TORONTO, CANADA - MAY 1: RJ Barrett #9 of the Toronto Raptors scores the game winning basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Round One Game Six of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 1, 2026 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
This era of Cleveland Cavaliers basketball has become synonymous with playoff collapses. How it happens changes. The final result doesn’t.
This time, it was RJ Barrett who broke Cleveland’s heart by hitting a game-winning three that careened off the rim, hung in the air for eternity, and then fell through the hoop with just over a second to play to keep the Toronto Raptors season alive. That bounce turned what would’ve been a 110-109 win for the Cavs into a 112-110 victory for Toronto.
For as good as that shot was, Barrett should’ve never had an opportunity to attempt it, at least not for the win.
The Cavs had the ball up one with 11 seconds to play. Head coach Kenny Atkinson subbed Dennis Schroder, the Game 5 hero, into the game for the crucial possession and decided to inbound the ball in the backcourt.
Toronto applied pressure, but Schroder broke it, bursting into the front court. Then, inexplicably, he attempted a pass to Evan Mobley — the worst free-throw shooter on the court — when the Raptors were going to inevitably foul and send Cleveland to the line. As bad as that decision was, something far worse happened. Mobley just let the ball be poked out of his hands.
If that inexcusable mistake doesn’t happen, that shot from Barrett might not have either. Or at the very least, it probably wouldn’t have won Toronto the game.
But to blame the defeat on just one play is disingenuous. The Cavs lost this game in the first three quarters due to their inattention to detail, incoherent offense, poor lineup decisions, and the inability of their stars to rise to the occasion.
The Cavs sleptwalked through the first three quarters against a Raptors team that was without their starting point guard and leading scorer from the regular season. They approached the game with the same intensity you’d expect from the second night of a back-to-back in January. Not a closeout playoff game.
The Raptors took advantage. They were the aggressors as they jumped out to a 10-point lead at the break, and then extended it to 15 midway through the third quarter.
This game had all the makings of any of the previous Cavs no-shows in the playoffs. Except this time, they counterpunched.
Defense, not offense, got the Cavs back into the game.
The attention to detail that wasn’t present at the start of the game was suddenly there. This resulted in the Raptors going three-and-a-half minutes without scoring and putting up just 12 points in the fourth quarter.
Cleveland’s offense wasn’t great, but it did enough to get them back into the game. Donovan Mitchell came alive, scoring 11 points in the final frame.
For as well as the Cavs played throughout the fourth, they couldn’t get over the hump. They found themselves down two with 16 seconds left, before Evan Mobley hit a clutch finger roll to tie the game.
A missed Jamal Shead three-pointer sent the game to overtime.
The Cavs then grabbed their first lead since the opening quarter off a James Harden midrange jumper. Then, a Mitchell finger roll with 34 seconds left in overtime gave the Cavs a two-point advantage.
Unfortunately for Cleveland, that would be the last shot attempt they would get.
Jamal Shead drew a shooting foul on the following possession. He split his free throws, making it a one-point game.
Cleveland grabbed the rebound on the missed shot. Mitchell advanced it into the forecourt and was then fouled. The Raptors had a foul to give, which meant the Cavs had to do it again before they could attempt free throws. Then Mobley fumbled it away, Barrett hit the three, and the Raptors escaped with the victory.
Mobley was the lone bright spot in the loss for Cleveland, even though he committed the turnover late.
Mobley played one of the best games of his career, considering the moment. He came up with numerous big shots, including a triple at the end of regulation and a game-tying basket just before the close of the fourth quarter that kept the Cavs in this game. Mobley finished with 26 points on 9-15 shooting with 14 rebounds, three assists, and a steal.
Mitchell struggled to get anything going until the fourth quarter. He ended the evening with 24 points, but it took him 26 shots to get there. He had just five rebounds, two assists, and three turnovers in the loss.
Harden struggled to find his scoring touch. He went 5-14 from the field for just 16 points. He did, however, provide nine big rebounds, including five on the offensive end, to go along with nine assists. Turnovers were once again a problem for the Cavs, and Harden was the biggest culprit as he committed four.
Toronto was led by 25 points from Scottie Barnes on 11-21 shooting to go along with 14 assists, seven rebounds, three steals, and three blocks. Barrett and Ja’Kobe Walter had 24 points apiece.
The Cavs are one loss away from their season ending. Game 7 will be back home on Sunday evening.
TORONTO — RJ Barrett hit a 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds remaining in overtime and the Toronto Raptors pushed their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series to a seventh game by beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 112-110 on Friday night.
Evan Mobley had a chance to win it for Cleveland but his 3-pointer bounced off the front of the rim.
Scottie Barnes had 25 points and 14 assists, Barrett and Ja’Kobe Walter both scored 24 points and Collin Murray-Boyles added 17 as Toronto held on after blowing an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter.
