Denver Nuggets (54-28, third in the Western Conference) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33, sixth in the Western Conference)
Minneapolis; Thursday, 9:30 p.m. EDT
LINE: Nuggets -1.5; over/under is 234
WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Series tied 1-1
BOTTOM LINE: The Minnesota Timberwolves host the Denver Nuggets in game three of the Western Conference first round with the series tied 1-1. The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 119-114 in the last matchup on Tuesday. Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 30 points, and Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 30.
The Timberwolves are 9-7 against the rest of their division. Minnesota ranks eighth in the Western Conference with 50.3 points per game in the paint led by Edwards averaging 11.0.
The Nuggets are 11-5 against the rest of their division. Denver scores 122.1 points and has outscored opponents by 5.2 points per game.
The Timberwolves are shooting 48.1% from the field this season, 1.3 percentage points higher than the 46.8% the Nuggets allow to opponents. The Nuggets average 14.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.1 more made shots on average than the 12.1 per game the Timberwolves allow.
TOP PERFORMERS: Julius Randle is averaging 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and five assists for the Timberwolves. Ayo Dosunmu is averaging 13 points and 3.2 assists over the past 10 games.
Murray is averaging 25.4 points and 7.1 assists for the Nuggets. Nikola Jokic is averaging 23.4 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Timberwolves: 5-5, averaging 117.9 points, 40.9 rebounds, 25.9 assists, 8.3 steals and 5.8 blocks per game while shooting 48.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.8 points per game.
Nuggets: 9-1, averaging 127.5 points, 48.1 rebounds, 31.0 assists, 7.2 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 49.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.3 points.
INJURIES: Timberwolves: None listed.
Nuggets: Peyton Watson: out (hamstring).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Cleveland Cavaliers (52-30, fourth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Toronto Raptors (46-36, fifth in the Eastern Conference)
Toronto; Thursday, 8 p.m. EDT
LINE: Cavaliers -3; over/under is 219.5
EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Cavaliers lead series 2-0
BOTTOM LINE: The Cleveland Cavaliers visit the Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference first round with a 2-0 lead in the series. The Cavaliers won the last matchup 115-105 on Monday, led by 30 points from Donovan Mitchell. Scottie Barnes led the Raptors with 26.
The Raptors have gone 33-19 against Eastern Conference opponents. Toronto is 7-4 in one-possession games.
The Cavaliers are 33-19 against Eastern Conference opponents. Cleveland is seventh in the Eastern Conference with 44.4 rebounds per game led by Evan Mobley averaging 9.0.
The Raptors average 114.6 points per game, 0.8 fewer points than the 115.4 the Cavaliers give up. The Cavaliers are shooting 48.2% from the field, 1.5% higher than the 46.7% the Raptors' opponents have shot this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Brandon Ingram is averaging 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists for the Raptors. RJ Barrett is averaging 19.4 points over the last 10 games.
James Harden is averaging 23.6 points and eight assists for the Cavaliers. Mitchell is averaging 20.0 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Raptors: 4-6, averaging 115.8 points, 38.9 rebounds, 29.8 assists, 8.3 steals and 4.0 blocks per game while shooting 51.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.4 points per game.
Cavaliers: 8-2, averaging 120.7 points, 43.2 rebounds, 27.3 assists, 8.5 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 51.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.0 points.
INJURIES: Raptors: Immanuel Quickley: day to day (hamstring).
Cavaliers: Thomas Bryant: day to day (calf).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Lakers forward LeBron James elevates for a double-pumping reverse dunk during the third quarter of Game 2 on Tuesday night. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
They did the heavy lifting for the Lakers, combining for 76 points, 16 rebounds and 16 assists to carry the Lakers to a 101-94 win over the Houston Rockets in Game 2 of the Western Conference playoffs Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena.
James had another near triple-double with 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists to help the Lakers take a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. He capped his night with a two-handed dunk with 55.3 seconds left to make sure the Lakers didn’t blow a 15-point lead they built in the first half.
Lakers guard Marcus Smart, sprawled on the court, steals the ball from Rockets forward Kevin Durant during the first quarter of Game 2. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Smart had 25 points, seven assists and two rebounds while his defense was outstanding once again. Smart, who was eight-for-13 from the field, drilled a big-time three-pointer late in the fourth quarter to give the Lakers an eight-point lead.
Kennard had 23 points, six rebounds and two assists. His two free throws with 14.3 seconds left capped the scoring.
And once again, the Lakers showed their clutch genes, this time doing so with Luka Doncic (Grade 2 left hamstring strain) and Austin Reaves (Grade 2 left oblique muscle strain), sitting on the bench injured.
The Lakers had the best clutch record in the NBA during the regular season, going 22-8 in games when the score was within five points in the final five minutes. The Rockets on the other hand, went 22-23 during clutch moments, ranking 16th in the league.
“We all got to pick up our play,” James said. “When you’ve got two big guns out like we have, we all got to pick up our play. And that's all it's about. We’re all just trying to contribute, make contributions in all facets of the game, pick up our play. Obviously, we're missing Luka and missing AR, so we’re just trying to seize the opportunity. That's all.”
Kevin Durant returned to play after missing Game 1 because of a right knee contusion, and he was sharp early on, scoring 20 points in the first half. But Durant had just three points in the second half and he had nine turnovers for the game.
