Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook lets out a yell during the overtime win against the Clippers on Saturday in Denver. (Jamie Schwaberow/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Clippers dropped a 112-110 overtime game to the Denver Nuggets on Saturday at Ball Arena to open the playoffs.
They are down 1-0 in the best-of-seven series because Russell Westbrook was as a menace against his former team and supplied the Nuggets with the energy and big plays they needed to get the win.
Westbrook’s last big play was knocking the ball off of James Harden’s hand with 9.6 seconds left in the overtime.
Nikola Jokic made two free throws for a 112-107 lead with 6.5 seconds remaining that sealed the victory.
We’re in good shape,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. “We just got to do what we’re supposed to do and what we talked about. We can’t turn the ball over 20 times…We just got to be better with our execution. I think defensively understanding what we’re doing and then offensively understanding how we want to attack them.”
Jokic finished with 29 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds.
Harden led the Clippers with 32 points and 11 assists.
Westbrook had 15 points, including two big threes, and eight rebounds and two steals.
The Clippers turned the ball over 20 times.
Jokic not only picked up his fourth foul by getting a double-foul with Ben Simmons in the fourth, he was also hit with a technical foul with 6:41 left.
Jokic felt he was struck in the face by Derrick Jones Jr., knocking him to the court. But no foul was called, drawing the ire of Jokic toward an official who issued the technical foul in a game that was getting tense and tighter as it went along.
Then with 1:27 left and the Nuggets leading by one, Jokic got an offensive rebound and was fouled but he missed both free throws, leaving the Clippers down 95-94.
The Clippers took advantage when Ivica Zubac scored on a goaltending call on Aaron Gordon, giving the Clippers a 96-95 lead with 1:11 left.
But the Clippers turned the ball over after Kawhi Leonard had it bounce off his hip with 33.5 seconds left and the Clippers still up by one.
The Nuggets called a timeout to call an important play after the Clippers’ challenge was unsuccessful.
Jokic, unafraid to make the right pass, and Westbrook, unafraid to take the big shot, combined to make the play. Jokic hit Westbrook in the corner for a three-pointer and a 98-96 Nuggets lead with 23.4 seconds left.
But Harden drove inside for a floater to tie the score at 98-98 with 18.7 seconds left.
That left the ball in Denver’s hands for the final shot.
But the Clippers played great defense and eventually Westbrook intended to put up the ball but could not get off a shot, sending the game into OT tied 98-98.
Harden picked up his fourth foul with 9 minutes and 10 seconds left in the third quarter, but played all 12 minutes in the quarter. Harden didn’t pick up another one before it was over.
Along the way in this game, Harden established himself as one of the NBA’s playoff greats.
He has scored (3,796) career points in the postseason, pushing him past John Havlicek for sole possession of 14th place on the NBA’s all-time playoff points list. Harden has (1,072) assists in the postseason, pushing him past Larry Bird for sole possession of eighth place on the all-time playoff assists list.
When Harden picked up his second foul with 4:55 left in the first quarter, the Clippers had a decision to make. They left him in the game and he immediately attacked with three consecutive drives to the basket — one turning into a three-point play — resulting in an early 12-point lead for the Clippers.
Harden didn’t waver in his play, staying aggressive the rest of the way in playing all 12 minutes in the first, finishing it off with a three-pointer at the buzzer that gave him 15 points on six-for-11 shooting.
Harden’s play seemed to ignite the Clippers, as they built a 15-point lead in the second quarter.
But the Clippers got sloppy with the basketball as the quarter continued, turning it over eight times in the second, leading to the Nuggets trimming L.A.’s lead to 53-49 at the half.
By the end of the third quarter, the game was still close.
Apr 19, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Indiana is often thought of as a high-octane, up-tempo, top-10 offense in the NBA (which they are), but they also can defend. The Pacers were top-10 in the league after the All-Star break.
Or, just ask Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks.
The Pacers' defense showed out Saturday in Game 1 against the Bucks. Indiana loaded up its defense on Giannis Antetokounmpo, was physical with him from the opening tip, and made him work hard for every bucket. While he still finished with 36 points on 14-of-23 shooting, Antetokounmpo couldn’t run free, he never got his teammates going.
The bigger problem for Milwaukee was that Antetokounmpo was the only guy creating or scoring for the Bucks: Kyle Kuzma was 0-of-5 shooting and finished without a point, Bobby Portis and Ryan Rollins each shot 2-of-8, and Kevin Porter Jr. was 2-of-7.
The result was Indiana looking dominant early, leading by 28 points and never being seriously threatened on their way to a 117-98 win, taking a 1-0 series lead.
Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting, while Tyrese Haliburton added 10 points and 12 rebounds in the win.
The key to the game, however, was the Pacers’ defense.
"He's a tough cover…” Siakam said of Antetokounmpo. “He's very good at getting to the paint. He's strong. He's physical. I thought we did a decent job but he did get a couple of easy baskets.”
The Bucks have one big change for Game 2 — Damian Lillard could return from the deep vein Thrombosis that kept him out at the end of the season. Lillard was heard at Game 1, too, trash-talking Haliburton.
SAN FRANCISCO – Gui Santos’ first view of Chase Center was a sea of yellow shirts covering seats all throughout the stands.
It was the 2022 NBA Finals and Santos was going through his pre-draft workout down below on the Warriors’ practice court prior to one of their games against the Boston Celtics. Winning was what the Warriors were known for, even in Brazil. The sight of those bright shirts to create a home-court advantage wasn’t as eye-opening for Santos as it is now that he can reflect on the moment. From the outside, everything felt routine.
“I didn’t have the understanding of how big and how hard it is to get there, because Golden State always was in the Finals the last couple years,” Santos says to NBC Sports Bay Area. “I was like, ‘OK, maybe that’s normal for them.’ But then when I got here the season after they were champions, I saw how hard it is to make the Finals, how hard it is to go to the playoffs. But to make the Finals, it’s even tougher.
“Now I know why they got so much respect in the whole league, and now I want to be part of that for sure.”
Just one week after winning their fourth championship in eight years, the Warriors were on the clock and used three draft picks, first taking Patrick Baldwin Jr. with the 28th overall pick and then trading up to select Ryan Rollins in the second round (No. 44 overall). With a third pick at their disposal, the Warriors went the developmental route and added Santos as the third-to-last pick in the draft.
Everything was foreign territory for someone who was 20 years old one day before the draft. Santos was stepping into a team full of stars celebrating another championship. Patience wasn’t an option. Feeling forgotten would have been easy. Luckily for Santos, he had a north star to guide his leap to Golden State.
