TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 23: Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors drives to the basket during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Round One Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2026 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers fought hard for three quarters, but got run off the floor in the final frame. Their inability to control the ball and rough games from their star backcourt came back to bite them. As did the Toronto Raptors‘ inability to miss in the final frame. This all added up to a 126-104 loss in Game 3.
The Cavs still maintain a 2-1 lead in the series, but we could be heading for a much longer opening.
The first away game of a series is always a difficult test. If you’re going to win on the road, you have to be able to take punches and deliver counters at every turn. The Cavs did that throughout the first three quarters before finally giving in.
The Raptors went 12-17 from the floor and converted all five of their triples in the first quarter. That strong of a first quarter should’ve resulted in a double-digit lead after one, but six turnovers and an inability to keep the Cavs from going to the line kept Cleveland in the game as the Raptors were only up six after one.
Toronto pushed its advantage to 10 at the start of the second quarter before the Cavs rallied.
Max Strus jump-started what was a lifeless offense in the second quarter. He poured in 12 points on 3-5 shooting from deep in that frame to help turn the momentum. That hot shooting allowed the Cavs to momentarily reclaim the lead before both teams went into the break tied at 54.
Toronto once again threw the first punch in the second half. They used a 13-6 run to get a seven-point lead, but the Cavs once again clawed their way back. They forced a tie in the closing moments of the third before Scottie Barnes hit a contested jumper at the buzzer to give Toronto a slim 83-81 advantage heading into the final quarter.
The Raptors made their first five threes of the game, and then canned six straight in the final quarter to turn what was a tight game into what quickly became a double-digit affair.
The Cavs folded from there.
The offense couldn’t buy a basket, and they weren’t able to provide any resistance on the other end. What was once a back-and-forth game quickly snowballed into a stress-free win for Toronto.
Toronto won the final quarter 43-23. They went 8-9 from three (88.9%) and 17-23 (73.9%) from the field overall. RJ Barrett was the catalyst in the final frame. He scored 16 of his 33 points on 6-6 shooting in the fourth quarter.
James Harden played his worst game in a Cavaliers uniform on Thursday evening. He struggled with Toronto’s rangy defense as he turned it over eight times.
Turnovers weren’t an issue for just Harden. The Cavs as a team gave it away 20 times, which led to 23 points going the other way.
Harden finished the game with 18 points on 5-13 shooting with four assists.
Donovan Mitchell couldn’t establish a scoring rhythm. He had 15 points on 7-16 shooting with three assists and three giveaways of his own.
Evan Mobley had a good game at the charity stripe (7-8) but struggled with his efficiency from the floor. He had 15 points on 4-13 shooting to go along with seven assists, six rebounds, two steals, and a block.
Strus added 15 bench points in the loss.
The Cavs executed their game plan against Barnes. They kept him from getting to the rim and forced him to settle for jumpers. The problem for the Cavs was that he made those shots.
Barnes went 7-8 from the midrange and 3-5 from three. This added up to an efficient 33 points on 11-17 shooting.
The Raptors didn’t shoot a high volume of threes, but they canned the ones they took. They went 14-23 (60.9%) from beyond the arc in the victory.
Toronto will look to tie the series at two apiece as they host the Cavs for Game 4 on Sunday. Tip-off is at 1 PM.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 23: Og Anunoby #8 of the New York Knicks reacts after dunking against the Atlanta Hawks during the first quarter of game three of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs at State Farm Arena on April 23, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Maybe the Knicks (1-2) had no business winning this game against the Hawks (2-1). After sleepwalking through a miserable first quarter and falling behind by 18 in the second, they entered halftime down by eight, matched Atlanta’s thirty points in the third quarter, and finally seemed interested in victory late in the fourth quarter. Too little, too late. They finally managed to grab a three-point lead with a minute left, but they were fittingly outdone by CJ McCollum and yet another turnover during the final possession. Final score: 109-108.
In Game Three of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, the Knicks won the paint (56 points to 40) and held their own on the glass (46-45), but it didn’t matter—they lost the game on efficiency. Atlanta shot better (45%-43%), hit threes at a much higher clip (39% to 29%), and turned New York’s 18 turnovers into easy points. Karl-Anthony Towns did his part, scoring 21 points and 17 rebounds, with a team-high +22 plus-minus; and Brunson logged 26 points on 11-of-23 shooting.
But there are plenty of candidates for scapegoat of the game, from the coach (once again taking too long to get Brunson and KAT working together effectively); Mikal Bridges tried three shots and scored zero points; Mitchell Robinson was a -18 in his 11 minutes, grabbing just four boards; and Josh Hart scored just two points on 1-of-9 shooting. Look at all this red:
Funky, clunky start. Through the first six minutes of this contest, the Birds made four of ten field goal attempts, while the Bockers made four of 12. The Knicks briefly held the lead, but promptly fell behind 13-9 by the midway point. Miles McBride (15 PTS, 5-10 3PT, 31 MIN) and Mitchell Robinson were the first substitutions. There was no improvement to report.
The visitors looked clueless—nay, feckless—shooting around 25% while watching the home team pad their lead. Only two of their players (Anunoby and Brunson) scored in the period (seriously); Karl-Anthony Towns had attempted one shot (and missed); and the team had committed five turnovers already. They attempted zero free throws until around 1:30, when Jalen Brunson stepped to the line. Not only did they appear unable to work together, but they seemed rather apathetic about it, too.
