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Fantasy Basketball Exit Interview: A second-round sweep pushes 76ers to confront future

The Philadelphia 76ers pulled off one of the more stunning upsets in the 2026 NBA playoffs, knocking off the Boston Celtics in seven games at TD Garden. In hindsight, that might as well have been their championship. The New York Knicks were waiting in the second round and made it a quick, ugly series. The celebration didn't last long in Philly, as they were swept in four games, leaving a fanbase wondering where it goes from here.

With that in mind, here’s a recap of the Sixers season and what to expect from a fantasy perspective going forward.

76ers’ backcourt: The present and the future

Tyrese Maxey is locked in as a first-round fantasy pick heading into next season. He is reliably the engine of everything Philadelphia does offensively and he proved it again this season. He finished sixth in High Score and fifth in 9-cat leagues, exceeding his 18th overall ADP. What sets him apart is his availability paired with top-end production — that’s why he was so integral for both Philly and fantasy managers. Maxey played in 70 games, averaging career highs in minutes, points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks per game, while shooting 37% on 3s and 89% from the line at a high volume. He’s an All-NBA talent and has become one of the best guards across fantasy basketball at just 25 years o.

VJ Edgecombe is on a star trajectory after an outstanding rookie campaign. The third pick in the 2025 NBA Draft ranked 74th in High Score and 57th in 9-cat leagues, far outpacing his 121st preseason ADP. What’s even more impressive is that he went undrafted in 57% of leagues. He was one of the top fantasy pickups of the season. I came away even more encouraged for what’s next after hearing his pledge to improve his shooting this offseason. I expect he’ll be off draft boards by the sixth or seventh rounds next season.

Aging stars with expensive commitments

Joel Embiid made it through — well, sort of. Availability was a consistent issue during the regular season, with the former MVP playing in just 38 games, perpetuating his narrative as a fantasy headache. That’ll likely continue because the Sixers need a healthy Embiid for the postseason. He was the difference-maker in the first-round series against Boston, leading them to defeat the Celtics for the first time in a playoff series since 1982. That won’t help in fantasy, and I’d anticipate his 46th overall ADP falling even further ahead of next season. With Kawhi Leonard back to his former self, Embiid is now the greatest high-risk, high-reward player in the game.

Paul George's best days as a fantasy asset are behind him. Despite finishing 72nd in High Score on a per game average and 31st in 9-cat, like Embiid, he played fewer than 40 games. George was suspended for 25 games for violating the NBA anti-drug policy, which he attributed to an error in his medication. True or not, PG’s body is failing him. It’s pretty concerning that PG admitted to spending this offseason “figuring out how to get his explosion back.” George is 36, coming off another letdown, averaging 17-5-4 on 43% shooting. I wouldn’t draft George inside the top 75 like this season, as the injury and production aren’t worth the cost.

Final thoughts

Embiid's massive three-year contract, which lasts through the 2028-29 season, kicks in this offseason, complicating any trade scenario. George is also sitting on the books for an average cost of $55M for the next two seasons. Changes are inevitable after the embarrassing sweep by the Knicks, and the front office may feel the heat.

Philadelphia holds the 22nd pick in a deep draft — the price for the (questionable) Jared McCain trade — giving them at least one asset to work with. The core four are all draftable heading into next season, but Maxey and Edgecombe provide the most upside. I’d stay away from Embiid and George and look to see which players re-up (Kelly Oubre Jr.), leave (Quentin Grimes) or join the squad.

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P&T Interview: Danilo Gallinari on his time with Knicks, the success of international players, making it in the playoffs, and more

NEW YORK - JANUARY 22: Danilo gallinari #8 of the New York Knicks shoots a three-pointer against Ron Artest #37 of the Los Angeles Lakers on January 22, 2010 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. 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 2010 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Just hours after Knicks fans collectively exhaled at the news that OG Anunoby had avoided a major hamstring injury, I got the opportunity to hop on a call with former Knick Danilo Gallinari.

Before getting into basketball, there was one thing worth acknowledging first: Gallinari had just won a BSN (Baloncesto Superior Nacional) championship. When congratulated on the title, he seemed pleasantly surprised that it was brought up, flashing a brief but unmistakably genuine smile before offering a quick thank you.

For a player whose NBA journey began in New York, it felt only natural to start with his first impressions of the Knicks organization and the city itself. “I didn’t know much about the organization,” Gallinari admitted. Relaxed and candid throughout the conversation, he explained how the franchise laid out its vision for the future after drafting him in 2008 before joking, “Obviously I didn’t stay long,” with a laugh.

His introduction to the NBA, however, came rather brutally. “When most people think about a welcome moment, it’s good,” Gallinari said. His was anything but. Even now, he recalled the week of February 1, 2009 in remarkable detail. First came Kobe Bryant, who walked into Madison Square Garden and dropped 61 points on the Knicks in what was then the highest-scoring game ever by an opposing player at the arena. Two nights later, LeBron James followed with 52 points, 11 assists, and what Gallinari still remembers as a triple-double, despite one rebound later being taken away.

For Knicks fans, those games remain burned into memory for all the wrong reasons. But for Gallinari, the welcome tour still wasn’t over. That Friday, the defending champion Boston Celtics came into the Garden and beat New York 110-100. More than anything, Gallinari remembered the awe of suddenly sharing the floor with the biggest stars in basketball night after night.

That experience, he explained later in the conversation, is part of what makes New York such a difficult place to play. “You got to be strong-minded,” he said. “New York is a tough place to play with tough fans, so you have to be able to take that.”

Because of how the latter stages of his career unfolded, it can be easy to forget just how productive Gallinari was at his peak. Across a 10-season stretch, the 6’10” forward averaged 16.7 points per game while building a reputation as one of the league’s most skilled offensive forwards. A player capable of handling the ball, shooting from deep, posting up smaller defenders, and attacking off the dribble, Gallinari was a very good player for a very long time.

Naturally, that versatility meant drawing some difficult defensive assignments. When asked about that, after pausing for a few seconds, Gallinari gave his answer decisively. “Metta World Peace.” Then came a few more names. “Tony Allen, Kawhi [Leonard], Draymond [Green]. They defended me well.”

The conversation eventually shifted from the NBA Gallinari entered to the one that exists today. At 37 years old and officially retired, Gallinari was asked whether there are any current players who remind him of himself.

“Cooper [Flagg],” he answered immediately before laughing. “He had a few more posters than I did as a rookie.” Gallinari pointed to Flagg’s versatility. His ability to handle the ball, shoot, and play multiple positions were all traits that he resonated with.

That naturally led to an interesting thought: what might Gallinari’s own career have looked like had he entered the league in today’s pace-and-space era? He agreed that today’s NBA may have suited him even more, though he was quick to credit his first NBA coach, Mike D’Antoni, for already implementing an early version of the modern game. That style, Gallinari explained, fit him perfectly.

Still, the funniest moment of the entire conversation came when discussing the differences between eras. “The money,” he said with a grin.

Beyond styles of play, Gallinari also reflected on how much the perception of international basketball has evolved since his initial years in the NBA. As one of the most successful international players of his generation, he has witnessed that change firsthand. “Just the global level has gotten so much higher,” he said. “It’s a bit easier now. When I came into the league, there were stereotypes.”

That comment stood out.

It wasn’t long ago that international prospects, particularly European ones, were often labeled as soft. Since then, though, those preconceived notions have slowly disintegrated, and the league has become increasingly dominated by international talent.

Gallinari has partnered with AT&T for the AT&T Dunk Bus, a traveling game-day experience designed to bring fans closer to the game and the league through live dunk showcases, NBA 2K competitions, and player meet-and-greets.

Gallinari spoke enthusiastically about the partnership and how it creates an interactive experience for fans before revealing one final detail with a laugh.

“I don’t know if AT&T knows this,” he said, “but I’ve been a customer of theirs for 18 years, so it’s a neat opportunity.”


Trump says ceasefire with Iran on ‘life support’ after rejecting peace proposals

US president says he is considering restarting naval escorts in strait of Hormuz in attempt to end Iranian blockade

Middle East crisis – live updates

Donald Trump has said the ceasefire with Iran is on “life support” and that he is considering restarting US navy military escorts of ships through the strait of Hormuz in an attempt to end the Iranian blockade of the vital waterway.

The US president dismissed Iran’s peace proposals as stupid, and denied he was under any domestic pressure to reach a deal.
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Bezos Family Gives $100 Million for Preschool Education in New York

Free child care is one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top goals. Now the Bezos Foundation is giving Robin Hood, a favorite philanthropy of wealthy New Yorkers, big money for early childhood education.


The case for re-signing Mark Williams

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 21: Mark Williams #15 of the Phoenix Suns reacts after dunking the ball against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 21, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Phoenix Suns have numerous decisions ahead of them this upcoming offseason, including multiple restricted free agents, unrestricted free agents, and players with trade value. The following series will examine those decisions as our writing team presents both a point and a counterpoint for each.

Mark Williams. The acquisition came moments after the Phoenix Suns drafted Khaman Maluach, leaving many people confused. It was obvious Phoenix already had a deal lined up with the Charlotte Hornets before the draft even started. Then the Duke center falls into their lap at 10, and the Suns still execute the trade to acquire another Duke center anyway. A team that had almost no depth at center suddenly had plenty of it. They also had a built-in succession plan.

The question with Williams was always the same. Can he stay healthy? Because if he can, the skill set is there for him to be a quality starting center in the NBA. He rim runs. He has strong hands. He provides rim deterrence. The wingspan is massive. Above all else, he runs. The motor is real.

That’s what made this season important. The Suns essentially got a test drive. They acquired him on a $6.3 million contract with a team option, one they ultimately picked up, and now they have a clearer picture of what he is heading into restricted free agency.

So now comes the next phase of the Mark Williams conversation. Do you bring him back? And if you do, how much are you willing to pay?

I’ll start by acknowledging that Mark Williams had a good year for the Phoenix Suns. He exceeded expectations relative to games played, appearing in 60 contests and blowing past his previous career high by 15 games. When called upon, the production was there. He averaged 11.7 points on 64.4% shooting, adding 8.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game.

