The Los Angeles Kings are down 3-0 to the Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the playoffs and will look to avoid a sweep and extend the series to Game 5.
Los Angeles has been in this series for the most part in all three games; the game has been decided by one possession. With the first two games being played in Denver, the Kings lost by just one goal, and Game 3 at LA was a one-goal game until the Avs scored an empty-net goal to seal the deal.
Other than that, the opportunities have been there for the silver and black, but they just haven't been able to capitalize on offense, despite playing great defense led by goaltender Anton Forsberg.
Not only will a win Sunday afternoon extend LA's season, but it will also help extend Anze Kopitar's career, who will likely play his final game if the Avs bring in the brooms.
Start Time and TV Schedule
Who: Los Angeles Kings vs. Colorado Avalanche
When: 1:30 p.m. PT
Where: Crypto.com Arena
Watch: TNT, FanDuel Sports Network West
Kings Projected Lines
Artemi Panarin - Anze Kopitar - Adrian Kempe
Trevor Moore - Quinton Byfield - Alex Laferriere
Alex Turcotte - Scott Laughton - Jared Wright
Jeff Malott - Samuel Helenius - Taylor Ward
Mikey Anderson - Drew Doughty
Joel Edmundson - Brandt Clarke
Brian Dumoulin - Cody Ceci
Anton Forsberg
Darcy Kuemper
Avalanche Projected Lines
Artturi Lehkonen - Nathan MacKinnon - Martin Necas
Ross Colton- Brock Nelson - Valeri Nichushkin
Gabriel Landeskog - Nazem Kadri - Nicolas Roy
Parker Kelly - Jack Drury - Logan O'Connor
Devon Toews - Cale Makar
Brett Kulak - Sam Malinski
Nick Blankenburg - Brent Burns
Scott Wedgewood
Mackenzie Blackwood
Key Factors
For LA to win this game and force another game in Denver, they need to come out aggressively, as they did in Game 3 at home, and put pressure on the Avs' defense. The Kings have done a good job defending Colorado's power play, holding them to 0-for-9 in all three games of this series, but LA, meanwhile, is 2-for-12, barely capitalizing on its stops.
Everything has come so tough for the Kings, especially scoring against Avs goaltender Scott Wedgewood, who has been a monster under the crease for Colorado with a .923 SV%, saving nearly every shot that Los Angeles throws at him.
Will Anton Forsberg stay hot? The Swedish goaltender had a solid Game 3, but took a bit of a drop off compared to the first two games at Denver, and still made several key saves.
And what kind of changes will we see from the top line for Los Angeles? The top line of Kopitar, Artemi Panarin, and Adrian Kempe takes most of the blame, as they were pretty much nonexistent offensively in Game 3. Panarin does have two goals and two points through three games, but Kempe, who ended the season on a hot streak, hasn't lived up to expectations
With Kopitar likely playing his last NHL game on Sunday afternoon, the motivation should be there for the veteran and the rest of the team to try to extend their season.
Notes and Updates
For the Kings injury report Kevin Fiala (fractured leg) remains out and for the Avs Josh Manson (upper-body) is unlikely to play.
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Marcus Smart has played tremendously well for the Los Angeles Lakers since returning from a nine-game absence. He logged 18 minutes off the bench in his return, and he’s started four straight games dating back to the season finale.
Through the first three games of the series, Smart has averaged 28.6 points + assists while logging 36 minutes per game. His usage has increased from 15.1 in the regular season to 23.5 in the postseason.
He finished with 23 points + assists in Game 1 and followed it up with 32 and 31 in Games 2 and 3, respectively.
The Houston Rockets are in total disarray after squandering a late lead in Friday’s Game 3. The Lakers could take their foot off the gas and wrap up the series at home in Game 5, but getting James some rest would be ideal.
I expect the Lakers to put the final nail in the coffin of a highly dysfunctional Rockets season.
The Under has hit in four of six head-to-head matchups between these two teams, but I fully expect the Lakers to take care of business in this one and put up more than enough points to push this one to the Over.
After Friday’s 220-point total, the number has moved up just two points to 207.5, making it a value selection.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Apr 24, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene (31) breaks his bat on a hit in the ninth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
Detroit Tigers (14-14) vs. Cincinnati Reds (18-9)
Time/Place: 1:40 p.m., Great American Ball Park SB Nation Site: Red Reporter Media: Detroit Sportsnet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network Pitching Matchup: RHP Keider Montero (1-2, 3.68 ERA) vs. RHP Rhett Lowder (3-1, 3.10 ERA)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 20: Spencer Arrighetti #41 of the Houston Astros throws a pitch during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on April 20, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Houston Astros (10-18) will try to salvage a victory in the finale this three-game series opposite the rival New York Yankees (18-9) today at Daikin Park.
