With the college basketball season over and the NBA Draft Combine a month away, players are making their choices now about whether to turn pro or stay in college another season. That includes some very likely top-10 picks. Here is the latest on a series of announcements.
UNC’s Caleb Wilson declares for draft
He may have flown under fans' radar the last month because he missed the ACC Tournament and the NCAA Tournament with a fractured thumb, but scouts have not forgotten — North Carolina's Caleb Wilson is a projected top four pick and he is going pro.
Wilson is a 6'10" wing who lived up to the hype in Chapel Hill, averaging 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds a game on 57.8% shooting. He showed up with big games in big moments (24 points against Kansas and 23 facing Duke, outplaying Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer in those games). Wilson is athletic and powerful, and while he needs to develop his shot, the potential is there. There are some teams that have him ranked ahead of Boozer, but he's not falling past four in the June draft.
Illinois Keaton Wagler declares for draft
Two years ago, Wagler was not on the NBA radar. Now, he's a lock to be a top-10 pick, and with that the 6'6" guard that led his team to the Final Four is going pro.
Wagler thrived as the primary ball handler and playmaker for Illinois, averaging 17.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists a game, while shooting 41% from 3-point range. He's just 19, he needs to get stronger and prove he can defend at the NBA level, but teams are high on him. There are a number of guards expected to be taken between 5-9 in this draft, and Wagler is solidly in that group.
Louisville’s Mikel Brown entering draft
Mikel Brown, like Wagler, is expected to go in a group of guards taken between 5-9 in the June draft, and with that, the Louisville freshman is going pro, something he told Marc J. Spears of ESPN’s Andscape.
Brown (like Wilson) missed the ACC and NCAA tournaments due to a back strain.
"(My back) really was messed up, but I just kept trying to play through it. And then eventually it just led me to the decision that I wasn't going to play in both tournaments — the ACC tournament and the NCAA tournament — just because I'm not trained to go half speed at all."
Brown is a quick, shifty point guard who is going to look better in the NBA, with a more spaced-out floor and shooting all around him. Brown is very skilled as a scorer and shot creator off the ball-screen, and he averaged 18.2 points and 4.7 assists per game for the Cardinals. The question with Brown has been consistency and defense, but he is a dynamic playmaker that teams love.
Other NBA Draft notes
• Houston center Chris Cenac Jr. confirmed the expected, that he is entering the NBA Draft. The 6'11" big man averaged 9.5 points and 7.9 rebounds a game as a starter, shooting 33.3% from beyond the arc. Cenac is a polarizing figure among scouts — many think he could use another year of college development — but is almost certainly a first-round pick (some teams have him up near the end of the lottery, others are thinking more like mid-20s). His individual workouts will have a lot to do with where he is taken.
• Freshman Baylor wing Tounde Yessoufou announced on social media he is entering the 2026 NBA Draft. One of the most explosive athletes in the draft, the 6'5" Yessoufou averaged 17.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. He plays a power game that is harder to pull off against the men in the NBA, and his jump shot is holding him back (29.3% from beyond the arc), but his athleticism makes him worth the risk to the right team. He is likely a late first or early second-round pick (assuming he stays in the draft).
• Michigan State guard Jeremy Fears said he will test the waters of the NBA draft, although a return to college seems more likely. Fears averaged 15.2 points and 9.4 assists per game — he led the NCAA in assists — but he is projected as a mid-to-late second-round pick (if selected at all), which means making good college NIL money as a senior may be the smarter play.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 22: Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles the ball during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 22, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Blazers defeated the Suns 92-77. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Who: Phoenix Suns vs. Portland Trail Blazers
When: 7:00pm Arizona Time
Where: Mortgage Matchup Center — Phoenix, Arizona
Watch: Prime Video
Listen: KMVP 98.7
Here we are. The Phoenix Suns are playing in their first ever play in game after a season that surprised a lot of people. The consensus coming in was that a successful year meant making the Play-In tournament, likely in the nine-versus-ten game, probably on the road. Instead, the Suns are hosting the seven-versus-eight game. It would take two straight losses for them to miss the postseason entirely.
The opportunity is right in front of them. Beat the Portland Trail Blazers tonight, and you’re the seven seed. You’re on a flight headed to Texas to face the San Antonio Spurs. But first things first. They have to deal with a Portland team that has been playing better basketball down the stretch. Phoenix is 11–11 in March and April. Portland is 13–8. Since the All-Star break, the Blazers are 15–11. The Suns are 13–14.
Phoenix handled Portland well during the regular season. They went 2–1 and created chaos defensively, averaging 15.3 steals across those three games. That matters, especially against a team that led the league in turnovers at 17.3 per night and coughed it up 19.3 times per game against the Suns. The Blazers also launch threes — 42.2 per game — third most in the league, but they sit near the bottom in efficiency at 34.3%. When those shots don’t fall, they crash. Hard. They’re second in the NBA in offensive rebounds at 14.1 and lead the league in second-chance points at 18.4. That’s where the pressure comes. Because the Suns give up 15.6 second-chance points a night, 22nd in the league.
And yet, none of that really matters now. This is about execution. This is about handling the moment. One game, real stakes, postseason on the line. Who settles in, who controls the chaos, who finishes. That’s what decides tonight.
Probable Starters
Injury Report
Suns
Grayson Allen — OUT (Left Hamstring Soreness)
Trail Blazers
Damian Lillard — OUT (Left Achilles Tendon)
Jerami Grant — QUESTIONABLE (Right Calf Strain)
What to Watch For
It starts with containing Deni Avdija.
If I asked you to guess where he ranks in the NBA in free throw attempts per game, where would you put him? Last season, he averaged 5.2 and ranked 28th in the league. This season, he’s found his lane attacking the basket. He’s third in the NBA, trailing only Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo, getting to the line 9.2 times per game and hitting 80.2%. Yikes.
So step one is clear. Limit his access to the paint and avoid fouling when he gets there. That’s been a problem for the Suns lately. They’ve allowed 51 points per game in the paint over their last 10 games. That’s where it starts. Slow down the guy who applies the most pressure at the rim.
Step two is protecting the defensive glass. As previously noted, the Trail Blazers are second in the league in offensive rebounding. The Suns are fourth in offensive rebounding themselves, but overall, Portland sits sixth in total rebounds while Phoenix is 20th. That gap shows up. That’s effort, positioning, and attention to detail. It has to be there tonight.