With the Rockets hosting Game 3 on Friday night, James said he found no comfort in how the Lakers defended Durant.
“None. That just makes him even madder going into Game 3. No satisfaction,” James, who played 39 minutes and 12 seconds, said. “You know, we did our job. We did that. But the guy's a first-ballot Hall of Famer and he's going to make way more great plays than not. So, we don't have no satisfaction. That game is over and done with, but it's still a tall challenge.”
Lakers guard Luke Kennard takes the ball from Rockets forward Kevin Durant during Game 2 of their first-round playoff series at Crypto.Com Arena on Tuesday. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
The starting backcourt of Smart and Kennard, starting in place of Doncic and Reaves, had the kind of first-quarter scoring display Doncic is known for delivering.
Smart had 14 points in the first 12 minutes, shooting five for seven from the field and three for four from three-point range. Kennard had 10 points in the first, shooting four for six from the field and two for three from three-point range.
"Whether those guys are here or not, obviously we would love for them to be here,” said Smart, who played 35:29. “They elevate us to a whole other level, right? And we understand that. But they're not and there's nothing we can do about it but step our game up for those guys."
During the regular season, Doncic, Reaves and James were the Big Three for the Lakers.
But James has two new mates to help the cause, and Smart and Kennard are holding it down.
It started in Game 1, when James, Smart and Kennard combined for 61 of the Lakers’ 107 points, 14 rebounds and 24 assists.
Houston forward Kevin Durant passes the ball under pressure from Lakers forward Rui Hachimura and center Jaxson Hayes Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
“We know throughout the game we’re going to have the ball in our hands the most, us three,” said Kennard, who played 41:58. “Again, it’s just playing within the flow of the game when we can. Seeing what adjustments they made earlier in the game and just trying to find ways to beat it. I thought we did a good job of staying poised and under control overall. … But, like I said, us three, we know we’re going to have the ball the majority of the time when it comes down to it and we have to be aggressive and look for the right play each time.”
Etc.
When asked about a report saying Reaves has progressed to one-on-one court work and what Doncic is able to do, Lakers coach JJ Redick said, “Yeah, no update on the timeline for either of those guys.”
“Austin has started a return-to-play [plan,] but we don't have any timeline update for him,” Redick added. “And then Luka I think is gonna start some court work here soon. But again, no update on timeline.”
Redick was asked if Reaves returning to play meant he is starting some support work.
“Yeah. But he, again, it's an upper-body injury versus a lower-body injury, so it's different things,” Redick said.
Redick was asked one last time what return-to-play progression looks like for Reaves.
But even with Kevin Durant available and having a hot start, Game 2 played out similarly to the playoffs series-opener, with the Lakers beating the Rockets 101-94 at Crypto.com Arena to take a two-game lead in the best-of-seven first round series.
Durant led the Rockets with 23 points, six rebounds and four assists after missing the first game of the series because of a right knee contusion.
But the Lakers once again stifled the Rockets’ offense.
“There’s a natural flow to series where the team that wins [Game 1] can relax a little bit and the team that loses comes out and plays with more desperation,” coach JJ Redick said. “Our guys at least matched their sense of desperation. Our second efforts, all that stuff. You’ve got to win a bunch of little fights, that can be your catch position, that can be your screens, that can be creating separation, that can be boxing out. But this team requires you to win a bunch of little fights.”
LeBron James scored a team-high 28 points to go with eight rebounds and seven assists. Luke Kennard had 23 points and six rebounds, while Marcus Smart stuffed the stat sheet with 25 points, seven assists and five steals.
What it means
The Lakers have a 2-0 series lead over the Rockets, the first time they’ve done so since winning the 2020 NBA Finals against the Heat.
Since the NBA moved to a 16-team playoff format in 1984, teams that go up 2-0 in a series under the 2-2-1-1-1 home/away pattern have a 245-23 record (91.4% winning percentage of the series).
“It means nothing,” James said. “The series is not won until you win four. It’s the first to four.”
LeBron, who had a game-high 28 points, goes up for a dunk during the Lakers’ 101-94 win over the Rockets in Game 2 of their first-round series on April 21, 2026 in Los Angeles. NBAE via Getty Images
Turning point
When Smart knocked down a corner 3 to give the Lakers a 95-87 lead with 2:23 left in the game.
The shot was not only Smart’s fifth 3-pointer, but gave the Lakers breathing room late.
Smart also picked up a crucial steal against Durant, who had nine turnovers, before assisting James on a dunk to give the Lakers a 99-92 lead.
Kevin Durant looks to grab a loose ball as Marcus Smart defends during the Lakers’ Game 2 win over the Rockets in Los Angeles. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
MVP: Marcus Smart
Smart made five of the Lakers’ 13 3s and made big plays on both ends of the floor throughout Tuesday.
His scoring total was the third time he reached at least 25 points in a playoff game, which he last did during the 2020 Eastern Conference Finals when he had 26 points in a Game 1 loss to the Heat.
Smart’s playoff career-high is 27 points.
“To be able to be back on this stage again,” Smart said, “making the plays that I’m making with these guys, with this team, this organization, I’m just grateful.
Stat of the game: 9
That was the number of turnovers Durant had on Tuesday, which tied a career high for the most giveaways he’s had in a playoff game
Including Tuesday, Durant’s turned the ball over nine times in a playoff game three times.
