The New York Knicks (52-28) can lock down no worse than the Eastern Conference’s No. 3 playoff seed with a win over the Toronto Raptors (43-35). The Raptors can secure the No. 5 seed if they beat the Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Atlanta Hawks.
The Phoenix Suns (44-36) are locked into the Western Conference’s No. 7 seed and the play-in tournament. The Los Angeles Lakers (51-29) can finish anywhere from Nos. 3-5. A win against the Suns and a loss by the Houston Rockets to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday would secure home-court advantage for the Lakers in the first round.
With just a single win in their last six games, the Golden State Warriors try to get right ahead of the play-in when they visit the Sacramento Kings.
SacTown has gone full tank mode and should be sporting a bunch of unknowns Friday night.
Despite that, my Warriors vs Kings predictions and free NBA picks don't think Golden State is in any state to run through any team, even one as awful as the Kings.
He is expected to be back in the lineup and will take on the Sacramento Kings, the last team he played on Wednesday (April 7), scoring 17 points on 5-for-12 shooting in a Warriors 110-105 victory.
The Warriors are also expected to get some players off the injured list and into the lineup, including big men Al Horford (calf) and Kristaps Porzingis (illness) back in the lineup.
Curry has only played in 41 games this season, and the Warriors' offense is in shambles because of it.
They were a bottom-5 scoring team in the NBA when he went down with a knee injury on January 30, and missed the next 27 straight games, plummeting to 10th in the West.
As for the Kings, the season end couldn't come sooner. Sacramento looks nothing like the young, fun, and up-and-coming "Light the Beam" squad from two years ago, and almost every key player is in street clothes.
That includes DeMar DeRozan (hamstring), Russell Westbrook (foot), and Keegan Murray (ankle).
The Warriors have taken four of five in this head-to-head, and aside from the last meeting, have won by at least 26 points in the other three wins.
But these aren't the same Warriors. And while they should win, they're really just trying to get Steph Curry up to full speed before the play-in. That's no stress, and definitely not a blowout.
Warriors vs Kings same-game parlay
Let's focus on the Golden State star working to get back into game shape.
Steph has been held to 26 minutes or less in the two games since returning from a knee injury, but scoring 20 is nothing, especially against the Kings. In his last 25 vs SacTown, Curry has touched 20 points 21 times.
His assist numbers fluctuate more, but he's had at least five assists in four of the last five games against these Kings.
Warriors vs Kings SGP
Kings +10.5
Steph Curry Over 19.5 points
Steph Curry Over 4.5 assists
Our "from downtown" SGP: Curry Cooking Soup!
Knocking down the moneyball is what Curry does best, and he's consistently lighting up the Kings from deep. He's hit at least four 3-pointers in eight of his last 10 against Sacramento.
As for his rebounding, grabbing three boards shouldn't be a problem: he had five last game against the Kings, and has had at least three boards in 11 of the last 14 against them.
Warriors vs Kings SGP
Kings +10.5
Steph Curry Over 19.5 points
Steph Curry Over 4.5 assists
Steph Curry Over 3.5 made threes
Steph Curry Over 2.5 rebounds
Warriors vs Kings odds
Spread: Warriors -10.5 | Kings +10.5
Moneyline: Warriors -500 | Kings +375
Over/Under: Over 228.5 | Under 228.5
Warriors vs Kings betting trend to know
The Over has cashed in eight of the last 10 head-to-head matchups between these teams. Find more NBA betting trends for Warriors vs. Kings.
How to watch Warriors vs Kings
Location
Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
Date
Friday, April 10, 2026
Tip-off
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBC Sports California, NBC Sports Bay Area
Warriors vs Kings latest injuries
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.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 19: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers on January 19, 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 David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The show must go on.
It’s a cliché this Philadelphia 76ers organization must know all too well at this point after the last few seasons, and it’s relevant yet again. With the news that Joel Embiid had appendicitis and an urgent, successful appendectomy yesterday in Houston, any modicum of hope that the Sixers might pull back into a playoff spot seemed to vanish instantaneously.
And with the Sixers’ rough loss to the Houston Rockets and the Toronto Raptors’ win last night, the statistical odds of them doing so all but vanished as well. Though it’s still technically possible, it’s almost guaranteed at this point that the Sixers will not be able to get back into the No. 6 seed over the Raptors and will instead finish the regular season in a Play-In Tournament seed (7-10).
The harsh reality of the situation though is that, without Embiid, it can start to feel inconsequential anyway. Even if the Sixers had managed to sneak into the postseason, their ability to put up any sort of fight against other playoff teams was relatively contingent on Embiid being available to lead the way. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I personally would have bet on them going far in the playoffs even with the big fella… but not having him feels like it nullifies even that tiny chance they would have had at a run.
But, again, the show must go on.
There are still two games left to be played for the Sixers in this rollercoaster of a regular season. The first of the final pair will come on Friday night as Philadelphia close their 16th and final back-to-back with a visit to the Indiana Pacers, less than 24 hours after that brutal loss in Houston. This being the second leg of a back-to-back means no official injury report for the Sixers until this afternoon. Obviously Embiid will not be available for this one, but we will let you know who else may have popped up on the report when it is posted later today.
The Pacers, meanwhile, are a tanking, 19-win team this season just looking to cross the finish line and get to the NBA lottery and draft. They were being led this campaign by Pascal Siakam, who is averaging 24.0 points a game in 63 contests this season, but he has missed Indiana’s last three contests due to an ankle injury. With the Pacers not exactly competing for anything, his season might be over.
In his absence, Obi Toppin has taken on a bit of a larger role, even coming off the bench. On Thursday, Toppin raced to 26 points on 11-for-14 field goal shooting with nine rebounds and three assists in just 18:35 on the floor against the Brooklyn Nets.
Indiana is also coming into Friday on the second leg of a back-to-back after that commanding 123-94 win over the Brooklyn Nets in a true tank-off Thursday night. That means no official injury report from them either until this afternoon. But honestly, even without Embiid at their disposal, there’s no iteration of this current Pacers squad that the Sixers shouldn’t be able to handle. (Again, I said shouldn’t. We all know that once they’re on the floor, it could turn out very differently.)