Former Warriors champion Leandro Barbosa was a longtime mentor of Santos in Brazil, even serving as his veteran teammate for Brazilian club Minas when he still led the league in scoring at 37 years old in the 2019-20 season. He posted a picture to his Instagram story of Santos after his pre-draft workout as the Warriors were on their way to getting fitted for rings, and having his idol around him for the draft process slowed everything down for Santos.
Barbosa then left his post on the Warriors’ coaching staff two months later to follow Mike Brown to the Sacramento Kings for a larger role. Santos now finds himself as the one and only current NBA player born in Brazil.
The honor can be a blessing and a curse. As Santos’ star has shined brighter the longer the Warriors’ season has gone on, he has been an advocate of Brazilian basketball and the talent the country can produce. Representing all of Brazil for the most internationally known NBA team also is pressure unknown to almost anybody else.
“It’s amazing,” Santos says. “Especially being the only one right here, right now, and having all the attention from everybody. It’s good when you’re playing well, but it’s tough when you’re not playing well.”
Santos has heard it all from outsiders, telling him to shoot more and be more of a scorer, without understanding the importance of what he does for a team led by Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green.
The positivity, Santos says, far outweighs any negativity.
“I’m very, very happy, very proud of that, because the biggest part of Brazil is cheering for me, sending good vibes,” he continues. “I love that. Everything I do, I try to mention Brazil because that’s where I grew up, that’s where I was born, that’s where I learned everything.”
Santos spent his entire first season playing in Santa Cruz for the Warriors’ G League affiliate, refining his body and basketball skills as he learned to play within Golden State’s system. He only played 23 games for the Warriors last season, averaging 8.3 minutes. His contract wasn’t even guaranteed going into this season, and he played another five games for Santa Cruz, but none since Dec. 15, 2024.
That’s the kind of winning impact Santos has had on Golden State with more opportunities.
Though Santos ranks 17th in points per game (4.1) among those who have played for the Warriors this season, he has become one of their most trusted players. Santos played in 56 of the Warriors’ 82 regular-season games, yet still ranked fifth on the team in cumulative plus/minus (165) behind only Curry, Green, Brandin Podziemski and Butler – in that order. Steve Kerr, for months no,w has mentioned Santos’ plus/minus numbers multiple times.
But with the Warriors’ playoff hopes on the line, Kerr didn’t play Santos against the LA Clippers in the regular-season finale, a loss that dropped them to the play-in tournament. Unprompted ahead of their play-in tournament game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Kerr admitted the Warriors missed Santos’ presence on the court. In the locker room, Santos was the same as he always is.
Jovial. Upbeat. Impossible to wipe the smile off his face. Santos puts in his blue earbuds, cranks up his Brazilian funk music and finds a zone only he can tap into.
“It’s to get into the mood for the game,” Santos explains. “It’s not slow. It’s very fast. I put it on before the game to get ready to go out there and bring some energy.”
Which is exactly what Santos does once his foot crosses the line and it’s his time to bring the home crowd to life. Whenever Santos enters a game, he challenges himself to grab two offensive rebounds. He came down with three in the six minutes he played to help push the Warriors back into the playoffs against the Houston Rockets.
“Our points per possession when we get offensive rebounds is through the roof,” Podziemski says. “Any extra possession we get, it’s going to benefit us, especially against a defensive team like Houston.”
On the Warriors’ first offensive possession with Santos on the floor against the Grizzlies, he misses a 3-pointer from the left corner. But the next time down, Butler misses from the right wing, only to see Santos soar to secure a rebound over Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. His elbows go flying to clear space and throw the ball to Kevon Looney at the top of the arc. What Santos does next is the second phase of why Kerr knows the game flows with him on the court.
After Santos keeps the play alive, the ball gets swung back to Butler. Santos backpedals a few steps and goes unnoticed before cutting to the basket, catching Butler’s entry pass, flipping his hips and making a contested layup through Jackson and Desmond Bane for a three-point play that gave Golden State a 13-point lead in the second quarter.
His right hand punches through the arena air, and Santos’ lion’s roar matches the volume vibrating through Warriors fans.
“Me and Gui, we’re international,” Quinten Post says. “Different upbringing. You need it. Me and Gui, maybe we don’t have that swagger, but we’re just raw energy out there. I think you need that. For Gui, sometimes it’s shorter stints. The way he came in against Memphis and grabbed offensive rebounds, those weren’t rebounds that belonged to him, but he just forced his way in there.
“It’s important to have some guys who play with emotion and get the crowd going.”
There’s the way his curls flop over a headband like Anderson Varejao, and the spirits he plays with that match Brazil’s samba music. Gui Santos brings every ounce of energy he has every day to the Warriors and Dub Nation, embodying all of Brazil.
Gregg Popovich is stable and back at home, resting, following a medical incident at a restaurant on Tuesday night that required an ambulance to be called and resulted in him being transported to a hospital.
Popovich, 76, reportedly fainted while having dinner at a Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, an incident first reported by TMZ and confirmed by the San Antonio Express-News, which got a copy of the incident report. An ambulance was called and Popovich was transported to a local hospital as a precautionary measure, he was not facing a life-threatening situation. There are no other details about the incident.
Popovich has been away from coaching since suffering a mild stroke before a game on Nov. 2. He met and spoke with the players just after the All-Star break and told them he would not be returning to the bench this season.
If and when Popovich might return to the bench is unknown, as is how the Spurs will handle the coaching position long-term. Popovich is a Hall of Famer, the NBA's all-time winningest coach, and a five-time NBA champion. He also coached Team USA to a gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics. Mitch Johnson took over as the interim head coach for the remainder of this past season.
Klay Thompson probably didn’t envision enduring the 2024-25 NBA season he did once leaving the Warriors for the Dallas Mavericks last summer.
But he refused to look back on that life-changing decision with any regret after the Mavericks’ turbulent season officially ended Friday with a play-in loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. Immediately following the 120-106 loss at FedExForum, the four-time NBA champion was asked if he still would’ve joined Dallas knowing everything he knows now.
“Don’t do this to me. Don’t do that to me,” Thompson said (h/t The Dallas Morning News’ Mike Curtis). “Don’t do that. That’s kind of a ridiculous question because I don’t own a time machine and I don’t believe in going back or looking back.
“If I did that my whole career, I would not be where I’m at and I wouldn’t have been able to persevere through two really hard injuries. I’m here in Dallas and I enjoyed my time and I’m looking forward to the future.”
Klay Thompson was asked by Tim MacMahon if he would've joined the Mavs last summer knowing everything he knows now…
About as professional of an answer he could’ve given. Truly respect Klay and have loved his time in Dallas. pic.twitter.com/ts27tuln9T
Thompson’s always worn his heart on his sleeve, so his compassionate response doesn’t come as a surprise.
