Category: Basketball

The Lakers understand the daunting challenge they're about to face against the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals.

Lakers coach JJ Redick referenced the great Chicago Bulls teams that won back-to-back championships in 1996 and '97 and the Golden State Warriors teams that won titles in 2015 and '17 when talking about the Thunder after practice Sunday.

“The Thunder is one of the greatest teams ever in NBA history,” Redick said. “It's just the reality. They're that good. I think our guys recognize that and respect that, and we know what kind of task we have in front of us.”

Read more:An early look at how the Lakers and Thunder match up entering their playoff series

The Thunder had the best record in the regular season at 64-18. They were ranked first in defensive field-goal percentage (43.7%), first in defensive rating (106.5), first in net rating (43.7) and second in points given up per game (107.9).

They have the league's reigning most valuable player in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is the leading candidate to repeat as MVP. He was second in scoring this season (31.1 points per game) and leads the postseason in scoring (33.8).

The Thunder just swept the Phoenix Suns in their first-round series. The Lakers eliminated the Houston Rockets in six games.

This season the Thunder beat the Lakers by an average of 29.2 points per game in sweeping the four-game set. So the Lakers are facing long odds to win this series, but they say they aren't intimidated heading into Game 1 on Tuesday night.

Read more:Plaschke: Crisis averted, LeBron James to the rescue in Game 6

“You can respect the team but you can't fear them,” forward Jake LaRavia said. “You can't come into the game fearing the opponent and then you're just gonna come in and get punked. So, we respect how good this team is, but our goal is to win — win the games and win the series. So, our mindset stays the same.”

The Thunder have a reputation as a stingy defensive team — they were called for the seventh-fewest fouls per game (19) this season.

“They're top five in every category that's disruptive-base: steals, blocks, turnovers forced, all that stuff. And they don't foul,” Redick said. “They somehow do all of that without fouling, which is one of the most remarkable things, I think, in NBA history."

Gilgeous-Alexander is famous for drawing fouls. He took nine free throws per game this season, third-most in the league.

“Nobody’s been able to stop him all season,” Redick said. “So, you can hope and pray.”

The Lakers had their own weapon at the free-throw line, but it's unclear when Luka Doncic might return from injury. The All-Star point guard hasn't played since sustaining a Grade 2 left hamstring strain against the Thunder on April 2.

Doncic was coming off a magical month, becoming the only player in history other than Michael Jordan to score 600 points in March.

Redick had no update on Doncic's status — he remains out indefinitely.

But the Lakers got by the Rockets with LeBron James leading the way. He averaged 23.2 points, 8.3 assists and 7.2 rebounds in the six games. And star guard Austin Reaves, who also was injured in the April 2 game against the Thunder, returned to help beat the Rockets.

Read more:'There's no quit.' Lakers' leadership, resilience shines through in series-clinching win

Still, few think the Lakers, who advanced past the first round for the first time since 2023, can get by the deep and talented Thunder.

“You could say nobody thought we were going to get past Houston, but everybody in this building believed,” Reaves said. “It's the same mindset going into this. We obviously know the team that we're about to face and how good they are and the problems that they can create for 48 minutes. So, we'll have to lock in every single day, film, whatever it could be, to continue to get better and and pay attention to all the little details like they do.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

DETROIT — Cade Cunningham had 32 points and 12 assists, Tobias Harris added 30 points and the Detroit Pistons beat the Orlando Magic 116-94 in Game 7 on Sunday to win a playoff series for the first time in 18 years.

Cunningham averaged 32.4 points for Detroit, which last won a postseason series by beating Orlando in the second round in 2008. The Pistons advance to play the winner of Sunday night’s Game 7 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors. Game 1 will be Tuesday at Little Caesars Arena.

“We were pushed to the limit,” Cunningham said. “And it made us really reflect on how we were playing, what got us to this position and what made us win as many games as we won in the regular season. And it got us back to playing the basketball that we knew we were capable of.”

The Pistons became the 15th team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 deficit and the second in the last two nights, after the Philadelphia 76ers came back to eliminate Boston.

“I mean, it’s expected,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said of his team’s resiliency. “And that’s the amount of belief that we have in this group. This is a special group. And you can’t count us out. No matter the circumstances, no matter the situation, I like our chances to fight our way back.”

