ORLANDO, Fla. — Paolo Banchero scored 25 points and the Orlando Magic rolled to a 35-point first-half lead, taking full control on the way to a 121-90 rout of Charlotte Hornets in a play-in tournament elimination game on Friday night.
The Magic earned the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Their reward is a matchup with top-seeded Detroit, a best-of-seven that begins Sunday on the Pistons’ home floor.
The Magic were physical from the outset, and the Hornets were never in the game. Franz Wagner had 18 points for the Magic, along with seven rebounds and six assists.
Paolo Banchero of the Orlando Magic dunks the ball against Grant Williams #2 of the Charlotte Hornets during the second quarter of the Play-In Tournament game at Kia Center on April 17, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. Getty Images
Wendell Carter Jr. finished with 16 points on 6-for-7 shooting, while Desmond Bane scored 13 and Jalen Suggs added 12 for the Magic.
Orlando led by 31 at halftime, the biggest midpoint lead in the play-in tournament’s seven-year history. It has been utilized in this format — four teams qualifying from each conference, playing to decide the final two playoff spots on each half of the bracket — since 2021.
LaMelo Ball — who the NBA said should have been ejected from Tuesday’s season-extending win over Miami for an uncalled flagrant foul against Bam Adebayo — led the Hornets with 23 points, 21 of them coming in the third quarter.
But the game was long decided at that point. Orlando raced out to a 27-10 lead, stretched it to 68-33 late in the first half, and the Hornets never even got within 20 points the rest of the way.
Miles Bridges, who has played more games than any other active player without a playoff appearance, scored 15 for the Hornets. Brandon Miller scored 14 and Kon Knueppel added 11.
The Hornets, who have now missed the playoffs in 10 straight seasons, were outrebounded 49-34 and shot only 34%. Orlando shot 50%.
The Magic were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in each of the last two postseasons and have not won a playoff round since 2010. But they went 2-2 against the Pistons this season.
The Hornets, who beat the Magic in their last three regular-season games, have not been in the playoffs since 2016. It’s the longest active drought in the NBA.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 09: Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Jamal Shead #23 of the Toronto Raptors dive for a loose ball during the second quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on January 09, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The wait is finally over. Playoff basketball is here, and it begins with a first-round matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors.
This season has been defined by injury for the Cavs. It started with Darius Garland and Max Strus missing the beginning of the season. Injury concerns for Garland partially led to them trading him for veteran guard James Harden. And injuries have made it difficult for us to get an idea of what this team looks like when they’re fully healthy.
Fortunately for the Cavs, they’re heading into the postseason as healthy as they’ve been all year. For the first time all season, they will have their entire rotation available to them. It only took until game 83 for that to happen.
The Raptors had the Cavs’ number during the regular season. They beat them all three matchups by simply outhustling them in transition and hitting tough mid-range jumpers. All three games came before December, when the Cavs were a much different team than they are now. Saturday afternoon will give us a much better idea of how these teams match up.
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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 15: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers controls the ball against Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors in the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Intuit Dome on April 15, 2026 in Inglewood, California. 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 Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Draymond Green left Kawhi Leonard feeling sick after the fourth quarter of the Golden State Warriors’ 126-121 win Wednesday night. It might have been more than just his stifling defense.
While Steph Curry was throwing in 30-footers, Green was throwing up from an illness. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, always a poetic artist with the English language, the former Defensive Player of the Year was “puking all over the place.” Charania weirdly specified that it was on the sidelines and back near the locker room, meaning Green truly left it all out on the floor at the Intuit Dome.
Shams:
"Team sources told me Draymond Green was sick, he was throwing up, puking all over the place in pregame, sideline in the back area by the locker room" pic.twitter.com/t0rAIeViH6
The illness might have affect Green early. Though he played 17 first-half minutes and shot 2-for-3, he had a plus/minus of -8 with two turnovers, along with his four assists. Leonard scored 14 points, dished three assists, and didn’t commit a single turnover.
But things changed in the second half, and decidedly so in the fourth quarter. Leonard may have been distracted by the vomit all around him, or afraid of Green’s breath, which had to be terrible. He had as many points as turnovers in the final 12 minutes — two — and while he didn’t blow chunks, The Claw just plain blew.
