Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was fuming over the injury to his star player, Bam Adebayo, in the second quarter of the team’s play-in loss to the Hornets Tuesday night.
Adebayo was tripped by LaMelo Ball just over a minute into the second quarter and did not return due to a lower back injury after falling hard to the court.
Ball fell after driving to the basket and grabbed Adebayo’s left ankle.
Spoelstra felt Ball should’ve been ejected from the game and put the onus on the referees, naming Curtis Blair and Zach Zarba, specifically.
“I don’t think it’s cute. I don’t think it’s funny. I think it’s a stupid play. It’s a dangerous play,” Spoelstra said after the game. “Obviously, our best player was out. I’m not making an excuse. The Hornets played great and they made those plays down the stretch. We had our opportunities to win.
“That’s a shame. [Ball] should be penalized for that. I don’t think that belongs in the game, tripping guys, shenanigans. Curtis was there. It’s his responsibility to see that, and if it’s not his responsibility then Zach’s got to see it. Somebody has got to see that. He should have been thrown out of the game for that. I don’t know [Ball] from anyone. There’s no place in the game for that.”
Heat center Bam Adebayo writhes in pain after getting tripped by the Hornets’ LaMelo Ball in the second quarter on April 14, 2026. AP
The NBA is reviewing the incident, insider Chris Haynes reported Wednesday, and a decision on potential discipline is expected before the Hornets’ next game on Friday.
“I apologize on that one. I got hit in the head, didn’t really know where I was, but I’mma check on him and see if he’s okay and everything,” Ball said after the game.
Ball ended up making the game-winning layup with 4.7 seconds left in overtime, giving ninth-seeded Charlotte a 127-126 win at home.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra objects to a call during the second quarter against the Hornets on April 14, 2026. Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Charlotte will visit the loser of Wednesday’s 76ers vs. Magic game with the final playoff spot in the East on the line, while Miami’s season is over.
Ball’s poor shooting kept the Heat in the game. The 24-year-old went 12-for-31 and was 2-for-16 from 3-point range. He finished with 30 points, 10 assists and five rebounds.
Adebayo had six points and three rebounds in 11 minutes.
The numbers are in, and the NBA says Year 1 of its new television deals were a hit.
The league released numbers for the regular season on Wednesday, showing that 170 million people in the U.S. watched NBA games across the league’s four primary broadcast platforms this year — those being ABC/ESPN, Amazon Prime Video, NBC/Peacock and NBA TV.
Those numbers are the league’s best in 24 years, the NBA said, plus represented an 86% rise over last season.
Prime Video was part of the league’s television rights package for the first time this season and NBC/Peacock returned for the first time in a generation. The league signed a new 11-year, $76 billion-plus media rights deal in 2024 to show games on those two platforms along with ABC/ESPN and NBA TV.
Those deals kicked in at the start of this season.
Other highlights of the viewership numbers:
— NBA games across ABC/ESPN, Amazon Prime Video, NBC/Peacock and NBA TV had the the highest average viewership in 13 years, up 35% over last season.
— A total of 57 telecasts this season reached an average of 2 million viewers, the most since the 2011-12 season.
— People watched NBA games for more than 920 million hours, up 25% over last season and the most since 2011-12.
— The NBA’s social media channels generated a record 228 billion views this season, according to Videocites. That’s up 13% over last season.
— Attendance over the past three seasons in NBA arenas is higher than any three-season span in league history.
— Viewership for NBA Cup group play games was up 90% from last season.
— The audience for the All-Star Game on NBC, averaging 8.8 million viewers, was the largest for the league’s midseason showcase event since 2011.
The NBA Play-In Tournament continues tonight with the Orlando Magic heading to the City of Brotherly Love to take on the Philadelphia 76ers in the 7/8 matchup.
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Magic computer picks
Franz Wagner Under 19.5 points (-125)
Projection: 17.65 points
While he finished the season with back-to-back 20-point outings, Franz Wagner failed to reach this number in nine straight games before that.
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Jalen Suggs Over 13.5 points (+100)
Projection: 14.88 points
Jalen Suggs finished the season with a 23-point game against the Celtics and hit 11 threes over his last two games. That shooting will continue against a middling Philadelphia 76ers defense.
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Desmond Bane Over 3.5 assists (-130)
Projection: 4.42 assists
Desmond Bane has cleared this number in four of his last six games and also logged five and six assists over his last two games against Philly.
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76ers computer picks
Quentin Grimes Over 2.5 assists (+155)
Projection: 2.92 assists
Quinton Grimes' assist numbers come and go, but he had 3+ assists in five straight games to end March and has cleared this number in every game against the Orlando Magic this season.
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Andre Drummond Over 6.5 points (-112)
Projection: 8.41 points
Joel Embiid's absence has boosted Andre Drummond's role, and the big man has scored 22 points over his last two games to end the season.
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Quentin Grimes Over 9.5 points (-120)
Projection: 11.14 points
Grimes is averaging nearly 15 points per game over his last three games in a stretch that includes two 20-point nights. That scoring streak continues tonight.
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How to watch Magic vs 76ers tonight
Location
Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
Date
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
Prime Video
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Oct 27, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) and Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane (3) have words during the third quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
It’s win or stay home (to play the Hornets) for the Sixers when they host the Orlando Magic in the East’s 7-8 Play-In game Wednesday night.
After Charlotte’s thrilling overtime win Tuesday night, we know what’s at stake in this one: the winner of Sixers-Magic will head to Boston for a playoff matchup with the Celtics starting Sunday afternoon. The loser will host the Hornets Friday with one last chance to make the postseason and take on the top-seeded Detroit Pistons.
Both teams come into this one in weird places.
The Magic made a huge splash this past offseason to acquire Desmond Bane from the Memphis Grizzlies. The thought was Bane could be an ideal complement to Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Orlando became a trendy pick to potentially win the Eastern Conference. Between injuries and inconsistencies, the team never truly took off this season. Their regular season culminated in a loss to the Hospital Celtics, which cost the Magic the opportunity to host this game instead of heading to South Philly.
The trio of Bane, Banchero and Wagner is still a dangerous one. Any of them could go off and have a big scoring night. Their top reserve, Anthony Black, had a strong regular season and was excellent against the Sixers this season. The biggest challenge for the Sixers will be contending with the Magic’s size, but with Paul George, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Dominick Barlow all healthy, they should be able to handle it.
Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe will be one of the most dangerous backcourts in the NBA playoffs (if they make it there). They face a stiff test tonight from the dogged Jalen Suggs and Bane. We’ll see how Maxey and his strained pinky tendon fare with those two aggressive guards swiping at it all night.
The center position might be the X-factor in this one. With Joel Embiid still out, Andre Drummond and Adem Bona will be the only true bigs available for the Sixers. The guess here is Drummond gets the starting nod based off his experience and Orlando’s aforementioned size. The good news for the Sixers is the Magic don’t have a true stretch big option. Wendell Carter Jr. will shoot threes, but he made just 31.9% on the season. However, both Carter and backup Goga Bitadze average over two offensive rebounds a game — and we all know about the Sixers’ issues there.
