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The NBA playoff picture continues to take shape entering the weekend.

All of the postseason berths have been clinched, but teams continue to battle for position in the final days of the regular season. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Houston Rockets became the latest teams to clinch full playoff spots on Thursday.

The Rockets were dominant with a 140-106 victory over the Utah Jazz on Friday.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are not only the defending champions but also made another statement to the rest of the league with a convincing 139-96 win against the Lakers on Thursday. The Thunder remain the No. 1 seed in the West, followed by the San Antonio Spurs and the Lakers — suddenly without Luka Doncic — rounding out the top three.

The Eastern Conference standings remain tight, with 4.5 games deciding the seedings between teams No. 5 through No. 10. The Detroit Pistons have held their ground as the top team in the East, with the Boston Celtics trailing by 4 games. The Celtics outscored the Milwaukee Bucks 43-26 in the first quarter before winning 133-101 on Friday.

Here are the current brackets for the playoffs and the Play-In Tournament, the NBA standings and the schedule for Saturday, April 4:

NBA schedule for Saturday, April 4

• Washington Wizards at Miami Heat, 3 p.m. ET
• San Antonio Spurs at Denver Nuggets, 3 p.m. ET
• Detroit Pistons at Philadelphia 76ers, 7 p.m. ET

NBA standings

All 20 teams – 10 in each conference – that will participate in the postseason have been determined. Here are their records and what each of those teams has clinched so far (x-clinched playoff berth; d-clinched division):

Eastern Conference

• (1) d-Detroit Pistons: 56-21
• (2) x-Boston Celtics: 52-25 (4 GB)
• (3) x-New York Knicks: 50-28 (6.5 GB)
• (4) x-Cleveland Cavaliers: 48-29 (8 GB)
• (5) Atlanta Hawks: 45-33 (11.5 GB)
• (6) Philadelphia 76ers: 43-34 (13 GB)
• (7) Toronto Raptors: 43-34 (13 GB)
• (8) Charlotte Hornets: 42-36 (14.5 GB)
• (9) Orlando Magic: 41-36 (15 GB)
• (10) Miami Heat: 40-37 (16 GB)

Western Conference

• (1) d-Oklahoma City Thunder: 61-16
• (2) d-San Antonio Spurs: 59-18 (2 GB)
• (3) d-Los Angeles Lakers: 50-27 (11 GB)
• (4) x-Denver Nuggets: 49-28 (12 GB)
• (5) x-Houston Rockets: 48-29 (13 GB)
• (6) Minnesota Timberwolves: 46-31 (15 GB)
• (7) Phoenix Suns: 42-35 (19 GB)
• (8) Portland Trail Blazers: 40-38 (21.5 GB)
• (9) Los Angeles Clippers: 39-38 (22)
• (10) Golden State Warriors: 36-41 (25 GB)

NBA playoffs bracket

(As of Friday, April 3)

Eastern Conference

• (1) Detroit Pistons vs. (8) Play-In Winner
• (4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (5) Atlanta Hawks
• (3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Philadelphia 76ers
• (2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) Play-In Winner

Western Conference

• (1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) Play-In Winner
• (4) Denver Nuggets vs. (5) Houston Rockets
• (3) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves
• (2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (7) Play-In Winner

NBA Play-In Tournament

(As of Friday, April 3)

Eastern Conference

• (7) Toronto Raptors vs. (8) Charlotte Hornets
• (9) Orlando Magic vs. (10) Miami Heat

Western Conference

• (7) Phoenix Suns vs. (8) Portland Trail Blazers
• (9) LA Clippers vs. (10) Golden State Warriors

When do the NBA playoffs begin?

• The NBA Play-In Tournament begins on Tuesday, April 14 and runs through Friday, April 17.
• The NBA playoffs start Saturday, April 18 and feature eight teams in each conference after teams are eliminated in the Play-In Tournament.
• Game 1 of the NBA Finals is scheduled for Wednesday, June 3.

Which NBA teams have been eliminated from the playoffs?

Eastern Conference

• Brooklyn Nets
• Chicago Bulls
• Indiana Pacers
• Milwaukee Bucks
• Washington Wizards

Western Conference

• Dallas Mavericks
• Memphis Grizzlies
• New Orleans Pelicans
• Sacramento Kings
• Utah Jazz

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA playoffs bracket, standings, schedule if postseason started today

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As you probably know, former Duke stars Kon Knueppel and Cooper Flagg have been locked into a riveting battle for NBA Rookie of the Year. One night, one has a phenomenal game; the next night, the other one does.

Earlier this week, Knueppel broke the Hornets franchise record for made threes, and this came after he shattered the rookie three-point record.

