Category: NBA

As basketball fans approach the 2026 NBA draft lottery in Chicago, there are plenty of reasons to get excited about the prospects in this class.

Only 71 players, the fewest in more than 20 years, submitted their official applications as early entry candidates to declare for the 2026 NBA Draft by the April 24 deadline.

Many of those players, as well as top seniors automatically eligible, will participate during the 2026 NBA Draft Combine beginning May 10 in Chicago. Some of the players not included and who could go back to school after the combine include Amari Allen, Meleek Thomas, Milan Momcilovic, Rueben Chinyelu, Flory Bidunga, Billy Richmond III and Malachi Moreno.

The deadline for early entry candidates to withdraw from the pre-draft process while maintaining collegiate eligibility is May 27.

Others who are on the fringe who will also earn first-round consideration include Isaiah Evans, Tounde Yessoufou, Zuby Ejiofor, Alex Karaban, Sergio De Larrea, Ryan Conwell and Braden Smith.

Note that picks 15-60 are currently set, but fans won't know the official order of the 2026 NBA Draft until the lottery on May 10. The first 14 picks are based on lottery odds, including a tiebreaker process.

The NBA Draft begins on June 23 at Barclays Center in New York.

1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa

• TEAM: BYU
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Massachusetts
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• DRAFT AGE: 19

The Wizards finished with the worst record in the NBA and would benefit tremendously from a lottery win. They had the second-worst offense in the league and could instantly inject life into their offense by selecting AJ Dybantsa, the NCAA scoring champion and Julius Erving Award winner. He emphasized that point during his one game for BYU in March Madness, putting up 35 points and 10 rebounds. The Big 12 Rookie of the Year led the nation in unassisted points scored (680) by a wide margin this season, per CBB Analytics. The emerging star also had 40 points against Kansas State in the Big 12 Tournament on March 10 and averaged a stellar 28.8 points per game over his final 17 appearances. He would be a fascinating fit next to Trae Young and Anthony Davis.

2. Indiana Pacers: Cameron Boozer

• TEAM: Duke
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Florida
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• DRAFT AGE: 18

Duke freshman Cameron Boozer was dominant during his first NCAA season, earning national collegiate player of the year honors. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, rival teams believe Boozer would be the "preferred selection" for the Pacers because of his "potential fit" alongside Pascal Siakam and Ivica Zubac. The ACC Player of the Year isn’t a human highlight reel, but he offers consistency and a diverse, impactful skill set. More importantly, he can bring a culture of winning after multiple championships in high school and an elite Duke team that made it to the Sweet 16 before a heartbreaking last-second loss.

3. Brooklyn Nets: Caleb Wilson

• TEAM: North Carolina
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Georgia
• HEIGHT: 6-10
• DRAFT AGE: 19

One general manager also told Jake Fischer that “every team” is going to have North Carolina freshman Caleb Wilson over either one of Dybantsa, Boozer, or Darryn Peterson. His injury, which caused him to miss the NCAA Tournament with a broken thumb, did not hurt his draft stock at all. Wilson, who also suffered a hand fracture earlier in the season, did more than enough to earn this placement. According to Bart Torvik, before the injury, the All-ACC big man led the nation with 67 dunks recorded. He was also the only player under 20 years old to reach specific thresholds for both block, steal and defensive rebound percentage.

4. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson

• TEAM: Kansas
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Ohio
• HEIGHT: 6-5
• DRAFT AGE: 19

Yahoo’s Kevin O’Connor reported that some front office executives view Wilson with “similarly high upside” as Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson with “dramatically lower downsides” than the guard. While he is certainly no longer perceived as the near-certain No. 1 overall pick that he once was due to relative inconsistency and injury issues, many scouts and evaluators still feel that Darryn Peterson is the most talented player in this class. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Woo, he has received “largely positive” feedback. The Jazz are building a much stronger core after trading for Jaren Jackson Jr. and drafting Ace Bailey, and this would only add to it. It is incredibly rare to find a prospect who is able to score as efficiently as Peterson did while holding a usage rate as high as his was this season. 

5. Sacramento Kings: Kingston Flemings

• TEAM: Houston
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Texas
• HEIGHT: 6-4
• DRAFT AGE: 19

The Kings need the best player available regardless of fit and if they are on the clock at No. 5 overall, that pick is probably Houston freshman Kingston Flemings. The All-Big 12 guard has several games when he has recorded at least three steals, notching eight against Arizona State earlier this season. He scored 42 points against No. 11 Texas Tech on Jan. 24. Flemings helped lead Houston to the Sweet 16, and with highs as high as his were this season, it will not take long for him to hear his name called on draft night. His true height measurements are one of the bigger questions lingering over the 2026 NBA Draft Combine.   

6. Memphis Grizzlies: Keaton Wagler

• TEAM: Illinois
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Kansas
• HEIGHT: 6-6
• DRAFT AGE: 19

During this rebuilding chapter, the Grizzlies would love to add a player like Illinois standout Keaton Wagler. The 19-year-old guard played a crucial role in helping the Fighting Illini earn a spot in the Final Four, where he recorded 20 points and 8 rebounds against UConn in the national semifinals. The freshman also dropped 25 points in the Elite Eight. He projects as one of the best 3-point shooters in this class, shooting 39.7 percent from beyond the arc as a freshman, while connecting on as many as nine 3-pointers in a game. The Big Ten Rookie of the Year has athletic limitations but is a cerebral basketball player who averaged 5.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game this season. 

7. Atlanta Hawks (via Pelicans): Darius Acuff Jr.

• TEAM: Arkansas
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Michigan
• HEIGHT: 6-3
• DRAFT AGE: 19

The Hawks need a guard like Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff Jr. after trading away Trae Young, using a first-round pick they received from the Pelicans. En route to the Sweet 16, the SEC Player of the Year proved he is one of the most enticing offensive prospects in recent memory. Acuff Jr. led the nation for points created (1,394) either by himself or through an assist, per CBB Analytics. He led freshmen for field goals made in transition (72) and field goals made from both the left and right side of the court. He was among the freshmen leaders in alley-oop assists (17) as well. He has significant defensive deficiencies but playing alongside Dyson Daniels would help cover that problem.

8. Dallas Mavericks: Yaxel Lendeborg

• TEAM: Michigan
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: New Jersey
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• DRAFT AGE: 23

The Mavericks had the worst offensive rating in the Western Conference and after hiring Masai Ujiri, they could benefit from a player as productive as Yaxel Lendeborg. He showed on his way to winning the national championship that he is perhaps the most NBA-ready player in this draft class. The Big Ten Player of the Year offers a bit of everything on both sides of the ball and has silenced skeptics who were unsure how his game would scale after transferring from mid-major UAB to high-major Michigan. While he is older than other players projected in the first round, his impact in college basketball was undeniable.

9. Chicago Bulls: Brayden Burries 

• TEAM: Arizona
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: California
• HEIGHT: 6-4
• DRAFT AGE: 20

Arizona freshman Brayden Burries was an exciting prospect to watch during the Big Dance, making it all the way to the Final Four and dropping 23 points against Arkansas. He had two breakout games in January, which helped solidify his draft stock. But the All-Big 12 guard continued to display his tantalizing talent, scoring 31 points with seven rebounds and five steals against Colorado on March 7 and 20 points with 12 rebounds and five assists during a victory against No. 14 Kansas on Feb. 28. He has proven productivity, and he is able to defend, relocate, move the ball and make 3-pointers off the dribble. Burries would make a great pick for Bryson Graham as he takes over the front office for the Bulls.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Mikel Brown Jr. 

• TEAM: Louisville
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Florida
• HEIGHT: 6-5
• DRAFT AGE: 20

The Milwaukee Bucks, potentially heading toward an ugly Giannis Antetokounmpo divorce, must simply draft the best player available with whatever pick they have and will likely keep Louisville floor general Mikel Brown Jr. highlighted on their big board. The All-ACC guard has deep shooting range and was among the freshmen leaders in 3-pointers made from beyond 25 feet (27) this year, per CBB Analytics. Brown was averaging 29.2 points per game over his last five appearances, including 45 points against NC State on Feb. 9, while hitting 10 shots from beyond the arc, before an injury on Feb. 28 forced him to miss March Madness. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Woo, some scouts feel Brown has the highest “upside” of the guards in this range.