This game has serious rock fight potential. Neither squad is a great three-point shooting team. The Sixers hold a slight advantage there with Maxey, George, Edgecombe and Oubre all being legitimate threats from deep this season. And don’t forget about Drummond entering his Splash Mountain era.
Without Embiid, this will be a difficult matchup for the Sixers, but it’s a winnable game. The Magic are in a weird place after a disappointing regular season with plenty of questions surrounding the job security of head coach Jamahl Mosley. It might behoove the Sixers to jump on Orlando early by forcing turnovers and getting out and on the break.
Aside from Embiid, the Sixers will still be without rookie big Johni Broome. Trendon Watford is considered probable with an illness. For the Magic, Jonathan Isaac (left knee sprain) and Jett Howard (left ankle sprain) are questionable. The health of Wagner, who’s still battling back from a high left ankle sprain, is also worth monitoring.
Game Details
When: Wednesday, April 15, 7:30 PM ET Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA Watch: Amazon Prime Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic Follow:@LibertyBallers
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - JANUARY 09: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after scoring a three-pointer against the Orlando Magic during the fourth quarter at Kia Center on January 09, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The luxury of securing the 2-seed is a comfy view from the top. While the Boston Celtics spent the final weeks of the regular season fine-tuning rotations and monitoring their health, the lower tier of Eastern Conference playoff teams were in a chaotic sprint toward the finish line.
The 5 through 10 seeds shuffled around all season, and now, with the dust settled, the Sixers and Magic find themselves in the Play-In.
On Wednesday, Philadelphia and Orlando will face off in the 7/8 game. The winner gets a date with Boston in Round 1. The loser gets one more chance to stay alive, with Detroit waiting.
For the Celtics, waiting on their matchup is familiar territory — and so are their two options. The Magic and Sixers are on different timelines, but they’ve ended up in a similar place statistically.
They rank 17th and 18th in net rating — Orlando at +0.6, Philadelphia at -0.1. On paper, it’s a coin flip. The injury picture says otherwise.
If it’s the Magic
Boston already knows what Orlando looks like up close. The Celtics beat them in five games in last year’s first round. The series was never seriously in doubt, but the Magic were physical enough to leave a mark. They made every possession feel like work, and Tatum missed a game because of it.
That memory is real, but the season finale offered a more comfortable preview of what a rematch might look like.
Watching Boston’s bench take it to Orlando’s starters and come away with a win matters. The Celtics didn’t have much to play for beyond pride, while Orlando was still jockeying for seeding. The loss dropped the Magic below the Sixers, forcing them onto the road for the Play-In.
This year’s version of Orlando hasn’t quite taken the leap many expected, but the core challenges are still there. Franz Wagner missed a significant chunk of the season with a high ankle sprain, playing just 34 games, but he’s had a few outings in April to get his legs back. He’s worth watching closely — Orlando’s net rating swings +4.9 with him on the floor, the largest individual impact on the roster.
As a duo, he and Paolo Banchero still haven’t consistently translated their talent into positive results. The pairing often comes back negative when they share the floor. The shot-making and self-creation are obvious, but the connection between them hasn’t fully clicked.
The Magic’s identity hasn’t really changed. They’re built on defense and physicality, and they can turn half-court offense into a grind. Desmond Bane adds another layer of offensive versatility, and Anthony Black has taken a step forward across the board.
There’s great size and length in Orlando’s creators, and that can cause problems in a playoff setting. Boston, though, is one of the teams most equipped to match that with its own wing depth. It becomes less about stopping them, and more about whether Orlando can consistently generate efficient offense against a defense built to handle that profile.
If it’s the Sixers
Philadelphia is the more manageable problem on paper — and it starts with Joel Embiid not being available.
The Sixers’ center underwent an emergency appendectomy late in the season and has reportedly not been around the team since. Without him, the foundation of their offense shifts dramatically. With Embiid on the floor, Philadelphia’s offensive rating sits at 121.2. Without him, it drops to 114.1 — a seven-point-per-100-possession decline that strips away the interior presence, short-roll playmaking, and gravitational pull that opens everything else up.
The ripple effects show up everywhere. Three-point percentage falls from 37.8% to 33.6% with him off the floor, a reflection of how much more difficult the game becomes for their perimeter creators.
What remains is the Tyrese Maxey show, and that’s a more volatile experience than his numbers might suggest.
Maxey plays at a speed that forces decisions before a defense is set. He’s the type of guard who turns a made Celtics basket into a layup on the other end before the defense can get organized. He finished the season at 28.3 points and 6.6 assists, with the ability to decelerate into floaters and pull-up threes that make him difficult to stay in front of.
That quick-twitch style presents a different kind of challenge than Orlando’s size. It’s less about absorbing contact and more about containing pace and decision-making.
The playoff reality, though, is that Boston gets to simplify things without Embiid. No interior threat to account for means they can focus on keeping Maxey in front and forcing the rest of the roster to prove it can beat them. He can swing a game, but carrying that burden across four wins against Boston’s perimeter defense is a different ask entirely.
Wednesday’s game feels like a toss-up, and the regular season meetings don’t offer a clean answer either. Philadelphia took two of three from Orlando, but the results swung wildly, including a 40-point loss in November.
Boston isn’t running from either matchup, and they’ll be favored either way. But the questions they ask are different. Orlando brings size, physicality, and a defense that can drag a series into the mud. Philadelphia, without Embiid, leans almost entirely on Maxey’s burst and shot creation to sustain anything over seven games.
One of those problems is harder to solve than the other.
“The broadcast of the Miami Heat at Charlotte Hornets experienced a temporary disruption due to a hardware failure in our production truck,” an Amazon spokesperson said, per ESPN. “Our teams restored the feed as quickly as possible to ensure fans could watch the conclusion of the game. We are conducting a thorough internal review to determine the cause of the outage.”
The feed cut out as the game resumed after a timeout with the Hornets leading the Heat 125-120 and 48.1 seconds remaining in overtime.
LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets fouls Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat in overtime during their game Play-in Tournament game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Getty Images
The blackout lasted for nearly two minutes, causing fans to miss 22.1 seconds of playing time and a Hornets possession.
A message that said “technical difficulties” was displayed afterward, leaving viewers on a cliffhanger during the Play-In thriller — including Lakers superstar LeBron James.
“Tell me the game didn’t just cut off?!!? Am I trippin?? WTH,” James wrote on X.
A view of the studio space during the unveiling of Prime Video’s new NBA On Prime Studio at The Culver Studios on October 14, 2025 in Culver City, California. Getty Images for Prime Video
The Hornets went on to win 127-126 and eliminated the Heat from the postseason in the NBA’s first of six Play-In games.
The matchup between the East’s ninth-and-10th-ranked teams had no shortage of thrilling moments, including 16 lead changes and 17 ties.
