NBA Basketball 8 Hours

Last updated: April 21, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

Playoff Upsets & Coaching Frustration

The Eastern Conference first round delivered drama as CJ McCollum's fourth-quarter exploits guided the Atlanta Hawks to a comeback victory over the New York Knicks, successfully tying their opening series. This outcome followed reports of Timberwolves coach Chris Finch expressing intense frustration over the officiating disparity in Game 1 against the Nuggets, specifically citing Jamal Murray's 16 free throw attempts and jokingly suggesting his team must adopt flopping tactics to draw favorable whistles. Meanwhile, playoff absences continue to plague the Raptors, who confirmed that guard Immanuel Quickley would miss Game 2 versus the Cavaliers due to a lingering right hamstring strain.

League Honors & Draft Logistics

In league-wide news unrelated to the ongoing postseason, Victor Wembanyama secured the Defensive Player of the Year award, becoming the youngest recipient at 22 and achieving the distinction as the first unanimous winner in the award's history. Separately, the NBA finalized its 2026 draft tiebreaking process, establishing the precise order for picks 15 through 30 and resolving several close standings among teams positioned near the lottery bubble ahead of next month's main lottery.