And the question is how. Portland is big. They are long. That’s not something the Suns consistently bring with their rotations. The size exists on the roster, but it hasn’t always been on the floor. So it comes back to Jordan Ott and how he manages those rotations, how he counters what Portland throws at them, and how he finds the right balance when it matters most.
Key to a Suns Win
The Suns have to be effective from beyond the arc. Phoenix finished 12th in the NBA in three-point shooting, hitting 36.1%. When you look at their games against the Blazers this season, the connection is clear. In the two wins? They shot 42% from deep. In the loss, they were at 25.7%.
Yes, that loss came without Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks, but the formula still holds. If the Suns are going to win, it comes down to balance. Effective three-point shooting. Strong point of attack defense. Limiting Deni Avdija getting downhill. Securing rebounds.
Portland is beatable. There’s a reason they finished 42–40 and are in this game. But the Suns have to turn Portland’s weaknesses into their strengths. The Blazers turn the ball over. That’s the pressure point. The Suns need to press, stay aggressive defensively, and create extra possessions. At the same time, they can’t get too handsy. They can’t give away easy points.
It’s about control. Dictate the pace, don’t let Portland impose theirs. If the Suns do that, they win.
Prediction
I’ve been in the arena for postseason games, for wins and losses, and there’s nothing quite like the Mortgage Matchup Center. The hope is that tonight that anxious feeling doesn’t creep in. But if it does, remember what this team has shown. They can come back. Even in those frustrating losses down the stretch, they were still within reach after falling behind by double digits more often than not.
So if you’re in the building tonight, don’t let that energy take over. I don’t think it will. The Suns have the best player on the court in Devin Booker. You can argue Deni Avdija had the better season, maybe he did, but he hasn’t lived in these moments the way Booker has.
Phoenix wins this one and advances to face the Spurs.
DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 22: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks and Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the game on OCTOBER 22, 2025 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The regular season has come to a close, and for the first time since 2019 (well, technically 2022 if you want to count the play-in), this is not the end of the line for the Spurs! After a 28-game turnaround from last season’s 34-48 to 62-20, the Spurs are headed to the playoffs as the second seed in the West and NBA overall. They will face the winner of tonight’s 7th vs. 8th seed match-up between the Phoenix Suns or Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the playoffs, with Game 1 already scheduled for 8:00 PM CT on Sunday regardless of opponent.
We’ll have plenty more when we know about that series, but in the meantime, I thought it would fun to look back at what was the most exciting regular season for the Spurs since 2016-17. In my mind, there were four parts of this season. The first is what I would consider the pre-NBA Cup (in Vegas) stretch, where the Spurs played well and showed they were on a new level but were having to patiently wait for a complete roster due to injuries. Then there was the December surge when they finally were healthy, followed by a January “slump”, and lastly, February and onward, when they started looking like a true contender.
We’ll look back at each part of the season and how it shaped what turned out to be one of the greatest regular season’s in Spurs history, beginning with:
Part 1: Oct. 22 – Dec. 10 (17-7)
Despite having doubters, the Spurs entered the season with high optimism. Victor Wembanyama made a triumphant return from deep vein thrombosis that had shortened his previous season to the All-Star break, and he was determined to make the most of it. He also got to open the season against the next great prospect to enter the NBA in Cooper Flagg, and Wemby dominated with a 40-point, 15-rebound performance, determined not only to remind everyone who he is, but also that despite the hype, the doe-eyed rookie was not on his level just yet. (Although he has proven he will be darn good. Everyone is watching the Wemby vs. Chet Holmgren rivalry, but keep an eye on this one, too.)
The Spurs would go on to win their first five games — a franchise record — by riding Wemby’s dominance, all while waiting for De’Aaron Fox to make is season debut following offseason finger surgery and a hamstring injury. He finally did nine games in, only for Wemby to then miss 12 straight games with the most dreaded two words in sports these days: calf strain.
Still, it may have been a blessing in disguise as it allowed Fox to integrate himself with the roster and gain their respect as the main ball handler. He averaged 25 points — 6.5 above his season average —and 6.5 assists during that stretch, with his best game being a memorable 114-112 OT win in Orlando, in which he had 31 points and 5 assists while showing why he was Mr. Clutch in 2023. As the cherry on top, the game was capped off by a hilarious Luke Kornet block-and-pose, who also showed his worth as Wemby’s best backup yet and quickly becoming one of the most underrated offseason acquisitions in the league.
The Spurs surprisingly went 9-3 in that timeframe without Wemby, including making the NBA Cup Tournament. That stretch concluded with a dominant 132-119 quarterfinals win in Los Angeles against a healthy Lakers squad that had already beaten them once this season, led by a dominant performance from Stephon Castle, who went toe-to-toe with Luka Doncic with a 30-point, 10-rebound, 6-assist performance. As good as the reigning Rookie of the Year was coming into the season, he made an even bigger leap than expected in his sophomore campaign, bringing plenty more optimism for the future.
Despite 50% of the first part of the season coming without Wemby, the Spurs were able to show off their depth and establish themselves as a force to be reconned with perhaps a season sooner than expected, and soon, they would have the entire league’s attention.
Check back tomorrow as we continue to walk down memory lane of an incredible regular season, and make sure to add more of your favorite memories from the opening stretch in the comments below!
The Washington Wizards finished the 2025-26 season with a 17-65 record — the worst in the NBA — in Brian Keefe’s second full season as the team’s head coach. The record looks bad, but it’s what the organization wanted this season, and in season’s past, while under Keefe’s leadership.
Keefe owns a 43-160 record in two-plus seasons in Washington, which marks the worst winning percentage (.212) in NBA history among coaches with at least 200 games coached. He’s been on the sidelines with for countless blowout losses, including Bam Adebayo’s 83-point night, and has lost 16 straight games on four separate occasions during his tenure.
But he also used nearly 50 different starting lineups this season and didn’t appear to have full control over his rotations as the Wizards tanked for the league’s worst record. He’s also well liked by the players and has developed the team’s young talent.
So, does Keefe deserve a shot at coaching the Wizards when they’re actually trying to compete? Or is it time to move on as the team enters a new phase of its rebuild?
