Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) looks to pass under pressure from Lakers forward LeBron James (23) at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
For 12 minutes to begin the 2025 playoffs, Luka Doncic rewarded the Lakers fans in the packed arena, showing that all the hopefulness that they entered Crypto.com Arena on Saturday wasn’t just some foolish dream.
It could really happen; he’s that good.
But for as much as a brilliant Doncic start can be the opening paragraphs in the story of a Lakers win, it can also be a bit of a mask. Because while Doncic got whatever he wanted, Austin Reaves struggled against Minnesota’s pressure, missing easy shots at the rim and struggling to get the Lakers into offense. LeBron James, who we last saw on the court grimacing after a hip flexor strain, didn’t have much burst to the basket or much touch on his shot.
And with Doncic on the bench after a 16-point first quarter, that mask came off.
Lakers guard Luka Doncic scored 37 points in a loosing effort against The Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
The Lakers couldn’t score. They couldn’t match Minnesota’s energy. They couldn’t out-run ball movement or chase down rebounds. Opposing shooters were open. Driving lanes on the other end were closed.
And they couldn’t stop an avalanche that hit them with the kind of force that knocked all the energy out of the building.
The game, which Minnesota won 117-95, didn’t end during that stretch, at least not in an official sense. But everything that followed as the Timberwolves scored 64 of the game’s next 90 points should be a reminder of just how easily hopefulness can be punctured.
It wasn’t that the Lakers needed less of Doncic, who glibly said “I guess I gotta pass more” when asked about his teammates’ early lack of rhythm. It was that they needed to be better in the areas of the game other than the ones Doncic crafted in the first quarter.
Because while he cracked the Timberwolves’ defense open, the Lakers flew around the court. The Lakers contested shots. The Lakers sprinted to secure every available possession.
It took 19 minutes of court time for the Lakers’ moment — the first time they’ve hosted a Game 1 since 2012 — to unravel, for it fall out of reach, for the season to feel in jeopardy for the first time since well before Doncic was a part of it.
“They did all the things that we wanted to do,” Reaves said of Minnesota.
The concerns for the Lakers moving forward can be found all over the final box score, the 19-point edge in fast-break points showing how much faster Minnesota played. The 21 second-chance points the Lakers allowed showed Minnesota’s determination. The 48 combined points for Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid showing how capable Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle’s co-stars are.
Lakers forward LeBron James looks to pass the basketball under pressure from Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9) and forward Julius Randle (30) at Crypto.com Arena Saturday. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
The Lakers held Edwards to just 22 points on 22 shots. And lost. The Lakers kept Randle to 16 and Rudy Gobert to just two. And lost. The Lakers got 37 points (but only one assist) from Doncic. And lost.
“They're a great opponent. They're one of the best teams in basketball,” JJ Redick said. “It’s not to say our guys weren't ready to withstand a playoff-level basketball game. We were mentally ready. I thought our spirit was right. I thought even when they made runs, our huddles were great. The communication was great.
“I'm not sure physically we were ready, if that makes sense. And really when they started playing with a lot of thrust and physicality, we just didn't respond to meet that.”
They should’ve known it was coming. No one has guarded the Lakers quite as well as the Timberwolves have this year. Nine times this season, the Lakers have been held to under 100 points — and, now, three of those times have been because of the Minnesota Timberwolves' defense.
“Obviously we gotta do a better job of controlling the controllables,” James said after. “And I don't think we did a good enough job after the first quarter.”
And while the makeup of the Lakers’ roster has changed significantly in their offensive clunkers, the challenges the Timberwolves give — their size, their long arms, their quick feet and their active hands — haven’t really been solved by Redick and the players.
“You know this Minnesota team, they're gonna be physical,” James said. “That's what they bring to the table. Maybe it took us one playoff game to now get a feel for it and know what type of intensity, the type of physicality is gonna be brought to the game. But that's just the way they play. So we should be more than prepared for that on Tuesday night.”
Maybe more force will be the difference; no one on the Lakers thought that it wouldn’t. But maybe, it’s even simpler than that.
“Just be physical. Play like we played in the first quarter,” Doncic said. “I think when we played in the first quarter, we were at our best. Just limit their threes. Limit transition and second-chance points. And play our game.”
Saturday, they squandered an opportunity to sustain things long enough to take one stop closer to their goals. And, even if there are bigger signs for concern, the focus can’t change.
“You’ve gotta get beat four times; you’ve gotta win four times. So, that’s the outlook,” Reaves said. “We know we didn’t play very well. We didn’t play to our standards. And we’ll get better.”
Things weren’t looking good for the Knicks in Game 1.
After a back-and-forth first two quarters, the Pistons came out of the locker room resurged and they began taking things over -- suddenly New York found themselves trailing by eight points heading into the final frame.
Then, everything changed in a hurry.
The Pistons opened the fourth taking a five-second violation and the Knicks were able to build off of the energy from the fired up Madison Square Garden crowd, as Karl-Anthony Towns knocked down back-to-back baskets.
New York ran with the momentum, scoring the next 21 points before Detroit’s Malik Beasley knocked down a three, pushing themselves back in front and re-establishing the double-digit advantage in less then five minutes.
The Pistons made a push down the stretch, but the Knicks never looked back, holding on for the Game 1 victory.
“We didn't end the third quarter the way we wanted to," Jalen Brunson said. "But there was never a doubt that we were just going to lay down without a fight -- we just had to figure things out and just keep battling, and it turned rather quickly."
Brunson was in the middle of the surge as always, but easily the biggest boost came from veteran reserve Cam Payne, who stepped up tremendously after a quiet first half showing.
Payne had just three points over the first three quarters -- but during that stretch in which the Knicks completely turned things around he simply couldn't miss as he knocked down 4-of-5 shots including a pair of threes to give him 11 of his 14 points during the final frame.
He was also a key factor in forcing the momentum changing five-second turnover.
