Category: Basketball

Bucks GM Jon Horst, along with team owners Wes Edens and Jimmy Haslam, met with former Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins in Memphis early last week to discuss Milwaukee’s head coach opening, registering “serious interest,” per Eric Nehm and Sam Amick of The Athletic. This follows former coach Doc Rivers’ resignation from the Bucks post just hours after their regular-season finale, and early indications that Jenkins was a top candidate for the job. Nehm and Amick contend that Jenkins is also currently the top candidate in the coaching market.

Neither side discussed contract figures, but the two parties discussed the team’s future, which hangs in the balance as the Bucks navigate a tricky offseason and figure out what to do with a valuable lottery pick, with Jenkins at the helm. Jenkins was linked to the Wizards (who stated last week they would keep Brian Keefe next season) and the Magic (who don’t have a vacancy yet) previously, so the Bucks have been the most aggressive in wooing him. But Nehm and Amick said, “it remains unclear whether he will prioritize the Bucks’ opening or remain patient as other vacancies emerge.” The two sides are expected to convene again and continue talks.

Jenkins, who boasts a 250-214 record across six seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies, made the playoffs four times and advanced as far as the conference semifinals in 2022, where they lost to the eventual champions, the Golden State Warriors. He was abruptly fired towards the end of the 2024–25 season despite locking up a playoff berth and leading the Grizzlies to 44 wins with just nine games left in the regular season. That tenure came directly after spending the 2018–19 season with Milwaukee as one of Mike Budenholzer’s assistants.

Jenkins’ fit with the Bucks makes sense. His teams are known for high-paced offenses with deep rotations. This playstyle could mesh with guards like Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr. He’s young for a coach (41 years old), but he has sufficient playoff experience contending with Memphis. He focused extensively on player development while with the Grizzlies, and the results are there: under his guidance, Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Santi Aldama, GG Jackson, and more became key pieces of Memphis’ rotation. He could do the same for a youthful, growing Bucks core.

However, it’s unlikely Jenkins will be the only coach pursued by Bucks brass. Darvin Ham is familiar with the Bucks’ culture, and some think he could be promoted, though the Pelicans (and possibly Magic) could pursue him. New Orleans’ interim coach, James Borrego, remains in consideration for their permanent job and has been linked to Milwaukee. Speculative candidate Tom Thibodeau, fired by the Knicks last spring after pushing them to their first Eastern Conference Finals in 25 years, is still on the market and has the most impressive resume. Another speculative name—and beloved former Buck—is Sam Cassell, an assistant under Joe Mazzulla’s Celtics, who may want to make the jump to a head coaching role.

The Knicks (1-0) will be back in action when they host the Hawks (0-1) in Game Two of the Eastern Conference first-round series. Thanks to a strong start by Jalen Brunson, a stronger finish by Karl-Anthony Towns, and dominating the glass, the Knicks (mostly) cruised to victory on Saturday, 113-102. Tonight, we’ll see how coach Quin Snyder and the speedy, sharp-shooting Hawks adjust in their second try.

Tip-off is 8:00 pm EST on NBC. This is your game thread. This is Peachtree Hoops. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Keep the vibes positive. And go Knicks!

The Golden State Warriors are staring face-to-face with arguably their most fascinating offseason in over a decade. Fresh off just their second losing season in the last 14 years — which ended with an uncompetitive play-in tournament loss at the hands of the Phoenix Suns — the Warriors have a lot of questions entering the summer.

They still have the face of the franchise in Steph Curry, but one of his Hall of Fame running mates (Jimmy Butler III) will miss the first half of the upcoming season with an ACL injury, while the other (Draymond Green) has a player option for the upcoming season. They have a roster that needs, at best, some retooling, and at worst, some rebuilding.

And they have an all-time great coach who may or may not be returning.

The Warriors are waiting to learn what Steve Kerr’s future will be, but that’s where the leadership questions mostly end. According to a report from ESPN’s Anthony Slater and Ramona Shelburne, general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. signed an extension a few months ago, and is now under contract for multiple years. So in a summer of uncertainty, the Dubs know who is going to be calling the shots, and making the decisions.

