Prior to Rangers' game against Motherwell on Sunday, Danny Rohl said he didn't want to focus on "negative" thoughts about the manner in which his side started the previous game against Falkirk.
A couple of hours later, he admitted they had paid the price for a similar first-half display against Motherwell and this time it proved hugely costly, dealing a massive blow to their title prospects.
Jens Berthel Askou's side were brilliant, particularly in that first period, but that should not have come as a surprise to Rohl and Rangers and does not excuse how flat they were and seemingly incapable of counteracting the visitors' slick, pacy play.
Now Rangers require favours from others and certainly cannot afford to lose again. They probably need to go to Tynecastle and win and then avoid defeat at Celtic Park, both of which will be extremely tough, but not impossible.
Celtic have to go to Easter Road before that and both Rangers and Hearts will hope Hibs can take something from that game, and Hearts and Celtic still have to go to Fir Park again, so all is not lost for Rangers.
But Rangers can't afford to start games the way they did against Falkirk and though they could ultimately have won against Motherwell as well, despite that dreadful first half, they can have no real complaints about the outcome having given themselves so much to do.
The half-time changes definitely made a difference, with Mohamed Diomande putting in his best performance since coming on at Celtic Park to turn that game in Rangers' favour.
But the key introduction was that of Mikey Moore, albeit he should have scored. That aside, he once again showed how important he is to the team.
He is clearly not 100% fit, as Rohl alluded to, but if Rangers can't get him ready to start the upcoming fixtures against Hearts and Celtic, their hopes of getting the results they need will be diminished.
Monday is massive for both sides. It's going to be another fascinating weekend in the title race.
Apr 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) looks on from the court in the second half of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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I typically believe where there is smoke, there is usually fire in these types of situations, but it all remains to be seen. Durant’s reputation precedes him, so it’s an easy leap to make.
Anyway, what would you like the Rockets to do? Do you want them to trade KD? Not what will they do, what do you want the Rockets to do?
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 14: Elmer Rodríguez #18 of Team Puerto Rico looks on before the game against Team Italy at Daikin Park on March 14, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Yankees are riding high out in the Lone Star State, securing another series win with a dominant Cam Schlittler start and homers from Austin Wells and Aaron Judge. They’ll go for the sweep again after failing to secure it in Houston, but they’ve added an even more interesting detail to today’s finale: their No. 3 prospect in the organization, Elmer Rodríguez, will be starting making his MLB debut.
Rodríguez’s promotion comes on the heels of a red-hot start to his season down in the minor leagues, where he posted a 1.27 ERA in four starts pitching 21.1 innings and striking out 20 batters. There’s a leap of faith being made here, as Rodríguez has just a single game of experience at the Triple-A level before this season, but the 22-year-old turned heads as he charged through the organization. With reinforcements in the rotation on the horizon, this also likely isn’t a long-term promotion but rather a test to see how he’ll handle things in the majors. That’s a better usage of their fifth starter position than Luis Gil was giving them, and if Rodríguez manages to showcase his potential out of the gate then the front office will have some very interesting discussions about how to fit him into the fold on a more permanent basis sooner rather than later.
That’s not even the only significant promotion that the Yankees handed out on Tuesday. George Lombard Jr., the consensus No. 1 prospect in the org, has been tearing up Double-A Somerset — in 20 games played, he hit .312/.400/.571 with four homers, 10 RBI, and 18 runs scored. That’s almost the same sample size that they gave him in High-A Hudson Valley before bumping him up to Somerset, and now they’re repeating the reward for repeating the performance with a ticket to Scranton. That’s two of their top three prospects getting major elevations to their MLB ETA in the span of a day, with one of them literally arriving to The Show. This comes in the wake of Ben Rice and Schlittler turning into MLB stars after taking similarly short paths to the majors, but the pace ERC and Lombard are setting is even more break-neck than those.
The Yankee farm system might not get rave reviews as a whole, but this is a tremendous development for the organization after years of top prospects either languishing in the minors until they either fizzled out or got traded. Has the organization shifted its mentality with challenging their top prospects, or have they just identified that these specific prospects have the potential to be fast risers through the system? I’d lean towards the latter for now, especially with this second wave of prospects yet to be seasoned in the major leagues yet, but they’re allowing for the youth to help fuel their championship push en masse for the first time since the initial Baby Bombers made it. If we see the likes of Carlos Lagrange or Spencer Jones also make an impact on the 2026 team then there might be a bigger case, but the roster is pretty locked tight as it stands so that’ll be a tough sell.
