Harper has the best fourth quarter field goal percentage in these playoffs. Better than the legendary LeBron James, better than Timberwolves former NBA Sixth Man Naz Reid, even better than his teammate Victor Wembanyama.
Dylan Harper is the youngest guard ever to record multiple double-doubles in the playoffs.
Harper also passed Derrick Rose as the youngest guard to ever record multiple double-doubles in the playoffs. His first came in game 3 of the first round of playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers. On April 24, Harper tallied 27 points and 10 rebounds.
On Tuesday, Harper scored 12 points while pulling another 10 rebounds in the Spurs Game 5 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
He came out of the box ready and has never looked back. He constantly points out that he has the trust of the Spurs coaching staff and his teammates, which allows him to play freely and take the chances that have given us highlight after highlight.
While Harper is elevating the Spurs bench game, it should be noted that Devin Vassell currently has a +/- of 106, the highest plus-minus of any player through their first 10 playoff games since the stat began tracking in 1996.
Highest plus-minus through a player’s first 10 career Playoff games (since +/- started getting tracked in 1996-97):
+106 – Devin Vassell +102 – Markieff Morris +95 – Jared Dudley +91 – Kevin Love +90 – Steph Curry +88 – Max Strus +87 – Devin Booker
Meanwhile, it should be noted that Victor Wembanyama has 38 blocks in his first 9 NBA playoff games, ranking him 12th in Spurs franchise history in blocks. Let the math on that sink in.
📈 Victor is now 12th in Spurs history in playoff blocks through 9 games played (38). Next is Aldridge, who had 39 blks in 38 games.
🐺 Wemby's block count by player this series: McDaniels – 5 Shannon Jr. – 4 Randle, Gobert, Reid – 3 Edwards – 2 Hyland, Dosunmu – 1 pic.twitter.com/hbvVwzgh1v
I love the breakdown of his blocks for this series. 21 of his 38 blocks are against Minnesota and he’s spread the love- five blocks on McDaniels, four on Shannon, Jr., and three apiece on Gobert, Randle, and Reid. He’s even batter two away from superstar Anthony Edwards.
The Timberwolves looked gassed on Tuesday, but they will come out fighting for their lives on Friday. The Spurs will have to continue to share the accolades in order to close out on the road.
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CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 3: Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors stands for the National Anthem before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Round One Game Seven of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 3, 2026 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Raptors were a team of questions this year, and while it might be hard to answer every single one, it’s a good bet that a right answer might start and end with Scottie Barnes. Who was the team’s best player? Scottie Barnes. Who anchored them defensively? Scottie Barnes. Who stepped up when things looked ugly? Scottie Barnes. Who’s an NBA All-Star? Scottie Barnes. And who looks like the Raptors’ future? Well, that would be Scott Wayne Barnes Jr.
Scottie has emerged as a bona-fide star, as a playoff riser; a figure who the team can rally behind, and who brings a combination of size, defense, and playmaking that has been exceedingly rare throughout the history of the NBA. The man delivered two playoff triple doubles of points and assists, while providing 6 stocks in a do-or-die game 6. Scottie was one of the few reasons the Raptors were able to hold the line against star-stacked Cleveland this postseason, and with that level of production on display, one can only imagine Barnes’ next leap could come sooner than later.
Barnes’ scoring dipped only marginally, with no real change to his assist or rebounding numbers, though he was able to grab an extra half a block every game. Scottie became the clear number-two scoring option behind Brandon Ingram for most of the season, and in exchange, has become hailed as one of the league’s premier two-way players, gaining increased media attention after his playoff heroics.
Apr 26, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) celebrates with fans after a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images | Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Some defining moments stand out for Barnes this year. His naming to the All-Star team, snubbing for DPOY finalist, and his tying of the Raptors single game rebounding record with 25 boards, to name a few. But nothing stood out to me more than the run with Immanuel Quickley out, where Scottie Barnes slotted in as the Raptors’ point guard. The Raptors had six straight games of Scottie Barnes double digit assists in March, winning half and losing the others. The games dropped were against the LA Clippers and the Detroit Pistons (one led by superstar Kawhi Leonard and the other the top team in the east), alongside an admittedly embarrassing fumbling of the Sacramento Kings. Much has been said about how unreliable “March Basketball”, is for gauging the skills of a player, with frequently improbable success stories emerging late in the season before a final playoff push. These concerns should be belied by the fact that Scottie averaged 8.5 assists in the first round of the playoffs while averaging 24 points and nearly three stocks. Those are star numbers.
The SB-PG experiment was, in my mind, long overdue. There exists the age-old adage, that when a man shows you who he is, to believe him. Well, Barnes still wears his heart on his sleeve. In his Instagram bio, the first thing you see is “Toronto Raptors.” The thing after that? “6’9 PG.”
There exists a great deal of discourse about the value of using facilitating wings to play point guard, and whether or not there is a place for small guards in the NBA anymore. I say, if they stuck Magic Johnson at power forward, the Showtime Lakers would have been worse off for it, and the Toronto Raptors could be making a mistake of comparable magnitude. Scottie lacks certain things often demanded of modern day point guards, namely, that truly automatic three-point shot, but his basketball IQ and gravity are building blocks of a team’s quarterback that Scottie has in spades.
Darko, asked if this is the version of Barnes he envisioned: “No. I expect more from Scottie. Scottie is going to bring more. Scottie is 60% of what he’s going to be in 3-4 years. Scottie is going to be one of the best players in the league. He’s already one of the best players”
Darko Rajaković’s branding of Barnes as someone able to make the leap to true superstar status might seem like jumping the gun to some. But this season, Scottie has put on display more than potential; he’s delivered results, consistency, and leadership, commodities that can bring the Raptors back to their apex sooner than anyone might have ever believed.
