Draymond Green got into a bit of trouble early on Monday night at the Chase Center in San Francisco. Despite his near-ejection, however, the Golden State Warriors are now just a single game away from knocking off the Houston Rockets and making it out of their opening-round playoff series.
The Cavaliers finished off the most lopsided series in NBA history with a 138-83 win over Miami in Game 4.
The Cleveland Cavaliers crushed the Miami Heat 138-83 to complete a 4-0 series sweep and cruise into the NBA Eastern Conference playoff semi-finals on Monday (all times US).
The Cavaliers will play the winner of the Pacers-Bucks series, which Indiana currently leads 3-1.
Are you paying attention to the Cleveland Cavaliers now?. Cleveland completed a sweep of the Heat Monday night with an overwhelming 138-83 win in Game 4 in Miami. The 55-point margin of victory is the fourth-largest in NBA playoff history.
The NBA is exploring the possibility of transforming its 2026 All-Star Game into an international competition format.
On this episode of Good Word with Goodwill, Vince and J.A. Adande praise Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves on their game 4 win over the Los Angeles Lakers while also pointing out some mistakes JJ Redick may have made.
On the heels of the NHL's successful All-Star pivot to the 4 Nations Face-Off, the NBA is considering a similar international event.
Chris Saucedo via Getty ImagesShaquille O’Neal is following his son to college. Shaq has agreed to become the general manager of the men’s basketball program at Sacramento State, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Monday night. The roll will be a voluntary one for Shaq.
Warriors star Jimmy Butler will make his return from a pelvic injury and is in the starting lineup for Monday night's Game 4 against the Rockets.
Referees missed the Lakers' Luka Doncic getting fouled with 33 seconds left in Game 4 of their playoff series against the Timberwolves, the NBA said Monday.
Darius Garland will get at least a couple more days off, after the Cavaliers ruled the All-Star guard out of Game 4 of their Eastern Conference first-round series against the Heat on Monday night.
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick was adamant that Luka Dončić got fouled when he tripped over Jaden McDaniels late in Sunday's playoff loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. It turns out that the NBA agrees.
Here's what to look out for on the sports calendar, from nightly postseason action to big races in Miami and Churchill Downs.
The Golden State Warriors will reportedly have one of their key starters back on the floor Monday. Jimmy Butler, who has been out with a pelvic contusion, will play in Game 4 on Monday night as the Warriors take on the Houston Rockets, per NBA insider Chris Haynes.
Butler missed Game 3 due to a deep glute contusion he suffered during a rough fall in Game 2.
The Milwaukee Bucks, trailing the Indiana Pacers, 3-1, are in danger of losing a first-round playoff series for the third straight season. They are beyond any shadow of a doubt stuck in the NBA's dreaded middle. Or worse.
Bucks star Damian Lillard has a torn left Achilles tendon and will undergo surgery. The injury ends his season and puts his 2025-26 season in jeopardy.
The Warriors' Stephen Curry, 37, has been named the 2024-25 Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year. Current NBA players voted for Curry, 37, who is a first-time winner of the award.
Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard will miss the remainder of the NBA season after suffering a torn left Achilles tendon during his team’s playoff defeat to the Indiana Pacers, ESPN reported on Monday.
Phoenix.Philadelphia.Dallas obviously.
With the Lakers’ season very likely on the line on Sunday — down three at the half on the road against the tough-as-hell Timberwolves, just 24 minutes away from either snatching back home-court advantage or falling into a 3-1 hole that NBA teams climb out of just 4.5% of the time — L.A. head coach JJ Redick decided to damn the torpedoes.
Jimmy Butler was a full participant in shootaround on Monday and is expected to play for the Golden State Warriors in Game 4. The Warriors enter the game with a 2-1 series lead over the Houston Rockets.
Giannis Antetokounmpo's long-term commitment to the Milwaukee Bucks has become an increasingly significant topic among NBA insiders following Damian Lillard's Achilles tendon tear, which threatens to compromise the team's championship aspirations next season.
Andrej Stojakovic, one of the top available players in the transfer portal and son of former NBA star Peja Stojakovic, has committed to Illinois over North Carolina and Stanford, he told ESPN on Monday.