The Sixers are 3-0 against the Pacers this season, but Embiid was available for all three contests. Again, I truly do not believe the big fella is needed for this Philadelphia team to beat Indiana, especially if they actually play to their potential. Tyrese Maxey was damn near a triple-double in each of the two times he featured against the Pacers this season, with 32 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in one meeting and 29 points, eight assists and eight steals in the other. Yes, eight steals. This would be the perfect time for Maxey to really get back into the groove after seeming to struggle the last few contests, especially one of his career-worsts against the San Antonio Spurs earlier this week.
The true reality of the situation Friday for Philadelphia is that, though they might be understandably disappointed and now headed for the Play-In, this game in Indiana is a golden opportunity to provide even the smallest morale boost to a squad of players that desperately needs it as the end of the regular season fast approaches.
You can’t go back and right the wrongs of all the extremely close losses throughout the season that got you here. You can’t undo the last few losses that took you out of a guaranteed playoff spot. You can’t magically make Embiid not have needed urgent surgery for appendicitis. The only thing you can do as the Sixers is use these last two games against easier opponents — first the Pacers on Friday, then the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday — to get your heads back on even a little bit straighter before the Play-In comes around. It might not be enough to change the ultimate outcome there even, but it’s the only thing that is within their control at this point.
The Sixers and Pacers tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Game Details
When: Friday, April 10, 7:30 p.m. ET Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic Follow:@LibertyBallers
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 25: Bones Hyland #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves plays defense during the game against the Houston Rockets on March 25, 2026 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Minnesota Timberwolves at Houston Rockets Date: April 10th, 2026 Time: 8:30 PM CDT Location: Toyota Center Television Coverage: Prime Video, FanDuel Sports Network – North, KARE 11 Radio Coverage: KFAN FM, Wolves App, iHeart Radio
There was time, not even that long ago, where Wolves fans had this Houston game circled in red ink, Sharpie, maybe even carved into stone. A Friday night primetime game featuring two teams who were neck-and-neck all season, facing off in a late-season showdown that could decide who gets the better path.
Instead, we are getting something a little more… pragmatic.
Because by the time the Wolves tipped off against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night, the math had basically done its job. The six seed wasn’t just likely, it was essentially inevitable. Catching Houston would’ve required Minnesota to win out and the Rockets to lose all three of theirs.
So Chris Finch made the wise call.
Rudy Gobert — out. Julius Randle — out. Mike Conley — out. Ayo — out. Anthony Edwards — still resting that knee.
This wasn’t load management. This was a full-on declaration: We’re done chasing the standings. We’re chasing April.
The result followed the script. Orlando, a team that actually needed the game, played like it. Minnesota, a team treating this like a preseason dress rehearsal, looked like it. The Magic took care of business.
But the funny thing about these “meaningless” games is they’re never actually meaningless, not if you’re paying attention to the right things.
The Bright Spots
Let’s start with the most important development of the night:
Jaden McDaniels is back.
After missing time with that knee injury from the Houston overtime game (which, at this point, feels like it happened three seasons ago emotionally), just seeing him moving, defending, and looking somewhat like himself again? That’s a win.
If you’re talking about a potential series against Denver, you don’t just need McDaniels. You need that version of McDaniels, the one who can take a primary assignment, switch, recover, and occasionally chip in offensively without forcing things.
That’s a playoff swing piece.
Then there was Terrence Shannon Jr., who decided this was his moment and dropped a casual 33-point explosion. It was confident, aggressive, in-rhythm scoring that made you start doing the mental math: If something goes sideways in a playoff game… could this guy actually give you minutes?
Shannon’s sophomore season has been uneven, but lately, with injuries opening the door, he’s looked like someone who belongs. And if he can be even a situational weapon in a playoff series? That’s the kind of depth that can change outcomes.
Also quietly encouraging: Naz Reid putting together a solid 15-point night on 6-of-11 shooting, which felt less about the numbers and more about the rhythm. Because the version of Naz the Wolves need in the playoffs isn’t just a spacer. It’s the confident, decisive, second-unit scorer who can flip a quarter in five minutes.
The Reality Check
The bigger picture has shifted.
The Houston game? Still happening. Still technically meaningful for them. But for Minnesota, it’s no longer the defining moment it once looked like. The Rockets are chasing seeding, trying fend off the Lakers for the four spot and grab home court. They’re going to be motivated.
The Wolves? They’re already looking ahead. Because unless something truly bizarre happens over the final couple of days, this is lining up exactly how it feels like it’s been lining up for weeks: Minnesota as the six seed… heading into Denver… for a rematch with Nikola Jokić.
And if that’s the case, then everything between now and Game 1 becomes about one thing: Getting right.
Keys to the Game
1. Stay Healthy
We can dress this up if we want, but we shouldn’t. This is the key.
There is nothing more important than making sure this roster walks into the playoffs healthy and functional. We’ve seen what happens when this team is whole. We’ve also seen what happens when even one or two pieces are compromised. The margin shrinks immediately.
Houston plays physical. They always do. These games can get chippy, scrappy, borderline chaotic. And even if the stakes aren’t there for Minnesota, the style will be. So whoever is on the floor needs to play smart. No reckless drives. No unnecessary collisions. No “I’ll just power through it” moments.
Because the worst-case scenario isn’t losing to Houston. It’s losing something else that you can’t get back.
2. Build Rhythm Where You Can
If the starters are being managed, and they should be, then this becomes an opportunity.
For guys like DiVincenzo, who showed signs of life again shooting the ball in Orlando after a rough stretch, these are rhythm reps. For Naz, it’s about stacking good performances. For McDaniels, it’s about conditioning and timing.
Even if the lineups aren’t what you’ll see in Game 1, the habits still translate. Ball movement. Shot selection. Defensive communication. Those things don’t change just because the stakes do.
If the Wolves can come out of these final games with a handful of guys feeling confident and in sync? That’s not nothing.
3. Let the Young Guys Cook, Because You Might Need Them
Shannon just dropped 33. Jaylen Clark, Joan Beringer, and Julian Phillips are guys who, two weeks ago, felt like depth pieces.
Now? They’re insurance policies.
Because playoff basketball has a way of forcing unexpected contributors into the spotlight. Foul trouble. Injuries. Matchups. It happens every year. And the worst place to discover what a player can or can’t do… is in Game 3 of a playoff series.
So let them play. Let them make mistakes. Let them figure it out now. Because if one of them hits, if even one becomes a playable option, that’s a real advantage.
4. Maintain the Defensive Identity
This team doesn’t win with offense. The Wolves are at their best when they’re suffocating defensively, when Gobert is anchoring, when McDaniels is erasing, and when everyone else is rotating with purpose.
