Category: NBA

Jalen Brunson and the Knicks took the high road and opted against adding more fuel to the fire.

Given a chance to react to CJ McCollum’s accusation that Brunson faked an injury in order to get him a technical foul, Brunson was tight-lipped.

“I have no reaction,” Brunson said after practice Sunday. “No comment.”

During the second quarter of the Knicks’ 113-102 Game 1 win over the Hawks on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden, McCollum received a technical for kicking Brunson in the midsection while taking a jump shot. (He was also called for a travel on the play.) Brunson stayed down on the ground in pain for a few moments before getting back to his feet.

McCollum believed Brunson milked it.

“I shot a jumper and Jalen thought we were at a Broadway show,” McCollum said after the game. “He acted it out until they reviewed it. It’s a normal jump shot. Nothing there. Unnecessary and I look forward to getting my $2,500 [fine] back.”

Brunson after the game said he didn’t think it was purposeful. On Sunday, coach Mike Brown said he didn’t even see McCollum’s comments.

“A lot of guys are gonna say a lot of things throughout the course of the playoffs,” Brown said. “So whatever people want to say, that’s up to them. But I didn’t see it.”

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OG Anunoby (left ankle sprain) is listed as probable for Game 2 on Monday at MSG. He briefly exited after rolling his left ankle in Game 1 — the same one that forced him to exit the penultimate regular-season game.

He practiced Sunday, Brown said.

Onyeka Okongwu (right knee inflammation) is questionable for the Hawks.

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Brunson will not repeat as the NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year. He was not named one of the three finalists Sunday.

Anunoby was not one of the three finalists for Defensive Player of the Year. Earlier this month, he shared his belief that he should win it, a rare bit of expression from the normally quiet Anunoby.

BOSTON — With the first quarter clock winding down, Jordan Walsh sprinted as fast as he could down the court. In perfect harmony, Jayson Tatum found him for a transition layup to beat the buzzer, and the Celtics extended their lead over the Philadelphia 76ers to 15 in the opening game of the playoffs.

In the grand scheme of things — a 32-point Celtics victory — the sequence wasn’t particularly consequential, though it did amp up the TD Garden crowd.

For Walsh, however, it was the very first time he’d tallied a basket in the NBA playoffs.

As such, he turned to the Celtics bench, emphatic: after two years of riding the Celtics bench during the playoffs, the 22-year-old was a part of the postseason action. And, he was far from the only guy on the roster getting that first taste of the playoffs.

On Sunday, in a 123-91, wire-to-wire Celtics win over the 76ers, Neemias Queta, Jordan Walsh, Luka Garza, and Baylor Scheierman all saw their first meaningful playoff action.

Before Game 1, the foursome had combined for a total of 31 playoff points. And, in one raucous afternoon at TD Garden, they nearly matched that number; Queta (13 points), Garza (7 points), Walsh (5 points), and Scheierman (5 points) combined for 30 in the victory.

“I know the coaches have been talking to them,” said Sam Hauser, who started his first-ever NBA playoff game on Sunday. “Just saying, like, ‘Be ready. Might be five minutes, could be 20. Just never really know. But, [you] just got to make your minutes count.’”

In their own way, they each did just that.

And, even Sam Hauser, a relative vet compared to some of the younger guys, played his most-ever playoff minutes (28), and recorded a playoff-career-high 7 rebounds. Hauser also made the second-most threes (4) of his playoff career.

“There’s definitely some anxiety, to just kind of get stuff going,” Hauser said. “You’re just anxious; you want to get out there and get the ball tipped off.”

Each of the playoff newcomers found a different way to make their impact

Mazzulla, from the jump, stressed to the less experienced guys on the roster that the playoffs are not actually all that different from the regular season.

“I mean, you have to offensive rebound in the regular season, you have to sprint to get a transition layup, you have to defend without fouling, and you have to know your personnel,” Mazzulla said. “You have to do all the things that you can control. And it’s a credit to those guys being ready to do that.”

Queta, in his first playoff career start, made all five of his field goal attempts in his 15 minutes, while battling early foul trouble (he finished the night with 5 fouls, clearing the way for Nikola Vucevic and Luka Garza to both see substantial action).

Walsh came in with four minutes left in the first quarter and took on the Tyrese Maxey defensive assignment with fervor. Mazzulla went out of his way to point out the importance of his end-of-first-quarter transition layup.