Feb 28, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats center Malachi Moreno (24) celebrates from the bench during the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images | Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
Good morning, BBN!
Kentucky Basketball center Malachi Moreno continues to weigh whether he will return to Kentucky for his sophomore season or remain in the 2026 NBA Draft.
When Moreno first announced he would test the NBA Draft waters, many believed the Georgetown, Kentucky native was almost certainly going to return to Lexington. Moreno reportedly even took a pay cut to return to Kentucky instead of entering the transfer portal.
However, after a breakout freshman season and increasing NBA interest, that decision is no longer viewed as a guarantee.
Coming into last season, Moreno was expected to be Kentucky’s third center behind Jayden Quaintance and Brandon Garrison. Instead, Quaintance played only four games all season, while Moreno stepped into a major role and became one of Kentucky’s biggest surprises.
Moreno averaged 7.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 58.2% from the field. He played in all 36 games and started 30 while averaging 22.6 minutes per contest.
“This is my dream, to be in the NBA, so I am looking at it with my best foot forward,” Moreno tells Isaac Trotter of CBS Sports. “Obviously, I left the option on the table to go back to college if I could. Right now, all this leading into the decision is just how these next couple of weeks go. I know I have until the 27th to make that decision, and I will just have a lot of talks with my brother because he is probably going to be the most important factor in this decision, talks with my family, talks with my inner circle, and seeing what is the best decision for me at the time.”
Good stuff from Kentucky big man Malachi Moreno on what’s next for him in the decision-making process.
He chose not to participate in today’s scrimmage because his agent relayed that “he thought I was in a pretty good spot.” pic.twitter.com/xtTSdYBOsT
Moreno also explained why he decided not to participate in scrimmages at the NBA Draft Combine.
“After talks with my brother, like I said, my agent, they kind of just said that they thought that I was in a pretty good spot,” Moreno said. “I’ve got Pro Day coming up after this, after the week is over in L.A., and they want me to be full strength for that. Then I’ve got a couple more workouts after that that are getting set up.”
When discussing whether he would need first-round draft status to remain in the draft, Moreno said he is still evaluating everything.
“Obviously, I would love to be a first-round pick. That would be great,” Moreno said. “I’ve got two weeks before I’ve got to make any kind of decision, so I am kind of talking with my inner circle and seeing what the best decision is.”
Kentucky fans will be anxiously awaiting to hear if he’ll spend one more year in Lexington.
Tweet of the Day
Louisville must be operating with an absolutely absurd war chest this offseason. Keep hearing the Cards are a serious threat to land Momcilovic if he returns to college.
That would be a game-changer for Pat Kelsey. And pointedly, Mark Pope cannot let it happen. https://t.co/AJkTh7bC1U
From last summer all the way through February, the sports world begged the question: What will the Warriors do with Jonathan Kuminga?
Even former United States president and NBA superfan Barack Obama was curious.
So when Obama and Warriors coach Steve Kerr were in the same room for a dinner party last offseason in Aspen, Obama couldn’t help himself.
“Coach!” the ex-president said as he approached Kerr (h/t ESPN’s Wright Thompson). “What’s going to happen with Kuminga?”
It is unknown what Kerr’s response was, although it probably was along the lines of, “I don’t know,” the same response he likely repeated when asked about the situation over the next eight months.
Kuminga, whom the Warriors drafted No 7 overall in 2021, never found his footing in Kerr’s offense designed around Steph Curry. He showed flashes of his athleticism and potential, but the young high-flying wing couldn’t gel in Golden State system, especially after the team acquired Jimmy Butler.
After five seasons, the Warriors finally found a resolution to President Obama’s question.
With another important offseason ahead for the Warriors, and with Kerr’s return as coach after signing a new two-year contract, perhaps Obama will have some more questions for the coach.
To say that Steve Kerr went back and forth about his decision to continue coaching the Warriors would be an understatement.
In the days after Golden State’s 2025-26 NBA season ended with a play-in tournament loss to the Phoenix Suns, it became clear to some inside and outside the Warriors organization that Kerr likely would not return next season.
For very good reason.
Fast forward approximately three weeks, and Kerr officially is back on a new two-year contract.
So how close was he to calling it quits? ESPN’s Wright Thompson, who spent the last season with Kerr behind the scenes, published a detailed feature story about Kerr’s recent life on and off the court and shared an anecdote about the coach’s mindset before Golden State’s thrilling 126-121 win over the Los Angeles Clippers in the first of its two play-in games.
“Steve Kerr walked into the lobby of the Beverly Wilshire with a secret,” Thompson wrote. “Win or lose, he’d decided to retire as head coach of the Golden State Warriors. It was a Tuesday morning in mid-April, the day before the team’s first postseason play-in game in Los Angeles. When this season ended, his 12-year run with the Golden State Warriors would end, too.”
“I think it’s over,” he said, almost mouthing the words. His sweatsuit separated him from the businessmen eating breakfast in suits and ties nearby. He put the odds at 95 percent.”
However, all it took to change Kerr’s mind, even just for a moment, was that one final win.
Later in the piece, Thompson then recalled Kerr’s sentiment postgame, in a private meeting with his assistant coaches, where he appeared to have a change of heart.
“An assistant with a stat sheet said they’d led for only four minutes and six seconds,” Thompson recalled about the private postgame meeting. “Everyone laughed and tried to stay in the moment. Steve looked over at me and spoke quietly, almost a whisper.
“I’m not leaving,” Kerr told Thompson.