“We all know what Cam is capable of -- that’s what he does,” OG Anunoby said.
“He’s a catalyst, he gets in there and makes things happen,” head coach Tom Thibodeau added. “The thing about him is he knows exactly who he is. He comes in with great energy every game, and he prepares himself well -- he gave us a huge spark, but that’s who he’s been all season.”
Payne, who averaged 6.9 points during his first year in New York, received a rousing ovation from the MSG faithful as he was subbed out late in the fourth quarter -- it was an ovation and performance he's been waiting for all season.
"It's fun man," he said. "It's a hell of an atmosphere. I was on the opposing side of it last year and it was tough, it was loud as s--t in there. Being on the flip side of it felt good, that ovation felt good. I've been waiting on that all year, how I played today all year, so I'm just grateful.
"I thank God for everything that happened tonight, I'm just grateful to still be playing in this league."
Apr 19, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) gestures after making a three-point shot in Game One of the First Round of the NBA Playoffs against the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
NEW YORK (AP) Jalen Brunson was hobbling and Madison Square Garden had gone quiet as the New York Knicks fell deeper into a hole late in the third quarter.
Brunson then left the court for what appeared to be a change of sneakers, though maybe that wasn't all.
“I think he was grabbing his cape,” coach Tom Thibodeau said.
Brunson and his teammates were sure super from there.
Brunson scored 34 points, Cam Payne had 11 of his 14 in the fourth quarter and the Knicks stunned the Detroit Pistons with a 21-0 run to rally for a 123-112 victory Saturday night in Game 1 of the first-round playoff series.
Karl-Anthony Towns had 23 points and 11 rebounds in his first playoff game with the Knicks and OG Anunoby also scored 23 points for the No. 3 seeds, who will host Game 2 on Monday night.
The Pistons held up well for more than three quarters of their first playoff game since 2019 and had a 98-90 lead, a little more than nine minutes from ending their NBA-record, 14-game postseason losing streak.
By the time they scored again, the Knicks were ahead by 13 points, the delirious fans in the arena roaring louder with every Pistons miscue after they played with such poise for much of the game.
Payne converted a three-point play to start the run, Brunson scored and Payne made a 3-pointer to tie it at 98, and the onslaught would last for nearly five minutes. Payne and Brunson combined for the first 17 points before Josh Hart had the final two baskets to make it 111-98 with 4:50 remaining.
“I been kind of waiting on that all year,” Payne said. “I've been waiting on this game, how I played today, all year.”
Tobias Harris scored 25 points for Detroit, but just three in the second half. Cade Cunningham had 21 points and 12 assists, but the Knicks limited the star guard to 8-for-21 shooting in his playoff debut.
Brunson, who missed 15 games late in the season with a sprained right ankle, was just 4 for 15 in the first half and appeared to tweak the ankle again. But he changed out of his green sneakers and found another gear in the fourth along with the Knicks.
“Obviously, we didn’t end the third quarter the way we wanted to, but there was never a doubt that we’re going to just lay down and not fight,” Brunson said. “We had to find a way to figure things out and keep battling and I mean, it turned around quickly.”
The Pistons remained winless in the postseason since Game 4 of the 2008 Eastern Conference finals.
“Obviously, for this group, guys having first-time playoff experience, just understanding yeah, it stinks to lose, but it’s all about how you come back,” Harris said.
The Knicks pulled out a huge 123-112 win over the Detroit Pistons in Game 1 of their first round matchup on Saturday at Madison Square Garden.
Here are some takeaways...
- The Garden was rocking and the Knicks responded with a strong start on both ends of the floor. New York did a good job suffocating Cade Cunningham defensively, and three of their starting five found the bottom of the basket to open an early advantage.
- Landry Shamet was the first man off the bench, subbing in after Josh Hart picked up two early fouls.
- OG Anunoby's offensive surge continued in the first quarter, knocking down five shots including a pair of threes for 12 points. New York limited Cunningham to just two points but his teammates stepped up and made baskets around him, evening things up at 27.
New York-native Tobias Harris had nine points and Malik Beasley drilled a pair of threes off the bench.
- Karl-Anthony Towns was held scoreless in the first, but he led the way for the second unit early in the second. The big man knocked down his first three field goals of the quarter and a technical free throw for defensive three seconds, to help the Knicks jump back in front.
- With Hart picking up his third foul early in the quarter, Towns received minutes alongside Mitchell Robinson, who provided a nice spark with a monster putback jam. The duo struggled defensively, though, as KAT lost Harris at times and the Pistons were able to keep things within shouting distance.
- Anunoby continued leading the way for New York with 19 first-half points, but Harris was just as good as he knocked down 7-of-10 from the field to lead all scorers with 22 points, making it a three-point game heading into the break.
- Former Knick Tim Hardaway Jr. stepped up for Detroit coming out of the break, helping them open the quarter on a 7-0 run to jump back in front. The Pistons continued finding different ways to get to the basket and they opened their largest lead of the game -- before the Knicks came storming back.
- The rest of the quarter was back and forth, but back-to-back blocks from Dennis Schröder and Isaiah Stewart resulted in a five-point swing towards the Pistons, and suddenly the Knicks found themselves trailing by eight heading into the fourth.
- Desperate for a spark, Towns started the quarter knocking down back-to-back baskets. The Knicks used that to help push them back in front, regaining all of the momentum with an incredible 21-0 run, which helped them reopen a double-digit advantage.
Detroit was able to close the gap, but big buckets down the stretch helped the Knicks close out the Game 1 victory.
- Brunson led all scorers with 34 points on 12-of-27 shooting while dishing eight assists. Anunoby and Towns both finished with 23 points, Cameron Payne knocked down three threes and contributed 14 points off the bench (11 in the fourth), while Robinson had six points and six boards.
Bridges sat the entire fourth quarter and was a non-factor, finishing with just six points.
