For the most part, ESPN has tiptoed around the situation involving Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and reporter Dianna Russini, formerly of The Athletic. On Sunday, ESPN's Inside the NBA studio show jumped into the fray, with both feet.
The show makes "gone fishing" graphics when a team's season has ended. With the Boston Celtics losing on Saturday night to the Philadelphia 76ers after leading the series 3-1, Inside the NBA has created an image that includes among the high-profile Celtics aficionados Vrabel and Russini.
They'e at the front of the boat, in the pose made famous by Titanic.
It's a bold move, one that comes from a show that has always been bold and brash and above all else funny and entertaining. Still, Inside the NBA is now an ESPN property. And ESPN had been steering clear of the incident generally, at least until Vrabel announced (in a statement given to ESPN) that he'd miss the third day of the draft to attend counseling.
Russini previously worked for ESPN. Ten days ago, the New York Post published photos of Vrabel and Russini in a New York City bar on March 11, 2020. She worked at ESPN until joining The Athletic in 2023. ESPN has declined to comment on whether it is reviewing her reporting as it relates to Vrabel and the Titans, the team he coached at the time.
Apr 20, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) reacts during the second half during game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images | David Dermer-Imagn Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers need a win to keep their season alive. We’ll see if they can bounce back from an ugly Game 6 loss to defeat the Toronto Raptors in Game 7.
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A fan poses next to the National Basketball Association logo before the NBA pre-season basketball game between the Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets at the Venetian Arena in Macau on October 12, 2025. (Photo by Eduardo Leal / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
While fans in Philadelphia and New York prepare for what looks like a classic Eastern Conference playoff series this week, Brooklyn fans will be looking forward to next Sunday’s NBA Lottery in Chicago. Their third worst record gives them a 14.0% shot at the overall No. 1, a 52.1% shot at a top four pick … a 14.8% at No. 5, a 26.0% at the No. 6 and (ugh) 7.0% at No. 7.
There is mystery, of course, not just about where the Nets will pick after the nationally televised (ESPN) selection process but how they see the top seven candidates. It is as closely held a “state secret” as there is at the HSS Training Center.
Anyone who watched the SCOUT docu-series last summer could see just how secret: every screen from the team’s big board to the scouts’ computers at HSS Training Center was scrubbed — fuzzed out — before it aired. And it is not above Sean Marks & co. to engage in a disinformation campaign. While most pundits thought Brooklyn had its eyes on Khaman Maluach at No. 8 last June, the Nets instead were focused on Egor Demin. Indeed, as some video from the Hornets war room showed, Charlotte execs, several of them former Nets staffers, were shocked that Brooklyn had passed on Maluach who they had coveted. (How’d that work out?)
This year, a number of pundits like Cam Boozer of Duke, as we noted earlier in the week. One even called him the “perfect Net,” with his fundamental skillset, maturity and leadership potential. Any comparison with Tim Duncan is going to get Marks’ attention considering how much he reveres his former Spurs teammate. Many may see Boozer as boring, but a lot of people saw Duncan that way too … as he won five NBA championships.
Any of the top four — Boozer, A.J. Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Caleb Wilson — would fill a Nets need either in the short term, long term or both. After that, the Nets would likely have a choice of guards who would duplicate skillsets of the young players already on the roster — Kingston Flemings, Mikel Brown, Keaton Wagler and Darius Acuff. Draftniks have opined that teams picking between Nos. 5 and 8 are likely to have a difficult time sorting them out.
Do we even know who the Nets have brought in for workouts and interviews? Nope. That’s not going to be public either. (One thing to spy if you want more info: who the 76ers and Knicks are working out. Agents often arrange workout schedules to take advantage of geography, save time and money.)
One thing we think we can plan for next Sunday, the dreaded commercial break at the Lottery. Normally, ESPN lets deputy GM Mark Tatum call out picks Nos. 14 through 5 before going to commercial. Assuming the Nets have enough luck to avoid falling to Nos. 6 or 7, that break will test our patience before the big moment.
Possibly, we will know more by the end of the week? Likely not. Know this, though: once the Lottery is done, no matter how things work out, things will change. Would Nets try to move up? One NBA decision-maker says tells NetsDaily he thinks that with all their assets, Brooklyn has a shot at moving up a couple of slots. They tried last year, but a number of potential trade partners wanted the 2026 first which the Nets had no interest in trading. Would they try to get a second first? They might, again using their assets. But any move like those won’t likely happen till closer to the Draft.
Another league source noted to ND this week the bottom line: “Man, they have a lot of options.” As one player in the Nets Draft War, Simone Casali, the director of international scouting, told an Italian interviewer 18 months ago that Draft Night can be quite intense.
“In the NBA, a lot can change from one moment to the next, I cannot know when we will have a choice available and how high,” said Casali whose overall interview is quite revelatory about scouting culture. “It can happen, for example, that on the night of the Draft you suddenly find yourself with choices available as a result of a trade: you cannot afford to improvise. Scouting always follows the same rules, the same attention to detail.”
We still have six weeks till the Draft, of course. In the meantime, we can only wait and pray.
Early Free Agency Rumors
What about free agency? That same anonymous league source who spoke about options told us that while he loves the Nets current situation, he wonders how they will transition from rebuild to build. He can recite all the team’s assets an added that the tanking reforms are yet another positive for them.