Thompson shared that Kerr then opened his phone to find dozens of text messages before reading the one from his wife, Margot, first.
“You’re not leaving,” Margot wrote in the message.
And after Kerr weighed his decision for a few more weeks, she was proven right.
On the 552nd Sporticast episode, hosts Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams discuss some of the biggest sports business stories of the week, including the financial impact of this New York Knicks playoff run and World Cup tickets.
The Knicks are a rare major U.S. sports team owned by a publicly-traded company, which means there’s more public data on the team’s economics than with most other NBA franchises. With the Knicks now eight wins away from their first NBA title since 1973, analysts and investors are starting to take stock of what this playoff run might be worth.
The hosts talk about why a trip to the NBA finals might be worth $140 million in added revenue for the Knicks. They also discuss why the NBA is uniquely structured to give playoff teams a larger piece of the money they generate from postseason ticket sales. They also debate the hierarchy of Madison Square Garden’s limited celebrity courtside seats, whose regulars include director Spike Lee, comedian Tracy Morgan, actor Timothée Chalamet and model Kendall Jenner.
Next they talk about the World Cup ticketing controversy. The price for tickets has become the enduring story of the World Cup so far, but the market is more complex than many fans realize. They talk about how FIFA appears to have approached the event in the U.S., what’s made people so angry, and what might happen next. Will the governing body lower prices, will fans eventually buy the remaining seats at current levels, or will FIFA find a subtle way to move tickets into the secondary market?
They close by talking about the Boston Red Sox and their upcoming promo night centered around the hit HBO show Heated Rivalry. A team exec told Sportico recently that the event, which includes themed merch, was “our largest promotion ever.”
(You can subscribe to Sporticast through Apple, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts.)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 12: Ron Harper Jr. #13 and Jordan Walsh #27 of the Boston Celtics high five during the game against the Orlando Magic on April 12, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Despite the ugly ending, one of the most enjoyable aspects of the 2025-2026 Celtics season was watching several unknowns ascend into real contributor territory.
Jordan Walsh, Baylor Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez and Ron Harper Jr. formed a reserve wing group that helped establish the team’s revolving door identity. Entering the rotation, falling out, and recapturing a spot again was the standard flow of things.
Watching these four was particularly exciting in contrast to previous wing rooms. They brought a new type of versatility and athleticism, paired with elite effort.
Boston, MA – January 28 – Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) lets the ball get loose as Boston Celtics guards Jordan Walsh (27), Hugo Gonzalez (28) and Baylor Scheierman (55) surround during the second half of a NBA game at the Garden. (Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images). | MediaNews Group via Getty Images
Every few games, one would break out with a performance that made you think “Oh, this guy can play.” Often those big games would secure a temporary spot in the rotation until someone else made a statement of their own. It created a competitive spirit that helped fuel the Celtics to the second seed in the East, and it might’ve been a piece of what was missing in their loss to the Sixers. The shrunken playoff rotation zapped some of their unpredictability.
While they’ve shown flashes, and even stretches of consistent impact, questions remain for each of them. The questions are different though, so where does each one actually stand? Weighing current impact, system fit and long-term ceiling, here’s how I view this group of four.
4. Jordan Walsh
Walsh put together a very strong third season. After his sophomore campaign, it wasn’t even clear if he had a place on this roster. Then he was getting a genuine look off the bench in a playoff series to counter Tyrese Maxey. That’s a testament to his work ethic and growth.
The tools are what got Walsh drafted, and this was the year they finally shined. He has moments of lockdown defense across several positions, winning with lateral quickness and long, disruptive arms. His improved role player IQ allowed him to add value on the offensive end more consistently by finding gaps, making quick decisions and keeping the ball moving.
The challenge is that offensively, he’s still limited. The Sixers weren’t threatened by his shooting, and he finished the series 2-12 from three. Until that changes, it’s hard to justify his minutes when the game slows down.
At 22, the runway is there. Another year proving his jumper is real might force defenders to respect him, and he has the athleticism to develop as a slasher. But right now, he ranks fourth among this group.
3. Ron Harper Jr.
I might be getting ahead of myself here, but I see it with Harper Jr.
We are talking about a newly 26-year-old with under 400 total NBA minutes. Even so, it almost feels like he’s too low on this list.
He has arguably the most well-rounded skill set of the bunch. At 6’5, 230 lbs with a 7’1 wingspan, Harper Jr. has the frame to guard 1-4. He is a switchable defender who can force turnovers both on the ball and in the passing lanes.
The defense is clearly NBA-ready, but it’s the offense that’s difficult to ignore. In the G League, Harper Jr. averaged 25.4 points and shot 38.7% from three on 10.8 attempts per game. The sample at the NBA level isn’t large enough to be certain, but the flashes are hard to dismiss.
Brad Stevens called him a “stud” after his first start, and said nobody inside the organization was surprised. That amount of organizational confidence in a player that was still on a two-way contract means something.
He’s shown comfort launching threes on and off the ball, is a strong and smooth slasher, and can handle the rock or make the quick read to keep things moving.
In some ways, he’s reminiscent of Derrick White. Not to say that’s who he’ll become, but he brings a similar balanced two-way toolkit. Depending on how the offseason unfolds, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him slide into a starting role.
There’s no glaring hole in his game, which makes him a connective piece that works in a variety of contexts. He fits next to all of Boston’s best players, and looks capable of scaling up to take on more offensive responsibility.
With a team option heading into next year, he could be excellent value. If he gets the reps, there’s a realistic chance he becomes a development story similar to Neemias Queta as a player who ascended with enough time in the system and minutes on the court.
