The NBA teams with the worst records would no longer have the best chances of getting the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft as part of a potential, dramatic draft lottery reform, longtime NBA writer Mark Stein and others have reported.
In an apparent effort to discourage tanking, the teams with the fourth-worst through 10th-worst records each would have the best chances at the No. 1 pick – 8.1% – according to Stein. Those teams would get three lottery balls each, per ESPN.
By contrast, the NBA teams with the three worst records each would have a 5.4% chance at the top pick, according to Stein, who reported teams with the 11th-worst through 14th-worst records also would have a 5.4% chance at the top pick. Those teams would get two lottery balls.
This year the bottom three teams – the Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers and Brooklyn Nets – each will have a 14% chance at the No. 1 pick, and the odds drop among lottery teams with better records.
The "3-2-1 lottery" reform proposal, which would expand the lottery to 16 teams from 14 teams, could be approved May 28, according to Stein. The lottery for this year’s draft takes place May 10, when the order of selection among 14 teams will be determined by a lottery machine and the random draw of numbered ping-pong balls.
The additional lottery teams would be those that lose the No. 7 vs. No. 8 Play-In game, according to Stein, who reported that each of those two teams will have a 2.7% shot at the No. 1 pick. They would each have one lottery ball.
Of course, the team with the worst record in the NBA has not been assured of the top pick since 1984. Last year, for example, the Dallas Mavericks had just the 11th-best lottery odds yet won the top pick. They drafted Cooper Flagg, who was named Rookie of the Year.
Granted, every postseason game is paramount, but Game 5s in the NBA playoffs when both teams enter tied at two games apiece are particularly crucial. Historically, the winner of Game 5s when tied at 2-2 go on to win the series 82% of the time.
For New York, it will come down to the plan on offense, and how coach Mike Brown deploys All-Stars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, the latter of whom posted a 20-10-10 triple-double in Game 4 on Saturday, April 25.
The Hawks will need to play quickly and emphasize transition offense; through the first three quarters Saturday, Atlanta had failed to score a single fastbreak point.
From the time the game started to the time he was subbed out when the result was decided, Brunson took 31.5% of New York’s shot attempts. Normally, that’s a rough distribution, but Brunson shot it with efficiency, going 15-of-23 for a game-high 39 points.
Brunson was the only Knick to shoot more than 8 field goal attempts and carried the team’s offense. He also went 3-of-5 from 3-point range.
Since Game 4, the Knicks have found ways for Brunson to be off the ball more than he had earlier in the series, and that has paid dividends. Until the Hawks show they can slow him down, it’s something that’s likely to continue.
“Jalen was great,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said after the game. “His screening is great, his pace is great. We’re just trying to move him around as much as we can so that they can’t catch a rhythm on him.”
The Knicks made four of their first five shots and 8-of-12 to start the game. The Knicks were clearly intending on playing quickly and decisively, and that made a big difference. New York shot 58.5% in the first half.
So far, so good for Towns, who scored 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting in the first half. He has also added 8 rebounds and 4 assists. He finished the game with a double-double – 16 points, 14 rebounds – while also adding six assists, two steals and two blocks.
He has significantly improved his impact on the glass throughout the playoffs, and the first quarter was no different. Anunoby recorded a team-high 7 rebounds in the period. After three quarters, he cracked double-figures and posted 10 boards.
He also added 17 points on 5-of-8 shooting and impacted the game on defense and in hustle plays that do not necessarily show up on box scores.
“I work very hard,” Anunoby said after the game. “We have a great team, my teammates are finding me and I’m playing with a lot of force.”
The Knicks were extremely active on defense, jumping passing lanes and using active hands to cause deflections. That prevented Atlanta from getting easy shots, and led to 10 turnovers for the Hawks.
He hasn’t been as engaged on offense, and his shot selection has felt forced at times in the series, but the Hawks clearly wanted to get Daniels going early. He scored the first two Hawks buckets of the game. Because Daniels hasn’t been a threat, Atlanta’s offense has suffered at times. And because Brunson is guarding him, it’s a matchup the Hawks can exploit.
By the first media timeout, with 6:42 left to play, Daniels was already 3-of-3 with 6 of Atlanta’s 8 points. That matched his point totals from Games 2 and 4 and surpassed his total from Game 1 (4). By halftime, Daniels had 10 points, and he finished with 17 on 7-for-11 shooting, making it his highest-scoring game in the series.