The sharpshooter spent the first 11 seasons of his career with Golden State, forming a dynasty alongside fellow Splash Bro Steph Curry and veteran forward Draymond Green. But after nearly a decade of running the league, Thompson sought change and landed in Dallas, a team fresh off an NBA Finals appearance.
Thompson joined a Mavericks team led by Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving, but things quickly changed. In a blockbuster move that stunned the entire sports world, Dallas traded Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis and Max Christie.
Less than one month later, Irving tore his ACL in a loss to the Sacramento Kings and missed the remainder of the season.
Davis made his highly anticipated Mavericks debut on Feb. 8, but he suffered a left adductor strain the same night and missed the next 18 games. Somehow, Dallas still finished as the No. 10 seed and kept its playoff hopes alive with a dominant win over the Kings in the first play-in game before collapsing to the Grizzlies on Friday and ultimately ending a rollercoaster season.
Despite all that — and it was a lot — Thompson won’t hold his head down about joining the Mavericks.
In his first season with Dallas, Thompson averaged 14 points on 41.2-percent shooting from the field and 39.1 percent from 3-point range, with 3.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 27.3 minutes through 72 games.
Luka Dončić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jayson TatumComposite: Getty Images
Is the regular season in crisis?
Absolutely not. Could it stand to be a little shorter? Sure. Do the referees need to be more judicious with when they intervene? I’d argue they do. But the real problem the NBA faces is, in my opinion, a PR one. Its loudest voices should spend less time pearl-clutching and more time celebrating. Claire de Lune
Star players sit, games blur together and offense is unchecked. I don’t know if I’d call it a crisis, but put it this way: Disney, NBC and Amazon Prime Video did not pay $76bn for this product. They’re betting that it will be fixed. The answer might be structural: tweak the rules to restore physicality. If defense matters again, maybe the games will too. Bryan Armen Graham
Well, if you count rights-holding networks badmouthing the product, the league blacking out local games and underselling on-court storylines as a crisis – then yes. If you count the in-season tournament, load management player protocols and the endless GOAT debates as a crisis – then also yes. I’m not suggesting fewer games (82 always felt right); I’m suggesting everyone take them more seriously. Talking to you, Adam Silver. Andrew Lawrence
Can I be in a crisis when my organization commands $76bn in broadcast rights fees? That sad, a few tweaks might help. Spice up the in-season tournament by working point spreads into real-life results - eg the Celtics need to cover v the Hornets to move on – and awarding a conditional first-round draft pick known as “The Emirate” to the winner. Bring international play into the All-Star Weekend format and if you must, trim three or four games off the schedule. Oh, and please, please, lower ticket prices. Thank you! David Lengel
There are multiple issues with the NBA such as an overindulgence of three-pointers, the forgettable All-Star game and perpetual foul-hunting. However, the notion of a crisis is a bit overblown. The Western Conference remained highly competitive until the final day of the season, the playoffs feature a mix of All-NBA veterans and rising young stars, and the NBA’s primetime viewership is up double digits from last season. There is space for improvement, but the league is far from being in crisis. AR Shaw
Team that will be most missed from the playoffs
It’s a shame that Kevin Durant, one of the most skilled scorers this game has ever seen, isn’t going to make so much as a play-in-tournament appearance this year. To say the Phoenix Suns have been a disappointment is a woeful understatement, but it’s less the team I’ll be missing and more the inimitable presence of the Slim Reaper. CDL
The Suns. Say what you will about their flaws, but they had three of the NBA’s best shot-makers in Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal and still couldn’t make it work. A brutal cap sheet and murky future means this might have been their last real shot. BAG
Can I be selfish and say the Chicago Bulls? For the first time since their ethereal first-half campaign to the 2021-22 season, the Bulls have been genuinely fun to watch – and the life of the party has been Josh Giddey, the triple-double threat who harks to the days when a healthy Lonzo Ball was leading the break. He showed enough to earn a long-term extension and another running mate to help get Chicago into the play-in stage. AL
The team or the players? I’m already missing KD and his band of grumpy, really upset Suns, and of course, we’re all praying to the god of your choice that Victor Wembanyama will be back next season. Overall, the Philadelphia 76ers mess is always a good follow, and I think we’ll all miss the day-to-day drama Joel Embiid and friends bring to the first round of the playoffs. DL
The San Antonio Spurs. The debut of “Playoff Wemby” appeared to be a possibility after the Spurs acquired De’Aaron Fox before the trade deadline. But season-ending injuries to Wembanyama and Fox spoiled San Antonio’s playoff hopes. The combination of Wembanyama, Fox, the savvy veteran Chris Paul and rookie sensation Stephon Castle would have created havoc in the postseason. With better health, we can expect the Spurs to do damage in next year’s playoffs. ARS
High seed at risk of going out early
Vegas doesn’t have a lot of faith in second seeded-Houston in the playoffs, and neither do I. It’s commendable (hat tip to head coach Ime Udoka) that a super-young Rockets team were able to go from missing the play-in tournament last year to ending this year as the No 2 seed, but an unproven, youth-heavy, offensively challenged roster will likely get exposed in their first postseason outing. CDL
The Cleveland Cavaliers have depth, structure and a sparkling record, but playoff basketball is a different beast. Darius Garland has shrunk from the moment before, Evan Mobley remains a work in progress on offense and Donovan Mitchell can’t carry the load alone. If the tempo dips and the shots stop falling, this slick machine could unravel fast – especially against a battle-tested opponent. BAG
The New York Knicks, who blew a 28-point lead while losing to the top-seeded Cavaliers last Saturday to fall to 0-10 against top-three NBA teams. Point guard Jalen Brunson is one of a number of their key players dealing with injuries – none of which can be blamed on Tom Thibodeau’s withering instruction anymore, apparently. All of this sets them up poorly for their matchup against the resurgent Pistons and Cade Cunningham, a Knick-killer in the making. (He averaged better than 30 points, eight assists and five boards against them.) AL
Isn’t that the Knicks? Their fanbase certainly thinks so. A year ago New York were the out-hustle, out-muscle team that wanted it more than you. Today, they’re a fancy score-at-will side minus the edgy intangibles their fans lauded. Coincidentally, their opponents from Detroit have become the NBA’s newest junkyard dogs, ready to rip through the softened flesh of their now-bougie competition. Knicks fans can only hope the Pistons aren’t quite ready to pull it off. DL
The Rockets. Coach Ime Udoka did the unexpected by leading the Rockets to the No 2 seed in the rigorous Western Conference. But achieving the second-best record in the West appears to be a pyrrhic victory as Houston are underdogs against the Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler-led Golden State Warriors. The scrappy Rockets will make each game uncomfortable for the more playoff-experienced Warriors, but expect an early exit for Houston’s youth movement. ARS
