TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 23: James Harden #1, Evan Mobley #4 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the game against the Toronto Raptors during Round One Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2026 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers stumbled in their first playoff game on the road. They’ll get another chance to take care of business and head back home with a 3-1 series lead over the Toronto Raptors.
To do that, they’ll have to look much better than they did in Game 3.
The Cavs were thoroughly outplayed for 48 minutes on Thursday. Toronto owned them in the paint, turned them over at a high rate, and lit them up from behind the three-point line when the game mattered most. A 20-point thrashing in the fourth quarter made the final score look as bad as the rest of the game felt.
How do the Cavs fix this?
Shifting Cleveland’s focus back to the paint is a good start. Of course, they have to take care of the ball and limit quality three-point attempts for their opponent, but just getting their own shot diet back on track is a non-negotiable. The Cavs took 45 three-point attempts in Game 3 but only 36 two-pointers. That’s playing with fire.
I’m hoping to see the Cavs work harder to break Toronto’s shell and score in the paint. James Harden and Donovan Mitchell, specifically, have to be better at generating looks inside. They can’t afford another cold shooting night from downtown. Diversifying their shot chart is a more sustainable way to win.
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LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 21: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on April 21, 2026 at Crypto.com Arena...
Kevin Durant was not on the Rockets’ bench as they melted down against the Lakers on Friday night, but Ime Udoka has revealed the reason why.
Durant, who also missed Game 1 of this first round series with a bruised right knee, sat out of the Rockets’ 112-108 overtime loss to LA with a sprained left ankle.
And as Udoka told reporters in his post-game press conference, the 37-year-old was receiving treatment for the issue during the game.
Udoka added on Saturday that Durant, who scored 23 points in his team’s Game 2 loss earlier this week, was running on an underwater treadmill as Game 3 went on.
Kevin Durant, seen during Game 2, has played in just one of three games during the series NBAE via Getty Images
The Rockets could have badly used Durant’s composure as they blew a six-point lead with 34.4 seconds left in Game 3, as both Jae’Sean Tate and Reed Sheppard committed costly turnovers that led to 3-pointers from Marcus Smart and LeBron James.
From there, LA outscored their hosts 11-7 in overtime as it took a commanding 3-0 series lead.
Ime Udoka says Kevin Durant continues to get treatment today on his left ankle.
Durant remains questionable for Sunday. Will test his ankle during shootaround tomorrow + pregame tomorrow night.
“Getting treatment still around the clock. I think there's some soreness. [Durant]… pic.twitter.com/dZglPrwmkY
Durant is questionable for Houston’s do-or-die Game 4 on Sunday, with Udoka telling reporters on Saturday that the 16-time All-Star was dealing with soreness.
His injury woes this postseason come after an extremely durable regular season, as he appeared in 78 games for Houston — his most since he played the same amount for Golden State in 2018-19.
Udoka said earlier this week that Durant’s latest ailment occurred when he was attempting to run down Lakers guard Luke Kennard towards the end of Game 2.
Ime Udoka told reporters that Durant was receiving treatment on his ankle during Game 3 AP
Durant finished that game, an eventual 101-94 Lakers win, shooting seven-of-12 from the field and adding six boards and four assists to his 23 points.
He also committed nine turnovers.
The Rockets will hope to save their season when they host the Lakers on Sunday.
Apr 24, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) walks on the. court after a play during overtime against the Los Angeles Lakers during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun just wrapped up his second consecutive All-Star campaign, with averages of 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 51.9 percent from the field, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks per contest. Sengun also racked up 34 double-doubles, which tied Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic for ninth-most in the NBA.
Sengun and the Rockets drew a favorable first-round postseason matchup against the aforementioned Lakers, due to injuries to Doncic and Lakers guard Austin Reaves but it hasn’t quite materialized into a favorable outcome thus far. The Rockets are down 0-3 and face a grim but realistic possibility of getting swept.
On their home floor, at that. Sengun hasn’t exactly been consistent throughout the series, averaging 19.5 points on 15-of-39 shooting from the floor (38.5 percent) through the first two games of the series. Game 3, however, saw a much different Sengun.
He was aggressive and did all he could to will this Rockets ball club to victory. Well, outside of long-range shooting, as he went just 1-of-5 from 3-point land, but that shouldn’t be a surprise.