That identity can’t just turn on when the playoffs start. It has to be carried in.
Even if the rotations are different, even if the minutes are lighter, the mentality has to stay the same. Contest everything. Protect the paint. Communicate. Because if you lose that edge now, you don’t magically find it against Denver.
The Final Thought: The Calm Before the Real Storm
This isn’t the ending Wolves fans imagined a few weeks ago. There was a moment where the three seed felt real. Where home court felt possible. Where everything seemed to be trending up.
Instead, the injuries hit. The losses piled up. And the standings settled.
Six seed, here we go again.
But here’s the twist, and maybe the part that should make Wolves fans feel something closer to cautious optimism than dread: This team has been here before.
They’ve seen Denver. They’ve battled through this matchup. They know what it takes, and more importantly, they know what it costs.
So yeah, the Houston game isn’t what we thought it would be. But what happens next? That’s everything.
If the Wolves can use this break in the action to get healthy, get connected, and get back to being the team we saw in flashes all season? Then the six seed might not be a limitation.
It might be the setup for something a lot more interesting.
Mar 25, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) works around Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) in the third quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images | Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
Remember when we thought this game was going to matter for the tiebreaker?
In sports, a few weeks can be a long time. Since these teams met and the Houston Rockets blew a double digit lead in overtime, Houston is 8-0 and looks (at times) to be a much different (read: better) team.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are obviously dealing with the Anthony Edwards injury, and since they are locked into the six seed, they can rest some of their other players in preparation for their first round matchup.
Houston, on the other hand, is in a place that seemed inconceivable two weeks ago. They have an actual shot at home court advantage in the first round. They need to finished these last two games one better than the Los Angeles Lakers, who got a big win last night in the Bay Area (notice that Steph Curry came back for Houston but not the Lakers).
Other games of interest tonight are Nuggets-Thunder and Suns-Lakers. If you are rooting for Houston to play the Lakers in round 1, you are rooting for the Nuggets and Suns. If you want the Nuggets, why?
The Rockets obviously should just keep playing good basketball as the postseason approaches. They do not control their own destiny but would feel a lot better going into the playoffs on a high note. Remember that last season, Houston clinched the two seed with three games remaining and sat their starters in the first two of those games. In the finale, they tried to use it as a dress rehearsal against Denver, but were soundly beaten by a Denver team needing a win. That was a harbinger for Houston’s Game 1 loss to Warriors. Rest is nice, but rust is bad.
It's a potential first-round matchup in the NBA's Eastern Conference, so the Toronto Raptors would like to be able to say they know how to beat the New York Knicks if the matchup does materialize.
New York has won 12 straight against the Raps as the two teams collide for the final time in the regular season on Friday.
Until they can prove they can compete with New York, my Raptors vs Knicks predictions and free NBA picks have the home team inflicting more damage on the visitors.
Raptors vs Knicks prediction
Raptors vs Knicks best bet: New York -6 (-110)
The Toronto Raptors start the day tied with the Hawks with identical records of 45-35, but the Raptors slide above them into fifth by virtue of tiebreakers.
They could, however, plummet to the sixth seed with a loss to the New York Knicks, who just happen to be the third seed in the conference, setting up their ideal opening round NBA playoff matchup.
The Raps are playing well, though, hammering the Miami Heat to win both ends of a 2-game set in South Beach, and they enter winners of three of four.
New York is coming off a big 112-106 win over Boston, giving them four straight wins and an 11-3 mark in its last 14.
The Knicks will try for a fifth-straight beatdown of their Atlantic Division rivals, as the NBA Cup added another head-to-head matchup on the season.
These haven't been close, either. Toronto has lost by at least 16 points in each.
The formula has been brutally simple: in every game, New York has outscored them from 3-point range and beaten Toronto up on the glass, winning the rebounding battle each time.
Both teams are coming off a game on Thursday, and both have losing cover records playing the second night of a back-to-back.
There might be some emotional letdown from New York after dumping Boston, but this series is more mental than X's and O's, and the Knicks have the Raptors' number.
Raptors vs Knicks same-game parlay
Jalen Brunson is in a scoring dip, scoring less than 26 points in three of his last four outings. He's also been inconsistent getting buckets against the Raps: he's topped 25.5 points just three times in his last eight against Toronto.
RJ Barrett has a generous scoring line of 18.5 points on Friday – that's a number he's topped in five of his last seven outings.
Raptors vs Knicks SGP
New York -6
RJ Barrett Over 18.5 points
Jalen Brunson Under 25.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: KAT Pounces!
Scottie Barnes has struggled scoring the ball down the home stretch. He had 13 in his last game against Miami, marking the fifth time in six games he's scored less than 15 points.
And Karl-Anthony Towns has gone Over 11.5 rebounds in seven of his last 11 games, missing the Over by a single board in two other games. He's grabbed double-digit boards in 12 of his last 13 vs TO, so he'll definitely be around the number.
Raptors vs Knicks SGP
New York -6
Jalen Brunson Under 25.5 points
RJ Barrett Under 15.5 points
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 11.5 rebounds
Raptors vs Knicks odds
Spread: Raptors +6 | Knicks -6
Moneyline: Raptors +200 | Knicks -245
Over/Under: Over 219.5 | Under 219.5
Raptors vs Knicks betting trend to know
New York is 9-1-0 against the spread against the Raptors in the last 10 meetings. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Knicks.
How to watch Raptors vs Knicks
Location
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Date
Friday, April 10, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
TSN, MSGSN
Raptors vs Knicks latest injuries
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.
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 29: Cameron Boozer #12 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts during the first half of a game against the UConn Huskies in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With the season over, attention begins to turn to the NBA Draft and how the order will work out.
This is frequently of interest to Duke fans since Blue Devils typically go high, and this year looks like no exception as Cameron Boozer will be off the board early.
But how early?
That depends on a lot of things, not least of all how the draft lottery works out, but here are some hot takes from fairly knowledgeable people.
Stephen Noh – to Brooklyn with the #2 pick.
Adam Finkelstein – to Brooklyn with the #3 pick.
Bryan Kalbrosky – to Indiana with the #2 pick.
Jeremy Woo – to Indiana with the #3 pick.
Ricky O’Donnell – to Washington with the #1 pick.
Jonathan Wasserman – to Brooklyn with the #3 pick.
