PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 10: Kon Knueppel #7 and LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets celebrate after defeating the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on March 10, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Soobum Im/Getty Images) | Getty Images
LaMelo Ball has been a lightning rod for criticism throughout his NBA career due to his loose play, seemingly unserious attitude, and deservedly for his dangerous driving. One thing that has been a total myth is his lack of basketball IQ, because inside of his floaty, street ball style is a guy who really understands ball.
A new story from ESPN on the rise of the Hornets this season put Melo’s impact on the team into full focus, especially when it came to the team finding their missing piece. Charlotte seemingly had shooters with their nucleus of Ball and Brandon Miller, but when LaMelo was asked by GM Jeff Peterson about the player in the 2025 class that he liked, there was only one answer.
Although Cooper Flagg was the consensus can’t-miss prospect, Ball was talking up Kon Knueppel to the Hornets GM. Ball had watched Duke play during the season and told Peterson how savvy he thought the forward was. He was struck by Knueppel’s basketball IQ and understanding of the game — impressive even for a five-star prospect. And of course, there was Knueppel’s elite shooting.
This discussion happened before the NBA Draft lottery took place, without Charlotte knowing they would be picking 4th overall. The 19-63 Hornets had the third-worst record in the NBA, which gave them the identical 14% chance to land the top pick as the Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards. Despite all this Knueppel was the player that Ball couldn’t stop talking about.
“He’s spot on with those traits,” Peterson told ESPN of that break-of-dawn draft breakdown. “He was very detailed in his evaluation of why he liked him. That was even more impressive that he was able to kind of highlight him because there were some other guys that he didn’t highlight.
“He may have a future in the front office if he wants.”
The Hornets improved to 44-38 this season, good enough to make the NBA Play-In Tournament, and Knueppel is a mammoth reason why. His lights out shooting, and veteran-level ability to play off the screen has paired perfectly with a healthy Ball and Miller this season to transform Charlotte into one of the NBA’s hottest teams, and a legitimate nightmare matchup should they manage to make it through to the playoffs and face a top seed.
It’s impossible to know what the Hornets would have looked like had they landed the No. 1 pick and Flagg. There is no question that Flagg has the superstar ability to take over the league and become a legitimate top player in the NBA, but it’s unclear if he would have been a good fit alongside Ball and Miller. Meanwhile, Knueppel’s team-first, unselfish play has allowed Charlotte to flourish with perimeter shooting, stretching the floor, and morphing from a spot-up shooter early in the season, to now being a threat that has to be accounted for, opening up passing lanes for LaMelo Ball.
All in all, Kon Knueppel to Charlotte has been a match made in basketball heaven, and the Hornets are now a team to watch in the East for 2026-27, regardless of what happens in the postseason. LaMelo Ball is a huge part of that for identifying the Duke forward and helping to turn everything around.
Luka Doncic is back in Los Angeles after traveling to Spain to get platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell treatments on his strained left hamstring, according to multiple reports.
Whether those treatments will get him back on the court during the first round of the playoffs when the Lakers take on the Houston Rockets is another question. While nothing is official, Doncic and Austin Reaves (oblique strain) are expected to miss the start of the first-round series, which tips off Saturday.
Both Doncic and Reaves were injured on April 2 during a game against the Thunder. Players with a Grade 2 hamstring strain typically miss at least three weeks and more often four or five before returning to the court. PRP injections into a strained muscle have shown faster healing and a quicker return to play in some studies, but these were retrospective, not randomized, controlled studies, so there are still a lot of questions.
Doncic will take any edge he can get. With him and Reaves healthy, the Lakers had looked like an increasing threat in the West after the All-Star break. Now the Los Angeles heads into a playoff series with 41-year-old LeBron James as the primary shot creator, going against Houston's sixth-ranked defense, led by the long and athletic Amen Thompson.
Without Doncic and Reaves, the Lakers are heavy underdogs against Houston.
Doncic played at an MVP level this season, averaging a league-leading 33.8 points per game, while adding 7.8 rebounds and 8.3 assists a night. However, because of the hamstring injury, he played in just 64 games, one short of the league office's 65-game threshold to qualify for postseason awards. His agent and the Lakers filed an "extraordinary circumstances challenge" because Doncic missed two games earlier in the season to fly back to Slovenia for the birth of his child. The results of that appeal are expected to be public in the next 24 hours.
The decision follows a disappointing 32-50 season that left Milwaukee out of the playoffs, compounded by reported tension between Rivers and the players. ESPN has reported that the Bucks will still owe Rivers his salary for the 2026-27 season and Rivers could potentially transition to an advisory role with the organization, though nothing has been finalized.
Now, all eyes will be on who will take over in Milwaukee, and there are a few name in the mix.
Here are a few candidates to replace Doc Rivers as the Milwaukee Bucks' next head coach
Sam Cassell
Boston Celtics assistant coach Sam Cassell is widely considered one of the most qualified and overdue head coaching candidates in the NBA, making him a compelling fit for Milwaukee’s vacancy.
As a player, Cassell spent 15 seasons in the NBA, suiting up for eight franchises and earning an All-Star selection along the way. He won three championships on the court and added a fourth from the bench when the Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 NBA Finals, his first title as a assistant coach.
Cassell has 17 years of assistant coaching experience across four NBA franchises: the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers and Celtics.
Jenkins was let go by the Grizzlies in March 2025 with just nine games left in the regular season, a stunning move given that Memphis was the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference at the time. He departed as the franchise’s all-time winningest coach, finishing with a 250-214 record across six seasons. During his tenure, he guided Memphis to three playoff appearances and two 50-win seasons. He also finished in the top 10 of NBA Coach of the Year voting three times, including a runner-up finish in 2021-22.
Prior to Memphis, Jenkins built a strong résumé as an assistant. He spent five seasons with the Atlanta Hawks under Mike Budenholzer, helping the team’s run to the 2015 Eastern Conference Finals. He then followed Budenholzer to Milwaukee for the 2018-19 season, where the Bucks finished with a league-best 60 wins and clinched the No. 1 seed in the East.
In five seasons, Thibodeau went 226-174, led the Knicks to back-to-back 50-win seasons for the first time since 1995, and guided them to their deepest playoff run in 25 years.
