Category: Basketball

Minnesota Timberwolves at Philadelphia 76ers
Date: April 3rd, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM CDT
Location: Xfinity Mobile Arena
Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network – North
Radio Coverage: KFAN FM, Wolves App, iHeart Radio

A week ago, the Timberwolves were coming off the kind of delirious, season-saving, are-you-kidding-me comeback against Houston that makes you start doing the dangerous thing again: believing.

And then Detroit happened.

It was yet another one of those Sunday matinee corpse performances where the Wolves look like they just met in the layup line and are personally offended to be asked to play basketball. After getting their doors blown off at home to the tune of a 22-point defeat, one would hope that the Wolves would show up motivated and return the favor. To their credit, Minnesota put up a much better fight. For long stretches last night in Detroit, they were right there. They traded blows. They competed. They matched physicality. They hung in the fight against the best team in the Eastern Conference despite getting an unexpected curveball when Anthony Edwards, after returning for just one game from his knee issue, was ruled out with an illness.

To be fair, Detroit was missing its own star in Cade Cunningham, so this wasn’t exactly Wolves JV versus the 1996 Bulls. This was a supporting-cast showdown, and Minnesota simply came up short. The game eventuall swung on one of those brutally familiar stretches that define entire seasons in the NBA. The Wolves had a four-point lead in the fourth quarter, and then in what felt like about 90 seconds, Detroit ripped off an 11-0 run, flipping that lead into a seven-point deficit. That was the game. Minnesota fought after that. The motor was there. The effort to close the gap was real. But once they gave away control, they never truly got it back.

And that is what makes this one sting.

Losing in Detroit, on its own, is not shameful. The Pistons are legitimately good. They are tough. They rebound. They defend. But the standings do not care about context, and the standings definitely do not care about Minnesota’s moral almosts. The Wolves are now firmly back in the sixth seed, a full game behind Houston, with the Denver chase for the four seed and home court advantage starting to feel a little like that scene in every action movie where the hero sees the helicopter lifting off just as he reaches the roof.

It is still there. Technically. But not if the Wolves keep dropping games. Realistically, the Wolves need a 6-0 table run the rest of the way for home court to even be a realistic possibility.

Which is why Friday night in Philadelphia is not just “the second night of a back-to-back.” It is not just another road game before the post-season. It is one of those quietly enormous games that become even larger because of the one before it. If Minnesota had held serve in Detroit, this would have felt like an opportunity. Now it feels closer to a requirement. Drop this one too, and suddenly you are not talking about climbing anymore. You are talking about the sixth seed hardening around you.

That is where the Wolves are now. There is no mystery to the situation. The runway is short. The Western Conference is still a knife fight. The Rockets are catchable, yes, and the Wolves do still have that second-to-last-game showdown with Houston that could flip everything. But only if they do not keep bleeding ground in the games along the way. That is the key now. Do not lose the ground you still have. Stay close enough for the final push to matter.

And that starts in Philadelphia.

This is the part of the season where you find out whether a team has another gear or whether it has just been revving in neutral and making a lot of noise. The Wolves are going to have to find that gear now, because if they want to finish any higher than sixth, if they want to improve on last year’s standing, if they want home court to be something more than a distant daydream, then this is one of those games they absolutely have to gut out.

And with that, here are the keys to the game.

1. Find the Shot Again

Last night, Minnesota shot 31 percent from three, and even that number was wearing makeup. Mike Conley rolled back the clock and knocked down four threes. Otherwise, the Wolves’ perimeter attack was a horror show. Donte DiVincenzo, Ayo Dosunmu, and Bones Highland went a combined 3-for-20 from deep. That is not a slump. That is a coordinated system failure.

Maybe it is unfair to ask for great shooting on the second night of a back-to-back after a high-energy game in Detroit. Too bad. The Wolves need it anyway. This team is not wired to survive offensively when its best floor-spacers are launching bricks into low orbit. They do not need to shoot 45 percent from three like they did against Dallas, but they absolutely have to get back into a healthy rhythm from deep. Mid-30s should be the goal.

When the Wolves are missing those clean catch-and-shoot looks, everything else tightens. The offense gets sticky. The spacing shrinks. The decision-making gets slower. Suddenly every drive feels like rush hour traffic. They cannot afford that again.

2. Reclaim the Paint

Detroit did not just beat the Wolves. It physically imposed itself on them, especially around the basket. Jalen Duren, for the second time in three games, gave Minnesota’s front line all kinds of problems. He rebounded. He finished. He made Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle, and Naz Reid work in ways that kept the Wolves from ever feeling comfortable. The Pistons out-rebounded Minnesota and repeatedly turned the paint into Detroit property.

Now the Wolves go into Philadelphia, where Joel Embiid is back and waiting. That should terrify Minnesota just enough to bring out its best.

Gobert, Randle, and Reid cannot afford another game where they get pushed around or outworked in the interior. It is not just about stopping Embiid from getting his numbers. It is about not letting the Sixers own the glass, not giving them second and third chances, and not allowing the Wolves’ biggest structural advantage to become a neutral factor. Gobert has to be massive here. He needs to vacuum up rebounds, contest everything, and create easy offense with putbacks and lobs. The Wolves’ frontcourt has to set the tone in this game, because if they lose the paint battle and the rebounding battle, then they are asking their guards to win a game from the outside on tired legs, and that is not a winning formula.

3. Bring the Perimeter Defense

The last time these teams met, Tyrese Maxey more or less treated Minnesota’s perimeter defense like it was a series of optional suggestions. He got downhill. He got comfortable. He got whatever he wanted. The Wolves’ guards offered about as much resistance as a loose shower curtain, and the whole thing quickly turned into one of those patented Wolves matinee nightmares where the opponent looks faster, sharper, and much more aware that there is a basketball game going on.

That cannot happen again.

This is one of those matchups where the point-of-attack defense matters almost more than anything else. Maxey cannot be allowed to just pick a lane and go. The Wolves have to be deliberate here. Strong on-ball pressure. Better contain. Smarter help. Crisp closeouts. If Maxey is getting loose and putting Gobert in constant scramble mode, then Minnesota is in trouble.

The perimeter defenders have to act like they take this personally. Otherwise, it is going to be one of those nights where the Sixers’ guards are in the paint every trip, the rotations are late, and the score starts sliding in the wrong direction before the Wolves even realize what happened.

4. Maintain the Physicality and Intensity

One encouraging thing from Detroit was that Minnesota did not get punked emotionally. They matched the Pistons’ physicality. They played with edge. They fought. That matters, because now the Wolves have to carry that same tone into a road game, on no rest, with the standings tightening around their throat.

This is one of those nights where the game can get away from you not because the other team is that much better, but because you are just half a step slower, just a little more tired, just a little less sharp. That is where the physicality matters. That is where the intensity matters. That is where all the little effort plays like boxing out, chasing loose balls, sprinting back, setting hard screens, and cutting with force start to decide things.

The Wolves are going to need real hunger here, because if this becomes a mental game of exhaustion then Philadelphia will bury them. They need to play like a team that understands the stakes and refuses to let fatigue become an excuse.

5. Anthony Edwards Needs to Put the Cape Back On

If Anthony Edwards plays, this has to be his game.

Simple as that.

The last time Minnesota went into Philadelphia, Edwards had one of those classic Ant moments where the game was hanging there, wobbling, looking for someone to claim it, and he just slammed the door with a dagger three. He had the Dallas game to work himself back into rhythm after the knee issue. Then he lost Thursday to illness, which means if he is available, he will also be the freshest major piece on Minnesota’s roster. That matters on the second night of a back-to-back.

Randle has stepped up admirably while Edwards has been out. He has absorbed the primary scoring burden, created offense, and done a lot of the heavy lifting. But against a Philly team that has been playing better, against Maxey and Embiid, on the road, in a game this important, it feels like the Wolves need an apex-player night. Not just a 28-point night. A full, commanding, gravity-bending, “I am the best player in this building” kind of night.

If Ant is out there, Minnesota needs him to put the cape back on.

