PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 10: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns defends Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 10, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Norm Hall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks (25-54) stay on the road on Wednesday night, this time playing the Phoenix Suns (43-36). Dallas played Tuesday night against the Clippers and couldn’t rally back after getting down huge early in the contest. The Suns enter the game having lost last night to the Houston Rockets.
Here are the main things you need to know:
WHO: Dallas Mavericks vs Phoenix Suns
WHAT: Second night of a back-to-back
WHERE: Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, Arizona
WHEN: 9:00 pm CST
HOW: KFAA Channel 29, MavsTV streaming, NBA League Pass
The injury report for the Mavericks reads like the end of a back trip playing Oregon Trail. Let’s start with who’s on the report but going to play: Moussa Cisse, Cooper Flagg, Tyler Smith, and John Poulakidas. Up next, since it’s so close to game time, we know who all is out: Daniel Gafford, Naji Marshall, Caleb Martin, Klay Thompson, PJ Washington, and Brandon Williams. That’s rough.
The Suns will be without Grayson Allen, Haywood Highsmith, and Mark Williams, all due to injury management
While the Suns are fairly locked in to the 7th spot in the West and the top of the play-in tournament bracket, a win tonight would lock them in heading into the final games of the regular season. After getting whupped by the Rockets last night, they might be playing for a bit of pride.
Be sure to chime in with your predictions in the comments!
Consider joining Josh and me on Pod Maverick live after the game on YouTube, we should start LATE. Thanks so much for spending time with us here at Mavs Moneyball. Let’s go Mavs!
CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 08: CJ McCollum #3 of the Atlanta Hawks drives to the basket around Sam Merrill #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first quarter at Rocket Arena on April 08, 2026 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. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Atlanta Hawks were in Cleveland on Wednesday evening to face the Cavaliers. This is a matchup that has the potential to be a first-round playoff series, as the Cavaliers are more than certain going to be locked into the No.3 or No. 4 seed. As for the Hawks, all they have to do is win one of their remaining games and they’re locked into the top-six, and can finish as either the No. 5 or No. 6 seed.
These teams haven’t seen each other since earlier in the season, and both look completely different. The Cavaliers came into this matchup with everyone available, while the Hawks were still without Jock Landale.
Onyeka Okongwu got the Hawks on the board with a dunk, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker tied the game with a three-pointer.
It was a back-and-forth contest between both teams in the second quarter, and there were several lead changes throughout the period. The Hawks were finally the team to break the game open, and they got a few shots to go in, while defending the Cavs well on the other end.
The Hawks grew a lead as much as 11 points, and they were able to find a rhythm down the stretch of the second. The Cavs did knock down a few shots in the end, but the Hawks still went into halftime with a 67-60 lead.
The Cavs kept their momentum going from the end of the first half, and cut down their deficit early in the third. Okongwu did his best to cut out some of that momentum.
It wasn’t enough, as Donovan Mitchell continued to attack, and the Hawks didn’t have much of an answer for him. James Harden started to get going, and the Cavs grabbed back the lead.
The Hawks played from behind most of the quarter, but didn’t let the game get out of hand early. As the quarter progressed, they did start to lose focus, which led to the Cavs extending their lead to double digits. Kuminga tried to keep the Hawks in it with this three-pointer.
The Hawks had several chances to tie the game or take the lead, but they were not able to capitalize. Meanwhile, the Cavs kept making their way to the free-throw line, and they were able to seal the deal.
Alexander-Walker finished with 25 points, Kuminga 24 finished with 24 points, and Okongwu with 18 points.
The Hawks will be back in action on Friday against the Cavs.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - APRIL 08: Ryan Rollins #13 of the Milwaukee Bucks tries to drive around Ausar Thompson #9 of the Detroit Pistons during the first half at Little Caesars Arena on April 08, 2026 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. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Detroit Pistons knew that they would need reinforcements for this one, so a bunch of folks returned from injury to ensure victory agains the undermanned Milwaukee Bucks, 137-111. Jericho Sims notched his first career triple-double while Ryan Rollins scored a team-high 23. Detroit spread the wealth, with Jalen Duren atop their scorers with 21.
AJ Green started this one on fire, draining three threes in the frame. That earned the Bucks an early lead, but Duren and the Pistons would soon regain it. Sims was his usual menacing self on the boards and in the paint, while Daniss Jenkins dished out about an assist per minute in his limited time for Detroit. Despite some relatively strong play from Ousmane Dieng, Milwaukee finished the quarter down 34-28.
The Pistons extended their lead in the second. AJG was subbed out after two quick fouls brought his total to three, taking out his hot hand. A trend of Detroit racking up points off turnovers continued, with Ron Holland II cashing in twice. The Bucks (and specifically Rollins) would not go quietly into the night though, as they uncorked a 14-2 run to get within four of the home team. But the Pistons quickly regained a double-digit lead. Duncan Robinson then exploded for three threes and then some, as the Bucks ended up down 75-57 at the half.