Today on the site, we’ll lead off with Scott giving us a feature on Dylan Coleman and his path back to the pros after stepping away last year. Andrew will have our latest Rivalry Roundup update on how the rest of the field did keeping up with the Yanks, Jeff takes us through Sterling Hitchcock’s career as we wish him a happy birthday, and Andrés covers how Elmer Rodríguez can succeed in his first try-out as a Yankee. John has some fun looking into funky stats and highlights from the first month of play, and Nick delivers the Rotation Depth Inventory for April.
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 28: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers handles the ball during the game against the Boston Celtics on April 28, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
BOSTON — Joel Embiid conquered his postseason demons on Tuesday night. He overcame the Boston Celtics at TD Garden in a do-or-die Game 5 to keep the Philadelphia 76ers alive to see another day.
Down 3-1 following back-to-back Boston victories in Philadelphia, Embiid was ruled probable when Sixers coach Nick Nurse took to the podium pregame. It wasn’t until less than an hour before opening tip that Embiid was inserted in Philadelphia’s starting lineup, eager to prove a point. Despite the unfavorable 4-12 playoff record that has historically made the Sixers a punching bag for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to take turns hurling warm-up punches at, Embiid was determined.
“I just wanted to impose myself a little bit more inside, and it worked out,” Embiid said after Philadelphia’s 113-97 win to force a Game 6.
To do that, Embiid needed to make an adjustment. He recognized that searching for offense in the perimeter wasn’t working after going 0-for-5 from 3-point range in the first half. So it was time for a tweak. With 15 points at halftime as the game’s leading scorer, Embiid knew he could elevate his impact by abandoning the perimeter and attacking the interior instead.
He stuck with that plan throughout the second half, going right after Celtics center Neemias Queta.
“I feel pretty good about my chances going one-on-one against anybody in this league, and I don’t think that can be stopped,” Embiid said.
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 28: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers dunks the ball during the game against the Boston Celtics during Round One Game Five of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Struggling to contain Embiid’s offensive revival, Queta quickly found himself in foul trouble. Two minutes into the second half, Embiid ran a pick-and-roll with V.J. Edgecombe. Queta stayed with Edgecombe as Embiid trailed from behind, and Boston’s defense briefly fell apart, allowing Kelly Oubre Jr. to finish a contested layup with a chance at the free-throw line.
That marked Queta’s fourth personal foul with 9:57 left in the third quarter, and forced coach Joe Mazzulla to make an immediate substitution.
For the first time in this series, the Celtics saw a different, more confident version of Embiid. Over time, that snowballed into a problem that prevented Boston from punching its second-round ticket at home, leaving TD Garden half-empty and dead silent for the closing minutes of regulation. The Celtics held an 86-85 lead to begin the fourth quarter, giving Embiid a clean slate to decide either to fall to Boston again or to turn the tables and make a statement.
Ultimately, he chose the latter.
Embiid finished with 33 points, four rebounds, and eight assists. In the final two frames, he shot 7-of-10 from the field and didn’t attempt a single 3-pointer. Embiid took two trips to the foul line and knocked down all four free throws, logging a plus-21 rating in the second half.
Boston went from a Tyrese Maxey plus Edgecombe problem in Game 2 — without certainty that Embiid would even play this series — to desperately needing to account for another possible Embiid masterclass in Game 6.
“He was dominant. He was dominant, especially in the second half,” Maxey said. “He was extremely dominant, and he did a really good job of inserting himself. I was proud of him tonight, man. That’s the dominance you go into a playoff game with, and he did that.”
Embiid missed only one layup in the second half, which he recovered with an offensive rebound and putback over Nikola Vučević in the third quarter.
“I feel like he had too many easy baskets,” Jaylen Brown said. “Like, we need to make him work. It was just too easy for him. Even though we trust our guys to guard certain matchups, you gotta make it a little bit tougher. Tonight he got a lot of easy baskets, and I feel like that propelled them.”
