There’s a certain kind of honesty that only arrives with the benefit of time. Former Los Angeles Lakers’ center Vlade Divac delivered that honesty recently when he said:
“When I became a GM, I would trade myself for Kobe Bryant.”
He said it with a grin in Amazon Prime’s new documentary Jerry West: The Logo, and the line lands like a punchline wrapped around two decades of basketball truth.
Back in 1996, Divac was a beloved center for the Lakers. But general manager Jerry West saw something in a skinny, unproven, and fearless 17-year-old kid from Philadelphia named Kobe Bryant.
West famously worked Bryant out in Los Angeles against Michael Cooper and he walked out of the gym that day convinced he’d seen the future face of the NBA.
That’s why on Draft Day he decided to ship out Divac to the Charlotte Hornets for the teenager who hadn’t played a single professional minute of basketball yet.
“Jerry saw it, I didn’t,” said former Lakers’ athletic trainer Gary Vitti in the documentary. “I saw a 17-year-old kid trying to imitate Michael Jordan. But he wasn’t Michael Jordan.”
Divac didn’t want to go to Charlotte and he fought it. He felt blindsided by the trade and had every right.
“If you’re going to make a trade like that, you better be right,” said former Lakers guard and coach Byron Scott in the documentary.
Divac, years later as general manager of the Sacramento Kings, now sees it clearly. The irony isn’t lost on him.
“Back then I was upset and I didn’t like it,” said Divac in the doc. “Bu I trusted Jerry that he saw something nobody had seen before. He did a good decision.”
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Less than 24 hours after the Golden State Warriors saw their season collapse in a 111-96 loss to the Phoenix Suns in the play-in game, Steph Curry traded out the basketball court for echoes of bass lines underneath the Indio night sky at the Coachella Music Festival.
Curry, alongside his brother Seth Curry, and their wives, were spotted on Saturday night weaving through the festival grounds, part of a celebrity-laced audience watching Justin Bieber headline in the desert.
Just hours earlier, Curry had 17 points in the Warriors’ final game of the season, as Golden State lost out on the eight-seed in the Western Conference and a first round date with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Seth logged one minute in the loss and did not attempt a shot.
Ayesha Curry offered a glimpse into the family’s pivot to Coachella, posting on her Instagram story of the couple smiling in front of the stage.
Back in Phoenix, Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr wrapped his arms around Steph and Draymond Green at the end of the game, delivering something closer to a farewell than a timeout speech.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen next,” Kerr told them. “But I love you guys to death. Thank you.”
Kerr’s future with the Warriors is uncertain, but one thing is for sure. Now that their season is over, they will all have plenty of time for concerts, vacations, and tee times on the golf course.
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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 18: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets looks on before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers during Round One Game One of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 18, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. 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 Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Houston Rockets were without star forward and leading scorer Kevin Durant in Game 1 versus the L.A. Lakers due to a knee bruise he suffered in practice last week. According to Ime Udoka, it was a mobility issue for KD and not a pain one. Whether that’s just the coach covering for his player or not, who knows? But latest reports are suggesting that KD should be back for Game 2. According to USA Today, Durant has a “good chance” of returning in Game 2.
“KD, from what I’ve heard, there’s a good chance he could return in Game 2. “There’s hope that Kevin Durant can return by Game 2, which is on Tuesday night.”
You haven’t been around here long if you don’t already know my feelings on Kevin Durant. Generational scorer, terrible leader and personality (cough, cough burners), and maybe even a little bit soft. I certainly don’t have him in my top 10 or even my top 15 of all-time like many do, though he can be considered one of the better gun-for-hire types the NBA has seen. No loyalty to team or teammates, but if you pay him enough and have enough pieces already in place, he may grace you with his presence. I honestly feel that the Kevin Durant trade completely ruined Houston’s athletic, running, in-your-face defense mentality in favor of a let’s all stand around and admire KD approach. KD basically does that to every location he goes to that didn’t already have a generational superstar heirarchy in place (Golden State, but he even wore out his welcome there), but that’s a story for another day.
Are the Rockets good enough to win without KD? It doesn’t appear so now that the team has lost its indentity. Are they good enough to win WITH KD? I’m not even sure of that right now, to be honest. A team without an identity is not going far in the NBA Playoffs, and that’s Houston’s biggest problem right now. Jalen Green, Dillion Brooks, Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams were tone setters with physicality and athleticism. This is KD’s team right now, for better or worse, and it’s mostly been worse.
That being said, let’s see how the Rockets look if/when KD is back. They’re already in a hole. Whether he plays or doesn’t play, going down 2-0 to the hobbled Lakers is a place no good team should be. And if a series loss happens, honestly someone should lose their job. I doubt they will, but Houston should be embarrased by their Game 1 performance. It’s gut check time whether Get-off-my-injured-list-erson (or whatever his new burner name is) plays or not.
That sounded like closure, but now the language has shifted subtly.
Curry can clearly still play at an elite level. Last Wednesday in the Warriors play-in game victory over the Clippers, Curry scored 35 points, 27 in the second half as he rallied his team back from a 13-point fourth quarter deficit.