Detroit came out of intermission on fire, headed by Cade Cunningham hitting shots inside and out. The Bucks were hitting shots; they just weren’t preventing them. Eventually they were able to regain the halftime deficit, highlighted by three threes from Taurean Prince. But Detroit would score the last 10 points on their way to a 112-86 lead after three.
Yet again, it was a strong start to the quarter for the Pistons, headlined by Duren bully ball down low. Things stayed south for the Bucks, but I’ll give a shoutout to Cormac Ryan, who had a nice game and nice eyebrows. I suppose Andre Jackson Jr. was the white flag in this one, coming in midway through the frame. But fret not! Jericho Sims triple-double watch brought garbage time to life… until he got it pretty easily with plenty of time left in the game, lol. Then the real white flags checked in and brought this one to a close.
Stat That Stood Out
The fast-break different was 32-2 (!). The Pistons were moving and grooving in transition, especially in the first half. The Bucks… were not.
Almost time for a final answer on where the Sixers will wind up at the end of this regular season.
With three games left, below are the Eastern Conference standings from fifth through 10th. The top six avoid the play-in tournament.
5. Hawks 45-35
6. Raptors 44-35
7. Magic 44-36
8. Sixers 43-36
9. Hornets 43-37
10. Heat 41-38
And here’s a rundown of the Sixers’ potential seeding scenarios:
If Sixers go 3-0
To finish at 46-36, the Sixers first need to beat the 50-win Rockets on Thursday night in Houston. Then they must handle business against the Pacers and Bucks, two teams out of the East playoff picture.
To come out ahead of the Raptors in a two-way tie situation, the Sixers would only need Toronto to lose at least one of its last three games. The Sixers would win a two-way tiebreaker over the Raptors because they have the superior record vs. opponents in the Atlantic division.
In order to rise to fifth in the East, the Sixers would require the following results:
Hawks go 0-2, losing to the Cavs and Heat
Raptors go 2-1 or worse against the Heat, Knicks and Nets
No other team around the Sixers’ region of the standings could catch them. The Magic could reach 46 wins by ending 2-0 against the Bulls and Celtics, but the Sixers won the regular-season series over Orlando.
If Sixers go 2-1
If they lose in Houston and/or trip up against the Pacers and Bucks, the Sixers would need more factors to break their way to avoid the play-in.
At 45-37, the Sixers would be guaranteed to finish below Atlanta. Even if the Hawks ended 0-2, they’d be above the Sixers because they swept the regular-season series.
So, to be sixth at the end of the season, the 45-37 Sixers would at a minimum need:
Raptors go 1-2 or 0-3
Magic go 1-1 or 0-2
The potential tiebreakers with three or four teams at 45-37 get convoluted, to the point that it seemingly might matter which of their three games the Sixers lost (to the Western Conference’s Rockets or East’s Pacers or Bucks). For now, suffice it to say that they’d be scoreboard watching and hoping several dominoes fell in their favor.
The Hornets could throw themselves into the 45-37 mix by beating the Pistons and Knicks. If only the Sixers and Charlotte are 45-37, the Sixers would have the edge. They earned a comeback win over the Hornets on March 28 to take that season series.
If Sixers go 1-2
Two losses in their last three games would obviously leave the Sixers with poor odds of a top-six finish.
At 44-38, here’s the only way that could happen:
Raptors go 0-3
Magic go 0-2
Hornets go 1-1 or 0-2
In that world, the Sixers, Raptors, Magic and Hornets would all be 44-38 (with Charlotte going 1-1).
To illustrate the tiebreaker complexities that could ensue: The first tiebreaker in these scenarios is an automatic win for a division leader, but none of the teams would meet that criteria. Next up is the best winning percentage in all games among the tied teams. By our count, the Sixers went 6-4 overall against Toronto, Orlando and Charlotte. Both the Raptors and Hornets would be just behind them with a 6-5 record in their games against the other teams.
Again, this is a very improbable hypothetical on many fronts. The Sixers being a play-in team is by far the most likely outcome with a 1-2 finish. As laid out above, the odds of that also appear quite high with a 2-1 finish.
If Sixers go 0-3
Should the Sixers essentially collapse down the stretch and end at 43-39, they’ll be between eighth and 10th.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - JANUARY 03: Carter Bryant #11 of the San Antonio Spurs drives on Side Cissoko #91 of the Portland Trailblazers in the first half at Frost Bank Center on January 3, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to the Game Thread. Veterans of the Game Thread know how we do things around here, but for all you newbies we have a few rules. Our community guidelines apply and basically say be cool, no personal attacks, don’t troll and don’t swear too much.