Not to be outdone, Flagg, who is just 19, went out Friday night and racked up 51 points on Paolo Banchero’s Orlando Magic (also on the Magic, of course, is another Brotherhood member, Wendell Carter). And he shot 19-30/6-9. That’s an outrageous 63% overall, and 66.6% from deep.

Out of all the teenagers who have played in the NBA, and that includes Banchero, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James, among others, no one has scored 50 points in a game.

On top of that, Flagg also had 6 rebounds, 3 assists, three steals, and a block.

That’s a pretty strong closing argument for Rookie of the Year, but Knueppel can counter with this: Charlotte is 42-36 and playoff-bound, and he, arguably, is the driving force behind Charlotte’s surge.

Go to the DBR Boards to find Blue Healer Auctions | Drop us a line

All eyes and ears in the men’s college basketball world this weekend turn to Indianapolis, where the star-studded Final Four converge to crown the 2026 national champion.

Only one member of this year’s quartet has never claimed the ultimate prize, though a couple of the other semifinalists are attempting to end title droughts that date back several decades. Then there’s the Beast of the Big East looking to continue a mini dynasty with a third net-cutting ceremony in four years.

PREDICTIONS:Picks for Arizona-Michigan | Picks for Illinois-Connecticut

X-FACTORS: The four players key to their team's national championship hopes

Here’s everything you need to know about Saturday’s semifinal matchups, including viewing info and keys to victory for all the participants.

No. 2 Connecticut vs. No. 3 Illinois

Time/TV: 6:09 p.m. ET, TBS

Taking the court first in Indianapolis will be the Huskies, fresh off one of the most improbable finishes in March Madness history, seeking that afore-mentioned third title in four seasons and the program’s seventh championship overall. This is the sixth semifinal appearance for the Fighting Illini, though they’ve yet to win the whole thing. They came close in their most recent trip in 2005 but fell five points short against North Carolina in the title game.

As fate would have it, UConn and Illinois actually met earlier this season, with the Huskies taking a 74-61 decision way back on Nov. 28 at Madison Square Garden. Much has changed since then for both teams, as UConn’s new March Madness hero Braylon Mullins was just working his way into the rotation, and the Illini had yet to unlock their own freshman sensation Keaton Wagler.

One aspect that hasn’t changed for the UConn teams of its recent championship vintage is its relentless perimeter defense. Mullins has become a big part of that, as is veteran wingman Alex Karaban, and their second-half comeback against Duke showed their ability to adjust on the fly. Illinois’s Andrej Stojakovic can beat pressure with his driving ability, but he’ll likely have to make some passes, a less comfortable aspect of his game, to beat UConn’s inside help. The Illini can play defense as well, of course, and Zvonimir Ivisic can be an effective last line, swatting two blocks a game despite being on the floor for just 17.5 minutes on average. He and brother Tomaslav Ivisic will be needed to keep Huskies’ big man Tarris Reed at bay. Ultimately, the contest could hinge on each team’s No. 3 scoring options. Illinois David Mirkovic is an accurate shooter but needs to be in rhythm, and UConn’s Solo Ball is a high-volume launcher who can be quite streaky.

No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 1 Michigan

Time/TV: 8:49 p.m. ET, TBS

These programs have enjoyed considerable success on the hardwood over the years, but they each own just one title, and it’s been a while for each of them. The Wildcats claimed their championship in 1997 but haven’t been to the Final Four since 2001. The Wolverines’ lone title came in 1989, though they’ve been to the final several times since, most recently in 2018.

Both current versions, however, spent time at No. 1 in the polls this season and very much expected to be here on the final weekend. For what it’s worth, Arizona can lay claim to being the hottest team left standing, as they ride a 13-game winning streak into Indianapolis and most recently conquered the Purdue squad responsible for Michigan’s defeat in the Big Ten title game. The Wolverines, however, are absolutely capable of beating anyone. Both teams also play an aesthetically pleasing brand of basketball with slick passing that leads to high-percentage shots, so it shouldn’t disappoint.

The Wildcats by and large keep their starting five in the game. What bench production they do get comes from Tobe Awaka and Anthony Dell’Orso, and both will likely be needed against Michigan’s deeper lineup. Sharpshooter Brayden Burries and forward Koa Peat handle much of the scoring, but Jaden Bradley keeps the whole machine operating, and Ivan Kharchenkov is a key contributor as well putting up over 10 points and 2.3 assists per outing. The toughest assignment for Arizona might belong to center Motiejus Krivas, who must contend with Michigan’s formidable frontcourt without encountering foul trouble. The Wolverines’ strong inside game starts with Yaxel Lendeborg, who can score from all levels, and also features 62.5% finisher Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara in the middle. Losing L.J. Cason to a knee injury was a blow to the Wolverines’ back-court rotation, but Trey McKenney has provided valuable minutes off the bench of late. Elliot Cadeau is primarily the facilitator, but he’ll likely need to hit a few shots himself to counter the Wildcats’ numerous options.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: March Madness games today: Final Four schedule and game breakdowns

One of the biggest storylines at the Final Four doesn't necessarily involve one of the four teams that secured a spot in the national semifinals in Indianapolis.

