Robert Deutsch/USA TODAY Images This much is clear -- USC is financially committed to its men's basketball program.After last week landing Maryland guard transfer Rodney Rice, who was reportedly seeking a substantial NIL package, the Trojans added one of the biggest names this entire transfer portal cycle in Chad Baker-Mazara from Auburn.
Cal transfer Andrej Stojaković, son of former NBA all-star Peja, commits to Illinois
Cal basketball transfer Andrej Stojaković, a top-40 portal player and the son of former NBA all-star Peja Stojaković, has committed to Illinois
Federal judge tosses lawsuit brought by ex-college basketball players against NCAA over use of NIL
A federal judge dismissed an antitrust lawsuit Monday that had been brought against the NCAA by several former college basketball players, including Kansas standout Mario Chalmers, after ruling its claims fell outside the four-year statute of limitations. The lawsuit, which included 16 total players who played before June 16, 2016, claimed that the NCAA had enriched itself by utilizing their names, images and likenesses to promote its men's basketball tournament. U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer pointed toward a four-year statute of limitations for federal antitrust violations, despite the lawsuit contending that the law continues to be breached by the NCAA’s use of the players' NIL in March Madness promotions.
Andrej Stojakovic announces transfer to Illinois after playing last season for Cal
Stojakovic, the son of former NBA All-Star Peja Stojakovic, averaged 18 points last season and has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Rockets vs. Warriors Best bets: Odds, predictions, recent stats, trends for April 28
Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors Preview
It’s Monday, April 28, and the Houston Rockets (52-30) and Golden State Warriors (48-34) are all set to square off from Chase Center in San Francisco.
The Warriors have a 2-1 series lead after a fourth-quarter comeback in the last game.
Jimmy Butler's status for tonight's game remains uncertain, but should he be unavailable, Quinten Post could be back in the starting line.
The Rockets are currently 23-17 on the road with a point differential of 5, while the Warriors have a 6-4 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. Warriors live today
- Date: Monday, April 28, 2025
- Time: 10:00PM EST
- Site: Chase Center
- City: San Francisco, CA
- Network/Streaming: TNT
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. Warriors
The latest odds as of Monday:
- Odds: Rockets (+141), Warriors (-169)
- Spread: Warriors -3.5
- Over/Under: 203 points
That gives the Rockets an implied team point total of 100.77, and the Warriors 102.6.
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 Monday’s Rockets vs. Warriors 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 Jalen Green over 17.5 points:
Thomas: "Jalen Green is going to need a big effort tonight if his team plans on leveling it before they head back to Houston. Green has missed this number in two of the games in this series, so proceed with caution. However, he will have to take more than 11 field goal attempts if he expects to lead his team to a win."
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 & Warriors game:
- Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Golden State Warriors on the Moneyline.
- Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Golden State Warriors at -3.5.
- Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 203.
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. Warriors on Monday
- The Warriors' average winning margin in two home wins against the Rockets this season is +8.5
- Each of the Rockets' last three road games with the Warriors have stayed under the Total
- The Rockets have covered the spread in five of their last seven away games against teams with better records
The Rockets suffered one of their characteristic shooting droughts in the second half of game three, losing a double digit lead to go down 104-93. Steph Curry was at his best, scoring 36 points - more than double the next-highest contribution. With more consistent shooting, Houston can hit back.
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)
Why Bogut believes Kuminga is in ‘wrong system' with Warriors
Why Bogut believes Kuminga is in ‘wrong system' with Warriors originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Former Warriors center and NBA champion Andrew Bogut has a theory on why forward Jonathan Kuminga has experienced instability within coach Steve Kerr’s rotation throughout the 2024-25 season.
And it’s a rather simple theory.
“I just think he’s in the wrong system,” Bogut revealed recently on the “House of Strauss” podcast (h/t ClutchPoints).
Bogut, who made three NBA Finals appearances along with star Steph Curry and Co. in 2015, 2016 and 2019, knows very well what type of player it takes to flourish in Kerr’s system.
With that in mind, the retired center doesn’t believe Kuminga’s qualities are compatible with Golden State’s motion offense.
“I don’t think he’s a ball-movement, move-off-the-ball guy that Golden State likes to play in that style,” Bogut explained. “Look, it is a contrast to a lot of teams where you’re basically getting the ball in the paint to get it outside for three-pointers.”