This Is the Part Where You Either Climb or Get Comfortable

Heading into this back-to-back, we knew the Wolves could not afford to lose both games. That was true before Detroit. It is even more true now. There are too few games left and too much at stake to keep burning opportunities. Yes, Houston is only a game ahead. Yes, the Wolves still have that huge second-to-last-game meeting with the Rockets that could flip the tiebreaker and the standings in one shot. But if Minnesota keeps dropping games like this one along the way, then that Houston battle becomes less of a showdown and more of an afterthought.

That is why this one matters so much.

It is not just the second night of a back-to-back. It is not just a road game in Philly. It is a gut-check. It is a pressure test. It is one of those nights where you find out if the Wolves actually want more than the sixth seed or if they are going to keep hovering there like a team waiting for the season to happen to them instead of taking hold of it themselves.

No one said this was going to be easy. That ship sailed months ago, probably sometime during one of those weird winter losses where they let a bad team hang around and then spent the postgame talking about energy and execution. This is the position they put themselves in. No room. No cushion. No clean escape route.

So now it is time to dig.

If they want the four seed, if they want to catch Houston, if they want to avoid finishing at the bottom rung and muttering about what could have been, then this is one of those nights they simply have to find a way.

And if Anthony Edwards is out there, under the lights, in a game where the standings are quietly screaming in the background, then the Wolves need him to be exactly what he has so often been in these spots.

The closer.
The tone-setter.
The guy who makes all the “if only” talk disappear for one night.

Because the runway is short now, and the Wolves have officially reached the point of the season where every game is either a step up the ladder or a door slammed shut.

Entering the final week of the NBA regular season, the playoff picture is largely set.

In the Western Conference, five teams have already clinched postseason berths, with the Timberwolves on the verge of securing the final automatic spot. The Suns, Trail Blazers, Clippers and Warriors are positioned for the play-in tournament.

In the Eastern Conference, the top 10 teams are guaranteed, at least, a play-in spot. The Hawks, 76ers, Raptors, Hornets, Magic and Heat remain mathematically alive for a top-six seed and an automatic playoff berth — a race that will be worth monitoring over the final week.

Though seeding matters, more important is how these teams project once the postseason begins.

Stars ultimately determine a team’s ceiling, but playoff outcomes are often decided on the margins. Whether it’s knocking down shots, creating secondary offense or making an impact on the defensive end of the floor, the contributions of role players can change the trajectory of a team’s season. Iconic moments like Ray Allen’s 3-pointer in Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals are sometimes the difference between a championship or a premature playoff exit.

Using NBA StatsHub, we can identify the role players whose impact may be undervalued heading into the postseason.

Gary Payton II, Golden State Warriors

Stephen Curry will reportedly return to action Sunday against the Rockets, which is the most important news for Golden State as they prepare for the play-in tournament. However, even if Curry returns – it’s unlikely that he will immediately perform like an MVP candidate, considering the severity of his knee injury and the fact that he hasn’t played since Jan. 30.

Contributions from elsewhere on the roster will be necessary if Golden State hopes to pull off an upset in the play-in tournament. Gary Payton II could be one key ingredient.

During the past month, Payton is averaging 13.7 points and 5.8 rebounds in 23.1 minutes for the Warriors. He’s been extremely efficient, shooting 66.7% from the floor. He has a +10.9% Field Goal Percentage Over Expectation during that span, indicating that he’s been making a number of tough shots, too.

Factor in that Payton has been an asset on the defensive end of the floor and it’s not difficult to see his value.

Rui Hachimura, Los Angeles Lakers

Luka Dončić, LeBron James and Austin Reaves are the obvious big pieces for the Lakers, but players like Rui Hachimura could be the difference between an early exit or a deeper playoff run in Los Angeles.

In the last 30 days, Hachimura has been one of the team’s most efficient scorers, with a 10.9% Field Goal Percentage Over Expectation. His ability to finish around the rim and knock down perimeter shots helps with spacing around the team’s primary playmakers.

The Lakers have also been 1.4 points better per 100 possessions defensively with Hachimura on the floor since the All-Star break.

Justin Edwards, Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are 23-13 SU with Joel Embiid on the floor this year, compared to a 19-21 SU record without him. The team has intentionally monitored Embiid’s workload during the regular season in an effort to have him healthy at the most important time of the year.

One benefit of such an approach is that Philadelphia has been able to see who else is able to be a solid contributor for them in big moments. Justin Edwards’ development could end up being a difference maker this spring for the 76ers.

Since the beginning of April, he’s averaging 12.0 points per game on 54.3% shooting. His 10.3% Field Goal Percentage Over Expectation is among the best in the NBA for players averaging fewer than 30 minutes per game. Edwards has also been one of the team’s better defenders since the All-Star break.

Duncan Robinson, Detroit Pistons

Duncan Robinson doesn’t offer the defensive value that other names on this list provide to their teams, but he is an elite asset on the offensive end of the floor. Since the All-Star break, Detroit’s offensive rating is 11.1 points better with him on the court.

In the last month, Robinson is averaging 11.5 points on 51.5% shooting – even more impressive when considering that more than half of his shot attempts come from beyond-the-arc. Robinson has a 10.1% Field Goal Percentage Over Expectation during that span.

The Takeaway

Stars get all the credit for postseason success, and their failures are often held against them. However, the difference between advancing and going home often relies on much more than simply how well the best player on the team performs.

Players like Gary Payton II, Rui Hachimura, Justin Edwards and Duncan Robinson don’t win end-of-season accolades, nor are they the focal point of morning talk shows. Nevertheless, their teams appreciate their contributions and their ability to convert difficult shots, provide efficient secondary offense, and contribute in high-leverage moments makes them critical pieces in a playoff setting.

Tools like NBA StatsHub can help us identify the role players who have the ability to outperform expectation when it matters most.

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The Milwaukee Bucks’ season hasn’t gone exactly as planned, and the road ahead doesn’t get any easier when the Boston Celtics visit Fiserv Forum tonight.

Sam Hauser went off for 23 points and five triples in Wednesday’s win over the Miami Heat, and my Celtics vs. Bucks predictions expect him to build on that performance and hit the Over on a modest scoring line.

Here are my best free NBA picks for this Eastern Conference showdown on Friday, April 3.

Celtics vs Bucks prediction

Celtics vs Bucks best bet: Sam Hauser Over 7.5 points (-125)

Sam Hauser has taken on an expanded role in 2025-26, averaging career highs in minutes (24.7), points (9.1) and triples (2.5). He finished with 23 points in Wednesday’s win over the Miami Heat, as he knocked down 5-of-7 triples. I’m not simply chasing Hauser’s hot night, as he’s scored 7+ points in five straight contests.

On the season, Hauser has been far more productive as a scorer on the road than at home, averaging 7.9 points at TD Garden and 10.2 at all other locations. He’s recorded 8+ points in 40 of 73 games overall, including 23 of 38 on the road. Hauser has four more games with exactly seven points - all on the road.

Over the last 10 games, the Milwaukee Bucks have allowed the 10th-most points (121), second-best three-point percentage (40.6) and third-most three-pointers (15.7). Milwaukee’s 123.2 defensive rating is 25th.

Over his last five games, Hauser has knocked down 2.6 triples on 48.1% shooting from beyond the arc, and he’s got an advantageous matchup to stay hot from deep against Milwaukee’s poor perimeter defense. The Boston Celtics could cruise to a comfortable victory, allowing Hauser to see more run in the second half and get more opportunities to let it fly.

Celtics vs Bucks same-game parlay

On the season, the Celtics sport the slowest pace, and the Bucks sport the eighth-slowest.

Boston ranks top-10 in a number of key defensive categories, including points allowed and defensive rating, while the shorthanded Bucks will have trouble scoring without Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Porter Jr. and Bobby Portis.

Boston ranks in the top-12 in offensive, defensive and net ratings over their last seven road games, and Milwaukee ranks in the bottom-six in all three categories across their last seven at home.

The Celtics have won their last two games against the Bucks by 27 and 28 points, and tonight’s final matchup of the season should be a blowout in favor of the healthier and deeper visiting team.

Celtics vs Bucks SGP

• Sam Hauser Over 7.5 points
• Under 217
• Celtics -17.5

Our "from downtown" SGP: Celtics Soar

Over his last six games, Neemias Queta has averaged 11.2 points and 9.3 rebounds, including a 15/10 average in three road games. Queta has recorded at least 10 points and nine rebounds in two of his last three away from Boston.