As he does sometimes, he has made an instant impact off the bench. Robinson first swiped a ball on defense that went off of CJ McCollum’s knee for a Hawks turnover. Seconds later, he slammed down a putback jam. Robinson finished with seven points and six rebounds while going 3-for-3 from the floor.
Points in the paint and bench points were an issue for Atlanta. After the first half, New York had a 40-22 edge in the paint, and its bench had outscored Atlanta’s by 6 points. The Knicks continued that advantage in the second half, ending the game with a 60-42 points-in-the-paint edge. They also dominated the Hawks in second-chance points 20-6 and fastbreak points 13-4. New York's bench finished with 38 points, while the Hawks had just 24.
“We can get kind of caught up in individual performances — you always need those — but we need to look at it collectively,” Hawks coach Quin Snyder told reporters after the game. “Everybody needs to make plays for each other. When we’re playing well, that’s what it looks like.”
He was Atlanta’s hero in Games 2 and 3, but the Knicks have thrown extra bodies in their attempt to defend McCollum. Because of that increased ball pressure, McCollum has just 4 points on 2-of-9 shooting through three quarters. He has also missed all three of his free throw attempts. He finished with just six points on 3-of-10 shooting (0-for-2 on 3-pointers) and missed all three of his free throw attempts.
Jonathan Kuminga gets in early foul trouble
He was a massive spark off the bench in Atlanta’s two wins in the series, and the Knicks have looked to attack Kuminga on defense. He was called for a pair of early fouls. He did, however, have a massive alley-oop dunk midway through the period but finished the first quarter 2-of-7 for 4 points.
It’s true that the Knicks are outplaying Atlanta in most facets of this game, so add one more: free throws. The Knicks have been more aggressive about drawing contact when attacking in the paint. New York went 25-of-34 (73.5%) from the line, while the Hawks were a measly 10-of-17 (58.8%).
The Knicks have been at their best when Jalen Brunson (left) and Mile McBride are on the court together.
The numbers jump off the page.
When Jalen Brunson and Miles McBride play together, the Knicks often thrive.
Entering Tuesday’s Game 5 clash against the Hawks at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks had a net rating of 29.5 points when Brunson and McBride were on the floor together this postseason.
The Knicks have been at their best when Jalen Brunson (left) and Mile McBride are on the court together. Getty Images
That net rating was the highest among the top 12 two-man pairings with the most minutes played across the first four games of this first-round series.
The Knicks were excellent on both sides of the ball — with a 120.9 offensive rating and 91.5 defensive rating.
“Try to make his job as easy as possible, as well the rest of the teammates out there,” McBride said of playing with Brunson. “Anytime I’m on the floor, I try to make everybody’s lives easier, whether that’s on the defensive or offensive end. Just bringing whatever I have, whatever my talents are, whatever I see in the game, and do it.”
McBride had a rough start to the postseason, clearly still rusty after missing 28 games in the regular season following sports hernia surgery.
But he was much closer to his best in Games 3 and 4, recording 16 and 13 points, respectively, on a combined 8-for-16 shooting from 3-point range. His workload was also up, playing 31 and 23 minutes.
Jalen Brunson and Miles McBride, celebrating during the Knicks’ Game 4 2 win, entered Tuesday with a the Knicks had a net rating of 29.5 points when they were on the floor together this postseason. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
It’s notable because in both games, McBride was on the floor for most of the second half in place of the benched — and struggling — Mikal Bridges.
“He’s been playing great,” Brunson said of McBride. “To be able to use him in certain actions and play off-ball and obviously his shooting capability, the way he plays defense and everything, he does a lot for our team. So, I think regardless of who’s on the floor, he’s gonna do a lot of great things.”
McBride, as one of the quickest Knicks, has played a pivotal role in helping the team counter the Hawks’ pace.
And, more so than Bridges, he’s been able to take some of the creating burden off Brunson, who is facing constant double-teams and full-court pressure.
Though not a natural point guard, McBride — perhaps more than anyone else on the roster besides Brunson and Josh Hart — is capable of bringing the ball up the court, which allows Brunson to collect it in the half-court and avoid some wear and tear.