BOSTON, MA – MAY 2: Baylor Scheierman #55 and Hugo Gonzalez #28 of the Boston Celtics react during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game Seven of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
2. Baylor Scheierman
Baylor is good, and I’m not afraid to admit it.
Some things simply cannot be taught, and Scheierman’s competitiveness is one of them. He’s cut from the same cloth as Payton Pritchard – the type of player who lives for a moment to let the fans, opposing bench, or the broadcast crew hear about it.
His rookie year had fun flashes but the vision wasn’t clear. He looked more like a streaky gunslinger than a real complementary piece. His sophomore year couldn’t have been more encouraging.
He appeared in 77 games, shot 39.9% from three — second on the team behind only Luka Garza — and held that level in the playoffs. The shot was always the selling point, but it’s the ancillary skills that are more exciting. He has a unique array of finishes with floaters, turnarounds, and deceleration on his drives.
He’s a strong playmaker coming off screens and makes instant decisions to attack a scrambling defense. It all blends into a player who extends an advantage or builds upon it without letting it die.
The most important development might be the defense. Settling for playable on that end would have been fine, but he’s genuinely useful. The effort is obvious, but there’s strength, instincts and positioning behind it.
Scheierman has set himself up to be a key rotation piece for the foreseeable future.
1. Hugo Gonzalez
As a 19-year-old, Gonzalez was perfectly comfortable with the speed and physicality of the NBA. That is generally not the case, but his years in professional basketball prepared him well.
There is more to his offensive game than we’ve seen. It isn’t polished yet, but he can finish with finesse or power. He’s flashed floaters, euro steps and explosive gathers in transition and half court settings. He’s still a project in some ways, but he’s starting from a strong foundation.
The numbers paint the picture well. With Gonzalez on the court, Boston posted an 11.9 net rating. It dropped to 5.4 with him on the bench — the third largest swing on the team. The defensive rating improved by six points with him on the floor, with only a -0.7 drop on offense.
That kind of impact from a player still finding his way is striking. His three-point shot will ultimately be the swing skill for how good he can become, but 36% in Year One is not a bad starting point.
His youth is an advantage over everyone else on this list, but his impact is already showing up clearly. At 20, he’s the most intriguing of this group, and the one with the most room left to grow.
Brad Stevens said it plainly: “Hugo had a great rookie year and is, I think, a critical part of us moving forward… His athleticism can meet the moment in big games. That’s a real thing. You can see it.”
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 18: Jae'sean Tate #8 of the Houston Rockets questions a call by referee Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling #7 during the second half of Game One of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jae’Sean Tate is the longest-tenured player on the Houston Rockets, as he’s been on several iterations of the team. Tate burst on the scene as an undrafted rookie, averaging 11.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists in his debut NBA season. He followed that up with an even stronger sophomore campaign, averaging 11.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists.
We can disregard the shooting chops (or lack thereof). Those were the good ole days. When the memories were all positive.
It’s also when Tate was getting regular playing time. This year’s Rockets ball club didn’t exactly need Tate, due to a good bit of depth at the wing position. Tari Eason, Jabari Smith, Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson, Josh Okogie…it was a crowded rotation, even with Thompson playing lead guard for most of the season.
Tate was even sent down to the G-League at the onset of the season. Even during his time with the Rockets, he played sparingly, having played 20 minutes just once, which happened to be Houston’s final game against the Memphis Grizzlies, when the Rockets rested their key guys ahead of their opening round postseason matchup.
Tate posted 13 points and 6 rebounds in that game. Now onto the good. Following the All-Star break, the Rockets were 11 points better in defensive rating when Tate was on the floor. But again, he didn’t play all that much.
When he did play, he was utilized as a center, once Rockets coach Ime Udoka opted for the all-wing lineup, following the season-ending injury to Steven Adams.
Tate found himself in the Rockets’ rotation during their postseason series against the Los Angeles Lakers also. At least early in the series.
(More bad memories).
Tate was partially responsible for Houston’s historic collapse in Game 3 against the Lakers, as he committed a bone-headed foul on Marcus Smart, which put Smart at the line for three free throws and sent the game to overtime.
It would be a surprise if Tate returned to the Rockets next season, even on a veteran-minimum deal. He’s always been undersized, yet able to maximize his physical tools. But his inability to stay healthy (not to mention his lack of shooting) is not something that Houston will be able to mask.
His hustle, effort and aforementioned defensive tenacity are part of the duplicate conundrum that Houston faces, which was referenced by Udoka at Houston’s end of season presser.
Few things hit harder than when someone dedicated to moving humanity toward the light dies too young. Someone like Jason Collins, whose personal quest for goodwill and free expression ended this week when he died at age 47.
After four years as a basketball star at Stanford, playing alongside his twin brother, Jarron, Jason was a first-round selection (18th overall) in the 2001 NBA Draft. In his second season, the 7-footer was the starting center of a New Jersey Nets squad in the NBA Finals. His assignment: 30-year-old Shaquille O’Neal, the league’s most imposing player since Wilt Chamberlain two generations earlier.
Collins neither flinched nor blinked. None of us could have known such fortitude would be a preview of his future.
By the time Collins passed away 23 years later, he had established himself as a widely respected player and, moreover, one of the bravest athletes in American history. He took a path to a sea all others, fearful of drowning, had evaded and dived in.
“I’m a 34-year-old NBA center,” Collins wrote in a first-person cover story in the May 6, 2013 issue of Sports Illustrated. “I’m black. And I’m gay.”
Collins would not allow himself to be influenced by public opinion; it was beyond his control. Any apprehension he might have had would not keep him from sharing his truth. It’s not as if he rolled out of bed one morning, grabbed his courage sweater and announced his authentic self to a basketball world that knew his game but not his life.