Before arriving in New York, Thibodeau had already established himself as a successful coach. He coached the Chicago Bulls from 2010 to 2015, going 255-139 and winning NBA Coach of the Year in his first season after tying the record for most wins by a rookie head coach with 62. He then coached the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2016 to 2019 before landing with the Knicks.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 10: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers talks to the media after the game against the Indiana Pacers on April 10, 2026 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
A sentiment I’ve seen expressed towards Philadelphia’s participation in the NBA Play-In Tournament, both in person and online, is apathy.
The line of thinking goes that the Sixers aren’t at all likely to win the title this year, so why worry if the season ends this week or if it is prolonged until after a probable first-round series loss to Boston or Detroit. And I understand that ‘championship or bust’ mentality. The Sixers haven’t won a championship in my lifetime. I’ve seen the Phillies win one (in person) and watched the Eagles hoist the Lombardi trophy twice. There’s no greater feeling as a sports fan and seeing the Sixers do it is the last item on my Philadelphia sports bucket list. (I’m not a hockey guy, but good luck to everyone getting Flyer’d up starting this weekend, seems like a fun squad.)
Still, on average, your team is going to win a title once every 30 years. So the three-decade intervals in between are just passing the time and chock full of disappointment? No. I mean, yes, we’ve had plenty of disappointment. More than most in Philadelphia, I’d wager. But sports are great not only because of the big moments, but the small ones too. In the Play-In Tournament, we have two decent enough teams equally motivated to give it their all with the entire season on the line. (In the case of the 7-vs-8 game, the loser gets one mulligan, but you get my point.) Isn’t seeing that sort of game what we’re always looking to watch in sports? It’s why we tune into early round NCAA tournament games, even if it’s two middling SEC and Big 12 teams who we know aren’t getting out of the Sweet 16.
If Wednesday’s game against the Magic was the final regular season game, with a playoff berth hanging in the balance, I bet the anticipation would be a lot greater. But because the Play-In Tournament creates this sort of ‘not quite playoffs’ event as a waypoint between the two seasons, it seems to dull the excitement. But no more!
Think of where this Sixers group was one year ago. They won just 24 games. It was their worst season in over a decade. Now, they’re not a true championship contender, and Joel Embiid’s appendicitis takes a lot of the wind out of our sails, but there’s still a lot to root for here. Don’t you want to see Tyrese Maxey have some more playoff moments like the Knicks series a couple years back? Or have VJ Edgecombe get his first taste of NBA playoff basketball? Or see Paul George in a Sixers uniform in the postseason? Those would be cool things. And all we have to do to get to see them is have the Sixers beat Orlando (or subsequently, the winner of Charlotte and Miami).
So let’s toss aside our inner pragmatists and just be fans in the truest sense of the world. Offseason roster-building discussions are the time to debate the franchise’s ceiling and getting off the treadmill of mediocrity. But when the local basketball team is taking the court in a (kinda) win-or-go-home scenario, let’s get amped up and appreciate what could be a really fun moment for the team and us as fans at home.
Joel Embiid (appendectomy recovery) and Johni Broome (right knee surgery recovery) were the two Sixers listed as out Tuesday night on the team’s injury report. Trendon Watford was listed as probable with an illness.
Orlando’s Jonathan Isaac (left knee sprain) and Jett Howard (left ankle sprain) were both questionable.
The Sixers played their final three games of the regular season without Embiid after he was diagnosed with appendicitis and underwent surgery in Houston. They’ll move forward with Andre Drummond and Adem Bona as their two primary centers.
“He hasn’t been around the team at all,” Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said Tuesday of Embiid after his team’s practice. “He’s still in recovery. Spirits are pretty good. I think they’re pretty good.”
Broome has made steady progress since suffering a right knee lateral meniscus tear in late February while playing in the G League. He was a full practice participant, according to a Sixers official. The rookie big man also took part in a post-practice 3-on-3 session, joined by two-way contract players Tyrese Martin and MarJon Beauchamp and Sixers player development coaches.
Like the Sixers, the Magic had multiple significant injuries pop up during their season.
Banchero has played every game since he came back in early December. The first overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft requires a detailed personal game plan.
“He is physical,” Nurse said. “He gets a lot done with his strength and size, just carving space, attacking with his shoulder hits and things like that. You’ve got to stand in there and be able to use your own physicality. We’ve got to have multiple coverages ready for him. I think showing him multiple bodies, especially in certain matchups, will be important for us. And even going as far as having three or different schemes and three or four different guys that’ll guard him.
“I think trying to keep him off balance with some of that stuff is important, too. But a lot of it’s just going to come down to somebody standing in there and using their force against his.”
Maxey appeared to aggravate his injury several times when he absorbed in-game knocks to the pinky. The All-Star guard’s three-point numbers were also down a bit, dropping to 31.6 percent on 6.3 attempts per game during that nine-game stretch. Maxey’s still poised to play many minutes Wednesday and isn’t inclined to dwell on anything related to health these days.
“All the excuses are off the table, man,” Maxey said Tuesday. “If you’re going to be out there, you’re going to be out there. I’m just ready to hoop.”
Despite injury concerns to two starters, the Los Angeles Lakers have quickly become an incredibly popular bet to win the NBA championship.
Key Takeaways
The Lakers are the most-bet team to win the NBA title at FanDuel over the last 24 hours.
The online operator has shortened L.A.’s odds during that period.
The Lakers are currently without stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Heading into this week’s playoffs, FanDuel reported on Tuesday that the LeBron James-led Western Conference four seed has received the most wagers over the last 24 hours to capture the league title.
The most bet team to win the NBA Finals over the last 24 hours:
FanDuel has since shortened L.A.’s odds from +25000 to +15000. Still, the Lakers have the 12th-shortest odds on FanDuel’s NBA champion market, right behind the Atlanta Hawks at +10000.
Five teams in the West, including first-round opponent and five-seed Houston (+5500), are listed ahead of the Lakers. Oklahoma City is a +115 favorite at FanDuel to win back-to-back championships, followed by the San Antonio Spurs and Boston Celtics at +550 each.
The Lakers are +10000 to win the West and make the best-of-seven Finals.
Injury issues
Los Angeles heads into the series with an unknown status on star Luka Doncic and without guard Austin Reaves until May. Doncic left the team last week to receive treatment on a hamstring strain in Spain.
He’s set to return to the Lakers on Friday, but when he’ll return to the court is uncertain. The team has not announced Doncic’s timeline.
Reaves suffered an oblique strain that will sideline him for multiple weeks, but none of that is stopping bettors, who are backing James to keep the team afloat until everyone is healthy.