Kuminga, who has also been the recent subject of trade rumors, received three consecutive DNPs (Did Not Play) in Golden State’s final regular-season game, its play-in tournament victory over the Memphis Grizzlies and its Western Conference playoffs Game 1 win over the Houston Rockets.
But as Bogut argues, it’s Kuminga’s tendencies to take on defenders one-on-one that inhibit his abilities to mesh well with a team-oriented scheme like Kerr’s.
“You’re basically looking to go misdirection a lot with Steph,” Bogut concluded. “But I just think he’s an iso guy, and I don’t think iso guys work in Golden State.”
With all his experience, it’s worth considering Bogut’s case — regardless of whether he’s right or wrong.
Butler officially active, will play in Warriors' Game 4 vs. Rockets
Butler officially active, will play in Warriors' Game 4 vs. Rockets originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Robin is back.
Jimmy Butler officially is active for the Warriors’ Game 4 matchup with the Houston Rockets on Monday at Chase Center — good news for Golden State as it seeks a three-games-to-one series lead in the first-round NBA playoff series.
Butler will start Monday’s game along with Steph Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Draymond Green and surprise addition Buddy Hield, who scored 17 points in the Warriors’ Game 3 win. Hield’s last start was Feb. 12 against the Mavericks in Dallas, and Monday marks his first career playoff start.
Butler sustained a left pelvic injury in the first quarter of the Warriors’ Game 2 loss to the Rockets on Wednesday night after Houston guard Amen Thompson undercut him as he went up for a rebound.
Butler was ruled out for Game 3 on Saturday about an hour before tip-off, but Golden State was able to pull off a pivotal 104-93 victory thanks largely in part to Butler’s Batman counterpart Curry and his 36 points.
But Butler’s return certainly is a welcome sight for Golden State, after the team’s stellar midseason acquisition scored 25 points on 10-of-19 shooting with seven rebounds, six assists and five steals in 42 minutes during the Warriors’ Game 1 win.
The six-time NBA All-Star forward initially was listed as questionable for Monday’s game, but the extra rest appears to have served Butler well. Warriors coach Steve Kerr said pregame that Butler wouldn’t be on a minutes restriction if he suited up, and ESPN’s Shams Charania reported earlier in the day that Butler did “everything in his power” to return for Game 4.
“Jimmy Butler is doing everything possible to try and play tonight in Game 4,” Charania said on “NBA Today.” “Everything in his power, he’s been doing treatment, workouts on the court over the last 24 hours. And then today, he was a full participant at shootaround. …
“He just was not moving well enough to play [on Saturday]. The Warriors’ doctors ruled him out. So he may not be 100 percent tonight, but he does want to play.”
Mission accomplished. Now, Butler will do all he can to help the Warriors head back to Houston with a chance to advance to the Western Conference semifinals.
Rumors will fly, but Trae Young reportedly likely returns to Hawks next season
Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks' season came to a disappointingly early end when the No. 8 seed dropped Play-In Tournament games to the Magic and Heat, leaving Atlanta out of the playoffs entirely. Atlanta's ownership reacted to that disappointment by firing GM Landry Fields and starting the search for a new head of basketball operations.
That change at the top will lead to a lot of speculation about Atlanta looking to move on from Young this summer, potentially trading him and pivoting to a retooling strategy around Jalen Johnson, Zaccharie Risacher, Dyson Daniels, and others.
Don't bet on it. While it's possible, multiple reports suggest the Hawks will bring Young back next season. Whether they work out a contract extension with him this offseason is another question. Here is what Marc Stein and Jake Fischer wrote at The Stein Line:
"Talk of potential Young trades has undeniably faded after his generally strong 2024-25 season and return to All-Star status. Which is in sharp contrast to the past few seasons that ended with no shortage of 'Trae Trade Talk'...
"Hawks personnel have likewise spoken often this season about Young's growth as a leader to the team's young wing men."
The reality is that even if the new lead executive in Atlanta wants to trade Young, his trade value around the league is not high, or at least not high enough to get the return the Hawks would seek. Young is perceived as a quality offensive player — he was an All-Star who averaged 24.2 points and 11.6 assists a game this season — but an inconsistent 3-point shooter and weak defender, and while he can raise the floor of a franchise, there is a ceiling on how good a team can be with him as its centerpiece. While some fans had tried to link him to San Antonio last summer, the Spurs made their move and traded for De'Aaron Fox.
