Category: Basketball

Welcome to one of the larger and more preposterous playoff preview power poll projects I’ve ever attempted. We are ranking the Top 50 players in the NBA Playoffs, an utterly ridiculous effort that is, frankly, not possible to do responsibly. There is no methodology so sound that one person can rank 50 people; there is no theory so ironclad that it can avoid the rampant, harmful subjectivity of the recesses of my troubled mind. So, without meaningfully explaining my definition of “Top 50” or a philosophy of value or any kind of scientific method, I’m going to do it anyway. Also check out our rankings of every team in the field by their championship chances.

In an effort to not make this a million words, I have only given the Top 25 (spoiler alert: it’s actually 26, you’ll see why) players their own blurbs, and then grouped the back 25 (spoiler alert: it’s 24) together in some loose categories that I think capture the spirit of the exercise. In any case, lots about this will be demonstrably wrong, and I apologize that there is absolutely no way to avoid that. Onwards! 

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Made up award: The 2019 Carsen Edwards vs. Virginia “That shot is just going in” Award 

The best player in the world until someone else feels sufficiently inevitable with the ball in their hands. Shai has achieved peak scoring excellence in that you just think his shot is always going in, and he scores at a volume, efficiency and location (over 77 percent of his shots are twos and he shoots 55.3 percent from the field … he’s a guard!) that simply shouldn’t be possible. He has the belt. 

2. Nikola Jokic

Made up award: The Novak Djokovic Lifetime Achievement Award for Serbian Sports Excellence 

I debated whether Jokic or Victor Wembanyama would get the second spot, but their majestic head-to-head battle clinched it for the Joker. The San Antonio Spurs are contenders for a number of reasons, the biggest (and tallest) one being Wemby. The Denver Nuggets are contenders for one reason and one reason only: Jokic, who could enter some seriously hallowed all-time ground if he grabs a second ring in a stacked West. 

3. Victor Wembanyama

Made up award: Voted “Most likely to record a quadruple double in the playoffs”

Wemby and his precarious health have been treated carefully this year to maximize his impact and longevity, but the kid gloves are going to have to come off eventually. When they do, he’s such an outlier that I would believe any statistical achievement if he plays 43 minutes. There have only been four quadruple doubles in NBA history, and yet I’d somehow be surprised if he wasn’t the fifth.

4. Luka Doncic

Made up award: The Bitcoin Award for Player Who Can Swing the Market the Most

Luka’s availability after an unbelievably poorly timed hamstring injury is the great question mark of these playoffs. If he can return, and actually be Luka Doncic, before the Lakers are eliminated? It’s a whole new ballgame for everyone. 

5. Anthony Edwards

Made up award:The John Henry Award for Potentially Having to Dig a Tunnel through a Mountain

Edwards is everyone’s favorite young player who might be the next Michael Jordan — he’s electrifying and displays two-way brilliance that is rare for the modern scoring guard. But he has his work positively cut out for him in these playoffs, needing to shake off some late-season injuries and then probably beat Denver, San Antonio and OKC all in a row just to make the NBA Finals. Best of luck.

6. Donovan Mitchell

Made up award: The Ralph Fiennes “We need to get this guy an Oscar” Award

This is a guy who has made the playoffs every year of his career but never made the Conference Finals, so fans are crying out for him to please get some hardware this time around. I’ve always been bullish on Mitchell as an elite playoff guy, whose highs are high enough to beat literally anyone single-handedly. But he will need to do that consistently for once to get over the hump.

7. Cade Cunningham

Made up award: The Cade Cunningham “so likeable that his injury might kill the 65 game rule” Award 

Everyone was so in agreement that Cunningham deserved to be on the All-NBA First Team that we all collectively freaked out about the 65-game rule to try to salvage his candidacy before he was granted an exemption (which is probably the best reason to kill the rule). Cunningham was the twin-turbo V8 engine that drove the Pistons to the number one seed, but may be leaned on too heavily to create shots with Detroit lacking a second scorer. 

8. Jaylen Brown

Made up award: The Captain Phillips “I am the captain now” Award 

Brown has improved his game in ways I simply did not believe were possible at this point in his career. With Jayson Tatum out most of the year, he proved he could be the First Violin in a world-class orchestra that’s about to go on tour. Truly a spectacular season for one of my favorite players.

9. Jalen Brunson

Made up award: The Second Round Pick Award for second-best second-round pick of all time

Behind only Nikola Jokic in second round pick achievement, Brunson is of course an elite first option, an elite shot creator and an elite foul-sponge, a critical skill in the playoffs with tighter whistles across the board. It’s worth wondering, though, if the Knicks can actually win the East with Brunson at this kind of usage. I think they can, but the rest of the roster will need to take on part of the burden. 

10. Jayson Tatum

Made up award: The Patriots-Falcons 28-3 Super Bowl Award for Best Comeback

Almost an unfathomably great result for Tatum, who tore his Achilles less than a year ago and now stands poised for his 122nd career playoff game and counting. He and Brown are two of the most successful playoff guys in terms of number of games played to start their careers, and Tatum is a championship-winning first option when healthy. We shall see how much strain he’s ready to take.

11. Devin Booker

Made up award: The Damian Lillard “You might need to demand a trade at some point” Award 

Booker seems committed to Phoenix financially and competitively, and it’s impressive work that such a flawed team made the playoffs. But the Suns spent all their draft capital and young pieces to build a team, tear it down and now is staring down mediocrity for the foreseeable future. There are plenty of ways to pivot around such a great player, but there’s a chance this gets 2021ish Damian Lillard. Just a chance.

12. Tyrese Maxey

Made up award: The Lightning McQueen “Ka-Chow” Award for Being Fast

There is no correlation between average player speed and… being a good player, which is why Maxey is my pick for fastest NBA player in lieu of data. This is purely in terms of visually explosive burst in transition and on drives. The Celtics have struggled to contain Maxey for years, and he is Philly’s singular win condition.

13. Kevin Durant

Made up award: The Al Horford “should we talk about how old this guy is more?” Award

Durant is still putting ball in hoop like no other in year 19 which is, somehow, still not discussed nearly enough. LeBron James cornered the market on “wow he’s how old” discussions, but Durant is casually averaging 26 a game in 36 minutes in 78 games played. In the playoffs, you often need a bucket. For all the stuff that comes with the Durant experience, he is still the bucket.

14. Jamal Murray

Made up award: The Jaylen Brown Award for scoring leap I didn’t see coming

Did you know this was Murray’s first career All-Star season? Somehow, some way, Murray became a far more efficient shooter this season and ratcheted up his scoring to over 25 a game. He and Jokic have a premier partnership that we already know can win a title. Will they win another?

15. Jalen Johnson

Made up award: The Casual NBA Fan award for “WHO are you saying is three whole spots better than LeBron?” 

Many NBA fans may have missed this development, but Jalen Johnson has been soaring up the superstar boards all season, basically getting better and better for five straight years … all the way to somehow looking like an All-NBA first option. Trae Young’s departure took off the training wheels, and now we’re flying.

16. Chet Holmgren

Made up award: The Banana Boat Award for going from Third to Second Banana 

Holmgren is a first-time All-Star who made a serious leap over Jalen Williams, whose injury-laden season saw Chet take on a bigger role. He’s a cornerstone defensive force and exactly what the Thunder need to dynasty this thing up.

17. Scottie Barnes

Made up award: The Eye Test Award for being better than your stats

Barnes’ Basketball Reference page doesn’t really suggest he improved much as a scorer, but he shot the ball much better and was a major part of a pretty spicy Toronto team that is looking to spoil some fun in Round One.

18. LeBron James

Made up award: The “Lock In” Award for potentially most epic lock-in

If LeBron James can carry the Los Angeles Lakers out of the first round without their two best scorers — Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves — that would be one of the premier lock-ins of all time. I’m a Celtics fan, but I’m going to be rooting for this.