Greg Finberg and Domo (@Domo8186 on X) discuss in the latest episode of “The Wizards Podcast.“
Nike Basketball unveiled the new Nike LeBron Witness IX PE Monday, a player-exclusive colorway in honor of Bronny James. The shoe not only symbolizes the LA Lakers rising guard and his famous father, but also Bronny’s backstory as a survivor, who has overcome several obstacles in order to reach his NBA dream.
The new shoe, which is the second such shoe in the series, leans into restraint. It features a tonal upper layered with subtle textures. It has red accents and features the name “Bronny” on the toe and his logo on the heel.
The new Nike shoe symbolizes the LA Lakers’ rising guard Bronny James and his backstory as a survivor. APIt has red accents and features the name “Bronny” on the toe and James’ logo on the heel. Nike
Bronny James’ journey from son of arguably the greatest player in NBA history to rising star with the Lakers is not linear. After committing to University of Southern California for college, Bronny collapsed during an early-morning practice on July 24, 2023 inside USC’s Galen Center. He suffered a cardiac arrest that was later attributed to a congenital heart defect. James’ future in basketball was suddenly in doubt.
LeBron IX Witness PER for Bronny inspired by his recovery and journey back to the court. pic.twitter.com/NyR1VzgwKA
LeBron and Bronny James made history as the first father-son teammates ever to share the court in the NBA. Getty Images
Less than five months later, he returned to the court and made his collegiate debut with the Trojans. After his freshman season, he declared for the 2024 NBA Draft and was selected in the second-round at No. 55 overall by the Lakers. That October, LeBron and Bronny James made history as the first father-son teammates ever to share the court in the NBA.
This new sneaker lives in that space between what almost was and what now is.
The Witness IX PE becomes less about LeBron’s signature line and more about the upcoming evolution. A passing of narrative from one generation to the next and an example of Nike’s investment in the entire James family.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 04: A view of the center court logo is seen prior to the game between the Denver Nuggets and the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 04, 2026 in New York City. 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 Evan Bernstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As Lucas Kaplan had put it to you yesterday, the Brooklyn Nets hosted an official end of the season private press conference on Monday to share the takeaways everyone gathered from this season.
Despite the traditional setting of the atmosphere with members of the organization on the dias and various journalists sitting in seats waiting to ask questions, there was a sense of camaraderie Monday among the group. They may have had different jobs, questioned each other, set an debated strategy, etc, but overall one thing united them … It was a LONG season. Losing games is not fun, and it can take a toll on everyone.
Nevertheless, Sean Mark, Jordi Fernandez, MPJ, Noah Clowney, and Sean Marks still doled out some smiles, and answered key questions, some in more detail, others in less. There were Q. and A.’s on their approach during the season and what we can look forward to for this summer and the 2026-2027 — starting with a crucial draft, NBA Season. Here are some of the quotes that stood out. Lucas already handled MPJ’s answers in Monday’s report.
Jordi Fernandez: In the Moment
The life of an NBA coach is hard, especially when you’re in Jordi’s shoes. Not only is he responsible for developing young NBA talent, but he is in the middle of a rebuild where losing has become the norm in such a great city.
Fernandez started out with some humor, detailing that he should’ve been more considerate toward his family when they told him that being a head coach would be hard.
“You don’t know how to deal with your emotions until you have to do it. It’s really hard. Because you want to go out there and win games like the Boston game or Orlando when you’re right there.”
As he often does, Fernandez thanked a long list of people who had helped in development of the youngest team in the last 20 years.
“Between Long Island, the coaching staff, and the front office, the exposure that these guys had to the real games I thought was great. I think we led the league in minutes played by rookies [they did], and I thought that tells you that the best player development coaches are real live minutes. Those are the wins that don’t; show up in the standings, but the wins that we believe in.”
“I feel I’m supported, I also feel like whenever I make a mistake, I’m going to be challenged. When all of those things happen, it is all positive.”
Sean Marks: Fresh New Start/ Development
“Our rookie class specifically played more minutes than anyone else in the league from a rookie class standpoint. That’s something we’re certainly proud of. There’s excitement about the next 3-4 months of this summer. Talking to the coaching staff, I know they need to get away but they are all excited about what lies ahead of them.”
“One of the biggest lessons from an on-the-court perspective is that they got to feel what a real NBA athlete and game feels like and the preparation that is involved. Sometimes that takes a year or two, or maybe even three to get 40 games under their belt. A lot of our guys were exposed to it early to what that feels like.”
“We always look at the best available. As opposed to taking a guy and making him into your roster and what you already have. I think number one we’re looking for a competitive guy. You gotta fit, have that “Brooklyn Fit.” We always look at the upside, and that can be a tricky game to play, but we’re excited to see wherever this pick falls and there the opportunity will be for us.”
As for free agency and trades, Marks was cagey, as one might expect:
“It depends a little on what becomes available. You just never know,” said Marks. “We’ve put this Nets team and franchise in a place to be able to be opportunistic. Does that fit our timeline? Does this particular trade work for us right now?
“You can always add talent, but does that talent fit our approach and for the development of these young guys, fit in with the group we have? So, those are discussions I look forward to having with Jordi [Fernández] and the rest of the coaching staff, front office, mostly Joe [Tsai] — when we want to add and how we want to add.”
Marks also pointed out that Josh Minott’s performance might have even been better if he had been healthy.
“The shooting is something that probably surprised me slightly, but I look forward to seeing him healthy,” Marks said. “He was playing on one leg with us for most of the time here, so it is nice to get that ankle taken care of and then again have another big summer. … But he’s excited and incredibly motivated. And as we said before, I love the competitive nature and competitive fire that he has.”
Marks wouldn’t commit, at least not yet, to picking up Minott’s $2.5 million team option.
Noah Clowney: Correction
When it was Noah Clowney’s turn to sit to talk to the media on Monday morning, his body language said exhausted. That mixture of an 82-game season along with all that losing, Clowney had good reason. He spoke of his development which in his mind was mediocre.
“I think I progressed this year, maybe not as much as I wanted to, but I got better at a few different things and I got more experience, so I’m going to take that for what it is. I also got to gel more with the group that will be around for a while.
Clowney gave more in detail as the questions started to roll in.
“I think I had a really strong summer. I think you can ask anybody around here they can tell you the same. And when the season first started, it wasn’t translating how I wanted it too, and that led to frustration.”
During the season Clowney had upped his scoring average to 12.3 while playing in the most games of his young career.