11. Golden State Warriors: Karim López

• TEAM: International (Australia)
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Mexico
• HEIGHT: 6-8
• DRAFT AGE: 19

Karim López had a low usage rate and played few minutes than other players in this range while playing against pros but was still very productive for the NBL Next Stars program in Australia. The Mexican-born forward is physically gifted, athletic, and universally seen as the top prospect from this class currently playing overseas. He exploded for 32 points (11-of-13 FG) with eight rebounds, two blocks and one steal against Melbourne on Jan. 30. Despite his age, he played a huge role for his team defensively for a team that won the NBL Ignite Cup.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Clippers): Aday Mara

• TEAM: Michigan
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Spain
• HEIGHT: 7-3
• DRAFT AGE: 21

After winning the 2025 NBA Finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder could add even more lottery-caliber talent, like Michigan center Aday Mara, in the 2026 NBA Draft. While leading his team to win the NCAA championship, Mara became one of the prospects who helped himself the most during March Madness. The 7-foot-3 big man, who transferred from UCLA, is a fantastic rim protector. Opponents only attempted 20.4 percent of their field goals at the rim when the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year was on the court, per CBB Analytics, which ranks near the lowest among all NCAA players. He can also pass well, finding some awesome outlet looks in transition and at the rim.

13. Miami Heat: Koa Peat 

• TEAM: Arizona
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Arizona
• HEIGHT: 6-8
• DRAFT AGE: 19

The Miami Heat have drafted several prospects known for their athleticism, which means a player like Arizona forward Koa Peat will probably have some appeal to the organization. Peat is an ideal match for this franchise given his versatility as a playmaking forward. Arizona played at a significantly faster pace (3.9 extra possessions) when Peat was on the floor relative to when he was not, per CBB Analytics, which would fit very well with Miami’s fastest-paced offense in the NBA. The All-Big 12 forward just needs a jumper to carve out regular minutes as a high-impact pro.  

14. Charlotte Hornets: Labaron Philon 

• TEAM: Alabama
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Alabama
• HEIGHT: 6-4
• DRAFT AGE: 20

The Hornets could find a fairly compelling player in Alabama sophomore Labaron Philon. Even though the All-SEC guard was not playing at 100 percent during March Madness due to injury issues, he played well in the tournament, recording 35 points during a loss against Michigan. He also notched 29 points in his first-round game and 12 assists in his second. The guard averaged 22.0 points per game this season, and he improved his 3-point shooting from 31.5 percent as a freshman to 39.9 percent as a sophomore, while also managing 5.0 assists per game in the process.

15. Chicago Bulls (via Trail Blazers): Hannes Steinbach

• TEAM: Washington
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Germany
• HEIGHT: 6-11
• DRAFT AGE: 20

The Chicago Bulls received this additional pick because the Portland Trail Blazers advanced past the play-in tournament. This is about the range of German big man Hannes Steinbach, who reportedly turned down NIL opportunities “worth up to $10 million” rather than return to college. While his Washington team missed the tournament, the All-Big Ten post is an instinctive rebounder with great hands, including an absurd 24 rebounds against USC on March 4. Additionally, the center is one of the more prolific pick-and-roll finishers in college basketball. He shined during the FIBA U19 World Cup, too, and scouts love that he is a smart basketball player who can make great reads. 

16. Memphis Grizzlies (via Suns): Joshua Jefferson 

• TEAM: Iowa State
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Nevada
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• DRAFT AGE: 22

The Grizzlies will have another first-round pick thanks to the Desmond Bane trade. A few years ago, research indicated that the Grizzlies tend to value a few statistical similarities in their draftees: Efficient shot selection, added value beyond scoring and defensive playmaking. For the second year in a row, the Iowa State forward was an impactful dribble-pass-shoot forward who met many of the qualifications that led Memphis to find players who spent many years on their roster. The All-Big 12 forward got injured during the first round of the tournament, but Iowa State still earned a spot in the Sweet 16. The Grizzlies are not afraid to draft away from consensus and have shown a willingness to pick older, more experienced players in the past.

17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via 76ers): Nate Ament

• TEAM: Tennessee
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Virginia
• HEIGHT: 6-10
• DRAFT AGE: 19

While the Thunder may not actually use this pick because they have such an abundance of talent on its roster already, this is a fair range for Tennessee freshman Nate Ament. The forward reportedly considered returning to college to aim for the No. 1 pick in the 2027 NBA Draft. His decision to declare for this class, instead, suggests he is likely comfortable with the feedback he has received so far. The freshman averaged 21.6 points per game, while shooting 38.9 percent on 3-pointers, during a 13-game stretch before an injury against Alabama on Feb. 28. The All-SEC forward then had 27 points (4-of-6 on 3-pointers) with eight rebounds, four assists, three blocks and a steal against Auburn on March 12. He was not as efficient during March Madness, but it will only take one team to fall in love with Ament, and that team is likely picking near the lottery.

18. Charlotte Hornets (via Magic): Jayden Quaintance

• TEAM: Kentucky
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Ohio
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• DRAFT AGE: 18

Jayden Quaintance recorded just one start during his sophomore campaign as he recovered from a torn ACL, meniscus and fractured knee. The big man is still one of the youngest players in this class, but he has shown flashes during his time at Arizona State and Kentucky. When healthy, he is arguably the most talented defender in this draft class and could help a team that desperately needs frontcourt help, like the Hornets. But health may cause some concern for evaluators. During his freshman year when he was just 17 years old, per CBB Analytics, he led all D-I players in blocks per 40 minutes (0.7) on 3-pointers.

19. Toronto Raptors: Bennett Stirtz

• TEAM: Iowa
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Missouri
• HEIGHT: 6-4
• DRAFT AGE: 22

The Raptors need another guard and should have Bennett Stirtz on their priority list. After transferring from Division II to a mid-major and then to a high-major program, he is at the top of the class in creating his own shot off the dribble in isolation or the pick-and-roll. The All-Big Ten guard can also finish plays from dribble handoffs. His play during March Madness, which included 24 points against Illinois and 20 points against Nebraska, earned a spot in the Elite Eight. The Raptors play at a slow pace, which would translate well for Stirtz, who did the same at Iowa. 

20. San Antonio Spurs (via Hawks): Dailyn Swain 

• TEAM: Texas
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Ohio
• HEIGHT: 6-8
• DRAFT AGE: 20

After transferring from Xavier to Texas during the offseason and then leading his team to the Sweet 16, Dailyn Swain became one of the more intriguing breakout players in college basketball. The All-SEC forward is versatile and contributed a little bit of everything for the Longhorns on both sides of the ball, scoring well both in the paint and on fastbreaks. Another element that is notably compelling is that Swain is efficient one-on-one in isolation against his defenders. He is quick, bouncy, a solid rebounder and his 81.5 percent free-throw percentage indicates he has good shooting form. While he has three years of college experience, at 20 years old, he is the same age as a few NCAA freshmen.

21. Detroit Pistons (via Timberwolves): Christian Anderson 

• TEAM: Texas Tech
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Georgia
• HEIGHT: 6-3
• DRAFT AGE: 20

While they are one of the best teams in the league this season, the Pistons are still struggling from the perimeter and will want more talented 3-point shooters on their roster. A simple fix would be drafting Texas Tech sophomore Christian Anderson, who had the most unassisted 3-pointers (61) among high-major players, per CBB Analytics. After moving from the two-guard to point guard, the All-Big 12 Most Improved Player recorded more than twice as many assists per 100 possessions as a sophomore compared to when he was a freshman. 

22. Philadelphia 76ers (via Rockets): Ebuka Okorie

• TEAM: Stanford
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: New Hampshire
• HEIGHT: 6-2
• DRAFT AGE: 19

Stanford freshman Ebuka Okorie is an interesting early entry candidate in the 2026 NBA Draft. The first-team All-ACC guard was a day-one starter in the NCAA who is potentially capable of earning rotation minutes for a team like the 76ers. He averaged 23.2 points per game, recording 40 points against conference rival Virginia Tech and seven other games with at least 30 points. Okorie has earned serious first-round buzz but could withdraw as an early entry candidate, per Jonathan Givony, though he would only return to Stanford.  

23. Atlanta Hawks (via Cavaliers): Chris Cenac Jr. 

• TEAM: Houston
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Louisiana
• HEIGHT: 6-11
• DRAFT AGE: 19

It was an up-and-down season for former five-star recruit and McDonald's All-American Chris Cenac Jr. at Houston. He did, however, get hot at the perfect time. During his first game in the Big Dance, the big man recorded a season-high 18 rebounds, while also knocking down a 3-pointer and grabbing a steal. Then in the Round of 32, he showed off more scoring with some impressive cuts to the basket, dropping 17 points against Texas A&M. He was quieter in the Sweet 16 but still managed 10 rebounds. Cenac told reporters he is “fully committed” to the NBA Draft.