It instead involves a program roughly 600 miles southeast of the Final Four, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where UNC basketball is on Day 11 of a head coaching search following the firing of Hubert Davis.

Following Arizona's announcement of Tommy Lloyd's long-term commitment to the Wildcats on Friday, April 3, one coach was asked about their name being linked to the Tar Heels' job opening: Michigan coach Dusty May.

REQUIRED READING: Here's where UNC basketball could turn next, with Tommy Lloyd off table

May, in his second season in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has quickly become one of the top coaches in the country, a trajectory that started during his time at Florida Atlantic. This season, May has led the Wolverines to the program's first Final Four since 2018 after building one of the top rosters in the country through the transfer portal with the additions of Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara, Morez Johnson Jr. and Elliot Cadeau, the last of whom came over from the Tar Heels.

Here's what May has said of North Carolina job opening:

What Dusty May said of UNC basketball job opening

May has fielded questions about the North Carolina job, but has not named the Tar Heels directly in his responses.

May, speaking with Jeff Goodman of The Field of 68 on Thursday, April 2, said he is "incredibly happy" and "honored" to be at the Final Four in Indianapolis as the head coach of the Wolverines, and that he won't "comment on any job" that’s not his.

"I decided when my alma mater opened (Indiana), no matter what you said, it could be misinterpreted, and so I'm forever going to not comment on any job that’s not mine," May said. "I’m incredibly happy, honored, and blessed to be the coach of Michigan in the Final Four, representing this incredible university and athletic department."

ICYMI: Dusty May on the North Carolina coaching rumors

“I’m not going to comment on any job that’s not mine. I’m incredibly happy, honored, and blessed to be the coach of Michigan in the Final Four.”

🎥: https://t.co/RSc9PtNcPzpic.twitter.com/2CkqCFI9SJ

— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) April 2, 2026

He doubled down on that answer during media availability on April 3 in Indianapolis.

"After last year, I decided I'll never respond to any job speculation. I had already agreed to terms with Michigan, was 100% done, and I made the comment that I was flattered about a certain job opening because of my background, and that was misconstrued, so I just decided I'm never going to comment on any job that I don't have.

"I think it's well documented how happy I am at Michigan. Obviously, my private life, my personal life, my family, their happiness is very important. I love it at Michigan, but you'll never hear me comment on any other job unless Michigan lets me go, and then I'll comment on every job."

Dusty May on the UNC opening

"I think it's well-documented how happy I am at Michigan. Obviously, my private life, my personal life, my family, their happiness is very important. So, yeah, I love it at Michigan, but you'll never hear me comment on any other job, unless Michigan… pic.twitter.com/TNNGjtZkdb

— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) April 3, 2026

What Michigan AD Warde Manuel said of Dusty May

As noted by The Detroit News, part of the USA TODAY Network, Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel wants May "to finish his career here at Michigan," and is working to make sure that happens.

"Any AD in America would want to have a coach that other people want," Manuel said on Sunday, March 30 after Michigan won the Midwest Region to advance to the Final Four. "I’ve had the opposite problem. I love this problem more than I love the opposite problem.

"We’ll deal with it. We’ll work through it. I want Dusty to finish his career here at Michigan. I’ll work to make sure that he’s happy, we have what we need, and he has what he needs to succeed. That’s it, period."

Dusty May buyout at Michigan

May has a $4 million buyout in his current contract with Michigan, which was obtained by the USA TODAY Network. It drops to $2 million on May 1.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What Michigan's Dusty May said of UNC coach opening before Final Four

The North Carolina basketball job opening is still open heading into the Final Four, and only one Final Four coach is still a potential target.

Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd, one of the coaches tied most prominently to the job, publicly announced he's returning to the Wildcats next season after signing a new contract. That leaves Michigan coach Dusty May as a potential option from a high-tier job.

REQUIRED READING: Tommy Lloyd staying at Arizona, won't take UNC basketball coach job

Only 11 coaches in college basketball history have left their school for another job the season after reaching the Final Four. Four of those instances were for NBA teams, and two others were for North Carolina, one of the best jobs in college basketball.