- New York did a really good job on Cunningham, holding him to just 21 points but he had 12 assists. Big man Jalen Duren was limited to just seven points and six boards. Harris stepped up with 25 points, Beasley had 20 points, and Hardaway Jr. had 19.
Game MVP: OG Anunoby
Anunoby was tremendous on both ends of the court, helping New York grab a Game 1 victory.
DENVER (AP) Russell Westbrook, whose late-game follies hung over the Denver Nuggets as they navigated the stunning dismissals of coach Michael Malone and GM Calvin Booth on the eve of the playoffs, came up clutch against his former team in crunch time Saturday.
“That's who he is,” Nikola Jokic said after watching Westbrook hit an uncontested corner 3-pointer to give Denver a two-point lead late in regulation and then knocking the inbounds pass away from - and off of - James Harden with 9.6 seconds left in overtime to help seal Denver's 112-110 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
“I just know that (inbounds) play,” from being there the previous two seasons, Westbrook said.
Westbrook had plenty to do with L.A.'s whopping 20 turnovers, including an uncharacteristic seven from Kawhi Leonard.
“Russ is Russ,” interim coach David Adelman said after improving to 4-0. “Defensively, he's absolutely incredible. He was playing free safety out there. I thought a lot of the reasons why the turnovers happened, even if it wasn't him forcing it, (was) just the way he was roaming around and impacting the game.
“And then offensively ... he attacked," Adelman said. “We maybe could have pulled it out and executed. But that's what Russ does. I don't think he's going to change after 17 years. If he sees somebody in front of him 1-on-1, he's going to attack. And then he made an enormous 3.”
Jokic scored 29 points and finished one rebound shy of a triple-double. Aaron Gordon added 25 points and Jamal Murray 21 as the Nuggets overcame a 15-point first-half deficit to power past the hottest team entering the playoffs.
The No. 5 seed Clippers' loss was their first since March 30 at Cleveland. They rolled into the playoffs having won 18 of 21, including their last eight.
“If you turn over 20 times against the team that is No. 1 in offensive transition, then you’re gonna lose the game,” lamented Clippers coach Tyronn Lue.
Harden led the Clippers with 32 points. Leonard added 22 and Ivica Zubac had 21.
Leonard shrugged off the loss, saying the team’s mood was “still good. Just Game 1. You know, Denver’s a good team, especially at home. Still got Game 2.”
That’s Monday night at Ball Arena.
Adelman said the key to the late comeback was actually when Denver closed the second quarter on a 13-2 run to pull to 53-49 at halftime.
“It felt like one of those games where you’re just slowly crawling uphill,” Adelman said.
And Westbrook was leading the way, coming up big despite missing 12 of 17 shots overall.
“A lot of people put a lot of emphasis on missing so many shots,” Westbrook said. “But in the playoffs, all you need to do is just win the game. I don't give a damn about how many shots you miss, make. Just make winning basketball plays defensively, offensively.”
Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook lets out a yell during the overtime win against the Clippers on Saturday in Denver. (Jamie Schwaberow/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Clippers dropped a 112-110 overtime game to the Denver Nuggets on Saturday at Ball Arena to open the playoffs.
They are down 1-0 in the best-of-seven series because Russell Westbrook was as a menace against his former team and supplied the Nuggets with the energy and big plays they needed to get the win.
Westbrook’s last big play was knocking the ball off of James Harden’s hand with 9.6 seconds left in the overtime.
Nikola Jokic made two free throws for a 112-107 lead with 6.5 seconds remaining that sealed the victory.
We’re in good shape,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. “We just got to do what we’re supposed to do and what we talked about. We can’t turn the ball over 20 times…We just got to be better with our execution. I think defensively understanding what we’re doing and then offensively understanding how we want to attack them.”
Jokic finished with 29 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds.
Harden led the Clippers with 32 points and 11 assists.
Westbrook had 15 points, including two big threes, and eight rebounds and two steals.
The Clippers turned the ball over 20 times.
Jokic not only picked up his fourth foul by getting a double-foul with Ben Simmons in the fourth, he was also hit with a technical foul with 6:41 left.
Jokic felt he was struck in the face by Derrick Jones Jr., knocking him to the court. But no foul was called, drawing the ire of Jokic toward an official who issued the technical foul in a game that was getting tense and tighter as it went along.
Then with 1:27 left and the Nuggets leading by one, Jokic got an offensive rebound and was fouled but he missed both free throws, leaving the Clippers down 95-94.
The Clippers took advantage when Ivica Zubac scored on a goaltending call on Aaron Gordon, giving the Clippers a 96-95 lead with 1:11 left.
But the Clippers turned the ball over after Kawhi Leonard had it bounce off his hip with 33.5 seconds left and the Clippers still up by one.
The Nuggets called a timeout to call an important play after the Clippers’ challenge was unsuccessful.
Jokic, unafraid to make the right pass, and Westbrook, unafraid to take the big shot, combined to make the play. Jokic hit Westbrook in the corner for a three-pointer and a 98-96 Nuggets lead with 23.4 seconds left.
But Harden drove inside for a floater to tie the score at 98-98 with 18.7 seconds left.
That left the ball in Denver’s hands for the final shot.
But the Clippers played great defense and eventually Westbrook intended to put up the ball but could not get off a shot, sending the game into OT tied 98-98.
Harden picked up his fourth foul with 9 minutes and 10 seconds left in the third quarter, but played all 12 minutes in the quarter. Harden didn’t pick up another one before it was over.
Along the way in this game, Harden established himself as one of the NBA’s playoff greats.
He has scored (3,796) career points in the postseason, pushing him past John Havlicek for sole possession of 14th place on the NBA’s all-time playoff points list. Harden has (1,072) assists in the postseason, pushing him past Larry Bird for sole possession of eighth place on the all-time playoff assists list.
When Harden picked up his second foul with 4:55 left in the first quarter, the Clippers had a decision to make. They left him in the game and he immediately attacked with three consecutive drives to the basket — one turning into a three-point play — resulting in an early 12-point lead for the Clippers.
