Amid his hottest stretch of the season, one that was propelling him toward the top of the MVP race, he suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain midway through the third quarter of the Lakers’ 139-96 loss to the Thunder on Thursday.
Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a play during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center on April 2, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) Getty Images
Doncic was extinguished right when he was exploding.
He averaged the second-most points in March in NBA history (37.5), behind Michael Jordan. He led the Lakers on a 16-2 run.
On Thursday morning, he was named the Western Conference Player of the Month for games in March. And he was a finalist for Defensive Player of the Month, a nod he received for the first time in his career.
Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during the game against Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) NBAE via Getty Images
That evening?
He was laid out on the floor, unsure of his future.
The worst part of it is the timing. Things were finally clicking for Doncic. Really clicking.
Lakers coach JJ Redick kept describing Doncic as “clear-headed.”
Basketball had become his refuge amid the turmoil in his personal life.
And it had become obvious that he had truly embraced Los Angeles as his home following the shocking trade last season that ripped him away from Dallas, where he thought he’d spend his entire career.
He was on the verge of leading the 17-time champion Lakers into the playoffs as real contenders. He had the rest of the league on the edge of their seat, unsure what he and his team were capable of doing in the postseason.
In addition to becoming the 10th player in NBA history to score over 600 points in March, he was averaging 8 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 2.3 steals over that stretch. He was trying on defense. He was a complete player who was challenging Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama for the league’s most prestigious individual honor.
Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts from the floor after a play during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center on April 2, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) Getty Images
Then he went down.
Doncic, who was grabbing at his left hamstring in the second quarter, felt it seize while driving against Jalen Williams with 7:39 left in the third period.
He hopped a few times. He doubled over in pain. Then he slowly sat down, collapsing onto his back.
What a shame.
Now, both he and the Lakers are plunged into uncertainty.
Will he be able to return in time to help the Lakers? Will he qualify for awards using the “Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge,” even though he will miss the 65-game threshold? Are the Lakers toast?
The narrative has changed in whiplash-inducing fashion for a player who leads the league in scoring (33.5), is third in assists (8.3) and sixth in steals (1.6).
It has also shifted for the third-seeded Lakers, who now need to refind their identity after the Big 3 had finally jelled.
It took them until spring to find their groove, with Doncic as the head of the snake, Austin Reaves as the second option and LeBron James as third. And then with the playoffs five games away, the rug was ripped from underneath them.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic gestures during the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images William Liang-Imagn Images
For the Lakers, this was dizzying.
And for Doncic, it was gut-wrenching.
Over the last month, Doncic was inspiring MVP chants during road games. He had 51-point and 60-point performances. He made a game-winning shot against the Nuggets in overtime.
He was him.
Now the Lakers need to figure out who they are without him.
The Warriors forward, who has spent his entire 14-year NBA career playing as Curry’s partner-in-crime, shared the perfect two-word response to Curry’s impending return.
“Thank God,” Green said on “The Draymond Green Show.”
Curry has been sidelined for more than two months with a nagging knee issue.
He made a major leap in his rehab this past week after returning to full practice for the first time and participating in 5-on-5 scrimmaging. Curry scrimmaged for the second time on Thursday, and Warriors coach Steve Kerr shared that “he looked good” and “looked like Steph Curry.”
“We’re excited,” Green continued. “No. 1, just to see him back on the floor, the NBA is a much better place when Steph Curry is on the floor. I think we all can agree with that from a team perspective. The most important thing for us the past couple of weeks has been staying competitive, making sure we’re building great habits, because realistically, I don’t believe we had enough. But continuing to build the right habits, continuing to stay competitive, continuing to keep spirits high, so that when Steph returns, when Al [Horford] returns, you’re not trying to break bad habits.
“You plug those guys in where they go and you try to build on the good habits that we’ve been working on. You try to build on some of the experiences that these guys have been getting due to the injuries. If you just let go of the rope while Steph is out, when Al’s out, when they do come back, it’s just going to be more of the same. And quite honestly, we didn’t win a ton of games, but what we did was build some good habits and guys have grown in different areas. And now, you get your reinforcements back and you try to give yourself a chance.”
Curry hasn’t played since Jan. 30. The Warriors have posted a 9-18 record without their best player.
Golden State currently holds a 36-41 record and sits in 10th place in the Western Conference standings, three games behind the ninth-seeded Portland Trail Blazers.
“Going into this play-in situation, you go in healthy and a little fresh, which is one upside of the injuries,” Green said. “And with a group of guys who have been there. I’ve been there. Steph’s been there. Al Horford’s been there. Porzingis has been there. mixed with guys who haven’t had many opportunities. And you roll the dice and you see what you get. So we’re excited as hell.”
With just five regular-season games remaining, Curry’s return comes at the perfect time.
And Green shared that despite speculation, the Warriors never actually considered shutting down Curry for the season.
“As I told you all, there was never really an idea of Steph shutting it down,” Green said. “He’s been working to get back and obviously had the frustrating days in between. But there was never really a talk of like, ‘Yo, let’s shut it down.’ It’s just not who he is. So we’re excited as hell. And honestly, you just want to give yourself a shot at the playoffs. You give yourself a chance.”
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 03: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics dribbles the ball against A.J. Green #20 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the third quarter at Fiserv Forum on April 03, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
1. Historic First Half Offense
After dropping a franchise record 53 points on the Miami Heat in the game before, the Celtics came into this matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks and dropped 43 more. Boston scoring 96 points in back-to-back first quarters is a new NBA record, beating the previous mark set by the Denver Nuggets of 92 points in 2008. Boston once again shot ridiculously well, going 15-25 (60%) from the field and 8-12 (67%) from three with 0 turnovers.
Boston also set a franchise record for the most points in consecutive first halves with a total of 155 points after scoring 80 points against Miami and 75 points against Milwaukee, breaking the previous record of 152 points. In the first half against the Bucks, the Celtics shot 28-53 (53%) from the field and 12-23 (52%) from three with only 2 turnovers.
