Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the clear frontrunner to repeat as MVP, and his case for that is intertwined with his play in the clutch this season. Oklahoma City won 64 games not just because SGA was the best player in the first 43 minutes of a game, but also because of how dominant he was in the last five.
Which is why Gilgeous-Alexander was voted NBA Clutch Player of the Year, garnering 96 of the 100 first-place votes (cast by a select group of media). Hall of Famer Reggie Miller made the announcement on Peacock.
Denver's Jamal Murray finished second in the voting, just one point ahead of the Timberwolves Anthony Edwards, who was third (the 65-game rule does not apply to this award). Murray had 33 second-place votes (worth three points each) and 18 third-place votes (worth one point), while Edwards had one fewer second-place vote with 32 and two more third-place votes (20).
Gilgeous-Alexander led the league in the clutch, averaging 6.5 points per clutch game, as well as with 175 total clutch points this season, leading the Thunder to a league-best +92 in clutch minutes and a 20-7 record. What's more, he had to do a lot of that on his own — Murray was second in total clutch points with 166 but he had a lot of help in the form of Nikola Jokic (155).
The other four first-place votes that didn't go to SGA went to players who did not finish in the top three. Cade Cunningham got one and finished fourth in the voting, Jalen Brunson (who won the award last year) had two first-place votes but finished fifth, and the Nuggets' Jokic got one first-place vote but finished sixth.
It was revealed during a report on ESPN's NBA Today that Dončić and Reaves both began practicing with the Lakers on Monday, April 20. While Dončić is still considered out indefinitely, ESPN reports Reaves has been progressing, and there is optimism in the building that he could return towards the end of the series.
"The sense around the Lakers is that Austin Reaves is actually the one that's further along than Luka Dončić in their respective rehab processes," Shams Charania said on the broadcast. "... Remember early April here, he had a four-to-six-week timetable. So theoretically, that puts him on track late in this series, potentially early in the next series."
Charania added that Reaves has begun one-on-one on-court work and is expected to continue his progression to three-on-three and five-on-five before a return to game action.
Dončić, meanwhile, is currently not expected to return in the first round.
Neither has played since April 2 due to a grade 2 left hamstring strain (Dončić) and a grade 2 left oblique strain (Reaves). Dončić flew to Spain in the last week of the regular season to undergo an injection procedure in hopes of accelerating the healing process in his hamstring, while Reaves remained in Los Angeles to rehab his oblique.
The Knicks find themselves in a 1-1 lock with the Hawks in their first-round matchup, as they head to Atlanta following an embarrassing defeat at home. While they’ve given themselves no shortage of issues to address before Game 3, one factor likely to be high up on New York’s list: stopping CJ McCollum.
The 6-foot-3, 34-year-old veteran guard has smoked the Knicks in back-to-back games at MSG this series. He scored 26 in Game 1 on 11-for-20 shooting, 4-for-9 from three, then added 32 points on 12-of-22 shooting, including 3-of-10 from three.
No other Hawk has managed to hurt the Knicks to McCollum’s degree and consistency thus far, making him the current biggest threat to end this New York playoff run early.
With that in mind, let’s break down how he’s cut through their defenses and what can be done to switch things up.
McCollum’s primarily been guarded by Jalen Brunson, who, for all he’s done on the offensive end, is the Knicks’ biggest weak point defensively. Normally, New York would hide him on a favorable matchup, but with Karl-Anthony Towns on the non-shooter (Dyson Daniels) in Atlanta’s lineup, head coach Mike Brown doesn’t have much of a choice.
To be fair, McCollum got a lot of his Game 1 buckets off silly Knicks mistakes and semi-transition stuff that’s easy to clean up. He’s also burned every other Knick that ends up guarding him via switch or changed matchup in those few attempts.
But he’s also identified Brunson as an easy target and is taking advantage. He’s 9-for-12 from the field when guarded by Brunson, and went from singling him out in Atlanta’s offense a little in Game 1 to all the time in Game 2.
From the middle of the second quarter of Game 2 on, if McCollum was on the floor with Brunson, that was the matchup he was playing to. Repeated isolations and pick-and-rolls, punishing every way Brunson and the roll man tried to play him.
His double-cross got Brunson way out of position multiple times. If he rejected a screen, Brunson slammed into it; if he used it, Brunson couldn’t recover in time.
Sometimes, even the slightest move gave McCollum a walking lane to the paint. Brown tried switching Brunson with Mikal Bridges, who was guarding Nikeil Alexander-Walker, down the stretch, to no avail.
McCollum would call for an Alexander-Walker screen, which Brunson would switch, giving Atlanta the matchup they wanted. McCollum would dance and usually score.