Five of Embiid’s makes came against Queta, five against Vučević, and the remaining two with Luka Garza defending. And while Embiid tucked the 3-pointer away in his back pocket, he still managed to knock down three fadeaway mid-range jumpers over Boston’s bigs.
Looking back, Jayson Tatum couldn’t refrain from tipping his cap to the 2023 league MVP.
“Give him credit,” Tatum said. “He played well. He put a lot of pressure on us, especially on the defensive end. We’ll go back and watch the film and make some adjustments and be ready for Game 6.”
As the Celtics discovered over six months ago on Opening Night, defending Maxey and Edgecombe is tough enough. On any given night, they can become the hardest to stop backcourt duo in the league — as was the case in Game 2. But now, the Sixers have Embiid added to that mix. He’s not only healthy, but he’s also healed enough, less than three weeks after undergoing emergency appendectomy surgery on April 9, to make an example out of Boston’s interior defense.
“When the pace slows down, he’s hard to cover one-on-one, and we played right into his type of game,” Payton Pritchard said.
In the final five minutes of the third quarter, Embiid even survived an injury scare. After falling for Brown’s pump fake, spin move under the basket, Embiid hobbled and immediately grabbed his left knee. The signs weren’t promising as he hunched over before slowly making his way toward Philadelphia’s bench and into the locker room.
But moments later, for the final two minutes of the third quarter, Embiid returned — and didn’t miss a beat.
“I’m good,” Embiid said with a smile.
Embiid continued, opening up about the narrative he’s battled: “I’ve dealt with a lot of stuff over my career. I don’t complain. I just want to give as much as I can every single time I step on the floor. I know a lot of people might have takes that I might be lazy or whatever, but every single time I’m on the floor I want to play as hard as possible.”
The Celtics have 48 hours to reflect. After finishing tied (with the New York Knicks) for the second-most home wins (30) in the Eastern Conference during the regular season, Boston has dropped two of its first three playoff games at TD Garden. It’s nothing Tatum, Brown, and Mazzulla haven’t seen before, but as Embiid proved in Game 5, history is nothing more than a track record that can turn meaningless on any given night.
Boston has seen this position before. However, Tuesday night made it clear the series has changed. What once looked like a smooth-sailing path to the semifinals has now turned into a puzzle. Embiid delivered his response with a strong performance in Game 5. Now, it’s up to the Celtics to respond and redeem themselves on Thursday night in the City of Brotherly Love.
It appears the Warriors will attempt to reel in another big fish or two this offseason.
Golden State, in an effort to surround superstar Steph Curry with more top-end talent in the final seasons of his NBA career, has pursued trades for star players for years, oftentimes coming up short.
One name the Warriors came up short in pursuit of before the NBA’s Feb. 5 trade deadline this year was LA Clippers star forward Kawhi Leonard, who Golden State reportedly targeted and nearly acquired in the wake of their failed Giannis Antetokounmpo pursuit.
The Warriors are rumored to be interested in pursuing Leonard again this summer, and ESPN’s Bobby Marks and Zach Kram, in a recent article, proposed a possible trade package that could land Leonard in the Bay Area this offseason.
Warriors get:
Kawhi Leonard
Clippers get:
Jimmy Butler III 2027 first-round pick (lottery-protected) 2032 first-round pick
“The Warriors have been connected more to Leonard than any other team in recent months, and for good reason,” Kram wrote. “After Butler tore his ACL in January, the Warriors need a Plan B if they want to try to reopen their competitive window while 38-year-old Stephen Curry is still playing at an All-Star level.
“Leonard would be a strong fit as a Butler replacement, with even higher upside after the best regular season of his career. The salaries of the two stars match well enough that no other player would need to be included in this deal.”
“Considering Butler is out indefinitely, the Clippers certainly would want the top-14 protection removed from the 2027 first-round pick or amended,” Marks wrote.
“An injured star, a pick that might not convey and a selection six years into the future should be a nonstarter for Frank and LA. From the Warriors’ viewpoint, swapping Butler for a healthy All-Star makes too much sense — even if the 2032 first-round pick ends up in the lottery.”
The 34-year-old Leonard is coming off the best scoring season of his 14-year NBA career, having averaged a career-high 27.9 points with 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game on 50.5-percent shooting from the field and 38.7 percent from 3-point range in 65 games for the Clippers.
