Cleveland Cavaliers (52-30, fourth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Toronto Raptors (46-36, fifth in the Eastern Conference)
Toronto; Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT
LINE: Cavaliers -3.5; over/under is 220.5
EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Cavaliers lead series 2-1
BOTTOM LINE: The Cleveland Cavaliers visit the Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference first round with a 2-1 lead in the series. The Raptors won the last meeting 126-104 on Friday, led by 33 points from Scottie Barnes. James Harden led the Cavaliers with 18.
The Raptors are 33-19 in conference matchups. Toronto has a 7-4 record in games decided by 3 points or fewer.
The Cavaliers are 33-19 in Eastern Conference play. Cleveland averages 119.5 points while outscoring opponents by 4.1 points per game.
The Raptors are shooting 48.2% from the field this season, 1.8 percentage points higher than the 46.4% the Cavaliers allow to opponents. The Cavaliers average 14.3 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.8 more made shots on average than the 12.5 per game the Raptors give up.
TOP PERFORMERS: Barnes is averaging 18.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.5 blocks for the Raptors. RJ Barrett is averaging 20.3 points and 3.4 assists over the last 10 games.
Harden is averaging 23.6 points and eight assists for the Cavaliers. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 18.1 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Raptors: 5-5, averaging 116.8 points, 38.9 rebounds, 29.4 assists, 8.1 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 52.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 110.1 points per game.
Cavaliers: 7-3, averaging 118.9 points, 42.5 rebounds, 26.3 assists, 8.3 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 50.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.3 points.
INJURIES: Raptors: Immanuel Quickley: out (hamstring).
Cavaliers: None listed.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Los Angeles Lakers (53-29, fourth in the Western Conference) vs. Houston Rockets (52-30, fifth in the Western Conference)
Houston; Sunday, 9:30 p.m. EDT
LINE: Rockets -5.5; over/under is 207
WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Lakers lead series 3-0
BOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Lakers look to clinch the series over the Houston Rockets in game four of the Western Conference first round. The Lakers defeated the Rockets 112-108 in overtime in the last matchup on Saturday. LeBron James led the Lakers with 29 points, and Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 33.
The Rockets are 29-23 in Western Conference games. Houston leads the Western Conference in rebounding, averaging 48.1 boards. Sengun leads the Rockets with 8.9 rebounds.
The Lakers are 33-19 in Western Conference play. Los Angeles has an 8-3 record in games decided by 3 points or fewer.
The Rockets score 115.2 points per game, 0.6 more points than the 114.6 the Lakers allow. The Lakers score 6.3 more points per game (116.3) than the Rockets allow their opponents to score (110.0).
TOP PERFORMERS: Sengun is averaging 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists for the Rockets. Amen Thompson is averaging 19.8 points over the last 10 games.
Deandre Ayton is scoring 12.5 points per game and averaging 8.0 rebounds for the Lakers. Rui Hachimura is averaging 2.2 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Rockets: 6-4, averaging 117.2 points, 47.2 rebounds, 25.7 assists, 8.9 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 47.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.9 points per game.
Lakers: 7-3, averaging 110.9 points, 39.6 rebounds, 28.7 assists, 10.3 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 51.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.2 points.
INJURIES: Rockets: Fred VanVleet: out for season (acl), Steven Adams: out for season (ankle), Kevin Durant: day to day (ankle).
Lakers: Austin Reaves: day to day (oblique), Luka Doncic: out (hamstring).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Jayson Tatum continued to shine in his return from injury with 25 points and Jaylen Brown also scored 25 to help the Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 108-100 on Friday night and take a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference first-round series.
Game 4 is Sunday in Philadelphia.
Tatum was 5 of 9 on 3-pointers in just his 19th game this season following surgery last May to repair his Achilles tendon. Brown scored eight straight points late in the fourth for a 96-92 lead that put some distance between them and a Sixers team brimming with confidence following a surprise Game 2 win in Boston.
Tatum buried a 3 for a 100-96 lead and Payton Pritchard hit a step-back 3 to make it 103-98. Tatum, still looking to regain his top form after not playing for nearly a year, may just be there and hit the final 3-point dagger for the 106-100 lead that even sent Allen Iverson headed toward the exit.
Philadelphia played again without center Joel Embiid for Game 3 as he continues to ease his way back into practice following an appendectomy on April 9.
Tyrese Maxey scored 31 points and Paul George added 18.
LAKERS 112, ROCKETS 108, OT
HOUSTON (AP) — LeBron James scored 29 points, including a tying 3-pointer with 13 seconds left in regulation, Marcus Smart had eight points in overtime and Los Angeles took advantage of Houston team missing Kevin Durant for a win to take a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference first-round series.
The Lakers rallied from a six-point deficit with under 30 seconds remaining and can sweep the series Sunday night in Houston.
Smart added 21 points and 10 assists, and Rui Hachimura added 22 points for the Lakers.
Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 33 points and 16 rebounds. Amen Thompson added 26 points and 11 rebounds.
SPURS 120, TRAIL BLAZERS 108
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Stephon Castle had 33 points and San Antonio overcame the absence of Victor Wembanyama to beat Portland for a 2-1 series lead.
Dylan Harper added 27 points and 10 rebounds for the Spurs, who trailed by 15 points in the third quarter. Game 4 of the first-round series Sunday at the Moda Center.
Before the game Spurs coach Mitch Johnson announced that Wembanyama would not play while he continues to recover from a concussion he sustained in Game 2 on Tuesday night.
Jrue Holiday had 29 points for the Trail Blazers, who were making their first home playoff appearance since 2021, but couldn’t ultimately take advantage Wembanyama’s absence.
TORONTO, CANADA - NOVEMBER 24:Immanuel Quickley #5 of the Toronto Raptors passes the ball during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on November 24, 2025 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Toronto Raptors announced Friday that point guard Immanuel Quickley will not be available for the remainder of the team’s first round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Quickley, who was recovering from a hamstring issue, re-injured it during the rehabilitation process. The team added that an update will be provided “as appropriate”.