“The league getting rid of tanking in some ways has really helped them but also is going to cause them to have to quickly pivot in terms of their day to day,” he said. “They have to play to win, but I don’t know if they know how to do that.”
It wasn’t so much a criticism of Marks, Tsai, etc.‘s ability to get things done but rather how big they want to go and how soon. “I don’t understand how they don’t see Giannis or Kawhi as their big swing … shoot even bring KD back to finish his career.”
Moving on any of those 30+ superstars would be risky and at this point, fans seemed to be patient (enough) to continue the organic rebuild. Barclays Center attendance numbers seem to reflect that with the arena selling out 99.2% of capacity over 41 home dates. (We can’t speak to the TV ratings. They’re not public, but are almost assuredly ugly. We will find out soon enough.)
Bringing back the soon-to-be 38-year-old Kevin Durant would create headlines and with some well-crafted P.R. engender nostalgia for what might have been. There are people in the organization who’d like to see him back, citing how he changed the franchise culture his first time around. Remember the good times! There are others, however, who are not so enamored of a reunion, recalling his ugly exit, criticism of teammates, lack of leadership particularly re his superstar teammates, and his push for short term solutions whether it was advocating for DeAndre Jordan over Jarrett Allen, signing short-term fixes, demanding front office firings, pushing his business partner Rich Kleiman for a top job or demanding Ime Udoka be hired as head coach despite his suspension from the Celtics. Did we miss anything? Probably.
How does KD, who did average 26/6/5 on near 50/40/90 shooting, feel about a reunion? We don’t know but things are not good in Houston. After missing only four games in the regular season, he sat on the bench in all but one game of Houston’s first round flameout due to a nagging ankle injury. He is simply not that popular in Texas. Many Rocket fans see him as a “mercenary” after his stays in OKC, Golden State, Brooklyn, Phoenix and now Houston. He has also gotten beyond the first round only once leaving New York. The scandal surrounding his burner comments re his young Houston teammates never got resolved and again, his leadership got questioned. He will be meeting soon with Rockets brass about his now uncertain future.
He did have provide some comments in 2024 and 2025 expressing his love of the franchise (that he helped blow up) …
What might a reunion cost the Nets … beyond psychically? He is owed $44 million next season, then has a $46 million player option in 2027-28 at age 39. Acquiring him would almost certainly require the Nets to give up Michael Porter Jr. who will be an expiring at $41 million next season. Would Brooklyn be required to add picks? Or would they require some in return?
Bottom line: the KD reunion may sound intriguing, but without polling fans, it seems from social media that the base is more “been there, done that,” than “welcome home.” He is still a great player but exhausting.
Beyond the choice between going for a superstar or building organically through the draft, there is the intriguing third path, adding a young piece who might not be a superstar but damn good and did we say young? We’re talking about 6’8” 23-year-old Peyton Watson of the Denver Nuggets. Jake Fischer wrote this week what fans have known: that the Nets along with the at least the Lakers and Bulls have interest. He averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game on 41.1% shooting.
He’ll be a restricted free agent this summer, the Nugs having decided last summer to sign Christian Braun to a five-year, $125 million deal instead of him. Part of the windfall for Braun came from money the Kroeneke family saved by trading Michael Porter Jr and an unprotected first in 2032 for Cam Johnson. Ironic much?
Fischer wrote a lot about the Nuggets quandary in keeping him. To avoid the pain of the second apron, the most likely scenario has them dealing CamJ away to make room for a big deal for Watson. Easier said than done. Johnson is 30 and hasn’t played 60 games in any of the past four seasons. Still, that could help Denver avoid a Nets offer sheet that could 1) contain poison pills the Nuggets might not want to swallow or 2) begin talks on a sign-and-trade at a disadvantage. That speculation is all well and good, but this weekend saw something easier to digest than CBA provisions… an exchange between Watson and MP….
Well now! The two players are known to be close from the time when Porter mentored a young Watson and as he told N3ON this weekend, MPJ thinks Brooklyn is going to get better soon. We are always a bit skeptical of how friendships affect free agency. Money usually talks loudest but the Nets have, as our source noted, a number of options.
Expect to hear other names, of course. Free agency is even further away than the Draft. It opens June 30.
Who’s in charge here?
By the way, if you are wondering who makes the final decision on big things like trades, signings and picks — whether it’s the GM or owner — Sean Marks shed some light about how that process works on a podcast with Boki Nachbar and Ric Bucher. Their Fullcourt Passport, is focused on the NBA’s wider world, Read closer and you can see that while Joe Tsai and Mikhail Prokhorov had “advised,” “helped” and “influenced” him over his tenure, he’s the guy.
“Having two different owners in my time in Brooklyn, obviously from my current owner, Joe Tsai, to our previous Russian owner,” Marks began. “I always ask those guys their advice, their help. I mean these guys are doing multi-billion dollars deals and I’m doing trades with guys who will a half million bucks or three million dollars or five million dollars.
“It’s still their baby and I want to make sure … how they can influence me in my negotiating skills or what have you. I’d be a fool not to involve them. They’ve come from a completely different backgrounds but also to empower them to understand why we’re doing to these deals and what it means down the road. I’m very fortunate in that regard.”
Of course, the owner and GM talk near daily even if the owner is flying over the Pacific a lot of the time and in the case of the Draft, the owner will be in the room.