Meanwhile, the Hawks clicked into the next gear. They pushed their lead to 11 with around two minutes on the clock and finished the quarter with a 24-9 run. They were beating New York on the boards and moving the ball expertly, assisting on 10 of their 12 made field goals. Off the bench, Jonathan Kuminga (21 PTS, 28 MIN) was a perfect 4-of-4 with 10 points at the quarter’s end. On the other hand, New York couldn’t buy a three-pointer, missing 10 of their 12 attempts. Our heroes scored only 15 points in the final 12 minutes on Monday. Picking up where they left off—which is, in the mud—they managed just 21 in the first quarter. When the bell rang, the good guys were trailing 33-21.
Jose Alvarado and Jordan Clarkson (8 PTS, 4-11 FG, 17 MIN) reported for duty to start the second quarter, but New York’s bench continued to be outscored by Atlanta’s. Encouraging sign: with Brunson taking a blow, Towns finally got on the board with a driving dunk, and after he cashed in two more close-range buckets, the deficit had been cut from 15 to 10 around the middle period. The big fella had made 4-of-5 from the field, while Brunson had shot 5-of-11.
Out of a timeout, McCollum hit a 15-foot turnaround jumper, then Onyeka Okongwu (9 PTS, 7 RBS) stole a Bridges pass for a pick-six, and so much for the momentum. Stan Van Gundy’s yapped about how he would just run pick-and-roll with Towns and Brunson, and we hoped he was sitting close enough for Mike Brown to hear him. With New York shooting 13% (2-of-15) from deep and CJ McCollum (23 PTS, 8-19 FG) operating at another level, the hole reached an ugly 18 points. Edkamlive said it after the game, but it’s just as apt to insert here: “This team is not serious people.”
From there, Towns, Clarkson, and McBride all combined for a 9-0 run, while the Hawks missed five shots. Thanks to their efforts—especially Clarkson—New York was only trailing 58-50 heading into intermission.
After a lackluster first quarter, New York finished the half with better interior numbers. They had won the points in the paint, 32-16, and the glass 24-22. The problem was all in the shooting. Atlanta shot nearly twice as well from three (44% to 21%) and lived at the line (16 attempts to New York’s 5). McCollum, shooting a tidy 6-of-10, led all scorers with 16. Brunson had 13 for the visitors, while Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges had combined to shoot 0-of-6 for no points.
The Knicks scored first out of halftime (a driving dunk by KAT), but then allowed Atlanta to rattled off an 11-2 run. Barely two minutes had passed and Brown needed a timeout to discuss all the things they probably should have discussed in the locker room. The coach replaced Bridges (a team-worst -22) with McBride, and unusual early substitution but the desperate situation called for a touch of inventiveness.
Deuce wasn’t the answer, though, and it came as no great surprise, given that the guy’s only shot 22% in the series so far. Van Gundy was right. The path to taking command of this match-up would be forged by Brunson and Towns. To wit: With Towns and Brunson stepping forward into prominent roles, an 11-0 run to cut the deficit to four.
Quin Snyder’s response was to dial up plays for Nickeil Alexander-Walker (14 PTS, 4-12 FG) and Jalen Johnson (24 PTS, 10 RBS, 8 AST), who pushed the lead to nine again with a triple and drives to the cupl, respectively. Brown decided to go small, subbing in Hart for Towns and going small, making Anunoby the tallest Knick in the fray.
Back-to-back turnovers by Brunson and McBride cost them. Down by 13 again, Brown sent Towns back in for Clarkson around the two minute mark. Since only KAT, Brunson, and Anunoby scored anything in the third period, it was a no-brainer to get Karl back in there. When the quarter finished, both teams had scored 30 points. Hawks up, 88-80.
Into the final frame, the Knicks continued to have opportunities, but blew them with one-and-dones and turnovers. Rather than uniting to mount a rally, their disjointed play continued, and they sat 10 points down with a scant nine minutes left. Brown prefers to let Brunson rest early in the quarter, but sent Captain Clutch back in, hoping to ignite something. McBride hit a triple, Johnson did the same, and the two teams continued to cancel each other out.
Brown also elected to glue Bridges to the bench in the fourth, putting his chips on McBride instead. When McBride swished his second trey of the quarter, our heroes were finally within four points again. Seven minutes left.
The clouds were parting in Georgia, and a sliver of sunlight was peeking through. With four minutes left, Towns was stuffed by Johnson, but Anunoby chased down the loose ball and heaved from the corner to make it 101-99.
Yet again, CJ McCollum hit a midrange dagger, but OG responded with another triple, then McBride hit one, and it was tied at 105 with a little over a minute left. Towns blocked a McCollum reverse drive, and Cap cooked at the other end with an and-one drive. Knicks finally lead, 108-105, with under one minute left.
Towns blocked Johnson at the other end, but the Hawk managed a put-back to make it a one-point game with 53 seconds to go. Coming out of Quin Snyder’s time out, McCollum burned just three seconds to sink a 15-footer. The Peaches were ahead again by one. 12.5 seconds.
For the final possession, Bridges was back in to inbound the ball, but he couldn’t reach Brunson. When it finally did, he drove into a double-team along the baseline. Cap tried to pass the rock to Hart trailing in the paint, but it caught Josh off-guard, Kuminga chased it down, and that was the ballgame, 109-108.
For the second straight game the Knicks choke on the final possession and lose.