According to Slater and Shelburne, “There’s an internal belief that Dunleavy has drafted well, and despite a no-nonsense and at times harsher approach than his predecessor, Bob Myers, he has gained the trust and ear of the figures that matter,” while adding that Curry, Kerr, Green, Butler, and owner Joe Lacob have all spoken well of the former Duke star, who spent 15 years playing in the NBA, including parts of his first five seasons with the Warriors. Dunleavy has not commented on the extension, as he stated he would postpone his exit interview until Kerr makes a decision about his coaching future.

Dunleavy joined the Warriors before the 2018-19 season as a scout and, less than a year later, was promoted to assistant general manager. He became vice president of basketball operations preceding the 2021-22 season, and in June 2023 was promoted to general manager after Bob Myers stepped away. During his time, Dunleavy has overseen, among other things, trades for Butler, Chris Paul, and Kristaps Porziņģis, a contract extension for Kerr, and the drafting of Brandin Podziemski, Quinten Post, and Will Richard.

It’s no surprise that the Warriors extended Dunleavy. Despite the disappointing seasons, he’s done well with what he’s had to work with. And critically, he works well with others in the building.

The roster remains in flux. The coach’s status is up in the air. But the top of the front office, at least, is secure.

When the doors opened after Lakers practice on Monday, injured stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were nearby as their teammates took some final shots after the session.

Doncic, who is back with the team after traveling to Spain to receive treatment for his Grade 2 left hamstring strain, sat out the Lakers' Game 1 win over the Houston Rockets. He also won't play in Game 2 on Tuesday, but he remained his usual joyful and playoff self after practice, his infectious personality providing a good vibe during a tense time for the team.

But even without Doncic and Reaves, the Lakers still had an “elevated” two days of practice as they prepared to face the Rockets with or without All-Star Kevin Durant at Crypto.com Arena.

Read more:Luke Kennard provides a jolt of Luka magic, helping the Lakers beat the Rockets

Doncic, who sustained his injury against Oklahoma City on April 2, hadn't been with the Lakers during their final five games of the regular season. Having him back around the team provided the Lakers with a big boost ahead of Game 1.

“It’s amazing. I think people don’t know how much impact Luka has, not only on the court, but off the court,” Rui Hachimura said. “He’s a guy that always wants to be around. ... We love him just being around, just hanging out, talking. So, yeah, we’re happy that he’s back finally and he’s doing funny things always. ... We missed him for sure.”

Hachimura was asked about the funny things Doncic did during practice.

“Just messing around with the coaches and the players and just the normal things you guys see on the camera, probably,” Hachimura said. “It’s just a normal thing for him.”

The Lakers weren’t messing around during the film sessions or practices.

They were focused on the task ahead, knowing the Rockets don’t want to go down 0-2 in the series.

"Well, every day requires something different,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “Yesterday required an elevated recovery day. Today required an elevated focus. It was a longer film session. A decent amount of teach [and] talk on the court beyond just the practice session. Tomorrow is going to require an elevated sense of desperation on our part because they're going to come in with that."

Durant didn’t play in the first game because of a right knee injury and has been called a game-time decision, Rockets coach Ime Udoka told reporters after practice.

Whatever the case is, the Lakers are expecting a tough game against the Rockets.

“Yeah, I mean, it's the playoffs. Every team's got to play desperate,” Jaxson Hayes said. “I mean, if you lose, you go home. So, if you're not playing desperate, then why are you here at the end of the day? But, yeah, I mean, we played against teams like this all year. I mean, obviously, they're a very aggressive, very fast-playing, big, long team, and so we just got to make sure we take care of the ball like we didn't do in Game 1 and just get rebounds and just stay locked in.”

With Doncic and Reaves (Grade 2 left oblique muscle strain) out, the Lakers needed other players to fill that void.

