There’s no more clarity in Steve Kerr’s situation following a reported meeting with the Warriors’ top decision-makers earlier this week.
According to an ESPN report on Wednesday, Kerr met with owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. on Monday.
The meeting lasted two hours, per ESPN, but while both sides told the outlet it was “productive,” they weren’t able to reach a resolution.
There’s no more clarity in Steve Kerr’s situation following a reported meeting with the Warriors’ top decision-makers earlier this week. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesAccording to an ESPN report on Wednesday, Kerr met with owner Joe Lacob (above) and general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. on Monday. AP
Kerr, whose contract expired at the end of the season, will continue talks with Golden State management next week, according to ESPN.
In 12 seasons, Kerr, 60, has won four NBA championships and this past year became the fourth-fastest coach to win 600 regular-season games.
However, according to multiple reports, Warriors brass believe some stylistic changes are in order following only their second below-.500 finish under Kerr, with Steph Curry not getting any younger.
Kerr, meanwhile, was upfront immediately following the Warriors’ elimination to the Suns in the play-in tournament that he would understand if the organization was ready to move on.
The meeting with Lacob and Dunleavy Jr. (above) lasted two hours, per ESPN, but while both sides told the outlet it was “productive,” they weren’t able to reach a resolution. NBAE via Getty Images
Kerr said after the game, almost two weeks ago, that he would take some time to think before sitting down with Lacob and Dunleavy, which seems to have taken place Monday.
People close to Kerr told ESPN the coach was still “torn” about his preference, while those with the team told the outlet that whatever the conclusion, it would be a “basketball decision.”
The bottom line seemed to be that neither side was in much of a hurry.
The Warriors will know their fate in the draft lottery next Sunday, which could factor into Kerr’s decision. They have the 11th-best odds and a 9.4% chance at moving into the top four. If the ping pong balls break the right way, they would have a valuable asset to potentially bolster a roster for Curry’s final years.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 26: Reed Sheppard #15 of the Houston Rockets steals the ball from LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second quarter in Game Four of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 26, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Here are the NBA playoff games for Wednesday, April 29, 2026:
Orlando Magic at Detroit Pistons — 7:00 PM ET (Prime Video)
Toronto Raptors at Cleveland Cavaliers — 7:30 PM ET (ESPN)
Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers — 10:00 PM ET (ESPN)
That’s your full slate for today. Enjoy the basketball!
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After avoiding elimination with a win in Game 4, the Houston Rockets will try to do so again in tonight’s Game 5 against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Even without Kevin Durant, who missed his third game of the series with an ankle injury (he’ll miss his fourth tonight), the Rockets dominated from the jump and led by as many as 26 points at one point. Amen Thompson led all players with 23 points and 7 assists, part of a balanced starting lineup where all five players scored at least 16 points. The Rockets’ defense also forced the Lakers into 23 turnovers.
The Lakers may gain a huge piece of offense back with the return of Austin Reeves. Reeves, who has been out with an oblique strain since April 2. He was listed as a game-time decision ahead of Game 4, but the Lakers are optimistic that he’ll be ready to go for tonight’s game.
Lakers vs. Rockets: what to know
What: NBA Playoffs First Round, Game 5
When: April 29, 10 p.m. ET
Where: Crypyo.com Arena (Los Angeles, California)
Channel: ESPN
Streaming: DIRECTV (try it free)
Even with the Game 4 victory, every win is a must-win for the Rockets, who coud be eliminated with the Lakers’ next win. If the Lakers win tonight, they’ll face the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in Round 2, but a Rockets win will bring the series back to Houston for Game 6.
Lakers vs. Rockets start time:
Tonight’s Lakers vs. Rockets playoff game is scheduled to tip off at 10 p.m. ET tonight, April 29.
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This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, movies, and sports, she’s also keeping up on the underrated perfume dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.
Steve Kerr sat down with Golden State governor/controlling owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy, but the trio did not reach a decision on the coach's future.
They are set to meet again next week, according to a report from Shams Charania, Ramona Shelburne and Anthony Slater of ESPN. Both sides said the meeting was "productive" but that there is no rush to make a decision, according to the report.
While Kerr hinted he is leaning toward stepping away after a dozen seasons and four rings at the helm of the Warriors, he also is torn about leaving Stephen Curry and Draymond Green at this point in their careers.
"I hope he's our coach next year. You want my opinion? I think not," Green said after the season. "Just because it just feels like that. It felt like that was it. I also hope I'm on this team next year, we also don't know that. And man, if it was, what a run it's been. So lucky to have had for 12 years Steve as my coach."