Long shot to win
Two of the greatest playoff performers of their generation are now on the same team. I refuse to count out Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and the Warriors. They have a high-level defense, a lot of perimeter athleticism, and two guys who, on any given night, have a chance of being the best player on the floor. That sounds like a dark-horse contender to me. CDL
The Warriors. They started the season a hot mess. But since acquiring Jimmy Butler, they have been rolling. Steph is still Steph, Draymond Green is locking up again and their defense has quietly surged. With championship DNA and a renewed edge, they’re peaking at the perfect time. BAG
It’s weird to call a team that has Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Norman Powell and Ty Lue on the sideline a dark horse. But so it goes when that team is the Los Angeles Clippers. While the Lakers and the Warriors helped the fairytale championship narrative with their blockbuster mid-season trades, the Clippers have been solid, steady and Leonard is looking like the Leonard of old .This could be their year. AL
The Clippers are a scorching hot No 5 seed who went 18-3 with eight straight wins to finish the regular season. That included a dramatic overtime victory at Golden State in their 82nd game to avoid the dreaded play-in. That’s mojo and that’s LA when Kawhi Leonard shows up, laces up and plays basketball. Now, if James Harden actually carries his regular-season skillset into the playoffs, these Clips could actually crack the colorful western cohort and sail into the finals. DL
The Clippers. Finishing the season with an 18-3 record, the Clippers are the most feared team heading into the playoffs. While LeBron James and Luka Dončić are the more celebrated NBA stars in Tinseltown, the Clippers have embraced the underdog role and are a dark horse to change the narrative with a Hollywood ending in the NBA finals. ARS
Most important player this postseason
It’s rare that the player upon which the pendulum swings is the same in two consecutive years, but once again, it’s Luka Dončić. I see the Lakers as having just as good of a chance as anyone to win the title this year. But as evidenced by the Lakers’ recent duel with the Warriors, when he isn’t firing on all cylinders, that chance diminishes exponentially. Los Angeles need Dončić to be a top-tier superstar for four rounds to hoist the trophy. CDL
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been an MVP candidate all year. Now comes the real test. OKC are deep, disciplined and dangerous, but their ceiling depends on SGA’s ability to create in crunch time. If he owns the moment, the Thunder could fast-track their rise from rebuild to finals. BAG
After the Jimmy Butler trade, the Warriors went from Cancun-bound after the regular season to title contenders once again. More than just the best running mate Curry has had since Kevin Durant, Butler can carry the offensive load when Curry’s off the floor and take over games defensively. How the Warriors ever got away with him still boggles the brain. AL
After dominating the regular season with a 68-14 record, Oklahoma City enter a postseason where anything short of a championships would be a disappointment. All of it rests on the wide Canadian shoulders of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. As the head of the snake and the odds-on MVP favorite, SGA is solely responsible for delivering the hardware to OKC. And it’s a fair amount of pressure, especially after the Thunder were ousted last season by Luka’s Mavericks in the West semis. DL
LeBron James will be the most important player in the postseason until he retires. James is not only competing against current NBA players, he receives the most praise and ridicule when compared to his Hall of Fame predecessors. Win or lose, James will be the most discussed player in the off-season. If he captures another title at 40, it adds to the lore and never-ending debate over who is the greatest basketball player of all time. ARS
Eastern Conference finals
Celtics over Cavaliers CDL
Celtics over Pacers BAG
Celtics over Cavaliers AL
Celtics over Pacers DL
Celtics over Cavaliers ARS
Western Conference finals
Lakers over Thunder CDL
Thunder over Warriors BAG
Warriors over Clippers AL
Clippers over Lakers DL
Lakers over Clippers ARS
Your NBA champion will be ...
Los Angeles Lakers. I’ll be accused of homerism for this pick, which I am prepared for. But I know a team on a special run when I see one, and the Lakers are that team. For Luka Dončić to get a ring in the same season he was unceremoniously shipped off by Dallas, for LeBron James to have a chance at a fifth championship before he retires, is something I can’t see either of these generational talents letting slip through their fingers. Lakers v Celtics will be a battle for the ages, and it’s truly a coin toss between the two in my estimation. But if the Lakers can get through the entire gauntlet that awaits them in the West, I simply don’t see them letting the chance at saying “job finished” pass them by. CDL
Oklahoma City Thunder. They’ve recorded the highest net rating in NBA history – better than the ‘96 Bulls or KD Warriors – but still feel oddly overlooked. SGA is playing at an MVP level, Jalen Williams is a rising star and Chet Holmgren shores up the middle. Their elite perimeter defense, depth and cohesion make them dangerous in any series. They may be young, but they’re relentless, unselfish and unafraid. This isn’t a fluke; it’s a coronation in waiting. BAG
Golden State Warriors. They’ve got the best shooter who ever lived, one of the game’s all-time defenders and the best end-to-end player. Add Steve Kerr and the Warriors’ dynamite bench to the equation, and it’s tough to see the team losing out on a chance to win their fifth championship in 10 years. And if they happen to beat the Lakers along the way, the GOAT debate is going into overdrive – and history might ultimately peg LeBron as the loser. AL
Boston Celtics. The wild second-half run of the Kawhi Clippers will finally come to an end when the clock strikes midnight against the Eastern Conference titans. Even the version of Harden who shows up for the playoffs isn’t enough to beat the Celtics, who overcome Jaylen Brown’s bum knee to oust the Clippers in seven. That’s because a healthy Kristaps Porzingis fills all voids and all baskets, propelling the dominant Jayson Tatum to swiftly avenge his Olympic benching while winning a second consecutive championship. DL
Los Angeles Lakers. The Mavericks handed the Lakers a generational gift with the Luka Dončić trade, and LA will reap the benefits in June. The trade elevated the Lakers’ playoff chances from a second-round exit to legit title contenders, but the Lakers will face the toughest path to the finals with a first-round matchup against Anthony Edwards and the possibility of facing Steph Curry, Kawhi Leonard or leading MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in later rounds. Dončić and LeBron have both carried teams to the NBA Ffnals, and together, they have the offensive capabilities to overwhelm the most elite players and their teams. Expect the Lakers and Celtics to continue their historic rivalry with another showdown in the NBA finals with the Lakers as the last team standing. ARS
Tyler Herro led the Heat scoring once again [Getty Images]
The Miami Heat became the first 10th-seeded team to reach the NBA play-offs through the play-in tournament as they scored an overtime success against the Atlanta Hawks.
The Heat began the four-team Eastern Conference qualification tournament needing to win consecutive road games to advance.
