HOUSTON, TEXAS - MAY 01: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets in Game Six of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Toyota Center on May 01, 2026 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. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In the final seconds of overtime in Toronto, RJ Barrett channeled his inner Tyrese Haliburton and connected on a three to force a Game 7 against the Cavaliers.
RJ BARRETT WHEN TORONTO NEEDED HIM MOST 🔥
The hometown hero drains the game-winning bucket in overtime to force Game 7 🥶 pic.twitter.com/D2AJbSiA5M
For a variety of reasons likely involving broadcasting rights and money, the start date of the Lakers-Thunder series was tied to whether Saturday’s two Eastern Conference series. If only one of them ended, then LA and Oklahoma City would play on Sunday.
However, if both of them ended or both of them went seven games, then the purple and gold would be off until Tuesday.
With those stakes in mind and given what played out in Houston with the Lakers routing the Rockets, Barrett’s incredible game-winning shot carried a bit of extra weight. Instead of LA being one of the two Sunday games, there will instead be two Game 7s while LA will get a couple of days of rest.
And for that, LeBron James was thankful.
Lebron thanks RJ for the game winner lol
"Haven't seen a shot in Toronto like that since Kawhi. Something about those rims. I'm happy" pic.twitter.com/kacCAKxJVl
Now, you might wonder, what would LeBron do with that extra rest? Is it watch more game film? Sit back and enjoy Game 7? Well, if you’ve been paying attention to him this year, there was an obvious answer when he was asked if the extra rest helped him.
“For me? Yeah,” LeBron said. “We don’t play until Tuesday now. Yeah. Hell yeah. I can go on the golf course now. That’s what I’m thinking about.”
I wish a time machine existed and we could go back and tell 2016 LeBron that he would be excited about getting an extra day between rounds of the playoffs to golf 18 holes. It’s definitely a different mindset than he had when he was younger and focused on repeated trips to the Finals.
However, given how he played against the Rockets over the course of the series, and particularly in the closeout Game 6, it’s hard to be too upset with him. Let him go golf and then get locked back in on the Thunder.
It was a historic night for the 76ers at TD Garden, where the 76ers won a series for the first time ever after trailing three games to one and the Celtics lost a series for the first time ever after leading three games to one.
What a game! What a performance! What a series! What a bunch of stats!
The 76ers eliminated the Celtics with a 109-100 win in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference First-Round series.
With able assistance from Stathead, let’s take a look at some of the numbers behind this game and the series!
THEY COULDN’T LOSE IN BOSTON: Before Game 5, the 76ers had won three playoff games in Boston in a 44-year span since 1983. They were 3-17 in 20 road playoff games in Boston since the 1982 Eastern Conference Finals, when they beat the Celtics twice at Boston Garden on the way to winning the series, four games to three. Now they’ve won three games in Boston in the span of 12 days. This is the first time the 76ers have ever won three straight playoff games in Boston. It’s also the first time they’ve ever won three straight road games in a postseason series.
GAME 7 RARITIES: The 76ers hadn’t won a Game 7 anywhere since 2001, when they beat the Bucks 108-91 in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals at the First Union Center. They hadn’t won a Game 7 on the road in 44 years, since their only previous postseason road Game 7 win – at Boston Garden 120-106 in the 1982 Eastern Conference Finals. They were 1-10 all-time in road Game 7s before Saturday and 6-12 overall.
AND HE JUST HAD SURGERY: A few weeks after undergoing an appendectomy, Joel Embiid had 112 points, 29 assists, 48 rebounds and 7 blocks in the four games he played in the series. He’s the first 76er in 59 year with at least 112 points, 48 rebounds and 29 assists in any four-game span in the postseason since Wilt Chamberlain in 1967 (112 points, 106 rebounds, 44 assists). Embiid is the first player in NBA history to average 28 points, 12 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 2.0 blocks in an Eastern or Western Conference First-Round series and only the second player with those averages in any series. Giannis Antetokounmpo did it in the Bucks’ 2022 Western Conference Semifinals, also against the Celtics.
TYRESE MAXEY IS INSANE: Maxey became the first 76er ever with back-to-back playoff games against the Celtics with 30 points and five assists and only the sixth player ever with consecutive 30-point, five-assist games in the postseason in Boston, joining some elite company in five current or future Hall of Famers: LeBron James, Giannis, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry West and Oscar Robertson.
V.J. EDGECOMBE IS ALSO INSANE: V.J. Edgecombe’s 23 points are the most ever by a player 20 years old or younger in a Game 7 against the Celtics and most by any rookie in 64 years. The previous high by a 20-year-ol was Derrick Rose’s 18 in Game 7 of the Bulls’ 2009 Eastern Conference 1st-round series in Boston. The last rookie with 23 points in a Game 7 in Boston was Tom Meschery of the Philadelphia Warriors in the 1962 Eastern Division finals. It’s also the most points ever by a 76ers rookie in a Game 7. Maurice Cheeks had 20 in Game 7 of the 76ers’ 1979 Eastern Conference Semifinal series against the Spurs in San Antonio. With 30 points in Game 2 in Boston and 23 Saturday, Edgecombe became the third rookie ever and first in 45 years with two 23-point games in Boston in a playoff series. The last to do it was the 76ers’ Andrew Toney in 1981. Two Philadelphia Warriors also did it – Wilt in 1960 and Meschery in 1962.
ASTONISHING DEFENSE: In the last three games of the series, the 76ers limited the Celtics to 40.4, 41.9 and 39.8 shooting from the field. This is only the second time in Celtics history they’ve shot worse than 42 percent in three straight home playoff games but the first time they’ve ever done it in the same series. In 2018, they did it over two series against the Pacers and Cavs. In the last three games of the series, the 76ers held the Celtics to 28, 29 and 27 percent from 3. This is the first time since a 2015 series against the Cavs that the Celtics have shot below 30 percent from 3 in three straight postseason games.
IT’S NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE: The 76ers won the series after losing Game 1 and Game 4 by 32 points. They are the first team in NBA history to win a playoff series after losing two games by at least 32 points. Only six other teams won two games in a series by at least 30 points and they all lost that series.
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 10: Baylor Scheierman #55 and Luka Garza #52 of the Boston Celtics smiles against the New Orleans Pelicans on April 10, 2026 at TD Garden 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
BOSTON — The Celtics will roll out a completely new starting lineup when they face the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night for Game 7.
Jaylen Brown and Derrick White will start as per usual.