Big liability
BetMGM reported this week that, at +25000 to win it all, the Lakers have received 7.9% of the championship market’s tickets and 7.4% of the handle. That’s enough, combined with the massive odds, to make L.A. the operator’s biggest liability entering the NBA postseason.
BetMGM lists the Lakers at +500 to win the series against the Rockets, who are -700 to advance.
Meanwhile, the Spurs lead all teams in the NBA championship market with 11.9% of the bets and over 20% of the handle. The Thunder are second with 15.3% of the money, but with the shortest odds, that’s the team BetMGM is rooting for in the playoffs.
“Among the true contenders, OKC is the best result on the futures market,” BetMGM sports trader Anthony Parenti said.
“The sportsbook is in the enviable position of getting to cheer for the favorite to win it all.”
I bet the Orlando Magic wish the “Back to the Future” ride was still running at Universal Studios.
That would be their best chance to reverse time and erase the embarrassment of last Sunday, while avoiding this road matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA Play-In Tournament.
Orlando was the laughingstock of the league in the season finale. It botched a scheduling layup as 13-point favorites to a makeshift Boston squad and faceplanted to the No. 8 seed in the East.
Our Magic vs. 76ers predictions feel the pressure on Paolo Banchero to pick up the pieces in Philly and my NBA picks are taking Orlando's star to top his points prop.
Magic vs 76ers prediction
Magic vs 76ers best bet: Paolo Banchero Over 22.5 points (-120)
Paolo Banchero was one of the best scorers in the NBA for most of March but seemed to hit a wall in the home stretch.
After tallying 105 points in a span of three games, his usage went from season rate of 27.8% to 24.9% over the final nine contest. Banchero averaged less than 18 points per game in that period and attempted less than 16 field goals in seven of those outings.
That dip in production did coincide with Franz Wagner’s return to the lineup, taking touches away from Banchero. However, we saw an aggressive approach in Sunday’s finale, with Paolo taking 22 shots – tying his second highest FGA mark of the season.
Banchero made just 7 of those 22 attempts, including whiffing on all five 3-pointers, yet was able to go 9 for 11 from the foul line and salvaged a 23-point performance in the loss.
Banchero took the blame for the flop in the finale, despite finishing with a triple-double in the loss. The versatile 6-foot-10 forward has a great opportunity to exploit Embiid’s absence against a smaller Philadelphia 76ers lineup.
Banchero’s two meetings with Philadelphia tell the story: With Embiid in, he finished with 14 points on 6-of-18 shooting and scored only two FTMs. Without him, Banchero hung 32 points (10 for 18) with 11 of those coming from the stripe.
Player projections for Wednesday sit between 23.3 and 25 points from Banchero. I’m leaning toward the high end of those forecasts, as Philadelphia doesn’t have anyone who can handle his combo of speed and size.
Magic vs 76ers same-game parlay
The Sixers are a tough challenge at home and even with Embiid out, this defense can still pack the paint due to the Orlando Magic’s awful 3-point shooting. Philadelphia is 19-8 SU as home chalk this season.
While Banchero headlines the Magic attack, Tyrese Maxey takes center stage for the 76ers. The kinetic guard is an inside-out threat, with projections calling for 3+ makes from beyond the arc. Maxey made three or more triples in two of his three matchups with Orlando this year.
Magic vs 76ers SGP
76ers Moneyline
Paolo Banchero Over 22.5 points
Tyrese Maxey Over 2.5 3-pointers
Our "from downtown" SGP: Florida Man
Banchero stuffed the stat sheet Sunday and still fell short, taking responsibility for the Magic’s egg in the season finale. Projections are all very positive for the superstar, who should also do some damage on defense against a smaller 76ers lineup.
Magic vs 76ers SGP
Paolo Banchero Over 22.5 points
Paolo Banchero Over 8.5 rebounds
Paolo Banchero Over 5.5 assists
Paolo Banchero Over 0.5 blocks
Magic vs 76ers odds
Spread: Orlando +2 | Philadelphia -2
Moneyline: Orlando +110 | Philadelphia -130
Over/Under: Over 222 | Under 222
Magic vs 76ers betting trend to know
Play-In favorites of three points or less are 8-3 SU and ATS since the league introduced the current tournament format in 2021. Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. 76ers.
How to watch Magic vs 76ers
Location
Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
Date
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
Prime Video
Magic vs 76ers latest injuries
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The Heat are trading at just 31 cents (+223) to go into Charlotte and leave with a win tonight. The Hornets have been one of the best teams in the NBA since the All-Star break and are trading at 69 cents to win tonight.
Our prediction:Hornets to win
Covers' NBA expert, Jason Logan, keeps it simple: "The Hornets are excellent at home when catching points and come into the Play-In Tournament producing some of the best two-way basketball, boasting a net rating of +11.3 over the final 15 games."
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More Heat vs Hornets prediction markets
You're certainly not limited to the main game outcome for Heat vs. Hornets at Kalshi; you also have options to trade on the spread, total, and more, among other NBA odds markets.
You can buy either side of a market — for example, "Yes" on the Charlotte -6.5 spread means the Hornets will cover, while "No" on Charlotte means the Heat will cover — with each side priced based on the implied probability (which can be converted to American, Decimal, or Fraction odds using theCovers odds converter.)
Result (Price)
Hornets ML (69¢)
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Hornets -6.5 (49¢)
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Heat vs Hornets spread and total at prediction markets
Outcome
Yes
No
Hornets -6.5
49¢ (+104)
53¢ (-113)
Over 230.5 points
49¢ (+104)
53¢ (-113)
Our predictions:Hornets -6.5
The Heat are horrendous on defense. Miami was 28th in defensive rating in the final 15 games while allowing 127.5 points against in that stretch. Foes racked up an average of 30 assists per contest — fifth most.
Charlotte cracked open the Heat’s zone defense like a piñata in that last meeting, thriving with off-ball movement and dribble-kick passing to spot-up shooters.
Other Heat vs Hornets prediction markets available
Kon Knueppel 20+ points (Yes: 49¢)
LaMelo Ball 8+ assists (Yes: 60¢)
Tyler Herro 20+ points (Yes: 59¢)
Bam Adebayo to record a double-double (Yes: 60¢)
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Kalshi is a federally regulated U.S. exchange where you trade directly on the outcome of real-world future events. Instead of traditional bets, you trade "Event Contracts" which are simple Yes/No questions like "Will the Thunder win tonight?" These events are priced between $0.01 and $0.99, and the prices reflect the market’s estimated probability of that event occurring. For instance, $0.55 equals a 55% chance. If your prediction is correct, the contract pays out exactly $1.00; if not, it settles at $0. Kalshi is essentially a stock market for reality.
