Category: Basketball

The NBA's 65-game rule, forcing players to play in at least 65 regular season games in order to be eligible for end-of-season awards, has received mixed reviews from fans and players.

Several fans believe it incentivizes stars to play in games, creating a better product for people in attendance. Others believe such a rule being implemented while individual players may have clauses in their contracts that offer bonuses for earning end-of-season awards creates a system that hurts players for situations that often are out of their control, such as injuries or family emergencies.

Well, it appears the NBA has heard these complaints and is making an adjustment.

Although neither the Detroit Pistons' Cade Cunningham nor the Los Angeles Lakers' Luka Doncic played in 65 regular season games, both have been reinstated for end-of-season awards.

Just in: The NBA and NBPA have ruled in favor of Lakers' Luka Doncic and Pistons' Cade Cunningham on their Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge for the 65-game award rule, making both eligible for all 2025-26 season honors such as MVP and All-NBA teams, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/gUYdUn1q4k

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 16, 2026

The NBA announced that Cunningham (63 games played) would be exempt "due in part to missing 12 games as a result of a collapsed lung that was diagnosed on March 17." Meanwhile Doncic (64 games played) earned exemption "due in part to missing two games to attend the birth of his daughter in Slovenia."

Here's what to know.

Will these exemption keep up moving forward?

The decisions to re-implement both Doncic and Cunningham came as part of the league's Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) under the "extraordinary circumstances provision."

However, the league did not reveal what exactly constitutes an extraordinary circumstance, only that both Cunningham and Doncic applied.

That said, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards didn't receive an exemption. Edwards played in 60 games — or 61 when counting the game where he played only three minutes, which the league did not count — and filed "an extraordinary circumstances challenge under the CBA, seeking award eligibility before an independent arbitrator."

Why was Anthony Edwards denied?

Edwards missed 11 of the Timberwolves' final 14 games this season while dealing with a right knee injury. Furthermore, several of those games missed were in an effort to ensure Edwards would be good to go for the playoffs.

Edwards also missed time due to hamstring issues and illnesses earlier in the season.

Despite this, Edwards still played 2,137 minutes on the season, more than other players who are qualified for end-of-season awards like Kawhi Leonard, Victor Wembanyama and LaMelo Ball.

Will Doncic, Cunningham win any awards?

While neither player is likely to win MVP, both players will likely be named to All-NBA teams, which qualify under the 65-game rule. Edwards will not be eligible.

Edwards' ineligibility actually hurts his future. An All-NBA selection for Edwards would have ensured the 24-year-old supermax contract eligibility when he is eligible for a new contract in the 2027 offseason. While Edwards can still earn his third all-NBA bid next season, it puts added pressure on him to succeed. Furthermore, there is also the possibility that another injury forces him out of significant time next season, which could yet again cost him another All-NBA selection.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Luka Doncic, Cade Cunningham eligible for NBA awards after appeal

In today’s Dub Hub:

• Steve Kerr reacts to Steph Curry’s 35-point night in Warriors’ 126-121 Play-In win vs. Clippers: “This is why Steph came back.”
• Kawhi Leonard compliments Draymond Green for his defensive performance against him.
• Sixers secure the 7th seed in the East after beating the Magic, 109-97. 

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr didn’t need many words to convey what Stephen Curry did on Wednesday night.

After the Warriors kept their season alive with a 126-121 win over the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the Play-In Tournament, Kerr’s postgame message said everything about Curry’s performance, and why it mattered so much for the superstar point guard to play again this season.

"This is why Steph came back."

Steve Kerr shared a blunt message to the people who wanted Steph Curry to sit out the rest of the season pic.twitter.com/mdTBjC0BeK

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) April 16, 2026

For weeks, there was outside noise suggesting Golden State should shut Curry down as he worked his way back from a knee injury that sidelined him for 27 games to close the regular season. Instead, he delivered the exact kind of performance that made that idea look foolish, finishing with a game-high 35 points to lead the Warriors to a comeback win when the team needed him the most.

Warriors INCREDIBLE COMEBACK in the fourth to beat Clippers in Play-In 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/zaUh91xdnJ

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) April 16, 2026

"These nights make everything worth it." 🙌

Steph Curry reflects on the Warriors win tonight along with their journey this season. pic.twitter.com/BqGC72rXEh

— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 16, 2026

Draymond Green — who had an excellent night himself on the defensive end — echoed Kerr’s sentiment, pointing to Curry’s presence as the key difference in high-pressure moments like this.