For the second time in three nights, the Atlanta Hawks upset New York in the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs, and now the Knicks have fallen behind in the series, 2-1. In Game 2, it was a historic blown lead in the fourth quarter. With New York’s 109-108 loss Thursday, April 23, it was an inability to complete an attempted comeback after trailing most of the game.
So, as for the question above. In short, the answer is yes.
And, if we’re just playing the odds, history shows the massive importance of Game 3s. In the history of Best-of-7 series, the winner of Game 3 following a 1-1 tie has gone on to win the series 74% of the time.
New York’s offense has been something of a mess. Similar to last season, the Knicks rely far too much on Jalen Brunson, particularly in the clutch. Brunson is New York’s best closer, so this does make some practical sense. But the issue is the operation and the way a lot of these shots are created.
The ball often stagnates, which leads to other players standing around, waiting for Brunson to make his move.
Thursday night, when New York couldn’t inbound the ball to Brunson successfully on the last play of the game, the entire play broke down, forcing Brunson to try to play hero ball.
“I like the way we fought back, but there’s a lot of things throughout the game that myself, I can be better at,” Brunson said after the game. “Missed opportunity, for sure.”
Karl-Anthony Towns, who did score 21 points Thursday night, has had inconsistent quarters, and coach Mike Brown often doesn’t do a good enough job of incorporating him as the clear No. 2 option.
And, rather inexplicably, Brown seemingly didn’t correct for an issue in Game 2 that helped spark the Atlanta avalanche that overwhelmed New York: once again, he began the fourth quarter with both Brunson and Towns on the bench at the same time.
Though Brown adjusted and inserted them both back in with 9:25 left to play in the period, it took the beginnings of a Hawks run for him to abandon that strategy.
And while OG Anunoby did bail out New York Thursday with 29 points, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart, a pair of starters, combined to score just 2 points on 1-of-12 shooting.
▶ WATCH: Knicks vs. Hawks Game 3 highlights
On defense, the Knicks have a glaring problem; throughout the entire series, Atlanta has been hunting Brunson, seeking him out in matchups. Hawks guard McCollum made that abundantly clear when a reporter asked him after Game 2 if he liked that matchup.
“What do you think?” McCollum asked the reporter, who shrugged his shoulders and responded in the affirmative.
“Yeah,” McCollum said, with a little extra emphasis.
This continued Thursday night; McCollum, who scored 16 points in the first half, many of them after targeting Brunson.
This is not all to say that the Knicks are going to lose this series; there’s plenty of runway left here for New York to course correct and solve their issues.
But time is running out, and the margin for error has become tenuously thin.
Game 4 Saturday, April 25, also in Atlanta, suddenly is as close to a must-win as it gets.
“The reality is it’s a seven-game series for a reason,” Brown told reporters after the game. “Stuff’s going to happen. There are plenty of teams have been down 1-2. I even think Oklahoma City was down 1-2 and they ended up winning (the NBA Finals). I’m not saying we’re going to win it or anything like that, but the reality is it’s seven games and you take one game at a time. Each game is its own entity and that’s what I told the group.
“Now, this should sting because we gave ourselves a chance knowing we didn’t play our best basketball. So it should sting. But we need to feel it and get ready to be locked in for the next game, which we will be.”
I do not think anyone is surprised by this, but it is worth noting. Following the Phoenix Suns’ loss in Game 2 to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Devin Booker spoke out about the officiating. It was a physical game, and there were some egregious calls that stood out. You could feel his frustration after the final buzzer.
“In my 11 years, I haven’t called a ref out by name, but James [Williams] was terrible tonight,” Booker stated after the game. “Through and through. It’s bad for the sport, bad for the integrity of the sport. People are going to start viewing this as a WWE, you know, if they’re not held responsible.”
Based on those comments, you know the fines would come. Because how dare he question the almighty celestial entity that is NBA officiating?
In a statement by the league, where they announced that Booker would be fined $35,000 for his comments, they stated, “Following an investigation including multiple interviews and video review, the league found no basis of bias or misconduct by game officials.” But they also added that they, “determined Booker’s technical foul at 2:05 in the third quarter was improperly assessed and therefore it has been rescinded.”
Umm, there was no misconduct by the officials, but they still improperly assessed a technical foul, which, if you’re being honest, lives in the same neighborhood as misconduct. Did James Jones proofread that statement before it went out? Because it reads like nonsense. The league is fining Booker for reacting to them being right, which somehow makes the whole thing feel even more ridiculous.
Technical fouls that were assessed to both Dillon Brooks and Lu Dort were rescinded as well.
The technical fouls on Dillon Brooks (PHX) and Luguentz Dort (OKC) issued with 8:15 remaining in the 3rd quarter on April 22 have been rescinded upon league office review.
Essentially, “we didn’t do anything wrong, but also, let’s rescind everything we got wrong”. Moronic.
I think Booker speaking up has a purpose. This is a series where expectations are low, but that does not mean you accept how the game is being called. As things shift back to Phoenix for Game 3, there is a good chance the whistle tightens up. Officials tend to respond in these spots. That can cut both ways. Oklahoma City plays with a lot of physicality, and that could be limited. At the same time, Phoenix may not get every call either. What it does do is create a more balanced environment, one where the Suns can lean into their own physical style.
Booker knew what he was doing. He took the fine, made his point, and put something on the record. Considering he has not called out officials in his 11-year career, it carries some weight.
We will see how much on Saturday at 12:30 in Phoenix.
