The 2026 NBA Playoffs are less than two weeks away, with the SoFi Play-In Tournament tipping off on April 14 and the first round officially underway on April 18. The playoff picture is rapidly taking shape, with 20 teams already locked in and the remaining seeds still up for grabs as the regular season winds down.
With just nine games remaining, every contest carries playoff implications as teams battle for position in the standings. The Atlanta Hawks face a pivotal matchup Wednesday, April 1, against the Orlando Magic, a must-win if they want to hold onto a top-six spot in the Eastern Conference and avoid the Play-In Tournament altogether.
The San Antonio Spurs travel to Golden State for their fourth meeting of the season, riding the momentum of Victor Wembanyama’s historic performance, a season-high 41 points and 16 rebounds in a win against the Chicago Bulls that marked the third-fastest double-double recorded since 1997-98. San Antonio is firmly in the hunt for the top seed in the Western Conference, and with the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder sitting atop the standings, every win from here on out could prove decisive heading into the postseason.
Here is the current brackets for the playoffs and the Play-In Tournament, and the NBA standings as of April 1:
(9) Portland Trail Blazers vs. (10) Golden State Warriors
Eastern Conference
(7) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (8) Orlando Magic
(9) Miami Heat vs. (10) Charlotte Hornets
NBA standings
All 20 teams – 10 in each conference – that will participate in the postseason have been determined. Here are their records as of Wednesday, April 1, and what each of those teams have clinched so far:
Western Conference
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder: 60-16
(2) San Antonio Spurs: 57-18
(3) Los Angeles Lakers: 50-26
(4) Denver Nuggets: 48-28
(5) Minnesota Timberwolves: 46-29
(6) Houston Rockets: 46-29
(7) Play-In Winner
(8) Play-In Winner
Eastern Conference
(1) Detroit Pistons: 55-21
(2) Boston Celtics: 50-25
(3) New York Knicks: 48-28
(4) Cleveland Cavaliers: 47-29
(5) Atlanta Hawks: 43-33
(6) Toronto Raptors: 42-33
(7) Play-In Winner
(8) Play-In Winner
When do the NBA playoffs begin?
The NBA Play-In Tournament begins on Tuesday, April 14 and runs through Friday, April 17.
The NBA playoffs start Saturday, April 18 and feature eight teams in each conference after teams are eliminated in the Play-In Tournament.
Game 1 of the NBA Finals scheduled for Wednesday, June 3.
Which NBA teams have been eliminated from the playoffs?
On March 31, the Houston Rockets put on one of their best performances of the year, defeating the New York Knicks 111–94 at home.
The Rockets set the tone from the beginning. Houston took control early in the second quarter and never gave it up, playing with confidence, speed, and accuracy. Against a Knicks defense that never quite found its footing, their ball movement was especially impressive, as they piled up assists and continuously produced excellent opportunities.
Kevin Durant, who skillfully coordinated the offense, was at the center of it all. In addition to finishing with 27 points, the seasoned forward frequently punished New York’s defensive rotations and double teams. He was by no means alone; Houston displayed a well-rounded offense, with several players scoring in double figures, including a potent bench contribution that kept the pressure on.
The Rockets were equally impressive on defense. Leading the perimeter attack, Amen Thompson successfully neutralized Jalen Brunson, who was limited to just 12 points due to ineffective shooting. Throughout the whole game, Houston’s switching and toughness threw off New York’s rhythm, causing turnovers and contested possessions that prevented any meaningful comeback attempt. It was a tough game for the Knicks. With 22 points, Karl-Anthony Towns led the club, but he was ineffective against Houston’s interior presence. Beyond that, New York’s offensive cohesiveness never developed; they fell behind early and lacked the ball security and shot-making skills necessary to make a significant challenge.
Houston’s poise and depth swiftly put an end to any momentum the Knicks managed, especially during short bursts in the second quarter. By the fourth quarter, the Rockets were comfortably ahead due to their disciplined play and timely scoring, making the result seem academic.
In a larger sense, the victory demonstrated Houston’s ongoing development under duress in addition to exacting revenge for a previous defeat to New York earlier in the season. As the postseason draws near, the Knicks’ defeat revealed persistent worries about facing top-tier competition.
On this particular night, however, the narrative was straightforward: Houston was more decisive, deeper, and sharper throughout.
The Houston Rockets are back in action Wednesday night at Toyota Center versus the Milwaukee Bucks. You can catch the game on NBA League Pass or Space City Home Network, and as always, be sure to check back at the Dream Shake for pre- and post-game content.
Lakers forward LeBron James goes up for a shot as Cavaliers center Thomas Bryant watches at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
The tests kept coming in the month of March for the Lakers and they responded with the same resounding answer: We’re ready.
Yet, even though the Lakers posted a 15-2 record last month, even though they beat some of the best teams in the NBA, they still have another big test on the horizon that will further show whether they're ready.
The Lakers will meet the defending NBA champion Thunder in Oklahoma City Thursday night, and it will be the test of all tests because OKC is just as hot as L.A. and owns the best record in the NBA.
The Thunder have their own unstoppable force in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, last season’s most valuable player who is in line to win it again this season, just as the Lakers have their own unstoppable force in Luka Doncic, another MVP candidate this season.
Los Angeles, CA - March 31: Lakers head coach JJ Redick coaches the team as the Lakers beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 127-113 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles Tuesday, March 31, 2026. The Lakers clinched a playoff berth before their win over Cleveland. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
Oklahoma City produced a 14-1 record in March. The Thunder have a 60-16 record, tops in the league.
So for the Lakers, Thursday will be a measuring stick against the best the league has to offer.
“Yeah, 100%. I mean, I feel like we've been in a couple playoff games here recently," Lakers forward Jake LaRavia said. "This is obviously going to be another one, you know, best team in the West. So it's going to be a good test for us as we're nearing the playoffs. And, yeah, it's going to be the same thing. We have to be physical. We have to play defense collectively. We're gonna have to just play together as a team.”