It should go without saying, but the first adjustment is for Brunson to show much better defensive effort. This is a uniquely tough matchup for him, an explosive guard that’s much quicker, but isn’t giving up size or strength.
That doesn’t matter. Brunson isn’t expected to be a lockdown defender, but he has to be better than he’s been and has proven it before.
His bouts with Andrew Nembhard and Tyrese Maxey looked similar at points, but they weren’t routinely walking right by him. He can make up much of this gap by fighting harder through screens, actually trying to stay attached to McCollum’s hip, and not giving in to switches so easily.
Brown will do his part and try different matchups, as well as throwing more aggressive schemes at McCollum if he’s rolling again. If Brunson is on NAW and McCollum is calling over screen after screen to pick on him, Brown needs to have his guards trap or another alternative to mix things up.
There’s also doing nothing.
For as tough as McCollum has been, if the rest of his team remains subdued, this defensive approach may end up fine.
Remember, the Knicks had a double-digit advantage and played a great defensive fourth quarter, but couldn’t convert on the offensive end. If they had, maybe they win, and this McCollum conversation isn't something to worry about, especially given the Hawks scored only 107 points. And it's not much of an offense when it rests on a 34-year-old zero-time All-Star.
However the Knicks choose to react, they’ll be doing so under immense pressure on the road. Win one in Atlanta and the series is in your hands again, don’t and it’ll be much more than Brunson taking the heat.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - APRIL 06: Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic goes up for a shot against Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons during the third quarter at Kia Center on April 06, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
You couldn’t have written up a more dispiriting Game 1 performance from the Detroit Pistons than what they delivered against the Orlando Magic on Sunday night. The eighth-seeded Magic, facing a Pistons team that never spent a day below first place in the Eastern Conference all season, never trailed. They had the better game plan, the better players, and the better energy. Even in a game when its star, Cade Cunningham, scored 39 points, it never seemed like Detroit was threatening to take over the game.
For a team and a fan base that dealt with a season of hearing Detroit disrespected as not real contenders, with the likes of the Celtics, Knicks, and Cavs, thrust above them as teams that could win a title, it was a chance to prove the doubters wrong.
Now those same doubters have no reason to do anything other than double down, and many of the believers are in crisis mode.
The Pistons have one game to fix the mess they put themselves in. Wednesday night at Little Caesars Arena is a must-win contest, or this series is effectively over.
I have faith in the Pistons, but I also recognize that playoff basketball is not regular-season basketball. There is too much time to game plan and prepare. The Magic were able to effectively close off the paint to call comers, and for a non-shooting team like the Pistons, having zero pathways to the basket completely short-circuited anything they hoped to do on offense. It shouldn’t have been that easy to neutralize Detroit’s attack and take away all their strengths, but here we are.
With zero hyperbole, the Pistons had their worst game scoring inside this season. Their 34 points were a low point. The same team that scored 80 points in the paint against Brooklyn in November, and at least 60 points in the paint 38 times, managed a meager 34.
I have seen some say Jalen Duren was invisible, and, boy, I wish that were the case. Unfortunately, he was extremely noticeable in all the worst ways. Only two players on the Magic roster who played had fewer shot attempts than Duren.
Duren only had one game with a lower usage rate all season than he did on Sunday, and never had a lower percentage of his team’s shot attempts than he did against the Magic. He didn’t make any of this up on defense, where he was constantly letting Magic players have position and getting beaten on back cuts in both man and zone defense.
It was ugly. It is also fixable.
Cade proved he is a playoff performer. He can get his own, but it’s on him and his coaching staff to figure out how to get others involved, chief among them, Duren. They need to embrace Duren’s face-up game and short-roll opportunities instead of only force-feeding entry passes right below the basket.
It’s not that I want Duren suddenly co-running the offense. I just need the Pistons to find opportunities inside to provide any semblance of spacing the floor and creating cracks in Orlando’s defense. Detroit settled on Sunday and made it easy for the Magic defenders. They can’t afford to do that again.
If they do, it is effectively game over on not just the Pistons season, but has to be game over for this version of the franchise’s team-building project. If it’s this easy to shut down how your offense works because you want to put superior defenders on the floor, then you don’t have a winning formula.
Detroit would need to think long and hard about who is part of that title-contending future. It can’t be all three of Duren, Ron Holland, and Ausar Thompson. Not because any of the three can’t get markedly better on offense, but because Detroit has chips they can move around to build an extremely dangerous team that can succeed in both the regular season and the playoffs. Cunningham’s performance is all the proof you need of that fact.
The scheme, the secondary players, the future? Those are all question marks. We are going to get an answer on Wednesday, one way or another.
Injuries have been half the story in the Rockets vs. Lakers first-round showdown. Kevin Durant missed Game 1 and is still officially questionable for Game 2 with a knee contusion. Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique strain) remain out for the Lakers.