Curry will be 40 years old in 2028, and the question won’t be whether or not he can still shoot. That part is certain. The real question will be if he’s healthy and wants to compete.
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 19: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics shows off his jersey before Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden on April 19, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In Sunday’s Brotherhood Playoff Action, Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics crushed the Philadelphia 76ers, 123-91. Jared McCain and the OKC Thunder took care of the Suns, 119-84. Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic shocked the Detroit Pistons, 112-101. Finally, Mason Plumlee and the San Antonio Spurs hammered the Portland Trail Blazers, 111-98.
Tatum nearly pulled off a triple-double, with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists, and 21 of his points came in the first half.
Out in Oklahoma City, McCain had 5 points in 8 minutes for the Thunder. For Phoenix, Grayson Allen and Mark Williams were both listed as questionable, and neither played. Khaman Maluach got 15 minutes and three rebounds, but did not score.
Paolo Banchero had 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists at Detroit, while Wendell Carter got 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Mason Plumlee, in the twilight of his NBA career, did not play against the Trailblazers.
Apr 19, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) moves around Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe (11) in the second quarter during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
What happened in Game 1 was expected for the Phoenix Suns. You know it, I know, it the NBA universe knows it. Why? Because the Oklahoma City Thunder are the better team, and they showed it.
Sunday afternoon was a clear reminder of the gap. Phoenix can ride good vibes and shot-making, but Oklahoma City lives in execution. Possession after possession, detail after detail. That is where the difference shows up, and that is where the Suns as a franchise want to get to one day: a place where you can beat teams in multiple ways, with multiple contributors, without needing everything to look perfect.
This game highlighted what we have seen all season. Phoenix leans heavily on jump shooting. When the shots fall, it looks great. When they do not, it gets tight in a hurry. Against a defense like Oklahoma City, that margin shrinks even more. They are connected, disciplined, and relentless at the point of attack. Every look feels crowded, every decision feels rushed.
It is like watching two versions of the same idea at different levels. If the Suns are Mario, the Thunder are Mario after grabbing the mushroom. Everything looks similar at first glance, then you realize one version is bigger, stronger, and operating with more room for error. The defense hits harder. The closeouts arrive faster. The shooting holds up. And inside, on both ends, there is a presence Phoenix cannot match right now.
So you walk away from Game 1 without shock. The result lines up with what we expected. Now it becomes about what comes next, what adjustments are made, and whether the Suns can find a way to close that gap, even if it is only for a night heading into Game 2.
Bright Side Baller Season Standings
Jalen Green, the Michael Jordan of the Play-In. His 36 points against the Warriors propelled the Suns into the postseason. And it also broke the tie between he and Mark Williams for fifth place in the BSB standings. He is there all alone now. He now has his sights set on Brooks and Allen.
Bright Side Baller Nominees
Game 85 (Game 1) against the Thunder. Here are your nominees:
CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 18: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball during the game against the Toronto Raptors during round one Game one of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 18, 2026 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jeff Haynes /NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
When the Toronto Raptors stepped into the Cleveland Cavaliers’ arena on Saturday, the 3 year playoff drought ended for the country of Canada, quickly replaced by a feeling of dread as the third quarter saw the Raptors begin to get blown out on the road. The Cavs just couldn’t be stopped at home, taking game one authoritatively. So, what can the Raptors do to make sure that doesn’t happen again?
Bucket Getters Getting Buckets
Much has been said about Brandon Ingram’s performance in the first game of the series, himself noting that “[him]shooting 9 shots is not going to win basketball games”. Indeed, Ingram took the second fewest shots of any Raptors starter save for Jakob Poeltl while taking more free throws than attempted field goals. Ingram was brought in as the 1-B to Scottie’s 1-A, with the primary responsibility of scoring points and allowing Barnes to put more emphasis on what he excels at, facilitation and defence. Friday was an example of how that dynamic went under-utilized, so making sure that Ingram can get to his spots in the midrange and gets more aggressive from the three-point line will certainly be a key to success. Cleveland runs defensive schemes to take the ball out of his hands, but, it’s the playoffs – games are going to be physical, and whether or not Toronto and Ingram can push through to make sure a scorer is scoring will be what makes all the difference tonight.
Defence and the Centre Situation
The Raptors have struggled at the 5 all year, with varying attempts to patch a starter-sized hole during Jakob Poeltl’s absence that saw rookie Collin Murray-Boyles and Sandro Mamukelashvili play a lot of minutes at centre. The culmination of that was seen over the weekend, with all three players playing heavy rotational time. Murray-Boyles had an especially good game, but making sure that the other two – especially Poeltl – remain more involved in both defence and offence will be important to put more pressure on Cleveland’s bigs defensively. As noted in the preview, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen were largely kept in check, neither of Cleveland’s big men having breakout games.
