Category: NBA

Philadelphia 76ers (43-37, eighth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Indiana Pacers (19-61, 14th in the Eastern Conference)

Indianapolis; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: 76ers -15; over/under is 234.5

BOTTOM LINE: Philadelphia heads into the matchup with Indiana as losers of three straight games.

The Pacers are 15-35 in conference matchups. Indiana is 9-41 against opponents with a winning record.

The 76ers have gone 25-25 against Eastern Conference opponents. Philadelphia ranks eighth in the league scoring 17.0 fast break points per game. Tyrese Maxey leads the 76ers averaging 5.5.

The Pacers' 13.3 made 3-pointers per game this season are only 0.1 fewer made shots on average than the 13.4 per game the 76ers give up. The 76ers' 46.2% shooting percentage from the field this season is 2.7 percentage points lower than the Pacers have given up to their opponents (48.9%).

The teams play for the fourth time this season. In the last meeting on Feb. 25 the 76ers won 135-114 led by 32 points from Maxey, while Andrew Nembhard scored 23 points for the Pacers.

TOP PERFORMERS: Nembhard is averaging 16.9 points and 7.7 assists for the Pacers. Micah Potter is averaging 1.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Maxey is scoring 28.3 points per game and averaging 4.1 rebounds for the 76ers. Paul George is averaging 3.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Pacers: 4-6, averaging 121.3 points, 41.1 rebounds, 34.8 assists, 6.7 steals and 3.0 blocks per game while shooting 51.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 121.9 points per game.

76ers: 5-5, averaging 117.8 points, 45.0 rebounds, 25.4 assists, 7.4 steals and 5.8 blocks per game while shooting 48.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.7 points.

INJURIES: Pacers: T.J. McConnell: out (hamstring), Kobe Brown: out (back), Johnny Furphy: out for season (knee), Andrew Nembhard: day to day (back), Ben Sheppard: out (hip), Ivica Zubac: out for season (rib), Pascal Siakam: out (back), Aaron Nesmith: day to day (neck), Tyrese Haliburton: out for season (achilles).

76ers: Johni Broome: out (knee), Joel Embiid: out (illness), Cameron Payne: out (hamstring).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Toronto Raptors (45-35, fifth in the Eastern Conference) vs. New York Knicks (52-28, third in the Eastern Conference)

New York; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Knicks -6.5; over/under is 219.5

BOTTOM LINE: New York hosts Toronto aiming to prolong its six-game home winning streak.

The Knicks are 34-16 in Eastern Conference games. New York is 22-22 against opponents with a winning record.

The Raptors are 4-11 against opponents in the Atlantic Division. Toronto has a 21-26 record against opponents over .500.

The Knicks score 116.8 points per game, 4.9 more points than the 111.9 the Raptors give up. The Raptors average 114.6 points per game, 4.3 more than the 110.3 the Knicks allow.

The teams meet for the fifth time this season. The Knicks won 111-95 in the last matchup on March 4.

TOP PERFORMERS: Jalen Brunson is averaging 26 points and 6.9 assists for the Knicks. Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 18 points, 10.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists over the past 10 games.

Scottie Barnes is scoring 18.1 points per game with 7.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists for the Raptors. RJ Barrett is averaging 20.3 points and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 46.2% over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Knicks: 7-3, averaging 114.2 points, 42.7 rebounds, 27.4 assists, 7.8 steals and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 50.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.3 points per game.

Raptors: 6-4, averaging 120.4 points, 41.6 rebounds, 34.0 assists, 10.4 steals and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 51.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 110.9 points.

INJURIES: Knicks: Tyler Kolek: out (oblique).

Raptors: Chucky Hepburn: out (knee), Trayce Jackson-Davis: out (illness).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

New Orleans Pelicans (26-54, 11th in the Western Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (54-26, second in the Eastern Conference)

Boston; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Celtics -16.5; over/under is 224.5

BOTTOM LINE: New Orleans visits the Boston Celtics after Jeremiah Fears scored 40 points in the Pelicans' 156-137 win over the Utah Jazz.

The Celtics have gone 28-11 in home games. Boston ranks seventh in the league with 12.6 offensive rebounds per game led by Neemias Queta averaging 3.0 offensive boards.

The Pelicans are 9-30 on the road. New Orleans has an 8-41 record against teams over .500.

The Celtics score 114.5 points per game, 5.1 fewer points than the 119.6 the Pelicans give up. The Pelicans average 11.3 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.8 fewer made shots on average than the 14.1 per game the Celtics allow.

The teams play for the second time this season. In the last matchup on Oct. 28 the Celtics won 122-90 led by 18 points from Payton Pritchard, while Jordan Poole scored 22 points for the Pelicans.