It's also fitting the last coach to fit that mold was Roy Williams, who left Kansas for — you guessed it — North Carolina after the Jayhawks fell to Syracuse in the 2003 national championship game.

Here's the full list of coaches that have left for another coaching job after taking a school to the Final Four:

REQUIRED READING: Is UNC basketball's next coach in Final Four? We haven't heard a 'no' yet

Coaches to leave school for another job after Final Four appearance

Note: John Calipari and UMass' Final Four appearance in 1996 was vacated by the NCAA

Williams in 2003 is the only coach since 1980 to leave for another college coaching job after taking his previous school to the Final Four. The two most recent coaches, other than Williams, are two more legends: Larry Brown and John Calipari, who left Kansas and UMass for NBA jobs with the San Antonio Spurs and New Jersey Nets, respectively.

There's no surprise that six of the 11 coaches on the list left for either the NBA or North Carolina. The rest of the list will also likely include names most fans have never heard of and came during a time when college sports weren't nearly the spectacle it is today.

Here's a look at the full list:

• 1942-43: Elmer Ripley (Georgetown to Columbia)
• 1945-46: Ben Carnevale (North Carolina to Navy)
• 1945-46: Harold Olsen (Ohio State to Chicago Stags)
• 1951-52: Frank McGuire (St. John’s to North Carolina)
• 1954-55: Ken Loeffler (La Salle to Texas A&M)
• 1957-58: John Castellani (Seattle to Minneapolis Lakers)
• 1969-70: Joe Williams (Jacksonville to Furman)
• 1979-80: Lee Rose (Purdue to South Florida)
• 1987-88: Larry Brown (Kansas to San Antonio Spurs)
• 1995-96: John Calipari (UMass to New Jersey Nets)
• 2002-03: Roy Williams (Kansas to North Carolina)

What Dusty May said of North Carolina opening

May declined to comment on the North Carolina job when he was asked on Friday, April 3, in a Final Four news conference prior to Michigan's game against Arizona.

"After last year I decided I'll never respond to any job speculation," he said. "I had already agreed to terms with Michigan, was 100 percent done, and I made the comment that I was flattered about a certain job opening because of my background, and that was misconstrued, so I just decided I'm never going to comment on any job that I don't have. I think it's well documented how happy I am at Michigan.

"Obviously my private life, my personal life, my family, their happiness is very important. Yeah, I love it at Michigan, but you'll never hear me comment on any other job unless Michigan lets me go and then I'll comment on every job."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Coaches who left after Final Four run: UNC basketball job leaves March Madness intrigue

As anyone around the sport will be quick to point out, roster-building in men’s college basketball has changed dramatically over the past several years.

With athletes now able to earn money off their name, image and likeness, deep-seated connections from a player’s grassroots days matter much less than the kind of financial package a school is able to offer them. While still important, as this season’s stellar class of first-year players showed, superstar freshmen don’t necessarily carry the county’s top teams in the same way they did a decade ago.

REQUIRED READING: Top 10 players of Final Four, ranked: Who is the best in March Madness?

Increasingly, college programs look overseas for potential roster additions, including from players competing in professional leagues. Then, of course, there’s the transfer portal.

Athletes who once had to sit out a year if they moved from one school to another are now immediately eligible, something that has fundamentally altered the sport and the way coaches go about constructing their teams. It’s exceedingly rare now for a player to end their career with the program where they began four years earlier and many of those players who have been on the move have become All-Americans, top NBA draft picks and centerpieces of Final Four — and even national championship — squads.

At this 2026 Final Four, that phenomenon will be on full display, with Michigan, Arizona, Illinois and UConn all relying heavily on at least one transfer.

How do those players stack up?

Ranking transfer players in the Final Four

1. Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan

The list begins with the only consensus All-American taking the court at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Lendeborg was one of the highest-rated players in the transfer portal last season after averaging a double-double in each of the previous two seasons at Alabama-Birmingham.

He has more than lived up to the hype at Michigan, averaging 15.2 points, seven rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.2 rebounds per game while shooting an efficient 52%, including 37.2% from 3-point range. He has stepped up his game even more since the first round of the NCAA tournament, averaging 25 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game while shooting 61.4% overall, including 52.6% from 3.

2. Jaden Bradley, Arizona

When Bradley transferred to Arizona from Alabama in 2023, there was plenty of promise as a former top-30 recruit who averaged 6.4 points per game and started the majority of the season for a Crimson Tide team that was the No. 1 overall seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. He has become something much more for the Wildcats over the past three seasons, becoming the steady maestro of one of the country’s most well-rounded teams this year.