Read more:Plaschke: Can Lakers steal series? Anything is possible after Game 1 win

Hachimura did his part in Game 1, and it went beyond his 14 points. He was efficient from the field, going six for 10. He was good on defense, collecting three steals and two blocked shots in 42 minutes.

“It’s the playoffs. You have to make every play matter,” he said. “Every position matters. So, I was trying to make plays and not only offense, but on the defensive side. And rebound, and all that. So, that’s what I was doing.”

During Game 1, Doncic offered advice and encouragement to his teammates from the bench.

But his recent conversations with Hayes have been focused, in part, on what comes after the season.

Doncic has talked to Hayes about playing for the Slovenian national team and the big center has interest.

“Um, we got my Slovenian passport. That's all he's been telling me,” Hayes said. “Now he's been saying, ‘My Slovenian brother,’ every time.”

Hayes laughed, and then was asked if he really did receive a Slovenian passport.

“Yeah,” he said, “it really came through.”

There was a moment during Game 1 when Doncic was playing around with Hachimura, hitting him on the head. But Hachimura didn’t recall it happening.

“Hmm? I don’t remember,” Hachimura said. “He always does that stuff. I probably don’t even think about it. I’m used to it, probably. I don’t remember that.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Your Atlanta Hawks (0-1) look to bounce back and take control of the series against the Knicks tonight.

Jock Landale (ankle sprain) has been ruled out.

Starting lineup:

• G CJ McCollum
• G Nickeil Alexander-Walker
• F Dyson Daniels
• F Jalen Johnson
• C Onyeka Okongwu

Please join in the comments below as you follow along.

Where, When, and How to Watch and Listen

Location: Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York, NY

Start Time: 8:00 PM EDT

TV: N/A

Radio: Sports Radio 92.9 the Game (WZGC-FM)

Streaming: Peacock, Sling TV

Multi-year Connecticut starter Solo Ball Jr. will miss the entirety of the 2026-27 season to recover from a wrist injury he played through in 2025-26, the school announced Monday, April 19. He'll take a medical redshirt to return to action in 2027-28.

"Solo is a true husky and a champion that would do anything to be out on the court," UConn coach Dan Hurley said in the announcement. "This guy has shown throughout his career what a warrior he is. Solo is going to use the season the get his wrist fully healthy and then come back next year as one of the best guards in America while cementing his legacy as an all-time great at UConn."

The 6-foot-4 junior averaged 12.8 points per game last season while starting all 39 games he appeared in, although his shooting numbers took a hit, likely due to the injury. He shot 41.4% from 3-point range as a sophomore on 6.8 attempts per game, but that measure dropped to 30% on 6.6 attempts per game last season.

The rising senior has 84 starts in his career, and scored in double figures in UConn's final four NCAA Tournament games despite the injury. While he played in UConn's national championship loss to Michigan, his status for the game was in doubt due to "some type of foot sprain," Hurley said.

Thankfully for the Huskies, they return a pair of backcourt starters in Braylon Mullins and Silas Demary Jr., and added a pair of likely starters via the transfer portal in former Duke forward Nikolas Khamenia and former Seton Hall center Najai Hines. Ball, however, would've been the longest-tenured Huskie in the rotation next season with Alex Karaban out of eligibility.

Ball was a second-team All-Big East selection in 2024-25 after leading the team averaging 14.4 points per game. He scored a career-high 26 points against Butler last season.

Solo Ball Jr. stats

Here are Ball's season-by-season per-game averages in college:

• 2023-24 (freshman): 3.3 points with one rebound and 0.3 assists per game (38.5% shooting)
• 2024-25 (sophomore): 14.4 points with 3.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game (43.9% shooting)
• 2025-26 (junior): 12.8 points with three rebounds and 1.5 assists per game (39.2% shooting)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Solo Ball to miss 2026-27 season for UConn basketball with wrist injury

The Cleveland Cavaliers will try to extend their 1-0 lead as they take on the Toronto Raptors in Game 2.

