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[Charania] The NBA has disclosed to its 30 GMs a singular new anti-tanking reform that expands the draft lottery to 16 teams, flattens odds, and have a relegation zone where the bottom 3 teams are penalized with fewer lottery balls for the No. 1 pick.

Riley on gambling scandal: “It’s probably the most stupid thing that a player could do… But when you get in bed with gambling sites as a league and they advertise on your network, it seems like everything’s okay. To me that’s a contradiction of what we’re trying to do from a purity standpoint.”

[Post Game Thread] The Philadelphia 76ers (2-3) storm back to beat the Boston Celtics (3-2), 113-97, behind 33 points and 8 assists from Joel Embiid in his second game back after removing his appendix.

[Charania] Boston Celtics president Brad Stevens has been named the 2025-26 NBA Basketball Executive of the Year. Stevens also won the award in 2023-24.

[Stein] NBA teams with the three worst records will have a 5.4% chance at the No. 1 overall pick. The teams that finish with 4th-worst through 10th-worst records will have a 8.1% chance at the No. 1 overall pick. The losers of the play-in games will receive 2.7% chance at the No. 1 overall pick.

[Charania] The expectation is, if the Lakers are able to beat Houston and advance, Luka Dončić will be out for the next series [against the Oklahoma City Thunder].

[Amin] On cheap owners, the former Suns owner wanted to cut the roster to only the 7-8 guys Dantoni played, asked why coaches couldn’t fill in for 5 on 5 practice. Refused $100k to upgrade from Best Buy hard drives to an enterprise server. Thinks it was a factor in why Aldridge chose the Spurs in FA

FYI: Charania deleted the tweet about Luka not being available for the potential second round OKC series.

Jabari Smith Jr on the Lakers: “We’re obviously the better team.”

[Basketnews] Luka Doncic has also not backed down from some trash talk on the sidelines. His recent insult to Rockets All-Star Alperen Sengun went viral on social media when, after a missed free throw in Game 4, Doncic was seen yelling “Baby Capela” toward Sengun.

Kerr on LeBron: “more of a holistic game where he dominates with his pace and his athleticism and his passing.” On Jordan: “the killer instinct, the emotional dominance he had over not only the other team but the officials, the entire arena. I don’t see that with LeBron.”

Joel Embiid checks out in a gutsy win: 33/4/8 on ¹²⁄₂₃ shooting.

[Charania] Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner has been diagnosed with a right calf strain and his availability for Game 5 against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday is uncertain and will depend on response to treatment, sources tell ESPN.

[Charania] Los Angeles Lakers star Austin Reaves is optimistic to return to action in Game 5 against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night after missing about four weeks with a Grade 2 oblique strain, sources tell ESPN. Reaves will be a game-time decision for the third consecutive contest.

[Highlight] Jonathan Kuminga ELEVATES for the lob throw down in Madison Square Garden

JJ Redick on the challenges of closeout games: “Well, you have to kill them. You have to kill…it’s difficult to kill someone. Survival instinct says ‘I want to stay alive.’ So you’ve got to be able to kill them.”

David Adelman interrupts DNVR reporter Brendan Vogt with a snarky comment despite him never even saying that

The Celtics did not make a field goal in the last 7:03 of the game.

[SGA via IG] everybody wants to be villainous until the brooms come out & the dust settles & you realize who the villain is

[Murray] Rockets have ruled Kevin Durant out for Game 5 at Los Angeles. Austin Reaves will be a gametime decision for the Lakers

[Charania] The NBA has disclosed to its 30 GMs a singular new anti-tanking reform that expands the draft lottery to 16 teams, flattens odds, and have a relegation zone where the bottom 3 teams are penalized with fewer lottery balls for the No. 1 pick.

Embiid in the second half tonight: 18 pts, 3 ast, 2 reb on 7-10 FG, 4-4 FT

[Highlight] The Philadelphia 76ers defeat the Boston Celtics 113-97 in Game 5 and will return to Philadelphia for Game 6 on Thursday. They outscored Boston 28-11 in the 4th quarter.

[Highlight] Jamal Cain absolutely yams it on Jalen Duren

Shai on Dillon Brooks: “A great guy no matter what people say about him, he’s a really good guy when you get to know him. All that villain stuff it doesn’t faze me. I know exactly who Dillon is. He had a hell of a series. Keep getting better I’m proud of him”

THE PHOENIX SUNS HAVE OFFICIALLY BEEN ELIMINATED FROM THE 2026 PLAYOFFS

[Injury] Joel Embiid gets injured and heads to the locker room after a drive and a collision with Jaylen Brown (with replays)

Put some RESPECT on Joel Embiid’s name

Ja Morant points the finger guns after Desmond Bane makes a three

Joel Embiid 33/4/8/1 and Tyrese Maxey 25/10/5/2/1 in the win to force game 6

Denver Nuggets mascot Rocky hits an absolutely insane backwards halfcourt shot from atop two ladders

[Post Game Thread] The Orlando Magic (3-1) take a commanding lead in the series and defeat the Detroit Pistons (1-3), 94-88.

[Highlight] Nikola Jokic tries to reset the shot clock by giving the Wolves the ball and steal it back but leads to a jumpball

[Jenkins] Here are the players who have played the most career NBA playoff games without winning a championship: Karl Malone - 193 John St0ckt0n - 182 *James Harden - 177 Sam Perkins - 167 Chris Paul - 149

[Highlight] VJ Edgecombe connects on the 3-pointer to cap a 12-0 run for the 76ers in the 4th quarter as they lead late in Game 5.

[Charania] The new draft reforms include new clauses that state no team would be able to win the top pick in consecutive years or be able to win three consecutive top-five picks. Teams also would not be able to protect picks in the 12 to 15 slots going forward.

“Stephon Castle is a winner, (he) is a special player.. In these playoffs he has been the most important player for the Spurs.. You take Stephon Castle off that team, that is a completely different team. That kid there is special.” - D. Green

[NBA PR] Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens has been named the 2025-26 NBA Basketball Executive of the Year. Stevens earns the honor for the second time, having previously received it in 2023-24. He is the 12th executive to win the award multiple times.

[Highlight] Desmond Bane on Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. being at his game tonight:

“It’s special. Those are guys that I spent 5 years with… It’s a friendship that’ll last forever… I’m thankful that they pulled up to support.”

[Charania] Dallas Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg has won the 2025-26 Rookie of the Year award.

[Highlight] A wide-open VJ Edgecombe drills a 3-point dagger for Philly

[Highlight] VJ Edgecombe hits the dagger 3-pointer to put the 76ers up 15, with 2 minutes remaining in regulation (with replays).

A 12-0 run in the last 5 minutes for the Sixers, as Celtics fans start leaving.

The Celtics emptied their bench shortly after.

SGA and the OKC Thunder have swept the first round 3 consecutive years. They join the Showtime Lakers (led by Magic Johnson and Kareem), the Bulls (led by Micheal Jordan), and the Cavs (led by Lebron James).

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Instagram: “Cancun on 3” on Dillon Brook’s jersey

Okay, the Celtics under Tatum/Brown have to have the worst home court advantage in the playoffs.

Devin Booker on what makes OKC a championship team: “You can’t say anything without bringing up Shai, He’s the MVP of the league, and he’s playing the best basketball in the league for the past two years.”

[Highlights] Quentin Grimes the corner 3, then continues with an excellent defense on Jaylen Brown, and Joel Embiid hits the jumper to put the Sixers up 8, with 5:16 minutes remaining in regulation (with replays)

[Highlight] Neemias Queta blows the alley-oop dunk, grabs the rebound, as players around him stop moving, and he scores the easy putback