The Spurs have won 60 games and they could be mathematically locked into second place in the Western Conference by the end of play tonight, with either a loss tonight or a win by the Thunder over the Clippers. OKC beating the LA seems inevitable, but I wouldn’t count the Spurs out just yet. The Spurs will be missing the services of Victor Wembanyama tonight, who has a rib contusion courtesy of a collision with Paul George in the Sixers game. He looks good to play at least one of the two remaining games this season, which is all he needs to qualify for the misguided 65 game threshold for post-season awards. Stephon Castle is also out, with soreness in his right knee, but it’s not expected to be a long term issue.
With their superstar and one of their top players out for the game, it looks like a tough game for the Spurs tonight playing against a Trail Blazers squad that has outperformed expectations this year under the leadership of head coach Tiago Splitter. This game means more for the Blazers standings than it does for the Spurs, as they really want to advance to the eighth spot where one victory in the play-in tournament lands them a playoff spot. The teams in 9th or 10th would have to win twice to advance, and then they would face the Thunder in the first round, which is no picnic.
Despite everything lined up against the Silver and Black tonight, they have several things in their favor tonight. De’Aaron Fox has always stepped up his game when Victor has to sit, making Fox the focal point of the offense. Also, this is Dylan Harper’s chance to shine, and he should have a good night showing off his drives to the hoop and improved three point shooting. Don’t forget Jordan McLaughlin who could have a big night, and Lindy Waters III who can fill up the basket. It might be a great time for Carter Bryant to have his first 30 point game as a pro. It time for the young guys to play free and easy, with not much on the line but putting together a good run of team play. I’ll say it. Spurs by 17! Go Spurs GOOOO!!
Game Prediction:
Tiago Splitter will suit up and outplay Mason Plumlee.
San Antonio Spurs vs Portland Trail Blazers April 8, 2026 | 8:30 PM CT Streaming: ESPN App TV: ESPN, FanDuel Sports Southwest Reminder: It is against site policy to post links to illegal streams in the comments.
There are so many factors that make Thursday’s showdown between the Knicks and Celtics at Madison Square Garden bigger than just a regular-season game.
For starters, it will be the first time the Knicks face Jayson Tatum this year. It will mark Tatum’s 16th game back since his remarkably quick recovery from a ruptured Achilles.
If the Knicks lose, it will end their pursuit of the No. 2 seed in the East. And the Cavaliers’ win Wednesday night means they are just a half- game behind the Knicks, who are trying to stave them off as the No. 3 seed.
And it very well could be the final preview of a likely playoff rematch. If the teams finish as the Nos. 2 and 3 seeds, they will be on a collision course to meet in the second round — just like last year — as long as they take care of business in the first round.
“I’m a big believer in taking care of the present and then I’ll take care of the future,” Karl-Anthony Towns said after practice Wednesday. “Right now, we just gotta stay in the present. [Thursday] is the most important game because it’s the next game of the season.”
Jaylen Brown (who is questionable for Thursday’s game with left Achilles tendinitis), a near lock to make All-NBA First Team, has helped carry the Celtics in what most thought would be a transition year — with Tatum sidelined for most of it and after Boston parted with several veterans in the offseason.
Now he has his co-star back, even if Tatum has looked a bit rusty. The Celtics are 13-2 in the 15 games Tatum has played since returning. When both are clicking, they are as good a 1-2 punch as any in the league. And it’s a duo that the Knicks and president Leon Rose had in mind when constructing the roster, pairing OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges as wing defenders to guard them.
“Both those guys are capable of erupting for 40 on any given night,” coach Mike Brown said Wednesday. “They take the load off of each other when it comes to scoring, which makes them extremely dangerous. That’s probably the biggest thing.”
It’s meaningful for Tatum: MSG is where he suffered the injury during Game 4 of last year’s series.
Jayson Tatum faces the Knicks for the first time since he ruptured his Achilles at the Garden during the playoffs last season. Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
“I’m not, like, thrilled to go back and play there,” Tatum said Tuesday. “Last time I played there, obviously, it was a traumatic experience for me.
“Obviously, I knew at some point I would have to get over that hurdle and play there again. So, it’s going to have to be this Thursday. But it’s not like I’m thrilled about it. But it’s part of it.”
The Knicks, for their own part, are happy they’re getting the Celtics at their best.
“To have him on the court, to me it’s an honor to be able to go against one of the best,” Towns said, “and I want to be able to go out there and test my skills against the best.”
Jayson Tatum drives on Jaime Jaquez Jr. during the Celtics’ blowout win over the Heat on April 1, 2026 in Miami. Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Added Bridges: “For him to get back, obviously the time is amazing, how he got it done in a quicker time. But that just shows his work ethic and the people he’s working with and his body, how it can speed up and heal faster than others. Credit to him and his people.”
Mike Brown described Tatum as “a great human being.”