Butler, who suffered a torn ACL on Jan. 19, likely will be out at least for the first half of the 2026-27 NBA season, and might not make it back to the court until February next year.
His extended absence next season likely will be a big reason why Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy will search high and low this offseason for star talent to pair with Curry next season, either until Butler returns, or in place of him.
Feb 20, 2026; Sarasota, Florida, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Elmer Rodriguez (76) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles during spring training at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images | Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
NY Daily News | Gary Phillips: The Yankees are promoting 22-year-old right-hander Elmer Rodríguez to make his MLB debut on Wednesday against the Texas Rangers. It’s a well-deserved call-up, as he was sporting a brilliant 1.27 ERA in 21.1 Triple-A innings, with seven walks and 20 strikeouts.
Rodríguez, as described by Triple-A bullpen coach Peter Larson, has a deep repertoire. “He’s got the full mix,” he told Phillips. “He’s one of those throwback guys who has a bunch of pitches, and he can mix and match lefty-righty and use that whole mix to each side, which is pretty unique.”
NY Post | Greg Joyce: Rodríguez wasn’t the only Yankee prospect promoted on Tuesday. In a rather aggressive move (in a good way), the organization bumped George Lombard Jr. from Double-A to Triple-A. He was having a magnificent start of the year in Somerset, hitting .324 with a 163 wRC+, four home runs, and four stolen bases in 19 games. Now, his skills will be tested in Scranton, where he’ll play some third in addition to his more familiar shortstop. Is an MLB stint in his future this year?
RotoWire: The Yankees had to place designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton on the 10-day injured list with a right calf strain on Monday. Jasson Domínguez had already stepped into his lineup spot at DH with Luis Gil’s demotion, but to replace Stanton on the roster, they called up utility infielder Max Schuemann from Triple-A Scranton on Tuesday. A former A’s infielder, Schuemann was hitting .203/.362/.297 (90 wRC+) with a homer and six stolen bases in 23 games and 96 plate appearances in Triple-A. He can play multiple positions on the infield, though his stay in New York could be short with Anthony Volpe due back soon.
NJ Advance Media | Manny Gómez: The Yankees released DJ LeMahieu last year. He had played at an MVP level in 2019 and 2020, but started to decline in 2021 shortly after signing a new contract, battled injuries, and was borderline unplayable in 2024 and 2025. Still, he is a respected Yankee who had a few signature moments fans won’t ever forget. This week, he sent a farewell message via Instagram that included a video and recognition for his teammates and fans.
“I know it’s been a minute but just want to make sure I say thank you to the Yankees organization, all of the fans and my teammates for my time in New York,” LeMahieu wrote. “I may have been three years shy of being a true ‘New Yorker,’ but New York will forever feel like home. I’m thankful to have been a part of some incredible moments on the field. Hoping for continued success for the boys.”
Retired from international arena in 2024 with 121 caps
‘I lived out my childhood dream for many seasons’
Think of George North and two iconic moments inevitably stand out. Both took place on the 2013 British & Irish Lions tour when he was just 21 years old. Few northern hemisphere players have made a bigger top-level impact at a more tender age than the departing North, who announced on Wednesday he was retiring from all rugby at the end of this season.
The first indelible image occurred in Brisbane in the first Test against Australia. North was inside his own half when he fielded a kick from Berrick Barnes and set off on the kind of surging run that gets longer with every breathless retelling. After 40 metres he had already burned off three Wallabies and had only Will Genia left to beat. The photo of North pointing an exultant finger at the trailing scrum-half has taken its place in modern Lions folklore.
Pittsburgh Penguins (41-25-16, in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (43-27-12, in the Metropolitan Division)
Philadelphia; Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. EDT
LINE: Flyers -121, Penguins +101; over/under is 5.5
NHL PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND: Flyers lead series 3-2
BOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia Flyers host the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the NHL Playoffs with a 3-2 lead in the series. The teams meet Monday for the 10th time this season. The Penguins won the last matchup 3-2.
Philadelphia has a 15-11-5 record in Metropolitan Division play and a 43-27-12 record overall. The Flyers have a +one scoring differential, with 240 total goals scored and 239 conceded.
Pittsburgh is 15-7-9 against the Metropolitan Division and 41-25-16 overall. The Penguins have a 43-8-9 record when scoring three or more goals.