Here’s what O’Donnell had to say about Boozer’s prospects: “Boozer is my No. 1 prospect because he was obviously the best player in the country this year, he’s the youngest of the big three, he has the strongest feel for the game, and the best offensive versatility. I don’t understand the skepticism about his upside as he goes to the next level. All he does is impact winning to the highest degree. I really like his fit in Washington with a mobile defensive center in Alex Sarr.”
The season is not yet over, but the lottery teams, as of now, are Washington, Indiana, Brooklyn, Utah, Sacramento, Memphis, Dallas, Atlanta, Milwaukee, Chicago, Golden State, Miami, and Charlotte.
Of those, we’d love to see him with Dallas, Miami, or Charlotte. Dallas seems obvious: they could put out a complete Duke front line. Cooper Flagg, Dereck Lively, and Boozer would be fun for Blue Devil fans, but also really good.
He’d be a great fit with Miami’s culture as well. And with the Hornets, he’d fit right in with that team’s current mentality.
But none of those are where we’d really like to see him. The perfect spot for Boozer, in our opinion, would be San Antonio. They could really use a power forward like Boozer, and he and Victor Wembanyama would form a great partnership.
This game is about whether Philadelphia can sustain the kind of dominant, wire-to-wire performance required to win by at least 16 points against a team that has quietly been one of the most reliable covers in the league.
The Pacers are 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 games. That number doesn’t lie. It doesn’t care about the moneyline or that Indiana is usually a massive underdog.
Indiana is playing at one of the fastest paces in the league, and they’re shooting an efficient 59.8 eFG% over that 10-game stretch.
The Pacers aren’t a team surviving on effort alone. The Pacers can score, and they do it efficiently. Philadelphia is allowing 118.7 points per game, and Indiana is giving up 121.9, so stops are going to be hard to find.
That sets the tone for the entire matchup: fast pace, quick shots, and constant scoring runs.
In games like that, big spreads become fragile. You’re not just asking the 76ers to win, you’re asking them to maintain focus, energy, and execution for 48 minutes.
That’s a much bigger ask than it looks. Take the points and the Pacers to cover this massive line.
76ers vs Pacers same-game parlay
Three angles, one direction. Indiana covers because neither defense can stop anyone right now.
That same offensive freedom is exactly why VJ Edgecombe gets his points in a track-meet pace game, and he’s scored at least 17 points in three of his previous five.
And when both teams are bleeding 119 plus points per game with the pace we’ll see tonight, we’ll take a stab at the Over.
76ers vs Pacers SGP
Pacers +15
V.J. Edgecombe Over 16.5 points
Over 233.5
Our "from downtown" SGP: Tons of triples
Jay Huff didn’t attempt a 3-point shot in the Pacers' victory over Brooklyn, but he’s made at least two triples in three of his past five games.
Kelly Oubre has been letting it fly, and he’s made at least two long-range bombs in three of his previous five games.
Paul George is coming off a 0-for-5 3-point stinker but has made at least three triples in seven of his previous eight games.
Tyrese Maxey averages three made threes per night. He went 5-for-10 last night from downtown, snapping a five-game skid where he failed to make three triples or more.
76ers vs Pacers SGP
Jay Huff Over 1.5 made threes
Kelly Oubre Over 1.5 made threes
Paul George Over 2.5 made threes
Tyrese Maxey Over 2.5 made threes
76ers vs Pacers odds
Spread: Philadelphia -15.5 | Indiana +15.5
Moneyline: Philadelphia -1300 | Indiana +800
Over/Under: Over 234.5 | Under 234.5
76ers vs Pacers betting trend to know
The Pacers are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games. Find more NBA betting trends for 76ers vs. Pacers.
How to watch 76ers vs Pacers
Location
Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Date
Friday, April 10, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
NBC Sports Philadelphia, FDSN Indiana
76ers vs Pacers latest injuries
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.
Every day this week, the NBC Sports NBA writing crew is breaking down the league's individual postseason awards and giving you their thoughts and predictions. We've done MVP, Coach of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year. Today, let's get into Defensive Player of the Year. Here's where we stand.
Defensive Player of the Year
Kurt Helin, NBC Sports Lead NBA Writer: Victor Wembanyama
The only question here is if he will be the first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year in NBA history. He should be. Wembanyama has to play 20+ minutes in one more game this season to reach the league-mandated 65-game threshold, but that should happen Friday or Sunday. The more interesting question is what would happen if Wembanyama didn't qualify for the award? My guess is Chet Holmgren would win going away.
Jay Coucher, NBC Sports Lead Betting Analyst: Victor Wembanyama
Over/under 7.5 career DPOYs for Wemby?
Raphielle Johnson, NBC Sports Fantasy basketball lead analyst: Victor Wembanyama
This should be the first of many DPOY awards that Wembanyama wins during his NBA career. The Spurs star has been dominant defensively, averaging 9.4 defensive rebounds, 1.0 steals and a league-best 3.1 blocks per game. And the blocks don't tell the complete story, as there has been no shortage of "business decisions" by offensive players who choose not to shoot because of Wembanyama's presence in the paint.
Eric Samulski, MLB/NBA Writer, NBC Sports: Victor Wembanyama
A written defense of this is like needing a written defense to prove that The Great Gatsby was written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It just was. We know that. It's fact.
Welcome to Inside the Suns, your weekly deep down analysis of the current Phoenix Suns team. Each week the Fantable – a round table of Bright Siders – give their takes on the Suns’ latest issues and news.
Fantable Questions of the Week
Q1: Jordan Ott’s continuing reliance on “small-ball” lineups isn’t popular among many fans. What’s your opinion of them and your best guess as to why he continues to use them?
GuarGuar: I think there’s a is a time and place for small ball lineups, however, we have been running them way too much vs teams where it’s not so beneficial. I like Ott’s willingness to try unconventional things, but we can’t run small ball for 20 minutes in a game where our season is on the line. I think he really likes what the small ball does offensively and is willing to concede on defense.
Diamondhacks: Based on the record, I respect Ott’s judgment and unconventional lineups more than his actual roster. If you’d told his internet critics beforehand that our four primary expected drivers of success (Booker, Brooks, Green, MW) would miss 109 combined games, I suspect most of them would’ve penciled us in for twenty-something wins.
Instead, this clueless rookie coach (who probably doesn’t even WATCH the games or CARE!!!) has cobbled together a surprising WC play-in berth from a roster of castoffs that is – when healthy – ostensibly “led” by three of the NBA’s more polarizing, overrated “stars”, apparently competing for the league’s highest USG%, most techs…and likely not much else.