As coach Darko Rajakovic noted postgame, the Cavaliers are a deep team, meaning that the Raptors need to pick and choose who they have their best defenders on. It’s clear, however, that Scottie Barnes might indeed be better off focusing more energy on Cleveland’s backcourt. Neither Allen nor Mobley is a lauded scorer, and while it would not do to leave either with mismatched defenders (especially Allen, who with Harden, is an especially dangerous threat in the paint), it is clear that Harden and Mitchell are Cleveland’s offensive weapons, and taking any steps to neutralize them will be the only way to keep this series alive. Playing a tall-ball lineup with two of the three centres and Scottie could do a lot to keep Cleveland’s scoring guards in check.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 19: Tim Duncan and David Robinson attend a game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Portland Trail Blazers during Round One Game One of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 19, 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 David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
If you attend games regularly, you know that David Robinson has a pair of second row seats and on any given night the camera finds him smiling for the fans.
Last night, Robinson was seated in the box occupied by Spurs GM Brian Wright and guests of the Spurs Organization. The Admiral was in relative incognito as he donned a baseball cap and a Spurs shirt, one of the 18,000+ plus fiesta-colored shirts worn by nearly every attendee in the Frost Bank Center.
Robinson, the Spurs first ever #1 draft pick was seated next to the Silver & Black’s second #1 draft pick, his twin tower teammate Tim Duncan.
The two received a rousing applause during a time out.
After the game, Victor Wembanyama said the applause for Duncan and Robinson was the loudest he heard the arena outside of the regular play.
There were multiple reminders for fans to put on their shirts. The entire arena decorated with fans in large swaths of fiesta flare. The duo who were integral to the Spurs first title complied, setting the example for all to see.
Wemby also stated that having them in his corner was uplifting and supportive. Here he responds to Ramona Shelburne’s during the postgame presser:
Victor Wembanyama was asked by @ramonashelburne whether he feels the weight of following in the footsteps of Sours legends like Tim Duncan and David Robinson.
“I wouldn’t say weight. I would say it feels safe. It feels like if you trip, there’s a lot of hands that’s ready to… pic.twitter.com/lWT4VsR4AX
In addition to the Spurs big men, George Gervin was honored at halftime in recognition of the 30th anniversary of the George Gervin Academy schools that support education throughout San Antonio.
Manu Ginobili was in attendance with his family, as he is often seen in the crowd.
And Pop, who was seen on social media interacting at the Spurs practice facility earlier this week, was watching from a suite as well.
Spurs Family is just that, family. After the game, Devin reiterated just how deep the roots are with the Spurs.
“It’s a big family thing here. I feel that’s the biggest thing, it’s all about family. They are here all the time put in their support. It’s just huge for us.”
The young Spurs, many of whom played their first playoff game, were definitely not alone. And the institutional knowledge in the arena was with them on multiple levels.
Game 2 of the series takes place at the Frost Bank Center Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. CST.
Go Spurs Go!
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LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - FEBRUARY 7: Former team members from the 1996 Kentucky Wildcats team Cameron Mills and Derek Anderson celebrate with head coach Mark Pope of the Kentucky Wildcats after the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Rupp Arena on February 7, 2026 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Mark Pope has openly joked about the group chat he shares with his 1996 national championship teammates, claiming they keep him grounded. But according to former Kentucky star Derek Anderson, that chat is a lot more intense than Pope has let on.
During a recent appearance on KSR, Anderson pulled back the curtain on the ongoing conversations between the guys who helped Kentucky cut down the nets. He revealed that the chat is still going strong, but teammates frequently type out messages only to delete them because the critiques of Pope’s coaching job may be too “brutal.”
As someone who works closely with NBA players and top-100 high school recruits, Anderson didn’t hold back his thoughts on why Pope’s third year at Kentucky is facing so many structural hurdles that have resulted in too many big losses.
Mark Pope has a “rah-rah” problem
Anderson’s primary concern isn’t Pope’s character; he knows he is an awesome guy. It is not the message he is sending to recruits on visits; he believes he can connect with anyone. For Anderson, the key to fixing Mark Pope’s issues in Lexington resides in Pope’s temperament.
“He can relate to the guys because he’s a great guy,” Anderson explained. “When you’re at BYU, you get to kind of run and play, and it’s a different style when you’re in the SEC and Kentucky thing. We were coming for your throat, and that’s a different mentality. Is he teaching that mentality? Because he’s never been that rah-rah guy anyway.”
Anderson pointed out the stark contrast in how he and Pope differed when they were on the court together. “You saw when we played, I’m dancing when I dunk on you. He’s just like this, ‘Good play, DA. Go sit down.’ Like, that’s a great guy, but that’s not Kentucky. Like, I was taught to dominate players whenever I played, and that was a mentality.”
There has been a little bit of that killer instinct missing at times under Pope. And it could be that he values emotional balance so much that his guys never feel free to really go after it. That mentality all starts on the practice court for Anderson.
Flawed practice habits
That lack of edge apparently bleeds into how Pope constructs his practices and pregame speeches/routines. Anderson shared a specific anecdote about Pope’s free-throw drills that contrasts with where the two men stand.
Pope demands absolute silence in the gym when players are shooting free throws. Anderson strongly disagrees with the method.