With Brunson and McBride on the floor, the Knicks are also having them set screens for each other in guard-guard actions, something the Hawks hurt the Knicks with earlier in the series.
“We’ve done it before and previous seasons, in the playoffs past,” McBride said. “It’s just whatever I see in the game, try to get in it and if it’s working, keep going back to it.”
Coach Mike Brown praised Brunson’s screen-setting ability to make that possible.
“The thing about him, he’s a great screen setter,” Brown said. “He has a really good change of pace where he slips and stuff like that which can cause confusion.”
Amid the constant chess match that goes on during a series, Brunson and McBride have been a winning move.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 06: Yaxel Lendeborg #23 of the Michigan Wolverines looks on during the second half of a game against the UConn Huskies in the National Championship of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 06, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We’re still nearly two months away from the 2026 NBA Draft when, presumably, the Golden State Warriors will add some more young talent. There is, of course, always the chance that the Warriors trade the draft pick in an effort to add a star to the roster, but the most likely outcome is that on June 23, the Dubs add a young player in the lottery.
The playoffs may be the big story in the NBA right now, but for the 14 teams that weren’t invited to the dance, all eyes are on the draft (except, if we’re being honest, for the Warriors, where all eyes are on Steve Kerr’s decision).
Things could get interesting in a hurry for the Warriors, as the lottery hasn’t yet occurred … and while the Warriors are unlikely to move up, they do have a 9.4% chance of earning a top-four pick in a draft that has, well … about four big names.
We’ll have to wait nearly two weeks to see if the Dubs get lucky, but for now we’ll assume that they stay in place, and get the No. 11 pick in the draft. So who might they pick?
ESPN’s Jeremy Woo released his latest mock draft on Tuesday, and has Golden State selecting New Zealand Breakers forward Karim Lopez, who averaged 11.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game a year ago, while shooting 32.6% from three-point range. Lopez just turned 19 years old, and Woo notes that “Selecting a younger player such as Lopez, who has the experience to potentially slot in early on his rookie deal, might help mesh the short and long-term goals.”
Over at The Ringer, they think the Warriors will take Alabama sophomore Labaron Philon Jr., a do-everything guard known for his winning style. Philon averaged 22.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.2 steals per game last year while being named an All-American, and also shot 39.9% from distance. The Ringer’s J. Kyle Mann describes Philon as a, “Gritty and wiry lead guard who, despite having a ‘right play’ mentality, is willing and able to call his own shot and cook at all three levels.“
SB Nation’s own Ricky O’Donnell just released his latest mock draft, and he sees Golden State going with a more experienced option, Michigan senior forward Yaxel Lendeborg. While old for a draftee (he’ll turn 24 before the 2026-27 season starts), Lendeborg is one of the most accomplished players in the draft. After three years in community college, Lendeborg spent three more years in the NCAA, including this most recent season at Michigan, where he won a national championship, was a consensus first-team All-American, and was the Big 10 Player of the Year, while averaging 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game, and shooting 37.2% from distance. Lendeborg is a tremendously versatile player, who will likely be able to play from Day 1 given his age and experience.
As for Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor, he also sees Lopez going to the Warriors at No. 11. O’Connor likes Lopez’s versatility on the Warriors, and notes that, “Draymond Green could actually be quite a good mentor for Lopez, given they’re both hard-nosed players who make a winning effort at all times on the court.”
Hopefully the Warriors strike gold in the lottery and don’t end up with any of these players. But as Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Green have proven, you don’t need to be at the top of the draft to land a franchise-altering talent.
The NBA Draft Lottery will likely see some significant changes next year.
The NBA’s new draft lottery proposal is here.
The league is pushing an expanded “3-2-1 lottery” that would increase the number of teams from 14 to 16, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The new system, which must be approved by NBA owners on May 28, is aimed at curbing tanking and would punish teams that finish with a bottom-five record.
Under the proposal, “teams that do not qualify for the playoffs or play-in tournament but stay out of the relegation zone (spots four through 10) would receive three lottery balls each,” per Charania.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver addresses the media following the Board of Governors meetings on March 25, 2026 at the St. Regis Hotel in New York City. NBAE via Getty Images
The teams with the three worst records would go to the relegation zone, meaning they “would have just two lottery balls but have a floor of the 12th pick, while the rest of the 13 lottery teams could fall as far as the 16th pick.”