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) celebrates with guard Coby White after scoring against the Miami Heat during the second half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, April 14, 2026. AP
Adebayo did not return to the game.
Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said in his post-game press conference that Ball should’ve been ejected after the incident.
After the Hornets win, Ball said it wasn’t intentional and that he was going to check in on Adebayo.
Prime Video has exclusive rights to all six games in this year’s Play-In Tournament.
Nov 7, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) dribbles against San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) in the second half at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images | Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
The San Antonio Spurs are in the playoffs for the first time since 2019 as the 2nd seed in the West, and after last night’s Play-In Tournament games, we know their first round opponent. In a weird scheduling idea that had many people confused, the East 9 vs. 10 game was first — with the Hornets eliminating the Heat in a dramatic game, complete with a controversial missed call that should have seen LaMelo Ball ejected early for tripping and injuring Bam Adebayo — followed by the West 7 vs. 8 game: the Phoenix Suns vs. the Portland Trail Blazers.
In a game whose win probability chart looks like a sinusoidal wave, with the Suns leading much of the first and fourth quarter while the Blazers owned the second and third, it was looking like the Suns would pull it out, leading by as much as 11 with 6:41 left before Portland made the comeback. A three from Jerami Grant gave the Blazers their first lead of the fourth quarter with just under two minutes to go before things went back and forth as Devin Booker tried to guide his team to the finish line.
Unfortunately, a couple of turnovers cost Phoenix the game, and two Deni Avdija free throws and a Grant dunk off a steal with 4.5 seconds left sealed the 114-110 victory for Portland, securing their spot as the 7th seed in the West and as the Spurs’ first round opponent. The Suns will go on to face the winner of the West’s 9 vs. 10 matchup between the Clippers and Warriors in a battle for the 8th seed and the right to face the Thunder in round 1.
The Spurs went 2-1 against Portland in the regular season, with all three being relatively close games. The Spurs won the most recent game last week 112-101 without Victor Wembanyama, who had suffered a bruised rib in the previous game. While perhaps a less daunting opponent than the Suns in the sense that they lack explosive offensive players like Booker or Jalen Green, the are still a big, strong, physical team with an All-Star forward in Avdija. They also have many similarities with the Spurs, with their young core being inexperienced in the playoffs, but they still have vets with championship experience, like Jrue Holiday, to guide them.
It will also be a clash of two coaches making their playoff debut in Mitch Johnson and former Spurs champion Tiago Splitter, who both ended up stepping into the role unexpectedly: Johnson after Gregg Popovich suffered stroke last season, and Splitter after Chauncey Billups was placed on indefinite leave after being charged as part of the NBA betting scandal (although he has not been officially fired by the Blazers yet, so Splitter is still interim head coach). Also also, the Blazers feature a couple of former Spurs in Blake Wesley and Sidy Cissoko, so there are several ties between the two teams.
As if anyone needs a reminder, the rounds are seven-game series in a 2-2-1-1-1 home/away format, with the first to four wins advancing. The series will begin on Sunday, April 19 in San Antonio at 8:00 PM CT and will be aired on NBC and Peacock (note that there are no local broadcasts in the playoffs this year). Game 2 will be on Tuesday at 7:00 also on NBC and Peacock. They will then will travel to Portland for Games 3 and 4, which will be on Friday at 9:30 PM on Prime and next Sunday at 2:30 on ESPN. (Thank you to the scheduling gods for looking out for those of us who struggle with Pacific coast games on work nights!) Games 5-7 are TBD and will be scheduled as needed.
We will have much more about this series in the coming days, including match-ups, x-factors, etc., but in the meantime, what has you the most excited about this series, and is it the one you wanted? Feel free to discuss, and in the meantime, welcome back to the playoffs, Pounders!
"I apologize on that one," Ball told reporters after the game. "I got hit in the head and didn’t really know where I was, but I’m going to check in on him to see if he’s OK and everything."
Adebayo was attempting to save a ball from going out of bounds when Ball took his foot out from underneath him. Adebayo fell, landed on his tailbone and remained down for about a minute before walking to the locker room under his own power, albeit carefully.
Bam Adebayo falls hard and walks gingerly to the locker room after LaMelo Ball grabs his foot while in mid-air, swinging it (with replays) pic.twitter.com/bI3gC13xKk
Adebayo was initially deemed questionable to return with a lower back injury, according to the Heat, but did not return to the court when the second half started. He was eventually officially ruled out before the third quarter was complete.
Who won the Charlotte Hornets-Miami Heat game last night?
The Miami Heat lost in overtime, 127-126, to the Charlotte Hornets. Their season is over.
Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra spoke to reporters about Adebayo’s injury
“I didn’t see it, but I don’t think it’s cute — I don’t think it’s funny — I think it’s a stupid play,” Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters after the game. “It’s a dangerous play, obviously, our best player was out.
"I’m not making any excuse: the Hornets played great. They made those plays down the stretch. We had our opportunities to win. That’s a shame, to be penalized for that. I don’t think that belongs in the game, tripping guys and shenanigans.”
Spoelstra added that he felt an official should’ve made a call to eject LaMelo Ball.
“Somebody has got to see that, and he should’ve been thrown out of the game for that,” Spoelstra said.
Sarah Perkel is a South Florida Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network's Florida Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter,Florida TODAY.
The Heat and Hornets gave us an instant classic to kick off the NBA Playoffs with their overtime thriller, but the conversation following the game was understandably focused on an ugly moment which happened at the start of the second quarter.
LaMelo Ball was driving to the basket when he fell to the ground on some light contact. Bam Adebayo recovered the ball, tried to keep it inbounds on one leg, when Ball tripped the Heat star, causing him to fall hard and be forced out of the game with a lower back injury.
The play where Bam Adebayo got taken out. LaMelo Ball was complaining to the referees afterward. pic.twitter.com/xbKAhslFHB
The incident has been hotly debated. The angle above is damning, and it appears clear that Ball tripped Adebayo on purpose. Another angle from behind the play is less conclusive, looking more like LaMelo was flailing while complaining for a foul, and happened to pull Adebayo’s ankle as a result. Further muddying the water was a lack of a foul on the play, with a referee standing rightat the baseline, but not making a call.
Adebayo was listed as questionable to return with a lower back injury and was later downgraded to being out — playing only 11 minutes.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was understandably heated after the game and didn’t hold back. While he credited the Hornets for making plays down the stretch, he acknowledged that not having Adebayo hurt his team in the elimination game.
Erik Spoelstra on LaMelo Ball's dirty play on Bam:
"I don't think it's cute. I don't think it's funny. I think it's a stupid play. It's a dangerous play. He should be penalized for that. I don't think that belongs in the game, tripping guys. Somebody has got to see that. He… pic.twitter.com/7pbCWPnUv8
The big question now is whether or not the NBA will take any action against LaMelo Ball. The Hornets are set to play the loser of Magic/76ers on Friday to determine the No. 8 seed in the playoffs. If the league decided a suspension was warranted for the trip it would essentially ensure Charlotte would lose that game, with Ball being the most important player on the Hornets. However, without a foul being called on the play it would be highly unusual for the NBA to suspend a player, meaning that LaMelo could get away with a fine.
MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 10: Teammates pour water on AJ Green #20 of the Milwaukee Bucks after the game against the Brooklyn Nets on April 10, 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
Well, we made it. It wasn’t always pretty—and there was often more pain than pleasure—but the 2025-26 season has finally come to a close. Along the way, every major moment, every momentum-shifting play has been captured—here, in prose and picture. 10 volumes, 82 games’ worth. So, for one last time, enjoy reliving the moments that made this Bucks season what it was.
vs. Spurs
It’s a Saturday afternoon in Milwaukee and, with just 10 games left in the season and half the roster injured, Bucks fans have little to get excited about. Ryan Rollins has been excellent all year, but that’s become expected now, the awe worn off. They do, however, have a recently-acquired lithe Frenchman who’s suddenly been thrust into a major role. He’s shown a lot too—flashes of lockdown D, a smooth stroke from three, ball handling and playmaking ability. It’s all there. He starts well too—two rebounds, an assist, a coast-to-coast and-one layup—and the Bucks are surprisingly hanging with the Spurs. But then, Julian Champagnie grabs an offensive rebound and finds 7’4” Victor Wembanyama, who’s determined to remind Bucks fans that he’s the only lithe Frenchman worth awing over. He grabs the pass—head full of steam—takes one dribble from behind the three-point line, eludes four Bucks, and drops a no-look, behind-the-back dime to Stephon Castle for the jam. Extraterrestrial stuff. And yet another crushing blow to Bucks fans’ spirits.
Win probability after Dieng’s and-one: 15.1%
Win probability after Wembanyama’s assist: 11.6%
vs. Clippers
Milwaukee is officially knocked out of playoff contention and welcomes the Los Angeles Clippers to Fiserv—the same team that whooped them by 33 just three games ago. That led by as much as 46. Making things worse, only eight players are available for the Bucks. Yeah, we know where this one’s headed. Still, Gary Trent Jr. has come for the fight, and has 15 points with just over a minute left in the half.
Shot clock off, Trent Ds up Bennedict Mathurin, who’s increased his scoring to 20 per game since coming over from Indiana. Trent locks in, plays Mathurin close—gets right up into him. Under his skin. So much so that Mathurin first pushes off and then—when that’s not called—clamps Trent’s arm in an attempt to create an advantage. Instead, it’s an offensive foul. Bucks ball. And Trent is barking. On the other end, Trent takes possession, dribbling right into a pull-up three that splashes twine with just 1.6 seconds left in the period. It’s his fifth three of the half and he is juiced, giving the Bucks the kind of momentum that, on another night, spurs them to a second-half charge and victory. Tonight, though, all it does is beg: where has this been all season long?
Win probability before Trent draws the offensive foul: 4.0%
Win probability after his three to end the half: 5.8%
vs. Mavs
The Mavs don’t want to win. The Bucks don’t want to win. And no one really cares about this game. But with 2:48 minutes to go in the fourth quarter, Alex Antetokounmpo checks in for the first time ever and, suddenly, the most important man in Bucks’ history is invested. And so are you. 47 seconds later, he finds himself at the free throw line. Clank—yeah, he’s an Antetokounmpo. But the second is pure, Giannis is standing, and the whole damn building is cheering. 57 seconds later, he’s back at the line, this time sinking both. And, when the final siren rings, he’s got a better career free throw percentage than Giannis, Thanasis, and Kostas—and the Bucks have given Giannis yet another memory to tether him to Milwaukee.
Win probability before Alex checks in: 99.9%
Win probability after his first NBA point: 99.9% (though Giannis’ extension odds surely tick up)
@ Rockets
Forget the moment—this season is done. It’s all about the future. And tonight’s game gives oodles of reasons to be optimistic. Career highs for Ousmane Dieng, Pete Nance, and Cormac Ryan in scoring, a career high for Jericho Sims on the boards. In a road game against a top-six Western Conference opponent, in which the Bucks only really play six guys—and only lose by six—that’s a hell of a lot to like. Mostly, though, it’s Dieng’s fourth quarter—the way he takes control and nearly wills Milwaukee to victory: 17 points and three assists, living in the pick and roll for drive-by finishes at the rim and yank-back Js (all while guarding Kevin Durant on the other end). It’s cold-blooded; hypnotic. Future momentum. Personified.
Win probability after Jabari Smith gives the Rockets a 10-point lead to open the fourth: 6.1%
Win probability after Dieng’s 17-foot step back jumper cuts it to four: 9.6%
vs. Celtics
With the luck of the Irish on their side, the Boston Celtics have turned a season that was supposed to be turmoil—was supposed to be a gap year—into a second-place standing in the East. The Bucks… have not. And now they square off, the Bucks without Giannis, Rollins, KPJ, Portis, and Trent; the Celtics missing only Nikola Vucevic. More importantly, they’ve got their (normal) MVP candidate back, Jayson Tatum. He’s been slow to find his rhythm, shooting just 40% since returning from his Achilles injury, but he’s involved early—a rebound and an assist in the opening moments. Then, after Derrick White secures possession off a jump ball, he snaps the cords on a three. 11-3, Celtics. Timeout, Bucks. By the end of the quarter, the Bucks are on life support, down 43-26. By the end of the game, they’re long dead, and Tatum has dismantled them like a coroner: 23, 11, and nine, shooting 50% from both the field and three. Clinical.
Win probability after the opening tip: 15.1%
Win probability after Tatum’s three: 8.1%
vs. Grizzlies
It’s Easter Sunday and the rag-tag Grizzlies, trailing by just two, can sniff the chocolates. Lisa Byington senses it too: “The Bucks need a bucket.” Enter Jericho Sims. First, he gets to work, battling for rebounding position. Then, when the miss comes, he completes the contract (even if the refs call a holding foul that wipes away the offensive carom from the box score). Still, it’s Bucks ball. But they haven’t got that bucket, not yet. It’s only fitting, then, that Sims is the supplier, collecting the feed from Taurean Prince, rising up—head grazing the rim, of course—and slamming it down. It’s the start of a 35-21 run that secures a win for the Fiserv fans who need something sweet at this time of year. And, just when the crowd thinks it’s found all the eggs, Alex Antetokounmpo checks in and scores his first NBA field goal on an iso jumper. Then, on the next possession, he lobs one to Thanasis, who throws it down, and everyone goes home with their sweet tooth satisfied.