“We wanted everybody loud,” Anderson said. “If I’m at the free throw line, I need to hear noise so I know it at the end of the game, when there’s crazy going on, I gotta concentrate… If you don’t teach that, and when it happens in a game, how am I prepared? I’m not.”
DA is totally right here. I love the Mark Pope moment of silence thing. I understand visualization is key. But I also believe you play the way you practice. And we need to see some more fire from these guys on gameday.
I really believe that is a huge part of why we see so many slow starts.
Anderson also sees a teaching issue.
A complete lack of basketball IQ
The most interesting critique from Anderson centered on the lack of teaching the basic fundamentals. He expressed shock at last year’s team’s inability to execute even the most basic basketball concepts. He believes that falls directly on Pope and the assistants, who have now mostly been replaced (Cody Fueger, Mark Fox, and Mikhail McLean are the holdovers, for now).
“We didn’t know how to play basketball. It was literally, we couldn’t throw a bounce pass,” Anderson said, referencing the recent struggles. He noted that players fail to use basic pump fakes against 2-3 zones, and criticized the assistant coaches for doing “nothing” and walking away while players shoot free throws instead of forcing them to hold their follow-throughs.
“It was not teaching,” Anderson stated firmly. “And I was always telling him, you’ve got to teach the IQ part and understanding of the game if you want players to be better. You can’t just let them go and say, well, they’ll figure it out.”
Again, DA is right on the money. I know Mark doesn’t want to spend a lot of practice time on teaching things guys should have learned in junior high, but the reality is the game has changed. Most of these kids play on AAU traveling teams that only care about 2 things: winning and money. No longer do they teach them drop steps; it is now the Euro step. No longer is it bounce pass drills; it’s all Steph Curry two-hand-two-ball drills.
You have to sometimes take a step back in order to take a step forward.
Can a coaching staff shakeup fix this?
Anderson’s comments shine a glaring spotlight on the current state of Kentucky’s bench. It is abundantly clear that Pope has significant work to do in terms of teaching the game, but he cannot do it alone.
So far this offseason, Kentucky has only hired Mo Williams to the staff. With Mark Fox operating on an expiring contract and an open coaching vacancy still waiting to be filled, Pope has a crucial opportunity to change the dynamic. If he is going to be the “nice guy” head coach, he desperately needs to hire assistants who are willing to teach the fundamentals, enforce the “throat-stepping” mentality, and demand accountability in practice.
I know he loves this place, and I think everyone wants him to succeed here, but if he fails to address what DA has brought up, I don’t see him staying past year 3.
Do you agree or disagree with Anderson’s take on Pope?
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 19: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics goes in for a dunk against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on April 19, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
1. Playoff Jayson Tatum Is Back
The last time Jayson Tatum played in the playoffs was May 12th 2025. He dropped 42 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists before he suffered what is known as one of the worst injuries a basketball player could sustain in a Torn Achilles. It was only 342 days later where Tatum was back playing in a playoff game and it looks like he hasn’t skipped a beat, finishing with 25 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals on 9-17 shooting.
Jayson Tatum is now 5th in Eastern Conference history in 25-point playoff games with only LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and Dwayne Wade having more. Tatum joined Jimmy Butler in 2022 and Russell Westbrook in 2017 as the third player in NBA Playoff History with 21+ Points, 8+ Rebounds, 4+ Assists, and 2+ Steals in the first half of a playoff game in the last 30 years.
21+ PTS, 8+ REB, 4+ AST, 2+ STL in 1st Half of Playoff Game, last 30 years
Tatum today Jimmy Butler vs. Celtics, 5/27/22 Westbrook vs. Houston, 4/19/17
Tatum played most of his best basketball in the first half of this game, finishing with 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists on 7-11 shooting. Tatum had 10 of those points in the first quarter, where he exploited the fact the 76ers didn’t have a wing defender that could guard him. He was able to slice through Philly’s defense like a cheese steak to get to easy buckets in the midrange and some aggressive finishes at the basket.
Tatum did a great job of getting to the line in the second quarter, finishing 6-6 at the charity stripe. Philadelphia did not have any answers for him and you can tell they were frustrated. He was 1-7 from three in this game but that one he hit made him pass Kobe Bryant for 11th place on the all-time playoff three-pointers made list. Tatum put an exclamation point on his incredible first half performance with an emphatic slam off a Sam Hauser steal.
Tatum only played in 12 minutes the rest of the game but his first half performance stamped his impact on this win. He was serenaded with a standing ovation from the TD Garden crowd in the fourth quarter, being shown the respect he deserved for his great game.
Jayson Tatum gets a standing ovation as he leaves the game in the fourth quarter pic.twitter.com/qgZRI9tBWC
Jaylen Brown started game this game a little slow with only 10 points on 4-12 shooting in the first half but really stepped up his game in the third quarter. Brown played the entire third quarter and finished with 16 points on 7-9 shooting from the field and 2-2 from three. The play that really ignited his fire in the quarter came at the 6:24 mark where he deflected an errant pass by Andre Drummond and turned it into a wide open three pointer.