19. James Harden

Made up award: The Lucy Pulling the Football Award for most consistent playoff disappointment 

Not generally the most reliable guy in the playoffs, the Cleveland Cavaliers nonetheless traded Darius Garland for Harden in a last-ditch effort to salvage their meh season. It could work; Harden is a good player. But nothing historically suggests it will.

20. Jalen Duren

Made up award: The “Most Improved Player Award” Award for exemplifying what that award is supposed to mean

Duren almost doubled his scoring output this season and was the second-biggest reason the Pistons took the league by storm. He is a dominating force on the glass and a pretty solid interior scorer, given his complete lack of a jumpshot. I’m a big fan of Duren.

21. Deni Avdija

Made up award: The Zion Williamson “I’m going to the rim no matter what” Award

Deni isn’t Williamson, who actually does not shoot threes at all anymore by the way, but he is at his best when he is trying to get downhill on every possession. He was a one-man wrecking crew in the first Play-In game, but we will see if that works against Wembanyama, whose 872-foot wingspan might cause problems.

22. Karl-Anthony Towns

Made up award: The James Harden “not sure how reliable this guy is” Award

Towns’ playoff plus/minus stats are not what you want out of your supposed second option, but it has proved difficult for the Knicks to keep both he and Brunson on the court and survive defensively. To avoid becoming the next Harden, towns will need a moment.

23. Alperen Sengun

Made up award: The Kevin McHale Award for 2020s Post Bag

Sengun is a legitimately great post scorer in the year 2026, and it’s pretty fun to watch him eviscerate rim protectors who haven’t had to deal with that since 1987. Balancing his and Durant’s shot diets is the real challenge.

24. Stephon Castle 

Made up award: The Jayson Tatum “he’s HOW young?” award for only being 21

Castle is so far beyond what I could have ever expected out of him at his age, and looks like a potential future star. To quote myself when I was talking about Roman Anthony, I am two years older than Stephon Castle. I am not old. 

25. Evan Mobley

Made up award: The Not-Tim Duncan Award for player who is not Tim Duncan

One of my favorite niche NBA media moments of the last five years was this strange series of Bill Simmons podcasts circa 2022 where he and Ryen Russillo kept referring to Mobley as potentially the next Tim Duncan. I was also supremely in on Evan Mobley, and have not quite made back my investment either. He’s a really good player and a beast defensively, but he’s been too inconsistent, especially on offense, to go any higher.

26. Derrick White 

(Bonus solo blurb, it was going to be the Top 25 get their own blurbs but I literally forgot about Jalen Brunson when I wrote this the first time and refuse to bump DWhite)

Made up award: The Matisse Thybulle Award for Blocking Threes

Derrick White has blocked nine threes this year. That isn’t quite the most, but he’s consistently up there in three-blocking, a skill that I’m just not sure how you teach or learn. Stuff like that is what makes White so valuable, because he’s also a great scorer and creator. What a player.

---

The “How healthy will you be?” Group

27. Austin Reaves

28. Jalen Williams

29. Aaron Gordon

Three players who are critically important to their respective teams that either haven’t been healthy for much of the year or may not be healthy going forward. Gordon and Williams seem fine at the moment, with Gordon in particular coming back in force, but none of their respective lineups are the same without them. Only the Thunder could hope to survive an extended absence of any of these three.

The “We need offense, do you have offense?” Group 

30. Paolo Banchero

31. Julius Randle

32. De’Aaron Fox

33. Amen Thompson

Four guys that have had up and down offensive years and four guys who will have to be on the up part of the up and down for the playoffs if their team has any big-time goals. Specifically, I’m looking at Randle as a primo candidate to sink or swim his whole team. Edwards can’t be the only creator for Minnesota, since Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels are not reliable offensively. Thompson may get exposed for his poor shooting, but is capital R required for Houston with their relative lack of ball handlers. 

The “Actually, we’re good on offense, can you just play defense?” Group

34. Rudy Gobert

35. OG Anunoby

Perhaps the two most important defensive players in these playoffs because of their matchups. Anunoby is going to have to guard some of the best wings in the league throughout the Knicks’ run, and the Eastern Conference might as well be a Wingstop with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Scottie Barnes, Jalen Johnson, they’re everywhere. Gobert, meanwhile, has Wembanyama and Jokic coming at him like a train. He will have to go full Tobey Maguire Spider-Man to stop them.

The High Variance Group

36. Brandon Ingram

37. Franz Wagner

These guys could score in bunches and swing a series by themselves or completely disappear and … swing a series by themselves. Ingram is a player that I wasn’t particularly interested in anymore after his Pelicans tenure expired, but he had a really nice year in Toronto and got back to the All-Star game for the first time since 2020. Both these guys are important bucket-getters on teams without an embarrassment of creators, so lock in.

The Guy I Couldn’t Put in a Group 

38. Joel Embiid

Embiid is a player I continue to feel bad for, and having an appendectomy right before the postseason is the worst luck imaginable for a guy who has had a career of the worst luck imaginable. I’ve tried to make this list relatively injury-agnostic, but I didn’t want to speculate at all for Embiid, whose playoff impact I can’t really measure or project whatsoever. So here he is in his own group, presented essentially without comment. 

The Bucket of Wings

39. Nickeil Alexander-Walker

40. Mikal Bridges

41. Jaden McDaniels

It physically hurt me to put Alexander-Walker this low since he has more than doubled his scoring this season and is unironically shooting 50-40-90 Bridges and McDaniels are both critical players for their teams, but just feel like a lesser version of what they could be; especially Bridges, who was a legit first-option in Brooklyn for a minute there. But wings are king, and these guys will play a lot. 

Important Players on Important Teams

42. Ausar Thompson

43. Jarrett Allen

44. Alex Caruso

A bit of a grab bag here, but these are essential players on teams with championship aspirations. Ausar is definitely still a work in progress offensively but he is also one of the best defensive players in the league, an accolade you could also toss on Caruso, a peak pot-stirrer that somehow makes all of his opponents worse at basketball. Allen, meanwhile, is battling a knee injury but is a massive non-negotiable for the Cavs given how small the rest of their lineup is.

The X-Factors

45. Dyson Daniels

46. Jrue Holiday

47. Naz Reid

48. Payton Pritchard

49. Isaiah Hartenstein

Quite the collection of dudes here, all of whom could be described as “oh (insert name from this group), I really like that guy.” They all play pretty different games, but their teams would not be the same without them.

Flex Category

50. Dillon Brooks/Paul George/Peyton Watson/Cason Wallace/RJ Barrett/Donovan Clingan/Desmond Bane/whoever else you want

It’s pretty funny that in a Top 50 players list I had a pretty easy time coming up with the Top 49 but really couldn’t pick the last guy in. This is basically the free space in bingo; just put whoever you want here. I, for one, really wanted to put Baylor Scheierman or Neemias Queta here, but decided against it. Let me know in the comments who you’d put at 50, and what I messed up. If everyone just agrees with me, something went horribly wrong.

Flip on an NBA Finals game from the past decade, and you’re sure to see the Arizona men’s basketball program represented at the highest level of the sport.

For 11 straight years, a former Arizona player has coached or played in the NBA Finals. Whether that streak continues into 2026 will likely come down to whether the Western Conference Finals is won by the Oklahoma City Thunder or one of their competitors.

Five of the seven former Wildcats in this year’s NBA Playoffs are on Western Conference teams, with three of the top four seeds in the conference featuring an Arizona alum.

And while Arizona’s presence in the postseason isn’t as large as it could have been had the Warriors, Clippers or Heat advanced to out of the Play-In Tournament, the UA still has a respectable contingent.

Here are the former Arizona players in this year’s NBA Playoffs.

Aaron Gordon, Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets have been a mainstay near the top of the Western Conference over the last few years, in large part thanks to Gordon’s contributions. Denver didn’t quite as sharp for parts of this season, and one reason why is Gordon’s limited playing time due to a hamstring injury.

