Basketball – Worldwide Sports News

Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors Preview

On Saturday, April 26, and the Houston Rockets (52-30) and Golden State Warriors (48-34) are all set to square off from Chase Center in San Francisco.

In the last game, the Houston Rockets were able to level the series. Unfortunately, the Warriors last Jimmy Butler in that game. His status for game three remains up in the air.

The Rockets are currently 23-17 on the road with a point differential of 5, while the Warriors have a 6-4 record in their last ten games at home.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Rockets vs. Warriors live today

Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025
Time: 8:30PM EST
Site: Chase Center
City: San Francisco, CA
Network/Streaming: ESPN2

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Rockets vs. Warriors

The latest odds as of Saturday:

Odds: Rockets (+133), Warriors (-157)
Spread: Warriors -3
Over/Under: 203 points

That gives the Rockets an implied team point total of 100.86, and the Warriors 102.42.

Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Saturday’s Rockets vs. Warriors game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Rockets & Warriors game:

Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Golden State Warriors on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Houston Rockets at +3.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the over on the Game Total of 203.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Rockets vs. Warriors on Saturday

The Rockets have lost 9 of their last 10 away games against teams with winning records
The Rockets' last 6 versus the Warriors have stayed under the Total
The Rockets covered the spread in 52% of their regular season games (43-39-0)

The Rockets have gone 22-19 on the road against the spread this season

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

April 25, 2025

Nuggets vs. Clippers Odds, predictions, recent stats, trends and Best bets for April 26

Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers Preview

On Saturday, April 26, and the Denver Nuggets (50-32) and Los Angeles Clippers (50-32) are all set to square off from Intuit Dome in Inglewood.

The Clippers handled business in game three, taking a 2-1 series lead. From the opening whistle, they looked like the better team.

The Clippers won 117-83. They shot 48% from the field and 46% from three.

The Nuggets are currently 24-17 on the road with a point differential of 4, while the Clippers have a 9-1 record in their last ten games at home.

Game details & how to watch Nuggets vs. Clippers live today

Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025
Time: 6:00PM EST
Site: Intuit Dome
City: Inglewood, CA
Network/Streaming: TNT

Game odds for Nuggets vs. Clippers

The latest odds as of Saturday:

Odds: Nuggets (+200), Clippers (-246)
Spread: Clippers -6.5
Over/Under: 212 points

That gives the Nuggets an implied team point total of 104.92, and the Clippers 108.31.

Expert picks & predictions for Saturday’s Nuggets vs. Clippers game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Nuggets & Clippers game:

Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Los Angeles Clippers on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Denver Nuggets at +6.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 212.

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Nuggets vs. Clippers on Saturday

The Clippers have won 17 of their last 20 home games following a win
The Clippers' last 3 versus the Nuggets have stayed under the Total

The Nuggets finished the regular season with an away record of 24-17

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

April 25, 2025

Grizzlies' Ja Morant to miss Game 4 vs. Thunder due to hip injury from scary fall

Ja Morant suffered a hip injury and will be out for Game 4 against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday.

That's not a surprise after the nasty fall he took in the third quarter of Game 3 Thursday night — Morant was seen on crutches later — and the report he will be out comes from ESPN’s Shams Charania. The team will make it official later today.

Ja Morant is out for the rest of Game 3 with a hip injury, Grizzlies say. pic.twitter.com/QYXSBairw9
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) April 25, 2025

Morant's injury deflated the building and his teammates — the Grizzlies were up 27 when he went down and lost the game.

Memphis now trails 0-3 in the series and will have to play a potential close-out game without Morant, who has averaged 18.3 points and five assists a game this series. The Grizzlies were 17-14 in games Morant did not play this season, with a +4.2 net rating when he was off the court — this is still a good team. However, beating Oklahoma City is another level.

April 25, 2025

Thunder vs. Grizzlies Odds, predictions, recent stats, trends and Best bets for April 26

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies Preview

On Saturday, April 26, and the Oklahoma City Thunder (68-14) and Memphis Grizzlies (48-34) are all set to square off from FedExForum in Memphis.

While down 0-3 in the series, the Grizzlies have to find a way back without superstar Ja Morant, who was injured in game three.