“Obviously they are the defending champs,” Lakers guard Austin Reaves said. “They play at a high level. Obviously one of the best teams in the league, if not the best team, and we have an opportunity to go into OKC and battle them.”
The Thunder have one of the NBA’s best defenses. OKC holds teams to 107.6 points per game, second-best in the league, and 43.5% shooting, the best in the NBA.
Oklahoma City ranks fifth in the NBA in scoring (118.6) and fifth in shooting percentage (48.2).
So, yes, the Lakers will have their hands full.
“They're great on both sides of the ball,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “They're gonna make you work for things defensively because of how physical they are. And then, they just do a great job of driving. You really have to do your best to keep them outta the paint, have you to do your best to be square of the ball. … They just are really good at what they do. And they've been doing that now for five years. And they know all the nuances. They know all the tricks. They all know the timing of everything. They're just a tough team to guard.”
Lakers' ultimate teammate
Lakers guard Marcus Smart looks to pass after chasing down a loose ball under pressure from Kings guard Russell Westbrook at Crypto.com Arena on March 1. (Ronaldo Bolanos/Los Angeles Times)
The Lakers all view Marcus Smart as the ultimate teammate, a selfless member of their group and a true leader the team can count on for his willingness to compete on both sides of the basketball.
Smart and Deandre Ayton sit next to each other in the Lakers’ locker room and that has been a good thing for Ayton, who relies on Smart for his wisdom and guidance.
And even though Smart missed his fifth straight game Tuesday night against the Cavaliers with a right ankle contusion, Ayton and the Lakers still felt his presence.
“Yeah, I think there's a built-in level of respect and, in some ways, acceptance with Marcus because of how hard he competes and how much he gives every single time that he steps on the floor,” Redick said. “That's an easy way to build trust with your teammates — ... to play as hard as you possibly can every single night and do it with a competitive gusto. And that's what Smart does.
" I think for [Ayton,] he's just been a great calming voice for him throughout the year. ... Marcus has been there, throughout halftimes, huddles, on the court. ... It's really allowed D.A. to be more consistent as we've gotten towards the end of the season.”
Smart has been recognized for being such a great teammate.
The NBA announced on Tuesday that Smart is one of 12 finalists for the 2025-26 Twyman-Strokes Teammate of the Year Award. It’s an honor that recognizes the player deemed the best teammate based on selfless play, on-and-off the court leadership as a mentor and role model to other NBA players and commitment and dedication to his team.
“He’s like a brother’s keeper,” said Ayton, who had 18 points and nine rebounds against the Cavaliers. “He sees everything, just like [LeBron James] and [Austin Reaves] and Luka [Doncic]. But he’s definitely going to bring it up. He reminds me a little bit of [former Suns teammate] Jae Crowder, that guy who is always going to be the one saying the right thing at the right time. Just our enforcer, our pit bull and he’s the one that set the tone, really, and we all follow. He throw a punch, we all going to throw a punch. You got 1,000 punches, you know what I’m saying? That’s Marcus.”
Harrison Barnes was nominated as an NBA Sportsmanship Award Finalist. The award is given to a player who most “exemplifies the ideals of sportsmanship on the court with ethical behavior, fair play, and integrity.”
He was nominated alongside former Spurs guard Derrick White, T. J. McConnell, Bam Adebayo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Al Horford.
And per league, Harrison Barnes is one of six finalists for its annual Sportsmanship Award, a field that includes former Spur Derrick White. pic.twitter.com/tP3e4PH87w
This comes on the heels of receiving some high praise from Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra.
The award “recognizes the player deemed the best teammate based on selfless play, on- and off-court leadership as a mentor and role model to other players, and commitment and dedication to team.”
Fox is joined by nominees Desmond Bane, Jalen Brunson, Pay Connaughton, Jeff Green, Jrue Holiday, Deandre Jordan, Duncan Robinson, Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum, Garrett Temple, and Jaylin Williams.
De’Aaron Fox is 1 of 12 finalists for the NBA annual award that “recognizes the player deemed the best teammate based on selfless play, on- and off-court leadership as a mentor and role model to other players, and commitment and dedication to team.” pic.twitter.com/WclY9T73yC
The NBA presents the winner with the Twyman–Stokes Trophy and gives a $25,000 donation to a charity of the recipient’s choice.
Spurs legend Tim Duncan won in in 2015.
Jrue Holiday has been awarded the honors three previous years.
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Nov 12, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) celebrates with forward Jalen Johnson (1) after a play against the Sacramento Kings during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images | Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Hawks fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Your Atlanta Hawks are red-hot, having won 17 of 20 games since the All-Star Break.
In a season where the Hawks were supposed to contend for a top six place in the Eastern Conference, the team took a very circuitous route to get here. The team’s starting point guard and starting center at the beginning of the season are now elsewhere, and for a long time the Hawks found themselves floundering below .500 in the ninth and tenth spots in the standings.
But with this recent surge, they now find themselves fifth — a game and a half up on the Philadelphia 76ers in seventh and half a game above the Toronto Raptors.
The remaining six games for Atlanta are, in order, at Orlando, at Brooklyn, home against New York, at and home to Cleveland, and finish at Miami. That’s a tough slate.
So I ask you, loyal readers, would it be a disappointment if the Hawks slipped below sixth into the Play-In Tournament? The results of the poll will be posted later this week.
The same holds for the Michigan basketball star, is true for Arizona's Koa Peat, Illinois' Keaton Wagler and Connecticut's Terrian Reed. These four have been among the best players in March Madness, but have also proven themselves over the course of the season.
For either the Wolverines, Wildcats, Fighting Illini or the Huskies to win the 2026 national championship, they'll need their best players to shine in the biggest moments of the year when the quartet plays in the Final Four on Saturday, April 4, from Indianapolis.