RHP Spencer Arrighetti, who’s 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA in his two starts this season, will put his perfect record up against RHP Luis Gil (1-1, 4.11 ERA) and the Yankees.
SPENCER’S GIFTS: RHP Spencer Arrighetti has impressed in his two Major League starts, striking out 13 in 11.0 innings, while posting a .195 opponent average.
This continues his run of success, as he opened his year at Triple A Sugar Land where he had three strong starts, posting a 1.26 ERA (2ER/14.1IP) with 20 strikeouts, a 0.77 WHIP and a .111 opponent average.
Arrighetti has spent the majority of the last two years in Houston, making 38 apps. (36 starts) for the Astros, posting a 4.56 ERA (97ER/191.1IP) with 215 strikeouts in 191.1 innings.
RIVALRY RENEWED: The Astros went 3-3 against the Yankees in 2025, but have had their struggles vs. the Yankees since the start of the 2023 season, going 6-16 in their regular season games.
In the postseason, the Astros and Yankees have played 18 games against each other since 2015, the most playoff games between any two teams in that span, with the Astros going 13-5 in those games with wins in all four postseason series (2015 WC; 2017 ALCS; 2019 ALCS; 2022 ALCS).
GUN ‘EM DOWN:C Christian Vázquez threw out SS José Caballero attempting to steal third base in the 3rd and 7th innings last night.
Vázquez has thrown out seven baserunners attempting to steal (in 14 attempts), ranking tied for second in the AL.
THE ORDER: The Astros have used 28 different batting orders in their 28 games so far this season.
Only LF Yordan Alvarez has started every game in the same spot in the lineup (second).
ON THE LEADERBOARD: Yordan Alvarez has had a torrid start to this season, currently leading the Majors in total bases (77), OBP (.464), and OPS (1.219), ranking tied for first in hits (36), extra-base hits (19), batting average (.353) and in homers (11), and second in RBI (26) and SLG (.755).
STALKING THE PUMA: LF Yordan Alvarez has matched the Astros franchise record with 11 home runs in the club’s first 28 games of a season, a feat he also accomplished in the 2022 season.
The only other Astro with 11 homers with the club’s first 28 games was OF Lance Berkman, who did so in both 2002 and 2006.
Should Alvarez homer today, he would be the first player in franchise history to hit 12 homers within the club’s first 29 games.
WE’RE GOING STREAKING!: LF Yordan Alvarez is on an active 11-game hitting streak in which he’s hit .391 (18×46) with four doubles, five homers, 12 RBI and a 1.233 OPS.
The streak is the second-longest of his career, trailing only a 13-game streak, which was posted from May 2-16, 2023. Lastly, Alvarez’s streak is the longest active streak in the AL and the longest by an Astro this season.
OUT ON REHAB: LF Zach Dezenzo played in his third rehab game for Triple A Sugar Land last night, going 1×2 with a double and two walks. Dezenzo has been sidelined this entire season while recovering from a right elbow sprain.
MINOR LEAGUE REPORT: RHP Brandon McPherson, an undrafted free agent signing last season, tossed 4.0 scoreless innings with six strikeouts in a start for Double A Corpus Christi last night, lowering his season ERA to 3.24 through four starts.
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 1998 – The Astros shellac the Expos 15-0 in what ties as the largest margin of victory in a shutout game in franchise history.
Two Astros have four-hit games in 3B Sean Berry and CF Richard Hidalgo, who both go 4×5. LF Moises Alou drives in five. RHP Sean Bergman (6IP) picks up the win, while LHP Trever Miller earns a 3.0-inning save.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Sunday, April 126, 1:10 p.m. CST
Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX
TV: Space City Home Network
Streaming: SCHN+
Radio: KTRH 740 AM & 99.1 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
It certainly wasn't perfect for the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 4 on Saturday as they faced a first-round sweep against the cross-state rival Philadelphia Flyers.
But it was enough to keep them alive.
In a hard-earned effort, the Penguins beat the Flyers, 4-2, to avoid elimination and force a Game 5 in Pittsburgh on Monday. Goaltender Arturs Silovs - starting in place of Stuart Skinner, who got the nod for the first three games of the series - was brilliant, stopping 28 of 30 Flyers' shots on goal and coming up with some huge saves in key moments of the game.