The 6-foot-3 senior is averaging 13.3 points and 4.4 assists per game, shooting nearly 40% from 3, and is one of the most reliable defensive players in the country. While he’s only the No. 3 scorer on his own team, he’s Arizona’s most important player, as evidenced by him winning Big 12 Player of the Year.

REQUIRED READING: Arizona’s last Final Four team relishing Wildcats' return: 'Now go finish the job'

3. Tarris Reed Jr., UConn

After a productive regular season in which he earned first-team All-Big East recognition, Reed has taken his game up to another level while helping lead UConn to its third Final Four in the past four seasons. The 6-foot-11 big man has been arguably the best player in the tournament thus far, averaging 21.8 points, 13.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game while shooting 60% from the field.

Like several other players on this list, Reed could get the opportunity to go up against his old program in the national championship. He started his career at Michigan, where he played his first two seasons before transferring after Juwan Howard was fired as the Wolverines’ coach in 2024.

4. Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan

After a productive freshman season at Illinois, Johnson hit the portal last year and stayed in the Big Ten when he chose Dusty May and Michigan. The former top-40 recruit has made a sizable leap as a sophomore with the Wolverines, averaging 13.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per game while shooting 62.5% from the field. For his output, he made the All-Big Ten third team and all-defensive team.

REQUIRED READING: Final Four bold predictions: Which drought continues? Who wins it all?

5. Aday Mara, Michigan

This time a year ago, Mara was a relatively little-used big man off the UCLA bench, averaging 6.4 points in 13 minutes per game as a sophomore. His move to Michigan last offseason has paid off extremely well for both parties.

The 7-foot-3 Spaniard is among the more skilled centers in the country, averaging 11.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game while displaying strong court vision and a deft passing touch. The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year is an eraser at the rim, too, averaging 2.6 blocks per game — tied for the third-most among Division I players.

6. Andrej Stojakovic, Illinois

While the career 30.2% 3-point shooter doesn’t quite have the silky outside shooting touch of his father, former NBA All-Star Peja Stojakovic, Stojakovic has been a wildly productive player from virtually the moment he stepped on a college court.

The former McDonald’s All-American transferred between Bay Area rivals in 2024, going from Stanford to California, where he averaged 17.9 points per game last season. This year, his scoring has understandably dipped a bit to 13.6 points per game, but he has developed a more well-rounded game, scaling back on 3s and shooting 59% from inside the arc.

REQUIRED READING: 2017 FBI probe sent coaches to prison, got others fired. This March Madness was a reunion

7. Silas Demary Jr., UConn

Demary’s a bit lower on this list than he might have been otherwise due to a high ankle sprain he suffered in the Big East Tournament.

After missing a first-round victory against Furman, the Georgia transfer was limited to two points in victories against UCLA and Michigan State in the second round and Sweet 16, respectively, before giving his team a much-needed boost in the Elite Eight with 11 points in a come-from-behind win against Duke, including 3s on back-to-back possessions with about seven minutes remaining. During the regular season, he was a Big East first-team all-conference and all-defensive team honoree.

8. Elliot Cadeau, Michigan

A five-star recruit coming out of high school in New Jersey, Cadeau never quite lived up to his immense hype in two seasons at North Carolina. Since transferring to Michigan, though, he has blossomed, averaging a team-high 5.8 assists per game while being the team’s No. 4 scorer at 10.2 points per game.

He has been even better in the NCAA Tournament, with 33 assists the Wolverines’ four NCAA tournament wins: the second-highest total of any player in the event.

REQUIRED READING: Alex Karaban chases history as UConn's 'old dog that just won't die'

9. Kylan Boswell, Illinois

Like Reed and Johnson, Boswell could end up facing his former school in the national championship game (if Illinois and Arizona both win in the semifinals). A five-star recruit in the 2022 class, Boswell started all but one game for the Wildcats in the 2023-24 season, but the Champaign, Illinois native opted after that season to transfer home, where he has been an integral piece for the Fighting Illini the past two years.

He’s Illinois’ No. 4 scorer this season at 12.5 points per game and has been arguably its best perimeter defender, having been named to the Big Ten all-defensive team.

10. Tobe Awaka, Arizona

After playing sparingly in two seasons at Tennessee, Awaka transferred after the 2023-24 season to Arizona, where he’s now one of Tommy Lloyd’s most valuable pieces off the bench. The 6-foot-8 senior is a rebounding machine, ranking first among all Division I players in offensive rebounding percentage (getting the ball on 20.1% of missed shots while he’s on the court) and 19th in defensive rebounding percentage. 

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ranking best transfer players in Final Four, from Yaxel Lendeborg to Tobe Awaka