Up next
The Lakers-Rockets series will move to Houston for the next two games, with Game 3 taking place on Friday at Toyota Center.
BOSTON — For a few minutes Tuesday, it seemed VJ Edgecombe and the Sixers’ night would be defined by his first-quarter crash to the TD Garden floor after he leapt for a defensive rebound.
Then Edgecombe showed up on the Sixers’ sideline and reminded everyone that he’s more than just a rising star.
In the second playoff game of his rookie year, Edgecombe was downright heroic in a 30-point, 10-rebound performance. Backcourt mate Tyrese Maxey was also excellent in the fourth quarter of a 29-point, nine-assist night and the seventh-seeded Sixers flew home with their first-round playoff series vs. the Celtics tied at 1-1.
“He’s a tough kid,” Andre Drummond said of Edgecombe. “His confidence is something I haven’t seen in a very long time. He plays with a swag that a lot of guys don’t play with when they’re coming up.
“I’m happy that he’s here. He’s playing at a very high level and we need more from him next game, too. So he has to stay prepared.”
Based on all the evidence of his rookie season, readiness shouldn’t be an issue for Edgecombe the rest of this series. Time and again, he’s elevated his play in the clutch, shrugged off rocky shooting starts and attacked whatever’s in front of him.
Even as he’s quizzed teammates on NBA life and digested a constant flow of new information, nothing about Edgecombe’s day-to-day demeanor has betrayed uncertainty.
Has he ever doubted himself as a rookie?
“I just try not to overthink it,” he said. “I try not to put pressure on myself. Everyone else is already putting pressure on us to perform, so I’m not trying to put pressure on myself.
“I’m around a great group of guys that also help me and keep instilling confidence in me just to keep going, regardless of who’s on the floor, who’s not on the floor. It’s just a big shoutout to my teammates and my coaches.”
Those teammates sometimes forget exactly how young Edgecombe is.
In the middle of glowing about Edgecombe’s game at the postgame press conference podium, 35-year-old Paul George looked to his right.
“It’s just impressive, man,” George said of the Sixers’ rookie guard. “Thirty and 10, but it was just what we needed in moments throughout this game where he took over. He kind of just put us at ease when I wasn’t on the floor or Tyrese wasn’t on the floor. He just put us at ease, got to his spots and made big plays. And he had some big rebounds as well.”
There’s still room to grow, but Edgecombe’s jump shooting progress has been exceptional since his freshman season at Baylor. He was fine as an outside shooter in college (34 percent from three-point range), but Edgecombe wasn’t especially smooth off the dribble and lacked craft in the mid-range.
Edgecombe has increased his three-point volume in the NBA and sharpened his mid-range skills. He’s been happy to punish defenses that play drop pick-and-roll coverage and let him walk into pull-up jumpers, give him space in transition, or leave him open for catch-and-shoot chances. After an 0-for-5 day in Game 1, he shot 6 for 10 beyond the arc Tuesday.
“I think we knew where the shots were going to come, where the help was going to be at,” Edgecombe said. “Credit to my teammates. We kept trusting each other. Everyone can make a play on the court. … I was in the spot and they wanted me to shoot the ball.
“It wouldn’t have been right if I didn’t shoot the ball, so I had to shoot the ball. They were wide-open shots. Try to get my teammates their assists.”
Edgecombe also made a visit back to the locker room early in the third quarter. Once more, he returned and thrived.
He had a good-natured but cagy veteran’s answer on his health postgame.
“I just landed on my back, but I’m good. I was able to finish the game, so I’m good,” Edgecombe said, smiling. “That’s all I got for you. Ain’t nothing wrong with me; I’m good.”
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 21: Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after a big offensive play during the second quarter of game two in an NBA playoff game against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
In a rock fight of a Game 2, the Lakers did just enough to go ahead 2-0 in the series with a 101-94 win over the Rockets.
Offense was a precious commodity throughout the contest, a change of pace from the opening game of the series. As the game went on, the defenses took over, especially in the closing minutes.
Fortunately, the Lakers held a lead throughout that stretch, doing just enough to keep Houston at a distance throughout the second half. The Rockets finished the game shooting 40.4% from the field and 24.1% from three.
Jabari Smith Jr. got things going early with a triple for the Rockets. LeBron James responded with a steal and a layup on the other end as part of a back-and-forth battle to start.
Kevin Durant was back after missing Game 1 and had seven points. Marcus Smart was leading LA with nine points.
At the first timeout, the Rockets were up by two.
Out of the break, Amen Thompson threw down a dunk, but Smart responded with his third 3-pointer. The Lakers were shooting 61% from the field.
Luke Kennard began to heat up with seven points. At the 2:36 mark, it was a tie game.
Kennard continued to cook, draining a triple that put him in double figures with 10 points. LA ended the first quarter with a 9-0 run to take a seven-point lead.
LeBron opened the second period with consecutive 3-pointers. Smith Jr. responded with a triple for the Rockets. Houston cut the lead down to eight for the Lakers, but Rui Hachimura knocked down a 3-pointer to put LA back up double-digits.
Smart, LeBron and Kennard were all in double-figures with 14, 12 and 10, respectively.
Deandre Ayton scored his first points of the half on a lob from Smart. Kennard and Smart then added a combined five more points to give Los Angeles a 15-point lead, forcing a Rockets timeout.