Part of me still wonders what it could have looked like if the Suns leaned into him more offensively. It felt like whenever they involved him, the results were positive. Too often, the team drifted back toward perimeter-heavy basketball, and Williams’ overall numbers suffered because of it.

As the season wore on, the injuries piled up. We never saw him in the postseason, and that matters when discussing his value on the open market. Through the first 50 games of the year, Williams played in 45, and his value was climbing. Then the back half of the season reminded everyone what the risk is with him. Injuries are part of the equation. If you’re making the argument to keep Mark Williams, that has to be part of the conversation.

So why should the Phoenix Suns retain Mark Williams? I think it starts with the organization’s timeline. You have a young center in Khaman Maluach who will be 20 years old next season. The flashes are there, still, there’s a lot of development left in front of him. If you have the opportunity to build a buffer and support system around that development, it should be a priority. That’s where Williams comes in.

The key becomes the contract, and this is where Phoenix has leverage. Williams is a restricted free agent, meaning he can test the open market and see what teams are willing to offer. The Suns then decide whether they want to match. At the same time, Phoenix can use the threat of matching to push for a sign-and-trade if another team values Williams higher than they do.

Let’s use the Brooklyn Nets as an example. Say Brooklyn offers Williams three years, $60 million. Personally, I think that’s above where his value should land, and I’d imagine Phoenix feels similarly. At that point, the Suns have two options. Option one: let him walk. He heads to Brooklyn and earns $20 million a season. Option two: force the conversation into sign-and-trade territory. Phoenix tells Brooklyn that if they want Williams, they need to work with the Suns. Otherwise, Phoenix threatens to match the deal.

It becomes a high-stakes game of chicken. If multiple teams are bidding, Phoenix gains leverage. If only one team is truly interested, that leverage starts to disappear.

That being said, with his qualifying offer at $9.6 million, I think the Phoenix Suns would be smart to offer Mark Williams a three-year, $36 million deal, with the final season as a team option. It gives Williams security over the next couple of years and gives him runway to position himself for a bigger payday later if the health and availability continue trending in the right direction. It also gives Phoenix two more years, with the option for a third, to continue developing Khaman Maluach. That’s the priority here. If Maluach starts accelerating faster than expected, you can always move off Williams later, and that contract would be attractive to another team.

My guess is the Suns probably come in higher than that. Something closer to three years, $48 million, around $16 million annually. Hopefully, they build in that team option. Even at that number, I don’t know if I’d be upset. It might be a slight overpay. But if you’re viewing this through the lens of the next few seasons, it becomes a tradable contract if needed.

The goal for Phoenix right now is continuity and development, and bringing back Williams supports both. You still have to be financially responsible in how you approach it. At the same time, retaining him should be a priority. He’s a good player and an ideal bridge option before eventually passing the baton to Khaman Maluach when the time comes.

For those reasons, I think you keep Mark Williams.


NBA Playoff Monday discussion

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 9: The Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers during Round Two Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, 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 License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
As basketball fans, we know that there is no rest for the weary. Sure, the Washington Wizards have the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. But life and the playoffs go on. Here are the games for today, May 11, 2026.

Detroit Pistons at Cleveland Cavaliers — 8 p.m. ET (NBC, Peacock)

Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Lakers — 10:30 p.m. ET (Prime Video)


Why Lakers’ Luka Doncic wouldn’t have made a difference against Thunder

Do you know the craziest part of the Lakers’ second-round playoff series against the Thunder?

There’s such a wide chasm between the two teams that it has all-but-nullified what would’ve been a burning question in every other series involving LA.

Would things have been different had Luka Doncic played?
Without knowing it then, the Grade 2 hamstring strain Luka Doncic suffered on April 2 was the last time he took the court this season. NBAE via Getty Images
Doncic, who has been sidelined since April 2 because of a strained hamstring, was a top-five MVP contender. He led the league in scoring (33.5 points), was third in assists (8.3) and sixth in steals (1.6). He became the second player in NBA history to score 600-plus points in March alongside Michael Jordan.

Would a generational talent like that have swayed things?

Nope. And it’s very obvious.

So obvious that pundits have hardly postulated about the question on talk shows. Journalists haven’t really mulled over it in columns.

The Thunder are that good.
Even without Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City looks like a juggernaut and the favorites to win the NBA title again. AP
Sure, the Lakers would’ve had an easier time scoring if Doncic had been on the court.

But it still wouldn’t have been enough.

The Thunder’s top-rated defense would’ve collapsed on him and they still would’ve had ample depth to swarm everyone else.

It’s really incredible.

Players one through five on the court for Oklahoma City at all times are gnats, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace and Ajay Mitchell.

The Lakers’ offense simply wouldn’t have been able to withstand it.

Wallace has discombobulated Austin Reaves. Dort has frustrated LeBron James. Luke Kennard has only made a dent in one game this series. Really, Rui Hachimura has been the only Laker who has consistently shot well.

As for the other end of the court?

Doncic would’ve been a defensive liability. He would’ve been yet another target for the Thunder to attack with their dribble-drives, alongside Austin Reaves and Luke Kennard, who have basically been rendered unplayable together this series.
Doncic has missed the entire postseason after leading the NBA in scoring during the regular season. NBAE via Getty Images
Get past them?

Deandre Ayton has been largely ineffective patrolling the paint.

Chet Holmgren has had his way down low. Mitchell has had his way everywhere.

The Lakers one bright spot on the defensive end is they’ve stunningly held Gilgeous-Alexander to 21 points a game this series, a marked dip from the postseason-leading 33.8 points he averaged in the team’s first-round sweep against the Suns, but that hasn’t even made a dent.

The Thunder are simply too deep, They have no holes.

Meanwhile, they took a floodlight to the Lakers’ roster, exposing their many deficiencies.

This was no surprise. The Lakers lost their four regular season games to the Thunder by an average of 29 points. When Doncic was on the court, nothing changed for them. And nothing would’ve changed now.
With Doncic on the sidelines, the Lakers trail the Thunder 3-0 in the Western Conference semifinals heading into Monday’s Game 4. Getty Images
As for Lakers coach JJ Redick, when asked if he has thought about how differently things could’ve looked if Doncic had been on the court, he didn’t hesitate.

“Never,” he said.

He likely didn’t want to waste his time on hypotheticals. He had too much on his plate. But we all know this wasn’t a burning “what if” question anyway.

Even an MVP-contender couldn’t have plugged the Lakers’ problems.

They need to remake their roster. They need to have a huge offseason. It’s obvious they can’t compete against the reigning champions. They can for a quarter. Maybe two. Three on a good day. But they simply aren’t deep enough to sustain that effort for an entire game.

If they had Doncic, they likely would’ve won one game.

But the outcome of this series wouldn’t have changed.
Even though he wasn’t available for the end of the season, the Lakers are expected to build around Doncic in the offseason. Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
No Doncic? No difference.

The Thunder are just too good.


Rick Pitino questions expanded March Madness pushback: 'Why and who cares?'

Consider Rick Pitino on board with the expanded NCAA Tournament.

The Hall of Fame coach alluded to as much on Monday, May 11 when he went onto X (formerly Twitter) to question why there is pushback on March Madness expanding from 68 to 76 teams on both the men's and women's side of college basketball starting this upcoming 2026-27 season.

"When I hear people are upset the NCAA expanded to 76 teams, I think "why and who cares?" The best teams advance and more teams get to experience the greatest tournament on earth," the St. John's basketball coach wrote on X.

When I hear people are upset the NCAA expanded to 76 teams, I think “why and who cares?”. The best teams advance and more teams get to experience the greatest tournament on earth.
— Rick Pitino (@RealPitino) May 11, 2026

LIKE IT OR NOT:  March Madness is expanding to 76 teams, starting next season

The expanded tournament won’t impact the first round or any that follow, since games will still tip off from noon to midnight ET on that opening Thursday when 32 teams take the floor. The real impact will come in the days leading up to the first round.

On the men's side, the First Four will expand from eight teams playing four games in Dayton to 24 teams playing 12 games across two sites. Dayton will remain a host for the play‑in round, while the NCAA will announce the second location at a later date.

The 73-year-old Pitino isn't one to be shy about giving his opinions on NCAA-related topics and the current landscape of college basketball. He told a group of reporters, including USA TODAY Sports, at the 2024 Big East Media Day that he wanted college basketball to create 18- to 20-team "super leagues" to "combat football" at the then-height of conference realignment, which was triggered by football.

The May 11 social media post also isn't the first time Pitino has expressed his pro-expansion thoughts. He told CBS Sports' Matt Norlander at Big East Media Day in October of 2025 that expanding the field "can only help" and he'd be on board for it.

"What makes the difference?" Pitino said. "I don't think it could hurt, it can only help. Anytime you get more teams, more excitement, more TV coverage, more things to speak about, more athletes participating, it can only be a good thing.

"For people who say, 'No, we got to keep it.' C'mon. I was around when I think it was 24, 32 (teams) whatever it was. ... In this situation, you talk about eight more games. ... It doesn't hurt anything. It only helps. ... What bad could come from it?"

Pitino has led St. John's to back-to-back NCAA Tournaments (after being left out of the tournament in 2024 as a bubble team), and has led six different programs — others being Kentucky, Louisville, Providence, Iona and Boston University —  to the NCAA Tournament.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rick Pitino defends expanded 76‑team March Madness: 'Best teams still advance'


Pistons vs. Cavs Discussion: Game Time, TV, Odds, and More

May 9, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (12) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) during the second half of game three in the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
The Detroit Pistons had a chance to steal a win on the road against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday. They couldn’t pull it off. Instead of having a historically insurmountable 3-0 lead, now the Pistons are staring down the chance of an even series if they can’t pull off a win tonight. There was a lot that went wrong for Detroit in Game 3, and a lot that went right for the Cavs. But both sides of that equation also feel entirely repeatable. The Pistons are prone to error-laden balls, they struggle without Cade Cunningham on the floor, and the Cavs have premier talent in Donovan Mitchell. Every game has felt closer than it should have been, and it feels like any night could tip into blowout territory. Is tonight that night? Which side will that favor?
Game Vitals
When: 8 p.m. ET
Where: Rocket Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
Watch: NBC/Peacock
Odds: Pistons +3.5
Projected Lineups
Detroit Pistons (2-1)

Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Cleveland Cavaliers (1-2)

James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen


Lakers’ Adou Thiero’s postseason opportunity is an audition for next year

As Adou Thiero was standing in front of the scorer’s table at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City early in the second quarter of the Lakers’ Game 2 loss to the Thunder, a familiar face followed Thiero’s path with a message.

