Spurs shut out collection with Path Blazers, Knicks take 3-2 lead over Hawks and 76ers stave off elimination vs. Celtics on Tuesday.
For the primary time in 9 years, the Spurs are headed to the Western Convention Semifinals.
One massive motive why? No. 1 ⬇️
5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀
Spurs Rise: Wemby accelerates San Antonio’s return to West Semis, as Spurs oust Portland in 5
Sixers Keep Alive: Embiid erupts with Philly going through elimination, forcing Recreation 6 vs. Boston
Knicks Take Recreation 5: Brunson’s 39, New York’s clamps earn 3-2 lead over Atlanta
Rockets at Lakers: Houston’s resolve meets LeBron and the Lakers’ closeout push
Two East Duels: Position gamers rise for rolling Magic & Raptors forward of key Recreation 5s
BUT FIRST … ⏰
Stevens Wins Exec Of 12 months: Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens was named the 2025-26 NBA Basketball Govt of the 12 months, his second time profitable the award.
See the complete NBA Awards outcomes and upcoming announcement schedule right here.
1. WEMBY DOMINATES AS SPURS PUNCH TICKET TO WEST SEMIS
It had been 9 years for the reason that Spurs final reached the West Semifinals.
They entered Tuesday simply 48 minutes from ending that wait.
And Victor Wembanyama made certain they did.
Spurs 114, Blazers 95: Wemby was in peak kind (17 pts, 14 reb, 6 blk), swallowing up photographs, dunking via visitors and making the absurd look effortless because the Spurs jumped out to a 65-45 halftime lead and by no means appeared again.
De’Aaron Fox (21 pts, 9 ast) sealed the cope with 13 points in the 4th, keeping off a late push from Deni Avdija (22 pts) and Portland to clinch the collection 4-1, sending San Antonio to the West Semis for the primary time since 2017. | Recap
- Uncommon Tear: Following a monster Game 4, Wemby is the primary participant to file 15+ factors, 10+ boards and 6+ blocks in back-to-back Playoff video games in the identical collection since Patrick Ewing in 1994
- All-Time Firm: Since 1974, solely 4 different gamers have matched the feat: Corridor of Famers David Robinson, Robert Parish, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Elvin Hayes
- “Oh My Goodness!”: That included a vicious swat late within the 4th that introduced the Frost Financial institution Middle to its toes – and left Wembanyama’s father in disbelief
- All Cylinders: Julian Champagnie (19 pts, 7 reb, 5 3s), Dylan Harper (17 pts, 3 stl) and Stephon Fort (15 pts, 5 ast) mixed for 51 extra factors because the Spurs by no means trailed
- The Subsequent Order Of Enterprise? Bang the victory drum – the Spurs are headed to the subsequent spherical
San Antonio’s rise has mirrored its younger famous person: fast development, big strides and outcomes arriving early.
After reaching the West Semis in 2017, the Spurs spent years looking for their subsequent chapter, together with a six-year Playoff drought from 2019-20 via 2024-25. They managed simply 22 wins in Wembanyama’s rookie yr.
Two seasons later, they’re again within the West Semifinals.
Why? As a result of Wemby hasn’t simply been a famous person – he’s been a timeline accelerator.
- Sophomore Leap: After profitable Kia Rookie of the 12 months, Wemby soared in 12 months 2, incomes his first All-Star nod whereas averaging profession highs in factors (24.3), rebounds (11) and blocks (3.8)
- Proof Of Progress: Deep vein thrombosis lower Wemby’s season brief in February, however San Antonio had already surpassed its 22-win whole by the point he was sidelined
- Then, The Breakthrough: Wemby’s 12 months 3 dominance vaulted him into the Kia MVP race — and the primary unanimous Kia Defensive Participant of the 12 months award — as he powered the Spurs to the West’s No. 2 seed and their first 60+ win season since 2016-17
The Ripple Impact: As Wemby ascended, so did the Spurs round him: Fort constructed on his Kia ROY marketing campaign, Fox shined because the veteran star, Keldon Johnson earned Kia Sixth Man of the 12 months honors, whereas Devin Vassell and No. 2 decide Dylan Harper emerged as key items.
The Outcome? A 40-win bounce from Wemby’s rookie yr – and a rebuild turned title push with a famous person elevating everybody round him.
- “It’s like nobody else,” mentioned Fox on Wemby’s affect. “It’s between most likely him and Steph – these are the one varieties of guys which have the kind of gravity that they’ve… however with Steph, you may’t simply throw the ball to the moon.”
- To The Moon: Up subsequent for the Spurs? The winner of Wolves-Nuggets (MIN leads 3-2)
2. PHILLY FIGHT: EMBIID POWERS SIXERS BACK HOME FOR GAME 6
Dealing with elimination in Boston, the Sixers turned to Joel Embiid. He turned the collection again to Philly.
