PHILADELPHIA - As the Knicks prepare for Game 3 against the Sixers, OG Anunoby’s status was still to be determined as of Thursday evening.
That fact alone tells you that the Knicks avoided all worst-case scenarios on Anunoby’s hamstring injury.
The general feeling on Anunoby’s hamstring strain? Optimism. He is considered day-to-day. But he’s not day-to-day, as in ‘he’s really out for 10 days.’ Anunoby is truly day-to-day.
There was optimism in the Knicks locker room that Anunoby will be able to play either in Game 3 on Friday or Game 4 on Sunday.
My personal opinion: sit Anunoby on Friday and see what happens in Game 3. Then base your decision for Sunday’s Game 4 on what happens Friday.
If you are up 3-0, isn’t it prudent to give Anunoby extra time to heal?
Based on conversations earlier Thursday, I think people on all sides of the injury believe Anunoby’s absence will be counted in days and not weeks. (A quick aside: I know that is a triggering phrase for those who followed the Julius Randle shoulder rehab in 2024. Just to be clear: SNY never reported that Randle would be out for weeks and not months.)
Back to Anunoby.
The Knicks are fortunate that, barring a setback, Anunoby will be back on the floor soon. He has arguably been the most impactful player of their postseason. The wing has defended at a high level and is averaging 21.4 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. The Knicks have outscored opponents by an average of 14.75 points per game when Anunoby is on the floor.
ALL HAIL MIKAL
It’s probably gone under the radar, but Mikal Bridges has been playing at a high level lately. In the Knicks’ last three playoff games, Bridges is averaging 19.4 points, four assists, three rebounds and a steal per game.
He's also been a key part of the Knicks’ strong defense in that stretch.
“If there is one player that I wanna make sure that I mention, it’s Mikal Bridges,” Mike Brown said at the end of his opening statement to the media after Game 2. “You’re not stopping Tyrese Maxey. Tyrese, he had a great game. He had 26 points. But Mikal tried to make him work, especially in the second half, for every point he got…And then on top of that, Mikal hit some big shots for us down the stretch, especially when we looked a little discombobulated offensively. He got to his spot and knocked down some big shots. So great game on both ends of the floor for Mikal.”
Bridges has certainly turned things around from earlier in the postseason. He played an average of 20 minutes in Games 3 and 4 against Atlanta, going scoreless in one game and scoring eight points in the next.
In the second half of Game 2 on Wednesday, Bridges helped hold an injured Maxey to 3 of 9 shooting and nine points.
“It started with Mikal. I feel like he's just been great for us at the point of attack,” Miles McBride said after the game. “And, you know, the team's been locked in. He's a tough player. And, you know, for Mikal, he's going to just keep going at him, but, you know, Mikal’s a great player. He's going to step up every time.”
NYC HOOPS
Great basketball event in New York City this weekend: the annual Hoops Showdown founded by Johnny Rodriguez. The event started in 2016 as a four-team tournament and has since hosted more than 200 Division I players and 20 players who were drafted into the NBA. (That group includes Naz Reid and Nick Richards.)
PHILADELPHIA — It doesn’t sound like Joel Embiid will get his wish.
Xfinity Mobile Arena may sound like Madison Square Garden Southwest on Friday night.
Ticket prices for Games 3 and 4 of this Eastern Conference semifinal series are dropping, and a large portion of tickets bought off secondary markets went to residents of New York City and New Jersey, according to Kyle Zorn, the director of content for TickPick, a ticket resale marketplace.
In fact, 59 percent of tickets purchased on TickPick for Game 3 are linked to New York and New Jersey, while just 22 percent are connected to Pennsylvania
The Knicks took a 2-0 series lead with wins at MSG. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
After Philadelphia advanced to the second round Saturday, Embiid pleaded with 76ers fans not to sell their tickets, to avoid a repeat of two years ago when Knicks fans took over the Philly arena.