Also, Young isn't looking to move on. Here is what NBA insider Chris Haynes had to say about Young and his future.
"He said he knew there was going to be speculation once the Hawks went to a younger core... So he's somebody who, again, just told me a week/a week and a half ago, that he's down with the process. He wants to see this Atlanta Hawks squad turn the corner and he wants to be a pivotal part in that."
The smart bet is that Young stays with the Hawks next season, but they won't offer him an extension unless he's willing to take a very team-friendly (and tradable) offer. Young would be a free agent in the summer of 2026.
However, it is all going to play out, nothing serious will happen until the Hawks hire their new head of basketball operations.
Magic Johnson questions Lakers for playing LeBron James, Luka Doncic in entire second half
Magic Johnson is pretty active on X.
The affable and well-liked Lakers legend often will give his observations on a variety of topics. Not surprisingly, NBA basketball and the Lakers are of particular interest to the Showtime-era icon.
Typically, Johnson's posts are of the extremely non-controversial variety. Here are a couple of samples from Sunday morning:
If you haven’t been watching the NBA Playoffs you’ve missed intense and physical basketball. If I were you, I wouldn’t miss these matchups today! All the games are important because either teams will go up 3-1 or tie the Series at 2-2. Pistons vs. Knicks, Lakers vs. Timberwolves,…
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 27, 2025
All the NBA superstars showed up big yesterday. Shai Gilgeous- Alexander scored 38 points, and Nikola Jokic and Steph Curry scored 36 points in their respective games. I can’t wait to see what is going to happen today with all the stars in the NBA Playoffs!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 27, 2025
After the Lakers' 116-113 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, however, Johnson had something of substance to say about a decision made by his beloved team, which is now on the brink of playoff elimination. After trailing by three points at halftime, the Lakers rallied to lead by as many as 12 in the third quarter but were unable to hold on to their advantage down the stretch in the fourth.
Read more:Hernández: With their season in danger of ending, Lakers are running out of answers
In that second half, Lakers coach JJ Redick did not make a single substitution, meaning the same five players — LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Dorian Finney-Smith — played all 24 minutes.
Johnson was critical of that decision in an X post after the Lakers fell behind in the series three games to one.
I dont know if it smart to play LeBron and Luka the entire second half after only having one day of rest between Games 3 and 4. When we needed LeBron to take over in the fourth quarter he couldn’t - he scored 0 points in the fourth.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 27, 2025
"I dont know if it smart to play LeBron and Luka the entire second half after only having one day of rest between Games 3 and 4," Johnson wrote. "When we needed LeBron to take over in the fourth quarter he couldn’t — he scored 0 points in the fourth."
OK, so it's not the most scathing critique in the world, but it was a critique nonetheless. Johnson added that he's "just sick to my stomach that the Lakers lost this game after being in control most of the 2nd half."
Read more:Is Luka Doncic 230 or 260 pounds? Magic Johnson says new Laker must take 'conditioning seriously'
The five-time NBA champion did throw in some more typical-sounding posts about the game as well.
Just a brilliant performance and masterful 43 points by Anthony Edwards tonight in the Timberwolves win over the Lakers. As the old saying goes, live by the jump shot, die by the jump shot.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 27, 2025
What it came down to is this - the Lakers didn’t get enough 2-point shots in this game.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 27, 2025
Doncic — who was hampered by a stomach bug during the Lakers' Game 3 loss on Friday — finished with 38 points, including 14 in the second half. James — who, at 40, is the oldest player in the NBA — finished with 27 points, but only three of those came in the second half (three free throws in the third quarter).
Asked by a reporter after the game about the decision to ride with the same five throughout the second half, Redick simply said, "We just made the decision at halftime."
The series returns to Crypto.com Arena for Game 5 on Wednesday night.
Read more:LeBron and Lakers falter late in loss to Minnesota, moving to brink of elimination
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Magic vs. Celtics Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 29
On Tuesday, April 29, the Orlando Magic (41-41) and Boston Celtics (61-21) are all set to square off from TD Garden in Boston for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference First Round.