Tonight in Milwaukee, the Celtics have set an NBA record for points in back-to-back first quarters (96) and a franchise record for points in back-to-back first halves (155).
Previous NBA record for a consecutive 1st quarters was 92, by Denver in 2008.
After recording his first triple-double of the season against the Heat, Jayson Tatum was about as close as you could get when it came to getting two in a row, finishing with 23 points, 11 rebounds, 9 assists and 3 steals on 8-16 shooting from the field and 4-8 shooting from three. One of the craziest stats on Tatum in this game is that he finished as a +30 in 31 minutes, just ethical hoops.
When it came to his shot, Tatum looked like he was shooting in an open gym for most of his attempts. The Bucks did not have a guy who could guard him and his work navigating screens from Neemias Queta allowed him to get a ton of wide open shots.
Tatum’s rebounding in this game was big on the defensive glass but it was his assists that were the most impressive thing to watch. Tatum was seeing the floor like Neo in the Matrix. He knew what play was coming and made the pass to a teammate before even they knew what they were about to do. Just pinpoint accuracy that not every player in the NBA can master.
I was also really impresses with Tatum’s defense in this game. The 3 steals that he ended with were in result of Tatum using his heightened sense of awareness for the situation to pick off passes and create offensive opportunities. Maybe he really is Neo.
3. Queta for Most Improved Player
For the 16th time this season and the second game in a row, Neemias Queta finished with a double-double of 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 blocks on 8-11 shooting. This game is a perfect example of why Queta needs to win Most Improved Player.
Queta has improved so much when it comes to setting the best screens in the NBA and making quick decisions once he has the ball in his hands. This play where he caught it at the free throw line and passed it to Derrick White show’s his improvements in his decision making.
When it comes to scoring, Queta’s connection with Jayson Tatum is really starting to blossom into an unstoppable force. Out of his 8 made shots, 4 of them were assisted by Tatum. Queta’s job was just to finish the play and he did a great job of putting himself in the right position to receive the passes.
On the defensive end, we have seen Queta transform into an incredible shot blocker. He had 4 blocks in this game that he was able to time up perfectly. Going from the fourth string center last season to the starter this year has been an incredible testament to his development and that should put him as the favorite for Most Improved Player.
4. Brown Makes Scoring Look Easy
It must be so awesome to be able to have an offensive bag like Jaylen Brown. He finished with 26 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals on 7-17 shooting and 2-4 from three but when you watched him play in this game it looks like its just a regular game of pickup.
We saw Brown take and make a ton of pull-up jump shots against Milwaukee mostly due to the fact that they just couldn’t guard him. Similar to Tatum, Brown was able to get wherever he wanted to on the court with relatively no pushback from the defense and just rise up over people. Brown finished his night on fire, scoring 13 points in the third quarter before sitting for the rest of the game.
That’s why I think it has to be so cool to have Jaylen Brown’s offensive ability because he knows how to make the game of basketball look so easy.
5. Hauser-Matic
Coming off a first quarter where Sam Hauser shot 6-6 from the field and 5-5 from three in the first quarter against the Heat, he followed it up with a 3-3 shooting first quarter against the Bucks with all of his shots coming from beyond the arc. Hauser finished this game with 13 points on 5-6 shooting from the field and 3-4 shooting from three.
Hauser’s ability to get hot early is huge for the Celtics offense. When he is hitting his threes, Boston can build up a lead quick and in a hurry. This reminds me of how the 2024 Celtics would use Jrue Holiday on offense when he shot 43% from three that year. Boston was able to close out games by the end of the third quarter up by 50 points all because Holiday was hitting wide open corner threes.
Hauser has that same ability to just make wide open shots to demoralize a defense and that makes Boston’s offense so much scarier to any team that runs into them.
6. Pritchard Paint Precision
Payton Pritchard continued his streak of good performances in this game, finishing with 16 points and 6 assists on 7-12 shooting from the field and 2-6 shooting from three. The thing that impresses me most with Pritchard’s offense is how is able to navigate himself when he is in the paint at his size.
Pritchard loves when a big gets switched on to him so he can completely embarrass them by taking them off the dribble and shooting a fadeaway jumper that doesn’t even touch rim. The defends the jump shot? Pritchard is just going to use an array of up-and-under moves to continue to embarrass them. If he’s not doing that, Pritchard might just use his speed to blow by you and finish through contact for a layup.
No matter what happens, in the end the big man on the other team ends up feel sad and embarrassed while Payton Pritchard just continues his asention into the Gen Z version of Steve Nash.
7. White Three-Point Slump Busted?
Ever since Jayson Tatum has come back on March 6th, Derrick White has been in a shooting slump from three, shooting 26% from three on 78 attempts in his last 12 games. Although he was able to buck that trend in this game against Milwaukee, finishing with 17 points 5-9 shooting from three.
White is currently having the second worst three-point shooting season of his career at 32% but this game feels encouraging. He looked a lot more comfortable taking them in this game verses last game against Miami where he only attempted 1 three. Hopefully White can get hot for the playoffs, but his shooting as a whole is the least bit concerning considering all of the other ways he can impact the game on offense and defense.
8. Buck Hunting vs Zone
In the Miami game, it was pretty obvious the Celtics plan was to attack Tyler Herro any chance they got and tonight Boston did the same thing with Milwaukee’s AJ Green. In the second quarter we saw Brown and Tatum attack Green on back-to-back plays with similar results.
Tatum started it out by getting the ball at the three point line. With Green only being listed at 6’4”, this was a free basket Jayson, backing down the Bucks sharpshooter and splashing a step back jumper in his face.
On the next offensive possession the Celtics had, Brown got the ball at the three point line and just bullied his way to the free throw area where he hit Green with a fadeaway jumper that looked like shooting practice.
These were a couple examples of the way the Celtics were able to exploit mismatches on the undermanned Bucks all night long. After years of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum having to play against the Miami Heat’s zone defense in the conference finals, it feels funny that teams even try to run it when the Jays are on the floor and they don’t have the personnel to hold up.