24. New York Knicks: Allen Graves 

• TEAM: Santa Clara
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Louisiana
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• DRAFT AGE: 20

One of the most under-the-radar prospects in all of college basketball this season was Santa Clara freshman Allen Graves, who was nearly a March Madness hero. It was hard not to notice the WCC Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year after he scored 30 points with 13 rebounds, four assists and two steals Feb. 7 against Washington State. The only players under 21 years old who held a higher box plus-minus, via Bart Torvik, were Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson. He declared early entry for the 2026 NBA Draft but also entered his name in the transfer portal and could return to school.

25. Los Angeles Lakers: Morez Johnson Jr.

• TEAM: Michigan
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Illinois
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• DRAFT AGE: 20

Morez Johnson Jr. is one of the best two-way players in the NCAA. He was a crucial part of the Michigan identity this season, leading his team to win the NCAA championship game, and has thrived since transferring to the Wolverines from Illinois. Johnson's shooting form at the free-throw line looks good, and he scores well near the rim, especially when cutting to the basket. The former FIBA U-19 Team USA standout and All-Big Ten big man is a trustworthy defensive playmaker, too, and should carve out minutes at the next level. Johnson is also a candidate to return to college and withdraw as an early entry candidate but is reportedly “very likely” to stay in. 

26. Denver Nuggets: Cameron Carr

• TEAM: Baylor
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Minnesota
• HEIGHT: 6-5
• DRAFT AGE: 21

One of the players who improved his draft stock the most this season was Baylor junior Cameron Carr. The All-Big 12 wing brings athleticism and shooting and, per Bart Torvik, he was the only player to make at least 40 field goals that were dunks and more than 60 field goals that were 3-pointers this season. Baylor outscored opponents by an additional 28.5 points per 100 possessions when he was on the floor relative to when he was not, via CBB Analytics, which ranked as the fourth-most of any high-major player in the NCAA. 

27. Boston Celtics: Henri Veesaar

• TEAM: North Carolina 
• POSITION: Forward 
• BORN: Estonia 
• HEIGHT: 7-0 
• DRAFT AGE: 22

We have seen a remarkable improvement from Henri Veesaar after transferring from Arizona to North Carolina. The 7-foot big man from Estonia has an excellent shot diet on offense. The All-ACC big man is scoring efficiently at the rim (especially when cutting or rolling) and on 3-pointers, while also holding his own as a rebounder and passer. Any team looking for a big man who can provide NBA minutes on an expedited timeline, like the Celtics, will have him high on their priority list. He presumably feels comfortable with his draft range, considering he was reportedly offered “at least $6 million” in the transfer portal, per CBS Sports.

28. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Pistons): Tyler Tanner 

• TEAM: Vanderbilt
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Tennessee
• HEIGHT: 6-0
• DRAFT AGE: 20

It is unusual to find a 6-foot sophomore projected in the first round of a mock draft, but if there were ever a player who has earned that kind of praise should he decide to turn pro after this season, it's Tyler Tanner. Despite his size, the All-SEC guard found meaningful ways to contribute on both sides of the floor. He can score efficiently, dunk, block shots, steal the ball, and he is more than serviceable as a floor general capable of earning rotation minutes for a team like the Timberwolves. Tanner could also return to school but will receive first-round buzz if he stays in the draft. 

29. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Spurs): Luigi Suigo

• TEAM: International (Serbia)
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Italy
• HEIGHT: 7-4
• DRAFT AGE: 19

One of the most notable prospects currently playing overseas is Italian big man Luigi Suigo. While playing a smaller role for KK Mega Basket in Serbia, he averaged 16.9 points with 10.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per 36 minutes. He would also occasionally shoot from beyond the arc, which is valuable for someone his size. As a starter on Feb. 21, he had 23 points (10-of-10 FG, 3-of-3 3PM) with 8 rebounds. If he does not get feedback that he is projected as a first-round pick, expect him to consider several big schools in the NCAA as well.

30. Dallas Mavericks (via Thunder): Tarris Reed Jr. 

• TEAM: Connecticut
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Missouri
• HEIGHT: 6-10
• DRAFT AGE: 23

UConn senior Tarris Reed Jr. helped himself quite a bit during the NCAA tournament en route to an appearance in the national championship game. He recorded four double-doubles during March Madness, notching 31 points and 27 rebounds against Furman. Reed also had 26 points with 9 rebounds, 4 blocks and 2 steals during a win over Duke. Expect him to come into the league and find a role sooner, especially considering his paint dominance, rather than later.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NBA mock draft ahead of lottery: First round picks, projections

In Thursday’s Brotherhood Playoff Action, Trajan Langdon’s Detroit Pistons took a 2-0 lead against Tyrese Proctor’s Cleveland Cavaliers, with a 107-97 win.

Proctor got a DNP again. It’s not surprising for a rookie, but it must be frustrating for him.

In the nightcap, Jared McCain’s Oklahoma City Thunder knocked off Luke Kennnard’s Los Angeles Lakers, 125-107, to go up 2-0.

McCain finished with 18 points in 17 minutes, and shot 4-5 on his three point attempts.

Kennard, annually one of the NBA’s best three-point shooters, finished with 10 points on 4-5 from the floor.

On Saturday, Mason Plumlee and the The San Antonio Spurs will take on the New York Knicks. If Plumlee gets a DNP, we probably won’t write about it. There’s just not much there there.

• Pistons have a chance to make Trajan Langdon look like a genius
• Trajan Langdon’s knack for overcoming challenges sparks Detroit Pistons’ revival
• Fans livid with Jalen Duren and Pistons, beg for Trajan Langdon move in offseason
• Recap: Detroit Pistons president Trajan Langdon talks offseason plans in press conference
• 4 Major Reasons Why Cavaliers Are Down 0-2 Against Pistons In Second Round
• James Harden disappears in Game 2, and Cavaliers pay the price
• 3 Cavs to blame for tough Game 2 loss to Pistons
• Cavaliers coach drops blame on James Harden disaster against Pistons
• JB Bickerstaff reveals factor behind Pistons disrupting Cavaliers’ tactics
• Mccain Okc Hits 12 Points, Sparks Thunder Rotation Questions
• Jared McCain’s Hot Shooting Raises Questions for Oklahoma City Thunder’s Playoff Rotation
• Philadelphia 76ers Face Bench Scoring Crisis Following McCain Trade
• Rui and Luke Kennard are dialed in
• JJ Redick Discloses Luke Kennard Neck Injury During Playoffs

Go to the DBR Boards to find Blue Healer Auctions || Drop us a line

The NBA offseason will be one of intrigue, especially when it comes to June's draft.

As many as four players can legitimately have a shot at being the No. 1 pick, and for the teams whose future could be decided by lottery balls, the league will be looking hard to avoid what happened in the regular season, where a record eight teams lost 55 or more games, including five that lost 60 or more.

It remains to be seen whether the NBA can stop the tankathon, during which the Indiana Pacers and Utah Jazz were fined for tanking and resting players, and others were scrutinized for trying to manipulate participation policies.

When it comes to the draft, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Will the team with the No. 1 pick go with Duke forward Cameron Boozer, BYU forward AJ Dybantsa, Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, or even North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson?

The mystery will end on June 23 in Brooklyn at the NBA draft, and here are seven teams that most need the No. 1. Note: The New Orleans Pelicans were one of the eight teams that lost 55 or more games, and their draft pick belongs to the Atlanta Hawks.

MORE: When is the 2026 NBA draft lottery? Rules, time, format, how to watch

1. Utah Jazz

Utah just needs someone, anyone, who can put the ball in the hoop. And since Karl Malone and John Stockton aren't sipping from the fountain of youth and coming back to the team, the Jazz, who were the most egregious tanking offenders (fined $500,000 for that offense), need to hit on this lottery pick badly, whoever it is. They have pieces in place to be competitive such as Jaren Jackson Jr., Lauri Markkanen and Ace Bailey, but it could be a very long way back to being a factor in the loaded Western Conference.

2. Washington Wizards

The Wizards' medical staff will be working overtime now that Anthony Davis and Trae Young are on the roster. Whether Davis is there at the start of the season is another conversation, but it can't hurt to have him on the team and contributing when he is available.

When both players are healthy, there is no reason Washington shouldn't be considered for the play-in tournament. The fact is, the Wizards weren't competitive at all over the final two months of the season, ranking dead last in most defensive categories, so winning the lottery would solve a lot of problems, if not infusing some life in the morbid fan base at the very least.