They trailed by 24 points in Game 6 in Orlando before rallying to take the series at home. Orlando only scored 113 points in the final six quarters of the series — an average of 18.8 per period.

Cunningham and Harris became the first Pistons teammates to score 30 points in a playoff game since Bob Lanier (33) and Howard Porter (30) against the Golden State Warriors on April 17, 1977.

“We really bonded this season,” Cunningham said. “This group is super tight. We think we can do anything. We’ve had our backs against the wall at times in the regular season, but we stuck together and we found our way out of it.”

Paolo Banchero scored 38 for the Magic.

Each team needed a second scoring option in Game 7. Cunningham had carried the Pistons while Banchero was Orlando’s only weapon after Franz Wagner was injured in Game 4.

Harris filled that role for Detroit, but Orlando only had one other player reach double figures in the first three quarters, as Desmond Bane had 10.

“We just couldn’t find the basket,” coach Jamahl Mosley said. “We were playing well on defense, but we couldn’t put the ball in the hole.”

The Pistons also got a big game from All-Star center Jalen Duren. He was outplayed by Wendell Carter Jr. in the first six games, but put up his first double-double of the series with 15 points and 15 rebounds.

Harris scored 17 points in the second quarter as the Pistons finished the half on a 9-2 run to take a 60-49 lead.

The Pistons’ surge continued into the second half, as they opened the third quarter with a 11-2 run to go up 71-51. Nine of the points came from Cunningham and Harris.

The Magic finished the third quarter with 15 points — the third time in their last five periods they couldn’t reach 20 points.

Daniss Jenkins hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to give Detroit a 83-64 lead going into the fourth, and the Magic never threatened down the stretch.

“They fought and battled the whole way,” Mosley said. “We just didn’t get the job done.”

Anthony Edwards might not miss much of the Timberwolves’ series against the Spurs, per reports. He had been making progress and was initially likely to suit up in Game 3 or Game 4, according to ESPN’s Sham Charania. Apparently, his return could come earlier than that, as he has been listed as questionable for Game 1, and he could play if his knee feels good after a workout on Monday, according to The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski.

Edwards suffered a hyperextended knee injury with a bone bruise in Game 4 of the Timberwolves’ first-round series against the Nuggets. He was also previously dealing with a persistent issue in his other knee, so he was expected to miss several games, if not the entire series, against the Spurs. It looks like he has progressed faster than expected because there’s a chance he could play Monday.

If Edwards does indeed play, it would be shocking. Timberwolves’ medical staff has called him “Wolverine” because of how fast he heals, but not even the most optimistic observers thought it would be possible for him to be ready this quickly.

Despite the credible reports, there are some big questions that still remain unanswered. Could the Timberwolves be trying to play mind games with the Spurs by surprisingly listing him as questionable a day before the matchup with no intention of playing him? And even if Edwards suits up, how will he look? Edwards’ runner’s knee was already limiting him in the series against the Nuggets before the bone bruise. Now he’ll have discomfort in both knees.

One thing is clear: Whether Edwards is ready to go by Game 1 or later, it seems that he will play in the series at some point.

Other than listing Edwards as questionable, the Timberwolves’ injury report also includes Donte DiVincenzo as out due to an Achilles injury that will sideline him for the rest of the playoffs, and Ayo Dosunmu as questionable due to calf soreness that held him out of Game 6 against the Nuggets.

The Spurs listed Carter Bryant as questionable due to an ankle sprain, but no one else appears in their injury report.

Pat Kelsey and Louisville men's basketball continue to have a strong offseason in preparation for the 2026-27 college basketball season.

The latest addition to the Cardinals comes from the high school ranks, as they landed five-star recruit Obinna Ekezie Jr., the No. 4 national prospect in the 2027 recruiting class according to 247Sports Composite rankings.

He announced his commitment and re-classification to the Cardinals' 2026 recruiting class on Sunday on Instagram.

MORE: When the stars are gone, the smart transfer portal moves matter most

The Cardinals won the recruiting Ekezie sweepstakes against Arkansas, BYU, Kentucky and Maryland, according to the Louisville Courier Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network. His dad, Obinna Ekezie Sr., played in the NBA for four seasons.