The latest reporting is that Durant may try to play in Game 2 on Tuesday night, and it's possible Austin Reaves could return by the end of the season.
Officially, Durant remains questionable for Game 2, and he did not speak with reporters at the Rockets' shootaround. However, Sam Amick of The Athletic reports there appears to be a good chance he is a go in Game 2.
Kevin didn’t speak to media at today’s UCLA shootaround, but - from talking to Rockets folks in the building - there is still a fair amount of optimism that he’ll give it a go tonight. https://t.co/ICWwKDNpa4
Without Durant, the Rockets could not break 100 points in Game 1, and as a team they shot just 37.6%. That was just part of the Rockets problems in Game 1, a defense that allowed the shorthanded Lakers to shoot 60.6% on the night was the other.
LeBron James thrived in Game 1 as a playmaker, who could score when he had to, however the Lakers would look much better with another high level shot creator on the court. There is optimism that Austin Reaves might be able to fill that role by the end of the series, reports Shams Charania of ESPN.
Shams:
"The sense around the Lakers is that Austin Reaves is actually the one that's further along than Luka Doncic in their respective rehab processes. I am told Austin Reaves has started 1 on 1 on court work. The Lakers are not expecting Luka Doncic to be back in this series.… pic.twitter.com/Yx4hrt8An8
If the Lakers can take Game 2 at home on Tuesday — a game you can watch on NBC and Peacock — they will be much closer to extending their playoff run long enough for Reaves, and maybe Doncic, to return. However, Durant is going to have something to say about that.
The Blue Devils gained a commitment from former Wisconsin guard John Blackwell on Tuesday, April 21, adding one of the top-ranked players in the transfer portal. The 6-foot-4 junior averaged 19.1 points with 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game last season, earning all-Big Ten third-team honors.
"It just felt right," Blackwell told The Field of 68. "It felt right for me from the jump. When I talked to Coach (Jon) Scheyer and Coach (Emanuel) Dildy ... we chatted and it just felt like the right situation for me. Then when I got on campus, it just confirmed everything I was looking for."
Blackwell is ranked No. 7 in USA TODAY's transfer portal rankings, and was the No. 2 guard in the portal behind former Wake Forest star Juke Harris, who's still uncommitted.
The Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, native started 72 games in three seasons with the Badgers, and averaged double figures on Wisconsin's back-to-back NCAA Tournament teams. He's 1-3 in his career in March Madness, including two first-round exit upsets to No. 12 seeds High Point and James Madison in 2026 and 2024, respectively.
Blackwell will likely start in the backcourt alongside returning guard Cayden Boozer and potentially Isaiah Evans, who's still mulling a 2026 NBA Draft decision. Dame Sarr and Caleb Foster could also return to Duke, with incoming Belmont transfer Drew Scharnowski and returning center Patrick Ngongba likely handling frontcourt duties.
Blackwell was huge down the stretch for Wisconsin, scoring 25 points in the Badgers' regular season finale win over Purdue, before dropping 34 against Washington and 31 against Illinois in back-to-back Big Ten tournament games. He also scored 22 points in Wisconsin's NCAA Tournament loss to High Point.
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 12: Marcus Smart #36 of the Los Angeles Lakers smiles during the game against the Utah Jazz on April 12, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
For years, LeBron James and Marcus Smart have shared the court. However, it’s often been on opposing sides.
Smart, a longtime Celtic, faced off against James when he was a Cavalier for countless regular-season games and in the postseason during the 2010s.
Cleveland got the better of Boston during those battles, winning the Eastern Conference four times in the decade.
During the summer, Smart joined the Lakers, and now the two foes have become teammates. They’ve gotten their first taste of playoff glory as members of the purple and gold as they beat the Rockets to win Game 1 of their opening round series.
After the win, Smart spoke about loving playing alongside LeBron James after years on the other side.
“It’s been great,” Smart said. “Being able to see why he’s considered one of the greatest to do it. The way that he prepares for the playoffs, it’s a whole different mentality for him than the regular season. We see it, you guys see it, but as a teammate, to be able to be there watching him get prepared, watching the things he’s doing to get himself ready, I’m glad I’m on his side this time.”
As a 12-year veteran, Smart knows what a winning mentality looks like. He exudes it every day, in every way possible, through his on-court play, practice regimen and media appearances.
Obviously, he understood that LeBron has this too, but now he is seeing it up close, in a way only a teammate can. With Luka and Austin Reaves out, the duo has become two of the most important leaders on the team.
Considering that LeBron is an All-Star in his own right, and Smart is a defensive initiator, this is a great pairing to have as the playoffs begin.