The Knicks were defeated by the Hawks 109-108 in Game 3 of their first-round matchup on Thursday night.
Atlanta now leads the series, 2-1.
Here are some takeaways...
- The Knicks' offensive struggles from the fourth quarter of Game 2 carried over to the opening quarter of Game 3. New York started slow and never quite found their footing, shooting just 35 percent from the field, including 1-for-10 from three, while turning the ball over six times to put themselves behind early.
Jalen Brunson (11) and OG Anunoby (10) were the only Knicks to score, combining for all 21 of the team's points.
Atlanta started slow as well, but quickly found their footing, shooting 60 percent from the field and 75 percent from three as a team to open up an 11-point advantage after the opening 12 minutes. The Hawks received early contributions from up and down their bench, outscoring New York's reserves 18-0.
- Unlike Game 2, Mike Brown had Karl-Anthony Towns open the second quarter with the second unit. The big man was able to get going, recording his first three buckets of the night and pulling in four boards to help keep the Knicks within striking distance after Atlanta pushed the lead all the way out to 15.
Just when it looked like the Hawks recaptured the momentum led by CJ McCollum's 11 second-quarter points, they missed their final five shots of the half, and the Knicks put together a late run highlighted by back-to-back Miles McBride threes to cut the deficit down to eight at the break.
Both Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges were held without a point in the first half.
- The third was another stretch of back-and-forth runs. Atlanta pushed the advantage out to 15 coming out of the locker room before the Knicks came surging back to cut it all the way back down to a two-possession game, but the Hawks countered once again and got it back to eight heading into the fourth.
Brown switched Hart onto McCollum for the first time, and he held him to just two third-quarter points.
- New York went without Brunson and Towns to open the fourth, and while they were able to keep the deficit to just 10 points, that lineup struggled once again. The first four possessions of the final frame featured three consecutive misses from three-point land and the team's 14th turnover of the night before the dynamic duo came back in.
The Knicks refused to go down quietly, using a late surge to help cut the deficit back down to just one possession. After struggling early, they were able to find their touch from behind the arc, as Anunoby and McBride knocked down clutch threes down the stretch of regulation.
Brunson's lay-in plus the foul gave New York a three-point lead with just over a minute left. Atlanta answered with a bucket, then came up with a massive stop on the other end, before McCollum knocked down a fadeaway jumper to put them back in front with 12.5 remaining.
Brunson turned the ball over on a sloppy possession, as New York suffered its second straight loss.
- The captain finished with 26 points on 11-of-23 from the field, Anunoby led the team with 29, and Towns had 21 points and 17 rebounds, while Hart and Bridges combined for just two points. McBride took advantage of his opportunity, knocking down five threes off the bench.
Game MVP: CJ McCollum
McCollum was once again a thorn in the Knicks' side, knocking down the late winner.
ATLANTA — Jalen Brunson had the ball in his hands with a chance to win.
Captain Clutch came up empty.
Trailing by one point in the final seconds, Brunson turned the ball over as the Knicks’ comeback fell short in a 109-108 loss to the Hawks in Game 3 Thursday night at State Farm Arena. The Knicks now trail the series 2-1.
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) looses the ball to Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7) during the fourth quarter on April 23, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York PostNew York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) reacts after he is called for a foul during the fourth quarter. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Brunson threw his hands up in exasperation as his pass trickled away from Josh Hart and Hawks-colored confetti fell from the rafters. After trailing by 11 with 8:06 left in the game, the Knicks had a chance to flip the script and pull off their own late-game stunner after collapsing in Game 2.
But in the biggest moment, they didn’t even get a shot off. It took a while to get Brunson the ball — and when he finally got it, the Hawks doubled him in the corner with Onyeka Okongwu and Jonathan Kuminga. Brunson’s pass bounced past Hart, and that was that.
And it was CJ McCollum, the biggest Knicks villain this series, yet again who twisted the knife into the Knicks’ hearts. After going quiet in the second half, he drilled the go-ahead bucket with 12.7 seconds left. It has been McCollum, not Brunson, who has owned this series.
Jalen Brunson turned the ball over in the final seconds to seal the Knicks’ loss. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“This should sting,” coach Mike Brown said after the game. “Because we gave ourselves a chance, knowing that we didn’t play our best basketball, so it should sting.
“We need to feel it and get ready to be locked in for the next game, which we will be.”
OG Anunoby hit a 3-pointer with 3:50 left to cut the Knicks’ deficit to just two points. He soon after hit another 3-pointer to cut the deficit to one point. Miles McBride — on the floor in place of the benched Mikal Bridges — hit a 3-pointer to tie the game with 1:41 left.
Brunson’s and-1 gave the Knicks a 3-point lead with 52.6 seconds left. He then had a chance to ice the game on the next and penultimate possession, but air-balled after the offense broke down with 16.4 seconds left. Then came McCollum’s dagger. Then came Brunson’s game-ending turnover.
“I wish I had a better answer for you,” Brunson said when asked to explain the last two possessions. “I got nothing right now.”
Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) goes up for a shot between New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
In truth, it wasn’t just Brunson who came up empty. The Knicks as a whole came up empty.
They shot just 43.0 percent from the field and a paltry 28.6 percent from 3-point range. They committed 18 turnovers. In the first half, they were unable to slow down the Hawks defensively.