"I have chosen to commit to (the) University of Louisville as I feel it's the best situation to develop, showcase my game and strive to win a national championship," Ekezie told ESPN's Jeff Borzello and Paul Biancardi on why he chose Louisville. "Coach Kelsey separated himself with his detailed plan for my development, specifically being able to play and develop at both the 4 and 5. His excellent staff was completely bought in to helping me reach my goals. But honestly, what put it over the top was the visit. Louisville felt like home from the moment I got there."

Ekezie not only brings a 7-foot frame to the Cardinals, but also adds to their growing depth at the forward position. He was also a consensus five-star and top-five ranked recruit, according to different recruiting outlets.

As noted by the Courier Journal, Ekezie participated in the Basketball Without Borders camp at the 2026 NBA All-Star Game in February, where he earned Defensive Most Valuable Player honors.

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Anthony Edwards might be back for Game 1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs, barely a week after appearing to suffer a serious knee injury.

Edwards will be listed as questionable for Monday night’s series opener, the Timberwolves said.

The All-Star guard, who averaged 36.7 points in three games against San Antonio this season, has been “cleared for on-court basketball activities,” the Timberwolves said Sunday.

Edwards was hurt in Game 4 of Minnesota’s first-round series against Denver and diagnosed with a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Ranking the four NBA second-round playoff matchups: Which teams are No. 1? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The NBA playoffs has reached its second stage.

After three Game 7s and a few upsets in between, the 2026 playoffs have definitely started off strong. It should keep improving as the margins tighten.

Now only eight teams remain. In the Western Conference, No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder will continue its repeat bid against the No. 4 Los Angeles Lakers. The No. 2 San Antonio Spurs will clash with the No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves.

Out East, the No. 1 Detroit Pistons survived a Game 7 to face No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers, a fellow Game 7 victor. The No. 3 New York Knicks will battle against another Game 7 winner in the No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers.

With all four series in place, let’s rank the matchups from least to most intriguing:

No. 1 Detroit Pistons vs. No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers

Orlando didn’t beat Detroit, but it exposed many flaws in the Pistons’ chances at a deep run. Detroit is heavily reliant on Cade Cunningham, while Jalen Duren has struggled to adapt his game to the postseason. Tobias Harris and Duncan Robinson also aren’t quality enough to be a playoff team’s third and fourth scorers, so Cleveland will have a strong chance if it capitalizes on the opportunity.

The Magic likely would’ve held on to their 3-1 lead had Franz Wagner not been injured. Cleveland will have James Harden and Donovan Mitchell as their main scorers and initiators, with Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen and Max Strus being the key role players. Detroit might need seven games again to advance, but the lack of star quality here is the main reason it comes first.

No. 2 San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves

There will not be a Victor Wembanyama vs. Nikola Jokic matchup this year. The Spurs did their part by completing a gentleman’s sweep of the Portland Trail Blazers, but the Denver Nuggets failed to impose themselves against a Minnesota side without Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo.

Minnesota’s placement here is highly dependent on Edwards returning as DiVincenzo will be out a lengthy period. Rudy Gobert will give everything defensively against Wembanyama, but they’ll need consistent juice offensively for another upset. Jaden McDaniels is trending upwards after a standout series, but San Antonio’s deeper team and quality will make for an interesting battle. Even without Edwards for a few games, Minnesota won’t go down easily.

No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 4 Los Angeles Lakers

Oklahoma City has earned significant rest with a sweep of Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns. The Lakers are a more balanced team than Phoenix, though Luka Doncic’s absence is a big blow on offense. LeBron James led L.A. past Houston in six games, but Kevin Durant did not play and the rest of the roster lacked offensive initiating prowess. The 41-year-old will need to pull off a miracle to repeat that against a more dominant Thunder side.

Still, the NBA’s past vs. the NBA’s present in James and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should make for elite viewing, even if the Thunder complete a probable gentleman’s sweep.

No. 3 New York Knicks vs. No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers

Could the Eastern Conference winner be from this matchup? The Knicks got past the Atlanta Hawks with more trouble than they would’ve liked, while Philadelphia rallied down 3-1 to stun the Boston Celtics. The Knicks are in a make-or-break year with this current core headlined by Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges. A conference finals berth should be the minimum, but an NBA Finals appearance is what’ll move the needle.