3. Indiana Pacers

Another team that was fined for their tanking abilities was the Pacers, who just absolutely fell apart after Tyrese Haliburton was injured in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against Oklahoma City. Like most teams on this list, their issues start on the offensive end, and the return of Haliburton should be enough to at least get back to the playoffs. A certified bucket getter, such as Dybantsa or Peterson, would also ease some of the burden and usage placed on Haliburton.

4. Sacramento Kings

The Kings can't shoot, especially from long distance, couldn't stay healthy, and don't have anyone to run the offense. Those three big problems were direct factors in the team winning 22 games. It seems Sacramento has been rebuilding for the past two decades, but it hasn't led to any success, having only two winning seasons in that time. The Kings can't even lose on purpose in an embarrassing way, as the label "ethical tanking" will stick to the franchise until they get back to their winning ways.

5. Brooklyn Nets

Whatever the Nets need to do outside of the lottery to get a prime free agent to consider playing for the team, they need to back the Brinks trucks up to whoever they are targeting. Watching Brooklyn, which has nearly $50 million in cap space to spend, flail around repeatedly on the offensive end was actually offensive to the eyes, so securing a dynamic scorer is job No. 1 for the front office – whether that comes through the draft or free agency. All it takes is some good fortune, and the Nets could be sniffing some semblance of the postseason as early as next season, especially in the Eastern Conference.

6. Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies and their fans should focus on fielding a competent basketball team, rather than worrying about comments by LeBron James, who eviscerated their city and hotels. What to do with Ja Morant and the $86 million left on his contract will be the question of the offseason. Memphis has a load of draft capital at its disposal, and don't be surprised if it makes a play for the No. 1 pick if the Pistons don't win the lottery.

7. Dallas Mavericks

Could lightning strike twice? The Mavericks won the draft lottery last year and tried to undo the silliness of general manager Nico Harrison trading away Luka Doncic by drafting Cooper Flagg and giving Harrison his deserved pink slip. Former Toronto Raptors executive Masai Ujiri was hired as the team president to help stabilize the front office.

Sending oft-injured Anthony Davis to the Wizards, and the return of another often-injured superstar, Kyrie Irving, should help improve a 26-win team that couldn't keep teams off the free throw line and couldn't make 3-pointers to save their lives.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA teams that need the No. 1 pick most — See the rankings

They have long since proven themselves as an endlessly efforting Laker team that never believes they’re beaten.

They’re beaten.

With the sort of resounding resilience that had earlier carried them to playoff wins without their two leading scorers, these Lakers have shown they desperately do not want this season to be over.

It’s over.

The Oklahoma City Thunder overcame another valiant Lakers charge Thursday night to win their second game in two tries in the Western Conference semifinals at Paycom Center.

The Lakers played hard, played tough, played the Thunder from baseline to baseline, played strong enough to fly home with pride.

Read more:Lakers whine about officials after dropping Game 2 to Thunder

And still lost by 18.

The 125-107 Thunder victory gives the defending champions a two-games-to-none lead in a series that is scheduled for as many as seven games.

It’s not lasting anywhere near that long.

It’s over right here, right now, the Lakers having absorbed consecutive 18-point smackdowns by a team whose reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has barely shown up.

The Lakers may steal a game back at Crypto.com Arena this weekend, but that would be the only one, it being unthinkable that this mismatch will last more than five games.

“You’re starting to see some trends here,” said Laker coach JJ Redick.

The main trend is that the Thunder just have better players, and more of them, witness a game-changing third quarter Thursday in which they outscored the Lakers 36-22 despite the foul-plagued Gilgeous-Alexander playing less than two minutes.

Ten different Thunder players scored or rebounded in that quarter. The Lakers had as many turnovers as baskets — seven! — while surrendering 11 points off those mistakes and blowing a one-point halftime lead forever.

Have you even heard of Ajay Mitchell? You have now. He scored 20. How many casual NBA fans knew that Jared McCain played for Oklahoma City? They know now. He scored 18 while missing pnly one of five three-point attempts.

“We just got blitzed,” said Redick, and this shorthanded team has proven they simply don’t have enough blockers to slow that blitz.

Overall the Lakers committed 21 more turnovers, giving up 26 points off the mistakes while paying dearly for every errant dribble or misfired pass against the swarming Thunder defenders.

Austin Reaves bounced back from his disastrous Game 1 with 31 points and LeBron James was LeBron with 23 points and Rui Hachimura continued his scorching shooting with 16.

But it wasn’t close enough. It wasn’t close to being close enough, and please, stop whining that the referees failed to call enough fouls on the aggressive Thunder. Their opponents always whine about that, and Reaves even stayed on the court after Thursday’s final buzzer to vent to the referees about that, but just … don’t.

The Lakers only shot five fewer free throws, and Gilgeous-Alexander was hit with his third foul shortly after halftime, and, again, they lost by three touchdowns.

“We didn’t lose because of the refs … Oklahoma City outplayed us,” said Redick.

Still, Redick responded to the fact that, while Gilgeous-Alexander has shot 12 free throws this series, James has shot only five.

“The smaller guys, because they can be theatric, they typically draw more fouls and the bigger players that are built like LeBron, it's hard for them,” said Redick. ”He gets clobbered. He got clobbered again tonight a bunch. And that's not like a new thing. That's not specific to this crew or this series, he gets fouled a lot and it doesn't happen. The guy gets hit on the head more than any player I've seen on drives, and rarely gets called.”

They once said the same thing about Shaquille O’Neal, and he won three consecutive championships here so, no, let’s pass on the rhetoric and accept the reality.

This season is over, and the sooner Lakers fans accept the inevitability while applauding the effort.

This series actually ended on the day off between Games 1 and 2, with the injured Luka Doncic formally acknowledging that doctors have told him recovery from his strained left hamstring would take eight weeks. And he’s only been out five weeks.

Do the math. He’s not coming back in this series, nor should he. His long-term health isn’t worth risking to save a completely lost cause.

“It’s a tough one for me because I came back from injuries before too soon, and it wasn’t the best result,” Doncic said Wednesday.

Without him against Oklahoma City, it was always going to be the worst result, and so it has been.

Hopeless but hearty, the Lakers forged ahead Thursday, and still clung to a one-point lead midway through the third quarter when the rickety wheels came completely off.

James lost the ball twice. Marcus Smart, who missed nine of 13 shots, threw up a brick. Deandre Ayton, who missed seven of eight shots, had a couple of bad misses. And McCain, the Thunder's backup guard, was unstoppable, sinking two big treys in the quarter as Oklahoma City rolled to a 13-point lead entering the final period.

The Lakers momentarily came roaring back in the fourth quarter behind a James layup and three-pointer, going on a 7-0 run to pull within four points midway through the quarter. But Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace hit three-pointers while Smart was fumbling the ball and James and Hachimura were missing shots, while Oklahoma City’s 8-0 run gave them another 13-point lead that was never again challenged.

Afterward, James spoke with as much optimism as he could muster.

“We played well in spurts … we had a good game plan,” he said. “We tried to execute it as close to 48 minutes as possible, but it just didn't get done.”

Against the world champions, spurts don’t get it done, and less than 48 minutes doesn’t get it done.

The Lakers have occasionally been tantalizingly close, but there’s a clear absence here of any cigar, and no chance of one walking through that door.

It was fun while it lasted, and it lasted longer than most would have imagined.

But it’s over.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Game 2’s script wasn’t all that different from Game 1’s.

The Cleveland Cavaliers dug an early hole, climbed their way out, made it a close game in the fourth, and then let go of the rope in the final minutes. This culminated in a 107-97 loss to the Detroit Pistons.

The Cavs now head home having to win four of the next five games to keep their season alive.

James Harden’s poor performance is going to get the headlines, and understandably so.

He couldn’t get his shot to fall, going 3-13 from the field for just 10 points. Turnovers weren’t the big issue in Game 2, but this was the fourth time this postseason he’s had more giveaways (four) than field goals.

This game illustrated how Harden isn’t the player he was in his prime anymore. He’s able to beat mismatches if you give him one, but he’s not breaking guys down off the dribble like we’ve seen him do for a decade and a half. At least not against the best defense in the conference in the postseason with the floor as clogged as it is.

Harden very much looked his age as he was trying to create an opening against Tobias Harris late, but ended up turning the ball over instead after over-dribbling. It was an ugly, disastrous possession that was inexcusable from a star player.