TOP PERFORMERS: Trevor Zegras has scored 26 goals with 41 assists for the Flyers. Porter Martone has five goals and five assists over the past 10 games.
Anthony Mantha has 33 goals and 31 assists for the Penguins. Bryan Rust has scored three goals with two assists over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Flyers: 7-3-0, averaging 3.6 goals, 5.8 assists, 5.3 penalties and 13 penalty minutes while giving up 2.2 goals per game.
Penguins: 4-6-0, averaging 2.9 goals, 4.8 assists, five penalties and 13.5 penalty minutes while giving up three goals per game.
INJURIES: Flyers: Rodrigo Abols: out (ankle), Nikita Grebenkin: out (upper body).
Penguins: Filip Hallander: out (leg), Caleb Jones: out for season (shoulder).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Utah Mammoth (43-33-6, in the Central Division) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (39-26-17, in the Pacific Division)
Paradise, Nevada; Wednesday, 10 p.m. EDT
LINE: Golden Knights -165, Mammoth +139; over/under is 6
NHL PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND: Series tied 2-2
BOTTOM LINE: The Vegas Golden Knights host the Utah Mammoth in game five of the first round of the NHL Playoffs with the series tied 2-2. The teams meet Monday for the eighth time this season. The Golden Knights won the previous matchup 5-4 in overtime. Brett Howden scored two goals in the win.
Vegas has a 39-26-17 record overall and a 21-13-9 record on its home ice. The Golden Knights have a +22 scoring differential, with 264 total goals scored and 242 conceded.
Utah has a 22-18-3 record on the road and a 43-33-6 record overall. The Mammoth have a 43-11-1 record in games they score three or more goals.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jack Eichel has 27 goals and 63 assists for the Golden Knights. Mark Stone has seven goals and three assists over the last 10 games.
Dylan Guenther has 39 goals and 34 assists for the Mammoth. Nick Schmaltz has scored six goals and added three assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Golden Knights: 7-2-1, averaging 3.6 goals, 6.2 assists, 3.2 penalties and 6.4 penalty minutes while giving up 2.3 goals per game.
Mammoth: 5-4-1, averaging 3.3 goals, 5.6 assists, 3.8 penalties and 7.9 penalty minutes while giving up 3.2 goals per game.
INJURIES: Golden Knights: William Karlsson: out (lower body).
Mammoth: Barrett Hayton: out (upper-body).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 28: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs celebrates during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers during Round One Game Five of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 (Photos by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It’s just after one o’clock a.m. I have been in the Frost Bank Center for seven hours. After an eight hour work day. Don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining. This has been the best year of my life as far as all things Spurs go. I’ve been to more games, sat in on press conferences, and hobnobbed with journalists I admire while the team has elevated to a contender and revealed some of the sports brightest stars.
And now they have advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals.
As I have to get up in four hours for my daytime job, I will share some of what I captured once the Spurs cleared the hurdle of their first series.
Once the Spurs won, they went into the drum call-and-response that Wemby started with the Jackals. As Keldon was honored before the game for his Sixth Man of the Year award, he was the man of the hour when it was time to lead the postgame ritual.
The Spurs will have a couple of days off as they await an opponent. The Denver/Minnesota series is currently heading back to Minneapolis for game 6. Denver is in a must-win situation. With Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo both out, their task is less arduous, but no less critical.
Are you rooting for or against anyone in this series as the victor stands in the way of the Spurs destination of the Western Conference Finals?
That’s all for now, must get some sleep. Just a honk of the horn as I pass through downtown and then straight to bed.
Go Spurs Go!
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As Steve Kerr contemplates his future and whether the Warriors will be a part of it, the team’s fan base continues to debate his worthiness. This is normal, the complementary sideshow that accompanies any lame-duck coach regardless of achievement.
While most seem supportive of Kerr heeding the voices of Stephen Curry and Draymond Green and re-signing for at least two more years, the more restless members of Dub Nation have champagne on ice anticipating their farewell celebration.
Group 2, at least from here, has the weaker case.
Group 1 considers Kerr an excellent coach, even if there were times last season when excellence did not surface. Truth told, Golden State occasionally appeared clueless about such basic NBA principles as purposeful passing, executing a fast break and scouting-report comprehension.