The Penguins still gave up a bit more than they would have liked to, and their power play is still somewhat dysfunctional. They looked much more like the Penguins' team that clinched a playoff spot in the regular season, though, and they live to fight another day on Monday in Game 5.
"I think that looked more like our game," said Sidney Crosby, who registered a goal and an assist. "It's probably taken us three games to look like ourselves a bit. So, I think that's something we can definitely build on."
Despite getting outshot by a small margin, the Penguins generally carried the play in the first period, and they had an opportunity on the power play with under six to go after a Denver Barkey high-stick on Sam Girard. Crosby won the first faceoff back to Erik Karlsson, who recognized an opportunity and slipped a soft-serve dish back to Crosby from behind. With the puck sliding toward the net, Crosby timed it perfectly on a one-timer and snuck it past Dan Vladar to give the Penguins a 1-0 lead five seconds into the power play opportunity.
Then, early in the second period, Vladar went to play a puck behind the net, and he hesitated to make a decision. Meanwhile, Penguins' forward Rickard Rakell closed in on him, forcing the puck away as it squirted out above the goal line. Rakell dove to curl his stick and guide the puck into the net before the Flyers' defense could close in, and it was 2-0 in favor of Pittsburgh.
Late in the second, the Flyers did begin to push a little bit and get back to their game. They were rewarded when Barkey redirected a Trevor Zegras shot-pass behind Silovs to make it a one-goal game.
The third period began with a grind, as both teams jockeyed for the upper hand. About four minutes in, Erik Karlsson and Garnet Hathaway were tangled up in a board battle, and Hathaway took the opportunity to elbow Karlsson in the face, which he took exception to. Both went to the box, and the teams played four-on-four.
And that's when Kris Letang - having himself a pretty good night already with a few key defensive plays earlier in the game - took a soccer-style feed from Crosby into the slot, where he wound up for a one-time blast and restored the Penguins' two-goal lead.
Less than three minutes later, Travis Konecny was lost in coverage and left all alone in the right circle, finding the back of the net and bringing the Flyers back to within one. But, after that, the Penguins shut things down, not giving Philadelphia much with the extra attacker.
Eventually, Blake Lizotte made a nice play to break the puck out of the zone and give the puck just the right amount of English to allow Connor Dewar's speed to catch up to it and put it in the empty net, securing the 4-2 win for the Penguins.
And, with that, the Penguins have taken the first step in getting themselves back in this series.
"Obviously, going home, it doesn't get any easier," Crosby said. "With every game in the series, it's more difficult. But, we've got some life, and we've got to take advantage of the opportunity of going back home now."
Game 5 between the Penguins and Flyers will be at 7:00 p.m. ET at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.
- Even though the Penguins won this game, there are a ton of things they still have to clean up. The Flyers' second goal was a direct result of a defensive breakdown, and the Penguins, at times, still had issues containing the Flyers' active defensemen throughout the game.
But the biggest issue is still the power play.
Yes, Crosby scored a power play goal, but it was five seconds in and right off the faceoff, which didn't require the Penguins to set up and generate the goal. Other than that, on Pittsburgh's two other opportunities, it was a mess.
The Flyers - once again - had several odd-man breaks, all of which Silovs, like Skinner earlier in the series, was able to stop. This included a breakaway opportunity in the second period by Christian Dvorak, even if he was pressured on the backcheck by Kris Letang and forced to make a quick move.
The Penguins aren't even trying to get pucks to the net on the man advantage. They aren't moving their feet enough. They aren't throwing the Flyers' pedestrian penalty kill unit out-of-structure. They need to shoot the puck, and they need more traffic in front.
At this point, swap out Evgeni Malkin for Egor Chinakhov up high, and swap out Bryan Rust for someone like Elmer Soderblom or, even, Ben Kindel, down low. Soderblom has good hands and can create havoc at the net-front with his size, Kindel is a good distributor and isn't afraid to get in around the net-front, and Chinakhov is a shoot-first player with a dangerous shot.
- Speaking of Chinakhov, this guy has got to start hitting the net.
Contrary to some other talking heads, I don't think Chinakhov has been "invisible" in this series. He's actually had several opportunities to put the puck in the back of the net, and he's generated some of them himself. He just can't - for the life of him - hit the target.
In fact, he's had 27 shot attempts in four games - the second-highest mark on the team to Karlsson - and he's had six shots hit the net, 10 shots blocked, and 11 unblocked shots just miss the net altogether. And some of these are golden looks from the slot that he would have buried during the regular season.