“I didn’t set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport,” Collins wrote. “But since I am, I’m happy to start the conversation. I wish I wasn’t the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, ‘I’m different.’ If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I’m raising my hand.”
Though American society had been limping forward for nearly two generations, diminishing much of the dark-ages stigma attached to homosexuality, the topic remained a source of unease in certain pockets of our planet. Collins knew that in the hyper-masculine ethos of men’s professional sports, including the NBA, there could be some backlash.
He instead received numerous expressions of support.
Kobe Bryant, whose Los Angeles Lakers twice defeated Collins’ Nets in the Finals, turned to social media to express pride in Collins’ decision. Charles Barkley called it “a great day in the NBA.” Warriors coach Steve Kerr, then an NBA analyst at TNT, said Collins’ “courageous act will impact many lives and help to create more tolerance in sports. Proud to have him representing the NBA.”
Collins’ decision lifted equality in American sports to an unprecedented level. It was greeted with loud applause then and still is broadly celebrated today, particularly among those who knew him well.
“An amazing teammate,” Kris Weems, a Warriors assistant coach who played with Collins for two seasons at Stanford, told NBC Sports Bay Area. “One of the smartest basketball players I’ve played with and been around. Just a really good guy from a really nice family.
“I’m honored that I got to be his teammate and see him grow and mature in his second stage of life, post pro basketball, that was inspiring to so many people.”
Another former Stanford teammate, Mark Madsen, now head coach at Cal, posted on Tuesday X: “Jason was one of the strongest and kindest (people) I have ever met. He was ferocious on the court and full of love and kindness off the court. He welcomed everyone no matter your background. He was the guy who brought fun and energy to life.”
Collins’ announcement also received considerable grace the moment he made it. Kobe Bryant, whose Lakers twice defeated Collins’ Nets in The Finals, turned to social media to express pride in Collins’ decision Charles Barkley called it “a great day in the NBA.” Warriors coach Steve Kerr, then an NBA analyst at TNT, said Collins’ “courageous will impact many lives and help to create more tolerance in sports. Proud to have him representing the NBA.”
Collins’ courageous move was a triumph over fear, rinsing more than 20 years of anxiety and fitful sleep. His name suddenly was bigger than basketball. Nine months passed before the Nets, then in Brooklyn and coached by former teammate Jason Kidd, offered a contract.
Collins signed it on Feb. 23, 2014. On that night, during a Nets-Lakers game in Los Angeles, he made history by stepping onto the floor as the first active openly gay NBA player to do so.
He had evolved from being a fine basketball player to being a man with a higher calling, an ambassador for closeted gay sports figures and open-minded people all over the globe.
Thank Jason Collins for taking that intimidating walk into the unknown, standing over the sea and diving in. May he rest in peace. And may his example guide us to a better place.
CHICAGO — St. John’s Zuby Ejiofor is about to realize his dream of making the NBA.
He’s almost certain to become the Red Storm’s first draft pick in a decade — maybe even a first-rounder after a solid performance in the NBA Draft Combine.
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“It’s been a great experience,” Ejiofor said. “Having this opportunity is something I dreamed of for a long time and it’s literally right in front of my face.”
St. John’s hasn’t had a first-round pick since Maurice Harkless in 2012, or any draft pick since Sir’Dominic Pointer three years later. But Ejiofor has a shot — because he’s showing that he can shoot.
The defensive-minded bruiser measured 6-foot-7 ½ barefoot and 245 pounds with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, long and bulky but short enough that he’s going to have to develop a jumper.
Apparently he’s been in Las Vegas since St. John’s season ended working on just that, and it’s paying off at the combine.
“I mean, a lot [of practice shots],” Ejiofor said of his daily Las Vegas regimen. “It was like hundreds, thousands even: shots, 3-point shots, midrange, you name it, just trying to showcase a little bit more than I did in college.”
The result was clear.
Ejiofor shot 17-for-30 off the dribble and 12-for-25 in the 3-point star drill. He was 16-for-28 in a side-middle-side drill and 13-for-25 in spot-up shooting.
“I feel like it’s something I could’ve shown a little bit more in college. And then I had the opportunity to just come out here and just prove, not only to myself, but to everybody around that I could do it,” Ejiofor said. “And I had decent numbers. And I was pretty proud of it.”
Zuby Ejiofor participates in a pro lane drill at the NBA Draft Combine on May 11, 2026 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. NBAE via Getty Images
The numbers will buoy his stock.
Ejiofor said he met with six teams Wednesday, including the Cavaliers, Hornets, Mavericks, Nuggets and Thunder.
He will meet with the hometown Knicks and Nets Thursday.
Zuby Ejiofor takes part in a shooting drill at the NBA Draft Combine on May 11. David Banks-Imagn Images
The St. John’s senior isn’t participating in the 5-on-5 scrimmages at the combine, with his agent feeling he’s slated to go between Nos. 25 and 35 in next month’s draft.
Ejiofor was mocked to go 43rd to the Nets by Yahoo Sports and 31st to the Knicks by Tankathon.
“New York, obviously it’s a special place. I’ve got to grow a whole lot in the city of New York. And obviously I have a lot of love over there. So, obviously it’d be pretty special to be in a familiar area,” Ejiofor said. “If the opportunity happens, I’m more than excited to be there.
“It’d be a great experience. I spent my last three years in New York. I have a lot of love there in New York City. I’ve been away for a while, but I’m going back to New York on the 17th to walk for graduation. But, yeah, it will be a great experience if it happens. I’m going to be excited and my family is as well.”