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 06: Jalen Johnson #1 of the Atlanta Hawks is defended by Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks during the first quarter at State Farm Arena on April 06, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Well, here we are.
After a long, 82-game season full of twists and turns, we’ve arrived at the start of a playoff journey. Conventional wisdom said that the Toronto Raptors would be the first-round opponent entering Sunday, but the Orlando Magic somehow lost to the Celtics’ C-team, so here we are. Whatever way you feel about that doesn’t matter now.
It’s the No. 3 seed New York Knicks (53-29) and the No. 6 seed Atlanta Hawks (46-36), reviving a five-year-old rivalry whose main combatants are no longer in town. The fanbases sure as hell still remember, and you’ll be reminded of 2021 pretty much every single game, so we had to mention it.
P&T will have plenty of coverage as we lead up to Saturday’s series-opener at the World’s Most Famous Arena, but use this as a starting point. Here’s everything you need to know about this matchup.
Season Recap
You know how the Knicks’ season has gone. After all, you’re reading this on a Knicks site, but just to sum it up.
After firing Tom Thibodeau, engaging in a long coaching search, and keying in on Mike Brown, the Knicks mostly ran back the same team, albeit with new faces Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele, while drafting Mo Diawara. It was supposed to be a deeper, offensive powerhouse, and, for the most part, it was. The Knicks started 23-9 and even got some hardware along the way, beating the Spurs in the NBA Cup Final in December. Everything was coming up New York as 2025 turned into 2026.
And then everything fell apart. Starting with a New Year’s Eve collapse in San Antonio, the Knicks lost nine of their next 11 games, capped off by a terrible effort on Martin Luther King Jr. Day at MSG against the tanking Mavs. The sky was falling, we had podcasters saying he couldn’t wait to blow up this core, we had loud calls for Mike Brown’s job, the defense was abhorrently bad, and the season was in a tailspin.
Then, they mollywhopped the Nets by 54 and everything calmed down. After going from 23-9 to 25-18, the Knicks won 28 of their final 39 games, powered by the NBA’s second-best defense over the final 2.5 months of the season. They swapped the disappointing Yabusele for Jose Alvarado, who may not be in the rotation, but was an upgrade. Unlike last year, they haven’t looked overmatched against the top dogs (well, except Detroit), and they look poised to make a run.
The Hawks had a surreal season to watch from afar. Entering the season with real expectations of the playoffs after pairing Trae Young and a great collection of wings with former All-Star big man Kristaps Porzingis. The season then started disastrously. The team was playing better when Young was sidelined, Porzingis was still battling his mysterious illness, and the Hawks were struggling to stay in the play-in.
Then reports started to surface that both Young and the Hawks wanted to move on. A complicated contract situation made the former All-Star grow estranged from the team he had emerged under, and it came to a head with a January trade to the Wizards. With Porzingis later traded for Jonathan Kuminga, the Hawks appeared to be content with a play-in berth and regrouping next year with a juicy draft pick from that boneheaded Pelicans trade.
But sometimes, that’s not how sports work. After falling to 27-31 to end February, the Hawks hit a lighter part of their schedule and tore through it. They won 18 of their next 20 games, outlasting the brief win streaks of Orlando and Miami to surpass them and make the playoffs. Nickeil Alexander-Walker was blossoming into a star and was no longer in his cousin’s shadow, Jalen Johnson is likely heading for an All-NBA selection, and the role players were all contributing. They met the expectations they had in October, but did it with an entirely different team.
The season series alone encompasses just how different the Hawks are from where they were a few months ago. The first matchup saw the final installment of the Trae Young/Knicks rivalry end in a whimper, as the flamboyant point guard had just nine points and 10 assists on 2-for-9 shooting and six turnovers in 31 minutes, while being -13 in a three-point loss.
Powered by Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson combining for an efficient 70 points (and Towns shooting a season-high 18 free throws), the Knicks led by as much as 18 before a ferocious Hawks comeback gave them the lead with two minutes left. Kevin McCullar Jr. even had a standout performance with Josh Hart injured!
Of course, Captain Clutch took over and put the Knicks back in front, despite the Hawks’ offense tearing through a then-terrible Knicks defense. With a one-point lead and 10 seconds to go, OG Anunoby picked off a pass from Young (his final installment of this rivalry) and made two free throws. Alexander-Walker bricked his chance to send it to overtime.
The second game was much less competitive. With no Towns or Mitchell Robinson, Onyeka Okongwu feasted on the overmatched center rotation of Ariel Hukporti and Yabusele, as we reached the part of the Stretch of Hell where the offense stopped working. Jalen Johnson recorded a triple-double, and the Hawks led by 26 late in the third quarter. The Knicks pulled to within 11 with four minutes to go, but ran out of gas in an ugly loss that was a sign of things to come.
The finale came after Young was traded (he was on the roster but injured for the January 2 clash) and the keys to the offense were firmly being shared by Johnson and Alexander-Walker, with the latter putting up a performance that made you think his cousin was wearing Hawks colors. With a 13-game home winning streak, the Hawks looked a step quicker than the Knicks all night and, when the game was at their pace, they thrived. A 10-point third-quarter deficit and a struggling Brunson made things look bleak for the Knicks as their grip on the No. 3 seed loosened.
And then, Captain Clutch took over again. Running an excellent two-man game with Towns, Brunson scored 17 points in the fourth quarter and dragged the Knicks back into the game and into the lead, outdueling Alexander-Walker’s 36-point masterpiece. Some late-game shenanigans ensued, as even though the Knicks successfully knocked down all of their free throws, the Hawks somehow came a millisecond away from tying the game on a miracle half-court heave by CJ McCollum, but he fortunately couldn’t get it out of his hands.
Playoff History
(Andrew has a full story on the playoff history here)
Trends: Knicks since 1/20: 118.5 ORtg (6th), 108.2 DRtg (2nd), +10.3 net rating (3rd) Hawks since 3/1: 120.1 ORtg (6th), 109.9 DRtg (3rd), +10.2 net rating (4th)
Coaching Breakdown
Mike Brown (NYK): Season with team: 1st Season as head coach: 12th Career teams coached: CLE, LAL, SAC, NYK Career record: 507-333 (.604) Career playoff record: 50-40 (.556) Best finish: 2007 Cavaliers (Finals appearance)
Mike Brown is entering the postseason as the head coach of a third different team. He’s never won a game past the Eastern Conference Finals, but he’s certainly experienced deep playoff runs as an assistant under Gregg Popovich from 2001-03 and an assistant under Steve Kerr from 2017-22, winning four championships as an assistant coach.
