Thunder full sweep over Suns, Nuggets keep alive vs. Timberwolves, Magic take commanding 3-1 lead over Pistons on Monday.
He Cain. He noticed. He posterized.
When Orlando wanted a jolt, Jamal Cain shook the constructing – and the Magic’s protection clamped right down to take a 3-1 lead over the No. 1 Pistons.
Maintain studying for extra from Orlando, large wins for OKC & Denver, tonight’s tripleheader on ESPN & Prime … and one of many closest Rookie of the Yr outcomes ever.
5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀
Magic Make Stand: Late defensive dominance, a clutch Bane financial institution and a 3-1 lead over the East’s 1 seed
West Wins: Thunder advance into West Semis, Nuggets keep alive behind Joker’s ace
Blazers at Spurs: Wemby’s historic Playoff begin has San Antonio one win from West Semis
In The East: Pritchard powers Boston’s closeout bid, Knicks host Hawks in pivotal Recreation 5
Flagg Wins Kia ROY: A file rookie season earns Flagg prime honors in a standout class
BUT FIRST … ⏰
The NBA Playoffs proceed tonight, with the Celtics and Spurs (each up 3-1) seeking to shut their collection on ESPN, whereas the Knicks host the Hawks (collection tied 2-2) in a pivotal Recreation 5 on NBC & Peacock.
Flagg Wins Kia ROY: Mavs ahead Cooper Flagg has been named the 2025-26 Kia NBA Rookie of the Yr, incomes the Wilt Chamberlain Trophy.
See the total NBA Awards outcomes and upcoming announcement schedule right here.
1. ORLANDO STYMIES DETROIT IN CRUNCH TIME FOR 3-1 SERIES LEAD
It was 85-85. 5:23 left within the 4th.
- The No. 1 seed Pistons had been attempting to even the collection earlier than returning dwelling for Recreation 5
- The No. 8 seed Magic had been chasing a uncommon 3-1 collection lead over the convention’s prime seed
What adopted was an Orlando defensive masterclass.
Magic 94, Pistons 88: The Magic held Detroit to simply three factors the remainder of the best way, whereas Jamal Cain’s putback jam gave Orlando the lead, earlier than Desmond Bane (22 pts, 5 reb, 5 3s) banked in a massive 3 with 1:16 left, securing a gutsy win to take a 3-1 collection lead. | Recap
- Locking In: Down 5, Detroit used an 8-3 spurt to tie the sport at 85. Then Orlando flipped the change
- Cain Time: After his mammoth poster early within the 4th, Cain rocked the rim once more together with his go-ahead putback – igniting Orlando on each ends
- Magic Jolt: The protection responded with almost 4 flawless minutes, holding Detroit scoreless from 5:23 to 1:35, earlier than Cade Cunningham (25 pts, 9 reb, 6 ast) lastly ended the drought with a free throw
- Bane Time: Twenty-one ticks later, Bane answered with the bank-in triple, placing Orlando up six and sending the gang right into a frenzy
- Door Slammed: The Magic adopted with 4 extra stops, whereas Jalen Suggs added two free throws to pad the lead
- One Win Away: Detroit was nonetheless and not using a discipline objective within the closing 5:23 earlier than Isaiah Stewart’s tip-in with three seconds left, nevertheless it was too late – the Magic had been up 3-1
Closing Assertion: No workforce had held the Pistons to 3 factors or fewer within the closing 5 minutes of a recreation all season. With Recreation 4 on the road, the Magic did simply that.
- Late Lockdown: Orlando held Detroit to 1-of-10 taking pictures over the ultimate 5:23, whereas forcing two takeaways, in the end successful the turnover battle 20-10
- Uncommon Clamps: The three factors Orlando allowed marked its finest five-minute closing stretch in a Playoff recreation since 1997
- Uncommon Outcomes: The Magic now be a part of the 2023 Warmth as the one No. 8 seeds within the final decade to take a 3-1 collection lead over a No. 1 seed
- Recreation 5 Wednesday: Paolo Banchero added 18 factors and eight boards for Orlando, which is able to look to shut the collection Wednesday in Detroit (7 ET, Prime)
2. WEST WINS: THUNDER MOVE ON, NUGGETS FORCE GAME 6
With a visit to the Western Convention Semis in sight, the Thunder had been to not be denied Monday night time.
Thunder 131, Suns 122: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was cooking (31 pts, 8 ast), whereas Chet Holmgren anchored the within (24 pts, 12 reb, 9-16 FG) as OKC jumped out to a 75-67 halftime lead and by no means seemed again, sweeping Phoenix to achieve its third straight West Semifinals. | Recap
- Shai Scorching: SGA’s third straight recreation with 30+ pts and eight+ ast on over 50% taking pictures hyperlinks him with LeBron James (4x) as the one gamers to file such a streak within the postseason
- Showtime Sweepness: The Thunder have now swept the First Spherical in three straight postseasons, turning into the primary West workforce to take action for the reason that Lakers from 1984-89
- Phoenix’s Core: Devin Booker (24 pts, 6 ast), Dillon Brooks (23 pts) and Jalen Inexperienced (23 pts) mixed for 70 factors, however they couldn’t hold tempo with the defending champs
- Few Have: Since March 1, OKC has misplaced simply 3 times. Up subsequent: the winner of the Lakers-Rockets collection (LAL lead 3-1)
Whereas OKC superior, Denver averted elimination.