Detroit Pistons (60-22, first in the Eastern Conference) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (52-30, fourth in the Eastern Conference)
Cleveland; Friday, 7 p.m. EDT
LINE: Cavaliers -3.5; over/under is 209.5
EASTERN CONFERENCE SECOND ROUND: Cavaliers lead series 3-2
BOTTOM LINE: The Cleveland Cavaliers look to clinch the Eastern Conference second round over the Detroit Pistons in game six. The Cavaliers defeated the Pistons 117-113 in overtime in the last meeting on Thursday. James Harden led the Cavaliers with 30 points, and Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 39.
The Cavaliers are 11-5 against the rest of their division. Cleveland ranks seventh in the Eastern Conference in team defense, giving up only 115.4 points while holding opponents to 46.4% shooting.
The Pistons are 12-4 against the rest of their division. Detroit is fourth in the league scoring 18.0 fast break points per game led by Cunningham averaging 3.8.
The 119.5 points per game the Cavaliers average are 9.9 more points than the Pistons give up (109.6). The Pistons average 117.8 points per game, 2.4 more than the 115.4 the Cavaliers allow to opponents.
TOP PERFORMERS: Evan Mobley is scoring 18.2 points per game and averaging 9.0 rebounds for the Cavaliers. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 25.3 points and 5.3 rebounds over the last 10 games.
Jalen Duren is averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds for the Pistons. Cunningham is averaging 29.4 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Cavaliers: 5-5, averaging 108.5 points, 43.2 rebounds, 21.7 assists, 7.0 steals and 6.3 blocks per game while shooting 45.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.6 points per game.
Pistons: 5-5, averaging 106.1 points, 43.5 rebounds, 22.6 assists, 8.8 steals and 7.4 blocks per game while shooting 45.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 103.2 points.
INJURIES: Cavaliers: None listed.
Pistons: None listed.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
DETROIT, MI - MAY 13: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket during the game against the Detroit Pistons during Round Two Game Five of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 13, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
DETROIT — After the game, Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson was asked what it took for this team to overcome a nine-point deficit in the final three minutes to complete the comeback.
James Harden, who was waiting in the back of the press-conference room for his coach to finish up, thought he would just answer it himself.
“Balls,” Harden said.
While crass, it’s the truth.
The Cavaliers have been called soft for years, and understandably so. They’ve folded in the biggest moments too often in the previous three years not to be called that.
However, this isn’t that team. At least it wasn’t in Game 5.
The Cavs were down nine against the Detroit Pistons with three minutes left in the fourth quarter. The building was on fire. The hometown fans were celebrating what they assumed would be a win. Any momentum that the Cavs had from a strong second half was completely gone.
But then they did something that they hadn’t previously done. They got off the mat.
The Cavs counterpunched with a Donovan Mitchell layup and seven-straight points from Evan Mobley. This was coupled with stifling defense on the other end, as they didn’t give Cade Cunningham anything easy going to the basket.
Cleveland needed overtime to get this game over the line, but they got the job done 117-113.
It wasn’t pretty, but a win is a win. And probably the best victory this group has had since LeBron James was last in town.
Now, they just need one more win to go to the Eastern Conference Finals.
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This game was why you grabbed James Harden at the deadline. President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman’s reasoning at the time was simple.
“[We’re] really excited about when it gets to a chaotic time in the playoffs and we’re on the road, and there’s a fever pitch, being able to throw the ball to him and calm this thing down,” Altman said back in February.
Those words proved to be prophetic. Time and time again, it was Harden who came through. He settled the team down and ensured that they got good offense time and time again in a game they weren’t getting much from Mitchell.
Harden continually got to his spots possession after possession, as if it were 2018 again. And even when you let an older version of Harden get to his spots, he’s going to make you pay.
All of the shanagans that drew the ire of NBA fans for a decade and a half were on full display. Harden baited fouls with the rip through, his endless pump fakes, and his ability to get to the rim and have guys bounce off him.
So much so that he had an entire arena chanting “f*** James Harden” throughout overtime when he was continually parading to the charity stripe.
Aging stars can turn back the clock. The issue is that the consistency may not be there from night to night like it was in their prime. We’ve seen that at times throughout this series, when Harden has had issues with turnovers, which partially led to their collapse in Games 1 and 2. But when the Cavs have needed him this series, he’s more than answered the bell.
In Game 3, he closed the Pistons out with clutch shots. In Game 4, he kept the offense going and took care of the ball, playing a supporting role alongside Mitchell, and in Game 5, he dropped 30 points.
“He really understands the moment,” Atkinson said. “When to get a guy the ball, when to try to get a free-throw. All of it. [This was] the big reason we got him.”
Moving to a role like this has been an adjustment for Harden, and one that he’s not fully used to yet.
“I’ve only been here two and a half months,” Harden said. “The things that we’re going through is all new. Learning how to be a second option and feed and play off Donovan.”
Nights like this show that he does still have it when the team needs something.
Before the game, Kenny Atkinson said they needed a role player to step up to help them reverse their fortunes on the road.
“I just think we need someone to step up,” Atkinson said before the game. “It’s going to be someone you don’t expect.”
That someone was Max Strus.
Strus kept a somewhat lifeless offense alive at the beginning of the game. His four triples in the first half accounted for a majority of the team’s threes (6-14).
In the second half, he was seemingly everywhere on the court, coming up with every loose ball and playing great defense on Cade Cunningham.
“The things that he’s doing don’t necessarily show up on a stat sheet,” Harden said.
What did show up on the stat sheet was a much-needed 20-point performance off the bench.
“He’s got a nasty character, and I love it,” Atkinson said. “We need that.”