Green was healthy enough to record a new episode of his podcast, which to this writer means he has a clear bill of health. At the very least, he hadn’t noticeably vomited on his microphone, though we won’t rule out Charania reporting that Green was fighting diarrhea throughout out the production, according to an unnamed source close to Audacy’s production team.
He should be rested and full of fluids for Friday’s big game against the Phoenix Suns, in which he’ll repeatedly sneeze on Dillon Brooks.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 19: JJ Redick and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers talks during the third quarter against the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center on March 19, 2026 in Miami, Florida. 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 Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After months of grinding through the rigorous challenge that is the NBA regular season, the playoffs have arrived and the state of the Lakers has been more uncertain than ever.
With Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves officially ruled out for at least the beginning of the postseason, the Lakers are officially starting the best-of-seven series against the Houston Rockets with an incomplete roster.
That’s unfortunately art of the game and now LA will be in survival mode at least for Game 1. Before we preview that, let’s quickly recap how these teams performed during the regular season.
The overview
The Lakers started the season pretty well by winning eight out of their first 10 games. They had their best month in March, when they won 15 out of 17 games. Additionally, they’ve had a top 10 offense throughout the season, led by this year’s scoring champion in Dončić, who averaged 33.5 points per game.
Similar to LA, Houston started the season winning eight out of their first 10 games.
What stood out right off the bat was their defense, which was consistently top 10 throughout the season. That’s not a surprise given their overall size and athleticism, and on top of that, they got a really productive and healthy season from Kevin Durant, who led the team in scoring with 26 points per game.
They also dealt with a few slumps during the season but managed to consistently win games to finish in fifth place.
These teams met three times in the regular season, and the Lakers won the series 2-1. The purple and gold won twice on Houston’s home floor during their superb run in March, while the latter nabbed the victory on Christmas Day.
The matchup
Considering the Lakers will be without two of their best players, the Rockets are massive favorites in this one.
There’s just no way Los Angeles can fill in the void that Dončić and Reaves left. We saw how they looked without them at the end of the season and it wasn’t the prettiest sight. The Lakers have no choice but to depend on 41-year-old LeBron James to carry the team.
This means the role players will need to step up now more than ever. Luke Kennard will take on more ball-handling duties, Jake LaRavia has to be an elite defender and Rui Hachimura has to knock down his open looks.
This group can play with enough energy and focus, but the question is whether they have the talent to keep up with the Rockets.
Fans should expect the Rockets to double down on how they’ve tried to beat the Lakers this season, which is by owning the paint.
The Rockets also ranked second in the league in paint touches this season, which is why they don’t take many 3-pointers. Look for Kevin Durant, Alperen Şengün, Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard and co. to keep attacking inside.
The Lakers’ chances
It’s easy to chalk Game 1 or even this entire series already as a sure loss for the Lakers, like most NBA reporters have already done. But that’s not doing the team justice, especially after what they’ve accomplished this year.
Let’s see if the Lakers can shock the world in Game 1 on Saturday.
Notes and Updates
For the Lakers’ injury report, Luka Dončić (left hamstring strain) and Austin Reaves (left oblique muscle strain) are out.
As for the Rockets, Steven Adams (left ankle surgery) and Fred VanVleet (ACL surgery) are out.
Meanwhile, Kevin Durant (right knee contusion) is questionable.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 05: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors pressures Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 05, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Tracy McGrady sits down with The Post’s Steve Serby for some Q&A ahead of the Knicks-Hawks playoff series:
Q: What is the key for the Knicks to reach the NBA Finals?
A: It starts on the defensive end. When they’re locked in and talking, they’re a different team. I’ve seen them have stretches where they look like a top five defense in the league, and that’s what it’s going to take. Good defense turns into better offense for this team. Offensively, they’ve got enough. It’s really just about balance. When Mikal [Bridges] gets going, it opens everything up because now you’ve got a few guys that can give you 20 any night. I like when they’ve got size on the floor too. [Karl-Anthony] Towns can space it, Mitch [Robinson] handles the paint, that’s tough to deal with.
Q: What would give you the most concern about the Knicks?