Garza and Scheierman started the second quarter together, and each immediately made a big-time play; Garza grabbed an offensive rebound and converted two free throws. Scheierman sank a floater and swatted a Paul George layup on the next possession — plays his head coach recounted after the game.

None of them put together their biggest game of the year, but all of them did just enough to impact the Celtics positively.

“We just need guys to be ready to make plays,” Mazzulla said. “And they did that tonight.”

For Jaylen Brown, the message to the young guys was simple

Ultimately, it was Tatum (25 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists) and Jaylen Brown (25 points (26 points, 3 assists) who headlined the Celtics, as they’ve done countless times before. The veteran duo has made it to five Eastern Conference Finals and two NBA Finals.

Tatum and Brown have now played in a whopping 116 playoff games together. On Sunday, they looked like the two best players on the floor, just as they have dozens of times through their playoff journeys — even with Tatum just 11 months removed from his Achilles rupture.

Before the game, Brown had a message for his less-experienced teammates: “Just breathe. Manage your emotions. They might go on a run. They might not go on a run, but just stay together. Win the fight. Be the harder-playing team and guard. Don’t save yourself for offense. Offense is going to be fine if we defend.”

Asked Jaylen Brown what his message was to the young guys on the roster who effectively made their playoff debuts tonight:

“Just breathe. Manage your emotions. They might go on a run. They might not go on a run, but just stay together. Win the fight. Be a hard-player team and… pic.twitter.com/9sZIXeWMsG

— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) April 19, 2026

In Game 1, the 76ers never really made a run.

And, like Brown implored, the Celtics defended, holding the 76ers to 91 points on 38.9% shooting.

It’s just one game.

In the weeks ahead, they’re going to have to do it 15 more times to accomplish their ultimate goal.

Victor Wembanyama put up the highest individual scoring total in the playoffs by a Spur all time tonight, and San Antonio alternated between moments of sheer glory and pangs of growing pains in a game 1 win over Portland 111-98. San Antonio took advantage of the Blazers’ errant shooting outside of Deni Avdija’s laborious efforts to jump ahead by as much as 16 in the first half. The Spurs were blitzed coming out of the half by an opening 8-0 run that brought Portland within two. Devin Vassell, their second-longest tenured veteran, became a man possessed in the third quarter to help San Antonio snag the lead back for good.

Wembanyama (35 points [5-for-6 from 3], 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and Stephon Castle (17 points, 7 assists, and 7 rebounds) did much of the early labor for San Antonio and De’Aaron Fox (17 points, 8 assists, and 5 rebounds) ascended later on for the victorious second-seeded Spurs. Vassell’s (15 points and 2 blocks) timely shooting and air defense kept Portland at bay, and Luke Kornet (10 points and 6 rebounds) ensured no dropoff whenever Wembanyama sat. Rookies Dylan Harper (6 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assist) and Carter Bryant were mostly neutral in their respective minutes, which was decent enough for their first playoff action.

Avdija (30 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists) steadied the young Blazers through the first 2 1/2 quarters, while Scoot Henderson (18 points) came on later in the game to make an impact. Toumani Camara played some Bruce Bowen-like defense to pester the younger Spurs. Robert Williams III (11 points and 4 rebounds) and Shaedon Sharpe (10 points) helped the Blazers outscore the Spurs’ bench counterparts in the first half

The teams – with a smattering of errant shots, choppy execution, and higher acuity of physical contact – struggled from the onset. Avdija scored an early seven, while Castle had five of his own. Portland did the equivalent of a hockey ‘forecheck’ to keep the Spurs from leaking out on the break, but they struggled from distance outside of a Williams three and Sharpe jumper. The Spurs’ offensive diet was spread out primarily among the non-Champagnie starters with Wembanyama scoring 9 and Castle 7. Johnson matched Avdija’s late jumper with a buzzer-beating three and San Antonio left the period up nine.

Portland saw more of its outside shots go down at the start of the second and got as close as five. But the Spurs unfurled their pick-and-roll to get Wembanyama two lob slams, while Fox caught fire later. Kornet slammed home beautiful feeds from Fox and Castle to keep the pressure on Portland. Camara drew an outsized number of fouls throughout the half, but Johnson flagged down three of the team’s eight offensive rebounds. Avdija’s and-1 got the Blazers to within seven. Despite Williams’ third dunk of the half and Castle being whistled for his third foul, San Antonio still went to the half up ten.