Nuggets 125, Wolves 113: Down 3-1, Nikola Jokić took full control with a monster triple-double (27 pts, 12 reb, 16 ast), sparking a decisive third quarter run as Denver pulled previous Julius Randle (27 pts, 9 reb, 6 ast) and Minnesota to drive Recreation 6. | Recap
- The Swing: After taking a 9-point halftime lead, Denver used a 37-24 third quarter to grab management, capped by a 15-8 closing burst to enter the 4th up 22
- The Conductor: Jokić got here into Monday averaging 7.8 assists within the collection. He had 10 by halftime because the Nuggets by no means trailed after the ten:13 mark within the 1st quarter
- The Summit: Jokić now has 221 profession triple-doubles throughout the common season and postseason, matching Russell Westbrook for essentially the most all-time
All Fingers: It’s Jokić’s third profession triple-double when dealing with elimination, however he didn’t drive Recreation 6 alone.
- Stepping Up: With Aaron Gordon (calf) out, Jamal Murray shined (24 pts, 7 ast, 4 stl), whereas Spencer Jones (20 pts, 4 3s) and Cameron Johnson (18 pts, 6 reb, 5 ast. 3 stl) mixed for 38
- Cash Murray: Murray, averaging 26.3 pts in elimination video games, iced the sport with a late dunk, staving off a Wolves run to revive a 15-point lead
- “We performed like we had been down 3-1,” mentioned Murray. “Nice workforce win. Nice workforce effort, and we’re gonna want extra of it.”
- Bonus Bucket: Even Rocky was feeling it, draining an over-the-head shot from half-court whereas standing on two (yes, two!) ladders
- Up Subsequent: The Wolves – with out Anthony Edwards (knee) and Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles) – return dwelling for Recreation 6 on Thursday (Time/TV, TBD)
3. OUT WEST: WEMBY’S SPURS LOOK TO ADVANCE, HOSTING BLAZERS
In early April, Victor Wembanyama may already really feel what was coming.
- “We’re prepared,” mentioned Wemby of the postseason. “It’s turning into extra actual that we’re really going to play within the Playoffs…
- “Elimination video games … at all times reveal issues.”
With the Spurs up 3-1 on the Blazers, the Playoffs have revealed precisely what San Antonio hoped: a younger famous person constructed for the large stage.
Tonight on ESPN (9:30 ET), Wembanyama will look to steer the Spurs to their first West Semifinal since 2017 – whereas including to a Playoff begin in contrast to every other.
- Report Tempo: By way of three video games, Wemby has piled up 67 factors, 21 rebounds, 10 blocks and 6 3s – numbers unmatched by any participant of their first three profession postseason video games since blocks had been first tracked in 1973-74
- Opening Assertion: That features a Spurs-record 35 factors in his postseason debut, earlier than a concussion-forced exit in Recreation 2 (12 min)
- Monster Return: He adopted with a 27-point, 12-rebound, 7-block return in Recreation 4 – a postseason stat line final reached by Shaquille O’Neal in 2004
Alien Presence: With out Wemby in Recreation 3, San Antonio wanted 60 mixed factors from Stephon Fort (33) and Dylan Harper (27) to erase a 15-point deficit.
In Recreation 4, the Spurs stormed again once more – this time flipping a 17-point halftime gap right into a 21-point win, the most important 2nd-half swing in a Playoff recreation within the play-by-play period.
The rally was a reminder of the additional gear Wemby offers San Antonio – and it begins on protection.
- Paint Closed: In Video games 2 & 3, the Blazers shot 59.3% from the restricted space. With Wemby again in Recreation 4, they shot 48.3% – an 11% drop
- Power Neutralized: Wemby’s presence has additionally blunted one in all Portland’s greatest benefits: offensive rebounding
- Glass Shifted: Portland ranked 2nd within the NBA in offensive boards this season with 14.1 per recreation. With Wemby taking part in in Video games 1 & 4, that common has almost been lower in half (7.5)
- The End result: In Wemby’s two full video games this collection, the Spurs have outscored the Blazers 100-80 within the paint, with Wembanyama posting a +16 plus-minus
The Blazers now have their backs towards the wall, however they’ve confirmed they’ll play with the Spurs, constructing 15+ level halftime leads in every of the final two video games.
Now, they want a whole efficiency to maintain their season alive.
- “We had an important lead two video games in a row,” mentioned Deni Avdija. “We simply should be higher at sustaining it … once we’re bodily and taking part in our recreation, we’re nice.”
4. IN THE EAST: C’S LOOK TO ADVANCE, PIVOTAL GAME 5 AT MSG
Late within the 1st quarter of Recreation 4 between the Celtics and Sixers, Joel Embiid hit a midrange jumper to trim Philly’s deficit to 31-18 with 6.5 seconds left.
Then Payton Pritchard acquired the ball and headed upcourt.
