The NBA Playoffs are back in the Big Apple for Game 5 between the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks.
New York holds home court after locking this series at 2-2, and my NBA picks like the momentum to stay in Madison Square Garden, with Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart making a splash.
Our best Hawks vs Knicks SGP for Game 5
SGP leg #1: New York Knicks moneyline
The New York Knicks’ playoff experience is starting to show after four games. The Knicks are making smart adjustments and have a better cast of support players to pick up the slack. I like New York to put the Atlanta Hawks on the ropes with a strong showing at MSG.
SGP leg #2: Karl-Anthony Towns Over 3.5 assists
Karl-Anthony Towns was a conduit for this Knicks offense in Game 4, generating 10 assists as he set up shop atop the key. Towns was able to see over smaller defenders and find teammates activated from off-ball screens and backdoor cuts. He’s dished out four or more dimes in seven of his last eight games overall.
SGP leg #3: Josh Hart Over 1.3 threes
Josh Hart is best known for his defense and rebounding, which is why he continues to get wide-open looks from long range. Hart hasn’t been able to make the most of those 3-point attempts, but is a much stronger shooter at MSG and makes the Hawks pay for all that space on the perimeter.
Get Jason's full breakdown of this game, including his best bet, plus the latest NBA odds, injuries, and betting trends, in his Hawks vs. Knicks predictions for Game 5.
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 25: Director Spike Lee reacts during the fourth quarter of game four of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs between the Atlanta Hawks and the New York Knicks 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
Only one more sleep. Fewer than 34 hours.
Hawks at Knicks, Game 5 at MSG.
Let’s beat ‘em birds.
Knicks head coach Mike Brown could be on the hot seat even if New York wins the East this year, per @sam_amick.
“The noise surrounding the Knicks’ Mike Brown won’t die down unless they reach the NBA Finals, and even that might not be good enough for the first-year New York coach… pic.twitter.com/UCqGbx3CDx
“Josh was really good on the ball. Josh is a guy with quick feet, he’s strong and when he gets locked in, he’s locked in. His defensive activity, especially when he [pressures the ball], was fabulous [Saturday night]. Really, really good. And we needed all of it.”
On giving Hart differente defensive assignments:
“We just wanted to move Josh around. Josh, his ball pressure is good. He’s strong, he’s got pretty good feet, he’s got long arms and he locks into the ball, so he’s able to get some deflections without fouling because of his long arms. CJ is a handful, so we just gotta keep finding ways to show him different looks, which means different guys gotta guard him at different times.”
On the defensive changes applied in Game 4:
“The players in that locker room (made the change). We didn’t change anything in transition. Our rules are still the same. We just got back.”
On adjusting his game to more of a playmaking role:
“I think that the difference for me today over other days — and I thought I did a good job playmaking this series — was instead of trying to lead people to a spot, I just passed it to where they were and let them make the decision. I thought that helped me a lot today, getting my teammates the ball earlier and allowing them to make a decision and then convert on those plays. So, just being aggressive and playmaking and trying to be playing quarterback at those spots when I got the ball.”
On finding joy in facilitating:
“Just to see my teammates being special and to be able to get them involved is something I truly enjoy more than hitting a shot. To see people like OG consistently making the right read on the cut, the back door, whatever the case may be against the defense and doing something special, it brings me joy and it brings me the most energy.”
On Knicks fans traveling:
“Knicks fans travel all around the world. It’s even more special — I already knew how special the Knicks fans were from last year, but to be going to Abu Dhabi in preseason and see the stadium packed with Knicks fans is crazy. So, they travel around the world. They bring us so much love and energy and just passion that you can just feel that kind of passion in the building and it helps us feel like every game we play, no matter if it’s away or in Abu Dhabi, around the world, it’s a home game.”
"He's gotta come out like that every game––which he will"
“[KAT] is a special talent. He can do it all. And I know if I get open, he’ll find me. No matter how tight the window is, he’ll be able to find it. It’s amazing playing with a player like him.”
On Hart’s defensive impact:
“It makes it easier, because it gives me more time to rotate toward the rim and then also make a read on if the ball handler is gonna pick up his dribble or if he’s going to the rim full speed, because Josh is pressuring him. So it just makes it easier what to do. He’s doing an amazing job being physical, getting into the ball. He’s beating guys up. And that’s what he does.”
“I’ve been trying to do that every game this series, trying to be physical with those guys, take that challenge upon myself. Don’t think there was anything different today. Trying to do what I’ve been doing. I haven’t been making shots. So I’ve got to make sure I find a way to be impactful.”
On not being satisfied after Game 4:
“You never know what that can be. You can’t be satisfied with this performance. You can’t go into Game 5 thinking we had a great game, and they’re just going to lay down, ’cause they’re not. They’re going to come out with a sense of urgency, a sense of physicality that they probably haven’t shown yet. We’ve got to be ready to weather that storm and have our own physicality.”
Tirico "Tell us about the game
Spike "We had a plan & we executed
Reggie "What was the plan?
Spike "Well…how far's Magic City from here😂and they had a Magic City Night & Commissioner said nah😂We in Atlanta!😂I've never been, ever. Tonya !😂 … Tirico "Game 5…You'll be in… pic.twitter.com/mZT441qzUX
“I think we refocused and understood what was going to be needed tonight. Most importantly, just not being afraid to fail is a mindset we need to have. Let’s go out there and leave it all on the table.”
On his ankle injury scare:
“I’m right here. I’m all good.”
On Knicks fans traveling:
“It’s one of the coolest things that I will always remember when I’m done playing, is how crazy these Knicks fans travel. Whether they live here now or whatever, they know how to attack an away stadium. And it’s a really cool sight to see.”
"We know they gonna come back and try to punch us in the mouth when we at the crib
“It’s beautiful, bro. I’m just happy to be playing for something again, playing in the playoffs. This high is something you can’t buy.”
On sacrificing his scoring role in New York:
“I don’t think it was something I wanted to prove. I just wanted to impact this team, help this team get a win and continue to win. That’s it. That’s sacrificing what I’ve done for the last 12 years, and that’s scoring.”
On his defensive focus and intensity:
“It was just being aggressive, getting into the ball, picking up guys and then rebounding — turning it up on that end. Those are things that they’ve been preaching to me all year. I’ve been out of this kind of intensity basketball for the last three years. So playing myself back into game shape and this high-intensity playoff effort all through the year. Just for a time like this.”
On his years with the tanking Jazz:
“It was definitely tough. Not playing to win something and working towards a goal. My job there wasn’t to be this role that I’m in right now, either. So definitely different there. So trying to stay locked in through the year, knowing we’re not playing for nothing in the playoffs. And looking forward to that. But still continue to be a pro, work on my game, during that time.”
On the Game 5 mindset:
“We know [the Hawks] are going to try to come back and punch us in the mouth when we’re at the crib. So we got to be ready.”
Carmelo Anthony was impressed by the Knicks gameplan and KAT in their game 4 victory. 👏 pic.twitter.com/qjvGVuJ1yw
“We talk about KAT, about what we always want to see from KAT. From him today to lead the team by his passing, by his aggressiveness and then took advantage of the defense when he could. He just played a complete game.”
GOOD GOAL? 🤔
Ryan Poehling's OT winner came down to a lengthy video review after this was called a goal on the ice, and later confirmed.