I think he's just gripping the stick a bit too tight and showing some nerves right now. But, once one goes in, the floodgates will open.
As for players who have been a bit invisible? The Penguins need much, much more from their third line, especially. Kindel played a much better game on Saturday and is, by far, the best player on his line. Soderblom has had his moments. But Mantha has not been doing much of anything to help generate opportunities, and he's spent a whole lot of time in the box during this series, too.
Pittsburgh needs far more from its middle six in general, but the third line really needs to step up if the Penguins are to stay in this series.
- It's worth mentioning again how brilliant Silovs was in this game.
When it was announced that he would start over Skinner in Game 4, many folks were left scratching their heads. Skinner had not been the problem at all in the first three games, and Silovs struggled after the Olympic break during the regular season. In a must-win elimination game, it was definitely a bold choice by head coach Dan Muse.
But the thing to remember about Silovs is that he has a track record of playing his best hockey when the stakes are the absolute highest. He tended goal for the Vancouver Canucks against the Nashville Predators and Edmonton Oilers in the 2024 playoffs after some injury misfortune, and - against an Oilers' team as dangerous as they were and one that made the Cup Final that season - he gave his team a chance to win. And he had a 28-save shutout in the clinching game against the Preds in round one.
Yep. And don't forget that he was also phenomenal in Abbotsford's Calder Cup run last season.
Sure, it's the AHL. But he went 16-7 with a .931 SV% and won tournament MVP. Also a good international resume.
His track record suggests he shows up when the stage is the biggest. https://t.co/3eQwHYly8E
Then, he led the Abbotsford Canucks to the 2025 Calder Cup Championship with a 16-7 record and a .931 save percentage, earning playoff MVP honors. He also has an impressive international resume, with his 2023 and 2024 World Championship save percentages for Team Latvia - who faced off against elite competition - standing out at .952 and .921, respectively.
He came up big when it mattered in this one, just as he usually does. I mentioned the breakaway save earlier, but he had another big one on a two-on-one near the end of the second after the Penguins took a too many men penalty (which was Ilya Solovyov's - playing in his first game this series - only real mistake on the night). And, right now, that move by Muse to go with Silovs - probably, one to light a fire under his team - is looking like a pretty good one.
I don't think there's any question that he's the starter for Game 5. I think the leash should be short for either guy, but the fact of the matter is that the Penguins have been getting more than competent goaltending in this series.
If their offense can finally find that next gear it had in the regular season again, they might just have a chance to pull off something pretty special.
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 16: Junior Caminero #13 of the Tampa Bay Rays talks with media after the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on Thursday, April 16, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Kyle Sheridan/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - APRIL 20: Rhett Lowder #25 of the Cincinnati Reds looks on during the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on April 20, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Rhett Lowder’s best outing of the 2026 season came back on April 4th against the Texas Rangers. The Cincinnati Reds righty fired 6.0 IP of scoreless, 3 hit ball that day, and he did so pitching to catcher Jose Trevino for the first (and, so far, only) time this year.
That’s largely because Trevino hit the shelf immediately after that game with pain in his back. But after three weeks on the shelf, Trevino is back with the Reds and immediately in action today in the series finale against the Detroit Tigers.
And, he’ll have Lowder chucking baseballs his way as the Reds starter for the day.
Cincinnati goes for the series sweep over the Tigers on Sunday in Great American Ball Park, with Lowder hurling the first pitch of the day at 1:40 PM ET.
Here’s how both teams will line up as the Reds look to tie a bow on an already electric Hall of Fame induction weekend:
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 14: Mitch Keller #23 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at PNC Park on April 14, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Pitching Matchup: Carmen Mlodzinski (1-1, 3.28 ERA) vs. Kyle Harrison (1-1, 3.06 ERA)
The Pittsburgh Pirates are on the road today against the Milwaukee Brewers looking to grab a win.