Harden didn’t waver in his play, staying aggressive the rest of the way in playing all 12 minutes in the first, finishing it off with a three-pointer at the buzzer that gave him 15 points on six-for-11 shooting.
Harden’s play seemed to ignite the Clippers, as they built a 15-point lead in the second quarter.
But the Clippers got sloppy with the basketball as the quarter continued, turning it over eight times in the second, leading to the Nuggets trimming L.A.’s lead to 53-49 at the half.
By the end of the third quarter, the game was still close.
Apr 19, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Indiana is often thought of as a high-octane, up-tempo, top-10 offense in the NBA (which they are), but they also can defend. The Pacers were top-10 in the league after the All-Star break.
Or, just ask Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks.
The Pacers' defense showed out Saturday in Game 1 against the Bucks. Indiana loaded up its defense on Giannis Antetokounmpo, was physical with him from the opening tip, and made him work hard for every bucket. While he still finished with 36 points on 14-of-23 shooting, Antetokounmpo couldn’t run free, he never got his teammates going.
The bigger problem for Milwaukee was that Antetokounmpo was the only guy creating or scoring for the Bucks: Kyle Kuzma was 0-of-5 shooting and finished without a point, Bobby Portis and Ryan Rollins each shot 2-of-8, and Kevin Porter Jr. was 2-of-7.
The result was Indiana looking dominant early, leading by 28 points and never being seriously threatened on their way to a 117-98 win, taking a 1-0 series lead.
Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting, while Tyrese Haliburton added 10 points and 12 rebounds in the win.
The key to the game, however, was the Pacers’ defense.
"He's a tough cover…” Siakam said of Antetokounmpo. “He's very good at getting to the paint. He's strong. He's physical. I thought we did a decent job but he did get a couple of easy baskets.”
The Bucks have one big change for Game 2 — Damian Lillard could return from the deep vein Thrombosis that kept him out at the end of the season. Lillard was heard at Game 1, too, trash-talking Haliburton.
SAN FRANCISCO – Gui Santos’ first view of Chase Center was a sea of yellow shirts covering seats all throughout the stands.
It was the 2022 NBA Finals and Santos was going through his pre-draft workout down below on the Warriors’ practice court prior to one of their games against the Boston Celtics. Winning was what the Warriors were known for, even in Brazil. The sight of those bright shirts to create a home-court advantage wasn’t as eye-opening for Santos as it is now that he can reflect on the moment. From the outside, everything felt routine.
“I didn’t have the understanding of how big and how hard it is to get there, because Golden State always was in the Finals the last couple years,” Santos says to NBC Sports Bay Area. “I was like, ‘OK, maybe that’s normal for them.’ But then when I got here the season after they were champions, I saw how hard it is to make the Finals, how hard it is to go to the playoffs. But to make the Finals, it’s even tougher.
“Now I know why they got so much respect in the whole league, and now I want to be part of that for sure.”
Just one week after winning their fourth championship in eight years, the Warriors were on the clock and used three draft picks, first taking Patrick Baldwin Jr. with the 28th overall pick and then trading up to select Ryan Rollins in the second round (No. 44 overall). With a third pick at their disposal, the Warriors went the developmental route and added Santos as the third-to-last pick in the draft.
Everything was foreign territory for someone who was 20 years old one day before the draft. Santos was stepping into a team full of stars celebrating another championship. Patience wasn’t an option. Feeling forgotten would have been easy. Luckily for Santos, he had a north star to guide his leap to Golden State.
Former Warriors champion Leandro Barbosa was a longtime mentor of Santos in Brazil, even serving as his veteran teammate for Brazilian club Minas when he still led the league in scoring at 37 years old in the 2019-20 season. He posted a picture to his Instagram story of Santos after his pre-draft workout as the Warriors were on their way to getting fitted for rings, and having his idol around him for the draft process slowed everything down for Santos.
Barbosa then left his post on the Warriors’ coaching staff two months later to follow Mike Brown to the Sacramento Kings for a larger role. Santos now finds himself as the one and only current NBA player born in Brazil.
The honor can be a blessing and a curse. As Santos’ star has shined brighter the longer the Warriors’ season has gone on, he has been an advocate of Brazilian basketball and the talent the country can produce. Representing all of Brazil for the most internationally known NBA team also is pressure unknown to almost anybody else.
“It’s amazing,” Santos says. “Especially being the only one right here, right now, and having all the attention from everybody. It’s good when you’re playing well, but it’s tough when you’re not playing well.”
Santos has heard it all from outsiders, telling him to shoot more and be more of a scorer, without understanding the importance of what he does for a team led by Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green.
The positivity, Santos says, far outweighs any negativity.
“I’m very, very happy, very proud of that, because the biggest part of Brazil is cheering for me, sending good vibes,” he continues. “I love that. Everything I do, I try to mention Brazil because that’s where I grew up, that’s where I was born, that’s where I learned everything.”
Santos spent his entire first season playing in Santa Cruz for the Warriors’ G League affiliate, refining his body and basketball skills as he learned to play within Golden State’s system. He only played 23 games for the Warriors last season, averaging 8.3 minutes. His contract wasn’t even guaranteed going into this season, and he played another five games for Santa Cruz, but none since Dec. 15, 2024.
That’s the kind of winning impact Santos has had on Golden State with more opportunities.
Though Santos ranks 17th in points per game (4.1) among those who have played for the Warriors this season, he has become one of their most trusted players. Santos played in 56 of the Warriors’ 82 regular-season games, yet still ranked fifth on the team in cumulative plus/minus (165) behind only Curry, Green, Brandin Podziemski and Butler – in that order. Steve Kerr, for months no,w has mentioned Santos’ plus/minus numbers multiple times.