The same applies for Philadelphia in a sense, but with much less pressure. Joel Embiid has struggled with another injury-riddled season, though he has an improved core of Tyrese Maxey, Paul George and VJ Edgecombe. Will that be enough legs and quality to reach the Finals as a 7-seed? It seems unlikely, but the series win over Boston should provide the momentum that’ll make the New York matchup the most enthralling. Both teams have the ability to upset No. 1 Detroit — No. 8 Orlando was a healthy Wagner away — if that’s the next matchup.

Ranking the four NBA second-round playoff matchups: Which teams are No. 1? originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The NBA playoffs has reached its second stage.

After three Game 7s and a few upsets in between, the 2026 playoffs have definitely started off strong. It should keep improving as the margins tighten.

Now only eight teams remain. In the Western Conference, No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder will continue its repeat bid against the No. 4 Los Angeles Lakers. The No. 2 San Antonio Spurs will clash with the No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves.

Out East, the No. 1 Detroit Pistons survived a Game 7 to face No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers, a fellow Game 7 victor. The No. 3 New York Knicks will battle against another Game 7 winner in the No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers.

With all four series in place, let’s rank the matchups from least to most intriguing:

No. 1 Detroit Pistons vs. No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers

Orlando didn’t beat Detroit, but it exposed many flaws in the Pistons’ chances at a deep run. Detroit is heavily reliant on Cade Cunningham, while Jalen Duren has struggled to adapt his game to the postseason. Tobias Harris and Duncan Robinson also aren’t quality enough to be a playoff team’s third and fourth scorers, so Cleveland will have a strong chance if it capitalizes on the opportunity.

The Magic likely would’ve held on to their 3-1 lead had Franz Wagner not been injured. Cleveland will have James Harden and Donovan Mitchell as their main scorers and initiators, with Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen and Max Strus being the key role players. Detroit might need seven games again to advance, but the lack of star quality here is the main reason it comes first.

No. 2 San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves

There will not be a Victor Wembanyama vs. Nikola Jokic matchup this year. The Spurs did their part by completing a gentleman’s sweep of the Portland Trail Blazers, but the Denver Nuggets failed to impose themselves against a Minnesota side without Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo.

Minnesota’s placement here is highly dependent on Edwards returning as DiVincenzo will be out a lengthy period. Rudy Gobert will give everything defensively against Wembanyama, but they’ll need consistent juice offensively for another upset. Jaden McDaniels is trending upwards after a standout series, but San Antonio’s deeper team and quality will make for an interesting battle. Even without Edwards for a few games, Minnesota won’t go down easily.

No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 4 Los Angeles Lakers

Oklahoma City has earned significant rest with a sweep of Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns. The Lakers are a more balanced team than Phoenix, though Luka Doncic’s absence is a big blow on offense. LeBron James led L.A. past Houston in six games, but Kevin Durant did not play and the rest of the roster lacked offensive initiating prowess. The 41-year-old will need to pull off a miracle to repeat that against a more dominant Thunder side.

Still, the NBA’s past vs. the NBA’s present in James and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should make for elite viewing, even if the Thunder complete a probable gentleman’s sweep.

No. 3 New York Knicks vs. No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers

Could the Eastern Conference winner be from this matchup? The Knicks got past the Atlanta Hawks with more trouble than they would’ve liked, while Philadelphia rallied down 3-1 to stun the Boston Celtics. The Knicks are in a make-or-break year with this current core headlined by Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges. A conference finals berth should be the minimum, but an NBA Finals appearance is what’ll move the needle.

The same applies for Philadelphia in a sense, but with much less pressure. Joel Embiid has struggled with another injury-riddled season, though he has an improved core of Tyrese Maxey, Paul George and VJ Edgecombe. Will that be enough legs and quality to reach the Finals as a 7-seed? It seems unlikely, but the series win over Boston should provide the momentum that’ll make the New York matchup the most enthralling. Both teams have the ability to upset No. 1 Detroit — No. 8 Orlando was a healthy Wagner away — if that’s the next matchup.