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TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 25: José Ramírez #11 of the Cleveland Guardians reacts on second base as he doubles in the fourth inning of their MLB game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on April 25, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) | Getty Images
SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Head Coach Taylor Jenkins of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 17, 2025 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Following Mike Budenholzer’s departure from Milwaukee after the Bucks lost in the first round of the playoffs to the eighth-seeded Miami Heat in 2023, the Bucks’ coaching charge has been a carousel of poor decisions. Yes, Adrian Griffin led the team to a 30-13 start to the 2023-24 season, and yes, Rivers was rightfully inducted into the Hall of Fame while coaching the Bucks. But anyone with a pair of eyes and some nous could tell you they weren’t the right men for the job. And boy, did we ever—especially with Rivers. Jack cited his poor clutch-time offence, Jackson called for his job after a loss to the Washington Wizards, Finn seemed prescient calling for a new coach—though not necessarily a first-timer, and Van took umbrage with Rivers following an embarrassing loss to the Chicago Bulls. Of course, you could see it too—fans were done with Rivers by November. Ultimately, though, the Bucks’ head coaching failures have been part of a much larger separation-of-powers problem. The Jenkins hire suggests that balance may be restored.
First, it signals strategic patience. If the Bucks had done what we had all called for and fired Rivers mid-season, not only would it have been messy, but chances are it wouldn’t have been successful. A 2017 study by José A. Martínez found “that changing a coach [midseason] only improved performance in approximately 12% of cases, and instead decreased performance in approximately 5.20% of cases and had a neutral effect in the majority of cases (approximately 83%).” Similar results were found by Berry Tramel in 2018, who determined that only 37 of 152 midseason coaching changes in the previous 50 years had been successful, while the “overwhelming majority of changes didn’t seem to matter.” Of course, the Bucks only had to look back to their own midseason firing of Griffin and hiring of Rivers to know this. So, by keeping Rivers, the Bucks showed poise—that they’ve learned from past mistakes—avoiding a knee-jerk reaction in order to make a move at the right time—the offseason.
In addition, hiring Jenkins just 11 days after Rivers’ departure indicates the move was planned and that there is a clear direction moving forward. While some might have wanted a prolonged search that thoroughly interrogated every available option—or even waited for potential candidates to become available—we’ve seen that show before. Following Mike Budenholzer’s dismissal, the Bucks worked through an arduous Bachelor-like process that included initial groups of candidates before narrowing to finalists, eventually selecting Griffin—only to fire him less than eight months later. Conversely, the swiftness of Jenkins’ hiring signals conviction. Decisiveness. It declares, loud and proud, this is our guy, and we’re not mucking around. These sorts of decisions aren’t made when there’s doubt. And they certainly aren’t made when there’s a disjoint between the powers that be.
Finally, Jenkins’ hiring preserves optionality. Should Giannis sign an extension, Jenkins is the man for the job, a proven coach with multiple 50+ win seasons and four trips to the playoffs—in the vaunted West, no less (more on that below). But should Giannis request a move—or get traded if he doesn’t extend—and the Bucks rebuild, Jenkins is also the right man for the job, having excelled with youth and player development.
What to expect with Jenkins
Following a lengthy tenure as assistant coach under Budenholzer—five years with the Atlanta Hawks and one year in Milwaukee—Jenkins was hired as head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies to start the 2019–20 season. There, he coached the team for five full seasons before being let go with just nine games left in the 2024-25 season. In that time, the Grizzlies were generally very successful, with Jenkins ranking first in franchise history for total wins as a coach (250) and third in winning percentage (53.9%) behind Lionel Hollins and Dave Joerger, who had the luxury of coaching Memphis through the Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, Mike Conley Jr., and Tony Allen-led “Grit and Grind” era. As the table below attests, the Grizzlies were immediately better once Jenkins was hired—and immediately worse when he was let go:
Memphis Grizzlies key stats under Taylor Jenkins. Yellow rows denote seasons Jenkins was not the coach.
Jenkins began his head coaching career with a nearly brand-new Grizzlies squad. Franchise icon Marc Gasol had been traded to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for a package headlined by Jonas Valanciunas during the 2018–19 season, while Mike Conley was traded to the Utah Jazz for Grayson Allen, Kyle Korver, Jae Crowder, and draft picks in June. Key veteran Garrett Temple was traded for Avery Bradley the season before too, only for Bradley to be waived in July. In all, six of Memphis’ top seven players in minutes per game were gone.
Instead, Jenkins took over a team full of youth. Rookie Ja Morant led the team in minutes, followed by Crowder, third-year Dillon Brooks, sophomore Jaren Jackson Jr., Valanciunas, and rookie Brandon Clarke. Other key contributors included Kyle Anderson, sophomore De’Anthony Melton, sophomore Grayson Allen, and Solomon Hill. In total, seven of their top 11 players were 24 years or younger. Six had two or fewer years of experience. Still, they finished just one game out of the playoffs behind the eighth-seeded Portland Trail Blazers, who they lost to 126-122 in the inaugural play-in game.