Draft Sleeper of the Week
We love having a high second rounder, particularly in a deep draft. Teams are not required to give second round picks a guaranteed deal. Often, as the Nets did in the case of No. 31 pick Nic Claxton in 2019, they will, generally agreeing to a deal near or at the level of the last pick in the first round. This year. per Salary Swish, that would amount to roughly $3 million.
The Nets currently hold two picks in the second round, their own at No. 33, thanks to the tank, and the Los Angeles Clippers at No. 43, a product of last year’s trade of the No. 36 pick — part of the Mikal Bridges trade — to the Phoenix Suns for two future seconds. (The Suns later sent the 36th pick to the Lakers who chose Adou Thiero.)
Assuming the Nets keep the picks and assuming they follow their recent history, they’re likely to sign the 33rd pick to a standard deal and the 43rd to a two-way. One prospect we have been intrigued by at the top of the second is Joshua Jefferson, a 6’9”, 240-pound point forward out of Iowa State who in our most recent mock draft update has been ;inked to the Nets by two outlets, the Athletic and NBADraft.net. (It should be noted, however, in the weeks since those mocks, JJ has moved up quickly, now being touted at No. 25 by Tankathon.)
Although a little older than most prospects at 23 years old, he would seem to fit neatly into Jordi Fernandez’s position-less system. Here’s what NBADraft.net wrote of him recently.
One of the most statistically unique players in the country, becoming the only player nationally (and first in Big 12 history) to post 450+ points, 250+ rebounds, 100+ assists, 70+ steals, and 25+ blocks in a single season … Strong basketball background with family ties to high-level football … Known for toughness, IQ, and all-around production.
And here’s some highlights as well…
Does scream Nets to us.
Summer Games
We love the idea of playing in two summer leagues. The Nets announced this week that before the Las Vegas Summer League which runs between July 9 and July 19, in which the Nets will play a minimum of five games, they will also be in Sacramento at the Garden 1 Center for three games on July 4, 5 and 6. So that’s eight games in 15 days, a mid-season schedule for the NBA.
There’s a lot of good reasons for double duty, starting with their continued youth. The Nets will have seven players on rookie deals next year, Noah Clowney, the Flatbush 5 and the lottery pick plus maybe a second rounder as well as the three rookies who played this year without a standard deal: Chaney Johnson, Malachi Smith and Grant Nelson who of whom are likely to be available plus two-ways E.J. Liddell and Tyson Etienne etc. etc. Might Josh Minott play? He’s 23 but not many fifth year players spend time in Vegas … or Sacramento
Final Note
We hear Mr. Whammy, aka Bruce Reznick, is all set for his debut as the Nets lucky charm at the Draft Lottery next Sunday. He and his grandson will be taking the train to Chicago we are told — he is 90 — and on arrival will be treated as a guest of honor by the Nets. As we’ve noted Whammy can’t sit on the dias. League rules, you know, but he will be in the audience, presumably hexing away. We don’t yet know who will be sitting on the dias, but we expect to know sometime mid-week. Good luck to all.
Next week, we expect our report will be late. We will either be celebrating or lamenting.
Enter Tobias Harris. The Pistons' veteran wing was solid this season (13.3 points per game) but stepped it up in the playoffs, averaging 20.2 points a night. In Game 7 on Sunday, he found another level. He had 19 points in the first half, including scoring 11 straight in the final 2:30 of the first half, when Detroit took over the game. He would go on to score 30.
"Nobody can say s*** to me about Tobias," Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said about a player who has heard his share of criticism over the years. "He's dependable, reliable, prepared for the moment. He's a leader, he's a great teammate, he's a great human being.
In the third quarter, Cade Cunningham took over and made sure Detroit finished the job, quickly turning an 11-point halftime lead into 20, and Game 7 was never in doubt after that.
Detroit cruised to a 116-94 win, and with that, the No. 1 seed Pistons came back from 3-1 down to win a much tougher series than expected against the Orlando Magic, who pushed them to the brink.
Detroit now advances to the second round for the first time since 2008 and will face the winner of Game 7 between Toronto and Cleveland later on Sunday (on NBC). Orlando heads into an offseason where they will face questions about just how well their stars fit together, whether they have the right coach, and whether they should make sweeping changes or run it back.
Paolo Banchero did everything he could for the Magic, finishing with a game-high 38 points including four 3-pointers. The problem is, all the other Magic combined to shoot 34% for the game and 6-of-23 (26.1%) from beyond the arc. It just wasn't enough.
Especially with Cunningham making plays on his way to 32 points and 12 assists for the night.
Detroit's Motor(CADE) came through in Game 7!
️ 32 PTS ️ 12 AST ️ 2 BLK ️ 4-6 3PM ️ 10-18 FGM
Pistons become the 15th team in NBA history to come back from down 3-1 deficit in a postseason series!
Jalen Duren had his best game of the series with 15 points and 15 rebounds, and Daniss Jenkins had 16 off the bench for the Pistons. For the Magic, Desmond Bade added 16 points.
This game looked like a Game 7 early, with both teams a little tight in the first quarter — except for Banchero, who had the first 11 Orlando points, including going 3-of-3 from beyond the arc. Despite that, the Magic shot 8-of-21 (38.1%) in the first, but that was good enough for a 22-20 lead over a Pistons team that was 7-of-20 (35%), including Duncan Robinson starting 1-of-7 from 3-point range, and most of those were quality looks.