In “short”, no coach is infallible, but based on everyone’s respective track records, this coach looks to me demonstrably less flawed than his top players or most fan expectations.
Ashton: Coach Ott is screwing up. Multiple articles and poster comments have pointed out the fact that he is trying to shrink the roster to the best 8 players. And they are all small (6’ 5” – larger than me). This is not a working formula.
He really should zag when others zig, or whatever. Play the bench and set up for next season.
But this is why you wait until the last minute to write something up. KM looked good against tanking Dallas last night. And congrats to the Suns for getting home court advantage.
OldAz: I have been pretty vocal lately about my distaste for the recent lineups and the freezing out of the younger players. I think Ott truly believes that to win in the playoffs, you have to shorten rotations. This is not about playing fewer players as much as the starters playing more minutes, leaving less to go around, so you shorten the bench to keep them in rhythm. This is why I think Ott has been going down that path and keeps talking about shortening the bench.
However, if players like GA, RO, and Gillespie are just going to be the 4th and 5th players on the floor and not be involved on either end, then what does it matter what type of rhythm they are in? I also reject the premise that the starters should, by default, increase their minutes in the playoffs. How often have we seen worn-out starters falter down the stretch, or the same exact players playing every minute of multiple OTs?
It seems to me that playing 10-11 deep keeps your starters fresher in those late game situations and can help wear out the other teams starters (who are playing more minutes) when you do what the Suns have done all year by playing deep and putting youth and energy on the floor when the other teams starters are starting to get heavy legs and need a rest. Early in the season, this was players like Livers, Dunn, Gillespie, and Goodwin were eating minutes. Now KM and Fleming are available in place of Livers and Richards. Playing deep also allows the starters to expend more energy when playing because they know they don’t have to pace themselves to play 40 minutes. This is especially true of the center rotation. I just have never liked the idea of changing what works for your team, just because that’s the way everyone else has always done it.
Rod: I would like to see him move away from playing so much small-ball but, to me, how he structures his lineups and player rotation are signs of who he places the most trust in. Trust is certainly important, but sometimes you also need to take a leap of faith to progress past a certain point and I think it’s already gotten past that point for Ott.
But, better late than never, as they say, so running out bigger lineups at this point is doubtful to have a significant negative effect and may just give the team the boost it needs in the postseason. Seriously, for the Suns to do anything significant in the post-season playing small-ball, it’s going to take everyone playing a near-perfect game, every night…and that’s something that I have trust in. I’ve seen it happen in stretches but it’s always been inconsistent and not something we can count on.
With the 7th spot already locked up, why not at least give some bigger lineups some significant playing time in at least the last two regular-season games? It’s not like running out the same-old, same-old in the last two is really going to significantly improve how well they’ve been playing before the post-season begins.
Q2: The Suns have definitely outperformed expectations this year. Do you think they could continue to improve next season without making any major changes this offseason?
GuarGuar: I definitely think we can improve if we keep things the same next season. We were not healthy for the majority of this season. Positive regression there and then development from our young guys, and I can see us getting close to surpassing 50 wins. This is a talented core.
Diamondhacks: Further improvements possible, but I think it’ll be nearly impossible to ambush the nba the way Ott’s crew did this fall. Every opponent understands who Goodwin and Gillespie are now. Plus, it’s harder to improve on 43 wins than on 36.
Oso’s made wonderful strides and needs to continue his positive trajectory. Fleming and Maluach are coming along just fine. Dunn has improved. Green (who’s barely played) and Williams (who’s played more than he has in his life) are big talents with even bigger question marks. Everyone else is on the wrong side of the aging curve, however, so assuming an identical roster, I’d probably take the under on 43 wins.
Ashton: Ah, the halcyon days of looking at a potential 50-win Suns team this season. It is not even summer, and I am souring on this team quicker than yogurt on hot pavement. Don’t eat it. It appears that my positive expectations are now in that yogurt. But if you all want to eat a yogurt tide pod and TikTok it, have at it. I will take you to the emergency room.
So, I think all options need to be considered. I really do not want Giannis, and the cost will be high. But he wants a place that appreciates him. Is that place Phoenix? KD stated he liked living there while blowing shade the entire time.
And that would require a major change. JV put out a great article on the actual cost of doing this for Giannis. But I would float everyone, including untouchable Booker, for returns. The last two months have been abysmal for the Suns. I have been in the slow rebuilding domain philosophy for a while. And I am disgusted with how the season will end. And there will be no continuity in rotation as rest minutes await over the next two games. And injury minutes.
OldAz: Depending on your definition of “major changes”, certainly they can improve. With the late-season emergence of KM and Fleming, this is not hard to envision. The Suns could offload RO, trade GA or at least relegate him to a backup guard role and play a whole lot more balanced lineups for a lot more minutes. Brooks with Dunn and Williams, followed by Fleming, KM, and Oso keep size on the court across the entire front line and allow them to mix and match 4-5 guards in the 2 remaining spots (Book, Green, Gillespie, Goodwin, and possibly Allen).
The key is letting the young players develop and grow into those minutes and figuring out how to play Oso as a PF on defense but as a facilitator on offense. I would love to see them try Green with Oso surrounded by GA/Goody, Fleming, and KM as a bench unit. The size is crazy, as is the athleticism, and there is enough scoring around Oso (assuming good ball movement) to keep him on the floor. It is fun to think about continued improvement when there are a few young players on the roster who could be part of the core, and both Williams and Green are still young, in addition to KM, Dunn, and Fleming.
Rod: I’m not saying that they shouldn’t make any major changes (like trading Book, Green, Brooks, etc.), but rather that I don’t think that they need to do so to actually continue to improve. Sure, it’s possible that making a big trade might turn into a home run, but it’s just as likely to be a step or two backward, which won’t really help, as the Suns don’t control their own draft picks over the next few years.
All in all, I think this team has the potential to be much better next season with only moderate modifications. Change will come this offseason. I don’t think it’s really in the team’s best interest to try and run it back with all the same players but there should some good opportunities to take a step or two forward without resorting to doing anything drastic.
Q3: The Suns will have just one 2nd round pick in this year’s draft (currently 48th). As they’ve been successful in trading up in previous drafts, do you believe they should attempt to do so in this year’s draft or just draft the best player available at 48?