Luka Doncic, the team’s star player who’s been sidelined since April 2 because of a strained left hamstring, made the walk from his seat on the Lakers’ bench to the scorer’s table before putting his arm to Thiero.

Doncic was there to give the Lakers rookie pieces of advice before getting his first opportunity of being in the Lakers’ playoff rotation after Jarred Vanderbilt suffered an open right pinky dislocation, opening up playing time.

“He just told me to go out there and play hard, just do what I do and don’t overthink anything,” Thiero said of Doncic’s message. “Just kept it simple and trying to lighten the pressure on me.”
Lakers rookie Adou Thiero has found himself in the rotation in Games 2 and 3 against the Thunder. NBAE via Getty Images
During a loss that didn’t provide many bright spots for the Lakers, outside of Austin Reaves bouncing back from a rough Game 1 to kick off the series, Thiero provided what the coaching staff was looking for.

He had three rebounds in his six-minute shift in the quarter.

He hustled.

He was energetic.

He was physical.

All of the areas the Thunder have had the edge over the Lakers entering Monday’s Game 4 at Crypto.com Arena.

“High energy and physicality,” coach JJ Redick said of what’s expected of Thiero. “Thought he played well.”

The good impression led to more playing time for Thiero in Saturday’s Game 3 loss.

Thiero had a team-high eight rebounds in 13 minutes – five defensive rebounds and three offensive boards – and four points.

“[I] prayed for moments like these and worked for moments like these,” Thiero said, “Just to get that opportunity has been special; go out there and do what I can for the guys.”
After spending the majority of the season in the G League, Adou Thiero now finds himself defending the reigning MVP in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the postseason. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Thiero has felt the shift in focus and energy during the 19 combined minutes he played in Game 2 and Game 3 compared to when he’d get playing time in the regular season.

“It’s definitely very intense,” Thiero said. “You got a loud atmosphere. Everybody is into it. Every possession, leave it all out there. It’s very intense. I felt the change in pace and everything as soon as I got out there.”

Thiero’s inexperience showed when he was called for a moving screen while trying to initiate a dribble handoff with Rui Hachimura late in the third quarter.

Or other moments when he passed up shots, with his energy and hustle masking the fact the No. 36 pick in the 2025 draft only played 149 minutes across 25 regular season games before the playoffs.

“They told me I did a lot of good things, but there’s still a lot of things I need to work on, which, granted, I haven’t gotten that many reps. But still gotta be disciplined with what we’re doing as a team and keep picking up our principles.”

But if the Lakers hope to compete with teams like the Thunder, or even the Spurs, in the future, they need to develop players like Thiero into quality rotation players.
Thiero had only played 149 minutes across 25 regular season games before the playoffs.
 NBAE via Getty Images
Thiero, a 6-foot-8, 220-pound forward who impresses with his leaping ability and athleticism, not only represents what the Lakers lacked for most of the season, but also an advantage the Thunder and Spurs have over the Lakers.

The Lakers have lacked inexpensive, younger talent that they’ve developed who can be counted on to step up when needed.

Austin Reaves was once that player, but is 27, now five years into his NBA career and is set for a big pay day this offseason.

Max Christie, who the Lakers drafted in the second round in 2022, was turning into that type of player before they included him in the trade for Doncic last winter.

Both of the Lakers’ draft picks from 2023, Jalen Hood-Schifino and Maxwell Lewis, are no longer in the NBA.

Their 2024 picks, Dalton Knecht and Bronny James, have only played against the Thunder when the game results were essentially decided. James was in the rotation during the first round against the Rockets while Reaves was sidelined.
Selected with the 36th pick in the 2025 draft, the Lakers need to see if Thiero can emerge as a part of their rotation next season. AP
Compare that to the Thunder, who have multiple younger players on rookie scale contracts or inexpensive deals (Cason Wallace, Jared McCain, Ajay Mitchell)) who have contributed to the 3-0 series lead they had going into Monday, and it’s clear the Lakers are missing out on an important factor for team building.

It’s why they need Thiero to get this playing time.

And for the Lakers sake, hopefully grow from it.


Bucks ‘open for business’ on Giannis Antetokounmpo trade

Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers, Sunday, March 15, 2026, in Milwaukee.
The Bucks’ on-again, off-again relationship with Giannis Antetokounmpo has entered a new chapter.

After unsuccessfully engaging in trade talks about the two-time MVP in February, the Bucks are again “open for business” on offers for Antetokounmpo ahead of the NBA draft, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Monday.

As was the case in February, when the Bucks ultimately decided to hold on to the Greek Freak, Milwaukee’s front office will reportedly be looking for a “young blue-chip talent” and/or a sizable package of draft picks.
The Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly “open for business” on Giannis Antetokounmpo trade calls once again AP
Antetokounmpo, 31, has spent his entire 13-year career in Milwaukee and helped lead them to a championship in the 2020-21 season.

But with the Bucks falling out of contention in recent seasons, his relationship with the franchise has frayed and he reportedly told team brass last year that he wanted to play for the Knicks.

Talks between the two sides never materialized, as ESPN reported, while contenders like the Timberwolves, Cavaliers, Celtics and Lakers are all said to have made calls on Antetokounmpo at this year’s deadline.

Antetokounmpo has just one more guaranteed year on his contract before a player option kicks in the following season.
Novak Djokovic (l.) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (r.) attend a EuroLeague game between Olympiacos Piraeus and Monaco in Athens, Greece on April 30, 2026. Euroleague Basketball via Getty
After Antetokounmpo reportedly expressed an openness to leaving Milwaukee last May, the team decided to hand a $108.7 million deal to Myles Turner in the summer to try to build a contender around their star player.

However, the Bucks never got going this season and looked to be heading for the exit with Antetokounmpo this winter.

That didn’t come to fruition, though, setting up for an awkward last few months of the season as the Bucks finished 32-50 and ultimately parted ways with coach Doc Rivers.

The Bucks will be juggling Antetokounmpo’s future with their plans for the NBA draft, after landing the No. 10 pick in Sunday’s lottery.

The first round of the draft is June 23.


Draymond seemingly calls out hypocrisy as Victor Wembanyama avoids suspension originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Minnesota Timberwolves’ win over the San Antonion Spurs in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals on Sunday was overshadowed by Victor Wembanyama throwing a blatant elbow at Naz Reid in the second quarter.

Wembanyama received a Flagrant 2 and was ejected for the remainder of the game, but he won’t face further discipline, such as a fine or suspension, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Monday, citing sources.

There will be no further discipline for Spurs star Victor Wembanyama after he was ejected for elbowing Naz Reid in Minnesota on Sunday night, sources tell ESPN. No suspension, no fine. Wembanyama will play in Game 5 against the Timberwolves on Tuesday night in San Antonio. pic.twitter.com/GOGCbIcbQP

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 11, 2026

Before that announcement, Warriors star Draymond Green chimed in on X with his belief of what would have happened had it been him delivering the elbow.

Y’all have called for my career for less. https://t.co/CUDr4X7yJK

— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) May 11, 2026

Among active players, Green leads the NBA with 23 career ejections, is second with 177 technical fouls and third with 21 flagrants.

While Green’s reputation certainly precedes him, he also knows a thing or two about what happens on the hardwood – especially from a mental standpoint.

And that’s why Green added on “The Draymond Green Show” that with Wembanyama not receiving more repercussions that that could mean the Wolves should return the favor to the superstar.

Draymond on Wemby's ejection from Game 4 for elbowing Naz Reid

“I saw Mitch Johnson's press conference, I was like 'Woah'… Jaden McDaniels and Joker just got fined for much less, I would say to the Minnesota Timberwolves 'Hey guys, this is fair game, there's no suspension,… pic.twitter.com/z1QmiSK0nP

— The Draymond Green Show (@DraymondShow) May 11, 2026

“I would say to the Minnesota Timberwolves, ‘Hey guys, this is fair game, there’s no suspension, there’s no fines, this is fair game,’” Green said.

“If nobody’s coming back at those guys, going back at Wemby, you lose the war because what he just did was set a tone.”

Wembanyama’s ejection led to the Spurs dropping Game 4 and the Wolves evening the series at two games apiece as it shifts back to San Antonio.

Both series in the West semifinals have seen their fair share of scrutiny for the referees, so it will be interesting to see how the rest of the series goes from this point on.

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Why does everyone hate Keir Starmer? – podcast

Aditya Chakrabortty on the Labour leader’s predicament – and if he may be the last prime minister of the two-party system

In these highly polarised times, dunking on the prime minister – and this PM in particular – is the one thing that seems to unite people in fury, disappointment and loathing. So as he rolled his sleeves up to address the nation on Monday morning, after one of the worst election results in Labour’s history, Keir Starmer had quite the job on his hands.

The Guardian columnist Aditya Chakrabortty was watching – and wincing. “There are times when I watch Keir Starmer promising he’s going to change,” he said. “He looks to me like a guy on the verge of divorce, holding flowers from the nearest petrol station and saying: 'Trust me. Honestly, it’s going to be different this time. Honestly, love, stick with me.’” But why does there seem to be such antagonism towards the Labour leader – and can anyone guide the party out of the mess they have found themselves in?
 Continue reading...

Latest news, breaking news and current affairs coverage from across the UK from theguardian.com


Mayor of California city resigns over charges of being a foreign agent of China

Eileen Wang, 58, mayor of Arcadia, agreed to plead guilty over the felony count brought by the justice department

Eileen Wang, the mayor of a southern California city, resigned suddenly on Monday after the US Department of Justice (DoJ) announced she had been charged with acting as an illegal foreign agent of China.

Wang, 58, agreed to plead guilty to the felony count and could face a sentence of 10 years in prison.
 Continue reading...


Macron at Africa summit seeking allies and a foreign policy less tied to France’s colonial past

French president reaches out to new allies after setbacks in relations with his country’s former colonies in west Africa

A French-African summit held every few years since 1973 is taking place in a non-francophone country for the first time on Tuesday as Emmanuel Macron tries to rebuild France’s role on the continent after setbacks in its former colonies.