MINNEAPOLIS , MN - APRIL 25: Head coach Chris Finch of the Minnesota Timberwolves exchanges with Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) of the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter of the Timberwolves' 112-96 win in game four of their NBA Playoffs series at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post) | Denver Post via Getty Images
All season long, members of the Minnesota Timberwolves had insisted to the coaching staff that things would be different come playoff time.
During a December back-to-back series in New Orleans, Anthony Edwards mentioned that the team was already looking forward to the playoffs.
IN DECEMBER.
Only four months to go!
At the beginning of December, Anthony Edwards said it felt to him like the Wolves were "waiting around for the playoffs"
Asked Edwards today if it felt that way for most of the regular season.
"Yeah, it felt like that at times, like we was just trying to get through season to… pic.twitter.com/8KSJkHyqjt
So, all included, surely game one would wake a team up from a malaise of a season in which they said would get better once the postseason started, right?
Not quite.
“They kept telling me it would be different when we get there, and game one wasn’t any different…so we jumped their ass,” coach Chris Finch said at the podium after a rollercoaster game two. “They lied to us, and they responded.”
Did they ever. Over the last three games, the Wolves have played with a composure that has them sustaining runs and preventing the Nuggets from going on them, locking in defensively, and sharing the ball in the half court that allows them to get to the teeth of the defense.
None of this, and I repeat NONE, was visible in the regular season for multi-game stretches. Quarters? Sure. A game? Sure, I can hear that out. A whole run? No way.
“I knew it was there,” Finch said.
But he continued – and it’s worth the whole quote.
“It was very frustrating. Sometimes it was focus, sometimes it was effort, sometimes it was execution. We couldn’t sustain what we wanted to in order to be a top team at the time. Guys were admittedly probably bored. Some immaturity of two long runs in the playoffs and we thought we would take a step forward there, and we didn’t.”
He would go on to talk about the banter heading into the playoffs, and the ensuing game one loss and motivation that would follow.
But the product of all of this is a night that everyone will remember for a really long time. Donte DiVincenzo went down just 1:19 into the game holding his calf, the worst becoming true with a torn achilles. An injury of that magnitude that can surely take the wind out of the sails of a team playing so well up until that point, and starting out game four on a tear.
For a team that so often would pack it up and mail it in over the course of the season, a reason to do so dropped right into their lap. It’s a pretty traumatic event, and obviously shakes up a rotation well beyond what the coaching staff is going into the game expecting.
Then your best player goes down for the rest of the game. The powerhouse of the team.
Though Anthony Edwards was playing poorly up until that point, it’s never an actual good thing for a player of his caliber to leave the game, believe it or not. It left a team beginning to really find itself in an immediate place of searching for answers in a playoff setting they had been hoping to see all season.
Multiple people had just become more important at work.
Hampered with a shoulder injury, Naz Reid would need to step up his game beyond what he was giving. Bones Hyland would need to become a more important scorer and collapse defenses (he will moving forward as well). Terrence Shannon Jr. will need to become a version of himself that was expected heading into the season.
“These playoff games really matter,” Naz Reid said afterward. “Every possession, every moment, every second. Making sure that we make smart plays..we want to make things happen in our favor, try not to have boneheaded mistakes we had throughout the season, and right now it’s super crucial.”
Reid would go one to live by it, putting up his best game in over a month, and helping to chip in on the production left out on the floor by his injured counterparts.
Injuries independent, the theme now moving forward lies in the mentality of this group heading into game five.
I tried to ask as many members of the group as possible what they’ve found in the playoffs that they previously didn’t have in the regular season.
The hero of the night’s answer put it all in a bow.
“I’m not gonna lie, I knew we guarded like that, but the intesnity…each and every possession, just seeing the guys fight,” 43-point scorer Ayo Dosunmu said.
Just arriving in February, Dosunmu’s arrival was in the middle of the season’s doldrums, and the guard would have a unique perspective on the personality resurgence currently taking place.
“Everytime [Jaden] was on the court guarding Murray, he was guarding him like his life depended on it.”
Like their life depends on it.
Surely a mental place that this team has gotten to. But now, the challenge is much more unique. The Wolves will now head on the road to try and close a talented team out down two starters, and in desperate need of their bench to find the continuous life they did on Saturday night. More crucial will be showing one of the more talented two man pairings in the league that there isn’t a way forward in the series in Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray – smothered offensively for the last three games.
While things look positive, there is still basketball to be played.
More importantly, up 3-1, the Wolves will need to channel their their “life depends on it” mindset, even though it doesn’t right now – and fight off the demons that prevented a sense of urgency in the first place.
Former Northwestern center Cade Bennerman has committed to North Carolina via the NCAA Transfer Portal. He didn’t see any action as a true freshman in the 2025-26 season and ultimately redshirted.
Cade Bennerman played high school basketball at Father Ryan (TN), where he was a three-star prospect. The 7-foot center was the No. 219 overall player and No. 26 center in the 2025 recruiting cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Rankings.
At the time of his commitment to Louisville, Bennerman was the No. 30 center in On3’s 2026 Transfer Portal Player Rankings. On April 21, North Carolina also landed a front-court commitment from former FAU forward Maxim Logue.
Bennerman and Logue will help fill the roster hole left by Henri Veesar, who declared for the 2026 NBA Draft. Veesar averaged 17.0 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game this past season, while shooting 60.8% from the field and 42.6% from beyond the arc.
For his efforts, Veesar was named an All-ACC Second-Team selection this year.Veesar was offered up to $6 million by teams attempting to lure him into the transfer portal this offseason, per CBS Sports‘ Matt Norlander. Nonetheless, he opted to move onto the next chapter of his career.
The Tar Heels are undergoing significant roster turnover after firing head coach Hubert Davis this offseason and replacing him with longtime NBA HC Michael Malone. Malone coached in the NBA from 2001-25.
He led the Denver Nuggets to an NBA championship in 2023. Now, he’s ready to guide North Carolina to similar success.
“Carolina is one of the most historic programs in college basketball, and I am honored to be the head coach of the Tar Heels,” Malone said. “It is humbling to follow so many legends in Chapel Hill. I know from the many Tar Heels in the NBA how special the Carolina Basketball Family is, and I will do everything I can to continue UNC’s championship legacy while preparing our players for professional careers and life after basketball.”
The NCAA Transfer Portal officially opened on April 7 and closed on April 21. The new 15-day window was enacted following a recommendation by the men’s basketball oversight committee. Athletes did not have to commit to a new school by the April 21 deadline.
MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 8: Jericho Sims #00 and Pete Nance #35 of the Milwaukee Bucks box out Moritz Wagner #21 of the Orlando Magic during the game on March 8, 2026 at Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images). | NBAE via Getty Images
Up next in our pop quiz series are the Bucks’ backup bigs: Bobby Portis, Jericho Sims, and Pete Nance. But while they share on-court positions, these guys play completely different games. How well do you know them?
Bobby Portis’ season started slowly, with the veteran averaging just 8.8 PPG on less than 40% shooting from the field through Milwaukee’s first eight games, and it seemed his flaws were becoming too much to gloss over. But you can’t keep a good shooter down for long, and by the end of November he was up to 11.2 PPG, shooting nearly 50% from the floor (48%) and three (47%). Portis’ hot streak continued, so much so that he was invited to participate in the three-point contest during All-Star Weekend. But with Milwaukee continuing to struggle and looking to rectify this by making a splash at the trade deadline, Portis’ contract and skillset had him in nearly every Bucks trade rumour. Of course, none of those scenarios came to fruition, and Portis finished the season with his typical Bucks’ numbers—albeit with a near-career-low rebounding percentage.