9. Board Man Gets Paid
Boston dominated Milwaukee in pretty much every aspect of this game but one area that stands out was their ability to dominate the glass, out-rebounding the Bucks 48-30 on the night. Craziest part about the Celtics rebounding number is the fact that Tatum and Queta combined for 21 of the 48 rebounds for Boston.
When it came to the points in the paint battle, the Celtics blew them out 56-22. With Myles Turner being the only person that has even the slightest ability to defend the paint against Boston, it was pretty much an all you can buffet down there. Boston shot 22-26 (85%) directly underneath the basket in this one, finished off by a Jordan Walsh alley-oop dunk.
10. The Celtics Defense Makes No Sense
It’s hard to find negatives when the Celtics have blown out their opponents the last two games by an average of 25 points while scoring an average of 140 points, but there is one thing that just doesn’t really make a whole lot of sense and that is Boston’s three point defense.
This game made it back-to-back games where the Celtics allowed 20+ threes to their opponent and still won. This has only happened one other time in NBA history from the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021. Although the Celtics are winning is there any cause for concern with the three point defense?
I’m going to say no when it comes to being concerned given the fact that Boston averages 14.1 threes given up a game so this could just be an outlier. The Celtics were blowing out their opponents by so much, in some meaningless regular season games and they were just a little lackadaisical on defense. Even in their last loss to the Atlanta Hawks on March 30th, Boston only allowed 15 made threes.
My final verdict is that there is nothing to really be concerned about as of now but it really is just a strange statistical anomaly. Leave it to the Celtics to break both brains and stat sheets.
DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 03: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks goes for a dunk against Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic in the second half of an NBA game at American Airlines Center on April 03, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Flagg made 6-of-9 from 3-point range, five of which came in the second half, against the Magic. He recorded three steals on the defensive end. But most of all, his performance proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that a straw poll with six regular-season games still left on the schedule is an imperfect endeavor. He left no shadow of a doubt on Friday who should be named the NBA’s Rookie of the Year.
It has to be Flagg.
“I would hope it helps,” Flagg said when asked how his 51-point explosion should factor into his chances at winning the Rookie of the Year award. “But I’m not going to worry about that. I’m just going to worry about getting better every single night.”
At 19 years and 105 days, Flagg became the youngest player in NBA history to record a 50-point game and just the third rookie to do it since the NBA-ABA merger in 1976. Brandon Jennings scored 55 for the Milwaukee Bucks against the Golden State Warriors on Nov. 14, 2009, and Allen Iverson scored 50 for the Philadelphia 76ers on April 12, 1997 at the Cleveland Cavaliers. If his current season averages hold through the final five regular-season games of the year, Flagg will become just the fourth rookie to average more than 20 points, more than six rebounds and more than four assists per game, after Larry Bird, Michael Jordan and Luka Dončic all did it in their first years. He joined Jordan as just the second rookie to have multiple 45-point games since the merger as well.
He dwarfed his 14-point effort in the third quarter on 5-of-6 shooting from the floor with an astronomical fourth quarter against the Magic. He was an absolute maniac getting to the rim, but also made 2-of-3 from distance in the frame. He nuked Orlando for 24 points in the fourth on 11-of-18 shooting overall, then got a bottled water shower in the locker room after an 11-point loss, which felt a little weird.
We’ll excuse the awkwardness because, honestly, what’s the appropriate response to a night like Friday, when every Maverick not named Cooper Flagg combined to shoot 25-of-65 (38.5%) from the floor? At least it shows that the kid owns that locker room, as he damn well should.
Flagg scored 10 straight points for the Mavs in a span of less than two minutes early in the third, including a step-back 3-pointer with just over nine minutes left in the frame to put him at 23 points on the night. Two free throws and a pull-up jumper late in the third put him at 27 points entering the fourth and gave Flagg his 18th game of 25 or more points in his rookie year and before turning 20, passing Dončić, who had 17 games of 25 or more points as a teen. But that was just an appetizer.
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd was ejected early in the fourth quarter after arguing a non-call that should have been whistled for a foul on Desmond Bane, who tugged on Flagg’s elbow following a shot attempt. Flagg scored all 24 of his fourth-quarter points after the ejection in the final 10 minutes of the game.
Flagg’s stop-and-pop 3-pointer from the right wing with 9:45 left to play put him at the 30-point mark, and that’s when he detonated. The next time down, he dropped the hammer on a high-flying dunk over Paolo Banchero. Two possessions after that, Flagg nailed his fourth 3-ball of the game, this time from the left wing to force a Magic timeout with the Mavericks trailing 123-102.
The one hole in Flagg’s game across his rookie season has been his jumpshot. His six 3-pointers on Friday are the latest evidence that he has what it takes to plug that hole in short order. And when he does, the NBA is on notice. He’s going to be the best player in the league.
Scoff at the fact that his final 21 points came in “junk time” against an Orlando team that had lost eight of its last 10 coming into Friday’s game at your own peril. Flagg is the realest of real deals, but we’ve known that for quite some time. He spun for a hoop and the harm inside over Jamal Cain with 2:05 left to play, then flopped to the ground with his arms extended overhead, in relief after reaching the 50-point peak. The ensuing free throw put Flagg at 51 points for the game, elevating Flagg to even more rarified air than he already occupied.
The kid is a monster, and he should be the NBA’s Rookie of the Year. He now owns the three top-scoring single games (51, 49, 42) by a rookie this year and five of the top eight.
“Well he’s a rookie, he should be Rookie of the Year,” Kidd said in his postgame press conference. “It’s unbelievable, the country is not watching the same thing that we get to watch on a daily basis. The things that he’s done, he’s in rare air, he’s with the GOAT when you talk about MJ and what he did in his rookie year, and as a teenager. And so to see what Cooper’s doing, just the excitement, the joy of playing the game. Win or lose, his spirit is about winning, and right now we’re not, but as he just said in the locker room, we’re just gonna be that much better come next season.”