But with the Warriors’ playoff hopes on the line, Kerr didn’t play Santos against the LA Clippers in the regular-season finale, a loss that dropped them to the play-in tournament. Unprompted ahead of their play-in tournament game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Kerr admitted the Warriors missed Santos’ presence on the court. In the locker room, Santos was the same as he always is.
Jovial. Upbeat. Impossible to wipe the smile off his face. Santos puts in his blue earbuds, cranks up his Brazilian funk music and finds a zone only he can tap into.
“It’s to get into the mood for the game,” Santos explains. “It’s not slow. It’s very fast. I put it on before the game to get ready to go out there and bring some energy.”
Which is exactly what Santos does once his foot crosses the line and it’s his time to bring the home crowd to life. Whenever Santos enters a game, he challenges himself to grab two offensive rebounds. He came down with three in the six minutes he played to help push the Warriors back into the playoffs against the Houston Rockets.
“Our points per possession when we get offensive rebounds is through the roof,” Podziemski says. “Any extra possession we get, it’s going to benefit us, especially against a defensive team like Houston.”
On the Warriors’ first offensive possession with Santos on the floor against the Grizzlies, he misses a 3-pointer from the left corner. But the next time down, Butler misses from the right wing, only to see Santos soar to secure a rebound over Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. His elbows go flying to clear space and throw the ball to Kevon Looney at the top of the arc. What Santos does next is the second phase of why Kerr knows the game flows with him on the court.
After Santos keeps the play alive, the ball gets swung back to Butler. Santos backpedals a few steps and goes unnoticed before cutting to the basket, catching Butler’s entry pass, flipping his hips and making a contested layup through Jackson and Desmond Bane for a three-point play that gave Golden State a 13-point lead in the second quarter.
His right hand punches through the arena air, and Santos’ lion’s roar matches the volume vibrating through Warriors fans.
“Me and Gui, we’re international,” Quinten Post says. “Different upbringing. You need it. Me and Gui, maybe we don’t have that swagger, but we’re just raw energy out there. I think you need that. For Gui, sometimes it’s shorter stints. The way he came in against Memphis and grabbed offensive rebounds, those weren’t rebounds that belonged to him, but he just forced his way in there.
“It’s important to have some guys who play with emotion and get the crowd going.”
There’s the way his curls flop over a headband like Anderson Varejao, and the spirits he plays with that match Brazil’s samba music. Gui Santos brings every ounce of energy he has every day to the Warriors and Dub Nation, embodying all of Brazil.
Gregg Popovich is stable and back at home, resting, following a medical incident at a restaurant on Tuesday night that required an ambulance to be called and resulted in him being transported to a hospital.
Popovich, 76, reportedly fainted while having dinner at a Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, an incident first reported by TMZ and confirmed by the San Antonio Express-News, which got a copy of the incident report. An ambulance was called and Popovich was transported to a local hospital as a precautionary measure, he was not facing a life-threatening situation. There are no other details about the incident.
Popovich has been away from coaching since suffering a mild stroke before a game on Nov. 2. He met and spoke with the players just after the All-Star break and told them he would not be returning to the bench this season.
If and when Popovich might return to the bench is unknown, as is how the Spurs will handle the coaching position long-term. Popovich is a Hall of Famer, the NBA's all-time winningest coach, and a five-time NBA champion. He also coached Team USA to a gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics. Mitch Johnson took over as the interim head coach for the remainder of this past season.
Klay Thompson probably didn’t envision enduring the 2024-25 NBA season he did once leaving the Warriors for the Dallas Mavericks last summer.
But he refused to look back on that life-changing decision with any regret after the Mavericks’ turbulent season officially ended Friday with a play-in loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. Immediately following the 120-106 loss at FedExForum, the four-time NBA champion was asked if he still would’ve joined Dallas knowing everything he knows now.
“Don’t do this to me. Don’t do that to me,” Thompson said (h/t The Dallas Morning News’ Mike Curtis). “Don’t do that. That’s kind of a ridiculous question because I don’t own a time machine and I don’t believe in going back or looking back.
“If I did that my whole career, I would not be where I’m at and I wouldn’t have been able to persevere through two really hard injuries. I’m here in Dallas and I enjoyed my time and I’m looking forward to the future.”
Klay Thompson was asked by Tim MacMahon if he would've joined the Mavs last summer knowing everything he knows now…
About as professional of an answer he could’ve given. Truly respect Klay and have loved his time in Dallas. pic.twitter.com/ts27tuln9T
Thompson’s always worn his heart on his sleeve, so his compassionate response doesn’t come as a surprise.
The sharpshooter spent the first 11 seasons of his career with Golden State, forming a dynasty alongside fellow Splash Bro Steph Curry and veteran forward Draymond Green. But after nearly a decade of running the league, Thompson sought change and landed in Dallas, a team fresh off an NBA Finals appearance.
Thompson joined a Mavericks team led by Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving, but things quickly changed. In a blockbuster move that stunned the entire sports world, Dallas traded Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis and Max Christie.
Less than one month later, Irving tore his ACL in a loss to the Sacramento Kings and missed the remainder of the season.
Davis made his highly anticipated Mavericks debut on Feb. 8, but he suffered a left adductor strain the same night and missed the next 18 games. Somehow, Dallas still finished as the No. 10 seed and kept its playoff hopes alive with a dominant win over the Kings in the first play-in game before collapsing to the Grizzlies on Friday and ultimately ending a rollercoaster season.
Despite all that — and it was a lot — Thompson won’t hold his head down about joining the Mavericks.
In his first season with Dallas, Thompson averaged 14 points on 41.2-percent shooting from the field and 39.1 percent from 3-point range, with 3.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 27.3 minutes through 72 games.
Luka Dončić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jayson TatumComposite: Getty Images
Is the regular season in crisis?