In the second quarter that changed, especially for Detroit, which shot 56.5% as a team, knocked down five 3-pointers, and scored 40 in the frame. The Pistons were out and running — Detroit had 12 points off Orlando turnovers in the second quarter, which was aided by Ausar Thompson's three steals.
The Pistons broke the game open when they closed the first half on a 20-6 run, which included an 11-straight points from Harris (he had 19 for the half), and Detroit led 60-49 at the break despite 23 from Banchero.
Cunningham looked like an All-NBA player in the third quarter and that was it. Game over.
Even if the Pistons had to sweat the first round a lot more than they expected.
Austin Reaves loses the ball in front of Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Alex Caruso during a Lakers loss in April 2025. The Lakers and Thunder open their best-of-seven playoff series Tuesday. (Joshua Gateley / Getty Images)
The Lakers understand the daunting challenge they're about to face against the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals.
Lakers coach JJ Redick referenced the great Chicago Bulls teams that won back-to-back championships in 1996 and '97 and the Golden State Warriors teams that won titles in 2015 and '17 when talking about the Thunder after practice Sunday.
“The Thunder is one of the greatest teams ever in NBA history,” Redick said. “It's just the reality. They're that good. I think our guys recognize that and respect that, and we know what kind of task we have in front of us.”
The Thunder had the best record in the regular season at 64-18. They were ranked first in defensive field-goal percentage (43.7%), first in defensive rating (106.5), first in net rating (43.7) and second in points given up per game (107.9).
They have the league's reigning most valuable player in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is the leading candidate to repeat as MVP. He was second in scoring this season (31.1 points per game) and leads the postseason in scoring (33.8).
This season the Thunder beat the Lakers by an average of 29.2 points per game in sweeping the four-game set. So the Lakers are facing long odds to win this series, but they say they aren't intimidated heading into Game 1 on Tuesday night.
“You can respect the team but you can't fear them,” forward Jake LaRavia said. “You can't come into the game fearing the opponent and then you're just gonna come in and get punked. So, we respect how good this team is, but our goal is to win — win the games and win the series. So, our mindset stays the same.”
The Thunder have a reputation as a stingy defensive team — they were called for the seventh-fewest fouls per game (19) this season.
“They're top five in every category that's disruptive-base: steals, blocks, turnovers forced, all that stuff. And they don't foul,” Redick said. “They somehow do all of that without fouling, which is one of the most remarkable things, I think, in NBA history."
Gilgeous-Alexander is famous for drawing fouls. He took nine free throws per game this season, third-most in the league.
“Nobody’s been able to stop him all season,” Redick said. “So, you can hope and pray.”
Oklahoma City star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drives against the Lakers during a Thunder win on April 2. (Cooper Neill / Getty Images)
The Lakers had their own weapon at the free-throw line, but it's unclear when Luka Doncic might return from injury. The All-Star point guard hasn't played since sustaining a Grade 2 left hamstring strain against the Thunder on April 2.
Doncic was coming off a magical month, becoming the only player in history other than Michael Jordan to score 600 points in March.
Redick had no update on Doncic's status — he remains out indefinitely.
But the Lakers got by the Rockets with LeBron James leading the way. He averaged 23.2 points, 8.3 assists and 7.2 rebounds in the six games. And star guard Austin Reaves, who also was injured in the April 2 game against the Thunder, returned to help beat the Rockets.
Still, few think the Lakers, who advanced past the first round for the first time since 2023, can get by the deep and talented Thunder.
“You could say nobody thought we were going to get past Houston, but everybody in this building believed,” Reaves said. “It's the same mindset going into this. We obviously know the team that we're about to face and how good they are and the problems that they can create for 48 minutes. So, we'll have to lock in every single day, film, whatever it could be, to continue to get better and and pay attention to all the little details like they do.”
DETROIT — Cade Cunningham had 32 points and 12 assists, Tobias Harris added 30 points and the Detroit Pistons beat the Orlando Magic 116-94 in Game 7 on Sunday to win a playoff series for the first time in 18 years.
Cunningham averaged 32.4 points for Detroit, which last won a postseason series by beating Orlando in the second round in 2008. The Pistons advance to play the winner of Sunday night’s Game 7 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors. Game 1 will be Tuesday at Little Caesars Arena.
“We were pushed to the limit,” Cunningham said. “And it made us really reflect on how we were playing, what got us to this position and what made us win as many games as we won in the regular season. And it got us back to playing the basketball that we knew we were capable of.”
Duncan Robinson (55), Daniss Jenkins (24), Cade Cunningham (2) and Javonte Green (31) of the Detroit Pistons react during Game 7 against the Orlando Magic. NBAE via Getty Images
The Pistons became the 15th team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 deficit and the second in the last two nights, after the Philadelphia 76ers came back to eliminate Boston.
“I mean, it’s expected,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said of his team’s resiliency. “And that’s the amount of belief that we have in this group. This is a special group. And you can’t count us out. No matter the circumstances, no matter the situation, I like our chances to fight our way back.”
They trailed by 24 points in Game 6 in Orlando before rallying to take the series at home. Orlando only scored 113 points in the final six quarters of the series — an average of 18.8 per period.
Cunningham and Harris became the first Pistons teammates to score 30 points in a playoff game since Bob Lanier (33) and Howard Porter (30) against the Golden State Warriors on April 17, 1977.
“We really bonded this season,” Cunningham said. “This group is super tight. We think we can do anything. We’ve had our backs against the wall at times in the regular season, but we stuck together and we found our way out of it.”