Derrick White has failed to reach 16 points in seven straight contests, but he can get back on track with a favorable matchup tonight. He’s scored 16+ in 38 of 72 contests. White is dishing a career-best 5.5 assists per game, and he’s reached 5+ helpers in 25 of 35 road contests.

Celtics vs Bucks SGP

• Sam Hauser Over 7.5 points
• Neemias Queta Over 9.5 points
• Neemias Queta Over 8.5 rebounds
• Derrick White Over 15.5 points
• Derrick White Over 4.5 assists

Celtics vs Bucks odds

• Spread: Boston -17.5 (-110) | Milwaukee +17.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Boston -2200 | Milwaukee +1100
• Over/Under: Over 217 (-110) | Under 217 (-110)

Celtics vs Bucks betting trend to know

The Boston Celtics have hit the Game Total Under in 35 of their last 50 games (+18.50 Units / 34% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Bucks.

How to watch Celtics vs Bucks

Celtics vs Bucks latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

In this week’s Tuesday Tracker and SB Nation Reacts poll, we asked you about which Bucks should be untouchable in offseason trade talks, beginning with Ryan Rollins. We also took your opinion on whether or not we’ll see Giannis or Kevin Porter Jr. again this season. Here are the highlights:

• Somewhat surprisingly, just 57% of fans polled believe Rollins should be untouchable this offseason. I’d be curious to know what type of trade the 43% who are willing to deal him have in mind.
• 91% think Myles Turner shouldn’t be off-limits, but with up to three years and $83.6m remaining on his deal, that contract might not be so tradeable yet.
• Among other Bucks, Ousmane Dieng (23%) and KPJ (14%) were the most popular individual trade candidates, while 24% believe everyone should be on the table. Dieng will be a restricted free agent this summer, while Porter has a player option, so trading either wouldn’t be straightforward, and it may need to be a sign-and-trade for their acquiring team(s).
• Just 22% of respondents think Giannis will play again this season, which is about 10% more than those who think Porter will see any more playing time as he deals with right knee synovitis.

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Thanks again for voting! Check back on Tuesday for another slate of questions.

Check out FanDuel, the official sportsbook of SB Nation.

INDIANAPOLIS — Tommy Lloyd is staying put.

The Arizona coach announced on Friday, April 3 he has signed a new deal to stay with the Wildcats, spurning North Carolina after he was reportedly the leading the candidate for the Tar Heels' open coaching job.

"I'm happy to announce I'm staying at Arizona. We've been able to get some things done the past couple days," Lloyd said.

What's Plan B? Here's where UNC could turn next, with Tommy Lloyd off table

Arizona vs Michigan predictions: Who will win in Final Four, play for national championship?

ESPN reported Lloyd signed a five-year deal that will start next season with an annual average of $7.5 million, with significant bonuses and additional commitment to the staff salary pool. The announcement comes one day before Arizona plays in the Final Four.

Lloyd had been the big target for North Carolina after it fired Hubert Davis following its first round exit in the NCAA Tournament. One of the premier programs in the country, the hiring process is expected to have major ramifications on the sport with the university reportedly seeking high-profile targets.

"Tommy Lloyd is the best coach in college basketball, and we have a strong conviction in the future of Arizona Basketball under his leadership," Arizona athletic director Desiree Reed-Francois said in a statement announcing the contract extension. "Our program's success this season – winning championships, competing on the sport's biggest stage and excelling academically – is a testament to the standard that he and his staff have established. He has recruited and developed student-athletes of character who make a positive impact on our team, our campus and our community. Tommy has strengthened our foundation while honoring the tradition that makes Arizona Basketball one of the premier programs in the country, and we are thrilled that he will continue to lead this program at the highest level for years to come."

LLoyd, a former longtime Gonzaga assistant, has shined since taking over Arizona in 2021, with a 148-35 record that includes three conference regular season and tournament championships. This season has arguably been his best yet, winning the Big 12 titles en route to a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and clinching the program's first Final Four since 2001.

What fueled the speculation over Lloyd possibly leaving Arizona was the coach had been noncommittal over his interest in the job, repeatedly saying during the tournament he was focused on the rest of the season and not about his future. There was a report basketball icon and former North Carolina star Michael Jordan reached out to Lloyd to get him to Chapel Hill, but he said that never happened.

He said he idolized Michael Jordan and North Carolina is a great job, so he was honored to be considered for the role.

"The young kid for me, the college basketball junkie watching those games at home, never would have thought something like that could have happened to somebody like me," Lloyd added. "North Carolina is a first class organization, and I appreciate them for the way they've handled this."

With the deal done, he said Arizona leadership showed a "real commitment to our program" as he tries to win the second national championship in program history, first winning it in 1997.

"Arizona basketball, you guys know what it means to me. And when I say it's a special place that always comes from the bottom of my heart," Lloyd said. "I'm proud to be in Arizona Wildcat."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tommy Lloyd says no to UNC basketball job, signs new Arizona contract

Illinois basketball coach Brad Underwood didn't lie when he said the Fighting Illini fan base was going to take over Indianapolis for the Final Four.

When Underwood and Illinois took the court at Lucas Oil Stadium for its practice on Friday, April 3, they were met by droves of Fighting Illini fans who made the short trip across state lines from Champaign.

"I know we're going to turn it out in Indy," Underwood said after returning to campus from the Elite Eight. "That's the story. We're going to turn Indy orange and blue. And kick everybody's ass there."

According to StubHub, Illinois buyers account for 1 in 3 Final Four tickets sold — more than double the next closest state, Indiana.

Illinois vs UConn predictions: Who will win in Final Four, play for national championship?

REQUIRED READING: Illinois was Brad Underwood's dream job. Now, he has it in the Final Four

Illinois has won each of its four NCAA Tournament games by double digits so far, taking down No. 9 Iowa in the Elite Eight, 71-59, after upsetting No. 2 seed Houston, the national runner-up last season, 65-55, in a defensive clinic. The Illini also defeated No. 14 seed Penn and No. 11 VCU with ease in the first weekend.

It won't be easy against UConn, who upset top-seeded Duke in the Elite Eight. The Huskies defeated Illinois, 74-61, early in nonconference play, although both teams are wildly different at this point of the season, especially after the emergence of Keaton Wagler for the Illini and Tarris Reed Jr. for UConn.

For now, Underwood and Illinois are just soaking in the moment, especially with the expected pro-Illini crowd on April 4.

"It's awe-inspiring," he told CBS Sports' Tracy Wolfson on April 3. "I look out there and see all the orange and blue that came out and you dream about this as a kid. ... You grow up in the business, and you want to be here as a coach and you never know if your opportunity is going to come.

"To be honest, it's why I took the Illinois job. I had belief. I'm a big dreamer. I felt like all this was capable and we've been close, but we hadn't been here. And it's better in real life than my dreams."

Illinois fans take over Final Four

Here's a look at Illinois fans showing up en masse for the Fighting Illini's Final Four practice on April 3:

39 years in the making. pic.twitter.com/FBaqQIkCwD

— Illinois Men's Basketball (@IlliniMBB) April 3, 2026

.@IlliniMBB is getting AFTER it at Final Four practice 👀💨

The alley-oop to Zvonimir Ivisic to cap it off pic.twitter.com/fDFrUpdoDc

— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) April 3, 2026

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Illinois basketball fans flood Lucas Oil Stadium for Final Four practice

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All of a sudden, the Toronto Raptors are in a battle to avoid the play-in. The Hawks, 76ers, Hornets, and Raptors sit between fifth and seventh in the East and are all separated by just three games.

That means Toronto can’t afford to give away games like tonight, when they visit the Memphis Grizzlies as 13.5-point favorites.

My Raptors vs. Grizzlies predictions break it all down and bring you my NBA picks for this matchup set to tip off at 8 pm ET at FedExForum in Memphis, on Friday, April 3.

Raptors vs Grizzlies prediction

Raptors vs Grizzlies best bet: Jakob Poeltl Double-Double (+225)

The Toronto Raptors' lack of killer instinct has been a recurring issue this season, and it was on full display in their last game when they lost outright to the Sacramento Kings as 13-point home favorites.

So, while you might think this is a game they can’t afford to give away, the Raptors have proven untrustworthy in this spot.