"When Steph's on the floor, you always have a chance."

Draymond on Steph's inspiring road to recovery 👏 https://t.co/ArwkSO5BtRpic.twitter.com/GFuPfocpIe

— NBA (@NBA) April 16, 2026

That’s what superstars do in win-or-go-home games.

And with the season on the line, Curry reminded everyone exactly why the Warriors were willing to ride this out.

C'MON!

That was fun 🤩 pic.twitter.com/tp51HdGZoJ

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) April 16, 2026

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Thursday, April 16th:

Warriors News:

Warriors rally over Clippers in 4th to advance in play-in | ESPN

Kerr gave a postgame speech to the team in the locker room, stating that it was one of his favorite wins of this Warriors run that has lasted longer than a decade.

Kerr’s coaching future is uncertain. The 37 wins were the second-fewest in his 12-season tenure. The core is aging. Injuries caught up this year. But Kerr felt they’d turned back the clock for a night to remind the world what they were in their prime.

“There’s a reason we have four championships,” Kerr said. “With all the wins we’ve ever had here — a lot of them with a lot more at stake – this is right up there. Just because of where we are and our age and the decline of our performance this year and our injuries. It was just a beautiful display of competitive will.”

Al Horford, Kristaps Porziņģis provide big boost in comeback win over Clippers | The Athletic

“I had flashbacks to Game 1 in the ’22 Finals,” Curry said, referencing when Horford, then a member of the Boston Celtics, racked up 26 points and hit six 3-pointers in a win over Curry and the Warriors. “Because it was just like that, where all of a sudden — he was 0-for-3 at one point from 3, and then he hits the first one. It was just a sign of how confident he was shooting it. There was no hesitation, there was no doubt. There was just ‘I’m open. I’ll shoot it.’”

Kawhi Leonard compliments Draymond Green’s defense: “It was hard to even get shots up”

Kawhi Leonard and Draymond Green exchange compliments about one another following an epic @SoFi Play-In 👏 https://t.co/LFqgSBDgLYpic.twitter.com/eUfXCC9d3A

— NBA (@NBA) April 16, 2026

NBA News:

Tyrese Maxey scores 31 and Sixers beat Magic 109-97 to advance out of SoFi Play-In Tournament | NBA

Tyrese Maxey scored 31 points, V.J. Edgecombe added 19 points and 11 rebounds, and the Philadelphia 76ers weathered the absence of Joel Embiid to beat the Orlando Magic 109-97 on Wednesday night and secure the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

The Sixers moved on to a first-round series that begins Sunday at Boston.

Desmond Bane and the Magic aren’t done yet. They will host Charlotte on Friday night in the SoFi Play-In Tournament finale, with the winner earning the No. 8 seed in the East and a first-round matchup with Detroit.

Hornets’ LaMelo Ball fined for tripping Heat’s Bam Adebayo during first round play-in game

The NBA is fining Charlotte's LaMelo Ball $35,000 for his trip of Miami's Bam Adebayo and upgrading the action to a Flagrant, plus fining him $25,000 for cursing postgame, sources tell ESPN.

$60K in fines, Flagrant. No suspension. pic.twitter.com/7oCyuFbxim

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 16, 2026

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Warriors vs. Clippers player grades: Steph Curry and Draymond Green turn back the clock

Porziņģis looked like his All-Star self in this game. He had numerous highlight defensive plays, single-handedly ending multiple Clippers possessions that looked like easy buckets. He was a walking bucket, scoring from all over the court, largely within the system but also taking matters into his own hands when it was needed. And he had some passes that made your eyes pop wide open.

It was a complete — and completely excellent — performance. And it left no doubt as to whether or not the Warriors will make re-signing Porziņģis a priority this coming offseason.

Grade: A+

Follow @unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.

The Sixers’ 109-97 win over the Orlando Magic in the Play-In tournament to secure the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference cemented their turnaround from a disastrous 2024-25 campaign. Thanks to a 21-win increase they were able to clinch a playoff spot for the eighth time in the last nine seasons.

It’s not like the Sixers achieved this with major roster upheaval. They retained 11 players from the prior season heading into this one. Proving that the previous season was just an injury-riddled disaster was something they all took pride in.