More than 30 heads of state and government are meeting in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, for this year’s iteration of the summit. Named Africa Forward, it is being seen by analysts as an attempt by France to court new allies.
 Continue reading...


Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama escapes NBA playoff suspension after Game 4 ejection over elbow

Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) commits a flagrant foul against Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) during Game 4.
The Spurs’ loss was punishment enough for Victor Wembanyama.

Following the French big man’s ejection for elbowing the Timberwolves’ Naz Reid on Sunday, he will not face a suspension, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

During the Spurs’ Game 4 loss to Minnesota in their second-round series, Wembanyama was tossed with 8:39 left in the second quarter after whacking Reid in the face after fighting for possession.
Spurs center Victor Wembanyama commits a flagrant foul against Timberwolves center Naz Reid during Game 4. Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

Status alert: Victor Wembanyama has been ejected Sunday after being assessed a Flagrant 2 foul. pic.twitter.com/G02YylonQE
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) May 11, 2026

The hard contact from the 7-foot-4 center sent Reid to the floor, though he was fine to continue playing and finished the game with 15 points in 31 minutes.

With Wembanyama sidelined for much of the contest, the Timberwolves took their chance to even the series, winning 114-109.

Anthony Edwards finished with a game-high 36 points, while Wembanyama was forced to leave the floor with just four points in 12 minutes.

While Wembanyama will be available to play in a pivotal Game 5, his wallet may take a hit as a result of his actions on Sunday.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said he believes “there’s a chance” the reigning Defensive Player of the Year gets fined for his elbow.

Nonetheless, Spurs coach Mitch Johnson defended Wembanyama for sticking up for himself amid a perceived lack of protection by the referees from the Timberwolves’ physical play.
Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts after he was ejected for a flagrant foul during the first half of Game 4. AP
“I’m glad he took matters into his own hands. Not in terms of hitting Naz Reid, I want to be very clear about that,” Johnson told reporters.

“… But he’s going to have to protect himself if [the refs] are not. The amount of physicality that people play with, with him, at some level, you have to protect yourself.”

The Spurs will welcome Minnesota back to San Antonio on Tuesday night for a pivotal Game 5.


Donovan Mitchell explodes for NBA playoff record-tying 39 second-half points, leads Cavaliers to 2-2 series tie with Pistons

James Harden set them up. Donovan Mitchell knocked them down.

And the Cleveland Cavaliers ran away with a 112-103 Game 4 win over the Detroit Pistons Monday night. A series that the Pistons once led, 2-0 is now up for grabs at 2-2.

Harden paced the Cavaliers early with 11 straight Cleveland points in the first quarter. Mitchell then exploded with 21 points in the third quarter after a four-point first half to spark a 23-0 Cavaliers to start the second half.
History for Mitchell, Cavaliers
Mitchell finished with 43 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists. He shot 13 of 25 from the field and 4 of 12 from 3.  His 39 second-half points are tied with Sleepy Floyd for the most in a half in postseason history.

DONOVAN MITCHELL'S GOT 34 PTS IN THE 2ND HALF 😲

38 PTS FOR THE GAME.

Cavs lead by 19 in Q4 of Game 4! pic.twitter.com/WGPZ5dmEKV
— NBA (@NBA) May 12, 2026

The 20-plus point quarter was the fifth of Mitchell’s playoff career, tying him with Stephen Curry and Jamal Murray for the most in postseason history. It also sparked some team history for the Cavaliers.

The 23-0 second half run extended to 25-0 with the last bucket of the second quarter. And it added up to Cleveland’s largest postseason scoring run since the start of the play-by-play era that started in the 1996-97. That’s a stretch that featured nine LeBron James postseasons.

And the run turned a 56-52 halftime deficit into a 75-56 lead that the Cavaliers never relinquished. Detroit punched back. But it never recovered to threaten Cleveland’s lead.

“I apologized to the group,” Mitchell told NBC of his halftime message to his teammates after a four-point first half. … “I came in and told the guys, it’s on me. I tried to make a statement in the second half.”

Make a statement, Mitchell did. And the Cavs are back in the series with a trip to the Eastern Conference finals at stake.

Mitchell wasn’t alone Monday night. Harden deferred to his red-hot backcourt mate after halftime, but still managed to finish with 24 points, 11 assists and 4 steals.

And the turnovers that plagued Harden and the Cavaliers through the first two games weren’t an issue. Harden committed just two turnovers,  and the Cavaliers secured an 18-13 edge in takeaways.

This story will be updated.


Donovan Mitchell goes scorched Earth, Cavs beat Pistons 112-103 in Game 4

CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 11: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket during the game against the Detroit Pistons during Round Two Game Four of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 11, 2026 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Detroit Pistons 112-103 in Game 4, riding Donovan Mitchell’s 43 points to a tied series back to Motown.

Cleveland started this game hot. They jumped out to a 14-5 lead in the opening minutes as James Harden poured in 11 of those points all on his own. He nabbed two steals and banged home a pair of triples as the Cavs had their best start to a game this series.

That didn’t last long.

The lead was quickly reversed once Harden went to the bench and the Cavs offense went frigid. Some timely shot-making from Tobias Harris and Caris LeVert allowed the Pistons to change momentum and end the first quarter with an advantage. LeVert started the game with 17 points on 7-12 shooting.

LeVert changed the dynamic of this game. Before his run, the Pistons’ offense was having a difficult time finding support for Cade Cunningham. LeVert not only provided aid but practically took the wheel and started driving this thing himself.

Then the third quarter came, and the Cavaliers gave us another example of how quickly playoff basketball can change.

A dominant 23-o run put the Cavs back in front. Donovan Mitchell erupted for 15 points during that sequence, breaking free from a hellish first half where he only scored 4 points. Mitchell’s scoring was complemented by an elite stretch of defense, with Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley shutting down the paint.

The Cavalanche is a real phenomenon and it’s maybe what makes them the most terrifying. Just an ability to absolutely pour it on.

An insane 23-0 run to start the 3rd quarter.
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) May 12, 2026

Detroit made a run to keep it within range through the third quarter. But Mitchell continued to apply pressure until the dam finally broke. He ended the night with 43 points to complement Harden’s double-double.

We have to take a moment to shout out both Allen and Mobley, who seem totally unbothered by Jalen Duren. The Cavs bigs have flipped the script by dominating Duren in the paint, combining for 26 points and 13 rebounds while holding Duren to just 8 points and 2 rebounds.

Still, the story of the night is Mitchell erupting for 39 points in the second half. This team is built around the idea of him being an All-NBA superstar. That looked pretty good tonight.

Game 5 is Wednesday in Detroit.


What We Learned from the Spurs Game 4 loss to the Timberwolves

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 10: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs goes up for the rebound during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves during Round Two Game Four of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 10, 2026 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
There’s this great trick that Francis Ford Coppolla pulls at the beginning of The Godfather, where he opts to forgo having a narrator and/or title cards to explain the story.

It’s a very purposeful move, motivated partly (I suspect) by the popularity of Mario Puzo’s novel. The original novel was quite the financial success it its own right, sitting on the bestseller list for well over a year, and selling over nine million copies in that time.

But the book features an omniscient narrator, and Coppola didn’t want that degree of separation to come between his film and his audience.

Foreknowledge can inform us, but it rarely moves us. I know this, because no matter how many times I watch the Spurs old championship games, I just cannot fully recapture the feeling.

There’s still joy, but the joy has turned nostalgic. I cannot craft anticipation from a place of perfect knowledge.

That’s what’s so thrilling about the postseason. The Spurs won at a 50-game pace for most of my life, and still, *only* came home with five titles. Only 6 championship berths.

That irregularity, that unpredictability, is where the adrenaline and the exhilaration live.

And that’s why, when Coppolla drops us right into the film, in medias res, mid-conversation with the kingpin of the title, we’re immediately locked in. It’s a perfect opening, with almost no hint of the frivolity of the occasion outside filtering though, so intimate and hushed that it almost feels like we’re eavesdropping, or part of the room.

And that is, I think, the whole point. The film encourages you, from the very beginning, to play witness to the intimacies of a crime family. The voices are warm and domestic. Even the directions and doings of the gathered mafioso are delivered with decorum and a certain air of courtliness.

It wants you to like them. It wants you to get swept up in the affection and the domesticity that’s masking the violence. It does its level best to make you a fan of the Corleones.

Why? Because fandom has a way of thwarting objectivity. I’ve always found the shortening of the word ‘fanatic’ to ‘fan’ to be fascinating.

It’s almost as if those engaged in fandom are incapable of considering that it is a form of fanaticism. As if fanaticism is something that only exists within the context of politics or religion. As if abbreviating the word will somehow change the nature of truth itself.

The truth is that last night Victor Wembanyama elbowed Naz Reid right in the face.

The truth is also that it was absolutely premeditated.

There are in fact a whole list of truths that I could rattle off, such as:

How the officials have allowed Minnesota to more-or-less play prison ball for most of the series.

How Victor was fouled multiple times right before the elbow, in a clear sight-line, with nary a call made to protect him.

How it’s easier on twitter to find stills of all the ways in which Victor has been pushed, pulled, and clawed at, than it is to find videos of him doing cool stuff with the basketball, and there are a lot of those!

How the way this series has been officiated on the side of physicality was just asking for an outburst from somebody, eventually.

How that one elbow from Wemby hardly compares to the whole pantheon of flagrant fouls that it’s currently being compared to by fans of both franchises, and NBA twitter at large.

How it was still the wrong thing to do and ultimately cost the Spurs the game.

How it might have been necessary, for Wemby to send a message about his physical boundaries, and what he is capable/willing to do to protect them past a certain point.

The elbow is an incredibly personal part of the body. We don’t think about that because of how little we see our own, but virtually all of our upper body movements hinge on the engineering marvel that is the Articulatio Cubiti.

Almost every sporting movement is dependent on it, from the very obvious varieties of throwing to even the act of running itself, when we depend on our elbows to assist in the repetition of form and balance.