Before the season, he said “this year, we gotta listen to insufferable Knicks fans” in a Netflix special, given last year’s playoff result. In October, he claimed Tom Thibodeau revealed secrets to beating the Knicks when he visited the Celtics after his firing. In a December livestream, he said “f–k the Knicks.” This week, he said last year’s elimination “felt like death” and that “this year is a different story.”
Mike Brown also heaped praise on Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla for the job he’s done with the Celtics this season, proving wrong the majority of preseason expectations for the team.
“If not at the top of the list [for Coach of the Year], he better be close in everybody’s mind, you gotta think about what Joe’s done,” Brown said. “Not just Joe, you gotta think about what Brad [Stevens has] done, putting that team together. He put together a specific group of players, they all have length, they all have toughness, they all have athleticism, they all can, for the most part pass, dribble and shoot. They’re threats out there and they’re relentless with their effort.
“But the head of the snake when it comes to that has to be Joe as head coach. He’s done a whale of a job with that group. Top to bottom, they deserve a lot of awards, in my opinion, going down the stretch. Even their players filling in, nobody’s tried to exceed what their role is. They still stayed within themselves and tried to contribute whatever they could to help the team win. Jaylen Brown did what he did and they’re sitting where they’re sitting because of all those things.”
Knicks-Celtics, given the rivalry, carries extra weight anyway. This meeting, given all it represents, provides even more intrigue.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 11: Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, from left, Stephen Curry #30 and Draymond Green #23 pose for photos during an Olympic Gold Medal recognition ceremony before their preseason game against the Sacramento Kings at Chase Center on October 11, 2024 in San Francisco, 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. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
One of my favorite scenes from super hero movie lore comes from the Avengers, when a beaten down Doctor Strange, watching his whole squad getting served by the evil overlord Thanos, looked at fourteen million possible futures and found exactly one where the Avengers won.
One out of fourteen million. The Golden State Warriors just got their one.
The Warriors are now locked into the 10th seed. They’ll need to win two road games next week to get into the playoffs and a 1 v 8 matchup with the Thunder.
They’re locked into the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference. The season has quietly closed every door Golden State had left cracked open. Nothing about this bracket position inspires confidence from the outside. Which quite frankly is exactly how this franchise has always preferred it.
Here’s what the one road to glory looks like: win a road play-in game just to stay alive, then win another road play-in game to earn the right to face the Oklahoma City Thunder as the No. 8 seed. The Thunder just coasted to another 60+ win season. Best record in the Western Conference. They are the defending champions, they are the best team in basketball, and the only path to the second round runs directly through their building.
Strange saw one future where this works, meanwhie the Warriors need to believe they’re living in it.
Because the math has never been the point with this team. The 2007 “We Believe” squad had no business in the playoffs either. They walked in as the No. 8 seed, dismissed and disrespected, and left Dallas in ruins. That Warriors team didn’t beat the odds because the odds suddenly got friendlier. They beat them because Don Nelson drew up something the Mavericks couldn’t solve and the players executed it with a conviction that looked, from the outside, completely irrational. And hell, on the other end of the “odds” spectrum, when the Warriors won the most games in NBA regular season history they were robbed lost the championship. The Dubs are at their best as a sneering underdog because irrational conviction is a Golden State tradition.
And then there’s Steph Curry, 38 years old, two months removed from a knee injury, knocking the rust off in two games back off the injured list. He’s looking spry and motivated. He makes this impossible run possible, the one who bends gravity in fourth quarters and turns road arenas into science experiments. But enough to remind everyone that he exists, that he’s coming, and that no scouting report built on a 42 loss regular season accounts for what hell he can bring when the lights are brightest.
Strange didn’t say the Avengers would win easily. He said they’d win in the end. The difference is everything. All the Warriors need is one chance. Let’s go get it.
The NBA's annual play-in tournament is less than a week away. We know, we're shocked, too. However, despite the proximity to the end of the regular season, there are only two teams currently locked into their seeds in the Eastern and Western conferences.
Only the Golden State Warriors (locked into the Western Conference's No. 10 seed) and Detroit Pistons (locked into the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed) know for sure where they'll rank by season's end.
Other than them, it's an absolute mish-mosh of what-ifs and maybes that could shape the NBA's postseason, with five teams in the Eastern Conference fighting it out to ensure they avoid the play-in.
Here are the current NBA standings and what the NBA postseason and play-in tournament would look like if the season ended today.
The Bucks, Bulls, Nets, Pacers and Wizards have been eliminated from postseason contention.
NBA Western Conference standings
d - Oklahoma City Thunder: 63-16
d - San Antonio Spurs: 60-19 (3 GB)
x - Denver Nuggets: 51-28 (12 GB)
d - Los Angeles Lakers: 50-29 (13 GB)
x - Houston Rockets: 50-29 (13 GB)
x - Minnesota Timberwolves: 47-32 (16 GB)
Phoenix Suns: 43-36 (20 GB)
Los Angeles Clippers: 41-38 (22 GB)
Portland Trail Blazers: 40-29 (23 GB)
Golden State Warriors: 37-42 (26 GB)
The Pelicans, Grizzlies, Mavericks, Kings and Jazz have been eliminated from postseason contention.