“I think I got a lot better at getting to the rim. I think my handles have to get a lot better, that’ll prevent turnovers and things of that nature. Defensively it’s always been consistency. I can do it at times, and other times I just don’t.”
Other than being disappointed with himself, Clowney also mentioned about his unawareness of what next year can potentially look like. After all, he will be a restricted free agent this summer.
“I don’t know what the roster will be next year. I’m not looking forward to nobody specifically. I hope everybody still here, but we all know that’s not realistic. I’m looking for another opportunity to play, though.”
Zion Williamson had a strong season, playing in 62 games — and it could have been 65, he sat out the meaningless final three games of the season, but could have played — while averaging 21 points a night on 60% shooting from the floor.
To some New Orleans fans, that just means the former No. 1 overall pick raised his trade value and the Pelicans should explore trading him this summer. That's not what Zion wants. He wants to stay, something he was clear about speaking to reporters after the New Orleans season ended.
"New Orleans is home for me. I don't say that because I'm sitting in front of these cameras," Williamson said, via Brett Martel of the Associated Press. "When the offseason hits, a lot of guys leave the city. I live here. ... I've been here since I was 19."
Williamson is under contract for two more seasons at a total of $87.1 million. That money, plus his level of production and injury risk, make this the kind of contract that is hard to get teams to take on in the tax apron era. While New Orleans front office decision-makers Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver have been open to discussing Zion trade in the past, other teams were far more eager to discuss Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones trades. The Pelicans set the price for either wing sky high.
Despite Zion's quality play, the Pelicans finished 26-56. They are looking for a new coach — interim coach James Borrego is part of that search — and some roster changes are expected this season. Dumars even discussed being open to a trade that would get the Pelicans back into the first round of the NBA Draft after they traded away their rights to this year's pick to Atlanta to move up last June and select Derek Queen.
As for Zion, who has played in 62+ games two of the last three seasons, he said he is proud of how he has bounced back from minor injuries this season, but he has work to do on his game.
"My play on the court — it was OK," Williamson said. "I was efficient, but I don't want to sit here and say it was OK and we're not even in [the postseason. Individually, I have a lot to go work on. I want to be able to attack from multiple areas on the court. I want to be able to be unpredictable on the offensive end, and I didn't really do a good job of that this year. ... I want to be able to do more for my team."
And it likely will be his team again. While you can expect Zion trade rumors to pop up this offseason, as they always do, finding a trade — with his salary and the aprons hanging over teams — will be difficult. That said, in what will be a wild offseason — with huge names like Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James likely on the move — nothing is impossible.
Very rarely are fantasy leagues won solely via the draft. Sure, a manager can hit on every pick regarding production and health, but successfully navigating the waiver wire remains essential. With that in mind, below are some of the top waiver wire pickups of the season, starting with a guard who was one of the NBA's most improved players.
Rollins was one of the best waiver wire additions of the season, as his value did not fall off after the initial rush to pick him up. The Bucks guard posted career-best averages in points, rebounds, assists, steals and three-pointers. The one issue that may keep Rollins out of Most Improved Player conversations is Milwaukee's lackluster season. But the team's struggles don't erase the fact that he was far more valuable than fantasy managers expected Rollins to be.
G/F Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Atlanta Hawks
While he did start two of the Hawks' first three games, Alexander-Walker did not become a must-add player in fantasy leagues until Trae Young injured his knee during an October 29 game against the Nets. From Halloween onward, NAW started 69 of the 73 games he appeared in, averaging 21.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.5 blocks and 3.3 three-pointers in 33.6 minutes, shooting 46.2 percent from the field and 90.4 percent from the foul line. Yes, some took a late-round flier on Alexander-Walker. But he wasn't hard to find on waiver wires in late October, either.
After missing all of last season recovering from a torn ACL and moving to a new team, Bey was not on the radar of many fantasy managers last fall. That initially changed in December, with the Pelicans forward averaging 17.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.1 three-pointers per game. Bey would be even more productive from mid-January onward, averaging 19.9 points on 45.8 percent shooting in his final 38 games. Unless your season ran through Week 24, as Bey missed the Pelicans' final three games, he likely provided solid value during the fantasy playoffs.
C Neemias Queta, Boston Celtics
What Queta would bring to the table in his first season as a starting center was unknown to just about everyone outside of the Celtics organization. The fifth-year center offered top-100 fantasy value for the East's No. 2 seed, averaging 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 65.3 percent from the field and 70.3 percent from the foul line. Each average was a career best for Queta, who has a team option worth just under $2.7 million for next season.
G/F Cason Wallace, Oklahoma City Thunder
While teammate Ajay Mitchell also offered solid fantasy value, Wallace appeared in 77 games this season to Mitchell's 57. The third-year guard's averages of 8.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.3 three-pointers per game were modest but still good enough to be close to a top-100 player in category leagues. Oklahoma City's depth limits Wallace's fantasy ceiling, but injuries to key players gave him more opportunities to shine throughout the course of this season.
G/F Julian Champagnie, San Antonio Spurs
Champagnie started the Spurs' first nine games of the season, but the production wasn't much to write home about on most nights. However, he would return to the starting five for good just before the calendar flipped to 2026, and the fourth-year wing finished with career-high averages in points, rebounds, assists, steals and three-pointers. Also, Champagnie's availability has been excellent, as he appeared in all 82 games for a second consecutive season.
*admin can't stop posting Julian Champagnie highlights*
New career-high 7 3PM for @JulianChampagn2
A superior option for points league formats than category leagues, Achiuwa was one of the better post-All-Star break adds in fantasy basketball. In 25 games, the Kings forward averaged 15.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks in 31.0 minutes, shooting 55.5 percent from the field. Keegan Murray's injury woes opened the door for the former first-round pick, and he would ultimately provide solid value to those needing frontcourt help in the final two months of the regular season.
C Maxime Raynaud, Sacramento Kings
Like Achiuwa, injuries opened up opportunities for Raynaud to emerge as a worthwhile waiver wire pickup. Kings starting center Domantas Sabonis (knee) made his final appearance of the season on February 4. Raynaud started each of the team's final 30 games, posting averages of 16.8 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.6 blocks in nearly 32 minutes while shooting 59.2 percent from the field and 82.7 percent from the foul line.
F Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Tatum wasn't your run of the mill waiver wire add, and there were certainly those who drafted the Celtics star and stashed him in hopes of a return. However, there were also the skeptics who left him alone, prompting a mad dash to computers and smartphones once it became clear that a return was on the horizon. In 16 games, he averaged 21.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.4 steals and 2.9 three pointers in 32.6 minutes. Peak Tatum? No. Good enough to help fantasy managers win their leagues? Absolutely.
The Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers meet in a crucial NBA Play-In matchup on April 14, with the winner securing the No. 7 seed and the loser getting one final chance to fight for a playoff spot.
Even with a safety net, this is a high-leverage game where teams lean heavily on their top players, tighten rotations, and prioritize execution, all of which create sharper edges in the prop market. That’s exactly where our NBA player prop projections come in.
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Trail Blazers computer picks
Donovan Clingan Under 13.5 points (-115)
Projection: 11.5 points
Donovan Clingan’s scoring outlook is being slightly overvalued in this spot. In a Play-In environment, the Portland Trail Blazers are likely to lean more on their primary perimeter creators, limiting Clingan’s offensive volume.
With touches fluctuating and efficiency harder to come by in a tighter game, our model has him falling short of this number.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Clingan Now at bet365!/span
Scoot Henderson Over 12.5 points (-112)
Projection: 14.6 points
Scoot Henderson is set up for a usage bump in a high-leverage game. With the ball in his hands more often and the pace still projected to be playable, his scoring opportunities should be there.
Our model sees a clear gap between the projection and the line, making this a strong Over spot.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Henderson Now at bet365!/span
Deni Avdija Under 6.5 assists (-132)
Projection: 5.2 assists
Deni Avdija’s assist line is inflated relative to his expected role here. In a more controlled Play-In setting, secondary playmakers often see fewer clean-assist opportunities, especially when possessions slow down.
Our projection comes in well below this number, making the Under the sharper side.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Avdija Now at bet365!/span
Suns computer picks
Grayson Allen Over 2.5 rebounds (-105)
Projection: 3.3 rebounds
Grayson Allen’s rebounding is being undervalued by the market. With the Phoenix Suns likely playing their core rotation heavier minutes, Allen should have plenty of opportunities to contribute on the glass.
This line sits well below his projected output.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Allen Now at bet365!/span
Dillon Brooks Under 17.5 points (+100)
Projection: 16.5 points
Dillon Brooks is always capable of putting up shots, but that doesn’t mean efficiency follows — especially in a high-pressure setting.
With defensive attention tightening and better scoring options around him, our model projects him to fall short of this total, making the plus-money Under appealing.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Brooks Now at bet365!/span
Devin Booker Under 26.5 points (+107)
Projection: 26.1 points
Devin Booker’s number is right on the edge, but the value leans Under. In a Play-In game, defensive focus ramps up on primary scorers, and efficiency often dips as a result.
With the line slightly above our projection, the Under is the sharper play.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet XYZ Now at bet365!/span
How to watch Trail Blazers vs Suns tonight
Location
Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, AZ
Date
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Tip-off
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
Prime Video
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The 2026 NBA Western Conference Play-In Tournament kicks off with a high-stakes 7-vs-8 matchup tonight, as the Phoenix Suns (45-37) host the Portland Trail Blazers (42-40) at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Arizona. The winner secures the No. 7 seed and a first-round showdown with Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs, while the loser must play again on Friday against the winner of the 9-10 game to determine the final playoff spot.
Led by Devin Booker,Phoenix is seeking to return to the playoffs after missing out last year. Its been a beat since Portland last made the playoffs. The Blazers take the court looking to qualify for the postseason for the first time since 2021.
Neither of these teams really expected to make the playoffs this season. The Suns have redefined themselves this season under first-year head coach Jordan Ott, boasting a top-10 defensive rating even after moving on from stars like Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. Offensively, the burden remains heavy on the aforementioned Booker although he has seen Jalen Green mature into a legitimate scoring threat in the Association. Portland has relied on a post-All-Star break resurgence, featuring the league's third-best defense since late February. The Blazers, led by interim coach Tiago Splitter, play a disruptive defense led by Deni Avdija, Donovan Clingan, and Toumani Camara. Portland led the league in total forced turnovers. If you are leaning Blazers in this one, take note of the injury report this afternoon. Jerami Grant has been listed as questionable due to a calf strain. That is a major storyline. Should the veteran not dress, the task for Portland becomes all the greater.
The Suns took two of three meetings between these teams this season, but the Blazers won the most recent game, 92-77.
Lets take a closer look at tonight’s matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game Details and How to Watch Live: Trail Blazers vs. Suns
Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Time: 10PM EST
Site: Mortgage Matchup Center
City: Phoenix, AZ
Network/Streaming: Prime Video
Rotoworld has you covered with all the latest NBA Player News for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Game Odds: Trail Blazers vs. Suns
The latest odds as of Tuesday courtesy of DraftKings:
This game opened Suns -4.5 with the Total set at 219.5.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!
Expected Starting Lineups: Trail Blazers vs. Suns
Portland Trail Blazers
PG Deni Avdija
SG Jrue Holiday
SF Toumani Camara
PF Jerami Grant (questionable with a strained calf)
C Donovan Clingan
Phoenix Suns
PG Devin Booker
SG Jalen Green
SF Jordan Goodwin
PF Dillon Brooks
C Mark Williams
Injury Report: Trail Blazers vs. Suns
Portland Trail Blazers
Jerami Grant (calf) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
Damian Lillard (Achilles) has been ruled OUT of tonight’s game
Phoenix Suns
No injuries to report
Important stats, trends and insights: Trail Blazers vs. Suns
The Suns are 25-16 at home this season
The Blazers are 18-23 on the road this season
The Suns are 47-35 ATS this season / 23-18 at home
Portland is 44-38 ATS this season / 19-22 on the road
The OVER has cashed in 42 of the Trail Blazers’ 82 games this season (42-40)
The OVER has cashed in just 36 of the Suns’ 82 games this season (36-46)
Dillon Brooks averaged a career-high 20.2 points per game this season
Rotoworld Best Bet
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s Suns and Trail Blazers’ game:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Suns on the Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Suns -3.5 ATS
Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total UNDER 216.5
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ORLANDO, FLORIDA - JANUARY 09: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball against Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic during the second quarter at Kia Center on January 09, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After an absolute rollercoaster of a regular campaign for the Philadelphia 76ers, we have finally made it to the postseason.