However, just because a star has a big game, it does not mean these teams can easily be knocked off. Just ask Alabama and Labaron Philon. The Crimson Tide star matched a career-high of 35 points, but got little help from his supporting cast, causing Alabama to lose to Michigan in the Sweet 16.
All four stars will need help from a potential unsung hero for their team to win a national title. Here's a look at some potential candidates who could step up in that role:
Trey McKenny, Michigan
Trey McKenny, the freshman from Flint, Michigan, is potentially finding his stroke at the right time. On the season, he is averaging 9.8 points and 2.6 rebounds per game on 46.2% shooting from the field, incluidng 38% from 3-point range.
However, McKenny scored at least eight points in every NCAA Tournament game, including 17 points against Alabama and followed it up with a 12-point performance against Alabama. Against the Crimson Tide, he connected on three 3-pointers.
In addition to his hot outside shooting, McKenney has also gotten to the free throw line 11 times over the last two games, knocking down 10 of them. While Lendeborg is the present for the Wolverines, McKenney is likely the future, already declaring his intention to return next season.
Could he give a glimpse into why he was a top-20 recruit in the 2025 class to help Michigan win its first title since 1989?
Motiejus Krivas, Arizona
Could the first-year starter and junior for Arizona, Motiejus Krivas, be a key for the Wildcats to win their first national title since 1997?
On a team full of scorers, Bradley is fourth on the team with his career-best 10.4 points per game, while averaging a best 8.2 rebounds per game. He shoots 56.9% from the field. He has started all 38 games for Arizona this season after making just one start in his first two seasons.
He is capable of a big scoring performance, as he did when he scored 25 points against Kansas State on Jan. 27, on 7-of-10 shooting from the field and making 11 of 12 free throws.
Kylan Boswell, Illinois
With Wagler's emergence, it could be easy to forget his fellow backcourt mate, Kylan Bowell, at times. However, Boswell is the model of consistency for Brad Underwood's Illinois team.
The 6-foot-2 senior guard from Champaign, Illinois, is averaging a career-high 12.5 points per game on 45% shooting from the field, to go along with 3.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.
Boswell had a 25-point performance against UConn earlier this season, while he also had 22-point performances against Texas Tech and Alabama. He also scored 20 points against Nebraska, proving he's capable of big games when called upon.
Silas Demary Jr., UConn
UConn's strength is having many players whom it can turn to for a shot with the game on the line. Case in point, freshman Braylon Mullins hitting the game-winning buzzer-beater against No. 1 seed Duke in the Sweet 16.
For this exercise, Mullins is too well-known now. So another player to keep an eye on is junior Silas Demary Jr. The UConn junior is averaging 10.4 points, 5.9 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game on 45.5% shooting and 40.5% 3-point shooting.
The transfer from Georgia had 23 points and 15 assists on Jan. 7 against Providence, proving he is capable of a major game when it is needed.
Will two Big Ten teams face off with a national championship on the line? No. 3 seed Illinois and No. 1 Michigan are on opposite sides of the Final Four in 2026, and could guarantee the Big Ten the NCAA Tournament championship with wins in the national semifinals.
The Fighting Illini take on No. 2 Connecticut, while the Wolverines face fellow No. 1 seed Arizona, each on Saturday, April 4. The winners will move onto the national championship game on Monday, April 6, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
The last Big Ten school to win a national championship was Michigan State in 2000, Tom Izzo's fifth season at the helm. The Huskies, meanwhile, are looking for their third national championship in four seasons under Dan Hurley, who's quickly rising the all-time coaching ranks.
The Wildcats have won one national championship in their history, which came in 1997. They last made the Final Four in 2001, and are looking to get back to college basketball's mountaintop.
What does Artificial Intelligence think about the Final Four in 2026? Here's how AI predicted the two matchups to go:
AI predicts Final Four games
No. 3 Illinois vs No. 2 UConn
Microsoft Copilot is impressed with Illinois' offense, but also thinks UConn's veteran presence and ability to win games late is important.
"Best offense left in the tournament," Copilot said of Illinois. "Illinois brings elite scoring versatility, with multiple shooters and one of the nation’s best offensive rebound rates."
The AI was also complementary of true freshman Keaton Wagler, one of the top remaining players in the NCAA Tournament.
"Since their November loss to UConn, Wagler has become a top‑10 NBA prospect and a dominant scorer — far more impactful than in the first meeting," Copilot said.
On the other hand, Copilot acknowledges Tarris Reed Jr. could be a matchup problem for Illinois, and that UConn wears teams down defensively.
"He’s averaging dominant numbers inside and could force Illinois into foul trouble or defensive adjustments," Copilot said of Reed. "They just survived Duke on a last‑second 3 and have shown resilience in multiple close games."
Copilot actually predicts an upset, taking Illinois in a close one.
"Illinois’ offensive versatility, improved defense, and Wagler’s rise give them the edge in a matchup where UConn’s inconsistent perimeter shooting could finally catch up to them," Copilot said.
Score prediction: Illinois 76, UConn 71
No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 1 Michigan
Copilot noted both teams' dominance in the Men's NCAA Tournament as reasons to be excited for the Final Four matchup between Michigan and Arizona, noting Michigan outscored its opponents by 90 points in March Madness to Arizona's 82 points.
Copilot also noted Michigan's balance, acknowledging the Wolverines rank No. 1 in adjusted defensive efficiency and No. 5 in adjusted offensive efficiency, per KenPom. It also is impressed by Yaxel Lendeborg, a first-team All-American who scored 27 points against Tennessee in the Elite Eight.
But Copilot likes Arizona's balance and interior scoring a bit more than Michigan.
"Their starting lineup is the deepest and most balanced in the Final Four," the AI said. "Analysts consistently note Arizona’s edge on the glass and at the rim will be key in a game this evenly matched."