It has been 18 years since the Detroit Pistons have won a playoff series when they defeated the Orlando Magic in 2008.

It has been 23 years since the Detroit Pistons came back from a 3-1 series against the 8th seeded Orlando Magic in 2003.

This year’s Detroit Pistons team just accomplished both of those feats.

History tends to repeat itself, doesn’t it?

The Pistons got out to a 10-5 lead after a lob from Cade Cunningham to Jalen Duren, a rare sighting throughout this series. Paolo Banchero responded with back-to-back threes and all 11 of Orlando’s first points, mostly from jump shots. Duncan Robinson attempted six three-pointers that were all good looks, but only could connect on one of them. Orlando took a 22-20 lead after the first quarter with Detroit shooting 7-for-20 from the field.

Banchero was doing his best KD impression knocking down multiple tough jumpers. After Orlando went on an 8-0 run, Detroit responded with their own 7-0 run that forced a Jamahl Mosley timeout after Cunningham knocked down his third three of the day to give the Pistons a 38-35 lead. Daniss Jenkins and Desmond Bane would trade three-pointers to tie the game at 43.

That’s when it turned into the Tobias Harris show. Tobi helped Detroit close the quarter on a 20-6 run, including 11 straight coming from Harris. He knocked down a three-pointer, post jumpers, and got to the rim for some tough finishes to finish with 17 points in the quarter alone. The Pistons would take a 60-49 halftime lead over the Magic.

Detroit was led by Harris and Cunningham who combined for 34 first half points. Harris added four rebounds and Cunningham had nine assists. Duren look solid with nine points and eight rebounds while Ausar had two steals and two blocks. Orlando was led by Banchero who had 23 points while shooting 4-for-6 from three, but no other Magic player was in double-digits – Bane was second on the team in scoring with eight points.

It looked like the postseason hopes from Orlando was dwindling after three early turnovers. Cunningham got a dunk in transition that forced an Orlando timeout with Detroit up 66-51. They were able to respond with a 7-0 run that led to a JB Bickerstaff timeout, but he got Cade back in the game and another Cunningham three made it a 78-58 Detroit lead. After Daniss hit a three at the buzzer, the Pistons took a 83-64 lead heading into the final frame.

With only 12 minutes left to seal a Game 7 victory and the first Pistons playoff series win since 2008, Detroit looked to put Orlando out of their misery. A three from Javonte Green put Detroit up 22, a Daniss three put them up 23, and another Tobias three put them up 25 – each shot gave Detroit their largest lead of the game. Orlando put the full-court pressure on and forced some Detroit turnovers that led to a 15-4 run, but Tobias hit a corner three for his 30th point that would be the dagger that would officially end the Magic’s season.

Detroit would go on to win 116-94 behind two 30-bombs from Cunningham and Harris. Cade would finish with 32 points and 12 assists while shooting 10-for-18 from the field while Harris added 30 points and nine rebounds on 11-for-18 shooting. The two combined to make nine of their thirteen three-point attempts. As good as Cade has been this series, Tobias absolutely deserves his own shoutout stepping into the #2 scoring role this series. He scored 20+ points in the previous four games before dropping 30 tonight. If you ask me, Tobias deserves to wear a Pistons jersey for the rest of his career.

Jalen Duren had his best game of the series with 15 points and 15 rebounds along with three assists. Daniss Jenkins added 16 points and five assists off the bench. Duncan Robinson had 10 points despite shooting 2-for-10 from beyond the arc, all of which felt like good looks.

Tune in to Game 7 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors at 7:30 PM EST to see who Detroit will match up with in Round 2.

So, how does it feel, DBB? We’re glad we get to share this historical series win with you sickos.

Go Stones.

Josh Hart has bad news for Joel Embiid: Everyone has a price.

He doesn’t think the 76ers center’s plea to Philadelphia fans not to sell tickets to New Yorkers is going to work — it could be a repeat of the 2024 playoff series, when Knicks fans turned Xfinity Mobile Arena (then Wells Fargo Center) into Madison Square Garden Southwest.

There were “MVP” chants for Jalen Brunson that irked Embiid.

The 76ers big man said at the time, “It kind of pisses me off, especially because Philly is considered a sports town.”