Boston won Game 4 in Orlando, 107-98, to take control of the series (3-1 lead). Jayson Tatum led Boston with a massive 37-point and 14-rebound double-double, while Jaylen Brown poured in 21 points and grabbed 11 boards. For the Magic, Paolo Banchero scored 31 points and Franz Wanger totaled 24 for 55 of the Magic's 98 points. Jrue Holiday is questionable for Boston after missing Games 3 and 4.
The Magic are currently 19-22 on the road with a point differential of 0, while the Celtics have an 8-2 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 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 Magic vs. Celtics live today
- Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2025
- Time: 8:30PM EST
- Site: TD Garden
- City: Boston, MA
- Network/Streaming: NBA TV
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 Magic vs. Celtics
The latest odds as of Tuesday:
- Odds: Magic (+500), Celtics (-704)
- Spread: Celtics -12
- Over/Under: 200 points
That gives the Magic an implied team point total of 99, and the Celtics 105.25.
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 Tuesday’s Magic vs. Celtics game
Rotoworld Best Bet
Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans Jayson Tatum to double-double:
"The Celtics are in a close-out spot and I don't expect the Magic to go easy, but I do expect Tatum to get his. In the series, Tatum averages 12.3 rebounds on 19.3 rebound chances per game. His 19.3 rebound chances per game is the 7th-best in the postseason so far and if Holiday is back in the lineup, Boston will go small-ball and allow Tatum to play the power forward position. With 14, 9, and 14 rebounds in three games, I lean toward Tatum to double-double once again."
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
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 Magic & Celtics game:
- Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the Boston Celtics on the Moneyline.
- Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Orlando Magic at +12.
- Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 200.
Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions pagefrom 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 Magic vs. Celtics on Tuesday
- The Celtics have won 5 straight home games against the Magic
- The Over is 7-3 in the Magic's last 10 road games
- The Magic are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a road underdog
- The Over is 7-3 in the Magic's last 10 road 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!
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)
Bucks vs. Pacers Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 29
On Tuesday, April 29, the Milwaukee Bucks (48-34) and Indiana Pacers (50-32) are set to square off from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference First Round.
Indiana ran away with Game 4, winning 129-103 behind Myles Turner's 23 points and all five starters scoring double figures. Damian Lillard went down in the first quarter with an achilles injury that left Giannis Antetokounmpo (28 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists) and company feinding for offense. The Pacers can beat the Bucks in the first round for the second straight year after winning in six last season.
The Bucks are currently 20-20 on the road with a point differential of 2, while the Pacers have an 8-2 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 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 Bucks vs. Pacers live today
- Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2025
- Time: 6:00 PM EST
- Site: Gainbridge Fieldhouse
- City: Indianapolis, IN
- Network/Streaming: NBA TV
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 Bucks vs. Pacers
The latest odds as of Tuesday:
- Odds: Bucks (+241), Pacers (-299)
- Spread: Pacers -7.5
- Over/Under: 224 points
That gives the Bucks an implied team point total of 110.9, and the Pacers 114.81.
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 Tuesday’s Bucks vs. Pacers game
Rotoworld Best Bet
Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) likes the Pacers ML parlayed with the Knicks ML:
"The Bucks didn't stand a chance against the Pacers in Game 4 once Lillard went down with an injury and Doc Rivers did all he could with the roation. Rivers even started Kevin Porter Jr. and Bobby Portis after halftime, but that didn't change the fact that defensively the Bucks have no answers for the Pacers. Indiana will likely cover the -7.5, but if you want to play it safe for -113 odds, I like the Pacers ML parlayed with the Knicks ML to close out their series in Game 5 at home."
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
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 Bucks & Pacers game:
- Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Indiana Pacers on the Moneyline.
- Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Milwaukee Bucks at +7.5.
- Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the under on the Game Total of 224.
Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions pagefrom 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 Bucks vs. Pacers on Tuesday
- The Pacers have won 3 straight home games against the Bucks
- The Over is 33-23 in the Bucks' matchups against Eastern Conference teams this season
- The Bucks are 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 games as an underdog
- The Bucks are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games as a road underdog
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!
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)
Why Warriors' Butler deems infamous ‘Playoff Jimmy' nickname a facade
Why Warriors' Butler deems infamous ‘Playoff Jimmy' nickname a facade originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Warriors star Jimmy Butler deemed his iconic “Playoff Jimmy” nickname a facade.
ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk wrote an exclusive feature on Golden State’s championship aspirations and shared an interesting quote from Butler about his moniker.
“Man, I think it’s a facade that people have created over the years,” Butler told ESPN of “Playoff Jimmy.” “I know what I’m capable of. I can tell you that. And I love it because everybody thinks I just take it up a notch, and I don’t really just take it up a notch. I just might have the ball a little bit more. I might be a tad more aggressive, looking to score.
“[But] you’re talking about somebody that’s going to do anything to f–ing win. That’s some motherf—er right there. The person that they deemed as [Playoff Jimmy], he’ll die out there. He really will. It’s scary. He really will die out there.”
Facade or not, Butler is a different beast in the NBA playoffs.
He has solid career regular-season averages of 18.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists over 869 games. But over 121 career playoff games, Butler has averaged 21.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists, and truly earned the “Playoff Jimmy” name after averaging 24.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists in 64 playoff games with his former team, the Miami Heat.
And when Butler says he would “die out there,” he isn’t kidding around. He has played roughly 40 minutes per game over his entire 121-game postseason career and has played 48-plus minutes in seven playoff games.
So, Butler might say his nickname is a “facade,” inspired by an increase in usage, but the uptick in his tenacity is noticeable on and off the stat sheet.
And for that reason, the Warriors can’t wait to have Butler, who missed Game 3 of their Western Conference first-round series against the Houston Rockets with a left pelvic contusion, back during Golden State’s 2025 NBA playoff run, expectedly for Game 4 on Monday night at Chase Center.
Philadelphia 76ers 2024-2025 fantasy basketball season recap: What could go wrong, did go wrong
While the NBA Playoffs are in full swing, now is a good time to recap the fantasy basketball season for all 30 teams.
In the following weeks, we will provide a recap for each team, starting with the team with the worst record and concluding with the NBA champion in June.
Next up in the series are the Philadelphia 76ers. With the offseason signing of Paul George, the expectation was that this group would be a serious contender in the East. Unfortunately, injuries derailed the team early. While Quentin Grimes would get hot late, the focus in Philadelphia was on doing whatever could be done to increase the chances of keeping its top-6 protected 2025 lottery pick.
Philadelphia 76ers 2024-2025 Season Recap
Record: 24-58 (14th, East)
Offensive Rating: 11.0 (23rd)
Defensive Rating: 117.3 (26th)
Net Rating: -6.3 (25th)
Pace: 98.13 (24th)
2025 NBA Draft Picks: 10.5 percent odds of winning draft lottery, 35
As noted above, the 76ers entered the season with expectations of being among the Eastern Conference elite, with Paul George joining Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Unfortunately, signs of trouble emerged even before training camp began. Embiid suffered a torn left meniscus in January 2024 and never seemed to recover completely. After hobbling through the Paris Olympics, the 7-footer was not ready for the start of the regular season, ultimately playing 19 games before being shut down for good just after the All-Star break.
George hyperextended his knee on two occasions early in the season, once during the preseason. Groin and knee injuries led to him being shut down in mid-March. Add in Maxey being limited to 52 appearances due to injuries, and the 76ers could never get going. Promising rookie Jared McCain suffered a season-ending knee injury in mid-December, robbing the fan base of one of the team's few bright spots from the early portion of the season.
By the end of March, the focus in Philadelphia was on doing whatever was possible to increase the team's chances of retaining its 2025 lottery pick. The selection is top-6 protected, with Oklahoma City claiming the pick if the 76ers fall outside of that threshold. Finishing with the fifth-worst record strengthened the 76ers' chances of keeping the pick, but anything can happen in the draft lottery.
Fantasy Standout: Tyrese Maxey
Having appeared in his last game on March 3, Maxey provided excellent per-game value in eight- and nine-cat formats when healthy. Appearing in 52 games, the 76ers guard averaged 26.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.8 steals and 3.1 three-pointers in 37.7 minutes, shooting 43.7 percent from the field and 87.9 percent from the foul line. Between the field goal percentage and a career-high average of 2.4 turnovers per game, Maxey's efficiency took a slight hit. However, he was still a top-10 player in nine-cat and a top-15 player in eight-cat formats.