76ers 113, Celtics 97: Down 3-1 and going through a 13-point Third-quarter deficit, Embiid (33 pts, 8 ast) willed Philly again to take a two-point lead into the 4th.
Then the floodgates opened. Embiid, Tyrese Maxey (25 pts, 10 reb, 5 ast) and Quentin Grimes (18 pts, 4 3s) ignited a 28-11 4th-quarter blitz, as Philly raced previous Jayson Tatum (24 pts, 16 reb) and Boston to pressure Recreation 6 in Philadelphia. | Recap
Twenty days in the past, Embiid underwent emergency surgical procedure for an appendectomy – the most recent setback in a season stuffed with damage frustration.
However he battled again. And in simply his second recreation again, Embiid – laboring via exhaustion and a separate knee damage – embodied Philly’s struggle, sparking the rally that saved the Sixers’ season.
- Unleashed: After going 0-for-5 from 3 within the 1st half, Embiid went into assault mode: post-ups, putbacks, drives, dunks – no matter Philly wanted – to gasoline a 20-8 burst that flipped the sport
- Then, The Run: With Philadelphia up 97-94 with 7:03 left, Embiid discovered Grimes for 3, then buried a troublesome fadeaway earlier than including two free throws
- Simply Like That: A Maxey bucket and a VJ Edgecombe triple capped a 12-0 strike, ballooning a 3-point result in 15 with 2:25 left – and sending Boston south for Recreation 6
- “Each single time I’m on the ground, I wish to play as laborious as potential,” mentioned Embiid postgame. “I wish to do no matter it takes to win.”
Full Shut: Embiid scored 18 factors within the 2nd half on 7-of-10 capturing (with out taking a single 3), whereas Maxey and Grimes added 12 apiece because the trio outscored Boston 42-40 after the break.
- Proper On Time: It’s Embiid’s first 30+ level Playoff recreation since 2024 and the second-highest scoring elimination recreation of his profession
- Maxey Magic: Maxey is the primary Sixer to put up not less than 25/10/5 in an elimination recreation since Billy Cunningham in 1971
- Lockdown End: In the meantime, Philly’s protection held Boston to 11 factors within the ultimate body – the Celtics’ third-fewest 4th-quarter factors in a Playoff recreation within the play-by-play period
- “We weren’t rattled,” mentioned Embiid of the rally. “We simply stored enjoying our recreation … now, we gotta maintain going.”
- Up Subsequent: Down 3-2, Philly hosts Boston on Thursday (8 ET, Peacock) because it seems to pressure a Recreation 7
3. KNICKS’ DEFENSE BACKS UP BRUNSON’S 39 FOR 3-2 LEAD
The Knicks discovered a profitable method for back-to-back Ws and a 3-2 collection lead.
Knicks 126, Hawks 97: Jalen Brunson went off for a series-high 39 factors with 8 assists, placing Atlanta away with 17 within the 4th, as New York held Jalen Johnson (18 pts, 10 reb, 6 ast) and the Hawks underneath 100 factors for the second straight recreation.
OG Anunoby (17 pts, 10 reb) and Karl-Anthony Cities (16 pts, 14 reb, 6 ast, 2 stl, 2 blk) supported with key double-doubles, giving the Knicks an opportunity to shut out the collection in Recreation 6 in Atlanta. | Recap
- Tone Set: New York took off early, grabbing the lead for good lower than 4 minutes in, on the best way to a 35-22 1st quarter and 65% capturing
- Early & Late: Brunson’s (65.2 FG%) 17-point 4th was the tenth 15+ level Playoff quarter of his Knicks profession, which ties for the Third-most within the NBA since 2023
- Two-Approach, Two Wins: New York’s protection backed up its offense, as Atlanta was held underneath 100 factors in consecutive video games for simply the second time this season
- How? Slowing CJ: The Knicks once more targeted on Hawks’ main scorer CJ McCollum (20.8 ppg), holding him to six factors Tuesday and 0-for-6 from 3 during the last two video games
“We had been tied collectively, we had been on a string,” Brunson mentioned of the protection. “We had everybody’s again. If one thing… fell aside, we had been there for one another.”
- Benefit, Knicks: The winner of Recreation 5 in a collection tied 2-2 has gone on to advance 81.5% of the time
- What’s going to it take to shut out? “The precise mindset,” Brunson mentioned. “[Game 5] is over with. We received. It’s 3-2 now … we gotta flush it and be ready for Recreation 6.”
- Up Subsequent: The collection goes again to Atlanta Thursday (7 ET, ESPN)
4. TONIGHT OUT WEST: ROCKETS VISIT LAKERS, LOOK TO FORCE GAME 6
The Rockets had their backs towards the wall. And so they performed prefer it.