A: Consistency. Can the core five earn their minutes? You can’t come out slow in the playoffs. You get down early, now you’re chasing the game, and good teams don’t let you climb back. And defensively, teams are going to test you — they’re going to go at you and see where you’re vulnerable. If you’re not locked in, that’s where you can get exposed.
Tracy McGrady poses for a photo before the game between the New York Knicks and the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 29, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NBAE via Getty Images
Q: What do the Knicks need from KAT to reach the Finals?
A: They need discipline and presence from him in every possession. He’s too skilled to fade in and out of games. I want to see him be aggressive, not just shooting 3s, but putting pressure on the rim, making defenses react. And defensively, just be solid. Contest, rebound, and don’t put your team in tough spots with fouls.
Q: What would your advice to him be? Where is his confidence at?
A: For me, it’s about composure. The playoffs test your focus more than anything. Don’t force the game, don’t get caught up in emotions. Just stay locked in possession by possession. If he does that, his talent is going to show.
Brandon Ingram puts up a shot as New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges defends during the third quarter in a game against the Toronto Raptors at Madison Square Garden on Friday, April 10, 2026. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
Q: What did you think of Mike Brown replacing Tom Thibodeau and Brown’s coaching influence this season on the Knicks?
A: It’s tough replacing a coach like Thibs, he’s established, and players respect him. I think Mike has done a solid job. He’s defensive-minded, and I like that he wasn’t afraid to use his bench and find pieces during the season. But the real evaluation is now. In the playoffs, it’s about adjustments, rotations, and how your team responds when things get tough. This is the real test.
Q: Who can be an X Factor for the Knicks?
A: Mitchell Robinson stands out. When he’s healthy and active, he impacts the game in ways you can’t teach: rim protection, offensive boards, extra possessions. But I also look at OG [Anunoby] and Bridges. OG can guard anybody on the floor, and if he’s making shots, he can get dangerous. Mikal, same thing, when he’s aggressive, he raises their ceiling.
Q: What do the Knicks need from Jalen Brunson to get to the finals?
A: They need him to control the game and be their leader. He’s proven he can deliver in big moments. Late in games, there’s going to be possessions where it’s on him to go get a bucket. But what takes them to another level is his playmaking. If he’s scoring AND getting others involved, now you’re dealing with a complete offense. If Brunson is dictating tempo and making the right reads, they’ve got a real shot.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - APRIL 02: Mark Williams #15 of the Phoenix Suns looks on against the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Spectrum Center on April 02, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Phoenix Suns starting center is out for tonight’s elimination game against the Golden State Warriors with left foot soreness, Phoenix Suns Insider Duane Rankin reports. According to Rankin, Williams’ left foot “flared up” in the second half of Tuesday’s 114-110 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers and contributed to why he didn’t play in the fourth quarter.
Williams missed nearly a month this season, dealing with a left foot injury after remaining mostly healthy throughout the year, averaging 12 points, eight rebounds on 64% shooting from the field. Expect Oso Ighodaro to start in his place tonight at the five, as the Suns face elimination with a loss. Grayson Allen is also listed as questionable. The guard and forward missed Tuesday’s game with a left hamstring strain.
Suns injury update: Mark Williams (left foot soreness) OUT.
Grayson Allen (left hamstring strain) QUESTIONABLE.
If the Suns win, they’ll be the Western Conference’s eighth seed and face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the playoffs with game one on Sunday. Tonight’s game tips off at 7:00 local time and will be the fifth time the two teams play each other this season. Golden State won three of the four matchups.
J.B. Bickerstaff, who orchestrated a dramatic turnaround in Detroit from a 14-win team a couple of seasons ago to the No. 1 seed in the East this past season, has been voted Coach of the Year by his peers.
Bickerstaff won the Michael H. Goldberg Coach of the Year for 2025-26 from the National Basketball Coaches Association.
"I'm extremely honored to receive this recognition from my coaching peers," Bickerstaff said in a statement accepting the awards. "None of this is possible without the many people I've been blessed with along my journey, beginning with my dad, who has always been my inspiration for wanting to get into this profession, and my family for their love and support. I also owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to all the coaches I've worked with and learned from throughout my career."