After several injury-plagued seasons, Quickley appeared in 70 this past year – his most since 2022-2023 when he was a member of the New York Knicks. He is also one of the team’s better three-point shooters at 37% and he attempts the most threes per game on the team. That floor spacing is imperative on a team that is challenged offensively at keeping up with their opponents when the scoring starts coming. On the year, Quickley averaged 16.4 points and 5.9 assists per game.
In his absence, the Raptors have started Jamal Shead and Ja’Kobe Walter so far in the series. Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles, who was very effective in Game 3 with 22 points off the bench, could also start in Quickley’s place.
The Cavs catch a break with Quickley being ruled out for the series, which narrows the margin of error even more for the Raptors. Cleveland’s offense was very poor in Game 3, but they muscled their way through the first half with a tie and put themselves in position to win entering the fourth quarter. The final score is not indicative of how much the Cavs fought back, so there is good reason to believe the offense will look better in Game 4 just due to regression back to the mean. Toronto, meanwhile, shot 61% from deep in Game 3 – well above their season average.
They did not necessarily need him for Game 3, but Toronto certainly would have liked to see Quickley on the court for another near must-win Game 4. The Raptors trail the series 2-1, and its is fair to say that the first two games are more indicative of what the baseline is for these two teams. The Cavs have had one of the best offenses since the All-Star break, and the Raptors have struggled mightily in that same timeframe.
The Cavs and Raptors will square off in Game 4 on Sunday afternoon.
HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 24: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a three point basket during the game against the Houston Rockets during Round 1 Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2026 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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
A couple of weeks ago, the thought of the Lakers being lucky injury-wise was laughable. However, now that they’ve played three playoff games, LA is trending in a positive direction with its injuries, and other Western Conference teams are in trouble.
The Denver Nuggets are trailing 2-1 in their series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Aaron Gordon missed Game 3 with tightness in his calf. The San Antonio Spurs are tied 1-1 against the Portland Trail Blazers, but were without Victor Wembanyama in Game 3 due to a concussion.
And the Oklahoma City Thunder may be up 2-0 against the Phoenix Suns, but Jalen Williams sustained a Grade 1 left hamstring strain and will be re-evaluated weekly.
The Lakers, on the other hand, are in front of the Houston Rockets 3-0, have suffered no additional injuries and Austin Reaves is inching closer to a return.
Barring a setback, his return is imminent. LA is winning, Reaves is returning and, suddenly, a season that felt like a loss has gotten interesting once again.
So, let’s dive into the win. As always, grades are based on expectations for each player. A “B” grade represents the average performance for that player.
LeBron had a slow start to this game, but he certainly picked up his production as the contest progressed. He had an amazing moment in the first half, lobbing the ball to Bronny and adding another historic moment to this family affair.
In the third, LeBron scored some timely baskets to keep the Rockets away and when Houston took over late in the fourth, Bron poked the ball away from Reed Sheppard and hit a huge three to extend the game to overtime.
He was incredible, and as LA’s leader, he’s found a way to get this team out to a 3-0 lead despite their two other stars being unavailable. This series will be part of his highlight reel in a career filled with iconic moments.
Hachimura was an offensive monster in this game. He started the game a perfect 6-6 from the field and remained impactful the rest of the way. Hachimura is a playoff riser, and he’s been that throughout his Lakers tenure.
Ayton had a rough game and was benched once again during clutch time in the fourth. However, he played in overtime, won a jump ball over Alperen Şengün and had some good defensive possessions against the Rockets’ big.
He needs to be better, but he stepped up in small ways when it mattered late in this game.
The Lakers don’t win this game without Marcus Smart. He scored 21 points, had some huge defensive rebounds and knocked down some clutch free throws in overtime to bury the Rockets.
He’s as tough as nails on the court, and his intensity is something you simply can’t teach. He establishes this team’s identity and makes everyone around him better by his mere presence.
Hayes didn’t dominate in this game, but he had a monster dunk in the first half and had a key stop against Şengün in the closing seconds to extend the game to overtime.
He was a defensive liability late in this contest, but the Lakers won and the timely stop helps the outlook on his overall performance.
LaRavia had some awful misses, was turning the ball over, stumbling on the ground and started to get passive with his shot attempts in the second half. Props to LaRavia for playing through an ankle sprain, but he has been horrendous.
Hopefully, he plays better because the Lakers have a tight rotation and can’t afford to have someone playing this badly.
It turns out that if you play Vando more, his offense improves and his defense remains elite. He had some nice passes in this game and an impressive up-and-under finish at the rim.
I doubt head coach JJ Redick will keep him in the rotation once Luka Dončić and Reaves come back, but he should seriously consider it.
Grade: B
Bronny James
9 minutes, 5 points, 1 foul, 2-2 FG, 1-1 3PT, +4
Bronny had a great moment in the second quarter, converting on a lob from LeBron, and a short shift in the fourth that was okay. The growth he’s had recently is impressive, but it still might be a bit too much playing time for a close contest in the postseason.
Grade: B
Nick Smith Jr.
Smith Jr. appeared only on the final play of regulation and will also not be graded.
JJ Redick
It wasn’t a perfect game for Redick. He couldn’t help the Lakers as they struggled offensively in the third and playing Bronny in the fourth was rough.
Still, he made the right calls in overtime, going with Ayton, and used his timeouts effectively down the stretch. Redick has done a superb job with his game plan throughout this series and Game 3 was no exception.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 24: Makai Lemon rings the bell before the game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics during Round 1 Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Eagles were busy handling business on Friday night as they navigated Day 2 of the NFL Draft, but the real action was at the Sixers game.
Not only was first-round pick Makai Lemon inaugurated into Philly sports culture by ringing the bell ahead of the Sixers-Celtics game, but he took in the game court-side next to DeVonta Smith. Tank Bigsby was also in attendance, and later in the night, after the Eagles officially traded for Jonathan Greenard, it turns out the former Vikings edge rusher was in the building for the Sixers’ game, too.