Brunson finished with 26 points, but he was overburdened, missed all five of his 3-pointers and had three turnovers. He was also torched by McCollum again, forcing the Knicks to switch their coverage. McCollum had 16 points on 6-for-10 shooting from the field in the first half. It was Hart, who switched onto McCollum in the second half, who managed to slow him down.
Until the final moments, at least.
“It hurts more that we put ourselves in position to win but we just didn’t close the show,” Karl-Anthony Towns said. “I think that’s why everyone is emotional. It’s tough, but we’ve got to keep our heads up. It’s OK to be disappointed. That means we care. We’ve got to get the next one.”
In Bridges’ growing list of lowlights, this was right at the top. He went scoreless, having missed all three shots he took, and committed four turnovers. He was a game-worst minus-26.
And he was benched twice — in the third quarter and the fourth quarter.
Hart, other than his good defense, had nine rebounds and six assists. But he had just two points and was 1-for-9 from the field.
Towns and Anunoby were the only starters with steady offensive production. McBride hit five threes off the bench.
“Right now,” Hart said, “there’s no room to feel sorry for ourselves.”
Jalen Brunson (11) reacts on the court during the third quarter.
Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
After the Knicks fell behind with 5:59 left in the first quarter, they trailed until McBride tied the game with 1:41 left in the game. Their deficit reached as much as 18 points. For the vast majority, it was one-sided. The late comeback should not mask the larger issues the Knicks are having in this matchup.
“There’s a lot of things throughout the game that myself can be better at,” Brunson said. “Missed opportunity for sure.”
Hart held his head in a towel in the locker room after the game. Towns held his head in his hands, staring at the floor. Brunson, at the podium, searched for answers.
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) goes up for a shot in front of Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) during the third quarter. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Ring the alarm bells. Hit the panic button.
The Knicks might not yet be on the ropes. But they’re certainly reeling.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon was ruled out of Game 3 of the first-round NBA playoff series at Minnesota on Thursday because of tightness in his left calf muscle.
After initially listing Gordon as questionable to face the Timberwolves, the Nuggets downgraded the 12th-year veteran to doubtful before coach David Adelman declared him out before tipoff. Spencer Jones took Gordon's place in the starting lineup, after totaling just 19 minutes over the first two games.
“Obviously it’s a downer. But it’s over. He’s not playing, so the guys that are are prepared to win," Adelman said.
Gordon, who had 17 points in Game 1, felt the injury after scoring eight points in Denver's Game 2 loss on Monday that allowed Minnesota to tie the series. The Nuggets have also been without forward Peyton Watson for the series because of a strained right hamstring.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 21: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets is double teamed by Rui Hachimura #28 and Marcus Smart #36 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of Game Two of the NBA Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, 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
The series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets shifts to the latter’s homebase on Friday.
The Lakers look to take a commanding 3-0 lead in Game 3.
Just when everyone thought the Lakers wouldn’t match their performance in Game 1, the purple and gold took their game to another level in Game 2. Not only did their offense overwhelm the Rockets, but their defense was equally impactful, leading to their second straight victory in this series. It has seemed as if Houston has been a step or two behind the Lakers and Game 3 will be their opportunity to catch up.
Now that the series shifts to Houston, the challenge only gets tougher for the purple and gold. Yes, L.A. is up 2-0 and they deserve a lot of praise for doing it without Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. But now they’ll likely see a more desperate Rockets team ready to go all out to save their season. At least, that should be the expectation for Game 3.
Here’s what else the Lakers should expect from the Rockets:
A more physical and gritty Rockets team
The Rockets know they’ve been getting punked and embarrassed over the last two games so expect them to rectify that in this one. Look for them to feed off their crowd, which should give them a much-needed boost. Note that the Rockets performed quite well (30-11) on their home floor during the season, so there’s a good chance that they play significantly better in Game 3 than they did in their first two games.
It’s also fair to expect the Rockets to shoot better because that’s what often happens when a team plays on its home floor. Their role players like Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Şengün, Amen Thompson and Tari Eason will play with more confidence while Kevin Durant will likely look to be the hero again. The Lakers will have to be ready.
Adjustments on offense
In Game 2, the Lakers focused trapped Durant hard and mercilessly hunted Alperen Şengün on offense, daring the Rockets’ role players to step up. Expect that to be different in Game 3 with Ime Udoka countering with his own adjustments.
This is where the series gets fun as both coaches will be forced to react (or not) and counter. It’s going to be interesting to see how Udoka finds a way to make scoring easier for the Rockets, who badly need to do that if they don’t want a repeat of Games 1 and 2.
Defense to tighten up
At this point, the Rockets are likely sick of Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart. It’s a cliche that role players don’t perform as well on the road and it’ll be interesting to see if that applies to not just Kennard and Smart but also the likes of Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton and Jarred Vanderbilt. The Rockets will also attempt to prevent LeBron James from controlling the pace and momentum, which he has done so well in the series thus far.
Heading into Game 3, the Rockets will most probably play their best basketball yet and how the Lakers handle them will determine the outcome of this one. The past two games showed that Los Angeles has able to handle every challenge thrown at them and we’ll see if they can continue to shock the world and keep doing just that on Friday as L.A. looks to go 3-0 in the series.
Notes and Updates
There is a major change to the Lakers’ injury report with Austin Reaves (left oblique muscle strain) now listed as questionable. Luka Dončić (left hamstring strain) is out.
For the Rockets, Steven Adams (left ankle surgery) and Fred VanVleet (ACL surgery) are out while Kevin Durant (left ankle sprain) is questionable.