Ultimately, Copilot is going with Arizona to take down mighty Michigan for a spot in the national championship.
"This is the heavyweight fight everyone expected, but Arizona’s superior rim finishing, rebounding edge, and deeper scoring options give them a slight advantage," Copilot predicts.
Boston fans know the team is in another golden age of contention.
But how long can it last?
The Celtics secured their fifth consecutive 50+ win season since 2021-22 with a 114-99 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday night — the franchise’s 38th season with 50+ wins and its fourth time hitting that mark at least five seasons in a row (the most of any team in the league.)
That alone puts this run amongst some of the greatest prolonged stretches of contention in NBA history.
I mean, sure, the team hasn’t won 11 championships in 13 years like the Bill Russell Celtics or racked up 18 consecutive 50+ win seasons while winning five rings like the San Antonio Spurs.
Nevertheless, it is a rare accomplishment for NBA teams to win 50+ games in at least five straight seasons. Out of 30 teams in the league today, 14 have never done it (15 if you don’t count the Seattle Super Sonics’ history for the Oklahoma City Thunder.) That includes the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks — originally the Tri-Cities Blackhawks — despite being two of the league’s 11 founding franchises alongside the Celtics.
That includes historically bad teams like the Charlotte Hornets and the Washington Wizards, but it also features teams that have had dominant stretches over the years, like the Miami Heat, Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers and Houston Rockets.
Overall, at least five consecutive seasons of 50+ wins has only been accomplished 22 times throughout NBA history. Only 11 of those instances featured runs of more than five consecutive seasons and only four were runs of at least 10 straight seasons with 50+ wins.
The latter is topped by the Spurs’ aforementioned 18-season run from 1999-00 to 2016-17, the Los Angeles Lakers’ 12-year stretch from 1979-80 to 1990-91, and the Dallas Mavericks’ 11-season run from 2000-01 to 2010-11. Boston’s own 10-season run from 1958-59 to 1967-68 completes the list.
The Celtics also recorded nine consecutive seasons with 50+ wins under Larry Bird from 1979-80 to 1987-88, starting with 61 wins in Bird’s first season.
While it may be outlandish to say the team’s current five-season run could stretch on long enough to compete with the Spurs for the top spot, Boston’s own franchise record could very well be within reach of the current core.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have been at the core of the team’s current five-season run of 50+ wins since it began in 2021-22, when the Jays led the Celtics to 51 wins and the Finals for the first time under Coach Ime Udoka.
Despite flaming out against the Warriors and losing Udoka to scandal, the run only ramped up the next year under the leadership of Coach Joe Mazzulla, who revamped the offense, unlocked Derrick White, and steered the team to 57 wins.
After falling one win short of another Finals trip, General Manager Brad Stevens used some of his managerial magic to acquire Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis. The newly assembled team then rattled off 64 wins and won the 2024 NBA Finals.
Boston again broke the 60-win threshold in 2024-25 with 61 wins, even though the Celtics struggled with injuries and diminished play in key roles over the year. The team then lost Tatum to a ruptured right Achilles tendon in the Eastern Conference Finals and offloaded Holiday, Porziņģis and Al Horford in the offseason. Boston even lost backup center Luke Kornet to the Spurs in free agency.
That’s where this run of 50+ win seasons probably should have ended. But, as we’ve seen this season, this team is simply too good for that.
In lieu of Tatum for 62 games and four of the 2024-25 team’s other top-nine players, Brown, Mazzulla, Pritchard and White still led the team to a 50+ win season. At the same time, Stevens brought the team below the second apron and repositioned it for future financial flexibility, all while maintaining every piece of the core.
And now, Tatum’s back — and dropping 32 points against a red-hot Hornets team on 52.2% shooting from the field and 50% from three-point range.
So, if the team didn’t fall short of 50 wins this year, when will it?
Well, it could be a while. Maybe even long enough to meet or surpass the team’s 9- and 10-season runs.
The two biggest pieces of the core, Brown and Tatum, are still only 29 and 28 years old, respectively. They both have three guaranteed years remaining on their contracts after this season ends. Derrick White, who many may consider to be the third core piece, is 31. He’s locked up for another two years and has a $34,844,000 player option for a third, at which point he’ll be 34 and may no longer field offers of more than $30 million per year from other teams.
Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser are both 28 years old. Pritchard’s contract extends through 2027-28 and Hauser’s through 2028-29.
If Stevens can find a way to lock up Neemias Queta when his current deal ends in 2026-27, the 26-year-old could be the Celtics’ starting center for years to come. That may be difficult, given Queta’s breakout this season and Boston’s delicate financial situation, but it should be possible since the team will have the Bird rights to re-sign him.
The team also features a deep bench full of young players who could prove vital to Boston’s future success. Baylor Scheierman, 25, Hugo González, 20, and Jordan Walsh, 22, have all shown their worth this season and could grow to become important complementary pieces.
Even Boston’s leadership is relatively young. Mazzulla is 37 years old and the youngest coach in the NBA. Stevens is 49 years old, which isn’t exactly young for the role, but young enough to foresee years to come with him at the helm. As made apparent this season, both remain at the top of their games.
In order to meet or surpass the franchise record for consecutive 50+ win seasons, the team needs to string along another five seasons following this one.
Age shouldn’t be a problem. While White will be 36 in another five years, Brown and Tatum should be 34 and 33, respectively. The Jays will have the rest of their athletic primes to pursue the record over the five seasons before that, then a couple more years of elite play to potentially surpass it before aging out of stardom. Mazzulla will be just about as old as the average NBA head coach by then.
Reaching 50 wins with the Jays in their primes shouldn’t be too much to expect, either. Hell, the Celtics only had one of them for the majority of this season and the team may still finish it with almost 60 wins (58 if they win out.) If Stevens can retain them when their contracts expire and maintain a decent roster around them, 50 wins should be within reach every year they remain at an elite level.