GuarGuar: I definitely would do what we’ve been doing with our 2nd round picks these past couple years because they’ve been big successes. It’s very rare to hit on 2nd rounders the way we have these past couple of years. Take the best player available and keep going.
Diamondhacks: I don’t follow the draft or think about trades much. However, current staff appear to develop youngsters well, and previous Ishbia-era fears of squandering Booker’s prime ultimately set back the franchise. So, I might target a younger ‘project’ type who could make an impact in 2-4 years. Let the pros identify who and where that is.
Ashton: Hah, Rod has put out a question to the Fantable that requires following college basketball teams and mock draft boards. Those mock draft boards are about as fluid as they get, other than the top three picks. I think they are idiotic And I think the top three are idiotic as well.
But the Suns do not have a chance at a top-five pick outside of some gangbusters trade. So, what to do with the 48th pick? Or in that range…
With the 48th pick, the Suns select Size. John Smith Size, an unknown out of DIII school. Okay, I am just having fun now. JJ is not around anymore. Also, check out Brynne’s articles. Another shout-out to JV for linking.
The reality is that a loaded 2026 draft will contain a lot of seniors who ran out of eligibility. I really do not care what the Suns do with the 48th pick, but they need BPA at any position, and there are plenty of upperclassmen to compensate.
I say they keep the pick and see which players falls into the undrafted prospects. That is where FO needs their heads on a swivel.
OldAz: I’m never good at draft questions, but Gregory has earned my trust after the last 2 seasons. I know a lot of folks are mixed on Oso and Dunn, but considering the crapshoot that is the NBA draft, getting 4 players the last 2 drafts who can contribute minutes and still have growth potential is fairly impressive, especially considering where some of those were drafted. Whatever BG wants to do in the draft is fine by me.
Rod: This is certainly one of those “it depends…” questions to me. If they can use the pick in a trade that actually helps the team out now, I wouldn’t mind them completely trading out of this year’s draft. Of course, if there’s a player that Gregory likes that could be available at that spot, they could do nothing and just draft that guy when the time comes. My main hope is that the front office remains flexible and explores all of their options before deciding on which path to take.
As always, many thanks to our Fantable members for all their extra effort this week!
Quotes of the Week
“The defense is the main thing. Getting stops and being able to get out and run is deflating to the other team. That’s what keeps growing the lead through those four quarters.” – Jalen Green
“I mean, it always feels good to get a block, especially on a dunk. I mean, but it felt extra good because it was him (Cooper Flagg). Before the game, he was like, ‘I’m going to dunk on you,’ and I was like, ‘I’ll try to block it.’” – Khaman Maluach
“I’m super proud of him (Maluach). I think this is a starting point for him that we’ll look down years down the line and be like we knew that kid had it from the beginning.” – Devin Booker
“We’re excited for Tuesday night (the play-in game) because we know our group will show up.” – Jordan Ott
Suns Trivia/History
On April 10, 2018, in a meaningless end of the season game against Dallas, little used Suns rookie Alec Peters (54th pick in the draft) scored a career high 36 points and pulled down 9 rebounds to lead all scorers in a 124-97 Suns win over the Mavericks. Peters played in only 20 games that season which was to be both his first and last in the NBA. Although his NBA career was short, Peters went overseas to play the following season and is still playing today as a member of Olympiacos in Greece where he led the league in 3-point percentage in 2023-24 and 2024-25.
On April 15, 1989, Phoenix retired the No. 44 jersey of Paul Westphal, who averaged 20.6 points, 5.2 assists, and 1.6 steals in his six seasons with the Suns. Westphal was one of the Suns’ key players in their “Sunderella Season” run to their first NBA Finals appearance in 1976. After retiring from playing in 1984, he turned to coaching and eventually became the team’s head coach for the 1992-93 season. That year, he led the team to their 2nd NBA Finals appearance, this time against the Chicago Bulls. In 2019, he was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
On April 17, 1989, the Suns defeated the Sacramento Kings 140-85 in Phoenix. The 55-point margin of victory is the largest in team history. The Suns jumped out to a 35-17 lead at the end of the 1st quarter, which they stretched to 78-38 at halftime. Eddie Johnson led the Suns in scoring with 24 points off the bench, and five other Suns scored in double figures. 32 of the Suns’ points were scored at the free throw line, where they were 32 of 41.
On April 19, 2016, despite only a 9-24 run as interim head coach following the firing of Jeff Hornacek, GM Ryan McDonough inexplicably took the interim tag off 36-year-old Earl Watson (making him the NBA’s youngest HC) and gave him the full-time position for 2016-17 by signing him to a 3-year contract extension.
This Week’s Game Schedule
Friday April 10 – Suns @ LA Lakers (7:30 pm) Sunday, April 12 – Suns @ OKC Thunder (5:30 pm) Tuesday, April 14 – Suns vs TBD (7:00 pm) Prime Video
Important Future Dates
April 12 – Regular season ends (All 30 teams play) April 13 – Rosters set for NBA Playoffs (3 pm ET) April 14-17 – SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament April 18 – NBA Playoffs begin
Mar 3, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram (3) drives to the basket against New York Knicks guard Landry Shamet (44) during the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The Raptors have one more road game, and one more home contest before the season is over, both against the two New York teams. The bad news: they’ve got to play the 52-win Knicks in Madison Square Garden, a must-win game to keep any type of breathing room between them at the Play-In. The good news? Their last game is against a Nets squad that’s near the bottom of the Eastern Conference, having lost 7 of their last 10 games. But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
The Knicks have dominated the Toronto Raptors in an embarrassing fashion this season. And the season before that. And the season before that. It’s been since 2023 that the Raptors have picked up a win against the Knicks, and the Raptors will be hard pressed to snap that streak to end this season. New York is playing with essentially their entire roster intact, and are cruising after a win against the Celtics last night where both Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart at more than 25 points.
Both the Raptors and Knicks are playing back-to-backs, so there’ll be no fresh legs for anyone on the court today. While New York has clinched a playoff spot, the Cavaliers are right behind them, nipping at their heels, and the Celtics, should they drop these next two games, could theoretically fall in the standings and give the Knicks the second seed in the Conference. Culturally, the Knicks seem likely to put the pedal to the metal to preserve their spot, so a high energy game is likely here.