I’d say case closed, but he’s still got five chances left to do something special again.
The NBA playoff picture continues to take shape entering the weekend.
All of the postseason berths have been clinched, but teams continue to battle for position in the final days of the regular season. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Houston Rockets became the latest teams to clinch full playoff spots on Thursday.
The Rockets were dominant with a 140-106 victory over the Utah Jazz on Friday.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are not only the defending champions but also made another statement to the rest of the league with a convincing 139-96 win against the Lakers on Thursday. The Thunder remain the No. 1 seed in the West, followed by the San Antonio Spurs and the Lakers — suddenly without Luka Doncic — rounding out the top three.
The Eastern Conference standings remain tight, with 4.5 games deciding the seedings between teams No. 5 through No. 10. The Detroit Pistons have held their ground as the top team in the East, with the Boston Celtics trailing by 4 games. The Celtics outscored the Milwaukee Bucks 43-26 in the first quarter before winning 133-101 on Friday.
Here are the current brackets for the playoffs and the Play-In Tournament, the NBA standings and the schedule for Saturday, April 4:
NBA schedule for Saturday, April 4
Washington Wizards at Miami Heat, 3 p.m. ET
San Antonio Spurs at Denver Nuggets, 3 p.m. ET
Detroit Pistons at Philadelphia 76ers, 7 p.m. ET
NBA standings
All 20 teams – 10 in each conference – that will participate in the postseason have been determined. Here are their records and what each of those teams has clinched so far (x-clinched playoff berth; d-clinched division):
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DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 03: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks goes for a dunk against Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic in the second half of an NBA game at American Airlines Center on April 03, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As you probably know, former Duke stars Kon Knueppel and Cooper Flagg have been locked into a riveting battle for NBA Rookie of the Year. One night, one has a phenomenal game; the next night, the other one does.
Earlier this week, Knueppel broke the Hornets franchise record for made threes, and this came after he shattered the rookie three-point record.
Not to be outdone, Flagg, who is just 19, went out Friday night and racked up 51 points on Paolo Banchero’s Orlando Magic (also on the Magic, of course, is another Brotherhood member, Wendell Carter). And he shot 19-30/6-9. That’s an outrageous 63% overall, and 66.6% from deep.
Out of all the teenagers who have played in the NBA, and that includes Banchero, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James, among others, no one has scored 50 points in a game.
On top of that, Flagg also had 6 rebounds, 3 assists, three steals, and a block.
That’s a pretty strong closing argument for Rookie of the Year, but Knueppel can counter with this: Charlotte is 42-36 and playoff-bound, and he, arguably, is the driving force behind Charlotte’s surge.
All eyes and ears in the men’s college basketball world this weekend turn to Indianapolis, where the star-studded Final Four converge to crown the 2026 national champion.
Only one member of this year’s quartet has never claimed the ultimate prize, though a couple of the other semifinalists are attempting to end title droughts that date back several decades. Then there’s the Beast of the Big East looking to continue a mini dynasty with a third net-cutting ceremony in four years.
Here’s everything you need to know about Saturday’s semifinal matchups, including viewing info and keys to victory for all the participants.
No. 2 Connecticut vs. No. 3 Illinois
Time/TV: 6:09 p.m. ET, TBS
Taking the court first in Indianapolis will be the Huskies, fresh off one of the most improbable finishes in March Madness history, seeking that afore-mentioned third title in four seasons and the program’s seventh championship overall. This is the sixth semifinal appearance for the Fighting Illini, though they’ve yet to win the whole thing. They came close in their most recent trip in 2005 but fell five points short against North Carolina in the title game.
As fate would have it, UConn and Illinois actually met earlier this season, with the Huskies taking a 74-61 decision way back on Nov. 28 at Madison Square Garden. Much has changed since then for both teams, as UConn’s new March Madness hero Braylon Mullins was just working his way into the rotation, and the Illini had yet to unlock their own freshman sensation Keaton Wagler.
One aspect that hasn’t changed for the UConn teams of its recent championship vintage is its relentless perimeter defense. Mullins has become a big part of that, as is veteran wingman Alex Karaban, and their second-half comeback against Duke showed their ability to adjust on the fly. Illinois’s Andrej Stojakovic can beat pressure with his driving ability, but he’ll likely have to make some passes, a less comfortable aspect of his game, to beat UConn’s inside help. The Illini can play defense as well, of course, and Zvonimir Ivisic can be an effective last line, swatting two blocks a game despite being on the floor for just 17.5 minutes on average. He and brother Tomaslav Ivisic will be needed to keep Huskies’ big man Tarris Reed at bay. Ultimately, the contest could hinge on each team’s No. 3 scoring options. Illinois David Mirkovic is an accurate shooter but needs to be in rhythm, and UConn’s Solo Ball is a high-volume launcher who can be quite streaky.
No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 1 Michigan
Time/TV: 8:49 p.m. ET, TBS
These programs have enjoyed considerable success on the hardwood over the years, but they each own just one title, and it’s been a while for each of them. The Wildcats claimed their championship in 1997 but haven’t been to the Final Four since 2001. The Wolverines’ lone title came in 1989, though they’ve been to the final several times since, most recently in 2018.
Both current versions, however, spent time at No. 1 in the polls this season and very much expected to be here on the final weekend. For what it’s worth, Arizona can lay claim to being the hottest team left standing, as they ride a 13-game winning streak into Indianapolis and most recently conquered the Purdue squad responsible for Michigan’s defeat in the Big Ten title game. The Wolverines, however, are absolutely capable of beating anyone. Both teams also play an aesthetically pleasing brand of basketball with slick passing that leads to high-percentage shots, so it shouldn’t disappoint.