Jericho Sims’ season was a tale of two halves. In the first, he played sporadically—13.9 MPG in 32 of the Bucks’ opening 46 games—averaging just 2.8 PPG, 3.6 RPG, and 0.6 APG, while turning the ball over way too often (1.0 per game) for a guy with such low usage. In the second half, everything changed. No longer relegated to the dunker spot, Sims became something of an offensive hub, his confidence increasing seemingly by the day. In this second half stretch, Sims played 35 of a possible 36 games, increasing his averages to 24.9 MPG, 7.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, and 2.4 APG, while turning it over just 1.2 times per game. He even posted a triple-double in a late-season game against the Detroit Pistons. Metamorphosis complete, Sims enters the offseason in a good spot—pick up his player option for 2026–27 or enter free agency following the best basketball of his career.
Despite a strong Summer League, Pete Nance started the year as an afterthought, finishing 18th in our Ranking the Roster series. As a mature two-way player who was ineligible for postseason play, this was completely understandable. But Nance was not deterred, making the most of his opportunities when he got them. By the end of February—after a strong stretch where he played 16 consecutive games, shooting 61% from the field and 53% from three—Nance had won his way into fans’ hearts. In fact, 77% of them wanted him converted into a standard contract and were happy to waive Andre Jackson Jr., Gary Harris, Taurean Prince, Gary Trent Jr., or Cam Thomas to do so. By late March, they got their wish, with the Bucks signing Nance to a multi-year deal and surprisingly cutting Thomas to do so. Locked up for the next two seasons, Nance’s 2025–26 campaign is yet another chapter in the book of two-way success stories.
Tantalising totals
(1) Portis hit a career-high 135 three-pointers across the season. How many times did he hit five or more?
Click to reveal answer
Four, including a season-high six against the Indiana Pacers.
(2) Sims dished out a career-high 10 assists in an end-of-season triple-double vs. the Detroit Pistons. How many times did he set or tie his career high in assists across the season?
Click to reveal answer
Six.
(3) In his 47 games, how many times did Nance score double digits?
Click to reveal answer
12, including a career-high 23 against the Houston Rockets.
Atypically advanced
(1) True or false: Portis had both a better true shooting percentage and assist percentage this season than he did in either of the last two seasons he finished top three in Sixth Man of the Year voting?
Click to reveal answer
True. Shooting: .587 vs. .581 and .575. Assists: 10.5% vs. 7.8% and 8.7%.
(2) True or false: Sims finished with a lower block percentage than Gary Harris, Mike Conley, and Desmond Bane?
Click to reveal answer
True—0.6% compared to Harris’ 0.8%, Conley’s 0.7%, and Bane’s 0.7%.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 02: Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick looks on against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center on April 2, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The 2026 NBA Playoffs are all about the matchups, and that puts an added emphasis on coaching. Coaching often has a way of falling into the background during the league’s eternal 82-game regular season, but maximizing every possession matters in the playoffs, and it puts a harsh spotlight on the men in the big chair who need to consistently cook up advantages for their teams to advance.
The narratives can change fast in the playoffs. It feels like several people on this list are coaching for their jobs even if they had a lot of regular season success. With offseason openings in Chicago and New Orleans and a potential opening in Portland, we already know the coaching carousel will be spinning this summer. You can bet that there will be a couple more vacancies before the end of the season.
Let’s rank every head coach who made the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
16. Jamahl Mosley, Orlando Magic
The Magic were my preseason NBA Finals pick out of the East, and instead they barely snuck into the playoffs as the No. 8 seed. Orlando was the most disappointing team of the season, and it seemed likely they would try out a new head coach before making a major shake-up to the core once the season ended. Then something funny happened: the Magic finally got healthy and started playing their best basketball at the right time. Orlando looks like it can absolutely win its first-round series against the No. 1 seed Detroit Pistons. If the Magic advance, they probably can’t fire Mosley even if they never should have been the 8-seed to begin with. Mosley deserves a ton of credit for optimizing his defense to limit Cade Cunningham and shutdown Jalen Duren to this point. Everything is fluid in the playoffs, and that includes this ranking of Mosley.
15. Tiago Splitter, Portland Trail Blazers
Chauncey Billups was arrested in a federal gambling probe after the first game of the season, and it thrust assistant Tiago Splitter into a head coaching role the rest of the season. All Splitter did was lead the Blazers to a winning record for the first time in five years, and finally get them back into the playoffs. Splitter has been good enough to keep the job going forward, but new owner Tom Dundon is emerging as an unprecedented cheapskate who might not offer him enough money to return. It’s hard to think another coach could have squeezed out many more wins this season, but I do think it would benefit Portland to play faster going forward given their halfcourt scoring troubles. The Blazers rank No. 21 in pace after a defensive rebound, and No. 23 in pace after a turnover. Billups made them play faster before his arrest. Splitter has performed really well in general, but I’m still not super convinced he’s a great head coaching candidate long-term.
14. Nick Nurse, Philadelphia 76ers
Nurse won it all with the Toronto Raptors in 2019. He’s still hanging on with the Sixers in 2026, but he’s lost his momentum at this point and feels like he’s hanging on by a string. Philly ranked in the bottom half of the league in both offensive and defensive efficiency despite Nurse riding Tyrese Maxey so hard that he led the league in minutes per game. The constant injuries to Joel Embiid and Paul George certainly haven’t helped, but it feels like Nurse’s ‘mad scientist’ act from Toronto has lost its juice all these years later. It wouldn’t be too surprising if his head coaching days are over either after this series, or after next season.
13. Ime Udoka, Houston Rockets
What a disaster the playoffs are shaping up to be for Udoka and the Rockets. Houston avoided the sweep to the Lakers in Game 4, but there’s no excuses when you’re facing a team without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Udoka just hasn’t been able to find any answers for how to unclog the halfcourt offense. While other teams have been able to hide bad defenders, Udoka has no plan for former No. 3 overall pick Reed Sheppard and still doesn’t trust him. Udoka took the Rockets from 22 wins to 41 wins to 52 wins since arriving, but it feels like Houston is stalling out. We predicted Udoka could lose his job if the Rockets lose the series, and it sure feels like it’s trending that way.
12. Mike Brown, New York Knicks
Brown was always going to be feeling pressure in his first year as Knicks head coach after taking over for Tom Thibodeau, who had just led the team to the conference finals. So far, it’s impossible to say the Knicks upgraded. New York’s defense rose from No. 14 to No. 7 during the regular season and the offense finished a couple spots better too, but it just feels like Brown still doesn’t have the answers to the team’s biggest questions. He’s made multiple missteps in his first-round series with the Atlanta Hawks, including playing lineups with Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns multiple times per game. The Hawks are no slouch, but the Knicks still feel like they have the talent advantage in this series, and it would be a complete disaster if they fail to advance. Could Brown be coaching for his job after just one year? I’m not sure if there’s a head coach in the playoffs feeling more heat than Brown.