The 76ers mimicked the Pistons plan from a year ago by limiting tickets to residents of the Philadelphia area.
A message on the team’s website read: “Residency will be based on credit card billing address. Orders by residents outside [of the] Greater Philadelphia area will be canceled without notice and refunds given.”
“Last time we played the Knicks, it felt like [Philadelphia] was Madison Square Garden East. We’re going to need the support,” Embiid said then. “Don’t sell your tickets. This is bigger than you. We need you guys.
“Knicks fans travel, they buy tickets. There’s going to be people who will sell the tickets because they need the money. Don’t do it, we need you guys. We need the support, and we need them to be extremely loud. If you need money, I’ve got you.”
Fans outside MSG after the Knicks’ Game 2 win. Christopher Sadowski for NY Post
But with the 76ers in a big hole in this series, and Embiid’s health a question mark again — he missed Game 2 due to ankle and hip injuries and is questionable for Friday’s Game 3 — it appears their fans are losing faith.
Zorn said that up to 3,400 tickets are now available on TickPick for Game 3, and 5,000 for Game 4 on Sunday. Furthermore, prices have dropped heavily. At the start of the series, the get-in price for Game 3 was $272. Now, it is $165.
Those are far cheaper than the prices for the first two games of the series at the Garden.
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid reacts while on the court in the first quarter of Game 1. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“Overnight [after Game 2], we saw a huge spike in the amount of inventory being listed. Had the series gone 1-1, or if it went 2-0 Philadelphia, you would see a decrease in inventory or a stable amount of tickets on site,” Zorn said. “That is very telling. A lot of signs are pointing to there being a large percentage of fans coming from New York.
“I would expect a majority of those tickets being put up for sale coming from season ticket holders or anyone who purchased tickets from that initial on sale that was restricted to Philadelphia geolocations,” he added.
Apr 27, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) with head coach Jordan Ott against the Oklahoma City Thunder during game four of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
It didn’t take long for Phoenix Suns first-year head coach Jordan Ott to get the respect from NBA players. According to The Athletic’s latest player poll, Ott finished fifth in most impressive NBA coach, only behind Joe Mazzulla, Mark Daigneault, J.B. Bickerstaff, and Erik Spoelstra, all coaches who have either led their teams to 60-win seasons or won a championship.
The most impressive coach in the NBA, according to NBA players, per @TheAthletic
In Ott’s first season as an NBA head coach, he led the Phoenix Suns to a 45-37 record, good for the 7th seed in the Western Conference. They earned the eighth seed via the Play-In tournament, where they were swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the playoffs.
Going into the season, Phoenix was projected to be one of the worst teams in the NBA after trading away Kevin Durant and buying out Bradley Beal in the offseason.
After the team went 11-5 in January, Ott received his first career Coach of the Month award after the team beat both the one-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder and Detroit Pistons in a 30-day span.
Throughout the season, NBA coaches praised Ott for his work with the Suns, including Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr.
Before becoming the coach of the Suns last year, Ott was an assistant for the Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Cleveland Cavaliers. He enters this offseason as the first coach to retained their status with the Suns’ organization since Monty Williams in 2023.
Former NBA star Lamar Odom is celebrating 100 days sober — sharing an uplifting message with his nearly 1 million Instagram followers.
“There are days I don’t think I could make it,” the former Lakers star wrote Thursday. “But with God’s grace, the love of the people around me, and a commitment to myself, I’m still standing.”
Lamar Odom celebrated 100 days of sobriety on Thursday. Javiles/Bruce / BACKGRID
Authorities claimed they pulled him over for going well over the posted speed limit of 65 MPH and he allegedly reeked of marijuana during the ensuing traffic stop.
They also stated he failed subsequent field sobriety tests. The criminal case against him remains ongoing.
It’s unclear if the incident sparked Odom’s abstinence from substances, though he was nonetheless clearly proud of how far he’s come since the run-in with cops.