In game three, the Grizzlies were cruising. They were up 29 points at one point. After not scoring for over four minutes in the fourth quarter, the Thunder were able to take the lead and seal the deal. Mounting one of the largest playoff comebacks.

The Thunder are currently 32-8 on the road with a point differential of 13, while the Grizzlies have a 4-6 record in their last ten games at home.

Game details & how to watch Thunder vs. Grizzlies live today

Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025
Time: 3:30PM EST
Site: FedExForum
City: Memphis, TN
Network/Streaming: TNT

Game odds for Thunder vs. Grizzlies

The latest odds as of Saturday:

Odds: Thunder (-1220), Grizzlies (+740)
Spread: Thunder -15.5
Over/Under: 223 points

That gives the Thunder an implied team point total of 118.66, and the Grizzlies 110.58.

Expert picks & predictions for Saturday’s Thunder vs. Grizzlies game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Thunder & Grizzlies game:

Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the Oklahoma City Thunder on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Memphis Grizzlies at +15.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 223.

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Thunder vs. Grizzlies on Saturday

The Thunder have won their last 5 games
11 of the Thunder's last 13 matchups with the Grizzlies have stayed under the Total
The Thunder are 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 games as a favorite

Each of the Thunder's last 3 road games with the Grizzlies have stayed under the Total

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

April 25, 2025

Evan Mobley earns pay bump with DPOY award, but that could cost Cavaliers a rotation player

Evan Mobley deserved to win Defensive Player of the Year, and his timing could not have been any better. Mobley signed a max extension to his rookie contract, which kicks in next season, but with the DPOY award comes Rose Rule money — he was set to make 25% of the salary cap (five years at an estimated $224 million, starting at $38.7 million next season). Now that can jump to $30% of the cap, an estimated $45 million more over the course of the contract, and it would start at about $46.4 million next season.

The Cavaliers will gladly pay their star, but this salary bump would put them into the second luxury tax apron next season, meaning the Cavaliers will likely lose a rotation player to keep costs down. ESPN's Brian Windhorst talked about it on the Hoop Collective Podcast (hat tip Real GM).

"There's people in their organization who have said to me 'We absolutely want... we're so excited that we gave Evan this contract. And he's going to be an All-NBA player and a Defensive Player of the Year, but this bonus could cost us a player.'"

The Cavaliers have one rotation player entering free agency, Ty Jerome, who finished third in Sixth Man of the Year voting. He is earning $2.6 million this season and is an unrestricted free agent, likely to receive around full mid-level exception money, around $14 million per season. If the Cavaliers want to keep him, they need to find a trade that essentially dumps the salary of someone like Max Strus or Isaac Okoro (or, they can find a trade for De'Andre Hunter). One way or another, it probably costs the Cavaliers a rotation player.

This is not a case of an owner not wanting to spend, it's the reality of the latest Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), where the second apron — $17.5 million above the luxury tax line — serves as a virtual hard cap due to the team-building restrictions that come with it. No team is willing to stay above it for long, and the Cavaliers are no exception. When you have a deep team of stars, the kind of players who can be named All-NBA and win awards like Defensive Player of the Year, it's much harder to keep a quality roster of role players around them. It's the new reality of the NBA.

April 25, 2025

USC basketball recruit Arenas is out of an induced coma after vehicle crash

Alijah Arenas, the Southern California basketball recruit who was involved in a fiery vehicle accident, is out of an induced coma, his family said in a statement Friday.

April 25, 2025

Tatum returns from wrist injury for Game 3 vs. Magic; Holiday out

Tatum returns from wrist injury for Game 3 vs. Magic; Holiday out originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Jayson Tatum missed the first playoff game of his eight-year NBA career on Wednesday. He wasn’t about to miss his second.

The Celtics star is officially active for Friday’s Game 3 against the Orlando Magic after sitting out Game 2 due to a bone bruise in his right wrist. Jaylen Brown (right knee) is active as well despite being listed as questionable, while Jrue Holiday (right hamstring strain) has been ruled out.

Tatum’s return is a bit of a surprise, as he was listed as doubtful to play in Game 3 as of Friday morning. Tatum was upgraded to questionable Friday afternoon and was seen going through his normal warmup routine before Friday’s game.