However, despite the team’s seemingly sturdy footing halfway through the trek to 10 consecutive seasons of 50+ wins, any Celtics fan who watched the 2007-08 season knows that, as Kevin Garnett screamed after winning the Finals, anything is possible — and not always in a good way.
There is a reason five consecutive seasons of 50+ wins has only occurred 22 times in all of NBA history. Between injuries, free agency, financial complications and the natural decline of aging players, teams need to be both well-piloted and outright lucky to make such a streak happen. For this team to match the franchise record, it would need to accomplish that rare feat twice in a row.
The biggest questions for the Celtics moving forward will be: 1) can Stevens continue to maintain a competitive roster while walking the veritable financial tightrope that is the 2023 Collective Bargaining Agreement? and 2) how much will Tatum’s Achilles injury impact his availability and effectiveness in future seasons?
In answering the first question, I think this year works as a perfect demonstration that Stevens is up for the task. He piloted the Celtics out of the second apron while maintaining a roster that can compete for a chip. Assuming Boston remains under the luxury tax next season, the repeater tax will reset and Stevens will be free to once again spend on a contending team.
As for the second question, only time will tell. Despite struggling with efficiency, Tatum has looked impressive since his return. He’s racked up rebounds at an even higher rate than he did before his injury and stepped right back into his role as floor general, using his ever-present gravity to lure help defenders before stringing a pass to an open man. On top of that, Tatum has had multiple stretches where he has caught fire from the field, dropping midrange shots and step-back threes reminiscent of his best days before the injury.
Nevertheless, Achilles injuries have notably impacted other players’ longevity over the years. Even Kevin Durant, the model of how to return from an Achilles injury, has averaged almost 16 fewer games played per season than he did before his return (not counting this year.) On a positive note, Durant has played 71 games so far this season and 75 in 2023-24. But, if Tatum misses more time moving forward, it will at the very least reduce the team’s margin of error for reaching 50 wins per season. If Brown suffers a long-term injury and Tatum can’t be his usual workhorse self, Boston’s 50+ win season streak would be at high risk of snapping.
Whether this Celtics core reaches the franchise record or not, their run of five consecutive 50+ seasons is already cemented in history amongst only 21 others, and fans should be happy to know that they may be watching one of the greatest prolonged stretches of contention in NBA history.
Who is and isn't a blue blood in college basketball is often a heated debate. By definition a blue blood is a program with elite lineage.
UConn's blood line of elite success didn't get going until the 1990s. The Huskies reached six Sweet 16s in the decade before breaking through in 1999 with the program's first national title.
The Huskies arrive at this week's Final Four looking to win a seventh national title (and third in four years). It's a run unmatched in modern history and winning at a level we haven't seen since the Wizard of Westwood.
If UConn wins the 2026 national championship, they would move into sole possession of third place on the NCAA's all-time title list, trailing only UCLA (11) and Kentucky (8).
Is UConn a blue blood or a new blood? How about both.
Members of the USA TODAY Sports staff debated for an hour. "It's an inexact science," they said. Challenge accepted. Using that 1999 season as the marker, we looked at which programs have been the most successful by devising a super scientific formula:
20 points for national title
10 points for Final Four
6 points for regular-season conference title
5 points for Sweet 16
-5 points for losing season
Here's how the math shook out:
10. Arizona (156 points)
10 Pac-12 regular season championships, 1 Big 12 title
14 Sweet 16s
2 Final Fours
0 national titles
0 losing seasons
709-250 (.739)
This might just be Arizona's first Final Four trip since 2001, but the Wildcats have been a model of consistency as one of the West's powerhouses.
9. Villanova (158 points)
8 Big East regular season championships
8 Sweet 16s
4 Final Fours
2 national titles
2 losing seasons
659-291 (.694)
Life without Jay Wright hasn't been great, but his run of two titles in three years (2016, 2018) and two more Final Fours land the Wildcats on this list.
8. Kentucky (185 points)
10 SEC regular season championships
14 Sweet 16s
4 Final Fours
1 national title
1 losing season
724-255 (.740)
A blue blood that still cracks this list. Kentucky fans will tell you they belong higher up on this list, but the numbers don't lie. Kentucky's eight national titles in program history are second-most in NCAA history, but the Wildcats have just one since 1999. In fact, UK hasn't been to a Final Four since 2015.
7. Florida (192 points)
7 SEC regular season championships
10 Sweet 16s
5 Final Fours
3 national titles
2 losing seasons
686-284 (.707)
Surprised to see Florida this low on the list, but sandwiched in between Billy Donovan and Todd Golden, the Mike White years were truly forgettable.
6. Gonzaga (234 points)
24 WCC regular season championships
14 Sweet 16s
2 Final Fours
0 losing seasons
801-163 (.831)
OK, so the 24 West Coast Conference titles are doing some heavy lifting here. But don't scoff at the 14 Sweet 16s. That's a remarkable run of steadiness, first as a Cinderella, then as a favorite. They played for the national title twice, losing to North Carolina in 2017 and Baylor in 2021. No one was won more (801) than the Zags.
5. Kansas (236 points)
11 Big 12 regular season championships
14 Sweet 16s
6 Final Fours
2 national titles
0 losing seasons
788-206 (.793)
No Sweet 16 appearances since winning the 2022 national title kept the Jayhawks from appearing higher on this list, that was actually the only Sweet 16 in the past seven tournaments for KU.
4. Michigan State (245 poins)
10 Big Ten regular season championships
17 Sweet 16s
8 Final Fours
1 national title
0 losing seasons
709-269 (.725)
The last Big Ten team to win a national title, Tom Izzo's staggering 17 Sweet 16s and eight Final Fours are a model of consistent excellence.