All told, Sengun had 33 points, 16 rebounds (5 offensive), 6 assists, 3 steals and a block, in 47 minutes of action. This was the version of Sengun that was expected from the start of the season.
Several hours before tip-off of Game 3, a report surfaced from Will Guillory of The Athletic, stating that Sengun could very well be moved this summer, if the Rockets find themselves eliminated early in the postseason in a disappointing fashion (like they have).
According to Guillory, Sengun could be moved for a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, or Donovan Mitchell. The Rockets were linked to Antetokounmpo earlier in the season, so it’s not surprising to see his name again.
It’ll be interesting to see what else the Rockets do this offseason, from a roster construction standpoint, because adding another superstar will force the team to surrender roster depth and leave the Rockets compromised, as it pertains to replacing that depth.
PORTLAND, OREGON - APRIL 24: Devin Vassell #24 and Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs celebrate after a 120-108 win against the Portland Trail Blazers following Game Three of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Moda Center on April 24, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As far as I can tell, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili only scored 30 points in the same game twice.
I remember both instances well.
The first came during the clinching Game 6 win against the Phoenix Suns in the 2007 Western Conference Semifinals, a critical home win with the series potentially going back to Phoenix for a deciding Game 7.
The second came the following year, in Game 3 of another hotly contested Western Conference Semifinal against the Chris Paul-era Hornets (now Pelicans), in a series that did go seven games.
Parker and Ginobili were 24 and 29 respectively in the 2007 postseason — 25 and 30 the following year.
And last night, at the tender ages of 21 and 20, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper not only came within a three-pointer of duplicating that feat, but they also nearly became the youngest pair of Spurs to score 30 points in a postseason game, period.
On the one hand, it’s almost shocking to find that Tony and Manu only combined to score 30 points together twice in all the years they played together.
On the other hand, it’s absolutely crazy to think of Castle and Harper following in their footsteps when only one of the two can even legally buy an alcoholic beverage.
Crazier still to consider that they performed the way they did in the absence of San Antonio’s franchise player.
That the fledgling duo effectively carried the Spurs in the fourth quarter of a dark postseason hour left me sitting there in shock at what I’d just witnessed.
With 5:09 left in the 3rd quarter, the Spurs were down 65-80, and ESPN had Portland’s chance of winning at 91.4%, their highest percentile of the game. Things looked grim. I had long ceased my pacing over the officiating, and that propulsive agitation had largely left me.
I was sitting in my brother’s most comfortable chair, engaged in conversation about Wemby’s concussion, discussing how Game 4 might go, brainstorming what I could even write about on a night that had felt deflating.
The Spurs were flailing. They couldn’t seem to stifle Portland’s guard duo of Scoot Henderson and the well-heeled Jrue Holliday. The offense that had worked so well against most teams in the absence of Victor Wembanyama just couldn’t find that extra gear.
Possessions looked stagnant as Portland’s game plan to minimize De’Aaron Fox’s effectiveness (and an unusually early four fouls) had San Antonio’s 2nd leading scorer of the regular season looking overly careful as ball movement stalled along with him.
Twitter was awash with tweets crashing out about both Fox and the team at large, so I closed it out and started thinking ahead, as my brothers asked about San Antonio’s chances for the rest of the series.
Caught up in conversation, I almost missed Dylan Harper blocking the snot out of 17-foot driving jump-shot, and then following it up with a clutch three-pointer about 30 seconds later.
The bench went wild. Wemby was so blown away that he turned around and put his head in his hands in disbelief, and I felt that same thing in the pit of my stomach that I’d felt back in 2014 when Manu Ginobili threw down a statement dunk on Chris Bosh — certainty.
The Spurs were only up by three points with that dunk, but I (and I think both Portland and their crowd) knew it was over. The Spurs certainly played like they knew it was. Whatever well of confidence it was that had dried up over the previous four-and-a-half quarters was overflowing and pouring out all over the hardwood.
Luke Kornet and Carter Bryant had come together in the most wholesome of combos to stifle the Trailblazers every moment that they shared the court. Stephon Castle was driving with such a ’damn the torpedoes’ attitude and ferocity that he was drawing fouls seemingly at will, and making the Blazers pay any time they sagged off of him a little around the arc.
Even De’Aaron Fox was finally finding space as the Portland players frantically shifted focus from threat to materializing threat. It was over, everywhere but the clock. They weren’t letting this one go.