This three sparked a 10-0 run by the Celtics that took any possible chance the 76ers had of coming back in this game. Brown shot 5-6 after his steal, twisting the knife even deeper into Philadelphia’s defense. No matter who Philly threw out there to defend him, Brown was able break them down and finish in his spots.
This game was the 50th time that both Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum scored 20+ points in the same playoff game, the second most in Celtics history only behind Larry Bird and Kevin McHale who did it 58 times. It is the 19th time that Brown and Tatum have both scored 25+ in the same playoff game. If Game 1 was any indication of how these playoffs are going to go, we could see the Jays breaking that record this season.
Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum each scored 20+ points in the same playoff game for the 50th time, the second most in Celtics history behind Larry Bird and Kevin McHale (58) ☘️ pic.twitter.com/7ATI79CtuU
For the first time in his NBA Career, Sam Hauser shot under 40% from three in a season, finishing at 39.3% with the Celtics this season. He seemed to take that personally going into Game 1 where finished with 12 points and 7 rebounds on 4-6 shooting from behind the arc. He started the game off hot, hitting back-to-back threes in the first quarter and set the tone for the Celtics offense.
He hit two more threes in the fourth quarter but what really impressive from Hauser was his defensive effort in this game. Via Taylor Snow on X, Sam Hauser played 1,934 minutes in the regular season and drew 0 charges but 2 minutes into the playoffs he drew a charge on Adem Bona who barreled right through him. When asked about taking the charge, Hauser laughed and said, “I was scared” but he was just trying to make a play.
Hauser made another great defensive play in the second quarter, picking off an inbounds pass and finding Jayson Tatum the other way for a wide open dunk. After struggling for most of the season, this was a great start what hopefully is a big playoff run for Hauser this season.
4. Jordan Walsh Energy Minutes
Jordan Walsh played some big minutes for the Celtics down the stretch of the regular season and got his first chance to show out in the playoffs, finishing with 5 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists on 2-5 shooting. He was thrown in at the 3:49 mark of the third quarter and was immediately tasked to stop Tyrese Maxey. Walsh stepped up by playing some great defense that resulted in him getting a fast-break layup off a nice pass from Jayson Tatum at the end of the first quarter.
JAYSON TATUM TO JORDAN WALSH FOR THE BASKET TO END END THE 1ST QUARTER!
Walsh checked back in at the 3:36 mark of the third quarter, where he once again brought the energy on the defensive end that the Celtics were looking for. After Brown missed a midrange jumper, Walsh grabbed a big offensive rebound in traffic, drawing a foul and hyping up the crowd. This is a great example of why Walsh is so important to the Celtics with the instant energy he provides on the defensive side of the ball.
5. Neemias Queta X-Factor
Neemias Queta had an up-and-down game against the 76ers in his first career playoff start. The good was that he finished with 13 points and 1 block on 5-5 shooting but the bad was that he committed 5 fouls in only 15 minutes of play. Some of the fouls were bad but when he was out there, Queta dominated the 76ers inside, just like he did on March 1st when he dropped a career 27 points with 17 rebounds.
Much like most of the games at the end of the regular season when Queta went off, he was a monster in the pick-and-roll against Philadelphia. If he wasn’t in foul trouble I believe the Celtics would have spammed the same play over and over again until the 76ers could stop him. The 76ers looked like they wanted no business in guarding him and if that is the case, Queta will be a big X-factor for the Celtics in this series if he can stay out of foul trouble.
6. Nikola Vucevic Adventure
With Queta in foul trouble, Nikola Vucevic got a lot more minutes off the bench, finishing with 18 in total. If I had to describe his performance it would be: an adventure. Much like Queta, Vucevic also was in foul trouble, finishing with 4 fouls. On the positive side he finished with 3 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and a +13. We saw Vucevic have a rough game early on, getting dunked on by Kelly Oubre Jr and air-balling a wide open shot at the basket.
However he was also able to be a real positive for Boston on the glass, doing a great job of sealing off Bona and Drummond to secure defensive rebounds to start the Celtics offense. He was even able to turn one of these rebounds into a transition three. It was cool to see TD Garden yell “VOOCH” as the shot went up and the subsequent cheers after it went in. Joe Mazzulla praised his ability to keep the 76ers big men off the glass in his post game press conference, so although it might not look the prettiest, Vucevic is an important part of this rotation.
7. Garza/Scheierman Step Up In Spot Minutes
With both Queta and Vucevic in foul trouble at points in this game, Luka Garza got a chance to play 14 minutes off the bench and finished with 7 points and 2 rebounds. Garza started the second quarter for the Celtics and immediately grabbed a big offensive rebound to get free throws. He followed that up with a three pointer and even though he only played 5:27, in the second quarter, the Celtics were able to open up their lead to 15 points. Garza played a little bit of spot minutes in the second half as well and although he didn’t put up a ton of numbers on the stat sheet, he was able to keep Philadelphia’s big men under wraps.
Baylor Scheierman also started the second quarter alongside Garza, and had one sequence where he made an impact. He finished a nice floater late in the shot clock on offense and then blocked Paul George on defense the next possession. Seeing Garza and Scheierman excel in spot minutes is huge for the Celtics and is a testament to everyone being ready for when their number is called.