Share your thoughts as the game unfolds. If you aren’t a member of the community, sign up so you can talk to your fellow Cavalier fans and make your voice heard!

Go Cavs!

Here is a list of today’s NBA playoff games (April 20, 2026) and where to watch:

• Toronto Raptors @ Cleveland Cavaliers, 7 p.m. ET — Peacock  
• Atlanta Hawks @ New York Knicks, 8 p.m. ET — NBC  
• Minnesota Timberwolves @ Denver Nuggets, 10:30 p.m. ET — NBC / Peacock  

Enjoy the basketball everyone!

In his third year in the NBA, Victor Wembanyama is finally reaching many milestones we all knew were coming when he entered the league. While he made his first All-Star appearance last season, it was ultimately cut short due to deep vein thrombosis, and he missed out on award and All-NBA eligibility due to only playing in 46 games. (Although he still received the blocks leader award thanks to an exception in which his total blocks divided 58 — the number of games required for stat leaders — still beat the next leader’s total blocks/58 games.)

This year, Wemby is eligible for awards — albeit just barely — after appearing in 65 regular season games, which included the NBA Cup Final (which you won’t see on official stat sheets because that game otherwise counts for nothing, but it does in this regard). The first of what should be several more recognitions has dropped, with Wemby winning his first of what should be many Defensive Player of the Year awards. He beat out fellow finalists Chet Holmgren and Ausar Thompson for the award and is the first unanimous winner in NBA history. He’s also the youngest to ever win it. He joins Alvin Robertson, David Robinson and Kawhi Leonard as the fourth Spur to ever win the award. (Somehow, Tim Duncan never did.)

UNANIMOUS 😤

Congratulations @wemby on winning @Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year! pic.twitter.com/7DazH5gOea

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) April 20, 2026

Wemby led the NBA in blocks with 197 (just over three per game) while totaling 66 steals, and he finished second in the league in defensive rating (110.4) and defensive rebounds (9.5). He also became the unofficial inventor of the “nope”, i.e. when a player drives but decides to turnaround or not even attempt a shot that many would consider open or close to it due to his presence.

Wemby is also a finalist for Most Valuable Player, along with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic, which will be announced in mid-May on an unspecified date. At this point, SGA seems like the odds-on favorite, and it wouldn’t at all surprise me if due to the relatively low number of minutes played this season and lack of playoff appearances when the votes were tallied, the voters just aren’t ready to give that award to Wemby. That being said, if he does win MVP this season or another time in which he also wins DPOY, he will join elite company with only Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon and Giannis Antetokounmpo achieving the feat.

Other Spurs up for rewards that have scheduled announcement dates include Keldon Johnson for Sixth Man of the Year (announced on Wednesday on ESPN at 5:00 CT) and Harrison Barnes for the Sportsmanship award (announced on Thursday via the NBA). Also, Mitch Johnson is a finalist for Coach of the Year and De’Aaron Fox for Teammate of the Year, which like the MVP, has yet to be assigned announcement dates.

The Spurs will play Game 2 against the Trail Blazers tomorrow at 7:00 PM CT on NBC and Peacock.

Congrats, Wemby!

NEW YORK (AP) — Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs wins NBA defensive player of the year award.

Victor Wembanyama became the youngest player in NBA history to win the league's Defensive Player of the Year award Monday, April 20 in the first unanimous vote in league history.

Wembanyama, who turned 22 on Jan. 4, 2026, also became the first winner under 23 years old to win the award. The previous youngest winner of DPOY was Dwight Howard, who was 23 years, 128 days when he won the award for the 2008-09 season as a member of the Orlando Magic.

Now, the San Antonio Spurs star finally adds one of the biggest NBA awards to his trophy case.

That might sound a little impatient, given that 2025-26 was only his third year in the league. But Wemby's had a legitimate argument as one of, if not the best defender in the NBA ever since his rookie season when he averaged an unreal 3.6 blocks per game and finished second in voting behind his fellow countryman Rudy Gobert. He probably would've had a shot at the award in 2024-25 too, if it wasn't for blood clots that cut his season short after just 46 games.