11. Darko Rajaković, Toronto Raptors
Reputations can change quickly in the playoffs, and it feels like Darko Rajaković’s is turning for the better during his first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Rajaković was hired as a developmental coach, but Scottie Barnes regressed in his first season a year ago, and recent first-round picks Ja’Kobe Walter and Gradey Dick haven’t contributed much. Well, Barnes roared back to form with the best season of his career in his second season in the system, rookie Collin Murray-Boyles has been an instant impact hybrid forward, and Rajaković squeezed a 16-win improvement out of Toronto this year. Rajaković is drawing praise from every corner for evening the series with Cleveland through four games, showing impressive adaptability on both sides and coming up with a plan to limit the Cavs’ pick-and-roll combinations as much as possible. I had Darko a couple spots lower before the weekend, and he could be a couple spots higher by the time this series is over.
10. David Adelman, Denver Nuggets
Adelman was facing championship-or-bust expectations from the moment he took over for Mike Malone. He performed well in an incredibly difficult situation after getting the job at the very end of last year’s regular season, leading the Nuggets to a 7-game first-round win over the Los Angeles Clippers and then a tough 7-game loss to the eventual champion Thunder. This year’s Nuggets won 54 games even with long injuries to Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, Peyton Watson, and more, but the playoffs haven’t been so kind to them. Minnesota’s Game 4 victory to take a 3-1 series lead despite major injuries to Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo is the type of loss that can blow up a franchise. The Nuggets are getting out-classed in the series, and Adelman hasn’t had any answers to their various problems. It’s possible Denver can still mount a comeback with Minnesota’s starting backcourt out for the series, but Denver simply looks flat and dead right now, so it’s hard to expect it will happen. Adelman could quickly find his reputation in the gutter with one more loss.
9. JB Bickerstaff, Detroit Pistons
Bickerstaff once took the Cavs from 22 to 44 to 51 wins, and now he’s pulled off a similar turnaround with the Pistons. He inherited a 14-win team when he was hired by Detroit, and immediately won 44 games and then pushed for 60 wins this season to grab the East’s No. 1 seed. Now Bickerstaff is fighting for his reputation as the Orlando Magic have given him all he can handle in the first-round. The Pistons’ halfcourt offense was middling all year for a team that won at such a high clip, and this playoff run has exposed even more issues, including a failure to maximize Jalen Duren. The Pistons can’t bully the Magic in the same way they pulled a lot of opponents this year, and there have been some questions about how he’s handled a deep rotation in this series. Getting eliminated by Orlando would do major damage to Bickerstaff’s reputation, and would essentially invalidate the 2026 NBA Coach of the Year that he may win. Add in his struggles in the playoffs in Cleveland too, and Bickerstaff badly needs to take these Pistons on a deep run. He’s definitely a solid coach who deserves a lot of credit for building an elite Pistons defense, but he needs to prove there isn’t a better option out there for a team with NBA Finals aspirations.
8. Mitch Johnson, San Antonio Spurs
Mitch Johnson entered his first full season as Spurs head coach just trying to make the playoffs. Instead, San Antonio blew past its preseason over/under of 44.5 wins by winning 62 games and claiming the No. 2 seed in the West. It might feel like anyone could coach Victor Wembanyama to success, but Johnson did well to convince his superstar big man to cut out some three-point shots, play more frequently at the basket, and cut down his turnovers. Johnson also seamlessly juggled a backcourt with one highly paid veteran (De’Aaron Fox) and two hungry youngsters in Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper. He deserves some credit for coaxing career-years out of Julian Champagnie and Sixth Man of the Year Keldon Johnson, too. Johnson is only 39 years old, and will have every opportunity to grow alongside Wembanyama long term.
7. Kenny Atkinson, Cleveland Cavaliers
Atkinson took the Cavs from 48 wins to 64 wins in his first season on the job, but a second-round playoff flameout took some of the shine off his 2025 NBA Coach of the Year award. This season has continued to be a bit sobering for Atkinson and Cleveland, as the Cavs dipped to 52 wins in an injury-marred season that saw the team swap out Darius Garland for James Harden. Cleveland regressed on both ends of the floor, and its No. 1 ranked offense from 2024-25 was exposed as unsustainable. Atkinson has been out-coached by Darko Rajaković at times in this series, and Cleveland risks getting upset if he doesn’t tighten things up and figure out how to puncture a flawed Raptors team. Again: reputations can change quickly in the playoffs, and Atkinson feels like he might be starting to live on the edge, and not in a good way.
6. Jordan Ott, Phoenix Suns
The Suns are getting pulverized by the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round, but that shouldn’t take away from the incredible job Ott did in his first season this year. The Suns’ preseason over/under was set at 30.5 wins, and Ott ended up leading the team to 45 victories and a playoff berth no one saw coming. He found edges on the margins by going all-in on offensive rebounding and trying to force turnovers defensively, and it ended up getting the most out of a group that didn’t have the most talent but always played hard. Taking the next step will be even more difficult for Ott and the Suns, but his first year was a huge success regardless of how this series ends.
5. Quin Snyder, Atlanta Hawks
Snyder missed the playoffs his first two years with the Jazz before making six straight trips to the postseason, including three 50-win seasons. Are the Hawks on the brink of a similar run of sustained success? Snyder got the Hawks back into the playoffs in his third season with the team despite massive midseason roster turnover. The preseason optimism for Atlanta started with Trae Young and Kristaps Porzingis. Both were traded before the deadline, and now Snyder is coaching up C.J. McCollum, Jonathan Kuminga, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker to go toe-to-toe with the Knicks. Atlanta has consistently found ways to frustrate Jalen Brunson, and they made a sharp move by putting Kuminga on Karl-Anthony Towns. I also give Snyder credit for making the tough decision to take former No. 1 overall pick Zacch Risacher out of the rotation right now. I don’t know if Atlanta will actually win its series against the Knicks, but I do know they should feel good about their head coach long-term.
4. Chris Finch, Minnesota Timberwolves
It wasn’t long ago that the Wolves went 13 straight years without making the playoffs. Under Chris Finch, they’ve made the playoffs in five straight seasons, including two Western Conference Finals trips. Minnesota was on its way to waxing the Denver Nuggets in a first-round series upset when Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo both suffered long-term injuries. If Finch can still get Minnesota to advance despite missing his starting backcourt, it will be proof that he’s one of the best coaches in the league. Minnesota fans can get frustrated with his lack of development for young players on the roster, but you can’t argue with the results — especially for a franchise like the Wolves that spent so many years in the wilderness.
3. JJ Redick, Los Angeles Lakers
No one expected the Lakers to mount a playoff run without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves entering the postseason, but somehow they are on the brink of advancing to round two largely due to Redick’s brilliance. The Lakers coach has taken full advantage of the Rockets’ shortcomings in terms of ball handling and shooting to put Houston on the precipice of crisis. Redick’s strong connection with LeBron James is evident in this series as the 41-year-old continues to play at a high level, but he’s also getting good play out of Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart. Redick has zero coaching experience when he was hired off his podcast a couple years ago, but he’s made the most of a changing roster in a pressure-cooker environment. The Lakers are being rewarded for their belief in him, and now he may be one of the best coaches in the league.
2. Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City Thunder
Mark Daigneault spent his first three seasons building up the Thunder without a playoff appearance. Ever since, they’ve been one of the best teams in the league, and now they’re trying to make history. No NBA team has won back-to-back championships since the Kevin Durant-era Warriors, but the Thunder are the favorites to repeat after winning their first title since moving to OKC last year. Daigneault has done well to set up an elite defense that blurs the lines between physicality and fouling, and he knows how to stay out of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s way on offense. It might feel like anyone could coach the Thunder to success, but that would be taking Daigneault’s success for granted.