Lamar Odom played seven seasons for the Lakers in his NBA career. Getty Images
“To anyone out there fighting their own battles — whether it’s addiction, depression, or just trying to find your way — keep going,” Odom wrote on Thursday. “Better days are ahead. I promise. YOU ARE WORTH IT!!!”
Odom’s issues with substances have been well-documented — a Netflix film titled “Untold: The Death & Life of Lamar Odom” recently dropped and it delved deep into the topic and how it related to his near-death experience in Nevada as well as his high-profile relationship with Khloe Kardashian.
Odom himself has also brought up the matter recently during a February appearance on Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady’s “Cousins” podcast. He explained to the NBA icons he used to have “cocaine summers,” and he believed it all ultimately cost him a spot in the Hall of Fame.
“I should be where y’all at,” he said.
In wrapping up his Thursday post, Odom asked his fans for their continued prayers.
“I appreciate every single one of you,” he said. “Thank you!!!”
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MAY 6: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the basket during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves during Round Two Game Two of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Every now and then, you see something that’s just hard to put into words.
A specifically timed (and context-dependent) moment of humor. An unusual sequence of events. A coincidence bordering on a glitch in the Matrix. And one of the first things you do is look around and see if anyone else is around to share in the moment. And yet, somehow, that is almost never the case.
It’s as if the moment was plucked from the immensity of the cosmos and placed there just for you, and you alone.
Depending on the event, it can be the sort of thing that makes you question your sanity and your senses. You’re not even sure that you should share the story because it’s so outlandish.
That’s not what last night was.
When I was in my early 20’s, I helped run a print and copy shop in New Braunfels.
In contrast to the otherwise humble appearance of the shop, it did quite a lot of business (from both corporate and individual sources), and this led to a steady stream of customers entering and exiting the building.
The printing industry has a way of attracting a wide breadth of eccentricity. Just about everyone has ideas, but only those most certain of their vision pursue having that vision printed out.
I will, for instance, never forget the lady who wanted know if we could print on oversized tortillas for a retirement party (and brought them with her). Or the gentleman who regularly paid a pretty penny for mounted full-scale blueprints of his favorite science-fiction star ships. Or the one and only time I received a request for a combined quinceañera+baby shower invitation. Oh, the stories I could tell.
The point being that any given day one might encounter an architect with unusual CAD drawings that required multiple blueprints to be taped together, or an artist upset at how the color printer can’t perfectly replicate the vivid shades of their artwork off of the glass, or the recently bereaved wife of a Lombardi-era Green Bay Packer needing assistance duplicating treasured keepsakes.
Or, an extremely suave gentleman, with two ladies in tow, dressed head-to-toe in a robin’s-egg blue colored suit, topped off with a cane and matching short-brimmed fedora.
I can recall with ease a great number of oddities and peculiarities from my time in the printing industry, but anomalies and foibles are the expected within that arena, rather than the exception. For every eccentricity I can recall, there are dozens more that have faded from memory.
But I will, never, ever forget the first time I encountered The Copy Pimp.
In all fairness to the gentleman in question, I never did get confirmation of what his occupation actually was. But each Tuesday, without fail, about an hour before closing, he would enter the shop in the company of those two ladies, bring me a new (and somewhat chaotic looking) flyer, and inquire as to which copier would be best suited to reproduce them.
I would then set up any needed manual adjustments on the copier of his choice and produce a test print for his review. He would then thank me, in a tone as smooth and rich as molasses, and sit down in a chair at the nearby customer kiosk, to supervise the ladies who would then take over the copying.
Sometimes he would come lean against the counter and ask me about pricing, and the ins-and-outs of the industry. About profit margin, foot traffic, custom work, bulk discounts, even who some of our biggest clients were — always asked with impeccable manners and the insight of a businessman.