John Clark tracked down Jonathan Greenard in record time 😂
Greenard spoke to John Clark about the environment from Philly fans was exactly what he was expecting, and while he doesn’t quite know how he’ll fit into Vic Fangio’s scheme, he called the DC a genius and said they’ll figure it out.
It’s always cool to see the connection between the Philly sports teams, and there’s nothing like a handful of Eagles — new and old — taking in some playoff basketball together, surrounded by the same fans who will be cheering for them in a few months.
HOUSTON — LeBron James scored 29 points, including a tying 3-pointer with 13 seconds left in regulation, Marcus Smart had eight points in overtime and the Los Angeles Lakers took advantage of a Houston Rockets team missing Kevin Durant for a 112-108 win Friday night to take a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference first-round series.
The Lakers rallied from a six-point deficit with under 30 seconds remaining and can sweep the series Sunday night in Houston.
Los Angeles opened overtime with a 6-2 run, highlighted by a 3-pointer from Smart to take a 107-103 lead. Alperen Sengun made a basket for Houston before Smart made two free throws to push the lead to 109-105 with 52 seconds left.
Smart made two free throws with 35.5 seconds to go to make it 111-105. Reed Sheppard made a 3-pointer to get Houston within three with less than 30 seconds left in overtime, but Smart made 1 of 2 free throws to push the lead to 112-108.
Smart added 21 points and 10 assists, and Rui Hachimura added 22 points for the Lakers.
Even with Durant out for a second game in this series — this time with a sprained ankle after missing Game 1 with a knee injury — the Rockets were in position to close out the game after James had consecutive turnovers that Houston turned into a 101-95 lead.
Sengun led the Rockets with 33 points and 16 rebounds. Amen Thompson added 26 points and 11 rebounds.
The Lakers led by as many as 15 early, but were down six in the fourth before Smart was fouled on a 3-point attempt with 25.4 seconds to go after a Houston turnover and made all three free throws to get the Lakers within three.
James, who had 13 rebounds, then stole the ball from Sheppard and his 3-pointer tied it at 101-all with 13.1 seconds to go in the fourth.
The Rockets had a chance to take the lead after that, but Sengun’s 7-footer was off. James grabbed the rebound and called a timeout. He grabbed the inbounds pass and had a chance to win it at the buzzer, but his 3-point attempt bounced off the rim to send it to OT.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 24: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics controls the ball against Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers in the fourth quarter during game three of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 24, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Celtics defeated the 76ers 108-100. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
2025-26 Sixers Bell Ringer season standings: Tyrese Maxey – 22.5 VJ Edgecombe – 16 Joel Embiid – 11.5 Paul George – 8 Kelly Oubre Jr. – 5 Justin Edwards – 4 Andre Drummond – 3 Quentin Grimes – 3 Jared McCain :’( – 3 Dominick Barlow – 2 MarJon Beauchamp – 2 Adem Bona – 1 Porter Martone – 1 Cam Payne – 1 Jabari Walker – 1 Trendon Watford – 1 15th roster spot – 1
The Sixers welcomed the Celtics to Xfinity Mobile Arena on Friday night for a massive Game 3 in South Philly. The teams came in dead locked at a 1-1 series tie after the Sixers stole Tuesday night’s Game 2 in Boston.
This game was highly contested from start to finish as the Celtics got out to a five-point lead after the first quarter behind an early onslaught from three.
The Celtics continued their hot shooting from three into the second quarter, but the Sixers stellar two-point defense kept them in the ball game despite some struggles of their own offensively. The Celtics took a 54-47 lead to the intermission.
The Sixers won their first quarter of the night in the third 27-25 behind a steady dose of Tyrese Maxey and Paul George. The Celtics held just a five-point advantage going to the fourth.
The Sixers took a brief 85-84 lead early in the final frame and the crowd was as raucous as it’s been in years in hopes that maybe this would be a breakthrough moment in this rivalry that has haunted the Sixers so much over the years. The Sixers trailed by just one with two minutes to go before a Jayson Tatum three coming off a Sixers defensive breakdown gave the Celtics a four-point lead. A George bucket with 1:40 to go cut the lead to two yet again. Another defensive breakdown and Pritchard three stretched the Celtics’ lead to five points. After two Sixers free throws that made it a one-possession game, the Sixers forced a miss but an offensive rebound and kick out that led to a Tatum iso three would be the nail in the coffin.
The Celtics went on to take a 108-100 win and a 2-1 series lead.
Tyrese Maxey: 31 points, 6 assists, 2 blocks, 12-for-31 from the field
Tyrese Maxey went out on his shield in this one firing until the bitter end. Maxey hit multiple big momentum swinging shots to keep the Sixers in it all night and even momentarily give them the lead in the fourth. A couple late misses while Boston hit three consecutive threes ultimately buried the Sixers, but not in fault of the efforts of the star guard.
Paul George: 18 points, 5 assists, 3 steals, 7-for-14 from the field
Paul George is still really good at basketball, even if he’s not the explosive near 30-points-a-night scorer he once was at his peak. The Sixers ran a lot of their late game offense through George who either found space for himself or found his teammates for high percentage shots. George is still far and away the best and most impactful defender on this Sixers team, who struggled to contain the Celtics’ perimeter onslaught when George isn’t directly involved in the action.
HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 24: Marcus Smart #36 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Houston Rockets during Round 1 Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2026 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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
A miracle close to regulation saw the Lakers force overtime before controlling the extra session to steal Game 3, 112-108, and take a commanding series lead.
Houston trailed by as many as 15 in the first half but was the aggressor for the entire second half. Up six with just under 30 seconds left, the Rockets capitulated, allowing the Lakers to tie the game and even have a chance to win it before overtime.
LA never trailed in overtime, built a multi-possession lead in the final minutes and knocked down clutch free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
The Lakers’ bench outscored the Rockets 24-3, a huge flip from Game 2. That helped LA overcome allowing 18 offensive rebounds.