Instead, I’m going to focus on a player prop, for a guy who is all effort no matter the situation, and that’s Raptors big man Jakob Poeltl.

Poeltl has been battling injuries for much of the season, but he’s healthy now and playing his best basketball. The Raps center is averaging 14.3 points and 7.4 rebounds over his last nine games, and he’s got a great shot at a big night vs. the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies' injury report is something out of a horror story. Did you realize Taj Gibson was still in the NBA? Neither did I. But that just shows how rough a shape this roster is in.

Those injuries have really hampered the frontcourt, and since the All-Star break, they rank 28th in opponent points in paint per game and dead last in rebounding rate. Meaning opposing big men are a problem.

I love backing the Jak Attack to record a double-double in this matchup, particularly at this price. 

Raptors vs Grizzlies same-game parlay

It could be a big night for both of the Raptors big men. So, let’s go Over points and rebounds for both in this SGP.

For Jak, he’s topped this points number in six of his last nine games. While sportsbooks continue to undervalue Sandro Mamukelashvili.

Mamukelashvili is averaging 17.7 points over his last six games, scoring at least 13 in all six. He’s also hauled down six or more boards in four of his last five games overall.

Raptors vs Grizzlies SGP

• Jakob Poeltl Over 11.5 points
• Sandro Mamukelashvili Over 11.5 points
• Jakob Poeltl Over 7.5 rebounds
• Sandro Mamukelashvili Over 5.5 rebounds

Our "from downtown" SGP: Double-Double-Trouble!

Scottie Barnes has recorded a double-double in three of his last five games. Let’s do the double-double-double and keep the Sandro legs as well. 

Raptors vs Grizzlies SGP

• Jakob Poeltl double-double
• Scottie Barnes double-double
• Sandro Mamukelashvili Over 11.5 points
• Sandro Mamukelashvili Over 5.5 rebounds

Raptors vs Grizzlies odds

• Spread: Raptors -13.5 | Grizzlies +13.5
• Moneyline: Raptors -1000 | Grizzlies +650
• Over/Under: Over 233.5 | Under 233.5

Raptors vs Grizzlies betting trend to know

The Raptors have hit the Game Total Under in 23 of their last 35 away games for +9.80 Units and a 25% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Grizzlies.

How to watch Raptors vs Grizzlies

Raptors vs Grizzlies latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

By Adam King, RotoWire.com

It all comes down to this. The final week of the NBA season. If your fantasy basketball league is still active, projecting any sort of production is almost impossible. Outside of a small pocket of teams, most are now in a position to rest players, be it for one or multiple games. Keeping that in mind, let’s try to find a few sure things to help you win your title.

As we move through what is commonly viewed as silly season, the waiver wire is the place to be, providing managers with bargain players who could be about to ascend in the NBA fantasy rankings. And remember, never assume a player is rostered. It always pays to double-check, just in case they have been overlooked.

Identifying players who are benefiting from expanded roles — whether it's an offensive threat delivering points and threes or a defensive-minded player boosting your blocks and steals — is vital as you navigate the season.

Let's dive into nine key NBA sleepers whose current stats suggest they are poised for significant value and are currently rostered in fewer than 40% of Yahoo leagues.

Yahoo High Score Leagues

Ousmane Dieng, Milwaukee Bucks (16% rostered)

Despite some questions regarding his long-term role, Dieng has been playing the best basketball of his young career over the past week. In four appearances during that time, he has averaged 40.7 fantasy points per game, including a career-best 66 fantasy points in Wednesday’s loss to the Rockets. Dieng has flashed some upside on both ends of the floor, as he tries to earn himself a sizeable role, be it in Milwaukee or for another team. The Bucks have seemingly given up on this season, which should allow Dieng to play a sizeable role the rest of the way. While we shouldn’t expect the world, Dieng has shown enough to be rostered in just about every format, including Yahoo High Score leagues.

Brice Sensabaugh, Utah Jazz (33% rostered)

After a disappointing start to the season, Sensabaugh has found his rhythm in recent times. He has scored at least 32 fantasy points in six straight games, averaging over 40 fantasy points per game during that time. Although his overall value is built largely on points, he has flashed some playmaking upside, recording at least four assists in three of the past four contests. Although there is a small amount of risk associated with his role, it appears as though Sensabaugh is going to see out the season, playing a sizeable role on a team focused on building for what could be an eventful 2026-27 season.

Kobe Brown, Indiana Pacers (2% rostered)

An injury to Jarace Walker has seemingly opened up an unexpected opportunity for Brown, who has now logged at least 30 minutes in three straight games. During that span, he has averaged 35.0 fantasy points per game, providing solid numbers across the board. Indiana finds itself in a precarious position, with losses very important moving forward. If this ultimately means that a number of players are shut down over the course of the coming week, Brown could find himself in a favorable position. Despite some uncertainty, Brown is someone to consider picking up, especially given he has center eligibility, a position that can be tricky to fill at times.

Standard 9-Category Leagues

Will Riley, Washington Wizards (20% rostered)

Washington has arguably the most unpredictable rotation in the league right now, meaning that streaming — let alone adding — players is tough. With that said, Riley appears to have settled into a consistent role, playing at least 28 minutes in 11 of the past 13 games. Perhaps even more important is the fact that he has not missed a game in almost three months, providing managers with a small sense of assuredness. Despite being ranked outside the top 150 over the past two weeks, Riley has averaged 16.0 points and 1.6 3-pointers in eight games during that time. If you need points and 3s from a player who could very well see upwards of 30 minutes per contest down the stretch, Riley might be your man.

Jamal Shead, Toronto Raptors (6% rostered)

With Immanuel Quickley continuing to miss time due to a foot issue, Shead has managed to put himself firmly on the standard-league radar, albeit for one purpose only. Over his past six appearances, Shead has averaged 9.2 assists and 1.8 steals, putting him firmly in the specialist category. While the eventual return of Quickley will likely take the shine off Shead, he is certainly doing more than enough to be rostered right now.

John Konchar, Utah Jazz (4% rostered)

Although Konchar is also viewed by many as a defensive specialist, his ability to chip in across the board cannot be overlooked. A perfect example of this is that despite the fact that he has only averaged 6.6 points in 13 appearances over the past month, he has still managed to put up borderline top-80 value. During that span, Konchar has also averaged 5.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks, shooting 51.7% from the floor. He has also played at least 29 minutes in four of the past five games, perhaps an indication that he could have a somewhat consistent role moving forward.

Standard Points Leagues

Collin Sexton, Chicago Bulls (28% rostered)

While it might not make a lot of sense, Sexton continues to play a meaningful role for his new team, having logged at least 26 minutes in five of the past six games. He has tallied at least 32 fantasy points in all five games, providing the Bulls with a seemingly reliable scoring threat, be it as a starter or off the bench. As long as Sexton continues to play close to starter-level minutes, he should be a serviceable contributor across most fantasy formats, including points leagues.

Brandon Williams, Dallas Mavericks (9% rostered)

Despite Jason Kidd’s refusal to start him, Williams has been arguably one of the most consistent producers for the Mavericks. While his numbers don’t jump off the page, consistency can be an important factor at this time of the year. Williams has scored at least 24 fantasy points in 15 of his past 16 games, a number that we can expect to hold for the remainder of the season. If you are simply looking for a player that you can plug into your lineup, knowing exactly what you are going to get, Williams could be a sneaky option. 

Pelle Larsson, Miami Heat (10% rostered)

In what has been a breakout season, Larsson continues to fly under the radar. Injuries to other players have allowed Larsson to play more minutes than expected, during which he has proven himself to be a viable role player in the NBA. He has scored at least 26 fantasy points in six of the past seven games, and much like Williams, provides fantasy managers with a reliable asset. Given what we have seen thus far, Larsson seems likely to maintain a solid role, even if and when the team is fully healthy. Again, if you are looking for a safe plug-and-play option, look no further than Larsson.

From undrafted to making franchise history, as the Phoenix Suns put it, there’s a new member in the Phoenix Suns record books, and it’s Collin Gillespie. Last night, the guard set the franchise record for most three-pointers made in a season, passing a 21-year record that was held by Quentin Richardson when he hit 226 threes in the 2004-2005 season.