If Kerr comes back, the suggestion is that Dunleavy wants to evolve the Warriors' style of play — this isn't 2016 anymore. The Warriors thrived at their peak playing "small" with Green able to defend centers. While Green is still playing at a high level, the league has changed — teams have gotten bigger but maintained their athleticism and shooting (think Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren). This Warriors team is older.
Also part of the decision is whether the Warriors start to pivot toward a younger roster or go all in to make one more deep run in the Curry era. The Warriors have a 9.4% chance of landing a top-four pick in next month's NBA Draft Lottery. Get lucky on that front, and it starts to change what the team's plans may be going forward — which could impact Kerr. He's not the guy they want to handle a team starting to rebuild.
ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 27: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons drives to the basket while being defended by Franz Wagner #22 of the Orlando Magic during the first half of game four of the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs at the Kia Center on April 27, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. The Magic defeated the Pistons 94-88 to take a 3-1 lead in the series. 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 Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The clock is ticking on the Detroit Pistons’ 2025-26 season much earlier than anticipated. Detroit faces elimination against an imposing Orlando Magic defense and, frankly, the Pistons’ nonchalance and self-immolation. Fun fact: the Pistons are holding Orlando to the worst field goal percentage in the NBA Playoffs and averaging nearly four more blocks per game than the next closest team. Detroit’s problem is that its field goal percentage is fourth-worst, and they are combining that poor shooting with 18.3 turnovers per game. If Detroit could get out of its own way and hit a few shots, they’d be the team up 3-1. Do I have confidence they can reverse those trends? Not really.
Game Vitals
When: 7 p.m. ET Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan Watch: Prime Video Odds: Pistons -10.5
DETROIT (AP) — Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner was out of the lineup with a strained right calf against the Detroit Pistons in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night.
“It changes things in a big way,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said.
Wagner had 19 points in two-plus quarters before he departed late in the third quarter of Game 4 with the injury. Orlando went on to beat Detroit 94-88 on Monday night, putting the Eastern Conference's top-seeded team on the brink of elimination.
He averaged nearly 17 points and 5.5 rebounds over the first four games of the series. The former Michigan star, who is from Germany, was limited to 34 games during the regular season due to injuries and averaged 20.6 points per game.
Wagner was replaced in Game 4 by Jamal Cain, who had a powerful dunk over Jalen Duren early in the fourth quarter and a one-handed tip-in dunk that put the Magic ahead with 4:55 remaining.
“We have to make sure we’re at our best no matter who they put on the floor,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said.
Given the difference between the regular season and the playoffs, reading too much into a player's production when considering their fantasy outlook for the following season can be a fool's errand. However, there is room to praise some players and express concern about the fantasy futures of others. Below are a few players whose stocks have either improved or declined based on how they've played in these playoffs.
Stock Up
C Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs received excellent contributions from multiple players in their first-round series against the Trail Blazers, including De'Aaron Fox. However, the Trail Blazers' inability to "solve" Wembanyama factored into their shooting just 40.3 percent from the field in the five-game series.
In the four games he appeared in, the 7-foot-4 phenom blocked four shots per game while also averaging 21.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.8 three-pointers and shooting 58.3 percent from the field and 91.3 percent from the foul line. The regular season and playoffs are different deals, but we may be approaching an era in which Wembanyama stands to be the unquestioned top pick in fantasy drafts.
G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Gilgeous-Alexander will also deserve pick 1.1 consideration in some leagues, given the track record of consistently elite fantasy production. In the Thunder's four-game sweep of the Suns, the reigning league MVP averaged 33.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 0.5 steals, 0.8 blocks and 1.3 three-pointers while shooting 55.1 percent from the field and 89.8 percent from the foul line.
Gilgeous-Alexander's steals production did not match his regular-season average (1.4 spg), but he's averaged at least one steal per game in every season of his NBA career except for one (2020-21).
G Ayo Dosunmu, Minnesota Timberwolves
Regardless of how the Timberwolves' first-round series with Denver concludes, Dosunmu's Game 4 performance will be discussed for quite some time in the Twin Cities. With Anthony Edwards (knee) and Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles) suffering injuries that sidelined them for the rest of the series, if not longer, Dosunmu scored a career-high 43 points to give Minnesota a 3-1 lead. Denver won Game 5 to extend the series, but this could be a good showcase for Dosunmu, who will be a free agent this summer.
F Dillon Brooks, Phoenix Suns
Brooks has never been a great fantasy option, especially in category leagues, due mainly to the low field-goal percentage and limited overall production. However, he's coming off a regular season in which he averaged a career-high 20.2 points per game, and Brooks was arguably the lone bright spot for the Suns in their series sweep at the hands of Oklahoma City.
Averaging 26.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 3.5 three-pointers per game, the veteran wing shot 45.9 percent from the field and 100 percent from the foul line. There will be some questions going into next season, most notably what happens with a fully healthy Jalen Green in the lineup. However, Brooks' play may have raised his fantasy value somewhat, especially in points leagues.