After beating the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, they followed up with a 123-114 overtime success over the Hawks to set up a first-round meeting with conference top seeds the Cleveland Cavaliers.
In the Western Conference, the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Dallas Mavericks 120-106 and will face the Oklahoma City Thunder in round one, with play-off games in both conferences beginning on Saturday.
Anthony Davis, who moved to Dallas as part of the Doncic trade, received medical treatment for groin and lower back injury problems throughout Friday's game but still led his side with 40 points and nine rebounds.
The Heat had bounced back from a 10-game losing streak last month to reach the post-season tournament and dominated the opening half against the Hawks, leading by 17 points at one stage before taking a 62-53 lead into the break.
However, the Hawks stormed back and were 98-92 up with five minutes and six seconds remaining.
A Tyler Herro free throw edged the Heat 106-104 up with 12 seconds left, only for Trae Young to score a late lay-up and send the game to overtime.
The Heat found their range from the perimeter in the extra period with Davion Mitchell sinking three three-pointers and Herro adding two more to secure the win.
"I loved how my team fought," said Herro, who finished on a game-high 30 points. "Every single run that they made, we answered. And I feel like this entire season has really built us up for this point."
Morant beats injury to help Grizzlies advance
In Memphis, Ja Morant shrugged off a sprained right ankle for 22 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and three steals for the Grizzlies.
The 25-year-old two-time All-Star suffered the injury in his side's opening play-in loss to the Golden State Warriors and was only cleared to play shortly before the start of Friday's game.
"Got an MRI, ultrasound, met with different doctors, got a shot, slept, woke up, came to the gym about 5:30, went through walkthrough," Morant said.
"After that, sat for about 30 minutes until it was time to see another doctor and get an injection and start my pre-game stuff."
Asked after the game how the ankle held up, he said, with a laugh, "I couldn't feel it, that's why I was out there."
Zach Edey added 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Grizzlies while Scotty Pippen Jr hit 13 points.
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd paid tribute to his players after their season.
"We had an incredible season when you look at the injuries that we've had, the Doncic trade, and for us to even be here playing in this game is incredible," Kidd said.
"It shows the character of that group in the locker room, the fight, and being prepared. It was an incredible season and with the change and injuries, some people were saying we shouldn't be here."
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Two-time All-Star Ja Morant promised a sprained right ankle wouldn’t keep him out of Memphis’ play-in game against Dallas with the Western Conference’s last postseason berth up for grabs Friday night.
Morant did more than just play. He delivered a thrilling start that included a high-flying, one-handed slam of a dunk that had teammate Desmond Bane yelling “Showtime!” at him in celebration as Morant elevated so much his eyes were level with the rim.
The guard scored 16 of his 22 points in the first half, and Memphis never trailed in a 120-106 victory to take the No. 8 seed and a spot Sunday in Game 1 at top-seeded Oklahoma City.
“I couldn’t feel it ... so I was out there,” Morant said with a laugh.
Morant had been listed as questionable earlier Friday as the training staff worked to get him ready to play. His status was officially announced about 30 minutes before the tip.
The guard was injured in the third quarter Tuesday night at Golden State with the No. 7 seed on the line. Morant rolled the ankle coming down on Buddy Hield’s foot. Morant limped off the court and returned in the fourth quarter when he was held to four points as the Grizzlies lost 121-116.
Morant took the court late in warm-ups to test his ankle. His young daughter joined him on the court. ESPN reported during the game that Morant had a second shot for his ankle a couple hours before tipoff.
The guard occasionally limped to the free throw line, but that was about the only sign Morant was playing hurt. He finished with nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals before interim coach Tuomas Iisalo pulled his starters in the final couple minutes to some rest. Morant wound up playing 33 minutes helping the Grizzlies finish off a wire-to-wire win.
Injuries limited Morant to 50 games during this regular season. He has played 19 playoff games in Memphis’ three postseason berths with the No. 2 pick overall in the 2019 draft.
Apr 18, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) tries to get to the basket against Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell (45) during the first half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks showed grit — they struggled with their shot in the first half, going 4-of-20 from 3 and trailing by 17, but fought back to lead with just more than three minutes left in the game.
It wasn't enough. There was too much Tyler Herro for the first 48 minutes, he finished with 30 points, then Davion Mitchell dominated the overtime — he outscored the Hawks by himself, 9-8.
The ultimate result was a 123-114 Miami win. With that, the Heat became the first No. 10 seed ever to advance out of the Play-In Tournament, and they will face the No. 1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night to start that series. The loss ends the Hawks' season.
The other winner out of this game: The Oklahoma City Thunder. With the win, Miami's first-round pick, at No. 15, goes to the Thunder (via a convoluted path that included the 2019 Paul George trade). OKC now has the No. 15 and No. 25 (via the Clippers) picks in the first round.
Miami came out hot on the road scoring the game's first 10 points, a lead they stretched out to 17 points midway through the second quarter. Herro led all scorers with 30 points, shooting 5-of-10 from beyond the arc, including a couple of 3-pointers in overtime to help seal the win.
TYLER HERRO COMES UP BIG WITH THE SEASON ON THE LINE
Atlanta fought back behind 29 points from Trae Young and a big night from center Onyeka Okongwu, who had 28 points. It was a driving layup by Young that forced overtime.
Andrew Wiggins added 20 points for Miami, and Bam Adebayo scored 17 points plus grabbed 11 rebounds. For Atlanta, George Niang had 20 points off the bench, and Caris LeVert had 15.
(Los Angeles Times photo illustration; photographs from Los Angeles Times and Associated Press)
The bottom came in Minnesota on the second night of back-to-back games in early December, LeBron James showing signs that the mileage he’d compiled over 22 seasons of NBA basketball was starting to erode away his invincibility.
The signs had been building before that wintry Monday night. The game before, he bullied mismatches in the fourth quarter of a one-point win against the Utah Jazz that was much harder than it should’ve ever been. He was bad against the Thunder, middling against the Spurs and shook against the Suns and Nuggets.
Over an eight-game stretch from Nov. 19 through that night in Minnesota, the Lakers were 104 points worse than their opponents when James was on the court.
The end, for the first time, seemed like it was sprinting toward James instead of the other way around. That night in Minnesota, James had to scratch for every one of his 10 points, each miss dragging the shoulders that were always built to carry so much toward the ground.
As a Laker, he might’ve never looked worse.
“It's everything,” he said of what was going wrong. “It's the rhythm. I just feel off rhythm.”
That night in Minnesota felt like it happened forever ago as James spoke after the Lakers’ final practice before Game 1 of the playoffs — a series fittingly that will take the team back to Minnesota for Games 3 and 4. Talking with a mixture of focus and intensity in his face, James looked at the practice court and was asked if the necessary ingredients to win him a fifth NBA championship were in the room.