Portland drew as close to two of the Spurs with Advija’s teammates initiating an opening 8-0 run. Vassell turned the Spurs’ third quarter from a potential disaster into a personal display of his two-way competitiveness and maturity. More importantly, Julian Champagnie hit a few shots and joined Vassell as the necessary release valves that they had been most of the season. After an Avdija injury, San Antonio kept Portland mostly off the scoreboard and went to the fourth up 87-72.

Observations

• PLAYOFF BASKETBALL FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2548 DAYS!
• Clingan Maneuver: Deep into the third quarter, Donovan Clingan, already a non-factor in the game, was turned away at the rim by Kornet on a dunk try and then Vassell on the next attempt.
• If the top franchise centers can wear their giveaway shirts, everyone else needs to, as well.
• Tirico immediately addressed the colorful palette of giveaway shirts gorgeously Fiesta-ly patterned by section. He’s the best.
• Henderson whined like a teething baby on all of his fouls tonight.
• I’m kinda sad that NBC doesn’t use the Frost Bank / downtown San Antonio backdrop as part of its arena backgrounds on the cutaways from action. Even Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center gets some love on those commercial breaks.
• Kelly Olynyk turned 35…. and future Austin Spurs coach by 2030. Mainly on the strength of those ankle socks.
• Keldon’s Kitchen: His first attempt looked slow and mechanical, but under the pressure of the first quarter clock, his next one looked pure.
• Devin’s Deeds: He hounded Jerami Grant multiple times on the same possession late in the opening frame and Bryant deflected the Blazer’s ensuing pass attempt.
• Sequence of the Game #1: At the start of the second, Harper ran an impressive pick and roll up the right side with Wembanyama and managed to throw a lob to the center with his left hand (going away from his body – it’s hard to do it with your strong hand).
• Sequence of the Game #2: After forcing a long Blazer miss partway through the second, Fox took the carom and sent it 50 feet up the floor to Champagnie who patiently scooted crosscourt and spoonfed Vassell for a catch-and-shoot three to put San Antonio up 10.
• Sequence of the Game #3: Partway into the third quarter, and right after Tirico said “Vassell, he’s EVERYWHERE on the floor,” the veteran guard hit a transition wing three to put the Spurs back up 11. This came after two emphatic blocks and a noticeable jump in his involvement on both ends.

Game Rundown

Wembanyama and Avdija missed their first shots from the tip, but produced quickly from there. Castle banked in his first jumper and his first triple followed after. Henderson’s three put the Blazers up three. Wembanyama put Advija in the spin cycle for a gorgeous lay-up – which caused Tim Duncan and David Robinson to shake their heads – and hit a pull-up three moments later. The teams remained glued to 21-15 over several possessions, and Johnson pestered Advija into an airball. Fox’s stepback three put the Spurs up nine. Wembanyama impressively blocked Sharpe’s floater, but was called for a loose-ball foul on the follow through. Despite Avdija putting up over half of his team’s points, Johnson’s buzzer-beating three got San Antonio to 30-21.

Camara and Sharpe made a mini-run to slice into the Spurs’ advantage to start the second. Two Wembanyama lob dunks followed by a Harper lay-up kept it a three-possession game. With Wembanyama lurking everywhere, the Spurs forced Portland into a shot-clock violation. Jumpers from Vassell and Fox offset Avdija’s scoring, and Fox’s previous make gave him room to set up a nice lob to Kornet. Fox’s transition three put the Spurs up 14. Kornet wrestled an errant Castle miss and gutted home a floater over three Blazers. A pair of Williams dunks brought the Blazers within ten. Coach Johnson challenged a questionable offensive foul call on Castle (knee-to-knee with Holiday) in the final 90 seconds and it was unsuccessful – also costing Castle a third foul. San Antonio held a tenuous 59-49 advantage at the half.

Henderson sandwiched a transition lay-up and triple around a Holiday three, and Portland quickly shrunk the deficit to two. A Castle lob dunk was the only field goal over 4+ minutes of the third for San Antonio. Despite that futility, Portland was unable to tie or take the lead. Fox was the first Spur to attack Avdija on the defensive end to draw the Blazer’s first foul. Champagnie slapped away a transition pass and received a skip pass to hit his first three. Vassell had a turbocharged handful of minutes on both ends, while Kornet had a powerful presence with Wembanyama resting, to help San Antonio get its lead back into double digits. Avdija and Williams awkwardly collided with each other, and San Antonio used the last three minutes to extend its lead to 15.

