8 from deep while the Suns were 4-of-12. SGA was up to 30 points on 12-of-14 shooting while Jalen Green had 10 in the quarter for Phoenix.
The fourth opened with that same frenetic lineup the Thunder rolled out to start the second, with McCain and Mitchell playing aggressively. Their pressure put the Suns in foul trouble, and with 9 minutes left, OKC was in the bonus.
There were four straight alternating possessions in which a block occurred, as Cason Wallace blocked Booker, Ighodaro blocked Hartenstein, Holmgren blocked Booker, and Ighodaro blocked McCain.
Phoenix started 2-of-11 from the field in the fourth, and soon they were down 15 points with 6 minutes left. SGA just kept coming at them. There was no stopping him today, and it certainly doesn’t help when you can’t help yourself.
Credit Dillon Brooks, who once again was offensively spicy late. Just as in Game 2, Brooks went into alpha mode, and it was working. For the second consecutive game, he posted a 30-point performance.
The Suns came within 10 points, but those early whistles in the fourth equated to free throw opportunities for the Thunder late. And if there is a team that knows how to draw fouls late, it’s OKC.
The Thunder outscored the Suns 34-30 in the fourth and easily took Game 3, 121-109.
OKC is a machine. And the Suns aren’t designed to stop them. Few teams are
Apr 23, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) is defended by Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) in the first quarter during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Down 2–1 and stinging from back-to-back one-point losses, the Knicks return to Atlanta for a pivotal Game Four needing to clean up their own mess. Despite controlling the glass and large stretches of play, late-game breakdowns, uneven free-throw shooting, and questionable rotations have tanked winnable games. Jalen Brunson has yet to take over the series, and the supporting cast (especially Mikal Bridges) has faltered. The song remains the same, Jimmy Page: dominate the boards, tighten execution, and keep the damn All-Stars on the floor. If they do, the Knicks still look like the better team. If not, summer vacation will start early.
Tip-off is 6:00 pm EST on NBC / Peacock. This is your game thread. This is Peachtree Hoops. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Be cool with each other. And go Knicks!
