Ja Morant says it's not a grenade 3-point celebration: 'I'm taking my words, and I'm throwing them out there'

Ja Morant was warned about celebrating 3-pointers with a finger gun pointed at the opponent's bench, and when he did the finger-gun celebration again the league came down on him with a $75,000 fine.

So Morant switched to this celebration, which looks like he is pulling the pin on a grenade and throwing it into the crowd.

Before the Grizzlies fell to the Timberwolves on Thursday night, Morant said he was sticking with this celebration.

"That's my celebration now until somebody else has a problem with it, and I'll find another one," Morant said, via the Associated Press.

After the game, he said that celebration is not what everyone thinks it is (hat tip Clutch Points).

"Listen, it's not what you think it is. I'm taking my words, and I'm throwing them out there. I'm speaking Ja. I'm being Ja. I'm going to take my words, I'm going to throw them out there, and then I'm going to block out the noise. And that's what I'm doing. So when you see me do that, that's what I'm doing. I'm saying what I got to say to the world, and I'm blocking out the noise in the midst of what's coming back my way. And that's how it's going to be."

Or, the way it's going to be until the league warns him about this celebration. But he can always find another one.

Fantasy Basketball End of Season Roundtable: Nikola Jokic, Dyson Daniels among the fantasy MVPs

While some fantasy managers compete in leagues that run through the end of the NBA's regular season, most were completed by the end of Sunday's games. Congratulations to those who won their leagues and the money (and bragging rights) that comes with it. Those who did not will reflect on what went wrong and how they can avoid a similar fate next season.

With the fantasy season effectively over, now is a good time for the Rotoworld fantasy basketball staff to have a few roundtable discussions.

The final installment focuses on the most valuable players in fantasy basketball. For some, it's the player who led the way in the rankings, while others prefer to pick a player who proved far more valuable than expected during the preseason. Nick Shlain, Noah Rubin, Raphielle Johnson and Zak Hanshew made their choices, which are (mostly) unlikely to align with the winner of this season's official Most Valuable Player award.

Who is your Most Valuable Player in fantasy basketball this season?

Nick Shlain: The top three players that separated themselves from the pack this season were Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama. With Wembanyama going down with injury at the All-Star break, that left SGA and Jokic. While I’ve been partial to Jokic in the past and believe his skillset is more valuable in fantasy in a vacuum, injuries cost him some games in the second half. Entering play Friday, Jokic played 68 games to Gilgeous-Alexander’s 76. In my opinion, that’s significant enough to tip the scales for SGA, who had an incredible season that will likely result in his first MVP award.

Noah Rubin: You could look at this award a few different ways. Sure, Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander were technically the "most valuable" players in fantasy basketball. However, relative to ADP, few players were as valuable as "The Great Barrier Thief." Dyson Daniels was also my pick for the most improved player in fantasy basketball, and I had to limit myself from giving him more awards. He's on pace to play in 77 games, which is a huge win in today's NBA. Of course, the massive lead in steals and the improvements across the board have made Daniels a fantasy superstar. He won't win this award again since there is no way he goes this late in drafts again. The season-long numbers are already fantastic, but he's also made improvements throughout the year, as he has averaged more points, rebounds and assists per game over the past two months than he has for the season while also improving his field goal percentage. The No. 8 overall pick in 2022, Daniels has soared in his first season in Atlanta and helped many fantasy managers bring home rings.

Raphielle Johnson: While most of the players at the top of the rankings were expected to be there before the season began, I think the more valuable fantasy assets are those who exceed preseason expectations by a significant margin. Dyson Daniels certainly qualifies, but I'll take Josh Hart here. He's set the Knicks franchise record for triple-doubles in a season, and the versatile wing has provided top-30 per-game value in eight- and nine-cat formats. Between the positional eligibility, production and availability, Hart has been one of the most valuable players in fantasy basketball this season. And unlike Daniels, whose Yahoo! ADP will likely skyrocket in the fall, Hart may still be able to provide elite value relative to where he's drafted. Unless the Knicks were to move one of Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby or Mikal Bridges during the offseason, Hart will again be fifth in the offensive pecking order next season. That could keep his ADP within "reason," setting up Hart to remain a high-value option in fantasy leagues.

Zak Hanshew: It feels cheap to name Nikola Jokic as the fantasy MVP, but there's no denying his greatness. Jokic was drafted as a top-three pick and delivered in a way no one expected. He set personal bests in points, assists and steals, delivered stat lines that have never been seen and passed Wilt Chamberlain for most triple-doubles in a single season by a center. Joker is on pace to become only the third player to average a triple-double for a season and the first center to accomplish that feat. If we're getting down to the nitty-gritty, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may be slightly ahead of him in per-game fantasy ranking, but SGA wasn't a week-winner nearly as much as Jokic. Jokic has him handily in rebounds and assists, sits only slightly behind him in scoring and surprisingly holds the edge in steals. No other player in the Association put up numbers quite as gaudy as Joker, who posted 20-assist and 20-rebound games with regularity and just last week notched a 60-point triple-double. If you drafted Jokic, there's a good chance he single-handedly led you to victory multiple times throughout the 2024-25 campaign, and no other player can boast that level of impact.

Perk states Warriors would ‘pop' Lakers in first-round playoff series

Perk states Warriors would ‘pop' Lakers in first-round playoff series originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Kendrick Perkins believes the Warriors would beat the Los Angeles Lakers if they met in a first-round NBA playoff series.

The ESPN analyst expressed his confidence in Golden State capturing the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference and beating the presumptive No. 3-seeded Lakers in a best-of-seven playoff battle.

“I believe [Golden State] will capture the six seed,” Perkins said Friday on ESPN’s “First Take.” “…And by the way, they want to get to the six seed because I like them against the Lakers if the Lakers are the third seed. I like the Warriors; I like that matchup.

“Especially when you look at how the Lakers play defense, pack in the paint and give up a lot of 3-point shots. That’s kind of been the recipe [Lakers coach] JJ Redick has designed for this Lakers defense. I like the Warriors to get that six seed and if they face the Lakers in the first round, the Warriors are going to pop the Lakers.”

While the Warriors have a lot of postseason positioning to sort out over the final two games of the regular season, a playoff series against the Lakers is a real possibility.

Given how Golden State’s offense performed in a recent win over Los Angeles, there is reason for optimism. The Lakers lack the size and length of teams like the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder, and their lineup has been stretched thin recently.

However, the potent scoring combo of LeBron James and Luka Dončić gives the Lakers a chance no matter who they face in the playoffs.

The Warriors will need better performances from their supporting cast, especially when Steph Curry isn’t on the floor. Otherwise, another early postseason exit is the most likely outcome.

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What to know for Round 1 of the NBA playoffs: Bracket, schedule and more

What to know for Round 1 of the NBA playoffs: Bracket, schedule and more originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The 2025 NBA playoffs are ready to tip off.

The last two playoff berths were awarded on Friday night as the play-in tournament wrapped up.