What occurred over the subsequent 6.5 seconds was pure Pritchard.
- “Pritchard time,” mentioned NBC’s Mike Tirico on the decision. “He’s so good on the finish of quarters. Is he going to do it once more? Is he going to do it once more…? HEEEE DID IT AGAIN!”
Pritchard’s shot gave him 13 1st-quarter factors, capping a 23-8 run that put the C’s up 16. He completed with 32 as Boston led the remainder of the best way to take a 3-1 collection lead.
Tonight on ESPN (7 ET), the Celtics will look to shut the collection to achieve their fifth straight East Semifinals. For Pritchard, it’s one other probability so as to add to a Playoff rise years within the making.
- Towards The Odds: A 6-foot-1 guard from Tualatin, Oregon, Pritchard has carved out a successful NBA position by way of the identical aggressive edge teammates have praised since his youth
- That features Jayson Tatum, who performed with Pritchard at a Staff USA highschool circuit a decade in the past
- “I’ve known P since high school,” mentioned Tatum. “He’s at all times been that aggressive. Doesn’t again down from anyone, at all times takes on a problem.”
That fireside has taken Pritchard’s recreation to new heights.
After serving to seal Boston’s 2024 title with an iconic half-court buzzer-beater within the series-clinching Recreation 5, Pritchard received Kia Sixth Man of the Yr final season.
This 12 months, he adopted with profession highs throughout the board, averaging 17 ppg whereas turning into one in all Boston’s most necessary items.
- C’s Spark: Pritchard is Boston’s third-leading scorer this postseason (15.8 ppg) whereas hitting a team-high 3.3 threes per recreation at a 37.1% clip
- Reservation For One: His 32 factors in Sunday’s win had been a Playoff career-high and got here with six 3s – essentially the most by any Celtics reserve in a postseason recreation
- Profitable Impression: It was Pritchard’s twelfth profession 30-piece. In these video games, Boston is 12-0
- “It’s superb,” mentioned Jaylen Brown of Pritchard’s development after Recreation 4. “While you see somebody put within the work behind the scenes, moments like this really feel all the higher.”
Boston has seized management of the collection, however Philly has proven it could actually reply on the street, stealing Recreation 2 at TD Backyard.
Going through elimination tonight, the Sixers will want one other response.
- “Our season is on the road,” mentioned Tyrese Maxey. “We have to play determined.”
At MSG, it’s a best-of-three between the Knicks and Hawks – tied 2-2 getting into a large Recreation 5 (8 ET, NBC/Peacock).
To get there, one other X-factor has emerged in CJ McCollum, who performed hero for the Hawks in Recreation 2 earlier than drilling one other winner in Recreation 3.
Now, after the Knicks’ Recreation 4 reply, the collection shifts again to the Backyard, the place McCollum already performed spoiler as soon as – and the place he’ll once more be within the highlight, writes NBA.com’s Shaun Powell:
“This position and this second wasn’t initially designed for him or drawn up for him. This wasn’t alleged to be CJ McCollum’s time, not this season and definitely not with the Hawks or in these Playoffs…
“Now, look: McCollum is among the many most impactful gamers in these Playoffs and definitely a sudden hero in Atlanta.” | Learn Extra
Whereas McCollum has delivered two defining moments, it was Karl-Anthony Cities who owned Recreation 4, posting a 20-point triple-double for New York to reset the collection at 2-2.
Now the Knicks return dwelling with momentum – and the stakes are sky-high: winners of Recreation 5 in a 2-2 collection traditionally go on to win the collection 81.5% of the time (194-44).
5. COOPER FLAGG NAMED KIA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
A rookie race to recollect ended with Cooper Flagg becoming a member of particular firm – once more.
The Mavs ahead and No. 1 total choose was named the 2025-26 Kia NBA Rookie of the Yr on Monday after a debut season that matched hype with manufacturing, after which some.
Flagg’s all-around recreation shined in Yr 1, main all rookies in scoring (21 ppg), whereas rating 2nd in assists (4.5) and steals (1.2), 4th in rebounds (6.7) and fifth in blocks (0.9) per recreation throughout 70 outings.
At 19 years and 112 days previous (as of April 12, the ultimate day of the common season), Flagg is the second-youngest Kia Rookie of the Yr winner behind solely LeBron James (19y, 106d) – including extra historical past to a file season.
- Do It All: Flagg completed the 12 months as Dallas’ chief in complete factors (1,473), rebounds (466), assists (316) and steals (84)
- Uncommon Air: Just one different rookie has led his workforce in all 4 classes since steals had been first tracked in 1973-74: Michael Jordan
- 50-Level Flash: On April 3, Flagg poured in 51 factors towards the Magic, turning into the youngest participant in NBA historical past to file a 50-ball
- Bona Fide Buckets: He’s additionally the primary rookie since Allen Iverson (1996-97) to publish 4 40-pieces
Photograph End: Flagg edged out his former Duke teammate, Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel, by 26 factors for 1st place, marking the second-smallest top-2 margin underneath the present Kia ROY voting format (since 2002-03).
Philly’s VJ Edgecombe completed third, rounding out a standout group of finalists.