In addition, Baylor Scheierman, Ron Harper Jr., and Luka Garza will start in place of Jayson Tatum, Sam Hauser, and Neemias Queta.
The Celtics are rolling out a stunning starters lineup:
Jaylen Brown Derrick White Baylor Scheierman Ron Harper Jr. Luka Garza
Tatum will miss his first game in these playoffs with what Joe Mazzulla described as “back-of-knee” tightness. Tatum is day-to-day after being ruled out two hours before tip-off. Hauser and Queta, meanwhile, will come off the bench.
Garza, Scheierman, and Harper Jr led the Celtics to victory in the final game of the regular season, beating the Orlando Magic. Now, those guys get a chance to save the Celtics season.
The Toronto Raptors have punched above their perceived weight class en route to forcing a Game 7 against the hyped-up Cleveland Cavaliers.
Why not make it one more?
My Raptors vs Cavaliers predictions and NBA picks expect RJ Barrett to put in another strong showing for his hometown team with a shot at reaching the second round hanging in the balance on Sunday, May 3.
UPDATE: Added a prediction for who will win tonight and a +800 SGP that's bullish on Collin Murray-Boyles.
Raptors vs Cavaliers prediction
Who will win Raptors vs Cavaliers Game 7?
Raptors: Toronto has pushed a more talented Cleveland team to the brink, and it's gotten better in each road outing.
With RJ Barrett and Scottie Barnes leading the charge, I like Toronto’s young guns to break through and stun Cleveland.
Raptors vs Cavaliers best bet: RJ Barrett Over 22.5 points (-125)
If RJ Barrett wasn't already a hometown hero for the Toronto Raptors, his game-winning 3-pointer in Game 6 sealed the deal. Barrett has embraced the chance to spearhead this depleted Raptors offense over the last three games, and I don't see him shying away from the Game 7 spotlight.
Barrett finished with 24 points in Game 6, and he’s averaging 24.3 points per game overall in this series on 51% shooting. Including the final game of the regular season, Barrett has gone past this points prop number infive of his last seven outings.
With Immanuel Quickley sidelined, Barrett has attempted 19+ shots in each of his past four contests, and he can continue to hunt James Harden and Donovan Mitchell and bully his way into the paint. Any time the hosts dare to lean on bench shooters, they’ll also be targets for Barrett.
Though he continues to leave points on the table at the free-throw line, Barrett's aggression has sent him to the charity stripe 36 times in this series, and he’s one of the likeliest Raptors to get out in transition to pad his tally.
Even if Brandon Ingram gives it a go in Game 7, I see Barrett finding ways to score inside and outside — 42% from 3-point range in these playoffs — and keep the Raptors in the fight.
Raptors vs Cavaliers same-game parlay
While Barrett is one of the keys for Toronto offensively, Collin Murray-Boyles’ two-way impact is another big X-factor for the visitors. CMB has grabbed 7+ rebounds in four of his last five outings, and he logged 40 minutes in Game 6 as the Raptors leaned into smaller lineups down the stretch.
Given the Cavs’ struggles to create good looks and Harden’s history in elimination games, this line is surprisingly high. Toronto has covered the spread in the last four games of this series, and I expect Darko Rajakovic’s young core to bounce back faster following Friday’s slugfest.
Raptors vs Cavaliers SGP
RJ Barrett Over 22.5 points
Collin Murray-Boyles Over 6.5 rebounds
Raptors +8
Our "from downtown" SGP: Trust the Rook
Murray-Boyles has been a revelation in this series, and he’s coming off a 17-7-2 stat line in Game 6, to go with three blocks and two steals.
CMB’s physicality in the paint can also put the clamps on Evan Mobley’s production in a contest where all the pressure sits on Cleveland’s shoulders.
Raptors vs Cavaliers SGP
Collin Murray-Boyles Over 12.5 points
Collin Murray-Boyles Over 1.5 assists
Collin Murray-Boyles Over 6.5 rebounds
Evan Mobley Under 16.5 points
Raptors vs Cavaliers odds for Game 7
Spread: Raptors +8 (-110) | Cavaliers -8 (-110)
Moneyline: Raptors +270 | Cavaliers -340
Over/Under: Over 211.5 (-110) | Under 211.5 (-110)
Raptors vs Cavaliers betting trend to know
Toronto is 7-2 ATS in its last nine matchups against Cleveland. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Cavaliers.
How to watch Raptors vs Cavaliers Game 7
Location
Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH
Date
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
NBC
Raptors vs Cavaliers latest injuries
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BOSTON — The Sixers no longer have a Celtics curse.
Until Saturday night, the Sixers hadn’t beaten Boston in a playoff series since 1982. They changed that 44 years later in comeback fashion.
With a 109-100 Game 7 victory Saturday night at TD Garden, the Sixers completed their comeback from a 3-1 series deficit and advanced to the second round of the playoffs. There’s now 14 teams in NBA history who have won series after trailing 3-1.
The Celtics’ top scorers were Jaylen Brown with 33 points and Derrick White with 26. Boston was missing a star in Jayson Tatum, who sat out with left knee stiffness.
Here are observations on the Sixers’ historic Game 7 win:
Celtics’ surprising starters don’t do the trick
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla made massive, bold changes to his starting lineup with Tatum sidelined.
Brown and White were the only holdovers from Game 6. They were joined by Ron Harper Jr,, Baylor Scheierman and Luka Garza.
The Sixers didn’t take the Celtics’ starters lightly or look at all unprepared as Mazzulla might have hoped. Embiid short rolled and knocked down a jumper from the right elbow on the night’s first play. Paul George pivoted past White and drove in for a slam. Edgecombe’s catch-and-shoot three-pointer gave the Sixers a 9-0 lead.
Boston was scoreless until a long-range White jumper at the 8:57 mark of the first quarter. The Sixers maintained their high defensive level from Games 5 and 6. One of the early highlights was Edgecombe blowing up Payton Pritchard and Garza’s dribble handoff in front of the Celtics’ bench and forcing a turnover.
Embiid was the hub of the Sixers’ offense and continued to be a poised, precise decision-maker out of the post. He was happy to attack against Garza, drew two early fouls on the Boston big man, and scored 10 points in the first quarter on 5-for-7 shooting. On an especially impressive sequence, Embiid waited patiently until the Celtics’ double team arrived and then fed Kelly Oubre Jr. for an easy hoop inside.
He finished with 28 assists and eight turnovers over his four games in the series. Even with his irregular availability, Embiid has made serious progress as a passer the last few years.