Absolutely not. Could it stand to be a little shorter? Sure. Do the referees need to be more judicious with when they intervene? I’d argue they do. But the real problem the NBA faces is, in my opinion, a PR one. Its loudest voices should spend less time pearl-clutching and more time celebrating. Claire de Lune
Star players sit, games blur together and offense is unchecked. I don’t know if I’d call it a crisis, but put it this way: Disney, NBC and Amazon Prime Video did not pay $76bn for this product. They’re betting that it will be fixed. The answer might be structural: tweak the rules to restore physicality. If defense matters again, maybe the games will too. Bryan Armen Graham
Well, if you count rights-holding networks badmouthing the product, the league blacking out local games and underselling on-court storylines as a crisis – then yes. If you count the in-season tournament, load management player protocols and the endless GOAT debates as a crisis – then also yes. I’m not suggesting fewer games (82 always felt right); I’m suggesting everyone take them more seriously. Talking to you, Adam Silver. Andrew Lawrence
Can I be in a crisis when my organization commands $76bn in broadcast rights fees? That sad, a few tweaks might help. Spice up the in-season tournament by working point spreads into real-life results - eg the Celtics need to cover v the Hornets to move on – and awarding a conditional first-round draft pick known as “The Emirate” to the winner. Bring international play into the All-Star Weekend format and if you must, trim three or four games off the schedule. Oh, and please, please, lower ticket prices. Thank you! David Lengel
There are multiple issues with the NBA such as an overindulgence of three-pointers, the forgettable All-Star game and perpetual foul-hunting. However, the notion of a crisis is a bit overblown. The Western Conference remained highly competitive until the final day of the season, the playoffs feature a mix of All-NBA veterans and rising young stars, and the NBA’s primetime viewership is up double digits from last season. There is space for improvement, but the league is far from being in crisis. AR Shaw
Team that will be most missed from the playoffs
It’s a shame that Kevin Durant, one of the most skilled scorers this game has ever seen, isn’t going to make so much as a play-in-tournament appearance this year. To say the Phoenix Suns have been a disappointment is a woeful understatement, but it’s less the team I’ll be missing and more the inimitable presence of the Slim Reaper. CDL
The Suns. Say what you will about their flaws, but they had three of the NBA’s best shot-makers in Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal and still couldn’t make it work. A brutal cap sheet and murky future means this might have been their last real shot. BAG
Can I be selfish and say the Chicago Bulls? For the first time since their ethereal first-half campaign to the 2021-22 season, the Bulls have been genuinely fun to watch – and the life of the party has been Josh Giddey, the triple-double threat who harks to the days when a healthy Lonzo Ball was leading the break. He showed enough to earn a long-term extension and another running mate to help get Chicago into the play-in stage. AL
The team or the players? I’m already missing KD and his band of grumpy, really upset Suns, and of course, we’re all praying to the god of your choice that Victor Wembanyama will be back next season. Overall, the Philadelphia 76ers mess is always a good follow, and I think we’ll all miss the day-to-day drama Joel Embiid and friends bring to the first round of the playoffs. DL
The San Antonio Spurs. The debut of “Playoff Wemby” appeared to be a possibility after the Spurs acquired De’Aaron Fox before the trade deadline. But season-ending injuries to Wembanyama and Fox spoiled San Antonio’s playoff hopes. The combination of Wembanyama, Fox, the savvy veteran Chris Paul and rookie sensation Stephon Castle would have created havoc in the postseason. With better health, we can expect the Spurs to do damage in next year’s playoffs. ARS
High seed at risk of going out early
Vegas doesn’t have a lot of faith in second seeded-Houston in the playoffs, and neither do I. It’s commendable (hat tip to head coach Ime Udoka) that a super-young Rockets team were able to go from missing the play-in tournament last year to ending this year as the No 2 seed, but an unproven, youth-heavy, offensively challenged roster will likely get exposed in their first postseason outing. CDL
The Cleveland Cavaliers have depth, structure and a sparkling record, but playoff basketball is a different beast. Darius Garland has shrunk from the moment before, Evan Mobley remains a work in progress on offense and Donovan Mitchell can’t carry the load alone. If the tempo dips and the shots stop falling, this slick machine could unravel fast – especially against a battle-tested opponent. BAG
The New York Knicks, who blew a 28-point lead while losing to the top-seeded Cavaliers last Saturday to fall to 0-10 against top-three NBA teams. Point guard Jalen Brunson is one of a number of their key players dealing with injuries – none of which can be blamed on Tom Thibodeau’s withering instruction anymore, apparently. All of this sets them up poorly for their matchup against the resurgent Pistons and Cade Cunningham, a Knick-killer in the making. (He averaged better than 30 points, eight assists and five boards against them.) AL
Isn’t that the Knicks? Their fanbase certainly thinks so. A year ago New York were the out-hustle, out-muscle team that wanted it more than you. Today, they’re a fancy score-at-will side minus the edgy intangibles their fans lauded. Coincidentally, their opponents from Detroit have become the NBA’s newest junkyard dogs, ready to rip through the softened flesh of their now-bougie competition. Knicks fans can only hope the Pistons aren’t quite ready to pull it off. DL
The Rockets. Coach Ime Udoka did the unexpected by leading the Rockets to the No 2 seed in the rigorous Western Conference. But achieving the second-best record in the West appears to be a pyrrhic victory as Houston are underdogs against the Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler-led Golden State Warriors. The scrappy Rockets will make each game uncomfortable for the more playoff-experienced Warriors, but expect an early exit for Houston’s youth movement. ARS
Long shot to win
Two of the greatest playoff performers of their generation are now on the same team. I refuse to count out Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and the Warriors. They have a high-level defense, a lot of perimeter athleticism, and two guys who, on any given night, have a chance of being the best player on the floor. That sounds like a dark-horse contender to me. CDL
The Warriors. They started the season a hot mess. But since acquiring Jimmy Butler, they have been rolling. Steph is still Steph, Draymond Green is locking up again and their defense has quietly surged. With championship DNA and a renewed edge, they’re peaking at the perfect time. BAG