However, at this point in his career, to call Harden a star is more reliant on who he has been, instead of who he currently is. This wasn’t someone who choked down the stretch, but someone incapable of physically doing what he needed to. He shouldn’t have been put in that position in the first place. This isn’t his team.

Harden’s defense only made matters worse. The Pistons hunted him out on switches and attacked him whenever they had an opportunity to do so. And they got clean looks at the rim when they did. This all resulted in the Cavs losing the minutes he played by 15.

For as bad as Harden was, to pin this all on him is disingenuous. He’s supposed to elevate this core, not be the one saving it. This team was never going to work if Evan Mobley was going to score just nine points, the role players were going to shoot this poorly from three, and Mitchell was going to fall short in the clutch.

It’s the entire team’s failing, not just the 36-year-old brought in midway through the season to help save what was a sinking ship. The cracks that caused the panic trade are bringing the group down, particularly in crunch time.

Late-game offense once again hurt the Cavs. Cleveland had a three-point deficit with five minutes left to play. From there, Detroit outscored them 13-6. The offense went cold. They couldn’t get anything going to the basket and suffered as a result.

This has been a common occurrence throughout the postseason.

Cleveland is now 1-4 in games that are within five points in the final five minutes. They’ve lost the 18 postseason clutch minutes they’ve played by 19.

It’s easy to see why. The pace grinds to a halt late. The offense becomes isolation-heavy for the guards. The defense cheats off the non-shooters. This makes little to no room for the guards to operate, so they end up settling for bad shots that they don’t hit enough of to keep the offense afloat.

Missing open looks, particularly late, hurt. Cleveland went 0-11 from three in the fourth and was just 7-32 overall. Their 21.9% three-point percentage was their third-worst on the season.

Conversely, the Pistons had their seventh-best shooting game this year as they hit half of their triples.

This shooting split allowed the Pistons to win this game even though the Cavs won the turnover and second-chance points battles.

More than either of those things, Mitchell and Mobley combined to go 3-11 from the field for 10 points in the fourth quarter, sealing the Cavs’ fate.

Mitchell got downhill much better than he has at any point this postseason. He drove into the paint, going 9-13 there, and found ways to get to the line. However, Mitchell still didn’t attempt a shot in the restricted area, which is where he’s typically done the most damage throughout his career.

When the defense tightened up late, Mitchell wasn’t able to generate or hit clean looks. He wasn’t able to get to the rim, couldn’t create enough space for off-the-dribble threes, and didn’t find ways to set up teammates like a top-tier guard should. This resulted in him settling and missing bad looks while not doing much for his teammates either on or off-ball.

Mobley didn’t help out. He had a few forceful finishes in the paint, but overall wasn’t the impactful player he needed to be. This included struggling to clean the glass in lineups he was playing without Jarrett Allen. Nine points and just one rebound in a road playoff game isn’t close to enough from someone with his skill set.

The Cavs now have a 4-13 postseason road record in the Mitchell era. The same issues that plagued them late in games against the New York Knicks three years ago are still there. The coach, supporting cast, and even the starting point guard have changed. The issues haven’t. That blame falls on the core group that’s been there through it all.

Yes, you can point fingers at Harden if you want to. One more playoff failure on his resume doesn’t change much. However, this isn’t entirely on him. Or at the very least, this isn’t an issue he created.

Harden was brought in to help this group get over the hump. To stabilize lineups without Mitchell, to draw extra attention, and to provide supplemental on-ball creation. Not to put the team on his back or figure out the late-game offense on his own.

The Cavs have time to right the ship. They’re down 0-2 against a good Pistons team that has presented several defensive problems. At the same time, the Cavs haven’t come close to playing their best game and still had chances to win both road games late.

Things look bleak right now. Fighting back from a 0-2 hole is never ideal, but this isn’t over, at least not yet. However, if things are going to change, it has to come from the All-NBA players in their prime. Not from the guy who was one yesteryear.

Before he became one the best two GMs in NBA history (along with Red Auerbach), Jerry West had a brilliant career with the Los Angeles Lakers.

He was a lean 6-4 guard who punished his body constantly by driving to the lane against massive defenders. Do a search on his injuries sometime. His ankles and feet were constant victims, and there are photos of him playing with a mask over his broken nose.

He was really tough.

But his calling card was a beautiful jump shot. This video breaks his shot down in various ways, but the most interesting thing to us is his release.

Today, most players extend their hand/wrist through the shot. You see photos of players with the ball on the way to the basket and what you usually see is the follow-through. A great example of this is Michael Jordan’s game-winning shot against Georgetown in 1982. He has an immaculate follow-through (scroll down just a bit).

What you’ll notice in this video of West is that he doesn’t really have a follow-through. He flicks his shot. His goal is to release as quickly as possible, and it works.

We’ve noticed in a lot of older videos that the players from the 1960s and 1970s tend to do this as well, so you have to think that at one point, shooting was taught this way.

Whatever. It worked brilliantly for West, who remains an archetype of an offensive artist.

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The Lakers came into their series against the Thunder aware that fouls and officiating would be a talking point. Before the series even started, head coach JJ Redick made sarcastic comments about how little OKC fouls.

There was no laughing at the final whistle of Thursday’s Game 2 loss, though. Following a night when LA felt they were repeatedly on the wrong end of whistles — or weren’t even receiving them in some cases — they let their frustrations be known, both on and off the court.

After the final buzzer, multiple Lakers circled around official John Goble for an animated conversation.

Austin Reaves spends some time after the final whistle talking to the officials.pic.twitter.com/bEkQD4skAd

— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) May 8, 2026

Once in the back, they continued sounding off, led by Redick himself

“I sarcastically said the other day they were the most disruptive team without fouling,” Redick said. “I mean, they have a few guys that foul on every possession and all the good defenses do. [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander] gets like, I don’t even know, a touch foul, I guess, on a drive. There was a stretch where, four straight possessions, our guys got absolutely clobbered.”

“They’re hard enough to play. You’ve got to be able to just call it if they foul. And they do foul.”

The Lakers did well to manage their frustrations, not allowing it to boil over into their play. It was a notable accomplishment given how heated many of them were, none more so than Reaves. Following a sequence that ended with a Cason Wallace 3-pointer that forced a Lakers timeout, Reaves had to be pulled away from Goble.

"THAT'S SOME BULLSH*T TO TALK TO ME LIKE THAT….. P*SSY"

-AUSTIN REAVES TO NBA REF JOHN GOBLE pic.twitter.com/bVWbxmg8Pb

— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) May 8, 2026

Following the game, Reaves explained that his anger stemmed from a sequence preceding that in which he felt like Goble disrespected him.

“When we were doing the whole tip ball, they were switching spots,” Reaves said. “I wanted to get on the other side because they had a guy on the other side. We were just trying to keep an advantage. He turned around and just yelled in my face.

“I just thought it was disrespectful…But at the end of the day, we’re grown men and I just didn’t feel like he needed to yell in my face like that. I told him that. I wasn’t disrespectful. I told him if I did that to him first, I would have got a tech. I felt the only reason I didn’t get a tech was he knew he was in the wrong.”

Here's the sequence where the official turns and yells at Reaves, as he said.

He moves to the other side of Cason Wallace to be in a defensive position. The official turns and says something to him, which you can see Austin recoil in surprise a bit. https://t.co/ZHB1DvKhlxpic.twitter.com/6qjqGD6fDZ

— Jacob Rude (@JacobRude) May 8, 2026

Another subject of frustration centered on LeBron and the fouls not being called. Through two games this series, he’s shot just five free throws.

“LeBron has the worst whistle of any star player I’ve ever seen,” Redick said. “I’ve been with him two years now. The smaller guys, because they can be theatric, they typically draw more fouls. The bigger players that are built like LeBron, it’s hard for them. But he gets clobbered and he got clobbered again tonight a bunch.

“That’s not a new thing that’s specific to this crew or this series. He gets fouled a lot and it doesn’t happen. The guy gets hit on the head more than any player I’ve seen on drives and it rarely gets called.”

On Thursday, there were several questionable calls that left the Lakers upset. Early in the game, LeBron finished a layup through contact from Jaylin Williams that knocked him to the ground and left him limping briefly, but no foul was called.

LeBron is fed up with the refs favoring Oklahoma City. pic.twitter.com/6TopDhtgUn

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 8, 2026

In the second half, LeBron looked to have drawn a foul on a shot and converted the off-balance jumper for, again, what looked to be a clear and-one. Instead, the officials waved off the basket, calling the foul on the floor.

lebron james foul on the floor; lakers vs okc pic.twitter.com/AkQbdDKkWD

— ◇ (@F0RGIAT0) May 8, 2026

While LeBron was ready to speak his mind, LeBron took the complete opposite approach, refusing to say a word about the officiating after the game.