“I expect it to be similar, because Knicks fans travel. They’re probably the best fans in the NBA in terms of traveling and going to games. It might be cheaper to do that than go to the Garden,” Hart said Sunday after practice, as the Knicks prepared for Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the 76ers. “They love New York Knick basketball, they’re passionate about it, and we love it. We need them to come out and support.”

After the 76ers overcame a 3-1 series deficit to eliminate the Celtics on Saturday night, Embiid asked fans not to sell their tickets and avoid a rerun of 2024.

On the secondary market, prices for tickets are significantly more expensive at the Garden than at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

“Last time we played the Knicks, it felt like [Philadelphia] was Madison Square Garden East. We’re going to need the support,” Embiid said. “Don’t sell your tickets. This is bigger than you. We need you guys.”

“Knicks fans travel — they buy tickets,” he later added. “There’s going to be people who will sell the tickets because they need the money. Don’t do it, we need you guys. We need the support, and we need them to be extremely loud. If you need money, I’ve got you.”

The 76ers are mimicking the Pistons ploy of a year ago — limiting tickets to Detroit-area fans — by limiting tickets to residents of the Philadelphia area.

A message on the team’s website reads: “Residency will be based on credit card billing address. Orders by residents outside [of the] Greater Philadelphia area will be canceled without notice and refunds given.”

That won’t stop Knicks fans from purchasing tickets on the secondary market, however.

While it worked for Detroit a year ago, that was a much longer trip than the 90-minute drive to Philadelphia.

“Good thing about New Yorkers, man, they’re persistent. They don’t care, bro,” Hart said. “They’re going to do it, man. And for a lot of people, everything revolves around money. So, you know, if they get a good price for those tickets, they’re going to sell them, and New Yorkers are passionate about the Knicks and they’re going to come out and show love.”

They really did it. Game 7, in Boston, facing the final hurdle to overcome a 3-1 deficit against the No. 2 seed, and they did it. The Sixers became just the 14th team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 series deficit with their thrilling performance. It was a historic night, full of special performances from the Sixers and their stars.

The only brief scare that came during Game 7 was Tyrese Maxey tumbling into Embiid’s leg, as the Sixers’ guard was defending Jaylen Brown. Fortunately, after a little hobbling, Embiid was able to carry on and help close out the game alongside the unreal play of Maxey down the stretch.

And now, ahead of Game 1 for the Sixers’ second-round series against the Knicks, Embiid is listed as probable with a right hip contusion.

Obviously you’d rather not see him on the injury report at all, but given how unlucky Embiid’s been in the past with freak injury accidents, it’s good to see he’s likely going to play and that his knee isn’t listed as the reason he’s on the injury report.

Embiid returning from his emergency surgery for appendicitis and immediately dominating was remarkable. He put up 28.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists to only 2.0 turnovers per game for the series, delivering huge plays in every performance to put Philly in control and turn the series around. Considering some of the playoff shortcomings and criticism Embiid has faced in the past, it’s been special to see him dominate and deliver in a series like this, when the Sixers were such underdogs to come out on top.

Stay tuned here at Liberty Ballers, because we’ve got plenty of coverage to get you ready for the Knicks series coming up. There’s not long to bask in the excitement of beating Boston, with Game 1 in New York coming up at 8:00pm ET on Monday.

Lakers coach JJ Redick delivered a short-and-blunt answer Sunday when asked for an update on injured superstar Luka Doncic. 

“No update,” Redick said repeatedly. 

Doncic is nearing the five-week mark since suffering a Grade 2 hamstring strain on April 2 against the Thunder, which coincidentally is the team’s second-round opponent in the NBA playoffs. 

Doncic’s injury already cost him the first-round series against the Rockets. A series the Lakers survived in six games, by winning on the road Friday night. But their next challenge against the reigning champions will be far less forgiving. 

And all indications are that Doncic won’t be ready. 

After traveling to Spain for advanced treatment aimed at accelerating recovery, Doncic’s progression has been labored at best. He’s done controlled on-court work. Shooting, light movement, but has to be cleared for full-speed running, full contact or 1-on-1 drills. 

Doncic was not on the court when the media was allowed into the Lakers’ practice on Sunday afternoon but is expected to be reevaluated before the team departs for Oklahoma City. 