Win probability after the Grizzlies cut it to two: 64.9%
Win probability after Sims’ dunk: 70.6%
@ Nets
The Bucks have been under scrutiny for sitting a “healthy” Giannis. So what do they do? Against the Nets—a team that’s been ignored while fielding a roster full of guys you don’t even know are in the league—they sit seven of their top players and don’t even play a point guard, raising a big middle finger to everyone who’s taken umbrage at them. And to make it even better, they lose—which, paradoxically, makes them winners. Ha!
Win probability before the game: 57.8%
Win probability at the end of the game: 0.0% (and that’s the whole damn point)
@ Pistons
In the Preview and Game Thread I wrote about Sims as the “Player to Watch,” citing his excellence in points per shot attempt (99th percentile for bigs), effective field goal percentage (99th percentile), and assist to usage ratio (91st percentile), while also highlighting his pitfalls in steal percentage (9th percentile), block percentage (10th percentile), and turnover percentage (0th percentile), concluding that “if Sims can even marginally shore up these weaknesses, his efficiency alone could make him a far more impactful rotation piece moving forward.” Against the Pistons, there’s nothing marginal about it. Sims has himself a career night: 11 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, and two steals—with just two turnovers to boot.
Win probability at any point: who cares? The Bucks are locked into the 11th or 12th spot anyway.
Win probability after Sims completes the triple-double: still irrelevant. But the growth? Momentous.
vs. Nets
As it turns out, the game isn’t between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Brooklyn Nets. No, it’s actually between the Bucks’ starting backcourt: AJ “Dairy Bird” Green and Cormac “If he keeps playing this well he’ll be a household name” Ryan. Ryan takes the cake early, exploding for 18 points in the first quarter alone, to just three for Green. And by the half he’s still well in front: 21 points to nine. By three-quarter time, the gap has narrowed—24-18—but Dairy Bird is now airborne. Then, in the fourth, he’s in full flight, skying for 17 points in the period, including five bombs. The last is his 11th for the game—a new Bucks franchise record—and, by the time the final whistle blows, they’ve both got new career highs. Combined, they put up 63 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals, shooting 21/35 from the field and 16/25 from three. Goodness gracious.
Ryan’s win probability after the first quarter: 94.5%
Green’s win probability after the third: 44.3%
The real winner? Bucks fans.
@ 76ers
It’s not every day you’re better than Jesus.
First, Green nails a tough corner look over Paul George. Three No. 228. Nothin but. Second, Thanasis gets up for a block to start the transition opportunity and Ryan knows just what to do with it, finding Green who ties the franchise record. 229. Then, on their very next possession, Ryan finds him again for a transition look from nearly the exact same spot. It curls around the rim, bounces up off the backboard in slow motion—as if written by a screenwriter for tension—and hits rim once more on the way down before falling through the net. 230! All alone at the top. Dairy Bird. Then Jesus.
Despite a strong effort, the Bucks go on to lose the game. But they sure as hell got the moment.
Win probability to start the game: 20.4%
Win probability after Green surpasses Ray Allen: 24.8%
With the series coming to a close (at least in its current iteration), I’d like to thank you all for following along. It’s been a journey, especially as the velocity of the season came to a grinding halt slowed down. If this series has taught me anything, it’s that momentum comes in many forms—and sometimes when you least expect it. Perhaps then, despite all the frustrations of the season and all the worries we currently carry, this offseason will provide the Bucks something—a moment—that propels them back in the right direction. Here’s hoping they seize it.
Until then, which moment hit hardest in Volume 10? Cast your vote below and, as always, add your thoughts in the comments.
The playoffs are what the Knicks have been waiting for. In a season where the Knicks won their most regular season games in 13 years, much of it will be forgotten if the club flames out in the postseason.
The first test is the Atlanta Hawks, who are the antithesis of the Knicks in style of play. The Hawks are a mostly young team, they like to play fast, and they have a very small roster.
Here’s five key factors to watch for in New York’s opening round matchup.
The kryptonite to New York’s offense over the past two seasons has been opponents defending Karl-Anthony Towns with a wing player. When the Knicks All-Star center is guarded by a traditional five, he usually feasts.
The Hawks have defended Towns this season primarily with center Onyeka Okongwu, and Towns has been comfortable against the 240-pound center. In two games against the Hawks, he has averaged 28.5 points on 63 percent from the field and 13.5 rebounds.
Would the Hawks put star forward Jalen Johnson or one of their wings on Towns so Okongwu can play center field and muck up the paint?
Either way, Towns should have a matchup advantage and his ability to score either on the perimeter or in the paint should prove to be a regular theme in this series.
Swing shooter
In New York’s 108-105 win against the Hawks last week, the Knicks hid Towns on guard Dyson Daniels for much of the night. Daniels had a rough season from deep. After making 34 percent of his threes last season, the former Most Improved Player of the Year shot just 18.8 percent from deep on 117 attempts.
That creates a dilemma for the Hawks. The club needs Daniels on the floor. He has the toughest defensive assignment, guarding Knicks star Jalen Brunson. But his inept shooting could throw a wrench in Atlanta’s offensive gameplan.
Daniels ended the season shooting the ball better, going 10-for-24 (41.7 percent) from three over his last 10 games. How he starts the series from long distance could swing the series in either team’s favor.
Apr 6, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) dribbles against Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) during the first half at State Farm Arena. / Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Guarding the three-ball
All season long, New York’s three-point defense has been a talking point. The Knicks gave up the fifth most three-point attempts to opponents per 100 possessions. They were also 20th in opponent three-point percentage.
New York’s three-point defense will face its first test against the Hawks. Atlanta was fifth in three-point shooting percentage (37.1 percent) in the NBA this season.
Though Daniels has been a suspect shooter, Atlanta has several dangerous perimeter options on the roster. Nickeil Alexander-Walker was fourth in the NBA with 251 three-pointers made. Okongwu connected on 37.6 percent of his 383 three-point attempts. Veteran C.J. McCollum (35.7 percent) is capable as well. Corey Kispert and Buddy Hield also offer three-point shooting from the fringes of Atlanta’s rotation.
Slowing down Jalen Johnson
A central reason for Atlanta’s hot finish to the season was the emergence of Johnson. The 24-year old All-Star was a stat-stuffer as he led the club in scoring (22.5 points), rebounding (10.3) and assists (7.9).
Johnson thrives in the open court. When Atlanta gets in transition, Johnson can run the floor, or set up his teammates with open looks. He will also likely hunt some of New York’s smaller guards like Brunson, Miles McBride, and Landry Shamet in inverted pick-and-roll situations.
Josh Hart guarded Johnson for much of last week’s win against the Hawks. But expect New York’s other wings Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby to guard Johnson. Not an elite shooter (35.2 percent on 341 three-point attempts), the Knicks can slow down the forward by keeping the game in the half court and preventing easy drives.
Controlling the glass and tempo
One of New York’s advantages against almost every opponent is Mitchell Robinson. New York’s reserve 7-footer is arguably the best offensive rebounder in the NBA, and he has a significant physical advantage in this series.