Brown’s philosophy is a stylistic change from former head coach Tom Thibodeau, in that he prioritizes ball movement, spacing, and a drive-and-kick to open shooters (which he calls “sprays”). He was mostly unsuccessful in increasing the Knicks’ pace, showing that the team’s slow play is rooted in the way their captain operates in the offense, rather than the scheme. His biggest success has been increasing three-point attempts, but those have slowly decreased as the season has gone on.
Defensively, Brown has been flexible in his scheme. While Thibodeau always required a true rim protector on the floor, Brown has been more willing to mix up lineups in certain areas. After starting the season with a scheme that funneled the ball towards the middle of the floor into the help, Brown switched the scheme to look to send the ball towards the sidelines after the Knicks endured a month-plus stretch of abhorrent defense, powered by other teams driving and kicking to open shooters.
Quin Snyder (ATL): Season with team: 4th Season as head coach: 12th Career teams coached: UTAH, ATL Career record: 504-399 (.558) Career playoff record: 23-34 (.404) Best finish: 2021 Jazz (Second Round berth)
Snyder has been an active head coach since 2014-15 and is finally back in the playoffs after the Hawks flamed out in the play-in in back-to-back years. His tenure with the Jazz was defined by playoff disappointment, as he never reached the Western Conference Finals in six years. While most of that was because the pairing of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert was the No. 5 seed on five different occasions, the biggest disappointment came in 2020-21, when the Jazz had the No. 1 seed and lost in six games to the Clippers in the second round.
Under Snyder, the Hawks have been about ball movement and pace. That was a key tenet with Young in tow, but they’ve kept it in place despite trading their pass-first point guard. McCollum and Alexander-Walker predominantly run the offense, with Johnson in a point-forward role. They want to grab the ball and run down the floor, and will look to push the pace whenever and however. They have more than enough shooting to be matchup nightmares in transition, and the versatility defensively to match up with everyone.
Projected Rotations
Knicks: Jalen Brunson Mikal Bridges Josh Hart OG Anunoby Karl-Anthony Towns – Deuce McBride Jordan Clarkson Landry Shamet Mitchell Robinson
Situational: Mo Diawara, Jose Alvarado, Tyler Kolek, Ariel Hukporti
Hawks: Nickeil Alexander-Walker CJ McCollum Dyson Daniels Jalen Johnson Onyeka Okongwu – Gabe Vincent Corey Kispert Jonathan Kuminga Tony Bradley/Mo Gueye
For the Knicks, they have a clean bill of health entering the postseason with one major question mark (and, for once, it’s not Mitchell Robinson). It’s OG Anunoby, who left Friday’s win over Toronto with an ankle sprain. All reporting so far makes us believe that it isn’t major and he should be able to heal in the eight-day span between games. It’s something to watch, though.
For the Hawks, it’s also one player: Jock Landale. Their backup center, acquired from Memphis at the trade deadline, has missed the last two weeks with an ankle injury, and he will be re-evaluated before the series begins. It seems like a stretch that he’ll be available for Game 1, but he could return at some point in the series to bolster Atlanta’s center rotation.
Broadcast Schedule
(The full schedule has yet to be released, this will be updated)
Game 1: Sat, April 18, 6 pm (Prime Video) Game 2: TBA Game 3: TBA Game 4: TBA Game 5*: TBA Game 6*: TBA Game 7*: TBA
The Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers collide in a high-stakes Play-In matchup, with both sides now just one win away from locking up the No. 7 seed.
The Suns enter as favorites, but this isn’t a spot where the market is fully aligned — especially when you factor in how each team’s rotation tightens, and stars take on heavier workloads in a win-or-go-home environment (with a safety net).
With prediction markets like Kalshi offering a different lens on the game, we’re breaking down the best Trail Blazers vs. Suns predictions and free NBA Picks for Tuesday, April 14.
The Portland Trail Blazers are in tough on the road tonight, trading at just 42 cents (+144) to win, while the Devin Booker-led Suns are trading at 59 cents (-144) to grab that No. 7 seed.
Our prediction:Suns to win
Covers' NBA expert, Douglas Farmer, keeps it simple: "Phoenix needs either Dillon Brooks or Jalen Green to complement Booker to pull off this upset and avoid the Oklahoma City Thunder. Portland is more likely to let Brooks get an advantage than Green. That is to effectively say, betting on Phoenix’s third option is both the best bet and the Suns’ best approach to winning this game.
Sign up now using our exclusive Kalshi promo code 'COVERS' and get a $10 trading bonus after you trade $10 on any other event contracts — including Trail Blazers/Suns!
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More Trail Blazers vs Suns prediction markets
You're certainly not limited to the main game outcome for Trail Blazers vs Suns at Kalshi; you also have options to trade on the spread, total, and more, among other NBA odds markets.
You can buy either side of a market — for example, "Yes" on the Suns -2.5 spread means the Suns will cover, while "No" on Phoenix means the Trail Blazers will cover — with each side priced based on the implied probability (which can be converted to American, Decimal, or Fraction odds using theCovers odds converter.)
Result (Price)
Suns ML (58¢)
Trade atspan /spanstrongKalshi/strong
Suns -2.5 (53¢)
Trade atspan /spanstrongKalshi/strong
Over 216.5 points (51¢)
Trade atspan /spanstrongKalshi/strong
Trail Blazers vs Suns spread and total at prediction markets
Outcome
Yes
No
Suns -2.5
53¢ (-113)
48¢ (+108)
Over 116.5 points
51¢ (-104)
51¢ (-104)
Our predictions:Suns -2.5 and Over 216.5 points — Yes
I expect Phoenix to win this game by multiple buckets, but suppose it comes down to the final minute. Who are you going to side with, the team leaning on Scoot Henderson initiating an offense to feature either Jrue Holiday or Deni Avdija for a needed bucket, or the team with Devin Booker?