Teams that undergo long-term tanking efforts would be punished as well.
If approved, teams couldn’t win the lottery in back-to-back years or get three straight top-five picks.
As tanking chatter grows louder around the NBA, the commissioner’s office is exploring a new way to make losing less appealing.
“We should have a system where you should hate to lose,” commissioner Adam Silver reportedly said on a recent conference call. “It shouldn’t be a badge of honor. Losing should be uncomfortable.”
The NBA Draft Lottery will likely see some significant changes next year. Anadolu via Getty Images
The current system sends 14 non-playoff teams to the lottery, where the franchises with the worst three records each have a 14 percent chance of winning the No. 1 pick.
The odds of winning the No. 1 pick decrease gradually for the other 11 teams outside the top three, from 12.5 percent for the team with the fourth-worst record to 0.7 percent for the team with the 14th-worst record.
“Incentives need to be fixed,” Silver said last month. “We will fix them. I’m looking forward to that.”
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 26: Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game Four of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 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
Chat about tonight’s NBA playoff games here. Sorry I’ve been busy all day!
Forward Tyran Stokes committed to Kansas, he announced on "Inside the NBA" on Tuesday, April 28 in a major get for Bill Self and the Jayhawks.
It's been a major sweepstakes as programs awaited to see where Stokes would choose to play college ball, as he was the last major prospect yet to announce his decision. He is the consensus No. 1 recruit in the country per 247Sports and ESPN. The Seattle-native chose Kansas over other contenders in Kentucky, Oregon, Louisville and Southern California.
The newest Jayhawk is also a contender to be the top overall pick in the 2027 NBA Draft.
Breaking: Tyran Stokes, the No. 1 recruit in the SC Next 100 Class of 2026, has committed to Kansas, he announced on Inside the NBA. pic.twitter.com/tPjZWdLYPo
At 6-7 and 230 pounds, Stokes has displayed elite skills on both sides of the ball to make him one of the top high school players in the country. He has the ability to handle to ball on the perimeter while also dominating near the bucket, all while maintaining a stout defensive game with the ability to create steals.
In his senior season at Rainier Beach (Seattle), he averaged 31 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and four steals per game while leading his team to a state title. He also had one game where he scored 63 points.
What Tyran Stokes means for Kansas
By choosing the Jayhawks, Self also secures another talented recruiting class that includes two five-star prospects in Stokes and guard Taylen Kinney, and brings a major boost to Lawrence after concerns about the future.
There was speculation Self could retire after Kansas was eliminated in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, the fourth straight season the Jayhawks failed to advance to the Sweet 16. However, he decide to return for his 24th season, and he gets another top recruit in the process after last season's team featured Darryn Peterson, who declared for the NBA draft..
Peterson was one of several players that have left Kansas, which includes Flory Bidunga, Melvin Council Jr. and Bryson Tiller.
Stokes gives Kansas a chance to improve its March fortune, trying to compete for another national championship since winning it all in 2022. In addition to Stokes and Kinney, other recruits include four-star rated players in center Davion Adkins, forward Trent Perry and guard Luke Barnett. Kansas also got additions in the transfer portal in Keanu Dawes (Utah), Christian Reeves (Charleston) and Leroy Blyden Jr. (Toledo).
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 25: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks reacts after a collision to his knee against the Atlanta Hawks during the fourth quarter of game four of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs at State Farm Arena on April 25, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Knicks (2-2) host the Atlanta Hawks tonight at Madison Square Garden in Game Five of their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series. A win puts either team one victory away from advancing to the second round.
Tip-off is 8:00 pm EST on NBC and Peacock. This is your game thread. This is Peachtree Hoops. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Be shining ambassadors of Knicks fandom. And go Knickerbockers!
I hope you didn’t turn the TV off when the Celtics were up 13.
The Celtics went up 63-50 a couple minutes into the third quarter Tuesday night in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference First-Round series at TD Garden.
The rest of the game? Sixers 63-44.
It added up to an improbable 113-97 Sixers win, reducing the Celtics’ lead in the best-of-seven series to three games to two.
You want stats?
We got stats!