G/F RJ Barrett, Toronto Raptors
Scottie Barnes' play in Games 3 and 4 was a major factor in the Raptors' ability to even their first-round series with Cleveland at two games apiece. Still, Barrett has been consistently productive throughout the series. Through four games, he has averaged 24.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.5 three-pointers, shooting 55.2 percent from the field and 59.1 percent from the foul line.
The free-throw percentage and turnovers (3.5 per game) have left something to be desired, but Barrett's play is one reason why the Raptors have, to this point, survived Brandon Ingram's limited production. Like Brooks, Barrett is usually a better option for points leagues than for category leagues, but his play thus far may positively affect RJ's perception heading into drafts in the fall.
Stock Down
C Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
Yes, Jokić leads all players in rebounds and assists in these playoffs. But he has not been his usual efficient self in the Nuggets' first-round series against the Timberwolves. Aaron Gordon's injury has been a factor, but so has Rudy Gobert's defense. Through four games, Jokić is shooting 42.2 percent from the field and committing nearly four turnovers per game.
Few, if any, fantasy managers will harbor any concerns about Jokić going into drafts next fall, nor should they. But, unlike in seasons past, The Joker may not be a lock to go first overall in drafts. However, that says more about Wembanyama than it does Jokić, to be fair to the three-time league MVP.
C Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons
There's never a good time during the postseason for a player to struggle. But the timing may be even worse for Duren, who will be a restricted free agent this summer. After earning his first All-Star Game appearance in February, he's had a tough time in the Pistons' first-round series against the Magic.
Through four games, Duren has averaged 9.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.5 steals, 1.8 blocks and 3.0 turnovers per game. The production downturn is one reason the Pistons are staring at a 3-1 deficit heading into Wednesday's Game 5. We'll see how these playoffs affect the asking price in free agency this summer.
C Donovan Clingan, Portland Trail Blazers
Clingan is another post player who struggled after taking a step forward during the regular season. In five games, the Trail Blazers' pivot averaged 7.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.6 blocks and 1.0 three-pointers, shooting 30.4 percent from the field and 50.0 percent from the foul line. The good news for Clingan going into next season is that few centers in the NBA can hold a candle to Victor Wembanyama, and Portland won't play San Antonio more than four times. However, this was not a good way for the 7-foot-2 center to go into the offseason.
G Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
Booker had a rough go of it in the Suns' four-game sweep at the hands of Oklahoma City. While he scored at least 22 points in three of the four games, Phoenix's star guard averaged 4.0 turnovers per game while shooting 46 percent from the field and 25 percent from beyond the arc. Booker's fantasy outlook for next season should not take much of a hit, if any, especially if the Suns are fully healthy at draft time.
G/F Mikal Bridges, New York Knicks
Clingan wasn't the only player on this list to have his status as a starter questioned at some point in his team's first-round series. Bridges, who went scoreless in Game 3, remained in the starting lineup for Games 4 and 5 against the Hawks, but his playing time has decreased. Through five games, Bridges has averaged 7.2 points, 1.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.8 three-pointers while shooting 43.8 percent from the field.
The only thing more frustrating than the production has been the lack of aggression on offense, a concern since the All-Star break. While Bridges' availability has given his fantasy value a boost, that may not be the case at draft time in the fall.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 28: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the second quarter against the Boston Celtics in Game Five of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoff at TD Garden on April 28, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images
PHILADELPHIA — Both the Celtics and 76ers will be at full strength when they face one another for Game 6 on Thursday night. The Celtics have a completely clean injury and have no players sidelined for the fourth consecutive game.
The Celtics once again have a clean injury report as they look to close out the 76ers in Game 6
The 76ers will also be at full strength; the only player on their injury report is Joel Embiid, who is listed as probable. He will play in his third consecutive game after missing almost three weeks as he recovered from an emergency appendectomy.
Joel Embiid will look to continue his strong play on Thursday
Embiid was phenomenal in Game 5, exploding for 33 points, 18 of which came in the second half. He shot 12 of 23 from the field and 9 of 10 from the line, while also tallying 8 assists and 4 rebounds. In the second half, Embiid made 7 of 10 field goal attempts.
“Give him credit, he played well,” Jayson Tatum said. “He put a lot of pressure on us, especially on the defensive end. We’ll go back and watch the film and make some adjustments and be ready for Game 6.”
Kelly Oubre Jr. was questionable ahead of Game 5 as he deals with an adductor strain, but he was not on the injury report ahead of Game 6. Oubre has been largely tasked with guarding Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, but has struggled on the offensive end; he’s averaging 9 points while shooting 38.3% from the field and 15.8% from three in the series.