Edgecombe had a tremendous start, too. His lefty fast-break layup put the Sixers up double digits late in the first quarter. Maxey notched one of his six first-period assists on that play.
Sixers shaky without Embiid in first half
The Sixers’ lead grew as high as 15 points in the first quarter.
In a very familiar scene for the Sixers, the Celtics made a big run early in the second quarter with Embiid out. Andre Drummond was a giant downgrade from Embiid on both sides of the ball.
Rookie wing Hugo Gonzalez’s energy and hustle helped spark Boston. The home crowd found its voice again and Sixers head coach Nick Nurse called timeout after a Neemias Queta layup.
The Sixers lost offensive rhythm and took some rushed shots. They also saw several jumpers spin around the rim and out. Three-balls from White and Pritchard lifted the Celtics to a 37-36 edge. White stepped up in the first half and broke out of the shooting slump he was in for much of the series.
Ultimately, the Sixers regained stability. Playing through an illness on his 36th birthday, George sunk a timely three late in the second quarter. George had 13 points on 5-for-10 shooting in the game.
The Embiid-Maxey duo came up big in the closing moments of the second quarter. Embiid denied Brown’s audacious attempt to dunk over him. Maxey hit a mid-range jumper with 6.9 seconds left in the second and the Sixers entered halftime with a 55-50 lead.
Sixers hold on for dear life
Edgecombe and Maxey both drilled a three in the first 90 seconds of the third quarter.
The Sixers kept forcing Garza to guard pick-and-rolls and generated comfortable shots. A Maxey baseline jumper restored a double-figure Sixers lead and prompted a Boston timeout.
Mazzulla turned to small ball, removing Garza and using the 6-foot-6 Brown on Embiid. Offensively, the Sixers’ early returns against that lineup were positive. Embiid had a couple of post-up buckets on Brown and stayed both forceful and low-mistake in his approach.
The Sixers’ Embiid-less minutes in the second half were far better than in the first.
Drummond swung the ball to Edgecombe on the wing and the rookie drilled a three to extend the Sixers’ advantage to 84-66. White’s layup beat the third-quarter buzzer to trim the Celtics’ deficit to 13 points.
Naturally, the Sixers were not going to stroll to the finish line.
The Celtics made further inroads early in the fourth quarter. White stripped Embiid as he went up for a jumper and scored a layup seconds later. Queta converted an and-one hoop, and the crowd volume became ear-splitting. Brown made an and-one leaner. The Sixers’ lead was suddenly all the way down to 92-91.
Embiid responded with an enormous pick-and-pop three and waved his arms to tell Celtics fans to be quiet.
Still, the Sixers were too content to settle for jumpers and didn’t put much pressure on Boston’s defense to defend drives or post-ups. Brown tried to be ultra-physical with his lower body against Embiid and prevent him from catching the ball anywhere near the paint.
Brown had a clean look at a go-ahead three with a little over three minutes remaining and narrowly missed it. Pritchard was off on a corner jumper and the Sixers stayed in front despite their offensive cold spell. Many players were obviously fatigued.
The Sixers were bound to eventually start scoring again.
At the tail end of a 45-minute night, Maxey did the job with the two largest driving layups of his life and the Sixers got to celebrate history.
Jayson Tatum, the man who dropped 51 points on the 76ers just three years ago in another Game 7, is officially out for this year's Game 7 against Philadelphia due to left knee stiffness.
Tatum had been dealing with this knee issue during Game 6 but brushed it aside after the game, saying he was going to play in Game 7. However, earlier on Saturday the Celtics downgraded him from "available" to "questionable," and now they have changed that to "out."
Don't be surprised if Baylor Scheierman moves into the starting lineup for Boston. Also expect to see more of Jordan Walsh and an extra-heavy dose of Payton Pritchard.
Tatum played in 22 games at the end of the regular season, returning from a torn Achilles suffered last year in the playoffs. Through six games in this series, Tatum is averaging 23.3 points, 10.7 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game, shooting 35.6% from 3-point range.
Boston entered this series not only as the heavy favorites to advance, but also as the favorites to win the East. However, some off shooting nights — the Celtics have shot below 30% from 3-point range in all three losses — and the return of Joel Embiid for the 76ers have this series now going to a decisive Game 7.
Apr 30, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jordan Walsh (27) and Philadelphia 76ers guard Vj Edgecombe (77) and forward Paul George (8) wrestle for the ball during the fourth quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Tonight the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics play in Game 7 of their first round series. Tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET. Watch on NBC or Peacock. Enjoy the game!
Apr 30, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives past Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) during the first quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit:...
The Celtics will be without a key piece for a win-or-go-home game.
Jayson Tatum will miss Game 7 against the 76ers on Saturday night due to a left knee stiffness, the Celtics announced.
Tatum was added to the Celtics’ injury report earlier in the day with a left knee issues and was considered questionable.
“He came in today with knee discomfort,” head coach Joe Mazzulla told reporters before Saturday’s game. “We decided, the medical team and myself decided he wouldn’t play.”
Jayson Tatum will miss Game 7 against the 76ers. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The 28-year-old exited with 4:03 left in the third quarter of their Game 6 loss on Thursday, and he did not return. Mazzulla said he was unsure if Tatum had suffered the knee issue on a certain play.
“I know at the time — what was it, end of the third [quarter] — I know he was in the back getting treatment,” Mazzulla said of Tatum’s Game 6 exit. “I talked to him yesterday, and then today he came in, he has stiffness in it and we kind of made the decision for him.”
Tatum returned to the court in March after suffering a torn right Achilles in the second round of the playoffs last year against the Knicks.
He shook off most of the rust quickly, averaging 21.8 points, 10 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 16 regular season games.
His stats looked even better in the playoffs (23.3 points, 10.7 rebounds and 6.8 assists).
But if Boston wants a Knicks rematch, it’ll have to do it without a six-time All-Star.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 28: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the second half of Game Five of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoff at TD Garden on April 28, 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images
BOSTON — The Celtics will be without Jayson Tatum when they host the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night for a Game 7. Tatum was ruled out with left knee stiffness two hours before tip-off.
Tatum was initially planning on playing after missing the final 15 minutes of Thursday’s Game 6 in Philadelphia, but was listed as questionable on Saturday afternoon.
“I expect to play,” Tatum said. “It was my other leg, not the one I injured last year. I mean, I wasn’t like overly concerned. Shit, I came out at four minutes, like I was supposed to. Just kind of assessed the game — he took the starters out fairly early in the fourth quarter.”
Despite that, Tatum was ruled out at 5:30pm.