The 10th-place Miami Heat first made play-in history with a wild overtime win against the eighth-place Atlanta Hawks. Tyler Herro and Co. clinched the Eastern Conference’s eighth and final playoff spot with the road victory, becoming the first 10th-place team to advance to the playoffs since the play-in was introduced in 2021. The Heat previously crushed the Bulls in Chicago in the 9-10 game.

But the Western Conference’s 10th-place team, the Dallas Mavericks, failed to match Miami’s feat. The eighth-place Memphis Grizzlies cruised past Dallas to grab the No. 8 playoff seed out West.

With the 16-team bracket locked in, here’s a look at the first-round matchups, schedule, and more to know:

When do the NBA playoffs start?

The playoffs begin Saturday, April 19.

How do the NBA playoffs work?

First-round matchups in each conference are No. 1 vs. No. 8, No. 2 vs. No. 7, No. 3 vs. No. 6, and No. 4 vs. No. 5. All postseason series are best of seven where the higher seed has home-court advantage in Games 1, 2, 5 and 7.

Do the NBA playoffs reseed teams?

The playoffs follow a bracket format and don’t reseed teams after the first round. That means, for instance, the winner of a 1-8 matchup will meet the winner of a 4-5 matchup in Round 2, regardless of the other first-round results.

What teams are in the NBA playoffs?

The six automatic playoff berths in the East were claimed by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons. The Orlando Magic and the Heat then joined the field via the play-in.

Out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers and Minnesota Timberwolves secured top-six spots before the Golden State Warriors and the Grizzlies advanced through the play-in.

What are the NBA playoff matchups?

Here’s a look at the bracket:

Eastern Conference

1. Cavaliers
8. Heat

4.Pacers
5. Bucks

3. Knicks
6. Pistons

2. Celtics
7. Magic

Western Conference

1. Thunder
8. Grizzlies

4. Nuggets
5. Clippers

3. Lakers
6. Timberwolves

2. Rockets
7. Warriors

What’s the schedule for the first round of the NBA playoffs?

Here are the schedule details for each first-round series ( * = if necessary):

Eastern Conference

No. 1 Cavaliers vs. No. 8 Heat

  • Game 1: Heat at Cavaliers — Sunday, April 20, 7 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 2: Heat at Cavaliers — Wednesday, April 23, 7:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV
  • Game 3: Cavaliers at Heat — Saturday, April 26, 1 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 4: Cavaliers at Heat — Monday, April 28, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 5*: Heat at Cavaliers — Wednesday, April 30, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Cavaliers at Heat — Friday, May 2, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Heat at Cavaliers — Sunday, May 4, time TBD, TV channel TBD

No. 2 Celtics vs. No. 7 Magic

  • Game 1: Magic at Celtics — Sunday, April 20, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
  • Game 2: Magic at Celtics — Wednesday, April 23, 7 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 3: Celtics at Magic — Friday, April 25, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
  • Game 4: Celtics at Magic — Sunday, April 27, 7 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 5*: Magic at Celtics — Tuesday, April 29, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Celtics at Magic — Thursday, May 1, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Magic at Celtics — Saturday, May 3, time TBD, TV channel TBD

No. 3 Knicks vs. No. 6 Pistons

  • Game 1: Pistons at Knicks — Saturday, April 19, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN
  • Game 2: Pistons at Knicks — Monday, April 21, 7:30 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 3: Knicks at Pistons — Thursday, April 24, time TBD, TNT
  • Game 4: Knicks at Pistons — Sunday, April 27, 1 p.m. ET, ABC
  • Game 5*: Pistons at Knicks — Tuesday, April 29, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Knicks at Pistons — Thursday, May 1, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Pistons at Knicks — Saturday, May 3, time TBD, TV channel TBD

No. 4 Pacers vs. No. 5 Bucks

  • Game 1: Bucks at Pacers — Saturday, April 19, 1 p.m. ET, ESPN
  • Game 2: Bucks at Pacers — Tuesday, April 22, 7 p.m. ET, NBA TV
  • Game 3: Pacers at Bucks — Friday, April 25, 8 p.m. ET, NBA TV/ESPNU
  • Game 4: Pacers at Bucks — Sunday, April 27, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 5*: Bucks at Pacers — Tuesday, April 29, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Pacers at Bucks — Friday, May 2, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Bucks at Pacers — Sunday, May 4, time TBD, TV channel TBD

Western Conference

No. 1 Thunder vs. No. 8 Grizzlies

  • Game 1: Grizzlies at Thunder — Sunday, April 20, 1 p.m. ET, ABC
  • Game 2: Grizzlies at Thunder — Tuesday, April 22, 7:30 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 3: Thunder at Grizzlies — Thursday, April 24, time TBD, TNT
  • Game 4: Thunder at Grizzlies — Saturday, April 26, 3:30 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 5*: Grizzlies at Thunder — Monday, April 28, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Thunder at Grizzlies — Thursday, May 1, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Grizzlies at Thunder — Saturday, May 3, time TBD, TV channel TBD

No. 2 Rockets vs. No. 7 Warriors

  • Game 1: Warriors at Rockets — Sunday, April 20, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 2: Warriors at Rockets — Wednesday, April 23, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 3: Rockets at Warriors — Saturday, April 26, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC
  • Game 4: Rockets at Warriors — Monday, April 28, 10 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 5*: Warriors at Rockets — Wednesday, April 30, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Rockets at Warriors — Friday, May 2, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Warriors at Rockets — Sunday, May 4, time TBD, TV channel TBD

No. 3 Lakers vs. No. 6 Timberwolves

  • Game 1: Timberwolves at Lakers — Saturday, April 19, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC
  • Game 2: Timberwolves at Lakers — Tuesday, April 22, 10 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 3: Lakers at Timberwolves — Friday, April 25, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
  • Game 4: Lakers at Timberwolves — Sunday, April 27, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
  • Game 5*: Timberwolves at Lakers — Wednesday, April 30, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Lakers at Timberwolves — Friday, May 2, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Timberwolves at Lakers — Sunday, May 4, time TBD, TV channel TBD

No. 4 Nuggets vs. No. 5 Clippers

  • Game 1: Clippers at Nuggets — Saturday, April 19, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
  • Game 2: Clippers at Nuggets — Monday, April 21, 10 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 3: Nuggets at Clippers — Thursday, April 24, time TBD, NBA TV
  • Game 4: Nuggets at Clippers — Saturday, April 26, 6 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 5*: Clippers at Nuggets — Tuesday, April 29, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Nuggets at Clippers — Thursday, May 1, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Clippers at Nuggets — Saturday, May 3, time TBD, TV channel TBD

Where to watch and stream games in the 2025 NBA playoffs

First-round games will air nationally across ESPN, ABC, TNT and NBA TV.

ESPN and ABC broadcasts can be streamed on ESPN.com and the ESPN app.

TNT broadcasts can be streamed on TNTDrama.com, the TNT app and Max.

NBA TV broadcasts are available to stream on NBA.com and the NBA app.

What are the 2025 NBA playoff dates?

The second round is slated to get underway May 5-6, though those start dates could be moved up to May 3-4. The conference finals will start as early as May 18-19 and as late as May 20-21.