Whether they were seizing their destiny or forging it, it seemed that nothing could bother them. Nothing could disturb the flow they were in. And when you get to witness something like that, you don’t say anything.
You just sit there and shut up, and cheer, and hope that it lasts for the rest of the postseason.
My brothers aren’t really big basketball fans, and yet, for a few minutes, the entire living room went quiet.
Every Spurs fan who had seen it before knew what they were watching, even if they didn’t know how to say it, and every Spurs fan who hadn’t got the thrill of watching it for the first time.
Last night Stephon Castle scored the 2nd most points in a player’s 1st playoff road game ever. Dylan Harper became the youngest guard in NBA history with a playoff double-double, the second youngest player to score 20+ points off the bench in the playoffs (after Kobe Bryant), the fourth rookie to ever score 25+ points and tally 10+ rebounds in a postseason game, and tied Manu Ginobili’s rookie record for most points in a postseason quarter.
Together, they joined Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook as the only duos age 21 or younger to each score 25+ points each in the same playoff game.
Sometimes in life, we do get to know exactly when we’re living in a special moment.
It was Game 3 of a first-round series. It meant nothing and everything. But it felt like an omen of things to come, and there’s a good chance I’ll remember it until I can’t remember things anymore.
I suspect I won’t be the only one.
Takeaways
Absolutely no one is ever going to be able to convince me that Luke Kornet’s contract wasn’t a significant underpay. That the Spurs were able to take advantage of the Celtic’s being relatively cash-strapped (and sold) has made this one of the best San Antonio free-agent signings of my lifetime. With Wemby and without, he’s been absolute nails, not just rim-protecting and doing the dirty work, but also taking advantage of any defensive lapses from the opposition in a way that he didn’t for most of the regular season. The Spurs needed every point and heady pass that he had in him, and he rewarded them with what was pretty arguably his best performance of the season. Even with positive comments from Boston fans, no one really understood what a playoff riser Kornet is. He’s been worth every penny, and more.
If there weren’t already going to be some questions about the off-season fate of Harrison Barnes, there almost certainly will be now. After Carter Bryant performance, I expect the Spurs will only be willing to keep Barnes on the cheap. Barnes is a great teammate who clearly missed winning after time in the basketball purgatory that is Sacramento, so he may very well do that, but Bryant’s box score does not fully express how vital he was to last night’s win. Seemingly, all 6 of his rebounds were heavily contested and/or kept possessions alive, and once he was paired with Kornet in the latter half of the game, San Antonio’s defense began to find stop after stop. Adding to that his three very timely blocks, and as long as he can splash the occasional three, I think the Spurs have their power-forward for the postseason (at least), as there’s just no other player who can match his athleticism on the roster, now that it’s mostly under control.
Also, I think a lot of credit has to go to Mitch Johnson on this one, who’s figuring out how to mix and match his roster to Portland’s adjustments (and in the face of some questionable calls) seemingly on the fly. Whether pairing Kornet and Bryant was a preconceived strategy or an act of desperation hardly matters because at least we have the satisfaction of knowing that Johnson won’t play it safe in the face of defeat. This was one of his most canny adjustments this year, and I think it says a lot about how much faith he has in an incredibly young roster, and how much faith they have in him. I have to say, I think the Spurs got this one right again. Shocker.
Apr 25, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives around Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) in the first half during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images | Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
The first round series between the Phoenix Suns and the Oklahoma City Thunder shifted to downtown Phoenix on Saturday afternoon, and while the setting changed, the result did not. Oklahoma City handled the Suns 121-109 and now holds a commanding 3-0 lead.
Credit Phoenix as the effort was there. The building had life, the energy showed up, and for stretches the Suns looked ready to push back. Execution never fully followed. Against OKC, that margin matters. It always does.
Phoenix went 13-of-41 from deep (31.7%), although holding the turnovers to 11 was a positive step. Dillon Brooks led the way again with 33 points on 11-of-21 shooting, including 4-of-9 from three. Jalen Green added 26 points, six assists, and five rebounds. Devin Booker finished 6-of-16 for 16 points, with seven assists and four boards.
This was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s night. He went 15-of-18 from the field and 11-of-12 from the line, pouring in a career playoff high 42 points while adding eight assists and four rebounds.
The win gives the defending champions a firm grip on the series at 3-0, with a chance to close it out Monday.