Fortunately for Denver, Gordon appears to be as healthy as he’s been all season. He played a season-high 41 minutes two weeks ago against the Spurs, a team that Denver could run into the Western Conference Semifinals.

Gordon is averaging 16.2 points and 5.8 rebounds this season.

The Nuggets begin their series against the Timberwolves on Saturday.

Deandre Ayton, Los Angeles Lakers

Ayton’s first season playing for the Lakers has been rocky at times, but as the playoffs begin Ayton appears fully locked in.

“I want to do backflips. I’m in the purple and gold, and I just want to really just play hard as hell to contribute to wins,” Ayton said this week.

Ayton, the Lakers’ starting center, has seen his scoring dip every month of the season. He’s averaging 12.5 points and 8 rebounds.

With the Lakers missing Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves to start the playoffs versus a gritty Rockets team, Ayton will need to be at his best for Los Angeles to have a shot at advancing.

The Lakers and Rockets begin their series on Saturday.

Carter Bryant, San Antonio Spurs

Bryant might be Arizona’s best chance of having a former player in the NBA Finals. San Antonio is the two seed in the Western Conference after fighting with OKC for supremacy the last several months.

Bryant has made solid contributions as a rookie reserve, averaging 4.2 points and 2.5 rebounds in 11 minutes per game.

Bryant got to see some extra playing time down the stretch of the regular season and made the most of it, scoring in double figures in three straight games.

The Spurs enter the playoffs with the second-best record in the NBA, only behind the Thunder.

The Spurs face the Trail Blazers beginning Sunday.

Zeke Nnaji, Denver Nuggets

Nnaji is competing in his sixth straight postseason with the Nuggets, and much like the last five trips it’s in a limited role.

Nnaji is averaging 3.7 points and 2.6 rebounds in 12 minutes per game. His playing time dropped precipitously in February, and a hip impingement injury in late March slowed him down even more.

While Nnaji did get a start in the Nuggets’ final game of the regular season, don’t expect to see him getting much run these playoffs.

Christian Koloko, Atlanta Hawks

Koloko bounced around multiple teams this season before settling with the Hawks. He has appeared in 13 games with Atlanta since late January.

Koloko, who is averaging 2.7 points and 3 rebounds, is unlikely to see meaningful minutes this postseason.

The Hawks take on the Knicks beginning Saturday.

Caleb Love, Portland Trail Blazers

Love made a big impact early in the year for Portland before getting sent down to the G League in February. Love is back with the Trail Blazers as they make their first playoff appearance since 2020-21.

Love has appeared in four games for Portland since late March, and it’s unlikely he’ll see much playing time in the playoffs.

For the season, he’s averaging 10.4 points and 2.5 assists across 49 games.

Dalen Terry, Philadelphia 76ers

If there’s a player on this list who is just happy to be here, it’s Terry. The reserve guard was sent from Chicago to Philadelphia at the trade deadline. Terry has made 11 appearances with the 76ers but last played significant minutes on March 23.

Terry is averaging 3.7 points and 1.4 assists.

The 76ers face the Celtics beginning Sunday.

The 2026 NBA playoffs are set. All first-round matchups are locked in after a dramatic Play-In Tournament, and, now, the hunt for the Larry O’Brien Trophy ramps up off Saturday, April 18 with four series-opening games.

The Play-In Tournament delivered plenty of excitemetn before a single first-round playoff game was played. The Portland Trail Blazers and Philadelphia 76ers locked up the No. 7 seeds in the West and East, respectively, earlier in the week before a doubleheader on Friday, April 17 determined the final two playoff berths in each conference.

The Orlando Magic knocked out the Charlotte Hornets early Friday night, building a 31-point halftime lead on their Southeast division rivals before cruising to a 121-90 victory. The Magic land the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference and will face the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in the first round.

The Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors seemed headed for a tight battle for the final playoff berth in the Western Conference, but the Suns pulled away down the stretch for a 111-96 win to send Steph Curry and the Warroirs packing. The Suns' prize for winning? A date with the No. 1 seed, defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

With the bracket now finalized, its' time to ask: could the Magic and Suns shock the world and knock out the No. 1 seeds? Here is a look at some of the biggest first-round upsets in NBA playoff history, a reminder that anything can happen in the postseason.

USA TODAY LAUNCHES '250 FOR 250': Who is the best athlete in U.S. history?

VOTE IN OUR '250 FOR 250' POLL: Who's the best American basketball player of all time?

NBA playoff schedule: Full first-round dates, times, how to watch

NBA playoffs best first round upsets

1994: Denver Nuggets (8) def. Seattle SuperSonics (1)

The first time a No. 8 seed eliminated a No. 1 seed in NBA playoff history. The SuperSonics had an impressive 63-19 regular-season record, but the Nuggets overcame a 2-0 series deficit to complete the stunning five-game upset.

1999: New York Knicks (8) def. Miami Heat (1)

The Knicks became the first No. 8 seed to reach the NBA Finals. After upsetting the top-seeded Heat in the first round in Game 5, New York rolled through the Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers before falling to the San Antonio Spurs in five games in the Finals.

2007: Golden State Warriors (8) def. Dallas Mavericks (1)

The Warriors faced a Mavericks squad that had won a league-best 67 games during the regular season, which tied for the seventh-best regular-season record of all time. The Warriors sent the Mavericks packing in six games, with three of Golden State’s four wins coming by double digits.

2011: Memphis Grizzlies (8) def. San Antonio Spurs (1)

The Grizzlies claimed their first playoff series win in franchise history by upsetting the 61-win Spurs, with five of the six games decided by single digits. The Grizzlies advanced to the Western Conference semifinals but ultimately lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder, 4-3.

2012: Philadelphia 76ers (8) def. Chicago Bulls (1)

Back in 2012, the Bulls secured the top seed after tying for the league's best record, and it seemed like they were destined for a deep run. However, everything shifted dramatically in the final minute of Game 1 when star guard Derrick Rose tore his ACL, giving the Sixers a huge boost. Philadelphia went on to take the series in six games, but its playoff run came to an end in the second round against the Boston Celtics.

2023: Miami Heat (8) def. Milwaukee Bucks (1)

The Heat, a Play-In Tournament team that entered as the No. 8 seed, dismantled the 58-win Bucks in five games behind one of the greatest individual series performances in playoff history from Jimmy Butler. The Heat also became the first play-in team ever to win a first-round series, and went on to reach the NBA Finals before falling to the Denver Nuggets.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA playoffs first-round upsets no one saw coming

Of the last 20 games of Boston’s regular season, 13 featured a starting lineup of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Sam Hauser and Neemias Queta. 

Despite Tatum’s late entry into the lineup, that 5-man combo is third in total minutes together this year, sporting a +7 net scoring advantage (per 100 possessions). It’s a lineup that figures to transition over into Boston’s first round series with the Philadelphia 76ers, which tips off Sunday afternoon and is the fourth postseason meeting between the two in the Jays era. 

We have a good read on who’s starting these games, but figuring out the overall rotation is a different story. All season, we’ve seen experimentation that’s led to a good problem: the Celtics have an abnormal amount of playoff-caliber talent waiting in the wings. 

In last year’s 11 postseason games, the Celtics had nine players average more than 10 minutes. The year prior, the title run featured the same: nine players. It was one player less in the 2022-23 postseason, with Grant Williams having the lowest of the eight rotation guys with 17.7 minutes per game. 

With the margin of error so thin, there’s no time to waste when it comes to playoff minutes. If struggles extend beyond a game, the hook is coming, and the chance to check back in may not be there waiting for you. 

In this regular season, Boston had 16 players average minutes in double figures. Three of those guys are no longer Celtics and another (Dalano Banton) had a four-game sample size, but when you take a step back, you see that the Celtics, really, have 12 players on this roster that are capable of leaving a positive impact in a postseason series, however big or small that impact ultimately is. 

