NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: April 22, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

NBA Playoff Action & Rivalries

The postseason delivered intense matchups across the league, highlighted by the Lakers taking a commanding 2-0 lead over the Rockets in the West, largely due to Marcus Smart’s stifling defense on Kevin Durant, who was cleared to play after missing Game 1 with a knee bruise. In the East, the 76ers stunned the Celtics on the road, with VJ Edgecombe scoring 30 points and grabbing 10 rebounds despite suffering an early back injury, leading Philadelphia to an 111-97 victory in Game. Meanwhile, the rivalry between Denver and Minnesota continued to simmer after the Nuggets dismissed criticism from Wolves guard Jaden McDaniels regarding their defense, stating it was simply "part of the rivalry" following Minnesota's Game 2 victory where Rudy Gobert held three-time MVP Nikola Jokic to 1-of-8 shooting on the same day he finished fourth in DPOY voting.

The battle in the Eastern Conference saw the Hawks tie their series against the Knicks, as CJ McCollum delivered a fourth-quarter explosion in Madison Square Garden to force a Game. In another Southern matchup, the Magic are looking to push toward a 2-0 advantage, with betting analysts favoring Paolo Banchero as a top DFS play as Orlando looks to replicate the momentum generated by a key three-minute highlight reel that sparked their turnaround against Charlotte and Detroit. On the Detroit side, despite a disastrous Game 1 performance where Jalen Duren was held to only four shot attempts by the Magic defense, the young Pistons squad still receives praise, with their team-specific victory anthem by rapper Gmac Cash remaining a fixture at Little Caesars Arena.

Player Honors & Offseason Uncertainty

Individual accolades continued to be announced while several franchises grapple with major coaching and roster decisions entering the offseason. Victor Wembanyama secured Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the youngest winner ever and the first to achieve the honor unanimously, giving him a chance to host the 2031 Men's World Cup on home soil after FIBA awarded hosting rights to France. Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added the Clutch Player of the Year award to his resume, complementing his reigning MVP status. Conversely, uncertainty looms heavily over the Bay Area, where Draymond Green suggested that the past season might have been the final chapter for Coach Steve Kerr, signaling a potential hard reset for the Warriors as they search for a co-star alongside Stephen Curry.

Front Office Moves & Draft News

Coaching changes are already underway, as Billy Donovan parted ways with the Bulls after six seasons, prompting the team to immediately receive permission to interview multiple executives for their new head of basketball operations. In Brooklyn, the Nets countered instability by signing head coach Jordi Fernandez and his entire staff to multiyear contract extensions. On the player front, Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. became the first major prospect to officially declare for the 2026 NBA Draft, announcing his decision on ESPN’s NBA Today. Meanwhile, the league finalized the 2026 draft order tiebreakers, ensuring the Utah Jazz retained their protected pick among the final 15 slots ahead of next month’s lottery.

Betting Angles & Player Development

As the first round heats up, betting markets are reacting sharply to early results, with the Lakers' odds to win the title rocketing to 35-to-1 favorites after securing their 2-0 advantage over Houston, a stark contrast to the early season expectations. In Portland, where owner Tom Dundon's reported cost-cutting measures have drawn fan scrutiny—including the decision not to give away giveaway T-shirts for Games 3 and 4 against the Spurs—interim coach Tiago Splitter maintained focus, stating he is strictly "trying to be a pro". The Blazers did secure a necessary win to even their series, fueled by a season-high 31-point performance from Scoot Henderson, who broke out after struggling with health issues in the prior season. Separately, Duke guard Jared McCain, known for his viral social media presence since 2020, continues to draw attention, while LeBron James’s effective strategy for the Lakers in the opening weekend sent a clear message to the rest of the league.