When are the 2025 NBA Finals?

The Finals are scheduled to start Thursday, June 5, with a potential Game 7 slated for Sunday, June 22.


Editor’s note: The original version of this story was published on April 11.

What to know for Round 1 of the NBA playoffs: Bracket, schedule and more

What to know for Round 1 of the NBA playoffs: Bracket, schedule and more originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The 2025 NBA playoffs are ready to tip off.

The last two playoff berths were awarded on Friday night as the play-in tournament wrapped up.

The 10th-place Miami Heat first made play-in history with a wild overtime win against the eighth-place Atlanta Hawks. Tyler Herro and Co. clinched the Eastern Conference’s eighth and final playoff spot with the road victory, becoming the first 10th-place team to advance to the playoffs since the play-in was introduced in 2021. The Heat previously crushed the Bulls in Chicago in the 9-10 game.

But the Western Conference’s 10th-place team, the Dallas Mavericks, failed to match Miami’s feat. The eighth-place Memphis Grizzlies cruised past Dallas to grab the No. 8 playoff seed out West.

With the 16-team bracket locked in, here’s a look at the first-round matchups, schedule, and more to know:

When do the NBA playoffs start?

The playoffs begin Saturday, April 19.

How do the NBA playoffs work?

First-round matchups in each conference are No. 1 vs. No. 8, No. 2 vs. No. 7, No. 3 vs. No. 6, and No. 4 vs. No. 5. All postseason series are best of seven where the higher seed has home-court advantage in Games 1, 2, 5 and 7.

Do the NBA playoffs reseed teams?

The playoffs follow a bracket format and don’t reseed teams after the first round. That means, for instance, the winner of a 1-8 matchup will meet the winner of a 4-5 matchup in Round 2, regardless of the other first-round results.

What teams are in the NBA playoffs?

The six automatic playoff berths in the East were claimed by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons. The Orlando Magic and the Heat then joined the field via the play-in.

Out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers and Minnesota Timberwolves secured top-six spots before the Golden State Warriors and the Grizzlies advanced through the play-in.

What are the NBA playoff matchups?

Here’s a look at the bracket:

Eastern Conference

1. Cavaliers
8. Heat

4.Pacers
5. Bucks

3. Knicks
6. Pistons

2. Celtics
7. Magic

Western Conference

1. Thunder
8. Grizzlies

4. Nuggets
5. Clippers

3. Lakers
6. Timberwolves

2. Rockets
7. Warriors

What’s the schedule for the first round of the NBA playoffs?

Here are the schedule details for each first-round series ( * = if necessary):

Eastern Conference

No. 1 Cavaliers vs. No. 8 Heat

  • Game 1: Heat at Cavaliers — Sunday, April 20, 7 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 2: Heat at Cavaliers — Wednesday, April 23, 7:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV
  • Game 3: Cavaliers at Heat — Saturday, April 26, 1 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 4: Cavaliers at Heat — Monday, April 28, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 5*: Heat at Cavaliers — Wednesday, April 30, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Cavaliers at Heat — Friday, May 2, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Heat at Cavaliers — Sunday, May 4, time TBD, TV channel TBD

No. 2 Celtics vs. No. 7 Magic

  • Game 1: Magic at Celtics — Sunday, April 20, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
  • Game 2: Magic at Celtics — Wednesday, April 23, 7 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 3: Celtics at Magic — Friday, April 25, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
  • Game 4: Celtics at Magic — Sunday, April 27, 7 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 5*: Magic at Celtics — Tuesday, April 29, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Celtics at Magic — Thursday, May 1, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Magic at Celtics — Saturday, May 3, time TBD, TV channel TBD

No. 3 Knicks vs. No. 6 Pistons

  • Game 1: Pistons at Knicks — Saturday, April 19, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN
  • Game 2: Pistons at Knicks — Monday, April 21, 7:30 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 3: Knicks at Pistons — Thursday, April 24, time TBD, TNT
  • Game 4: Knicks at Pistons — Sunday, April 27, 1 p.m. ET, ABC
  • Game 5*: Pistons at Knicks — Tuesday, April 29, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Knicks at Pistons — Thursday, May 1, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Pistons at Knicks — Saturday, May 3, time TBD, TV channel TBD

No. 4 Pacers vs. No. 5 Bucks

  • Game 1: Bucks at Pacers — Saturday, April 19, 1 p.m. ET, ESPN
  • Game 2: Bucks at Pacers — Tuesday, April 22, 7 p.m. ET, NBA TV
  • Game 3: Pacers at Bucks — Friday, April 25, 8 p.m. ET, NBA TV/ESPNU
  • Game 4: Pacers at Bucks — Sunday, April 27, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 5*: Bucks at Pacers — Tuesday, April 29, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Pacers at Bucks — Friday, May 2, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Bucks at Pacers — Sunday, May 4, time TBD, TV channel TBD

Western Conference

No. 1 Thunder vs. No. 8 Grizzlies

  • Game 1: Grizzlies at Thunder — Sunday, April 20, 1 p.m. ET, ABC
  • Game 2: Grizzlies at Thunder — Tuesday, April 22, 7:30 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 3: Thunder at Grizzlies — Thursday, April 24, time TBD, TNT
  • Game 4: Thunder at Grizzlies — Saturday, April 26, 3:30 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 5*: Grizzlies at Thunder — Monday, April 28, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Thunder at Grizzlies — Thursday, May 1, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Grizzlies at Thunder — Saturday, May 3, time TBD, TV channel TBD

No. 2 Rockets vs. No. 7 Warriors

  • Game 1: Warriors at Rockets — Sunday, April 20, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 2: Warriors at Rockets — Wednesday, April 23, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 3: Rockets at Warriors — Saturday, April 26, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC
  • Game 4: Rockets at Warriors — Monday, April 28, 10 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 5*: Warriors at Rockets — Wednesday, April 30, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Rockets at Warriors — Friday, May 2, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Warriors at Rockets — Sunday, May 4, time TBD, TV channel TBD

No. 3 Lakers vs. No. 6 Timberwolves

  • Game 1: Timberwolves at Lakers — Saturday, April 19, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC
  • Game 2: Timberwolves at Lakers — Tuesday, April 22, 10 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 3: Lakers at Timberwolves — Friday, April 25, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
  • Game 4: Lakers at Timberwolves — Sunday, April 27, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
  • Game 5*: Timberwolves at Lakers — Wednesday, April 30, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Lakers at Timberwolves — Friday, May 2, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Timberwolves at Lakers — Sunday, May 4, time TBD, TV channel TBD

No. 4 Nuggets vs. No. 5 Clippers

  • Game 1: Clippers at Nuggets — Saturday, April 19, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
  • Game 2: Clippers at Nuggets — Monday, April 21, 10 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 3: Nuggets at Clippers — Thursday, April 24, time TBD, NBA TV
  • Game 4: Nuggets at Clippers — Saturday, April 26, 6 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 5*: Clippers at Nuggets — Tuesday, April 29, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Nuggets at Clippers — Thursday, May 1, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Clippers at Nuggets — Saturday, May 3, time TBD, TV channel TBD

Where to watch and stream games in the 2025 NBA playoffs

First-round games will air nationally across ESPN, ABC, TNT and NBA TV.