Q: JJ Redick was irate about the officials, how was that a factor in the runs OKC put together?
LeBron James: “We’re down 2-0.”
Q: Redick said you get the worst whistle of any superstar he’s seen, why do you think that is?
LeBron: “I don’t know” pic.twitter.com/QyPwxUd9Td

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) May 8, 2026

It all culminated in the frustrations boiling over at the final buzzer and in the press conferences. Still, as frustrated as the team was, Redick was clear that was not the reason they lost.

“We didn’t lose because of the refs,” Redick said. “That’s never the case. You don’t lose because of refs. You lose because the other team outplays you and Oklahoma City outplayed us.”

Fines are likely to come for the Lakers, both for their on-court actions and off-court comments. It won’t be the first time it happens this postseason, either.

Still, on a night with 45 fouls, a half-dozen reviews and a lot of questionable decisions, it’s understandable the Lakers walked away from this game feeling aggrieved.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

After a 133-95 rout of the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game Two, the San Antonio Spurs will head to Minneapolis looking to steal a game and regain home-court advantage. Much like they did in round one of the playoffs, the Spurs head into Game Three with a bit of uncertainty.

The Timberwolves are undefeated at home in the playoffs this season. Their games in Minnesota legitimately swung their first-round series with the Denver Nuggets. While the Spurs dominated Game Two, things could swing the other way on the road.

San Antonio will come into Game Three with a fully healthy roster. The Wolves are still dealing with injuries to key players on their roster. Ayo Dosumnu is questionable, now with a heel injury rather than the calf injury that kept him out of Game One. Anthony Edwards remains questionable, despite playing in the first two games. Those injuries haven’t held the Wolves back from making this a competitive series so far.

Game Two should fill the Spurs with confidence. But as Victor Wembanyama told reporters after the game, “when you win, you’re never as good as you think you are.” They’ll have to prove that Game Two wasn’t just a flash in the pan, but a sign of a team learning how to win this series.

San Antonio Spurs (1-1) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (1-1)

May 8th, 2026 | 8:30 PM CT

Watch: Amazon Prime | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)

Spurs Injuries: No injuries to report.

Timberwolves Injuries: Donte DiVincenzo – Out (achilles), Ayo Dosunmu – Questionable (heel), Anthony Edwards – Questionable (knee)

What to watch for:

Stephon Castle’s fouls

Castle had five fouls in 24 minutes on Wednesday night. He was dangerously close to fouling out for the third straight game. It makes sense why Castle is racking up the fouls. He’s consistently guarding the Wolves’ best perimeter defender or banging inside with Julius Randle. He’s being forced to fight around screens and battle with the Wolves for 50/50 balls. He’s been the driving physical force for the Spurs in this series. They need him to maintain that level of physicality while keeping the foul count low.

Three-point shooting

Not to simplify the game, but sometimes winning does come down to making shots. The Spurs were abysmal from three in Game One’s loss, shooting 28% from deep. In Game Two’s blowout, San Antonio shot 41% from three. The contrast in the offense in those two games was stark. When the Spurs are hitting shots, it opens up lanes for their drivers to get to the basket. They got their best looks from three when they pushed the ball up the floor to get easy shots early in the shot clock. The Wolves will certainly try to slow the game down a bit in Game Three. San Antonio should continue to push the pace to create those easy looks that will open up their offense.

Guard play

San Antonio’s most significant advantage in this series has been its guards. If De’Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper, and Castle are playing at their best, the Wolves don’t have the guard play to keep up with them. With Edwards clearly playing through an injury and Mike Conley past his prime, the Wolves have had difficulty getting to the basket. The Spurs outscored Minnesota 58-36 in the paint in Game Two.

Mitch Johnson’s strategy has been to blitz the Wolves’ ball-handlers, sending two defenders at the ball, forcing them to pass and oftentimes, turn it over. Minnesota had 22 turnovers in Game Two. Expect the Spurs to keep pressuring Minnesota’s ball-handlers in hopes of replicating this result in Game Three.

One of the things that separates good teams from great teams is depth.

Look back to the 2020 Lakers. They had 10 realistic options they could turn to in the playoffs and all had moments. They could pull in an Alex Caruso for a Game 6 to seal the series, a move that made them go small one series after leaning on JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard.

It’s a trait the great teams have. Not just depth, but reliable depth. Guys who can not only step onto the court when needed, but produce at a high level. This Thunder team has that in abundance.

Through two games, the Lakers have done a fantastic job on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. But that has led to Ajay Mitchell, Chet Holmgren and Jared McCain all stepping up. The Thunder come at you wave after wave after wave.

Eventually, the dam bursts for good teams. The Lakers have seen second-half runs in Games 1 and 2 turn close games into blowouts. At a certain point, LA is running out of steam because they don’t have the necessary depth and when that moment comes, OKC buries a backbreaking three to cap off a big run.

In about 85% of the two games in Oklahoma City, the Lakers have played the Thunder relatively even. That 15%, though, is a gap that LA might not be able to close.

So, let’s dive into the loss. As always, grades are based on expectations for each player. A “B” grade represents the average performance for that player.

LeBron James

38 minutes, 23 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, 3 turnovers, 1 foul, 9-18 FG, 1-4 3PT, 4-4 FT, -9

This wasn’t quite the same performance he had in Game 1, but it was still great. The ball wasn’t in his hands as much, a result of Austin Reaves returning back to form. But he was still efficient and had big baskets.

His early pins on fastbreaks led to a couple of layups. He hit back-to-back baskets in the four to close the lead to five. Unfortunately, there weren’t many others in purple and gold at his level.

Grade: A-

Rui Hachimura

39 minutes, 16 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, 6-10 FG, 4-7 3PT, -19

Not enough has been made about Rui has a playoff riser. With Thursday’s 4-7 shooting from range, he now has 12 straight games overall shooting at least 50% from range. He is up to 10 straight postseason games shooting at least 50% from three, dating back to the Wolves series last season.

What’s important is not just that he’s making threes, but he’s taking them. He’s in an absolute groove and is freely firing away.

Grade: A-

Deandre Ayton

27 minutes, 3 points, 10 rebounds, 2 turnovers, 3 fouls, 1-7 FG, 1-2 FT, -4

This was not a great Ayton game. It started off alright, though most of his contributions came in the form of good screen setting and things that don’t show up in the box score.

However, that only goes so far and the box-score production has to come at some point. As the game progressed, things got worse with a bad turnover in the fourth and then a poor closeout on Chet that led to free throws. He came out after that play and didn’t return for the final 6:47.

The Lakers aren’t going to have a chance to win if Ayton isn’t great.

Grade: D+

Austin Reaves

38 minutes, 31 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 turnovers, 5 fouls, 10-16 FG, 3-6 3PT, 8-10 FT, -20

The apology should be as loud as the disrespect.

It turns out that three bad games after a month out with injury do not define a player. This is who Reaves has been. And this is who the Lakers need Reaves to be this series.

There were a couple of moments, particularly early, where Reaves was a bit out of control and either turned the ball over or forced up a bad shot. But he really found a groove late in the first quarter and was everything the Lakers needed.

He was picking apart the Thunder defense and either finishing in the mid-range or at the rim or finding open shooters.

Unfortunately, he’s back to throwing bad lobs again, but it seems like a trade-off the Lakers will take.

Grade: A

Marcus Smart

34 minutes, 14 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, 5 fouls, 4-13 FG, 1-7 3PT, 5-5 FT, +2

This was a lot of Marcus Smart. Too much, in fact.

There’s been plenty of discussion about Reaves needing to catch the moving train and get up to speed with the team. There hasn’t been as much discussion about the adjustment the team has to make to Reaves, though.

Specifically when it comes to Smart, the Lakers needed him to be a creator for himself and others against the Rockets. They could live with the bad possessions — to an extent — because they had no other option.

But now that Reaves is back, that’s not what they need out of him. He hasn’t adjusted to that, though. The result on Thursday was too many possessions where he’s trying to create something out of nothing when Austin and LeBron are on the floor.

We’re also to the point that there’s nothing more Smart can say about turnovers and taking blame. We’re seven games into this postseason and years into Smart’s career. The lazy entry passes that get stolen by the Thunder are just flat out unacceptable.