TOP PERFORMERS: Derrick White is averaging 16.6 points and 5.4 assists for the Celtics. Jayson Tatum is averaging 21.1 points, 10 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.5 steals over the last 10 games.

Saddiq Bey is averaging 17.7 points and 5.6 rebounds for the Pelicans. Fears is averaging 17.9 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Celtics: 7-3, averaging 115.0 points, 46.2 rebounds, 24.6 assists, 5.8 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 48.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.9 points per game.

Pelicans: 2-8, averaging 112.6 points, 41.0 rebounds, 24.9 assists, 9.2 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 46.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.7 points.

INJURIES: Celtics: Jaylen Brown: out (achilles).

Pelicans: Trey Murphy III: out (ankle), Zion Williamson: out (knee), Yves Missi: out (hand), Karlo Matkovic: day to day (back), Herbert Jones: day to day (rest), Saddiq Bey: day to day (rest), Dejounte Murray: out (hand), Bryce McGowens: out (toe).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Aside from Victor Wembanyama’s NBA Awards eligibility and Cooper Flagg’s ROY case, the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks both come into their 4th and final match-up this season with little to play for. The Spurs, locked into the #2 seed, are just waiting for the playoffs to get here, while Dallas has both eyes set on the NBA Draft Lottery after struggling mightily in the franchise’s first full season without Luka Doncic. Regardless of the reason, these two Texas franchises are both looking forward to the end of the 2025-2026 NBA regular season, but that doesn’t mean there can’t be some fun left to be had.

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San Antonio Spurs (61-19) vs Dallas Mavericks (25-55)
April 10 2026 | 7:00 PM CT
Watch: KENS | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)

Spurs Injuries: Victor Wembanyama, ribs (questionable), Stephon Castle, foot (questionable)

Mavericks Injuries: Caleb Martin, heel (OUT), Daniel Gafford, shoulder (OUT), Kyrie Irving, knee (OUT), Dereck Lively II, foot (OUT, Naji Marshall, hip (day to day), Klay Thompson (day to day), PJ Washington, elbow (day to day), Brandon Williams (day to day)

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What to watch for

• Coming into the season, the consensus was that Cooper Flagg would be the 2026 Rookie of the Year. The 6’9 forward has flashed real two-way dominance in his first season in the league, setting a few NBA records along the way, but there’s been plenty of chatter recently about Flagg’s former Duke teammate guard Kon Knueppel, who’s made a huge difference his first season with the Charlotte Hornets. Flagg became the first teenager in the history of the NBA to score at least 50 points when he dropped 51 points on 19/30 from the field one week ago today in a loss to the Orlando Magic. Flagg won’t be 20 years old until December 21, 2027.

• Head coach Mitch Johnson’s key focus these last couple games is almost certainly on being completely healthy heading into Game 1 of San Antonio’s first round match-up, whoever they may be. It’s a pretty safe bet then that Johnson is going to play Victor Wembanyama no more than the 20 minutes that Wembanyama needs to meet the hotly debated 65-game award minimum in either game Wemby makes his return. Don’t be surprised if the rest of the starters as well as Keldon Johnson are kept on a short leash minutes-wise as well with the Spurs locked into the 2-seed.
• Dylan Haprper could be the exception to that rule. Harper, who has had a great rookie season in his own right, has been shooting the ball incredibly well since the beginning of March. He’s proven himself all year long and will be a big part of any postseason success San Antonio has, but that doesn’t mean that he can’t still soak up valuable minutes in the final couple of games of his rookie season.

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If you’d like to, you may follow along with the game on our Twitter profile (@poundingtherock) or visit our Game Thread!

Bronny James passed to parent LeBron for the first son-to-father assist in NBA history as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Golden State Warriors 119-103.

Bronny, 19, stole possession and passed to LeBron, who ran the length of the court for an uncontested dunk that was part of a 26-point contribution from the 41-year-old.

The pair recorded the first father-to-son assist in a match against the Brooklyn Nets last month.

LeBron also added 11 assists while Bronny scored 10 points with three assists as the Lakers saw off their state rivals.

The Lakers sit fourth in the Western Conference while the Warriors are in 10th, with both having already qualified for the post-season play-offs that begin on 18 April.

Elsewhere, the New York Knicks won 112-106 against the Boston Celtics, with Josh Hart scoring 26 points, to put pressure on their opponents in the Eastern Conference.

The sides are third and second respectively in the standings, with two matches left to play in the regular season.

The Toronto Raptors triumphed 128-114 against the Miami Heat while the Houston Rockets won 113-102 against Philadelphia 76ers to solidify their chances of a play-off place.