“That is no kind of return, Sonny,” he once remarked when I told him that the profitability ratio of public-use copy machines was roughly pennies-on-the-dollar. “Y’all need to mark that up. Get your worth.”
When I replied that their purpose was really just to bring people into the store, he grinned appreciatively and saluted the intelligence of the owner by remarking that that was “…a proper honeypot.”
By this point we had a routine down. The song and dance really didn’t require much conversation, though he seemed to thrive on the ritual of it. I’d been witness to what (I believe) was his entire ensemble rotation. All pastels in green, blue, orange, pink, and a yellow suit that I only saw him wear once, the week after Easter.
The problem was, in sharing these stories with my coworkers, I found that no one else had ever encountered him.
Each mention brought forth an eye roll, and it was starting to concern me. Seeing someone that no one else has seen, after all while, starts to become concerning.
The problem, I reasoned, was a matter of timing. There were only seven us to begin with, counting the owners. By the time the Copy Pimp arrived, just before closing time, there were only two of us. One (usually me) working the front of the store, and the other (usually my coworker Drew) working in the back on our most time-sensitive or skill-specific jobs.
Convinced that this was the issue, I told Drew that I would come let him know the next time the Copy Pimp was in the store. The next Tuesday, at six o-clock, no one showed up.
Nor the following Tuesday. Nor the Tuesday after that. Until finally, almost a month later, the man himself finally appeared, clad in his signature robin’s-egg blue. It remains one of the few times that I have, without exaggeration, seen another person completely freeze, and their jaw literally drop.
As it turned out, the gentleman in question (who I estimate to have been about 60) had experienced a bad bout of pneumonia, which he explained as he very genteelly introduced himself to my stunned compatriot.
It was all I could do not to actually elbow Drew in the ribs after weeks of self-doubt and him giving me an incredibly hard time about my ‘delusions’.
And that is almost exactly what watching the Spurs last night felt like.
I almost radiated smugness as I watched the Spurs all but dismember one of the best remaining teams in the Western Conference bracket.
I watched with pride as they ruptured Minnesota’s vaunted defense with a dizzying series of Fox and Wemby pick-and-rolls that knocked them so off balance that they were left vulnerable to the battering drives of Stephon Castle and Keldon Johnson, who worked the interior like a boxer works the body to open up avenues to the face.
I beamed with vindication as Minnesota players twisted themselves into all kinds of shapes in their attempts to avoid San Antonio’s titan-tier rim protector, after so many comments about goaltending and attacking the rim without fear, irrespective of his smothering presence.
And I outright chuckled as I watched Champagnie, Barnes, and even Lindy Waters III start raining threes down on the Timberwolves’ last gasp at a comeback rhythm.
This was the vision that I’d had for this team all year. Even the year before, before all the parts were assembled.
In the previous two seasons something big would go wrong to affect the overall win total, and there I would be, insisting that there was more to this team than that. That I could see it. That the underlying metrics were hinting at it. That there was greatness being shrouded by the heavy veil of timing.
And then, for at least one night in the playoffs, almost every single thing went right. And everyone was seeing it with me at the same time. And no one in their right mind could deny it. This team is special. The most special kind of special. Maybe it won’t result in a title (yet), but it’s more than just untapped/unrealized potential.
Months later, one of the owners admitted to me that she knew exactly who I was talking about (who wouldn’t), after I caught her having a conversation with our pastel-garbed patron. He’d been coming there for years, but she thought it would be fun to pull my leg a little bit.
I sometimes wonder if the universe-at-large shares that same sense of humor.
Before the end of the game, I compared it to the clinching blowout of the Houston Rockets in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals, without Tony Parker and the Nephew-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.
It turns out I was just one point off when it came to margin of victory.
I have seen so many highs in my 30-ish years watching the Spurs play basketball and have written about so many lows in the years after. And while there are certainly moments that stick out, so many more have blurred together. I confess that I’ve sometimes wondered what highs there are left for someone who’s seen so much undeviating victory.