Kerr did some of his best work when the Warriors were most compromised by injury. His overall record is impressive in ways both overt and subtle. latent. More on that later.
Group 2, which seems smaller in number but is particularly vocal in the disaffected chamber of social media, has decided Kerr – who presided over teams that reached the NBA Finals in each of his first five seasons – has lost his touch or, worse, forgotten how to coach. Therefore, it is time for CEO Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy to recruit a replacement for Golden State. Someone they believe is more evolved in the ways of the NBA.
A few folks in that camp might better accept Kerr if he were to suppress the political tragedy in his personal background. The life experience that compels him to exercise free speech by confronting the sociopolitical issues roiling America and, by extension, the planet. Zip it and coach. Such “advice” was rarely offered during championship seasons.
Most in Group 2 are less concerned with Kerr’s off-court pursuits than with his perceived shortcomings as a coach. To them, he is too tolerant of the dark side of Green’s temperament.
Too enchanted with Brandin Podziemski. Too enamored with small lineups. Trots out too many puzzling rotations and lineups. Can’t develop young players. Is inconsistent with the distribution of Curry’s minutes. And was too intolerant of Jonathan Kuminga’s inconsistency.
Or, perhaps, all the above.
Which misses Kerr’s greatest attribute as a coach. He excels at people management, and that generally allows him to get the most out of those throughout the roster.
It took Kerr a couple months to fall in love with Curry’s spectacular but at times carefree style. After winning back-to-back MVP awards in Kerr’s first two seasons, Steph rested his case and Kerr fully embraced the singular brilliance of the player he inherited.
Kerr realized Curry, a one-of-one talent, was his surest path to prosperity – while understanding a coach can be no better than his best player(s). Red Auerbach had Bill Russell. Pat Riley had Magic and Kareem. Phil Jackson had Michael and Scottie, and the Kobe-Shaq duo. Gregg Popovich had Tim Duncan. Kerr visualized Curry’s impact, designing the offense around his catalyst. He tweaked it only slightly for an MVP named Kevin Durant.
But Kerr’s insight didn’t stop there. He inherited David Lee – who in 2013 was Golden State’s first All-Star since 1997 – but recognizing the need for better defense, replaced Lee with Draymond Green. Draymond anchored the defense of the fabled “Death Lineup” and became the most effective small-ball center in NBA history.
Kerr moved veteran starter Andre Iguodala to the bench for Harrison Barnes because it allowed for a more rational use of the roster’s rotations and depth. Iguodala was the tie that bound the Death Lineup, which averaged 6-foot-6 but used defense to extinguish opponents and transition offense to bury them.
Kerr didn’t invent Small Ball – credit for that generally goes to Don Nelson – but he took it to levels neither Mike D’Antoni nor Nelson ever reached.
Kerr’s prudent manipulation of rotations and minutes allowed Shaun Livingston to finish a vagabond NBA career with one team and five consecutive trips to the NBA Finals. Kerr and his staff coaxed Andrew Wiggins to his full potential when it mattered most, altering the “underachiever” narrative that followed him before and after the Warriors.
Gary Payton II’s three previous NBA franchises failed to figure out a way to utilize his unique set of skills. Kerr somehow shepherded Payton, then 29, into an essential member of the 2022 championship team.
Kerr’s greatest accomplishments might have been his ability to summon the best of players who rewarded the Warriors with the most successful years of their careers: Jordan Bell, Quinn Cook, Damion Lee, Otto Porter Jr., Marreese Speights, Juan Toscano-Anderson and Nick Young were key contributors to championship teams. All seven faded from the NBA picture shortly after their time with Golden State.
Kerr followed the blueprint of all coaches who succeed at the top. He partnered with his best player, Curry, to lift all teammates and build a monument that will stand forever.
Those hoping Golden State has a new coach next season should be careful of what they wish.
Victor Wembanyama recently became the NBA's first unanimous winner of the defensive player of the year award [Getty Images]
Victor Wembanyama claimed a double-double to help the San Antonio Spurs secure their first series win in the NBA play-offs for nine years.
The Spurs led by as many as 28 points as they cruised to a 114-95 victory in Texas and a 4-1 series win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Wembanyama registered 17 points and 14 rebounds while De'Aaron Fox scored a game-high 21 as six San Antonio players reached double figures.