I guess it’s fortunate that we don’t have to make the decision of who gets those bench opportunities or who rides the pine, but let’s assume each of their primary bench players had that opportunity. What would they do with it? What role or objective allows them to impact the game the greatest against the 76ers? Let’s take a crack at it, and find out. 

For the sake of time and grounded rotational possibilities, we’ll leave the deep bench guys (Amari Williams, Max Shulga, John Tonje, Delano Banton) out of this exercise. If you have to resort to playing one of three second round rookies or a guy just signed to a contract right before the end of the season, chances are the season’s probably going down sooner rather than later. 

Payton Pritchard  

A glorified starter and a shoe-in for major usage, there’s not much mystery of the role Payton Pritchard will have against Philly, and beyond. 

Since his move back to the Sixth Man spot, Pritchard has averaged roughly the same amount of minutes, shot attempts, points per game and assists as his overall season averages, finishing with 17 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds in 29 games that began as the first player off the bench. 

In four games against Philly, PP actually struggled in the scoring department. He was a combined 13-of-31 in the first two games in October, getting the last two looks in their close season-opening loss, and 2-of-13 in their last two games. From three, he shot just 12% for the series. 

Not exactly numbers you’d expect from Pritchard, and strangely enough, this is a matchup that particularly favors his scoring style. The 76ers boast a middle of the road defense (16th in defensive rating) and lineups that often feature two traditional guards. All four of their most-used 5-man lineups feature both Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. 

For Pritchard, that means opportunities in the mid-range. 

At 42% in the mid-range and 56% in the non-restricted area this year, Pritchard has been one of the league’s finest shot-creators inside and around the free throw line, utilizing his powerful build to initiate contact in order to create space. 

According to data from Basketball Index, he’s in the 100th percentile in mid-range openness rating, the 98th percentile in stable short mid-range field goal efficiency, and the 97th percentile in mid-range pull up shot-making efficiency. 

Boston will be searching for plenty of 2-on-1 advantages to set up rotations and open looks from deep, but Pritchard could really use this series to pack a serious punch in the heart of Philadelphia’s defense. 

Nikola Vučević 

Vooch or the Garzilla? That is the question on everybody’s minds.  

With Vučević sidelined mere moments after sharing the court with Jayson Tatum, his return has been the subject of scrutiny. Particularly in his first two games back in the lineup, Vooch just looked like a player out of sync with his new teammates. Understandable, considering he’s played just 16 games with the Celtics, but with limited time to find a groove before the playoffs, it’s impossible not to look at the constant energy and spark that Garza consistently provides. 

This is probably the toughest decision Joe Mazzulla has to make rotation-wise, and with a likely Embiid-less Philly now locked in as the matchup, the answer could really go either way.

By route of Vučević, I believe it comes down to matchups. The smaller Adem Bona makes more sense for Garza, and the rebound-engulfing Andre Drummond makes more sense for Vooch. 

With Drummond, Vooch can not only match up better on the defensive glass, but his passing and shooting from above the break would effectively pull Drummond out of the paint, or risk leaving open a shooter with an eye for finding cutters. 

Perhaps it’s a worthwhile gamble with Vooch shooting 31% from three in his four games back. He also ended 5-of-9 in his last two games though. The Sixers would likely be willing to take that gamble, if at least for a game or two. 

While Garza has made massive strides as a shooter, Vooch remains the closest thing Boston has to the pick-and-pop threat that breaks down zones and crushes soft switches. If he can find consistency in his outside game, it opens up a similar offensive wrinkle left behind by the departures of Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis. 

A huge question will be how Boston can help, or even hide, Vooch when it comes to defending the pick-and-roll. Vooch plays one of the deepest drops in the league, and with someone like Maxey getting downhill, that doesn’t bode well for Boston. There’s a lot at play for the backup big minutes when Queta’s off the floor. 

Ready or not, Vooch will more than likely get the first shot behind Queta, and flashes of his rebounding, pick-and-pop shooting, and ball movement will go a long way in cementing him as an every game contributor this postseason. 

Luka Garza

While we’re on the topic of the backup big, Boston couldn’t have lucked out more with the signing of Luka Garza last summer. He’s been a consummate professional, an outstanding offensive rebounder and screener (98th percentile in offensive rebounding talent, 99th percentile in screening talent), and an efficient 3-point shooter (43%) on respectable volume. 

I don’t think there’s any doubt that if Garza stepped foot on the floor in a playoff setting, he’d find a way to add extra possessions and open things up for others. Similar to Vooch, the problem lies in how he holds up defensively. While a fine mobile big that moves well in space, Garza does not scare drivers attacking the basket in the way someone like Queta, or even Tatum might. Mismatch hunting is all the rage in a Best-of-7 series, and like Vooch, I’d expect the Sixers to actively seek out Garza as much as possible. 

With the Bona matchup, you’re pitting two mobile bigs against each other, but Garza has the leg up as a rebounder and as a scorer, with his 3-point shot legit enough to force Bona in space. If there’s anything we can take away from either Vooch or Garza, it’s that both have the ability to shoot away from the basket or open up sets with a handoff. 

While Vooch would be better equipped to be surrounded by cutters and screen-navigators like Derrick White, Hugo Gonzalez and Jordan Walsh to make use of his hub playmaking and drop coverage defensive style, I like the idea of Garza working with the stars, particularly Tatum. With JT, Boston’s better equipped to defend the paint, while giving him and Brown that patented flair screen, floor-switching ability that Queta and Garza have both thrived in thanks to their elite screen-setting. 

Different contexts create different reasons to go with either big man off the bench. With Philly, there’s a good chance both will see an opportunity. 

Jordan Walsh 

I wrote about it back in November, and I’m sure you’ll see more of it this weekend, but to be succinct: Jordan Walsh has the makings of a Maxey stopper. 

Walsh probably would have found a role in the rotation even with Orlando “winning” the 7-seed (hey, Walsh has locked up Paolo Banchero too!) but this matchup between All-Star and breakout role player feels destined. 

To be clear, Walsh can do more for this team than stay glued to their best scorer. He’d get minutes because he’s a good shooter despite a fluctuating role (38%, 1.8 attempts per game), and a fantastic rebounder and putback threat. 

But for this series in particular, having someone off the bench that held Philly’s top scorer to 1-of-10 shooting between two games and 7:10 matchup minutes is a luxury I fully expect Mazzulla to utilize. Walsh has the length to disrupt around screens and the recovery speed to stay in front, while being a menacing contest threat thanks to his 7’3” wingspan. 

There’s a clear path to significant minutes for Walsh, and a lot of it has to do with making life hell for Philly’s best scorer.

Baylor Scheierman 

After a 3-minute appearance in the Halloween victory over the 76ers, Baylor Scheierman didn’t play Philly again until their very last meeting, one that started with a thumbs up and ended in a Celtics victory. 

Scheierman has firmly cemented himself as a key rotation player this year, turning the corner after some tough shooting in the Summer League and preseason to end Year 2 with splits of 45/40/90. 

What’s keeping Scheierman on the floor is more than his shooting though. He’s been a true jack of all trades, defending and rebounding at a high level while adding a connective tissue to the offense thanks to his ability to create off the dribble and open up the drive-and-kick game. 

As far as the ideal lineups featuring Scheierman, it’s likely the one we’re most familiar with. 

Among all 5-man lineup combos featuring Scheierman, the one that more than doubles every other combination in minutes on the floor includes White, Brown, Hauser and Queta. That lineup, which started seven games, was a +10.8 in scoring, featuring a balanced attack of top-option JB surrounded by three shooting options, two of which like to create off the dribble, and a rim-running big. 