Game 7 is in Cleveland on Sunday. The home team has won all six games so far in the series.
Mobley had 26 points and 14 rebounds, Donovan Mitchell scored 24 points and James Harden had 16 for the Cavaliers. Jarrett Allen scored 14 points and Dean Wade had 10.
Harden shot 5 for 14 and went 1 for 4 from 3-point range. He finished with nine rebounds and nine assists, but also made four turnovers.
Cleveland finished with 18 turnovers, leading to 25 points for Toronto.
The Raptors also held a big edge in fast-break points, outscoring the Cavaliers 20-6.
Barnes had 14 points and 10 assists by halftime, making him the eighth NBA player since 1997 with 14 or more points and 10 or more assists in one half of a playoff game.
Raptors forward Brandon Ingram did not play because of a sore right heel. Ingram left in the second quarter of Wednesday’s 125-120 loss at Cleveland.
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Cade Cunningham scored 32 points and the top-seeded Detroit Pistons pulled off an incredible rally Friday night, erasing a 24-point deficit and beating the Orlando Magic 93-79 to force a Game 7 in their Eastern Conference first-round series.
Detroit trailed by 22 at the half and Orlando’s lead went to 62-38 early in the third quarter. The Magic looked absolutely poised to become the seventh No. 8 seed to eliminate a No. 1 seed in the conference quarterfinal round.
And then everything went wrong for Orlando. Everything.
The Magic became the first team since 1996-97 — when play-by-play began getting tracked digitally — to lose at home after leading by at least 24 points with a chance to win a series.
Tobias Harris scored 22 points for Detroit, which will host Game 7 on Sunday. Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane each scored 17 for Orlando, which is now 0-2 in closeout opportunities in this series.
RAPTORS 112, CAVALIERS 110, OT
TORONTO (AP) — RJ Barrett hit a 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds remaining in overtime and Toronto pushed their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series to a seventh game by beating Cleveland.
Evan Mobley had a chance to win it for Cleveland but his 3-pointer bounced off the front of the rim.
Scottie Barnes had 25 points and 14 assists, Barrett and Ja’Kobe Walter both scored 24 points and Collin Murray-Boyles added 17 as Toronto held on after blowing an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter.
Game 7 is in Cleveland on Sunday. The home team has won all six games so far in the series.
Mobley had 26 points and 14 rebounds, Donovan Mitchell scored 24 points and James Harden had 16 for the Cavaliers. Jarrett Allen scored 14 points and Dean Wade had 10.
LAKERS 98, ROCKETS 78
HOUSTON (AP) — LeBron James had 28 points and Los Angeles eliminated Houston in Game 6 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series by holding the Rockets to a season low in points.
The No. 4 seed Lakers move on to meet the top-seeded Thunder with Game 1 Tuesday in Oklahoma City.
The Lakers used a 27-3 run in the first half to take an 18-point lead at halftime. They led by 22 with about three minutes left in the third quarter before Houston went on an 8-2 run to cut the lead to 71-55 entering the fourth.
But Los Angeles opened the quarter with a 10-3 spurt, with five points from Rui Hachimura, to make it 81-58 with about seven minutes left.
Hachimura added 21 points with five 3-pointers.
Amen Thompson had 18 points and Alperen Sengun added 17 for Houston, which is heading home after a first-round playoff loss for a second straight season after losing to the Warriors in seven games last year.
The Toronto Raptors had to scrap after blowing a 15-point lead to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second half, but guard RJ Barrett got the friendliest of bounces off the back rim on Toronto’s game-winning 3-pointer in overtime that extended the season to a Game 7.
With the Raptors facing a one-point deficit with 10.9 seconds left in overtime, Toronto inbounded the ball to forward Scottie Barnes, who brought it up the floor. Barnes faced a double-team when Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley collapsed on Barnes in the paint, leaving Barrett wide open at the top of the key. Barrett hoisted a 3-point attempt that hit the back rim and then bounced high in the air, reaching to the top of the shot clock above the basket, before it fell through the net.
RJ BARRETT HITS THE GO-AHEAD 3 IN OT TO WIN IT FOR THE RAPTORS AND FORCE GAME 7 🚨
The slate on Friday, May 1 saw three potential closeout games, which meant that three series could have ended tonight – or the same three series could continue with decisive Game 7s.
The night started with chaos, with the Pistons completing an improbable comeback. Conversely, depending on your perspective, the Magic fell apart in an epic meltdown.
Here are the winners and losers from Friday night in the NBA playoffs:
After dropping a pair of closeout games to let Houston back in this series, the King made sure to finish the Rockets. James, at 41 years and 123 days old, was masterful, leading all players with 28 points and 8 assists, while adding 7 rebounds. His plus-minus of +26 also led all players.
James has shown that he can still be dominant in spots, at least against solid-to-great teams. This was huge for Los Angeles as guard Austin Reaves works his way back from his oblique injury.