One year later, despite Jackson being limited to just 11 games, the Grizzlies would make the playoffs. Relying on even more youth—rookies Desmond Bane and Xavier Tillman—Jenkins guided the Grizzlies to an overtime play-in win against the Stephen Curry and Draymond Green-led Golden State Warriors despite having just a 27.8% change of doing so to begin. Though they ultimately lost 4-1 to the Utah Jazz in the first round, the promise was evident.
In 2021–22, that promise came to fruition. Morant was named an All-Star, Most Improved Player, and made the All-NBA Second Team, and finished seventh in MVP voting. Jackson was named to the All-Defensive First Team and was fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting. Melton, Tyus Jones, and Clarke all received Sixth Man of the Year votes as the Grizzlies finished second in the Western Conference. New acquisition Steven Adams was hugely impactful too, especially on the boards—he led the league in offensive rebounds—and when screening for Morant. In the playoffs, Memphis beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 4-2 in the first round, before losing 4-2 to the Golden State Warriors in the semifinals.
2022–23 saw sustained regular-season success—a key marker for any coach. The Grizzlies again finished second in the West, as Morant was once again named an All-Star; Jackson earned DPOY and All-Defensive First Team honours; Brooks was selected to the All-Defensive Second Team; and Jones finished sixth in 6MOY voting. In the playoffs, however, the Grizzlies fell to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round, 4-2, losing Game 6 by a whopping 40 points. It would be an omen of things to come.
The Grizzlies were decimated by injuries during 2023–24, with Adams missing the entire season, Morant limited to just nine games, and Bane playing only 42. Making matters worse, newly-acquired Marcus Smart—who the team had acquired as part of a three-team deal that saw Memphis give up Tyus Jones and two first-round draft picks—played just 20 games. All things considered, winning 27 games with Vince Williams Jr., GG Jackson, John Konchar, David Roddy, and Ziaire Williams as five of your top eight players in total minutes is pretty impressive.
Jenkins’ final season with the Grizzlies, the 2024–25 season, seemed to have the writing on the wall from the beginning. Prior to the season, general manager Zach Kleiman overhauled the coaching staff, bringing in six new assistants to combat struggles with half-court offence. It seemed to be working too, with the Grizzlies going 35-16 to start the season. But after a 9-14 slump, Jenkins was fired, with Kleiman citing a need for “urgency” and “clarity of direction.” The Grizzlies, fifth in the Western Conference at the time Jenkins was dismissed, ended up eighth before being swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round. This year, they went just 25-57, finishing 13th.
So, what can Bucks fans take from all of this? Despite the Grizzlies’ half-court struggles on offence, they finished with an 11th-or-better ranked offence three times in five seasons under Jenkins (not including the injury-riddled 2023–24), twice finishing top six. Jenkins’ teams also tend to play with pace, finishing in the top eight five times. And while three-point volume hasn’t typically been a priority, there has been growth there too, with the early Jenkins-led Grizzlies finishing 23rd or 24th in attempts and the teams either side of that 2023–24 season finishing 11th and 13th. Defensively, Jenkins’ teams have consistently been strong, highlighted by three top-seven finishes, and have finished no worse than 14th in defensive rating. Both of these bode well for a Bucks team that was neither offensively nor defensively proficient this year, finishing 24th in offensive rating and 26th in defensive rating.
Jenkins’ Grizzlies also regularly succeeded as a rebounding team, something that was so obviously an area of need for this year’s Bucks (who finished 26th in rebound percentage). Again, excluding 2023–24, they had three top-10 finishes, including rankings in first and third, while never finishing below 14th. And while Steven Adams was certainly a pivotal part of Memphis’ success on the boards, Jenkins only had him for two seasons and 118 games. Similarly, he only had Valanciunas for two seasons and 132 games. Outside of these—and one season with Zach Edey (8.3 RPG)—Jenkins has never had a single player average over 6.8 RPG. This bodes well for a Bucks team that does have good individual rebounders—Giannis, Jericho Sims, Bobby Portis, Kevin Porter Jr.—but hasn’t been able to get it done as a collective unit.
All things considered, Jenkins’ hiring is an inspired one. It represents a Bucks franchise that is back on the same page, while simultaneously giving it direction for both of its conceivable paths moving forward. Win now or youth movement, Jenkins is the man for the job. And with that big question mark decisively out of the way, Jon Horst and his team can now focus on the upcoming draft and free agency period to ensure that 2026–27 looks absolutely nothing like 2025–26.
TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 23: Dean Wade #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles the ball during the game against the Toronto Raptors during Round One Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2026 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
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Victor Wembanyama's status looms over Game 4, but our NBA player prop projections have found six other players you can bet on for this afternoon's matchup.
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Spurs Game 4 computer picks
Julian Champagnie Over 7.5 points (-130)
Projection: 10.27 points
Julian Champagnie has cleared this modest points total in six of his last 10 games, and if Wemby ends up sitting, this will look like a bargain.
Champagnie scored nine points in Game 3, and his outside shooting will be depended on as the San Antonio Spurs look to take a 3-1 grip.
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De'Aaron Fox Over 17.5 points (-115)
Projection: 18.37 points
De'Aaron Fox has been a steady force for the Spurs over the last several games, clearing this point line in four of his last six, and finishing with exactly 17 in the two other games.
Fox will have plenty of time with the ball to eclipse this number.
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Dylan Harper Over 2.5 assists (-145)
Projection: 3.51 assists
Dylan Harper was a stud in Game 3, dropping 27 points in 29 minutes of play. He also collected three dimes while manning the bench unit, and he'll play a similar role this afternoon.
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Trail Blazers Game 4 computer picks
Scoot Henderson Over 2.5 assists (-150)
Projection: 5.03 assists
Five-star projection alert! Our model calls for Scoot Henderson to double this assist total, creating an excellent opportunity for a milestone market.
Scoot will get ample playing time, looking to set up his teammates as the Portland Trail Blazers look to even the series.
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Toumani Camara Over 9.5 points (-130)
Projection: 11.73 points
Toumani Camara put up a stinker in Game 3, but he finished with 10 points a game prior in Portland's lone series win. If the Blazers want to tie up the series, they'll need Camara to contribute. He'll get enough volume to go past this modest points total.
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Robert Williams III Over 7.5 rebounds (+110)
Projection: 8.56 rebounds
Robert Williams is a ferocious rebounder, pulling down nine boards in back-to-back outings off the bench. RW3 knows why he's on the floor, and that's to attack the glass. Our model likes him to haul in at least eight more rebounds this afternoon.
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How to watch Spurs vs Trail Blazers Game 4
Location
Moda Center, Portland, OR
Date
Sunday, April 26, 2026
Tip-off
3:30 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
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HOUSTON — When the calendar turns to February, an urgency is felt around the NBA. It’s one last opportunity to improve your team before the final stretch of the season. Front offices chase it. Fans demand it. Talking heads in sports try to speak it into existence.
We’re talking about the blockbuster trade that creates the illusion that one transaction can completely change the course of a season and take a team that wasn’t a contender and somehow deliver it a championship.
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka made one move during this year’s NBA trade deadline in February, and things have worked out well for the franchise. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
That was not the case when the Lakers pulled off one of the most shocking trades in NBA history, flipping Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic. Doncic, who had dragged the Mavericks to the NBA Finals a season earlier, could not get the Lakers back to the mountaintop.
So when Feb. 5 rolled around this year, everyone in Lakers Nation expected another seismic shift to the roster.
Instead, general manager Rob Pelinka made one quiet move.
Fans in Los Angeles groaned and moaned at the restraint shown by Pelinka. They wanted more stars.
And let’s not pretend the lack of moves by the Lakers wasn’t heavily criticized in the sports world, too. It was. Loudly. Prior to the deadline there were rumors of a reunion with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, potential targets of Andrew Wiggins and Lauri Markkanen. Even role players like Ayo Dosunmu or Saddiq Bey made sense.
The Lakers kept Rui Hachimura at the trade deadline, and he has delivered in the postseason. NBAE via Getty Images
Critics pointed at the Lakers’ lackluster defense and said they needed “more three-and-D players.” The chorus echoed across every sports studio show and social media timeline.
Why was Rui Hachimura, playing on an expiring contract, still on the roster?
Why was Dalton Knecht, who was traded at the deadline last year, still on the team?
If the Lakers don’t re-sign Austin Reaves, why not trade him for a superstar?
The reason is because Pelinka decided to bet on continuity. On chemistry. On the reality that sometimes the roster you already have deserves the chance to become something more than the sum of its parts.
And in their first-round playoff series against the heavily favored Rockets, that bet looks a lot smarter than the noise that buried it back in February.
Kennard was acquired to be a 3-point specialist off the bench. Someone who could space the floor for Doncic and give him another shooter to pass to when defenses collapse on him. A clean, reliable, catch-and-shoot option on a team that had too many point guards, making Vincent expendable.