3. North Carolina (251 points)
11 ACC regular season championships
13 Sweet 16s
7 Final Fours
3 national titles
2 losing seasons
709-284 (.714)
Hubert Davis got the Tar Heels to a national championship game in Year 1, and then a Sweet 16 in 2024, but back-to-back first round losses didn't cut it at a school with much higher aspirations, as their spot on this list illustrates.
2. UConn (270 points)
5 Big East regular season championships
11 Sweet 16s
8 Final Fours
6 national titles
3 losing seasons
682-279 (.710)
Not even its six national titles could push UConn to the top of this list. Those three straight losing seasons (2017-19) were the anchor weighing the Huskies down. But also, a lack of conference titles cost them the top spot. If UConn wins this year's title, they'll take the crown.
Hate them all you want, Duke has earned its place atop college basketball. Twenty Sweet 16s! Now, the Blue Devils haven't won a national title since 2015, but they've been ranked No. 1 in seven of the past 10 seasons. Perhaps there should have been more March success, but the sheer volume of wins (nearly 800) is second only to Gonzaga.
Is Indiana still a blue blood?
Nah, the Hoosiers have bled out. Indiana has five national titles and eight Final Fours. But the last title was in 1987 and the last Final Four was in 2002. The program has had more coaches (four) than NCAA Tournament appearances (three) over the past 10 years. But hey, at least the football team is good now.
New blood or blue blood: Ranking college basketball's best teams
Based on our formula, calculating team success since 1999 (explained above).
You’re going to hear that idea this week, with the top two teams in college basketball, Arizona and Michigan, meeting in the semifinals instead of the national championship, while UConn faces Illinois in the other semifinal.
Like a lot of ideas, this one sounds good in the theory stage. Peel back the layers, though, and envision what reseeding the Final Four would mean in practice, and the idea loses footing.
Reseeding would require disrupting the original structure of the bracket.
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, and I’ll keep saying it as long as the NCAA has this tournament format: Leave the tournament alone.
I’ll say it once more for effect: Leave. The. Bracket. Alone.
Do not tweak. Do not tinker. Do not implement any harebrained ideas or add more mediocre teams or shuffle the assignments once the Final Four arrives.
The tournament is one thing the NCAA gets right. Take a bow, and enjoy it.
It’s not broken. Don’t fix it.
Still, it seems like such a simple adjustment, right? Now that the Final Four teams are set, just flip Arizona and Illinois and have the two 1-seeds on opposite seeds of the bracket.
And that’s when it hits you: The bracket. That beautiful creation is the star of this show. That's why you cannot simply reseed the Final Four. You’d disrupt all of those brackets people filled out the day after Selection Sunday, when they were supposed to be working but instead were researching that, yes, High Point over Wisconsin is the best possibility for a 12 vs. 5 upset. And that, yes, Arizona and Michigan will win their regions and meet in the semifinals.
They'll meet in the semifinals. Not the finals. That's what you wrote down on your bracket.
Don't complicate this: March Madness bracket is simple and beautiful
At its core, March Madness is entertainment, and part of the entertainment is everyone from your 10-year-old daughter to your 95-year-old grandpa fills out a bracket, for a shot at prize money or at least some bragging rights.
As much as we love the Cinderellas and the buzzer-beaters and the comebacks and the 40-foot swishes from the logo, we love the bracket itself every bit as much or more. We like highlighting our correct picks and seeing our predictions come true.
Anyone can understand how the bracket works, even if you don’t watch a single minute of basketball before March, even if you wouldn’t watch a single second of this tournament, if not to see how you bracket fares against your mother-in-law’s bracket.
The bracket’s beauty is in its simplicity of design. Sixteen teams in each quadrant, funneling into a Final Four. A team loses, and it's out. Win and advance. And as you fill it out, you decide which two teams you think will meet next.
Smart prognosticators kept writing down Arizona and Michigan until they reached the Final Four.
If the bracket got reseeded, how does that work for your bracket pool?
Everyone re-picks their Final Four two weeks into the tournament?
Forget it.
1-seeds can fall in Final Four, when we least expect it
Anyway, the moment we think we’ve figured out March Madness, we’re reminded this tournament isn’t so easy to figure out, even within a year when two 1-seeds meet in the Final Four.
The old-timers can tell us stories of the 1983 Final Four. That year, No. 1 Houston and No. 1 Louisville met in one semifinal. Phi Slama Jama vs. Doctors of Dunk.
In the other semifinal: No. 4 Georgia vs. No. 6 North Carolina State.
The Houston-Louisville game on Saturday became the marquee attraction, and surely the winner would win it all, right?
Houston went for 94 points against Louisville. Two nights later came one of the biggest stunners in tournament history.
The Wolfpack, an O.G. Cinderella, stunned Houston in the finals, winning on a buzzer-beating dunk, and Jim Valvano went running onto the court looking for someone, anyone, to hug.
If you watched it, you’ll never forget it. If you didn’t, you’ve probably seen the highlight so many times you almost feel like you lived through it.
The idea of reseeding the Final Four goes back more than two decades. In 2004, Dick Vitale was hollering we needed to “Reseed the Final Four!” before Duke and UConn met in the semifinals, in a matchup of what appeared to be the two best teams remaining.
That year served two epic semifinals. Georgia Tech beat Oklahoma State to advance to the finals as a 3-seed. UConn rallied to beat Duke, because apparently no halftime lead is safe for the Blue Devils this deep into the tournament.
And, sure, two nights later, UConn had the championship in hand by halftime, but so what? Saturday’s games were great.
The reseeding topic resurfaced in earnest in 2018, when all-time underdog Loyola-Chicago reached the Final Four as an 11-seed and Sister Jean became the world’s most famous nun.
No. 3 Michigan faced Loyola in the semifinals, while No. 1 Villanova played fellow No. 1 Kansas. Villanova handled the Final Four just fine without reseeding, winning both games in blowouts.