1. Joe Mazzulla, Boston Celtics
This was supposed to be a gap year for the Celtics with Jayson Tatum coming off a torn Achilles. Instead, Boston zoomed right past their 41.5-win preseason over/under to earn 56 wins and eventually emerge as the Eastern Conference favorite once Tatum made his return. Mazzulla deserves most of the credit for turning the Celtics into a machine at both ends of the floor despite losing key veterans Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis over the offseason. He maximized an inexperienced front court to help make Neemias Queta into a legitimate starting center, he did well to re-center the offense around Jaylen Brown, and he got the most out of Derrick White even during a season where he was ice cold from three. The Celtics just play their game every night out and that’s a credit to Mazzulla. Still only 37 years old, Mazzulla should be an elite coach for a long, long time.
If the New York Jets are still searching for a solution at quarterback, they can just look across the Big Apple hardwood.
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns put his playmaking on display in a crucial win over the Atlanta Hawks this weekend, knotting New York’s first-round series at 2-2 heading home for Game 5.
Towns dished out 10 assists — his second-best passing performance of the season — and our Hawks vs. Knicks predictions and NBA picks see New York’s big man setting up his teammates.
UPDATE: Added a prediction for who will win tonight.
Hawks vs Knicks prediction
Who will win Hawks vs Knicks Game 5?
Knicks: This has been a great opening round chess match, with the Hawks and Knicks able to neutralize each other’s biggest threats so far. But with Jalen Brunson and Jalen Johnson struggling, the supporting casts are even more important. I have more faith in New York’s lineup to pick up the slack, especially with the series swinging back to MSG.
Hawks vs Knicks best bet: Karl-Anthony Towns Over 3.5 assists (-105)
The New York Knicks need to get guys like Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges going. The Atlanta Hawks have done a great job of pressuring the Knicks' backcourt early in possessions, which has disrupted how New York normally operates.
However, head coach Mike Brown made an excellent adjustment in Game 4. He utilized center Karl-Anthony Towns as an offensive conduit, feeding him at the high post and allowing Brunson & Co. to work off the ball, with KAT as the primary playmaker.
That resulted in the Knicks’ best offensive showing of the series (114 points on 49% shooting), fueled by 10 assists on 12.0 potential dimes from Towns. He found cutters inside, connected on pocket passes, and skipped to shooters off screens, producing the second-most assists of his entire season.
KAT averaged 3.3 assists on 3.7 potential assists through the first three games of the series, and while the Hawks will try to adjust to him as a playmaker, his passing prowess will continue to be a problem.
Towns as the ball handler above the foul line not only draws Atlanta’s size away from the rim, opening up a ton of room in the key, but gives him a strategic advantage as a playmaker. The 7-footer is able to see over the Hawks’ diminutive frontcourt, easily accessing open teammates.
Towns’ assist props have bounced between 2.5 and 3.5 for this series (he’s gone 3-1 Over), coming in at 3.5 O/U for Game 5. Going back to the regular season, KAT has dished out 4+ dimes in seven of his last eight games overall.
Hawks vs Knicks same-game parlay
New York avoided a bad spot with a strong road win in Game 4 and is learning to live without Jalen Brunson making his usual postseason magic. Atlanta, on the other hand, is starting to struggle with adjustments as the series goes on and doesn’t have a reliable support staff to step up, as the Knicks do.
Josh Hart is more focused on defense and rebounding in this series, but he's getting plenty of looks from outside. As the Hawks swarm Brunson, the space is there for Hart.
He was just 1-for-5 from beyond the arc in Game 4, but Atlanta is allowing him wide-open attempts. Hart is a better shooter inside MSG, shooting 44% from distance at home compared to 40% on the road.
Hawks vs Knicks SGP
Knicks moneyline
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 3.5 assists
Josh Hart Over 1.5 threes
Our "from downtown" SGP: KAT's out of the bag!
Towns keeps coming up big for New York. He’s found his spot as a primary passer from the high post, which also makes him a dangerous offensive rebounder as he crashes from outside.
The Hawks will eventually have to sag off KAT to plug up the paint, and he’s not afraid to let it fly from deep, having made two and three triples in the opening two games of the series.
Hawks vs Knicks SGP
Knicks -6.5
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 3.5 assists
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 11.5 rebounds
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 1.5 threes
Hawks vs Knicks odds for Game 5
Spread: Hawks +6.5 | Knicks -6.5
Moneyline: Hawks +220 | Knicks -270
Over/Under: Over 213 | Under 213
Hawks vs Knicks betting trend to know
The Knicks have covered the spread in 29 of their last 45 home games for +12.50 units and a 25% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Hawks vs. Knicks.
How to watch Hawks vs Knicks Game 5
Location
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Date
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBC
Hawks vs Knicks latest injuries
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Arkansas basketball added to its 2026 recruiting class, and it did so internationally.
John Calipari and the Razorbacks landed the commitment of Finnish power forward Miikka Muurinen, a four-star recruit and No. 55-ranked player in the 2026 recruiting class by 247Sports Composite rankings, on Monday.
He's the fourth commit to the Razorbacks' 2026 recruiting class.
The 6-10 power forward played for Partizan Belgrade in the Serbian League this past season after splitting time at multiple high schools in the United States. He also has international experience with the Finland senior national team, where he averaged 6.6 points in eight games at the FIBA EuroBasket last summer.
"Since my visit a year and a half ago, they've been consistent and committed to recruiting me," Muurinen told ESPN's Jeff Borzello and Paul Biancardi. "They've always shown interest. They've been very consistent, and they've gotten to know me as a person. That's been very important to me.
"When I left my Arkansas visit, I was not only excited about the program but also about the people, and I said to myself, those are the type of people I want to be around on a daily basis."
With Muurinen's commitment, Arkansas now holds the No. 1 recruiting class for 2026 on 247Sports Composite rankings. Other commits to the Razorbacks include five-star recruits in shooting guards JJ Andrews and Jordan Smith Jr. and strong forward Abdou Toure.
Here's a deeper look into Muurinen:
Miikka Muurinen 247Sports rankings
Stars: Four
National ranking: No. 55
Positional ranking: No. 9
Muurinen is listed as a four-star recruit by 247Sports Composite Rankings. He is the No. 9 power forward in the 2026 recruiting class and the No. 1 player in Serbia.
The Minnesota Timberwolves head into Ball Arena tonight for a pivotal Game 5 with a chance to eliminate the Denver Nuggets and advance to the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. After dismantling Denver in consecutive home games to take a 3-1 series lead, Minnesota has successfully stifled the Nuggets' offense, holding them to under 100 points in three of the four games so far. Added to the tension of it being an elimination game is the fact tonight’s game comes one game after Nikola Jokić and Julius Randle were ejected after a late-game altercation.
The task of eliminating Denver, however, is a tall one. The Timberwolves will be without their starting backcourt as their superstar, Anthony Edwards (knee) and his running mate Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles) have been declared out of tonight’s game. Minnesota will look to Ayo Dosunmu to replicate his heroic Game 4 performance, where he stepped in for the injured Edwards and scored a career-high 43 points in 42 minutes to keep the Nuggets at bay.