Head coach Nick Nurse opened the year saying there was a lot of “pissed off-ness” about how the ’24-25 season went and how motivated the organization was to erase that. He reiterated that again after the victory over Orlando.

“I said we had a really, really big hole to dig out of and we want to get in the tournament somehow” Nurse said postgame. “It wasn’t easy and it wasn’t pretty, but we’re here now and now we get to see what we can do with it.”

To Nurse’s point, it’s not like everything that went wrong a season ago suddenly clicked into place. Joel Embiid and Paul George still missed a combined 87 games this year with no guarantee Embiid will be able to suit up for the playoffs.

“It means a lot,” George said. “Last season, that was as about as tough as a season I’ve been a part of, but for us to turn it around, we dealt with some adversity this year but we got through it.”

No player took this more to heart than Tyrese Maxey. While he hasn’t quite snatched the title of most impactful star on the Sixers roster from Joel Embiid, he is definitely the most available. The fact that he’s able to suit up regularly makes him bear the brunt of the team’s on-court struggles on a day-to-day basis.

The All-NBA caliber season in which he averaged 28 points per game is nice, but proving he can lead a team through the regular season to the playoffs has been a larger goal. He made a vow to get back watching last year’s playoffs, and didn’t care for Knicks’ commentator Walt Frazier’s preseason assessment that he better get used to losing.

Yall deserve to be in the playoffs and we gotta work to get back there for yall!! 💯💯

— Tyrese Maxey (@TyreseMaxey) May 14, 2025

Tyrese Maxey wasn’t a fan of Walt Frazier comments saying he should get used to being on a losing team 👀 pic.twitter.com/Hm8PvJ39ZU

— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) October 6, 2025

Driving this type of winning is so important to Maxey that he promised multiple teammates that he would lead them back to the playoffs.

“I promised Kyle [Lowry] before the season,” Maxey said. “He called me around May, I said ‘there’s just no chance that I’m gonna let you not be in the playoffs next year.’”

He also detailed how important that was for many of the younger guys who haven’t made the playoffs yet, guys like Dominick Barlow, Jabari Walker and, of course, VJ Edgecombe.

“Dalen Terry came up to me at shootaround and just said ‘please, man, just please, get me in there. I have been in the Play-In four years straight,’” Maxey explained. “I said, ‘we going to the playoffs, so don’t worry about it, D.T.’”

In his own words, coming through on this promise meant everything to Maxey.

“The way last season went, I just didn’t want to have that feeling again,” he said. “I just challenged myself last summer, and I feel like I rose to that challenge.”

Maxey’s teammates have not been shy about the vocal leader he has developed into over the past couple of seasons. If there’s one way to cement yourself as the locker room leader, it’s coming through on promises like that.

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The Golden State Warriors aren’t done yet. 

Golden State was able to rewind to 2017 for 12 minutes and live another day, setting up Friday's NBA Play-In Tournament showdown with the Phoenix Suns for the No. 8 seed in the West (and the right to get smacked by OKC).

However, my Warriors vs. Suns predictions aren’t drinking from Golden State’s fountain of youth, as I’m betting on Phoenix to sunset the final remnants of this dynasty.

Read more in my latest NBA picks for April 17.

Our best Warriors vs Suns SGP for April 17

The Phoenix Suns opened as short home favorites, being discounted for a close loss to a red-hot Portland squad in Tuesday’s Play-In opener. Phoenix has the homecourt and rest edge over a Golden State Warriors team ripe for a letdown and playing its fourth away game in eight days.

The last thing the Suns want is to get into a shootout with the Warriors. Phoenix plays a methodical pace on offense and is among the better defensive teams in the NBA — especially at home, where they own a 15-27 Over/Under record.

Jalen Green’s knee is doing just fine. He exploded for 35 points against a very stingy Blazers team and now faces a Golden State squad that ranks among the softer defenses in the Association.

Green's projections call for 20+ points, which is a bar he’s hit in 15 of his last 21 outings.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

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A former player tied to a major NBA betting scandal seemingly wants to switch his stance in one of the federal cases against him. 

Key Takeaways

• Ex-NBA player Damon Jones is tied to the betting scandal and the rigged poker games.
  
  
• Jones hasn’t changed his not guilty plea in the other charge.
  
  
• He allegedly provided bettors with the injury information for LeBron James and Anthony Davis for profit.