Grade: C-

Luke Kennard

26 minutes, 10 points, 1 rebound, 2 fouls, 4-5 FG, 2-3 3PT, -15

It was nice to see Kennard be more aggressive with his shot, which the Lakers need from him. If he could adopt Rui’s mindset of firing away when he has an inch of space, we might be cooking.

Grade: B

Jaxson Hayes

15 minutes, 6 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 5 fouls, -11

We’re oscillating between Hayes being unplayable and average. Game 2, he was unplayable.

Perhaps it’s the nerves or trying too hard, but there were multiple occasions on Thursday where he was jumping around on the perimeter when Thunder players weren’t even shot faking, leading to either open lanes or open threes.

Mix in some bad turnovers and illegal screens and the Lakers had to try to finish the game going small, which absolutely did not work.

The Lakers need their centers to be better.

Grade: D

Jake LaRavia

10 minutes, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, 0-2 FG, 0-1 3PT, -14

This is probably the game that is the point of no return for LaRavia. Against Houston, there was just enough positive to warrant him playing. It was also a series that was already a rock fight and he could play that style. In fact, Game 6 was probably his best game of the postseason.

But more is needed against the Thunder and he is absolutely not stepping up. I was willing to give him some benefit of the doubt on the foul of Jaylin Williams’ three because it looked to be pretty clearly a kick out. But he then immediately followed that with a foul on Holmgren underneath the basket.

I wouldn’t be surprised if those were his final minutes of the series.

Grade: F

Adou Thiero

6 minutes, 3 rebounds, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +3

Realistically, Thiero didn’t really get enough minutes for a grade. But I did want to exclude him from the garbage time group because he actually did play meaningful minutes.

He didn’t really have an opportunity to do anything good or bad. But given the state of the rest of the bench, he should get more run in Game 3.

Grade: B

Dalton Knecht, Bronny James, Nick Smith Jr.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Bronny James got minutes in Game 3. Perhaps Nick Smith Jr. as well, though the Lakers seemed to find some solutions offensively. Still, a shake up isn’t the worst thing down 2-0 in the series.

JJ Redick

The Lakers went back to the drawing board offensively and found all the answers. They broke the 100-point barrier for the first time in five games. And they still were able to limit Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as well.

Specifically, that second quarter was perhaps the best quarter the team has played this postseason, especially given the opposition.

Again, for 85% of this series, the Lakers have more or less matched the Thunder. That this is even competitive for that much is a testament to the coaching staff. They’ve had two great gameplans.

It just seems to be becoming clearer and clearer that the team doesn’t have the horses that OKC does in this series.

Grade: A-

Thursday’s DNPs: Maxi Kleber

Thursday’s inactives: Jarred Vanderbilt, Luka Dončić

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

Oklahoma City Thunder (64-18, first in the Western Conference) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (53-29, fourth in the Western Conference)

Los Angeles; Saturday, 8:30 p.m. EDT

LINE: Thunder -8.5; over/under is 211.5

WESTERN CONFERENCE SECOND ROUND: Thunder lead series 2-0

BOTTOM LINE: The Oklahoma City Thunder visit the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference second round with a 2-0 lead in the series. The Thunder won the last matchup 125-107 on Friday, led by 22 points from Chet Holmgren. Austin Reaves led the Lakers with 31.

The Lakers are 33-19 in conference matchups. Los Angeles averages 116.3 points and has outscored opponents by 1.7 points per game.

The Thunder have gone 41-11 against Western Conference opponents. Oklahoma City is eighth in the Western Conference with 25.8 assists per game led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averaging 6.6.

The Lakers average 11.8 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.5 fewer makes per game than the Thunder allow (14.3). The Thunder are shooting 48.4% from the field, 0.1% higher than the 48.3% the Lakers' opponents have shot this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: LeBron James is averaging 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists for the Lakers. Rui Hachimura is averaging 16.4 points over the past 10 games.

Gilgeous-Alexander is scoring 31.1 points per game with 4.3 rebounds and 6.6 assists for the Thunder. Holmgren is averaging 16.0 points and 7.9 rebounds while shooting 61.1% over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Lakers: 6-4, averaging 103.6 points, 40.4 rebounds, 25.3 assists, 8.9 steals and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 48.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 100.5 points per game.

Thunder: 8-2, averaging 118.5 points, 42.4 rebounds, 27.4 assists, 10.2 steals and 5.2 blocks per game while shooting 49.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.8 points.

INJURIES: Lakers: Luka Doncic: out (hamstring), Jarred Vanderbilt: day to day (finger).

Thunder: Jalen Williams: out (hamstring), Thomas Sorber: out for season (knee).

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

Detroit Pistons (60-22, first in the Eastern Conference) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (52-30, fourth in the Eastern Conference)

Cleveland; Saturday, 3 p.m. EDT

LINE: Cavaliers -4.5; over/under is 212.5

EASTERN CONFERENCE SECOND ROUND: Pistons lead series 2-0

BOTTOM LINE: The Detroit Pistons visit the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference second round with a 2-0 lead in the series. The Pistons won the last meeting 107-97 on Thursday, led by 25 points from Cade Cunningham. Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 31.

The Cavaliers are 33-19 in Eastern Conference games. Cleveland has a 2-5 record in games decided by less than 4 points.

The Pistons are 12-4 against the rest of their division. Detroit is fourth in the league scoring 18.0 fast break points per game led by Cunningham averaging 3.7.

The Cavaliers make 48.2% of their shots from the field this season, which is 3.9 percentage points higher than the Pistons have allowed to their opponents (44.3%). The Pistons average 117.8 points per game, 2.4 more than the 115.4 the Cavaliers allow to opponents.

TOP PERFORMERS: Mitchell is scoring 27.9 points per game with 4.5 rebounds and 5.7 assists for the Cavaliers. James Harden is averaging 17.6 points and 5.1 rebounds while shooting 42.3% over the past 10 games.

Cunningham is averaging 23.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 9.9 assists for the Pistons. Tobias Harris is averaging 21.6 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Cavaliers: 5-5, averaging 111.1 points, 44.3 rebounds, 22.4 assists, 8.0 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 47.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 110.6 points per game.

Pistons: 7-3, averaging 106.8 points, 46.4 rebounds, 22.8 assists, 8.6 steals and 8.0 blocks per game while shooting 45.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 100.3 points.

INJURIES: Cavaliers: Sam Merrill: day to day (hamstring).

Pistons: Kevin Huerter: day to day (adductor).

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

Winning on the road is tough, but beating the Thunder in OKC feels impossible.

The Lakers did a lot right in their Game 2 loss. They got a much better offensive game from Austin Reaves, won the points-in-the-paint battle 52-46 and Rui Hachimura remained elite, scoring 16 points on 60% shooting.

But the Thunder outscored the Lakers 36-22 in the third quarter to turn this game from a close contest to a blowout win for OKC.

Now, JJ Redick and the Lakers find themselves down 2-0 in this series and head home still looking to play a full 48 minutes.

Perhaps the uncomfortable truth is they just don’t have the personnel to play such a perfect game.

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Losing the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander minutes

There are plenty of reasons the Lakers lost, but the main culprit was their play in the third quarter, particularly when Shai-Gilgeous Alexander was off the floor.

SGA went to the bench after earning his fourth foul at the 10:34 mark. With Reaves knocking down three subsequent free throws, LA was in front by five.

This was a golden opportunity for the Lakers to take advantage. Winning the minutes when SGA is off the floor is something Lakers head coach JJ Redick said was necessary after practice on Wednesday.

JJ Redick says the tape from Game 1 showed that the Lakers’ defense “was good with some of the Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander] coverages.”
What wasn’t good?
“We have to be better when [SGA’s] not on the floor … they were plus-nine in those minutes. We’ve got to at least be even” pic.twitter.com/uQrGoqoycR

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) May 6, 2026

Apparently, the purple and gold didn’t get the memo.

Chet Holmgren began feasting inside. Then Jared McCain scored five straight points, and after Jaylin Williams knocked down a three and was fouled on the shot, the crowd erupted and LA’s lead had evaporated.

The Thunder continued to pile on, going on a 32-14 run while SGA watched from the bench. This was the turning point of the game as the Lakers never led again.

LA has done a great job containing SGA. He scored 18 points in Game 1 and only scored 22 on Thursday.

However, OKC is so dominant because of its tremendous team. The Lakers have allowed McCain to torch them in both games. Chet has been great as well, and Ajay Mitchell once again had another strong performance. If LA doesn’t find a way to contain them, this will be a sweep.