The Nuggets are dealing with their own significant health concerns. Key "connector" Aaron Gordon is officially questionable with persistent left calf tightness that clearly limited his explosiveness and minutes in the previous game. Without Gordon at full strength and already missing Peyton Watson (hamstring), the Nuggets will need to work all the harder to attack the Timberwolves with more than just Jokic and Jamal Murray.
Because of the absence of Edwards and the fact Game 5 is in Denver, though, the Nuggets take the court as favorites. To force a Game 6, Denver must find a way to crack the Timberwolves' tenacious defense while of course capitalizing on the absence of Anthony Edwards.
Lets take a closer look at tonight’s matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game Details and How to Watch Live: Timberwolves vs. Nuggets
Date: Monday, April 27, 2026
Time: 10:30PM EST
Site: Ball Arena
City: Denver, CO
Network/Streaming: NBC/Peacock
Rotoworld has you covered with all the latest NBA Player News for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Game Odds: Timberwolves vs. Nuggets
The latest odds as of Monday courtesy of DraftKings:
This game opened Nuggets -10.5 with the Game Total set at 224.5.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!
Expected Starting Lineups: Timberwolves vs. Nuggets
Minnesota Timberwolves
PG Mike Conley
SG Ayo Dosunmu
C Rudy Gobert
SF Julius Randle
PF Jaden McDaniels
Denver Nuggets
PG Jamal Murray
SG Christian Braun
SF Cam Johnson
C Nikola Jokic
PF Aaron Gordon
Injury Report: Timberwolves vs. Nuggets
Minnesota Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards (knee) has been declared OUT of tonight’s game
Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles) has been declared OUT of tonight’s game
Denver Nuggets
Aaron Gordon (calf) is questionable for tonight’s game
Peyton Watson (hamstring) has been declared OUT of tonight’s game
Important stats, trends and insights: Timberwolves vs. Nuggets
The Timberwolves are 24-19 on the road this season
The Nuggets are 29-14 at home this season
The Nuggets are 45-41 ATS this season
Minnesota is 40-46 ATS this season
The OVER has cashed in 53 of the Nuggets’ 86 games this season (53-33)
The OVER has cashed in 38 of the Timberwolves’ 84 games this season (38-48)
Ayo Dosunmu averaged 14.8 points per game during the regular season but is now leading the Timberwolves through 4 games of the postseason averaging 22.8 points per game
Rudy Gobert is averaging 11.0 rebounds per game in this series after grabbing 27 in the 2 games in Minneapolis
Julius Randle is averaging 7.8 rebounds per game in this series
Rotoworld Best Bet
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700. Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s Timberwolves and Nuggets game:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Timberwolves +11.5 ATS
Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total UNDER 222.5
Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!
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The Orlando Magic won Game 3, 113-105, and are up 2-1 in the first round series over the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons have a chance to tie up the series 2-2 and go back to Detroit for Game 5, while the Magic can go up 3-1 with another home win Monday night.
What's at stake for Orlando if they win Game 4 and go up 3-1? Well, only six No. 8 seeds have won their first round matchups versus a No. 1 and two of them went on to make the NBA Finals. The Orlando Magic have a chance to become the seventh team to win their first round as a No. 8 seed.
Orlando shot 45% from three to Detroit's 34% in Game 3 and edged out the Pistons in free throws attempted, 33-24. When Cade Cunningham has been on the floor during the series, the Pistons are +7 compared to -11 when he's off the court. Cunningham has led Detroit in scoring with 31.0 PPG this series, while Paolo Banchero has led the way for Orlando at 22.0 PPG.
Lets take a closer look at tonight’s matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
After 24 years, the NBA is back on NBC and Peacock, combining the nostalgia of an iconic era with the innovative future of basketball coverage. The NBA on NBC YouTube channel delivers fans must-see highlights, analysis, and exclusive and unique content.
Game Details and How to Watch Live: Magic vs. Pistons
Date: Monday, April 27, 2026
Time: 8:10 PM EST
Site: Kia Center
City: Orlando, FL
Network/Streaming: NBC / Peacock
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Game Odds: Magic vs. Pistons
The latest odds as of Monday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Detroit Pistons (-148), Orlando Magic (+124)
Spread: Pistons -3.5
Total: 214.5 points
This game opened Pistons -2.5 with the Total set at 212.5.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!
Expected Starting Lineups: Magic vs. Pistons
Orlando Magic
PG Jalen Suggs
SG Desmond Bane
SF Franz Wagner
PF Paolo Banchero
C Wendell Carter Jr.
Detroit Pistons
PG Cade Cunningham
SG Duncan Robinson
SF Ausar Thompson
PF Tobias Harris
C Jalen Duren
Injury Report: Pistons vs. Magic
Orlando Magic
Jonathan Issac (knee) is listed as DOUBTFUL for Game 4
Detroit Pistons
Kevin Huerter (hip) is listed as QUESTIONABLE for Game 4
Important stats, trends and insights: Pistons vs. Magic
Detroit is 45-40 ATS
Detroit is 13-19 ATS as a road favorite
Detroit is 17-15 to the Under as a road favorite
Detroit is 22-20 to the Under as the road team
Detroit is 45-39-1 to the Under
Orlando is 8-4 ATS as a home underdog
Orlando is 6-6 to the Under as a home underdog
Orlando is 41-46 ATS and 21-21 ATS as the home team
Orlando is 46-41 to the Over and 23-19 to the Over as the home team
Rotoworld Best Bet
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Monday’s Magic and Pistons’ game:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Pistons’ Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Pistons +2.5 ATS
Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total UNDER 214.5
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PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 26: Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket 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
Everything you need to know about Game 4 of the Sixers-Celtics series was encapsulated in a single Boston possession late in the first quarter.
But then the ball found its way to the C’s Nikola Vucevic, who also came up empty from the arc.
And Jordan Walsh gathered in the miss for Boston. And Tatum tried again from deep, but was unable to connect. And the ball caromed out of bounds, off the Sixers.
The possession ended with Philadelphia’s Dominick Barlow fouling Vucevic. That the veteran center missed both free throws is immaterial. The Celtics were taking the game to the Sixers. Had been since the opening tip, in fact. And they never stopped, en route to a 128-96 runaway.
Even with Joel Embiid back in the lineup, the Sixers shot miserably and defended horribly. But the long and short of this one is that they got outworked. That is reflected most in their work on the boards (or lack of same), and it is as inexplicable as it is embarrassing.
Staring at a 3-1 series deficit, this is all they could muster? Hoping to make a stand, they instead laid down? Hoping to redeem an up-and-down season, they instead cashed in their chips?
Unacceptable.
Nick Nurse said this one was, like the Game 1 blowout loss, an “about-as-bad-as-we-can-play game,” and there can be no dissent on that score. Boston swished a franchise-playoff-record 24 triples, six of those by backup guard Payton Pritchard, who finished with 32 points. Tatum added 30, and Jaylen Brown had 20.
The Sixers also shot 33.3 percent while falling behind by 18 at halftime. At that point the rebounding difference was 36-23 in the Celtics’ favor. That includes 9-0 on the offensive glass, leading to a 13-0 advantage on second-chance points for the visitors.
The Sixers did not collect their first offensive board until 6:51 remained in the third quarter. Read that again: 6:51 in the third quarter. The final rebounding gap was 51-30, the difference in second-chance points 18-9.
Again, unacceptable.