In matches between sides already out of post-season contention, the Chicago Bulls won 119-108 against the Washington Wizards while the Indiana Pacers beat the Brooklyn Nets 123-94.

WNBA approves three-team expansion

The WNBA has approved expansion teams in Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia and will become an 18-team league by 2030.

The Cleveland franchise will be the first to make their debut in the competition - they will appear in 2028 - while Detroit and Philadelphia will follow in 2029 and 2030 respectively.

The WNBA has gone through a period of expansion in recent years with the Golden State Valkyries joining in 2025 while the Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire are set to follow this year.

The new season starts on 8 May and its regular season will run to 24 September.

Phoenix Suns (44-36, seventh in the Western Conference) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (51-29, fourth in the Western Conference)

Los Angeles; Friday, 10:30 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: Collin Gillespie and the Phoenix Suns take on LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in Western Conference play.

The Lakers have gone 9-7 against division opponents. Los Angeles scores 116.4 points and has outscored opponents by 1.2 points per game.

The Suns are 10-6 against the rest of their division. Phoenix scores 112.8 points while outscoring opponents by 1.4 points per game.

The Lakers' 11.8 made 3-pointers per game this season are just 0.4 fewer made shots on average than the 12.2 per game the Suns allow. The Suns' 45.5% shooting percentage from the field this season is 3.0 percentage points lower than the Lakers have given up to their opponents (48.5%).

The teams meet for the fifth time this season. The Suns won 113-110 in the last matchup on Feb. 27.

TOP PERFORMERS: Deandre Ayton is averaging 12.4 points and eight rebounds for the Lakers. James is averaging 16.5 points over the last 10 games.

Royce O'Neale is scoring 9.8 points per game and averaging 4.7 rebounds for the Suns. Gillespie is averaging 2.1 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Lakers: 6-4, averaging 114.5 points, 41.2 rebounds, 26.8 assists, 9.2 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 51.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.9 points per game.

Suns: 5-5, averaging 116.8 points, 42.2 rebounds, 24.6 assists, 8.4 steals and 5.6 blocks per game while shooting 46.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.3 points.

INJURIES: Lakers: Austin Reaves: out (rib), Marcus Smart: out (ankle), Jaxson Hayes: out (foot), Luka Doncic: out (hamstring).

Suns: Devin Booker: out (ankle), Haywood Highsmith: out (knee), Jalen Green: day to day (knee), Jordan Goodwin: out (ankle).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Miami Heat (41-39, 10th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Washington Wizards (17-63, 15th in the Eastern Conference)

Washington; Friday, 7 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Heat -18.5; over/under is 249.5

BOTTOM LINE: Washington aims to break its eight-game skid when the Wizards play Miami.

The Wizards are 2-13 in division play. Washington is 8-49 in games decided by at least 10 points.

The Heat are 25-25 against Eastern Conference opponents. Miami is 6-4 in games decided by 3 points or fewer.

The Wizards' 13.0 made 3-pointers per game this season are just 0.9 fewer made shots on average than the 13.9 per game the Heat give up. The Heat average 120.4 points per game, 4.2 fewer than the 124.6 the Wizards allow to opponents.

The teams square off for the fourth time this season. The Heat won 152-136 in the last meeting on April 4. Jaime Jaquez Jr. led the Heat with 32 points, and Will Riley led the Wizards with 31 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Bub Carrington is shooting 41.8% and averaging 10.4 points for the Wizards. Riley is averaging 1.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Bam Adebayo is scoring 20.0 points per game with 10.0 rebounds and 3.1 assists for the Heat. Tyler Herro is averaging 18.0 points and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 47.8% over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Wizards: 1-9, averaging 114.9 points, 40.9 rebounds, 24.8 assists, 9.2 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 47.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 130.3 points per game.

Heat: 3-7, averaging 120.8 points, 42.7 rebounds, 29.9 assists, 5.9 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 47.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 128.7 points.

INJURIES: Wizards: Anthony Davis: out for season (finger), Tristan Vukcevic: out (knee), Jaden Hardy: out (back), Bilal Coulibaly: out (heel), Cam Whitmore: out for season (shoulder), Tre Johnson: out (foot), Alex Sarr: out (toe), Kyshawn George: out for season (elbow), D'Angelo Russell: out (not injury related), Trae Young: out for season (quad).

Heat: Nikola Jovic: out (ankle), Dru Smith: out (foot).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Orlando Magic (44-36, seventh in the Eastern Conference) vs. Chicago Bulls (31-49, 12th in the Eastern Conference)

Chicago; Friday, 8 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Magic -14.5; over/under is 242.5

BOTTOM LINE: Orlando will try to continue its four-game win streak with a victory against Chicago.