Dealing with the prospect of a First Spherical sweep, Houston prolonged its season, holding the Lakers to underneath 100 factors in Recreation 4 for the primary time all collection.
“Guys have delight,” mentioned coach Ime Udoka. “We needed to provide ourselves an opportunity.”
Tonight (10 ET, ESPN), they return to Los Angeles with the possibility to maintain climbing again from what was a 3-0 collection deficit. Kevin Durant (ankle) is day-to-day, however received’t play in Recreation 5.
Even with out the 16-time All-Star on Monday, the Rockets discovered a means.
- Youth Motion: 23-year-old Amen Thompson and 21-year-old Reed Sheppard pitched in 23 and 17 factors, respectively, as essential cogs within the crew’s 115 factors
- Chipping In: Tari Eason tallied a game-high 5 steals and eight rebounds to enrich 20 factors of his personal
- “Studying how the offense is shifting once I’m on protection,” Eason mentioned. “Who’s catching the ball, the place they’re catching the ball, in the event that they’re in an uncomfortable place.”
A pregame speech from Alperen Sengun rallied the Rockets. He backed up his phrases with 14 factors within the first half, and his teammates adopted go well with.
- “He was simply letting us know he didn’t wish to go dwelling,” Thompson mentioned. “I used to be pleased with him taking that management position and pulling us all again in there.”
- Sticky Fingers: Houston pestered Los Angeles’ ball-handlers all through Recreation 4, racking up 17 steals – probably the most by any crew in a recreation since 2022
LeBron James is aware of the dangers of getting too comfy with a 3-1 collection lead. He famously led the Cavaliers again from that deficit to defeat the Warriors within the 2016 Finals.
- Voice Of Purpose: James took accountability for Monday, having scored 10 factors on 2-for-9 capturing, calling his eight turnovers “unacceptable”
- Massive Enhance? Austin Reaves (indirect), who averaged 23.3 ppg this season however hasn’t performed since April 2, expressed cautious optimism about returning for Recreation 5
5. IN THE EAST: NO. 8 MAGIC CAN ADVANCE; KEY GAME 5 IN THE LAND
Going dwelling was good for Toronto and Orlando.
After each decrease seeds took two straight in their very own buildings, the Raptors have managed to dig out of a 2-0 gap, whereas the Magic have positioned themselves getting ready to historical past.
Tonight, they head right into a pair of Recreation 5s on a roll — and again on the highway.
- A Nice No. 8? Up 3-1 on Detroit after taking Video games 3 and 4 in Orlando, the Magic look to change into simply the seventh No. 8 seed in NBA historical past to beat a No. 1 seed
- Carrying Momentum: Tied 2-2 again in Cleveland, Toronto eyes its third straight win to take management of the collection
- Unsung Heroes: Whereas each groups’ stars have stored them in video games, key position gamers have burst onto the scene to place the Magic and Raptors excessive
The Magic’s Jamal Cain – an undrafted Third-year guard who grew up 10 minutes from Detroit’s outdated stadium, The Palace at Auburn Hills – electrified Orlando in Recreation 4, The Athletic’s Josh Robbins writes:
“Franz Wagner suffered an damage to his proper calf halfway via the third quarter, forcing Cain to function a major defender on Pistons level guard extraordinaire Cade Cunningham.
Cain not solely helped to frustrate Cunningham… [he] delivered probably the most emphatic — and most consequential — dunks of the NBA postseason.
…The sequence modified the tenor of the sport. | Learn Extra
Now, top-seed Detroit should reply at dwelling, the place the crew flexed an East-best 31-9 benefit this season.
- Turnaround Staff: The Pistons additionally proved their resiliency all year long, posting a 17-5 file after losses
- “Again’s towards the wall,” Isaiah Stewart mentioned of Recreation 5. “You gotta struggle to the top… Shield the crib and take it one recreation at a time.”
In Toronto, the rise of rookie Collin Murray-Boyles and the protection of Jamal Shead had been a handful for Cleveland within the Raptors’ two wins.
- Blanketing Bigs: Murray-Boyles restricted Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen to solely eight mixed subject objectives in Video games 3 and 4
- Silencing Stars: Shead, the 2024 Naismith Defensive Participant of the 12 months at Houston, has held Donovan Mitchell and James Harden to a mixed 7-of-17 capturing, whereas forcing 12 TOs head-to-head
- “The issues that I do, we want it occasions 10,” Murray-Boyles mentioned of his power and energy. “We want that increasingly… as we maintain enjoying these actually robust video games.”
With homecourt on their facet, the Cavs will name on Mitchell – whose 28.1 profession Playoff ppg ranks seventh all-time (min. 10 GP) – to make it occur.
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