NBA playoffs bracket
(Through Tuesday, April 7)
Eastern Conference
(1) Detroit Pistons vs. (8) Play-In Winner
(4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (5) Atlanta Hawks
(3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Toronto Raptors
(2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) Play-In Winner
Western Conference
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) Play-In Winner
(4) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (5) Houston Rockets
(3) Denver Nuggets vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves
(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (7) Play-In Winner
NBA Play-In Tournament
(Through Tuesday, April 7)
Eastern Conference
(7) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (8) Orlando Magic
(9) Charlotte Hornets vs. (10) Miami Heat
Western Conference
(7) Phoenix Suns vs. (8) Los Angeles Clippers
(9) Portland Trail Blazers vs. (10) Golden State Warriors
When do the NBA playoffs begin?
The NBA Play-In Tournament begins Tuesday, April 14 and finishes Friday, April 17.
The NBA playoffs begin the very next day, Saturday, April 18, featuring eight teams in each conference after two teams from both the East and West are eliminated in the Play-In Tournament.
Game 1 of the NBA Finals will be on Wednesday, June 3.
Which upcoming games could impact the postseason standings?
With just five days left in the regular season, every game matters, but there are a few games that could have serious impact on the end-of-season standings.
Wednesday, April 8
Atlanta Hawks at Cleveland Cavaliers
Oklahoma City Thunder at LA Clippers
Thunder can clinch top seed with win or Spurs loss
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - APRIL 7: Malevy Leons #33 of the Golden State Warriors drives to the basket during the game against the Sacramento Kings on April 7, 2026 at Chase Center in San Francisco, 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors beat the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night by a score of 110-105. That was a slim enough margin that the game qualified as a close contest under the league’s rules, which doesn’t reflect very well on the Warriors, considering that the Kings were shamelessly trying to lose the game.
Still, because it was a close game, it was added to the pool for the NBA’s Last 2 Minute Report. In the L2M, the league combs over every play in the final two minutes of close games, and examines whether the calls that the officials made were correct or not. Just as crucially, it looks from multiple camera angles at the calls that weren’t made, and identifies which ones should have been.
In Sunday’s narrow loss to the Houston Rockets, the league determined that the Warriors were hurt by two non-calls that should have instead been whistles; the Warriors also benefitted from one such play.
But on Tuesday? No issues. After looking over the replay, the league determined that the officials handed the final two minutes of the game just as they should have. No calls were missed, and no calls were incorrectly made.
Of course, that doesn’t absolve the Kings, who purposely fouled Seth Curry with plenty of time left on the clock, raising the eyebrows of a league that is desperately trying to prevent tanking. But that’s a matter for a different day.
Part reflection, part therapy session, the conversation started with Davis’ new hit prank show on TBS, “Foul Play with Anthony Davis.” Green asked the big man why he chose him to prank in the opening episode.
Anthony Davis celebrates as he dunks over New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson. AP
Davis revealed the original idea was to prank Bronny James Jr. and that the plan made its way through through Rich Paul and LeBron James. Davis said it was LeBron’s idea to prank Green instead, believing that Green’s authentic reaction would be better for television.
The topic then turned to revisiting the 2020 championship run inside the Walt Disney World bubble, Davis’ voice shifted.
That title, he said, remains the hardest thing he’s ever done in basketball.
Isolation. Pressure. Silence. No fans to feed off. No escape from the grind.
And when it ended, there was no release.
No parade in Los Angeles. No confetti falling down Figueroa. No victory lap across late-night television circuits and L.A. sporting events.
“I wish I had that,” Davis admitted, the words carrying more weight than the ring itself. The absence of those things that typically come with a title still fuels Davis to this day.
Anthony Davis celebrates after a dunk. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Davis also revisited his departure from the Pelicans.
He called it “a bad breakup.”
He said he was open to one day returning to New Orleans but that after the organization didn’t give him a tribute video when he returned for his first game as an opponent with the Lakers, that belief changed in him. For a player who gave years to a franchise, that silence cut deeper than boos.
“That was my final straw,” he said, almost matter-of-fact.
Then came the story that still doesn’t feel real.
Davis described the night that shocked the NBA world. When he was traded after midnight eastern time for Luka Doncic.
He said he was half-asleep in bed alongside his wife watching a movie. Rob Pelinka called. He ignored it. By the time he walked downstairs to return Rich Paul’s call, the news had already reached his own kitchen. His chef told him he was being traded to the Mavericks.
At first, Davis thought he was going to join forces with Doncic, a player he always admired and believed would unlock parts of his game that nobody had ever seen before.
“I always told people I wanted to play with him,” said Davis. “He was the next player that could be the closest to LeBron, was Luka, he had the height, he could pass, he could score, all that.”