The Bulls have gone 19-31 against Eastern Conference opponents. Chicago ranks fifth in the Eastern Conference with 17.4 fast break points per game led by Tre Jones averaging 2.8.

The Magic have gone 25-25 against Eastern Conference opponents. Orlando is eighth in the Eastern Conference with 32.4 defensive rebounds per game led by Paolo Banchero averaging 7.2.

The Bulls are shooting 46.9% from the field this season, 0.8 percentage points lower than the 47.7% the Magic allow to opponents. The Magic are shooting 46.4% from the field, 1.3% lower than the 47.7% the Bulls' opponents have shot this season.

The teams play for the fourth time this season. The Bulls won the last matchup 121-114 on Jan. 3. Matas Buzelis scored 21 points to help lead the Bulls to the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Collin Sexton is shooting 48.5% and averaging 15.4 points for the Bulls. Jones is averaging 20.1 points over the last 10 games.

Desmond Bane is averaging 20.5 points and 4.2 assists for the Magic. Banchero is averaging 22.8 points and 7.7 rebounds while shooting 47.4% over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Bulls: 3-7, averaging 120.0 points, 45.9 rebounds, 27.0 assists, 7.6 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 127.3 points per game.

Magic: 6-4, averaging 118.6 points, 41.3 rebounds, 27.4 assists, 7.4 steals and 3.2 blocks per game while shooting 47.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 122.3 points.

INJURIES: Bulls: Anfernee Simons: out (wrist), Isaac Okoro: out (quad), Jalen Smith: out for season (calf), Matas Buzelis: out (illness), Noa Essengue: out for season (shoulder), Josh Giddey: out (hamstring), Guerschon Yabusele: day to day (shoulder), Nick Richards: day to day (elbow), Zach Collins: out for season (toe).

Magic: Jett Howard: out (ankle), Jonathan Isaac: out (knee).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Golden State Warriors (37-43, 10th in the Western Conference) vs. Sacramento Kings (21-59, 14th in the Western Conference)

Sacramento, California; Friday, 10 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Warriors -10.5; over/under is 229.5

BOTTOM LINE: Maxime Raynaud and the Sacramento Kings host Brandin Podziemski and the Golden State Warriors in Western Conference action.

The Kings are 3-12 in division games. Sacramento has a 6-39 record in games decided by 10 points or more.

The Warriors are 7-7 in division play. Golden State ranks seventh in the Western Conference giving up just 115.1 points while holding opponents to 48.0% shooting.

The Kings are shooting 46.7% from the field this season, 1.3 percentage points lower than the 48.0% the Warriors allow to opponents. The Warriors' 46.1% shooting percentage from the field this season is 3.4 percentage points lower than the Kings have given up to their opponents (49.5%).

The teams square off for the fourth time this season. The Warriors won the last matchup 110-105 on April 8. De'Anthony Melton scored 21 points to help lead the Warriors to the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Nique Clifford is scoring 8.2 points per game and averaging 3.7 rebounds for the Kings. Raynaud is averaging 17.1 points and 8.5 rebounds over the last 10 games.

Podziemski is averaging 13.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists for the Warriors. Pat Spencer is averaging 10.3 points and 4.1 assists over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Kings: 3-7, averaging 111.7 points, 42.4 rebounds, 26.1 assists, 6.4 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 48.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 123.1 points per game.

Warriors: 4-6, averaging 113.3 points, 39.8 rebounds, 28.3 assists, 9.2 steals and 3.2 blocks per game while shooting 48.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.1 points.

INJURIES: Kings: Domantas Sabonis: out for season (back), Russell Westbrook: out (foot), De'Andre Hunter: out for season (eye), Zach LaVine: out for season (finger), Drew Eubanks: out for season (thumb), DeMar DeRozan: out (hamstring), Keegan Murray: out (ankle).

Warriors: Quinten Post: out (foot), Stephen Curry: out (knee), Jimmy Butler III: out for season (knee), Al Horford: out (calf), Kristaps Porzingis: out (illness), Moses Moody: out for season (knee), Will Richard: out (back), Gui Santos: out (pelvis).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

NEW YORK — As a rash of shameless tanking is rotting within the NBA, the New York Knicks could’ve done the same.

They could’ve rolled over Thursday, April 9 to let the Boston Celtics clinch the No. 2 seed. They could’ve rested their stars compromised their competitive spirit to gear up instead for the playoffs, which begin April 18.

Let me explain.

In the days leading up to this game, a faction of social media basketball strategists pondered whether New York, the current three-seed in the East, would be better served to target the No. 4 slot. The thinking was that it would avoid an eventual matchup against the surging Celtics, who have won 25 of their last 33 games, in the conference semifinals.