8. Three-point Disparity
When asked about limiting the Celtics three-point shooting pregame, 76ers head coach Nick Nurse said that he wanted his team to cut the number of three point attempts down in this series by “4-5.” Safe to say, that game plan did not work out well. Boston was 16-44 (36%) from three which isn’t great but was substantially better than Philadelphia who finished 4-23 (17%).
The three-pointer is the great equalizer when it comes to the NBA. It can both win you and lose you games based on how good the team shooting is. Safe to say the 76ers might want to try a little harder to force the Celtics off the three-point line a little more, given they lost by 32 points and Boston didn’t even it shoot it well. I wonder what the score would look like if the Celtics made even 40% of their threes.
Celtics Shooting Zone Chart (Via NBA.com)
9. Maxey Non-Factor
Tyrese Maxey is the engine that makes the Philadelphia 76ers offense go but he is also playing through a right finger tendon injury that he suffered on his pinky. When he isn’t able to have a big game, the 76ers have a hard time generating offense and we saw it in this game where Maxey finished with only 21 points on 8-20 shooting. The primary defenders on Maxey in this game were Derrick White, Jayson Tatum and Jordan Walsh and all of them did a great job of forcing him into tough shots. Maxey is still going to get his and might have a big game in this series at some point, but I liked what I saw out of the Celtics defense.
10. TD Garden Crowd
The best part about the Celtics being back in the Playoffs is that we get to hear the roar of the TD Garden crowd. I was there covering the game for CelticsBlog as a media member for the first time in a playoff game and sitting in the press box it was amazing to hear how loud the crowd got in big moments. The crowd was engaged from the jump ball and I thought even sounded loud on TV.
The highlight of the night was during the fourth quarter when in garbage time, the TD Garden broke out in a “We Want Boston” chant. This was a response to the Philadelphia 76ers crowd chanting it at the end of their Play-In Tournament victory against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday April 15th. We saw Gino Time, the wave, and a Celtics victory, it doesn’t get much better than that.
If Steve Kerr does decide he wants to continue coaching the Warriors, the upcoming 2026-27 NBA season might not be his last dance with the organization.
Golden State’s coach, whose contract expires this offseason after the team’s 2025-26 season officially came to a close with a loss to the Phoenix Suns on Friday night in the NBA play-in-tournament, is going to take some time over the next week or two to decide if he wants to continue coaching the Warriors next season.
Kerr recently told ESPN that he felt it was around 50-50 whether he woud remain as Warriors coach or depart, and in a story published Monday, the outlet’s senior NBA writers Ramona Shelburne and Anthony Slater reported that if Kerr decides to return, owner Joe Lacob wants him to express a certain level of hunger, and that the organization’s management would like to lock him into a multiyear contract.
“More than anything, team sources said, Lacob will want to hear Kerr express a hunger to continue executing the nitty-gritty details of the daily job, not a reluctant acceptance that he should continue coaching purely out of loyalty to [Draymond] Green and [Steph] Curry and the sentimentality of riding out this era,” Shelburne and Slater wrote.
“That’s why, if Kerr decides he wants to return, there’s a desire from management for him to sign a multiyear deal, team sources said, instead of setting up a last dance farewell tour that would feel more about emotion and nostalgia than wins.”
Kerr, even throughout Golden State’s turbulent season, has been vocal about how much he still enjoys coaching the Warriors, despite stars such as Curry and Jimmy Butler both missing significant time with injuries.
However, the 60-year-old Kerr, a nine-time NBA champion as a player and coach, has had a long, decorated NBA career, and understandaby, could decide now is time to call it quits.
Or, based on how the organization plans to re-tool its roster around Curry this offseason, decide he wants to return for another season — or two — to pursue his fifth championship with as Warriors coach.
LeBron James helped his team to victory over the Rockets on Saturday night. Photograph: Mark J Terrill/AP
LeBron James must be so sick of this. If he wanted to experience being the best player on an otherwise thin team, he could simply remember the Cleveland Cavaliers’ run to the NBA finals in 2007. Or the 2015 NBA finals when his best teammates, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, suffered injuries. Or the 2018 season, which convinced SNL to make a spoof of James’ support staff. “I’m 53 years old,” one of LeBron’s “teammates” says in the clip. “I have seven kids, and two of them are also on the Cavs.” It’s 2026, James is a Los Angeles Laker, his two best teammates are hurt, and one of his kids actually is on the team.
How on earth did we get here, again? James is 41. The story of his season was his labored yet successful pivot into the Lakers’ third option, behind Luka Dončić (who was having one of the best stretches of his career before tweaking his hamstring in a humiliating loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder) and Austin Reaves (who strained his oblique in the same game). Both men are in their primes. James, on the other hand, has been plagued with what some observers may call old guy injuries: he missed the start of the season due to sciatica; he’s sat out a couple games since thanks to arthritis in his left foot. So how – how – is it that Dončić and Reaves were the ones felled by injuries and James is the iron man? Aren’t the rules that athletes in their 20s get to enjoy energy and health, while those in their 40s have to retire and become mediocre pundits?