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Tatum suffered his wrist injury in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s Game 1 when he landed on his right wrist after a hard foul by Magic guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Tatum remained in the game, then received an MRI on his wrist immediately after the 103-86 win.

While Tatum said his wrist felt “all right” following Game 1, he was listed as doubtful to play in Wednesday’s Game 2 and was downgraded to out just before tip-off. The Celtics won anyway, 109-100, thanks to Jaylen Brown’s 36-point effort.

According to head coach Joe Mazzulla, Tatum did “everything he could possibly do up until the last moment” to try to play in Game 2. Mazzulla sounded optimistic that Tatum would return to action soon, telling 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Zolak & Bertrand on Thursday that “there will definitely be a chance” Tatum plays in Game 3.

Boston has gone 9-2 with a +10.5 scoring differential without Tatum this season, but the Celtics will definitely benefit from his return to the lineup versus a Magic team that boasts the NBA’s No. 1 scoring defense and allowed just 103.5 points per game at home this season, easily the lowest in the league.

Holiday has been excellent on both ends of the floor in this series, so fellow guards Derrick White and Payton Pritchard will have to step up in his absence.

Tip-off at Kia Center in Orlando is set for 7 p.m. ET on Friday, with NBC Sports Boston’s coverage beginning at 6 p.m. ET with Celtics Pregame Live.

April 25, 2025

3 trends to watch as Knicks-Pistons first-round playoff series continues

After a 118-116 win on Thursday night, the New York Knicks took a 2-1 lead in their first round series against the Detroit Pistons. Much has happened in this series, including a 21-0 run, ravenous crowds, and three competitive games.

Let’s look at some trends that have played out in the first few contests.

One-two punch

After a quiet 10 points in Game 2, Karl-Anthony Towns rebounded with 31 points and eight boards in Thursday night’s victory. Jalen Brunson continued to manufacture points, scoring at least 30 for a third consecutive contest.

Having two stars that draw so much attention on the offensive end is a luxury. But the Knicks have to find a balance to make sure both stars are featured in the offense. The first two games of the series saw Brunson attempt 27 shots each night. In Game 3, he had 20 field goal attempts.

When Brunson and Towns are on the floor together, the Knicks have been at their best. In 95 minutes together, the duo is outscoring the Pistons by 7.8 points per 100 possessions according to PBP Stats. Both players draw so much attention and their defenders have refused to help off them, opening up one-on-one opportunities for the Knicks’ role players.

If both stars are involved in the offense, the Knicks should continue to thrive.

A net negative

Game 3 saw Mikal Bridges have his best individual performance with 20 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals in 39 minutes. Though Bridges’ raw numbers in the series (15.7 points and 4.7 rebounds) look good enough, the on-off data is troubling. In 106 minutes with Bridges on the floor, the Knicks are a negative 8.9 points per 100 possessions.

It’s a small sample size of only three games, but it does reinforce that Bridges has been inconsistent in the postseason so far. Before the series, I wrote that Bridges would be New York’s X-factor for the first round. He hasn’t been the two-way role player that the Knicks had hoped for.

And it’s made the series a bit more challenging as New York heavily relies on Bridges. Even though Cameron Payne was a catalyst in the Knicks’ Game 1 comeback, New York’s bench has averaged just 13.0 points in the playoffs, so there aren’t many options the Knicks can go to if Bridges struggles.

Plus-minus isn’t everything when evaluating players. Bridges had a strong performance in Game 3 and was a minus-four. But it should be a number to watch for as the playoffs progress.

Possession game

Over the past few years, the Knicks have relied on rebounding to secure wins. Specifically, offensive rebounding was a central reason for the club getting out of the first round the last two years.

This season, the Knicks are not a dominant rebounding team, but they are solid. During the regular season, the Knicks were 12th in defensive rebound rate and ninth in offensive rebound percentage.

The Pistons have exposed some weaknesses for the Knicks on the glass. In the first three games, Detroit has 34 offensive rebounds versus 24 for the Knicks. Pistons center Jalen Duren has caused havoc on the offensive glass, collecting 12 offensive rebounds in the series so far. Despite the Knicks losing the edge on the offensive glass, they have been able to make up for it in other areas. The Pistons have made 15 more turnovers than the Knicks.