Instead, Knicks forward Josh Hart drained all five of his 3s in the second half — including a pair inside the final 43 seconds that put the game away — to help New York narrowly outlast Boston, 112-106, in a game that had 13 ties and 16 lead changes.

Despite the victory, the Knicks, however, could still feasibly throw their final two games to tank into the four-seed to avoid Boston.

Should they?

I’ll concede that it does make some practical sense for teams at the bottom of the standings to tank. Those attempts to manipulate draft positioning, particularly in a draft class as loaded as this one, can theoretically be the difference between an elite, franchise-altering player and a good-to-very-good one.

Taking this approach, however, as you’re trying to win it all, would be a tell for loser behavior. Indirectly, the message would be that a team is scared of another, or at least giving it far too much respect.

“We’re heading in the direction of where we need to be at,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said after the game. “I like the climb that we’ve made the last week or so, the last three or four games. We’ve got a couple more games to get there.

“For us, we’ll take it one game at a time, but we’ve got these two left, and we’d like to win both of them. What does that mean? I don’t know; we’ll see. But when we lace them up, we’re playing to win.”

Let’s very quickly run through the scenarios.

The Celtics (54-26) will almost certainly clinch the No. 2 seed. All they need to do is win one of their two remaining games, both of which are at home: against the Pelicans (Friday, April 10) and Magic (Sunday, April 12).

Because the Knicks (52-28) hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over the No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers (51-29), New York would clinch the three-seed with a victory in either of its remaining games, which are also both at home: against the Raptors (Friday) and Hornets (Sunday).

And, assuming both Boston and New York handle their first-round playoff series, that would set up, once again, a rematch in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

If the Knicks fell to the fourth-seed, their semifinal opponent would likely be the No. 1 Pistons, who only just got All-Star Cade Cunningham back Wednesday, April 8 from a collapsed lung.

Making the prospect of a Knicks-Celtics rematch more enticing is that Boston’s players seemingly want it.

“It felt like death,” Jaylen Brown said of last year’s playoff loss during a recent Twitch stream. “The Knicks — good team — but to blow two 20-point leads, like, how does that happen? Just, the energy was off, and we lost, but shout out to the Knicks. They won. They moved on. We lost. We did it to ourselves. Can’t be mad at it.

“But this (year is a different story). We might match up with the Knicks again, and we’ve got to be ready to slide. … Sometimes, you’ve got to spin the block. You’ve got to run it back.”

By beating the Celtics Thursday night, New York can now say that it went 3-1 against Boston in the regular season. The Knicks sharpened their late-game actions in the clutch. They blitzed Celtics star Jayson Tatum — who was playing his first game here in Madison Square Garden since he tore his Achilles in last year’s Eastern Conference semifinals — showing they have a recipe to defend him in the postseason.

Most of all, New York can use this momentum to galvanize its group into a rallying point as it tries to win its first NBA Finals since 1973.

Granted, none of New York’s victories over Boston this season were with both Tatum and Brown, who missed Thursday’s game with left Achilles tendinitis, on the floor.

Either way, all of this is setting up for what should be a fascinating rematch.

“That’s fool’s gold, trying to pick and choose your spots in the standings and who you play,” Knicks All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns told reporters after the game. “That’s fool’s gold (thinking) you have to lose to win.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Should New York Knicks tank way out of No. 3 seed in NBA playoffs?

For at least one game, there is a glimmer of hope in Los Angeles.

The Lakers actually beat the Warriors. Now, Steph Curry was out for the contest, so it was the corpse of Golden State against the ghost of LA, but in the win-loss column, the victory counts the same.

So, let’s dive into the win. As always, grades are based on expectations for each player. A “B” grade represents the average performance for that player.

LeBron James

32 minutes, 26 points, 8 rebounds, 11 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 4 turnovers, 1 foul, 11-17 FG, 3-5 3PT, 1-2 FT, +19

LeBron was superb in this contest. He was aggressively attacking the basket, racking up points. James was a positive defender and led the team in assists. He also had another incredible dunk to add to his infinite highlight reel of jams.

LEBRON TAKES FLIGHT FOR THE SLAM 👑 pic.twitter.com/xRPU5FO3Zk

— NBA (@NBA) April 10, 2026

There was a scary moment where he blocked a shot and appeared to hurt his hand, but he remained in the game. That’s great news because the last thing this team needs is another injury.

Grade: A

Rui Hachimura

30 minutes, 12 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, 2 fouls, 5-12 FG, 2-4 3PT, 0-1 FT, +20

Hachimura had a relatively positive performance. He shot well and was a good floor spacer during the competitive parts of this contest.