The Shot 🎯

Collin's triple for the most 3PM in a season in franchise history! pic.twitter.com/6RFuhJ7plZ

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) April 2, 2026

Gillespie, 26, has been one of the main reasons the Suns have surpassed their preseason expectations. Starting the season off the bench, he’s started 57 games this year and leads the team in total minutes, and is having his best season in nearly every statistical category. Averaging three triples per game, shooting 41% from long range, he’s not only been efficient from behind the arc, but consistent. His second year on the team, the guard was resigned this offseason after a strong end to his 2024-2025 campaign. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

Some of Gillespie’s best shooting games have come when Phoenix’s top scorer, Devin Booker, is out. On February 3rd against the Portland Trailblazers when he hit eight triples as a part of his 30-point, 10-assist double-double, joining Booker and Steve Nash as the only Suns’ to ever perform such a statistical performance with eight threes. When Booker went down early against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 1st, Gillespie had a stellar performance, going for 28 points and hitting eight triples in the process.

It’s been an overall strong and surprising season from the former Villanova guard, but he’s hit a bit of a cold stretch of late. In March, his points per game were the lowest they’ve been since before he was inserted into the starting lineup, and it was his least efficient month both from the field and three, shooting under 40% for both. In his first game of April, he shot 2/7 from the field, 29%. He’s had to deal with a change in his offensive role since Jalen Green and Devin Booker have been fully healthy and back in the lineup. The team has also dealt with a slew of injuries, including to starters Mark Williams and Dillon Brooks.

For the Suns to get out of the play-in tournament and give the Oklahoma City Thunder or San Antonio Spurs some trouble in the first round, Gillespie is going to need to get his rhythm back, but for now, the focus is that he put himself in the Phoenix Suns record books. Gillespie has five more games this season to expand his lead as the Suns’ all-time leader in threes made in a season; he can give himself some cushion to make his record last.

Coming off a victory against the Golden State Warriors, the Spurs traveled to the Intuit Dome to take on the Los Angeles Clippers. Victor Wembanyama missed this game due to ankle injury management. Without Wemby, the Spurs went back and forth with the Clippers in the first quarter. After leading by eight, the Spurs outscored the Clippers in the second, 35-19, to give themselves a 24-point cushion heading into halftime. The Spurs’ cushion was provided by lockdown defense and hot shooting. In the third, the shooting went ice cold. The Spurs shot 1-9 from three, and were outscored by LA, 34-19. In the fourth quarter, the Clippers cut the deficit to seven. However, thanks to big shots from Stephon Castle, De’Aaron Fox, and Dylan Harper, the Spurs’ lead ballooned to as much as 23. The Spurs ultimately won 118-99.

De’Aaron Fox led the way with 22 points (9-13 FG), eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Fox was super efficient from the field and was active in the passing lanes. His steals were comprised of pickpockets, interceptions, and deflections. His points really painted the picture in the fourth quarter. Come playoff time, expect more of this stat line, where the team will need him the most.

BUZZER-BEATER! Fox finds an open Harrison Barnes at the last second for the buzzer-beating three to end the first quarter!

HB THREE AT THE BUZZER 🚨

📺 @FanDuelSN_SWpic.twitter.com/tgBhD6CMYO

— San Antonio Spurs – x (@spurs) April 3, 2026

Guard your pockets! Fox pickpockets Kris Dunn and speeds past everyone for a wide-open lane for a jam!

SWIPA NO SWIPING 🦊🍪

📺 @FanDuelSN_SWpic.twitter.com/clGWmH4WNj

— San Antonio Spurs – x (@spurs) April 3, 2026

.@swipathefox came up clutch in LA 🤩

22 PTS | 8 REB | 5 AST | 3 STL pic.twitter.com/yQCKojAlwF

— San Antonio Spurs – x (@spurs) April 3, 2026

Stephon Castle dropped 20 points (8-15 FG, 3-5 3PT), five assists, and four rebounds. Steph created offense with a mix of tough and-one finishes, dunks, middies, and threes. Despite having five turnovers, he dropped clutch buckets with Fox in the fourth. He drained a corner three, converted an and-one, and had himself a dunk contest. He also had the assignment of guarding Kawhi Leonard, which was not an easy task. Look for Steph to draw the toughest defensive assignment come playoff time.

WHITE CASTLE! Steph finds Luke Kornet on the alley-oop connection early in the first!

STEPH TO LUKE OOP 🙌

📺 @FanDuelSN_SWpic.twitter.com/GwMi7LjbkS

— San Antonio Spurs – x (@spurs) April 3, 2026

Sniping from the Castle! Steph catches and knocks down the open three from the top of the key!

CASTL3 👌

📺 @FanDuelSN_SWpic.twitter.com/UcMMOhd5Hq

— San Antonio Spurs – x (@spurs) April 3, 2026

Catch and Shoot + Corner Specialist badges activated! Steph gives the Spurs extra cushion by draining the corner three early in the fourth!

CASTL3. CLUTCH.

📺 @FanDuelSN_SWpic.twitter.com/Jno7jTLAWZ

— San Antonio Spurs – x (@spurs) April 3, 2026

GET BIG! Steph drives in on Darius Garland and muscles through for an and-one finish!

AND-1 STEPH 🏰

📺 @FanDuelSN_SWpic.twitter.com/RFXEMppMQS

— San Antonio Spurs – x (@spurs) April 3, 2026

DETONATED! Luke finds a cutting Steph for an open lane, which results in a ferocious slam!

We're all Luke after that @StephonCastle slam 🙌

📺 @FanDuelSN_SWpic.twitter.com/0EieGIaLlP

— San Antonio Spurs – x (@spurs) April 3, 2026

Dylan Harper dropped 19 points (8-12 FG, 2-3 3PT), five assists, two rebounds, and a steal. Dyl’s dribble and finishing moves are so polished for a rookie. He made every spin and every finish look easy. He also drained a pair of threes. He earned extra playing time in the fourth due to his play, and it paid off in a big way. He slashed his way to the cup and found open shooters to clinch the game. While he’s earned an All-Rookie selection, there might be a chance he sneaks onto the first team.

Put him in a blender! Dyl goes to work on Nicolas Batum with a crossover spin move for the layup!

OH MY DYLAN 🌪️🤩

📺 @FanDuelSN_SWpic.twitter.com/wLi9ROGjkp

— San Antonio Spurs – x (@spurs) April 3, 2026

WHAT CAN’T HE DO? Dyl catches and drains a running shot from half court to beat the second quarter buzzer!

DYLAN BEATS THE BUZZER FROM HALF COURT 🚨🤯 pic.twitter.com/5T8ISsli6D

— San Antonio Spurs – x (@spurs) April 3, 2026

FLIGHT #2 CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF! Dyl drives past John Collins with a crossover and explodes for a two-handed slam!

DYLAN. HARPER. 😱

📺 @FanDuelSN_SWpic.twitter.com/5XeZXAtGu8

— San Antonio Spurs – x (@spurs) April 3, 2026

DAGGER! Dyl finds an open Keldon Johnson in the corner for the game-clinching three!

BIG SHOT BIG BODY 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/LBRAegHNId

— San Antonio Spurs – x (@spurs) April 3, 2026

Without their best player, the Spurs made this a statement game. Wemby might be an MVP candidate, but this team has loads of talent. For example, the guard trio of Castle, Fox, and Harper showed up and showed out. Every time the ball was in either of their hands, points were going to be generated. The guard play combined with cutters and shooters is already deadly. Just add the 7’5” alien to destroy a team’s defense. The Spurs face a real test this Saturday against a contending Denver squad.

Obsessed with watching these three hoop together pic.twitter.com/3OjjHi5niA

— Basketball University (@UofBasketball) April 3, 2026

Finally, here are the full game highlights.

The Spurs end their three-game road trip this Saturday when they travel to Ball Arena to take on the Denver Nuggets at 2:00 P.M. (CST) on Prime Video/FDSN-SW.

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The New York Knicks will try to find some consistency ahead of the playoffs as they host the Chicago Bulls on Friday night.

New York is beating bad teams but failing to cover, and I’m taking Chicago with the points tonight in my Bulls vs. Knicks predictions.

Let’s break down this matchup and see all my free NBA picks for Friday, April 3.