"It was as sharp as we've been," said Spurs coach Mitch Johnson, whose team are the Western Conference's second seed and join top-seed Oklahoma City Thunder in the Conference semi-finals.
"[They are] a great basketball team," added Portland coach Tiago Splitter. "They have a superstar that changed the game. They deserve it."
The Spurs will face either the Denver Nuggets or Minnesota Timberwolves next, with the Timberwolves leading the series 3-2.
In the Eastern Conference, Joel Embiid scored 33 points as the Philadelphia 76ers won 113-97 at the Boston Celtics to keep their series alive.
Embiid was playing his second game since undergoing an emergency appendectomy on 9 April and helped the Sixers cut their series deficit to 3-2.
If they can win game six in Philadelphia on Thursday, the series will go to a decider at second seed Boston on Saturday.
"I found my rhythm in the second half," Embiid said. "We adjusted some stuff at half-time and got a win. That's all that matters.
"We're going to need everybody to come back to Boston."
The winners will face either the New York Knicks or Atlanta Hawks, with third seed New York leading 3-2 after a 126-97 home win.
Jalen Brunson scored 17 of his 39 points in the fourth quarter to keep the Knicks clear while London-born team-mate OG Anunoby claimed 17 points and 10 rebounds.
If Atlanta win at home on Thursday, they will return to New York for a series decider on Saturday.
BOSTON — There’s a tall tale, Mad Libs nature to Joel Embiid’s injury history. A snake bit him somewhere along the way and just kept biting.
Embiid’s perspective on it all is telling. As he shared following a season-saving 33-point, eight-assist night Tuesday in the Sixers’ Game 5 win at TD Garden over the Celtics, Embiid is guided by a desire to play.
That’s it, really.
“The one thing about me is I’ve dealt with a lot of stuff over my career,” Embiid said after the Sixers trimmed their first-round playoff series deficit to 3-2. “I don’t complain. I just want to give as much as I can every single time I step on the floor. I know a lot of people might have takes that I might be lazy or whatever, but every single time I’m on the floor, I want to play as hard as possible. I want to do whatever it takes to win a basketball game, whether it’s on offense, on defense.
“I just want to play basketball, whether (or not) I’m in good shape physically, mentally or whatever. I just want to enjoy these moments being part of a basketball team that’s trying to accomplish something, and that’s to win every single game.”
Embiid’s norm of playing through pain and discomfort popped up again in Game 5. He added an injury scare to his infinite list when he exited with a limp in the third quarter, but Embiid only missed a little under three minutes of action. Jaylen Brown appeared to inadvertently bump Embiid’s knee after driving and pump faking inside.
“I just heard that he kind of banged knees with somebody,” Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said. “Knee on knee contact.”
Asked about the moment, Embiid gave a straight-faced reply: “I’m good.”
So … what happened?
“I don’t remember,” he said with a bit of a mischievous grin.
Postseason health trouble is habitual for Embiid. Right knee; left knee; orbital fractures; concussions; Bell’s Palsy; gastroenteritis; appendicitis. While not immune to pain, he must have his own definition.
Sidelined for 17 spring days this time around as he recovered from an appendectomy, Embiid returned Sunday in the Sixers’ woeful Game 4 loss. Despite a cold shooting start to Game 5, he was dominant. Embiid logged 39 minutes, scored efficiently on a night he went 0 for 5 from three-point range, and anchored the Sixers’ much-improved defense.
“Give him a lot of credit, man,” Nurse said. “He worked really hard to get back from this procedure that he had and played a lot of minutes. And I was super impressed by him on the defensive end tonight.”
“When we have him, we’ve got a trump card,” Paul George said. “There’s no one that can guard him. I don’t care who it is, there’s no one that can guard him. … He can take a game over. And obviously, we have to adapt when he doesn’t play. It’s a collective thing to find those baskets, those easy opportunities. But when he’s on the floor, he’s going to create a mismatch.”
At his free-flowing peak, Embiid draws immense attention. He then shoots over a crowd, feeds open teammates or powers through the clump of bodies trying to stop him.
“You’ve got to find the right mix,” he said. “To start the game, it was a little bit more outside than in. In the second half, it was both. Inside, I feel pretty good about my chances of going 1-on-1 against anybody in this league and I don’t think I can be stopped. So I just took advantage of what they were giving me. And then once they made the adjustment, do the best job posssible and just be aggressive.