Other Trail Blazers vs Suns prediction markets available
Deni Avdija 15+ points (Yes: 64¢)
Toumani Camara 10+ points (Yes: 76¢)
Devin Booker 25+ points (Yes: 60¢)
Dillon Brooks 15+ points (Yes: 70¢)
What is Kalshi and how does it work?
Kalshi is a federally regulated U.S. exchange where you trade directly on the outcome of real-world future events. Instead of traditional bets, you trade "Event Contracts" which are simple Yes/No questions like "Will the Suns win tonight?" These events are priced between $0.01 and $0.99, and the prices reflect the market’s estimated probability of that event occurring. For instance, $0.55 equals a 55% chance. If your prediction is correct, the contract pays out exactly $1.00; if not, it settles at $0. Kalshi is essentially a stock market for reality.
How does Kalshi differ from sportsbooks?
In a sportsbook, you bet against the bookmaker, who sets fixed odds and takes a "vig," which is a kind of commission. On Kalshi, you trade against other users. This peer-to-peer model means prices are driven by supply and demand, often resulting in fairer odds. Additionally, because these are financial derivatives, you can exit your position early. If your team takes a 14-point lead, the contract price will rise, allowing you to sell your "Yes" shares for a profit before the final whistle even blows.
Why should I wager on Trail Blazers vs Suns at Kalshi?
Kalshi offers four unique advantages over traditional sportsbooks:
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Availability: Kalshi is available in 49 states (excluding Nevada) and D.C., including many regions where traditional sportsbooks aren't yet legal.
Feb 15, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers (left) and Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins (right) watch during the second half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
During the last couple weeks of the regular season, Doc Rivers kept dropping hints that his time as Bucks head coach would be concluding after the season, much to the fanbase’s relief. As we wait to find out if Rivers will have a future role with the team as a consultant/advisor, which had also been rumored for weeks, let’s take an early look at the scuttlebutt. At the moment, there are technically two current vacancies in the NBA because New Orleans’ James Borrego (more on him later) is an interim, but some in league circles believe a lot more openings are ahead, perhaps more than eight. If Milwaukee has more competition later, it probably makes sense to start the interviews ASAP before other teams, particularly those in the playoffs or play-in get going.
Despite what Jon Horst may say publicly, though, any interviewee will want some clarity on what’s happening with Giannis. They (and we) may not get that during initial rounds, but a big tell as to Giannis’ future in Milwaukee may come during this search. His input and involvement—or lack thereof—this time would be a major indicator of whether he sees a future in a Bucks uniform, as trade rumors consistently dog the franchise.
During the last two full coaching searches the Bucks have conducted during offseasons in 2018 (Mike Budenholzer) and 2023 (Adrian Griffin), Giannis entered the conversation once the finalists were selected. Before Bud’s hiring was made official, he had breakfast with Giannis and Khris Middleton, presumably so the front office got their sign-off on what must have been their preferred candidate. Griffin was reportedly not the front office’s first choice in 2023, but it’s believed Giannis met with him and the other finalists before a decision was made, who were Nick Nurse—Horst’s preference—and Kenny Atkinson. Ultimately, the Bucks went with Giannis’ choice in Griff, whose tenure in Milwaukee was hugely problematic and lasted 43 games.
It’s my hope that Horst—who doesn’t appear to be going anywhere this offseason, especially after signing an extension last summer—can hire who he wants this go-around, and many fans would probably agree. Reports indicated in January 2024 that he was again overruled when it came time to replace Griffin, with ownership choosing Doc Rivers. While some understandably assumed that was a Jimmy Haslam-led move, I’ve heard from a team source that it was driven by co-owner and governor Wes Edens. Horst wanted Atkinson. If 2018 was indeed the only time Horst had full autonomy to make a coaching hire, the fact that he nailed it then, plus had clearly better preferences in 2023 and 2024, means it should be only his decision in 2026.
Onto the scuttle. Beginning with a former Bucks assistant: a full week before Rivers was confirmed to be stepping down, Marc Stein wrote that ex-Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins “has already emerged as a likely prime candidate” for what was then not yet an opening. Jake Fischer, also of The Stein Line, confirmed that and stated Jenkins could be someone the Wizards look at if they move on from Brian Keefe.
If Jenkins emerges as a true candidate, a fair bit might be made about his connection with Giannis and what bringing an old assistant back might mean. But this would be too deep a read: Jenkins was in Milwaukee just one season, coming over with Bud after five years in Atlanta. So I doubt he developed much of a relationship with Giannis, or even Horst, in that limited tenure. Here, he was really only known as the guy who hilariously held the bench back from getting on the court if there was the potential for a skirmish.
It came as a surprise that this little-known assistant emerged as a serious head coaching candidate in summer 2019, but he did a fine job in Memphis with two 50-win seasons and a winning record in nearly six full seasons. He was fired with nine games remaining last spring, 15 games over .500, amid talk of a disconnect with players. Though, to be fair, the Grizz front office insisted Jenkins swap out five of his longtime assistants prior to the season with their handpicked replacements. So he was being put in a bad situation, to say nothing of Memphis’ many injuries and Ja Morant-induced woes in recent seasons.
Another Bud disciple is longtime Buck assistant Darvin Ham, who rejoined the franchise in 2024 after a two-year stint running the Lakers. There, he won an NBA Cup and advanced to the Western Conference Finals in his first year, finishing with a 90-74 record. He was Bud’s top lieutenant in Milwaukee after five years in Atlanta, and was hailed by big men Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis as a key voice on the staff. So he had a lot to do with the 2021 championship. He took over for a COVID-stricken Bud to notch a win in 2022, and guided a Giannis-less Bucks to an impressive victory over the defending champs in February while Doc was away from the team.
Fischer mentioned that Ham would be in the running for the Magic gig if Jamahl Mosely isn’t retained following the conclusion of their playoff run, and Michael Scotto of HoopsHype says the Pelicans will pursue him too. The Big Easy is where Borrego just wrapped up 70 games as the interim guy, taking over after Willie Green was fired in November. New Orleans has begun searching for a permanent head coach already, and Borrego remains in consideration per Stein and Fischer. Borrego interviewed with Milwaukee in 2023, though he wasn’t selected as a finalist. He’s twice been an interim replacement (also with Orlando in 2015 for 30 games) and only a full head coach in Charlotte from 2018–21. It wasn’t until the last of those four seasons that the Hornets finished above .500, but they still missed the playoffs.