For the non-Tatum minutes, this appears to be one of the better options to maintain a balanced offense. Adding in a wrinkle like Pritchard for White would also be an option that maintains scoring balance and ample ball movement (that lineup with Pritchard in for White played just 34 minutes together, but was a +40.3 in that time). 

Because Scheierman can do so many things well, it makes him a one-size-fits-all type of rotation piece that can work in a variety of different settings. 

Hugo González

With their wing depth as strong as it is, a path to minutes appears murky for the sensational Spaniard, but Hugo Gonzalez wouldn’t need all that much time to make a difference. 

Similar to Scheierman and Walsh, Hugo’s ability to contribute as a rebounder, cutter and defender makes him the rare 20-year-old that’s built for the bigger moments. Compound that with respectable 3-point shooting and you’d feel confident that, if left open, he can at least threaten to punish the Sixers for the lack of respect. 

I think the ideal scenario for Hugo to see time is in the moments where the momentum needs to shift. 

Offense bogged down by contested misses and turnovers? Defense struggling to stop the pick-and-roll? Momentum timeouts aren’t stopping the bleeding? 

May I suggest the controlled chaos that is Hugo Gonzalez? 

Even if for just a few minutes, I think Gonzalez injects the right level of high-effort defense to rally around and throw out there for short spurts. That way, Philly doesn’t get as much of an opportunity to dare the rookie to beat them as a shooter in the same way you’d see if he played a more substantial game-to-game role. 

There’s going to be a time very soon where Hugo will be very high on the playoff pecking order, but that time shouldn’t have to be today. Although if we’re being honest, he’s much closer than I think anyone could have expected on draft day. 

Ron Harper Jr. 

While it’s unlikely Ron Harper Jr. sees the floor this postseason, I’d honestly feel confident in his abilities if he did. 

And a lot of that has to do with his first impression: a debut start focused heavily on defending Kevin Durant. RHJ showcased his strength as a defender, his instincts as a rebounder, and his catch-and-shoot ability (I feel like I’ve been saying that with every wing, but it remains true all the same). 

If there were to be an opportunity for Harper, I’d consider it a look focused on the 3&D mold of his game. The threes would largely come off the catch, adding additional spacing while guys like Brown or Tatum ignite the drive-and-kick, while the D would be spent on another tough assignment: Paul George.

Is that a gamble? Or too much for Harper in his first playoff appearance? Possibly. But then again, wasn’t that also the case with KD in his debut?

It’s not like we’re dealing with the Paul George of old, though he’s certainly had a quietly solid season as he transitions into life as an overpaid, high-end role player. 

If that’s the path to opportunity, I don’t think we’d be hearing any complaints from Ron.

PHOENIX (AP) — Jalen Green was several feet behind the 3-point line as the shot clock wound down and didn’t have many options, so the Phoenix guard simply squared up and let if fly.

In most cases, the third-quarter heave wouldn’t have been a high-percentage shot.

On Friday night, pretty much everyone knew it was going in.

“It felt good all night,” Green said.

The 24-year-old Green scored 36 points to lead Phoenix to a 111-96 victory over the Golden State Warriors in the NBA’s play-in tournament. The Suns earned the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference playoffs and they’ll face the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in a road game Sunday in Game 1 of the first round.

Green shot 14 of 20 from the field against the Warriors, including 8 of 14 from 3-point range. The eight 3-pointers tied his career high.

“I thought he was incredibly efficient offensively,” Suns coach Jordan Ott said. “It’s really hard to stay in front of him.”

It was a big moment for Green, who endured plenty of frustration during an injury-filled year that limited him to just 32 games in the regular season. Green and Dillon Brooks came to the Suns from the Rockets as part of the package that sent 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant to Houston.

Green missed the first half of the season with a hamstring injury and then finally returned, sometimes struggling to adjust to his new role playing with Booker and Brooks. He averaged just 17.8 points, the lowest total since his rookie season.

But the trio appears to be jelling at the right time. Booker had the assist on four of Green’s 3-pointers on Friday.

“I’m very comfortable playing with Book,” Green said. “You kind of how to pick your poison, how you’re going to guard it.”

The game was a little vindication for Green after he struggled against the Warriors in last year’s playoffs when he was with the Rockets. He averaged just 13.3 points in the seven-game series, shooting 37% from the field.

Green was so good on Friday that Booker — a five-time All-Star — was more of a facilitator, finishing with 20 points and eight assists.

“He stepped up to the test,” Booker said. “The last playoffs might have stuck with him a little bit, so he’s prepared himself for these moments and capitalized on them.”

Ott said Green’s elite athleticism will be invaluable against Oklahoma City because of his ability to generate shots when it doesn’t look like there is one. Green’s 36 points came three nights after he scored 35 against the Trail Blazers in the first play-in game, which ended in a 114-110 loss.

“Both of these nights, he had it going offensively,” Ott said. “Those guys in playoff games, where the physicality ups, the court shrinks, the ability to give the ball to one guy and him create a shot is super helpful. We’re finding those pockets.”

Well, the season is over. After teasing us with a throwback performance for the ages on Wednesday, the Golden State Warriors completely and utterly ran out of fuel on Friday, losing to the Phoenix Suns 111-96 in a game that was a constant uphill battle.

And with that, the offseason begins. But not before we get to one final bit of in-season content: the last player grades of the year.

As always, grades are based on my expectations of each player, with a “B” grade representing the average performance for that player. If my grades seem overly lenient, well … that’s probably because they are. Grading the elimination game in a season feels a bit like handing out a grade for a boring requirement course to a senior that’s graduating in three days. Grading harshly is kind of missing the point. So we’ll be a little nice to everyone, because why dwell on the parts that need improvement when there’s no season left to improve?

Note: True-shooting percentage (TS) is a scoring efficiency metric that accounts for threes and free throws. League-average TS this season was 58.1%.

Gui Santos

30 minutes, 9 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 4 fouls, 4-for-8 shooting, 0-for-3 threes, 1-for-2 free throws, 50.7% TS, -8

Santos looked pretty overmatched in this game. There were a lot of poor decisions, and times where he was either doing too much or doing too little. I said this in Wednesday’s grades, but it’s easy to forget just how inexperienced he still is. This is all part of the learning process, and the mental fortitude he has to maintain his energy levels even when making mistakes is admirable. This was a great season for him, it just ended on a low note.

Grade: C

Draymond Green

36 minutes, 5 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 5 turnovers, 6 fouls, 2-for-4 shooting, 0-for-2 threes, 1-for-2 free throws, 51.2% TS, -13

Green provided the biggest highlight of the game for the Warriors. Unfortunately, it’s a sign of how the game went, that the highlight came during a dead ball situation, with outcome already decided.

After Green left the game in the final minutes as Steve Kerr waived the white flag, he started jawing with Devin Booker from the bench. Somewhere, Klay Thompson was surely smiling. After the teams started tussling a little bit, Scott Foster — the butt of many an NBA joke — tried to calm the waters by ejecting both Green and Booker. Ever the entertainer, Green mocked Foster by doing an over-the-top reenactment of Foster’s ejection, before walking off the court smiling, egging the crowd on.

Draymond Green & Devin Booker ejected. pic.twitter.com/8NG8ZOEwZG

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 18, 2026

What a Draymondian way to go. And what a memorable end to an otherwise forgettable season.

Grade: C
Post-game bonus: Led the team in assists.

Kristaps Porziņģis

15 minutes, 11 points, 1 rebound, 3 turnovers, 1 foul, 3-for-5 shooting, 2-for-3 threes, 3-for-4 free throws, 81.4% TS, -22

Porziņģis was listed as questionable up until the game started, and it was immediately clear that if it were a regular season game, he wouldn’t have been playing. He simply was not healthy, but he toughed it out to give the team some minutes.

It was a gutsy performance, and it featured a few highlight plays on offense. But he just didn’t have it, and all you can do is tip your cap that he left it on the floor.

Grade: A for toughness
Post-game bonus: Worst plus/minus on the team.