We’ll see if any of these trends continue the rest of the first round.

April 25, 2025

Lakers vs. Timberwolves Odds, predictions, recent stats, trends and Best bets for April 25

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Preview

It’s Friday, April 25, and the Los Angeles Lakers (50-32) and Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33) are all set to square off from Target Center in Minneapolis.

The series is tied 1-1 and is now headed to Minnesota.

The Lakers are currently 19-22 on the road with a point differential of 1, while the Timberwolves have a 8-2 record in their last ten games at home.

Game details & how to watch Lakers vs. Timberwolves live today

Date: Friday, April 25, 2025
Time: 9:30PM EST
Site: Target Center
City: Minneapolis, MN
Network/Streaming:

Game odds for Lakers vs. Timberwolves

The latest odds as of Friday:

Odds: Lakers (+126), Timberwolves (-150)
Spread: Timberwolves -3
Over/Under: 205 points

That gives the Lakers an implied team point total of 101.84, and the Timberwolves 103.4.

Expert picks & predictions for Friday’s Lakers vs. Timberwolves game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas) is betting on LeBron James under 23.5 points...

Thomas: "Today is a good day to fade James. He's gone under this number in both games. He's struggled from deep and has deferred to Luca Doncic enough to consider him a worthy fade option"

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Lakers & Timberwolves game:

Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Minnesota Timberwolves on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Los Angeles Lakers at +3.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 205.

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Lakers vs. Timberwolves on Friday

The Timberwolves have won 18 of 34 games following a defeat
6 of the Timberwolves' last 8 home games in the postseason have gone over the total
The Timberwolves are 4-1 against the spread in their last 5 games at home

This series has been a dogfight so far, with both teams struggling to get going on offence. The under has cashed in both post-season matches, as well as in all four regular-season meetings. With the series lead on the line, it would be a surprise if the scoring gets out of hand.

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

April 25, 2025

Steph's sister Sydel shares who she roots for when Warriors play Suns

Steph's sister Sydel shares who she roots for when Warriors play Suns originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Love runs deep in the Curry family, but there are decisions to be made when it’s time for business.

Sydel Curry-Lee, the sister of Steph and Seth Curry and wife of Phoenix Suns guard Damion Lee, attended one of Phoenix’s final regular-season games when her brother Steph and his Warriors came into town on April 8 at PHX Arena.

Lee used to play on the Warriors with Steph from 2018 to 2022, so it was easier for Curry-Lee to choose her allegiance during games. But now with a Western Conference rival, Curry-Lee explained who she roots for when her husband faces one of her brothers.

“People always ask me, ‘Who do you cheer for when my brothers come in town?’ The answer is always who pays the bills,” Curry-Lee said on her “Straight to Cam” podcast with her co-host and WNBA star Cameron Brink. “The Suns pay the bills. So we want everyone on the team to play well for whichever team [Lee] is on.

“I cheer for my brothers when they score. We want them to have 50 but lose. And we want Damion to play, score and win.”

Fair enough.

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Curry-Lee also noted how special these moments have been to share with her and Lee’s children.

“Now that Stephen and Seth are kind of on their way out [of the NBA], like they’re going to play less years than they have already played. So I’m definitely trying to cherish these moments and make sure my kids know just how freaking awesome their uncles are,” Curry-Lee said. “So taking them to each game is super important for me.”

Seth was traded to the Charlotte Hornets during the 2023-24 season, so those opportunities of playing against his brother-in-law as an Eastern Conference team don’t come as often.

Nonetheless, it’s always a good time when the Curry family and extended family come together.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

April 25, 2025

2025 NBA Playoffs results, highlights, recap April 24 including Thunder breaking Grizzlies hearts

INGLEWOOD, Calif — The only blowout on Thursday night was in the one series where the games had been incredibly tight in the first two games. Let's break it all down.

CLIPPERS 117, NUGGETS 84 (Los Angeles leads series 2-1)

Maybe the billions Steve Ballmer spent to build a new home — the Intuit Dome — for his basketball team was worth it.

In their first-ever playoff game inside their new home — which was rocking and loud — the Clippers' offense just clicked. This wasn't simply the cliche "role players play better at home" — everyone on the Clippers played well and the team was energized top to bottom. Every Clipper talked postgame about the energy from the crowd.