Paolo Banchero scored 38 for the Magic.
Each team needed a second scoring option in Game 7. Cunningham had carried the Pistons while Banchero was Orlando’s only weapon after Franz Wagner was injured in Game 4.
Harris filled that role for Detroit, but Orlando only had one other player reach double figures in the first three quarters, as Desmond Bane had 10.
Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons dunks the ball against the Orlando Magic during the third quarter in Game Seven of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Getty Images
“We just couldn’t find the basket,” coach Jamahl Mosley said. “We were playing well on defense, but we couldn’t put the ball in the hole.”
The Pistons also got a big game from All-Star center Jalen Duren. He was outplayed by Wendell Carter Jr. in the first six games, but put up his first double-double of the series with 15 points and 15 rebounds.
Harris scored 17 points in the second quarter as the Pistons finished the half on a 9-2 run to take a 60-49 lead.
The Pistons’ surge continued into the second half, as they opened the third quarter with a 11-2 run to go up 71-51. Nine of the points came from Cunningham and Harris.
The Magic finished the third quarter with 15 points — the third time in their last five periods they couldn’t reach 20 points.
Daniss Jenkins hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to give Detroit a 83-64 lead going into the fourth, and the Magic never threatened down the stretch.
“They fought and battled the whole way,” Mosley said. “We just didn’t get the job done.”
Jan 17, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) looks up in the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images | Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
Anthony Edwards might not miss much of the Timberwolves’ series against the Spurs, per reports. He had been making progress and was initially likely to suit up in Game 3 or Game 4, according to ESPN’s Sham Charania. Apparently, his return could come earlier than that, as he has been listed as questionable for Game 1, and he could play if his knee feels good after a workout on Monday, according to The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski.
Edwards suffered a hyperextended knee injury with a bone bruise in Game 4 of the Timberwolves’ first-round series against the Nuggets. He was also previously dealing with a persistent issue in his other knee, so he was expected to miss several games, if not the entire series, against the Spurs. It looks like he has progressed faster than expected because there’s a chance he could play Monday.
Edwards is not doubtful. He’s questionable. That tells you he has every intention of playing. Tomorrow at shootaround likely will be a big test
If Edwards does indeed play, it would be shocking. Timberwolves’ medical staff has called him “Wolverine” because of how fast he heals, but not even the most optimistic observers thought it would be possible for him to be ready this quickly.
Despite the credible reports, there are some big questions that still remain unanswered. Could the Timberwolves be trying to play mind games with the Spurs by surprisingly listing him as questionable a day before the matchup with no intention of playing him? And even if Edwards suits up, how will he look? Edwards’ runner’s knee was already limiting him in the series against the Nuggets before the bone bruise. Now he’ll have discomfort in both knees.
One thing is clear: Whether Edwards is ready to go by Game 1 or later, it seems that he will play in the series at some point.
Other than listing Edwards as questionable, the Timberwolves’ injury report also includes Donte DiVincenzo as out due to an Achilles injury that will sideline him for the rest of the playoffs, and Ayo Dosunmu as questionable due to calf soreness that held him out of Game 6 against the Nuggets.
The Spurs listed Carter Bryant as questionable due to an ankle sprain, but no one else appears in their injury report.
The Cardinals won the recruiting Ekezie sweepstakes against Arkansas, BYU, Kentucky and Maryland, according to the Louisville Courier Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network. His dad, Obinna Ekezie Sr., played in the NBA for four seasons.
"I have chosen to commit to (the) University of Louisville as I feel it's the best situation to develop, showcase my game and strive to win a national championship," Ekezie told ESPN's Jeff Borzello and Paul Biancardi on why he chose Louisville. "Coach Kelsey separated himself with his detailed plan for my development, specifically being able to play and develop at both the 4 and 5. His excellent staff was completely bought in to helping me reach my goals. But honestly, what put it over the top was the visit. Louisville felt like home from the moment I got there."
Ekezie not only brings a 7-foot frame to the Cardinals, but also adds to their growing depth at the forward position. He was also a consensus five-star and top-five ranked recruit, according to different recruiting outlets.
As noted by the Courier Journal, Ekezie participated in the Basketball Without Borders camp at the 2026 NBA All-Star Game in February, where he earned Defensive Most Valuable Player honors.
Obinna Ekezie Jr. 247 ranking
Stars: Five
National ranking: No. 4
Positional ranking: No. 2
State ranking: No. 2
Ekezie is listed as a five-star prospect and the No. 4 overall recruit in the 2027 recruiting class by 247Sports Composite rankings. He is the No. 2 center and No. 2 player in the state of Florida in the 2027 class, as well.
His classification rankings are not updated to the 2026 recruiting class at the time of this writing.
Ekezie becomes the eighth addition to the Cardinals' 2026-27 roster after Louisville swarmed the transfer portal following their first-weekend exit from the men's NCAA tournament. Louisville should be a top-15 ranked team — if not within the top-10 — in preseason polls with a roster that includes Kansas transfer Flory Bidunga, Oregon transfer Jackson Shelstad and Arkansas transfer Karter Knox.
Here's an updated look at Louisville's offseason acquisitions with Ekezie's commitment and re-classification:
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Anthony Edwards might be back for Game 1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs, barely a week after appearing to suffer a serious knee injury.