“Obviously, we always want to have Luka out there,” said teammate Austin Reaves on Sunday. “He’s one of the best players in the league, if not the best player. It’s definitely a different task. Everyone has to play differently to create and fill the void of the things he does for us.”

The void isn’t just about scoring, it’s about controlling the pace and tempo of a game. 

Sources told The California Post that Doncic is expected to miss the first two games of the Western Conference semifinal series in Oklahoma. 

Game 3 is scheduled Saturday in Los Angeles and will land between the five- and six-week mark of when Doncic sustained the injury. The normal timetable for a Grade 2 hamstring strain is between four and eight weeks. 

The Lakers will need all hands on deck when their series tips off with the Thunder on Tuesday. Unfortunately, it’s going to start without their best player.

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Luka Doncic is still building towards a return, but it won't come in time for Game 1.

The Los Angeles Lakers will be without Doncic for the start of their second-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported on "Inside the NBA" on Sunday.

Charania reports the Lakers are evaluating Doncic on a week-to-week basis and is currently on a "slow path" in his recovery from a Grade 2 hamstring strain that has kept him sidelined for the past month.

Doncic returned to the practice floor during the Lakers' first round series, but has yet to progress to 3-on-3 or 5-on-5.

"He's doing more and more on the court," Charania reported. "But right now, still not full-fledged running or full-contact workouts."

Reporting on ABC Inside the NBA Tip-Off Show -- new updates on Los Angeles Lakers' Luka Doncic, Minnesota Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards and the Denver Nuggets' future: pic.twitter.com/MPjLnQoPUq

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 3, 2026

Doncic has missed 11 games since straining his left hamstring against Oklahoma City on April 2. The Lakers have gone 7-4 in that span but ran out to a 3-0 lead in the first round of the playoffs against the Houston Rockets, winning the series in six games.

The odds are stacked against LA yet again with a matchup against the defending NBA champion Thunder, who won a league-best 64 games in the regular season. The absence of Jalen Williams makes things slightly less lopsided, especially if the Lakers keep producing total team efforts with contributions from Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura.

Make no mistake, though: Doncic, who led the league in scoring with 33.5 points per game and finished third in assists with 8.3 per game, will be needed this series. It just remains to be seen when – or if – he'll be back in time.

In the NBA, there’s nothing better than a Game 7.

Fortunately for fans tuning in Sunday, May 3, there are two of them, between the No. 1 Detroit Pistons and No. 8 Orlando Magic and between the No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers and No. 5 Toronto Raptors.

In win-or-go-home scenarios, teams tend to elevate their play and compete with desperation. Perhaps no team is feeling that more than Orlando, which had a 3-1 series lead before it allowed the Pistons to win two in a row, the most recent after an epic choke job in Game 6 in which the Magic shot only 4-of-37 from the floor in the second half.

Here are the winners and losers from Sunday’s Game 7s:

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The Philadelphia 76ers completed an improbable comeback against the Boston Celtics, thanks in large part to Joel Embiid. 

My 76ers vs. Knicks predictions for Monday, May 4 expect Embiid to keep it rolling as an old rivalry with Karl-Anthony Towns and New York is renewed.

Here are my free NBA picks for tonight, with tip-off set for 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

76ers vs Knicks Game 1 prediction

Who will win 76ers vs Knicks Game 1?

Sixers: The Sixers should keep this one close, and after they came up big at TD Garden, I wouldn’t be surprised if they found a way to win against the Knicks at MSG.

Philadelphia is a deep team with a legitimate Big 3, and with the squad at nearly full health, I’ll take the Sixers to pull off another upset on the road.

76ers vs Knicks best bet: Joel Embiid Over 40.5 points + rebounds + assists (-112)

For as good as the Philadelphia 76ers are with Tyrese Maxey leading the way, the team’s play on the offensive side of the court gets a noticeable boost when Joel Embiid is available. 

During the regular season, Philly’s offensive rating was a mediocre 112.9 with Embiid on the sideline. With Embiid available, the 76ers’ offensive rating soared to 118.5, a mark that would have been fifth-best on the season.