When the dust finally settled on the final games in the Eastern Conference on Sunday, the Sixers ended up as the No. 7 seed with a record of 45-37. With that finish, Philadelphia is set to host the No. 8 seed Orlando Magic in the first round of the Play-In Tournament this Wednesday night. The winner earns their spot in the playoffs to face the Boston Celtics in the first round.
The loser of the contest will have one more chance to continue on, facing the eventual winner of the No. 10 Miami Heat vs. No. 9 Charlotte Hornets game for the final playoff spot in the East. But let’s just take things one game at a time. Especially when it comes to the Sixers, we all know how quickly things can change.
What is certain is that the Sixers are facing a chance to go directly to the playoffs out of the first game of the Play-In on Wednesday when the Magic come to South Philadelphia.
The Sixers won two of three contests against Orlando this season. They had a pair of meetings before the calendar even turned to 2026, so no one would blame you for not remembering much about the dynamic between these two squads this season. But, with their most crucial meetup of the campaign still to come in the Play-In, let’s take a look back at how the teams have fared against one another thus far, and how those results may be reflected in Wednesday’s contest.
Oct. 27, 2025 – Sixers 136, Magic 124
The first time these two squads met was way back in October 2025. It was the third game of the season for the Sixers and the fourth for the Magic. It all feels like a lifetime ago now, which is why it’s important to not only consider the outcomes of these meetings but also the context surrounding each.
Orlando was well-equipped for this first matchup with Philly, with their top six per-game scorers for 2025-26 all available: Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Desmond Bane, Anthony Black, Jalen Suggs and Wendell Carter Jr.
The Sixers, meanwhile, were without Joel Embiid and Paul George, with George having yet to make his season debut. The starting five were Maxey, Kelly Oubre Jr., VJ Edgecombe, Adem Bona and Jabari Walker. It was the first starts of the campaign for both Bona and Walker.
The Sixers were able to jump out to an early advantage in this one and held the lead almost the entire game, with the Magic leading by just two points in the first quarter and never holding another advantage for the rest of the contest. Philadelphia reached their largest lead of 15 points just before halftime. Despite letting the Magic claw back within just two points midway through the final frame, the Sixers were able to slam the door shut from there to secure the win and start their season 3-0.
The Magic were led by Banchero with 32 points and Bane with 24.
There were a few factors at play that ultimately separated the Sixers from the Magic on this night. One was Maxey simply putting up a massive night with 43 points — his highest mark of the entire 2025-26 campaign for a game that ended in regulation — including eight straight in the closing minutes of the fourth frame to put the final nail in the Magic’s coffin. It was already his second 40+ point game to begin the season. He also had eight assists.
Other leaders for Philadelphia that night were Edgecombe, who had an efficient 26-point game on 10-for-17 field goal shooting, and Oubre, who had a 25-point, 10-rebound double-double with a steal and two blocks.
Another defining factor was that the Sixers had one of their better nights from beyond the arc, with the team shooting 14-for-33 (42.4%). Six Philly players sank at least one triple, with five of them sinking at least two.
Last but not least, the Sixers were able to limit their own turnovers while taking advantage of the Magic’s. Philly put up 20 points off 13 Orlando turnovers, while the Magic converted just nine points from the Sixers’ six turnovers.
So, a big night from Maxey, limiting sloppiness, taking advantage of the Magic’s mistakes and hitting some shots from long range. That’s not too much to ask for again, is it?
Well, for what it’s worth, six turnovers in that October contest ended up tying two other games for the Sixers’ lowest turnover count across this entire season. In terms of the three-point shooting, 42.4% ended up their 13th-best night from beyond the arc in terms of accuracy and the Sixers notched 14 or more threes in just 31 of 82 contests in 2025-26.
Nov. 25, 2025 (NBA Cup) – Magic 144, Sixers 103
Not a pretty score, huh? The 41-point defeat at the hands of Orlando was Philadelphia’s second-worst loss of the season, only outdone by the New York Knicks crushing the Sixers by 49 back in February.
That being said, there is some important context to consider for this NBA Cup blowout. The Sixers, hamstrung by injuries at that point, started Maxey, Dominick Barlow, Quentin Grimes, Andre Drummond and Justin Edwards. No Embiid, no George, no Edgecombe. We even saw first period minutes from Eric Gordon, which should tell you all you need to know.
The Magic were without Banchero, dealing with an injury of his own at that point of the season, but they still had a number of their other top-scorers for the year at their disposal such as Franz Wagner, Black and Suggs.
Things were knotted at 25 apiece after the first quarter, but quickly went downhill for the Sixers as the Magic dropped 51 points on them in the second creating a 26-point deficit at halftime. It wasn’t pretty, and it didn’t even look like it was taking much effort from Orlando to run circles around the Philly lineup.
Black had established his dominance early on in the game with 27 first-half points off the bench with some incredible 10-for-14 field goal and 4-for-5 long range shooting. Suggs already had 11 assists at the break, matching the Sixers’ team total for the first half. Philadelphia also only had two scorers in double-digits by halftime: Maxey with 15 points and Jared McCain with 13 points off the bench.
Philly all but waved a white flag from there, with Maxey playing just 10 minutes of the second half with extended time on the floor being given to players like Gordon, Walker, Johni Broome and Hunter Sallis. No offense to those guys, but they aren’t exactly the players you have out there if you’re really desperate to win.
A 41-point loss is a 41-point loss, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t know how much stock I’d put in this game being a relevant comparison of these squads… especially with the rotations looking worlds different than they will this week.
Jan. 9, 2026 – Sixers 103, Magic 91
The final matchup of the regular season between Philadelphia and Orlando back in January featured the Sixers’ lineup closest resembling full strength of the three meetings. The 76ers had Embiid, PG, Maxey and Edgecombe available to start, with the only injury unavailability being Trendon Watford and with Kelly Oubre Jr. coming off the bench for limited minutes as it was just his second game back after nearly two months sidelined. Barlow started in Oubre’s place. The starting lineup of Barlow, Edgecombe, Embiid, George and Maxey actually ended up being the Sixers’ most used across the season, starting in 15 contests (with a record of 8-7).