THE WALL AT THE INTUIT DOME DOING IT'S JOB pic.twitter.com/CnSiDTMGvl
— NBA (@NBA) April 25, 2025

"It was crackin,' it was loud. Just how I expected it to be," James Harden said. "That's one of the reasons why we jumped out to a huge lead."

The other big takeaway from this game: Denver is in trouble.

The Clippers are asking questions the Nuggets can't answer. Their depth of talent — Nicolas Batum had a huge game with four no-dip 3-pointers plus three blocked shots— is too much for a thin Denver squad.

Nikola Jokic had an efficient triple-double of 23 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists, but take him out of the equation and the Nuggets shot 34.9% on the night. During the regular season, in moments like these, the Nuggets asked their MVP to do more, but against Ivica Zubac and a quality Clippers defense, can he?

"I mean, I don't know," Jokic said. "I'm just trying to play the game how I know how to play the game. Maybe I should be. Maybe I shouldn't. As long as we have an open look, I think we need to be satisfied. Sometimes we miss, sometimes we make. I think we need to get open looks; that's the most important thing."

Additionally, Michael Porter Jr. said that he is playing at about 30% due to a sprained shoulder.

Denver has less than 48 hours to answer those questions, Game 4 is Saturday afternoon back at Intuit, and if they don't they will be in a hole they will not climb out of against a Clippers team finding its stride.

THUNDER 114, GRIZZLIES 108 (OKC leads series 3-0)

This game just ripped the hearts out of the Grizzlies and their fans.

Memphis came out with the desperation of a team down 0-2 in a series — the Grizzlies had a 40-point first quarter (they had 36 in the entire first half of Game 1). Memphis seemed to do everything right. Ja Morant was getting to the rim, Scotty Pippen Jr. was draining 3-pointers, everything was clicking and Memphis built up a 27-point lead.

Then Lu Dort undercut an airborne Ja Morant — with what seemed a reckless play — and Morant went down hard. He left the game not to return.

Ja Morant is out for the rest of Game 3 with a hip injury, Grizzlies say. pic.twitter.com/QYXSBairw9
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) April 25, 2025

That's when the Thunder started to turn things around and make a comeback. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31, Jalen Williams 26, but the real star was Chet Holmgren, who knocked down five 3-pointers on his way to 24 points.

OKC came from 29 down to get the win, the second-largest playoff comeback win in NBA history.

"I just thought out of halftime, we kind of reconnected to who we are. We were very out of character in the first half," Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said, via the Associated Press.

Now OKC is up 3-0, Morant's status for Game 4 is over, and the brooms are out. It suck for Memphis, this should have been their day.

KNICKS 116, PISTONS 113 (New York leads series 2-1)

New York is the more talented team in this series. It took three games, but the Knicks finally showed it.

Karl-Anthony Towns was draining 3-pointers (4-of-8) and also getting deep post position, or getting the ball on the move to the basket and not stalling out the offense in Isolation.

"I just got opportunities to do things on the offensive end," KAT said. "We found a way in transition to get me some good looks, and I was able to capitalize on that to start the night off."

Jalen Brunson not only got buckets but dished out nine assists. Four Knicks scored 20+ points. Plus the Knicks defended better, particularly Mikal Bridges on Cade Cunningham (he scored 24 but needed 25 shots to get there).

Expect a desperate Pistons team in Game 4, they know their season is essentially on the line, they can't go down 3-1 in the series.

However, if the Knicks play like they did in Game 3, it will not matter.

April 25, 2025

Pelicans fantasy basketball season recap: Key injuries derail promising outlook

Previous Team Recaps: Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets

New Orleans Pelicans 2024-2025 Season Recap

Record: 21-61 (14th, West)

Offensive Rating: 109.7 (25th)

Defensive Rating: 119.1 (29th)

Net Rating: -9.4 (29th)

Pace: 99.77 (15th)

2025 NBA Draft Picks: 12.5 percent chance of winning the lottery; no other draft picks

The future looked bright for New Orleans before the season started. Zion Williamson was on the mend, new addition Dejounte Murray offered elite production as a scorer, rebounder and facilitator, and Brandon Ingram rounded out a promising “Big 3” in the Bayou. C.J. McCollum was ready to provide veteran leadership and solid scoring, and defensive stud Herb Jones was set to harass opposing offenses.