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For the Blazers fan’s perspective, please visit Blazers Edge.

San Antonio hosts Portland for game 2 on Tuesday night at 7:00 PM CDT (note the earlier tipoff) on NBA / Peacock.

It was as if a switch had flipped coming out of halftime in Game 1, as the Knicks neutralized a Hawks strategy that was hurting them more than anything else.

Most on-ball screens involve a smaller ball handler and bigger center or forward to try to create an opening or force a switch and create a mismatch. But the Hawks utilized a less common version during the Knicks’ 113-102 win to open their Eastern Conference first-round series Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.

Atlanta frequently ran small-small actions — a guard screening for another guard — and it gave the Knicks fits defensively in the first half. It was particularly effective in the second quarter, when the Hawks shot 9-for-18 from the field and 5-for-7 from 3-point range as they erased an 11-point deficit. But the Knicks adjusted and cleaned it up in the third quarter, when the Hawks shot just 8-for-21 from the field and 2-for-7 from 3-point range while the Knicks rebuilt their lead.

“Their small-small pick-and-roll also is a problem,” coach Mike Brown said after the game. “And our guys did a pretty good job of defending that the right way in the second half. It kind of got away from us early in the game, and they got some open looks from it, but our level of physicality without fouling was really good in the second half, as well as our communication with their small-small pick-and-roll.”

Usually, the small-small actions involved CJ McCollum and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. It was a good way for the Hawks to target Jalen Brunson, who primarily was guarding McCollum and largely is considered the worst Knicks defender.

During that first half, Brunson had a particularly rough time staying with McCollum, who got a plethora of open looks. McCollum scored 12 of his 26 points in the second quarter. It created a few open looks for Alexander-Walker, too, though he wasn’t as efficient at capitalizing on them.

But Alexander-Walker shot a stellar 39.9 percent from 3-point range this year, taking a high volume of them (8.1 per game). It would behoove the Knicks not to bank on him continuing to miss quality shots.

“The way they do it, they got to the point where they mastered it, and they’re really good at it,” Brunson said after practice Sunday. “Them being able to slip out of screens and get to the point where they’re ready to go and their feet are set and ready, they’re really good at it. We just gotta be ready to be more physical. At the same time, communicate a little better, just making sure we’re not giving them the space. I think a lot of teams that have multiple ball handlers do that because it’s a very unique action that can put one of the two in space.”

The Hawks do have multiple capable ball handlers. Their strength is in their quick guards and wings rather than their bigs.

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• CHECK OUT THE LATEST NBA STANDINGS AND KNICKS STATS

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It’s an area that presented the Hawks with an opportunity to find one of their only on-paper advantages in this series. The Knicks’ 3-point and perimeter defense was inconsistent and was a talking point all year, though it got better by the end of the regular season. Often, miscommunication was at the heart of it.

For one half, it was exposed.

“I think we can get better on our communication, especially on guard-guard [actions],” Josh Hart said Sunday. “For the first game, it was solid, but we have to be better.

“For sure, I think we can clean it up. That communication of small-smalls, not allowing them to get [McCollum] and [Alexander-Walker] open shots. They’re talented players. Obviously, you just try to get them to shoot as many contested shots as you can. So the communication’s got to be better. The physicality was good, but we have to ramp that up. … I think they do a really good job of spreading into those screens and slipping out, those kinds of things.”

The strategy has big-picture ramifications, too. It’s something the Knicks will have to deal with if they meet the Celtics in the second round.

“That’s something that Boston does an amazing job of, and I feel — I won’t say they started it, but they really elevated it,” Hart said. “And it’s a copycat league. And you see that and say, ‘OK, how can we figure that out? How can teams do that?’ So it’s a little unnatural. I think the best way to guard those and negate those open looks is communication.”

So far, the Hawks’ small-small actions are not a big Knicks issue. But it’s surely something they’ll continue to throw at them.

After an extended voting window for NBA awards, we are finally getting to the actual announcements. The NBA named finalists for all major awards during Pistons-Magic coverage. Unsurprisingly, the Sixers’ VJ Edgecombe was named a finalist for the 2026 NBA Rookie of the Year award, alongside Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel and Dallas’ Cooper Flagg.