Or even more intimately, in the act of feeding ourselves and cleaning ourselves (I sincerely hope that I never learn what it’s like to try to use toilet paper without the aid of an elbow), or embracing our loved ones.

All of mythology surrounding the elbow appears to function in extremes, whether it’s the indigenous legends of the Ojibwe talking about the terrifying cannibalistic “elbow witches” of the great lakes and northern plains, who murder their victims with the knives embedded in their olecranons (elbow-tips), or vodoo folklore claiming the act of rubbing elbows with another person can swap the destinies and/or energies of the individuals involved.

Or old urban legends suggesting that children can change gender by kissing their own elbow. Or The Book of Ecclesiastes claiming that “stretching your elbow at dinner” (reaching across the table) is as shameful a thing as the breaking of a vow.

Taoism even goes as far as to assign specific traits to each elbow, with the right elbow serving as a conduit to the power, action, movement, and choices of the individual, and the left to receptivity, emotions, and the receiving of love or support. I guess in that context, throwing the right elbow really was a choice.

And yet, all levity aside, I can’t really convince myself that it was a ‘good’ choice.

For fans in my age group and older, I suspect an elbow to the head is still a pretty sore spot for those of us who can vividly recall the viciously premeditated elbow that Malone delivered with such force that it knocked David Robinson unconscious for the better part of two minutes.

And while it was quickly obvious that Reid hadn’t received a blow on par with that one, it wasn’t an enjoyable flashback to the anxiety of those two minutes of April 8th, 1998, when no one knew what the overall state of the Admiral was/would be yet.

Those are not two minutes that I would wish on any fan-base.

But to that end, I think there’s something we have to acknowledge about this Spurs team, and about Victor, when it comes to the legends of the past: they’re different.

Maybe (probably) because they’re so young, these players carry themselves differently. That “we don’t care”mantra is a markedly different banner to unite under, after years of Spurs teams that (while also probably not caring), did their best to never give the opposition bulletin board material.

They talk trash, even going as far as to (per Express News scribe Jeff McDonald) tell Kevin Durant that they were doubling and tripling him not because he’s good, but because his teammates suck.

Relevant a commentary as it may have been, it takes a special level of audacity to tell a legend of the game that right to his face, in the middle of the game, within earshot of his comrades/co-workers/scapegoats.

And this is something I’ve started to wonder about lately, as I compared this team’s efforts to the heartless business attitude of organized criminals and the swagger of a souteneur:

Just how hated are these Spurs going to be? And how deserving of that hatred?

There’s a certain blindness that affects a fan. Thunder fans are incapable of seeing their team as a cadre of floppers extraordinaire. Golden State fans were largely incapable of admitting their dynasty hinged on an unprecedented MVP-level addition to a team that had won 73 games. Heat fans were unwilling to admit that the unholy alliance that benefited them forever warped the concept of competitive balance within the league, to the point of the NBA enforcing the most restrictive CBA since the dawn of free-agency.

And these are just a few examples. Fandom bewitches us all. And sometimes it implicates us too.

That’s why Coppola wanted us to feel close to the Corleones. Why Scorsese wanted us caught up in the awe emanating from Henry Hill in Goodfellas. It’s the same trick that David Chase later pulled with Tony Soprano’s therapy sessions and that Vince Gilligan pulled in drawing us into the humble beginnings of a cancer-stricken meth-lord in Breaking Bad.

Everyone is a villain in someone else’s story. That elbow earned permanent (and perhaps justifiable) hatred from someone, in the same way that I’ll probably never stop wishing ill on the Utah Jazz.

And part of that is just in the nature of being a fan — the thrill of us versus them that plays out in virtually every arena. But the contrast is becoming more and more apparent, justifiable reasons or not.

In the context of film, I’m starting to see Tim Duncan as Obi Wan Kenobi, and Victor Wembanyama as Anakin Skywalker.

Duncan, like Kenobi, almost unassumingly defeated the majority of his most impressive foes, and Wemby, like Anakin, came into the fold as the chosen one, and has suffered an emotional outburst.

Will he bring balance to the force? I can’t say that I’d include that elbow under the category of ‘ethical hoops’.

Maybe it was necessary. Maybe it’ll lead to better basketball and better officiating. Maybe players will think twice before messing with Wemby. Maybe it was a one time thing that we’ll largely have forgotten years from now.

Or maybe this Spurs team is shaping itself into a different kind of Silver and Black villain.

I think maybe I’m so deep inside it now, that I have to withdraw, because I cannot be impartial

At this point I’m just hoping that Wemby takes the high ground first. The Imperial March is actually a really beautiful piece of music if you really think about it.
Takeways

Look, I am very notably not a De’Aaron Fox hater. I think he’s taken on the Tony Parker role of blame within the context of losses and is largely undeserving, and I don’t think this loss was on him. However, I did not love that Dylan Harper, who was hotter than the Devil’s hooves, did not get more than 27 minutes, when Fox was clearly in a bit of funk and being targeted by the Wolves in Wemby’s absence. I understand that Harper is a rookie, and that Fox is just as capable of exploding for points, but I’d like to see a little more alternation when someone is pretty clearly the hot hand of the three guards.

It also didn’t help that Keldon was having one of his worst games of the postseason after two games of his very best (on the defensive end), and if that was Mitch’s reasoning for trying to keep Harper playing with the bench, I at least understand that. It wasn’t that they all played badly. Kornet and Bryant specifically did yeoman’s work. But boy was the scoring rough in the second unit, and that may have been the difference since the Wolves (wisely) went with an eight-man rotation.

It was also a rare off night for Julian Champagnie, who couldn’t seem to find his shot and fell victim to being picked on a bit on the defensive end. I think we can forgive him based on his body of work so far, but while he’s a plus defender by most metrics, when Victor is off the court he’s easier to exploit. Fond of him as I am, a lot of his positive effect in the starting unit depends on Victor’s presence. Which, I mean, is hardly a criticism considering Wemby’s effect on the whole team on both ends, but you get what I’m saying.

Also, I just have to rave about his rebounding. He’s been great at grabbing boards all season, but I expected that to take a hit against bigger teams in the postseason. In fact, that was one of my greatest concerns for this team as a whole. But Champagnie is second on the team in rebounding (Kornet is almost matching him in less minutes), which has allowed the Spurs to play small against teams like the Wolves without giving up too much on the boards. It has been pure comedy when someone like Julius Randle has been stuck trying to keep up with Julian’s off-ball movement, to the point that I firmly believe that ‘Yakey Sax’ should be playing in the background whenever it happens. Do yourself a favor and keep an eye out for it.

Playing You Out – The Theme Song of the Evening:

You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid by The Offspring


Winners and Losers: Cavs vs Pistons Game 4 – Donovan Mitchell drops 43 points

CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 11: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball over Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons during the fourth quarter in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Rocket Arena on May 11, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers ran the Pistons back to Detroit, tying the series at 2-2 behind a huge second half.

Let’s go over today’s winners and losers.
WINNER – Third Quarter CAVALANCHE
An aspect of this era of Cavalier basketball is that no matter how a game is trending, one four-minute stretch can change everything. While that’s true for both the good and bad — the Cavalanche has earned its name for a reason.

Detroit rolled into halftime feeling pretty good. They had weathered an early storm and controlled the rest of the half behind their defense. They ended the second quarter with a 56-52 lead.

Four minutes into the third quarter, the Pistons still had 56 points, while the Cavs had jumped to 75. That’s a 23-0 run led by Donovan Mitchell, who scored 15 points during that sequence. Rocket Arena turned into a madhouse, and a full-throated ‘Jarrett Allen’ chant capped off the run.

It just takes a couple thousand people yelling Jarrett Allen’s name for him to dunk it. pic.twitter.com/zs3796KVfF
— Jackson Flickinger (@JacksFlickinger) May 12, 2026

This type of heavyweight punch is what makes it hard to count the Cavs out.
WINNER – First Quarter Harden
You can’t ask for a much better start than that.

Cleveland lost both games in Detroit largely because of their slow starts. James Harden made sure that no matter what happened tonight, the Cavs wouldn’t leave with that same feeling.

Harden opened the game on fire. He scored 11 points in the first four minutes, banging three-pointers and even racking up two steals during that stretch. The Cavs defense was successful early on, and Harden surprisingly played a key role in setting that tone.

Sadly, that hot start didn’t spread to the rest of the team (or the rest of the quarter). Cleveland went cold once Harden went to the bench, somehow shooting just 30% from the floor and ending the quarter down by three points.
LOSER – The Caris LeVert Wheel
Cavs fans will be familiar with this. But in case you’re not, the ‘LeVert Wheel’ refers to the idea that on any given night, LeVert will play like any number of former players. For instance, sometimes he’s Michael Jordan, other times he’s closer to Alonzo Gee.

The wheel landed on Jordan tonight.

LeVert had confidence early. His first few jumpers hardly even touched the net. Shot after shot went through the basket as LeVert worked his way to 17 points on 7-12 shooting in the first half. All the while, he gave Donovan Mitchell fits defensively and forced several turnovers on various Cavs drives, including one where he stripped the ball out of bounds off Evan Mobley’s knee.

That type of support from a role player can be enough to steal a game on the road.
WINNER – Donovan Mitchell
We’ve already talked a bit about Mitchell. But he took so many lumps throughout the first round, I think it’s worth focusing on him one more time.

This whole thing was built around Mitchell.

Maybe not originally. The Cavs probably thought that Mobley would have been their best player by now when they first traded for Mitchell. But as Mitchell blossomed into a legit First-Team All-NBA player, and Mobley’s development crawled at a slower pace than expected, it became clear who was the centerpiece of this team.

The Harden trade cemented that. No more two-timelines. Only one. And that would be Mitchell’s.

With all this in mind, it was alarming to see Mitchell struggle to start this postseason. No version of the Cavs competes for a title without a superstar leader in Mitchell. His inefficient scoring and questionable decision-making were a significant concern.

That’s starting to change.

Mitchell found life in Game 2. He carried that over for a monstrous 35 points in Game 3. Then, after a slow start to Game 4, he broke free for 21 points in the third quarter, matching LeBron James and Kyrie Irving for the highest scoring quarter in franchise history. Reminding us of why this team has the expectations it does, in the first place.