It was a 3-pointer party early as both teams drained a pair of long-range efforts each. Rui Hachimura was leading LA with a fast 11 points while LeBron James and Luke Kennard were the only other Lakers to score with three points each. Jabari Smith Jr. had six points for Houston.
At the 6:53 mark, Los Angeles was up by four.
Smith Jr. picked up two fouls and a technical foul, forcing him to the bench. It was an evenly matched affair with neither team able to grab a commanding lead. Jaxson Hayes’s seven points off the bench provided a massive spark that led to an 11-0 scoring run.
With 2:20 left in the quarter, LA was up by 11.
An 11-0 run for the Lakers cam as LeBron got some rest, putting the visitors up 34-23, with Jaxson Hayes making big plays on both sides of the court. His alley-oop finish from Kennard capped the push.
Houston then hit back, cutting the deficit to four. Hachimura responded with one of his signature midrange jumpers. He had 16 points, which was a career high for him in a quarter.
At the end of the first, the purple and gold were up by seven.
Smith Jr. opened the second period with a triple for the Rockets. Jarred Vanderbilt responded with a tip-in off a Jake LaRavia missed shot on the other end. LeBron began taking over, scoring seven points.
LeBron also threw a lob to Bronny James, who had five points off the bench, for a layup that had everyone buzzing.
The Lakers pushed their run to 14-4 and built their biggest lead of the half at 15 points. Amen Thompson tried to stop some of the bleeding with an easy dunk. LA suddenly went cold from the field, missing five shots in a row.
LeBron converted on a pair of free throws and Kennard also converted on a midrange jumper that helped Los Angeles keep a double-digit lead of 11 at halftime.
The Lakers head into halftime with a 63-52 lead, riding 16 points apiece from LeBron and Hachimura, and 18 assists on 23 made FG's, led by 6 from Smart.
Houston is +6 on the O glass, in part because they shot just 37.2% to LA's 57.5%.
Marcus Smart’s layup opened the second half. The Rockets then slowly started chipping into LA’s lead, making it a single-digit deficit. Los Angeles was forced to call a timeout as the lead shrank to six.
Out of the break, Deandre Ayton scored his first points of the night on a layup.
Reed Sheppard completed a three-point play to make it a five-point deficit. Thompson then grabbed an LA turnover and dunked on the other end. Los Angeles’ offense was suddenly completely non-existent.
Kennard scored on a much-needed midrange jumper.
Thompson was the driving force for Houston as his five-point surge cut the deficit to one. Hachimura drained a triple to give the Lakers some cushion, his first points since the first quarter.
Both teams ended the quarter trading buckets with LA holding onto a five-point lead going into the fourth.
Down 2-0 here at home, Houston really picked up its defense in the 3rd Q, holding the Lakers to 12 points until a late 3 from LeBron and a layup from Vanderbilt in the final minute allowed LA an 80-75 lead heading into the 4th.
LeBron converted on a layup off the assist from Vanderbilt to open the final frame. Houston missed their first two shot attempts before Smith Jr. drained two 3-pointers, helping the Rockets inch even closer.
At the 6:50 mark, Los Angeles was up by four.
Thompson then tied the game on back-to-back buckets thanks to Lakers’ turnovers. Smart tried to help LA stay in the lead with a layup, but Sheppard drained a triple that gave the Rockets the lead by one with 4:59 left.
Houston’s lead grew to four with 3:32 left.
Hayes threw down a dunk that made it a two-point deficit for Los Angeles. LA was having the absolute worst time keeping the ball in their hands and couldn’t convert on shots. Alperen Şengün made it a four-point lead for Houston with 49 seconds left.
LeBron turned the ball over, and it led to another two from Şengün. After a rushed 3-pointer from LeBron missed, Smart came away with an improbable steal and was fouled from behind the arc. He converted on all three free throws.
An incredible turn of events, as Houston had the ball, up 6, with 28 seconds left:
– Marcus Smart steal – Smart draws 3-point shooting foul and hits 3 FT’s – LeBron steals the ball from Reed Sheppard – LeBron hits a 3
In the most insane turn of events, LeBron forced a steal on the next possession and drained a triple that tied the game with 13 seconds left. Houston missed their shot attempt, and LeBron caught the ball and called a timeout with 1.2 seconds left.
LeBron had the ball and missed the shot, leading to overtime.
Smart started the scoring in overtime with a corner three. After one free throw from Hachimura, Los Angeles was up four. Şengün scored again, but Hachimura answered on the other end with a layup.
The teams traded baskets with LA’s leading by two with 1:46 left. The game turned scrappy and ugly with multiple jump balls and missed shots but few points. Smart broke the seal with a pair of free throws off an offensive rebound, making it a four-point lead for LA with 46 seconds left.
Smith Jr. took a 3-pointer and missed it. Smart rebounded the ball and was fouled before converting on two more clutch free throws.
With 35 seconds left and Los Angeles up six. Sheppard connected on a triple. The Rockets then fouled Smart again and he split the pair.
Houston missed a series of threes and shots in the final seconds as LA pulled off an improbable win.
Key Player Stats
LeBron finished with 29 points, 13 rebounds and six assists. Hachimura ended with 22 points, shooting 8-14 from the field. Smart logged 21 points with four rebounds, 10 assists, five steals and two blocks.
Kennard had 14 points, six rebounds and six assists. Hayes pitched in with 12 points off the bench. Bronny scored five points in nine minutes of play. Vanderbilt notched five points with six rebounds.
Game 4 will be on Sunday against the Houston Rockets at 6:30 PM PT.
The NBA playoffs on NBC continue Saturday afternoon with the New York Knicks playing the Atlanta Hawks in Game 4 of their first-round series. The game will be on NBC and Peacock.
Atlanta leads the series 2-1 after winning the past two games. While New York won Game 1, 113-102, the Hawks have made their money with 1-point wins: 107-106 in Game 2 and 109-108 in Game 3. The last win came from a go-ahead jumper by C.J. McCollum.