The three finalists for the 2025-26 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year Award:

▪️VJ Edgecombe, @sixers
▪️Cooper Flagg, @dallasmavs
▪️Kon Knueppel, @hornetspic.twitter.com/8G78MIQZB9

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 19, 2026

For most seasons, VJ Edgecombe’s 2025-26 campaign would be good enough to lock up Rookie of the Year. The 20-year-old averaged an impressive 16 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.4 steals in 75 games, playing 35 minutes per contest and shooting 43.8 percent from the field, 35.4 percent from three and 81.1 percent from the free throw line. As his playing time reflects, he was a key piece in the Sixers’ rotation who helped them make a postseason appearance. The role, wins and individual numbers are all Rookie of the Year-caliber. However, this isn’t like most ROTY races. In fact, you could argue this is the best one in quite some time.

Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel was instrumental in their midseason turnaround. The former Blue Devil showed historical efficiency and shooting. Then there’s Cooper Flagg, who might be the best 18-year-old in NBA history, with a 50-point game under his belt and numerous 40- and 30-point performances. As things stand, Knueppel appears to be the favorite, with Flagg narrowly behind.

Whatever happens, Edgecombe’s place among the finalists is well earned. His numbers, role and proven production throughout the season make a compelling case, and the mid-year growth he showed only strengthened it. In a weaker class, this would be a straightforward conversation. But finishing as a finalist in arguably the best rookie class in years is no small thing. Edgecombe held his own against two stellar talents, and that alone says plenty about the kind of player the Sixers have on their hands.

As for the winner, it remains to be seen when the league will make that announcement. NBA PR issued a week-long slow drip press release for all major awards outside of this one, so the timeline is anyone’s guess.

The winners of the following awards will be announced this week:

MON: Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year
TUE: Kia NBA Clutch Player of the Year
WED: Kia NBA Sixth Man Award
THU: NBA Sportsmanship Award
FRI: Kia NBA Most Improved Player

Complete schedule for the week ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/bCWpmPFLAa

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 20, 2026

DETROIT — Paolo Banchero had 23 points, nine rebounds and four assists to lead the eighth-seeded Orlando Magic to a 112-101 win over the top-seeded Detroit Pistons on Sunday night in Game 1 of their first-round series, extending the longest home playoff losing streak in NBA history.

Detroit has dropped 11 straight home games in the postseason, a drought that dates to 2008.

The Pistons will get another chance against Orlando on Wednesday night in Game 2.

Detroit’s Cade Cunningham scored a playoff career-high 39 points and Tobias Harris added 17 for the Pistons, but the rest of their teammates were quiet offensively.

“We’re sick about losing this one,” Cunningham said after the loss. “It’s a long series.”

“We didn’t come out with the right energy,” he added.

Franz Wagner scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter to help seal the victory for the Magic, who never trailed. Orlando’s Desmond Bane and Wendell Carter scored 17 points each and Jalen Suggs had 16.

The Pistons haven’t advanced beyond the first round in the postseason in 18 years and the Magic haven’t since 2010.

Orlando looked ready and Detroit looked rusty early.

The Magic, coming off a rout of Charlotte in a play-in game on Friday, led 18-5 midway through the first quarter after holding the Pistons to 1-of-6 shooting with four turnovers in their first game in a week.

Detroit rallied to pull within two before Orlando closed with six straight points to lead 35-27 after Banchero and Suggs combined to score 20 points.

The Magic led 55-51 at halftime.

The Pistons came out flat in the second half and Orlando took advantage, scoring eight of the first nine points and prompting Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff to call a timeout.

“We were chasing them all night,” Bickerstaff said. “We made some runs to get ourselves back in the ballgame.”

Detroit scored 10 straight points and 13 of 15 to pull into a 65-all tie on Cunningham’s 3-pointer.

Banchero answered with a long jumper over Jalen Duren and Bane followed with a 3-pointer over Cunningham, leading to the Magic restoring a double-digit lead. Orlando led 81-74 going into the fourth quarter.

“They’ve been off and we’ve found a little bit of a rhythm,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. “That always plays a part in it.”

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 25 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder began their title defense with a 119-84 rout of the Phoenix Suns in Game 1 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series on Sunday.

The reigning league MVP made just 5 of 18 field goals but went 15 of 17 at the foul line before sitting out the fourth quarter.