“To turn it around the way he did, I’m not sure I’ve seen something like that in the playoffs,” said Kenny Atkinson after the game.

A whopping 39 points in the second half tied an NBA record and brought Mitchell’s total to 43 for the night. It’s his eighth playoff game of 40+ points and his fourth as a Cavalier. His best performances give Cleveland a punch it can’t get anywhere else on the roster.


Andrej Stojakovic put on a show to start NBA Draft Combine

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 11: Andrej Stojakovic participates in the shuttle run drill during the 2026 NBA Draft Combine on May 11, 2026 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Uhhhhhh.

Andrej might not be coming back.

The Illini wing put on a show Monday night at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. A good week for Stojakovic in the Windy City could push him to stay in the NBA Draft rather than return for his second year at Illinois (and his fourth overall in college).

In the maximum vertical jump, Stojakovic finished atop the leaderboard at 41.5 inches.

Max vert pic.twitter.com/SiKQtuAOt9
— Tyler Rucker (@tyler_rucker) May 12, 2026

Andrej Stojakovic 41.5” Max Vert @NoCeilingsNBApic.twitter.com/oMEdhkrd4J
— ALBERT GHIM (@albertoeghim) May 11, 2026

While he won’t participate in the 5-on-5 scrimmages at the combine, Stojakovic is making a name for himself with his athleticism, which he flashed at times last year off the bench during Illinois’ Final Four run.

It’d be great to have him back in orange and blue next year, but you can’t blame him if he’s able to assure that he’s a high second-round pick and has a real chance at the NBA.


Why Lakers fans at Crypto.com Arena are NBA’s most misunderstood playoff atmosphere

The first thing you notice when you enter Crypto.com Arena for a Lakers playoff game isn’t the noise or the roar of the crowd.

Oftentimes, it’s the famous faces that walk right past you.

On any given night it could be the biggest names in sports, music, and entertainment. Stand in line for the bathroom with Bad Bunny, overhear a joke from Eddie Murphy, or high-five Matthew Stafford.
Laker fans cheer during a slam dunk by LeBron James. MediaNews Group via Getty Images
It’s true that the arena feels more like a stage than a furnace. ESPN broadcaster Doris Burke commented on it just before tipoff of Game 3 between the Thunder and Lakers.

“Is this building remarkably quiet for a playoff game?” she asked Dave Pasch. She wasn’t wrong. But she wasn’t entirely right either.

A Lakers game doesn’t behave like other NBA arenas. It’s not meant to be a college-like atmosphere, or have a PA announcer yelling at the crowd what to do every second of the game.
Lakers fans cheering at Game 2 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers. NBAE via Getty Images
Former Lakers’ owner Jerry Buss always envisioned a Lakers game as a theatrical experience.

He wanted fans to experience a “show.” He added a live band, the Laker girls, and courtside celebrities. He dimmed the crowd lights low and put a spotlight on the court. He mixed basketball with Hollywood glamour, music and performance. He wanted you to feel like you were in “the hottest night club” in town.

It was a must-see event, and fans flocked to be seen.

And that is still the vibe to this very day.
Bad Bunny sitting courtside at a Lakers game. Getty ImagesMatthew Stafford and Kelly Hall watching a Lakers game. Getty Images
In OKC, the experience is engineered. A voice booms through the speakers, directing every emotional beat. “Stand up!” “Get Loud!” Chant “De-fense” on cue.

The arena is much smaller, the ceiling lower, the acoustics sharper. The sound has nowhere to go but down. Yes, it’s louder, and an exceptional atmosphere, but it’s also a lot different than LA for a reason.

Lakers starting lineups introductions and Thunder hype video for Game 1 pic.twitter.com/FPSuWcMdh9
— Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) May 6, 2026

In Houston, at the Toyota Center, they leaned on volume too—sometimes artificially.

The in-house sound system is the loudest we’ve ever heard. It’s constantly blasting music that rattles your chest and hurts your ear drums. But turn that music off and you’ll notice a half-empty arena for a playoff game with at least 40% of the fans in attendance wearing purple and gold.

When the Lakers go on a run, and the music stops playing, guess which fanbase you hear?

Once again the Toyota Center is half-empty at tipoff. The red you see are empty seats with t-shirts on them. For those in attendance, there’s a lot of purple and gold pic.twitter.com/oqppXrH33F
— Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) April 27, 2026

At a Lakers game, there is no conductor commanding the crowd or music to drown out everyone.

Lakers fans operate on instinct. They recognize matchups before they unfold. They sense momentum shifts like a change in the wind. When the moment demands it, the building responds organically. Not because it was told, but because it knows it has to.
Lakers fans watch a game from the sidelines. William Navarro-Imagn Images
During several sequences in Game 3, the referees didn’t blow the whistle on obvious fouls committed by the Thunder.

“Good no call,” said Burke on the broadcast.

But fans in the arena knew better.
ESPN broadcaster Doris Burke commented on the atmosphere just before tipoff of Game 3 between the Thunder and Lakers. NBAE via Getty Images
They knew the history of one of the worst officiated games ever seen in Game 2. “Refs you suck!” The sellout crowd chanted in unison. Minutes later, after Rui Hachimura drained a corner three, they chanted “Rui! Rui! Rui!”

That nuance doesn’t always translate on television.

The camera loves the celebrities sitting courtside.

It’s Leonard DiCaprio, Will Ferrell, and Noah Wyle.
Emmy Award-winning actor Noah Wyle with his wife Sara Wells clapping at a Lakers game. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Some celebrities are diehards. Some are guests. Some are there because a studio handed them a seat hours before tipoff to promote their new movie, show, or album. The result can feel detached through a screen.

But that’s only a fraction of the room.

Beyond the floor is a different audience.

Season-ticket holders who have been through every era of Lakers basketball. They know the playoffs are not a fashion show but a war of attrition. Fans will save for months just to sit in the upper bowl and cheer for four quarters. Tourists from all over the world come for the experience of seeing LeBron James and the Lakers in action.

But the Lakers are just one experience in a city that never stops moving.
Flea sticking out his tongue next to Melody Ehsani at a Lakers game. Getty Images
On any given night you can see the back-to-back World Series champion Dodgers a few miles away. LAFC and LA Galaxy are kicking off down the street. There’s concerts, movie premieres, live shows. It’s a constant competition for attention.

OKC doesn’t have that problem. The Thunder are the main event in town. They are the only event in town.

So yes, Lakers fans can arrive late and leave early. Traffic will do that to you. They’ll take photos because everything in L.A. is a backdrop. And yes, they’ll even bet against their own team. But they’re also one of the largest and well-represented fanbases in the world.

The Lakers playoff atmosphere might not be the loudest in the NBA.

But it might be the most misunderstood.
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Who experts predict Warriors, Kings will pick in first round of 2026 NBA Draft originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The 2026 NBA Draft lottery has come and gone, so that means now comes the fun part: mock drafts.

The Kings, who finished the 2025-26 NBA season with a 22-60 record, lost a tie-breaking coin flip that would have given them the No. 4 slot in the lottery — which ultimately turned into the No. 2 pick for the Utah Jazz — and dropped two spots to the No. 7 selection.

As for the Warriors, they were projected to get the No. 11 pick and that’s exactly what the team received after a 37-45 campaign. With Steve Kerr returning to lead the charge, it’ll be interesting to see what the team whether the team uses the pick as trade-bait or not, but for now, here are some of the projected picks if the team keeps the selection.
ESPN
Kings (No. 7): Kingston Flemings, PG, Houston

“Flemings’ explosive speed and winning intangibles swayed NBA executives this season, and he projects as a lead playmaker who puts downhill pressure on defenses and should also add value as a defender. The continued progression of his jump shot is key for him and something he’ll need to demonstrate effectively in team workouts, but he got positive results at Houston (38.7% from 3, 84.5% from the line) and has shown growth already in that area.”

Warriors (No. 11): Karim Lopez (Mexico), SF/PF, New Zealand Breakers

“The top player in a thin international prospect class, Lopez has a chance to help himself in pre-draft workouts, where teams will gain a better sense of his physical traits and skill level coming off a positive year in the NBL. Showing progress as a perimeter shooter in those settings would help his case to sneak into the top 10.”

– Jeremy Woo
CBS Sports
Kings (No. 7): Kingston Flemings, PG, Houston

“Flemings is an elite athlete who can get a piece of the paint on demand, rise up explosively at the rim, get to his pull-up at virtually any time, and be solid on the defensive end. His swing skill is his shooting, and if it holds up, then he too has legit star-type outcomes. In Sacramento, Flemings will have an opportunity to earn the starting point guard job from day one.”

Warriors (No. 11): Aday Mara, C, Michigan

“Mara kept getting better as the college season went on and ultimately led Michigan to a national championship. At 7-foot-3, he’s a giant, even by NBA standards, and a tremendous rim protector. He’s also got sneaky mobility, good hands, real passing ability, and provides vertical spacing. With Steve Kerr returning next season, the Warriors’ style of play will be staying largely the same, and Mara’s facilitating ability fits that.”

– Adam Finkelstein
USA Today
Kings (No. 7): Darius Acuff Jr., PG, Arkansas

“The Kings need a potential star like Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff Jr. in this class. …He led freshmen for field goals made in transition (72) and field goals made from both the left and right side of the court. He was among the freshmen leaders in alley-oop assists (17) as well. He has significant defensive deficiencies but is one of the most exciting offensive prospects in recent memory.”

Warriors (No. 11): Karim Lopez (Mexico), SF/PF, New Zealand Breakers

“Lopez had a low usage rate and played few minutes than other players in this range while playing against pros but was still very productive for the NBL Next Stars program in Australia. The Mexican-born forward is physically gifted, athletic, and universally seen as the top prospect from this class currently playing overseas.”

– Bryan Kalbrosky
The Athletic
Kings (No. 7): Kingston Flemings, PG, Houston

“Flemings has potential to use his speed and athleticism on offense and defense to make an impact — which is how Fox was described as a young player. The Kings need to find a young player with All-Star potential, and Flemings might be that player as he joins some young players who showed potential to be rotational pieces in the NBA.”