With the Raptors facing a one-point deficit with 10.9 seconds left in overtime, Toronto inbounded the ball to forward Scottie Barnes, who brought it up the floor. Barnes faced a double-team when Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley collapsed on Barnes in the paint, leaving Barrett wide open at the top of the key. Barrett hoisted a 3-point attempt that hit the back rim and then bounced high in the air, reaching to the top of the shot clock above the basket, before it fell through the net.
Once again, the Detroit Pistons were carried by their All-Star and Most Valuable Player candidate. Cunningham dropped 32 points, 10 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 assists in another masterpiece. Nineteen of those points came in the fourth quarter. And as the Pistons started to overwhelm Orlando with their defense, Cunningham was an integral part in that, leading with effort and intensity.
The @DetroitPistons recorded the largest comeback by a road team facing elimination since the 1996-97 season, overcoming a 24-point deficit in Game 6. pic.twitter.com/1tDHD4MO39
This looked like a team that simply gave up. The Magic collapsed Friday night, blowing a 24-point lead before losing by 14. And with that, the Magic have now lost two consecutive closeout games and face a daunting Game 7 against the No. 1-seeded Pistons in Detroit. This was an epic implosion, one that feels insurmountable.
During a span that stretched back to late in the third quarter, the Magic missed 23 consecutive shots. In the fourth quarter alone, they shot 1-of-20, which is a remarkably abysmal 5% (!). That followed a third quarter in which they scored just 11 points. They failed to crack 20 … in the entire second half. Their 19 points marked the lowest scoring second half in the history of the NBA playoffs.
The Magic entered the night looking to be just the seventh No. 8 seed in NBA history to topple a No. 1. Instead, it feels like Orlando just gave this series away.
If there were calls for him to be fired, they’re only going to grow stronger. There were many people to blame for this colossal meltdown. The Magic were far too carless with the ball and lazy passes were sniped for easy steals. Shot selection devolved late in the game as did decision making and effort.
But Mosley enabled this collapse by failing to halt the avalanche. As Detroit ramped up its defense, the Magic shrunk. Mosley didn’t do enough to call timeouts to stop the bleeding. His poor game management and inability to draw up plays to facilitate easier offense are the main culprits for this loss. As mentioned above, it may have just cost Orlando the series.
It was a bad night for a few teams, at least in terms of inept quarters. The Raptors, for example, scored 12 points in the fourth quarter of their game, which was tied for the fourth-worst period … of the night.
That’s because the Magic posted quarters of 8 and 11 points – in the fourth and third quarters, respectively – and the Pistons scored 12 in the second period of their game.
Then, about 45 minutes later, the Rockets put up just 13 in the second quarter of their game against the Lakers, marking five quarters with teams failing to score 15 points.
Across those terrible quarters, the teams combined to shoot 15-of-81, or an embarrassing 18.5%.
This looks like a case where one team — the Cavaliers — has a better roster than the other. But it also has looked this series like one team — the Raptors — have simply put forth more effort than their opponent.
Cleveland has played well at points in the series, but it has also let lapses of concentration lead to turnovers that have let Toronto stay in games. Friday night, the Raptors scored 25 points off of 18 Cleveland turnovers, and the Cavs had the chance to ice the game when they had the ball with the shot clock off and a one-point lead.
But a frenzied possession led to a Mobley turnover when the ball was swiped out of his hands and off his body. That led to Barrett’s game-winning 3.
Without Kevin Durant, Houston simply couldn’t find enough offense to compete with Los Angeles, losing by 20 points. The Rockets shot the ball just 35% Friday night and that was somehow nearly double what they shot from 3-point range (17.9%).
Despite being the much younger team, the Rockets played with less energy and pace and, frankly, looked a little slow. This is surprising, and Houston underwhelmed this season after taking the big swing to trade for Durant. Houston did have pivotal injuries this year, but, this offseason could see some changes for the Rockets. Either way, some of these younger players — Reed Sheppard, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Şengün — need to take this offseason to mature and work on their efficiency.
ORLANDO, Fla. — Cade Cunningham scored 32 points and the top-seeded Detroit Pistons pulled off an incredible rally Friday night, erasing a 24-point deficit and beating the Orlando Magic 93-79 to force a Game 7 in their Eastern Conference first-round series.
Detroit trailed by 22 at the half and Orlando’s lead went to 62-38 early in the third quarter. The Magic looked absolutely poised to become the seventh No. 8 seed to eliminate a No. 1 seed in the conference quarterfinal round.
And then everything went wrong for Orlando. Everything.
The Magic became the first team since 1996-97 — when play-by-play began getting tracked digitally — to lose at home after leading by at least 24 points with a chance to win a series.