“And me being aggressive, it opens up shots for everybody. It’s finding the right balance. It wasn’t all just post-ups. There was a bunch of mid-range. I still feel like my touch is not there. … Got to keep working on it so I can have a better game next game.”
Game 6 will be Thursday night on the Sixers’ floor.
Barring any extreme issues between now and then, Embiid has more basketball in front of him.
“It means a lot,” he said. “I pushed very hard to come back and try to help as much as I can. I’m glad we won (tonight). I didn’t want to go home and think all summer about what could’ve been if I was healthy going into the playoffs. So one more day and one more game to try to make it back here.
“That’s the mentality. I’m just thankful to be in a position where I get to play. I don’t know how long I can do this, so I just want to enjoy as much as possible.”
Jose Alvarado arguably has been the biggest surprise of this first-round series.
He appeared to be out of coach Mike Brown’s playoff rotation ahead of the postseason.
He did not play in Game 1.
By now, he has firmly reestablished a role.
Jose Alvarado celebrates after hitting a 3-pointer during the Knicks’ 127-97 Game 5 blowout win over the Hawks on April 28, 2026 at the Garden. Jason Szenes for New York Post
Seven of those points came during a key six-minute stretch to start the second quarter, when the Knicks padded their lead and pulled away.
“It’s just part of the business: stay ready,” Alvarado said. “Whatever the team needs. We’re a really good team. They communicated with how it was gonna go. Just stay ready, that’s what I did mentally.”
Brown previously explained that, because Landry Shamet and Miles McBride struggled as backup point guards earlier in the series, he gave Alvarado a shot to have a more natural point guard on the floor. He has rewarded Brown for that decision.
Alvarado’s spotty 3-point shooting had become a weakness and was the primary reason he was not in the rotation at the end of the regular season. But he went 2-for-3 from deep Tuesday.
“My teammates found me,” Alvarado said. “I was open and then I made the shots today.”
Josh Hart subbed out with 6:27 left in the fourth quarter, went to the locker room and did not return.
Earlier in the game, he had been holding his back in a bit of pain after a hard fall.
The Knicks did not have an update postgame.
Mikal Bridges remained in the starting lineup as expected, but he was the first Knicks starter to get subbed out, with Miles McBride replacing him with 5:49 left in the first quarter.
The Knicks led by one at the time. But by the end of the quarter, they led by 13.
Bridges finished plus-11. McBride was plus-19.
CJ McCollum, during the fourth quarter, again kicked Jalen Brunson in the midsection while taking a jump shot.
Brunson grabbed at the area briefly but did not go down to the ground in pain like he did in Game 1.
Afterward, Brunson said, “I don’t make anything of it.”
NEW YORK — The New York Knicks are one win away from the conference semifinals, but there might be an injury concern to watch.
Forward Josh Hart, 28, seemingly bothered by a possible back injury, left New York’s 126-97Game 5 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday, April 28 in the fourth quarter and did not return to the bench.
After the game, Knicks coach Mike Brown did not have any information on Hart’s status, and a team public relations spokesperson indicated that the medical staff had not provided any information about a possible injury.
Hart appeared to suffer a back injury in the first half of Tuesday’s contest, though he remained in the game. Hart was officially subbed out with 6:27 left in the game, and he went through the tunnel and didn’t emerge for the rest of the game. The substitution might have been more precautionary, however, as the Knicks were up by 24 points when Hart left the game.
Known for his grit, physical play and toughness, Hart has often played through minor issues, and he has become a key figure in New York’s title hopes. Throughout this series, he has served as a versatile defensive wing, alternating his assignments from game-to-game.
Even if Hart is forced to miss some time, though, the Knicks still have excellent defensive wings in OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges. In fact, Brown has deployed Hart in a way that allows the Knicks to switch all pick-and-rolls, giving New York excellent matchup versatility on defense.
In 30:14 on the court Tuesday night, Hart scored 9 points on 3-of-8 shooting, adding 5 rebounds and 4 assists.
Game 6 is scheduled for Thursday, April 30 in Atlanta, with the Knicks holding a 3-2 series lead. The Knicks are expected to issue their first injury report Wednesday, April 29, during the evening.