Celtics-76ers will tip off at 8pm ET on Thursday night at the Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Luka Doncic is now more than four weeks removed from the Grade 2 hamstring strain he suffered April 2 against the Thunder.
The original unforgiving recovery timeline was four to eight weeks.
A biological boundary to return to sports, and for athletes like Doncic, whose game is defined by quick and sudden stops and starts, recovery can take even longer.
During the Lakers first round series against the Rockets, Doncic was able to ease back into shooting and controlled movement on the court.
However, as Lakers’ head coach J.J. Redick said on Tuesday, Doncic has yet to be upgraded to one-on-one action yet.
In the return-to-play ladder, that step is an important threshold. It’s where actual competition begins.
Austin Reaves recently returned from an oblique injury and he began one-on-one drills roughly a week before he stepped back onto the court.
Luka Doncic is exactly four weeks removed from suffering a Grade 2 hamstring strain against the Thunder on April 2. Getty Images
Thankfully for Reaves, he had a clean progression with no setbacks. If Doncic is able to follow that same arc — and that’s a big if — then his timeline could rapidly increase.
Unfortunately for the Lakers, time isn’t on their side.
The Western Conference semifinals are set to begin between May 2 and 4.
A return for Game 1 at this point, especially for a player whose game depends on torque, deceleration, and violent changes of pace, seems unlikely. Depending on when the series begins, Game 2 seems doubtful as well.
If the Lakers want a realistic chance at taking out the defending-champion Thunder, Doncic will have to play a key role in the Western Conference semifinals. Getty Images
But a potential Game 3 back in Los Angeles could be a pivot point.
Provided that Doncic begins one-on-one action soon, and he’s on a similar progression as Reaves was, then closer to the five-week mark seems more plausible.
Until then, the Lakers fragile math equation remains the same.
Continue to win and survive in the postseason so Doncic can come back and make an impact later in the series.
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If Nikola Jokic is as tired as he has looked in this series, he should hardly be faulted. How much cardio work could the Denver Nuggets’ superstar really have done while sidelined with a knee injury for almost all of January?
When Jokic returned on Jan. 30, Jokic went on to play 33 of Denver’s final 34 games — and now he’s faced an exhausting defense five times in 10 days. That would wear anyone down.
Whatever the reason, Jokic hasn't scored more than 27 points in a game in this series, and with his 3-pointer looking rather broken at the moment — 6-of-31, 19.4%, in this series — expecting a scoring barrage from the three-time MVP would be misguided.
SGP leg #2: Nikola Jokic Under 9.5 assists (+105)
Usually, that would spark expectations of more playmaking, but that requires the Nuggets’ role players to rise to the occasion — and they’ve only done that twice in this series, both times at home.
The road atmosphere alone should lower hopes of Denver’s role players and thus dampen Jokic’s assist numbers.
See our full Nuggets vs Timberwolves Game 6 preview
Get Douglas Farmer's full breakdown of this game, including his best bet, plus the latest NBA odds, injuries, and betting trends, in his Nuggets vs. Timberwolves predictions for Game 6.
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 19: Stephen Curry #30 celebrates with Gary Payton II #0 of the Golden State Warriors after Curry had an assist to Payton II in the third quarter of their game against the Miami Heat at Chase Center on January 19, 2026 in San Francisco, California. 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It was a down year for the Golden State Warriors in 2025-26. Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody suffered devastating injuries to their knees. The Jonathan Kuminga situation lingered and festered for nearly a year. Brandin Podziemski alienated Warriors fans with his bravado, inconsistency, and lush, flowing locks. The team lost in a play-in game. And Steph Curry lost his title as Teammate of the Year.
New Orleans Pelicans center DeAndre Jordan has been named the 2025-26 Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year.
Presented annually since 2012-13, the award recognizes the player deemed the league’s best teammate, based on selfless play, leadership and commitment to the team. pic.twitter.com/dUi5J6O5Dv
Curry upped his scoring this season to 26.6 PPG but saw declines in rebounds, assists, and teammatery. While he is ineligible for other NBA honors due to the league’s 65-game requirement, that does not extend to the Twyman-Stokes Award. DeAndre Jordan played only 12 games for the New Orleans Pelicans. but he was apparently a great teammate to a 26-56 Pelicans team that relied heavily on two first-round rookies in Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen. Plus, Jordan Poole was on the roster for an entire season and no punches were thrown!
Still, apparently voters don’t take wins and losses into account with the Teammate of the Year award anymore. They could have lost 56 games without DeAndre Jordan! But we guess the Twyan-Stokes Award doubles as a participation trophy now.