Donovan Mitchell simply didn’t have it in Game 5.
The Cavs have gone as Mitchell has this entire season. When he’s getting downhill and getting into the basket, Cleveland’s offense looks good. When he isn’t, things can look stagnant as they did at times in Game 5.
Detroit made shrinking the floor a priority. They walled off the paint by shifting help defense into driving lanes whenever he got the ball on the perimeter. This resulted in Mitchell attempting just two of his 18 shots at the rim.
When he’s not getting to the rim, he isn’t getting to the free-throw line either. Mitchell took just six free throws after getting 15 in the game before.
But the Cavs were able to overcome it still. That shows in part how this group is different, and not the same one we’ve seen in years past.
Additionally, the Cavs lost the possession game. They were outscored 27-16 in points off turnovers and 15-14 in second-chance points.
This wasn’t a pretty game, but again, that doesn’t matter on days like this.
Cade Cunningham was the star the Pistons needed him to be, until he wasn’t.
Cleveland’s defenders were already trapping him throughout Game 4 due to how few of Detroit’s role players were stepping up. That ramped up in Game 5 with sharpshooter Duncan Robinson missing this game with a lower back injury.
The extra attention didn’t matter.
Cunningham did a good job of moving off-ball to create advantages, and then when he got the ball, he made his move to the basket quickly before the help defense could arrive.
And when he was the primary ball handler, he accepted the trap and trusted his teammates to find the advantage out of the odd-man situation. More often than not, they did. This led to Cunningham scoring 20 points on 7-14 shooting in the first half.
Then things changed.
The Cavs found success in the second half by just switching these ball screens. They trusted the defenders to stay with him in isolation. Cunningham sought out the mismatches, but doing so tired him out. That showed through down the stretch, particularly in overtime, where he registered just two points and a turnover.
Cleveland simply wore Cunningham down. This is where Detroit’s lack of depth — especially with Jalen Duren struggling as he has — showed through most and cost them the game.
Mobley came through in the biggest moment.
He didn’t register a single point in the fourth quarter until the final three minutes. He scored Cleveland’s last seven points, which included making two free throws to send the game to overtime. That was impactful for someone who seemingly forgot how to make foul shots in the middle of the season.
Mobley did this while being by far the best player on the floor. He shut off drives to the basket by merely rotating over. His impact on that end — maybe even more than the offense — is what allowed Cleveland to climb out of the hole late.
On top of that, he was excellent as a playmaker in the short roll with a team-best eight assists.
The series isn’t over yet.
Despite how this game ended, Detroit has proven to be an incredibly resilient group. That makes Game 6 at home so much more important.
“I’ve been in this position before, and have lost this next Game 6, then that puts a lot of pressure on you in Game 7, especially if you have to go on the road,” Atkinson said. “It’s a must-win game for us in terms of if we want to move forward.”
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 12: AJ Dybantsa looks on during the 2026 NBA Draft Combine on May 12, 2026 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Tamez/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
According to Adam Finkelstein, the intel floating around Chicago during the combine was that AJ Dybantsa was hoping to stay in Utah.
That comment by Dybantsa was also consistent with one of the most repeated pieces of intel floating around Chicago this week: that Dybantsa was reportedly hoping to stay in Utah.
He’s been in Utah now for two years (one season at Utah Prep and one season in Provo at BYU). His family is now with him in Utah, and they’ve grown to like the state and were hoping to stay.
The question for the Jazz is, if Dybantsa goes #1, then who do they end up picking? It sounds like the Jazz are fine with Darryn Peterson as that pick.
So what will the Jazz do at No. 2, especially considering Cameron Boozer’s dad, Carlos Boozer, currently works for the organization in a scouting role? Most expect Kansas guard Darryn Peterson to be the Jazz’s pick here. While there’s more public speculation about other options, sources around the combine speak with almost the same level of confidence that Peterson goes No. 2 as they do Washington taking Dybantsa at No. 1.
Peterson is not only a good fit for Utah’s current roster, but some people, including myself, wonder if some inside the Jazz front office might consider him to be a superior talent. The Ainges, Danny and Austin, have long been known to follow the top prospects in high school basketball, and so they are undoubtedly aware of what Peterson’s game and reputation were before this year’s availability issues.
The more information we get, the more it seems like the Jazz are going to be in great shape regardless of what the Wizards do. If Utah prefers Peterson and he falls to them at #2, they should be ecstatic. If the Wizards don’t pick Dybantsa and take Peterson, then Utah gets the local favorite in Dybantsa with the insane physical tools that has incredible upside. It’s a win-win for the Jazz either way.
It’s really hard to overstate how big this is for the Utah Jazz. They are getting a #1 caliber player, no matter what the Wizards do. What an incredible beginning to this new era of Jazz basketball.
May 13, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley (4) is defended by Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson (9) in the first half during game five of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
I’m going to make this recap short. I just got back from an absolutely infuriating basketball game with thousands of my Pistons fan friends, and way too many Cavs fans. Walking through the concourse and to the parking lot around a bunch of elated Cavs fans — who knew they got away with something — not fun! In the end, the Detroit Pistons lost 117-113 in overtime and now face a 3-2 deficit heading to Cleveland in a possible elimination game.
Look, the free-throw disparity that has plagued Detroit for the three games prior did not abate tonight. Detroit shot 20 free throws on their home floor and the Cavaliers shot 38. The most egregious was thanks to a bunch of James Harden contortions and selling calls. It was maddening.
But most important was a critical no call that should have gone Detroit’s way and very well could have delivered the Pistons a victory. The Pistons had a nine-point lead with just under three minutes left but let it dwindle away and suddenly the game was tied and the Cavs had the ball on what could have been the final possession.