The Hawks are a small team. Okongwu is 6-10 but just 240 lbs. Johnson is listed at 210 lbs. Off the bench, the Hawks have lithe 6-11 forward Mouhamed Gueye and 6-11 center Jock Landale who can mix it up in the paint, but his status for the series will be up in the air after he suffered a high ankle sprain earlier in April.
That leaves a major opportunity for Robinson to dominate in the paint either against smaller players or limited reserves like recent Hawks free agent signing Tony Bradley. As mentioned before, the Hawks were fifth in pace. But if they can’t secure rebounds, it will be hard to push the ball, which will benefit the Knicks.
Both teams enter this do-or-die game battered and bruised after a long, 82-game season. The Warriors lost key players, Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody, both out for the season. Stephen Curry missed 27 consecutive games for Golden State with a nagging runner's knee injury, but he came back with a handful of games remaining in the regular season to help boost the Warriors' chances of advancing in the playoffs.
The Clippers started their season 6-21 and were written off by many, except themselves. They rallied to finish the season 42-40. Along the way, the Clippers were led by their All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard, who played 65 games and averaged 27.9 points on 50.5% from the field, 38% from 3 and 89% on free throws. The Clippers made a trade deadline acquisition, sending James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Darius Garland, a dynamic point guard who fits their future timeline.
It's a do-or-die situation in the NBA Play-in Tournament. Will it be the Clippers, a team that has rallied in the second part of the season to give their fans newfound hope and realistic shot at the postseason? Or will it be the Warriors, who have trended downward in the latter part of the regular season but have rested to get guys as healthy as possible for the postseason?
Here are storylines to follow during the game, and what each team needs to do to have a chance to secure a victory and advance to Friday's No. 8-seed play-in game:
Warriors-Clippers storylines
The Warriors and Clippers faced each other four times during the 2025-26 regular season. The Clippers got the best of the regular-season series having won three of the four meetings.
In their head-to-head matchups, the Clippers have averaged 102.75 points per game, while the Warriors averaged 98 points.
The Warriors have barely edged the Clippers in their all-time postseason meetings, Golden State has the slight advantage with a 7-6 all-time record.
Both teams could look drastically different at the end of the season. Kawhi Leonard has a contract that expires in 2027, but following an NBA investigation into an endorsement deal in which Leonard denied any wrongdoing, that situation will be something to monitor into the summer.
The Warriors are preparing for a huge offseason that includes a decision to make with Draymond Green and his expiring contract. But before they can focus on the summer transactions, there is meaningful basketball to be played. Here are some in-game storylines to consider.
Superstar matchup: Steph Curry vs Kawhi Leonard
There's something special about the postseason when superstar talent goes toe-to-toe with each other. When it's a pair of stars who dominated the previous decade and much of this one, and you're not sure when you'll see greatness go head-to-head again, it's a spectacle to view.
The Warriors and Clippers matchup is a highly anticipated one because it's a chance to see Stephen Curry and Kawhi Leonard face each other in the postseason for perhaps the final time. Leonard has the slightly better playoff win percentage against Curry, going 8-5 in their 13 matchups.
The last time these two saw each other in the postseason was the 2019 NBA Finals, when Leonard played for the Toronto Raptors. Leonard went to lead the Raptors to the championship in six games and was named Finals MVP after Warriors suffered key injuries to Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant.
Curry got the best of Leonard during the 2017 Western Conference Finals, however. Leonard was injured in Game 1 and missed the remainder of the series. The Warriors won the series and went on to win the NBA championship.
During the 2025-26 season, Curry averaged 23.3 points, 5.7 assists and four rebounds on 44%/31%/87% shooting splits in three games against the Clippers. Leonard averaged 21.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals in three games against the Warriors.
Only one will get the last laugh during the 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament game.
Which second unit will show up for stars?
As much of the attention will be focused on the marquee players, the second unit and bench production will be a key component to this game. Los Angeles has the better secondary unit, at least on paper. Its team consists of a number of dependable scoring options and shot makers such as Bennedict Mathurin, Kobe Sanders, John Collins and Jordan Miller. The Clippers have guys who aren't afraid to get scrappy, such as Kris Dunn, Derrick Jones Jr., Collins and Mathurin. The Clippers benched averaged 30 points per game.
But the Warriors have guys who aren't big names, but have stepped up when their numbers have been called. The Warriors' secondary unit has averaged 45 points per game. Key bench players for Golden State have been Pat Spencer, Gary Payton II, Gui Santos and Al Horford. When the Warriors' second unit is defensive minded, and play a balanced game of attacking and knocking down 3s, they are hard to beat.
Production from secondary scorers, options
The Warriors made a midseason trade for Kristaps Porzingis, who has averaged 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and 23.7 minutes in 15 games with Golden State.
Porzingis filled a much-needed void at the center position, adding size and shooting capability as one of his strong suits. The Warriors will need his offensive and defensive presence to give them a chance to win. He was brought to the team to add some championship experience. He was a part of the team that helped the 2024 Boston Celtics win the trophy, along with Horford. Golden State looks for Porzingis and Horford to channel that with the experience of Green, Curry and Kerr.
For the Clippers, they made a trade deadline move to bring in Garland. The Clippers were rolling after the 6-21 start and continued to trend in that direction after the trade that sent James Harden to the Cavaliers. Garland has been a bright spot for the Clippers and seems to be a piece for their future. He can showcase that he belongs in Los Angeles' future plans with a monster performance during the NBA Play-In Tournament and possibly playoffs.
Garland has averaged 19.9 points, 6.4 assists and 1.2 steals in 19 games with the Clippers. He's shooting splits are 46%/39%/86%.
Warriors vs. Clippers projected lineup
Here are the projected lineups for the No. 9/10 seed game between the Warriors and Clippers.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - DECEMBER 29: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center on December 29, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s not a stretch to say this was maybe the best individual season of Mitchell’s career. He scored more points than ever (1,952 total) and the 10th most in a single season by a Cavalier ever. All on an efficient 56.3% effective field goal percentage (82nd percentile).
Mitchell carried the Cavs throughout the season. He had 15 games of 35+ points, in which the Cavaliers went 14-1. Just two of those performances came after the All-Star break, a testament to how vital Mitchell was to Cleveland staying afloat during their slow start to the season.
Some factors hold him back from the A+. This was the highest usage that Mitchell’s recorded since being in Cleveland. That’s because the Cavs needed him to carry a heavier load. Still, it’s not the idealized version of Mitchell. Things have always looked smoother when he’s paired with another lead ball-handler. We didn’t see that for most of the season — not that Mitchell had any control over that.
Partnered with his higher usage, I’d argue this was the worst defensive season Mitchell has had in Cleveland. The Cavs fell out of the top-10 defensively for the first time since 2021. Mitchell’s inconsistent effort on that end of the floor played a role.
Nevertheless, this was a special offensive season from Mitchell and one of the best in franchise history. I shudder to think of where this team would have finished without him.