SAN ANTONIO, TX -APRIL 21: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs holds his head after falling to the court against the Portland Trailblazers in the first half of Game Two of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center on April 21, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Spurs’ injury report for Game 3 against the Trail Blazers had a pleasant surprise. Victor Wembanyama, who exited Game 2 after hitting his head on the floor following a big fall and entered the league’s concussion protocol, was listed as “Questionable,” which means there’s a chance he could suit up.
Initially, it seemed like Wembanyama would miss some time, but he showed good progress, according to Spurs coach Mitch Johnson, and traveled with the team to Portland. He was widely expected to be out for Friday’s matchup, as he still needs league clearance before being able to return to play, but he hasn’t been ruled out, which is fantastic news for San Antonio. It’s still unlikely he’ll be available for Game 3, going by his status in the injury report, but the fact that there’s even a possibility is encouraging and a sign that he could be on the floor for Game 4.
The Spurs head to Portland with a tied series, after winning Game 1 and losing a very close Game 2 in which Wembanyama only played 12 minutes before having to exit. They beat the Trail Blazers 2-1 in the regular season series, including a win on the road, with Wembanyama missing all three games, but the Blazers were also missing some players. The seventh seed has proved to be a tough opponent so far, coming out of the play-in and taking a game in San Antonio. The Silver and Black could still beat them without Wembanyama, but it would likely be a close series that could go either way. If Wemby is back soon, the Spurs go back to being prohibitive favorites.
Jordan McLaughlin was listed as out by the Spurs. The only Trail Blazer to be listed as out is Damian Lillard.
Wembanyama was unanimously crowned Defensive Player of the Year for 2025/26. He’s a finalist for Most Valuable Player. In Game 1’s win, he had 35 points, five rebounds, and two blocks.
The NBA's newly crowned Defensive Player of the Year was officially listed as questionable in the Spurs' injury report released Thursday, April 23. Game 3 is scheduled for Friday, April 24 (10:30 p.m. ET) in Portland.
Wembanyama left Game 2 of their first-round playoff series with a concussion after tripping while driving toward the basket against the Blazers' Jrue Holiday and hitting his head on the court. The incident occurred with just under nine minutes remaining in the second quarter.
Wembanyama remained on the floor, then gathered himself and hurried to the locker room under his own power and was quickly evaluated by the team's medical staff. Shortly thereafter, it was announced that he had entered the league’s concussion protocol and would not return to the game.
Victor Wembanyama (concussion protocol) is OUT for the remainder of the game after hitting his head on the court. pic.twitter.com/qP8tAf6osN
Wembanyama finished with five points, four rebounds, and one assist in just 12 minutes of play.
Since his NBA career started in 2023, the Spur phenom has suffered various injuries to his ankle and shoulder, among other places, but this is the first concussion.
"He has a concussion and he’s in the protocol, and we’ll obviously take the proper and appropriate steps," Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said after Game 2.
Wembanyama traveled with the Spurs to Portland for Games 3 and 4 this weekend, while continuing to abide by the NBA's concussion protocol.
While San Antonio Coach Mitch Johnson said Thursday, April 23 that his star is "progressing," Wembanyama's status for Game 2 remains questionable.
According the reports, Wembanyama was at the team’s practice facility Thursday, walking around in a black hoodie and gray sweatpants and got a few shots off.
What is the NBA's policy on concussions?
According to the NBA’s concussion protocol, a player who sustains a head injury is not eligible to return to play for at least 48 hours from the time of diagnosis. However, after 24 hours, if the player’s symptoms have not worsened, they may gradually resume basketball activities under close supervision. Full clearance to return to game action is only granted after the player is symptom-free and receives approval from the team’s medical staff.
“It’s pretty straightforward,” Johnson said, according to the Associated Press. “Obviously, we hope he’ll be back at some point. But we’ll allow the protocol to play out. And again, there’s nothing more important than his health.”
The officiating in Game 2 between the Phoenix Suns and the Oklahoma City Thunder has sparked a full-blown firestorm. Around the league, people are watching the tape, rewinding possessions, isolating moments, and landing in the same place. The whistle was bad. Really bad. So bad that even Bill Simmons is chiming in on the Suns’ behalf, which isn’t something he’s known for doing. Phoenix is generally an afterthought for ‘ole Billy Boston.
Okay. Bill wasn’t defending Phoenix as much as he was criticizing the Thunder. And that is where plenty of the venom is directed today. The spotlight is bright on the flopping, foul-baiting, and fortuitous whistles that have continually benefited OKC. It never helps when Albert Sanders, the Head of Referee Operations, tweets about his affinity for the Thunder, albeit 12 years ago.
Sure, it’s not correlated. James Williams’ poor officiating performance on Wednesday night is not a direct result of the Head of Referee Operations’ prior allegiances. He’s not a sleeper cell agent embedded deep within the NBA officiating crew with the singular goal of helping the Thunder defeat the Suns in the First Round. But it does make for poor optics.
The officiating was questionable during Game 2. It reached a point where, in the postgame press conference, Devin Booker spoke with such clarity that it left little room for interpretation. He said what he saw. He said what he felt.
“It just feels disrespectful,” Booker stated. “I haven’t won a championship in this league, but you know, I have been in it for 11 years now. So to get to this point, to be treated like that, for me to even be saying something out loud. It’s bad.”
And then there is Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia, who took to social media and added his voice to the noise.