Damon Jones originally pleaded not guilty in November 2025 to providing injury information on star NBA players LeBron James and Anthony Davis to bettors. However, he has requested a change-of-plea hearing, according to ABC News, citing court documents. 

The hearing has reportedly been scheduled for April 28.

Jones allegedly twice attempted to sell personnel information to a group of bettors that included Marves Fairley and Shane Hennen. Jones, who played 11 seasons in the NBA for 10 teams, was charged by federal prosecutors in the same case involving Terry Rozier in October 2025. 

He was also named in the indictment as a part of a rigged poker game with suspended Portland Trail Blazers head coach and Basketball Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups. Jones hasn’t altered his not guilty plea to that charge. 

Insider information instance

The first occasion occurred before a February 9, 2023, game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks, when he had a close relationship with James as an unofficial assistant coach. 

Jones told the group of co-conspirators that James was going to miss the game. He told them in a text message to “get a big bet on Milwaukee” before the public information on James’ status was released, and Jones asked them to “bet enough” that he would get a piece of the winnings. 

James indeed sat out. The Lakers lost the game, and the group of bettors profited from nonpublic information, according to the indictment. James, also a former teammate of Jones, was not implicated in the scheme. 

“As alleged, the defendants turned professional basketball into a criminal betting operation, using private locker room and medical information to enrich themselves and cheat legitimate sportsbooks,” U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. said in a statement last year. “This was a sophisticated conspiracy involving athletes, coaches, and intermediaries who exploited confidential information for profit.”

Other alleged improprieties 

In January 2024, Fairley paid Jones $2,500 on a peer-to-peer transaction app for injury information reportedly on Davis, who was listed as probable for the game. 

The conspirators thought Davis would sit, but he played, and the Lakers won. Fairley asked for his money back, but Jones claimed it was “credible” insider information, the indictment notes.

Fairley has also pleaded not guilty and said he didn’t benefit from Jones’ nonpublic NBA player injury information. 

In the other case, Jones is accused, with Billups, of luring poker players into a game rigged by the mob. The defendants, who have also pleaded not guilty, allegedly used sophisticated electronic equipment to cheat players out of millions of dollars, according to the indictment. 

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

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Basketball nostalgia is a potent drug. I’ve spent hours watching highlights from the past, reminiscing on the glory days of NBA action.

Hoop heads got a strong dose of just that on Wednesday, when the Golden State Warriors erupted for 43 points in the fourth quarter to stun the L.A. Clippers.

Stephen Curry’s 3-point barrage, Draymond Green’s lockdown defense, and the Dubs digging themselves out of a 13-point hole stirred up memories of Golden State’s past postseason dominance and sets up a Play-In Tournament tilt with the Phoenix Suns.

But despite what my retro-heavy sneaker collection would tell you, I’m not buying this throwback.

Our Warriors vs. Suns predictions are being realistic about Golden State’s tough situational spot on Friday, and my NBA picks are siding with an undervalued home team.

 

Warriors vs Suns prediction

Who will win Warriors vs Suns?

Suns: Not to tip my hand on the “best bet” but I like the Phoenix Suns to win this Play-In tilt and take the No. 8 seed in the West. The Suns are being discounted after running into a hot Portland squad on Tuesday and the Golden State Warriors will show their age in a tough travel spot Friday.

Warriors vs Suns best bet: Suns -3 (-110)

I’m a big fan of situational betting, and after hearing Golden State head coach Steve Kerr, following his team’s comeback in L.A., my “spot betting sense” is tingling.

"For one night, we're us. We're champions again,” Kerr told reporters. “I know that that may sound crazy to everybody out there, but it's a play-in game. I don't care.”

The Warriors’ motivations were already mixed heading into the Play-In Tournament, but after such a wild win and that statement from Kerr, it really feels like the Dubs are ripe for a massive letdown in Phoenix on Friday.

If you can separate from that nostalgic joy for a second, you’ll remember Golden State backed into the postseason with one win in its final eight games. The Warriors were the ninth-worst defense since the All-Star break and finished 4-10 SU in their final 14 road games.

That potential for a faceplant isn’t the only reason I’m fading Golden State. The Warriors will now hit the road for the fourth time in eight days, which is a lot of wear and tear on the aging legs of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Al Horford, and Kristaps Porzingis. 