It’s weird to call a team that has Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Norman Powell and Ty Lue on the sideline a dark horse. But so it goes when that team is the Los Angeles Clippers. While the Lakers and the Warriors helped the fairytale championship narrative with their blockbuster mid-season trades, the Clippers have been solid, steady and Leonard is looking like the Leonard of old .This could be their year. AL
The Clippers are a scorching hot No 5 seed who went 18-3 with eight straight wins to finish the regular season. That included a dramatic overtime victory at Golden State in their 82nd game to avoid the dreaded play-in. That’s mojo and that’s LA when Kawhi Leonard shows up, laces up and plays basketball. Now, if James Harden actually carries his regular-season skillset into the playoffs, these Clips could actually crack the colorful western cohort and sail into the finals. DL
The Clippers. Finishing the season with an 18-3 record, the Clippers are the most feared team heading into the playoffs. While LeBron James and Luka Dončić are the more celebrated NBA stars in Tinseltown, the Clippers have embraced the underdog role and are a dark horse to change the narrative with a Hollywood ending in the NBA finals. ARS
Most important player this postseason
It’s rare that the player upon which the pendulum swings is the same in two consecutive years, but once again, it’s Luka Dončić. I see the Lakers as having just as good of a chance as anyone to win the title this year. But as evidenced by the Lakers’ recent duel with the Warriors, when he isn’t firing on all cylinders, that chance diminishes exponentially. Los Angeles need Dončić to be a top-tier superstar for four rounds to hoist the trophy. CDL
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been an MVP candidate all year. Now comes the real test. OKC are deep, disciplined and dangerous, but their ceiling depends on SGA’s ability to create in crunch time. If he owns the moment, the Thunder could fast-track their rise from rebuild to finals. BAG
After the Jimmy Butler trade, the Warriors went from Cancun-bound after the regular season to title contenders once again. More than just the best running mate Curry has had since Kevin Durant, Butler can carry the offensive load when Curry’s off the floor and take over games defensively. How the Warriors ever got away with him still boggles the brain. AL
After dominating the regular season with a 68-14 record, Oklahoma City enter a postseason where anything short of a championships would be a disappointment. All of it rests on the wide Canadian shoulders of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. As the head of the snake and the odds-on MVP favorite, SGA is solely responsible for delivering the hardware to OKC. And it’s a fair amount of pressure, especially after the Thunder were ousted last season by Luka’s Mavericks in the West semis. DL
LeBron James will be the most important player in the postseason until he retires. James is not only competing against current NBA players, he receives the most praise and ridicule when compared to his Hall of Fame predecessors. Win or lose, James will be the most discussed player in the off-season. If he captures another title at 40, it adds to the lore and never-ending debate over who is the greatest basketball player of all time. ARS
Eastern Conference finals
Celtics over Cavaliers CDL
Celtics over Pacers BAG
Celtics over Cavaliers AL
Celtics over Pacers DL
Celtics over Cavaliers ARS
Western Conference finals
Lakers over Thunder CDL
Thunder over Warriors BAG
Warriors over Clippers AL
Clippers over Lakers DL
Lakers over Clippers ARS
Your NBA champion will be ...
Los Angeles Lakers. I’ll be accused of homerism for this pick, which I am prepared for. But I know a team on a special run when I see one, and the Lakers are that team. For Luka Dončić to get a ring in the same season he was unceremoniously shipped off by Dallas, for LeBron James to have a chance at a fifth championship before he retires, is something I can’t see either of these generational talents letting slip through their fingers. Lakers v Celtics will be a battle for the ages, and it’s truly a coin toss between the two in my estimation. But if the Lakers can get through the entire gauntlet that awaits them in the West, I simply don’t see them letting the chance at saying “job finished” pass them by. CDL
Oklahoma City Thunder. They’ve recorded the highest net rating in NBA history – better than the ‘96 Bulls or KD Warriors – but still feel oddly overlooked. SGA is playing at an MVP level, Jalen Williams is a rising star and Chet Holmgren shores up the middle. Their elite perimeter defense, depth and cohesion make them dangerous in any series. They may be young, but they’re relentless, unselfish and unafraid. This isn’t a fluke; it’s a coronation in waiting. BAG
Golden State Warriors. They’ve got the best shooter who ever lived, one of the game’s all-time defenders and the best end-to-end player. Add Steve Kerr and the Warriors’ dynamite bench to the equation, and it’s tough to see the team losing out on a chance to win their fifth championship in 10 years. And if they happen to beat the Lakers along the way, the GOAT debate is going into overdrive – and history might ultimately peg LeBron as the loser. AL
Boston Celtics. The wild second-half run of the Kawhi Clippers will finally come to an end when the clock strikes midnight against the Eastern Conference titans. Even the version of Harden who shows up for the playoffs isn’t enough to beat the Celtics, who overcome Jaylen Brown’s bum knee to oust the Clippers in seven. That’s because a healthy Kristaps Porzingis fills all voids and all baskets, propelling the dominant Jayson Tatum to swiftly avenge his Olympic benching while winning a second consecutive championship. DL
Los Angeles Lakers. The Mavericks handed the Lakers a generational gift with the Luka Dončić trade, and LA will reap the benefits in June. The trade elevated the Lakers’ playoff chances from a second-round exit to legit title contenders, but the Lakers will face the toughest path to the finals with a first-round matchup against Anthony Edwards and the possibility of facing Steph Curry, Kawhi Leonard or leading MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in later rounds. Dončić and LeBron have both carried teams to the NBA Ffnals, and together, they have the offensive capabilities to overwhelm the most elite players and their teams. Expect the Lakers and Celtics to continue their historic rivalry with another showdown in the NBA finals with the Lakers as the last team standing. ARS
Tyler Herro led the Heat scoring once again [Getty Images]
The Miami Heat became the first 10th-seeded team to reach the NBA play-offs through the play-in tournament as they scored an overtime success against the Atlanta Hawks.