Brandin Podziemski

39 minutes, 23 points, 10 rebounds, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, 2 fouls, 9-for-17 shooting, 3-for-5 threes, 2-for-3 free throws, 62.8% TS, -5

It was fitting that Podziemski, who finished the season having played all 84 games, ended the year by leading the team in minutes in the elimination game. It was just that season for him.

Podz started slow, but ended the game as one of the only bright spots on the floor for the Warriors. No one else could get anything going on offense, yet he continued to get buckets. He fought all night, and led both teams in rebounding. Tough until the very end. The Warriors needed some people to step up, and Podziemski did (he also should have had 25 points and only three turnovers, but got called for an erroneous traveling violation on a layup).

Grade: A
Post-game bonus: Led the team in points and rebounds.

Steph Curry

36 minutes, 17 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 4 turnovers, 1 foul, 4-for-16 shooting, 3-for-10 threes, 6-for-6 free throws, 45.6% TS, -13

Curry went over his minutes restriction on Wednesday, and carried the team. And he paid for it on Friday.

Credit the Suns for a great defensive plan and strong defensive execution. But this one was first and foremost about Curry running out of gas, as the Warriors ran out of gas. It was so clear that Steph wasn’t healthy in this game. He wasn’t moving as quickly or confidently as usual, and he abandoned so much of the off-ball movement that makes him so dangerous. He even was limping on a few possessions.

Again: credit to the Suns. Not trying to take anything away from them. But that wasn’t the Curry we know and love. That was a Curry who played through being 50% to give his team a chance to win.

Grade: Who cares, just rest up for a few months

Gary Payton II

26 minutes, 4 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 fouls, 2-for-4 shooting, 0-for-1 threes, 50.0% TS, -10

Payton had some tremendous passes in this game, and helped right the ship on a few occasions. He also had a lot of fouls. It was nothing special, but a pretty solid game for him.

Grade: B

De’Anthony Melton

28 minutes, 16 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 turnover, 5-for-10 shooting, 2-for-4 threes, 4-for-4 free throws, 68.0% TS, -9

As was the case so many times over the past few months, Curry wasn’t healthy and the Warriors needed a lot from Melton to make up for it. And he provided it. Melton kept the Warriors afloat with a monster game off the bench, scoring all over the court, directing the offense, and fighting like hell on defense and the glass. He gave everything he had to give, and the Warriors sure will miss him if he’s playing elsewhere next season.

Grade: A

Al Horford

26 minutes, 9 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 1 foul, 3-for-8 shooting, 1-for-4 threes, 2-for-2 free throws, 50.7% TS, -3

Horford couldn’t quite find the magic that he harnessed on Wednesday. But his, too, was a gutsy performance, as he played 26 minutes due to Porziņģis’ ailment. If Horford were being honest, I’m guessing he’d say that he’s not fully healthy, either. It was just that season. But he gave it everything he had, despite the circumstances. If he’s one-and-done with the Warriors, then we’ll always have Wednesday. But don’t be surprised if he’s back next year.

Grade: B+

Pat Spencer

1 minute, 2 points, 1-for-2 shooting, 50.0% TS, +2

A great season comes to a close with just a glimpse of garbage time for Spencer. He proved he’s an NBA player this year, and that’s exciting.

Post-game bonus: Tied for the best plus/minus on the team.

Charles Bassey/Will Richard/Seth Curry

1 minute, 0 points, +2

Just a touch of garbage time with no stats for this trio.

Post-game bonus: Tied for the best plus/minus on the team.

The trio

It was a touching moment, late in the game, when Green, Curry, and Kerr huddled in plain sight. With all their arms around each other, Kerr spoke words to each, then brought them in for a three-way hug, before exiting and letting the two Hall of Famers embrace.

Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Steve Kerr share a moment after their 14th season together ♥️ pic.twitter.com/ivu63E5VL2

— NBA (@NBA) April 18, 2026

The following days, weeks, and perhaps even months will result in a lot of speculation, rumors, reports, and opinions, as we have no idea what the future holds. Kerr said after the game that he’ll take “a week or two” to think about his future, but stressed that he still loves coaching. Green said he wants to continue his career with the Warriors. Curry stressed that he has a few more seasons left in him.

Hopefully we get a 13th year with this trio. But if not, it’s been an unforgettable journey.

Grade: A+

Friday’s inactives: Jimmy Butler III, Moses Moody, Quinten Post

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

Boston; Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

LINE: Celtics -12.5; over/under is 213.5

EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Celtics host first series matchup

BOTTOM LINE: The Boston Celtics host the Philadelphia 76ers to start the Eastern Conference first round. Boston and Philadelphia tied the regular season series 2-2. The Celtics won the last regular season matchup 114-98 on Monday, March 2 led by 27 points from Jaylen Brown, while Tyrese Maxey scored 33 points for the 76ers.

The Celtics are 10-6 against the rest of their division. Boston leads the Eastern Conference in rebounding, averaging 46.4 boards. Nikola Vucevic leads the Celtics with 8.4 rebounds.

The 76ers are 9-7 against the rest of their division. Philadelphia ranks ninth in the NBA scoring 16.9 fast break points per game. VJ Edgecombe leads the 76ers averaging 8.0.

The Celtics average 114.9 points per game, 1.2 fewer points than the 116.1 the 76ers allow. The 76ers are shooting 46.2% from the field, 2.0% higher than the 44.2% the Celtics' opponents have shot this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Brown is scoring 28.7 points per game with 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists for the Celtics. Payton Pritchard is averaging 18.3 points and 3.2 rebounds while shooting 53.1% over the last 10 games.

Quentin Grimes is shooting 45.0% and averaging 13.4 points for the 76ers. Paul George is averaging 3.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Celtics: 8-2, averaging 119.6 points, 45.6 rebounds, 26.3 assists, 6.3 steals and 4.3 blocks per game while shooting 49.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.4 points per game.

76ers: 6-4, averaging 118.0 points, 45.3 rebounds, 24.3 assists, 8.6 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 47.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.8 points.

INJURIES: Celtics: Nikola Vucevic: day to day (finger), Sam Hauser: day to day (back), Hugo Gonzalez: day to day (foot), Payton Pritchard: day to day (foot), Jayson Tatum: day to day (injury management), Derrick White: day to day (knee), Neemias Queta: day to day (toe), Jaylen Brown: day to day (achilles).

76ers: Johni Broome: out (knee), Joel Embiid: out (abdomen).

___

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

The Golden State Warriors ended their season with a 111-96 loss to the Phoenix Suns on April 18 in the NBA Play-In Tournament.

After finishing the regular season with a 37-45 overall record and getting bounced in the postseason's qualifying round, the Warriors enter the offseason with a number of questions that need to be answered.

With franchise cornerstone Stephen Curry in the twilight of his career, the Warriors should look to improve their team to maintain a competitive nature in the latter part of his NBA tenure.

Here's what they need to consider this summer now that their offseason has commenced:

Questions about contracts

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr had an embrace with Curry and Draymond Green as the elimination play-in game against the Suns started to wind down. It was an emotional moment because it could be the final embrace those three have as coach and players as Kerr's contract expires this summer.

According to audio captured by Prime Video, Kerr told Green and Curry, "I don't know what's going to happen next, but I love you guys to death. Thank you. I appreciate you."

"I don't know what's gonna happen next, but I love you guys." 🥹 https://t.co/GyFAlQRjIxpic.twitter.com/KlInPGTZs1

— NBA (@NBA) April 18, 2026

Kerr was named Warriors head coach in 2014 and has coached the franchise to four championships. As questions loom about his future, Kerr is forever stamped in the Bay Area as the coach of a dynasty. But he told reporters that he doesn't know what his future holds, and understands that when dynasties come to an end changes are made, especially regarding who is at the helm.