Much like we did in 2023, in the coming weeks we’ll take a broader look at candidates, including these names and more speculative candidates. As far as the latter goes, if there is anyone you’re interested in, rumored or otherwise, the comments section would be a good place to let us know. If they’re a viable name (i.e., not a current head coach whose team wouldn’t want to give them up), we’ll discuss them.
With the college basketball season over and the NBA Draft Combine a month away, players are making their choices now about whether to turn pro or stay in college another season. That includes some very likely top-10 picks. Here is the latest on a series of announcements.
UNC’s Caleb Wilson declares for draft
He may have flown under fans' radar the last month because he missed the ACC Tournament and the NCAA Tournament with a fractured thumb, but scouts have not forgotten — North Carolina's Caleb Wilson is a projected top four pick and he is going pro.
Wilson is a 6'10" wing who lived up to the hype in Chapel Hill, averaging 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds a game on 57.8% shooting. He showed up with big games in big moments (24 points against Kansas and 23 facing Duke, outplaying Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer in those games). Wilson is athletic and powerful, and while he needs to develop his shot, the potential is there. There are some teams that have him ranked ahead of Boozer, but he's not falling past four in the June draft.
Illinois Keaton Wagler declares for draft
Two years ago, Wagler was not on the NBA radar. Now, he's a lock to be a top-10 pick, and with that the 6'6" guard that led his team to the Final Four is going pro.
Wagler thrived as the primary ball handler and playmaker for Illinois, averaging 17.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists a game, while shooting 41% from 3-point range. He's just 19, he needs to get stronger and prove he can defend at the NBA level, but teams are high on him. There are a number of guards expected to be taken between 5-9 in this draft, and Wagler is solidly in that group.
Louisville’s Mikel Brown entering draft
Mikel Brown, like Wagler, is expected to go in a group of guards taken between 5-9 in the June draft, and with that, the Louisville freshman is going pro, something he told Marc J. Spears of ESPN’s Andscape.
Brown (like Wilson) missed the ACC and NCAA tournaments due to a back strain.
"(My back) really was messed up, but I just kept trying to play through it. And then eventually it just led me to the decision that I wasn't going to play in both tournaments — the ACC tournament and the NCAA tournament — just because I'm not trained to go half speed at all."
Brown is a quick, shifty point guard who is going to look better in the NBA, with a more spaced-out floor and shooting all around him. Brown is very skilled as a scorer and shot creator off the ball-screen, and he averaged 18.2 points and 4.7 assists per game for the Cardinals. The question with Brown has been consistency and defense, but he is a dynamic playmaker that teams love.
Other NBA Draft notes
• Houston center Chris Cenac Jr. confirmed the expected, that he is entering the NBA Draft. The 6'11" big man averaged 9.5 points and 7.9 rebounds a game as a starter, shooting 33.3% from beyond the arc. Cenac is a polarizing figure among scouts — many think he could use another year of college development — but is almost certainly a first-round pick (some teams have him up near the end of the lottery, others are thinking more like mid-20s). His individual workouts will have a lot to do with where he is taken.
• Freshman Baylor wing Tounde Yessoufou announced on social media he is entering the 2026 NBA Draft. One of the most explosive athletes in the draft, the 6'5" Yessoufou averaged 17.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. He plays a power game that is harder to pull off against the men in the NBA, and his jump shot is holding him back (29.3% from beyond the arc), but his athleticism makes him worth the risk to the right team. He is likely a late first or early second-round pick (assuming he stays in the draft).
• Michigan State guard Jeremy Fears said he will test the waters of the NBA draft, although a return to college seems more likely. Fears averaged 15.2 points and 9.4 assists per game — he led the NCAA in assists — but he is projected as a mid-to-late second-round pick (if selected at all), which means making good college NIL money as a senior may be the smarter play.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 22: Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles the ball during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 22, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Blazers defeated the Suns 92-77. 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 Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Who: Phoenix Suns vs. Portland Trail Blazers
When: 7:00pm Arizona Time
Where: Mortgage Matchup Center — Phoenix, Arizona
Watch: Prime Video
Listen: KMVP 98.7
Here we are. The Phoenix Suns are playing in their first ever play in game after a season that surprised a lot of people. The consensus coming in was that a successful year meant making the Play-In tournament, likely in the nine-versus-ten game, probably on the road. Instead, the Suns are hosting the seven-versus-eight game. It would take two straight losses for them to miss the postseason entirely.
The opportunity is right in front of them. Beat the Portland Trail Blazers tonight, and you’re the seven seed. You’re on a flight headed to Texas to face the San Antonio Spurs. But first things first. They have to deal with a Portland team that has been playing better basketball down the stretch. Phoenix is 11–11 in March and April. Portland is 13–8. Since the All-Star break, the Blazers are 15–11. The Suns are 13–14.
Phoenix handled Portland well during the regular season. They went 2–1 and created chaos defensively, averaging 15.3 steals across those three games. That matters, especially against a team that led the league in turnovers at 17.3 per night and coughed it up 19.3 times per game against the Suns. The Blazers also launch threes — 42.2 per game — third most in the league, but they sit near the bottom in efficiency at 34.3%. When those shots don’t fall, they crash. Hard. They’re second in the NBA in offensive rebounds at 14.1 and lead the league in second-chance points at 18.4. That’s where the pressure comes. Because the Suns give up 15.6 second-chance points a night, 22nd in the league.
And yet, none of that really matters now. This is about execution. This is about handling the moment. One game, real stakes, postseason on the line. Who settles in, who controls the chaos, who finishes. That’s what decides tonight.
Probable Starters
Injury Report
Suns
Grayson Allen — OUT (Left Hamstring Soreness)
Trail Blazers
Damian Lillard — OUT (Left Achilles Tendon)
Jerami Grant — QUESTIONABLE (Right Calf Strain)
What to Watch For
It starts with containing Deni Avdija.
If I asked you to guess where he ranks in the NBA in free throw attempts per game, where would you put him? Last season, he averaged 5.2 and ranked 28th in the league. This season, he’s found his lane attacking the basket. He’s third in the NBA, trailing only Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo, getting to the line 9.2 times per game and hitting 80.2%. Yikes.
So step one is clear. Limit his access to the paint and avoid fouling when he gets there. That’s been a problem for the Suns lately. They’ve allowed 51 points per game in the paint over their last 10 games. That’s where it starts. Slow down the guy who applies the most pressure at the rim.