“It’s tough,” Tyrese Maxey said. “Honestly, that’s tough. … I hate to say this, but we’ve gotta wash it. We’ve gotta let it go right now, because it happened. We’re down 3-1, and we’ve got a game on Tuesday, and our season’s on the line, so we’ve gotta play desperate.”
But why not do that on Sunday?
“We shoulda been,” he said. “Shoulda been.”
Nurse said his team was “a half-step behind, energy-wise,” and that when it came to rebounds the Celtics “wanted to chase ‘em down more than we did.”
“It’s hard to watch, and hard to explain, too,” he said.
Which is why the arena had begun emptying out long before the final buzzer. The only ones who seemed to be left were Celtics fans, and most of them were chanting, “We want Boston,” a mocking reference to the chorus sounded by Sixers followers during the play-in victory over Orlando.
Well, the Sixers got the Celtics all right. Got every bit of them, and have been ill-equipped to deal with them.
“It’s certainly disappointing at this stage for sure, right?” Nurse said.
Paul George said boardwork had been the Sixers’ “Achilles Heel all season,” and that is a fact. They averaged 43.6 rebounds a game to 45.3 for their opponents. It’s also true that in this day and age cleaning up the defensive glass has become far more challenging than in the past, given the number of long rebounds that result from all the three-pointers that are hoisted.
Boston, which is as triple-happy as any club in the NBA, crashes the glass from the corners and wings with regularity, as evidenced by the fact that the Celtics reclaimed 29.2 percent of their regular-season misses, the league’s sixth-best rate.
The work of backup wings Scheierman and Walsh on the aforementioned possession typifies how they operate. (An even better example was the damage inflicted by starting guard Derrick White late in Game 3. He grabbed two offensive boards, leading to five critical points in a game the C’s won by eight.)
Vucevic and Sixers backup center Andre Drummond, who respectively have played 15 and 14 years and claimed over 10,000 rebounds each, discussed before the game how much their jobs have changed over the years.
The 35-year-old Vucevic, who began his career with the Sixers in 2011, acknowledged that all the long rebounds have led to bigs sharing board duties with their shorter accomplices. He also mentioned how much the pace of the game has increased since he broke in.
His own game has changed, too, in that he guns more from the perimeter than ever before.
“When I’m crashing,” he said, “I try to see where the ball might go. It’s not so much being physical but also trying to move a little more. There’s a little more movement involved now in rebounding than I think there was before. It’s definitely affected the rebounding, the way the game is being played now.”
Drummond, who for his career is averaging nearly 12 rebounds a game, at first disputed that his role is all that different than before.
“For me it doesn’t change,” he said. “I still try to go after all of them.”
And, he added, “The game’s still the game. People miss, so you’ve just gotta know where the ball’s going. If anything, there’s a lot more misses than normal.”
But he did admit that the ball comes off long more than ever, and that rebounding has become a group project.
The guards, he said, have “got to come in, too. They’ve got to come in from the free throw line or the top of the key. Once they shoot those shots, it comes off anywhere.”
Drummond was destined for a rough night, one that saw him go rebound-less while playing a little over five minutes. He was also repeatedly targeted by the Celtics defensively.
But none of the other Sixers really distinguished themselves, either. And now, as Maxey said, they have to wash this one and move on. It’s not a matter of them doing anything different tactically in Game 5; rather, Nurse pointed out, it’s a matter of playing with “better energy, toughness, guarding, rebounding.”
“It’s going to have to be a big mental pickup,” he added.
That would be nice. They are professionals, after all. But the time to make a stand was Sunday, at home, with a full complement of players available. Instead the Sixers rolled over. And that simply cannot happen.
Jaden McDaniels lives rent-free in the Denver Nuggets’ heads, and that is a huge boon for the Minnesota Timberwolves — even now without Anthony Edwards.
This Timberwolves vs. Nuggets same-game parlay expects more McDaniels’ highlights in Game 5 on Monday, April 27.
It was not enough to rattle off the Denver Nuggets’ roster and cite each player as a bad defender. It was not enough to double down on that when given a chance to walk it back by a reporter.
It was not enough to then score 20 points on just 13 shots in Game 3, proving the Nuggets are all bad defenders. And it was not enough to hold Jamal Murray to 5-for-14 shooting in the second half.
Minnesota Timberwolves’ wing Jaden McDaniels had to do just a little bit more, dropping in a layup with 1.3 seconds left and prompting Nikola Jokic to show effort for the first time in any of the second half of Game 4.
There is no reason for McDaniels to slow down now. With Anthony Edwards out for a couple of weeks, at least, he needs to emphasize his scoring. McDaniels averaged 4.9 more points per game with Ant sidelined this season and took 3.6 more shots per game.
Even with his 3-pointer looking rather ugly lately — 2-for-19 in his last six games — McDaniels should be able to live in the mid-range and in transition.
He doesn't need to shoot from beyond the arc to score. Against Denver’s shoddy defense, he can score at the rim.
And those transition opportunities should set up for a few assists, too, particularly with the likes of Bones Hyland and Ayo Dosunmu running along with McDaniels.
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That’s the discussion in NBA circles after Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton was ejected in the third quarter of the Houston Rockets’ 115-96 victory in Game 4 at the Toyota Center on Sunday night.
An accidental forearm to the head. A hard foul, yes. A flagrant one? Definitely. But an automatic ejection? That left many to reach a completely different conclusion than referee James Williams.
In Game 2 of the Phoenix Suns vs. Oklahoma City Thunder series, Williams called a technical foul on Devin Booker for trying to save a ball from going out of bounds that accidentally hit a Thunder player in the arm.
Deandre Ayton walks off the court after getting ejected in the Lakers’ loss to the Rockets on April 26, 2026. AP
“In my 11 years, I haven’t called a ref out by name… but James [Williams] was terrible tonight, through and through,” said Booker after the game. “It’s bad for the integrity of the sport.”
The NBA rescinded the technical foul after the game, but the damage had already been done.
Williams once again found himself at the center of a controversial call in Houston on Sunday. The replay appeared to show that the play was messy, but not malicious.
Ayton first appears like he’s going to jump to block Alperen Sengun’s shot, then quickly tries to switch into a defending position. His forearm starts low on Sengun’s back and then rises up and catches him in the face. It looks more jarring in slow motion. But it didn’t look intentional in real time or upon review.
“I was just trying to brace for contact,” Ayton said postgame. “It slipped… I know it looked crazy, but I’m not a dirty player. I just hope he’s alright.”
It was Ayton’s first ever ejection in his eighth season in the league. The disbelief lingered in his voice and in his teammates’ minds as well.
“That’s some BS,” said Marcus Smart about the call.
Referee James Williams ejects Houston Rockets guard Aaron Holiday, center, and Los Angeles Lakers forward Adou Thiero, left, after a brief tussle during the second half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series. AP
“I was surprised it was a flagrant 2,” admitted Udoka. “That’s the NBA nowadays. They call it a little softer than they used to.”
Lakers head coach JJ Redick went further, describing Ayton as having “a kind soul” and insisting the play wasn’t dirty.
“It looked like he was trying to brace himself with his off-arm against Sengun’s body and his arm slipped and hit him in the head,” said Redick. “I don’t think a [flagrant] 2 was warranted.”
NBA referee James Williams talks to Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) in the second half during game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
By the end of the night, Williams hadn’t just made one controversial call, but he made two more, ejecting both Lakers rookie Adou Thiero and Rockets guard Aaron Holiday with a little over a minute left in the game for being physical and talking trash to each other. Ironically, their contact looked more intentional than Ayton’s did.