They’ve already proven they can have success together at this level by winning Game 1. They’ll look to continue stacking up victories during the rest of the NBA playoffs, and this time, they’ll do it together.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 10: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks sits on the bench before a game against the Brooklyn Nets at Fiserv Forum on April 10, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With the Suns in the postseason, overcoming expectations many set, discussions about the team’s offseason plans have already sparked social media chatter. This is all related to a recent post from one of the most cryptic NBA superstars, who is suspected to be on the move this offseason. That player would be Giannis Antetokounmpo, the one who dethroned the Suns in their 2021 Finals run. So why would Suns fans want this, and how does this conversation even take off?
Well, from Antetokounmpo’s post, you can see why it has been such a topic of discussion.
Year 13 ✅📖
This has been one of the toughest seasons of my career, but as they say, like a phoenix from the ashes, I’ll rise.💯
To the city of Milwaukee, MY city, thank you for the unwavering love and support. 🤎 pic.twitter.com/27d6VLLI6o
A lot of Suns fans have specifically picked out the top part as some signal or message about his preferred destination: “Like a phoenix from the ashes, I’ll rise,” says Antetokounmpo, and this is what has everyone asking whether the Suns should pull the trigger.
To that, I say hold your horses for many reasons. One for the fact that the Suns are still currently in the postseason and have had the year they have had. Let’s appreciate the good things and all the great feelings we have had from this season, and not worry about the next. That happens when the Suns are losing, and in a tough spot, and right now, even if they are slated to lose to OKC in the playoffs, it is not a losing season.
Secondly, we are talking about Giannis Antetokounmpo. The same man who, this season, was annoying with his quotes about his situation in Milwaukee, clearly wanting out and not wanting to be the bad guy, put him in situations that led to some hilarious comments all season long. This is not a charade I want going on around the Suns, especially after all that drama last year.
Why are we going to integrate the fanbase into some more toxicity? Plus, who is to say Giannis wants to go to Phoenix, right? This quote says nothing beyond the fact that Giannis might like it. This is not a set-in-stone thing, so fans should not be planning as if it is already going to happen.
Then you can look at how this would get done for Phoenix. Yes, we all know the Bucks were interested in Jalen Green at the trade deadline, but you had to give up more as well. With Phoenix just escaping the apron hell, are you really willing to go back into that? Do the Suns even have the draft capital to get this done? Do they have to move young guys like Rasheer Fleming and Khaman Maluach to sweeten the deal because of their lack of draft capital?
The Bucks would need Phoenix’s young players. Is that worth it for Giannis’ large contract? Trying to get to $58M in salary is going to be tough for Phoenix unless it includes Jalen Green and two of Dillon Brooks, Grayson Allen, or Royce O’Neale with the young guys.
For what? The team to have Devin Booker and Giannis Antetokounmpo, with no one around them. Just like the other star-based teams we have had to watch over the last couple of seasons. I am good.
This new identity of everyone playing team basketball and working as a unit is fun, and I am not sacrificing that for a cool two-way duo. Yes, they would be unstoppable, but with both of them having injury histories and not getting younger, are we sure this is the way the Suns should build? Chasing another championship, and if they come up short, then what? Wait for another rebuild?
There are too many questions and possibilities for me to move forward with this, especially when we still have this season to discuss. Let’s appreciate what we have and worry about the offseason and the future with the young guys we have and the pieces we have grown this season.
The Detroit Pistons attempt to hold home court in Game 2 after a surprising Game 1 loss to the Orlando Magic, 112-101.
Detroit has now lost 10-straight playoff home games, but are large favorites in Game 2. The Pistons were led by Cade Cunningham's 39 points, but only he and Tobias Harris (17) scored more than eight points for Detroit.
All five starters for Orlando scored 16 or more points with the Magic's bench accumulating 20 total points. The Magic led at the end of each quarter and put up remarkable numbers for a road team in Game 1, except for their three-point shooting (10/34, 29%), which will need to improve as the series goes on.
Lets take a closer look at tonight’s matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game Details and How to Watch Live: Magic vs. Pistons
Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Time: 7:10 PM EST
Site: Little Caesars Arena
City: Detroit, MI
Network/Streaming: NBC / Peacock
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Game Odds: Magic vs. Pistons
The latest odds as of Monday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Detroit Pistons (-410), Orlando Magic (+320)
Spread: Pistons -8.5
Total: 218.5 points
This game opened Pistons -9.5 with the Total set at 218.5.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!
Expected Starting Lineups: Magic vs. Pistons
Orlando Magic
PG Jalen Suggs
SG Desmond Bane
SF Franz Wagner
PF Paolo Banchero
SF Wendell Carter Jr.