Grade: B

Jake LaRavia

31 minutes, 16 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, 3 turnovers, 5 fouls, 6-7 FG, 4-5 3PT, +29

This was one of the best LaRavia games in weeks. He finally had a good shooting night and was a threat from deep. Hopefully, this is the start of a good stretch of shooting for LaRavia as we enter the postseason.

Grade: B+

Deandre Ayton

31 minutes, 21 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 2 fouls, 9-11 FG, 3-4 FT, +19

Ayton brought the appropriate energy and efficiency to this game. He dominated inside and scored some of his patented high-post buckets. If Ayton can play like this the rest of the way, LA will have a shot at winning

Grade: A

Luke Kennard

32 minutes, 14 points, 2 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 steals, 1 turnover, 1 foul, 6-11 FG, 1-2 3PT, 1-1 FT, +20

Kennard had some really rough possessions with the ball. In the third quarter, he had one play where he rushed to the rim and looked like he had no idea how to attempt a layup.

Kennard is being asked to do more than he normally is, and this game is a reminder of why he is best just shooting from deep and setting screens.

Grade: C

Jarred Vanderbilt

26 minutes, 2 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 turnovers, 1-3 FG, 0-2 3PT, +15

Vando’s offensive possessions were an adventure in this game. He’s clearly only playing because the team is shorthanded, but his time on the floor was tough to watch in this one.

Grade: D

Bronny James

21 minutes, 10 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 2 steals, 3 turnovers, 1 foul, 4-7 FG, 2-4 3PT, -5

Bronny becoming a legit rotation player has been a joy to watch. He is progressing so much during his sophomore season. He still struggles with ball pressure, but he’s improved a lot. Now, when he comes in, it’s not just during wins in garage time. Bronny can help the Lakers win.

Grade: B

Nick Smith Jr.

11 minutes, 12 points, 4-5 FG, 4-5 3PT, +9

Smith Jr. just broke the 10 minutes required for a grade. He is a player unafraid to shoot the ball, and in this game he was hot from deep, going 4-5. If Redick needs some offense during one of these games, Smith Jr. isn’t a bad option to go to.

Grade: B

Maxi Kleber, Drew Timme, Adou Thiero, Dalton Knecht

These four players didn’t play 10 or more minutes, so they will not be receiving a grade.

JJ Redick

Redick pushed the right buttons in this game. He ran a tight rotation, and it resulted in the Lakers playing a better game overall. Redick called timeouts when the Warriors went on a run, and the Lakers responded each time.

Grade: B

Thursday’s DNPs: Chris Mañon

Thursday’s inactives: Marcus Smart, Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, Jaxson Hayes

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

Better late than never?

In the last few days of the regular season, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns have played with the kind of rhythm/connection that’s been missing for most of the year. 

You saw it in New York’s win in Atlanta on Monday. And it was present again on Thursday night against the Celtics. 

With five minutes to play in the fourth quarter, Brunson found Towns for a dunk and a three-pointer on consecutive possessions.

It was the kind of sequence the Knicks probably envisioned when they traded for Towns in the 2024 offseason. They didn’t see much of it in the first 78 games of this season. The narrative around the Knicks was that Towns and Brunson didn’t fit well together. 

But if the last two games are any indication, that narrative may be changing. 

“They’re getting a rhythm at the right time,” Mike Brown said after New York’s win on Thursday. “Jalen was great without the basketball. He used his ability to get open because he understands angles. He’s second to none with his ability to change directions without the basketball. 

“When we have a passer like KAT who can hand it off or pass it late to you, it makes that duo really effective because of those two guys and the characteristics they have as players. What also makes it good is KAT can shoot the three and Jalen can shoot the three and put the ball on the floor. So (Towns’) man has to be up into him. He’s big enough, long enough to protect the basketball and still making the pass,” Brown added. “Now you’re talking about there’s a lot of room that Jalen’s guy has to cover or try to cover with Jalen moving. The rhythm that those two guys have established these last few games is something they’re gonna have to take into the playoffs because it’s a really good combination, obviously.”

What’s changed between Towns and Brunson? Towns cited conversations he’s had with Brunson ahead of games. 

“Those convos are showing up in the game, especially in the last two fourth quarters,” Towns said. “In high-pressure situations, we’ve leaned on each other and trusted each other in those situations and it’s been very good for our team.”

If the Towns-Brunson pairing works as well in the postseason as it has over the past two games, the Knicks will be a different – and dangerous – team in the playoffs.

The Lakers (51-29) will complete their final back-to-back of the season on Friday against the Phoenix Suns (44-36).

A win would greatly help them secure the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference. With just a couple of games left, this playoff race will come down to the wire.