Detroit went 60-22 this season to grab the No. 1 seed in the East, despite Cade Cunningham missing 11 games late in the season with a collapsed lung. The Pistons got there thanks to the second-best defense in the league this season.
It should be noted that this award is different than the NBA's official Coach of the Year award (voted on by select members of the media), but because this one comes from other coaches, it is maybe more meaningful for the winners. This coach's award is also a bellwether for the NBA's official award, with seven of the last nine winners picking up both COY honors.
Boston, MA - April 10: Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, Payton Pritchard, Nikola Vuevi and Jaylen Brown head to the bench for a timeout in the first quarter. The Celtics played the New Orleans Pelicans at TD Garden on April 10, 2026. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images
The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers are set to meet for the 23rd time in the NBA playoffs on Sunday, reigniting one of the league’s most historic rivalries. To coach Joe Mazzulla, this Sixers team in particular presents a challenge for the C’s.
“Philly’s a great team, as you saw throughout the season, and to get to this point with all the injuries that they’ve had and to be where they are now, it’s gonna be a tough test for us,” Mazzulla told reporters at Friday’s practice, per CLNS Media. “We gotta be ready for it.”
To secure a playoff spot, the Sixers overcame the challenge of turning a shorthanded roster into a contender. Both Joel Embiid and Paul George played less than half of the regular season, forcing coach Nick Nurse to adapt. Guard Tyrese Maxey inherited the No. 1 role, averaging a career-high 28.3 points across 70 starts, while rookie V.J. Edgecombe averaged 16 points on 43.8 percent shooting in 75 starts.
Obviously, playing without two of your top three players isn’t ideal. However, as Mazzulla explained, the Sixers managed to find a silver lining in what many would consider a throwaway season.
“With those guys out throughout the season, their role players have been able to develop into big-time roles,” Mazzulla said. “With the way (Kelly) Oubre’s playing, (Andre) Drummond has been playing, (Adem) Bona has gotten better and better, (Quentin) Grimes off the bench — so I think they’re a very, very well-balanced team. I think they’re playing some of their best basketball as they get healthier and healthier, and obviously they’re a well-coached team.”
BOSTON, MA – MARCH 1: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 1, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Philadelphia snuck into the play-in tournament and defeated the Orlando Magic on Wednesday without Embiid, who underwent emergency surgery last week after being diagnosed with appendicitis.
For the time being, there isn’t a definitive timetable for Embiid’s return. Nurse announced Friday that Embiid is officially ruled out for Game 1 against the Celtics and didn’t address whether a return at any point throughout the series is still in play.
Drummond, in his 14th season, came off the bench and notched a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double in 31 minutes during Philadelphia’s play-in victory. He and Bona combined for six blocks against Orlando, helping fill the void of Embiid’s absence in a way the Celtics will have to account for in Round 1.
“Those other guys have developed to impact winning, and they’re a well-balanced team because of that,“ Mazulla added.
It’s a similar situation to what Boston dealt with, playing its first 62 games without Jayson Tatum. The Sixers went 21–23 without Embiid, but the ups and downs allowed others to figure out what Nurse would need from them in order to succeed. Nurse admitted after their win over the Magic that the process “wasn’t pretty,” but it was still enough to get the Sixers to this point and give themselves a chance.
Twice in the regular season, Nurse’s Sixers beat Mazzulla’s Celtics across four meetings. Philadelphia was without Embiid in two of those games and did not have George in any of them.
The Celtics have the upper hand in having not played since their regular-season finale this past Sunday. Their starters, all of whom sat out, haven’t played since last Friday. With plenty of time to rest and prepare, Mazzulla is focused on making sure Boston begins its postseason run the right way.
“Game 1s of any series are always important,” Mazzulla said. “You want to get off to a great start. You want to have your game plan right. You want to have your sub-pattern right. You want to be able to execute. You want to make sure all the things you’ve been working on all week are there.
“At the same time, every series takes on a life of its own. So we want to be at our best by Game 1, but we also want to be in the mind frame of however long it takes, we’re gonna sit in this. We’re playing against a great team, so whatever we have to do, we have to be ready to do it.”