That number, and a whole lot of others, were just baffling. The Magic missed 23 consecutive shots from the field, Detroit went on a 35-5 run and just like that, the story of the game — and quite possibly the series — changed wildly.
Tobias Harris scored 22 points for Detroit, which will host Game 7 on Sunday. Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane each scored 17 for Orlando, which is now 0-2 in closeout opportunities in this series.
The first quarter was back and forth, Detroit leading 26-25 after those opening 12 minutes.
The second quarter: Magic 35, Pistons 12.
Orlando outscored the Pistons 17-0 from 3-point range and the free-throw line in that quarter, held Detroit to 2-for-11 shooting over the first 5:48 of the period and took a 60-38 lead into the half.
The 22-point halftime lead was the fourth-largest by a No. 8 seed over a No. 1 seed in this format. And there was never an instance of a No. 8 seed — at least in the play-by-play era, which started in 1996-97 — outscoring a No. 1 seed by 23 or more points in any quarter of a playoff game, either.
It seemed over. It was not. Because the third quarter: Pistons 24, Magic 11. The tone was set for a comeback, and when the night ended those who remained in Orlando’s Kia Center booed as they departed for possibly the final time this season.
Vanessa Bryant posted a photograph of her daughter, Gianna, on Instagram Friday on what would have been Gianna's 20th birthday.
“Happy birthday to my sweet baby angel, Gianna," Vanessa said in the post. "Words can’t express how much I love and miss you mamacita. Mommy loves you so much!"
Gianna Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash six years ago along with eight other passengers, including her father, Kobe Bryant.
The crash happened en route to Kobe Bryant's Mamba Sports Academy in Newbury Park, California, where he was scheduled to coach his daughter's team.
— Kobe Bryant Stories & Motivation (@kobehighlight) May 1, 2026
Vanessa Bryant's post had comments with heart emojis from basketball players such as Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu.
Other notable names such as Olivia Munn, Ciara and Kelly Rowland also left comments of support.
Kobe and Gianna have been honored with a statue that sits in front of Crypto.com Arena, which was unveiled in August 2024.
There are nights in the NBA when the game feels secondary to the star power sitting courtside on celebrity row.
Like a kid walking through a museum of modern pop culture, the faces you grew up watching on stage and screen are suddenly right in front of your eyes arguing with referees like it’s a Game 7 of their own lives.
And there’s no stage bigger when it comes to celebrity row than Los Angeles and New York.
Crypto.com Arena, formerly Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles, is where the top celebrities in movies, television, music, sports, tech and more flock to watch Luka Doncic, LeBron James and the Lake Show in action.
At Madison Square Garden, the celebrities aren’t scattered around like they are in LA. They’re seated shoulder to shoulder like a front-row orchestra that never misses a note.
So, what would happen if we turned those courtside legends into two separate teams based on their fandom?
Let’s build it and find out.
The Lakers
The head coach of the celebrity Lakers team is easy. Jack Nicholson, the godfather of purple and gold since the Showtime era at the Great Western Forum. He still looms over the franchise like a patron saint. He doesn’t come to games as regularly anymore, but his courtside seats have been passed on to his son, Ray.
Lou Adler (L) and actor Jack Nicholson attend Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics at Staples Center on June 3, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images) Getty Images
Here’s the Lakers’ roster of celebrities to choose from:
Snoop Dogg, Flea (but the entire Red Hot Chili Peppers band), Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Dyan Cannon, Will Ferrell, Denzel Washington, Jack Black, Lou Adler, Michael B. Jordan, Kendrick Lamar, Jimmy Iovine, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Martin Lawrence, Andy Garcia, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Dustin Hoffman, Paula Abdul, Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z, Beyonce, David Arquette, Magic Johnson, Matthew Stafford, Mookie Betts, Odell Beckham Jr., Puka Nacua, Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons, Justin and Hailey Bieber, George Lopez, Salma Hayek, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Halsey, Tom Cruise, Anze Kopitar, Bill Maher, Adam Sandler, Bad Bunny, Emily Ratajkowski, Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, Steven Spielberg, Eddie Murphy, Lily Collins, Lil Wayne, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Nicholas Hoult, Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin, Kate Hudson, Arsenio Hall, Nicholas Braun, Adele, Will.i.Am., Adam Levine and Maroon 5, Sarah Silverman, Jimmy Kimmel, Pat Sajak, Jonah Hill, David Spade, Chris Rock, David Beckham, Robert Downey Jr., Jon Favreau, Two Chainz, Kid Cudi, The Weeknd, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Courteney Cox, Steve Carell, Laura Dern, Chris Ivery, Jay Mohr, Jason Sudeikis, Saweetie, David Harbour, Hailee Steinfeld, Kendall Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Corey Gamble, Kris Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Simon Baker, Lamar Odom, Kourtney Kardashian, Travis Barker, Aaron Donald, Cooper Kupp, Brie Larson, Charlize Theron, Usher, Jamie Foxx, Terrell Owens, Josh Brolin, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Kylian Mbappé, Tyga, John Legend and Chrissy Teigen — and so many more.