But the NBA postseason doesn’t care about your job description.
The Lakers acquired Luke Kennard at the trade deadline, and he has filled many roles for the team. NBAE via Getty Images
With Doncic and Reaves sidelined, Kennard has morphed into something more valuable than a sniper off the bench. He’s a stabilizer. A secondary creator and ball handler. A calm pulse in moments that usually unravel teams — like the Rockets did in the final 25 seconds of regulation in Game 3. Kennard is initiating the Lakers’ offense and making decisions that won’t necessarily show up in the box score. Oh, and by the way, he still leads the league in 3-point percentage.
And let’s not forget about Hachimura — the same player fans were ready to ship out in February. Instead, he’s back in the starting lineup with Reaves out and doing what he’s quietly done in past postseasons: producing. Efficient scoring. Physical defense. And making game-winning plays when they matter most.
It’s funny how patience sometimes gets rewarded with playoff wins.
In keeping Reaves, Knecht, Hachimura and others at the deadline, the Lakers maintained the belief in their system. In the idea that development doesn’t always have to come from outside the building. Bronny James is contributing in the playoffs, too.
And this idea isn’t some accidental success story. It’s a philosophical one.
Last year, the Thunder made no moves at the trade deadline. They stood pat while everyone else scrambled. No flashy superstar additions. No desperate swings for the fences. Just trust in their timeline. In the players inside that locker room, and the identity and chemistry they had built together.
And that’s why they walked away with a championship.
The Rockets made their blockbuster deal in the offseason — acquiring Kevin Durant from the Suns — and they’ve won fewer postseason games than they did last year.
There’s a lesson in that, one the Lakers clearly studied.
Some trades can swing a season, like the Lakers in 2023. Others are for the future, like Doncic in 2025. But the reality is that most deadline deals don’t save you.
The Lakers understood they weren’t one trade away. Not from a title or from relevance. So instead of chasing a shortcut that didn’t exist, they chose to keep the core and add Kennard.
And now? They’re about to be one of the final eight teams still standing.
Will they win the championship? Probably not. Let’s not get carried away. But that was never guaranteed, no matter how many names you stapled onto the roster in February.
But what they have done is given themselves a puncher’s chance. An opportunity built on chemistry and cohesion, not chaos.
In a league obsessed with constant movement, the Lakers chose stillness.
At the time, it looked like hesitation. Now, it looks like conviction.
It’s a lesson in that sometimes the smartest front office move isn’t the one that dominates all the headlines. It’s the one that resists them.
And in a season in which everyone expected another blockbuster, the Lakers may have proved something far more dangerous.
They didn’t need one.
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The Boston Celtics thrive as the road favorite. Boston is 16-9 ATS in that position this season and 26-16 ATS overall in road games. The Philadelphia 76ers are below .500 ATS both as a home dog and in all home games.
The Game 3 result added to both trends.
Boston bounced back from a Game 2 loss by clamping down on the two players who burned them. VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey combined for 59 points on 23-for-48 shooting and 11-for-22 from deep in Game 2.
Boston put Jayson Tatum on Edgecombe in game three, and both Philly shooters paid the price. They combined to hit just 17 of 47 shots and went 5-for-20 from beyond the arc.
I'm also targeting the Under. Boston plays at the slowest tempo in the NBA, and Philadelphia is at No. 15. All three games in the series have gone Under.
Philly has gone Under in 10 of 15 games as a home dog this season, while Boston has been Under 16 of 25 as a road favorite.
Lastly, Jayson Tatum is averaging 23 points in the playoffs and has scored 23 or more in nine of the last 10. He's a better bet than Jaylen Brown, whose points prop is 2.5 points below his playoff average, because Brown is less consistent with his scoring.
In his last eight, he has three games over 35 points and five at 26 or lower.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Kings Fall Into 3-0 Hole In Game 3 Loss To Avalanche, Face EliminationFor the third straight game, the Los Angeles Kings proved they can hang with the Colorado Avalanche, but also proved why they’re now one loss away from elimination. In a series defined by missed chances, Game 3 may have been their most frustrating yet.
'Some Guys Can Play Better': Why The Kings' Top Line Must Be Broken Up For Game 4The Los Angeles Kings' top line is yet to record a point at even strength and was a combined minus-nine in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup playoffs against the Colorado Avalanche. Facing elimination, it's time for that top line to be broken up ahead of Game 4.
Spurs
Trail Blazers