The outlook for the Pels quickly soured as numerous key injuries derailed what could have been a promising season. New Orleans’ injury report could have made the post-Luka Mavs blush, and the team finished with the second-worst record in franchise history.

Can a healthier Pelicans team stay afloat in the ultra competitive Western Conference next season, or is another lottery-bound season on the horizon?

Let’s recap last season’s fantasy performances and look ahead to 2025-26.

Fantasy Standout and Revelation: Trey Murphy

In a tumultuous season filled with nearly three times as many wins as losses, Murphy was one of New Orleans’ few bright spots. Though he wasn’t a finalist for the award, he deserved strong consideration for Most Improved Player.

Murphy posted career highs across the board with 21.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.7 blocks and three triples across 35 minutes. Murphy’s shooting splits weren’t bad, as he shot 45.4% from the floor, 88.7% from the charity stripe and 36.1% from beyond the arc.

Murphy was a steady contributor throughout the season, finishing 27th in per-game fantasy value. He had some electric scoring performances, going for at least 30 points seven times after posting eight such games across his first three seasons combined. Murphy notched two 40-point games, including a 40-point performance against the Celtics and a 41-point showing at Denver. In each game, he knocked down eight triples.

He appeared in 53 games after logging 57 games last season. Murphy was on the court more often than some of his teammates, but availability was still a concern. He missed the final 13 games of the regular season due to a torn labrum and partial rotator cuff tear, but there are no serious concerns about his availability to start the 2025-26 season.

Fantasy Disappointment: Dejounte Murray

Murray was solid on a per-game basis, finishing as an early sixth-rounder in fantasy hoops. Unfortunately for fantasy managers, he was on the court for only 31 games.

He nearly triple-doubled in his Pelicans debut, but Murray fractured his left hand in the season-opener against the Bulls and sat out for over a month. He returned on November 27, but his season ended on January 31 with a torn Achilles that threatens his availability for 2025-26 training camp.

Despite playing only 31 games, Murray still recorded eight double-doubles and a triple-double and showcased his ability to stuff the stat sheet on a regular basis.

Murray averaged 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.7 triples. He recorded two steals per game, good for third-best in the league. Murray is a tremendous contributor, but availability is a concern for the first time in his career.

He averaged just over 72 games across his first six seasons, but he may struggle to return quickly from the torn Achilles he suffered in late January. His offseason recovery will be a situation that fantasy managers should closely monitor.

Fantasy Recaps/Look-Aheads

Zion Williamson:

Availability was the underlying theme throughout New Orleans’ lost season, and Williamson has been the poster child for missing games since arriving in the league.

Over the course of his five-year career, Williamson has appeared in 214 games and missed 196. He played in just six games between the season opener and January 7. Williamson logged just 30 games, marking the third time in five seasons that he played 30 or fewer.

Williamson has been no slouch when on the court, boasting career averages of 24.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists. He finished just outside the top 100 in per-game fantasy hoops this season, but his upside is much higher.

Fantasy managers who consider drafting him in 2025-26 should strongly consider his risk of missing games. His average draft position will surely reflect that risk following another season full of missed games.

Herb Jones:

The defensive specialist finished 110 in per-game fantasy value thanks in large part to his excellent work in the steals department. He averaged 10.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.9 steals, 0.5 blocks and 1.1 triples while operating as a full-time starter.

Jones, like many of his teammates, missed significant time. He appeared in only 20 contests after logging at least 76 games in two of his first three seasons. He suffered a shoulder sprain in November that cost him time, and he underwent surgery on a torn rotator cuff in February that ended his season.

The defensive specialist is worth a look as a late-round selection in 2025-26 fantasy drafts with the knowledge that his primary value will come from a singular category.

C.J. McCollum:

McCollum missed some time early in the season due to an adductor strain, and he sat out the final 10 games due to a foot injury, but he was available more often than not. He logged 57 games and averaged 20.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and four assists. The assists were his lowest mark since the 2018-19 campaign, and the rebounds were his fewest since 2016-17.

His shooting splits were less than desirable, as McCollum knocked down just 44.4% of his field goal attempts and 71.7% of his tries from the charity stripe.