The Knicks’ depth is something that the Raptors need to be able to manage. Toronto has been able to contain New York’s twin stars in Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, but expending too much energy on those two leaves the Raptors open to big scoring games from OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, or Josh Hart. The Raptors can put out excellent defensive lineups, but the Knicks are a team where anyone can be a hero and ruin an opponent’s night.
The magic of point-Scottie seems to be over with for now, as Barnes hasn’t hit 10 assists in his last four games after a magical playmaking run, all-the-while taking a step back from scoring. Barnes has been middling this season against New York, posting below season-average statlines against the Knicks. Brandon Ingram, coming off a big game against the Heat, needs to do his best to continue his streak against New York’s stifling defence. Ingram has hit more than thirty points against the Knicks twice this season, and completing a trifecta might be the best chance the Raptors have to take down New York this late in the season. With Immanuel Quickley still shaking off the cobwebs as he returns back from an injury, the Raptors can use every point they can muster against a New York team that’s held them under 100 points in three out of four contests this season.
The best thing for the Raptors to do is to do what they do best: play smothering defence from the 1 to the 5, force an off-night for Knicks stars while not giving up open shots to the rest of the squad, and allow Barnes to get involved as a primary facilitator while trusting Brandon Ingram to put the ball through the hoop.
Mar 8, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Jordan McLaughlin (0) dribbles in the second half against the Houston Rockets at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images | Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
Jordan McLaughlin came to the Spurs as part of the trade that put De’Aaron Fox in a Spurs jersey. The Silver & Black lost Tre Jones, Zach Collins, and Sidy Cissoko, but gained a clutch starting point guard to pair with Victor Wembanyama while offering a veteran presence to the young squad.
While the inclusion of McLaughlin may have had the appearance of balancing salaries or rosters, the Spiurs saw something in McLaughlin that led to signing him for an additional year over the past summer.
After the summer acquisition of Dylan Harper, it looked as though minutes for Jordan McLaughlin may never materialize, but the guard who turned 30 yesterday has shown what being ready is all about.
Any time J-Mac (as he is affectionately known by his teammates) is called into action, he is ready.
As Jacob Douglas pointed out regarding McLaughlin’s contributions to Wednesday night’s game:
“McLaughlin is just solid. He came in and did his job for 9 minutes, playing pesky perimeter defense, taking care of the ball, and playing within the flow of the offense. He’s about all the Spurs could ask for in a fourth guard.”
He may not get many minutes, but what he does with them keeps the Spurs machine grinding away. Without Stephon Castle on Wednesday. Dylan Harper got his third start of the season. And this left room to rotate McLaughlin in off the bench.
Afterward, Carter Bryant, who shined in his 25 minutes, gave credit to his teammates and a special shout to McLaughlin.
“J-Mac has been a big part of that for me. He’s been like, ‘Just trust your work, understand your time is going to come. Keep being confident in yourself’…We have a lot of guys that when their name is called upon, they do a great job. Like J-Mac does a lot of stuff. Every time he gets an opportunity to play, I admire J-Mac so much because he doesn’t get the opportunity to play too much. But every time he goes in he’s steady. He’s constant…he’s very detailed…you never see him get high or low whether he’s have a great game or a terrible game, by his body language you can never tell. So I respect him a lot and I look up to him for sure. ”
As the Spurs go into the playoffs, minutes can become even more scarce at the end of the bench. While staying healthy is paramount for the marquee players, staying ready is the key to McLaughlin’s role.
Happy belated birthday, J-Mac. Thanks for all you do and here’s to staying ready and willing when your number is called. May there be many opportunities.
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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 07: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics prays before a game against the Charlotte Hornets the TD Garden on April 07, 2026 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. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) | Getty Images
NEW YORK CITY — Jayson Tatum made the choice to not bite his tongue a long time ago.
At the Celtics’ shootaround on Thursday morning, when he was asked about the emotions of playing at Madison Square Garden for the very first time since his injury, the Celtics star opted to be completely candid.
“Nervousness, anxiousness,” he said. “All the things you’d probably expect.”
On paper, Thursday’s game was just another regular season game between two Eastern Conference foes. Entering the match-up, the Celtics had won four straight games, and held a three-game lead over the New York Knicks for second place in the Eastern Conference.
But, in reality, Thursday night held extra weight, marking a return to the place where Tatum’s long, lonely rehab journey began. Inside the walls of MSG was a moment in time in which everything changed: the night Tatum ruptured his Achilles tendon almost eleven months ago.
“The lowest point of my life was here,” Tatum said.
Tatum remembers hearing a pop. He remembers his career — and the Celtics’ future — flashing before his eyes. And, he remembers thinking that it all could be over, that he might never be the same again.
“One day I felt like Superman, and then the next day I felt like the smallest man on Earth,” Tatum said on the Pivot Podcast in January. “It’s been a struggle.”
Since that fateful day, Tatum has cleared plenty of milestones. He returned to 5-on-5 action in January, and practiced with the Maine Celtics for the first time in February. He made his national stage, NBA debut on March 6th, and was named the Eastern Conference’s Player of the Week just a few weeks after that.
To an observer, it appeared Tatum’s greatest challenges were in the rearview mirror. He was not only back, but he was playing some elite basketball.
Still, another major hurdle loomed: a return to Madison Square Garden. While he could have delayed that eventual emotional confrontation, he didn’t want to kick the can down the road and opted to lace up while his co-star, Jaylen Brown, sat.
Earlier in the week, Brown admitted he hadn’t considered Thursday’s game could carry extra emotion, but offered his support: “Mentally, it could possibly be something — but that’s what your teammates are there for. We got his back.”
For Tatum, it was very heavy. Moments before tip-off, he made his way over to the exact spot on the court where his leg gave out on him and took a deep breath.
“It was a lot,” Tatum said. “Especially in the beginning. It took me a while to calm down.”
But, in this return to New York City, he had the support of more than just his teammates.
Pregame, Knicks head coach Mike Brown expressed how happy he was to see Tatum back in action.
“Seeing him back on the court should bring joy to anybody,” Brown said.
When Tatum’s name was announced as part of the Celtics starting lineup introductions, the MSG crowd — which had been rauceoulsy booing every Celtics player — erupted in cheers.
“That means a lot, obviously,” Tatum said. “I appreciated that.”
Jayson Tatum got applause when he was introduced here at MSG
A notable shift from the boos the rest of the roster got
Tatum wanted to play a great game and for the Celtics to walk away with a win. Neither of those things happened; the Celtics fell to the Knicks 112-106, and Tatum shot just 7-22 from the field and turned the ball over 6 times (though he did also finish with 24 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists).