The Wildcats by and large keep their starting five in the game. What bench production they do get comes from Tobe Awaka and Anthony Dell’Orso, and both will likely be needed against Michigan’s deeper lineup. Sharpshooter Brayden Burries and forward Koa Peat handle much of the scoring, but Jaden Bradley keeps the whole machine operating, and Ivan Kharchenkov is a key contributor as well putting up over 10 points and 2.3 assists per outing. The toughest assignment for Arizona might belong to center Motiejus Krivas, who must contend with Michigan’s formidable frontcourt without encountering foul trouble. The Wolverines’ strong inside game starts with Yaxel Lendeborg, who can score from all levels, and also features 62.5% finisher Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara in the middle. Losing L.J. Cason to a knee injury was a blow to the Wolverines’ back-court rotation, but Trey McKenney has provided valuable minutes off the bench of late. Elliot Cadeau is primarily the facilitator, but he’ll likely need to hit a few shots himself to counter the Wildcats’ numerous options.
One of the biggest storylines at the Final Four doesn't necessarily involve one of the four teams that secured a spot in the national semifinals in Indianapolis.
It instead involves a program roughly 600 miles southeast of the Final Four, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where UNC basketball is on Day 11 of a head coaching search following the firing of Hubert Davis.
Following Arizona's announcement of Tommy Lloyd's long-term commitment to the Wildcats on Friday, April 3, one coach was asked about their name being linked to the Tar Heels' job opening: Michigan coach Dusty May.
May, in his second season in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has quickly become one of the top coaches in the country, a trajectory that started during his time at Florida Atlantic. This season, May has led the Wolverines to the program's first Final Four since 2018 after building one of the top rosters in the country through the transfer portal with the additions of Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara, Morez Johnson Jr. and Elliot Cadeau, the last of whom came over from the Tar Heels.
Here's what May has said of North Carolina job opening:
What Dusty May said of UNC basketball job opening
May has fielded questions about the North Carolina job, but has not named the Tar Heels directly in his responses.
May, speaking with Jeff Goodman of The Field of 68 on Thursday, April 2, said he is "incredibly happy" and "honored" to be at the Final Four in Indianapolis as the head coach of the Wolverines, and that he won't "comment on any job" that’s not his.
"I decided when my alma mater opened (Indiana), no matter what you said, it could be misinterpreted, and so I'm forever going to not comment on any job that’s not mine," May said. "I’m incredibly happy, honored, and blessed to be the coach of Michigan in the Final Four, representing this incredible university and athletic department."
ICYMI: Dusty May on the North Carolina coaching rumors
“I’m not going to comment on any job that’s not mine. I’m incredibly happy, honored, and blessed to be the coach of Michigan in the Final Four.”
He doubled down on that answer during media availability on April 3 in Indianapolis.
"After last year, I decided I'll never respond to any job speculation. I had already agreed to terms with Michigan, was 100% done, and I made the comment that I was flattered about a certain job opening because of my background, and that was misconstrued, so I just decided I'm never going to comment on any job that I don't have.
"I think it's well documented how happy I am at Michigan. Obviously, my private life, my personal life, my family, their happiness is very important. I love it at Michigan, but you'll never hear me comment on any other job unless Michigan lets me go, and then I'll comment on every job."
Dusty May on the UNC opening
"I think it's well-documented how happy I am at Michigan. Obviously, my private life, my personal life, my family, their happiness is very important. So, yeah, I love it at Michigan, but you'll never hear me comment on any other job, unless Michigan… pic.twitter.com/TNNGjtZkdb
As noted by The Detroit News, part of the USA TODAY Network, Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel wants May "to finish his career here at Michigan," and is working to make sure that happens.
"Any AD in America would want to have a coach that other people want," Manuel said on Sunday, March 30 after Michigan won the Midwest Region to advance to the Final Four. "I’ve had the opposite problem. I love this problem more than I love the opposite problem.
"We’ll deal with it. We’ll work through it. I want Dusty to finish his career here at Michigan. I’ll work to make sure that he’s happy, we have what we need, and he has what he needs to succeed. That’s it, period."
Dusty May buyout at Michigan
May has a $4 million buyout in his current contract with Michigan, which was obtained by the USA TODAY Network. It drops to $2 million on May 1.
The North Carolina basketball job opening is still open heading into the Final Four, and only one Final Four coach is still a potential target.
Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd, one of the coaches tied most prominently to the job, publicly announced he's returning to the Wildcats next season after signing a new contract. That leaves Michigan coach Dusty May as a potential option from a high-tier job.
Only 11 coaches in college basketball history have left their school for another job the season after reaching the Final Four. Four of those instances were for NBA teams, and two others were for North Carolina, one of the best jobs in college basketball.
It's also fitting the last coach to fit that mold was Roy Williams, who left Kansas for — you guessed it — North Carolina after the Jayhawks fell to Syracuse in the 2003 national championship game.
Here's the full list of coaches that have left for another coaching job after taking a school to the Final Four:
Coaches to leave school for another job after Final Four appearance
Note: John Calipari and UMass' Final Four appearance in 1996 was vacated by the NCAA
Williams in 2003 is the only coach since 1980 to leave for another college coaching job after taking his previous school to the Final Four. The two most recent coaches, other than Williams, are two more legends: Larry Brown and John Calipari, who left Kansas and UMass for NBA jobs with the San Antonio Spurs and New Jersey Nets, respectively.
There's no surprise that six of the 11 coaches on the list left for either the NBA or North Carolina. The rest of the list will also likely include names most fans have never heard of and came during a time when college sports weren't nearly the spectacle it is today.
Here's a look at the full list:
1942-43: Elmer Ripley (Georgetown to Columbia)
1945-46: Ben Carnevale (North Carolina to Navy)
1945-46: Harold Olsen (Ohio State to Chicago Stags)
1951-52: Frank McGuire (St. John’s to North Carolina)
1954-55: Ken Loeffler (La Salle to Texas A&M)
1957-58: John Castellani (Seattle to Minneapolis Lakers)
1969-70: Joe Williams (Jacksonville to Furman)
1979-80: Lee Rose (Purdue to South Florida)
1987-88: Larry Brown (Kansas to San Antonio Spurs)
1995-96: John Calipari (UMass to New Jersey Nets)
2002-03: Roy Williams (Kansas to North Carolina)
What Dusty May said of North Carolina opening
May declined to comment on the North Carolina job when he was asked on Friday, April 3, in a Final Four news conference prior to Michigan's game against Arizona.