"I don't know what's going to happen. I still love coaching. But I get it. These jobs all have an expiration date," Kerr said.

Steve Kerr on his future with the Warriors:

"My plan is to take a week or two, sit down with Joe [Lacob] and Mike [Dunleavy Jr.] ... We will come to a collaborative decision on what's next.

"I don't know what's going to happen. I still love coaching, but I get it. These jobs… pic.twitter.com/qVtME8tWtj

— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) April 18, 2026

Curry said he wants his longtime coach to "be happy."

"I want him to be excited about the job. I want him to believe he's the right guy for the job. I want him to have an opportunity to, again, enjoy what he does. Whatever that means for him," Curry said. "Everybody's plan is their own.

"I'm not going to try and tell anybody what to do. He knows how I feel about him. Shouldn't even need to be said. However it goes, you're thankful for what we've been able to accomplish over this run. Thankful for an opportunity to hopefully put it together, do something again next year.

"I just want coach to be able to look at the situation as a whole and feel like he's the right guy."

The team also has to decide whether to exercise a team option on Brandin Podziemski, while Al Horford and De'Anthony Melton have more leverage with player options.

Kristaps Porzingis, who was acquired from the Atlanta Hawks in a trade, will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. He has made indications that he wants to be back in the Bay, and reports have said the Warriors are interested, as well.

Other expiring contracts include Gary Payton II, Quinten Post, Seth Curry and Pat Spencer.

An area to watch for are players signed through 2027. Current contracts on the Warriors expected to expire after next season include Curry, Green (he holds a player option) and Butler.

Curry said he wants to play several more years and would be interested in an extension but hasn't had those conversations with the Warriors.

"(Will) be a busy summer for the Warriors," Curry said.

Which free agents do the Warriors sign, seek out?

With the understanding that next season could be the final hurrah as Curry and Green have expiring contracts, the Warriors' brass of Joe Lacob and Mike Dunleavy Jr. will have to put something together to make themselves a contender again, especially in the twilight of Curry's career.

Golden State pursued Giannis Antetokounmpo during the regular season near the trade deadline, so maybe the Warriors renew conversations with Milwaukee.

Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard has had his name swirl around the rumor mill following their loss to Golden State, being eliminated from the NBA Play-In Tournament. With the Aspiration still looming in the background, maybe Golden State pounces on the opportunity to swindle the Clips.

Per ESPN's Anthony Slater, the Warriors currently have the 11th spot in the lottery with a 9.4% chance of getting a top-four pick.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Warriors eliminated from NBA playoffs contention: What's next?

The Golden State Warriors’ tumultuous season — plagued by season-ending injuries to Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody and a 27-game absence from their franchise superstar due to a persistent runner’s knee issue — has come to an ultimate end tonight against the Phoenix Suns.

Steph Curry could not muster enough energy to carry the Warriors anew, with his runner’s knee issue flaring up tonight. That spelled doom for the Warriors, who go into an offseason with uncertainty and questions abound.

One of those questions: What will be the fate of head coach Steve Kerr, who has played out the last year of his contract?

As of this writing, Kerr and the Warriors’ front office hasn’t had an agreement to renew his tenure that has lasted for 12 seasons, producing eight playoff berths, six Finals appearances and four NBA Championships.

When asked about his future, Kerr was noncommittal about providing a definite answer.

Steve Kerr said he will take a week or two to think about his future and discuss it with Joe Lacob and Mike Dunleavy.

He acknowledged there is an “expiration date” on the job and it’s possible new blood is needed. Said he may return or may not. Doesn’t know yet.

Full sound pic.twitter.com/FMWeBxOkHB

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 18, 2026

If Kerr does decide to call it a day, it will be a coaching career unmatched by any save for a select and hallowed few. Brought in to instill an offense that did not live up to its potential under Mark Jackson, he helped transform a perennial All-Star in Curry into a bona fide MVP talent and all-time great, empowered a second-round draft pick toward becoming an all-time defender, and maximized the potential of his rosters, all while sticking to what worked defensively under Jackson’s tenure.

Should Kerr decide to return, it wouldn’t be farfetched to assume it would be a one-year deal, which would put him on the same timeline as Curry, who only has one year left on his current deal. Kerr stated that he would not leave the Warriors in order to coach another team that did not have Curry on it.

Steve Kerr: “I don’t want to walk away from Steph. I’m definitely not going and coaching somewhere else next year in the NBA. … I would never walk away from Steph.”

— Dalton Johnson (@DaltonJ_Johnson) April 18, 2026

Whatever ends up being the decision, this loss marks a turning point in the Warriors’ fading dynasty.

PHOENIX (AP) — Golden State coach Steve Kerr is contemplating his future, the four-time NBA champion coach suggesting after the Warriors' season ended Friday night that there is a chance he might not be back with the club next season.

“It might still go on. It may not,” Kerr said after the Warriors lost in Phoenix and were eliminated from the play-in tournament, marking the fourth time in the last seven seasons that Golden State has missed the playoffs.

He shared an embrace with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, the team's two constants from the Warriors' title runs with Kerr, in the final moments of Friday night and appeared to mouth the words “thank you.”

Kerr wouldn't reveal what he said in that moment.

“None of your business,” he said, smiling.

Green and Curry both made clear that they want him back. Kerr's future has been the subject of speculation for some time, fueled in part by him coaching this year on the final season of his existing contract.

“I want Coach to be happy. I want him to be excited about the job. I want him to believe you know he’s the right guy for the job,” Curry said. "I want him to have an opportunity to again enjoy what he does. So, whatever that means for him, you know, everybody’s plan is their own. And I’m not going to try to tell anybody what to do. He knows how I feel about him. That shouldn’t even need to be said.”

Added Green, when asked if he could even fathom the Warriors without Kerr on the sideline: "I just don’t deal with change well. I don’t love it. So, I don’t want to think about that. I hope that’s not the case. but we’ll see what happens.”

The 60-year-old Kerr just finished his 12th season with the Warriors. He's 604-353 in that span, led Golden State to the NBA Finals in each of his first five seasons — and once since then as well — plus guided USA Basketball to Olympic gold at the Paris Games in 2024.

He said he'll meet with Warriors owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy eventually, to chart a path for what's next. He suggested that might come in a week or two.

“We'll talk about what’s next for the Warriors, what the plan is this offseason,” Kerr said. "And we will come to a collaborative decision on what’s next. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I still love coaching. But I get it. These jobs all have an expiration date. there’s a run that happens, and when the run ends, sometimes it’s time for new blood and new ideas and all that.

“And, if that’s the case, then I will be just nothing but grateful for the most amazing opportunity any person could have to coach this franchise, in front of our fans in the Bay and to coach Steph Curry, to coach Dray and the whole group.”

The Warriors were 37-45 this season, dealing with injuries the entire way. They rallied Wednesday from a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Los Angeles Clippers and move into Friday's play-in finale, but fell short against the Suns.

And now, the Warriors wait to see what's next.

“This was as tough a season as you can have, with the injuries, with all kinds of adversity," Kerr said. "And they battled, and they battled the entire season. They kept going the other night just to, you know, continue the season, to show that kind of fight. And then tonight, we just didn’t have it. But the competitive desire was there. And I’m proud of the group for finishing the season the right way by continuing to fight and trying to win every game.”

Kerr — who won five championships as a player, to go along with his four rings as a coach — has often spoken of his good fortunes within the game. He played for Lute Olsen at Arizona, played with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen in Chicago, played with David Robinson and Tim Duncan in San Antonio, played for Phil Jackson and Gregg Popovich as a pro.

And coaching Curry — the greatest face of a franchise he's ever seen, he said — is another honor, Kerr has insisted.

“The only thing I’ve learned is that I’m the luckiest guy in the NBA’s history," Kerr said.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

PHOENIX (AP) — Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr says he's not sure about coaching future.