Tyrese Maxey (23 FPTs) is on a 17-game streak of scoring 25+ PTS
— NBA Fantasy (@NBAFantasy) February 9, 2025
He has 20 PTS after the 1Q today...
Sixers/Bucks on ABC pic.twitter.com/2d62lXrMBN
Having a Yahoo! ADP of 26, Maxey exceeded the expectations of many fantasy managers; the availability was the sole issue. He missed six games in early November, but would only miss two more before a finger injury ended his season in early March. Will Maxey be a player worth reaching for in the first round of drafts next fall? That depends partially on how the roster around him looks, but the 76ers guard should be a relatively safe second-round selection at worst.
Fantasy Revelation: Quentin Grimes
Grimes began his season in Dallas, appearing in 47 games before being traded to Philadelphia at the February deadline in exchange for Caleb Martin (Philly also received a 2025 second-round pick). The combination of a move to Philadelphia and the team's many injuries thrust Grimes into a prominent role, and he took advantage of the opportunity. Starting 25 of the 28 games he appeared in as a 76er, the fourth-year guard averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.9 three-pointers in 33.7 minutes, shooting 46.9 percent from the field and 75.2 percent from the foul line.
That production was good for fourth-round value in eight-cat formats and fifth-round value in nine-cat formats. Is this production that Grimes would be able to replicate as part of a complete 76ers rotation? Probably not, as he would be no higher than fourth in the offensive pecking order. However, few expected Grimes to be the "silly season" asset he ultimately became. The timing was excellent, as he will be a restricted free agent this summer.
Fantasy Disappointment: Paul George
One could argue that Embiid should be the pick here, as he was only able to play in 19 games. But George's 41 games provided a larger sample size, and he struggled in his first season with the 76ers. The nine-time All-Star shot 43 percent from the field and 81.4 percent from the foul line, averaging 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.8 steals, 0.5 blocks and 2.3 three-pointers in 32.5 minutes per game. The scoring average was the lowest for George since the 2014-15 campaign, in which he was limited to six regular-season appearances after returning from a gruesome leg fracture suffered in the summer of 2014.
Even before the first knee hyperextension that George suffered, things did not get off to a good start, as team president Daryl Morey said that neither PG nor Embiid would play many back-to-backs, "if any." Those aren't words you want to hear or read if you're a fan of the team or a fantasy manager. Unfortunately, George was unable to stay healthy, being active for at least 10 consecutive games on only two occasions. Having received injections in his left adductor and left knee, he was shut down in early March. While the per-game value wasn't terrible, George's debut season in Philadelphia left a lot to be desired.
Fantasy Recaps/Look-Aheads
Joel Embiid:
While the 2023 NBA Most Valuable Player won a gold medal with Team USA at the Paris Olympics, he did not appear to be "right" physically. Having returned from a torn meniscus just before the end of the 2023-24 regular season, Embiid was a shell of himself physically during Philadelphia's first-round series with the Knicks. While it would be unrealistic to ask a player to pass on the opportunity to play in the Olympics, it's fair to wonder what the 2024-25 season could have been for Embiid had he been able to go through a complete recovery/rehab process.
Unable to make his season debut until November 12, Embiid played in 13 games before missing most of January with a sprained left foot. Add in the lingering left knee injury, and it was only a matter of time before things would get worse. Embiid made six more appearances after his return from the foot injury before being shut down for the rest of the season after the All-Star break. It was eventually decided that he needed to undergo another surgery on his left knee, and it is unknown when Embiid will be cleared to return to the court. While the per-game value was there, his totals value took a significant hit, and it's difficult to trust "The Process" for availability reasons. His days of being a first-round pick in fantasy drafts are likely over.
Kelly Oubre Jr.:
From a fantasy standpoint, Oubre has been a pleasant surprise in each of his two seasons with the 76ers. He started 57 of the 60 games he appeared in this season, averaging 15.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.2 three-pointers in 34.6 minutes. Improvements in rebounds and field goal percentage, as he shot a career-high 47 percent from the field, made Oubre a top-100 player in nine-cat formats. He would finish just outside that threshold in eight-cat formats. Unfortunately, Oubre did not play after March 12, as right ankle and right knee sprains caused a premature end to his season.