As Dan Gavitt, senior vice president of basketball for the NCAA, pointed out that year, reseeding the bracket along the way would create a minefield for underdogs. Upset a top team, and a Cinderella's reward becomes getting another top seed moved from across the bracket into its path.
“My concern is that the very thing that makes the tournament so popular would be diminished in some way,” Gavitt told the AP in 2018, on the subject of reseeding.
Another way to say that: Don’t fix what isn’t broken.
In its current form, the bracket isn't broken. It's beautiful the way it is.
BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 28: Baylor Scheierman #55, Anfernee Simons #4, Hugo Gonzalez #28 and Jordan Walsh #27 of the Boston Celtics look on during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on January 28, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Celtics fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
So many people deserve credit for the Celtics success in what was supposed to be a gap year in Boston. Despite the talent drain over the summer, Joe Mazzulla has again created a system custom fit for his roster and got his players to buy in. Jaylen Brown has had an MVP-level season as the team’s #1 option.
And not too much farther down the list is the development and performance of the Celtics bullpen of wings. Whether it’s starting or coming off the bench, impacting the game with their shooting or defending team’s best players, they’ve individually risen to the occasion and taken advantage of the opportunity and collectively, they’ve raised the ceiling of this Celtics team with Banner 19 in reach.
Hugo González – 28th pick Baylor Scheierman – 30th pick Jordan Walsh – 38th pick Sam Hauser – undrafted free agent
Sam Hauser has been the adult in the SF room. As a contributing member of the 2024 championship team, he’s started 43 of his 72 games. By his standards, he’s having a down year; it’s the first time since his junior year in college that he’s shot under 40% from behind the arc. However, he’s still a reliable floor spacer for the Jays and plus-defender.
When Jordan Walsh joined the starting lineup on November 12, that move launched a 16-5 run and really solidified Boston’s reputation as a true contender this season. His playing time started to dwindle at the start of the new year including a six-game stretch of DNP-CDs, but his effort never waned. Most recently when the Jays swapped off days during a back-to-back in Charlotte and Atlanta, Walsh filled in brilliantly and again flashed his defensive prowess against LaMelo Ball and Jalen Johnson.
Boston, MA – January 28 – Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) lets the ball get loose as Boston Celtics guards Jordan Walsh (27), Hugo Gonzalez (28) and Baylor Scheierman (55) surround during the second half of a NBA game at the Garden. (Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images). | MediaNews Group via Getty Images
Baylor Scheierman has had the inverse regular season as Walsh. After playing sporadically in the first half of the year, it was Scheierman’s turn in the starting five. His shooting and instincts were as advertised coming out of Creighton as a finished product, but his strong positional defense is what has kept him on the floor.
Finally, Hugo Gonzalez, the now 20-year-old rookie, has been a sensation since coming over from Madrid. On one hand, you can see how being part of a professional program abroad has really shaped his game and prepared him to jump right in with the Celtics. On the other, there’s the energy injection and momentum-shifting plays that make him a regular Tommy Award winner. This isn’t even a bold prediction: Gonzo will swing a playoff game or two this spring.
So, while it’s hard to pick your favorite child, what Celtic wing has impressed you the most?
Doncic is the NBA's leading points scorer this season [Getty Images]
Luka Doncic broke NBA great Kobe Bryant's 20-year record for the most points scored by a Los Angeles Lakers player in a calendar month as they overcame the Cleveland Cavaliers 127-113.
Doncic, who returned after a one-game suspension for picking up his 16th technical foul, scored 42 points to take his tally for March to 579 - beating Bryant's record of 578, which had stood since 2006.
"If you don't win, it doesn't really mean anything," said Doncic after the Lakers secured a 15th victory in 17 games.
"So the run that we've been on, it really means a lot. We've got to keep playing like that."
LeBron James scored 14 points for the Lakers against the Cavaliers as he also set an NBA record for the most combined regular season and play-off wins.
He achieved his 1,229th victory and surpassed the previous best set by centre Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
"He's great on both sides of the ball," said Lakers coach JJ Redick of James. "He's just doing a little bit of everything at a super-high level for us.
"Luka may get the headlines here and there, AR [Austin Reaves] may get a headline. But really it's been every single guy, and LeBron has led on that."
The Lakers, who are third in the Western Conference, had clinched a play-off spot and the Pacific Division title prior to their win as the Phoenix Suns were beaten 115-111 by the Orlando Magic.
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 31: Deandre Ayton #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes up for the rebound during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 31, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
LOS ANGELES – The Cavs coming to town as a top Eastern Conference team posed another tough challenge for the Lakers. As was true throughout March, however, the Lakers were up to the test.
They beat the Cavs 127-113 on Tuesday, and did so with great performances up and down the roster.
Luka Dončić, back from his suspension, was racking up points. Austin Reaves was attacking the paint and LeBron James gave everyone a glimpse of Showtime with highlight plays throughout the night.
While LA’s big three brought their best, so did their starting center, Deandre Ayton.
Ayton flirted with a double-double with 18 points and nine rebounds and was a huge reason this game was put to bed early. He was aggressive offensively and a defensive force, neutralizing the Cavs’ frontcourt of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.
“He’s been playing great basketball for a long time now,” Luka said postgame. ”So we just need him to keep doing what he does and when he plays like that it helps us win.”
Ayton’s dominance really started during the second quarter.
With Cleveland trailing by two points entering the period, this contest seemed destined to be the tough game it was advertised to be on paper.Ayton stepped up to tip things in the Lakers’ favor.
His offensive onslaught began with a dunk off a LeBron pass. James then connected with Ayton again a few possessions later, this time with the center scoring from just inside the free throw line. Ayton followed that up with a tip dunk off a rare Luka miss, then scored on a floater that gave the Lakers a double-digit advantage.