I am 100% behind Devin Booker here. Last night was not a good look for our league. Let me be clear, we didn’t lose because of officiating, but that doesn’t make last night any less important. If the referees are going to demand respect from the players – as they should – then the… https://t.co/SR0lM9Y3FS
I applaud Mr. Ishbia for standing on business. Accountability as it pertains to officiating is something every fan deserves, and is certainly something I’ve had my rants about in the past.
Fines feel inevitable. Booker will hear from the league office, no doubt. Ultimately, it does nothing for Phoenix. Oklahoma City is the better team, and as Mat Ishbia noted, this was not decided by the whistle. That part is understood. What lingers is the bigger picture, how opponents and fan bases view the Thunder, and how moments like this add fuel to a narrative that continues to grow.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are the defending champions, and they carry that weight every night. They rebuilt from the ashes after Kevin Durant left for the Golden State Warriors, and what they turned Russell Westbrook and Paul George into will be studied for years. Sam Presti built a machine. It is precise, it is deep, and it wins.
There is also a conversation that follows them. In today’s NBA, players impact the game in a number of ways: scoring, rebounding, facilitating, and defending. But there is another layer, which is a skill nonetheless, and that is the ability to draw a whistle. The ability to control pace, to create contact, and to put officials in a position where a call feels necessary. Oklahoma City leans into that skill, and they have a roster full of players who understand it.
It works. 57+ wins in three straight seasons. A title. And dominance that draws envy from every corner of the league. It also shapes perception. When possessions end with whistles that feel questionable, it pulls attention away from how good they are and places it on how they win. And that part, fair or not, continues to follow them.
I spend a lot of time on opposing team subreddits during games, pulling quotes for the Sub-Reddit Stakeout segment on the Suns JAM Session podcast. It’s one of the darker sides of the Internet, as reactionary takes are the norm and the world is always on the brink of Armageddon. When visiting the Thunder’s game threads, there is one thing that is clear. This fan base feels like it is constantly defending itself. That turns into something else over time. It turns into misery.
I spend a lot of time on opposing team’s sub-Reddit’s during games to see how they perceive the game. I can safely say that no team’s fan base is more miserable than OKC’s. Rather than appreciating the greatness of their team, they complain constantly about how they’re wronged
They are not sitting in the moment and enjoying a championship-level team. They are dissecting every possession, tracking every whistle, asking why more calls are not coming their way. It reads as hypocritical when you watch the film. Off ball grabbing, pulling on cutters, locking up defenders, then on the other end a box out turns into a grab and a fall and the whistle follows. Because the reputation is there, because the conversation never leaves, they cannot escape it. They live in it. Of all the subreddits this season, they are the best team with the most miserable fans.
There’s a connection between those two realities. When a fanbase is locked into every whistle and every perceived slight, it amplifies the scrutiny around how that team actually plays. And right now, that spotlight cuts both ways. The same physicality they benefit from becomes more visible, more debatable, and harder to ignore. That is why this moment matters beyond the outcome of the series. Even if Oklahoma City advances, the conversation does not disappear. It follows them and amplifies. And Phoenix, by pushing back and forcing those sequences into focus, is helping define how that style will be judged the rest of the postseason.
The backlash from the Suns won’t swing this series. Oklahoma City is going to win, and that is fine. Phoenix gets more basketball, more reps, and more clarity against a better team. That has value. What Phoenix is doing right now still matters. It shines a light. It puts this style under a microscope as the postseason moves forward.
There will be attention on the officiating from Wednesday night. The league will review it, and whistles tend to tighten when the noise gets loud enough. That impacts what comes next. Other teams will see it and other teams will benefit from it. Oklahoma City’s fan base will not like that. That part is predictable.
Zoom out, and it feels like the conversation has shifted beyond Phoenix. It is not that the world is on the Suns’ side, it is that the world is pushing back on Oklahoma City.
Suns fans better not get confused that the national media is on their side today
NBA media wants OKC to be kept in check for future series
The Suns did not lose because of the officiating, and everybody knows this
For many people, this is when they lock into the NBA, as the playoffs bring new eyes and fresh attention. This is the product they are seeing. Devin Booker gets hit with an unnatural shooting motion call, on the other end, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lives in that same space. It feels forced. It feels off. And as Booker said, it starts to chip away at the integrity of the game.
And that is the part the league should care about most. Not the fines, not the postgame quotes, not even the outcome of this series, but the feeling it leaves behind. When the conversation shifts from execution to officiating, from greatness to gamesmanship, it muddies what should be a showcase of the sport at its highest level. Oklahoma City is too good, too complete, and too well-built for the discourse to keep circling back to the whistle. But until that balance is corrected, until the game feels as natural as it is elite, this narrative will linger. Not because people are looking for something to complain about, but because, right now, it is too visible to ignore.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are looking to do what hasn't been done in nearly a decade in the NBA: win back-to-back titles.
Although their path to the NBA Finals will be difficult, as they are almost guaranteed to have to face two of the Lakers, Rockets, Nuggets, Timberwolves, and Spurs in the next two rounds, they have proven themselves a capable team very much worthy of creating the next NBA dynasty.
However, their road to the championship was just made a whole lot tougher.
Williams exited during the third quarter after grabbing his left hamstring following a layup attempt and did not return. The 2025 NBA All-Star had scored 19 points on 7-for-11 shooting in 23 minutes when he exited the game.