“He came in today with knee discomfort,” Joe Mazzulla said ahead of tip-off, describing Tatum as day-to-day.
Baylor Scheierman or Jordan Walsh would likely take his place in the starting lineup. Payton Pritchard, who has been the team’s third-leading scorer all year, could also enter the starting lineup ahead of Game 7.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 30: An overall photo of Target Center before the game between the Denver Nuggets against the Minnesota Timberwolves during Round One Game Six of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 30, 2026 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Minnesota Timberwolves completed the kill shot Thursday night.
They ended the Denver Nuggets’ season, sent Nikola Jokic off to whatever offseason horse-stable sanctuary awaits him in Serbia, and won the rubber match in what has become the best rivalry this franchise has ever had. Wolves-Nuggets, Round 3: Minnesota takes it. Again.
While many of the Wolves faithful were confident heading into the series and are not surprised at the outcome. We have to admit that the way this team took down the Nuggets made absolutely no sense.
This was supposed to be the series where the Wolves needed Anthony Edwards to turn into a superhero. Then Ant got hurt. Donte DiVincenzo’s toughness and shooting were supposed to be core to the Wolves attck. Then Donte tore his Achilles. With the starting backcourt in traction, this was supposed to be the series where Ayo Dosunmu became the emergency engine. Then he was scratched with calf soreness. Kyle Anderson, one of the few remaining players who could calm the offense down in the wake of a 25-point turnover night, also became unavailable.
By Game 6, the Wolves’ depth chart was decimated.
And they still beat Denver.
They beat Jokic. They beat Jamal Murray. They beat their biggest rival. And they did it not with their full arsenal, but with the kind of team-wide, next-man-up, nobody-blinks performance that makes playoff basketball feel like something more than basketball.
Jaden McDaniels played 45 minutes, scored 32 points, and spent the night putting Jamal Murray in a straight jacket. Rudy Gobert owned the paint and helped hold Denver under 100 points for the third time in the series. Julius Randle delivered big buckets when the Nuggets started making their last desperate push. In his first playoff start, Terrence Shannon Jr. displayed zero fear, attacked downhill, and announced himself as someone who isn’t just happy to be here. Mike Conley reached into the past, stole a little more time from Father Time, and gave Minnesota the exact veteran stabilization it desperately needed. Naz Reid attacked the rim. Jaylen Clark came off the bench like a rabid wolverine. Everyone gave something.
This was not a one-man masterpiece. It was not Ant dropping 45 and carrying everyone across the finish line. It was not some fluky shooting night where the Wolves caught fire. This was team basketball at its purest with the whole becoming greater than the sum of its bruised, battered, undermanned parts.
And that is why, as the Wolves prepare for San Antonio and whatever alien geometry Victor Wembanyama is about to bring into their lives, it felt worth pausing for a second and asking a bigger question:
Where does Game 6 against Denver rank in Timberwolves history?
Not most entertaining, not wildest… I mean most important. Most meaningful. The games that mattered most to the franchise, to the fan base, to the story of Minnesota basketball.
For my list, the criteria is simple. Postseason games outrank regular-season games. I don’t care how wild some January double-overtime classic was. It cannot carry the same weight as a game where the season is actually on the line. I also prioritized clinchers and true series-defining moments. Game 1s and Game 2s can be incredible. I’ll never forget Sam Cassell’s “big balls” dance after saving Game 2 against Sacramento in 2004, but those games don’t quite hit the same historical weight as elimination games or series-clinching moments. And finally, the game had to mean something bigger than the final score. It had to shift the franchise, validate a team, break a curse, or stamp a moment into Wolves mythology.
With that said, here are the five most important games in Minnesota Timberwolves history.
5. 2026 First Round, Game 6: Timberwolves Eliminate the Nuggets
MINNEAPOLIS , MN – APRIL 25: Jaden McDaniels (3) of the Minnesota Timberwolves locks up Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter of the Timberwolves' 112-96 win in game four of their NBA Playoffs series at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post) | Denver Post via Getty Images
This one just happened, so maybe there’s some recency bias baked in. Fine. I’ll own that. But I also think time will be very kind to this game.
The Wolves entered Game 6 without Edwards, DiVincenzo, Dosunmu, and Anderson. They were coming off a Game 5 loss in Denver where they turned it over 25 times and invited every Wolves fan to start nervously considering a potential Game 7 in Ball Arena without their superstar. The stakes were enormous. Lose, and the entire series tilts back toward the best player on the planet. Win, and you send Denver home again.
They won.
And not only did they win, they won with defense, toughness, collective effort, and big moments from unexpected places. McDaniels was magnificent. Gobert was the anchor. Conley was the adult in the room. Shannon gave them real juice. Randle hit big shots. Clark was ready to fight Jokic. The Wolves looked like a team that had been stripped down to its bones and still found something real underneath.
Add in the rivalry, the injuries, the rubber-match element, the pre-game DiVincenzo jerseys, the Target Center electricity, and the fact that Minnesota once again ended Denver’s season, and this game absolutely belongs on the list.
4. 2025 First Round, Game 5: Timberwolves Eliminate the Lakers
This was revenge served 20 years cold.
The Lakers had always been the big brother franchise Minnesota could never touch. The Minneapolis team that left for Hollywood. The glamour team, free-agent destination, organization with banners, superstars, and a national spotlight permanently aimed in its direction. Meanwhile, the Wolves were the expansion franchise that had to fight for relevance and cut under-the-table deals just to land a Joe Smith-caliber free-agent.
It was the Lakers who took Minnesota out in the 2003 first-round and subsequently crushed the Kevin Garnett Wolves in the 2004 Western Conference Finals, ending the best chance that first great era ever had at a title.
So when Minnesota finally got another shot at them in 2025, with LeBron James and Luka Doncic on the other side, it meant something. “Lakers in five” was the chant from the moment the matchup was set. And then the Wolves spent the series proving they were bigger, deeper, tougher, and better.
Game 5 was the exclamation point. Rudy Gobert went full monster in the paint. The Lakers had no answer for Minnesota’s size. And Edwards delivered the perfect final flourish with the Antman/Batman/Superman energy and the “Lakers in five” echo bouncing through the Crypto.com Arena tunnels as Los Angeles fans tried to process what had just happened.
For once, Minnesota wasn’t the little brother. Minnesota was the bully.