Game Flow
First Half
It was a much cleaner start for the Suns at home as the team looked engaged and energized by the home crowd. The Thunder started 4-of-4 from the field, but they also were turning the ball over, doing so 3 times in the first 6 minutes. One of those turnovers? An SGA push off.
The Suns turned those 3 early turnovers into 6 points and a 15-13 lead during a 9-2 Phoenix run. It was at that point in the game, 5:37 left in Q1 and up 2, that Jordan Ott used a challenge following a ball that the officials called out on Collin Gillespie, but appeared to be off of Ajay Mitchell. The challenge was successful.
With 3 minutes left in the quarter, we witnessed something we haven’t yet seen this postseason: Grayson Allen.
And there it is Grayson Allen checking in with 3:29 left first quarter
OKC responded with a 13-3 run and took a 28-27 lead.
The Thunder bench was sharp as they outscored the Suns’ second team unit 11–4 in the period. The team was also more efficient from beyond the arc, as they went 5-of-9, whereas the Suns went 3-of-11. SGA had 9, Booker had 7, and the Thunder led 33-28 after one.
The defensive intensity from the Thunder’s second-team unit to open the second quarter was impressive. They create pressure and they swarm. And on offense, Jared McCain looked like the lottery pick he is (why did you give him to the Thunder for scraps, Philly?!). Both he and Ajay Mitchell looked great at the start of the second, and their constant movement confused Suns’ rookie Khaman Maluach, who did not look great on the defensive end.
Rough Maluach stretch. He looked completely lost on numerous possessions there
Still, the Suns were hanging around, despite being 5-of-17 from deep. Midway through the second, Phoenix trailed 44-40, and with 4 minutes left, they took the lead.
Jalen Green looked impressive in the first half as his aggression was creating opportunities for the Suns at the cylinder, which we know is an area of opportunity for them. He had multiple and-1 opportunities, and with three minutes left in the quarter, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault opted to challenge a play in which Green went to the basket and converted an and-1. The challenge was successful as it was determined that Oso Ighodaro pushed Alex Caruso into Green; therefore, it was an offensive foul.
The Suns lead 51-50, but OKC ended the half on a 12-2 run to take a 62-53 lead into the half.
SGA was 7-of-7 from the field and led all scorers with 17 points, and Ajay Mitchell added 10. For Phoenix, it was Dillon Brooks who led the scoring with 13. Devin Booker was 4-of-8 for 11 points, and Jalen Green had 10. Phoenix was 14-of-23 (60.8%) from two and 5-of-19 (26.3%) from three in the half.
Second Half
The second half opened with SGA drawing a foul on Collin Gillespie. Jordan Ott opted to challenge, seeing as SGA created contact when he elbowed Gillespie in the face on the play prior to any contact by Collin. The call was overturned, which meant Ott was 2-for-2 on challenges, but had none remaining.
They called this a foul on Gillespie, and the Suns had to burn their last challenge to get it overturned. pic.twitter.com/yNNhbUK6rQ
Devin Booker went down on a play in which Lu Dort extended his leg in an attempt to negate Booker’s progress. Booker went to the locker room as a result.
The Thunder continued to be surgical, answering every Suns run with an impressive one of their own. Suns put together a 5-0 run? Thunder respond with a 7-0 run. Rinse. Repeat. Jalen Green provides a spark with a pair of made threes? SGA responds on the other end. Phoenix kept attempting to chip away, but it was no easy task.
Phoenix did outscore OKC 26-25 in the quarter, but that was due to the Thunder going 1-of-8 from deep while the Suns were 4-of-12. SGA was up to 30 points on 12-of-14 shooting while Jalen Green had 10 in the quarter for Phoenix.
The fourth opened with that same frenetic lineup the Thunder rolled out to start the second, with McCain and Mitchell playing aggressively. Their pressure put the Suns in foul trouble, and with 9 minutes left, OKC was in the bonus.
There were four straight alternating possessions in which a block occurred, as Cason Wallace blocked Booker, Ighodaro blocked Hartenstein, Holmgren blocked Booker, and Ighodaro blocked McCain.
Phoenix started 2-of-11 from the field in the fourth, and soon they were down 15 points with 6 minutes left. SGA just kept coming at them. There was no stopping him today, and it certainly doesn’t help when you can’t help yourself.