“Yeah,” he said flatly. “Of course.”
Whether or not that belief will be rewarded in June is as much in the future as that miserable Minnesota night is in the past, but James’ recommitment to the team, to the Lakers’ new identity and to himself and his teammates has undoubtedly propelled the team to the place where it credibly believes it can be the last one standing.
James, coach JJ Redick said, got back on track in losses to Miami and Atlanta before using the Lakers’ weeklong break during the in-season tournament to deal with an ailing foot and to recalibrate his mindset.
He became one of the team’s most impactful defenders. He consistently did all the little things that lead to winning, Over the next 35 games, the Lakers won 25 times. During that stretch, James said part of his consistent effort on the defensive end was about showing his son, Bronny, what it took to win in the league.
“Your examples show better sometimes than the words,” he said on Feb. 20 after leading the Lakers to a win on the second night of back-to-back games in Portland. “So, I hope I’m in position now to do both — to be able to give him words of advice and also show him by example.”
Yet it’s been more than that, the sense that James had given himself fully to whatever the Lakers needed. When it meant ceding shots to Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves, he did that. When it meant controlling the glass with Davis out injured, he did that. And when it required moving well out of the way to make room for Luka Doncic after the Lakers stunned everyone, James included, by acquiring him, he did that.
He finished the season averaging 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists. According to basketballreference.com, it’s the 29th time since 1960 a player has averaged at least 24 points, seven rebounds and eight assists in a season. No one older than 31 other than James has ever done it, and he’s done it six times since turning that age.
And somehow, in his 22nd season, he still found ways to get better, shooting the best free-throw percentage (78.2%) of his career.
As the Lakers kept winning, as they kept showing the best teams in the West that they were capable of beating them, the resolve that the Lakers can win only got stronger.
“The belief’s there,” Redick said of James on Friday. “… I think that LeBron’s confidence, belief in himself, in his teammates, when that’s there, it empowers the group even more. So, if the rest of the guys believe it, and LeBron believes it, that really strengthens that resolve and feeling.”
James doubled-down on his role in the Lakers’ offense on Friday, simplifying any lingering questions about hierarchy now that the playoffs are here.
“Give Luka the ball,” he said. “And if we stay ready, we never gotta get ready.”
James made it clear Friday that his belief means nothing when it comes to the Lakers’ goals of winning 16 more times this season, goals that start by beating Minnesota to four wins.
“Obviously you wanna be healthy going into a postseason run," he said. "That's most important. And then you want to be able to have been playing at a high level for the majority of the season being in like, must-win games going down the stretch, playoff-type intensity games. And we had that.
"But at the end of the day, I can talk as much as you guys want me to talk, but the game is won in between the four lines. I don't give a damn how much you know about a team, how much they know about you. All the talking, it's not about that. It's about once you get on the floor, the game is won in between the four lines.”
On Saturday, James will walk between them with his best chance to stay there until the NBA Finals since he won a ring in 2020 with the Lakers. And for a person who has come a long way in his career and who managed to come a long way this season, that’s special.
“It's a blessing. I don't take it for granted to be able to play in the postseason at my age and how many years I've played in this game,” James said. “To be one of 16 teams to go in with this team and know what we're capable of, all you can do is ask for a chance to be able to compete at the highest level and be able to compete for the ultimate thing. And that's the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
(Los Angeles Times photo illustration; photographs from Los Angeles Times and Associated Press)
For the Clippers’ vaunted defense, the ultimate test undoubtedly will be dealing with Denver’s incomparable center Nikola Jokic during what figures to be a competitive seven-game playoff series.
Jokic is a basketball savant, exceptional in every facet of the game, a player for whom the Clippers will gameplan like never before.
He’s a three-time NBA most valuable player and is a strong candidate again for the award following an even more impressive campaign than the others.
Jokic became just the third player in NBA history to average a triple-double for a season, joining Nuggets teammate Russell Westbrook and Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson. Jokic posted numbers of 29.6 points (third best in the league), 12.7 rebounds (third) and 10.2 assists (second).
His counterpart at center is Ivica Zubac, who will get the first crack at Jokic for the Clippers starting with Game 1 on Saturday afternoon.
At 7-foot and 240 pounds, Zubac has the size and strength to not get overpowered by the 6-11 and 284-pound Jokic.
But when asked to share his thoughts on having to defend Jokic, Zubac paused, smiled and then chuckled before he answered.
“Ugh, it’s going to be tough,” Zubac said, chuckling again. “He’s incredible. He’s the best player in the league, for sure, and it’s going to be tough. He’s got so much stuff offensively. You got to mix in a lot of different coverages. It’s going to be tough for sure, but I think we have our advantages and I’m sure our coaching staff is going to prepare us to be locked in in Game 1.”
The Clippers allowed just 108.2 points per game, the fourth-best defense in the league, and had the third-best defensive rating at 109.4 per 100 possessions. They held teams to 46.1 percent shooting (eighth), 35 percent three-point shooting (fifth) and picked up 8.8 steals (eighth) per game.
The plan, Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said, is to throw a variety of defenses at Jokic.
Expect the Clippers to double team him from different areas on the court, to blitz him and to throw different bodies at him.
Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, trying to score against Clippers forward Nicolas Batum (33) and center Ivica Zubac (40), is a three-time MVP who led the Denver to the 2023 title. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
“You can’t play the game perfect,” Kawhi Leonard said. “You can’t guard anyone perfect, so whatever way you guard him, he’s going to try to execute and if that’s him scoring high or him [getting] high assists, that’s just how the game turned out. But we’re just focused on trying to win the basketball game. Obviously, he’s a big part of it and he causes a lot of attention.”
For as much attention that is rightfully being paid to Jokic, the Clippers as a whole have been playing some of the best basketball in the league to end the season.
They entered the postseason tied with the Milwaukee Bucks with the longest winning streak at eight.
The Clippers have won 18 of their last 21 games, winning their last two high-pressure games to secure the fifth seed.
That left an impression on Jokic.
“They are a great team,” Jokic said after Denver’s practice Friday. “They are playing really well lately. They have dangerous players and they have players there that are probably the best in their roles coming off the bench and we know it’s going to be really a big task for us. But I think we are ready for it.”
The Clippers and Nuggets split the season-series at 2-2, but Leonard didn’t play in any of them.
Six of the Clippers average double figures, three over 20 points per game in James Harden (22.8), Norman Powell (21.8) and Leonard (21.5).