— Jason Jones

Warriors (No. 11):Yaxel Lendeborg, F, Michigan

“The big man fills a lot of gaps for the Warriors. He can shoot from the outside, he has length and he comes from a Michigan team that just won a national title. He averaged 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists while shooting 37.2 percent from beyond the arc. He should be able to play well off the space Stephen Curry creates (shouldn’t everybody?) while providing a stabilizing presence on both ends.”

— Nick Friedell
Yahoo! Sports
Kings (No. 7): Darius Acuff Jr., PG, Arkansas

“Acuff is a wiry scorer who can get a bucket from anywhere on the floor with a quick trigger, slippery handle, and a feel for manipulating defenses. He has a knack for clutch moments too. He is not the biggest guard or the most explosive athlete, but he reads defenses like someone who’s been in the league for a decade. He emerged as a freshman as a skilled, low-turnover playmaker. The question that follows every undersized guard into the draft is whether the brilliance survives contact with bigger, longer, faster defenders.”

Warriors (No. 11): Karim Lopez (Mexico), SF/PF, New Zealand Breakers

“Lopez is the best basketball prospect Mexico has ever produced. He left Hermosillo at 14 to play professionally in Barcelona, then at 17 moved to Auckland, New Zealand, where he shined for two years in the NBL Next Stars program. He checks a lot of boxes with his excellent physical tools, a hardnosed approach, and a well-rounded ability to defend multiple positions, handle the ball, and a blossoming shot.”

– Kevin O’Connor
Sports Illustrated
Kings (No. 7): Darius Acuff Jr., PG, Arkansas

“Acuff was a revelation for the Razorbacks this season, thriving despite his being smaller with 23.5 points and 6.4 assists on 48% shooting. The league is seemingly moving away from small-ish guards, but Acuff might just have the poise and pace to blow away expectations anyways.”

Warriors (No. 11):Yaxel Lendeborg, F, Michigan

No description provided.

– Derek Parker
Hoops HQ
Kings (No. 7): Kingston Flemings, PG, Houston

“Flemings is the quintessential Houston guard and was consistent throughout conference play in the Big 12. In the month of January he averaged 19.8 points, and 6.3 assists and had a 42-point game against Texas Tech. He’s a tough two-way player who gets to his spots and shoots well off the dribble.”

Warriors (No. 11):Yaxel Lendeborg, F, Michigan

“Lendeborg was a buzzy name coming out of last year’s draft combine and his decision to return to school paid off in a big way while helping Michigan win a national title. He has great size as an interior player and moves well for his size.”

– Krysten Peek

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Player Grades: Cavs vs Pistons Game 4 – Cleveland ties the series

CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 11: Donovan Mitchell #45 and Dennis Schroder #8 of the Cleveland Cavaliers talk during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Rocket Arena on May 11, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers tied the series, beating the Detroit Pistons in Game 4.

All grades are based on our usual expectations for each player.

Donovan Mitchell

43 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover

Mitchell only scored 4 points in the first half. His first bucket came midway through the second quarter. He’d immediately break out of that shell to start the third quarter, scoring 8 points and forcing a Detroit timeout only 90 seconds into the second half.

The run didn’t stop there. The Cavs broke out into a Cavalanche-worthy 23-0 run, and Mitchell’s shot-making led the way. He poured it on until the Pistons finally rolled over, scoring an NBA record 39 points in the second half for one of his best performances to date. Maybe even his best.

Grade: A+++

James Harden

24 points, 11 assists, 4 steals, 2 turnovers

Harden put the Cavs in front early with his scoring, nailing a pair of triples and netting 11 of Cleveland’s first 14 points.

He’d continue to elevate the offense, recording a double-double with 18 points and 10 assists by the four-minute mark of the third quarter. The Beard was in full control tonight.

Grade: A+

Evan Mobley

17 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 5 blocks

Mobley isn’t an elite offensive hub, but he’s better than he gets credit for. He’s done a fine job of converting his opportunities in this series, scoring at an efficient rate when handling in the pick-and-roll and creating for others.

“Donovan’s gonna get all the flowers tonight, but Evan deserves just as many,” said Kenny Atkinson. “It seemed like he was swatting everything, maybe the best I’ve seen him defensively, and that’s saying something,”

Evan Mobley is the first EC player since Michael Jordan with

5+ assists
3+ steals
5+ blocks

in a playoff game. pic.twitter.com/Vau3L20mkv
— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 12, 2026

On the other side of the floor, he’s played a role in shutting down Jalen Duren and crushing the Pistons in the paint. Eight stocks speak for themselves. Mobley was everywhere, and Detroit had no solution.

Grade: A+

Jarrett Allen

9 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks

Rocket Arena was chanting ‘Jarrett Allen’ during the 23-0 Cavalanche. That happened just moments before Allen crushed a two-handed dunk. I’m not sure if life gets any better than that.

Good vibes aside, Allen has handled all of the physicality thrown at him this series. He’s battled with Duren and come out victorious more often than not. If he continues to meet the moment, this will be a narrative-reversing postseason for Allen (if it isn’t already).

Grade: A-

Dean Wade

0 points, 5 rebounds

Wade, to some chagrin, stayed in the starting lineup tonight. And for the first time in this series, that lineup won its opening minutes. This was mainly because of Harden, but it was an important stretch that has defined the first few games of this matchup. Wade is valuable when the Cavaliers’ offense is able to withstand him being on the floor.

“I thought Wade took his defense to another level,” said Kenny Atkinson after the game.

Grade: B-

Max Strus

5 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals

Strus has forced some of the most impactful turnovers I can recall in this series. His Game 3 heroics speak for themselves, but tonight, he forced an eight-second violation on Cade Cunningham at a pivotal junction of the night. His intensity has helped the Cavs form an identity that’s worthy of standing the tests of a difficult playoff series.

Grade: B+

Jaylon Tyson

1 point, 3 rebounds, 2 assists

Tyson only played 8 minutes as this just wasn’t his night. He’s struggled to find his range as a three-point shooter in the playoffs and will need to rediscover his touch before earning any more minutes.

Grade: D

Dennis Schroder

7 points, 2 rebounds

Schroder finished as a minus-15. But this is why we always say plus/minus can be wonky. Schroder felt much more impactful, at least to me. His bursts to the rim remain helpful, and he shot 3-4 from the floor.

Grade: C+

Sam Merrill

6 points, 2 assists, 1 rebound

Merrill nailed his first two three-point attempts and had Rocket Arena going crazy. He went 0-6 from the floor the rest of the way.

Still, Merrill’s off-ball activity opens gaps for the Cavs offense to attack. He’s a positive for this reason.

Grade: C+


Donovan Mitchell ties NBA playoff scoring record as Cavaliers even series

Donovan Mitchell seemed to disappear in the first half Monday, May 11 as the Cleveland Cavaliers hosted the Detroit Pistons in Game 4 of the conference semifinals.

Then the seven-time All-Star completely took over in the second half with an explosive scoring display to propel the Cavaliers to a 112-103 victory, tying the series 2-2.

Mitchel scored 39 points in the second half to tie the all-time NBA playoff record for most points in a half. The Golden State Warriors’ Eric "Sleepy" Floyd set the record on May 10, 1987, against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Mitchell could not find the basket in the first half, shooting just 1-for-8 and tallying just four points as the Pistons took a 56-52 lead into the locker room. But the guard nicknamed “Spida” emerged as an entirely different player after the break.

SPIDA SCORED 39 OF HIS 43 POINTS IN THE 2ND HALF 🤯

IT'S THE MOST POINTS IN ANY HALF IN A POSTSEASON GAME IN THE PLAY-BY-PLAY ERA!

CAVS WIN GAME 4 TO EVEN THE SERIES AT 2-2 IN THE EAST SEMIS 🍿 pic.twitter.com/0ZUmxWGRQu
— NBA (@NBA) May 12, 2026

Mitchell went from couldn’t make to couldn’t miss in the third quarter. He scored 21 points in the period, making 8-of-9 field goals, draining two of three 3-pointers and knocking down all three of his free throw attempts.

His scoring tear continued in the fourth with 18 points, shooting 4-of-9 from the field (1-for-4 on 3-pointers) and hitting 9 of 10 free throws.

Mitchell said he apologized to his team at halftime for his low output and his decision-making.

“I set the tone in Game 3 (a 116-109 Cleveland win), came downhill in transition, and I don’t think I did that one time in the first half. So, I came in and told the guys, ‘That’s on me.’ So, I tried to make a statement in the second half.”

Cleveland began the third period on a 23-0 run, largely spurred by Mitchell, but he credited the game plan and the team for the second-half surge.

“Just continue to play together and continue to move the ball, so that’s where it starts. I was also able to get into the paint. We did a great job of getting everybody involved in the second half.”

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donovan Mitchell leads Cavaliers past Pistons, ties NBA playoff record


Donovan Mitchell scores 39 in second half, sparks 24-0 run, earns Cavaliers win to even series 2-2

There were a lot of things to note in this game: A red-hot Donovan Mitchell dropping 39 in the second half, James Harden spraying the ball all over the floor and racking up 11 assists, the way the Cavaliers attacked the Pistons' defense, getting them in rotation (and the way Detroit kept helping off good 3-point shooters for some reason), the Pistons turnovers, and much more.

But this game was decided in the 6:03 stretch at the start of the third quarter, when the Cavaliers went on a 24-0 run to take control.

After scoring just 4 points in the first half, Donovan Mitchell drops a quick 8 points in the first 2 minutes of the 3rd quarter!

 NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/bBOfSsDYA6
— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) May 12, 2026

Mitchell scored 21 in the third quarter on 8-of-9 shooting, and behind that, the Cavaliers went from down 4 at the half to up 18, and the game was never seriously in doubt again.

Cleveland went on to win 112-103, tying up their series with Detroit 2-2.

A critical Game 5 is in Detroit on Wednesday — Cleveland is 6-0 at home these playoffs and 0-5 on the road.

It was a tale of two halves for Mitchell, who had just four points on 1-of-8 shooting in the first half. It was Harden, with 15 points and six assists — 11 of those points coming early in the first – that kept the Cavaliers in striking distance.

Then Mitchell put on his cape and came out like Superman in the second half, scoring 39 — tying an NBA record for points in a half in the play-by-play era.
With a free throw with 27.6 left, Mitchell got to 39, tying him with Eric "Sleepy" Floyd for the honor.