THEY SCORED 11 POINTS: The Celtics have played 400 home playoff games in franchise history, and their 11 points Tuesday night are the 4th-fewest they’ve ever scored in the fourth quarter of a home playoff game. They scored nine against the Bucks in 1983, 10 against the 76ers (Syracuse Nationals) in 1954 and 10 vs. the Pacers in 2005. It’s their 5th-fewest in any game in 754 all-time playoff games. It’s their fewest 4th-quarter points vs. the 76ers in any game – regular season or postseason – in 36 years, since they had nine in a 97-93 76ers win at Boston Garden in 1988. The 76ers’ 17-point 4th-quarter advantage – 28-11 – is the 5th-largest ever against the Celtics in a playoff game and it’s tied for the 76ers’ 2nd -largest ever. Their only larger 4th-quarter playoff margin was 18 points (32-14) in a win over the Heat in their 2018 Eastern Conference 1st-round game at American Airlines Arena.
BIGGEST LOST EVER: The Celtics led 86-85 going into the fourth quarter before losing by 16 points. That makes this the Celtics’ worst loss ever when they led going into the fourth quarter. Their previous biggest loss after leading going into the fourth quarter was 15 points when they led the Pistons 73-71 in Game 3 of their 1989 Eastern Conference First-Round series before losing 100-85 at Boston Garden. It was also the 76ers’ biggest postseason win after trailing going into the fourth quarter. They won three games by eight points after trailing after three quarters, most recently in 1982, when they trailed the Celtics 90-88 going into the fourth quarter of Game 2 of their 1982 Eastern Conference Finals series at Boston Garden before winning 121-113. The Celtics were 46-5 in their last 51 playoff games when they had the lead going into the fourth quarter and 60-5 all-time vs. the 76ers when leading in the playoffs going into the fourth quarter.
MAGIC FROM JOEL: Joel Embiid shot 0-for-5 from 3 but 12-for-23 overall from the field for 52 percent. He’s only the second player in NBA history to shoot over 50 percent from the field and score 33 points in a game where he took at least five 3’s and didn’t make any of them. In 2017, Kyrie Irving was 0-for-7 in the Cavs’ loss to the Golden State Warriors but shot 16-for-29 overall (55 percent). Before this series, only 12 Sixers had ever shot 0-for-5 in a playoff game. In this series, three 76ers have done it a total of four times – Kelly Oubre in Game 1, V.J. Edgecombe in Games 1 and 3 and Embiid in Game 5.
76ERS OWN TD GARDEN: After beating the Celtics 111-97 in Game 2 last Tuesday and again in Game 5 Tuesday night, the 76ers have won back-to-back games in a series in Boston for the first time in 58 years. In 1968, they beat the Celtics 115-106 in Game 2 of their Eastern Division Finals series at Boston Garden and four days later won 110-105 in Game 4. They wound up losing that series in seven games. Last time the 76ers won any two games in a row in Boston was in 1980 and 1981. They won Game 5 of their 1980 Eastern Conference Finals series 105-94 and a year later won Game 1 of their 1981 Eastern Conference Finals series 105-104. They won the 1980 series and lost the 1981 series.
HOW ABOUT THAT 4TH QUARTER? In the fourth quarter, the Celtics shot 3-for-22 from the field for 14 percent and 1-for-14 from 2-point range for 7 percent. They had 29 possessions and made three baskets. In the fourth quarter alone, Neemias Queta was minus-16, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White were both minus-14 and Jayson Tatum was minus-9. Tatum, Brown, White and Queta shot a combined 1-for-15 in the fourth quarter. For the 76ers, V.G. Edgecombe, Tyrese Maxey, Quentin Grimes and Paul George were all plus-16 an Embiid was plus-16. The 76ers shot 9-for-17 in the fourth quarter for 53 percent. And how about this: In the fourth quarter alone, Maxey and Edgecombe – two guards – combined for nine rebounds, five for Maxey, four for Edgecombe. Maxey and Embiid each had as many baskets in the fourth quarter as the Celtics.
HE’S ALMOST 36: George, who turns 36 on Thursday, had 16 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and two steals, becoming the 5th-oldest player in NBA history to reach those benchmarks in a playoff game. The only older players with 16, 9, 7 and 2 are LeBron James, Kareem Jabbar, Steph Curry and Scottie Pippen.