McCollum has done heroic things for the Hawks in the past two games in particular, with crucial jumpers in the final minute of both outings. It seems to be a trade win for the franchise after bringing in McCollum from Washington on January 9 and sending Trae Young to the Wizards.
Teams that lead a best-of-seven series 3-1 go on to win the series 95.6% of the time, according to NBC Sports research, meaning it is do or die for the Knicks. They know as much, with New York guard Deuce McBride saying Friday, "I would say we're playing for our lives."
See below for additional information on the Knicks-Hawks game and how to watch the 2026 NBA Playoffs on NBC and Peacock.
The Knicks entered this season with NBA Finals expectations but now find themselves in unfamiliar territory.
“It’s a seven-game series for a reason," Knicks head coach Mike Brown said after Game 3. "Stuff’s gonna happen. Plenty of teams have been down one-two. Oklahoma City was down last year (in the west semifinals and NBA Finals) and they ended up winning it. I’m not saying we’re gonna win it or anything like that... but you take it one game at a time. This should sting because we gave ourselves a chance despite not playing our best basketball.”
One would think the Hawks have the advantage in Game 4, especially on a two-game win streak and with McCollum in friendly territory after being brandished a villain at Madison Square Garden — claims he denies, saying, "I am no villain. I am a nice guy with two kids and a wife."
The Knicks' McBride took the bulk of the minutes and scored 15 points off the bench in Game 3 after Mikal Bridges was held scoreless — the first time Bridges has been held scoreless in 60 playoff games. Bridges was benched for most of the second half, calling into question which of the two should start in Game 4.
The back-to-back 1-point wins by Atlanta go against New York's 21-13 regular season record in clutch games, marking a staggering deviation. This is the first series to feature back-to-back 1-point wins by the same team since 2006, when Cleveland (then coached by Brown) beat Washington by 1 point in back-to-back games (Games 5 and 6) to win its first round series.
NBC Sports will present up to 23 games in the first round and 11 games in the conference semifinals across either NBC and Peacock, or Peacock and NBCSN. Playoff programming concludes with exclusive coverage of the Western Conference Finals on NBC and Peacock.
Which playoff rounds will be available on Peacock?
Peacock’s NBA playoffs coverage spans multiple rounds, including the first round, the conference semifinals, and the Western Conference Finals, with coverage evolving as the postseason progresses.
How to sign up for Peacock
Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports, sports shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. You’ll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, Originals, news, 24/7 channels, and current NBC & Bravo hits—Peacock is here for whatever you’re in the mood for.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and head coach Steve Kerr in the fourth quarter during an NBA preseason game against the LA Clippers at Chase Center in San Francisco, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. The Clippers won 106-103. (Photo by Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)
The Golden State Warriors will enter the 2026-27 NBA season with the second-longest tenured coach in the NBA, unless they enter it behind a new voice and a new leader, who will seek to re-open the championship window for Steph Curry’s final years and build a post-Curry future.
After last Friday’s season-ending loss to the Phoenix Suns, Steve Kerr told reporters that he would take “a week or two” to decide on his future. There have been few reports, as Kerr seems genuinely unsure as to what his next step is, though there’s been plenty of speculation. Per the latest updates, Kerr won’t be making a decision until next week, at the earliest.
So what, exactly, is on his mind? What is he weighing as he decides whether to return or cruise into retirement (or perhaps a job in the media)?
It’s impossible to know exactly what Kerr is thinking, but we do, at least, have a fairly good idea. Let’s start with what we know.
The job is his if he wants it
Let’s start with the important facts: the Warriors are not contemplating moving on from Kerr. They are waiting to see if Kerr is moving on from them. We can speculate all we want about whether Joe Lacob and Mike Dunleavy Jr. think Kerr is the perfect coach for the team, and my guess is that if Curry were retiring, there might not be an offer on the table for Kerr.
But Curry is not retiring. He two-time MVP has another year left on his contract and, after the season ended, reaffirmed his desire to play “multiple” more seasons, and indicated that he is open to contract extension talks in the coming months.
Lacob may pay the bills, and Dunleavy may make the decisions, but Curry runs the show. His stated preference, both publicly and privately, is for Kerr to coach the team. And as long as that is true, there’s a job offer on the table for Kerr.
That doesn’t mean it’s without stipulations (more on that in a moment). But there are no meetings being held to determine whether or not the Warriors should bring back Kerr. This is his decision, not the team’s.
But…
The Warriors want some changes
The postmortem reports from the season indicate that the front office — and the analytics team — want Kerr to make some changes. There’s been a frustration with the team’s turnover rate, which was the fourth-highest mark in the NBA this year (and while there are plenty of good teams that turn the ball over regularly, the best usually don’t — the Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, and San Antonio Spurs all ranked in the top five lowest turnover rates this season). There’s a desire to be less reliant on the three (the Warriors finished first in the NBA in three-point attempt rate, despite Curry missing 39 games and the team finishing just 19th in three-point percentage). And, presumably, there’s a hope that the Dubs can find a better way to flourish in the minutes when Curry sits, which has plagued them ever since Kevin Durant left town.
Furthermore…
Golden State wants a longer-term commitment
It seems evident that the stress of Kerr’s contract status weighed on many people throughout the year, and it’s not the first time that that’s happened. And it’s equally clear that the team wants to build a foundation that is fairly stable.
All of that makes for a funny situation. The Warriors surely will have a contract offer on the table for Kerr … but only if it’s for multiple years. I would guess that if Kerr re-signs, it will be for a deal that matches the length of whatever Curry’s timeline is. Perhaps a three-year deal for the former, and a two-year extension for the latter.
And then, of course, let’s not forget…
Kerr is still having fun
If you had told me a few months ago that Kerr would walk away from the team, I would tell you it’s because the job is no longer fun for him. It’s a taxing industry, and even the sunniest people can get worn down by it. Remember how unhappy and stressed out Klay Thompson appeared by the time he left town? And that’s Klay Freaking Thompson!