Houston responded in a big way with a 12-0 run to get back in the game. By the 2:15 mark, it was a one-point game.
Hachimura stopped some of the bleeding with a triple. The teams shot a string of free throws as the quarter wound down. At halftime, it was a three-point Lakers lead.
Every postseason, I see Rui Hachimura hitting shots and elevating his game.
Smith Jr. scored on a dunk to start the third period, making it a one-point game. Smith Jr. then converted on a layup that put Houston up by one. Kennard responded with a 3-pointer to give LA the lead back.
Ayton and LeBron took the game over, scoring a combined seven points to help Los Angeles gain a cushion on their lead. Hachimura pitched in with his third triple of the game.
The Lakers were up by eight at the 6:32 mark.
With the fourth quarter nearing, LA was still up, having picked up its defense. Kennard connected with Hachimura for a dunk that gave the crowd a jolt of energy. Alperen Şengün scored four in a row for Houston.
Turnovers were an Achilles heel for Los Angeles as they had 11. At the end of the third, the purple and gold were up by seven.
The Lakers lead the Rockets 75-68 after three. They are 12 minutes away from being up 2-0 in the series.
Jaxson Hayes opened the final frame by converting on a three-point play. Thompson answered on the other end by converting on his own three-point play.
Houston was still within reach after scoring four straight. At the 7:40 mark, LA was up six.
Kennard scored again on a midrange jumper, pushing his point total to 21. Josh Okogie drained a triple for the Rockets. LeBron answered with a layup on the other end.
The playoff intensity was high as both teams were fighting through tight defenses. The Lakers were doing well defending KD, who struggled through the double teams.
Los Angeles was nursing a four-point lead when Hachimura knocked down a big-time midrange jumper.
After a basket from KD, both teams exchanged triples, making it a five-point lead for LA. Smart was fouled and converted on both, pushing the lead to seven with 1:51 left. Şengün then dunked on the other end.
LeBron responded with a monster two-handed dunk to put LA back up seven.
Şengün converted on the other end, but Houston did absolutely nothing else worthy of being talked about down the stretch as Kennard drained two free throws to seal the win.
Key Player Stats
LeBron finished with 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Smart ended with 25 points, seven assists and five steals. Kennard had 23 points with six rebounds.
Hachimura pitched in with 13 points and five rebounds. Ayton scored six points with five rebounds. Hayes had a nice game off the bench, tallying six points and four rebounds while closing the game.
Game 3 will be on Friday against the Houston Rockets at 5:00 PM PT.
NFL MVP Matthew Stafford and his star wide receiver Puka Nacua took a break from offseason workouts with the Los Angeles Rams to catch all the action on the hardwood for the NBA Playoffs.
Stafford and his wife Kelly sat courtside for Game 2 between the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday night.
Stafford wore a black hat pulled low, and beside him, Kelly, wore a No. 8 Kobe Bryant jersey.
Matthew Stafford and his wife Kelly Hall attend a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets on April 21, 2026 at Crypto.com Arena. NBAE via Getty Images
Across the court, and a few rows up in the tunnel suites was Nacua, soaking it all in and watching his quarterback across the court.
Nacua, fresh off a personal reset at a rehab facility in Malibu, is back working out at the Rams’ facility in Woodland Hills.
Michael J. Duarte
The Rams’ stars were just some of the famous athletes and celebrities in the building for Game 2. Seated next to Nacua was Green Bay Packers linebacker Micah Parsons, and actor Scott Speedman.
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SAN ANTONIO, TX -APRIL 21: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs holds his head after falling to the court against the Portland Trailblazers in the first half of Game Two of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center on April 21, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Everything about the night felt like it was setting up for another San Antonio statement. The crowd was buzzing. The series leaned their way. And early on, even adversity didn’t seem like it would matter.
Then everything unraveled.
The San Antonio Spurs watched a 14-point fourth quarter lead disappear Tuesday night, falling 106-103 to the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 2 and evening their best of seven series at 1-1. What should have been a commanding 2-0 series advantage instead turned into a painful lesson in how quickly playoff momentum can swing.
The first turning point came long before the final minutes. Midway through the second quarter, Victor Wembanyama crashed to the floor on a drive and struck his chin on the hardwood, leaving the game and later entering concussion protocol. He finished with just five points in 12 minutes and his absence reshaped everything San Antonio wanted to do on both ends.
“I just know he has a concussion, and he’s in the protocol, and we’ll obviously take the proper and appropriate steps,” Spurs Head Coach Mitch Johnson said after the game.
Still, the Spurs didn’t fold. They absorbed the blow, fought back from an early deficit, and slowly took control. Despite missing their franchise centerpiece, San Antonio leaned on its depth and defensive effort to claw its way back. A balanced scoring effort: led by De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Devin Vassell; helped stabilize the offense, even if efficiency wasn’t always there.
By the fourth quarter, it looked like resilience would define the night. The Spurs opened the period with a 13-0 surge, building a double-digit lead that stretched to 14 points with under nine minutes to play. At that moment, the game, and perhaps the series, felt firmly in their control.
Then came the unraveling.
Portland caught fire from beyond the arc, hitting timely threes and chipping away at the deficit possession by possession. San Antonio, meanwhile, stalled. The ball stopped moving. Shots stopped falling. And in the game’s most critical stretch, the Spurs failed to score a field goal over the final three minutes.