But last night I saw The Copy Pimp. And so, I hope, did you.
Takeways
There were a lot of (reasonable) questions about how to cover/scheme for Julius Randle defensively entering the series. And after more-or-less defending Randle straight up in Game 1, to less than desirable results, the Spurs opted to double him and force him to pass the ball. A smart strategy considering passing is sometimes not a thing he likes to do. But just as revelatory was the defense that Keldon Johnson played against him during his minutes on the court. Over the years Keldon has (deservedly) been taken to task for his defense, but one thing we haven’t talked about a lot here is how good his defense has been since the arrival of defensive guru Sean Sweeney. I don’t know what Sweeney slipped into Keldon’s Wheaties, but last night was arguably his most impressive performance of the season on that end, and his hard-fought rebounds were critical in the earlier portions of the game, before the Spurs sent the Wolves into a death spiral. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: even when Keldon’s shot isn’t falling, he finds a way to contribute meaningfully. If this team wins a title, I think he’s getting a jersey in the rafters.
Last time I talked about my desire for Carter Bryant and Harrison Barnes to get into some kind of alternating rotation, and I don’t know if Mitch has been reading my articles, but it was great to see them splitting a kind of timeshare in this one. Usually time shares are pretty scammy, but this one really profited the Spurs, as Bryant was able to use that youthful athleticism to make Randle’s life harder, and Barnes was able to go harder than usual with those legs getting some rest in spite of the challenging assignment. If only they could be combined into one player, because Bryant brings the youthful stamina, and Barnes has the shot he needs. They combined for 14 points and +18 each. More of that, please.
Because we rarely see him, it’s easy to forget that Lindy Waters is the kind of player who can soak up real minutes without serving as a negative. He played heavier minutes in both Golden State and Oklahoma City, and he’d be within rights to feel like he’s deserving of more somewhere else. If that’s his mindset, though, no one has heard a peep about it, as he always seems ready to do his job when the time calls, which is knock down threes and play hard. He did both in equal measure last night, ensuring that the starters and heavy-minute backups could get a bit of extra rest without worrying about the lead. Those guys are important, and they’re on every team that has success. Goodness forbid that the Spurs suffer an injury that necessitates giving him more playing time, but it’s good to know he’s ready just in case. That’s classic Spurs behavior, and you love to see it.
May 5, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) dribbles defended by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) in the second half during game one of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Perhaps even better than taking Game 1 of the series against the Cleveland Cavaliers is that the Detroit Pistons best player, Cade Cunnigham, didn’t actually play that well until the closing minutes when he needed to put the game away. The fact that the Pistons were able to walk away with a 111-101 win despite a subpar offensive showing from Cade. If you remove the final 5 minutes of crunch time, the star point guard was just 5-of-17 with equal parts turnovers and assists — four. The Pistons were thriving because so many other players were performing so well. Jalen Duren had more freedom than against the Magic, the ball was moving more freely side to side, which opened up shots for Duncan Robinson and driving lanes for Daniss Jenkins. Yes, the Pistons might not be able to rely on a plus-9 free-throw advantage tonight, but this might also be a much better Cunningham performance. If the Pistons can play as loose on offense, as intense on defense, and Cade unlocks more of his game, the Pistons could be up 2-0 by the end of the night. They will need to continue to force Donovan Mitchell and James Harden into tough looks while at the same time not losing sight of Cleveland’s big men or its roster of reliable shooters. But Detroit certainly has the defense capable of answering that call.
Game Vitals
When: 7 p.m. ET Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan Watch: Prime Video Odds: Pistons -3.5
The Lakers have been without their leading scorer since April 2 when he suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain in a loss against the Thunder. Doncic missed the Lakers' remaining regular-season games and start of the postseason, including a first round, 4-2 series win against the Houston Rockets.
The Lakers advanced to face the Thunder in the conference semifinals, where they are down 1-0, following a 108-90 loss in Game 1 on May 5.