The Warriors have been absent a large amount of joy in recent years, and it would be understandable if it took its toll on Kerr.
But it seems like it hasn’t. Kerr appeared energized late in the season by players like Gui Santos and Pat Spencer. He appeared optimistic about the future of the team with Jimmy Butler III in the fold. And most importantly, when talking with the media after the season-ending defeat, Kerr stated emphatically that he still loves coaching.
Kerr is fairly transparent. If his holdup was that he wasn’t sure he still enjoyed this, he would have stated as much. But he didn’t. Instead, he said simply, “These jobs all have an expiration date.” And that gives us the insight we need to determine the biggest thing at play.
Does he think he’s right for the job?
Kerr does not always follow the book. He’s been a part of tension in the locker room, and, more notably, in the front office. Recent reports suggest that some at the top of the organization have grown frustrated with his continued expression of left-leaning political opinions (a bold stance for a team that has had no issue employing players with domestic violence histories).
But he’s still a company man at heart. And, like his star player, he is as selfless as he is ruthlessly competitive.
It feels abundantly clear that Kerr is not going to pull the Curry card. He could, to be clear. But he won’t. He’s not going to return simply because he can.
In short, if Kerr is to coach the Warriors next year, it will be because the Warriors want him to coach the team, not just because he can.
That means making the aforementioned concessions. He’ll need to be willing to modernize his offensive system, and possibly upgrade his coaching staff. He’ll have to commit to at least two, and probably three years. He’ll have to show a plan for how to develop young players, including the team’s upcoming lottery pick.
The Warriors would likely begrudgingly sign Kerr to a deal without those concessions, but Kerr is big enough to show himself out rather than back ownership into a corner.
So what it really comes down to is this: can the two sides find a happy compromise? Kerr will meet with Lacob and Dunleavy and, in all likelihood, he’ll mostly be sussing out whether those two actually want him back, or if they’re just willing to bring him back to appease Curry. They likely do want him back, as long as some concessions are made, and Kerr will have to determine whether he still wants to coach with those concessions.
It’s a little reminiscent of Bruce Bochy leaving the San Francisco Giants. The organization had just made a dramatic front office shift, and while Bochy could have used the legacy card to stay around longer, he understood that the team was ready to move in a new direction, and he spared everyone the awkwardness that could have ensued.
No one knows what Kerr will choose, least of all himself. But that, it seems, is what it will come down to. As much as he still enjoys this, as much fun as he’s having, and as much as he wants to be around Curry and Draymond Green for a few more seasons, he has to check the expiration date.
PHILADELPHIA — Jayson Tatum continued to shine in his return from injury with 25 points and Jaylen Brown also scored 25 to help the Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 108-100 on Friday night and take a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference first-round series.
Game 4 is Sunday in Philadelphia.
Tatum was 5 of 9 on 3-pointers in just his 19th game this season following surgery last May to repair his Achilles tendon. Brown scored eight straight points late in the fourth for a 96-92 lead that put some distance between them and a Sixers team brimming with confidence following a surprise Game 2 win in Boston.
Tatum buried a 3 for a 100-96 lead and Payton Pritchard hit a step-back 3 to make it 103-98. Tatum, still looking to regain his top form after not playing for nearly a year, may just be there and hit the final 3-point dagger for the 106-100 lead that even sent Allen Iverson headed toward the exit.
Philadelphia played again without center Joel Embiid for Game 3 as he continues to ease his way back into practice following an appendectomy on April 9.
Tyrese Maxey scored 31 points and Paul George added 18.
The more games Embiid misses, the more Maxey and VJ Edgecombe have played their way into the faces of the franchise.
Fans were already on their feet when the Sixers brought the ball down in the fourth and roared when Maxey let a 28-footer fly and hit it for an 85-84 lead.
Yet growing pains are inevitable in the playoff process.
Tatum took the lead right back on a goaltending call against Edgecombe. Edgecombe paired his second double-double of the series - 10 points and 10 rebounds — with a brutal 0-for-7 effort from 3-point range. With Boston up 90-85, Edgecombe was whistled for his third foul when he smacked Brown on his way to the bucket. Brown hit both to stretch the lead to seven.
Boston’s 32-point Game 1 win stands as the outlier so far of two otherwise fantastic playoff games. What has stayed steady, the team with the 3-point edge wins. Boston hit 16 in Game 1 and the 76ers had the advantage with 19 in Game 2. Led by five each from Tatum and Payton Pritchard, the Celtics made 20 of 47 in Game 3 while the Sixers were just 12 of 35.
The Sixers got only a combined 22 points from Embiid replacements Adem Bona and Andre Drummond.
The NBA playoffs on NBC continue Saturday afternoon with the Oklahoma City Thunder playing the Phoenix Suns in Game 3 of their first-round series. The game will be on NBC and Peacock.
Defending NBA Finals champion and No. 1 seed Oklahoma City leads the series 2-0 after winning Game 2, 120-107. Eighth-seed Phoenix is 0-15 when they trail 2-0 in a best-of-seven series.
The biggest question for Oklahoma City going into Saturday (and the coming weeks) is who will step in with Jalen Williams out? Williams put up 41 points through the first two games but had to leave Game 2 midway through the third quarter with a left hamstring injury. The Thunder confirmed Thursday that Williams has a Grade 1 strain and will be reevaluated on a weekly basis. He is not expected to play the remainder of this series.
This is the first time these two franchises have met in the playoffs since the Thunder relocated to Oklahoma City from Seattle in 2008.
See below for additional information on the Thunder-Suns game and how to watch the 2026 NBA Playoffs on NBC and Peacock.
New York Knicks at Atlanta Hawks (Game 4), 6 p.m. on NBC & Peacock
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns Game 3 preview
Unless the Suns find something special, and quick, the Thunder will finish this series up by Monday. No team has ever come back from down 3-0 to win a best-of-seven series.
The Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has led all scorers through the first two games of the series (25 and 37 points for Games 1 and 2, respectively) and now has 30 career playoff games with 25+ points. He was named the NBA Clutch Player of the Year on Tuesday, leading the league in clutch points (175) during the regular season. (Clutch points are points scored in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime when the score is within 5 points.)
The Suns' Devin Booker has 45 points through the first two games but most notably has made headlines in recent days for his criticism of officiating and calling a referee out by name after Game 2. During the game, he was called for a technical late in the third quarter after diving into the Thunder bench to keep the ball inbounds.
“I know I haven’t won a championship in this league, but I have been in it for 11 years now," Booker said. "To get to this point, to be treated like that, for me to even be saying something out loud, it’s bad. ... Whatever I get fined for, everybody can pull the clips and see where the frustration comes from."
Suns owner Matt Ishbia defended Booker on X Thursday, saying, "I am 100% behind Devin Booker here. Last night was not a good look for our league."
Booker was fined $35,000 for criticizing officials by the NBA the same day, but the league rescinded the technical foul after it was "improperly assessed."
NBC Sports will present up to 23 games in the first round and 11 games in the conference semifinals across either NBC and Peacock, or Peacock and NBCSN. Playoff programming concludes with exclusive coverage of the Western Conference Finals on NBC and Peacock.
Which playoff rounds will be available on Peacock?
Peacock’s NBA playoffs coverage spans multiple rounds, including the first round, the conference semifinals, and the Western Conference Finals, with coverage evolving as the postseason progresses.
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SEATTLE, WA - MARCH 04: Guard Courtland Muldrew #30 and forward Hannes Steinbach #6 of the Washington Huskies react during a game between the USC Trojans and Washington Huskies on March 4, 2026 at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Henry Rodenburg/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
While jack-of-all-trades prospects are tantalizing, the players who become special at the highest level were very often uniquely gifted at one skill or another as prospects. If you want to be great in the NBA, you need something to hang your hat on, a talent that teams will seek out and incentivize them to work around your weaknesses. Hannes Steinbach has one of those talents, as he is, without hyperbole, one of the best and most projectable rebounders to enter the league in years. And while rebounding dominance is far from the sexiest trademark skill a prospect can have, I believe Steinbach brings enough to the table to firmly be considered a lottery-level player.
Steinbach’s rebounding on film is even more impressive than the Big 10 leading 11.8 rebounds he snagged per game would suggest – his combination of size, fluidity, and generationally soft hands create perhaps the most startlingly impressive rebounding highlights I have ever seen. Hannes is German-born, but if he grew up somewhere with American football we would be talking about him as the best tight end prospect of an era. Once he gets a finger on the basketball, you can guarantee that he’s pulling it down. He isn’t ground-bound either; while no one would call him an electrifying athlete, he moves around the court very fluidly and is quite quick off of the ground. Additionally, for someone who’s only 220 pounds (this is his last listed weight, I would bet that he comes in as heavier at the draft combine), he’s physically firm, and strong enough to reach and keep his spots on the court. This helps his rebound-radius to be remarkably wide – nearly every ball that comes off of the rim is well within Steinbach’s jurisdiction.
As the 18 points per game as a high major Freshman would indicate, Steinbach’s offensive value extends beyond rebounding his teammates misses. Most of his scoring is opportunistic, to be fair, but Steinbach is so good at those looks that it isn’t a slight at him to say that. His two most efficient play-types are immediately after rebounds or in transition – he tends to be in the right place at the right time, and when combined with his fluidity and strength, that creates highly efficient scoring opportunities. the transition scoring is something I expect to translate exceptionally well to the next level. While you wouldn’t want him dribbling too much in the half court, he functions well as rebound-and-run player, using his gazelle-like strides to do his best poor-mans Giannis impression.
The shooting is still a work in progress – he doesn’t play too similar to his German power forward predecessor – but there are lots of positive flashes. The form is solid and compact, lacking unexplained or unnecessary motions. A free throw percentage of 75.9% is promising as well, and when judged in tandem with his really solid touch in the paint (70% at the rim, 44.8% on non-rim twos, many of which were floaters and hook shots), I would be surprised if he wasn’t serviceable as a jump shooter once he hits the prime of his career.
His defense is likely where I am highest on Steinbach compared to consensus. Without a great vertical, commanding strength, or a height about 7’0, expecting him to develop into a paint anchor appears to be unfair. However, he’s surprisingly quick on his feet, be in the form of chasing a guard off of a switch or covering ground to help at the rim. It’s rare for smart, big, and positionally agile defenders to wind up being bad defenders at the NBA level, even if Steinbach is far from perfect at that end.
While this strength is more theoretical than actualized at this point, it would be remiss to not mention the flashes he shows as a passer. He misses a read here and there, and is far from a hub, but his vision and accuracy are generally impressive for a player at his size and age.
Weaknesses
Steinbach’s biggest weakness isn’t any one of his skills, but whether or not they combine to create a cohesive role in the NBA. If you look up “tweener” in the dictionary, it very well may be a picture of Hannes – too small to be a center and lacking the lateral quickness and ball skills that some modern day power forwards possess. These problems are present on offense and defense – if he plays center, he is neither an intimidating paint defender or as overwhelming an offensive rebounder. And, until he’s a more proven shooter or ball handler, can you really afford to play him at the power forward in a motion-based NBA offense? While his rebounding brings intrinsic value whenever he walks on the court, to best take advantage of Hannes as a player a coach must be intentional with how he plays him. However, that isn’t always realistic for a prospect likely to be picked somewhere in the mid teens to early twenties.
Additionally, much of Steinbach’s future appeal is largely theoretical in the present. Am I optimistic about his passing in the long run? Sure, but that passing comes and goes in the present – there’s a legitimate chance that it stagnates. A similar contention arises with his shooting. There are indicators that he can be a better shooter than he currently is, but that is betting on improvement that has not yet happened. He has a lot of the pieces of a really well-rounded offensive player, but don’t mistake me – it will take time and developmental priority for Steinbach to reach his potential, more so than a Cameron Boozer or Yaxel Lendeborg, two other strong prospects at his same position.