Bulls vs Knicks prediction

Bulls vs Knicks best bet: Bulls +15.5 (-110)

The Chicago Bulls may have watched their season go down the drain in recent weeks, but there have been moments when they’ve been able to come through for bettors.

Specifically, they’ve done a good job when they’ve been given a boatload of points, covering in five straight games in which they’ve been underdogs by nine points or more.

Meanwhile, the New York Knicks are dealing with their own struggles as they look towards the playoffs.

New York has now lost three of its last four outright, and while it continues to score wins against bad teams – the Knicks have won 10 straight games against opponents with losing records – that’s only masking the team’s struggles.

Along with having issues getting wins against quality opposition, the Knicks have now failed to cover in any of their last five games and are 3-10 ATS in their last 13 overall. They’re just 2-6 ATS in their last eight games as a favorite.

While not as dramatic as some other patches of shaky defense, New York has allowed 114.0 ppg over its last six games, well up from the season average of 110.6 ppg.

And it’s still not clear exactly how Karl-Anthony Towns best fits into the offensive system alongside Jalen Brunson, with the Knicks putting up 103 points or less in four of their last seven games.

New York should win tonight – it’s what they do against weaker teams – but there’s no way to have any confidence in a blowout. I’m taking the Bulls to cover the massive spread on offer here.

Bulls vs Knicks same-game parlay

Along with taking the Bulls to cover, I’m also going to target the Over tonight. Chicago has hit the Over in five of its last six games and has played to a total of Over 237.5 points in each of their last six games.

In what should be a high-scoring affair, I also like Tre Jones to hit his points total. The Chicago guard has now scored 15+ points in seven straight games and should continue to get high usage for the Bulls for the rest of the regular season.

Bulls vs Knicks SGP

• Bulls +14.5
• Over 237.5
• Tre Jones Over 14.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Bulls ball out

For a longshot SGP, let’s roll with Josh Giddey to pick up a triple-double tonight. He’s coming off a March where he put up six triple-doubles and came within 0.6 rebounds per game of averaging one for the month.

I’ll also take Tre Jones to hit the Over on his PRA total, as he’s put up 24+ PRA in six of his last seven games. I’m also taking Matas Buzelis to hit Over 2.5 threes tonight, something he’s done in four of his last six games.

Bulls vs Knicks SGP

• Josh Giddey triple-double
• Tre Jones Over 22.5 points + rebounds + assists
• Matas Buzelis Over 2.5 threes made

Bulls vs Knicks odds

• Spread: Chicago +14 (-110) | New York -14 (-110)
• Moneyline: Chicago +650 | New York -1000
• Over/Under: Over 237.5 (-110) | Under 237.5 (-110)

Bulls vs Knicks betting trend to know

The Bulls are 3-0 ATS in their last three games as double-digit underdogs. Find more NBA betting trends for Bulls vs. Knicks.

How to watch Bulls vs Knicks

Bulls vs Knicks latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Six games left. That is the total amount of dates before we can set our eyes on a brighter future. 

A few days ago, Brooklyn was belittled by a red hot Charlotte Hornets team that have been enjoying the fruits of its labor. Including their victory against the Nets and their 20 point win against the Phoenix Suns yesterday, the Hornets have won seven of their last nine contests and are one game ahead of the Orlando Magic for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. They are a few steps away from making their first playoff appearance exactly 10 seasons ago. 

Tonight, the Nets will be taking on a similar opponent who have been red hot in their own right. The Atlanta Hawks, currently fifth in the Eastern Conference, have become one of the league’s most exciting teams after they parted ways with their former star guard in Trae Young. As the Nets look for more advantages to increase their draft odds, this game may be in their favor.

And if you’re wondering — of course you are — the Nets are currently in what is essentially a three-way tie for best odds in the May 10 Lottery. At this point, they are second, a game behind the Wizards, tied with the Pacers for second. They are also a game and a half ahead of the Kings and two and a half ahead of the Jazz.

Where to Watch

Catch the action at 7:30 p.m. ET on the YES Network and NBA League Pass as well as streaming on the Gotham Sports App.

Injury Report

MPJ (left hamstring strain), Egor Demin (left plantar fascia injury management), Danny Wolf (left ankle sprain), and Day’Ron Sharpe (left thumb surgery) will be out of action. The Nets three two-ways and two 10-days including new hire, Trevon Scott, should be available. This will be their third game in four days, a G League playoff game sandwiched between two NBA contests.

For the Hawks, Jock Landale (ankle) will miss tonight’s game.

The Game

If I’m the Atlanta Hawks, I couldn’t ask for a better situation. 

First, they have not one, but two stars that have taken the rise to become what looks like an epic duo. Jalen Johnson is a matchup nightmare due to the fact that he is a 6’8 point forward who can do everything and fly through the air at the same time. Johnson is currently averaging a near triple double in 22.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 8.1 assists. A couple of months ago, he became the eighth player in league history to record four straight triple doubles.

In the backcourt, Nikeil Alexander-Walker has come to his own in Quinn Snyder’s offense. Averaging 20.6 points, he has taken the point guard duties of this team and made the most of it. Because he is not as ball dominant as Trae Young and he could move without the ball, Alexander-Walker has been able to flourish in this offense, especially with that Alexander-smoothness that he and Shai Gilgeous Alexander both possess. The two are cousins.

Both are great tributes to the Hawks development model. Johnson was drafted at No. 20 by Atlanta. Slowed by injury, he averaged 2.4 points and 5.6 points in his first two years before taking off. Alexander-Walker is more of a mid-career success story. He’s a bit older at 27 and taken a little earlier, at No. 17 (by the Nets who traded his rights to preserve cap space for the Clean Sweep in 2019.)

Secondly, the Hawks match up very well with the powerhouses of the Eastern Conference. With key victories against the Boston Celtics and the Detroit Pistons, they have proven they could make some damage in the playoffs. Besides Alexander-Walker and Johnson, the Hawks have a complete team, especially with other newcomers like C.J. McCollum and Jonathan Kuminga. With so many bigger bodies, playing against guards like Jalen Brunson or James Harden could possibly work in their favor as we head into the Spring.

But before we get to that point, let’s see how the Nets can approach this game. The Kings defeated the Raptors a couple of days ago, which makes this race for draft odds that much more closer. 

Player to Watch

Alexander-Walker may not be the success story that Jalen Johnson is, but he may be a better story. NAW, as noted up top, is SGA’s cousin, and now after four teams in seven years, he has found a home. (Jordi Fernandez is familiar with both because they were part of Team Canada when he was head coach.)

Zach Langley of Soaring Down South wrote earlier Friday:

Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s breakout seventh campaign isn’t slowing down.

That’s what’s confirmed this year to be no fluke. His full-season emergence as a two-way star, with career-high averages in every major statistical category, has transformed the outlook of this Hawks team in both the immediate and long-term future.

And as Maxwell Ogden his colleague on SDS noted, his performance is accelerating.

Alexander-Walker entered March averaging 19.8 points on .431/.373/.888 shooting. Those are more than respectable numbers, but his efficiency has gone through the roof since Mar. 1 and given the Hawks a new outlook on what the postseason may hold.

Since May 1, Alexander-Walker is averaging 22.7 points on .528/.468/.942 shooting—on 7.4 three-point field goal attempts per game, no less.

Among players who appeared in at least 10 games in March, only three converted with more efficiency from beyond the arc than Alexander-Walker. Darius Garland was the only player who shot better than Alexander-Walker while attempting at least 7.0 treys per game.

He’s also under contract for another three years at a reasonable $15 million per season. If he keeps this up, he’ll be one of the league’s bargains.

From the Vault

This one is a little late for a obituary and a little early for retrospect but we figure it’s always a good time to honor a Brooklyn legend and singer/songwriter Neil Sedaka qualifies. Sedaka died in February at age 87. Much of the honors we read and listened to was about some of the great songs of the 50’s and 60’s — “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do,” “Bad Blood,” “Laughter in the Rain” and “Calendar Girl” — there wasn’t a lot about growing up in Brooklyn’s Brighton Beach. After all, he lived across the street from Neil Diamond and dated Carole King. (Look them up if you have to.)

“We all lived in Brooklyn,” he said. “It was a wonderful time. It must have been something in the egg cream. We used to hang out in the sweet shop and have egg creams and potato knishes.”