Start time and TV schedule

Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns

When: 7:30 p.m. PT, Apr 10

Where: Crypto.com Arena

Watch: Spectrum Sportsnet

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LA hasn’t had much luck against Phoenix this season. They have lost three of their four matchups against them, with Devin Booker and longtime Lakers foe Dillon Brooks doing most of the damage in those contests.

At this point in the season, the Suns are cemented as the No. 7 seed, so they don’t have the same urgency to win as the Lakers do. That could work in the Lakers’ favor.

For LA to win, it’s going to take a coalition of the willing. That means LeBron James, if he’s active, has to carry a large load once again. As the team’s best available ball handler, he has to score and set up the players on the court for good looks at the basket.

For those looks to be converted, his teammates have to knock down shots. Rui Hachimura is one of LA’s best shooters, converting on 43.6% of his 3-point attempts. Luke Kennard is another laser who can get hot from deep. Kennard’s also shown the ability to handle the ball now that Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves are out.

Also, can LA get a big performance from Deandre Ayton? He’s coming off a good performance in LA’s win over Golden State, and that level of play is something he can regularly do.

If he replicates that on Friday night, the Lakers can end the game with possession of the fourth seed with just one contest remaining.

The Lakers need this game and the Suns don’t. That, along with the playoffs approaching, should be motivation enough to push through the exhaustion of the back-to-back and secure the result.

Notes and Updates

• There is no injury report available for the Laker at this time, as they are playing on the second night of a back-to-back. Luka Dončić (left hamstring strain) and Austin Reaves (left oblique muscle strain) will remain out. Hopefully, Jaxson Hayes (left foot soreness) and Marcus Smart (right ankle contusion) can return.
• As for the Suns, Devin Booker (right ankle injury management), Haywood Highsmith (right knee injury management) and Jordan Goodwin (left ankle sprain) are out. Jalen Green (right knee soreness) is questionable.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

SAN FRANCISCO — Thursday night at Chase Center was what it looked like when a more-talented team that’s still playing for something meaningful but is trying to figure itself out plays a less-talented team that doesn’t have a lot at stake but has gone through its growing pains.

The Lakers, who beat the Warriors 119-103 in the first night of a back-to-back for both teams, had the talent advantage on Thursday even with regular season-ending injuries to Luka Doncic (left hamstring) and Austin Reaves (left oblique), in addition to absences from Marcus Smart (right ankle contusion) and Jaxson Hayes (left foot soreness). 

And the lack of continuity as the Lakers navigate this relatively new reality was apparent.

In the lineups they played, some of which hadn’t been on the court together before Thursday. In their 19 turnovers, which helped a Warriors team in need of offense score 22 points. 

Meanwhile, the Warriors, who were without several players, including Steph Curry, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford, lived life without their top star in Curry for nearly two months. And there was initially a greater comfort playing the way they needed to, helping them keep the game close. 

But in the end, talent won out, with the Lakers outscoring the Warriors 66-54 in the second half to end their losing streak. 

LeBron James, who was back in the Lakers’ lineup after sitting out of Tuesday’s home loss to the Thunder, led the way with 26 points, 11 assists and 7 rebounds in 32 minutes. 

Deandre Ayton added 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting and 5 rebounds in 31 minutes in a game all five Lakers starters scored in double digits.

Brandin Podziemski led the Warriors with 17 points.

What it means

The Lakers picked up their first win since the injuries to Doncic and Reaves, ending their three-game losing streak and improving to 51-29 on the season. 

They stayed at fourth place in the Western Conference standings with Thursday’s victory. 

The Warriors (37-43), who were already locked into 10th place in the West, hope to have a dress rehearsal before opening the play-in tournament on the road. 

Turning point

When Curry was ruled out Thursday afternoon. 

It took away the best chances of Lakers-Warriors being competitive.

But bigger picture, it also took away what could’ve been one of the final opportunities to witness Curry and James play each other in an NBA game after that didn’t happen at all this year.

MVP: LeBron James

James shot 11-of-17 from the field, and racked up five of his assists early in the fourth, a stretch that gave the Lakers full control of the game. 

It was James’ second straight points-assists double-double.

Stat of the game: 37 

That’s how many assists the Lakers finished with, just one short of tying their season-best mark of 38. 

The Lakers have recorded at least 36 assists in both games James has played since the injuries to Doncic and Reaves. 

Luke Kennard had 8 assists in addition to his 14 points. 

Up next

Both teams will close out their back-to-back sets on Friday night.

The Lakers will go back to Southern California to host the Suns, while the Warriors will travel to Sacramento to play against the Kings.

Fans from New Zealand and Australia held signs toward the camera proclaiming they had traveled thousands of miles to watch Warriors star Stephen Curry play.

On one sign, “play” was crossed out and replaced with a frowning face.