ESPN and ABC broadcasts can be streamed on ESPN.com and the ESPN app.

TNT broadcasts can be streamed on TNTDrama.com, the TNT app and Max.

NBA TV broadcasts are available to stream on NBA.com and the NBA app.

What are the 2025 NBA playoff dates?

The second round is slated to get underway May 5-6, though those start dates could be moved up to May 3-4. The conference finals will start as early as May 18-19 and as late as May 20-21.

When are the 2025 NBA Finals?

The Finals are scheduled to start Thursday, June 5, with a potential Game 7 slated for Sunday, June 22.


Editor’s note: The original version of this story was published on April 11.

Dennis Jr. views Warriors as ‘most dangerous' team entering playoffs

Dennis Jr. views Warriors as ‘most dangerous' team entering playoffs originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

With so much uncertainty looming over the Western Conference playoff race, one thing is for sure: the Warriors are playing their best basketball at the right time.

After falling one game under .500 as the No. 10 seed in early February, the Warriors are 22-7 since their massive trade deadline acquisition Jimmy Butler suited up for them on Feb. 8 and have leaped the standings with a real possibility of locking up a top-six playoff seed.

While the red-hot Warriors have been rolling, teams above them in the standings, such as the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers, have been finding a groove, too, with two regular-season games remaining. Still, ESPN analyst David Dennis Jr. views Golden State as the most dangerous team in the West entering the playoffs.

“To me, it’s still the Golden State Warriors,” Dennis Jr. said Friday morning on “First Take.” “You have three guys on that roster — three veterans on that roster — who as well as they are playing right now, they are only going to get better come playoff time. We’ve seen what Steph Curry does in these playoff-level scenarios. Those three games in a row, against Memphis, against the Lakers, against the Nuggets, where he averaged 43 points.

“You add in the fact that Playoff Jimmy Butler is on the horizon. He allows that Warriors team to be a plus team when Stephen Curry is not playing. And that is a huge, huge marker for this team and their success. Then you add in the Draymond Green of it all, playing at the Defensive Player of the Year level he is right now.

“This Warriors team is equipped to win in the way that they have won, which is Draymond anchoring that defense, some depth and Stephen Curry going nuclear. I think they are still the most dangerous team that nobody wants to face in that Western Conference.”

Since taking a week off to rest and recover from a pelvic contusion, Curry is averaging 27.4 points on 45.6-percent shooting from the field and 40.2 percent from 3-point range, with 5.1 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.8 steals in 32.4 minutes through eight games.

Last week, he dropped 52 points against the Grizzlies then backed up that performance with 37 and 36 points, respectively, in back-to-back games against the Lakers and Nuggets.

And he’s gotten plenty of support from his veteran counterparts.

Butler’s impact alone seemingly has made everyone around him better — particularly unlocking new doors and opportunities for Curry’s game in Year 16. Plus, his numbers only boost come playoff time. And Draymond Green has been doing Draymond Green things, strengthening his case for his second Defensive Player of the Year award.

Dennis Jr. believes those three, collectively, can lead the Warriors to the Western Conference finals.

“In terms of how far they can go in the playoffs,” Dennis Jr. said, “if they’re on the opposite bracket of the [Oklahoma City] Thunder and you’re looking at them as the sixth seed playing the Lakers first then playing an inexperienced [Houston] Rockets team that struggles down the stretch in those fourth quarters — yes, the Warriors, lock it in, are a Western Conference Finals team. And then when you play against OKC, anything is possible against that Thunder team.

“We’ve seen the Warriors beat [the Thunder] already this season without Jimmy Butler. The Warriors have a unique thing that nobody else in the playoffs has: they have three players that get better come playoff time. Nobody else in the NBA has that. They have Playoff Jimmy. They have MVP Steph. And they have defensive enforcer Draymond Green on that team. I trust them, on the opposite side of the bracket, to lock in if they’re the sixth seed to the Western Conference finals.”

That certainly is the goal for the Warriors, and the road to get there continues Friday against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center.

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Clippers vs. Kings Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for April 11

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Sacramento Kings Preview 

The Los Angeles Clippers (48-32) and Sacramento Kings (39-41) are all set to square off from Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

The Clippers are not safe from the play-in just yet. If they win their next two, they will be inside the top six. Their highest finish is No. 3, while No. 8 is the lowest.

If the Kings win one of their two remaining games, they are locked into the play-in regardless ofthe results.

The Clippers are currently 18-21 on the road with a point differential of 5, while the Kings have a 4-6 record in their last ten games at home. 

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Clippers vs. Kings live today

  • Date: Friday, April 11, 2025
  • Time: 10:00PM EST
  • Site: Golden 1 Center
  • City: Sacramento, CA

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Clippers vs. Kings

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Odds: Clippers (-249), Kings (+203)
  • Spread:  Clippers -6
  • Over/Under: 226 points

That gives the Clippers an implied team point total of 115.14, and the Kings 112.01.
 
Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Friday's Clippers vs. Kings game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas) is leaning towards Kawhi Leonard over 6.5 rebounds…

Thomas: “Coming off a double double against the Rockets, I expect the claw to continue to grab the boards for his squad. He’s averaging 7.2 rebounds per game. With Ivica Zubac in a tough matchup against Domantas Sabonis, there will have to be another player grabbing the boards for the Clippers.”

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 today’s Clippers & Kings game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Los Angeles Clippers on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Sacramento Kings at +6.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 226.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Clippers vs. Kings on Friday

  • The Clippers have won 4 of their last 5 away games against teams with losing records
  • The Over is 9-5 in the Kings' divisional matchups this season
  • The Clippers have failed to cover in 6 straight matchups against divisional opponents

The Kings have won 12 of their last 20 home games
 
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
 
Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. 
 
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff: 
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) 
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) 
- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

Rockets vs. Lakers Best bets: Odds, predictions, recent stats, trends for April 11

Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Preview 

The Houston Rockets (52-28) and Los Angeles Lakers (49-31) are all set to square off from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

The Rockets are locked into the No. 2 seed and had the chance to rest many of their starters last game.

The Lakers need to win one of their two remaining games to lock in the No. 3 seed.
The Rockets are currently 23-16 on the road with a point differential of 5, while the Lakers have a 7-3 record in their last ten games at home. 

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Rockets vs. Lakers live today

  • Date: Friday, April 11, 2025
  • Time: 10:30PM EST
  • Site: Crypto.com Arena
  • City: Los Angeles, CA

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Rockets vs. Lakers
The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Odds: Rockets (+380), Lakers (-505)
  • Spread:  Lakers -10
  • Over/Under: 225 points

That gives the Rockets an implied team point total of 111.46, and the Lakers 116.67.
 
Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Friday's Rockets vs. Lakers game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas) is leaning towards Luca Doncic under 46.5 points, rebounds, and assists…

Thomas: “This will likely be a popular bet tonight given the circumstances. Doncic is coming off a crazy emotional game against his former team in Dallas. He cried on the sidelines before the game. He put up an insane stat line. He had 45 points, six assists, and eight rebounds.

There should be some regression in this game against a top defensive unit in the Rockets.”

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 today’s Rockets & Lakers game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Houston Rockets on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Houston Rockets at +10.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 225.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Rockets vs. Lakers on Friday

  • The Lakers have won 4 of their last 5 home games against Western Conference teams
  • The Lakers' last 3 games at home versus the Rockets have stayed under the Total
  • The Rockets have covered in 22 of their 40 road games this season

The Lakers have won 4 of their last 5 games at home against Western Conference teams
 
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
 
Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. 
 
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff: 
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) 
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) 
- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

Grizzlies vs. Nuggets Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for April 11

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Denver Nuggets Preview 

The Memphis Grizzlies (47-33) and Denver Nuggets (48-32) are all set to square off from Ball Arena in Denver.

After the Grizzlies lost at home to the Minnesota Timberwolves, they are now seventh in the Western Conference. They can still finish as high as the No. 3 seed, while the lowest is the No. 8 seed.

The Nuggets have the same fate. However, they have an easier path. They win their next two games, regardless of what happens, they will finish inside the top six and avoid a play-in game.

The Grizzlies are currently 22-18 on the road with a point differential of 5, while the Nuggets have a 4-6 record in their last ten games at home. 

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Grizzlies vs. Nuggets live today

  • Date: Friday, April 11, 2025
  • Time: 9:00PM EST
  • Site: Ball Arena
  • City: Denver, CO

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Grizzlies vs. Nuggets

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Odds: Grizzlies (+239), Nuggets (-299)
  • Spread:  Nuggets -7
  • Over/Under: 239 points

That gives the Grizzlies an implied team point total of 118.47, and the Nuggets 122.12.
 
Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Friday's Grizzlies vs. Nuggets game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas) is betting on Denver Nuggets -6.5…

Thomas: “Ideally, the Grizzlies go up early, and I can play the Nuggets live at a better price. However, I’m not exactly sure we get that. The Grizzlies haven’t been great and are coming off a loss last night.

Denver is one of the more difficult places to play on short rest. The Nuggets should take advantage of this.”

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 today’s Grizzlies & Nuggets game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Denver Nuggets on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Memphis Grizzlies at +7.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the over on the Game Total of 239.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Grizzlies vs. Nuggets on Friday

  • The Grizzlies has an average winning margin of +15 in its 1 wins against the Nuggets this season
  • The Over is 45-35 in Grizzlies' games this season
  • The Nuggets have failed to cover in 44 of their 80 games this season

The Nuggets have won 5 straight home games against the Grizzlies
 
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
 
Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. 
 
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff: 
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) 
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) 
- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

Warriors surviving non-Steph minutes requires more than just Butler

Warriors surviving non-Steph minutes requires more than just Butler originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

There is a first time for everything, and the Warriors experienced one this week that they never wish to go through again.

They lost a game in which Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler III combined for 58 points.

The Warriors were 8-0 when Curry and Butler totaled at least 50 points until San Antonio’s Harrison Barnes struck them down with a game-winning 3-pointer Thursday night at Chase Center. Fifty points always had been enough, and it should be a successful offensive formula.

The offensive stall against the Spurs was elsewhere. A repeat might not be difficult to overcome Friday night against the depleted Trail Blazers in Portland, but surely would put the Warriors in jeopardy Sunday against the Clippers – and any postseason game.

Curry and Butler carrying their respective scoring loads only can take the offense so far. Butler doesn’t beat teams with buckets. His stated goal is finding buckets for his team, particularly when Curry is off the floor.

Consider that Golden State’s best quarter against the Spurs was its 37-21 advantage in the third. The defense was tight, the offense flowing. It was a 10-assist quarter, and Butler had five. His last two dimes, finding Brandin Podziemski and Jonathan Kuminga in the paint, provided an 88-76 lead.

That problem was that Butler’s playmaking efforts too often went unexploited.

Podziemski, whose hot streak of games ended with seven points on 3-of-11 shooting from the field, including 1 of 5 from deep. Moses Moody, whose scoring efficiency has regressed over the past month, finishing with seven points on 3-of-11 shooting, including 1 of 7 from distance.

It wasn’t just the low efficiency from those two starters that doomed the Warriors against the Spurs. It was the number of misses on open looks – generally set up by passes from Butler. His role on offense is to generate a high-percentage shot for a teammate and, failing that, look to score himself. Same as it was in Miami.

Butler’s 28 points – his highest total as a Warrior – against San Antonio came not out of desire but out of necessity. By the fourth quarter, he realized Podziemski and Moody were struggling to score, so he put in 13 points. Butler’s two assists in the fourth went to, yes, Curry.

The external pleas for Butler to be more aggressive with his shot is short-sighted and too simple a solution to the non-Steph minutes. Butler is an opportunistic scorer who makes the game easier for his other four teammates.
Butler led two Heat teams to the NBA Finals, not because he turned into Curry or some high-volume scoring machine. In 64 playoff games with Miami, Playoff Jimmy averaged 24.7 points. Averaged 17.6 field-goal attempts per game. He had the occasional outburst but mostly lifted the games of such teammates as Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, Gabe Vincent, Max Strus, Caleb Martin, Kendrick Nunn and Haywood Highsmith.

Butler’s best attribute might be getting teammates paid by maximizing the attributes.

Butler going into “takeover mode” is best limited to emergency situations. He can have such moments during a game, but Golden State’s fortunes during the non-Steph minutes are not predicated on his scoring.

When Podziemski and Moody are making shots, usually off Butler’s playmaking, the Warriors can survive and sometimes thrive during the non-Steph minutes. They must know by now that their patience generally will be rewarded with open looks. If Moody can’t reverse his offensive slippage – 38 percent from the field, 29.7 from deep over the last 13 games – the offense will suffer.

When Buddy Hield and Kuminga are at their best – always a crapshoot – they can bring welcome smoke to action when Curry gets a few minutes to rest his 37-year-old bones.

Whether the Warriors land in the play-in tournament or the playoffs, they’re going to need those 50 points per game from Curry and Butler. They will on some occasions get more.

But it’s up to the others to fill the void, or else the Warriors will be prey for teams much better than the San Antonio Spurs.

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Nike Hoop Summit women's rosters 2025: Aaliyah Chavez, Madison Francis headline high school basketball event

PORTLAND — The women's game of the Nike Hoops Summit was added only four years ago, and already it is drawing the biggest names in the game. That includes JuJu Watkins of USC and 2025 SEC Player of the Year Madison Booker of Texas in recent years.

To see the NCAA and WNBA stars of the future, tune in Saturday at 7 p.m. on the USA Network, or stream on Peacock. It's a USA vs. the World game featuring the best high school players from around the globe.

Here are the women's rosters for the Nike Hoops Summit this year.