The Lakers’ Starting Five
Denzel Washington attends the Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder Game in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images) Getty Images
Denzel Washington
Denzel would be your floor general. His voice in the huddle would command attention. Remember his performance in “Training Day”?
Leonardo DiCaprio attends a game between the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) Getty Images
Leonardo DiCaprio
We came to learn recently that DiCaprio has struck up a secret friendship with LeBron James. The A-lister actor who is regularly seen courtside at Lakers games would be the silent assassin. Black hat and glasses, he’ll show up when you least expect it.
Will Ferrell attends a game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) Getty Images
Will Ferrell
Every team needs chaos, and Ferrell brings it in waves. He’s the emotional spark plug, the guy who takes a charge, dives into the stands and somehow makes it funny and heroic at the same time.
Flea, of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, attends a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) Getty Images
Flea
Flea and Ferrell are your energy guys. All motion and all heart. Flea could be a defensive menace, like Marcus Smart on the current roster.
Justin Bieber (R) reacts to a play while attending an NBA game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Orlando Magic at Crypto.com Arena on February 24, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) Getty Images
Justin Bieber
Bieber is your 3-point shooter and ball handler. He’s not afraid of the big moment or of the spotlight in Los Angeles.
Getty ImagesGetty ImagesLos Angeles Times via Getty ImagesNBAE via Getty ImagesNBAE via Getty ImagesGetty ImagesGetty ImagesLos Angeles Times via Getty ImagesGetty ImagesLondon Entertainment / SplashNews.comCharles Wenzelberg/New York PostNBAE via Getty ImagesGetty ImagesGetty ImagesGetty ImagesGetty ImagesGetty ImagesNBAE via Getty ImagesGetty ImagesNBAE via Getty ImagesGetty ImagesGetty ImagesGetty ImagesGetty ImagesGetty Images
Bench mob: Mookie Betts, Eddie Murphy, Tobey Maguire, Dyan Cannon, Andy Garcia, Halsey and Dustin Hoffman.
The Knicks
At the Garden, the head coach of the celebrity Knicks is Spike Lee. There’s nobody else. No debate. No discussion. He’s the pulse, the historian, the heartbeat stitched into every era.
Spike Lee attends game six of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs between the New York Knicks and the Atlanta Hawks on April 30, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images) Getty Images
Here’s the Knicks’ roster of celebrities to choose from:
Ben Stiller, Adam Horovitz, Chris Rock, Howard Stern, Jon Stewart, Taylor Swift, Jimmy Fallon, Kal Penn, Ricky Gervais, Paul Simon, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes, David Duchovny, Judd Hirsch, Norman Reedus, Adam Sandler, Niall Horan, Al Roker, Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenner, Alan Alda, John Mulaney, Drew Barrymore, John McEnroe, Vince Vaughn, Chris Pratt, Jay-Z and Beyonce, John Turturro, Ed Sheeran, Nicholas Turturro, Henrik Lundqvist, Martha Stewart, Mariska Hargitay, Ray Romano, Jeff Garlin, Christopher Meloni, Larry David, Susie Essman, Lorne Michaels, Leon Robinson, Kevin Bacon, Kevin Connolly, Fat Joe, Bette Midler, Maria Menounos, Whoopi Goldberg, Patrick Ewing, John Starks, John Hamm, Edie Falco, Christine Taylor, Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Michael J. Fox, Pete Davidson, Anne Hathaway, Carmelo Anthony, 50 Cent, Emmy Rossum, Bill Murray, Julianne Moore, Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz, Cardi B, Jerry Seinfeld, Leslie Jones, JB Smoove, Stephen A. Smith and more.
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Actor Ben Stiller attends game two of the Eastern Conference first round NBA playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 20, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) Getty Images
Ben Stiller
Stiller is the glue guy every team needs. No Knicks fan wears wins and losses quite like him.
Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenner look on during the fourth quarter Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) Getty Images
Timothee Chalamet
Chalamet is the new wave, the bridge between generations. On the court, he’s young, flashy and effortlessly cool. He’s the player you build a franchise around.
Actor Tracy Morgan sits on celebrity row during the first quarter of a Knicks game. (Photo by Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post) Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Tracy Morgan
Morgan brings heart to this team. He’s real, unfiltered and isn’t afraid to tell his teammates how it is. He’s the kinda player the city will wrap its arms around.
Tina Fey attends Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs between the Atlanta Hawks and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on April 28, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) Atlanta Hawks v New York Knicks – Game Five Getty Images
Tina Fey
Fey is the strategist on the court. She has a sharp mind and even sharper instincts. She’s the player/coach every great team needs.