But then he spoke to Paul, his agent, and was told he was being traded for Luka Doncic.
“I thought it was a joke,” Davis said. “I thought I was on my own show.”
Anthony Davis began his NBA career with the New Orleans Pelicans. Getty Images
The irony wasn’t lost on him.
“I was in shock. I was generally in shock. I couldn’t understand why this was happening,” said Davis who still harbors disappointment that he wasn’t notified of the trade sooner. “I think I deserved more respect than that.”
The aftermath was surreal.
Davis shared that days later, his first night in a Dallas hotel room before his first game with the Mavericks, he received an anonymous note under his door with macarons on the side. A message that read like both a warning and a welcome.
“Dear AD, I hope you’re liking your time in Dallas. Here in Dallas we love Dirk [Nowitzki], BBQ, the Cowboys, and Luka [Doncic]. What we love more than all of that is championships. The boos you’re going to hear, are not for you.”
His time in Dallas never had a chance to breathe.
Injuries robbed him and Kyrie Irving of anything resembling what former Mavericks’ GM Nico Harrison saw when he made the trade. They only played one half together. Harrison was fired, Davis was traded and the vision never materialized.
His first reaction to landing in Washington?
“Damn, Washington?”
Washington Wizards forward Anthony Davis looks on during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
It was honest and real.
Now, Davis talks about his excitement to build something in the nation’s capital alongside Trae Young and a young core.
Before the conversation ended, Davis rattled off his MVP ballot for this season — Victor Wembanyama at the top, followed by Nikola Jokić, Jaylen Brown, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Doncic. A list that raised eyebrows.
Just like everything else he said.
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DALLAS, TX - APRIL 9: Anthony Davis #3 of the Dallas Mavericks greetes Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers before the game on April 9, 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
While this deal is far from ancient history, enough time has passed that more people are willing to talk about one of the biggest trades to ever happen in sports.
In a recent episode of “The Draymond Green Show,” Davis shared his side of the story, going into detail on the call he had with his agent, Rich Paul, regarding his trade from LA to Dallas.
“So when he [Rich Paul] said ‘traded to Dallas’, I was like, ‘Get the f—out of here.’ And I said, ‘Who the f— they going to trade me for Luka?’ Who else can you trade me for on that team? Mind you, they just went to the Finals.
“And there was never no discussion about ‘man we might get AD out of here’, it was nothing. He was like, ‘They traded you for Luka.’ I’m like, ‘Rich, shut the h–l up. Like what do you want?’ I’m really thinking he’s playing. I’m really thinking he’s just playing. And he was like, ‘Man, I swear.'”
As AD explained, what made the Luka trade so shocking is that the Mavs would even do it. Dončić was coming off an NBA Finals appearance and while they lost that series, most people left that season feeling pretty good about Dallas’ future.
Trading away a generational talent entering their prime without them asking to be moved is essentially unheard of. So, when AD received this news, even the credibility of his own agent wasn’t enough to convince him. Like most basketball aficionados, Davis turned to Shams Charania of ESPN for confirmation.
“I go on X, go straight to Shams’ [Charania] page. Nothing. Go up the stairs, Joel Embiid calls me. Somebody else called me, another player and I’m like wait, hold on. So I go back to Shams’ page and then there it is.”
It took his agent, other players, Pelinka and Shams telling Davis he was no longer a Laker and had been dealt to the Mavs for him to believe it was real.
This trade and all the details about how it came to be will be told for years to come, and thanks to AD sharing his side of the story, another piece to this shocking tale has been told.
Now, AD is a Wizard, Mavs general manager Nico Harrison has been relieved of his duties, Luka will be a Laker for years to come and the course of both franchises has been changed forever.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - APRIL 7: De'Anthony Melton #8 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball during the game against the Sacramento Kings on April 7, 2026 at Chase Center in San Francisco, 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors beat the Sacramento Kings 110-105 on Tuesday night, in a battle between deeply injured teams. Only one team was actively trying to win, though, and that team did, indeed, win.
It wasn’t pretty, though it was for a little while. The Warriors blew a 16-point lead, but recovered to pull off a win, and put a halt to their four-game losing skid.
So let’s grade the players who handled business on Tuesday. As always, grades are based on my expectations for each player, with a “B” grade representing the average performance for that player.
Note: True-shooting percentage (TS) is a scoring efficiency metric that accounts for threes and free throws. League-average TS is 58.1%.
Spencer didn’t have a particularly good game, but there’s still so much value that he provides. The Warriors only used nine players, which included a player on a two-way contract who is fighting through an injury, a player who was healthy for just the eighth time this season, and a player being carefully worked back into the fold after two months on the sidelines.