"After last year I decided I'll never respond to any job speculation," he said. "I had already agreed to terms with Michigan, was 100 percent done, and I made the comment that I was flattered about a certain job opening because of my background, and that was misconstrued, so I just decided I'm never going to comment on any job that I don't have. I think it's well documented how happy I am at Michigan.
"Obviously my private life, my personal life, my family, their happiness is very important. Yeah, I love it at Michigan, but you'll never hear me comment on any other job unless Michigan lets me go and then I'll comment on every job."
As anyone around the sport will be quick to point out, roster-building in men’s college basketball has changed dramatically over the past several years.
With athletes now able to earn money off their name, image and likeness, deep-seated connections from a player’s grassroots days matter much less than the kind of financial package a school is able to offer them. While still important, as this season’s stellar class of first-year players showed, superstar freshmen don’t necessarily carry the county’s top teams in the same way they did a decade ago.
Increasingly, college programs look overseas for potential roster additions, including from players competing in professional leagues. Then, of course, there’s the transfer portal.
Athletes who once had to sit out a year if they moved from one school to another are now immediately eligible, something that has fundamentally altered the sport and the way coaches go about constructing their teams. It’s exceedingly rare now for a player to end their career with the program where they began four years earlier and many of those players who have been on the move have become All-Americans, top NBA draft picks and centerpieces of Final Four — and even national championship — squads.
At this 2026 Final Four, that phenomenon will be on full display, with Michigan, Arizona, Illinois and UConn all relying heavily on at least one transfer.
How do those players stack up?
Ranking transfer players in the Final Four
1. Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan
The list begins with the only consensus All-American taking the court at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Lendeborg was one of the highest-rated players in the transfer portal last season after averaging a double-double in each of the previous two seasons at Alabama-Birmingham.
He has more than lived up to the hype at Michigan, averaging 15.2 points, seven rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.2 rebounds per game while shooting an efficient 52%, including 37.2% from 3-point range. He has stepped up his game even more since the first round of the NCAA tournament, averaging 25 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game while shooting 61.4% overall, including 52.6% from 3.
2. Jaden Bradley, Arizona
When Bradley transferred to Arizona from Alabama in 2023, there was plenty of promise as a former top-30 recruit who averaged 6.4 points per game and started the majority of the season for a Crimson Tide team that was the No. 1 overall seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. He has become something much more for the Wildcats over the past three seasons, becoming the steady maestro of one of the country’s most well-rounded teams this year.
The 6-foot-3 senior is averaging 13.3 points and 4.4 assists per game, shooting nearly 40% from 3, and is one of the most reliable defensive players in the country. While he’s only the No. 3 scorer on his own team, he’s Arizona’s most important player, as evidenced by him winning Big 12 Player of the Year.
After a productive regular season in which he earned first-team All-Big East recognition, Reed has taken his game up to another level while helping lead UConn to its third Final Four in the past four seasons. The 6-foot-11 big man has been arguably the best player in the tournament thus far, averaging 21.8 points, 13.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game while shooting 60% from the field.
Like several other players on this list, Reed could get the opportunity to go up against his old program in the national championship. He started his career at Michigan, where he played his first two seasons before transferring after Juwan Howard was fired as the Wolverines’ coach in 2024.
4. Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan
After a productive freshman season at Illinois, Johnson hit the portal last year and stayed in the Big Ten when he chose Dusty May and Michigan. The former top-40 recruit has made a sizable leap as a sophomore with the Wolverines, averaging 13.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per game while shooting 62.5% from the field. For his output, he made the All-Big Ten third team and all-defensive team.
This time a year ago, Mara was a relatively little-used big man off the UCLA bench, averaging 6.4 points in 13 minutes per game as a sophomore. His move to Michigan last offseason has paid off extremely well for both parties.
The 7-foot-3 Spaniard is among the more skilled centers in the country, averaging 11.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game while displaying strong court vision and a deft passing touch. The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year is an eraser at the rim, too, averaging 2.6 blocks per game — tied for the third-most among Division I players.
6. Andrej Stojakovic, Illinois
While the career 30.2% 3-point shooter doesn’t quite have the silky outside shooting touch of his father, former NBA All-Star Peja Stojakovic, Stojakovic has been a wildly productive player from virtually the moment he stepped on a college court.
The former McDonald’s All-American transferred between Bay Area rivals in 2024, going from Stanford to California, where he averaged 17.9 points per game last season. This year, his scoring has understandably dipped a bit to 13.6 points per game, but he has developed a more well-rounded game, scaling back on 3s and shooting 59% from inside the arc.
Demary’s a bit lower on this list than he might have been otherwise due to a high ankle sprain he suffered in the Big East Tournament.
After missing a first-round victory against Furman, the Georgia transfer was limited to two points in victories against UCLA and Michigan State in the second round and Sweet 16, respectively, before giving his team a much-needed boost in the Elite Eight with 11 points in a come-from-behind win against Duke, including 3s on back-to-back possessions with about seven minutes remaining. During the regular season, he was a Big East first-team all-conference and all-defensive team honoree.
8. Elliot Cadeau, Michigan
A five-star recruit coming out of high school in New Jersey, Cadeau never quite lived up to his immense hype in two seasons at North Carolina. Since transferring to Michigan, though, he has blossomed, averaging a team-high 5.8 assists per game while being the team’s No. 4 scorer at 10.2 points per game.
He has been even better in the NCAA Tournament, with 33 assists the Wolverines’ four NCAA tournament wins: the second-highest total of any player in the event.
Like Reed and Johnson, Boswell could end up facing his former school in the national championship game (if Illinois and Arizona both win in the semifinals). A five-star recruit in the 2022 class, Boswell started all but one game for the Wildcats in the 2023-24 season, but the Champaign, Illinois native opted after that season to transfer home, where he has been an integral piece for the Fighting Illini the past two years.