Surreal as James reprising his role from a decade ago is, there’s nobody more used to the gig. Asked recently what his team now needs from him, James said, “everything, so nothing changes for me. Just back to the old ways.” Dončić and Reaves are out indefinitely. If James can prolong the Lakers’ run, that pair may have time to come back and restore the team to its best possible form, but there are no guarantees.
James has at least one thing going for him, aside from the small matter of being arguably the greatest player of all time: the Lakers are playing the dysfunctional Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs. This version of the Rockets, without vital contributors in Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams, are capable of blowing a 13-point lead in overtime. There’s simply no other group in the NBA who have it in them, even those teams who spent most of the season trying to lose. On top of that, Kevin Durant recently hurt his knee in practice, forcing him out of Saturday night’s series opener, which the Lakers won 107-98. The Rockets’ offense is poor at the best of times, but removing KD is like taking the bacon and bread off a BLT.
And look, James did not carry the Lakers in Saturday’s win, though the Rockets offered so little resistance that he never had to try. Luke Kennard had 27 points. James had 19, and so did Deandre Ayton. (Guess Ayton drank his crunk juice.) But it was the King who commanded the pace and flow of the game. James had 13 assists to what felt like every single one of his teammates, many of them leading to wide-open shots. He either created or assisted on 15 of the Lakers’ first 19 points. He hit a long three in the fourth quarter, then a ridiculous fadeaway over Amen Thompson, the Rockets’ best defender. He snagged an errant pass in the first quarter; while tumbling out of bounds, he managed to leap in the air and drill the ball off Thompson’s legs to maintain Lakers possession. James played 38 minutes. He finished with a +11 on-off rating, the best on either team.
Saturday was no anomaly. James’ on-court play has been notable this year not just in its continued quality (again: he is 41), but in its effort and intentionality. In December, he sacrificed his run of 1,297 consecutive regular season games in which he’d scored 10 or more points to dish the ball to Rui Hachimura for a game-winner. In the closing minutes of a March thriller against the Denver Nuggets, James dove for a loose ball as if he was a teenager again; the Lakers wound up winning in overtime. Before Dončić and Reaves went down, James had morphed into an uber-efficient role player, producing restrained masterpieces in a radically different style to his do-it-all finals heroics in the 2010s.
It’s been clear since before this season even started that the Lakers won’t win the title this season. Even if they get past the Rockets, the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder will almost certainly grind them into a fine sand in the next round. James must know it.
But maybe he’s just not fazed by any of it, or having to play without Dončić and Reaves. “I’ve been in every situation you can ever imagine as a basketball player,” he said after Game 1. And he has. The bar for his career being set at “surpass Michael Jordan” when he was still in high school didn’t deter him. The venom aimed at him after the Decision, as if he’d committed a serious crime by cheesily announcing his move to the Miami Heat, didn’t do long-term damage. He responded as well as was possible to the disaster that was the 2011 finals. A meaningful portion of NBA fans’ aggressive certainty that basketball is actually an individual sport hasn’t bullied him into becoming a ball hog at the cost of team success. Maybe sharing a starting lineup with Kennard, Ayton, Hachimura, and Marcus Smart instead of taking part in a superteam hardly registers as a challenge at this point.
Perhaps, with time, playing on so many less-than-ideal teams may even end up benefiting James’s legacy – in some calmer world, when we can soberly agree that most of those finals losses weren’t on him alone. James would probably have won more rings on better teams (or if he got to play against worse teams in finals). We might also not have gotten to see the outer reaches of his skill. The way things turned out, he faced enough adversity that he had to show us every extraordinary version of himself.
Apr 19, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) gestures after scoring against the Phoenix Suns in the second quarter during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
The most elite defenders of the NBA’s 2025-26 season include San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson, and Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren.
The three finalists for the 2025-26 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award:
Holmgren is coming off an NBA All-Star appearance for the first time in his young career. He’s on the chase for a second-straight NBA championship, becoming the fourth Zag to win an NBA title last summer (Los Angeles Lakers’ Adam Morrison in 2009 and 2010, Miami Heat’s Ronny Turiaf in 2012, and San Antonio Spurs’ Austin Daye in 2014).
Through 69 starts for the Thunder, the 7-1 talent averaged 17.1 points on a shooting split of 55.7 percent from the field, 36.2 percent on three-pointers, and 79.2 percent at the charity stripe. His 8.9 rebounds per game rank tied for No. 11 in the NBA, while his 1.9 blocks per game are tied for No. 2. StatMuse lists a defensive rating of 104.1 for the world’s up-and-coming basketball star.
At the start of the first round of the 2o26 NBA Playoffs, No. 8-seeded Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks made it clear he was going to annoy No. 1-seeded Oklahoma City’s man in the middle during the entirety of the series. Holmgren got the last laugh in Game 1’s 119-84 victory, dropping 16 points on 5-10 shooting, seven rebounds, two steals, and two blocks.
Dillon Brooks wouldn’t let Chet Holmgren hold the ball before the game. 🤣
Victor Wembanyama (centre), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic have been nominated for the NBA's MVP award [Getty Images]
Victor Wembanyama starred on his NBA play-off debut as the San Antonio Spurs beat the Portland Trail Blazers 111-98.