The Magic’s main absences for this one were Franz Wagner and Suggs. Rookie Noah Penda started for the first time in his NBA career to help fill the gaps.
The Sixers struggled mightily throughout the first half of this one, but managed to keep the Magic from ever extending their lead into double-digits, partially through struggles of their own that we will get to in a moment. After halftime, Philly improved their horrendous shooting to at least somewhat-serviceable accuracy while the Magic went from bad to somehow much, much worse. That was enough to turn the tide on this one, allowing the Sixers to win the tiebreaking game of the series.
Remember how three-point shooting was an advantage for the Sixers’ in their early-season win over the Magic? Not so much the case here. Philadelphia went just 4-for-28 (14.3%) from long range in this one. It ended up the team’s second-worst game from beyond the arc all season. Fortunately, the issues were mutual between the Sixers and Magic, with Orlando putting up their second-worst three-point shooting game of the season at the same time sinking just 4-of-29 (13.8%) attempts.
It was truly just an ugly contest all around. The Sixers sucked, and the Magic sucked more. Sometimes that’s all it takes to win — suck a little bit less than your opponent.
Orlando had 10 first-half turnovers, ending up with 19 total in the game, tying their fifth-highest mark of the season. They put up just 12 points in the fourth quarter, sinking just four field goals the entire frame. Banchero himself struggled by his standards with just 14 points on 33.3% field goal shooting in the contest. The Magic’s strongest performances of the night came from Bane with 23 points and Black with 21.
This game was truly a tale of two halves in general, but especially so for Maxey. At halftime, he had just 12 points on abysmal 3-for-12 field goal and 0-for-4 three-point shooting. The second half was a different story, with the guard finally getting hot for 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting from the floor and going 3-for-4 from long range. He ended up leading the Sixers by the end of the game with those 29 points.
The interesting thing is that this performance from Maxey specifically feels relevant to Wednesday’s matchup. That is because, since his return from the pinky tendon injury, Maxey has had more than a few games where he has struggled for a half before getting into any sort of groove.
The major, seven-foot difference between the Sixers then vs. now, though, is the availability of Embiid. This contest came six games into the stretch across January into February within which Embiid played 18 of 21 possible games, only missing three that were part of back-to-backs and would mean him playing on zero days rest. That being said, the 22 points on 7-for-17 field goal shooting was actually a bit of a quiet night for Embiid during that time. During that 18-game stretch, he ended up averaging 30.1 points on 52.4% field goal shooting, so his performance against the Magic was far from his best. That being said, his 10 first-half points, though nothing impressive by Embiid’s standards, certainly helped the Sixers stay in this one when Maxey (and PG) struggled early.
And, of course, that’s not even mentioning how just having Embiid on the court changes an opponent’s game plan, the spacing created for his Sixers teammates and his effect in terms of defensive presence in the paint.
That’s the thing about these Sixer and Magic teams — they’ve both had rollercoaster regular seasons with a ton of moving parts in terms of player availability and, frankly, game results. Because of that, the most relevant game of the season between the two very well may be that first meeting, all the way back in October 2025. It was the only meeting of the series that was truly competitive NBA ball — not just a matter of one of the teams being wildly shorthanded or both teams completely forgetting how to shoot a basketball.
At least, the Sixers should hope it’s the most relevant. The Magic were at full-strength and competitive, looking to turn around their tough start to the season, likely in the way they will come into the Play-In hoping to right the wrongs that plagued them at the end of the season. They got good performances out of the likes of Banchero and Bane. It wasn’t simply a matter of them shooting like a middle school team. Still, the Sixers, without Embiid, were able to put up an impressive fight to snag the win through a widespread effort, good fundamentals and an excellent night from Maxey as their leader. Plus, they did it without PG. It’s the exact type of performance they should hope to mirror come Wednesday.
The betting public is backing all of the favorites ahead of day one of the NBA Play-In Tournament on Tuesday evening.
Top sportsbooks reported a majority of tickets and money supporting the favorites in the first four matchups on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Key Takeaways
No favorite generated less than 59% of spread bets at BetMGM or DraftKings.
There are several instances of the under being in the minority for tickets and the majority for handle.
LaMelo Ball, Mark Williams, and Bam Adebayo were the most popular targets of player prop bets at DraftKings.
The Play-In Tournament was officially adopted ahead of the 2020-21 season. It’s meant to both whet the palate of NBA fans and give teams opportunities to play for their playoff futures, but in the world of sports wagering, it also represents another chance for fans to find a wide menu of betting odds.
Tuesday’s schedule will see the Charlotte Hornets face the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference’s 9/10 game, before the Phoenix Suns host the Portland Trail Blazers in the Western Conference’s 7/8 showdown.
Heat vs. Hornets predictions were practically an open-and-shut case for the public. The majority of bettors are backing the upstart Hornets in the early game. More than half, 59%, of bets and 74% of the money are on their spread, which rose from -4.5 to -5.5, according to BetMGM’s John Ewing.
As for Miami, 51% of bets but only 38% of money is on the Heat moneyline (+180). Scoring is not expected to be high, with 61% of bets and 77% of money on the under, which fluctuated between 227.5 and 228.5.
DraftKings insights shared with Covers revealed that the Hornets-Heat matchup was the most-bet NBA game to start the week.
Almost two-thirds, 64%, of tickets and 77% of the pot is on the Hornets’ spread, while 73% of wagers and 74% of the handle is on the Hornets’ moneyline. Nearly three-quarters, 74%, of bets and 60% of the money is also on the under, according to DraftKings Nation.
Trail Blazers vs. Suns predictions showed a similar breakdown. At BetMGM, 72% of bets and 70% of the handle were on the Suns’ spread (up from -3.5 to -4.5). Meanwhile, 55% of bets and 87% of the money in the moneyline market also went to the Suns (-165), while 52% of bets and 86% of the handle were on the under (up from 213.5 to 217.5).
In what was DraftKings’ second most-bet game in the Association, 60% of tickets and 71% of money in the spread market, as well as 76% of bets and 55% of the handle in the moneyline market, were on the Suns. The only real divide occurred in the total market, which showed that 30% of bets and 74% of the handle were on the over.
Wednesday Play-In betting breakdown
Wednesday’s Play-In lineup will feature the Philadelphia 76ers against the Orlando Magic in the East’s 7/8 matchup, before the Golden State Warriors visit the Los Angeles Clippers for the West’s 9/10 battle.