Obviously, a different time, but Brooklyn’s musical legacy extends back a long, long time. Here’s Sedaka singing about his hometown 50 years ago.

Enjoy.

More reading: Soaring Down South, SB Nation NBA, New York Post, New York Daily News, Clutch Points, Nets Wire, Steve’s Newsletter

• Brooklyn Nets Game Notes – Brooklyn Nets
• Atlanta Hawks Game Notes – Atlanta Hawks
• Atlanta plays Brooklyn on 3-game win streak – AP
• Nets desperately need lottery luck after tanking is all said and done ($) – Brian Lewis – New York Post

The Los Angeles Lakers, at the worst possible time, caught a bad break with their biggest star.

All-Star guard and Most Valuable Player candidate Luka Dončić, suffered what appeared to be a hamstring injury in a blowout loss against the Thunder on Thursday, April 2, potentially putting his award eligibility – and the Lakers' dreams of a deep postseason run – in jeopardy.

Dončić is set to an undergo an MRI to evaluate the severity of the injury.

Thursday night’s game against Oklahoma City was his 64th of the season, putting him one shy of the minimum required for consideration for MVP, All-NBA selection and other individual honors. This means Dončić needs to play in at least one of Los Angeles’ remaining five games to become eligible. Meanwhile, the Lakers are still battling for seeding in the Western Conference in the final games of the season.

Dončić finished the game with 12 points on 3-of-10 shooting, including a sluggish 1-of-7 from 3-point range. He added 7 assists and 4 rebounds. The injury comes just days after he scored 600 points in March, marking just the 10th time in NBA history that a player has reached that level of production in any month.

What does Luka Dončić’s injury mean for the Lakers?

This comes as a blow for Los Angeles, which had gone 15-2 in March and had climbed to the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. With Thursday’s loss against the Thunder, however, L.A.’s hold of the third-seed over the Nuggets shrunk to just 1 game. Denver, meanwhile, is on a seven-game winning streak.

The Lakers have gone 7-6 this season in games Dončić has been sidelined and he has become the team’s premier and most reliable offensive force. In his absence, Austin Reaves and LeBron James will have to step up considerably.

Los Angeles Lakers remaining schedule

• Sunday, April 5: at Dallas Mavericks
• Tuesday, April 7: vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
• Thursday, April 9: at Golden State Warriors
• Friday, April 10: vs. Phoenix Suns
• Sunday, April 12: vs. Utah Jazz

The NBA playoffs are set to tip off April 18.

NBA playoff standings: Western Conference

1. Thunder 61-16
2. Spurs 59-18 (2 games back)
3. Lakers 50-27 (11 GB)
4. Nuggets 49-28 (12 GB)
5. Rockets 47-29 (13.5 GB)
6. Timberwolves 46-30 (14.5 GB)

Luka Dončić stats

In 64 games this season, Dončić is averaging an NBA-high 33.5 points, with 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds per game.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Luka Doncic injury update resets Lakers NBA playoff projections

BOSTON – Last week, as the regular season began to wind down, I followed the Celtics around for a couple of days. The assignment was not too dissimilar from my usual shenanigans; as a beat reporter, you — in effect — follow the team around to shootarounds, practices, games, and other events (and if you’re wondering, yes, it feels invasive at times). 

The difference was that this time, the team had two consecutive days off from game action and travel, something that very rarely happens during the regular season (only four times so far, to be exact).

Usually, when the team has two consecutive days off, one of those days is a travel day (if the Celtics play at home on a Monday, and on the road on a Thursday, they technically have two days off, but Wednesday would be a travel day). 

But, in late March, a two-day span between a Sunday night game against the Minnesota Timberwolves and a Wednesday night game against the Oklahoma City Thunder was one of those rare times.

How do players maximize that time? 

I dove deep into that question.

Much of it revolves around giving back to the community, said Celtics longtime team president Rich Gotham. Players participate in off-court events in and around the city of Boston, events that are oftentimes centered around empowering youth, among other causes.

“Generally, what we try to do is really understand, like, what makes each player tick — what they’re into, the kind of stuff they want to do, what their interests are,” Gotham told CelticsBlog. “It’s different for every player, depending on where they are in their career arc. But, particularly with the young players, we try to sort of cement that this is what it means to be a Celtic. You’re part of an organization. There’s what goes on on the floor, but then there’s everything that supports what goes on. And you have to actually be a participant in that. You have to contribute to that.”

Monday, March 23rd: Youth workshops, sporting events, and dinners

Sam Hauser attended a financial literacy event for middle schoolers at the Dearborn STEM Academy, a public middle and high school in the heart of Roxbury that is focused on science, technology, and math.

Players attend these kinds of community events all the time. In March alone, Derrick White, Hugo Gonzalez, Amari Williams, Luka Garza, Jordan Walsh, Baylor Scheierman, and Neemias Queta each headlined one of a myriad of Celtics off-court events. 

The events are often hosted in collaboration with the team’s corporate partners; Hauser’s workshop was hosted in partnership with TD.

3:30pm: Sam Hauser headlines a financial literacy workshop for Roxbury youth  

Hauser was the guest of honor and the star of the show at Dearborn. For more than an hour, he hung out with kids as they reviewed information and answered questions about financial literacy, learning about concepts like interest rates, emergency funds, and credit scores. 

“I didn’t learn this stuff in high school, so honestly, I was learning some stuff on the fly here today, which is pretty cool,” Hauser said. (I can confirm I also struggled with some of the questions the students were asked).

The highlight of the event came at its conclusion, when the Celtics forward participated in a heated knockout game against the middle schoolers.

Really cool moment here at Dearborn Academy in Roxbury, where Sam Hauser is in a heated knockout competition with a bunch of middle schoolers.

Eliminating kids left and right 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/mHbQkGoKR0

— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) March 23, 2026

Hauser taught a bunch of the kids the rules of knockout — then subsequently eliminated nearly all of the competitors.

“It’s tough love,” Hauser said afterwards with a smile, conducting his post-competition interview alongside one of the knockout participants. “As much as you love these kids, you gotta lose sometimes in life.”

Ultimately, Vladimir Hyppolite, an 8th grader at the Dearborn Academy, came out victorious, winning a pair of tickets to Friday’s Celtics game against the Hawks. 

He walked both the basketball contest and the financial literacy trivia walked away with a basketball signed by Hauser and his autographed jersey. 

“It’s definitely weird,” Hauser said of seeing his jersey be the event’s prized reward. “Still, I don’t see many of my jerseys out there, so seeing them here today and a few in the crowd every now and then. It’s pretty cool – something that you kind of dream of when you’re a little kid, like, ‘I hope someone wears my jersey when I grow up.’ But actively seeing it is pretty special.”

Hauser has a one-year-old boy, Teddy, and spends lots of downtime with his family when the Celtics have a day off.

But this type of give-back to the community was a priority, too.

“You’ve got to fit it in,” Hauser said. “In this case, we have an extra day before the next game, and this stuff’s important, so you make time for it. And, today was a special one for sure – to come in here and learn about this stuff, and be present, and fit into the schedule perfectly. It couldn’t have been more of a perfect storm.”

7pm: Luka Garza, Neemias Queta each attend corporate partner dinners

In addition to off-court community events, the Celtics have partnership dinners sprinkled throughout the season. Luka Garza, Neemias Queta, Hugo Gonzalez, and Cedric Maxwell participated in private dinners for Boston Celtics corporate partners at local Boston restaurants last week. At these dinners, the players mingled with guests, shared stories from the season and time in the NBA, and enjoyed dinner together.

8pm: Derrick White and Joe Mazzulla sit ringside for a WWE event with their families

A couple of hours later, Derrick White and Joe Mazzulla attended WWE’s Monday Night Raw at TD Garden with their respective families.

A clip of Mazzulla jokingly putting White in a chokehold went viral, and the Celtics coach later reflected on the off-night excursion. 

Joe Mazzulla and Derrick White at WWE Monday Night Raw. 🔥🤣

(h/t @FadeAwayMedia)

pic.twitter.com/O5WqDC6Scb

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 24, 2026

“I grew up as a kid watching it,” Mazzulla said. “I was able to have a family night, take the kids there, hang out with D-White. It was a good time.”