So while it wasn’t great basketball that Spencer played, it was extremely valuable for Steve Kerr to know he could trust the guard to play 40+ minutes and not make any huge mistakes along the way. And that’s exactly what happened. Spencer ran the offense well, competed on defense, and made a few buckets. His efficiency wasn’t quite as bad as it looks, since he had a few bail-out attempts.
Leons didn’t play well. There’s no sugarcoating that. He’s also been gutting his way through a nasty wrist injury because the Warriors are shy on bodies, and he deserves a whole lot of credit for that.
Grade: A for the toughness Post-game bonus: Worst plus/minus on the team
A lot of good, and a lot of bad for Draymond. The primary takeaway is that it was a strong reminder as to how well he plays with Steph Curry. Steve Kerr synced their minutes up, and it’s just stunning how much chemistry and intelligence they have. It’s just a joy to watch.
But Green also did a lot of things that were not a joy to watch. Some of the turnovers really made you shake your head, and he was a complete non-factor scoring the ball. I also thought his defense wasn’t particularly good, at least by his standards (it’s always good relative to league average).
Grade: C Post-game bonus: Led the team in assists.
Melton had been in a bit of a rut for a while, but he broke out in a massive way in this game. In a game featuring not one, but two players with the surname “Curry” (curname? surryname?), Melton was the best perimeter scorer. His jump shot was buttery, and he was able to get whatever he wanted across the court. And when Sacramento tightened up on him? He found the open teammate for an easy bucket.
Not to be outdone, Podziemski was every bit as valuable a part of Golden State’s starting backcourt as Melton was. This was an exceptionally crafty game for the third-year guard, who not only repeatedly got good looks — either from the field, or by forcing his way to the line — but seemed to do so at the biggest moments. He’s really developing a reputation for stepping up when the team needs him the most, and making shots that shift the momentum in Golden State’s favor.
I especially enjoyed watching Podz use his patented deceleration in this game. Against a Sacramento team that is young, inexperienced, and highly athletic, he was able to get over-eager defenders in the air all night long. It was quite crafty.
No Al Horford? No problem. No Kristaps Porziņģis? No problem. No Quinten Post? No problem.
Bassey played in his second game since joining the organization, and was everything the Dubs needed at the center position. Against a Kings team that was athletic but not very refined, he was able to feast in the paint, rejecting defenders left and right, and hauling in crafty boards. And against a Sacramento squad that is rangy but not strong, he was a downright bully, pushing bodies aside for boards and buckets.
If he can repeat this performance, I’m going to have a lot of crow to eat as I pushed back a bit when fans were clamoring to add him to the roster while he was performing well in Santa Cruz. Hopefully that’s the case,because the Warriors don’t win this game without him.
Grade: A+ Post-game bonus: Led the team in rebounds.
Steve Kerr had the Curry brothers share the court for most of Seth’s minutes, and it was more than a feel-good story. It was a reminder that the Warriors system works so much better when there are two dead-eye shooters in it. A system designed for Steph Curry and Klay Thompson isn’t quite the same when you swap out Mychal Thompson’s son for Dell Curry’s youngest, but it certainly was beautiful.
Seth got a lot of open looks thanks to Steph, and he’s going to make them at a high clip. Don’t let the constant injuries or bench role fool you: he’s still one of the game’s elite shooters.
Grade: A Post-game bonus: Best plus/minus on the team.
A very solid GPII game. His offense has really been so good lately — the timing on his cuts is impeccable, and he’s greatly improved his finishing at the rim, as well as his passing. It wasn’t a good defensive game for the Warriors, but Payton was the exception there, as he had a very strong game.
Curry wasn’t quite as dynamic in this game as he was in his return to action on Sunday. Perhaps that was due to a little soreness after his first game in two months, or maybe it was just because Golden State didn’t need him to play as big of a hero role to win the game. He mostly lived on the perimeter, and didn’t attack the rim very much at all, with just one shot inside the arc, and no free throws earned inside it (his three trips to the charity line were a couple of four-point plays and a technical free throw).
Still, his shooting was dynamic, he got in on the action rebounding, and he had a few nice defensive plays. Given that he’s still playing his way back into shape, it was a strong game.
Grade: B
Doug Christie
The Kings are eliminated, and to attempt to work around the league’s new anti-tanking rules, Kings coach Doug Christie tried something new: intentionally fouling Seth Curry late in the game, sending a career 86.4% free throw shooter to the line under the guise of trying to win.
I get that draft picks are more valuable than winning meaningless April games, and I understand that coaches are under pressure from front offices to find creative ways to lose, and sure, it helped the Warriors. But please, have a little respect for the game. That was just pathetic.
Grade: F
Tuesday’s incatives: Jimmy Butler III, LJ Cryer, Al Horford, Moses Moody, Kristaps Porziņģis, Quinten Post, Will Richard, Gui Santos, Nate Williams
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 28: Nickeil Alexander-Walker #7 of the Atlanta Hawks moves the ball as Dean Wade #32 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers attempt to steal in the first quarter during the 2025-26 Emirates Cup at State Farm Arena on November 28, 2025 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 Paras Griffin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers are starting their preferred starting five of James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. This should be a good test against the Atlanta Hawks.