Mitchell finished with 43 points, Harden had 24 points to go with his 11 dimes, and Evan Mobley added 17 for the Cavs.

It was a rough day for the Pistons starters. Cade Cunningham had 19 points on 16 shot attempts with four turnovers, Jalen Duren scored just eight points, and Tobias Harris scored 16 but needed 17 shots to get there.

It was a strong night off the bench from Caris LeVert with 24 points on 10-of-16 shooting, and 15 from Paul Reed on 7-of-9 from the floor, that kept them close.

It looked like it might be the Cavs night from the start. Cleveland forced five early turnovers and that became 11 points going the other way, leading to the Cavaliers being up by as much as 11 early — not coincidentally Harden had 11 early points. But the Pistons righted themselves and quickly walked that down, especially thanks to a fast start from LeVert off the bench, and after a quarter it was Detroit by 3, 24-21.

The second quarter was back-and-forth, with Cleveland doing a much better job of attacking mismatches (including being willing to go at Duran on the perimeter) and getting the Pistons in rotation. Despite that, it was the Pistons by four at the half.

Then Mitchell took over, the Cavaliers went on their run, and changed the feel of this series. It's now a best-of-three.


Has LeBron James' tenure with the Lakers been a failure? Fans weigh in.

LOS ANGELES — Clara Massey stood behind her walker and methodically moved in front of Crypto.com Arena after trekking from her nearby apartment. She was wearing a purple Los Angeles Lakers jersey, a purple Lakers cap and sunglasses with yellow frames (or, as any self-respecting Lakers fans would point out, Lakers gold.)

“I just come down, walk around and get the good energy and give the good energy,’’ Massey told USA TODAY Sports.

That energy was mostly pro-LeBron James with the Lakers on the verge of elimination from the playoffs on Monday, May 11 and Game 4 against the Oklahoma City Thunder potentially being James’ last with the Lakers, if not the NBA altogether.

As tipoff grew closer, the moment prompted the following question: Has James' time with the Lakers been a failure?

Despite the fact James led the Lakers to a championship – the 17th in franchise history in 2020 that culminated in the NBA bubble in Walt Disney World in Florida. Despite the fact he became the NBA's all-time leading scorer in front of Lakers fans when he overtook Lakers great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Despite the dunks, the 3-pointers and, well, more than a few turnovers.

“I think he did a lot,’’ Massey said. “Won a championship. And he’s still contributing. He’s a pretty strong force.’’

Massey’s fondness for James goes beyond his on-court accomplishments in Los Angeles.

“I think he’s a great basketball player, a great figure in sports,’’ she said, reflecting on the time LeBron James and Bronny spent on the court together during the Lakers first-round series against the Houston Rockets.

“Did someone else do that for their child?’’ she said. “I bet if he could he would teach the world basketball.’’
Higher expectations
Four young men wearing Kobe Bryant jerseys and t-shirts surely would offer a tougher assessment.

“If LeBron can win another championship here, he deserves a statue,’’ Matthew Dominguez of Sylmar, California, said, of the statues outside Crypto.com Arena reserved for Laker greats like Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. “I think he knew what we expected. But we’re so grateful. He doesn’t deserve all the hate.’’

In fact, Dominguez said he hopes the Lakers keep James. That James could be key to the team winning another NBA title, something the fans like Dominguez are craving.

“And if he doesn’t do it for us, do it for Bronny,’’ Dominguez.
'No small feat'
Aiden Rivas, wearing a No. 6 jersey with James on the back, was standing in line outside Crypto.com Arena more than an hour before the doors opened. Speaking of which, Lakers fans might not have been so open to James’ coming to the Lakers, according to Rivas.

They feared Los Angeles might just be another stop as he jumped from one team to another. They assumed he was here to live in Los Angeles more than play for the Lakers.

Those concerns receded, Rivas, 20, told USA TODAY Sports.

“He brought us a ring, and that’s no small feat,’’ Rivas said. “Overall, I think he did a great job of getting us to the playoffs almost every year. That’s huge.

“I remember the times we couldn’t make it to the playoffs and we had Jordan Clarkson.’’

Sorry, Jordan.
Siblings perspective
Jesse and Lizbeth Medina, siblings who live in Los Angeles, sat outside Crypto.com Arena.

Jesse Medina, 25, said of James, “I think LeBron was good for PR, good for fan engagement but Luka (Doncic) will transform the team.’’

Lizabeth Medina, wearing a Kobe Bryant jersey, said of James' time here, “I was expecting another championship.’’

But she sounded optimistic it’ll happen.

With Doncic, not James, leading the Lakers.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LeBron James' Lakers tenure may be coming to an end. Was it a failure?


Don’t you dare trade up, Utah

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 30: (L-R) Team Owner Ryan Smith of the Utah Jazz talks with CEO Danny Ainge and President of Basketball Operations Austin Ainge during warmups before their game against the Brooklyn Nets at the Delta Center on January 30, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It happened. The Utah Jazz moved up in the NBA Draft Lottery. After three years of soul-searching, serial-killer-esque bulletin-boarding, and mass panic flowing through the bloodstream of every resident in the greater Salt Lake City area (you remember), all of the tanking has been worth it. An empty viewing experience, hoping your team loses every one of 246 regular-season games, is not good for the spirit, nor is it healthy for a fanbase to see its star players build a white picket fence and lay brick and mortar around their designated seat on the bench.

The Utah Jazz will select second overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, happily awaiting the gourmet table scraps of whichever 5-star entree the Washington Wizards avoid. Smiling through it all. I can’t believe this is my life.

By any measure, AJ Dybantsa or Darryn Peterson will be the number-one pick. It’s an inevitability, like eating a second potato chip or some vaguely successful movie from the 2000s getting a sequel and/or reboot (looking at you, The Devil Wears Prada 2: It’s All Gucci, Fam, or whatever that movie is called).

This year’s number-two pick is practically as valuable as the one above it.

Though BYU’s star holds the edge, Peterson is likewise considered to be a player of number-one quality. A potential All-NBA mainstay, with an annual appearance on MVP ballots. On the SLC Dunk Draft Board, we ranked Dybantsa and Peterson 1A and 1B, respectively, for one simple reason: they’re both so darn good.

So drafting second overall is almost a blessing. You get all the excitement of picking a potential franchise cornerstone, and none of the pressure of “picking the right guy”. Whether Washington takes Dybantsa or Peterson, Utah can lean back in the tranquility of their war room and take whoever remains.

This year’s number-two pick is practically as valuable as the one above it. That’s a rare luxury.

Of course, our relaxation was rudely interrupted by rumors of a shakeup in the order, as Jake Fischer’s conversation with Michael Winger, president of the Wizards, sparked a thousand aggregations.

[Winger] insisted that this is ‘not a savior moment’ for Washington, given that the franchise just traded for two former All-Stars in Trae Young and Anthony Davis on top of the slew of recent lottery picks it already has accumulated. He added that, in accordance with Wizards general manager Will Dawkins’ prospect evaluations, Washington will not rule out a move downward if Dawkins determines there are two or three players that the Wizards are eager to come away with.”

Sigh.

It was only a matter of moments before the Utah Jazz — noted AJ Dybantsa fanboys — were rumored to take a shot at prying Washington away from their spot atop the ladder.

Ryan Smith’s comments on the Pat McAfee Show only tossed lighter fluid onto the already-aflame dumpster of draft speculation.

“It would be irresponsible if everything wasn’t on the table,” Smith told McAfee on ESPN, though noting that the decision would be Austin and Danny Ainge’s to make.

"Danny Ainge and Austin have a pretty good track record with how they handle the lottery..

There's a lot of time between now and the draft"@RyanQualtrics#PMSLivepic.twitter.com/NH0NGm7fQo
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 11, 2026

I’m here to plant my flag in the earth. Utah Jazz, do not trade up.

Draw the shades. Lock the doors. Disconnect the phone lines. Unplug the internet router. Sequester whoever you must to absolutely ensure that the second overall pick does not leave the premises of the Delta Center until it’s announced over the podium at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. You cannot go wrong with either Darryn Peterson or AJ Dybantsa, so don’t waste your assets when you’re already guaranteed a chance with either of them.

Peterson slots perfectly alongside Keyonte George in the starting lineup, standing at 6’6” in shoes with a scorer’s mentality and a demonic streak on the defensive end. The Kansas star could effortlessly round out Will Hardy’s starting 5, with Ace Bailey the first man off the pine.

If the Jazz want to step up, it will cost them dearly. How far would you go to jump from 2 to 1?

But if Washington goes all alt-rock on us and dodges Dybantsa, you won’t hear any teeth gnashing in the Beehive State. A player who has spent his last two years of life living in Utah, Dybantsa would be a gigantic 6’9” shooting guard, making the Jazz perhaps the tallest starting 5 in NBA history.

And both players could someday be MVPs.

Call me overzealous, but adding either player to an already dangerous core of George, Bailey, Markkanen, Jackson Jr., Kessler, Sensabaugh, and Williams makes the Jazz a top-four team in the Western Conference next season. This was the ultimate goal of the tank all along, right?

Washington’s asking price will be very high — this ain’t no Zaccharie Risacher draft pool, God rest his soul. If the Jazz want to step up, it will cost them dearly. How far would you go to jump from 2 to 1? A future first-round pick? Two? Ace Bailey? Why give Washington anything when you get an elite prospect either way?

Again, I urge you: don’t you dare trade up, Utah.

Sarah Todd stepped in to stamp down any rumors of interest on both Utah’s and Washington’s end. “When they say things like ‘yeah, we’re going to be willing to listen to offers for the pick’, they can’t say anything else, right?”

“Both AJ and Darryn Peterson look like they have the potential to be MVP-type players. […] The Wizards are not going to disappoint their fans; they’re going to pick number one. The Jazz are probably not going to disappoint their fans; they’re going to get an excellent player with the number-two pick.”

Stay out of your own way, Utah, and stay on course. Pick second overall and leave the NBA Draft as a winner.

Calvin Barrett is a writer, editor, and prolific Mario Kart racer located in Tokyo, Japan. He has covered the NBA and College Sports since 2024.