“I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but I love you guys to death. Thank you,” Kerr told them, as he put his arms around the two players with whom he won four NBA championships over 12 seasons.
“I appreciate you,” Green responded, shortly before he was ejected due to a verbal spat with Suns star Devin Booker.
Friday night could be the last time we see Kerr, Green and Curry together for an NBA game in their current roles.
Kerr, 60, just finished up the last season of his contract as Golden State’s coach, and his future is yet to be decided.
In his postgame presser, Kerr offered little more clarity, saying he’ll spend the next week or two reflecting before meeting with the Warriors’ ownership and front office to make a decision.
Steve Kerr on his coaching future with the Warriors: “I don’t know what’s going to happen. I still love coaching. But I get it. These jobs all have an expiration date.”
Meanwhile, Green has a player option for the 2026-27 NBA season, and Curry has one more year left on his contract.
If this is the last of this trio, it certainly wasn’t a storybook ending to their partnership. But it definitely is a union that will go down as one of the most influential in NBA history.
Los Angeles, CA - April 12:Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick meditates on the bench before a game against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, CA on Sunday, April 12, 2026.(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
However, beyond that, nothing is certain. So, Lakers head coach JJ Redick stressed at Friday’s practice before Game 1 that the goal remains the same: extend the season so that Luka and Austin have something to come back to.
“The mindset for our team, and for those two guys, we’re going to try to make this season as long as possible, so that we can get those guys back at some point,” Redick said. “We don’t know when that is. That’s our job, and their job is to do everything they can to be in a position to come back at some point. It may not work. But that’s what we’re trying to do.”
To win playoff games shorthanded, it’s going to take a total effort from the purple and gold. Some keys the team has identified have been outrebounding Houston, limiting turnovers and establishing physicality from the jump.
Players like Rui Hachimura and Marcus Smart have also stressed the importance of winning Game 1 and protecting their home-court advantage.
The Lakers worked all season to be a higher seed, and even with Reaves and Dončić out, they can’t be crestfallen. The ultimate goal of winning a title is still on the table, and until it’s off, there is a chance.
LA doesn’t have many experts who believe they can overcome the odds, and they’ll be underdogs in this series. However, the rewards of extending their season are massive. Luka and Austin don’t have serious injuries, relatively speaking.
So, if the Lakers can buy them some time, they can still return and pick up right where they left off. It feels like ancient history, but when the Lakers were healthy in March, they went 15-2 and were one of the hottest teams in the NBA.
There’s still a chance that we see that team again this postseason.
The biggest question is whether LA can win enough to bring back that iteration of the Lakers. We’re going to begin finding out this Saturday when their series against Houston begins.
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves high-five after a Doncic three-pointer against the Nuggets. The injured guards are hopeful of returning to the lineup during the first round of the playoffs against the Rockets. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
The elephant in the room for the Lakers as they enter the playoffs has been, and will continue to be, the status of their starting backcourt, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Both are out because of injuries — Doncic with a grade 2 left hamstring strain and Reaves with a grade 2 left oblique strain — and neither is expected to play in the best-of-seven, first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets that begins Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at Crypto.com Arena.
After practice Friday, coach JJ Redick was quick to say “there’s not” when asked about an update on Doncic and Reaves.
After Doncic and Reaves were injured on April 2 at Oklahoma City, the Lakers said both would be out until the end of the regular season. According to people not authorized to speak on the matter, both are expected to be out four to six weeks.
Doncic went to Spain to get treatment, and Reaves has been working diligently in L.A., with the hope that they can return sooner.
The Lakers miss their combined output of 56.8 points, 13.8 assists and 12.4 rebounds per game. Doncic led the NBA in scoring (33.5) and was third in assists (8.3); he was second on the Lakers in rebounding (7.7).
During the week of practice, Reaves was around his teammates and seen shooting after a few practices. He appeared to be in good spirits. Doncic was supposed to be back by Friday.
"We love having Austin here and we're glad he is in a position to do his return-to-play [work], however long it takes with us,” Redick said. “Excited to get Luka back and be around the group. Austin and I talk just about every day about different things. So he's … just being a part of this. …
"The mindset for our team and for those two guys, like we're gonna try to make this season as long as possible so that we can get those guys back at some point. We don't know what that is, and that's just our job. And their job is to do everything they can to be in a position to come back at some point. It may not work, but that's what we're trying to do.”