Williams has proven himself an invaluable asset to this Thunder squad and an extended absence could be devastating to the Thunder's championship hopes.
Jalen Williams evaluation
Williams will be evaluated on a week-to-week basis. According to The Oklahoman, part of the USA TODAY Network, a Grade 1 hamstring strain is a mild strain with very little torn muscle. The injury usually has a recovery timeline of 1-2 weeks, which would keep Williams sidelined for at least Games 3-5 of the first round.
This injury is rather concerning for Williams considering that Williams already missed 49 games this season due to a hamstring strain in his right leg.
Williams has also suffered other injuries since last year's NBA Finals victory, undergoing wrist surgery soon after the championship, which forced him to miss the start of the regular season.
Jalen Williams stats
Jalen Williams averaged 17.1 points and 5.5 assists per game this season, a major reason the team boasted the best record in the NBA this season. Williams recorded 22 points and seven rebounds in Oklahoma City's Game 1 win.
CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 20: Jarrett Allen #31 and Max Strus #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers high five during the game against the Toronto Raptors during round one Game two of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 20, 2026 at Rocket Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes /NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
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We may not know the availability of the San Antonio Spurs’ star until shortly before tip-off against the Portland Trail Blazers.
These Spurs vs. Trail Blazers predictions and NBA picks have a better chance of cashing if Victor Wembanyama is ruled out, but it could still win with him in the lineup on Friday, April 24.
If Wembanyama plays, De’Aaron Fox could still score 20+ points... but if Wembanyama does not, this thought may become an assurance.
Fox averaged 24.6 points in 18 games without Wembanyama this season, clearing this prop in 15 of those 18 contests.
Stephon Castle averaged 6.8 rebounds per game in eight matches without Wembanyama, a number deflated by a reboundless 16-minute showing in November. Remove that, and it jumps to 7.7 rpg in seven games.
As for including the Over with Wembanyama on the sideline, he is the unanimous Defensive Player of the Year. San Antonio’s defensive rating jumps 6.6 points per 100 possessions in games that Wembanyama does not play.
There is too much value in this thought not to include the Over, regardless of knowing Wemby’s status.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
You had my interest, but now you have my attention, Portland Trail Blazers.
While no one is glad Victor Wembanyama suffered a concussion in Game 2, the San Antonio Spurs suddenly have a series on their hands.
My Spurs vs. Trail Blazers predictions and NBA picks should hold up regardless of whether Wembanyama takes the court on Friday, April 24.
Spurs vs Trail Blazers prediction
Spurs vs Trail Blazers best bet: De’Aaron Fox Over 19.5 points (-110)
Victor Wembanyama has traveled with the San Antonio Spurs to the Pacific Northwest. That is the first step toward him playing this weekend, though one has to remain skeptical that he will play Game 3.
The Spurs are plenty competitive without Wembanyama. Playing the Portland Trail Blazers without him will not assure a loss in any regard, and concussions are not something to rush back from.
Wembanyama’s availability won’t be entirely up to San Antonio; once in concussion protocols, a league doctor also has to sign off on his ability to play. He very well might play, but the savvy bettor finds a bet that could cash with Wembanyama playing and has even better odds with him sidelined.
A bet like trusting De’Aaron Fox to pour in some points.
In 54 games alongside Wembanyama this regular season, Fox averaged 16.5 points. In 18 contests with Wembanyama sidelined, Fox averaged 24.6 points.
Fox attempted 4.2 more shots per game without Wembanyama on the court, including two additional 3-pointers.
Do not fret that this is the result of a few high-scoring matches. Fox scored 20 or more points in 15 of those 18 games without Wembanyama.
Even with his star Frenchman center on the court, Fox could very well clear this modest points prop, and the number becomes even more favorable if Wembanyama misses Game 3.
Spurs vs Trail Blazers same-game parlay
Similar to the logic of Fox averaging 8.1 more points in games without Wembanyama, Stephon Castle averaged 6.8 rebounds per contest in eight games without the Spurs’ centerpiece, compared to just 5.1 across 60 with him.
This prop could cash if Wemby plays, but looks far more likely if he doesn’t.
And unsurprisingly, San Antonio’s defensive rating spikes without Wembanyma on the court, 6.6 points worse per 100 possessions in 18 games without him.
Somewhat surprisingly, the Spurs’ offensive rating does not waver.
Spurs vs Trail Blazers SGP
De'Aaron Fox Over 19.5 points
Stephon Castle Over 5.5 rebounds
Over 220.5
Our "from downtown" SGP: Rose City
If Wembanyama is sidelined or even just limited, this is Portland's chance to see a path to the second round.
You cannot let this opportunity pass you by. Desperation needs to be the Blazers' default.
A spread of +1.5 is effectively a tilted pick’em, and it is undervaluing what Wembanyama means.
San Antonio was favored by 10.5 in Game 2. Adjusting for homecourt, a quick line of +4.5 would make sense on Friday night.
Is Wembanyama really worth only three points? Until Portland is favored, lean into this, via spread or moneyline.
Over/Under: Over 220.5 (-110) | Under 220.5 (-110)
Spurs vs Trail Blazers betting trend to know
Portland went 25-16 against the spread at home this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Spurs vs. Trail Blazers.
How to watch Spurs vs Trail Blazers Game 3
Location
Moda Center, Portland, OR
Date
Friday, April 24, 2026
Tip-off
10:30 p.m. ET
TV
Prime Video
Spurs vs Trail Blazers latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