3. 2004 First Round, Game 5: Timberwolves Eliminate the Nuggets
MINNEAPOLIS – APRIL 30: Kevin Garnett #21 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates with teammate Sam Cassell #19 after winning the game against the Denver Nuggets after Game five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2004 NBA Playoffs at Target Center on April 30, 2004 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTICE 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
This was the curse-breaker.
For seven straight years, the Timberwolves made the playoffs and went home in the first round. Seven straight exits. Seven straight reminders that Kevin Garnett could be brilliant, heroic, and completely trapped by the limitations around him. By 2004, the weight of that history was suffocating.
Then Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell arrived, KG won MVP, and everything changed.
The Wolves won the West. They earned the No. 1 seed. And fittingly, their first-round opponent was Denver, who was led by a young Carmelo Anthony and determined to make the series as physical and uncomfortable as possible.
But the Wolves were too good. Game 5 wasn’t the most dramatic game in franchise history. It didn’t need to be. Its importance was in the release. As the final seconds ticked away, Minnesota finally escaped the first round. Garnett finally got past the wall. Wolves fans finally got to exhale after seven years of having the same nightmare.
It is hard to overstate what that meant at the time.
Before the Western Conference Finals, before the Sacramento classic, before everything else, this was the moment the franchise finally proved it could win in the playoffs.
2. 2004 Western Conference Semifinals, Game 7: Timberwolves Eliminate the Kings
MINNEAPOLIS – MAY 19: Kevin Garnett #21 of the Minnesota Timberwolves acknowledges the crowd after winning Game Seven against the Sacramento Kings in Game Seven of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2004 NBA Playoffs at Target Center on May 19, 2004 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTICE 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 2004 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
This is 1B more than No. 2. Trying to separate this game from the top spot is like deciding which of your kids you love more.
The Wolves had finally broken through against Denver, but real title dreams are not made in the first round. This franchise needed more. Waiting for them was a loaded Sacramento Kings team, a battle-tested group with Chris Webber, Mike Bibby, Peja Stojakovic, and enough offensive firepower to make every possession feel dangerous.
The series was a war. The Kings nearly stole both games in Minnesota to open it. Cassell saved Game 2 with one of the most iconic celebrations in Wolves history. Then it all built to Game 7 at Target Center, on Kevin Garnett’s birthday, with the franchise’s entire basketball soul hanging in the balance.
KG delivered one of the defining performances of his career. Webber answered. The game was tense, physical, emotional, and alive in a way only Game 7s can be. And when Minnesota finally survived, Garnett leaping onto the scorer’s table and waving that towel became the signature image of the first 34 years of Timberwolves basketball.
For 20 years, this was the mountaintop.
The Wolves would not win another playoff series until 2024. That’s how long this moment had to carry the franchise.
1. 2024 Western Conference Semifinals, Game 7: Timberwolves Eliminate the Nuggets
DENVER, COLORADO – MAY 19: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves hug after winning Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on May 19, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. 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 C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This is the one.
After 20 years without a playoff series victory, Minnesota swept Phoenix and finally returned to the second round. Waiting there was Denver: the defending champion, the team that had eliminated the Wolves the year before, the team with Jokic at the peak of his powers.
Minnesota stole the first two games in Denver with bruising, suffocating defense. Then the Nuggets punched back, winning three straight and putting the Wolves on the brink. Minnesota answered with a Game 6 demolition at Target Center, setting up Game 7 in Denver.
Then everything went wrong.
The Wolves fell behind by 20 in the second half. The season looked dead. The defending champions were rolling. Ball Arena was ready to celebrate. And then, somehow, impossibly, Minnesota came roaring back.
Anthony Edwards. Karl-Anthony Towns. Rudy Gobert. Jaden McDaniels. Mike Conley Jr. Naz Reid. The entire group flipped the game, flipped the series, and flipped the franchise’s modern identity. It became the biggest Game 7 comeback in NBA history, but more than that, it became the moment this new era truly arrived.
The Wolves didn’t just win. They took something.
They took Denver’s title defense. They took the series. They took their place back in the Western Conference Finals for the first time in 20 years.
And now, with Thursday night’s Game 6 win, they have added another chapter to that same story.
That is what makes this current era so special. For so long, Wolves fans had to survive on one or two memories. Garnett on the scorer’s table. Maybe a random regular-season classic you talked yourself into because the postseason cupboard was empty.
Now?
The list is growing.
The Wolves have won first-round series three straight years. They have taken down KD and the Suns, the LeBron/Luka Lakers, the Jimmy Butler and the Warriors, and Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets. They have reached back-to-back Western Conference Finals and now have a chance to make it three if they can get past Wemby and San Antonio. They are no longer a franchise begging for one moment to cling to. They are building a collection.
Thursday night belongs in that collection.
And if this team has anything to say about it, the list is not finished yet.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MAY 01: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers leaves the court after defeating the Houston Rockets 98-78 in Game Six of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Toyota Center on May 01, 2026 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. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In most circumstances, advancing out of the first round is hardly a celebratory situation, particularly for a Lakers franchise with banners aplenty hanging. It should be little more than the first of a string of checkpoints on the way to raising the Larry O’Brien trophy.
But the win over the Rockets was not a normal playoff series and this was not a normal Lakers team.
The Lakers were firm underdogs entering the playoffs. With both Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić sidelined at the start, LA was staring at a mountain to climb to even be competitive in the contest, most assumed. Even if Kevin Durant only played one game this series, the Rockets were still the favorites.
In fact, in all four of the games the Lakers won, they were the underdogs.
It speaks to the resiliency of a group that has shown that trait in spades all season. Never was it needed more than in the last month when they turned things around from hopeless to playoff victory.
“It felt bleak,“ head coach JJ Redick said after the team lost three straight games heading into the final week of the season. ”Whether it was LeBron, [Marcus] Smart, [Austin Reaves] doing everything he could to come back and give us that lift, each guy in some way led us. Just really proud of the group. I’m a big believer in life that you should celebrate every victory, you should celebrate small wins.
“For us to be written off a few weeks ago and to win a playoff series is a big deal and it just speaks to the character of our team and the leaders of our team that didn’t let go of the rope.”
Redick was not alone in celebrating what the Lakers had just accomplished. Even LeBron, who has made a habit in his career of focusing on the big picture of a title, took time to appreciate the small victory, as he called it while speaking to Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
“It’s not my style at all. I think me personally, the accepting and trying to be OK with the small victories comes with where I am in my career. Understanding, s—, who knows how many more playoff series I’m going to be a part of? If I play one more or two more or three more seasons, that doesn’t guarantee me to be in the postseason. So just trying to appreciate the moments, whatever it is, and however long I’m playing.”