The Phoenix Suns, on the other hand, get to stay home and enjoy an added day of rest and prep. Phoenix is being discounted after running into a red-hot Portland squad in the Play-In and has shown an ability to bounce back from poor performances, going 22-15 SU and 21-16 ATS when coming off a loss.

Warriors vs Suns same-game parlay

If the Suns are going to get right and put away the Warriors, it will be with defense. Phoenix plays a methodical pace and ranks among the stingier home teams in the league, allowing just 108.5 points against inside Mortgage Matchup Center, and they are 15-27 Over/Under at home this season.

Jalen Green looked great coming back from a knee injury against Portland, exploding for 35 points in the Play-In loss. He’s scored 20+ points in 15 of his last 21 games and is projected for 20 points versus the Warriors on Friday.

Warriors vs Suns SGP

• Suns -3
• Under 220
• Jalen Green Over 18.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Green monsters

These Green guys can pack the box score for both teams. Draymond gets after it on the glass against the Suns’ small-ball lineup while Jalen keeps up his play-in performances with another huge game for Phoenix.

Warriors vs Suns SGP

• Jalen Green Over 18.5 points
• Jalen Green Over 4.5 rebounds
• Draymond Green Over 8.5 points
• Draymond Green Over 5.5 rebounds

Warriors vs Suns odds

• Spread: Warriors +3 | Suns -3
• Moneyline: Warriors +135 | Suns -150
• Over/Under: Over 220 | Under 220

Warriors vs Suns betting trend to know

Favorites of -3 or shorter are 9-4 SU and ATS in the current format of the NBA Play-In Tournament (since 2021). Find more NBA betting trends for Warriors vs. Suns.

How to watch Warriors vs Suns

Warriors vs Suns latest injuries

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Suns' Dillon Brooks gets his wish, states he wanted Warriors in play-in matchup originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Get your popcorn ready. Dillon Brooks and the Warriors meet again in another play-in matchup.

Brooks didn’t sugarcoat the reason he wanted Golden State to beat the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.

“Steph and Draymond,” Brooks muttered. “That’s it. And Steve Kerr.”

Dillon Brooks said he wanted the Warriors to beat the Clippers in the play-in game to set up the Suns' Friday opponent.

When asked why, he said: "Steph and Draymond. That's it. And Steve Kerr."

(They have history, this season and prior) pic.twitter.com/0xsZ8wuMiy

— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) April 16, 2026

The latest chapter in the rivalry was back in February when De’Anthony Melton forced Brooks into a tough shot, leading to Golden State sealing a 14-point comeback road win.

DE'ANTHONY MELTON SHUTS THE DOOR

DUBS WINNNNNN pic.twitter.com/YA1P9slbeQ

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) February 6, 2026

Brooks and the Warriors have a history dating back to his days with the Memphis Grizzlies. The Oregon alum was suspended for Game 3 of the 2022 Western Conference Semifinals after a flagrant foul on Gary Payton II.

“That wasn’t physical, that was dirty.” Steve Kerr not mincing his words, he’s said to have yelled “Get the f*** out!” towards the Memphis bench as Dillon Brooks was ejected for taking down Gary Payton II. GPII is out for the game. #dubnationpic.twitter.com/udbMfhCR6x

— Kylen Mills (@KylenMills) May 4, 2022

The intensity will be consistent, but the rosters are completely different. In a June 2025 blockbuster trade, the Phoenix Suns traded Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Brooks, Jalen Green, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and five second-round picks.

Since joining the Suns, Brooks has averaged a career-high 20.2 points per game, along with a 43.5 field goal percentage.

On the Warriors’ side, Phoenix has yet to see Steph Curry and Kristaps Porziņģis play together. Brooks was asked by reporters about playing against Curry.

“One of the best players to ever do it,” Brooks claimed. “Who else do you want to go against in an elimination game? He’s proven it over the years, and they’ve been battle-tested in every way possible. So it’s a good matchup for us.”

Brooks shows respect to his opponent, for now. Come Friday night, as we’ve seen in the past, nothing is off the table.

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The Spurs are headed to the playoffs for the first time since 2019, with Game 1 against the Portland Trail Blazers set for 8 PM CT on Sunday. That’s still several days out, so in the meantime, we’re looking back one of the best regular seasons in franchise history.