“I thought we weren’t as poised as we were in Game 1,” Johnson said. “We weren’t as sharp to start the game tonight. We weren’t on the same page or organized. We’ll be better in Game 3.”
A late Portland run, fueled by Scoot Henderson’s 31-point explosion and clutch execution down the stretch, flipped the game entirely. By the time San Antonio tried to respond, it was too late.
The loss wasn’t just about one run — it was about missed opportunities. Free throws left points on the board. Defensive lapses opened the door. And without Wembanyama anchoring the paint, the margin for error vanished. Even strong contributions elsewhere, including a steady effort from Luke Kornet off the bench, couldn’t offset the late-game breakdown.
“Have to be more physical with him. No catch-and-shoots. No easy, off-the-dribble pull-ups,” Spurs forward Devin Vassell said of Henderson. “We’re going to make it a lot harder for him, because obviously, he’s feeling way too comfortable.”
And beyond the scoreboard, the bigger concern lingers. Wembanyama’s status moving forward now looms over the series, with concussion protocol introducing uncertainty at the worst possible time.
Instead of heading to Portland with full control, the Spurs now find themselves in a fight. Game 2 was there for the taking, even without their star. But in the playoffs, letting one slip can change everything.
Now, the question isn’t just how San Antonio responds. It’s whether they can regroup, and recover, before the series slips with it.
Game Notes
Without Wemby in the game, Luke Kornet had another solid night off the bench. He had 10 points and nine rebounds in 28 minutes.
Stephon Castle had 18 points, but shot just 7-for-20 from the floor. He will need to be better in Game 3 without Wemby in the lineup if the French star misses Game 3.
Despite the loss, it the game came down to the little things. San Antonio went 20-for-28 from the free throw line. Make those eight free throws and the Spurs win by five points.
De’Aaron Fox went 6-of-16 for 18 points. It will be interesting to see if he takes control in Game 3 or if Portland will now gameplan for that if Wembanayama is out.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JULY 7 : Ace Bailey #19 of the Utah Jazz works to the basket against GG Jackson II #45 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half of an NBA Summer League game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on July 7, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Chris Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Utah Jazz announced the return of the Salt Lake City Summer League for 2026. Once again, it will be a four-team, six-game event hosted by the Utah Jazz. Here are the details:
It will inc
It will include four teams: Utah Jazz, Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder
It will be held at the Jon M. Huntsman Center at the University of Utah
It will be held on July 4th, 6th, and 7th
Tickets go on sale in May for the general public and can be purchased at SLCSummerLeague.com.
It will be held at the University of Utah for a second time because the Delta Center will be closed for renovations.
This has the potential to be an electric summer league. Utah, Atlanta, and Memphis all have great odds to get top picks in the draft in the upcoming lottery. Even the Thunder have a shot at a top pick because they own the Clippers’ 12th pick. On top of that, it’s likely we’ll see Ace Bailey play again. It could be an electric atmosphere if the Jazz combine Bailey with one of the top players in the draft. That, of course, will be decided on May 10th in the upcoming draft lottery.
For most of the regular season, Landry Shamet was one of the best minimum contracts in the league.
Recently, though, he’s playing … well, like a player on a minimum contract.
His rough end of the regular season has now bled into the start of the playoffs. In the first two games of this first-round series against the Hawks — which is tied 1-1 heading to Atlanta — he shot 1-for-6 from 3-point range and 1-for-7 overall.
Knicks guard Landry Shamet’s end-of-season struggles have carried over into the playoffs NBAE via Getty Images
It got so bad that coach Mike Brown opted to give Jose Alvarado — who appeared to be out of the playoff rotation — some playing time over Shamet in the second and fourth quarters.
Shamet’s shooting slump has endured. In the 16 games he played from the start of March to the end of the regular season, he shot just 30.4 percent from deep, while also missing five games due to a knee injury.
In the 35 regular-season games he played prior to March, he shot 42.9 percent from 3-point range.
One thing that has been noticeable so far in these playoffs is the Knicks’ lack of a backup point guard behind Jalen Brunson. Brown has said he is comfortable with Shamet and Miles McBride there, but neither is a natural point guard, and both have struggled.
They acquired Alvarado ahead of the deadline, but despite a hot start to his Knicks tenure, he has largely not looked capable of owning that role.
There was a brief period in the middle of the season when it seemed like Tyler Kolek was cementing himself in the role, but he subsequently fell out of the rotation.
McBride and Shamet have shared the court for 23 minutes across the two games.
The Knicks have a minus-1.9 net rating in that time.
If their struggles continue or worsen, the Knicks bench suddenly looks thin.
CJ McCollum said he doesn’t view himself as a villain, even though the MSG crowd treated him like one with obscenities and boos.
But his teammate thinks he’s embracing it. They all are, too.
“CJ, that got him going,” Jonathan Kuminga said after Game 2. “I think he enjoyed that. The crowd shouldn’t really do that or say that. I think that really got him going and got all of us going — just the energy.”
The Lakers courtside seats felt more like a Hollywood red carpet.