While strong post scoring is becoming less important as the years go by, it would be nice for Steinbach to be more impressive with his back to the basket. A simplistic handle and uncreative post moves lead to some bad shots – projecting Hannes to develop into an on ball scorer or becoming anything more than the opportunistic scorer that he is now isn’t the smartest bet.
Conclusion
Steinbach’s success at the NBA level depends a lot on what role he is asked to play. If he is casted as a center, his strengths are mitigated and his weaknesses are magnified. He lacks positional size for the 5 and his dominant rebounding, while still being impressive, is less comparatively impressive against other centers. However, at the power forward? I believe that NBA teams should always be looking to play the most size that they can without sacrificing versatility on either end. If Steinbach can develop as a shooter and passer, a team doesn’t lose the spacing or quick decision making necessary to operate a modern-day NBA offense. Instead, his rebounding is only additive – most forwards would be incapable of dealing with his size, and Steinbach’s team would always win the ever-important possession battle.
On defense, you can tell a similar story. If a coach sees a 6’11 rebounder and assumes he’s most fit to play center, Steinbach becomes very unimpressive. He won’t ever be a strong primary rim protector, and he loses the positional size that makes him so enticing. However, if he can be flying in from the weak-side, impacting pick-and-rolls and gobbling up the rebounds his center misses, Steinbach becomes a unique weapon that perfectly fits in the direction of large+mobile that the NBA is moving in.
Does he fit on the Jazz? That is harder to say. If we didn’t pick up Jaren Jackson Jr. – a player very similar to Steinbach in that his skills are maximized at the 4 instead of the 5 – I would be overjoyed at the possibility to draft Hannes. Guaranteeing strong rebounding over 48 minutes with a front court combo of Steinbach, Nurkic, and Kessler allows us to compete in the positionally-large Western Conference. However, with the roster as is? Steinbach would be beneficial but the cost to obtain him (trading into the second half the first round) might be greater than the benefit he would provide – power forward isn’t exactly our position of weakness. But his imperfect fit on the Jazz doesn’t speak too much on his value as a prospect; expect to see Hannes nearing the top of the rebounds per 36 minutes rankings for years to come.
Current Draft Projections (most recent big board/mock draft)
No Ceilings: 29
Sports Illustrated: 12
ESPN: 15
The Ringer: 14
CBS Sports: 20
Quite a wide range of projected outcomes for the Washington freshman, but what do you think? Discuss in the comments below where you would select Hannes Steinbach!
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 21: De'Aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles the ball during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers during Round One Game Two of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 (Photos by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome to the Game Thread. Veterans of the Game Thread know how we do things around here, but for all you newbies we have a few rules. Our community guidelines apply and basically say be cool, no personal attacks, don’t troll and don’t swear too much.
Game 2 didn’t go off as planned, in fact it turned into a nightmare for the Silver and Black when Victor Wembanyama tripped when Jrue Holiday pulled the chair on a drive to the basket and hit his head hard on the Frost Bank Center’s hardwood early in the second quarter. Victor suffered a concussion, and it looked like he might have briefly lost consciousness. The Spurs could have folded after watching their best player have to be taken to the locker room with a serious injury, but they continued to play hard and were able to take a double digit lead midway through the fourth quarter. Unfortunately for the home team, they could not hold on as the Spurs offense went cold for the last 5 minutes and the Blazers made clutch shot after clutch shot. Portland is not a good three-point shooting team, but you couldn’t tell that by their late game performance, as Scoot Henderson played out of his mind for the entire fourth quarter. Conventional wisdom is that you only need to worry about Deni Avdija on offense, but they got great performances from Jrue Holiday and Toumani Camara as they took a three point lead with just a few seconds left to play. Devin Vassell had an opportunity to tie the game with time running out, but he was well guarded, and the shot missed, allowing the team from Rip City to walk away from San Antonio with a 1-1 series tie in the first pair of games, securing home court advantage for the rest of the series.
Victor Wembanyama has been making an excellent recovery from his initial concussion diagnosis, and he was allowed to travel with the team to Portland yesterday. He’s listed as questionable on the injury report this morning, and it’s unclear whether he’ll be cleared to play in time for tonight’s late-starting game. My guess is that even if he were officially able to enter tonight’s game, the Spurs may be reluctant to throw him out without having participated in practice since his injury. In my mind, it’s more likely that we’ll see him play on Sunday, and that would be subject to his continued improvement and a positive evaluation from the doctors that are monitoring his condition.
The Spurs should be prepared to play tonight without the super tall French guy, and if they play their normal game, they should be able to win tonight without his services. Luke Kornet will be fine against the Portland bigs, but it gets dicey when he has to sit. Mitch Johnson has shown that he likes to go small with Carter Bryant when Luke is out, and that has had mixed results so far. We might see some Kelly Olynyk in non-garbage time minutes to limit the time for small lineups. Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox will have to step up tonight after being somewhat inefficient in Game 2, especially late in Game 2. Dylan Harper has been effective, and doesn’t get too rattled by the physical play of Portland defenders and inconsistent calls from the refs, including a double dribble call that was totally a figment of the official’s imagination. The team will have to keep their composure as the Blazers will throw everything they have at them to try and take a lead in the series. It’s up to Mitch to have the team mentally prepared and ready to handle adversity. It’s a test, and I think it’s one that they’ll pass. There are at least three games left in this series, and each one of them is an opportunity for the team to learn. LET’S GO SPURS!
Game Prediction:
Scoot Henderson’s Magic Johnson votive candle burns out during shootaround, and he goes back to playing like just a guy for the rest of the series after his atypical game 2 showing.
San Antonio Spurs vs Portland Trail Blazers, First Round, Game 3 April 21, 2026 | 9:30 PM CT Streaming: Prime TV: Prime Reminder: It is against site policy to post links to illegal streams in the comments.