Detroit Pistons
PG Cade Cunningham
SG Duncan Robinson
SF Ausar Thompson
PF Tobias Harris
C Jalen Duren
Injury Report: Pistons vs. Magic
Orlando Magic
Jonathan Issac (knee) is listed as QUESTIONABLE for Game 2
Detroit Pistons
None
Important stats, trends and insights: Pistons vs. Magic
Detroit is 44-39 ATS
Detroit is 21-20 ATS as the home team
Detroit is 44-38-1 to the Under
Detroit is 18-14 to the Under as a home favorite
Detroit is 22-19 to the Under as the home team
Orlando is 40-45 ATS
Orlando is 19-22 ATS as the road team
Orlando is 45-40 to the Over
Orlando is 21-20 to the Under as the road team
Orlando is 12-10 to the Over as the road underdog
Rotoworld Best Bet
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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 Tuesday’s Magic and Pistons’ game:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Pistons’ Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Pistons -8.5 ATS
Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total UNDER 218.5
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One of the only good things about watching a tanking team is seeing players develop from definite L’s in the loss column to becoming real assets on a playoff team. The 2025-26 Utah Jazz team had its fair share of young talent improve over the course of 82 games, as well as surprising vets that stepped up big time.
Let’s take a look at the three players that improved the most from last season.
Note: I will only be using players who also played for the Jazz in 2024-25, so while Jusuf Nurkic was somebody that definitely upped his stock, he will not be on this list.
This might come as a shock to some, but in the thick of the Jazz’s (purposeful) worst season in franchise history, Markkanen had a very bad season. I though this year was massive for him to prove that he can be the player on a Jazz playoff team that everybody thought he could one day be.
When Markkanen arrived in Utah, he was this seven-foot beast that could knock down threes, but would also drive and dunk with incredible efficiency. He was an all star starter in year one and was named the league’s most improved player, but by year three it seemed like that version of Lauri might be gone. He averaged six less points a game, shot five percent worse from deep, took more threes and less twos. His game was reduced to catch-and-shoot, which was frustrating knowing that he could be an efficient paint scorer.
But this season, all my faith in Markkanen has been restored. His shot selection was a lot more diverse, taking five more 2-point attempts per game while still being knockdown from 3-point range. There were times this season before the Jazz went full-fledged tank mode, where I looked at the duo of Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George and thought, “Hey, this is something real.” Combine his play with the fact that Utah kept its first round pick, and the decision to not trade Lauri paid off tenfold.
We were in dangerous territory with Cody Williams early in the season. Like maybe “worst player in the league” territory. Maybe, dare I say, “worst Jazz draft pick ever” territory. But patience proved powerful, as Williams now seems like he can be a real player in the NBA, which can’t be said for many of his 2024 draft peers.
His overall season stats don’t jump out, but after New Year’s, he became an impact player in Utah. In 21 starts in March and April he averaged 15.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game. Now, you can chalk that up to garbage, late-season stat inflation, but what fun would that be?
Even NBA insider Zach Lowe made it a point to talk about Williams’ play on his podcast.
“I think Cody Williams — who looked like an epic bust of a top-10 pick… has shown enough in the last couple of months that I think there’s a world in which he’s a functional eighth to tenth guy on a good Utah Jazz team. His defense is really improved. He’s a solid defender. He knows how to close out on guys short, he knows how to run guys off the arc, he’s extremely well balanced,“
So while Williams might not be on the same level as the other two players on this list, his improvement from year one to year two should be seen as a resounding success.
Keyonte George was benched for Isaiah Collier last season. Let that sink in.
In the offseason, George was probably the most polarizing player on the Jazz, with (from my perspective) more people being out on the once inefficient point guard from Baylor
In just one year he has made himself a franchise cornerstone, and had it not been for a stacked western conference, he would have made an all star team. No doubt about it. The Jazz do not make the franchise-altering trade for Jaren Jackson Jr. if George had not taken this step in year three.
His shot selection in 2025-26 was drastically better than that of his sophomore campaign. He shot less threes per game, 3.5 more 2-point attempts per game, and got to the line 2.7 more times as well. A big knock on George going into the season was his lack of finishing and his lack of creating contact in the paint, even though he was able to get there with ease. This season, the perceived “fear” he had of the paint greatly diminished.
What I think can best sum up George’s rise in the NBA’s hierarchy this season was his two-game stretch against the Pistons and Spurs in December, a stretch in which the Jazz won both games. In these two games, George averaged 29.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists, and against the Pistons he hit the game-winning floater over the outstretched arms of Jalen Duren. In two games against Cade Cunningham and Victor Wembanyama, it was George who came out on top. It was George who was the best player on the court.
I foresee a Tyrese Maxey level ascension for George in the near future. Maybe it won’t be this very next season, but George is the real deal, and can 100% be an all-NBA guy in his career. That is not something that I thought in September.