Here’s the list of actors, musicians, and athletes in attendance for the showdown between Kevin Durant and LeBron James:
AJ Dybantsa, Su’a Cravens, Jake Shane, Will Ferrell, Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, Quentin Lake, Scott Speedman, Byron Allen, Trevor Ariza, Will Anderson Jr., Sebastian Maniscalco, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Iman Shumpert, Jay Mohr, John David Washington, Ray Nicholson, Diane Cannon, Max Kellerman, Micah Parsons, Finneas, Tinashe, Shannon Sharpe and more!
Some of the celebrities spotted courtside for Rockets vs. Lakers Game 2:
AJ Dybantsa, Su'a Cravens, Jake Shane, Will Ferrell, Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, Scott Speedman, Byron Allen, Trevor Ariza, Will Anderson Jr., Sebastian Maniscalco, Iman Shumpert, Jay Mohr, John David… pic.twitter.com/99CLPvKfGI
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Sean Marks may have been the GM of the Brooklyn Nets for a decade, but his roots lie elsewhere.
The native of Auckland, New Zealand, is part of the first generation of international NBA players, as he said among the first 40 or 50. He became the first player from his home country to play in the NBA, staying for 11 seasons, nine teams. For a year, he played in the Polish league and won a championship before joining the international basketball corps that became the San Antonio Spurs with Tim Duncan (U.S. Virgin Islands), Manu Ginobili (Argentina), Tony Parker (France), Rasho Nesterović (Slovenia), etc., etc., winning two championships, one as a player, one as an assistant.
Now he works in Brooklyn for a Chinese owner, his second international boss, something no other GM has done. He’s hired the first Spanish (and Catalan) head coach in the league, and he’s drafted four players with foreign passports last June, another first. He regularly goes on international scouting trips.
So his international basketball cred is active and this week he went on Fullcourt Passport, a podcast focused on the NBA’s wider world, taking questions from Boki Nachbar, the former Net and Euroleague player, and veteran NBA writer Ric Bucher. His big take: the globalization of NBA has dramatically changed the sport from scouting to ownership.
“You and I were playing, there were 40, 50 maybe foreign players. And now you look around and I think a quarter of the league is foreign,” he told Nachbar.“ (It’s actually more, about a third.) Of course, it’s not just about percentages. The league, Marks said, is changing in a lot of ways, particularly in places like teams’ scouting departments. coaching offices and development systems.
“The NBA has completely embraced that,” Marks said, noting that the league cannot ignore any possibility, not when four international players have won the last seven MVP Awards. “The game has become so global and worldly. It is a copycat league, right? We are all trying to copy off who is doing something different and who has got the next greatest thing.”
Among the changes Marks has seen among the current crop of international players is their skill and confidence levels.
“Initially, it was hard to potentially find a foreign player who could come in and contribute right away. Maybe they were lacking a little bit of physicality, athleticism, what have you, but now, these guys are more than ready to step right in. We’ve seen that.”
That, he noted, has changed NBA scouting. No one wants to miss a diamond in the rough.
“I think scouting departments have grown exponentially, You have scouts all over the world. You have scouting services all over the world” said Marks explaining that there’s no escaping the international culture of basketball. “I go into Jordi’s office, speaking of foreign staff and more often than not, I don’t find a Nets game on. I find a game he’s watching — Barcelona or a second division in Spain! He’s thirsty for the knowledge, picking up traits and things from his counterparts in Europe. The game has completely changed.”
There are other more subtle changes like teams bringing in “guest coaches” from Euroleague teams and even the Basketball Africa League to serve as Summer League assistants in Las Vegas. The exchange, he said, is not one-way. NBA coaches like Fernandez get insights as well.
The Nets GM also agreed with Nachbar on the changing mentality of international players now that there are so many of them in the league. Players are more confident and are less likely to be affected by the cultural clash on arriving in North America.
“It’s not that big of a step,” said Marks, noting the international aspect of the league has given younger prospects their own heroes from their home countries. “They’re so much more locked in and closer to their own counterparts that are now playing in Europe. They’ve got their own role models whether they’re in Croatia or Spain or France.”
Marks was also asked about working for two owners — Mikhail Prokhorov and Joe Tsai — who have world views. (He also hinted on who has the final say.)
“Having two different owners in my time in Brooklyn, obviously from my current owner, Joe Tsai, to our previous Russian owner (Mikhail Prokhorov),” said Marks. “I always ask those guys their advice, their help. I mean these guys are doing multi-billion dollars deals and I’m doing trades with guys who will a half million bucks or three million dollars or five million dollars.
“It’s still their baby and I want to make sure … how they can influence me in my negotiating skills or what have you. I’d be a fool not to involve them. They’ve come from a completely different backgrounds but also to empower them to understand why we’re doing to these deals and what it means down the road. I’m very fortunate in that regard.”
Marks did not discuss current prospects in his talk, but back in January, he flew 11,000 miles to Perth, Australia, to scout Karim Lopez, perhaps the top international in this year’s draft, and Dash Daniels, a defensive-oriented wing. His international scouting director, Simone Casali, has a rep as one of the top overseas scouts.
In addition to the changes brought on by the game’s growing globalization, Marks talked with Nachbar and Bucher about the effect of NILs on evaluating players in an environment where college players hop from school to school, seeking more NIL money.
“It is a little bit of the wild wild west,” he said. “These guys are coming in ready,” but he also argued that increased money and movement can alter early career decisions for younger players.