The All-Star guard, who averaged 36.7 points in three games against San Antonio this season, has been “cleared for on-court basketball activities,” the Timberwolves said Sunday.
After three Game 7s and a few upsets in between, the 2026 playoffs have definitely started off strong. It should keep improving as the margins tighten.
Now only eight teams remain. In the Western Conference, No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder will continue its repeat bid against the No. 4 Los Angeles Lakers. The No. 2 San Antonio Spurs will clash with the No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves.
Out East, the No. 1 Detroit Pistons survived a Game 7 to face No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers, a fellow Game 7 victor. The No. 3 New York Knicks will battle against another Game 7 winner in the No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers.
With all four series in place, let’s rank the matchups from least to most intriguing:
No. 1 Detroit Pistons vs. No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers
Orlando didn’t beat Detroit, but it exposed many flaws in the Pistons’ chances at a deep run. Detroit is heavily reliant on Cade Cunningham, while Jalen Duren has struggled to adapt his game to the postseason. Tobias Harris and Duncan Robinson also aren’t quality enough to be a playoff team’s third and fourth scorers, so Cleveland will have a strong chance if it capitalizes on the opportunity.
The Magic likely would’ve held on to their 3-1 lead had Franz Wagner not been injured. Cleveland will have James Harden and Donovan Mitchell as their main scorers and initiators, with Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen and Max Strus being the key role players. Detroit might need seven games again to advance, but the lack of star quality here is the main reason it comes first.
No. 2 San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves
There will not be a Victor Wembanyama vs. Nikola Jokic matchup this year. The Spurs did their part by completing a gentleman’s sweep of the Portland Trail Blazers, but the Denver Nuggets failed to impose themselves against a Minnesota side without Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo.
Minnesota’s placement here is highly dependent on Edwards returning as DiVincenzo will be out a lengthy period. Rudy Gobert will give everything defensively against Wembanyama, but they’ll need consistent juice offensively for another upset. Jaden McDaniels is trending upwards after a standout series, but San Antonio’s deeper team and quality will make for an interesting battle. Even without Edwards for a few games, Minnesota won’t go down easily.
No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 4 Los Angeles Lakers
Oklahoma City has earned significant rest with a sweep of Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns. The Lakers are a more balanced team than Phoenix, though Luka Doncic’s absence is a big blow on offense. LeBron James led L.A. past Houston in six games, but Kevin Durant did not play and the rest of the roster lacked offensive initiating prowess. The 41-year-old will need to pull off a miracle to repeat that against a more dominant Thunder side.
Still, the NBA’s past vs. the NBA’s present in James and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should make for elite viewing, even if the Thunder complete a probable gentleman’s sweep.
No. 3 New York Knicks vs. No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers
Could the Eastern Conference winner be from this matchup? The Knicks got past the Atlanta Hawks with more trouble than they would’ve liked, while Philadelphia rallied down 3-1 to stun the Boston Celtics. The Knicks are in a make-or-break year with this current core headlined by Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges. A conference finals berth should be the minimum, but an NBA Finals appearance is what’ll move the needle.
The same applies for Philadelphia in a sense, but with much less pressure. Joel Embiid has struggled with another injury-riddled season, though he has an improved core of Tyrese Maxey, Paul George and VJ Edgecombe. Will that be enough legs and quality to reach the Finals as a 7-seed? It seems unlikely, but the series win over Boston should provide the momentum that’ll make the New York matchup the most enthralling. Both teams have the ability to upset No. 1 Detroit — No. 8 Orlando was a healthy Wagner away — if that’s the next matchup.
After three Game 7s and a few upsets in between, the 2026 playoffs have definitely started off strong. It should keep improving as the margins tighten.
Now only eight teams remain. In the Western Conference, No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder will continue its repeat bid against the No. 4 Los Angeles Lakers. The No. 2 San Antonio Spurs will clash with the No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves.
Out East, the No. 1 Detroit Pistons survived a Game 7 to face No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers, a fellow Game 7 victor. The No. 3 New York Knicks will battle against another Game 7 winner in the No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers.
With all four series in place, let’s rank the matchups from least to most intriguing:
No. 1 Detroit Pistons vs. No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers
Orlando didn’t beat Detroit, but it exposed many flaws in the Pistons’ chances at a deep run. Detroit is heavily reliant on Cade Cunningham, while Jalen Duren has struggled to adapt his game to the postseason. Tobias Harris and Duncan Robinson also aren’t quality enough to be a playoff team’s third and fourth scorers, so Cleveland will have a strong chance if it capitalizes on the opportunity.
The Magic likely would’ve held on to their 3-1 lead had Franz Wagner not been injured. Cleveland will have James Harden and Donovan Mitchell as their main scorers and initiators, with Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen and Max Strus being the key role players. Detroit might need seven games again to advance, but the lack of star quality here is the main reason it comes first.
No. 2 San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves
There will not be a Victor Wembanyama vs. Nikola Jokic matchup this year. The Spurs did their part by completing a gentleman’s sweep of the Portland Trail Blazers, but the Denver Nuggets failed to impose themselves against a Minnesota side without Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo.
Minnesota’s placement here is highly dependent on Edwards returning as DiVincenzo will be out a lengthy period. Rudy Gobert will give everything defensively against Wembanyama, but they’ll need consistent juice offensively for another upset. Jaden McDaniels is trending upwards after a standout series, but San Antonio’s deeper team and quality will make for an interesting battle. Even without Edwards for a few games, Minnesota won’t go down easily.