Wembanyama, one of three contenders for the Most Valuable Player award, scored a game-high 35 points, including 21 in the first half, as the Spurs won game one of the best-of-seven series.
"It's good to get this one out of the way," the Frenchman said. "We just tried to do the things we've been doing all year and stay solid.
"There was pressure on us to win the first game, but it wasn't that much pressure if we just stayed to the plan."
Elsewhere, defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder and the Boston Celtics both made dominant starts to the post-season.
The Thunder - the number one seeds in the Western Conference - thrashed the Phoenix Suns 119-84, led by last year's Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who had 25 points, seven assists and four rebounds.
Jayson Tatum scored 25 points with 11 rebounds and seven assists - and Jaylen Brown added 26 points - as the second-seeded Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 123-91.
Meanwhile, the Orlando Magic stunned Eastern Conference top seeds Detroit Pistons 112-101 to take a 1-0 lead in their seven-game series.
Victory for the eighth-seeded Magic, who qualified for the play-offs via the play-in tournament, extends an unwelcome NBA record for the Pistons, who have not won a post-season game at home for 11 matches dating back to 2008.
Forward Paolo Banchero starred with 23 points, nine rebounds and four assists, to help the Magic overshadow Pistons point guard Cade Cunningham's play-off best haul of 39 points.
"[We] didn't come out with the right energy, gave them life early on," said Cunningham. "Then we had to deal with that for the rest of the game.
"There's no confidence drop from us. It's going to be a long, fun series."
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 19: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs celebrates during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers during Round One Game One of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 19, 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
If the lights felt brighter in San Antonio on Sunday night, it’s because they were. For the first time since 2019, playoff basketball returned to the Frost Bank Center, and the San Antonio Spurs didn’t just show up. They made a statement.
Behind a historic night from Victor Wembanyama and his supporting cast, the Spurs pulled away from the Portland Trail Blazers for a 111-98 Game 1 win of their first-round playoff series — a game that was closer than the final score suggests, but never truly out of San Antonio’s control.
“I thought we did a good job. I thought we had multiple efforts in transition and got organized,” Spurs Head Coach Mitch Johnson said of the Spurs’ defense. “I thought we had some great stretches defensively.”
This was supposed to be Wembanyama’s moment. It turned into something bigger. The 7-foot-4 phenom poured in 35 points, the most ever by a Spur in a playoff debut, setting the tone early and never letting it slip. He stretched the floor, protected the paint, and, most impressively, looked completely unfazed by the stage.
San Antonio didn’t need him to do everything. But when the game tilted, he made sure it didn’t fall.
The Spurs wasted little time asserting control. A quick surge, fueled by ball movement and Portland’s cold shooting, built an early double-digit cushion. But this is the NBA Playoffs, where leads are rarely kept, and teams don’t stay comfortable.
Portland punched back in the third quarter, trimming what had been a sizable deficit down to just two points, on an 8-0 run, briefly shifting the energy inside the arena. That’s when San Antonio showed something it’s been building all season: composure. Instead of unraveling, the Spurs responded with defense, timely shooting, and contributions across the roster: stretching the lead back to double digits heading into the fourth.
Wembanyama was the headline. The rest of the Spurs made sure it was a full story. Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox combined for 34 points while Devin Vassell and Luke Kornet brought energy and minutes to maintain momentum.
“During that stretch, Devin, Luke Kornet, and Julian all had plays,” Johnson said. “Those are the plays that are going to be needed in games like this. A lot more than the shot making, especially when teams are making runs and can dictate the circumstances of the game. I thought we responded great.”
The Trail Blazers didn’t go quietly. Deni Avdija delivered a standout performance with 30 points and 10 rebounds, while Scoot Henderson added 18. Apart from those two, Portland struggled to find consistency, especially from deep, and couldn’t sustain the pressure needed to flip the game.
Every time they threatened, San Antonio had an answer. Game 1 didn’t decide the series. But it clarified something. The Spurs aren’t just back in the playoffs, they look built for this stage. They have a generational centerpiece playing beyond his years, a backcourt that controls tempo, and a system that doesn’t crack under pressure.
“We’ve been really good in the regular season,” Wembanyama said. “So we have no reason to prepare or do anything differently. We obviously prepare for the series, and we have to beat them four times.”
Game 2 looms quickly, again in San Antonio on Tuesday. While there will be things to correct and tape to review, And now, the question shifts: Not whether the Spurs can win.
But how far this version of them can go.
Game Notes
If this is the version of Luke Kornet the Spurs will get in these playoffs (10 points, 6 rebounds), the non-Wemby minute will not be much of an issue for this Spurs team.
Mitch Johnson got a technical foul in the second half and he was (along with the crowd) were upset at the inconsistency of the calls. That will happen in the postseason and Johnson was smart enough to not let his team get in their heads about it.
So happy the Spurs fans wore the free T-shirts. “You should absolutely wear your shirt if you’re coming to the game,” Wembanyama said.