Doncic has been seen shooting at Lakers' practices. He told reporters after their Wednesday practice that he is doing "everything he can" to get back on the court and join the team in the playoff battle amidst a championship chase.
"I'm feeling good and working out every day, trying to come back," Doncic told reporters. "Right now, I'm running, but I haven't done any contact."
Luka Doncic’s first press conference since he injured his hamstring on April 2. He said his timeline to return to the #Lakers was 8 weeks. He’s ramping up. But still a ways to go. pic.twitter.com/Qux41bcTO0
Guard Sam Merrill was ruled out for Game 2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Eastern Conference semifinals series against the Detroit Pistons Thursday night with a left hamstring strain.
Merrill was on the court testing the leg during warmups, according to reports, but the team announced he would not play after he returned to the locker room.
He exited Game 1 on Tuesday after just 6 minutes and 41 seconds. He underwent an MRI on Wednesday and did not practice. Now, the Cavaliers, already down 1-0 in the series, are facing Detroit’s defense without their best shooter.
That’s a big issue for the Cavs.
The Pistons basically dared the Cavaliers to beat them from outside in Game 1. Without Merrill, Cleveland struggled. The Cavs turned the ball over 20 times, and the Pistons converted that into 31 points in the 111-101 win. Donovan Mitchell and James Harden combined for 45 points but also combined for 10 of those turnovers.
Merrill shot 42.1% from 3 during the regular season and averaged a career high of 12.8 points. He is in the first year of a four-year, $38 million extension with Cleveland.
“You can’t replace what Sam brings,” forward Jaylon Tyson said Wednesday. "He’s a key piece of this team. Our best shooter. Somebody’s got to step up for him.”
Tyson, Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder figure to absorb the minutes. In Game 1 without Merrill, that trio shot 5-of-11 from 3 and combined for 22 points in 56 minutes
DETROIT, MI - MAY 5: Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket during the game against the Detroit Pistons during Round Two Game One of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
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DETROIT (AP) — Cleveland Cavaliers reserve guard Sam Merrill is out of the lineup with a hamstring injury against the Detroit Pistons in Game 2 of their second-round series on Thursday night.
Merrill was injured early in a Game 1 loss to the Pistons on Tuesday night. He had an MRI and was held out of practice on Wednesday.
The 29-year-old Merrill averaged 12.8 points during the regular season and scored in double digits twice in the seven-game, first-round series against the Toronto Raptors.
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The Lakers will look to even things up against the reigning NBA champs when Game 2 against the Thunder tips off tonight.
Although the Lakers started strong in Game 1 behind LeBron James, who finished with 27 points and 6 assists, the Thunder’s depth and defense proved too much for a Los Angeles squad still playing without Luka Dončić.
Chet Holmgren led the way for Oklahoma City with a dominant 24-point, 12-rebound double-double, and even though reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was held to a season-low 18 points and forced into 7 turnovers, Oklahoma City maintained control for the final three quarters, outscoring the Lakers by 18 points in the second half and finishing in a 108-90 win.
Lakers vs. Thunder: what to know
What: NBA Playoffs Second Round, Game 2
When: May 7, 9:30 p.m. ET
Where: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
Channel: Streaming Exclusive
Streaming: Prime Video (try it free)
The series will move to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Saturday, May 9, before a Monday night Game 4.
Lakers vs. Thunder start time:
Game 2 between the Los Angeles Lakers and OKC Thunder is scheduled to tip off at 9:30 p.m. ET tonight, May 7.
How to watch Lakers vs. Thunder for free:
Tonight’s Lakers game is one of the NBA Playoffs games streaming exclusively on Prime Video, so you’ll need an Amazon Prime subscription to watch.
If you aren’t a Prime Video subscriber yet, you can get started with a 30-day Amazon Prime free trial, including Prime perks like the Prime Video streaming service, free two-day shipping, exclusive deals, and more. After the free trial, Amazon Prime costs $14.99/month or $139/year.