“I’m more pissed off about them kicking Adou out,” James said after the game. “I thought that was uncalled for and made no sense. That’s the first time he’s ever been thrown out of a game in his life. I don’t think that was warranted. That was ridiculous.”
Game 5 of the series between the Rockets and Lakers is set for Wednesday at 7 p.m. PT on ESPN.
The postseason is an entirely different world from the regular season, and this year’s is proving no different. After one of his worst slumps out of the gate and a campaign of evolving roles, questionable quotes, and trade rumors, Karl-Anthony Towns has become the most valuable Knick in the playoffs.
Through four games against the Hawks, Towns is averaging 21 points, 10.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 3.1 stocks in only 32.5 minutes a night, shooting 61 percent from two and 50 percent from three. His highlight 25-point outburst in Game 1 and historic triple-double in Game 4 were keys to securing those victories, while many of his key teammates languished.
Jalen Brunsonhas been out of sorts this series, shooting 29-for-78 since the first quarter of Game 1 and getting picked on defensively to a heightened degree. New York also got mixed games from Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart along the way, hence the even series.
This is a stark departure from what the regular season looked like, but a positive development for Towns that could spur the Knicks further in their championship hunt. Let’s break down how we got here and what it means for New York...
Head coach Mike Brown replaced Tom Thibodeau this summer in an effort to kickstart an offense that looked stuck in the mud during the playoffs and push more collaboration from the coaching staff. The change took some time for Towns to adjust to.
Add an early-season injury, and Towns was really struggling in the early weeks, especially from the field. He openly stated that members of the team were still figuring out their roles.
Towns started picking it back up on both ends leading into the Knicks’ NBA Cup Championship, but a 2-9 skid shortly after put the entire team on notice. Giannis Antetokounmpo trade possibilities were in the air, and Towns' name was floated in rumors.
But he blocked out the noise and helped set things straight. This happened first on defense, where throughout the year he improved and bought into a more diverse Brown scheme. Offensively, stronger opponents started guarding him with more wings, and he again had to adjust.
Brown admitted to needing to tweak the offense to better incorporate Towns, while also putting him in new positions to challenge and grow his game. This tension may have nauseated Knicks fans through 82 games, but it appears to be paying dividends in their most important moments.
Apr 23, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) is defended by Atlanta Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye (18) in the third quarter during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. / Brett Davis - Imagn Images
Brown unleashed Towns as a combination scoring-passing threat out of the pinch post against Atlanta, especially in the two Knicks victories. He’s rewarded his coach and team with some of his best play as a Knick.
These sets are giving him space to duck down, drive, or post on Atlanta’s mismatched defenders. His teammates have recognized his advantage and are seeking him out behind the arc and down low.
The passing has been especially impressive, as at times he’s looked overwhelmed or succumbed to poor decision making. But against the Hawks, he’s making the simple read and finding OG Anunoby consistently on cuts.
One play they’ve abused has Brunson setting a down screen on Anunoby to cut baseline, while Towns awaits in the high elbow. He can find Anunoby, wait for Brunson to come off for a two-man game, or take something for himself, and Atlanta hasn’t had great answers.
Towns' defense has translated as well. Where in prior playoffs Mitchell Robinson was the clear upgrade, Towns has held his own in this matchup. This has happened despite being switched around different guys and having to adjust to new schemes on the fly.
If not for Towns, the Knicks would be dead in the water in this series. Quite the turnaround for somebody who was in trade rumors a few months ago.
Towns being an effective creator gives Brunson a break, along with unlocking his off-ball game, where he’s effective. It also shifts how defenses guard Towns, from a spot-shooter to a dynamic threat.
New York’s number two option has been their number one with Brunson working through a down series. This should give them much more confidence and optionality as the series and postseason progresses.
PORTLAND, OREGON - APRIL 26: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs celebrates making a basket during the second half of Game Four of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on April 26, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Soobum Im/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I haven’t taken a breath since 12 minutes into Game 2 when Victor Wembanyama took a spill and had a concussion. I think I passed out myself, and I am not sure what happened since. But I woke up and saw the San Antonio Spurs were up 2 games to 1, and Game 4 started with the much anticipated return of Wembanyama because he had to sit out Game 3. Once the spry Portland Trail Blazers were up 19 in the first half in Game 4, I think I passed out again (hey, I am no where near conditioned for Spurs playoff basketball watching like the heydays of the 2000s and 2010s—you’ll have to excuse my being out of armchair point guarding shape).
Thankfully, the good guys came through behind De’Aaron Fox’s game-high 28 points to go with his 7 assists. Wembanyama, in his triumphant return, scored 27 points with 11 rebounds and 7 blocks.
You know all the talking heads who say the Spurs are too young and need “playoff scars” or to wait their turn? They might be right, but nothing is promised or guaranteed. Some players on this current team might not be on the roster next year. Unfortunately, injuries happen: some day-to-day, some seasoning ending, others career ending. Athletes know this so they play to win now.
Deep philosophical diatribes aside, I was just glad to see number one back on the court and doing moves like this in the (expletive)ing playoffs:
A “B+” for Harrison Barnes’s spot-on pass to a streaking Wembanyama for the jam. An “A” for Wembanyama’s statement dunk, and an “A+” for Dylan Harper’s timely screen that allowed Wembanyama to get free for the easy slam.
Before I hear it in the comments, I’m changing Barnes’s arbitrary grade to an A.
De’Aaron Fox was on a heater on Sunday afternoon, and the Spurs will definitely need it if they hope to advance deep in the playoffs. On a team of players as unique as Wembanyama, raw, hungry, and talented like Castle and Harper, Fox in this case is what you would call the Mariano Rivera of basketball games. Hopefully, the Spurs’ very own Sandman can continue to be the closer they need.
Is it me or were there a lot of Spurs fans in Portland? What do y’all know that I don’t. Do they have good tacos up in the Pacific Northwest? Do they have Whataburger? I have never been and would like to one day. If they don’t have Whataburger that’s OK. I guess. I can always ship it to myself. Oh, I’m crazy for saying such a thing? I’m not the one who’s depriving the great people of the Northwest from delicious, greasy burgers, pal.
Devin Vassell continues be as constant as the northern star in this series, scoring 11 points on 5 – 9 shooting.
Luke Kornet. Do the pose again. Trademark it, make more t-shirts out of it. This is your moment, make more plays like that and fire up your fans. I’m ready to stan for my man the crocodile from Argyle (Texas).
Harrison Barnes didn’t want to feel left out, so he joined the slamma jamma pajamma party. That sounded better in my head so I think I’ll leave it, and let the corniness marinate a bit.
Do y’all get the sense Wembanyama is getting angrier and angrier the more games he’s playing (and exponentially in the playoffs?). If that’s what it takes, I say we do all the things that might make him angry: bend the spine of a book, perform an unprovoked Dunst Opening move in chess, call a server “garçon,” or putting Nutella on plain white bread.
I only watched these back-to-back alley oops from Castle to Wembanyama twice. No more, no less. Once because we all deserve a sliver of pure joy and happiness in our lives, and a second time because if you watch it more than two times, it dilutes the sliver of pure joy and happiness that you would receive by allowing yourself to watch these beautiful back-to-back alley oops.