The Heat began the four-team Eastern Conference qualification tournament needing to win consecutive road games to advance.
After beating the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, they followed up with a 123-114 overtime success over the Hawks to set up a first-round meeting with conference top seeds the Cleveland Cavaliers.
In the Western Conference, the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Dallas Mavericks 120-106 and will face the Oklahoma City Thunder in round one, with play-off games in both conferences beginning on Saturday.
Anthony Davis, who moved to Dallas as part of the Doncic trade, received medical treatment for groin and lower back injury problems throughout Friday's game but still led his side with 40 points and nine rebounds.
The Heat had bounced back from a 10-game losing streak last month to reach the post-season tournament and dominated the opening half against the Hawks, leading by 17 points at one stage before taking a 62-53 lead into the break.
However, the Hawks stormed back and were 98-92 up with five minutes and six seconds remaining.
A Tyler Herro free throw edged the Heat 106-104 up with 12 seconds left, only for Trae Young to score a late lay-up and send the game to overtime.
The Heat found their range from the perimeter in the extra period with Davion Mitchell sinking three three-pointers and Herro adding two more to secure the win.
"I loved how my team fought," said Herro, who finished on a game-high 30 points. "Every single run that they made, we answered. And I feel like this entire season has really built us up for this point."
Morant beats injury to help Grizzlies advance
In Memphis, Ja Morant shrugged off a sprained right ankle for 22 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and three steals for the Grizzlies.
The 25-year-old two-time All-Star suffered the injury in his side's opening play-in loss to the Golden State Warriors and was only cleared to play shortly before the start of Friday's game.
"Got an MRI, ultrasound, met with different doctors, got a shot, slept, woke up, came to the gym about 5:30, went through walkthrough," Morant said.
"After that, sat for about 30 minutes until it was time to see another doctor and get an injection and start my pre-game stuff."
Asked after the game how the ankle held up, he said, with a laugh, "I couldn't feel it, that's why I was out there."
Zach Edey added 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Grizzlies while Scotty Pippen Jr hit 13 points.
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd paid tribute to his players after their season.
"We had an incredible season when you look at the injuries that we've had, the Doncic trade, and for us to even be here playing in this game is incredible," Kidd said.
"It shows the character of that group in the locker room, the fight, and being prepared. It was an incredible season and with the change and injuries, some people were saying we shouldn't be here."
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Two-time All-Star Ja Morant promised a sprained right ankle wouldn’t keep him out of Memphis’ play-in game against Dallas with the Western Conference’s last postseason berth up for grabs Friday night.
Morant did more than just play. He delivered a thrilling start that included a high-flying, one-handed slam of a dunk that had teammate Desmond Bane yelling “Showtime!” at him in celebration as Morant elevated so much his eyes were level with the rim.
The guard scored 16 of his 22 points in the first half, and Memphis never trailed in a 120-106 victory to take the No. 8 seed and a spot Sunday in Game 1 at top-seeded Oklahoma City.
“I couldn’t feel it ... so I was out there,” Morant said with a laugh.
Morant had been listed as questionable earlier Friday as the training staff worked to get him ready to play. His status was officially announced about 30 minutes before the tip.
The guard was injured in the third quarter Tuesday night at Golden State with the No. 7 seed on the line. Morant rolled the ankle coming down on Buddy Hield’s foot. Morant limped off the court and returned in the fourth quarter when he was held to four points as the Grizzlies lost 121-116.
Morant took the court late in warm-ups to test his ankle. His young daughter joined him on the court. ESPN reported during the game that Morant had a second shot for his ankle a couple hours before tipoff.
The guard occasionally limped to the free throw line, but that was about the only sign Morant was playing hurt. He finished with nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals before interim coach Tuomas Iisalo pulled his starters in the final couple minutes to some rest. Morant wound up playing 33 minutes helping the Grizzlies finish off a wire-to-wire win.
Injuries limited Morant to 50 games during this regular season. He has played 19 playoff games in Memphis’ three postseason berths with the No. 2 pick overall in the 2019 draft.
The team announced Proctor’s move in a social-media post Friday night. The 6-foot-6, 183-pound junior from Australia was a three-year starter and one of Jon Scheyer’s first incoming recruits when he took over for retired Hall of Famer Mike Krzyzewski.
Apr 18, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) tries to get to the basket against Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell (45) during the first half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks showed grit — they struggled with their shot in the first half, going 4-of-20 from 3 and trailing by 17, but fought back to lead with just more than three minutes left in the game.
It wasn't enough. There was too much Tyler Herro for the first 48 minutes, he finished with 30 points, then Davion Mitchell dominated the overtime — he outscored the Hawks by himself, 9-8.
The ultimate result was a 123-114 Miami win. With that, the Heat became the first No. 10 seed ever to advance out of the Play-In Tournament, and they will face the No. 1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night to start that series. The loss ends the Hawks' season.
The other winner out of this game: The Oklahoma City Thunder. With the win, Miami's first-round pick, at No. 15, goes to the Thunder (via a convoluted path that included the 2019 Paul George trade). OKC now has the No. 15 and No. 25 (via the Clippers) picks in the first round.
Miami came out hot on the road scoring the game's first 10 points, a lead they stretched out to 17 points midway through the second quarter. Herro led all scorers with 30 points, shooting 5-of-10 from beyond the arc, including a couple of 3-pointers in overtime to help seal the win.
TYLER HERRO COMES UP BIG WITH THE SEASON ON THE LINE
Atlanta fought back behind 29 points from Trae Young and a big night from center Onyeka Okongwu, who had 28 points. It was a driving layup by Young that forced overtime.
Andrew Wiggins added 20 points for Miami, and Bam Adebayo scored 17 points plus grabbed 11 rebounds. For Atlanta, George Niang had 20 points off the bench, and Caris LeVert had 15.