Jalen Williams scored 22 points and Chet Holmgren added 16 for the top-seeded Thunder, who will host Game 2 on Wednesday.

Devin Booker scored 23 points and Dillon Brooks scored 18 on 6-of-22 shooting for the Suns, who shot 34.9% from the field.

Phoenix broke out to a 5-0 lead as the Thunder started cold following a week off.

Oklahoma City heated up quickly. Brooks was called for a flagrant-one foul in the first quarter for hitting Holmgren in the face. The Thunder went on a 12-2 surge after that to take a 24-14 lead.

CELTICS 123, 76ERS 91

BOSTON (AP) — Jayson Tatum had 25 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists in his first playoff game since rupturing his right Achilles tendon last season, and Boston rolled past Philadelphia in Game 1 of the first-round series.

Jaylen Brown scored 26 points and Neemias Queta added 13 for the second-seeded Celtics.

Tatum scored 21 points in the first half, playing in just his 17th game this season following surgery last May to repair his Achilles tendon.

Boston never trailed, building a 35-point lead as coach Joe Mazzulla gave minutes to 12 players. The Celtics connected on 16 3-pointers.

Game 2 is Tuesday night in Boston.

Tyrese Maxey had 21 points and eight assists for the 76ers, who played without Joel Embiid. The 2023 MVP continues to recover following an appendectomy on April 9. It’s unclear when he will be able to return.

Paul George scored 17 points and V.J. Edgecombe added 13. Philadelphia was 4 of 23 from 3-point range.

Maxey was hounded by a Celtics defense that contested 12 of his 14 shot attempts in the first half and held him to 8 of 20 from the field.

Philadelphia’s 64-46 halftime deficit was its largest in a playoff game against Boston since 1982.

MAGIC. 112, PISTONS 101

DETROIT (AP) — Paolo Banchero had 23 points, nine rebounds and four assists to lead eighth-seeded Orlando to a win over top-seeded Detroit in Game 1 of their first-round series, extending the longest home playoff losing streak in NBA history.

Detroit has dropped 11 straight home games in the postseason, a drought that dates to 2008.

The Pistons will get another chance against Orlando on Wednesday night in Game 2.

Detroit’s Cade Cunningham scored a playoff career-high 39 points and Tobias Harris added 17 for the Pistons, but the rest of their teammates were quiet offensively.

Franz Wagner scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter to help seal the victory for the Magic, who never trailed. Orlando’s Desmond Bane and Wendell Carter scored 17 points each and Jalen Suggs had 16.

The playoffs are here, but Detroit’s still looking for their first home playoff win since 2008.

The Orlando Magic started off on a 13-5 run, including eight points from an active Jalen Suggs. They were able to extend their lead 18-5 until a Cade Cunningham three stopped the bleeding. After Isaiah Stewart met Paolo Banchero at the rim for a hell of a left-handed block, a Cunningham dunk in transition made it a 27-20 Orlando lead. A 12-0 Detroit run eventually tied the game at 27, but the Magic ended the first quarter on a 8-0 run to take a 35-27 lead heading into the second.

DAWG. https://t.co/cJIpSnu2rZpic.twitter.com/fXeAqrvwV8

— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) April 19, 2026

Coach of the Year finalist JB Bickerstaff stuck to his 11-man regular season rotation, though, three early fouls on Duncan Robinson left extra guard minutes on the floor in the first half. Detroit had multiple opportunities in the second to take the lead for the first time in the game, but could never find that basket when they needed it. Ausar Thompson looked like a Defensive Player of the Year finalist throughout the second quarter as his verticality shined on offensive rebounds and his quickness forced multiple turnovers.

Orlando went into halftime with a 55-51 lead. Detroit’s offense needed more outside of Cunningham’s 14 points, but the Magic packed the paint as Jalen Duren only had three field goal attempts. Duncan Robinson and Tobias Harris combined to shoot 3-for-12.

The Magic were able to go on another run as they started the second half on a 8-1 run that forced a Bickerstaff timeout. Detroit responded with eight straight points of their own after Harris knocked down a much-needed corner three. And yet, just as the Pistons got close to taking the lead again, Orlando responded with another run, this time with a 12-3 response to force another JBB timeout with the Magic up 79-68 with four minutes left. Detroit was struggling to generate good shots on offense and Orlando held a seven-point lead heading into the fourth.