Jordan is extremely well-liked among NBA players, so much that Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant insisted on bringing Jordan along when they signed with the Brooklyn Nets in 2019. Arguably they should have kept him around, since the Irving-Durant-James Harden partnership imploded the season after Jordan left. The three-time All-NBA center is still in the league at age 37 despite averaging 162 points per season the last five years.
He has a long history of displaying strong teammate skills, dating back to his time as the fictional legal guardian for Rapping Baby Damian Lillard and Uncanny Valley Teenage Kevin Love as matriarch of The Hoopers.
The Twyman-Stokes Award is named after Hall of Famers Jack Twyman and Maurice Stokes, who were teammates on the Rochester Royals in 1958 when a fall in the final game of the season left Stokes completely paralyzed. Twyman became Stokes’ legal guardian and supported him until his death 12 years later.
Curry won the award last season but wasn’t among the 12 finalists selected by a panel of NBA executives. The players vote on the 12 finalists and Jordan won an incredibly close vote by eight points over three-time teammate of the year Jrue Holiday, who was clearly a victim of voter fatigue. Jeff Green of the Houston Rockets was only 25 points back in third place, probably due to the degree of difficulty he faced in dealing with Durant allegedly trashing his teammates on social media in another burner account scandal.
We’ve seen how much criticism and disrespect motivates Curry. Even now, he’s probably saving critical tweets disparaging his teammating skills and mentally cataloguing all the haters who believe an all-time great player should have more than just one Twyan-Stokes trophy.
He’s going to go back in the lab with a pen and a pad and getting his damn teammate game up. The only question is who those teammates might be.
MINNEAPOLIS , MN - APRIL 25: Jaden McDaniels (3) of the Minnesota Timberwolves locks up Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter of the Timberwolves' 112-96 win in game four of their NBA Playoffs series at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post) | Denver Post via Getty Images
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets Date: April 30th, 2026 Time: 8:30 PM CDT Location: Target Center Television Coverage: ESPN
Game 5 was the Wolves’ opportunity to end the argument.
They had Denver on the mat. They had won three straight. They had discovered the recipe: suffocating defense, relentless rim pressure, and enough pace to make Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray look for the oxygen masks that drop from airplane ceilings. Even without Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo, there was a real belief that Minnesota could walk into Ball Arena and finish the Nuggets off.
And then the wounded animal bit back.
That’s the thing about trying to close out a proud, desperate team with the best player on the planet: they don’t just quietly accept their fate, grab a duffel bag, and head to the Serbian horse stables. Denver came out playing like a team that understood its season was on the line. Ball Arena was rabid. Jaden McDaniels was Public Enemy No. 1. The crowd was ready to boo him every time he touched the ball, breathed, blinked, or maybe even thought about scoring again in the final second.
For the first time in a few games, Denver looked like the team throwing the first real punch. The Wolves didn’t roll over. They didn’t no-show. Minnesota came ready to compete, but the problem was simple: they also came ready to hand Denver the ball like it was a promotional giveaway.
Twenty-five turnovers.
Twenty-five.
You can survive a cold shooting night. You can survive foul trouble. You can survive the other team’s role player having the game of his life. But 25 turnovers in a playoff closeout game on the road against Jokic? That’s like walking into a shark tank wearing a meat suit.
The turnovers didn’t just choke off Minnesota’s offense. They gave Denver exactly what the Wolves had spent the previous three games trying to deny them: easy points, early offense, and the ability to attack before Minnesota could get its half-court defense set. When the Wolves are locked in defensively, they have shown they can turn Denver’s offense into a clogged drain. But if you’re throwing live-ball turnovers into the middle of the floor, suddenly Jokic doesn’t have to solve Gobert in the post. Murray doesn’t have to grind through McDaniels for 18 seconds. Denver doesn’t have to earn anything. They just had to run, finish, and let the building explode.
And then came Spencer Jones, who killed the Wolves from deep, giving Denver the exact supporting punch it had been missing. Minnesota spent so much energy trying to contain Jokic and Murray, and rightly so, but when a role player starts cashing threes like he found a cheat code, the math gets ugly fast.
So now here we are.
Wolves 3, Nuggets 2.
Game 6 at Target Center.
The Wolves are still in control, still holding the lead, and still one win away from the second round. But they are also now staring at the most uncomfortable truth: You do not want to go back to Denver for Game 7 without your superstar.
Yes, the Wolves have done the Game 7-in-Denver thing before. Yes, it ended with one of the greatest wins in franchise history. But that version had its full arsenal. This one is trying to close out Jokic with a backcourt being held together by duct tape, prayer candles, and the memory of Ayo Dosunmu’s 43-point fever dream.
Game 6 is not technically win-or-go-home for Minnesota. It just feels like win-or-start-panicking.
And with that, here are the keys.