Credit Dillon Brooks, who once again was offensively spicy late. Just as in Game 2, Brooks went into alpha mode, and it was working. For the second consecutive game, he posted a 30-point performance.
The Suns came within 10 points, but those early whistles in the fourth equated to free throw opportunities for the Thunder late. And if there is a team that knows how to draw fouls late, it’s OKC.
The Thunder outscored the Suns 34-30 in the fourth and easily took Game 3, 121-109.
OKC is a machine. And the Suns aren’t designed to stop them. Few teams are
Apr 23, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) is defended by Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) in the first quarter during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Down 2–1 and stinging from back-to-back one-point losses, the Knicks return to Atlanta for a pivotal Game Four needing to clean up their own mess. Despite controlling the glass and large stretches of play, late-game breakdowns, uneven free-throw shooting, and questionable rotations have tanked winnable games. Jalen Brunson has yet to take over the series, and the supporting cast (especially Mikal Bridges) has faltered. The song remains the same, Jimmy Page: dominate the boards, tighten execution, and keep the damn All-Stars on the floor. If they do, the Knicks still look like the better team. If not, summer vacation will start early.
Tip-off is 6:00 pm EST on NBC / Peacock. This is your game thread. This is Peachtree Hoops. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Be cool with each other. And go Knicks!
The Denver Nuggets will try to even their first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 4. The Timberwolves won Games 3 and 4. Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon missed Game 3 with a calf strain and is questionable for Game 4. Denver enters as a slight 1.5-point favorite.
How to watch Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 24: Kelly Oubre Jr. #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts in front of Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics in the first quarter during game three of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 24, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
PHILADELPHIA — The Celtics will be at full strength when they face off against the 76ers in Game 4 on Sunday night in Philadelphia. The team shared a completely clean injury report, even though it appeared that Jaylen Brown and Derrick White both got banged up in Friday’s Game 3 Celtics win.
But, the 76ers continue to list Joel Embiid (post-appendectomy surgery recovery) as doubtful, while adding Kelly Oubre Jr (questionable with right adductor soreness) to the injury report.
White seemingly hurt his neck in the first minute of the ball game, while Brown turned his ankle in the fourth quarter. Neither player subbed out of the game, and both confirmed they were fine after the fact.
Joel Embiid could make his return for the 76ers
For the 76ers, Joel Embiid continues to eye a return to the floor after undergoing an emergency appendectomy surgery on April 9th. He’s listed as doubtful for his second straight game.
In addition to Embiid, Kelly Oubre Jr. is listed as questionable with right adductor soreness. Oubre’s absence could be costly for the 76ers; he’s averaged 13 points per game in this series, the fourth-most on the team.
While nothing is confirmed, it appears plausible that Embiid could make his return on Sunday. Philadelphia head coach Nick Nurse said that Embiid has been working hard and doing individual on-court work, per Adam Aaronson of The Philly Voice.
“Maybe we’ll know more towards the end of shootaround tomorrow,” Nurse said at 76ers practice Saturday.
The average time lost for in-season surgery is 23 days, and when Game 4 tips off, Embiid will be 17 days removed from surgery. If Embiid were to return, he’d be an undeniable difference-maker.
“One of the best players the last couple of years, so it can only be better than them when he’s out there helping,” said Neemias Queta. “I’m not really worried about that yet, nothing confirmed about it yet. But until then, we’re worried about what’s confirmed. But he’s a hell of a player, and he can make them a lot better. We’ll embrace the challenge if he comes.”
Embiid averaged 26.9 points and 7.7 rebounds in 38 regular-season games for the 76ers this season.
Celtics-76ers tips off at 7pm ET on Sunday at the Xfinity Mobile Arena.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 24: Marcus Smart #36 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during overtime of the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 24, 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 Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Not only has no team come back from a 3-0 deficit in NBA history, but the way the Lakers beat the Rockets sure made it feel like this series is over. Now, fans can start thinking of a second round series and the potential return Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić.
But Marcus Smart absolutely will not be doing that.
After his heroics helped the Lakers steal a win, Smart was asked postgame if he and the team has thought about the ramifications of winning these games and extending their postseason. Smart decisively pushed back.
“It’s not over,” Smart said. “We got one more. We’re in their home and nobody wants to get embarrassed in their home. We got them in a nail-biter tonight, so it’s one more. We can’t worry about what happens after that because we got to take care of [the game]. We’ll worry about that after the game. Right now, Sunday is the only thing on our mind.”