Boasting a Yahoo! ADP of 141, the "Tsunami Papi" was a consistent contributor for the 76ers and exceeded the expectations of fantasy managers. That said, his opportunities were boosted by the availability issues of Philadelphia's projected stars. For that reason, fantasy managers in standard leagues may not be willing to select Oubre within the first 100 picks of drafts. However, as the 2024-25 season showed, he's capable of providing that kind of value in the right situation. He has a player option worth nearly $8.4 million for the 2025-26 campaign.
Kelly Oubre Jr. only 41% rostered...
— NBA Fantasy (@NBAFantasy) January 11, 2025
24.8 FPTs in the 3Qpic.twitter.com/RJC2ghLWUW
Guerschon Yabusele:
Having last played in the NBA in 2019, Yabusele returned to the United States after an excellent run with France at the Paris Olympics. Philadelphia signed him to a one-year deal, hoping for him to provide additional frontcourt depth. Yabusele proved to be more than that, appearing in 70 games with 43 being starts. The 6-foot-8, 260-pound forward averaged 11.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.5 three-pointers in 27.1 minutes, shooting 50.1 percent from the field and 72.5 percent from the foul line.
Yabusele would see time at the power forward and center positions in his first season with the 76ers. While he did finish the season ranked outside the top-150 in eight- and nine-cat formats, Yabusele's availability made him worth the risk in many fantasy leagues. He'll be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and there are likely to be multiple suitors for Guerschon's services. A return to Philadelphia may boost his early-season fantasy value, however, especially if Embiid is not ready to play.
Jared McCain:
The 16th overall pick in last summer's NBA Draft, McCain had the look of a player who could fit in immediately in Philadelphia. While the rookie began the season on the outside looking in regarding consistent rotation minutes, he would get his chance in early November. From November 8 onward, McCain would score 15 points or more in 10 straight appearances, including a 34-point night against the Cavaliers on November 13 and a 30-point effort in a November 22 win over the Nets. Unfortunately, the rookie would only make 23 appearances before suffering a torn meniscus in mid-December.
McCain, who was officially ruled out for the rest of the season on January 9, would average 15.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.7 steals and 2.2 three-pointers in 25.7 minutes per game, shooting 46 percent from the field and 87.5 percent from the foul line. While he was only a top-200 player in eight- and nine-cat formats, there is a path to fantasy relevance for McCain, provided he remains healthy. As was the case last fall, he's likely to be a late-round pick at best in most drafts ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
Justin Edwards:
While McCain was a first-round pick last summer, Edwards was not drafted before agreeing to a two-way contract with his hometown team on July 4. The combination of Philadelphia's many injuries and his play led to Edwards receiving a standard contract on February 9, and there may be a future for him in Philadelphia. He appeared in 44 games, starting 26, and averaged 10.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.6 three-pointers in 26.3 minutes. While Edwards failed to crack the top-200 in eight- or nine-cat formats, there were moments late in the season when he was worth the streaming risk. He's unlikely to be in a position where he should be selected in fantasy drafts in the fall, but the 6-foot-6 wing is an intriguing developmental piece for the 76ers.
Andre Drummond:
Given Embiid's injury history, Drummond was a worthwhile late-round selection for "insurance" reasons. Unfortunately, he also struggled with injuries last season, appearing in 40 games with his last being on March 12. Drummond averaged 7.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.5 blocks in 18.8 minutes, shooting 50 percent from the field and 62.2 percent from the foul line. For managers seeking to account for Embiid's injury woes, Drummond was eventually surpassed by Yabusele.
Drummond has a player option worth $5 million for the 2025-26 campaign. With Embiid's availability for the start of next season undetermined, Drummond's viability as a streamer will depend on what happens with Yabusele, who is an unrestricted free agent, and the other decisions Philadelphia's front office makes in the draft and free agency.
Kyle Lowry:
After signing with the 76ers in February 2024, Lowry played his first full season with his hometown team in 2024-25. Unfortunately, his days as a fantasy asset appear to be in the rearview mirror, as the veteran point guard provided minimal production in 35 appearances. Lowry averaged a career-low 3.9 points per game to go along with 1.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.8 three-pointers in 18.8 minutes, shooting 35 percent from the field and 81.8 percent from the foul line. While Lowry has value as a veteran leader, that does not help fantasy managers. He'll be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and it would take a lot to make Lowry worth the risk in most fantasy leagues.