WOMEN’S TEAMS

USA ROSTER

• Darriana 'Dee' Alexander, 6'1" forward. She is the 3-time Ohio Ms. Basketball (the only other players to win that honor three times are the Las Vegas Aces' Kierstan Bell and the Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James). Alexander won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2023 FIBA U16 Championships and will attend Cincinnati in the fall.

• Sienna Betts, 6’4” center. The younger sister of UCLA All-American Lauren Betts, she will play with her sister next fall in Westwood. She was the 2025 McDonald's All-American game MVP, scoring 16 pts with 7 rebounds.

• Aaliyah Chavez, 5’11” guard. The 2025 Naismith Girls High School Player of the Year is the top-ranked recruit in the nation and is headed to Oklahoma in the fall. She averaged 34.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 3.7 steals per game as a senior.

• Aaliyah Crump, 6’1” wing. Ranked as the No. 5 player in this class, she was a 2025 McDonald's All-American, won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2023 FIBA Americas U16 Championship, and is committed to Texas in the fall.

• Jasmine 'Jazzy' Davidson, 6'1" guard. The third-ranked player in this class, her hometown of Clackamas, Oregon, is less than 15 miles from the Moda Center, where the Nike Hoop Summit is taking place. She is committed to USC in the fall.

• Alexandra Eschmeyer, 6’5” forward. Both her parents were hoopers who played at Northwestern. Father Evan was a 3-time All-Big Ten honoree who played four seasons in the NBA (two with the Nets and two with the Mavericks). Her mother, Kristina Divjak, led the Big Ten in scoring with 22.1 points a game in the 1997-98 season. Eschmeyer is committed to Stanford in the fall.

• Madison Francis, 6’1” forward. The top-ranked player in New York last year, you may know her from social media where she went viral after dunking the ball during her senior night game this past season. She will attend Mississippi State in the fall.

• ZaKiyah Johnson, 6’0” guard. She was the 2025 Kentucky Ms. Basketball, who led Sacred Heart Academy to four straight state titles. She will attend LSU next season.

• Grace Knox, 6’2” forward. Named the defensive MVP of Nike EYBL Session III, averaging 14.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.8 steals and one block per game. She is committed to LSU in the fall.

• Emilee Skinner, 6’0” guard. Rated as the top player in Utah last year, she won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup. She will attend Duke in the fall.

• Jordan Speise, 6’1” wing. She will head to Kansas State in the fall. Speise played for the All Iowa Attack, the same AAU program that Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark played for.

• Hailee Swain, 5’10” guard. She has won two gold medals with Team USA: the 2023 FIBA U16 Americas Championship and the 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup. She will attend Stanford in the fall.

WORLD TEAM

• Daria “Dasha” Biriuk, 6’1” guard (Ukraine). She and her family fled Ukraine in 2022 to get away from the Russian invasion and war, which eventually led to her coming to the USA. This is her second Nike Hoops Summit, and next fall she will play at Ohio State.

• Sarah Cisse, 6'3" center (France). She leads the Centre Federal in Paris, France, averaging 11.1 points and 8.3 rebounds a game. She has extensive experience with the French Youth National Team as well.

• Bella Hines, 5'9" guard (Mexico). After committing to LSU, she signed an NIL deal with the Jordan Brand — she is the only active high school basketball player to have an NIL deal with Jordan.

• Agot Makeer 6'1" guard (Canada/South Sudan). The top-rated combo guard in this class, she won a silver with Team Canada at the 2024 U17 World Cup, leading Canada in scoring at 17.7 points a game. She is committed to South Carolina.

• Ayla McDowell, 6'2" forward (Brazil). The South Carolina commit averaged 14.8 points a game for Brazil at the 2024 FIBA U18 Women's AmeriCup.

• Jovana Popovic, 5’8” guard (Serbia). She plays professionally for ZKK Mega Basket in Serbia, where she leads the team in scoring at 21.5 points per game. She led Serbia in scoring (16.3) and assists (4.3) at the 2024 FIBA U18 EuroBasket.

• Deniya Prawl, 6'1" forward (Canada). The Tennessee commit has starred at the IMG Academy in Florida, was named to the McDonald's All-American team, and has played in multiple tournaments for the Canadian U16 and U17 teams.

• Ainhoa Risacher, 6’1” guard (France). The younger sister of Zaccharie Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick of the Atlanta Hawks in the 2024 NBA Draft. Risacher plays professionally for Lyon ASVEL and was named MVP of the 2023 U16 European Championship after leading France to a title, averaging 11.7 points per game.

• Saffron Shiels, 6'2" center (Australia). She plays professionally in the Women's National Basketball League in Australia for the Townsville Fire. She led Australia to the title at the 2024 FIBA U18 Asia Cup.

• Lara Somfai, 6'4" forward (Australia). The Stanford commit played her high school ball at the IMG Academy in Florida. At the 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup, Somfai led Australia in scoring at 14.4 points per game.

• Olivia Vukosa, 6'4" center (Croatia). She is playing in her second Nike Hoops Summit. She has been a dominant player for Christ the King High School in New York as well as for the Croatia Youth National Team, where she has averaged 21 points and 16.4 rebounds a game across 14 games in multiple tournaments.

• Nyadieng Yiech, 6’2” forward (Canada). The Florida commit was second on the U18 Canadian team in scoring at the 2024 FIBA U18 AmeriCup in Colombia, averaging 12.5 points per game.

What to know for Round 1 of the NBA playoffs: Bracket, schedule and more

What to know for Round 1 of the NBA playoffs: Bracket, schedule and more originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The 2025 NBA playoffs are ready to tip off.

The last two playoff berths were awarded on Friday night as the play-in tournament wrapped up.

The 10th-place Miami Heat first made play-in history with a wild overtime win against the eighth-place Atlanta Hawks. Tyler Herro and Co. clinched the Eastern Conference’s eighth and final playoff spot with the road victory, becoming the first 10th-place team to advance to the playoffs since the play-in was introduced in 2021. The Heat previously crushed the Bulls in Chicago in the 9-10 game.

But the Western Conference’s 10th-place team, the Dallas Mavericks, failed to match Miami’s feat. The eighth-place Memphis Grizzlies cruised past Dallas to grab the No. 8 playoff seed out West.

With the 16-team bracket locked in, here’s a look at the first-round matchups, schedule, and more to know:

When do the NBA playoffs start?

The playoffs begin Saturday, April 19.

How do the NBA playoffs work?

First-round matchups in each conference are No. 1 vs. No. 8, No. 2 vs. No. 7, No. 3 vs. No. 6, and No. 4 vs. No. 5. All postseason series are best of seven where the higher seed has home-court advantage in Games 1, 2, 5 and 7.

Do the NBA playoffs reseed teams?

The playoffs follow a bracket format and don’t reseed teams after the first round. That means, for instance, the winner of a 1-8 matchup will meet the winner of a 4-5 matchup in Round 2, regardless of the other first-round results.

What teams are in the NBA playoffs?

The six automatic playoff berths in the East were claimed by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons. The Orlando Magic and the Heat then joined the field via the play-in.