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 12: The sneakers worn by Dalano Banton #45 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Orlando Magic on April 12, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Billy Donovan coached the Orlando Magic and the Oklahoma City Thunder before joining the Chicago Bulls [Getty Images]
Billy Donovan has resigned as head coach of the Chicago Bulls, ending his six-season tenure, after missing out on the play-offs.
The Bulls wanted to retain Donovan's services despite parting company with vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley on 6 April.
Donovan, 66, held an option in his contract for next season but has decided to step down to allow a new coach to rebuild.
"After a series of thoughtful and extensive discussions with ownership regarding the future of the organisation, I have decided to step away as the head coach of the Chicago Bulls, to allow the search process to unfold," Donovan said.
"I believe it is in the best interest of the Bulls, to allow the new leader to build out the staff as they see fit."
Donovan took charge of the Bulls in 2020 and reached the play-offs once in 2021-22 - losing against the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round.
They lost in the play-in tournament over the following three seasons but finished 12th in the Eastern Conference in 2025-26 to miss out altogether.
"We wanted Billy to continue as our head coach - that was never in question," Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf said.
"But through honest conversations, we all agreed that giving our new head of basketball operations the right to build out his staff was the most important thing for the future of this franchise.
"That is the kind of person Billy is - he put the Bulls first. We are deeply grateful for everything he has given to this organisation."
Los Angeles, CA - April 20: Los Angeles Lakers' Luka Doncic, left, and Austin Reaves chat as they sit on the bench during the second half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoffs. Lakers hosting the Rockets in game one of the NBA first round playoffs at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles Monday, April 20, 2026. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
When Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić went down with their injuries, head coach JJ Redick said it was the team’s responsibility to keep winning long enough for them to come back. Saturday’s victory in Game 1 against the Rockets was the first step in doing just that.
The good news is that one of those star players has since returned to the court. The bad news is that the other one likely won’t be returning at all this series.
On Tuesday, Shams Charania of ESPN provided significant updates on the recoveries of the stars, noting that Austin is back on the court while Luka is not.
The latest on the rehabs of Lakers star guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves for NBA Today: pic.twitter.com/HA4sfuckrN
“The sense around the Lakers is that Austin Reaves is actually the one that’s further along than Luka Doncic in their respective recovery processes. I am told Austin Reaves has started one-on-one, on-court work. The next step for him is to continue to go through his progressions of 3-on-3, 5-on-5. Remember, early April, he had a 4-6 week timetable so, theoretically, that puts him on track late in this series, potentially early in the next season. The Lakers are not expecting Luka Doncic to be back in this series. He is out indefinitely. But Austin Reaves making some progress on the court.”
Reaves’ return to the court
Obviously, the biggest positive from this is not only that Reaves is back on the court and going through drills. The biggest question will be how quickly he can progress through the drills and get back on the floor.
If you’re looking for a positive, he did play with this injury in the second half of the Thunder game and seemed in good spirits about it postgame. If this is an injury he can play through, it does create a scenario where Reaves may try to get back on the floor if it’s late in the series and he could possibly provide some help.
The question will be how much he and the Lakers are willing to risk things. While they typically err on the side of caution, if there is a time to risk things, it is the playoffs. The situation the Lakers are in could also dictate this as well.
If the Lakers are leading the series 3-2, for example, perhaps they’re comfortable holding him out just a bit longer. But if the Lakers are facing elimination late in the series, then maybe they put him back on the floor.
But winning on Saturday started to open up the possibility even more than he could get on the floor this series.
While going to Spain for treatment may have opened the idea that he could get back this series, a hamstring injury is far trickier and riskier than Reaves’ oblique strain. Rushing back from a hamstring strain is much more difficult and can lead to more long-term consequences.
For now, it seems the Lakers are taking the more long-term approach with Luka of not rushing him back onto the court and, instead, making sure he gets healthy.
If they’re going to want Luka back on the floor, it’s seems it’s going to take at least three more wins for that to become a realistic scenario.
The Orlando Magic shocked the Detroit Pistons in their series opener, and that has the East’s No. 1 seed ripe for a rebound in Game 2 on Wednesday night.
After an extended break, Detroit came out flat against an Orlando squad that has been fighting for its life in the Play-In Tournament.
My Magic vs. Pistons predictions are banking on Detroit to come out swinging in the opening 24 minutes.
The Detroit Pistons were rusty and not ready for the intensity the Orlando Magic brought into Game 1. The Pistons have been one of the NBA's best first-half teams, ranking No. 4 in 1H net rating and boasting a 45-35-3 ATS record versus the 1H spread this season.
Cade Cunningham dished out 17 potential assists in Game 1, but the Pistons' poor shooting converted only four of those setups. Before his lung injury, Cunningham was routinely racking up 10+ assists, and with Detroit locked in for Game 2, those dimes should start cashing in.