“I think we know who we are,” Harden said. “We have to be great defensively every single night. Offensively, it can be anyone of us that can get going. It could be Zu getting post ups, Kawhi and Norm or myself or Boggie [Bogdan Bogdanovic]. For us, I think the game is going to dictate who has got it going. Defensively, that’s the most important thing, is making sure we lock in on that side of the basketball.”
Bogdanovic played with Jokic for the Serbian national team during the Olympics in Paris. The two have been teammates and friends for years, both knowing each other’s game, strengths and weaknesses, and now they will face off in a playoff series.
In that regard, the Clippers did pick Bogdanovic’s brain on ways to prepare for Jokic since the two of them have known “each other for a while.”
“I honestly think he attacks every single game the same way,” Bogdanovic said. “For him, there is no difference of opponent, the season or anything. For sure there is that extra motivation of how the competition is coming to the end. But I think his biggest quality is preparing the same way for every single game.”
Etc.
Clippers all-purpose forward Nicolas Batum, who missed the final two regular-season games with because of a right groin injury, said he was “good, good after a few practices,” and would be ready to play in Game 1.
It's hard to think of an NBA Playoffs with as many tight, could-go-either-way series. When was the last time a No. 7 seed (Warriors) was a betting favorite over a healthy No. 2 seed (Rockets)? Three of the four series in the West and at least one in the East (two if you're a big Pistons fan) could go either way.
Here's everything you need to know about the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
When do the NBA Playoffs begin?
The play-in — the NBA's version of the Wild Card round — concludes on Friday night, April 18, with two games: Miami at Atlanta and Dallas at Memphis.
The playoffs start the next day, Saturday April 19, with four games, and will run through mid June.
When do the NBA Finals begin?
The NBA Finals tip off June 5, with the first game tipping off at 8:30 ET at the arena of the team with the better regular-season record (Oklahoma City has the best record overall in the league and would have home court advantage against anyone in the Finals).
The remainder of the NBA Finals games are: Game 2 June 8, Game 3 June 11, Game 4 June 13, Game 5 June 16, Game 6 June 19 and Game 7 June 22 (games 5-7 are if necessary). All games will be broadcast on ABC.
NBA Eastern Conference, Western Conference playoff bracket
PLAYOFF PICTURE
▪️ Winner of MIA/ATL with play #1 CLE ▪️ Winner of DAL/MEM will play #1 OKC#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google begin April 19th! pic.twitter.com/TNjKsldzXW
Game 1: TBD at Cavaliers, Sunday April 20 (7 ET, TNT) Game 2: TBD at Cavaliers, Wed. April 23 (7:30 ET, NBA TV) Game 3: Cavaliers at TBD, April 26 (1 ET, TNT) Game 4: Cavaliers at TBD, April 28 (TBD) Game 5: TBD at Cavaliers, April 30 (TBD)* Game 6: Cavaliers at TBD, May 2 (TBD)* Game 7: TBD at Cavaliers, May 4 (TBD)* Series tied 0-0
# 2 Boston vs. # Orlando
Game 1: Magic at Celtics, Sunday April 20 (3:30 ET, ABC) Game 2: Magic at Celtics, Wednesday April 23 (7 ET, TNT) Game 3: Celtics at Magic April 25 (7 ET, ESPN) Game 4: Celtics at Magic, April 27, (7 ET, TNT) Game 5: Magic at Celtics, April 29, TBD)* Game 6: Celtics at Magic, May 1, (TBD)* Game 7: Magic at Celtics, May 3, (TBD)* Series tied 0-0
#3 New York vs. #6 Detroit
Game 1: Pistons at Knicks, Saturday April 19 (6 ET, ESPN) Game 2: Pistons at Knicks, Monday April 21, (7:30 ET, TNT) Game 3: Knicks at Pistons, April 24, (7 ET, TNT) Game 4: Knicks at Pistons, April 27, (1 ET, ABC) Game 5: Pistons at Knicks, April 29, (TBD)* Game 6: Knicks at Pistons, May 1, (TBD)* Game 7: Pistons at Knicks, May 3, (TBD)* Series tied 0-0
#4 Indiana vs. #5 Milwaukee
Game 1: Bucks at Pacers, Saturday April 19, (1 ET, ESPN) Game 2: Bucks at Pacers, Tuesday, April 22, (7 ET, NBA TV) Game 3: Pacers at Bucks, April 25, (8 ET, ESPNU/NBA TV) Game 4: Pacers at Bucks, April 27, (9:30 ET, TNT) Game 5: Bucks at Pacers, April 29, (TBD)* Game 6: Pacers at Bucks, May 2, (TBD)* Game 7: Bucks at Pacers, May 4, (TBD)* Series tied 0-0
Western Conference
#1 Oklahoma City vs. No. 8 (TBD)
Game 1: TBD at Thunder, Sunday April 20, (1 ET, ABC) Game 2: TBD at Thunder, Tuesday April 22, (7:30 ET, TNT) Game 3: Thunder at TBD, April 24, (9:30 ET, TNT) Game 4: Thunder at TBD, April 26, (3:30 ET, TNT) Game 5: TBD at Thunder, April 28, (TBD)* Game 6: Thunder at TBD, May 1, (TBD)* Game 7: TBD at Thunder, May 3, (TBD)* Series tied 0-0
#2 Houston vs. #7 Golden State
Game 1: Warriors at Rockets, Sunday April 20, (9:30 ET, TNT) Game 2: Warriors at Rockets, Wednesday April 23, (9:30 ET, TNT) Game 3: Rockets at Warriors, April 26, (8:30 ET, ABC)\ Game 4: Rockets at Warriors, April 28, (10 ET, TNT) Game 5: Warriors at Rockets, April 30, (TBD)* Game 6: Rockets at Warriors, May 2, (TBD)* Game 7: Warriors at Rockets, May 4, (TBD)* Series tied 0-0
#3 Los Angeles Lakers vs. #6 Minnesota
Game 1: Timberwolves at Lakers, Saturday April 19, (8:30 ET, ABC) Game 2: Timberwolves at Lakers, Tuesday April 22, (10 ET, TNT) Game 3: Lakers at Timberwolves, April 25, (9:30 ET, ESPN) Game 4: Lakers at Timberwolves, April 27, (3:30 ET, ABC) Game 5: Timberwolves at Lakers, April 30, (TBD)* Game 6: Lakers at Timberwolves, May 2, (TBD)* Game 7: Timberwolves at Lakers, May 4, (TBD)* Series tied 0-0
(4) Denver vs. (5) LA Clippers
Game 1: Clippers at Nuggets, Saturday April 19, (3:30 ET, ESPN) Game 2: Clippers at Nuggets, Monday April 21, (10 ET, TNT) Game 3: Nuggets at Clippers, April 24, (10 ET, NBA TV) Game 4: Nuggets at Clippers, April 26, (6 ET, TNT) Game 5: Clippers at Nuggets, April 29, (TBD)* Game 6: Nuggets at Clippers, May 1, (TBD)* Game 7: Clippers at Nuggets , May 3, (TBD)* Series tied 0-0
Rob Pelinka began this campaign by taking a risk and hiring an unproven coach right out of the broadcast booth in J.J. Redick. At midseason, he pulled off a shocking, all-time blockbuster of a trade, bringing Luka Doncic to the Lakers, setting the team up as contenders now and providing a bridge to the future. His Lakers finished with 50 wins and are the No. 3 seed in the West.