Step two is protecting the defensive glass. As previously noted, the Trail Blazers are second in the league in offensive rebounding. The Suns are fourth in offensive rebounding themselves, but overall, Portland sits sixth in total rebounds while Phoenix is 20th. That gap shows up. That’s effort, positioning, and attention to detail. It has to be there tonight.
And the question is how. Portland is big. They are long. That’s not something the Suns consistently bring with their rotations. The size exists on the roster, but it hasn’t always been on the floor. So it comes back to Jordan Ott and how he manages those rotations, how he counters what Portland throws at them, and how he finds the right balance when it matters most.
Key to a Suns Win
The Suns have to be effective from beyond the arc. Phoenix finished 12th in the NBA in three-point shooting, hitting 36.1%. When you look at their games against the Blazers this season, the connection is clear. In the two wins? They shot 42% from deep. In the loss, they were at 25.7%.
Yes, that loss came without Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks, but the formula still holds. If the Suns are going to win, it comes down to balance. Effective three-point shooting. Strong point of attack defense. Limiting Deni Avdija getting downhill. Securing rebounds.
Portland is beatable. There’s a reason they finished 42–40 and are in this game. But the Suns have to turn Portland’s weaknesses into their strengths. The Blazers turn the ball over. That’s the pressure point. The Suns need to press, stay aggressive defensively, and create extra possessions. At the same time, they can’t get too handsy. They can’t give away easy points.
It’s about control. Dictate the pace, don’t let Portland impose theirs. If the Suns do that, they win.
Prediction
I’ve been in the arena for postseason games, for wins and losses, and there’s nothing quite like the Mortgage Matchup Center. The hope is that tonight that anxious feeling doesn’t creep in. But if it does, remember what this team has shown. They can come back. Even in those frustrating losses down the stretch, they were still within reach after falling behind by double digits more often than not.
So if you’re in the building tonight, don’t let that energy take over. I don’t think it will. The Suns have the best player on the court in Devin Booker. You can argue Deni Avdija had the better season, maybe he did, but he hasn’t lived in these moments the way Booker has.
Phoenix wins this one and advances to face the Spurs.
DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 22: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks and Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the game on OCTOBER 22, 2025 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The regular season has come to a close, and for the first time since 2019 (well, technically 2022 if you want to count the play-in), this is not the end of the line for the Spurs! After a 28-game turnaround from last season’s 34-48 to 62-20, the Spurs are headed to the playoffs as the second seed in the West and NBA overall. They will face the winner of tonight’s 7th vs. 8th seed match-up between the Phoenix Suns or Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the playoffs, with Game 1 already scheduled for 8:00 PM CT on Sunday regardless of opponent.
We’ll have plenty more when we know about that series, but in the meantime, I thought it would fun to look back at what was the most exciting regular season for the Spurs since 2016-17. In my mind, there were four parts of this season. The first is what I would consider the pre-NBA Cup (in Vegas) stretch, where the Spurs played well and showed they were on a new level but were having to patiently wait for a complete roster due to injuries. Then there was the December surge when they finally were healthy, followed by a January “slump”, and lastly, February and onward, when they started looking like a true contender.
We’ll look back at each part of the season and how it shaped what turned out to be one of the greatest regular season’s in Spurs history, beginning with:
Part 1: Oct. 22 – Dec. 10 (17-7)
Despite having doubters, the Spurs entered the season with high optimism. Victor Wembanyama made a triumphant return from deep vein thrombosis that had shortened his previous season to the All-Star break, and he was determined to make the most of it. He also got to open the season against the next great prospect to enter the NBA in Cooper Flagg, and Wemby dominated with a 40-point, 15-rebound performance, determined not only to remind everyone who he is, but also that despite the hype, the doe-eyed rookie was not on his level just yet. (Although he has proven he will be darn good. Everyone is watching the Wemby vs. Chet Holmgren rivalry, but keep an eye on this one, too.)
The Spurs would go on to win their first five games — a franchise record — by riding Wemby’s dominance, all while waiting for De’Aaron Fox to make is season debut following offseason finger surgery and a hamstring injury. He finally did nine games in, only for Wemby to then miss 12 straight games with the most dreaded two words in sports these days: calf strain.
Still, it may have been a blessing in disguise as it allowed Fox to integrate himself with the roster and gain their respect as the main ball handler. He averaged 25 points — 6.5 above his season average —and 6.5 assists during that stretch, with his best game being a memorable 114-112 OT win in Orlando, in which he had 31 points and 5 assists while showing why he was Mr. Clutch in 2023. As the cherry on top, the game was capped off by a hilarious Luke Kornet block-and-pose, who also showed his worth as Wemby’s best backup yet and quickly becoming one of the most underrated offseason acquisitions in the league.
The Spurs surprisingly went 9-3 in that timeframe without Wemby, including making the NBA Cup Tournament. That stretch concluded with a dominant 132-119 quarterfinals win in Los Angeles against a healthy Lakers squad that had already beaten them once this season, led by a dominant performance from Stephon Castle, who went toe-to-toe with Luka Doncic with a 30-point, 10-rebound, 6-assist performance. As good as the reigning Rookie of the Year was coming into the season, he made an even bigger leap than expected in his sophomore campaign, bringing plenty more optimism for the future.
Despite 50% of the first part of the season coming without Wemby, the Spurs were able to show off their depth and establish themselves as a force to be reconned with perhaps a season sooner than expected, and soon, they would have the entire league’s attention.
Check back tomorrow as we continue to walk down memory lane of an incredible regular season, and make sure to add more of your favorite memories from the opening stretch in the comments below!
The Washington Wizards finished the 2025-26 season with a 17-65 record — the worst in the NBA — in Brian Keefe’s second full season as the team’s head coach. The record looks bad, but it’s what the organization wanted this season, and in season’s past, while under Keefe’s leadership.
Keefe owns a 43-160 record in two-plus seasons in Washington, which marks the worst winning percentage (.212) in NBA history among coaches with at least 200 games coached. He’s been on the sidelines with for countless blowout losses, including Bam Adebayo’s 83-point night, and has lost 16 straight games on four separate occasions during his tenure.
But he also used nearly 50 different starting lineups this season and didn’t appear to have full control over his rotations as the Wizards tanked for the league’s worst record. He’s also well liked by the players and has developed the team’s young talent.
So, does Keefe deserve a shot at coaching the Wizards when they’re actually trying to compete? Or is it time to move on as the team enters a new phase of its rebuild?
Greg Finberg and Domo (@Domo8186 on X) discuss in the latest episode of “The Wizards Podcast.“