Third time was indeed the charm for Wembanyama, who was announced as this year's DPOY after averaging a league-leading 3.1 blocks (he's led the NBA in blocks in all three of his NBA seasons) and 11.5 rebounds per game. While Wemby's 103.6 defensive rating is fourth-best in the NBA, his net defensive rating (17.0) led the league.

Wembanyama beat out finalists Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Detroit Pistons' Ausar Thompson for the award; he is also a finalist for NBA Most Valuable Player. He'll have to outdo Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic in the polls but if he does, Wembanyama would be just the fourth player in NBA history to win both MVP and DPOY in the same year – a feat only Michael Jordan (1987-88), Hakeem Olajuwon (1993-94) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (2019-20) have accomplished.

Award winners will be announced as the week goes on, with Clutch Player of the Year scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, Sixth Man of the Year on Wednesday, April 22, the Sportsmanship Award on Thursday, April 23 and Most Improved Player on Friday, April 24.

The biggest stories, every morning. Stay up-to-date on all the key sports developments by subscribing to USA TODAY Sports' newsletter.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Spurs star Victor Wembanyama wins NBA Defensive Player of the Year

CLEVELAND — Telling someone back in 2015 that a Cleveland Cavaliers head coach would compare his point guard, James Harden, to Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James would probably break their brain. We live in a weird world.

The Cavs have been rolling offensively since adding Harden in February. The speed at which he processes the game, combined with his skill, has done that. This is most seen with his passing, which is on a level that Atkinson could only compare to one other superstar in the league.

“There might be another player like him, but him and LeBron are the only guys that I’ve seen in that category where the accuracy and the speed of the pass is just a whole other level,” head coach Kenny Atkinson said before Game 2 against the Toronto Raptors. “I think that speaks to their skill level, IQ, but also the strength part. You got to be really strong to throw some of the passes they throw through traffic.”

Harden displayed this during their Game 1 win on Saturday. He racked up 10 assists, with two of those leading to Max Strus triples. Both were delivered on time and on target.

“It obviously makes a difference,” Strus said when asked about how a good pass helps the ensuing shot. “He’s been doing this for a very long time. He knows how to help guys be great, and I’ve experienced it. He’s a phenomenal basketball player, one of the best players in the world ever, for a reason. And we’re lucky to have him. He just makes the game easier for everyone else.”

There’s more to just passing than accuracy and velocity of passes. Harden is good at both of those things, but his ability to read the defense, manipulate where he wants the defenders to go, and then deliver the pass is what separates excellent passers from some of the greatest all-time.

“He’s just got a great, great feel,” Atkinson said. “Like I’ve said all year, since we’ve gotten him, he’s just a way better passer than I thought he was.”

The Utah Jazz rejoice as a coin flip for the 4th-best lottery odds fell in their favor, securing the first-round pick away from Oklahoma City’s greedy clutches. At the fifth odds, there was a chance of slipping to the ninth pick and falling out of the top-8 protection bubble. At four, those odds are erased — the Jazz won’t slip below 8 on lottery night.

The following has been released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/xwSJfpkaf5

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 20, 2026

Have you ever felt so much dread over a 50/50 chance?

I’ve never been so confident that a coin flip was going to turn out one way. If the NBA truly were unfair, corrupt, or manipulated, it would be on full display with the tiebreaker between the Utah Jazz and the Sacramento Kings for the 4th and 5th positions in the lottery standings.

Win the 50/50 split, and Utah retains its first-round pick no matter what. Lose, however, and the chances of the pick dropping to 9th were almost zero. But almost zero and actually zero are fundamentally different, and Murphy’s Law can get off its couch and wrangle control if Utah’s .6% chance

I could envision the glint on NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s glasses. The snyde smirk flashing across the left side of his face as a quarter rolls over his knuckles. Winding up and tossing the coin into the sky, we watch as the odds flip Jazz, Kings, Jazz, Kings, Jazz, Kings over and over and over as the decider of fate falls to the earth.