No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 4 Los Angeles Lakers
Oklahoma City has earned significant rest with a sweep of Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns. The Lakers are a more balanced team than Phoenix, though Luka Doncic’s absence is a big blow on offense. LeBron James led L.A. past Houston in six games, but Kevin Durant did not play and the rest of the roster lacked offensive initiating prowess. The 41-year-old will need to pull off a miracle to repeat that against a more dominant Thunder side.
Still, the NBA’s past vs. the NBA’s present in James and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should make for elite viewing, even if the Thunder complete a probable gentleman’s sweep.
No. 3 New York Knicks vs. No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers
Could the Eastern Conference winner be from this matchup? The Knicks got past the Atlanta Hawks with more trouble than they would’ve liked, while Philadelphia rallied down 3-1 to stun the Boston Celtics. The Knicks are in a make-or-break year with this current core headlined by Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges. A conference finals berth should be the minimum, but an NBA Finals appearance is what’ll move the needle.
The same applies for Philadelphia in a sense, but with much less pressure. Joel Embiid has struggled with another injury-riddled season, though he has an improved core of Tyrese Maxey, Paul George and VJ Edgecombe. Will that be enough legs and quality to reach the Finals as a 7-seed? It seems unlikely, but the series win over Boston should provide the momentum that’ll make the New York matchup the most enthralling. Both teams have the ability to upset No. 1 Detroit — No. 8 Orlando was a healthy Wagner away — if that’s the next matchup.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 03: Daniss Jenkins #24, Cade Cunningham #2, Tobias Harris #12 and Ausar Thompson #9 of the Detroit Pistons celebrate a basket against Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic during the second quarter in Game Seven of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 03, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Nic Antaya/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It has been 18 years since the Detroit Pistons have won a playoff series when they defeated the Orlando Magic in 2008.
It has been 23 years since the Detroit Pistons came back from a 3-1 series against the 8th seeded Orlando Magic in 2003.
This year’s Detroit Pistons team just accomplished both of those feats.
History tends to repeat itself, doesn’t it?
The Pistons got out to a 10-5 lead after a lob from Cade Cunningham to Jalen Duren, a rare sighting throughout this series. Paolo Banchero responded with back-to-back threes and all 11 of Orlando’s first points, mostly from jump shots. Duncan Robinson attempted six three-pointers that were all good looks, but only could connect on one of them. Orlando took a 22-20 lead after the first quarter with Detroit shooting 7-for-20 from the field.
Banchero was doing his best KD impression knocking down multiple tough jumpers. After Orlando went on an 8-0 run, Detroit responded with their own 7-0 run that forced a Jamahl Mosley timeout after Cunningham knocked down his third three of the day to give the Pistons a 38-35 lead. Daniss Jenkins and Desmond Bane would trade three-pointers to tie the game at 43.
That’s when it turned into the Tobias Harris show. Tobi helped Detroit close the quarter on a 20-6 run, including 11 straight coming from Harris. He knocked down a three-pointer, post jumpers, and got to the rim for some tough finishes to finish with 17 points in the quarter alone. The Pistons would take a 60-49 halftime lead over the Magic.
Detroit was led by Harris and Cunningham who combined for 34 first half points. Harris added four rebounds and Cunningham had nine assists. Duren look solid with nine points and eight rebounds while Ausar had two steals and two blocks. Orlando was led by Banchero who had 23 points while shooting 4-for-6 from three, but no other Magic player was in double-digits – Bane was second on the team in scoring with eight points.
It looked like the postseason hopes from Orlando was dwindling after three early turnovers. Cunningham got a dunk in transition that forced an Orlando timeout with Detroit up 66-51. They were able to respond with a 7-0 run that led to a JB Bickerstaff timeout, but he got Cade back in the game and another Cunningham three made it a 78-58 Detroit lead. After Daniss hit a three at the buzzer, the Pistons took a 83-64 lead heading into the final frame.
With only 12 minutes left to seal a Game 7 victory and the first Pistons playoff series win since 2008, Detroit looked to put Orlando out of their misery. A three from Javonte Green put Detroit up 22, a Daniss three put them up 23, and another Tobias three put them up 25 – each shot gave Detroit their largest lead of the game. Orlando put the full-court pressure on and forced some Detroit turnovers that led to a 15-4 run, but Tobias hit a corner three for his 30th point that would be the dagger that would officially end the Magic’s season.
Detroit would go on to win 116-94 behind two 30-bombs from Cunningham and Harris. Cade would finish with 32 points and 12 assists while shooting 10-for-18 from the field while Harris added 30 points and nine rebounds on 11-for-18 shooting. The two combined to make nine of their thirteen three-point attempts. As good as Cade has been this series, Tobias absolutely deserves his own shoutout stepping into the #2 scoring role this series. He scored 20+ points in the previous four games before dropping 30 tonight. If you ask me, Tobias deserves to wear a Pistons jersey for the rest of his career.
Jalen Duren had his best game of the series with 15 points and 15 rebounds along with three assists. Daniss Jenkins added 16 points and five assists off the bench. Duncan Robinson had 10 points despite shooting 2-for-10 from beyond the arc, all of which felt like good looks.
Josh Hart thinks Knicks fans will still be able to make an impact during the road games in Philadelphia.