Welcome back, Austin Reaves

One of the silver linings was the play of Reaves. He struggled massively in Game 1, but had a bounce back performance in Game 2. He continued to attack the paint, but finished strong at the rim this game. He went 10-16 from the field, shot 50% from deep and 80% from the charity stripe.

Add in his six assists, and Reaves put LA in a position to remain competitive in this contest.

Austin Reaves saw an opportunity. LeBron James took it 🤝 pic.twitter.com/osHeGLdi2K

— NBA on Prime (@NBAonPrime) May 8, 2026

Now, if he can start as well as he finished and limit his turnovers, LA will have a great chance of winning one of their upcoming home games.

The noise surrounding Reaves was overblown in Game 1.

He is a proven player, and one game doesn’t take away from all he has done over the years as a Laker. Still, recency bias is a thing, and it was good for him and the team that Reaves was able to be an impactful player for LA.

With Luka Dončić out, they’ll need all the help they can get in the backcourt to generate some points.

Who can be a responsible adult?

Before the game, Redick said he’d play a nine-man rotation. He barely did with only eight players logging at least 10 minutes. And Jake LaRavia barely cracked the 10-minute mark.

Redick looked for answers playing Adou Thiero in the first half, but while the minutes weren’t bad, they were unimpactful. And with LaRavia playing so poorly, there don’t seem to be many bench players who can play at this level.

Redick has to try something, though.

Can Redick find some responsible adults? Some players who can be depended on to be positive and at least eat up a handful of minutes?

It might be time to play Nick Smith Jr. and see if he can give the Lakers an offensive spark. Maxi Kleber can play some five and give Deandre Ayton a break. Even Bronny James can slot in for a moment to start the second, as he did against the Rockets.

So far, the Lakers haven’t found a winning recipe, so Redick has to throw the kitchen sink at OKC and see if he can find something that gets him a win.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers battled the Oklahoma City Thunder but were unable to even the NBA second-round series on Thursday, May 7.

Instead, the Lakers fall to 0-2 in the series and move one step closer to potentially being swept by the defending champions.

The Lakers continue to miss point guard Luka Doncic, and his absence is apparent after the Lakers turned the ball over 20 times, trying to move the ball around and generate some offense. The Thunder were able to produce 26 points off the Lakers' turnovers.

Austin Reaves was responsible for five, while LeBron James and Marcus Smart each had three. Reaves did carry the offense, shooting 10-of-16 from the field for 31 points.

While the turnovers will likely be a topic of discussion internally, the Lakers remained vocal throughout and after the game about the fouls called by the officiating crew.

Coach JJ Redick was asked about the officials after the game and noted that James has only had five free-throw attempts over the first two games of the series.

“LeBron (receives) the worst whistle of any star player I’ve ever seen,” Redick told reporters after the game. “I've been with him for two years now, the smaller guys, because they can be theatrical, tend to get more fouls and guys built like LeBron, it’s hard for them.”

Austin Reaves and the Lakers just had a meeting with the refs after the game to share their frustration with them. pic.twitter.com/exHIVkrese

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 8, 2026

Redick also said the Thunder have "guys that foul on every possession," which he noted all good defenses do. Still, he was left frustrated by the lack of calls.

"They're hard enough to play. They're hard enough to play. You gotta be able to just call it if they foul, and they do foul," Redick said.

Reaves and James were seen postgame among a crowd near midcourt that consisted of other members of the Lakers and the officiating crew.

Reaves, in particular, was vocal with his displeasure.

"I felt like I was respectful to all of them all night," Reaves told reporters. "... And when we were doing the whole tip ball and they were switching spots, I wanted to get on the other side because they had a guy on the other side, was just trying to keep an advantage. And he turned around and yelled in my face. I just thought it was disrespectful."

James himself had very little to say about the referees after the game.

Q: JJ Redick was irate about the officials, how was that a factor in the runs OKC put together?
LeBron James: “We’re down 2-0.”
Q: Redick said you get the worst whistle of any superstar he’s seen, why do you think that is?
LeBron: “I don’t know” pic.twitter.com/QyPwxUd9Td

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) May 8, 2026

The Lakers remained aggressive during the game, matching the pace of the Thunder as the teams exchanged respective scoring runs before Los Angeles took a one-point lead into the locker room at halftime.

OKC managed to pull away in the second half after a 32-14 run during the third quarter, all while the Thunder’s star player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, was not on the floor.

The Lakers have the opportunity to overcome all that happened in Game 2, when the series moves to Los Angeles for the next two games.

The Thunder remain in a good place as the franchise has not lost a best-of-7 series when leading 2-0. Oklahoma City also improved to 6-0 during this postseason, having swept the Phoenix Suns in the first round.

When is Game 3 between Lakers and Thunder?

The Lakers will host the Thunder on Saturday, May 9. The game will air on ESPN at 5:30 p.m. PT (8:30 p.m. ET).

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: JJ Redick, Lakers bemoan refs after Game 2 loss to OKC Thunder

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Lakers, one again, were so close. 

But they kept getting in their own way in their 125-107 Game 2 loss to the Thunder at Paycom Center.

The Lakers had too many self-inflicted wounds, like their 21 turnovers for 26 OKC points.

Or the 17 second-chance points they allowed the Thunder to score, wasting the strong moments of halfcourt defense they had.

“We played well in spurts,” LeBron James said. “We had some really good minutes, obviously through three [quarters]. They were able to take a five-point lead in the third quarter and they made a run. Obviously, they kept scoring and they’re really good at exploiting matchups and things of that nature. But we had a good game plan. We tried to execute it as close to 48 minutes as possible, but it just didn’t get done.”

Even with Austin Reaves bouncing back from a purtid Game 1 performance with a playoff career-high 31 points to go with 6 assists, Game 2 was defined by the Lakers’ mistakes. 

And the Thunder capitalized off them. 

“They do a good job of capitalizing off turnovers,” Luke Kennard said. “Obviously, that’s going to be a big thing for us. We knew that going into it, their physicality. We gotta stay poised, under control when they go on those runs. I think we’ve done a pretty good job overall, but it’s gonna take a full, full 48 minutes.”

James had 23 points and 6 assists.

Rui Hachimura (16 points) and Kennard (10 points) combined for 26 points, but the Lakers wasted a strong shooting night (50% from the field, 37.9% on 3s).

Chet Holmgren led the Thunder with 22 points, 9 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 assists and 2 blocked shots.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 22 points. Ajay Mitchell recorded 20 points and 6 assists, while Jared McCain had 18 points off the bench.

What it means

The Lakers are now trailing 2-0 in the best-of-seven second round series. 

Under the 2-2-1-1-1 home/away pattern, the team with homecourt advantage has a 221-19 all-time record in playoff series after taking a 2-0 lead since the NBA moved to a 16-team playoff in 1984. 

Turning point 

When Gilgeous-Alexander picked up his fourth personal and a Flagrant Foul penalty one foul at the 10:34 mark of the third quarter.

Reaves made a pair of flagrant free throws, and a technical free throw after Alex Caruso was assessed a technical from the bench, to put the Lakers up 66-61 as Gilgeous-Alexander subbed out and went to the bench for the remainder of the quarter.

Usually, this would be a positive moment for an opponent when the reigning MVP has to watch nearly an entire quarter from the bench.  

That wasn’t the case for the Lakers, who were outscored 32-14 in the final 10 ½ minutes of the third.

Jared McCain (8 points), Holmgren (8) and Mitchell (7) combined for 23 points in the third, with the trio outscoring the Lakers, who had 22 points in the third.

“I talked about it a little bit [on Wednesday], them being plus-nine in the non-SGA minutes and then in the second half, we just got blitzed, 32-14, seven turnovers,” coach JJ Redick said. “They shot 14 free throws during that stretch. So we got to look at lineups, look at everything, try to figure out how we can be better in those minutes.”

MVP: Ajay Mitchell

The second-year guard continues his breakout season with another strong playoff performance.

He was the biggest reason why the Thunder won the non-Gilgeous-Alexander minutes in the second, scoring 11 points of his scoring total in the quarter.

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Stat of the game: 12

That’s how many points the Thunder outscored the Lakers by when Gilgeous-Alexander wasn’t on the floor before Redick subbed out his main rotation players with 2:14 left, with his team down 120-103.

The Lakers also struggled in the non-Gilgeous-Alexander minutes in Game 1, being outscored on Tuesday when Gilgeous-Alexander was on the bench.

Up next

Game 3 of Lakers-Thunder will tip off at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena.