Zohran Mamdani, when asked about the high cost of Knicks playoff tickets vs Atlanta: “I would say that I blame Trae Young… and I think it’s always important to blame Trae Young”
So the Clippers are eliminated. Still no major news about the Kawhi scandal. Is there even a chance of hearing about it post season? I was promised all star break.
LeBron James, when asked by a reporter if he had a message for the Lakers about competing on the glass against the Rockets: “The message is, get your ass in there, box out and rebound. Don’t need to have a message. We’re all grown men. Do your job”
This week, 53 NBA media members were polled on who they think the best player in the NBA is. Only 3 players received votes: Nikola Jokic (35), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (10), and Victor Wembanyama (8).
[Charania] Just in: The NBA and NBPA have ruled in favor of Lakers’ Luka Doncic and Pistons’ Cade Cunningham on their Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge for the 65-game award rule, making both eligible for all 2025-26 season honors such as MVP and All-NBA teams, sources tell ESPN.
[Spears] Donovan Mitchell: “He’s 17 years in. I’m nine. Does a ring change the conversation around his name? Yeah. Should it change it? No. I think [Harden] should still be looked at as one of the top guards, the top players who ever played this game. But we live in a ring culture.”
[Lewenberg] Darko Rajakovic on the Raptors’ lack of playoff experience: We’re not playing in Europe. They’re not going to be throwing bottles at us. There’s not going to be lasers in our eyes when we’re shooting free throws. It’s going to be loud. So what? That shouldn’t faze us.
On April 17, Steph Curry has, and will play against every Western Conference franchise at least once in his Postseason career
[Charania] “Team sources told me Draymond Green was sick, he was throwing up, puking all over the place in pregame, sideline in the back area by the locker room”
[Basketnews] Luka Doncic: “I am grateful to the NBPA for advocating on my behalf and to the NBA for their fair decision. It was so important to me to be present for the birth of my daughter…. I am honored to have the opportunity to be considered for the league’s end-of-season awards.”
LeBron thankful for the break that the playoff teams get due to the Play-In Tournament: “I am happy because being a participant of the f******* play-in for some years, that I get to sit back on my couch with my wine knowing I don’t have to play until the weekend. Just sit there and just like enjoy.”
[PWBA] Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs has won the 2025-26 Magic Johnson Award, which honors the NBA player who best combines excellence on the court with cooperation and grace in dealing with the media and fans
[Charania] Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards filed an Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge to the NBA as well and his case was advanced to an independent arbitrator, but was denied and is not eligible for awards, sources said.
Thunder record when Shai plays in the last two seasons 119-25
Michael Jordan’s playoff on/off data has now been tracked in full on Basketball History Database. For his postseason career, the Bulls had a +7.7 net rating with him on the court and a -10.4 net rating with him off the court, giving him an on/off of +18.1.
Mazzulla on Harper Jr: “He got a 2 for 1 in a 4 on 4 scrimmage and that’s when I knew he was gonna help us”
[All NBA Podcast] Last night, Draymond guarded the ball-handler (Kawhi) on 21 on-ball picks, the most he’s guarded in a single game since December, 2021. The Clippers scored a measly 0.5 points per direct on those actions. Generational defender.
In a freeze-frame of this highlight, you can see that Steph Curry’s go-ahead three is still about 4 feet from reaching the basket when Kevin Harlan begins to yell “Good!” This continued audio-sync issue is ruining the drama of these moments and I don’t understand why Amazon can’t or won’t fix this.
[Highlight] Bam Adebayo asked about LaMelo’s flagrant foul
[Beck] The NBA retroactively assessed LaMelo Ball a flagrant foul-2. I checked with the NBA, and flagrant foul points assessed during the play-in round do NOT count against a player’s flagrant foul points limit in the playoffs. Like play-in stats, the flagrant points simply disappear into thin air.
[ESPN] Eric Spoelstra on NBA’s ruling on LaMelo Ball “I didn’t think that he needed to be penalized more moving forward. I don’t think that would make sense”
[Highlight] Curry’s fadeaway 3 puts the Warriors ahead with 50s remaining
Giannis Antetokounmpo played only eight out of 16 possible playoff games since 2022
Myles Turner confirms the Doc Rivers “Google Me” story was legitimate
Chris Paul on Instagram, following the Clippers loss
Chris Paul posts on Instagram after Clippers are eliminated by Golden State Warriors in the Play In
Luka Dončić at the EuroLeague Clash Between Real Madrid and Red Star Belgrade
Paolo Banchero clutch time averages this season: 1.9 points on 26.3⁄10.5⁄77.8 splits
The NBA did not approve an exception for Luka and Cade. An arbitrator did.
[Post Game Thread] The Golden State Warriors (37-45) defeat the Los Angeles Clippers (42-40), 126-121.
THE LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED FROM CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENTION
[Deade] Draymond Green believes Cade Cunningham should get a 65-game exception if Luka Doncic does: “No one expects him to have a collapsed lung and need three more games, and then not be able to play. The rule was never put in place to punish someone like Cade and what he just went through”
[Highlight] Draymond Green comes up with a pair of clutch steals to seal the victory for the Golden State Warriors as they defeat the Los Angeles Clippers 126-121. They will play the Phoenix Suns for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference on Friday.
Is Steve Nash getting underrated? Looking at the eye test and even impact stats, he should be remember as one of the best guards of all time, despite not winning a ring.
Charania: Just in: The NBA and NBPA have ruled in favor of Lakers’ Luka Doncic and Pistons’ Cade Cunningham on their Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge for the 65-game award rule, making both eligible for all 2025-26 season honors such as MVP and All-NBA teams, sources tell ESPN.
[Highlight] ESPN Cleveland host Aaron Goldhammer on LaMelo Ball: “I think this is the most annoying player to coach in all of sports.”
Isn’t it kinda nuts how Bill Simmons has become friends with Doc Rivers?
[Highlights] 39 years old Al Horford hits four big clutch 3s against the Clippers tonight - 4⁄4 from 3, after being 0/3 from 3 prior.
BIG AL
The Los Angeles Clippers’ Play-In loss is the best karma they could’ve gotten
[McMenamin] Sources told ESPN they have no expectation of having either Doncic or Reaves back at any point in the first round.
If there was a Bronze championship for Conference Finals losers in the past 10 seasons, which matchup would be the best one?
[Highlight] Paolo Banchero threw a pass so bad he hit a lady in the head
Before the awards drop, shoutout to all the ineligible dudes who played great.
Brian Windhorst on LeBron future: “I have specifically spoken to people on both sides of the negotiation… ‘what do you think his value is in the 2026-27 NBA season’… Warriors or you know the Cavs or Team X would take him for the Mid Level Exception or the minimum.”
NBA announced 170 million people in the U.S. watched NBA most in 24 years and up 86% vs. last season. But the claims that the NBA is dying are running rampant in the sports community, and sometimes pushed by prominent names in the NBA.
[Highlight] Wemby year 3 scoring tape – @UsherNBA
PTFO | Watching Fans, Monitoring Kids, Tracking Players: Knicks Surveillance in the Garden Revealed
Wardell Stephen Curry tonight: 35 PTS | 4 AST | 1 REB | 12-23 FG | 7-12 3PT