WHERE DID THIS COME FROM? Andre Drummond made his only 3-point attempt, and he’s now 4-for-6 from 3 in the series. That’s more 3’s than he had in five regular seasons from 2021 through 2025 combined (three).
GRIMES FROM ARDMORE! Grimes made four 3’s in just 24 minutes, the 2nd most 3-pointers in franchise history by a player in 24 or fewer minutes. Buddy Hield made six against the Knicks in 2024. Grimes’ four 3’s is also 3rd-most in 76ers history by a player off the bench. In addition to Hield in 2024, DeAndre Melton made five off the bench in Boston in 2023.
Adam Silver and the NBA's quixotic quest to end tanking reached a new level of complexity on Tuesday when the league unveiled a new plan to the 30 league GMs on a conference call.
This new "3-2-1" system — named after how many ping pong balls each team would get, depending upon their finish — would expand the lottery to 16 teams, according to reports by Shams Charania at ESPN and Sam Amick at The Athletic. Here is how the new system would break down:
• The teams with the three worst records in the league would fall into a "relegation zone" and be penalized by only getting two lottery balls, not three like other teams that missed the playoffs. Those three teams would have a 5.4% chance at the No. 1 pick, and in this system could fall no further than 12th. Meaning the team that was the worst the season before could well draft 10th, 11th or 12th.
• Teams that missed the playoffs but were not one of the worst three — teams four through 10 at the bottom of the standings — would get three lottery balls and an 8.1% chance at the No. 1 pick.
• Teams that finish as the No. 9 and 10 seeds in each conference will each get two lottery balls.
• Teams that lose the 7-8 play-in for each conference get one lottery ball (2.7% chance of landing the No. 1 pick).
• Teams cannot win the No. 1 pick in consecutive years or have three consecutive top-five picks.
• Going forward, teams could not protect picks in slots 12 through 15.
• The NBA would have expanded authority to regulate and discipline tanking teams and potentially remove some of their lottery balls.
• This system would expire in 2029, at which time it could be extended, modified or scrapped entirely.
This or any new system put in place would need to be approved by a vote of the NBA owners, which is scheduled for May 28 at the Board of Governors meeting. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, "the key points of the framework have a majority of the support from teams."
Is it a good plan?
The fact that it took me eight bullet points to try to explain the system says a lot.
Look at it this way: If this new proposed system were in place this season, the Golden State Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder (which controls the LA Clippers pick), Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets all would have the exact same lottery odds as the Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards and Sacramento Kings.
Is that the point of the draft?
The league's argument for its plan is a good one is that it incentivizes its worst teams to win and avoid the "relegation zone," so teams will not all-out tank. The league has been focused on that exact point (seemingly almost exclusively).
The problem with that theory is that these are not quality teams choosing to lose, they are bad teams — some certainly trying to be worse to improve lottery odds, but not good to start with — that need good players to turn things around. This proposal makes it harder for those struggling teams to get the best players.
All of this would change future lotteries for which picks were traded, assuming they would be under the old system or something close to it. This could dramatically mess with the value of picks.
This entire new plan is Silver and the league office reacting to a year when a lot of teams chose to focus on the draft because it is particularly deep. If the NBA did nothing, tanking would be far less of an issue next season because the draft class is not considered nearly as deep or as talented.
The NBA owners can tweak and modify any system put in front of them, but they will have to be pushed by their GMs to do so. It's going to be an interesting month to see how that plays out.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 23: Jonathan Kuminga #0 of the Atlanta Hawks recovers a loose ball against Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks during the final seconds of the fourth quarter of game three of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs at State Farm Arena on April 23, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Atlanta Hawks (2-2) try to repeat their Game 2 win in Madison Square Garden tonight in Game 5.
Jock Landale (right high ankle sprain) has been ruled out.
Starting lineup:
G CJ McCollum
G Nickeil Alexander-Walker
F Dyson Daniels
F Jalen Johnson
C Onyeka Okongwu
Please join in the comments below as you follow along.
Where, When, and How to Watch and Listen
Location: Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York, NY
HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 24: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Houston Rockets during Round 1 Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2026 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
With both teams suffering a slew of injuries to key players, this Lakers-Rockets series hasn’t exactly been beautiful basketball. All of the games have featured offensive struggles and the winning team having to grit and grind their way to victory.
The Lakers have been the better team under these conditions and won the first three games. In Game 4, though, they couldn’t complete the first-round sweep and were blown out by the Rockets.