He said that environment is reshaping how teams evaluate prospects. “We want players that want to win,” Marks said. “So you sit there and go, why did you move? Did you just move purely for the money or was it a role or was it the coach?”
BOSTON (AP) — V.J. Edgecombe had 30 points and 10 rebounds while playing through pain after taking a hard fall early in the game, Tyrese Maxey scored 29 points and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Boston Celtics 111-97 on Tuesday night to tie their playoff series at one game apiece.
Edgecombe connected on six of the 76ers’ 19 3-pointers. Maxey also had nine assists as Philadelphia bounced back after getting blown out 123-91 in Game 1.
The series shifts to Philadelphia for Game 3 on Friday.
The Celtics cut a seven-point deficit at the start of the fourth quarter to 91-89 before an 11-0 run put the 76ers back in front 102-89 with just over four minutes to play. The Celtics pulled their starters with a little more than a minute remaining.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 36 points. Jayson Tatum added 19 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists.
TRAIL BLAZERS 106, SPURS 102
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Scoot Henderson scored 31 points and Portland took advantage of an injury to Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, rallying for a victory over San Antonio to even their Western Conference playoff series at one game apiece.
Wembanyama tumbled face-first when he was fouled by Jrue Holiday in the second quarter and his jaw slammed into the floor. He entered the NBA’s concussion protocol, which raises the possibility the versatile 7-foot-4 center could miss multiple games.
The second-seeded Spurs looked like they could win without Wemby, building a 14-point lead early in the fourth quarter before their offense stagnated.
Portland held San Antonio without a field goal for the final 3:37 as they closed the game on an 11-2 run. Robert Williams III converted an alley-oop dunk with 12 seconds left for a 104-101 lead after Deni Avdija muscled through the paint and fed him the ball.
Holiday had 16 points and nine assists, Avdija scored 14 and Williams finished with 11.
Stephon Castle led the Spurs with 18 points, De’Aaron Fox scored 17 and Devin Vassell had 16 points and 12 rebounds.
SAN ANTONIO — Scoot Henderson scored 31 points and the Portland Trail Blazers took advantage of an injury to Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, rallying for a 106-103 victory over San Antonio on Tuesday night to even their Western Conference playoff series at one game apiece.
Wembanyama tumbled face-first when he was fouled by Jrue Holiday in the second quarter and his jaw slammed into the floor. He entered the NBA’s concussion protocol, which raises the possibility the versatile 7-foot-4 center could miss multiple games.
The second-seeded Spurs looked like they could win without Wemby, building a 14-point lead early in the fourth quarter before their offense stagnated.
Portland held San Antonio without a field goal for the final 3:37 as they closed the game on an 11-2 run. Robert Williams III converted an alley-oop dunk with 12 seconds left for a 104-101 lead after Deni Avdija muscled through the paint and fed him the ball.
Holiday had 16 points and nine assists, Avdija scored 14 and Williams finished with 11.
Stephon Castle led the Spurs with 18 points, De’Aaron Fox scored 17 and Devin Vassell had 16 points and 12 rebounds.
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 21: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on April 21, 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 Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
2025-26 Sixers Bell Ringer season standings:
Tyrese Maxey – 22.5 VJ Edgecombe – 15 Joel Embiid – 11.5 Paul George – 8 Kelly Oubre Jr. – 5 Justin Edwards – 4 Andre Drummond – 3 Quentin Grimes – 3 Jared McCain :’( – 3 Dominick Barlow – 2 MarJon Beauchamp – 2 Adem Bona – 1 Porter Martone – 1 Cam Payne – 1 Jabari Walker – 1 Trendon Watford – 1 15th roster spot – 1
TD Garden might have been rocking for Game 1, but it was as silent as a library to close Game 2.
The first-round playoff series between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics is tied 1-1 after the Sixers pulled off a massive 111-97 victory over the hosting Celtics Tuesday night.
Though, for a moment, it looked like this one might have been over as quickly as Game 1 was, with the Sixers going on a scoring drought of over four and a half minutes in the first frame, allowing Boston a 16-0 run. To make matters worse, they were without Edgecombe briefly after the rookie took a hard fall onto his back going for a defensive rebound early in the game.
He returned to the game, thankfully, and went on an absolute tear in the second quarter. That’s where this one changed. The rookie poured in 16 points on stellar 6-for-9 field goal and 4-for-5 long range shooting in the second, leading the Sixers back within reaching grasp of the Celtics and even helping his squad to an eight-point halftime lead, their largest of the game.
The Sixers would never trail again in this one, though it did come close a few times. After an up and down third period within which Boston nearly pulled back even, Philadelphia tightened up a bit towards the end of the frame to carry a seven-point lead into the fourth. After what had been a bit of a quiet Tyrese Maxey performance through three quarters became all about the guard in the final period when he burst for 12 points, including timely triples to pull away from the Celtics for good.
This wasn’t just a win. This was a great win. The Sixers looked strategic and in control, not reactive and desperate the way they did in Game 1. Even when Philly would hit a cold spurt or would let Boston claw back in a bit, they simply rode the waves, tried to minimize the damage and punched back again. That’s how this is going to have to be if the Sixers want to keep battling this tough Celtics squad.
The Sixers bring a 1-1 series tie back home to South Philadelphia for Games 3 and 4, with Game 3 coming up at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Friday evening.