To say the Lakers were left for dead would not be an overstatement. Losing Austin and Luka together in the way they did at any point in the season would have been a huge blow. That it came on the heels of their best stretch of the season and with the playoffs rapidly approaching felt like the knockout punch.
Fortunately, the team never adopted that mentality. They spent the year adapting to their situation when a star was out and even if this was their stiffest challenge yet, they showed that resiliency once more.
Add it all up and the Lakers walked into Houston and handed the Rockets a beatdown that will send them into the postseason questioning many things about itself.
“It means everything,” Smart said of winning the series. “It shows our resilience. It shows the belief that we have in next man up. It shows the belief the coaches have in us to put us in the right positions. And it just shows that, no matter how depleted we are, we’re always going to compete and give it everything we got and we’re going to trust each other.”
Thanks to RJ Barrett and the Raptors, the Lakers will have a bit of extra time to process the win before moving onto the Thunder, who they won’t play until Tuesday. It’ll serve as a nice buffer where the team can both appreciate what they were able to accomplish while also moving on to focus on the next round.
But make no mistake about it. This victory will live on for some time, as it should. It was not a run-of-the-mill first round series win. It’s a sign of the culture and belief Redick has instilled. The Lakers deserve to celebrate it.
“I’m so grateful to represent the Lakers,” Redick said. “I’m so grateful for our players. I’m so grateful for our staff. Doing this, it’s such a collective effort. I wish people understood how many people put their heart and soul into something just to try to go win a basketball game. It’s awesome.”
The Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics meet in a winner-take-all Game 7 to see who advances to the second round of the NBA playoffs. The 76ers forced the decisive game by winning Game 6. Celtics star Jayson Tatum is questionable for the game with a sore left knee. Boston began the day as 7.5-point favorites.
How to watch Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 30: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics dribbles the ball during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game Six of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 30, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Philadelphia 76ers (3-3) at Boston Celtics (3-3) Saturday, May 2, 2026 7:30 PM ET First Round Game #7 Home Game #4 TV: Peacock/NBC Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, 97.5 Fanatic, Sirius XM TD Garden Officials: James Capers, Tyler Ford, Gedminas Petraitis
It’s win or go home for the Celtics as they host the Philadelphia 76ers for Game 7 of their first round series. After the Celtics led the series 3-1, they lost Games 4 and 5 to bring the series to a 3-3 tie. The Celtics dominated Game 1 with a 123-91 win over the 76ers. The 76ers topped the Celtics 111-97 in Game 2 to tie the series at 1 game each. The series shifted to Philadelphia where the Celtics squeezed out a win in Game 3 108-100 and dominated the 76ers 113-97 in Game 4.
After the blow out win in Philadelphia, it seemed as though the Celtics were primed to finish the series at home in Game 5. It appeared that they would do just that as they led by 7 at the half and by 13 in the 3rd quarter. But they completely fell apart in the 4th quarter to lose the game 113-97. The Celtics scored just 11 points in the 4th quarter, shooting just 3-22. In Game 6 in Philadelphia, the Celtics had a similarly poor showing and lost 106-93 to force a Game 7.
Teams that are up 3-1 in a series win the series 95.6% of the time. Teams that are up 3-2 in a best of 7 series wins the series 84% of the time. 357 teams have gone up 3-2 in a series and 300 of those teams won the series. Of those teams, 170 won Game 6 to close out the series while 130 lost game 6 and won Game 7. Only 13 teams have come back from a 1-3 deficit to win the series.
Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have both had considerable Game 7 experience in their tenure with the Celtics. As a duo, they have played in 7 game 7’s total and have gone 5-2 in those series. Joel Embiid has played in 3 Game 7’s and is 0-3 in those Game 7’s. Tyrese Maxey is 0-1 in his career in Game 7’s Paul George has played in 5 Game 7’s between the Pacers and the Clippers and is 2-3 in those games.
Since 2003, 17 teams have either won their first round series in either 4 or 5 games (74%). Since 2015, every team that won the championship has gotten past the first round in 5 games or less. The Celtics in 2024 won their first round series over the Heat 4 games to 1. This might seem like a dire statistic, but there is a positive note to add from Celtics history. In the 2008 playoffs, it took 7 games for the Celtics to get past Atlanta in the first round and those playoffs worked out just fine for that team. However, this game will be played on the court with a different group of players and not in history.
One of the advantages that the Celtics have is their depth. In Game 1, the Celtics got 37 points from their bench while the 76ers got 27 points from theirs. Of course, there were about 6 minutes of garbage time in that game. In Game 2, the 76ers got 21 points from their bench while the Celtics got 20 from theirs. In Game 3, the Celtics’ bench put up 35 points while the 76ers got just 14 points from theirs. In Game 4, the Celtics bench put up 57 points while the 76ers got 24 from theirs. In Game 5, bench scoring was 29-25 in favor of the Celtics with neither group playing exceptionally well.
In Game 6, the bench scoring favored the Celtics 38-6 with the caveat that the Celtics pulled their starters and played only their reserves in the final quarter. That group immediately ran off an 11-0 run and cut the lead to 12. The starters had abandoned the ball movement that made them so tough to beat all season and especially Tatum and Brown were trying to do too much and spent too much time dribbling and didn’t move the ball. They also didn’t hustle for boards and seemed a step too slow all game. The starters had 3 offensive rebounds through 3 quarters while the reserves grabbed 5 in just 10 minutes in the 4th quarter. Hopefully the starters get back to playing Celtics basketball in this one but if not, hopefully Joe will turn to the reserves quicker.
Jayson Tatum left Game 6 in the third quarter with some calf tightness and did not return but all indications were that he would play un this game. He was a late addition to the injury report and is questionable due to knee soreness. Joel Embiid is once again listed as probable for this game. He returned from an appendix removal to play in Game 4. Recovery for an appendectomy is anywhere from 20 days to 5 weeks and Embiid returned just 17 days after having his appendix removed. He played very well in Games 5 and 6 with no minutes restrictions. Paul George was also a late addition to the injury report and is probable due to an illness.