Los Angeles out-rebounded Houston and scored more points in the paint despite Alperen Şengün having a stellar game, so why weren’t they able to pull off the win?
LeBron James offered an explanation postgame.
“Defense wasn’t our problem tonight,” LeBron said. “It was our offense. Defense wasn’t our problem. I mean, s—, we turned the ball over 23 times for 30 points?… Defense wasn’t our problem. It was offense.”
Not only did the Lakers turn the ball over constantly, but even when they held possession, they didn’t do much with it. As a team, they went 5-22 from 3-point range, which equals a woeful 23% from deep.
LA scoring just 96 points in Game 4, just isn’t enough to win many postseason games. Even in victories, the purple and gold have struggled offensively. In these playoffs, they have an offensive rating of 108.6, which ranks 11th out of 16 playoff teams.
“This is a top ten defense the entire season,” Lakers head coach JJ Redick said. “It’s obviously very challenging without your two leading scorers to generate offense. We’ll take a look at the process again on that end as well. I know our points per shot and our expected points per shot were slightly below our season average. So, to me, it goes back to the two keys. Take care of the ball and we’ll look at that and how we can be better there.”
If he does, then that gives LA a tremendous offensive boost. Reaves averages 23.3 points per game and is a much more reliable player to depend on to score 20-plus points than, say, Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard, who have done it during this series, but can’t regularly.
“Again, they played a great game,” Redick said. “I think our guys came into the game with the right intent. [Houston] certainly played a really good offensive game. They didn’t do anything differently. We can certainly be better with some of our small details whether it be pick and roll up to touch, our shifts, all that stuff. Our shifts to close, we did a better job of boxing out tonight but some of that was they made more shots. We’re going to look at it over the next two days and get better.”
Despite the offensive struggles, the Lakers are still in the driver’s seat. They are up 3-1, have Game 5 at home up next and have home court in case somehow this series goes the distance.
If they can make the appropriate adjustments and get Reaves back, they can still easily win and advance to play the Thunder.
The main path towards that outcome is to improve offensively. So far, Redick and the Lakers have proven that when things need fixing, they get it done. We’ll see if they do so in Game 5.
Lakers coach JJ Redick knows how difficult it is to close out a playoff series.
When asked ahead of Sunday’s Game 4 loss to the Rockets about the challenge of closing out a series, Redick was quick to provide a reminder that he was on the Clippers team that blew the 3-1 series lead to the Rockets in the 2015 Western Conference semifinals before eventually losing the series in seven games.
But he was also on the Magic team that forced a Game 6 in the 2010 Eastern Conference finals matchup to the Celtics after trailing 3-0 in the series.
Lakers coach JJ Redick understands what it’s like to blow a 3-1 series lead when, as a player in 2015, his LA Clippers team led the Rockets 3-1 before losing 4-3 in the Western Conference semifinals. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Once a team’s backs are against the wall, their sense of desperation heightens. Holes that would’ve been easier to exploit in the series are either filled because the game plans adjust, or added hustle makes it more challenging to capitalize off the weaknesses.
The Lakers just saw how difficult it was to close out their best-of-seven first round series against the Rockets.
They were more aggressive and physical defensively, a significant reason for the Lakers’ 24 turnovers that led to 30 Rockets’ points.
The Rockets finally found an offensive rhythm and attacked the weak points in the Lakers’ defense, helping them score a series-high 115 points on series-bests of 48.1% shooting from the field, 52.9% on 2-pointers (27 of 51) and 40% shooting on 3-pointers (12 of 30).
The Game 4 victory in Houston was so energizing for the Rockets that on Tuesday starting forward Jabari Smith said: “We’re obviously the better team. I just feel like from top to bottom…we’re the better team.”
One victory gave the Rockets life.
That’s what the Lakers are looking to take away during Wednesday’s Game 5 at Crypto.com Arena – metaphorically, of course.
“Well, you have to kill them,” Redick responded when asked why it’s so difficult to close out a playoff series. “It’s difficult to kill someone. You’ve got to…again, survival instincts say, ‘I want to stay alive.’ And so, you got to be able to kill them. That’s what [it takes].”