Duncan Robinson continues to make defenses pay from beyond the arc. He made three triples in Game 1 and has knocked down at least three 3-pointers in nine of his last dozen games.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 19: Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game One of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 19, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Philadelphia 76ers (0-1) at Boston Celtics (1-0) Tuesday, April 21, 2026 7:00 PM ET First Round Game #2 Home Game #2 TV: Peacock/NBCSN Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, 97.5 Fanatic, Sirius XM TD Garden Officials:Marc Davis, Sean Wright, Marat Kogut
The Celtics host the Philadelphia 76ers for Game 2 of their best of 7 first round series. The Celtics have won all 3 series that have been played in the Brown/Tatum era, winning in 2018, 2020 and 2023. and they are off to a good start with a 123-91 win in the first game of the series. The Celtics have a 67-50 record against the 76ers overall in the playoffs. In the regular season, the Celtics are 212-199 overall, all time against the 76ers. They are 157-58 all time in games played in Boston.
These two teams tied the series 2-2 this season. The 76ers won 117-116 on opening night, October 22 in Boston and they won again 102-100 in Philadelphia on November 11. The Celtics won 109-108 in Philadelphia on October 31 and again 114-98 in Boston on March 1. These games don’t tell us much about this series as the Celtics were without Jayson Tatum in all 4 and the 76ers were without Paul George for all 4.
Three of the 4 matches between the Celtics and 76ers this season were decided by 2 points or less. The Celtics need to avoid close games down the stretch in these playoffs if they can help it. They did this quite well with a 32 point win in Game 1. The 76ers had the #1 clutch defense in the NBA in the regular season They had a 98.6 defensive rating during the last 5 minutes of games that were within 5 points. They were 23-18 in games that included clutch minutes. The Celtics were 16-17 in games that included clutch minutes and that includes going 1-2 against Philadelphia this season.
Game 1 was all Celtics. They started off quickly and other than an early tie, the Celtics held the lead throughout the game. They built the lead to as many as 35 points and finished with a 32 point lead, even after considerable garbage time. No Celtic played more than 33 minutes and most played under 30 minutes. The Celtics had 6 players in double figures and 12 different players played at least 1 minute. The Celtics got 37 points off their bench while the 76ers got 27 points from their bench.
Teams that win Game 1 of a best of 7 series at home go on to win the series 86.0% of the time. Teams that win the first 2 games at home go on to win the series 94% of the time. However, if a home team wins game 1 but loses game 2 in a best of 7 series, the odds of them going on to win the series drops down to 76.6%. Still a good percentage, but much lower than if they win both games at home.
The Celtics come into this game with one player on their injury report. Ron Harper, Jr has been listed as probable for this game with a right ankle sprain. For the 76ers, Joel Embiid is the only player on their injury report. Embiid underwent an appendectomy on April 9. Recovery for an appendectomy is anywhere from 20 days to 5 weeks. We know that he will miss at least the first part of the series and the Celtics need to take advantage and win while he is out. I’m guessing that Adem Bona will start at center once again.
Probable Starting Matchups PG: Derrick White vs Tyrese Maxey
Derrick White | NBAE via Getty ImagesTyrese Maxey | Getty Images
SG: Jaylen Brown vs VJ Edgecombe
Jaylen Brown | Getty ImagesVJ Edgecombe | Getty Images
SF: Sam Hauser vs Kelly Oubre, Jr
Sam Hauser | NBAE via Getty ImagesKelly Oubre, Jr | Getty Images
PF: Jayson Tatum vs Paul George
Jayson Tatum | Getty ImagesPaul George | NBAE via Getty Images
C: Neemias Queta vs Adem Bona
Neemias Queta | Boston Globe via Getty ImagesAdem Bona | Getty Images
Celtics Reserves Payton Pritchard Hugo Gonzalez Luka Garza Amare Williams Baylor Scheierman Max Shulga Nikola Vucevic Ron Harper, Jr Delano Banton John Tonje
2-Way Players None Injuries/Out Ron Harper, Jr (ankle) probable
Head Coach Joe Mazzulla
76ers Reserves Andre Drummond Quentin Grimes Kyle Lowry Justin Edwards Trendon Watford Dalen Terry Dominick Barlow Jabari Walker
2-Way Players MarJon Beauchamp Tyrese Martin Injuries/Out Joel Embiid (Appendix) out
Head Coach Nick Nurse
Key Matchups Derrick White vs Tyrese Maxey In the regular season, Maxey averaged 28.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game while shooting 46.2% from the field and 36.7% from beyond the arc. In the 4 games against the Celtics in the regular season, he averaged 30 points, 4.5 rebounds, 8.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks while shooting 41.8% from the field and 51.4% from beyond the arc. In Game1, the Celtics were able to hold him to 21 points on 20 shots along with 1 rebound and 8 assists while shooting 40% from the field and 25% from beyond the arc. Derrick White, Jayson Tatum and Jordan Walsh were the primary defenders to slow Maxey down and they did a good job. Expect the Celtics to continue to throw different defenders at him with hopefully the same or better results.