Ausar Thompson, who was brilliant all night, hounded Donovan Mitchell at the top of the key and blocked the ball from behind as Mitchell went up for a potential game-winning shot. As Ausar attempted to retrieve the loose ball he was clearly tripped by Jarrett Allen. A whistle sends Ausar to the free-throw line with two chances to put Detroit ahead with under 1.5 seconds left. But there was no whistle. Instead, the ball bounced across the floor and time expired.
Refs genuinely watched Jarret Allen trip Ausar Thompson in broad day light and called NO foul pic.twitter.com/mcXlvyM5cV
That was one of a dozen calls that will make any Piston fan furious and will haunt the team for the rest of the offseason unless they can pull off a miracle and win the next two games.
The Pistons did not play perfect basketball, but it felt like they played well enough to win. Cleveland outlasted Detroit thanks to Max Strus hitting six threes, James Harden hitting shots and selling calls, and the Pistons inability to score in the final minutes to truly ice the game. And the refs. It’s not an excuse. The game was simply way too dictated by the referees tonight not to mention it. To pretend the refs calls didn’t dictate this entire game is to put your head in the sand. It’s simply really hard to make up the deficit caused by spotting the opposing team 13 points at the free-throw line.
Cade Cunningham played a great game, scoring 39 points, hitting six threes, and adding nine assists and seven rebounds. He seemed to tire late and was less assertive in the final minutes of the fourth when the Pistons squandered a nine-point lead. But he gave the team everything he could tonight.
So did Daniss Jenkins, a surprise starter in place of the injured Duncan Robinson. The young guard had 19 points and played his butt off on the defensive side of the ball. Isaiah Stewart played solid minutes in the first half, even hitting two from deep. Paul Reed played 17 second-half minutes and scored 10 points on quality shooting and added eight rebounds.
They just couldn’t do enough. On to Cleveland to try to save the season.
This is what playoff experience looks like — and why it matters.
Detroit took a nine-point lead with three minutes to go on a Tobias Harris 3-pointer. From that moment on through the end of overtime, Cleveland stepped up, outscoring Detroit 23-10, shooting 50% to the Pistons 23.5%, Cleveland was 2-of-3 from beyond the arc while Detroit was 0-of-5, and Donovan Mitchell led the way shooting 4-of-5 in that stretch with nine points, while Cade Cunningham was 1-of-4 for two points as Cleveland doubled him and dared anyone else to beat them.
The result was Cleveland's first road win in these playoffs, a 117-113 victory that sends them home with a 3-2 series lead and a chance to close out the series on Friday night on their home court.
"You're going to have to choke the life out of this team," Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said of his team. "We're not going to go down without a fight. We're not going to go down without kicking, punching, grabbing, clawing. That's just who we are."
Pistons fans were livid about a play at the end of regulation. After Ausar Thompson made a brilliant read on Mitchell and stripped the ball away, it looks like Jarrett Allen fouls Thompson going for the loose ball. Crew Chief Tony Brothers, standing right there, sees the play but chooses not to decide the game on a foul away from the basket. There was no call and the game headed to overtime.
Ausar Thompson with the game-saving block on Donovan Mitchell, and then he gets tripped by Jarrett Allen, but no foul call (with replays).
"During live play, both players were going for the ball and there was incidental contact with the legs with no player having possession of the ball," Brothers told a pool reporter of the no-call after the game.
That call is not why the Pistons lost the game.
Cleveland was the mentally tougher team on the night — they trailed by 15 at one point, by nine late, and just kept making plays. It was Cleveland's best defensive effort of the series. Detroit made plays, but when Cleveland doubled Cunningham and dared anyone else to beat them, nobody stepped up. It was another rough night for Jalen Duren, who did not play in the entire fourth quarter, as Bickerstaff chose to go with Paul Reed.
Cunningham scored 39 on the night, with nine assists and seven rebounds. Daniss Jenkins added 19, and Tobias Harris had 13 points but on 6-of-19 shooting.
Cleveland got 30 points on the night from James Harden, who was at times brilliant and at times made head-scratching plays. Mitchell came on late with 21 points, but the unsung hero of the night was Max Strus, who scored 20 on the night, making 6-of-8 from 3-point range, plus playing strong defense. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen combined for 35 points, 18 rebounds and five blocks.
Jenkins got his first playoff start for Detroit because Duncan Robinson was a late scratch. Without Robinson, the Pistons still opened the game 5-of-9 from 3, with Isaiah Stewart going 2-of-2 on above-the-break 3-pointers, and after one quarter it was 29-27 Pistons. Detroit forced six turnovers which led to 11 points, and Cade Cunningham had 10 points.
Detroit started the second quarter shooting 8-of-8 from the floor, three of those makes by Harris, and stretched their lead out to 15. Give the Cavaliers credit, they responded with an 8-0 run to keep it in single digits at the half.
Cleveland was careless with the basketball in the first half, turning the ball over 10 times leading to 20 points for Detroit, and that's why the Pistons led 60-52 after 24 minutes.
Once again the third quarter belonged to Cleveland. The Cavaliers stopped turning the ball over (just twice in the fourth), moved the ball well, and Harden scored 9, while the Pistons shot just 33.3% from the floor. It was Cleveland by four at the end of three.
Then Detroit started the fourth on a 5-0 run to retake the lead. The Cavaliers started the fourth 0-of-9 (plus two shots blocked and three turnovers) and the Pistons went on a 12-0 run and took an eight-point lead.
But as they had been all night, the Cavaliers were resilient. They fought back. And now they can close out the series at home.