Grade: A
James Harden
20.5 points, 7.7 assists, 4.8 rebounds
Trading for Harden was the shock of the season. We won’t re-litigate the trade today, as only the playoffs can tell us whether or not it was worth it. But as of typing — I find it hard to believe there’s anyone in Cleveland who isn’t bought in right now.
Harden won us over almost immediately. Clutch shot making and some of the best pick-and-rolls the league has ever seen will do that. It became obvious how Harden can help raise this team’s ceiling. His instant chemistry with the bigs, along with not taking anything away from Mitchell’s scoring, is about as exciting as it gets.
Concerns remain. Can Harden play defense at a championship level? Will his turnovers be backbreakers in the playoffs? Or, can Harden step-back his way into leading a deep playoff run? That remains to be seen. Either way, I think he’s earned a little bit of faith. I’m willing to go down swinging with Harden at the helm.
Grade: A-
Jarrett Allen
15.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists
For years, Allen has been considered an unsung hero. I’m not sure that’s the case anymore. His heroic efforts in the back half of the season were as important as any other member of the team.
Allen averaged 22.3 points and 11.5 rebounds in February as the Cavs relied entirely on him to steady the ship. After multiple injuries and seismic changes at the deadline, it was Allen who kept everything running smoothly. His consistency made him an anchor on both ends of the floor, and it led to the best stretch of Allen’s career.
The only thing holding him back from an A+ or even an A+++ is the first month of the season. He suffered injuries to both hands and as a result, struggled to catch the ball or finish with his usual efficiency.
Grade: A–
Darius Garland
18 points, 6.9 assists, 2.4 rebounds
I think I speak for every Cavs fan when I say my heart sank during Garland’s first game back from the toe injury. The realization that a full summer of recovery wasn’t enough to overcome this setback was worrying.
Garland delivered a number of great games before being traded this year. The issue, of course, is each step forward came with an aggravation that felt like three steps backwards. The Cavs were left with no choice but to cut their losses and pivot to Harden in an attempt to save their season.
Mobley entered the season with dark-horse MVP written all over him. Fans expected another leap. Instead, they got more of the same — with some minor improvements on the margins.
It’s natural to feel disappointed by that outcome. Though, I do believe this was a strong season for Mobley if you can remove those preseason expectations and instead view this year for what it was.
An efficient 18 points per game as the third option on a 52-win team is pretty sweet. Especially considering he stayed at an All-Defensive level throughout the season. His finishing around the rim, as always, was a highlight. And Mobley ended the regular season with an elite stretch, averaging 20.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game in his final 20 games.
Still, I have to significantly ding his grade for not living up to expectations. Never fret, there’s more than enough time for him to make up for this in the playoffs.
Grade: C+
De’Andre Hunter
14 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists
I still don’t know what happened to Hunter. He checks all of the hypothetical boxes. Great size, good shooter, strong athlete. But none of that translates to the court. He struggled to shoot this season, played some of the worst defense I’ve seen, and overall felt as out of place as you can possibly get.
Grade: F
Jaylon Tyson
13.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Tyson might be the Valedictorian this year. Seriously, I can’t think of a Cavalier that has exceeded expectations more than Tyson.
I entered this season unconvinced that Tyson would be in the rotation, let alone a core piece of the team. I just didn’t think he’d be able to put so many things together in such quick fashion. But Tyson’s sophomore season felt like a launching point for an elite career.
The most impressive part of Tyson’s game is how effortlessly he adapted to whatever the Cavs asked of him. He played without the ball, shooting 44.6% from downtown and finishing as one of the best catch-and-shoot players in the NBA. That’s a role he wasn’t super comfortable playing before this season.
That expands to other aspects of the game. Tyson admitted he never played as the roller in pick-and-rolls before this season. Yet, he was a seamless fit as a screening partner with Mitchell and Harden. His below-the-rim finishing and processing speed as a playmaker allowed him to dominate in those actions.
The same goes for his defensive effort. Tyson wasn’t known as a defensive engine in college. But in the NBA? Being a scrappy, hustle player is what he needed to do to earn minutes. That was the initial bar he had to clear before breaking into Cleveland’s rotation and showing the rest of his skills. Check and check.
Most of all, Tyson proved one thing: he’s a winner. This is a dude who wants nothing more than to help his team get to the finish line. That’s going to keep him in the NBA for a long, long time.
Grade: A+++
Sam Merrill
12.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists
We all knew that Merrill could bury triples. Still, I wouldn’t take a career-high 158 three-pointers in just 52 games for granted. If he had been more available, Merrill would have easily become just the fourth Cavalier to hit 200+ three-pointers in a season. JR Smith, Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell are the others.
More impressively, Merrill proved that he isn’t just a three-point shooter this season. He began attacking the basket at a career-high rate, nearly doubling his previous high for two-pointers in roughly 20 fewer games. He also threw in a personal-best 125 assists, using his gravity to backdoor cut opponents and then kick the ball out to his teammates.
All the while, Merrill fought like hell defensively to hold his own more often than not. Effort goes a long way towards juicing your grade.
Grade: A-
Lonzo Ball
4.6 points, 4 rebounds, 3.9 assists
I’m not going to pile on Ball, whose career was totally derailed by injuries. We all saw how much he struggled to be imapctful this season. Whether it be clanking open jumpers or missing transition layups — let’s just acknowledge that this went sideways and move on.
Grade: F
Dean Wade
5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists
This was the most Dean Wade season I’ve seen from Dean Wade. That’s to say, I don’t think we learned anything new from Wade this year.
The Cavs need Wade. They play well when he’s healthy and shooting three-pointers with confidence. Neither of those things happens as often as you’d like, but they’re just common enough to hold onto the dream.
Grade: C
Thomas Bryant
6.2 points, 3.4 rebounds
Bryant was the best addition of the offseason. It turns out the bar wasn’t very high, after Lonzo Ball played his way to a podcasting career and Larry Nance Jr. became an end-of-bench veteran. But hey, Bryant earned this one.
Seriously, though. Bryant was super helpful off the bench as a backup big. The Cavs relied on him to bring energy, toughness and even some three-point shooting throughout the year. He isn’t mobile enough to hang in certain matchups — and he gave diminishing returns as his minutes grew higher. But for a last-second addition, this is as good as it gets.
Grade: A-
Larry Nance Jr.
3.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1 assist
I’ll admit, I was bummed that Nance wound up being out of the rotation entirely this season. I fully expected him to be an X-Factor for this team. He had all of the tools to be a glue guy. Instead, it’s clear that Nance isn’t the same player he used to be. His mobility has declined significantly and he doesn’t have the size or fine-skills to make up for it.
It’s still fun to have Nance on the roster. He’s a great locker room guy and fully accepted his role on the bench. Maybe he’ll surprise us in the postseason, should the Cavs elect to break glass and put him on the floor.