BetMGM reported 70% of bets on the Sixers -1.5 and the Sixers moneyline (-125), even though Joel Embiid is expected to miss the contest with appendicitis. Bettors are anticipating a lower-scoring game, with 70% of wagers on under 220.5.
DraftKings revealed that 61% of tickets and 78% of the money are on the Sixers’ spread, as well as 63% of bets and 82% of the handle on the Sixers’ moneyline. More than a quarter, 26%, of bets and 78% of the handle are on the under.
Turning to the late game, BetMGM shared that 64% of bets are on Clippers -5.5. However, 65% of wagers are also on the Warriors’ moneyline (+165). Points are expected in this contets, as 53% of tickets are on over 220.5.
DraftKings users like the Clippers in both major team markets, with 62% of bets and 93% of the handle backing them on the spread, as well as 70% of tickets and 75% of the money on the moneyline. A quarter of bets and 71% of the handle are on under 220.5.
Popular NBA Play-In player props
NBA betting sites aren’t limited to offering team markets during the Play-In Tournament, the first step in teams’ pursuit of reaching the NBA Finals.
DraftKings shared with Covers that the three players receiving the most interest in the player prop betting market were LaMelo Ball (Hornets), Mark Williams (Suns), and Bam Adebayo (Heat).
Ball to score 15+ points, make 4+ three-pointers, and score 20+ points were the sportsbook’s three most-popular player props to begin the week. Williams to score 20+ points (+870 at the time of writing) was next, followed by Adebayo to score 20+ points.
The Miami Heat face the Charlotte Hornets in an elimination game on Tuesday in the NBA’s play-in tournament. The winner will face the loser of Wednesday’s game between the Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers on Friday — with the winner of that game securing the Eastern Conference’s No. 8 seed and a first-round matchup with the Detroit Pistons. The loser of Tuesday’s Heat-Hornets game is eliminated and lands in the NBA Draft Lottery.
The Knicks face the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Game 1 is set for Saturday, so let's open up the mailbag to answer your postseason questions...
Hart to the bench is a no-brainer. Would rather see Mo or Mitch start, plus they would show more life at the jump. -- @bobtabaske
I’ve been asking people both around the Knicks and with other teams about the Knicks starting lineup, specifically about Josh Hart’s role in it. Based on those conversations and based on what I’ve seen since Hart has been in New York, my answer to the question above is: the Knicks are at their best with Hart in the starting lineup.
Here are some points made by people in the league whose eye/evaluation I trust:
BALL-HANDLING: If you take Hart out of the starting lineup, who is the secondary ball-handler in the starting lineup? Unless you put Jose Alvarado or Tyler Kolek in the starting lineup, you are taking the best secondary ball-handler out of the unit and replacing him with someone who is less adept at operating as a dribbler. Maybe you argue that Miles McBride can adequately replace Hart as a ball-handler while also improving the starting five.
SHOT DISTRIBUTION: Hart doesn’t need to score to impact the game. This is one of the reasons why he’s a good fit for the lineup. If you replace him with McBride or Landry Shamet, how many shot attempts will either player get? Are you hurting yourself by taking shots away from a player who gives you scoring off the bench? That’s the way I see it playing out.
SCREENING: Hart is the best screener in the starting lineup. That is an overlooked part of the game that is pivotal in today’s NBA. As noted above, he doesn’t need the ball to be effective. He doesn’t want the ball, so his play won’t be impacted by his own field-goal attempts. It’s obvious to say that the lineup works well when Hart is hitting his threes (he’s been hitting them at a high level this season). But even if Hart isn’t knocking down threes at a high level, the Knicks can take advantage of defenders playing off Hart by having him set screens when he’s not being guarded. Hart setting a screen in that scenario forces his defender to scramble and can give the Knicks distinct advantages in the half-court.
Maybe I’m wrong, but that’s why I believe Hart should remain in the lineup. As Mike Brown noted in a recent news conference, he did consider changing the lineup at some point later in the season. But he ultimately decided against it. I think it was the right call. If I end up being wrong, feel free to call me out on it.
Do you think the collaboration instilled between the coaching staff (ex. O+D asst’s taking over huddles) has more advantages or disadvantages in the playoffs? -- @luvmyknix
This is a great question and my guess is that it only helps the Knicks. Brown has been receptive to different ideas/perspectives from his staff and others in the organization. He doesn’t make a decision and then stick with it just to prove that he’s right. I think this kind of collaboration has helped the Knicks during the regular season (for example: Hart going from a bench player to starting; defensive adjustments in late January that solidified the Knicks on that end of the floor). I think it will continue to help the Knicks in playoff series where between game adjustments are often the difference between winning and losing.
QUICK HITTERS
Ian, I know you’re not in the business of doing predictions as you often say but I want to know what you think - who will win this series and in how many games?--@KnicksCentral
Hey Alex, I’m taking Knicks in six just to be conservative. I think the Knicks can win this series in five games due, in part, to their advantage at center and the defensive matchups for OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges. I don’t think there will be an "easy" win in the series but I think the Knicks will protect leads late. As Brian Windhorst noted on The Putback, I don’t believe they will "kick" any winnable games.
What are chances Brown is asked to leave should NYK suffer an early exit? There should be more HC options as there will likely be more turnover throughout the league compared to last offseason. -- @GateDasinDog
This is pure speculation but I would think significant roster changes are much more likely than another coaching change. Maybe there will be some smaller changes off the court (changing Brown’s assistant coaches? Changing Leon Rose’s front office?). But unless there is a complete disaster, I don’t see Brown getting fired.
If the Knicks played the Thunder in the finals, why would they not match double bigs to start? -- @_the6thman
This is also just speculation on my part, Left , but I think any change to the lineup would be based more on performance than matching up with a specific opponent. You saw Tom Thibodeau change his lineup midway through the Pacers series. That one was based on the shoddy performance of the starters. I think any change during this postseason would be a reaction to poor play rather than tailoring the lineup to an opponent.
The Phoenix Suns face the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA’s play-in tournament on Tuesday. The winner will get the Western Conference’s No. 7 playoff seed and face the No. 2-seeded San Antonio Spurs in the first round. The loser will play the winner of Wednesday’s play-in game between the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors on Friday — with the winner of that game landing the No. 8 seed and a first-round matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
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