He's earned the contract extension and new title the team announced on Friday. Pelinka is now officially the President of Basketball Operations and General Manager.
"For eight seasons, I have relied on Rob's vision and leadership to do what's best for the Lakers organization," said Lakers Governor Jeanie Buss said in a statement. "I value his partnership and professionalism and believe in his ability to deliver championship-caliber basketball for Los Angeles and Lakers fans everywhere."
Pelinka's ties to the Lakers date back to his role as Kobe Bryant's agent, a position he held before joining the team as general manager in 2017. He's had some hits and some misses since he arrived in Los Angeles, but he understood how to leverage the Lakers' brand and their highly desirable location to keep the team a threat in the West. That said, he entered this season knowing he had a good team with LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the rising stardom of Austin Reaves, but there was no bridge to a post-LeBron era in the season he turned 40. Davis, as good as he is, was not that guy. Then the Doncic trade was gifted to Pelinka by Nico Harrison and the Mavericks.
"We have a 25 year old global superstar that's going to get on the stage of the most popular and influential basketball brand on the globe," Pelinka said at Doncic's introductory press conference. "And I think when those two powerful forces come together, it brings basketball joy to the world, because that's how Luca plays. He plays with joy. And if you think about kids in Barcelona or kids in Buenos Aires, or children in Shanghai or Sydney, they're going to be wearing a number 77 Luca Doncic Lakers Jersey, and bringing joy to basketball, just like he does. And that's why it's powerful."
It's powerful for the Lakers brand, and it's one reason Pelinka has even more job security now.
Rob Pelinka watches as new head coach JJ Redick talks with the media during his introductory news conference last summer. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
On the eve of the NBA playoffs, the Lakers showed executive Rob Pelinka that they think he’s the right person to help lead their future, rewarding him with a contract extension and the title of president of basketball operations.
Pelinka, previously the vice president of basketball operations, retains the title of general manager. He last agreed to a four-year extension in 2022.
“For eight seasons, I have relied on Rob’s vision and leadership to do what’s best for the Lakers organization,” Jeanie Buss said in a statement. “I value his partnership and professionalism and believe in his ability to deliver championship-caliber basketball for Los Angeles and the Lakers fans everywhere.”
Pelinka re-established himself as the trusted and clear leader of the Lakers’ basketball operations department this season, first by hiring JJ Redick last summer. Then, Pelinka struck a pair of trades, first for Dorian Finney-Smith and second for Luka Doncic, that it made clear that his position within the organization was more than safe.
Friday’s finalized extension was viewed as mostly a formality in NBA circles following the Doncic trade. Terms of the extension weren’t announced.
Pelinka, Kobe Bryant’s longtime agent, built a championship roster around the trade for Anthony Davis in 2020 only to receive criticism for how it was dismantled. Within two years, the team had added Russell Westbrook, fired Frank Vogel and hired Darvin Ham. After trading Westbrook, Ham and the Lakers reached the Western Conference finals.
But following a second straight playoff elimination by Denver, Pelinka again fired the coach and hired Redick. The front office drafted Dalton Knecht and Bronny James, signed Jordan Goodwin to a two-way contract and made the Finney-Smith and Doncic deals to put the Lakers in position to host Game 1 of a first-round series Saturday at Crypto.com Arena.
The Orlando Magic are heading into their first-round NBA playoff series against the Boston Celtics as heavy underdogs, and if they’re going to have any chance at pulling off a historic upset, Paolo Banchero needs to deliver an all-time performance.
Banchero, who was selected by the Magic with the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, is a rising star. He averaged 25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game this season.
The 22-year-old forward has tremendous size, length and athleticism at 6-foot-10 and 250 pounds.
Banchero is a legit centerpiece for Orlando. They’ve had a few in the franchise’s 36-year history, including Penny Hardaway, Shaquille O’Neal and most recently Dwight Howard. Banchero is talented enough to join that group, but winning is the only way to do it.
One way for the Magic to have a chance at making this series versus the Celtics a long one is to slow the game down. Part of that is getting to the free throw line, and Banchero’s 8.4 attempts in the regular season ranked fourth-most in the league. And since the All-Star break he’s been averaging 9.2 free throw attempts per game. Banchero is great at using his quickness and strength to get to the rim, draw contact and finish.
The Magic are a great defensive team. They ranked No. 2 in defensive rating and play very physical on that end of the floor. But defense alone won’t give them a chance to win this series. They have to score at a much higher rate than they did in the regular season. Boston scored the eighth-most points at 116.3 per game. Orlando ranked 28th with 105.4 points per game.
If the Magic are going to close that 10-point gap, Banchero has to take his game to another level. And it’s possible he could get there. Just look at the Magic’s first-round series against the Cavaliers last season.
It was Banchero’s first time in the playoffs, and he didn’t look rattled at all. He averaged 27 points, 8.6 rebounds and four assists per game in the series. His best performance came in Game 7 at Cleveland, where he scored 38 points with 16 rebounds and three steals. Unfortunately for the Magic, their other four starters shot a combined 9-for-42 and they lost 106-94.
Paolo Banchero euros his way past the defense for the easy layup!
Banchero won’t just be asked to lead the offense for the Magic. He needs to be a stopper on defense, too.
The one head-to-head matchup where the Celtics played the Magic at full strength this season came on Jan. 17 at TD Garden. The C’s won by 27, but Banchero excelled defensively. He spent most of his time guarding Jayson Tatum and limited the Celtics superstar to four points on 1-for-4 shooting in that matchup. Tatum shot 11-for-17 against other Magic players in that game. Overall, Celtics players shot 1-for-9 that night when Banchero was the primary defender.
It’s probably a little too early for the Magic to make a statement in the playoffs. This is a really young team, and the Celtics have a distinct advantage in playoff experience, talent, depth and coaching. This should be a short series.
But the Magic play hard. They don’t quit. Banchero is going to be a superstar in the very near future. He has the potential to make this a five- or six-game series if he dominates at both ends of the floor.