Grade: D+
Keon Ellis
8.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.3 steals
Ellis was a sweet pickup at the trade deadline. A springy, 6’5” guard who can generate turnovers and play without the ball offensively. He’s an efficient catch-and-shoot player who has shown he can do more than stand in the corner. Ellis took strides as a pick-and-roller this season while also finding success as a cutter.
His defensive impact is shakier than we thought it would be. He isn’t an elite one-on-one defender or the type of guy who is going to suppress shot attempts. Ellis is, however, capable of making some incredible defensive plays by recovering and blocking shots, or using his active hands to pick up steals.
Grade: B
Craig Porter Jr.
4.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists
Porter showed that he has more defensive tenacity than previously known. He turned himself into an energizer, darting into passing lanes and embracing the challenge of ruffling his opponent’s feathers. I’m still not sure he has the foot speed to be an elite defender, but this was a strong step in the right direction.
His lack of a jumper holds him back. Porter doesn’t even attempt enough three-pointers to keep a defense honest. That will have to change if his blocks, steals, rebounds and assists are ever going to be properly utilized.
Grade: B-
Dennis Schroder
8.2 points, 4.3 assists, 2.3 rebounds
Schroder was an add-on to the Hunter trade. He doesn’t fit particularly well next to either Mitchell or Harden. That’s because he’s not adept at playing without the ball, and some of his defensive impact has faded as he gets older.
To his credit, Schroder can still muck up a game and make things interesting. He also has a knack for getting to the rim and creating in the pick-and-roll that makes him worth a spot in the playoff rotation. At least he’ll get a chance to play serious minutes depending on the matchup.
Overall, some of the poor shooting and defense hold him back from a strong grade in the regular season.
Grade: C-
Tyrese Proctor
5.4 points, 1.5 assists, 1.3 rebounds
There’s not much to take from Proctor’s rookie season. His minutes were limited and mostly restricted to garbage time.
I’d happily take any stock moving forward. He’s a guard with good size and defensive instincts. Package that with his natural gift for shooting and I can’t see how this doesn’t pan out for him at some point in the future.
Grade: B
Nae’Qwan Tomlin
5.8 points, 2.8 rebounds
Tomlin went from a two-way to a standard contract this season. That’s enough for an A on its own.
Sure, his impact fell off a cliff in the second half of the year. We saw some warts emerge, such as his poor defensive awareness or his total lack of a three-point shot. But he eventually got the wheels back on track to end the season, again using his athleticism to impact games.
Tomlin, at his best, is a frenetic player who crashes the glass and runs forcefully in transition. That’s a lot of fun to watch, even if we understand that can only take a player so far.
Grade: A-
Max Strus
11.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Listen, no one wanted to wait until March to finally see Max Strus play basketball again. Even Strus himself was frustrated with the process. But once he returned, it was obvious that Strus still had the juice.
Strus played just 12 games in the regular season. In those games, he hit 6+ three-pointers three separate times. He shot above 40% from downtown and nailed some clutch shots along the way. It was all the evidence you needed to know that Strus can still swing games with his prolific shooting.
It wasn’t all pretty, of course. Coming back from a months long injury takes time. Strus’ foot-speed looks slower than before and his defense is a slight concern. He also reminded us of how streaky he can be, shooting 1-9 and 1-10 in two games before the season ended.
Mar 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) splits the defense of Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) and guard Reed Sheppard (15) in the second half at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images | Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
The NBA Playoffs are coming up quickly now that the regular season is over. The Rockets came in fifth, therefore they will play the Los Angeles Lakers, who came in fourth, in a best-of-seven series. The higher-seeded team (Los Angeles) will host the first two games, as usual. After that, the series will go to Houston for games three and four, then back to LA for game five, back to Houston for game six, and finally back to LA for game seven.
The Lakers won three games in a row to finish the season. The Timberwolves ended Houston’s eight-game winning streak, but the Rockets beat the Grizzlies on Sunday.
One main plot point of the series is the continuing battle between Kevin Durant and LeBron James. Even though their most famous battles happened years ago in the NBA Finals, there is a sense of nostalgia and excitement as they meet again, this time in the first round. At this point in their careers, both players may still dominate games, but they are under quite different kinds of strain. Durant plays for a Houston team that is deeper and more balanced. LeBron is now in his 40s and is supposed to be the Lakers’ main offensive player, especially with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves hurting.
If the Lakers don’t let their ailments get in the way too much before the series, they might have a better chance of making it further in the playoffs. Reaves, an important guard, and Luka Doncic, who was brought in to be LeBron’s co-superstar, are both up in the air for this series. When the game is mostly one-on-one, LeBron has to score a lot because the rest of Los Angeles can’t make baskets or set up plays for other players when they aren’t there. Without those parts, the Lakers can’t afford to make as many mistakes.
The Rockets, on the other hand, are in good shape and ready for the playoffs. Houston has quietly become one of the best teams in the conference because they emphasis on being tough and disciplined on defense. Alperen Şengün’s frontcourt gives them a reliable inside scoring threat, and their perimeter defenders enable them to alter up their defenses and mess with their opponents’ offenses. Durant can score in a variety of different ways, and Houston has numerous other players that can also score (Sengun, Thompson, Sheppard etc), so it will depend on how well Houston’s supporting cast does.
The Rockets play a slower, more organized game, employing their size and skill to rebound to keep the ball. The Lakers, on the other hand, perform best when they get ahead early and make the game go faster. It’s harder to do this when Doncic isn’t in charge of the half-court. If Houston can keep the game moving at their tempo, they can keep the Lakers from getting easy points and put them in tough situations at the end of the game.
One of the most important things in the series is whether or not Doncic will feel better and how much. The Lakers wouldn’t simply be a top-heavy team; with him on the roster, they would be a big offensive danger straight away. Los Angeles would have to rely on role players to step up, which would be risky against the Rockets’ at times well-organized defense. It will be a tough and close series, but Houston has the upper hand with the L.A. injuries unless the Lakers get well soon.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - APRIL 14: LaMelo Ball #1 celebrates with Coby White #3 of the Charlotte Hornets in overtime against the Miami Heat during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Charlotte Hornets are in the NBA Play-In Tournament and still alive, having beaten Miami in a thriller Tuesday night.
Kon Knueppel didn’t play especially well, shooting just 2-12 and 0-6 on his three-point attempts, and finishing with just 6. Sion James didn’t have a big game offensively either, scoring just 2 points.
It’s been a while since a former Tar Heel had a major impact on the post-season. Can you remember the last one? It’s tough, isn’t it?
To put it in a different perspective, the last player out of UNC to be an All-Star was Vince Carter.
Well, that changed Tuesday night as former Tar Heel Coby White hit an improbable jumper to tie the game at 114-114 and ultimately put it into overtime.
LaMelo Ball hit the game-winner in overtime, but this play against Bam Adebayo may see him suspended for Charlotte’s final play-in game against the Phoenix Suns.
With Mark Williams, Grayson Allen, and Khaman Maluach, that will be a bit of a Brotherhood reunion.
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