Out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers and Minnesota Timberwolves secured top-six spots before the Golden State Warriors and the Grizzlies advanced through the play-in.

What are the NBA playoff matchups?

Here’s a look at the bracket:

Eastern Conference

1. Cavaliers
8. Heat

4.Pacers
5. Bucks

3. Knicks
6. Pistons

2. Celtics
7. Magic

Western Conference

1. Thunder
8. Grizzlies

4. Nuggets
5. Clippers

3. Lakers
6. Timberwolves

2. Rockets
7. Warriors

What’s the schedule for the first round of the NBA playoffs?

Here are the schedule details for each first-round series ( * = if necessary):

Eastern Conference

No. 1 Cavaliers vs. No. 8 Heat

  • Game 1: Heat at Cavaliers — Sunday, April 20, 7 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 2: Heat at Cavaliers — Wednesday, April 23, 7:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV
  • Game 3: Cavaliers at Heat — Saturday, April 26, 1 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 4: Cavaliers at Heat — Monday, April 28, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 5*: Heat at Cavaliers — Wednesday, April 30, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Cavaliers at Heat — Friday, May 2, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Heat at Cavaliers — Sunday, May 4, time TBD, TV channel TBD

No. 2 Celtics vs. No. 7 Magic

  • Game 1: Magic at Celtics — Sunday, April 20, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
  • Game 2: Magic at Celtics — Wednesday, April 23, 7 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 3: Celtics at Magic — Friday, April 25, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
  • Game 4: Celtics at Magic — Sunday, April 27, 7 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 5*: Magic at Celtics — Tuesday, April 29, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Celtics at Magic — Thursday, May 1, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Magic at Celtics — Saturday, May 3, time TBD, TV channel TBD

No. 3 Knicks vs. No. 6 Pistons

  • Game 1: Pistons at Knicks — Saturday, April 19, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN
  • Game 2: Pistons at Knicks — Monday, April 21, 7:30 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 3: Knicks at Pistons — Thursday, April 24, time TBD, TNT
  • Game 4: Knicks at Pistons — Sunday, April 27, 1 p.m. ET, ABC
  • Game 5*: Pistons at Knicks — Tuesday, April 29, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Knicks at Pistons — Thursday, May 1, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Pistons at Knicks — Saturday, May 3, time TBD, TV channel TBD

No. 4 Pacers vs. No. 5 Bucks

  • Game 1: Bucks at Pacers — Saturday, April 19, 1 p.m. ET, ESPN
  • Game 2: Bucks at Pacers — Tuesday, April 22, 7 p.m. ET, NBA TV
  • Game 3: Pacers at Bucks — Friday, April 25, 8 p.m. ET, NBA TV/ESPNU
  • Game 4: Pacers at Bucks — Sunday, April 27, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 5*: Bucks at Pacers — Tuesday, April 29, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Pacers at Bucks — Friday, May 2, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Bucks at Pacers — Sunday, May 4, time TBD, TV channel TBD

Western Conference

No. 1 Thunder vs. No. 8 Grizzlies

  • Game 1: Grizzlies at Thunder — Sunday, April 20, 1 p.m. ET, ABC
  • Game 2: Grizzlies at Thunder — Tuesday, April 22, 7:30 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 3: Thunder at Grizzlies — Thursday, April 24, time TBD, TNT
  • Game 4: Thunder at Grizzlies — Saturday, April 26, 3:30 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 5*: Grizzlies at Thunder — Monday, April 28, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Thunder at Grizzlies — Thursday, May 1, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Grizzlies at Thunder — Saturday, May 3, time TBD, TV channel TBD

No. 2 Rockets vs. No. 7 Warriors

  • Game 1: Warriors at Rockets — Sunday, April 20, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 2: Warriors at Rockets — Wednesday, April 23, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 3: Rockets at Warriors — Saturday, April 26, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC
  • Game 4: Rockets at Warriors — Monday, April 28, 10 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 5*: Warriors at Rockets — Wednesday, April 30, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Rockets at Warriors — Friday, May 2, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Warriors at Rockets — Sunday, May 4, time TBD, TV channel TBD

No. 3 Lakers vs. No. 6 Timberwolves

  • Game 1: Timberwolves at Lakers — Saturday, April 19, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC
  • Game 2: Timberwolves at Lakers — Tuesday, April 22, 10 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 3: Lakers at Timberwolves — Friday, April 25, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
  • Game 4: Lakers at Timberwolves — Sunday, April 27, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
  • Game 5*: Timberwolves at Lakers — Wednesday, April 30, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Lakers at Timberwolves — Friday, May 2, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Timberwolves at Lakers — Sunday, May 4, time TBD, TV channel TBD

No. 4 Nuggets vs. No. 5 Clippers

  • Game 1: Clippers at Nuggets — Saturday, April 19, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
  • Game 2: Clippers at Nuggets — Monday, April 21, 10 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 3: Nuggets at Clippers — Thursday, April 24, time TBD, NBA TV
  • Game 4: Nuggets at Clippers — Saturday, April 26, 6 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 5*: Clippers at Nuggets — Tuesday, April 29, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Nuggets at Clippers — Thursday, May 1, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Clippers at Nuggets — Saturday, May 3, time TBD, TV channel TBD

Where to watch and stream games in the 2025 NBA playoffs

First-round games will air nationally across ESPN, ABC, TNT and NBA TV.

ESPN and ABC broadcasts can be streamed on ESPN.com and the ESPN app.

TNT broadcasts can be streamed on TNTDrama.com, the TNT app and Max.

NBA TV broadcasts are available to stream on NBA.com and the NBA app.

What are the 2025 NBA playoff dates?

The second round is slated to get underway May 5-6, though those start dates could be moved up to May 3-4. The conference finals will start as early as May 18-19 and as late as May 20-21.

When are the 2025 NBA Finals?

The Finals are scheduled to start Thursday, June 5, with a potential Game 7 slated for Sunday, June 22.


Editor’s note: The original version of this story was published on April 11.

How Steph served as model for Florida guard Clayton's game

How Steph served as model for Florida guard Clayton's game originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr. isn’t shy about admitting Steph Curry’s impact on his playing style.

Fresh off a stellar performance in the NCAA Tournament, the 22-year-old gave his thoughts on being compared to the Warriors guard and Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard.

“It’s a little crazy to me just to hear that for me personally,” Clayton Jr. said Friday on ESPN’s “First Take.” “Those are two of the greats, and I’ve got a long way to go before I even get close to that. I’m just thankful for the recognition.”

Clayton Jr. then was asked if there was someone in particular that he modeled his game after.

“You obviously hear Steph Curry, Jamal Murray, multiple guys,” Clayton Jr. explained. “I just try to take bits and pieces of other players’ games.”

The young guard got hot at just the right time, helping Florida win its third NCAA championship in men’s basketball and winning Most Outstanding Player in the tournament. Between his elite shot-making ability and sound defense, Clayton Jr. now is expected to be a high pick in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft.