He’s Illinois’ No. 4 scorer this season at 12.5 points per game and has been arguably its best perimeter defender, having been named to the Big Ten all-defensive team.
10. Tobe Awaka, Arizona
After playing sparingly in two seasons at Tennessee, Awaka transferred after the 2023-24 season to Arizona, where he’s now one of Tommy Lloyd’s most valuable pieces off the bench. The 6-foot-8 senior is a rebounding machine, ranking first among all Division I players in offensive rebounding percentage (getting the ball on 20.1% of missed shots while he’s on the court) and 19th in defensive rebounding percentage.
Dusty May got his coaching start as a student manager under legendary former Indiana coach Bob Knight. Now, as Michigan's head coach, his son is following in his footsteps.
Dusty May's son, Eli May, is the Wolverines' student manager in 2025-26. Another of his sons, Charlie May, is a walk-on guard on the roster. And while May's oldest son, Jack May, isn't on the Michigan roster, he was a former walk-on at Florida.
Dusty May spent one semester at Division II Oakland City University as a player before hanging up his shoes and transferring to Indiana, his hometown school. The second-year Michigan coach is only in his eighth season as a head coach, but already has a pair of Final Four appearances, including one at Florida Atlantic.
Dusty May's Michigan squad, a No. 1 seed this season in the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament, was one of the best teams in the country all year and has backed it up in March Madness. The Mays and Wolverines take on fellow No. 1 Arizona in the Final Four for a spot in the national championship.
And to think he started his coaching career as a student manager. Here's what to know of May's two sons who are also on Michigan's roster for the Final Four:
Who are Dusty May's sons?
Who is Eli May?
Eli May told USA TODAY Sports he never suspected his college career would take him to being a student manager for his father. He thought he would walk-on at South Florida, following the footsteps of brothers Charlie May (Central Florida) and Jack May (Florida) both of whom did the same while May coached at FAU.
“It’s obviously tough to give up playing the game and being on a team wearing a jersey,” Dusty May told USA TODAY Sports. “But I just thought as far as his long-term development, all the things our managers learn, problem-solving, they learn people skills. They learn to function. We try to give them a lot of responsibility because we know if they’re ever going to make it in coaching … they have to have the experience of doing meaningful work. Our managers have helped him become much more responsible.”
There isn't any special treatment for Eli May, either. Other Michigan student managers said he handles "grunt work" like the rest of them.
“I’m technically in charge of him and he never complains,” student manager Sam Saraceno said. “Eli is doing grunt work a lot of people wouldn’t do. That’s how you could tell it was different.”
Eli May wants to become a coach one day, just like his dad did. While he'll likely have an easier path than his dad, their coaching backgrounds will be rooted in the same fundamentals they learned as student managers.
"I’d seen the managers from the outside, but I’d never been inside a program and seen it. What they've learned, how they go about their business, it made me want to be a manager more than anything," Eli May said. "I feel like it’s a much better path to becoming a coach eventually.
Who is Charlie May?
Dusty's May eldest son in Michigan's program, Charlie May, is a 6-foot-5 guard who has even scored in March Madness this year.
May started his career at UCF but transferred to Michigan before last season to join his father. He only has seven career points, all of which have come this season. Three of those points came in the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament, when he swished a corner 3-pointer late against Tennessee in the Elite Eight on March 29.
“Honestly, I blacked out,” Charlie May told the Detroit News. “I don't even know what it looked like. But, man, it was a great feeling. I've been watching the NCAA Tournament since I can remember. To be able to score in a game like that is an amazing experience. I'm even happier we won the game and we're going to the Final Four.”
Charlie May's shot meant a lot to Michigan's coach, especially in the moment.
“It’s really cool for our families," Dusty May said. "That's the most rewarding part of all this, to see everyone who has poured into us and our players in one spot, just feeling a part of it. Charlie, Howard, our walk-ons, they sacrifice a lot as well. They go through strongman, they lift every day and they rarely get to be a part of the actual game.
“To come in and have those moments and get a great assist from Will Tschetter, I thought it was just a cool moment. But I’m more proud about the long rebound he came up with than the shot.”
The 41-year-old assistant coach signed his contract with the Eagles on his iPad at Connecticut's hotel in Washington, D.C., coached in the Sweet 16 against Michigan State, was in charge of piecing together the successful scout for Duke in the Elite Eight, then held his introductory news conference at Boston College before a flight to Indianapolis for the Final Four.
And with Luke Murray still coaching the Huskies before starting the next chapter of his career, that means his dad, actor and comedian Bill Murray, will be in the stands cheering his son and one of the Big East's powerhouses on during their chase for a third national title in the last four seasons.
Here's what to know:
Is Luke Murray related to Bill Murray?
Yes, Luke Murray is the son of famed comedian and actor Bill Muray, of "Saturday Night Live" and "Ghostbusters" fame.
Luke Murray is considered one of the top assistant coaches in the country and is in his fifth season on the UConn bench. Before taking the Huskies' assistant job in 2021, he was an assistant coach at Xavier and Louisville. The 2025-26 men's basketball season is Luke Murray's ninth with Hurley, across three stops, with others at Wagner and Rhode Island.
He was recently named the new men's basketball coach at Boston College, his first head coaching job.
Is Bill Murray a UConn basketball fan?
The legendary comedian has become a fixture at UConn games over the years, especially during the postseason, when most of his appearances occur. He was at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia for the first weekend of the Men's NCAA Tournament, and then was in Washington, D.C. for the second weekend.
Following UConn's Elite Eight win over Duke, Bill Murray was seen celebrating with the Huskies' student band behind the basket as the team punched their ticket back to the Final Four for the third time in the last four years on the court.
He may no longer be a fan of the Illini, given his son is a member of UConn's coaching staff, but he grew up as one. The "Caddyshack" actor grew up in Evanston, Illinois and is known for his Chicago sports fandom, which includes the Chicago Cubs.