Joel Embiid has averaged a healthy 44 PRA since returning in the playoffs, hitting the Over on this combo line in three of four games. In 11 career games at Madison Square Garden, Embiid has gone for 41+ PRA eight times.

Joel Embiid will also likely need to do more if he wants to lead his team to victory. The New York Knicks have multiple capable defenders to throw at Maxey, but their defensive depth down low isn't as deep.

With Philly's point guard locked up, its big man will have to do more of the heavy lifting. 

Embiid and Karl-Anthony Towns also have an old rivalry dating back to 2019, and the Sixers center has found success against the opposing big man. He’s averaged 41 PRA in 14 career matchups with Towns, hitting the Over on this line eight times. 

Riding high from a 34/12/6 performance in Game 7 and playing against a heated rival, I expect Embiid to be at his best and deliver another big playoff performance.

COVERS INTEL: Joel Embiid averaged 16 rebounds + assists vs. the Celtics.

76ers vs Knicks Game 1 same-game parlay

At 27-18, the Sixers sport the second-best road record against the spread.

The Knicks may have the advantage of rest, but the Sixers are in a groove and have played the Knicks well over the last two seasons. Philly is 4-1 ATS across its last five games at Madison Square Garden. 

The 76ers have hit the Over in two of their last four, and the Knicks have reached that mark in three of their last four.

Playoff basketball tends to slow down with lower scoring totals, but the Sixers’ offense is Top 5 with Embiid available, and New York averaged 133 points per game across its last two contests.

76ers vs Knicks SGP

• Joel Embiid Over 40.5 points + rebounds + assists
• 76ers +7.5
• Over 212

Our "from downtown" SGP: Rivalry renewed

Embiid has one career playoff triple-double, recorded in his last postseason berth in 2023-24. He’s averaged nine boards and seven dimes this postseason, and his playmaking abilities could lead to a monster night in the box score.

Embiid’s triple-double odds are long, and we can balance them out with Towns’ short double-double odds. Towns was one of the Association’s top rebounders, and he led the league with 56 double-doubles in 75 games.

New York demolished Atlanta in its last game out, but don’t let that annihilation of the Hawks sway your opinion of the visiting team.

The Sixers completed a rare comeback against a talented team on the road, and they’ll be feeling themselves as they head into Game 1 against a team that eliminated them in six games the last time they met in the postseason.

76ers vs Knicks SGP

• Joel Embiid triple-double
• Karl-Anthony Towns double-double
• 76ers moneyline

76ers vs Knicks odds for Game 1

• Spread: 76ers +7.5 | Knicks -7.5
• Moneyline: 76ers +235 | Knicks -290
• Over/Under: Over 212 | Under 212

76ers vs Knicks betting trend to know

The 76ers have hit the moneyline in 26 of their last 45 games (+19.85 Units / 20% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for 76ers vs. Knicks.

How to watch 76ers vs Knicks Game 1

76ers vs Knicks latest injuries

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Brian Scalabrine was not in the mood.

Following the Celtics’ season-ending Game 7 loss to the 76ers on Saturday, the Boston icon was on the set of the NBC Sports Boston postgame show when some Philly fans managed to get under his skin.

As the 109-100 Boston loss was being discussed on air, a group of jubilant Sixers fans could be heard saying: “We want Boston!”

76ers fans crashed the Celtics postgame show and started chanting “We want Boston.” The analysts were so pissed.

Legendary trolls pic.twitter.com/WPzmk36zi1

— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) May 3, 2026

Scalabrine then got a bit personal as he replied: “You are ugly!”

The “We want Boston” chant was used by Sixers fans during their play-in win against the Magic, which clinched the No. 7 seed.

And the Sixers proved their fans right over the last week, erasing a 3-1 series deficit and stunning the crowd at TD Garden on Saturday.

Scalabrine was not the only Celtics figure who had some fighting words after the game, as Jaylen Brown accused Joel Embiid of “flopping around” following the loss.

With Jayson Tatum out of the Game 7 lineup for Boston with left knee tightness, the Celtics shot just 39.8 percent from the field and 26.5 percent from 3-point range.

The Sixers, meanwhile, got huge performances out of Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe and will now prepare for a series against the Knicks.

Game 1 will tip off at 8 p.m. on Monday at Madison Square Garden.