<p>(Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)</p><br> | NBAE via Getty Images
It was looking like VJ Edgecombe’s night might be cut very short when he headed to the locker room briefly in the first period after taking a hard fall going up for a defensive board. Thankfully, he was able to return to the game towards the end of that opening frame. And I mean thankfully, because the rookie went red hot from there.
After a two-bucket, four-point first from Edgecombe, he poured in 16 points in the second period. These weren’t gimmie plays, either. The rookie was using his active defense, rebounding, speed, footwork and smooth jumpers to help the Sixers claw back in to this one after they let Boston on a 16-0 run in the first. Edgecombe shot 6-for-9 from the floor and 4-for-5 from long range in a damn-near heroic second that saw the Sixers take an eight-point lead into the break.
After another brief exit to the locker room and some time on the stationary bike in the third frame, Edgecombe got right back to business again, battling for boards and sinking a timely triple just as the Celtics were back within three points. He ended up tacking on 10 points towards his total in the second half.
This kid is an absolute star in the making — maybe even a bit of a star already. Perhaps his regular season wasn’t always as flashy as Cooper Flagg’s or Kon Knueppel’s, but Edgecombe has proven time and time again that you can count on him in the clutch and that he’s ready to perform in some of the biggest moments this game has to offer. I’ll take that from a 20-year-old rookie any day of the week.
He finished the game with 30 points on 12-for-20 field goal and 6-for-10 long range shooting along with 10 rebounds (four offensive), two assists and two steals. He is the youngest player in NBA history to reach a 30-point, 10-rebound double-double in a playoff game.
Gotta shout out VJ Edgecombe tonight, who looked nothing like a rookie in his second ever playoff game. He's the youngest player in NBA playoff history with a 30-PT, 10-REB game.
<p>(Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)</p><br> | NBAE via Getty Images
It was an up and down night for Tyrese Maxey, with the peaks coming fortunately exactly when they were needed. It felt like the guard was deferring way too much, forcing passes that weren’t always there instead of just taking the shots he should have himself. It led to a quieter (by his standards) first three quarters of basketball, with Maxey putting up 17 points on 7-for-19 field goal shooting in that time.
Things changed quickly when Maxey had an extremely timely scoring burst in the fourth, sinking back-to-back triples. Those six points could not have come at a better time, with the Celtics clawing their way back within just two points of the Sixers with time winding down. The threes were the beginning of the end for Boston, with the Philly lead then expanding to nine points before surging into an insurmountable double-digit deficit they couldn’t come back from.
Maxey ended up with 12 points in a pivotal fourth quarter, including three triples. And he was feeling damn good about how he was closing this one out. Just look at this move, finish and reaction from him.
Maxey finished the game with 29 points, shooting 5-for-12 from long range, with four rebounds, nine assists and two steals. It could be game-changing to have Maxey bring the aggression and attitude he closed Game 2 with back home to South Philadelphia for Game 3.
After a bit of an up-and-down game, Tyrese Maxey absolutely came alive in Q4 to put the Celtics away. 12 massive points from some truly insane buckets from the All-Star.
<p>(Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)</p><br> | Getty Images
Paul George put forth quite a lackluster effort overall in Sunday’s Game 1, but tonight started off much smoother. George went to work in isolation early and hit two quick jumpers in the first few minutes of Game 2. From there, he looked damn solid on both ends of the floor all night minus one little stumble for a few possessions in the third.
This wasn’t a constant domination from PG, but he was ready to fill in the gaps when the Sixers really needed him to. It was a lot of smaller bursts, and they were extremely timely ones. Just when Philadelphia would go a little bit cold or the Celtics would go on a run, it seemed to frequently be George who would bury a bucket to calm the Boston crowd and get Philadelphia back on track. When he wasn’t doing that, he was commanding the offense and setting up other Sixers with solid shot opportunities, waiting for the Celtics’ defense to collapse in on him before kicking out to teammates.
All of that offensive contribution on top of his usual defensive talents went a long way in Game 2, even if it was seemingly in spurts spread throughout.
George finished the night with 19 points on 7-for-13 field goal and 2-for-5 long range shooting. He also had four rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block.
Another video from Sixers-Celtics Game 2, looking at Paul George. In addition to his typical solid defense, PG hit some timely buckets + had a few great assists, taking advantage of the C's def collapsing in on him.
<p>(Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)</p><br> | NBAE via Getty Images
This is more of a shoutout than a true Bell Ringer contender, as the other guys’ contributions were just undoubtedly more impactful, but Kelly Oubre Jr. deserves some kudos for Game 2. It wasn’t perfect, but he helped when called upon.
After a quiet first half scoring just two points, Oubre had a little burst of scoring along with some solid defensive pressures that helped keep the Sixers going while Edgecombe was on the sideline and Maxey was still a bit too passive. Like George, Oubre’s contributions were incredibly timely, coming just when Philadelphia needed someone to fill the gap the most. He put up seven points in quick succession in that third period stint, possibly his most crucial buckets as they helped maintain and build on a lead the Celtics were desperately chipping away at. He added one more big bucket in the fourth, a triple with just four minutes remaining that extended the Sixers lead from 10 points to 13, completing an 11-0 run for Philly and pushing Boston to use a timeout to try to stop the bleeding. It didn’t work.
Oubre finished this one with 12 points on 5-for-10 field goal shooting (two triples) with five rebounds.