1. Defense Has to Be the Anchor Again
Everything good in this series has started with Minnesota’s defense. Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels have been the two biggest reasons the Wolves are even in position to close this thing out. Gobert has battled Jokic as well as anyone on Earth can reasonably battle him, and McDaniels has made Murray’s life miserable when he’s been able to stay on the floor.
That last part matters.
McDaniels picked up two quick fouls in Game 5, and the whole structure of the game shifted. Suddenly Murray had more room to breathe, and Denver could get into offense without being hounded from baseline to baseline.
That cannot happen Thursday. McDaniels has to be aggressive, but smart. Gobert has to be physical, but disciplined. And the rest of the Wolves have to understand that this cannot be a two-man defensive effort. If Minnesota clamps down on Jokic and Murray but lets Spencer Jones, Tim Hardaway Jr., or some other Nuggets supporting character turn into a folk hero, then what was the point?
The closeouts have to be crisp. The rotations have to be early. The perimeter resistance has to keep Denver from putting Gobert in impossible spots. And most importantly, the Wolves have to protect the rim better than they did in Game 5. Denver got too much in the paint, too many easy chances, too many moments where Minnesota’s defense was reacting instead of dictating.
Without Edwards and DiVincenzo, the Wolves are not built to win a fireworks show. They need to drag Denver back into the mud and make them earn every single point.
2. Stop Punching Yourself in the Face
Twenty-five turnovers is not just bad. It’s disqualifying.
The Wolves could have survived a lot of things in Game 5. They could have survived Denver’s crowd, the officials, even Spencer Jones hitting shots. They could not survive repeatedly handing the Nuggets transition chances like it was a charity event.
The maddening part is that even with all of those self-inflicted wounds, Minnesota was still close enough for long enough to make Denver sweat. The lead ballooned, sure, but there were stretches where you could feel Ball Arena getting nervous. The Wolves cut the margin down. They forced Denver to keep playing. They made the crowd remember that weird things happen when these two teams share a court.
Now imagine if they had just treated the ball like it belonged to them.
That’s the whole Game 6 challenge. Mike Conley, Bones Hyland, Ayo Dosunmu, Julius Randle, and anybody handling the ball has to value possessions. No lazy cross-court passes, dribbling into crowds, casual outlets, or poor decisions that immediately turn into Murray layups or Jokic touchdown passes. This series is hard enough without giving Denver extra possessions.
Minnesota cannot beat itself and beat Denver at the same time.
3. Win the Dirty Work
Denver was the desperate team in Game 5, and it showed. Loose balls found Nuggets hands. Long rebounds bounced Denver’s way. Scrambles tilted toward the team that knew its season was about to end if it didn’t get there first. Those are the plays that don’t always dominate the box score but absolutely shape playoff games.
The Wolves have to match that desperation now. Not because they are facing elimination, but because they should treat Game 6 like they are. That’s the mentality required. Every rebound has to matter. Every deflection has to matter. Every 50-50 ball has to feel like it decides the series.
One offensive rebound can become a Jokic three-point play. One lazy box-out can become a momentum swing. One loose ball can turn into a five-point mini-run.
The Wolves need to be the team that wants those moments more.
4. Keep Your Composure
Let’s be honest: the whistle has been a whole subplot in this series. The Wolves have been battling foul trouble constantly. Reviews have felt like trips through a haunted house where the ending is always somehow worse than expected. Whether it’s the infamous foot-to-knee contact or whatever new interpretation gets invented mid-possession, Minnesota has had to play through more than its share of frustration.
That cannot become the game within the game.
Target Center helps. The crowd will be insane. The energy should tilt Minnesota’s way. But the players still have to stay composed. McDaniels and Gobert especially cannot afford early foul trouble. If either one gets yanked to the bench early, Denver gets breathing room. And giving Denver oxygen right now is how this series gets very uncomfortable very quickly.
The Wolves need to play physical without getting reckless. They need to absorb bad calls without spiraling. They need to make sure frustration doesn’t turn into a technical, a rushed shot, or a defensive lapse.
There is a fine line between intensity and chaos, and Minnesota has to live on the right side of it.
5. Somebody Has to Rise
In Game 4, Ayo Dosunmu answered the bell with one of the great unexpected playoff performances in franchise history. Forty-three points. Five threes.
In Game 5, nobody provided the sequel.
That has to change. Maybe it’s Ayo again. Maybe it’s Jaden McDaniels turning elite defense into aggressive offense and reminding everyone that his mid-range and rim pressure can swing games. Maybe it’s Randle giving Minnesota the full bully-ball, playmaking, glass-crashing version of himself. Maybe it’s Rudy dominating the paint so completely that Denver starts thinking twice about every drive. Maybe it’s Naz finally catching fire and giving the bench the scoring punch it desperately needs. Maybe Bones goes full microwave.