Jon Stewart looks on in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs between the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden on May 16, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) Getty Images
Jon Stewart
Stewart is the passion and the vocal leader of the team. He’d be the one taking charges and demanding more from his teammates. He’s the grit NYC is built on.
Bench mob: John McEnroe, Mariska Hargitay, Larry David, Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, Fat Joe, Michael J. Fox.
Two cities. Two identities. But they both live courtside.
Charles Wenzelberg / New York PostCorey Sipkin for the NY POSTCharles Wenzelberg / New York PostJason Szenes / New York PostCharles Wenzelberg / New York PostGetty ImagesGetty ImagesGetty ImagesCharles Wenzelberg / New York PostBrad Penner-Imagn ImagesCharles Wenzelberg / New York PostUrbanxDivinity / BACKGRIDCharles Wenzelberg / New York PostNBAE via Getty ImagesGetty ImagesRobert Sabo for NY PostCharles Wenzelberg / New York PostCharles Wenzelberg / New York PostCharles Wenzelberg / New York PostJASON SZENES/ NY POSTCharles Wenzelberg / New York PostCarlos Toro/ NY POSTNBAE via Getty ImagesCharles Wenzelberg / New York PostCharles Wenzelberg / New York PostCorey SipkinNBAE via Getty ImagesRobert Sabo for NY PostGetty Images
These lists were composed of more recent celebrities who are seen consistently at games the past few seasons.
4/30/26 – NBA Playoffs Game 6, New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia – New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson #23, fighting with Atlanta...
Mitchell Robinson was not suspended, but his wallet is a little bit lighter.
“The amount of Robinson’s fine takes into account his inappropriate post on social media in reference to the incident postgame,” the league said in a statement.
Mitchell Robinson (23) is pictured during a fracas April 30 when the Knicks faced the Hawks. Charles Wenzelberg
As OG Anunoby took a free throw with the Knicks leading by 50 points with just under five minutes left in the second quarter, Daniels yanked Robinson’s arm.
The alternate angle of this Knicks-Hawks fight is WILD.
NEW YORK (AP) — Mitchell Robinson of the New York Knicks was fined $50,000 and Dyson Daniels of the Atlanta Hawks was fined $25,000, those penalties coming Friday for their roles in an on-court altercation during Game 6 of the teams' Eastern Conference first-round series.
The incident happened with 4:39 left in the second quarter of the Knicks' 140-89 series-clinching win on Thursday night. Both players were assessed technical fouls and ejected.
Robinson and Daniels “became entangled while battling for position during a free throw attempt," the NBA said, and the altercation escalated from there. Robinson merited the larger fine, the league said, because of “his inappropriate post on social media in reference to the incident postgame.”
The fine and ejection will not affect Robinson's availability for Game 1 of New York's Eastern Conference semifinal series against Boston or Philadelphia.
Joel Embiid is sick of losing to Boston — he has been eliminated from the playoffs three times by them.
He's not as sick of it as 76ers fans, who have seen their team lose six straight playoff series to the Celtics, and Philly hasn't beaten its Boston rivals in the playoffs since "E.T. the Extraterrestrial" was in theaters and Commodore 64s were the hottest home computer on the market (1982).
"I've been playing these guys for so long, I'm tired of losing to them…," Embiid said after he and the 76ers took Game 6 fairly comfortably and forced a Game 7 on Sunday. "We have a chance to accomplish something special."
Boston was in control of the 2026 version of this rivalry, but Joel Embiid's return from an appendectomy, combined with a defensive shift from Philadelphia, changed everything. Now Philadelphia is on the doorstep of becoming just the 15th team to come from 3-1 down to win a series, and the first since Denver in the bubble in 2020.
What should fans look for in this Game 7? Here's everything you need to know.
When is 76ers vs. Celtics Game 7?
Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. Eastern at the TD Garden in Boston. You can watch the game on NBC or Peacock, it will air just after the coverage of the 152nd Kentucky Derby on NBC.
History of 76ers vs. Celtics Game 7s
Sunday will be a record ninth Game 7 between these franchises, with Boston leading 6-2 heading into this season. For a more detailed look at those Game 7s and the rivalry, follow this link to our story on the history.
Joel Embiid
Embiid's return earlier than expected from an appendectomy — despite complications he was willing to talk about — changed this series. Mostly because Boston has nobody who can cover him when he's playing like the MVP version of himself — and he's pretty close to that.
Embiid is averaging 26 points, 8 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game in his three games this series.
Embiid's return was not perfectly smooth. In his first game back, Game 4, the 76ers' offense was off balance as they tried to feed Embiid and find a comfort level playing off him. It was to be expected. The combination of Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey played just 21 games together this season due to injuries and George's 25-game suspension.
However, by Game 5, Nick Nurse had a plan in place, and Philadelphia executed it. They let Embiid go to work in isolation more, regardless of who was guarding him, because Boston has nobody who can. When Boston adjusted and started bringing hard doubles at Embiid in Game 6, he found open teammates, and the offense flowed.