The theme of the Lakers' week at practice was to “elevate” their work.
Yes, they won’t have Doncic and Reaves, but that didn’t mean the Lakers couldn’t work harder.
When they worked on box-out drills in preparation for the way the Rockets attack the offensive boards, the Lakers went hard. When they watched film and had practice sessions, the Lakers worked with a purpose.
"The word we've used all week is 'elevate.' I think that's what it is,” Redick said. “We all know the playoffs are different. They're harder. There's no easy matchups, and you have to be able to elevate your play. But beyond that, it's elevating your recovery, your attention to detail, your preparation.
"I talked about that with my coaches as we started this week on Monday morning. It was an off day for the guys, but we were in there for six hours and we've all collectively gotta elevate. And particularly when you're missing two of your top guys, part of elevating is elevating each other and the belief that the group as a whole can be great.”
The Rockets are a tough and rugged team that is good on defense and at rebounding.
They ranked fourth in the NBA in points given up (110.0) and tied for fifth in opponents' field-goal percentage (46.0). They were tops in rebounding (48.1) and offensive rebounds (15.0).
That has the Lakers’ attention and is why they worked so hard during practice.
“It’s been great. The level of focus and attention to detail, the communication, everything has been elevated,” forward Jarred Vanderbilt said. “We’ve got a lot of guys that’s been to the playoffs and know what it takes.
"Like you said, everything elevates around this time and having a veteran group that’s kind of been there and had a taste of the playoffs, we all know what it takes to win games in the playoffs. It’s everybody going out and doing their job and paying attention to the game plan.”
Brazilian Oscar Schmidt, a Basketball Hall of Famer and the Olympic basketball scoring king (1,093 points), has died at age 68.
In a statement reported by Brazilian media, Schmidt's family noted that he battled a brain tumor the last 15 years "with courage, dignity, and resilience, remaining an example of determination, generosity, and love for life. Recognized for his brilliant career on the court and his remarkable personality off it, Oscar leaves a legacy that transcends sports and inspires generations of athletes and admirers in Brazil and around the world."
In five Olympics from 1980 through 1996, Schmidt averaged 28.8 points per game over 38 total games played.
That included a 42.3-point-per-game showing at the 1988 Seoul Games and a 24-point performance against the Dream Team in 1992 (a 127-83 defeat).
"There was not a shot that I don't like," he said.
Brazil's best Olympic finish in that span was fifth.
“I was the top scorer in the Barcelona Olympics even with the Dream Team there," Schmidt, nicknamed "Mão Santa" (Holy Hand), was quoted as saying.
Schmidt tallied 304 more points than the Olympics' second all-time leading scorer — Australian Andrew Gaze — and more than twice as many points as the U.S.' all-time leading scorer, Kevin Durant (518).
In the 1987 Pan American Games final, Schmidt scored 46 points — 35 in the second half — as Brazil rallied from a 20-point deficit to upset a U.S. team of college stars in Indianapolis. He called it his greatest achievement.
"The Brazilian sport, unfortunately, is saying goodbye to a great name, but I'm sure that his story will never be forgotten," Brazil Olympic Committee Marco Antonio La Porta said, according to a translation. "More than results and medals, Oscar represented values that define the Olympic spirit: dedication, overcoming, respect for the opponent. In each competition, he took with him not only talent, but also inspiration for all who believe in the transformative power of sport and the Brazilian flag in their hearts. His legacy lives on on the courts and hearts he touched along his journey. May your memory continue to motivate new generations to dream big and compete with honor. Your story, immortalized in the COB (Brazil Olympic) Hall of Fame, will remain in our hearts. Rest in peace Holy Hand. Your legacy will never be forgotten."
The 6-foot-9 Schmidt is largely considered the best player never to play in the NBA. He was drafted in the sixth round by the New Jersey Nets in 1984 but never joined the league.
"I say thank you very much (to the Nets), but if I play one game here, I will never play with my national team never more," Schmidt said in his 2013 Basketball Hall of Fame induction speech, noting international rules at the time when NBA players were not allowed in the Olympics.