In Part 1, we reviewed the first part of the Spurs season that featured a strong start despite missing De’Aaron Fox to start the season and Victor Wembanyama for 12 straight games. In Part 2, we recalled their memorable and arguably season-defining stretch in the second half of December, which featured Wemby’s return and a Cup Semi-finals win plus two more in a 12-day span against the defending champion Thunder, officially putting the Spurs on the map. The year concluded with a record-breaking performance from Julian Champagnie against the Knicks, but then the Spurs hit arguably their only rough patch of the season, which is where we’re picking up today.

Part 3: January 2026 (8-7)

After suffering a strained oblique in the Knicks game to close 2025, Wemby missed the two opening games of 2026: a win over the lowly Pacers and close loss at home to the Trail Blazers. (I’m just now realizing Wemby missed all three regular season matchups against them this season, so there’s a new twist to the playoffs due to them not having a chance to scout that match-up.) He soon returned, but January continued to follow an up-and-down pattern with some good wins combined with frustrating losses.

They got their second win over Lakers despite a typical 38-10-10 triple double from Luka Doncic, followed by a victory in Boston against a Celtics club that was supposed to be in a “gap” year with Jayson Tatum missing most of the season and them having to trade away a lot of their depth but rode an MVP-level performance from Jalen Brown to the second seed in the East. Oh, and the Lakers game was our last great Jeremy Sochan “troll” moment as he set off Jared Vanderbilt after the game.

Those two wins were followed by road losses to two playoff teams in the Timberwolves and Thunder, but then it was up again with another classic match-up between Wemby and Giannis Antetokounmpo. (It wasn’t that exciting of a game, but who knows where this match-up is headed with Giannis uncertain future with the Bucks, so we’ll enjoy it while it lasts.)

That was followed by a heart attack-inducing but thrilling victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Spurs built a 25-point halftime lead thanks to a season-high 48 points in the second quarter, but in pattern from each of their match-ups against this team this season, the Spurs proceeded to blow it while Anthony Edwards scored 26 of his 55 points in the fourth quarter. The Wolves eventually took the lead before bald Wemby went into superstar mode to bring them back with a 39-point performance, but it wasn’t won without plenty of free throw drama first.

The Spurs continued to trade wins and losses from there, with wins against the Jazz and Rockets alternating with losses to the Pelicans and Rockets, and of course who can forget the final game in January, when their Saturday game in Charlotte got moved back to noon so they could play and get out before the impending snow storm, only for the Spurs to blow the game in the final moments, still get trapped by the weather, and face even more troubles before getting back to San Antonio for a game the very next day. If there was one month to forget from this season, January was it.

---

They say all good teams must go through some adversity to truly come together, and as it turned out, this may have been it. From there, the Spurs would go on a nearly unprecedented run the rest of the way, so check back tomorrow for the greatest moments of the (very long) final stretch of the season, when the Spurs proved to be a true contender.

NEW YORK (AP) — Ex-NBA player Damon Jones set to become first person to plead guilty in gambling sweep that led to more than 30 arrests.

Just minutes after the Clippers were bounced from the playoffs, Chris Paul threw some salt in their wounds.

The former Clippers point guard, who went through an ugly divorce from the franchise earlier this season, raced to his Instagram page following the Warriors’ 126–121 win over LA at Intuit Dome and trolled his former team over its early postseason exit Wednesday night.

Paul, who goes by the nickname “CP3,” shared part of a popular meme that’s been used by internet users to celebrate someone’s demise.

The image features a man in a black tie and dark sunglasses looking stern while at a wake. The caption on the picture normally reads, “I Stopped By One Of My Biggest Haters Funeral Today Just To Make Sure That N—a Was Dead.”

Paul’s image cut out the text, though the meme has become so famous, it wasn’t needed.

Plenty of fans noticed Paul’s shade right away, with one writing on X, “CP3 got the last laugh in his retirement year.”

Paul became a Clippers legend thanks to his time in the City of Angels from 2011–2017, but his second stint with the team, which began in July 2025, ended unceremoniously, to say the least.

Paul played in just 16 games before he was abruptly sent home during a road trip in early December after he reportedly clashed with head coach Ty Lue.

Paul was eventually traded to the Raptors, though he was waived just days later. He ended up retiring before playing another minute on an NBA hardwood.

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Inside the rise of the Celtics' player development machine originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics’ 2025-26 season finale was an ode to the organization’s exceptional player development program.