The Utah Jazz have been Adam Silver’s scapegoat all season long. They are the flagbearers of the tanking movement. The most heinous and blatant example of basketball’s great shame. The league has fined Utah half a million dollars for their perceived crime — a number unmatched to any degree by any of basketball’s other 10 or so active tankers. It seemed inevitable; if Utah could be forced to part with their first-round pick, Utah would be stripped of their drafting rights. Murphy’s Law in motion, with a little help from the decision-makers atop the National Basketball Association.

Maybe I’m just cynical. Maybe I’m jaded. Maybe I believe that the Utah Jazz just aren’t afforded the same joys as other, more notable organizations in the NBA. I sincerely believed the basketball governing powers intended to make an example of the lowly Jazz — one final kick before the team is ready to compete for the playoffs next season.

The chances of Utah losing the coin flip andthen slipping all the way to ninth were infinitesimal — I know that —but the relief of that number turning to zero is cause for celebration.

With the lottery order officially set, here’s how Utah’s odds stand.

Utah Jazz NBA Draft Lottery Odds 2026 (Official)

[Pick, odds, big board projection]

1. 11.5%, AJ Dybantsa
2. 11.4%, Darryn Peterson
3. 11.2%, Cameron Boozer
4. 11.0%, Caleb Wilson
5. 7.5%, Kingston Flemings
6. 27.1%, Darius Acuff Jr.
7. 17.9% Mikel Brown Jr.
8. 2.4%, Nate Ament

*Players are listed as they appear on our Big Board, for reference.

Utah breathes a sigh of relief. Though Sacramento (the coin flip’s loser) may well jump Utah in the order on lottery night, the Jazz had one goal. That was to keep their pick out of OKC’s hands. Mission accomplished.

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Calvin Barrett is a writer, editor, and prolific Mario Kart racer located in Tokyo, Japan. He has covered the NBA and College Sports since 2024.

The Lakers will have the 25th pick in the 2026 NBA draft, the league announced on Monday after ties among teams with identical regular-season records were broken through random drawings to determine the order selection. 

The Lakers and Knicks finished the 2025-26 season with 53-29 records, resulting in the drawing taking place to determine which team would get the higher pick. 

The Knicks won, and will have the No. 24 pick in the draft, which will take place in June. 

The 2026 NBA draft will once again be split up across two days, with the first round taking being on June 23 and the second round taking place on June 24. 

The Lakers traded their 2026 second-round pick in November 2020 when they sent JaVale McGee, along with the second-rounder, to the Cavaliers for Jordan Bell and Alfonzo McKinnie, so they could have room to sign Marc Gasol. 

There were five other tiebreakers that were determined on Monday as a result the drawings:

• The Jazz (22-60) won a tiebreaker with the Kings;
• The Pelicans (26-56) won a tiebreaker with the Mavericks;
• The Suns (45-37) won a tiebreaker with the Magic and the 76ers. Second and third place in the tiebreaker drawings went to the 76ers and the Magic, respectively;
• The Raptors (46-36) won a tiebreaker with the Hawks;
• The Rockets (52-30) won a tiebreaker with the Cavaliers.

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The order for picks Nos. 15-30 will be:

15. Trail Blazers (to the Bulls)

16. Suns (to the Grizzlies via the Magic)

17. 76ers (to the Thunder)

18. Magic (to the Hornets via the Suns)

19. Raptors

20. Hawks (to the Spurs)

21. Timberwolves (to the Pistons)

22. Rockets (to 76ers via the Thunder)

23. Cavaliers (to the Hawks)

24. Knicks 

25. Lakers

26. Nuggets

27. Celtics

28. Pistons (to the Timberwolves)

29. Spurs (to the Cavaliers via the Hawks)

30. Thunder (to the Mavericks via the Wizards and 76ers).

Picks Nos. 1-14 will be determined after the draft lottery, which takes place on May 10.