Lackluster efficiency led to a mixed bag on offense, but McCollum flashed his tremendous upside as a scorer with four 40-point games and a 50-point eruption against the Wizards that matched his career high set back in 2018.

McCollum will be 34 and playing in his 13th season in 2025-26, and fantasy managers shouldn’t expect strong improvements in the scoring and efficiency departments. He can improve as a facilitator, but McCollum’s fantasy ceiling is a late-round option who will post his share of duds and monster performances without a ton of consistency.

Yves Missi:

The Baylor product was taken 21st in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft, and he was an immediate contributor for the Pelicans in his inaugural campaign.

Missi finished with 9.1 points, 8.2 boards and 1.3 swats across 26.8 minutes per game. Though New Orleans dealt with a multitude of key injuries across the roster, Missi was not often on the injury report. The rookie logged 73 appearances, including 67 starts.

He finished with three 20-point games, including a 24-point performance at Phoenix on February 28. He grabbed 15 rebounds against the Spurs on February 23, and he swatted five shots against the Clippers on December 30.

Missi should be pencilled in as the Pelicans’ starting center to open his second season, and he’s a threat to average a double-double with two blocks per game. If he can reach those numbers, he’ll be a top-100 guy in 2025-26.

Jordan Hawkins:

The second-year pro ended his sophomore campaign with career highs across the board. Hawkins averaged 10.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.9 “stocks” and two triples. His numbers were better in nine starts, as he posted 17 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 2.7 triples.

Hawkins showed promise and flashed upside on numerous occasions, but his fantasy ceiling will be capped if his efficiency doesn’t improve. Hawkins posted 37.2/81.6/33.1 splits, and improvements as a shooter could do wonders for his fantasy value. His most likely outlook is a three-point specialist who can heat up on offense, but there is also room for improvement as a rebounder and facilitator.

Jose Alvarado:

New Orleans’ injury woes opened up more playing time for Alvarado, and he made the most of his opportunities. He finished the season with 10.3 points, 2.4 boards, 4.6 dimes, 1.3 steals and two triples across 24.4 minutes per game. All of those numbers were career highs.

Across 23 starts, he posted 13.6 points, 2.8 boards, 5.4 dimes, 1.4 steals and 2.4 triples across 28.7 minutes. Alvo posted two double-doubles and handed out a career-high 11 assists against the Grizzlies on March 9.

After logging just three 20-point games through his first three seasons, he posted four of them this season alone. Alvarado has shown the ability to contribute meaningfully for fantasy managers when given extra minutes, and he could be given more opportunities next season if Dejounte Murray is sidelined or limited to start the 2025-26 campaign.

Kelly Olynyk:

Olynyk came over from Toronto in the Brandon Ingram trade, and he immediately saw a bump in playing time from 16 minutes per game to 25.4. The big man averaged 10.7 points, 5.9 boards, 3.6 dimes, 0.9 steals, 0.6 blocks and 0.7 triples. Those aren’t tremendous numbers, but Olynyk was a serviceable option in deeper leagues during “silly season.”

If he stays in New Orleans next season, he could see rotational minutes in the high teens to low 20s and potentially more if Zion Williamson continues to regularly miss time. Olynyk shouldn’t be on the

Restricted Free Agents: Antonio Reeves, Keion Brooks Jr., Jamal Cain

Unrestricted Free Agents: Bruce Brown Jr., Jeremiah Robinson-Earl

Club Option: Brandon Boston Jr., Elfrid Payton

Player Option: None

April 25, 2025

‘I must be doing something right': KCP reacts to getting booed in Boston

‘I must be doing something right': KCP reacts to getting booed in Boston originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Who had “Kentavious Caldwell-Pope becoming a villain” on their Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic bingo card?

The veteran Magic guard has emerged as an unexpected antagonist in the teams’ first-round playoff series after his hard foul on Jayson Tatum in Game 1 injured the Celtics star’s wrist. Caldwell-Pope was assessed a flagrant foul on the play, and Boston’s Al Horford accused KCP of crossing the line after the game.

“There was something extra,” Horford said. “It was about the second or third time they, especially KCP, went at him in that way.”