LeBron James instead gave fans a glimpse at a generational star, leading the Lakers to a 119-103 win over the Warriors on Thursday with 26 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds.

After missing the Lakers’ last game, the 21-time All-NBA player returned as the guiding force amid a season threatening to fall off the rails. The Lakers (51-29) ended a three-game losing streak and kept pace with the Houston Rockets in a tight race for home-court advantage in the Western Conference.

Read more:Plaschke: Broken Lakers need to shut down the season

“We just had a sour taste in our mouths, obviously, for last week,” James said, referencing injuries to stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves and the recent skid. “... And just none of us wants to continue to lose, and then we hurt for our two main guns. So, just a mindset of just trying to figure out how we can be great as a team, how we can figure out how to play well on the road and try to get a win.”

Trying to avoid their longest losing streak of the season, the Lakers relied on James to steady the ship. After the Lakers gave up a 9-0 run to start the second quarter, he hit a contested three out of a timeout to get them back on track. He fed the ball to Deandre Ayton, keeping the big man engaged for 21 points on nine-of-11 shooting with five rebounds.

Luke Kennard had 14 points and eight assists. The sharp-shooting guard has 28 assists in the last three games, adapting into the team’s emergency point guard to compensate for the loss of Doncic and Reaves.

“Talking as a group this morning like this is what we have right now, and we gotta figure it out,” Kennard said. “We're trying to win games. Worked this hard to get where we are, to be in the position that we're in right now, and we don't want to just throw it away.”

Losing James to a lingering left foot injury before Tuesday’s loss to the Thunder added to an emotional week for the Lakers. They lost Doncic and Reaves in a blowout loss in Oklahoma City on April 2 and had to face the NBA's best team without their Big 3. Jaxson Hayes also didn't play Tuesday and remains day-to-day after missing Thursday’s game as well.

Lakers coach JJ Redick admitted the Lakers were not prepared to compete Tuesday. He later recognized that an effort to inject some energy into his players by calling early timeouts and subbing out veterans such as Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt didn’t help, especially after a heated exchange with Vanderbilt was caught on camera.

“What I told the team today — I think this is important — is we have had a very disjointed season because of all the injuries and throughout the year, we — collectively, staff, players — we've had to figure out the best path forward with whatever group is available,” Redick said. “And that's no different right now. We have to figure out over these next three games and over next week, the best path for this team to play winning basketball.”

Read more:Inside Luka Doncic's high-stakes medical treatment and recovery plan

Through the emotional ups-and-downs, Redick checks in with Reaves and Doncic daily. Doncic, receiving treatment on his injured left hamstring in Spain, is in “relatively — relatively good spirits,” Redick said. Doncic is “attacking” his rehab, Redick said, but being away from the team has taken a toll on his psyche. Reaves, who is out with a Grade 2 left oblique strain that is expected to take four to six weeks to heal, has benefited from staying with the team.

“I think for both of those guys, there is, like, a carrot,” Redick said. “If we can get this season extended, they can come back and they can play. Those guys love playing basketball.”

Houston won its eighth straight game Thursday to stay tied with the Lakers for the No. 4 seed. Both teams have two games remaining, and the Lakers have the head-to-head tiebreaker.

The difference between finishing fourth and fifth is home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs, but James wouldn’t entertain any talk about planning for the playoffs.

“What the future holds, we have no idea,” James said, “and obviously the past is the past. So what we can focus on is how we continue to get better and better each and every day.”

James gave his teammates a scare in the third quarter when he hurt his right hand on a chase-down block. It appeared swollen as he went to the bench. Kennard also walked away from the play holding his left hand after attempting to slap the ball away from the Warriors’ Pat Spencer. Redick joked that the scene made him turn off his Amazon Prime broadcast microphone for several seconds.

But James returned with three minutes left in the third quarter. He wouldn’t give his team yet another reason to worry.

“His leadership all day long, in the meeting, in the walkthrough this morning, just the way he carried himself,” Redick said, “just he really set the tone for the team.”

Battling a chronic knee injury in the latter stages of the season, Curry watched from the bench. His absence in the Warriors’ last home game of the season also put a damper on what could have been another enthralling matchup of two of the NBA's biggest stars.

Between the artistry of Curry and the physicality of James, they’ve been faces of the league, Redick said. But with the 41-year-old James not under contract after this season, the generational stars may never compete against each other on an NBA court again.

Redick called the idea “dark.”

“It's been fun to watch as a fan,” Redick said of the rivalry between Curry and James, “and it's been fun to be a part of it the last couple years.”

Curry greeted James before the game. Now a sneaker free agent after his high-profile departure from longtime sponsor Under Armour, Curry honored his contemporary with a blue and yellow version of the LeBron X iD sneakers.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.