A Duncan Robinson three brought Little Caesars Arena alive to make it a 85-81 game, but Jalen Suggs silenced the crowd with his own three to respond. Orlando started 6-for-6 as a Franz Wagner floater from 18 feet forced a Detroit timeout and extended the Magic lead to eight. All of Orlando’s early shot attempts were difficult or well-contested but they went in nonetheless.

Cunningham hit a midrange jumper for his 30th point and the Magic held a 101-92 lead with six minutes left in the game. He was doing his best to carry the offensive load with his shot creation in the Orlando defense and didn’t get much help from his teammates. The Magic offense made difficult shots throughout the fourth to maintain their lead the whole game and they’d go on to win 112-101.

This is now the 11th straight home playoff game the Detroit Pistons have lost and they weren’t good enough on either side of the court tonight. Every Magic started had at least 16 points and were able to convert on field goals down low as they outscored Detroit 54-34 in the paint. To be blunt, the Magic played a better version of Detroit’s playstyle.

Cunningham looked like a future MVP even after his recent return from a collapsed lung as he finished with 39 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Tobias Harris had 17 points, though, he shot 5-for-15 from the field and 1-for-7 from deep. Harris and Daniss Jenkins combined to miss 11 three-pointers and no other Piston finished in double digits. Javonte Green and Caris LeVert each played less than five minutes.

Orlando did a great job of limiting Jalen Duren on both ends as he only had eight points and seven rebounds, but he only had four shot attempts as well. After being Cade’s right-hand-man all year long, JB Bickerstaff is going to have to find ways to get Duren more involved on the offensive end in Game 2. Most of all, JBB can’t let Orlando be a better version of Detroit wants to be.

They’ll respond and play like the #1 seed that they are.

Go Stones.

The NBA has officially announced three finalists for all major awards, and it doesn’t look like any Celtic player will be taking home individual regular-season hardwood this season. But one pretty important Celtic is likely to come away with a trophy.

Joe Mazzulla is named a Coach of the Year finalist

Mazzulla seems pretty likely to earn his first-ever Coach of the Year award. The fourth-year Celtics head coach is one of three finalists for the NBA’s highest coaching honors, along with San Antonio Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson and Detroit Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff.

What is unlikely, however, is that Mazzulla will celebrate the win.

“I don’t need it,” Mazzulla said last month. “I think it’s a stupid award. They shouldn’t have it. And it’s more about the players. It’s more about the work that the staff puts in. It’s just that simple. I really don’t ever want to be asked or talk about it again. It’s just that dumb. So, the players play. It’s about them. Staff works their ass off. I’m grateful to have them.”

Jaylen Brown was not named one of 3 MVP finalists

Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets), Victor Wembenyama (San Antonio Spurs), and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder) were revealed as the three finalists for MVP. All three players have very strong cases.

The three finalists for the 2025-26 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award:

▪️Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, @okcthunder
▪️Nikola Jokić, @nuggets
▪️Victor Wembanyama, @spurspic.twitter.com/p1elMfyG2i

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 19, 2026

• SGA averaged 31.1 points on 55% shooting and 6.6 assists per game.
• Jokić averaged 27.7 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 9 assists per game.
• Wemby averaged 25 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game. 

Jaylen Brown, who had the best season of his career, was not named a finalist. He averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game this season.

Derrick White was not named one of 3 Defensive Player of the Year finalists

The NBA’s three finalists for Defensive Player of the Year were Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren, Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson, and San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembenyama.

Derrick White just had one of the best defensive seasons in NBA history

And he's not going to get the credit he deserves pic.twitter.com/Ct5vxcyvHN

— Jack Simone (@JackSimoneNBA) April 12, 2026

White averaged 1.3 blocks and 1.1 steals per game this season, both career-highs. Jaylen Brown has also stumped for him several times, saying that White has had a Defensive Player of the Year-caliber season.

Neemias Queta was not named one of 3 Most Improved Player finalists

Neemias Queta had a strong case for Most Improved Player, but he was not selected as a finalist for the award. The league’s three finalists are Atlanta Hawks forward Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija, and Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren.

Queta didn’t have the most conventional case, but he went from a fourth-string center to the starting center on one of the best teams in the league. He went from averaging 5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks in 13.9 minutes of playing time in the 2024-25 campaign to 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.3 blocks this season. He also had the 5th-best net rating and 10th-best defensive rating in the NBA this year.