The final minutes of the Golden State Warriors' season-ending loss to the Phoenix Suns in the final game of the NBA Play-In Tournament really ran the entire gamut of emotions.

It started with an incredibly moving moment, as Warriors coach Steve Kerr removed longtime stars Stephen Curry and Draymond Green from the game, and the trio embraced on the sideline. Kerr is reportedly in the last year of his contract, and his future remains uncertain. It was a poignant moment between the three men who helped power the Warriors to four NBA championships since Kerr was hired in 2014.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen next but I love you guys to death. Thank you. I appreciate you," Kerr told Curry and Green on the Amazon Prime Video broadcast.

Kerr said after the game his plan was to take some time to determine what's next.

Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Steve Kerr share a moment after their 14th season together ♥️ pic.twitter.com/ivu63E5VL2

— NBA (@NBA) April 18, 2026

But just moments after that heartwarming exchange, Green was ejected from the game.

He and Suns star Devin Booker got into a heated exchange of words and received double technicals. As play resumed, with Booker on the court and Green on the bench, the jawing seemingly continued to a degree referee Scott Foster determined crossed the line. He paused play and ejected both men.

Green played to the crowd, demanding louder boos as he walked off the court.

Scott Foster ejects Draymond Green and Devin Booker during garbage time pic.twitter.com/DwTzCUYTi3

— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) April 18, 2026

A short time later the Suns finished off their 111-96 victory that clinched the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference.

The Suns will now travel to Oklahoma City and a date with the defending champions. The top-seeded Thunder host Game 1 of their first-round series, Sunday, April 19 at 3:30 p.m. ET.

The biggest stories, every morning. Stay up-to-date on all the key sports developments by subscribing to USA TODAY Sports' newsletter.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Warriors' Draymond Green ejected in exchange with Suns' Devin Booker

The Phoenix Suns are not going anywhere. Well, technically, they have a flight to Oklahoma City for a game on Sunday afternoon, but you know what I mean. The season goes on, and we can thank Jalen Green. They effectively ended the Golden State Warriors’ season.

Phoenix got off to a strong start, and more importantly… they made their free throws! They went a perfect 15-for-15 from the charity stripe, and also connected on 7 more three-pointers than the Warriors. A true recipe for success.

Jalen Green led the Suns with 36 points on 14-20 shooting, including seven 3-point field goals. Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks had rough shooting nights and dealt with foul trouble early and often. Booker finished with 19 points on 5-12 shooting (10-10 FT), and Brooks added just 13 points on 4-14 shooting.

We should not take a win like this for granted, especially with how tough the Warriors looked when they took down the Clippers on their home floor a couple of nights ago.

A majority of the highlights you will see below all came courtesy of Jalen Green, as he was a walking highlight reel tonight. He poured in 35 points in the first play-in game against Portland, and added another 36 tonight. 37 on Sunday?

And one quick shoutout to Jordan Goodwin, who had his hands everywhere in this one. He was a major reason they won tonight, plain and simple.

Jordan Goodwin vs GSW:

19 PTS
9 REB
6 STL (!!)
7-11 FG
4-7 3P

More points than Steph. More rebounds than Horford. More steals than Draymond. More threes than Steph. pic.twitter.com/yca4YSZKkO

— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 18, 2026

---

Game Flow

First Half

Phoenix jumped ahead to a 13-2 lead early, leading to a timeout from Steve Kerr. A similar start to the previous game for the Warriors, and they seemed to settle back in after, going on a 9-2 run.

Collin Gillespie was the first sub for the Suns, checking in for Jordan Goodwin. Jalen Green hit a momentum three to give the Suns a 23-11 lead.

TURN US UP JG4 🔋 pic.twitter.com/V5vZCDcI0M

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) April 18, 2026

Phoenix’s defense early was dialed in, making it tough for the Warriors to find any form of offensive flow. They held them to just 13 points through the first 9:30 of the game.

A Royce O’Neale triple extended the Suns’ lead to 16. Collin Gillespie drilled a stepback jumper as the time expired to make a 33-15 lead heading into the 2nd quarter.

The Warriors opened up on a 6-0 run, leading to a Jordan Ott timeout with the Suns’ lead cut to 12. As expected in this environment, no team will go down without a fight in an elimination game. A couple of mental errors started piling up for the Suns, with Goodwin overthrowing a wide-open Dillon Brooks off an inbound.

Haywood Highsmith got a chance to contribute and made his presence felt immediately.

Highsmith immediate impact, deflection on Porzingis leads to Jalen Green transition dunk.

Green later 3.

Goodwin putback. Suns up 13. Timeout Warriors 5:24 left in 1st half. #Suns

— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) April 18, 2026

Luckily, they made up for those miscues, with Jalen Green going on a personal 5-0 run, including this emphatic slam dunk.

JG4 WITH NO ONE IN FRONT 🔥 pic.twitter.com/L8y4tVxtX6

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) April 18, 2026

Every punch Phoenix threw seemed to be met with resistance from the Warriors. Just as they looked to distance themselves, the Dubs would go on a brief run to close some distance. Another careless turnover led to a Steph Curry transition triple, and the Warriors fans in the crowd started to get into it. Phoenix’s offense was absolutely shut down in the second quarter, pouring in just 17 points, with three of them coming right before the buzzer at half, courtesy of a Jalen Green triple.

At halftime, Phoenix led 50-45. Jalen Green led the Suns with 14 points. Podz led the Warriors with 12.

Second Half

The Suns had a strong third quarter overall, setting the tone early on defensively. Jalen Green continued his hot shooting, pouring in 11 points in the opening 9 minutes of the third, including three triples.

JALEN HAS THE GREEN LIGHT 🚦

He has 19 points midway through the third quarter 🔥 pic.twitter.com/fkUUukA103

— NBA on Prime (@NBAonPrime) April 18, 2026

Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks were both battling rough shooting nights, along with foul trouble. They each picked up 4 fouls well before the third quarter came to a close.

Just as we all predicted, Draymond Green and… Haywood Highsmith got into it? A double-technical was assessed with just 30 seconds left in the 3rd quarter. This was later corrected as a double-foul on the two at the beginning of the fourth quarter by the PA announcer.

The Suns outscored the Warriors by four in the quarter to give them a 78-69 lead after three. Jalen Green had a 13-point quarter and led all scorers with 27 points.

LOOK AT THE RAAAANGE 🔋 https://t.co/dIXLS02XTSpic.twitter.com/hujgg1zkzg

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) April 18, 2026

Steph Curry opened the 4th quarter with a three, which is never a good sign for opponents. Jordan Goodwin thankfully responded with a three-pointer of his own, followed by forcing a jump ball on Steph defensively. Then he proceeded to get the crowd into it.

The Jalen Green game continued. He hit a pair of impossible shots with Draymond draped all over him. Bag work. Golden State called a timeout with the Suns leading 92-78.

Al Horford swiped some of that momentum back by knocking down a three, followed by Steph drawing a foul to get three shots. The lead was cut to 10.

Jordan Goodwin hit a three, and then Devin Booker got to his middie and the Suns poured in five straight points to build their lead back up to 99-84.

The Warriors kept fighting back, but the Suns poured in the threes to put their foot down for good and pull away.

JORDAN GOODWIN. pic.twitter.com/2HEwYTOuJB

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) April 18, 2026

Things certainly got chippy at the end, with Devin Booker and Draymond Green getting ejected after Green fouled out, and they exchanged words. And that’s all she wrote.

---

Up Next

As a reward for winning, the Suns are headed to Oklahoma City to play the Thunder in the first round of the NBA playoffs. They do not have a ton of time to rest, as Game 1 will start at 12:30 pm AZ time on Sunday afternoon.

The stage is set for Round 1.

🎟️ Tickets on sale now: https://t.co/IPv2wYJV60pic.twitter.com/tHcCtuMd8f

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) April 18, 2026

Underdog Suns are back at it. Let’s go!