A young Kobe Bryant, growing up in Italy, was awed by watching Schmidt play in that league on TV. In 2016, Bryant compared Schmidt to Dirk Nowitzki, "but he can do things that Dirk Nowitzki can't," Bryant said.
"He's out there scoring 45 points, 47 points and, as a kid, I was just extremely curious on how the hell that's possible," Bryant said. "He could just do it all. He was a great shooter, but he could handle the ball. He could get to the spots on the floor and play with a lot of passion, too."
The Post’s experts give their Knicks-Hawks predications:
Stefan Bondy
The Hawks have playoff unknowns in Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu and Dyson Daniels, so their reaction to the pressure — and to the intense atmosphere of Game 1 at MSG — is a wild card. They could rise to the occasion. They could shrink. Either way, the Knicks are more talented and that will carry them to victory.
Prediction: Knicks in 6
Zach Braziller
This won’t be easy. Like the Pistons in the first round a year ago, the on-the-rise Hawks will give the Knicks problems, stealing Game 2 at MSG and forcing a winner-take-all Game 7. In the end, Jalen Brunson and Co. do just enough to advance.
Prediction: Knicks in 7
Nickeil Alexander-Walker of the Atlanta Hawks and Josh Hart of the New York Knicks go after a loose ball during the game on April 6, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NBAE via Getty Images
Jared Schwartz
The Knicks almost certainly got a harder matchup with the surging, upstart Hawks than they would’ve with the Raptors. The Hawks are athletic, long, fast and full of belief. But much of their rise came against lowly opposition. And the Knicks should be far more talented with far more experience. The Hawks can hang around, but the Knicks should put them away with relative ease.
Prediction: Knicks in 5
Mike Vaccaro
Maybe I’ll be proven wrong but I don’t buy the Hawks’ late-season surge as anything much more than the byproduct of fortunate scheduling. I try to find an area that I’d give the Hawks the advantage. I don’t see one.
There was the steal on Jayson Tatum in the final seconds to seal Game 2 of that series.
New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) reacts after scoring during the fourth quarter when the New York Knicks played the Indiana Pacers Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at Madison Square Garden. Robert Sabo for NY Post
There was his game-tying tip-in with 35.1 seconds left in Game 6 of the first round against the Pistons, a game in which he scored 25 points.
“Playoffs are fun and real amped up and a lot of aggression, a lot of thinking,” Bridges told The Post earlier this month. “It’s just fun being in those games. The crowd and everything just goes up another level. So it’s always fun playing playoff games. Just trying to do whatever it takes to win.”
Does he feel like he raises his game in the postseason?
“I would want to,” Bridges said. “I feel like every player would want to. I just try to be the best I can be and try to do whatever it takes to help the team win.”
Bridges is on the receiving end of more criticism than anyone on the Knicks. Karl-Anthony Towns is probably a close second, but Bridges tops the list, given the five first-round picks the Knicks traded to get him.
His regular-season output — offensively, at least — has not matched that trade haul. But he’s been vocal about sacrificing offensively for the betterment of the team.
New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) when the New York Knicks practiced Friday, April 17, 2026 at Madison Square Garden Training Center in Greenburgh, NY. Robert Sabo for NY Post
It’s something that Josh Hart voiced support for to The Post, claiming that Bridges could score more if he got more shots, but that’s not what he’s been asked to do.
Coach Mike Brown has been clear in the offensive hierarchy — Jalen Brunson first, Karl-Anthony Towns second, everybody else after that. And usually it’s OG Anunoby coming in third, so that makes Bridges the fourth option.
If that’s what you compare him to — the different fourth options around the league — rather than his trade compensation, his output looks much stronger.
“Sacrifice for your brothers,” Bridges said after practice Friday. “… Putting your body on the line, doing whatever it takes to make the play to help your teammates out.”
Fourth option or not, Bridges has shown the ability to make game-changing plays regardless of how he performs beforehand. On a veteran Knicks team, he has as much playoff experience as anyone.
“That’s kind of what I’ve known,” Bridges said. “It’s kind of my DNA.”