Jayson Tatum vs Paul George In the regular season, George averaged 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists while shooting 43.9% from the field and 39.2% from beyond the arc. Neither of these players were able to play in any of the 4 games between Boston and Philly this season. In Game 1, George finished with 17 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist while shooting 50% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc, but he only took 8 shots. The Celtics need to keep him in check once again in this game. Tatum finished Game 1 with 25 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals while shooting 52.9% from the field but was just 1-7 on threes.
Honorable Mention Jaylen Brown vs Vj Edgecomb Edgecombe will likely come in 3rd for Rookie of the Year. He averaged 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game while shooting 43.8% from the field and 35.4% from beyond the arc. In the 4 games against the Celtics this season, he averaged 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists while shooting 43.5% from the field and 41.2% from beyond the arc. In Game 1, he finished with 13 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals while shooting 37.5% from the field and going 0-5 from beyond the arc. Brown finished Game 1 with 26 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals while shooting 52.4% from the field and going 2-2 on threes.
Keys to the Game Defense – As always, defense is a key to winning this, and every, game. It is very true that efense wins championships. The Celtics finished the season with a defensive rating of 111.7, which was 4th in the league. The 76ers finished the season 17th with a defensive rating of 114.4. After 1 game in Round 1, the Celtics are 2nd with a defensive rating of 93.8 while the 76ers are 14th with a defensive rating of 126.8. The Celtics need to continue to make defense a priority and they need to play physical, lock down defense for all 48 minutes.
Rebound – Rebounding is also one of the biggest keys to winning every game. As Pat Riley once said, “No rebounds, no rings. The Celtics finished the season 3rd in the league with 46.4 rebounds per game. The 76ers finished 17th with 43.6 rebounds per game. This season, the Celtics were 43-12 in games that they tied or out-rebounded opponents and just 11-13 in games in which they were out-rebounded. In Game 1, the Celtics out-rebounded the 76ers 43-40. The Celtics were out-rebounded on the offensive end 11-5, but then, the 76ers missed a lot more shots than the Celtics did. They simply have to fight harder to grab rebounds than the 76ers if they want to win this game. Every Celtic has got to crash the boards and fight for every rebound. No Complacency – If the Celtics had one flaw this season, it was becoming complacent and allowing lesser teams to play harder than them. They can’t afford to do that in the playoffs. They got a very dominant win in Game 1 but the 76ers will regroup and make adjustments and will play harder in Game 2. The Celtics have to play even harder in this game and they will need to be ready for the 76ers’ adjustments. They can’t get complacent and have to come out and fight even harder in this game.
Be Aggressive and Stay Focused – The Celtics need to be the more aggressive team once again. They have to play physical defense and they have to be more aggressive in going for rebounds and loose balls and getting to the basket, especially if their 3’s aren’t falling. Usually the more aggressive team gets the benefit of the calls and being more aggressive will help to fluster the 76ers. They also have to stay focused on on playing the right way. Move the ball, look for the open man, take good shots, play physical defense, and fight for rebounds.
X-Factors Home Game – Teams play all season to secure home court in the playoffs but they can lose it by losing one of the first 2 games. The Celtics need to feed off the energy of the crowd and hopefully, the 76ers will be distracted by travel and the hostile crowd. The Celtics should play harder to win on their home court. They need to protect home court and keep their home court advantage. The Celtics crowd will be loud and the Celtics need to use that to their advantage and get the win. The Pistons and Knicks have both already lost home court advantage and the Celtics have to stay focused and not allow the 76ers to steal theirs.
Coaching – Joe Mazzulla is in his 4th season as Celtics’ head coach. He won a title in 2024 with a very talented team that was packed with shooting stars. Now he has to win in a different way since his personnel has changed and he did a great job in the regular season. Nick Nurse is in his 8th season as a head coach overall and his 3rd as the 76ers head coach. He won a title with the Raptors in 2019. Joe came out on top in Game 1 but Nurse will make adjustments and have his team ready to play in Game 2. Joe has to be ready for those adjustments and counter with some of his own.
Officiating – Officiating is always an x-factor. Every crew calls the game differently. Some call it tight and call every bit of contact while others allow more physical play. Some favor the home team while others call both sides evenly. Refs usually allow a little more go in the playoffs but not always. The Celtics have to adjust to the way the refs are calling the game and not allow the no calls and bad calls to affect their focus on playing the game.