In a recent appearance on teammate Derrick White’s podcast “White Noise,” Queta weighed in on his case.

“I think I made a pretty good case for it,” he said. “And there’s always so much more I can get better at. I don’t get it this year, next year, it’s available again. That’s a good way to see it.”

Do you think any Celtic player deserved to be a finalist? Sound off in the comment section.

Welcome to the Game Thread. Veterans of the Game Thread know how we do things around here, but for all you newbies we have a few rules. Our community guidelines apply and basically say be cool, no personal attacks, don’t troll and don’t swear too much.

Here we are, it’s playoff basketball, and the Spurs are 16 wins away from their sixth championship. The journey starts tonight with a matchup against Tiago Splitter’s Portland Trail Blazers, led by Deni Avdija, who can be a real problem as he combines the shot making of Luka Doncic with the foul hunting of Shai Gilgeous Alexander, but at a slightly lower level of competence. He turned those skills into a 41 point, 13 free throw performance against the Suns as they dropped the Suns to the 8th seed in their play-in game last Tuesday night.

The Spurs have had a week off, and it remains to be seen if the team will be rested and ready, or rested and rusty tonight. It’s the first playoff game for 7 players on the Spurs roster, including Victor Wembanyama, Steph Castle, Dylan Harper, and even some veterans like Keldon Johnson. The Spurs have had an awesome regular season, winning 62 games and finishing in second place in the Western Conference, but playoff basketball is different and there are no easy games. The Trail Blazers are capable of taking some games from the Spurs, and it’s the job of veterans like Harrison Barnes and De’Aaron Fox to have the team prepared for the extra intensity of playoff basketball. The Silver and Black cannot take any victory for granted for the rest or their playoff run, and if they allow the Blazers to keep the game close in the fourth quarter, they can finish strong like they did to Suns, erasing an 11 point Suns lead with a little over 6 minutes left and winning the game in the final minute.

The Spurs have the talent advantage tonight, but they cannot take their opponent for granted. Coach Splitter know the Spurs system well, so this is not a game where coach Mitch can win solely by out-strategizing the opponent. If the home team can limit mistakes and matches Portland’s commitment, it should be a Spurs win. Let’s all watch and find out. GO SPURS GO!

Game Prediction:

Deni Avdija asks Coach Splitter to sub him out when Victor enters the game late in the third quarter because he’s tired of getting his shots blocked.

San Antonio Spurs vs Portland Trail Blazers, First Round, Game 1
April 19, 2026 | 8:00 PM CT
Streaming: Peacock
TV: Peacock, NBC
Reminder: It is against site policy to post links to illegal streams in the comments.

The Cleveland Cavaliers took care of business in Game 1 against the Toronto Raptors. They kept Toronto from getting out in transition, forced them to play in the half-court, and then were able to out-execute them there on both sides of the court.

The Raptors desperately missed Immanuel Quickley in Game 1, who was out with a hamstring injury. His three-point shooting and quickness in the open court were things the team could’ve used. Toronto head coach Darko Rajaković mentioned before Saturday’s game that he was getting better even though he wasn’t able to go on Saturday. Quickly is once again questionable for Game 2.

The Cavs, meanwhile, have a clean injury report for the second game in a row. Thomas Bryant is the only player unavailable. He will be missing the game with a hamstring injury.

We’ll see if the Cavaliers can repeat Saturday’s success in Game 2 and grab a 2-0 series lead.

Who: Cleveland Cavaliers (1-0) vs. Toronto Raptors (0-1)

Where: Rocket Arena – Cleveland, OH

When: Mon., April 20 at 7 PM

TV: Peacock, NBC Sports Network

Point spread: Cavs -8.5

Cavs injury report: Thomas Bryant – OUT (calf)

Raptors injury report: Immanuel Quickley – QUESTIONABLE (hamstring)

Cavs expectedstarting lineup: James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

Raptors expected starting lineup: Jamal Shead, RJ Barrett, Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, Jakob Poeltl

Previous matchup: The Cavs grabbed a 1-0 lead with a 126-113 victory.

Here’s a look at both teams’ regular-season impact stats via Cleaning the Glass.

	Offensive Rating	Defensive Rating	Net Rating
Cavs	118.9 (8th)	115 (15th)	+3.9 (9th)
Raptors	116.8 (13th)	113.2 (7th)	+3.6 (11th)