Eric Gordon:
Gordon was another of Philadelphia's offseason signings made in hopes of providing perimeter shooting around stars Embiid, Maxey and George. Unfortunately, injuries limited the veteran guard to 39 appearances, the last of which occurred on February 9. Gordon averaged 6.8 points, 1.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.4 three-pointers in 19.7 minutes, shooting 42.6 percent from the field and 75 percent from the foul line. Gordon was not much of an asset in fantasy basketball, an unsurprising development since few managers took the plunge in drafts, even in deep leagues. Even if Gordon, who will be an unrestricted free agent, returns to Philadelphia, that's unlikely to change in 2025-26.
Adem Bona:
The second-round pick out of UCLA did not play consistent rotation minutes until January, but he played some good basketball to close out his rookie campaign. In his last nine appearances, Bona averaged 15.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.7 blocks in 30.9 minutes, shooting 74.4 percent from the field and 64.7 percent from the foul line. Depending on what happens with Embiid (knee) and Yabusele (free agency), Bona will be a player worth keeping an eye on in deeper leagues, especially if Drummond (player option) does not return.
The field goal percentage, rebounds and blocks are where Bona can be especially valuable, even if he only logs around 20 minutes per game. He was a top-40 fantasy player during that nine-game stretch to end the regular season. Fantasy managers certainly should not expect that kind of value, but don't sleep on the second-round pick.
Lonnie Walker IV:
After being unable to find a landing spot in free agency, Walker began his 2024-25 season with Lithuanian club Zalgiris. He would eventually return to the NBA just after the All-Star break, agreeing to a deal with the 76ers. In 20 games, Walker averaged 12.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.5 steals and 2.3 three-pointers in 23.9 minutes, shooting 42 percent from the field and 80 percent from the foul line. He scored 24 points or more in three of Philadelphia's final four games, including a 31-point effort in an April 13 loss to the Bulls.
The 76ers hold a team option for Walker's services in the 2025-26 season, worth approximately $2.9 million. He would be cheaper than Eric Gordon, who has a player option for next season. Walker would not be worth drafting in fantasy leagues, but remaining in Philadelphia may give him a shot at achieving deep-league relevance at some point.
Restricted Free Agents: Quentin Grimes, Jeff Dowtin, Jalen Hood-Schifino
Unrestricted Free Agents: Kyle Lowry, Guerschon Yabusele
Player Option: Kelly Oubre Jr., Andre Drummond, Eric Gordon
Team Option: Lonnie Walker IV, Jared Butler, Justin Edwards
Auburn men’s basketball transfer Chad Baker-Mazara commits to Southern California
Auburn men's basketball transfer Chad Baker-Mazara has committed to Southern California, he confirmed on social media Monday.
Former NBA player Stan Love, father of Kevin Love and brother of Beach Boy Mike Love, dies at 76
Stan Love, who played four seasons in the NBA but may be better known as the father of Kevin Love, has died at the age of 76. Kevin announced the passing Sunday on Instagram:
"The best last lesson one generation can teach the next: how to die with peace about how you've lived. This may be my Dad's greatest gift. Teaching me that healing happens in your soul and that healing is there for the taking, even in the face of imminent death. Dad loved his family unconditionally and left his children with one of life's great lessons...
"Dad, I'm so proud to be your son. My only hope is that you're proud of me. It was all I ever wanted. Thank you for everything."
Stan Love was born April 9, 1949, in Los Angeles, and went on to play his high school basketball at Morningside High School in Inglewood, 1.5 miles from the Forum where he would eventually play for the Lakers. Love went on to play his college ball at Oregon.
The Baltimore Bullets drafted Love with the ninth pick in the 1971 draft, yet he was never the most famous member of his family — his brother was Mike Love of the Beach Boys. Stan was traded to the Lakers in 1973, played a season with San Antonio in the ABA, and retired in 1975.
Kevin Love has been away from the Heat for most of the end of the season and postseason to be with his father and family. Love missed the Heat's last 10 regular-season games, returned for the first play-in tournament game, where the Heat beat the Bulls, but then had to return to Oregon and has not been with the team throughout its series against Cleveland.