PRIME VIDEO
PRIME FOR YOUNG ADULTS
All 18- to 24-year-olds, regardless of student status, are eligible for a discounted Prime for Young Adults membership as well, with age verification. After a six-month free trial, you’ll pay 50% off the standard Prime monthly price of $14.99/month — just $7.49/month — for up to six yearswith all the perks.
This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, movies, and sports, she’s also keeping up on the underrated perfume dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.
May 5, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Daniss Jenkins (24) dribbles defended by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus (2) in the second half during game one of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Today’s NBA playoff slate features two conference semifinal games:
Cavaliers vs. Pistons (Game 2) at 7 p.m. ET — Detroit leads the series 1-0
Lakers vs. Thunder (Game 2) at 9:30 p.m. ET — Oklahoma City leads the series 1-0
The Los Angeles Lakers roster is already stretched thin as it is, but there's a chance they could be down one more body for Game 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night.
Luke Kennard was added to the Lakers injury report on Wednesday with neck soreness. He's still on it as of the 5:30 p.m. NBA injury report for Thursday and is officially listed as questionable.
Kennard struggled in Game 1, shooting just 1-for-4 from the field for seven points, five rebounds, one assist and two turnovers. But the 29-year-old sharpshooter played a major role in the Lakers' first round series win over the Houston Rockets, scoring 27 and 23 points in the first two games as LA raced out to a 3-0 lead. He ultimately averaged 12.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists while shooting 44.6% and 41.7% from beyond the arc over their six games against Houston.
Luke Kennard (neck soreness) is questionable for tomorrow's Game 2 at OKC. Jarred Vanderbilt is doubtful. pic.twitter.com/sahX1xLzRW
The Lakers acquired Kennard from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second-round draft pick at the trade deadline on Feb. 5. Since his arrival, he's provided some much-needed shooting to Crypto.com Arena, emerging as a go-to complementary piece for LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
If Kennard sits for Game 2, that would add to the Lakers' injury woes this postseason.
Doncic has missed a month with a grade 2 hamstring strain and recently revealed he was originally given an eight-week timeline to return, meaning he likely won't be available until the end of the Western Conference Finals.
Jarred Vanderbilt is day-to-day with a dislocated right pinky and Austin Reaves has struggled to a 30.4% field goal percentage since returning from a grade 2 oblique strain in Game 5 against Houston.
MACAU, MACAU - OCTOBER 10: NBA legend Vince Carter reacts during NBA China Games 2025 between Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets at The Venetian Macao on October 10, 2025 in Macau, Macau. (Photo by Zhizhao Wu/Getty Images) | Getty Images
First it was the Basketball Hall of Fame in August 2024. Then it was his jersey retirement in Brooklyn in January 2025.
Now, Vince Carter will be honored once again by the Brooklyn Nets. On Sunday, VC will be the Nets representative on the dias for the NBA Lottery, hoping the same luck that sustained them during his four seasons in New Jersey will continue in Chicago.
The names of all 14 reps on the dias will be announced tomorrow along with those who will sit in the actual draft room. Last year, the Nets were represented by Makar Gevorkian, the Nets capologist and vice-president of strategy. Like the Nets, other teams have chosen fan favorites from the past: Chicago with Tony Kukoc and Washington with John Wall.
While the Hall of Fame and jersey retirement honored Carter for his past achievements, Sunday will be about the future. The Nets have a 14.0% chance at the overall No. 1 and can’t fall below No. 7.
Carter, now 49, played for eight teams over 22 seasons in the league, but a strong argument can be made that his time in New Jersey was him at his best.
Carter joined the Nets in December 2004 in a trade that Peter Vecsey, the New York Post hoops writer, called the most lop-sided in 25 years. After controversies arose in Toronto over time lost to injuries and reputed lack of effort, the Raptors sent VC to New Jersey for Alonzo Mourning, Eric Williams and Aaron Williams and two first round draft picks, neither of which amounted to much.