White said these types of off-court excursions with Mazzulla have become increasingly during his tenure as head coach.

“Just bonding – I think that goes deeper than basketball,” White said. “So it’s always cool to do things like that.”

Mazzulla was asked if it felt unusual for a boss to go out with an employee on an off-night.

“I don’t consider myself a boss, and I don’t consider Derrick an employee, with all due respect,” he clarified. “It’s not how we operate. I think it’s more about relationships and the people that you have.”

It’s far from unusual for Derrick White to be found at a Boston sporting event. Last month, he attended a Boston Fleet gam, rooting for one of eight Professional Women’s Hockey League teams. He’s also a frequent attendee at Red Sox games.

And, White’s had an especially busy month of off-court endeavors; also last month, he was a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Derrick White drinking his own Derrick White Ale with Jimmy Fallon!!

Legend!

pic.twitter.com/AiBMdamry9

— Savage (@Savageboston) March 18, 2026

Tuesday, March 24th: Practice, content day, and community events

While the Celtics were off from basketball activities on Monday, the team was back in action at the Auerbach Center on Tuesday. But that’s not all they did.

10:00am-10:30am: Team Photo

Before practice, the Celtics took a full team photo, updated for the postseason action that will soon commence.

10:30am-12:30pm: Celtics Practice

Then, the team held its first official practice in more than two weeks, which came on the heels of a loss to the Timberwolves. Jayson Tatum later described the practice as a “really good” one, and the team went on to rattle off three straight wins against East playoff teams.

After practice, most players work on individual skill development with their assigned coaches on player development and review film from the previous game (some players get this work in before practice).

Derrick White, for example, fired up shots alongside longtime assistant coach Matt Reynolds. After the two completed White’s shooting workout, they typically compete in a trick shot competition — just for fun — along with other members of the staff.

On the opposing basket, Payton Pritchard, Ron Harper Jr, Jordan Walsh, and Charles Bassey competed in 2-on-2 drills organized by player development coaches Craig Luschenant, Nana Foulland, and Da’Sean Butler.

Luka Garza worked out on post moves and touch shots with Celtics assistant DJ MacLeay, his assigned player development coach.

Jayson Tatum got up shots with coaches Tony Dobbins, Amile Jefferson, and Steve Tchiegang.

And, Hugo Gonzalez and Neemias Queta worked out with Tyler Lashbrook and Ross McMains.

A look around Celtics practice, where:

– Derrick White gets up shots with Matt Reynolds
– Payton Pritchard, Ron Harper Jr, and Charles Bassey play 1on1
– Jayson Tatum works out with Tony Dobbins and Amile Jefferson
– Hugo Gonzalez and Neemias Queta work with Tyler Lashbrook pic.twitter.com/rN7rqF3gym

— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) March 24, 2026

Then, after practice, Joe Mazzulla and at least one Celtics player address the media. On this particular day, that player was Derrick White.

12:30pm-3pm: Playoff Content Day

When practice concluded, Celtics players headed over to the WGBH TV studios down the street, where the team records a ton of content ahead of postseason action.

Playoff content day is a couple-hour obligation in which every player on the roster fulfills a litany of tasks that helps create video content for the postseason run ahead. That content will be posted on social media throughout the upcoming playoff run, repurposed for pregame and midgame Jumobotron hype-up videos, and more.

The goal is to record as much content as possible, so when the playoffs begin, players won’t have any off-court distractions.

The Celtics media team crushed it with this playoff hype up video 🔥 pic.twitter.com/1pKVY3Bd1N

— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) April 20, 2025

Tuesday’s itinerary includes conducting interviews with a variety of media people; for example, Brian Scalabrine sat down with Jayson Tatum and Derrick White for NBC Sports Boston, and Marc D’Amico and Megan Ottolini interviewed Hugo Gonzalez for Celtics Weekly, the team’s in-house weekly show. (Those are just a few of the dozens of interviews that took place on Tuesday afternoon).

Accompanied by a member of the Celtics organization, each and every player on the roster went through the various stations. Those stations included signing basketballs and other memorabilia for the Shamrock Foundation, taking photos for jumbotron content, and filming social content with the marketing team.

5:30PM-6:30pm: Jordan Walsh headlines a community event in Lawrence 

To wrap up a long day, Jordan Walsh attended an event in Lawrence in which fifty families enjoyed a sit-down dinner at the Boys and Girls Club. Families walked away from the PIMCO-sponsored event with a delicious dinner, gift cards to the grocery store Market Basket, and bags of produce. Some also won kitchen appliances in a raffle, which Walsh handed out.

During the dinner, Walsh sat down for a Q&A alongside former Celtic Leon Powe, which was moderated by Kash Cannon, the Celtics’ director for community engagement.

The room erupted when the 22-year-old arrived — a reaction he’s received dozens of times throughout his Celtics tenure, but one that nevertheless doesn’t get old.

“It kind of does feel like a superpower, in a way, because you bring joy to people by entering a room,” Walsh said. “That’s the highest compliment you could get. Kids would be, like, screaming and yelling and just excited for you to walk into a room – that’s definitely the biggest compliment ever.”

Here at the Lawrence Boys and Girls Club, where Jordan Walsh is a special guest for a dinner co-hosted by the Celtics and PIMCO.

100 families from Lawrence are here for a dinner — they’ll also walk away with gifts and a bag of fresh produce pic.twitter.com/TylFn1ZEbd

— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) March 24, 2026

Amanda Hinchcliff, a lifelong Lawrence resident who serves as the club’s program director, said anticipation ahead of the event had been building all week.

“We’re everything to these families,” Hinchliff said. “We’re obviously an after-school provider for them, for the parents who work. But, parents come to us for everything – whether they need help with their rent, with food. We’re like a one-stop shop – kids that come over just from the Dominican Republic, just fresh here, not speaking a lick of English. The first stop is here. I don’t know if we just have that reputation for helping families, and it’s just kind of spread throughout the city: go to the Boys and Girls Club, they’ll help you. And we do, if we can help them, we will.”

The Celtics have a partnership with the Lawrence Public School system and the Boys and Girls Club, and concluded that hosting a food insecurity event, headlined by a current player, would be impactful.

“Generally speaking, an NBA player might not show up in a community unless we’re saying we’re getting to know it, and we’re bringing them there because we see the need,” Gotham said. “And we understand the need, and we feel like we can help.”

Gotham said Lawrence has been a city the Celtics have long been invested in. 

“Lawrence is further away,” Gotham said. “It’s a little harder between games or on off-days when guys are trying to get their rest. But we’ve come to understand the community up there. We’ve built some relationships. We understand where the need exists.

Due to some rush hour traffic, the event took more than an hour for Walsh to get to. Still, he was thrilled to be a part of an uplifting evening that also addressed a tangible need in the community. 

“I don’t feel like it’s an obligation,” Walsh said. “I feel like it’s something I get to do, it’s an opportunity I get to do. Because, if it was me as one of those kids, I would want a guy like me to show up and be there.”

6:30pm-7:30pm: Hugo Gonzalez participates in a Q&A at the Auerbach Center

At the same time that Jordan Walsh wrapped up the event in Lawrence, 30 miles away at the Auerbach Center, Hugo Gonzalez was beginning a financial literacy workshop for 9th graders, similar to the one Hauser attended a day prior.

Hugo Gonzalez is here at the Auerbach Center with Dearborn STEM Academy ninth graders in support of TD’s financial literacy program event.

The event is celebrating the culmination of this season’s financial literacy program. pic.twitter.com/840XgI7hQY

— Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) March 24, 2026

Gonzalez and Walsh have both been attending these types of off-court events since the day they were drafted by the Celtics.

“Whether we trade for a player, or sign a free agent, or draft a player, their first day in Boston, you’re doing a community event,” Gotham said. “And it’s our way of saying, ‘Hey, this is part of the responsibility here. It’s giving back.’ So that’s the first thing we do.”

It’s also the first thing they go back to — whenever the schedule allows.

All of it is a crucial part of being a part of the Celtics organization.

“You want people who appreciate what they’re a part of, and sort of understand it,” Gotham said. “And they put it in the context, like, ‘Wow, I’m grateful to actually have this kind of opportunity. And I want to contribute to it.’”