Still not sure how Joel Embiid saw Kelly Oubre Jr. AND made a perfect behind-the-back pass. pic.twitter.com/vQQtHbTwBp
Philadelphia has been led this series by All-Star Tyrese Maxey, who is averaging 26.3 points and 6.5 assists per game through six games. Paul George has played like the All-Star version of himself, averaging 18.2 points and seven rebounds a night while playing stellar defense. Rookie VJ Edgecombe is pitching in 13.8 points a night and is making plays.
VJ Edgecombe can reach a DIFFERENT LEVEL of speed.
The rookie takes the court with his 76ers for Game 7 against the Celtics, Saturday 7:30pm ET on NBC and Peacock. pic.twitter.com/j9mtsB312u
Philadelphia has matchup advantages in this series, and, to its credit — unlike Boston — the 76ers are exploiting them.
Boston 3-point Shooting
Sometimes it's just this simple: The Celtics shot 12-of-41 (29.3%) from 3-point range in Game 6. The Celtics are averaging 20 made 3-pointers per game in their three wins, compared to just 12 in their three losses, and in all three of those Celtics' losses they have shot under 30% from beyond the arc.
Give the 76ers perimeter defense credit for some of that. Starting in Game 5, Philadelphia made a point of emphasis taking away the 3-pointer (or at least strongly contesting every shot — Philly dared Boston to beat them any other way. That has not happened. No team is more reliant on the 3-point shot than Boston, and if those shots aren't falling Sunday, it's going to be a long day for the Celtics and their fans.
Which gets to the other thing Boston needs.
Can one of the Jays take over?
The last time these two teams met in a Game 7, it was 2023, and it was the Jayson Tatum game — he scored 51, the most ever in a Game 7.
Tatum was asked after Game 6 if he was "bummed" the Celtics could not close it out in six and now was headed to a Game 7.
"Bummed to say it's going to Game 7? No, I'm not bummed," Tatum said, then referenced the Achilles he tore last playoffs that kept him out most of this season. "I was out for 50 weeks. I wasn't able to play basketball. So I get another opportunity to play the game that I love."
For Boston's offense to thrive, one of Tatum or Jaylen Brown needs to get hot, drive and touch the paint, then either score (some midrange jumpers will work) or draw defenders and kick-out to open shooters at the arc.
Payton Pritchard has played well for Boston in this series, averaging 14.8 points per game. Derrick White has struggled with his shot, averaging 8.7 points a game on 30.9% shooting, and Boston could really use him to get going.
Apr 29, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson (1) moves the ball against Los Angeles Lakers guard Luke Kennard (10) during the second half in game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
May 1, 2026
Location: Toyota Center – Houston, Texas
TV: Amazon Prime
Radio:KBME Sports Talk 790 / KLTN 102.9 (en español)
After a brutal Game 3 loss in Atlanta put New York in a 2-1 hole, many thought their worst fears about this team were realized. There was no cohesion -- the offense looked directionless, the defense debilitated by the team’s best player.
The three games that followed were a complete reversal. The Knicks topped the Hawks by 16, 29, and a whopping 51 points to close the series, making their strongest statement of readiness to contend to date.
It was only the first round against an upstart team, but it may have solidified what this team’s winning identity will be these playoffs: versatility. The postseason is all about matchups and adjustments, and the Knicks have all the talent, but sometimes struggle with utilizing it.
It didn’t look that way to close out the Hawks. Everything coach Mike Brown preached and implemented was executed to glowing perfection. The Knicks ate the early struggle and adjusted to win the series -- here’s how.
Their biggest issue through three games was the offense -- completely freezing down the stretch of Game 2 and well into Game 3. Jalen Brunson struggled outside of the first quarter of the postseason, and the Knicks failed to get other creators to pick up the slack.
They corrected this by getting Brunson off-ball much more and running their offense through their most glaring advantage -- Karl-Anthony Towns. Every half-court possession moved through him in the pinch post, as Brown and the Knicks employed flex action to create cutters and space.
This gave Brunson many easier opportunities and higher-efficiency outputs, and opened the door for OG Anunoby to step up. The Knicks needed more scoring with the slow start from their guards, and shifted more offense in a favorable direction with Anunoby able to use his size to explode in the series.
None of this would work if not for the work that Towns and Brown put in during the regular season. It took some time for the two to find synchronicity in the offense, with many of these added creation reps causing friction early in the year.
It’s certainly paying off now as Towns looked prepared to leverage this Hawks matchup, patiently picking off their defense with strong decision-making and raw talent. A triple-double amid a career series from Towns and 22-and-9 averages from Anunoby later, and the Knicks are advancing in their most dominant fashion in years.