Share your thoughts as the game unfolds. If you aren’t a member of the community, sign up so you can talk to your fellow Cavalier fans and make your voice heard!
HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 11: JD Davidson #4 of the Houston Rockets arrives to the arena before the game against the LA Clippers on February 11, 2026 at the Toyota Center in Houston, 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 (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
On Tuesday, the Houston Rockets converted JD Davison’s two-way deal to a traditional NBA contract, theoretically helping the Rockets’ ongoing need at the point guard position.
The Houston Rockets are signing two-way guard JD Davison on a new two-year deal, filling their open roster spot heading into the playoffs, agent Corey Marcum of EZ Sports Group tells ESPN.
Davison has been with the team mostly all season, although he hasn’t spent much time on the floor. As a two-way signee, Davison was limited to just 50 NBA games, although it’s not limited to whether or not he actively plays in the games.
Even if he was made active but never actually logged game minutes, that counted towards his count. The Rockets rank the risk of Davison not being eligible for the postseason, absent a standard NBA deal.
Davison reached his 50th game on Sunday, when the Rockets beat the Golden State Warriors in Stephen Curry’s return from a two-month absence.
As for the deal itself, it’s a two-year contract with a team option in the second year. Davison, the G-League MVP of the 2024-25 season, rose to prominence in Rockets circles during the preseason.
At that point in time, the Rockets were still dealing with the news of Fred VanVleet’s torn ACL and season-long absence. Making matters worse, Houston didn’t technically have any other point guards on the roster, either.
Aaron Holiday and Reed Sheppard had been utilized more as scoring guards upto that point. And still have, although we’ve seen Rockets coach Ime Udoka give Sheppard more on-ball reps in recent months.
During the preseason, Davison made 47.1 percent of his three-pointers, proving capable of providing theoretical value in that realm for a Rockets team lacking outside shooting specialists. Davison also averaged 10.5 points.
On the season, Davison’s counting stats aren’t exactly eye-popping, as he’s averaged 2.2 points, 1 assist and .9 rebounds, while shooting 40 percent from the field, 28.6 percent from three, which translates to 11.3 points, 5.2 assists and 4.5 rebounds per 36 minutes.
Many fans wondered if Jordan Goodwin would even make the opening day roster when the team claimed him off waivers after being released by the Los Angeles Lakers. With him returning to the Valley, many speculated about how much of a difference-maker he would truly be. Well, Goodwin saw all of that and proved it where it mattered this season, on the court.
This year, he was recognized for winning the Dan Majerle Hustle award. This is given to a player every year, to recognize their heart, grit, and hard work in getting them to where they are in the rotation. Something that Suns legend and Ring of Honor member Dan Majerle always represented in Phoenix.
Goodwin is very deserving of this crown, as I mentioned, many did not know what he could be for the Suns this year. He was competing with Jared Butler for the final roster spot, and even though Goodwin earned it, there was no set spot in the rotation for him. He had to earn those minutes, and he did that, proving to the fanbase that the return of Goody was going to be a revival.
Jordan Goodwin would make an All NBA 1st Effort Team if there was one of those
Man is just relentless on both ends trying to create opportunities for his team
The guard this season is putting up some nice numbers, averaging 8.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 37% from three. His ability to showcase his defense prowess and be an effective ball stopper is what makes him highly praised in the valley. This is what made him stand out and get the playing time he sees now.
Jordan Goodwin this season:
• Leads the Suns in deflections, 8th overall in the NBA • Leads the Suns in steals • 36 games with multiple steals, the 5th most in the NBA • 136 offensive rebounds, 3rd among all guards https://t.co/RHXU9DiK68
Goodwin always has that fight in him and never gives up. The hustle this man shows when he touches the court is infectious, and it plays off to the rest of the team. He is always fighting for loose balls, trying to generate a steal, and on some nights, he can get it going from three-point land. This year, Goodwin had a career-high 8 threes against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the one time they beat the team this season.
Jordan Goodwin full highlights vs. Oklahoma City Thunder last night (108-105 W):
A career-high 26 points on 9/16 FG (56.3%), a career-high 8 threes on 8/13 3PT (61.5%), 4 Rebounds, 1 TOV, 1 PF, and a +/- of +8 in 30:47 minutes played off the bench.
This type of heart and effort is hard to find in the NBA, and for the Suns, it was vacant from previous teams. Now with Jordan Ott at the helm, things have shaped up differently for the Suns and in a lot better light. A majority of that on the defensive end starts with Goodwin and also ends with him. That is why he is recognized for receiving an award he most certainly deserves. The next on the agenda for Goodwin is a well-deserved long-term contract to stay in the Valley.