Having generated the greatest 3-1 comeback in NBA history, LeBron James understands the importance of Game 5 at home when the Lakers host the Rockets Wednesday night at 7 p.m. AP
Statistics and history are on the Lakers’ side to wrap up the first round series, and do so quickly.
Since the NBA moved to a 16-team playoff format in 1984, no team in league history has come back from a 3-0 deficit in the 125 instances it happened entering this year’s playoffs.
That includes a perfect 105-0 record for the team that entered the series with homecourt advantage.
The Rockets are one of just 39 teams to force a Game 5 after dropping the first two road games and first home game consecutively under the 2-2-1-1-1 format.
Of those 39, just eight forced a Game 6.
And of those eight, only two forced a Game 7: the Nuggets in the 1994 Western Conference semifinals against the Jazz; and the Trail Blazers against the Mavericks in the first round of the 2003 playoffs.
Most recently, the Celtics forced a Game 7 against the Heat in the 2023 Eastern Conference finals, but that was after dropping their first two home games and their first road game.
Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. added fuel to the fire ahead of Game 5 against the Lakers when he told media, “We’re obviously the better team. I just feel like from top to bottom…we’re the better team.” NBAE via Getty Images
But all of those series ended the same: The team that had the three-game lead won.
But the Rockets took the most important step in their attempt to pull off the improbable comeback. They won a game at home.
“I mean it’s tough to play in the playoffs on the road,” Luke Kennard said on Tuesday. “It’s just how it is and we saw that in Game 3, we came up with a great win, but Game 4, they took it up another level. I don’t want to say we weren’t ready for it because we talked about it but at the same time it’s tough and we knew that. They made some good adjustments, so give some credit to them for that. But for us, again, we gotta come back and protect home court and be ready for Game 5.”
The Rockets will have renewed life in Game 5. And confidence.
The Lakers’ mission is to ensure it doesn’t last any longer.
The San Antonio Spurs will try to close out the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 5 of the teams’ first-round playoff series. The Spurs rallied from a 17-point halftime deficit to win Game 4 114-93 on Sunday and take a 3-1 series lead. With one more victory, the Spurs will advance to face the winner of the Minnesota Timberwolves-Denver Nuggets series.
How to watch Portland Trail Blazers vs. San Antonio Spurs
The men's and women's NCAA basketball tournaments are on the cusp of expanding to 76 teams, ESPN reported, in the final stages of a move that has long been rumored. It is set to take place for the 2027 tournament.
The outlet said the expansion is on track to be formalized in May − when it will be officially announced − with media contracts discussions ongoing. It will need approval from the men's and women's basketball committees, the men's and women's basketball oversight committees, the Division I Cabinet and the DI Board of Governors to be finalize.
One of the most divisive topics in college hoops, the conversation surrounding tournament expansion had been picking up steam since 2025, with NCAA president Charlie Baker strongly indicating it would be happening in the near future. The current format of 68 teams has been in use since 2011 for the men's and 2022 for the women's fields.
What will expanded NCAA Tournament look like?
The expanded tournament won't have much of an effect on the first round, considered one of the best days of the tournament when 32 games take place over a two-day period. However, it will alter who ends up playing those first round games.
Eight more spots will be added into the play-in games, with the men's tournament having a First Four that goes from eight teams in four games to 24 teams playing 12 games to make the first round of the tournament, according to ESPN. Those teams will play for the right to go against teams that have already secured spots in the first round of the tournament.
It's unknown how many of those spots will be allocated to at-large teams, and how many will be automatic qualifiers like the current format, which has four mid-major teams and four at-large squads. There also needs to be a decision on where the games will be played, as the First Four has taken place in Dayton, Ohio since 2011, with the exception of the 2021 edition held in Indianapolis.
While it would add more games to one of the most exciting tournaments in college sports, there are concerns it would water down the postseason, allowing teams with near .500 records a chance to play for a national title despite having lackluster resumes. Also, there's curiosity how many of the new spots will go to teams from Power conferences as opposed to quality mid-major candidates.
“It's become stacked against mid majors now. Whether that's been the purpose of those who oversee the system or not is unclear to me, but with the way that they're deciding the tournament bids now, it's virtually impossible,” UC Irvine coach Russell Turner told USA TODAY Sports in July. “I don't see that changing if they let more teams in. I think they let more teams in, they're just going to end up letting more power conference teams in.”