Based on his recent heroics, Curry comparisons are expected to continue as the 22-year-old starts to make a name for himself in the NBA.

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High-Priced Suns Need Massive Changes After Missing Playoffs

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns sealed the fate of their miserable 2024-25 season with lopsided home losses to Golden State and Oklahoma City this week, eliminating them from playoff contention with two games left to play. 

Despite Spotrac ranking the Suns at No. 1 in the NBA with a season-ending payroll and tax bill of a whopping $366.6 million, they failed to even qualify for the play-in round in the Western Conference. Considering their big three of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal earn $150.6 million, the team is one of the most disappointing in recent NBA history.

“Just no winning habits,” Booker said Tuesday night after his team lost by 38 points to the Warriors on national TV. A 13-point loss to the Thunder the next night brought their losing streak to eight, with all the defeats coming by double-digits.

“I don’t feel good about any of it,” Booker said.

Tuesday’s loss wasn’t their worst of the season. The Houston Rockets beat them by 39 at home on March 30.

Embarrassed?

“Oh, for sure,” Beal said. “Losing by 30 or 40? We might as well not show up.”

The question is what to do about a downturn without a single fix. Suns owner Mat Ishbia’s problems go beyond his lineup; they also include his head coach, Mike Budenholzer, who took over a club that won 49 games last season under Frank Vogel and is currently at 35-45.

Budenholzer said after the debacle was complete Wednesday night that he hasn’t spoken yet to the owner about his future. “It’s raw,” he said. “We just lost. It’s been a tough season. There’s been no conversations.”

Pragmatically, Budenholzer has four years to go on his $50 million contract, and Ishbia is already paying off the final four years of Vogel’s five-year, $31 million deal after his firing last year. He also jettisoned Monty Williams two years ago.

In this era of multibillionaire NBA owners, eating the contract of a coach is not intolerable, said Golden State’s Steve Kerr, who, with San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich sitting out to tend to his health this season, is the de facto longest-tenured active coach in the league.

“We are more expendable,” Kerr said. “There’s so much money in the business now. I don’t think a lot of owners are that concerned with firing a guy and paying him off to go away. This is a business that we chose, and we all love it, but it’s not the most stable profession, that’s for sure.”

Budenholzer’s communication with some players—or lack thereof—became an episodic soap opera throughout the season. He went the month of January without talking to two of them: Beal and Jusuf Nurkić. He openly battled on the court with Booker and Durant, who once slapped the coach’s hand away during a time out.

“We’re competitive individuals,” Durant said at the time. “We both want to see things done the right way.”

There were plenty of ominous signs that a collapse was coming, including a lack of on-court leadership that “goes back to last season,” Beal said in an interview.

Because of NBA salary cap rules, the Suns are above the second apron and can’t easily move any of the big three without receiving players earning similar money in return. The contracts for the trio all go up next season.

The often-injured Beal, who has played in only 105 games in his two Suns seasons because of injury, is almost unmovable. He has two seasons remaining on his contract at $53.7 million and a player option of $57.1 million. Plus, he has a blanket no-trade clause he refused to wave at the last deadline. Beyond that, Beal’s agent is Mark Bartelstein, the father of Suns chief executive Josh Bartelstein. 

Durant, who will turn 37 before next season begins, has one year to go on his contract at $54.7 million. He’s missed 20 games this season, the last five with a left ankle sprain. Considering the circumstances, he’s done for the season and was in street clothes during Wednesday’s game, when the Suns blew a 15-point lead to the Thunder, who demolished their opponents, 43-26, during the third quarter.

Booker has made it clear he’s not going anywhere. He’s the face of the franchise, wants to finish his career here, and has three seasons to go on his max contract worth $171.2 million, $53.1 million for next season.

Considering all of that, the Suns already have $218.7 million committed to players for next season, $30.8 million above the cap. They need a complete restructuring, Beal agreed.

“I think we let things bother us in games,” he said. “When we hit adversity, instead of working our way out of it, we dug a bigger hole and got into a funk. It’s tough because we’d show signs of getting out of it. There are moments where we compete, but there are moments when we don’t compete, too.”

That inconsistency harkens back to an apparent coaching problem that manifested itself before the trade deadline.

Beal, despite the no-trade clause, was the constant focus of rumors in January, when Budenholzer dropped him from the starting rotation to the bench. At the same time, the coach stopped playing big man Nurkić. In hockey parlance he was a healthy scratch for a month and didn’t play a minute in 15 consecutive games.

Nurkić said at the time he had no relationship with Budenholzer and hadn’t talked to him in two months.

Beal said it would have been nice if Budenholzer had explained his benching to him. “He still hasn’t explained it to me,” Beal said back then. “He just told me I was coming off the bench.” 

Nurkić was traded to Charlotte, and Beal was never asked to wave his no-trade clause. Durant sat out the three key games through the Feb. 6 trade deadline for no announced reason. Beal missed four.

Near the deadline, rumors of a Durant return to Golden State also surfaced. When Durant nixed that, the Suns were forced to stand pat.

The damage, it seems, was done. The Suns were 25-25 at the deadline and are 10-20 since then with virtually the same roster, give or take a few fringe players.

Budenholzer scrambled his rotations as hope faded down the stretch: less court time for veteran point guard Tyus Jones, more for undrafted second-year pro Collin Gillespie; a return to favor for Ryan Dunn; an ill-fated gambit to start fan-favorite Bol Bol. Now Bol is back on the end of the bench.

Regardless of who took the floor, the Suns played from night to night with inconsistent energy levels, even from quarter to quarter within the same game, until flaming out completely the past few weeks.

In a postgame media session on Wednesday night, Booker blamed himself, but the team around him quit.

“I don’t think I shot the ball well this year,” said Booker, whose scoring dipped despite a shooting percentage roughly within career norms. “I needed to figure out ways how to win games at all costs and try to power my will on the other team and my team at the same time. Being a leader, using my voice more.

“Pretty much everything has just fallen short.”

The results speak for themselves.

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NBA playoff scenarios: How Warriors can punch ticket Friday

NBA playoff scenarios: How Warriors can punch ticket Friday originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

After an up-and-down 2024-25 NBA season with many twists and turns, the Warriors officially can punch their ticket to the playoffs on Friday.

However, they will need plenty of help.

If Golden State (47-33) wins its game against the Portland Trail Blazers (35-45) on Friday at Moda Center, and both the Memphis Grizzlies (47-33) and Minnesota Timberwolves (47-33) lose their respective games to the Denver Nuggets (48-32) and Brooklyn Nets (26-54), the Warriors will secure one of the Western Conference’s six playoff seeds.

The Warriors heavily are favored (-14.5 points) to beat the Blazers, and while Memphis has a tough game against Denver at 6 p.m. PT at Ball Arena, Minnesota is a whopping -20.5-point favorite over Brooklyn at 6 p.m. PT at Target Center.

This means even if Golden State takes care of business against Portland and Memphis loses to Denver, the Warriors would need the NBA Draft lottery-bound Nets to upset the Timberwolves at home.

That outcome is unlikely, but certainly not impossible …

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