From his first days in New Jersey, Carter was a fan favorite, his electric play the perfect complement to Kidd’s steady unselfishness. In that year, he averaged 27.5 points a game for the rest of the season compared to 15.3 in Toronto.
Although his role in New Jersey is often overshadowed by what he did in his early years in Toronto — essentially popularizing basketball in hockey-mad Canada, the numbers are similar and Carter re-established his reputation at the Meadowlands after it had been tarnished at the Air Canada Center
Carter played almost as many games for the Nets as he did for the Raptors — 374 to 403 — and actually averaged more points — 23.6 to 23.4 — in his New Jersey tenure. His assists, rebounds and shooting percentage were all higher in New Jersey. And the love was just as strong and it was requited.
Mr. Whammy, who will join VC in Chicago as a guest of Joe Tsai, was asked back in 2025 about what made Carter special.
“I have to describe Vince in one respect: he was the ballet star of the NBA,” Whammy told NetsDaily. “You had to wonder and wonder about the things he did and what he would do next. He would fly. He would spin under the basket. He brought brilliance to the game. I don’t think there’s ever been a player as graceful as Vince Carter. He was the ballet star of the NBA.”
This time around, VC will only have to sit quietly and remain cool while deputy commissioner Mark Tatum open and read the giant cards with team names on them, identifying those who will pick Nos. 14 through 5 first, then after a commercial break, the final four get chosen.
Things begin at 3:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Carter has become the Nets leading “alumni” in recent years. In addition to being honored after the Hall of Fame and with the jersey retirement, he traveled with the Nets to Macau last October for the renewal of the NBA China Games between Brooklyn and Phoenix.
Oklahoma City Thunder have been cruising so far through the 2026 NBA playoffs despite not being at full strength.
Thunder star Jalen "J-Dub" Williams has not played since suffering a Grade 1 left hamstring strain during the first round against the Phoenix Suns on April 22. Williams played in the first two games of the opening series and has been sidelined since.
Oklahoma City finished the Suns in a sweep and have since moved on to the Conference semifinals to face the Los Angeles Lakers, where they hold a 1-0 series lead after their 108-90 Game 1 win on May 5.
Williams missed the first game of the Thunder-Lakers series. His status for Game 2 mirrors his Game 1 status.
According to the NBA injury report (as of 5 p.m. ET), Williams is listed out for Game 2 with a left hamstring.
Williams, 25, averaged 17.1 points and 5.5 assists for the Thunder during the 2025-26 regular-season. He shot 48.4% from the field and just under 30% from 3-point distance. His average plus/minus is +6.9.
Despite missing those numbers, Oklahoma City has shown signs of success without Williams, who has sat out at times throughout the season with injuries. Williams played in 33 regular-season games. He was limited with two wrist surgeries and two hamstring strains.
The Thunder have been breezing by opponents with or without him, defeating their opponents by an average of 17.4 points in five games. Adding Williams would only make Oklahoma City seem unstoppable.
Williams is part of the Thunder core and the team's present run at a dynasty. He signed a five-year, $239.25 million deal as part of a designated rookie contract extension with Oklahoma City in July 2025.
Jalen Williams draft
Williams was selected by the Thunder with the 12th pick in the first round of the 2022 NBA Draft out of Santa Clara. The pick was originally acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers as a part of a deal that sent Paul George to LA for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Jalen Williams stats
Here are Jalen Williams' 2025-26 regular-season stats:
Points: 17.1
Rebounds: 4.6
Assists: 5.5
Field goal %: 48.4
3-point %: 29.9
Free throw %: 83.7
Blocks: 0.3
Steals: 1.2
Jalen Williams highlights
Check out Thunder guard Jalen Williams' highlights from last year's playoffs.