Brown also switched up the bench rotation for more ball handling, inserting Jose Alvarado and making sure that he and Jordan Clarkson were playing if Brunson wasn’t.
Defensively, Brunson was getting picked on while guarding CJ McCollum. Brown turned to veteran Josh Hart for the assignment, moving Brunson onto Dyson Daniels with both stepping up in the new defensive alignment to swing the series.
Now, have the Knicks figured out they need to be running their offense through Towns' high-post creation and making Anunoby their bona fide third scorer? That may have worked against Atlanta, but Boston or Philadelphia offer different challenges.
Towns won’t have the same advantages versus Joel Embiid, and New York’s likely to see much more drop next round, no matter its opponent. Maybe we’ll see different bench pieces to combat the different issues they face
Going up against Boston could make for more of a Mikal Bridges series, coming off last year’s run when he scored more than 20 in Games 4 and 6. Anunoby will be dealing with much tougher wings, and Bridges is much more comfortable against conservative pick-and-roll defenses and smaller guards.
The point is, fans who spent the regular season fretting about an identity or the team’s constant evolution were missing the bigger picture. These Knicks are built to win any way necessary, not in one specific one -- this is a feature, not a bug.
They spent the regular season fidgeting with schemes, lineups and rotations for this championship run, so that if Brunson has a slow series, or Towns an unfavorable matchup, they have other options in their back pocket that have been tried and tested. It may have taken longer than necessary against the Hawks, but we saw what that ability to adapt looks like fully unlocked.
They’ll need to be even more ready against a tougher foe like the Celtics or 76ers. Styles make fights, now let’s see if the Knicks are truly prepared for the bouts ahead.
HOUSTON — As Austin Reaves was ramping up to make his eventual return to the court from a strained left oblique, Lakers coach JJ Redick was asked: How would the team manage Reaves’ role after Luke Kennard’s emergence in the playoffs?
“We’ll cross that bridge when it happens,” Redick responded ahead of the Lakers’ Game 3 win over the Rockets.
Lakers coach JJ Redick needs to find a way to maximize the pairing of Austin Reaves and Luke Kennard. NBAE via Getty Images
Well, with Reaves returning in the Lakers’ Game 5 loss to the Rockets on Wednesday, it’s time to cross the bridge.
Because the Lakers’ best-of-seven first-round playoff series against the Rockets made it clear they need all the offensive help they can get, especially with star guard Luka Doncic remaining sidelined because of his left hamstring strain.
Enter Reaves and Kennard, the former who had an All-Star-caliber season and the latter who showcased the depth of his offensive skill set while Doncic and Reaves were both sidelined.
The problem for the Lakers: They’ve yet to find the formula that maximizes Reaves and Kennard while on the floor together.
The Lakers were minus-2 in the 17 minutes when Reaves and Kennard were on the court at the same time in Game 5.
For the regular season, the Lakers had a minus-5.8 net rating when Reaves and Kennard shared the floor — with their high-level offense being masked by putrid defensive play.
The Lakers’ Austin Reaves (15) had success operating on the ball while Kennard ran off off-ball screens weakside. NBAE via Getty Images
The Lakers were even worse when Reaves and Kennard shared the floor without Doncic, recording a minus-15.2 net rating, albeit in a small sample of 273 possessions.
The Lakers’ struggles during those situations shouldn’t be a surprise.
But the Lakers need the pairing to find synergy if the team wants to achieve its goal of extending its season long enough for Doncic to return.
And it starts offensively.
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The Lakers found success with Reaves operating on the ball while Kennard ran off off-ball screens weakside, helping create driving lanes for Reaves or opportunities for a drive and kick from Reaves to Kennard.
The defensive shortcomings are more digestible if the offense is firing on all cylinders — which the Lakers are in desperate need of.
They need Reaves’ ball handling, pick-and-roll chops, playmaking and pull-up shooting.
Kennard was a difference-maker to start the first-round series, combining for 50 points on 65% shooting. NBAE via Getty Images
Kennard was a difference-maker to start the series against the Rockets, combining for 50 points on 65% shooting to lead the Lakers’ offense.
But when he cooled off, so did the Lakers, with Kennard combining for 22 points on 29% shooting in Games 3-5, with the Lakers’ offense — and Kennard — being less productive and efficient offensively with each game.
And with Kennard playing at least 31 minutes in each of the Lakers’ first five playoff games against the Rockets entering Friday’s Game 6, phasing him out of the rotation isn’t a great option.
Especially with how important he is to the offense and creating havoc for defenses while Doncic is sidelined.
Reaves’ return provides some solutions. But it doesn’t solve all of the problems about the Lakers’ offensive concerns without Doncic.
They need Reaves and Kennard to be in a rhythm to have a shot to play deeper in May.
TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 26: Max Strus #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots against Ja'Kobe Walter #14 of the Toronto Raptors during Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on April 26, 2026 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. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) | Getty Images
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