It doesn’t really matter who, but someone has to step forward and say, “Tonight is mine.”
Because without Edwards, this cannot be a passive collective. It has to be a connected team effort with one or two guys willing to seize the night. Denver will bring desperation. Jokic will bring brilliance. Murray will bring shot-making.
The Wolves need an answer.
Finish the Hunt
Nobody in Wolves Nation wants a Game 7.
Nobody wants the plane ride back to Denver. Nobody wants 48 hours of talking themselves into “well, they won there before.” Nobody wants to spend a Saturday night watching Jokic in his building with Minnesota’s season hanging by a thread and Anthony Edwards in street clothes.
The opportunity is right here. Game 6. Target Center. Home crowd. Series lead. A chance to end the Nuggets’ season and advance to the second round for just the fourth time in franchise history. This is the moment the Wolves have to own.
The Wolves have spent this series proving they can beat Denver. They have the blueprint. They have the defensive answers. They have shown they can drag the Nuggets into uncomfortable places and make the best player in the world look mortal enough.
Now they have to complete the mission.
No moral victories. No noble seven-game loss. No “if onlys…”
Our NBA player prop projections are locked in for Game 5 between the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers, with the model identifying several high-value spots as Houston battles to keep its season alive.
By comparing the data against current market lines, we’ve pinpointed the strongest edges.
If you’re building your card, here are the model’s top NBA picks for Wednesday, April 29.
Rockets vs Lakers computer picks for Game 5
Rockets
Lakers
Thompson o18.5 points -120
James u23.5 points -110
Smith Jr. o6.5 rebounds -141
Ayton u7.5 rebounds -105
Sengun o5.5 assists -125
Hachimura o1.5 3-pointers -105
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Rockets Game 5 computer picks
Amen Thompson Over 18.5 points (-120)
Projection: 19.1 points
Amen Thompson is averaging 24.6 points over his last five games —6.2 above his season average — and with the Houston Rockets in desperation mode, he’s in a strong spot to clear this points prop as he looks to help extend their season.
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Jabari Smith Jr. Over 6.5 rebounds (-141)
Projection: 7.29 rebounds
The Rockets lead the NBA with 15.1 offensive rebounds per game, and in a must-win spot, they’ll need to lean into that strength to generate extra chances.
Jabari Smith Jr. has cleared this line in Games 1 and 4, and Game 5 sets up as another opportunity for him to stay aggressive on the glass.
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Alperen Şengün Over 5.5 assists (-125)
Projection: 5.98 assists
Alperen Şengün is well-positioned to clear 5.5 assists in this elimination Game 5, especially with Houston’s offense expected to run heavily through him.
In win-or-go-home spots, the ball tends to stay in Şengün’s hands as a hub at the elbow and in the post, where he thrives as a facilitator.
His ability to draw double teams from the Lakers creates natural kick-out opportunities, and with Houston likely emphasizing ball movement to generate cleaner looks, the assist chances should be there.
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Lakers Game 5 computer picks
LeBron James Under 23.5 points (-110)
Projection: 22.84 points
The Rockets play at the second-slowest pace in the league, which should limit possessions for the Los Angeles Lakers.
With Austin Reaves expected back, it could ease the offensive burden on LeBron James — something his 41-year-old legs will appreciate.
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Deandre Ayton Under 7.5 rebounds (-105)
Projection: 7.29 rebounds
The Lakers would love to close this series out at home, and that starts with eliminating Houston’s second-chance opportunities; something Deandre Ayton can help control on the glass.
He’s cleared this prop in Games 1 and 4, but with the Rockets having their backs against the wall, expect a stronger push to limit his impact on the boards.
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Rui Hachimura Over 1.5 3-pointers (-120)
Projection: 2.15 3-pointers
The Lakers have been the most efficient three-point shooting team in the league over their last five games, and much of that is thanks to Rui Hachimura’s hot hand this series.
He’s shot 50% or better from deep in every game against Houston — ride the momentum and expect it to continue.
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How to watch Rockets vs Lakers Game 5
Location
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Date
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Tip-off
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
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ATLANTA (AP) — Authorities announced Wednesday that former Atlanta Hawks finance executive Lester T. Jones Jr. was sentenced to three years and five months in prison for embezzling approximately $3.7 million from the team through fraudulent expense reimbursement requests and misuse of corporate credit cards.
Federal prosecutors said in a court filing in November that Jones, a former Hawks accounting executive, used the money to pay for travel, luxury apparel, jewelry, car expenses and tickets to concerts and sporting events.
Jones pleaded guilty to wire fraud in December.