This is exactly the type of mindset you’d want your veteran leader to have. Everyone else can think about the future, but if Smart is preaching about the present, then you can have confidence that the team will follow suit.
The Rockets will likely respond in one of two ways in Sunday’s Game 4. They could let the demoralizing way they lost the game snowball and, with a head coach actively throwing them under the bus, give up on the season. Or they could look to save face, avoid the embarrassment of being swept on their home floor and come out fighting as they did for most of the second half.
However they approach the game, the Lakers need to have the same approach. It’s going to be a tough challenge just because the Lakers’ starters and top players played heavy minutes, but this is still the playoffs where one game can swing anything.
Again, though, having Smart as one of the leading voices should give Lakers fans hope the team has the right mindset.
“We got to be like a lion,” Smart said. “We got to have that killer instinct. We got them on the ground. We just got to finish them off and keep our foot on their neck.”
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 24: The sneakers worn by Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 24: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers talks to Kyle Lowry #7 on the bench against the Boston Celtics during game three of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 24, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Celtics defeated the 76ers 108-100. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
And we do this dance again.
Another injury report has dropped ahead of Game 4 of the Sixers first round playoff series against the Boston Celtics, and for it they have again listed Joel Embiid as doubtful with appendectomy surgery recovery. Embiid had this same designation ahead of Game 3 before eventually being ruled out. Nick Nurse said before that game that Embiid was doing on-court work, both individually and with teammates, but he “just wasn’t ready yet.”
Nick Nurse says Joel Embiid is “just not ready yet.”
He added that he’s mostly done individual work but he’s been out there with teammates and coaches some as well.
Nurse gave reporters a very similar update at the team’s subsequent practice. Per PhillyVoice.com’s Adam Aaronson, Nurse that again that Embiid has done individual work on the court, is working very hard to get back, and will see how he feels after the session. It would appear that shootaround the morning of will be crucial for determining his Game 4 status.
Nick Nurse says Joel Embiid is currently doing individual on-court work. Says he’s working really hard to get back and the team will see how this session goes and how he feels tomorrow morning. “Maybe we’ll know more towards the end of shootaround tomorrow.”
A sign to look for whether Embiid plays or not is if he’s upgraded from doubtful at any point in the day. Adam Aaronson also put together a very handy key of all the times Embiid was listed as doubtful this season. The two times he played after getting that designation, he was upgraded to questionable or probable several hours in advance.
Joel Embiid is doubtful to play in Sixers-Celtics Game 3. What does that actually mean? Embiid was listed as doubtful on five initial injury reports this season. Here is what happened each time: pic.twitter.com/L3HbOOQCfx
For the first time all series, Embiid is not the only player on the injury report. Kelly Oubre Jr. is listed as questionable with right adductor soreness. Oubre played nearly 40 minutes in Game 3, including crunch time, so it’s hard to tell when this might have happened.
In related news, the topic how much longer Tyrese Maxey will have to wear his finger splint was broached. Maxey has been wearing it since returning from a pinkie sprain on March 28 and confirmed he will have to wear it for the rest of the season. Regardless of how many Sixers can take the court in Game 4, they’ll be playing through the typical amount of bumps and bruises for this time of year.
Asked Nick Nurse if the Sixers have any sense of when or if Tyrese Maxey will be able to play without a splint on his finger during these playoffs.
“I have not asked that question, but it's a good one. I'll ask. I'll ask when I get a chance.”
The Sixers upgraded Embiid to questionable. He and Oubre both remain game-time decisions. In pregame media availability, Nurse expectedly didn’t reveal anything about Embiid and wasn’t sure when Oubre’s injury might have occurred. They believe that is just typical playoff soreness.
Update: 4/26, 6:15 p.m. ET
Oubre has been upgraded to available. Embiid has taken the court for his pregame warmup.
Update: 4/26, 6:30 p.m. ET
Embiid has been upgraded to available as well, as Shams Charania first reported and the team confirmed. He will start alongside Oubre, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Paul George.
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The Orlando Magic tend not to do things the easy way.
They lost seven consecutive games in March to put their playoff chances in peril. They needed to survive a play-in tournament elimination game — one that many thought they would lose — just to get into the playoffs. And on Saturday, they wasted a 17-point lead in the fourth quarter and found themselves trailing the Detroit Pistons.