With two more wins in the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament, the No. 2-seeded Huskies would win their third national championship in four years and seventh since 1999. UConn needed a prayer on a last-second 3-pointer from Braylon Mullins against No. 1 overall seed Duke to advance through the Elite Eight.
However, Dan Hurley's team now enters a round where it dominates: the Final Four. The Huskies have only lost one game in program history in the Final Four, and are actually undefeated in the national championship game.
No. 3 seed Illinois — which has won every game this March Madness by double figures — stands in the way of another trip to the national championship for UConn. The Huskies take on the Illini at 6:09 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 4 from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
With its history, UConn fans should feel confident about another successful run. Here's what to know about how the Huskies have performed in the Final Four, including how many times they have been here:
UConn basketball Final Four history
This is UConn's seventh trip to the Final Four and the sixth since 1999. The Huskies are 16-1 all-time in Final Four games.
1999: won semifinal vs. Ohio State, 64-58; won final vs. Duke, 77-74
2004: won semifinal vs. Duke, 79-78; won final vs. Georgia Tech, 82-73
2009: lost semifinal vs. Michigan State, 82-73
2011: won semifinal vs. Kentucky, 56-55; won final vs. Butler, 53-41
2014: won semifinal vs. Florida, 63-53; won final vs. Kentucky, 60-54
2023: won semifinal vs. Miami, 72-59; won final vs. San Diego State, 76-59
2024: won semifinal vs. Alabama, 86-72; won final vs. Purdue, 75-60
UConn Final Four record
UConn is 12-1 all-time in Final Four games. The lone loss was during the 2008-09 season, when Hasheem Thabeet led Michigan State to an 82-73 upset win over the Huskies.
Outside of this, UConn has gone a perfect 12-0 in the other 12 Final Four games to bring home six national championships. The Huskies are 6-0 in the national title game, meaning if they can get past the Fighting Illini, history says they have a good chance to bring home a seventh title.
Has UConn men's basketball won a national title in basketball?
Yes, UConn men's basketball has won six national championships in program history. The Huskies have won all six of them since 1999, under three different head coaches.
Jim Calhoun led the program to its first title in 1999 and then followed it up with two more in 2004 and 2011. Kevin Ollie helped UConn win its fourth title in 2014, while Dan Hurley won back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024.
Which team has most NCAA Tournament national championships?
UConn is tied for third with North Carolina for the most championships in men's college basketball with six. Only UCLA and Kentucky have more national titles than the Huskies.
Since its first national title in 1999, UConn is just one of six programs with multiple national titles. Florida is the only other school with at least three in that span.
Here's a look at the programs with the most national championships in NCAA history:
Reed helped No. 2 UConn survive an upset bid from No. 15 Furman in the opening round with a monster 31-point, 27-rebound performance. That set the tone for the tournament, as he has scored at least 20 points in three games and recorded double-doubles in two.
If UConn is going to win a national championship for a third time in four years, you would expect Reed to play a major role, especially with the remaining big men left in the Final Four.
Heading into the Final Four of March Madness, here's what you need to know about the UConn Huskies veteran big man:
Tarris Reed stats
Here’s a look at Reed's stats from his college career with Michigan and UConn:
2025-26 (UConn): 14.7 points per game, 2.4 assists per game, 8.8 rebounds per game, 0.9 steals per game, 2.1 blocks per game, 62.1% on field goals, 59.6% on free throws (33 games, 33 starts)
2024-25 (UConn): 9.6 points per game, 1.0 assists per game, 7.3 rebounds per game, 0.7 steals per game, 1.6 blocks per game, 67% on field goals, 64.4% on free throws (35 games, 1 start)
2023-24 (Michigan): 9.0 points per game, 7.2 rebounds per game, 0.5 steals per game, 1.4 blocks per game, 51.9% on field goals, 58.6% on free throws (32 games, 31 starts)
2022-23 (Michigan): 3.4 points per game, 3.9 rebounds per game, 0.5 steals per game, 0.9 blocks per game, 51.7% on field goals, 40% free throws (34 games, 0 starts)
Tarris Reed 2026 NCAA Tournament stats
After a strong regular season where he posted career highs across the board, Reed has come alive for UConn in the NCAA Tournament, including a monster 31-point, 27-rebound performance in the opening round vs. Furman.
Here's a look at Reed's stats during the NCAA Tournament:
March 20 vs. No. 15 Furman: 31 points (12-of-15 shooting), 27 rebounds and three assists in 35 minutes
March 22 vs. No. 7 UCLA: 10 points (3-of-8 shooting), 10 rebounds, three blocks, two assists and a steal in 29 minutes
March 27 vs. No. 3 Michigan State: 20 points (8-of-16 shooting), five rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a steal in 33 minutes
March 29 vs. No. 1 Duke: 26 points (10-of-16 shooting), nine rebounds, four blocks, three assists and two steals in 32 minutes
NCAA Tournament averages: 21.8 points (60% shooting), 13.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.5 blocks and 1.0 steals per game in 32.3 minutes
Tarris Reed NBA draft stock, mock draft predictions
Before the NCAA Tournament, a lot of mocks viewed Reed as a second-round pick, likely going near the end of the draft. However, his play in March Madness could catapult him into the first round, as more mocks come out over the next several weeks.
Why did Tarris Reed transfer from Michigan to UConn?
Following two seasons at Michigan, Reed entered the transfer portal on March 19, 2024, four days before the Wolverines hired Dusty May as their new head coach. He committed to the Huskies on April 17, 2024.
"I chose UConn for its winning culture, commitment to player development and coaching style," Reed told On3's Joe Tipton. "Coach Hurley's tough coaching style is known for pushing players into uncomfortable situations, making the uncomfortable seem comfortable. UConn provides the ideal setting and coaching for me to maximize my potential both on and off the court."
Where is Tarris Reed's hometown?
Reed is from St. Louis. He played at Chaminade College Preparatory School in St. Louis for the first three years of high school before finishing at Link Academy in Branson, Missouri.