But even the most fiery competitor in him could admit that the final score and stat line were not the most important thing in the world.
“I just kind of wanted to walk off the floor on my own two feet,” he said.
That he did. After the final buzzer sounded, Tatum hugged nearly every player and coach on the Knicks, a moment that was representative of what the last couple of weeks of action have looked like.
“Since I’ve returned, the reception that I’ve gotten from players, coaches I’ve never even spoken to, GMs has been great,” Tatum said.
Tatum could have minimized the significance of Thursday’s game and chosen not to share with the public the emotions he was battling. He could have simply brushed aside the questions, calling Thursday night just another game.
But, he opted not to do that.
Surrounded by reporters in the visiting locker room after the loss, Tatum was completely honest.
“It was a big moment, a big hurdle for me,” he said. “I was nervous and anxious to come back here.”
Why choose to do that?
From the beginning, he made the choice to be completely authentic about his struggles, about the doubts he faced, about the mental aspect of the recovery.
“The nature of this business is [that] there’s millions of eyes on us all the time. And when I went down, millions of people were watching,” he said. “And so, it’s a lot of people that have paid attention to this journey. I’ve been candid about it from the beginning, that, hopefully, my experience and the way I approached and attacked this has inspired somebody out there that is not necessarily going through an injury, but maybe a tough time. And hopefully, they can witness or see what I’ve tried to accomplish — and appreciate and be inspired by that.”
Asked Jayson Tatum why he’s chosen to be so vulnerable throughout this process (i.e sharing how difficult it was for him to play at MSG today) when he could have brushed it off:
“The nature of this business is there's millions of eyes on us all the time. And when I went down,… pic.twitter.com/Cisk6GI7Iw
That approach has earned the praise of his head coach, Joe Mazzulla.
“I think one of his greatest strengths is just his vulnerability and openness and his understanding,” Mazzulla said pregame, acknowledging that he knew the game would bring about a ton of emotion.
“But I think once the game started, he kind of got into a game flow,” said the Celtics head coach as he reflected on the loss.
Tatum never looks for moral victories. He’s rarely cheerful after losses.
But, the circumstances surrounding Thursday’s contest were unique.
“Today was important for me, especially when I made the decision to come back and then made the decision to play today,” he said. “I’m glad I did. I feel a lot better today, even after the loss.”
Apr 9, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Boston Celtics guard Baylor Scheierman (55) reacts after hitting a three pointer during the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images | Lucas Boland-Imagn Images
Baylor Scheierman’s sixth 3-pointer against the New York Knicks on Thursday night brought the entire Boston Celtics bench to its feet. Jordan Walsh did the sharpshooter’s signature thumbs-up celebration, and Luka Garza bunny-hopped with excitement, watching him conquer Madison Square Garden.
Scheierman’s step-back three over Karl-Anthony Towns gave the Celtics a 104-103 lead with 2:19 remaining in the fourth quarter. To re-energize his team, he decided to bring back the celebration he debuted nearly six weeks ago against the Philadelphia 76ers. It sparked a thrilling final few minutes of regulation, but Boston ultimately fell 112-106, losing the regular-season series to New York (1-3).
The ability to remain prepared to deliver an impact at any moment is something Scheierman takes pride in.
“For me, every time my name’s called, I try to go out there and just play to the best of my ability,” Scheierman told reporters, per CLNS Media. “And that’s really all I can control. Obviously, I’d like to be out there, but at the end of the day, it’s not my decision. So every chance I get, I just try to make the most of it.”
Boston ruled Jaylen Brown out with left Achilles tendinitis hours before tip-off, adding weight on everyone’s shoulders to produce in his absence. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla bumped Walsh up into the starting lineup, while Scheierman played alongside Payton Pritchard and Nikola Vučević in the second rotation. Unconcerned with his role and focused on contributing, Scheierman scored a season-high 20 points — matching a career high he set last season against the Brooklyn Nets.
Scheierman shot a nearly-perfect 6-for-7 from beyond the arc and grabbed four rebounds. Four of those makes were to either go ahead or extend Boston’s lead over New York. Teammates spotted Scheierman’s high motor and eagerness to shoot, so they kept feeding him.
Derrick White assisted Scheierman to break an 83-83 tie in the fourth quarter, and Pritchard found him again more than seven minutes later to give the Celtics a 101-99 lead. Whenever a teammate attacked the basket, they knew once they looked up, Scheierman would be right there on the perimeter, hands ready, waiting to fire.
Scheierman’s six made 3-pointers also tied a career-high.
“I just have a lot of confidence in myself that I belong on the court, and my teammates trust me,” Scheierman said. “When I’m open, they find me, and I just knock it down.”
Scheierman is among a group of backups unaware when their number will be called. Walsh, Luka Garza, Hugo González, and Ron Harper Jr. are in that same boat. Before games, they’re the first out of the locker room and on the floor, working with the coaching staff by running drills and examining film. Last year, Scheierman logged 23 minutes over four appearances in the playoffs. He didn’t get a chance to do much, going scoreless twice and attempting 10 shots the entire postseason, but that uncertainty doesn’t rattle Scheierman.
Even though rotations typically shrink once the playoffs begin, Scheierman isn’t concerned about his role. He’s averaged 18 minutes per game, the most among the Walsh, Garza, González, and Harper group, and Mazzulla has followed through on his promise to shake up the rotations when the team needs a jolt. At Madison Square Garden on Thursday night, Scheierman didn’t start, but still delivered his most impactful performance of the season.
It’s hard to imagine Scheierman’s 3-point barrage goes overlooked, especially since the Knicks could cross paths with the Celtics in Round 2. Losing three times in the regular-season series should bolster the confidence in New York’s locker room and motivate Boston.
“I wish we could’ve won at the end of the day,” he said. “Obviously, it was a lot of fun to do that, but we lost, so it kind of just is what it is.”
The Celtics need a win on Friday night over the New Orleans Pelicans to lock in the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. New York delayed that, but if both teams advance out of the first round, a second-round series would send Boston back to Madison Square Garden for a best-of-seven. Scheierman is ready to embrace that challenge.
“Obviously, every time we face each other, it’s a great environment, a great atmosphere,” Scheierman said, thinking about a possible Celtics-Knicks playoff rematch. “That’s something you grow up wanting to be a part of. So if it happens, I’m sure it’ll be a great series.”