Probable Starting Matchups PG: Derrick White vs Tyrese Maxey
Derrick White | NBAE via Getty ImagesTyrese Maxey | NBAE via Getty Images
SG: Jaylen Brown vs VJ Edgecombe
Jaylen Brown | Getty ImagesVJ Edgecombe | NBAE via Getty Images
SF: Sam Hauser vs Kelly Oubre, Jr
Sam Hauser | NBAE via Getty ImagesKelly Oubre, Jr | Getty Images
PF: Jayson Tatum vs Paul George
Jayson Tatum | NBAE via Getty ImagesPaul George | NBAE via Getty Images
C: Neemias Queta vs Joel Embiid
Neemias Queta | NBAE via Getty ImagesJoel Embiid | NBAE via Getty Images
Celtics Reserves Payton Pritchard Hugo Gonzalez Luka Garza Amare Williams Baylor Scheierman Jordan Walsh Max Shulga Nikola Vucevic Ron Harper, Jr Delano Banton John Tonje
76ers Reserves Andre Drummond Quentin Grimes Kyle Lowry Justin Edwards Trendon Watford Dalen Terry Dominick Barlow Jabari Walker Adem Bona
2-Way Players MarJon Beauchamp Tyrese Martin Injuries/Out Joel Embiid (appendix) probable Paul George (illness) probable
Head Coach Nick Nurse
Key Matchups Derrick White vs Tyrese Maxey In Game 1, the Celtics were able to hold Maxey to 21 points on 20 shots along with 1 rebound and 8 assists while shooting 40% from the field and 25% from beyond the arc. He pretty much had his way in Game 2 with 29 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals while shooting 39.3% from the field and 41.7% from beyond the arc. In Game 3, he scored 31 points but took 31 shots to get them. He finished with 31 points, 6 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks while shooting 38.7% from the field and 38.5% from beyond the arc. With Embiid’s return, Maxey took just 14 shots in Game 4 and finished with 22 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists and 1 block. In Game 5, he finished with 25 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 1 block while shooting 55.6% from the field and 30.3% from beyond the arc. In Game 6, he once again excelled with 30 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals while shooting 50% from the field and 60% from beyond the arc. The Celtics must do a better job of defending him in this game.
Neemias Queta vs Joel Embiid After missing the first 3 games of the series, Embiid returned to the 76ers for Game 4. He started out strong, scoring the 76ers first 8 points and drawing 2 quick fouls on Queta. He played 34 minutes, finishing with 26 points, 10 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block while shooting 42.9% from the field and 16.7% from beyond the arc. He struggle a bit in the first half of Game 5, but took over the 2nd half as he played more in the paint and finished with 33 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists and 1 block while shooting 52.2% from the field but going 0-5 from three. In Game 6, Embiid finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists and 1 steal while shooting 33.3% from the field and 20% from beyond the arc. Queta needs to find a way to stay out of foul trouble and the Celtics need to keep Embiid out of the paint. Honorable Mention Jayson Tatum vs Paul George Neither of these players were able to play in any of the 4 games between Boston and Philly this season. In Game 1, George finished with 17 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist while shooting 50% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc, but he only took 8 shots. In game 2, he finished with 19 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 block while shooting 53.8% from the field and 40.3% from beyond the arc. In Game 3, he finished with 18 points, no rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals while shooting 50% from the field and 57.1% from beyond the arc. In Game 4, he finished with 16 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals and 1 block while shooting 46.2% from the field and 3-3 from beyond the arc. In Game 5, he finished with 16 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals while shooting 46.2% from the field and 44.4% from beyond the arc. ln Game 6, he finished with 23 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. He has been the most consistent player on the Sixers and the Celtics need to defend him better, especially on the perimeter.
Keys to the Game Defense – As always, defense is absolutely the key to winning this, and every, game. Defense becomes even more important in the playoffs. It is very true that defense wins championships. In Game 1, the Celtics held the 76ers to 38.9% from the field and 17.4% from beyond the arc. In game 2, the Celtics defense faltered as the 76ers shot 47.8% from the field and 48.7% from beyond the arc. In Game 3, the 76ers shot 43.7% from the field and 34.3% from beyond the arc. In Game 4, the Celtics held the 76ers to 41.3% from the field and 30% from beyond the arc. The Celtics allowed the 76ers to shoot 50% from the field and 35.7% from beyond the arc in Game 5. When the Celtics shot weren’t falling in Game 5, the Celtics defense disappeared also. In Game 6 the Celtics once again allowed way too many easy shots and were lax on defense. The Celtics have to play tough, physical, lock down defense from the opening tip until the final buzzer if they want to win this game.
Rebound – Rebounding is also one of the biggest keys to winning every game and has definitely been a big factor in this series. In the regular season, the Celtics were 43-12 in games that they tied or out-rebounded opponents and just 11-13 in games in which they were out-rebounded. In Game 1, the Celtics out-rebounded the 76ers 43-40. In Game 2, they out-rebounded the 76ers 50-42, but they were unable to capitalize on them since they shot so poorly. In Game 3, the Celtics once again out-rebounded the 76ers 45-37. And, in their big win in Game 4, they out-rebounded the 76ers 51-30. In Game 5, especially in the 2nd half, they stopped fighting for rebounds and the 76ers had 47 rebounds to 49 for the Celtics. In Game 6, the 76ers had the edge with 48 rebounds to 46 for the Celtics. Much of rebounding is effort and the Celtics need to put out more effort to grab rebounds then the 76ers. They have to fight harder to grab rebounds than the 76ers if they want to win this game.
3 Point Shooting – Three point shooting has been a big story for the Celtics in this series. They shot 42% from three in their 3 wins but only 28% from three in their 3 losses. The Celtics were 2-4 in last year’s playoffs, 0-3 in this year’s playoffs and 14-17 in the regular season when they shoot under 30% from beyond the arc. In Game 2, they shot 26% from beyond the arc. In Game 5, they shot 28.2% on threes. In Game 6, they shot 29% from beyond the arc. They have to stay focused and they need to work to get open and move the ball to find the best shots. When they get bogged down and try to do too much individually without passing the ball, they struggle. They need to keep the ball moving and not lapse into ISO ball. If the 3’s aren’t falling, they need to take the ball inside. And they need to defend the perimeter or the 76ers will beat them with 3’s of their own. The Celtics need to stay focused on offense and play tough perimeter defense in order to win this game.
Effort and Focus for 48 Minutes – The Celtics have to play with extra effort overall for all 4 quarters. In their losses in Game 2, Game 5, and Game 6 they allowed the 76ers to play with more energy than them for periods of time during the game. They play well for stretches but let up and allow the Sixers to surge ahead. The reserves showed what the starters had been missing when they brought energy and effort to the 4th quarter on both ends of the court and went on an 11-0 run. The Celtics had 13 turnovers and they missed 7 or 16 free throws and that shows a lack of focus. The Celtics must stay focused and give maximum effort from the opening tip until the final buzzer.