Josh Hart has bad news for Joel Embiid: Everyone has a price.
He doesn’t think the 76ers center’s plea to Philadelphia fans not to sell tickets to New Yorkers is going to work — it could be a repeat of the 2024 playoff series, when Knicks fans turned Xfinity Mobile Arena (then Wells Fargo Center) into Madison Square Garden Southwest.
There were “MVP” chants for Jalen Brunson that irked Embiid.
The 76ers big man said at the time, “It kind of pisses me off, especially because Philly is considered a sports town.”
“I expect it to be similar, because Knicks fans travel. They’re probably the best fans in the NBA in terms of traveling and going to games. It might be cheaper to do that than go to the Garden,” Hart said Sunday after practice, as the Knicks prepared for Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the 76ers. “They love New York Knick basketball, they’re passionate about it, and we love it. We need them to come out and support.”
On the secondary market, prices for tickets are significantly more expensive at the Garden than at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
“Last time we played the Knicks, it felt like [Philadelphia] was Madison Square Garden East. We’re going to need the support,” Embiid said. “Don’t sell your tickets. This is bigger than you. We need you guys.”
“Knicks fans travel — they buy tickets,” he later added. “There’s going to be people who will sell the tickets because they need the money. Don’t do it, we need you guys. We need the support, and we need them to be extremely loud. If you need money, I’ve got you.”
Josh Hart addresses reporters during his May 3 press conference for the Knicks. Robert Sabo for the NY Post
The 76ers are mimicking the Pistons ploy of a year ago — limiting tickets to Detroit-area fans — by limiting tickets to residents of the Philadelphia area.
A message on the team’s website reads: “Residency will be based on credit card billing address. Orders by residents outside [of the] Greater Philadelphia area will be canceled without notice and refunds given.”
That won’t stop Knicks fans from purchasing tickets on the secondary market, however.
While it worked for Detroit a year ago, that was a much longer trip than the 90-minute drive to Philadelphia.
“Good thing about New Yorkers, man, they’re persistent. They don’t care, bro,” Hart said. “They’re going to do it, man. And for a lot of people, everything revolves around money. So, you know, if they get a good price for those tickets, they’re going to sell them, and New Yorkers are passionate about the Knicks and they’re going to come out and show love.”
BOSTON, MA - MAY 2: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots the ball during the game against the Boston Celtics during Round One Game Seven of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 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
They really did it. Game 7, in Boston, facing the final hurdle to overcome a 3-1 deficit against the No. 2 seed, and they did it. The Sixers became just the 14th team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 series deficit with their thrilling performance. It was a historic night, full of special performances from the Sixers and their stars.
The only brief scare that came during Game 7 was Tyrese Maxey tumbling into Embiid’s leg, as the Sixers’ guard was defending Jaylen Brown. Fortunately, after a little hobbling, Embiid was able to carry on and help close out the game alongside the unreal play of Maxey down the stretch.
And now, ahead of Game 1 for the Sixers’ second-round series against the Knicks, Embiid is listed as probable with a right hip contusion.
Obviously you’d rather not see him on the injury report at all, but given how unlucky Embiid’s been in the past with freak injury accidents, it’s good to see he’s likely going to play and that his knee isn’t listed as the reason he’s on the injury report.
Embiid returning from his emergency surgery for appendicitis and immediately dominating was remarkable. He put up 28.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists to only 2.0 turnovers per game for the series, delivering huge plays in every performance to put Philly in control and turn the series around. Considering some of the playoff shortcomings and criticism Embiid has faced in the past, it’s been special to see him dominate and deliver in a series like this, when the Sixers were such underdogs to come out on top.
Stay tuned here at Liberty Ballers, because we’ve got plenty of coverage to get you ready for the Knicks series coming up. There’s not long to bask in the excitement of beating Boston, with Game 1 in New York coming up at 8:00pm ET on Monday.
The Lakers’ Luka Doncic is expected to miss at least the first few games of the series against the Thunder. AP
Doncic is nearing the five-week mark since suffering a Grade 2 hamstring strain on April 2 against the Thunder, which coincidentally is the team’s second-round opponent in the NBA playoffs.
And all indications are that Doncic won’t be ready.
After traveling to Spain for advanced treatment aimed at accelerating recovery, Doncic’s progression has been labored at best. He’s done controlled on-court work. Shooting, light movement, but has to be cleared for full-speed running, full contact or 1-on-1 drills.
Doncic was not on the court when the media was allowed into the Lakers’ practice on Sunday afternoon but is expected to be reevaluated before the team departs for Oklahoma City.
“Obviously, we always want to have Luka out there,” said teammate Austin Reaves on Sunday. “He’s one of the best players in the league, if not the best player. It’s definitely a different task. Everyone has to play differently to create and fill the void of the things he does for us.”
The void isn’t just about scoring, it’s about controlling the pace and tempo of a game.
Doncic has not played yet in the postseason, but the Lakers hope he can suit up soon. NBAE via Getty Images
Sources told The California Post that Doncic is expected to miss the first two games of the Western Conference semifinal series in Oklahoma.
Game 3 is scheduled Saturday in Los Angeles and will land between the five- and six-week mark of when Doncic sustained the injury. The normal timetable for a Grade 2 hamstring strain is between four and eight weeks.
The Lakers will need all hands on deck when their series tips off with the Thunder on Tuesday. Unfortunately, it’s going to start without their best player.
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