When Tatum was ruled out for Game 2, fans at TD Garden directed their ire toward Caldwell-Pope by booing him early in the contest — which caused Caldwell-Pope to give it right back to the crowd.

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A post shared by NBC Sports Boston (@nbcsboston)

Ahead of Game 3 in Orlando, Caldwell-Pope laughed when asked how he felt about getting a hostile reaction at TD Garden.

“I’ve had that before,” Caldwell-Pope told reporters at Magic shootaround, via Sports Illustrated’s Mason Williams. “Getting a little boos, I must be doing something right.

“It was fun; a little bit more energy for me. I wish I had knocked down some shots, would’ve been a lot better. But I try to do everything possible to get the win for my team, and if I’m not making shots — I do defend at a high level, and that’s what I’ll be focusing on.”

#Magic’s Kentavious Caldwell-Pope on the reaction he drew in Boston: “(laughing) I’ve had that before. Getting a little boos, I must be doing something right. It was fun, a little bit more energy for me. I wish I had knocked down some shots, would’ve been a lot better.” pic.twitter.com/GH0xIPmr4K
— Mason Williams (@mvsonwilliams) April 25, 2025

Caldwell-Pope is a 12-year veteran who’s won two NBA championships, so he’s not one to be rattled by rowdy fans. That said, he endured a brutal shooting night in Game 2, going 1 for 9 from the floor and 0 for 6 from 3-point range to finish with three points. He has nine total points through two games on 3 for 14 shooting (2 for 10 from 3) and got on Horford’s bad side again in Game 2 by colliding with the Celtics big man in the second quarter.

The Magic are committed to playing very physical and “mucking it up” against the Celtics, to use Cole Anthony’s words. To their credit, they’ve played with energy and effort and haven’t backed down against a superior opponent in Boston.

But Orlando can’t knock off the reigning champs if it can’t score, and lack of offense is the primary reason why the Magic trail 2-0 in the series. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner have accounted for more than 62 percent of Orlando’s points through two games, with no other player scoring more than 16 points in either contest.

The Magic need a lot more offense from their supporting cast — Caldwell-Pope included — if they want to extend this series. Their next chance comes Friday night in Orlando for Game 3, with tip-off set for 7 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Boston.

April 25, 2025

Brooks oddly blames Draymond for play that injured Butler in Game 2

Brooks oddly blames Draymond for play that injured Butler in Game 2 originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Jimmy Butler’s status for the Warriors is threatened after suffering a deep glute muscle contusion against the Houston Rockets in Game 2 of the Western Conference playoffs.

And Dillon Brooks believes Draymond Green partly is to blame.

The Rockets forward, who, like Green, never shies away from speaking his mind, responded to the recent narrative circulating the NBA world of his teammate Amen Thompson being a dirty player. Thompson undercut Butler as he was in the air fighting for a rebound before suffering a hard fall in Wednesday’s game.

“Nah. I think the dirty player is Draymond, giving [Thompson] a little push,” Brooks said Friday (h/t Chancellor Johnson). “That’s what regular basketball players do. Jimmy flew in the air for a rebound and, you know, stuff happens. Amen’s not a dirty player, he has nothing to do with being a dirty player.

“We’re not worried about that. We’re on to the next game and we hope Jimmy can get better.”

The “push” Brooks might be referring to was Green trying to box out Thompson, who fought through the contact and plunged under Butler.

Jimmy Butler hit the ground hard after being undercut by Amen Thompson 😳 pic.twitter.com/Icd2wBF50U
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) April 24, 2025

Butler was on the floor for several moments before getting up, shooting two free throws and remaining in the game for a few possessions before ultimately exiting and heading for the locker room.

The play since has led many spectators to believe it was a dirty play from Thompson in an already physical series.

But Brooks defended his young teammate, who’s been a defensive standout since coming into the league last season.

The latest on Butler’s status came from ESPN’s Shams Charania on Thursday night, who reported that Butler was diagnosed with a deep glute muscle contusion but avoided any fracture or structural damage, adding that his status for Saturday’s Game 3 is in “serious jeopardy.”

It’s safe to say the Warriors are less focused on playing the blame game and just hoping their star forward can get fully healthy as they look to take a 2-1 series lead on their home floor.

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