In response, they simply did what they do best.
“Fight,” center Wendell Carter Jr. said.
Fight, they did, and the Magic found a way. They outscored Detroit 9-0 in the final 2:51, getting the last punch and the last word in what became a 113-105 win that gave eighth-seeded Orlando a 2-1 lead over the top-seeded Pistons in their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.
“We did a good job of staying poised ... not getting rattled,” said Magic forward Paolo Banchero, who finished on the cusp of a triple-double with 25 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists. “Very composed from the team, and we got the job done.”
Banchero had the game-sealing shot, too — a 3-pointer that hit the rim, bounced a couple stories into the air, then dropped through the net with the softest of swishes with about 40 seconds left.
“The basketball gods don't reward hesitation,” Banchero said. “That one, I didn't hesitate and they blessed me with that make. A funny shot, but a big shot.”
Detroit probably had one of those coming.
The Pistons, who trailed for most of the game, went on a 26-8 run in about six minutes to turn a 96-79 deficit into a 105-104 lead on a free throw by Cade Cunningham — who led all scorers with 27 points. Cunningham and Tobias Harris combined for 22 points in that spurt, one where Detroit shot 9-for-11 from the floor.
“For parts of the game, we did some good things,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “But down the stretch, they made some tough shots that made it hard for us to finish it out.”
He's half-right. The other half was this — Detroit made no more shots.
When the 26-8 run ended, all nine of the game's remaining points were scored by the Magic. A team that seems to love being in the basketball pressure-cooker found a way, once again.
A 2-1 series lead going into another home game on Monday is Orlando's reward, with the No. 8 seed now two wins away from an upset.
“There's a lot to clean up as well,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 23: Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks is defended by Onyeka Okongwu #17 and h0during the second quarter of game three of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs at State Farm Arena on April 23, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Your Atlanta Hawks (2-1) try to build upon their last two clutch wins in a row and take a stranglehold of the series against the New York Knicks.
Jock Landale (right high ankle sprain) has been ruled out.
Starting lineup:
G CJ McCollum
G Nickeil Alexander-Walker
F Dyson Daniels
F Jalen Johnson
C Onyeka Okongwu
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It wasn't just lucky bounces for the Magic. It was a focused defensive effort on Cade Cunningham, holding the All-Star and heart of the Pistons to 8-of-23 shooting with nine turnovers. It was Desmond Bane setting a Magic record with seven 3-pointers in a playoff game. It was Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero stepping up with clutch buckets.
After Detroit had all the momentum, coming from 13 down in the fourth quarter to take a one-point lead at 105-104, Orlando closed the game on a 9-0 run in front of their home crowd.
The result was a 113-104 Magic win, putting them up 2-1 in their first-round series against the No. 1-seeded Pistons. Game 4 is Monday night, in Orlando, a contest you can watch on Peacock.
Coming into the playoffs, the question in Detroit was "who is going to be the second scorer after Cade Cunningham? Three games into the postseason we still don't have that answer..
Orlando did their best defensive work in the series on Saturday, doubling up on Cunningham, throwing different (and fresh) defenders at him all game. It slowed him, forcing him to turn the ball over nine times, tying a Detroit playoff record. Nobody else really stepped up as a secondary playmaker (Daniss Jenkins got just seven minutes off the bench).
Tobias Harris stepped up with 23 points on 8-of-16 shooting and some key plays. Jalen Duran had five blocks and was a defensive force, but he had eight points on 3-of-10 shooting before fouling out.
While the Orlando highlights will focus on Desmond Bane and his 25 points and seven 3-pointers, or on Banchero and his 25, don't sleep on Wendell Carter Jr. — he was key to this win. It wasn't Carter's 14 points or eight rebounds — although he scored nine points on second-chance buckets that were huge — it was his defense. His ability to switch, to guard multiple positions and protect the rim, was critical in how the Magic defended Cunningham.
On the other end, Detroit did a poor job of containing Orlando's drivers much of the night.
This was a close game much of the way. It was tied 26-26 after one quarter, although it was foreshadowing that Orlando forced seven Detroit turnovers in the quarter (resulting in seven points).
Jalen Suggs came out firing and had 12 of his 15 points on the night in the first half, while Desmond Bane had 14. The result was a 61-54 lead for the Magic at the break.