X-Factors Home Game – Teams play all season to secure home court in the playoffs but in this series, the 76ers have won more games in Boston than the Celtics have. The Celtics need to feed off the energy of the crowd and hopefully, the 76ers will be distracted by travel and the hostile crowd. The Celtics should play harder to win on their home court. They need to protect home court and win the series in front of their own fans.. The Celtics crowd will be loud and the Celtics need to use that to their advantage and get the win.
Coaching – Joe Mazzulla is in his 4th season as Celtics’ head coach. He won a title in 2024 with a very talented team that was packed with shooting stars. Now he has to win in a different way since his personnel has changed and he did a great job in the regular season. Nick Nurse is in his 8th season as a head coach overall and his 3rd as the 76ers head coach. He won a title with the Raptors in 2019. In the playoffs, coaching becomes more important as it becomes a game of adjustments as they play the same team game after game. Joe has been questioned about not playing the reserves enough since they were a big reason for the Celtics success in the regular season. He needs to reel the starters in if they play selfishly or without energy and he needs to be ready to make adjustments in game if needed,.
Officiating – Officiating is always an x-factor. Every crew calls the game differently. Some call it tight and call every bit of contact while others allow more physical play. Some favor the home team while others call both sides evenly. We have seen them call offensive fouls on Jaylen Brown far more than they have all season and he needs to adjust to avoid foul trouble. He has drawn 10 offensive fouls so far in the series and he needs to adjust to how they are calling the game. The Celtics can’t allow the no calls and bad calls to affect their focus on playing the game.
Official Report Crew Chief: James Capers Capers has a 44/22 home win/loss record this season. The Celtics were 3-1 this season and 2-2 last season with Capers. He called 18.2 fouls on the Celtics and 18.5 on their opponents. The 76ers were 2-1 this season and 2-1 last season with Capers. He called 23 fouls on the 76ers and 23.7 fouls on their opponents.
Referee: Tyler Ford You may remember Ford as the referee at the center of Jaylen Brown’s wrath in the game against the Spurs this season. The Spurs’ Stephon Castle shoved Brown out of bounds in front of Ford, who didn’t call a foul. Brown was irate and was tossed for just the 2nd time in his career. Brown had plenty to say about Ford after the game as well. Ford has a home win/loss record of 38-25. The Celtics are 1-2 with him this season and 2-4 last season. He called 21.7 fouls on the Celtics and 17 fouls on their opponents this season. The 76ers were 1-3 this season and 0-4 last season with Ford. He called 24 fouls on the Sixers this season and 22 fouls on their opponents.
Umpire: Gedminas Petraitis His home win/loss record is 34/35 this season. The Celtics were 6-1 this season with Petraitis. He called 21.1 fouls on the Celtics and 19.3 fouls on their opponents. They were 7-2 last season with Petraitis. The 76ers were 1-1 this season and he called 15 fouls on the 76ers and 21 fouls on their opponents. They were 1-2 last season with Petraitis.
Suns guards Royce O’Neale (00) and Grayson Allen (8) high-five after a scoring run against the Warriors during a game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Feb. 5, 2026. | Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Phoenix Suns’ post-postseason media tour has wrapped. Mat Ishbia and Brian Gregory closed the season on Thursday with their press conference, and honestly, it’s something worth appreciating here in the Valley. Not every team gives you that kind of access at the end of the year. A lot of organizations leave you guessing about direction, roster decisions, and how they view the season that just played out. That’s not the case in Phoenix.
Since Ishbia took over, ownership has been open. That deserves acknowledgment. You won’t always agree with the strategy, the draft picks, the free agency targets, or the trades. But you still get a sense of where the team is coming from. Transparency is their best currency. While no team is fully transparent, Phoenix brass gives you a window into the process at the highest level of the organization.
Part of that media tour included a stop by Mat Ishbia on the Burns and Gambo show on Arizona Sports 98.7. And one of the more interesting takeaways was his desire to keep both Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale this offseason.
“I really think highly of Grayson and Royce, and I hope they’re both on our team next year,” Ishbia stated. “I expect them both to be on our team.”
“I really think highly of Grayson and Royce and I hope they’re both on our team next year, and I expect them both to be on our team”
You can look at this statement in a couple of ways.
The most obvious one starts with leverage. No owner is going to tip his hand and tell the league he’s shopping players. That lowers the value and hurts the return. If I tell you I’m trying to sell my Topps 3 autographed /49 Rasheer Fleming rookie-verse card, you’re going to negotiate harder because you know I want out. If I say I’m not looking to sell, the price goes up. Same idea here. It’s not surprising to hear ownership say they want to keep both Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale utilizing this principle.
The second way to look at the statement is that, on the surface, Mat Ishbia and ownership want to ride the wave from this past season and don’t disrupt the boat. That’s very much in play. One thing Suns fans might not be ready for is a quiet offseason.
I think injuries capped what this team could be, and I believe the Phoenix Suns front office sees it the same way. That’s why you kept hearing “development” during the end-of-season press conference. It’s not limited to rookies. It applies to everyone on the roster. The expectation is simple: put in the work this summer and come back better across the board.
Continuity and progression become the approach. Not flipping assets. Not rebuilding chemistry again. Let the group grow together.
From my perspective, one (or both) of those assets can be used to fill in the cracks on this roster. We don’t fully know where those cracks are yet, however. There’s still work to do. The No. 47 pick in the draft. The Dillon Brooks extension. Collin Gillespie is entering free agency. Mark Williams is in restricted free agency. That’s a lot to sort through. If you’re filling gaps, Allen and O’Neale both bring desirable traits. They can shoot the three. Their contracts are manageable, as both have two years left. Those are useful pieces when you’re trying to shape the roster.
Personally, I think the organization wants to side with continuity. And truthfully? I’m not against it. We’ve had the splashy offseasons. They didn’t get you where you wanted to go. I don’t fully buy into every piece of the current roster construction theory, but still, continuity has value.
And that’s really where this all lands. You can question the ceiling, you can poke at the roster construction, and you can debate whether continuity is enough in a Western Conference that never sits still, but there’s a clarity to what the Suns are trying to do. They believe this group, healthier and more developed, can be better than what we saw. Rather than chasing the illusion of change, they’re choosing to invest in growth.
It may not be the loudest path, and it may test the patience of a fan base conditioned for fireworks. But it’s a direction, it’s intentional, and for now, it feels like the one they’re committed to seeing through.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 30: The sneakers worn by Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game Six of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 30, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