Jones, 46, worked in the Hawks’ accounting and finance department from March 2016 through June 2025. In his role as senior vice president for finance, beginning in August 2021, he was responsible for the company’s corporate credit card account with American Express and administered the electronic expense reimbursement program.
“Jones turned his dream job as a high-ranking executive for the Atlanta Hawks into an opportunity to steal the team’s funds, purchasing luxury apparel, jewelry, watches, and trips for himself,” U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said in a statement released by the Department of Justice.
“But, for Jones and others who abuse their employers’ trust to embezzle substantial funds, the gravy train’s final destination is federal prison.”
The Hawks had no comment Wednesday on Jones' sentencing.
Marlo Graham, an Atlanta-based special agent, said Jones' case “underscores the significant damage that can be caused by insider threats within an organization.”
“Jones abused his authority and access to embezzle millions, but schemes like this are not immune from detection," Graham said in a statement. "The FBI remains committed to investigating and disrupting financial crimes at every level.”
Prosecutors said Jones embezzled the money by submitting dozens of fraudulent expense reimbursement requests, leading the Hawks to reimburse him for fictitious business expenses. Also, prosecutors said Jones charged personal expenses to corporate credit cards.
Among the personal expenses: approximately $80,000 in overseas travel to the Bahamas and Thailand, $99,800 in apparel at Saks Fifth Avenue, a $115,795.01 diamond ring, $21,888.90 in Omega watches, and over $160,000 in tickets to concerts and other events.
Down 3-2 in the series, the Denver Nuggets still enter Game 6 as favorites — a shift driven largely by Minnesota’s backcourt injuries in Game 4.
With that context, these Nuggets vs. Timberwolves predictions and NBA picks expect the Timberwolves to empty the tank at home against Nikola Jokic and company on Thursday, April 30.
UPDATE: Added who will win section for tonight's game.
Nuggets vs Timberwolves prediction
Who will win Nuggets vs Timberwolves Game 6?
Timberwolves: Minnesota may have gone into Denver to win a Game 7 just two years ago, but this isn’t 2024.
Why not take care of business at home? Why not reward home fans?
And more pressing, why not throw every wrinkle and adjustment at the Nuggets now rather than wait for a Game 7?
The added day between Games 5 and 6 should work in the Timberwolves’ favor, with a more experienced coaching staff and a more variable lineup getting an extra day to adjust after the Game 5 loss.
Nuggets vs Timberwolves best bet: Nikola Jokic Under 29.5 points (-112)
At the very least, Denver Nuggets’ superstar Nikola Jokic has looked tired in this series. He found more space inside in Game 5 and had his first efficient game of the series, yet Jokic still scored only 27 points.
And that is not because he played significantly fewer minutes. For someone so upset about a last-second layup in Game 4, Jokic still made a show of trying to embarrass a Minnesota Timberwolves’ rookie in the final seconds of Game 5.
Jokic played more than 37 minutes, and his 27 points stand out — especially since that’s his high-water mark in this series.
Credit Rudy Gobert. He has matched Jokic’s physicality and minutes this series, making the Serbian’s life miserable.
The Timberwolves should play their most aggressive defense of the series in Game 6. It’s stronger with Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo on the floor, but it can still hold up without them.
And even if it doesn’t show up, there hasn't been any evidence that Jokic has the energy to post a 30-point masterpiece the way he so often has in the past.
Nuggets vs Timberwolves same-game parlay
There is distinct logic in expecting the Nuggets’ role players to come up short on the road, thus turning a few potential Jokic assists into nothing but missed shots.
Such missed shots should help Minnesota’s transition game, which needs to be a key piece of the Timberwolves’ offense.
Nuggets vs Timberwolves SGP
Nikola Jokic Under 29.5 points
Nikola Jokic Under 9.5 assists
Timberwolves +5.5
Our "from downtown" SGP: Timberwolves prevail
This is the Timberwolves’ best chance, and do not underestimate their ability to adjust.
That is the hallmark of any team enjoying postseason success in the modern NBA, and Minnesota reached the Western Conference Finals in each of the last two springs. Some adjustments were clearly made.
If this week’s adjustment catches the Nuggets off guard, that should yield a Timberwolves win. In particular, keep an eye out for Terrence Shannon Jr. getting downhill or Minnesota trying to play a four-out lineup around Julius Randle to capitalize on his ability to draw multiple defenders and find an open shooter.
Over/Under: Over 225.5 (-110) | Under 225.5 (-110)
Nuggets vs Timberwolves betting trend to know
Denver has fallen short of its team total in four of the five games in this series. Find more NBA betting trends for Nuggets vs. Timberwolves.
How to watch Nuggets vs Timberwolves Game 6
Location
Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Date
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Tip-off
9:30 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Nuggets vs Timberwolves latest injuries
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Rockets
Lakers