Down eight after three quarters, the Pistons' J.B. Bickerstaff chose to start the fourth quarter with both Cunningham and Duren on the bench. The result was a fast 7-0 Magic run and a 15-point Orlando lead.
It felt like the Magic were in control, but then Cunningham got loose a little, a couple of 3-pointers fell, and the Pistons came storming back to take a one-point lead with 2:52 remaining. The No. 1 seed looked like it had righted the ship.
Then the bounces started going Orlando's way again. And it was the ballgame.
Lakers guard Bronny James had five points in a 26-second flurry during Game 3 on Friday night in Houston. They were the first playoff points in his career. (Kenneth Richmond / Getty Images)
While leading the Lakers to a commanding 3-0 lead over the Houston Rockets in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, LeBron James has stepped out of his airtight postseason mindset for only a few fleeting moments.
He has a good reason.
“All those moments has been with Bronny,” James said Friday after leading the Lakers to a 112-108 win over Houston. “It keeps getting better and better. It’s like ‘wow.’”
Steadily growing under the postseason spotlight, Bronny James scored his first playoff points Friday in a five-point, 26-second flurry in which he drained a three behind a screen from his dad and then hit a reverse layup to complete the NBA’s first father-son postseason alley-oop. The Lakers can clinch the first-round, best-of-seven series Sunday at the Toyota Center.
Without Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) to run the Lakers’ halfcourt sets, the team has placed an emphasis on running in transition. When Deandre Ayton blocked a shot at the rim with 7:18 remaining in the second quarter Friday, LeBron James corralled the rebound and pushed the ball up the court. Bronny James, the youngest player on the Lakers’ roster, knows he can beat anyone up the court. He locked eyes with his dad as they sprinted toward the basket.
It’s been a while since Bronny James caught a lob from his 41-year-old teammate. Maybe not since last year’s training camp, he estimated. Getting to connect again while contributing to the Lakers’ thrilling overtime win is “what I always wanted,” Bronny James said.
“Especially a playoff game, the first playoff bucket is great for me, great for my confidence and how I approach the rest of the playoffs,” he added of his role in the win.
The 21-year-old from USC got his first postseason rotation minutes in Game 1, starting the second quarter. The Crypto.com Arena crowd cheered when he got his first touch on the ball.
He had one turnover and two fouls in his three-minute, 50-second shift. Even several of his completed passes were slightly off the mark, forcing teammates to reach for the ball. Lakers assistant coach Greg St. Jean pulled him aside in front of the Lakers bench for words of encouragement before the second-year pro returned to the bench. He didn’t re-enter the game.
LeBron James remembered the nerves he had during his first postseason game in 2006 against Washington, he said after Game 1, and there was little advice he could give his son that would make the experience easier until he actually did it.
“I was nervous for my first playoff game, too,” Bronny James said. “I definitely think I've gained a little more confidence and relaxed myself over these three games.”
The Lakers are going to need the younger James’ minutes. Still waiting for Doncic and Reaves to return, the Lakers can’t turn down any advantageous shots, coach JJ Redick said.
Seeing the former second-round pick confidently step into a three-pointer Friday was even more important than the fact that Bronny James made the shot for his first playoff points.
Lakers guard Bronny James (9) and Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (15) chase after a loose ball during Game 3 on Friday night in Houston. (Michael Wyke / Associated Press)
“The amount of confidence that a young kid in our league can get from a postseason game is like — a regular-season game would never,” LeBron James said, “you will never get nervous from a regular-season moment ever again when you play meaningful postseason games and postseason minutes. And he's done that and I think that's pretty cool for his career, for his confidence.”
Not only has Bronny James gained confidence in his shot, but Redick praised his improvement on defense throughout the season. Against the famously physical Rockets, the 6-foot-2 guard doesn’t look out of place on defense. In the moments LeBron James zooms out to realize his son is playing, he marvels at his oldest child’s attention to detail, improvements on the ball and defensive mindset.
Bronny James is appreciative of the coaches’ trust in him. The former five-star recruit out of Sierra Canyon High is still growing into his career, especially after surgery for a congenital heart defect derailed his brief college experience. That he didn’t get to play a March Madness game will irk him for the rest of his life, Bronny James said. But the Lakers postseason run isn’t a bad consolation prize.
“[I] got to do it in the playoffs,” Bronny James said, “and that's just the best feeling.”