Boston’s “Stay Ready” culture was on full display in its 113-108 win over the Orlando Magic. The C’s sat eight rotation players, including all five starters, but still put on a show against a fully healthy Magic squad.

Baylor Scheierman, drafted at the end of the first round in 2024, led the way with a career-high 30 points. Ron Harper Jr., who couldn’t get minutes with Toronto or Detroit, erupted for 27 points just days after having his two-way contract converted to a standard NBA deal. Luka Garza added 27 points and 12 rebounds to wrap up a standout campaign after failing to carve out a consistent role in Minnesota.

The B Team’s big night wasn’t a huge surprise to anyone who has followed the Celtics closely in recent years. Boston’s bench unit is nicknamed the “Stay Ready Group” for a reason.

Payton Pritchard (2020 26th overall pick), Sam Hauser (undrafted), and Jordan Walsh (2023 38th overall pick) are prime examples of players who have made tremendous strides in the C’s development program. This season, 20-year-old rookie Hugo Gonzalez (2025 28th overall pick) showcased his two-way potential on several occasions.

Big man Neemias Queta has revitalized his NBA career with help from Boston’s player development system. The C’s gave him a chance after he was waived by the Sacramento Kings in 2023, and he has since become a difference-maker in Boston’s frontcourt. He made a solid case for the Most Improved Player award with an outstanding 2025-26 season as the Celtics’ starting center.

In summary, if you’re drafted by the Celtics and you put in the work, chances are you’ll turn into an impactful NBA player. Otherwise…

“If you’re not getting better here, it might be your fault,” C’s president of basketball operations Brad Stevens told NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg.

Forsberg sat down with Stevens, Joe Mazzulla, Pritchard, Queta, Walsh, Scheierman, Harper Jr., and Gonzalez to take a deeper look inside the Celtics’ “player development machine.” The group spoke about how the development program has been the key to the organization’s sustained success.

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Four months after being pushed into retirement by the Clippers, future Hall of Famer Chris Paul apparently took delight in the team's quick exit from the postseason Wednesday night.

Paul posted the familiar meme "stopped by my biggest hater's funeral" on his Instagram story shortly after the Clippers blew a 13-point fourth-quarter lead in a 126-121 play-in loss to the Golden State Warriors.

Paul, the Clippers’ all-time assists leader, called out teammates, coaches and executives during his short second stint with the team early this season. In an effort to inject accountability during the team's 6-21 start, Paul instead angered many, including head coach Tyronn Lue, who wasn't on speaking terms with Paul at the end.

“Everyone was fed up," a league source told The Times in December.

Paul, who is second to John Stockton in NBA career assists with 12,552, posted at the time about his being cut on social media, saying “Just Found Out I’m Being Sent Home,” along with a peace emoji.

For their part, the Clippers turned around their season, going 36-19 after a horrific start to finish with a winning record for the 15th consecutive season at 42-40.

Then came the dispiriting loss to the Warriors and the 40-year-old Paul's opportunity to get in the last meme, even though it wasn't exactly original. Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid posted the same one when the team traded guard Ben Simmons in 2022.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Former NBA player and coach Damon Jones has requested to change his plea to guilty after he was charged with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering and accused of sharing and selling insider information about undisclosed details of NBA games on numerous occasions.

Jones' change-of-plea request was noted in a court filing on April 16, obtained by USA TODAY Sports, and the date for him to officially appear before a judge was not disclosed.

Jones originally pleaded not guilty to those charges on Nov. 6 at a federal courthouse in Brooklyn, New York.

According to prosecutors, Jones gave NBA lineup decisions and pre-released medical information to his co-conspirators, who then placed significant wagers based on the tips. The medical information allegedly involved LeBron James and Anthony Davis, who were playing for the Los Angeles Lakers at the time.

Before a Lakers game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Feb. 9, 2023, authorities say Jones texted a co-conspirator, alerting them to bet on the Bucks before the injury statuses of both teams were released. James ended up not playing in the game because of a lower-body injury, and Los Angeles went on to lose the game 115-105

Jones, who played 11 NBA seasons for 10 teams from 1999 to 2009, is also accused of using his notoriety to get people to poker games rigged by organized crime figures in order to steal money from them, sometimes using technology, including poker chip trays with hidden cameras, and rigged shuffling machines with the ability to read the cards in the deck.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Damon Jones Ex-NBA player to plead guilty in betting, gambling scandal