No one in this contest was better on the glass than Ayton. He had a game-high nine rebounds,including a whopping six offensive boards. A statistic like offensive rebounding won’t typically be highlighted, but on this Lakers team, they understand how important it is to grab those boards and keep possession on misses.
“He’s a very unselfish player,” Rui Hachimura said. “We love him here. I think his presence, just being there, he’s 7’1”, long wingspan and all that, using his body to protect the rim, getting those offensive rebounds, whatever we missed. It’s been great.”
Scoring and rebounding are obvious ways to demonstrate Ayton’s impact, but his game was loud in small ways as well.
He was keeping his hands up on defense and deflecting passes in traffic. Arguably the best Lakers highlight of the night, a LeBron alley-oop, started with Ayton creating a turnover.
In the third, Ayton had a beautiful Gortat screen midway through the quarter, which opened up the driving lane for Luka to get an easy two points. Dončić acknowledged Ayton’s grunt work, pointing to him after the basket went in.
Thanks to Ayton’s focus on both ends of the court, the Cavs never threatened and the Lakers ended March with another win, firmly cementing themselves as the third seed in the West.
Ayton was brought to the Lakers to play in these high-leverage games and provide them with an elite offensive scorer with the size and strength to compete against the best big men in the NBA.
As one of the few Lakers with NBA Finals experience, Ayton knows what it takes to win. And if he keeps this level of play up, the biggest moments of this year for himself and the Lakers are yet to come.
“I miss this type of feeling, I’m not gonna lie,” Ayton said. “There’s a certain type of urgency out there where you and this guy been battling, the chemistry you guys made just being around each other on and off the court. It’s finally showing on the court and it’s contagious.”
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 31: LeBron James #23 and Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers smile during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 31, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Coming into March, the Lakers were floating adrift, fresh off three demoralizing losses to the Celtics, Magic and Suns and staring the toughest stretch of the season in the face.
The Lakers exit March having loudly declared they are a legitimate contender. According to Positive Residual, they had the second-most games and the 10th-hardest schedule in March.
They finished the month with a 15-2 record. The two losses coming to the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and the Nuggets in Denver. Those were offset by a revenge win over Denver and victories over the Knicks, Wolves, Rockets and Cavs, all teams in the playoffs.
It’s on a short list for the best months the team has had since the 2019-20 season and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
So, let’s dive into the win. As always, grades are based on expectations for each player. A “B” grade represents the average performance for that player.
It was a very loud 14 points for LeBron, who had one of the highlights of the month with his big alley-oop slam off Austin Reaves’ alley-oop. We’ve come a long way this season with Austin’s alley-oops, too.
LEBRON JUST TOOK FLIGHT ✈️
Reaves drops the over-the-head lob… James handles the rest.
One of Jake’s best games in months. It was great to see him knock down multiple threes. When he scores, it feels like such a huge boost because of everything else he does.
While his shooting left a lot to be desired and he had some perplexing turnovers — he really loved a wild behind-the-back pass tonight — it does feel like Austin is in a better rhtyhm and has a better feel for his role as the month comes to an end.
Luka caps off an incredible month of March with a fitting finale. Having him come in during a shaky fourth quarter and bludgeon a bunch of Cavs reserves to put the game to rest was a lot of fun, too.
Back-to-back solid games from Rui, who hopefully has found his shooting touch again. The lack of rebounding is a bit easier to swallow when Austin, Luka and Jake combine for 18. But you still want more.
Similarly, Hayes followed up his great game on Monday with a so-so one against the Cavs. The good news is the Lakers aren’t reliant on him to be good, a change from last year.
Bronny played more than the rest of the group, getting a rotation in the first half where he didn’t do much statistically but played really nice defense during that stretch.
JJ Redick
Another largely solid game from JJ. I specifically liked him throwing out a zone defense in the second half amidst their strong run in the third quarter. That being said, I thought he stuck with it a little too much once Cleveland figured it out.
But considering the Lakers won this game by 20, I think it was a small thing on a great night.
Grade: B+
Tuesday’s DNPs: Maxi Kleber, Jarred Vanderbilt
Tuesday’s inactives: Chris Mañon, Nick Smith Jr., Marcus Smart
Los Angeles Lakers (50-26, third in the Western Conference) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (60-16, first in the Western Conference)
Oklahoma City; Thursday, 9:30 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Los Angeles plays the Oklahoma City Thunder after Luka Doncic scored 42 points in the Lakers' 127-113 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Thunder have gone 37-9 against Western Conference opponents. Oklahoma City is fourth in the NBA with 34.6 defensive rebounds per game led by Chet Holmgren averaging 7.0.
The Lakers are 30-16 in conference matchups. Los Angeles is sixth in the Western Conference scoring 116.8 points per game and is shooting 50.2%.
The Thunder score 118.6 points per game, 3.9 more points than the 114.7 the Lakers give up. The Lakers average 11.9 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.5 fewer made shots on average than the 14.4 per game the Thunder give up.
The teams square off for the third time this season. The Thunder won the last meeting 119-110 on Feb. 10, with Jalen Williams scoring 23 points in the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 31.6 points and 6.5 assists for the Thunder. Holmgren is averaging 14.0 points over the last 10 games.
Doncic is averaging 33.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 1.6 steals for the Lakers. Austin Reaves is averaging 19.9 points and 5.5 assists over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Thunder: 9-1, averaging 117.4 points, 45.8 rebounds, 24.3 assists, 9.4 steals and 5.2 blocks per game while shooting 48.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.1 points per game.
Lakers: 9-1, averaging 120.0 points, 41.3 rebounds, 25.0 assists, 9.5 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 52.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.9 points.
INJURIES: Thunder: Jalen Williams: day to day (injury management), Thomas Sorber: out for season (knee), Isaiah Hartenstein: day to day (injury management).
Lakers: Marcus Smart: day to day (ankle).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