Jimmer Fredette was named the new managing director of 3x3 basketball for Team USA, hoping to lead the team to an Olympic breakthrough.
The nine-time All-Star will now face a grueling rehab process as he tries to return to the floor.
The fears, it turns out, were founded.
Damian Lillard has been officially diagnosed with a torn left Achilles tendon following an MRI. Lillard was believed to have suffered the injury with the original diagnosis in the locker room following the first quarter injury in Game 4. Lillard recently returned from a deep vein thrombosis to play in the playoffs.
Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard is out for the season after tearing his left Achilles, the team announced on Monday afternoon. Lillard sustained the injury during the team's 129-103 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Sunday night.
JJ Redick made a bold strategic decision in Sunday's Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, keeping his starting lineup of Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Dorian Finney-Smith on the floor for the entire second half.
Giannis Antetokounmpo spoke after the Milwaukee Bucks' Game 4 loss to the Indiana Pacers in which Damian Lillard was injured with an apparent Achilles tear.
Stephen Curry has been named the 2024-25 Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year. The award recognizes the player deemed the best teammate based on selfless play, leadership as a mentor and role model to other NBA players, and commitment to his team.
Another year, another award for Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry. On Monday, the NBA announced Curry as its Teammate of the Year. The NBA hands out the Teammate of the Year award to the teammate who displays selfless play and is a mentor to others.
Former NBA forward Stan Love — father of Miami Heat forward Kevin Love — died Sunday. He was 76. Kevin, who has been away from the Heat for personal reasons, announced the news in an Instagram post Sunday. Kevin referred to Stan as his "greatest teacher" in the post.
Former NBA forward Stan Love — father of Miami Heat forward Kevin Love — died Sunday. He was 76. Kevin, who has been away from the Heat for personal reasons, announced the news in an Instagram post Sunday. Kevin referred to Stan as his "greatest teacher" in the post.
The Pacers are on the verge of closing out the Bucks for a second straight year.
The Memphis Grizzlies face significant organizational decisions this offseason following their first-round playoff sweep by the Oklahoma City Thunder and the pre-playoff dismissal of head coach Taylor Jenkins.
The Athletic NBA Daily discuss the controversial missed foul call on Tim Hardaway Jr. in Game 4 of the Pistons-Knicks series.
We begin with the somber reality that Damian Lillard likely has a torn Achilles tendon, a season-, career- and franchise-altering injury for him, Giannis, and the Milwaukee Bucks.
What happened in four snapshots in the NBA Playoffs on Sunday, April 27, 2025.
The Golden State Warriors' acquisition of Jimmy Butler on February 5 has transformed an aging and middling 25-25 team into a legitimate championship contender. The Warriors have gone 26-9 since Butler's debut and head into Monday with a 2-1 series lead against the Houston Rockets.
The Nuggets were on the verge of a brutal collapse before Aaron Gordon breathed new life into their playoff run.
From mid-series adjustments to series surprises, here are the biggest takeaways from the first week of the 2025 NBA playoffs.
Ten years after their first title, Curry and Green know Butler is the key to their pursuit of a fifth ring.
As confetti fell following the championship game of Unrivaled, the 3×3 professional women’s basketball league, Morgan State University alumna Nicole Mosley stood on the court, reveling in the moment and the role she played in it.
SAN FRANCISCO – As former NBA star Gary Payton Sr. took pictures and returned hi-fives from fans after the Golden State Warriors’ Game 3 playoff victory, he seemed distracted while keeping his eye on the court.
Memphis Grizzlies front office executive Zach Kleiman held his postseason media availability. Among the topics discussed were things Kleiman could have handled different.
Memphis Grizzlies front office executive Zach Kleiman held his postseason media availability. Among the topics discussed were things Kleiman could have handled different.
The 30-year-old Hart had a career season with New York. Maturation and self-realization helped make that happen.
Try as he might to avoid it, the spotlight is drawn to Edwards like Coppola's camera was to Pacino.
"We had opportunities to win," LeBron James said. "We just didn't close.".
The Pulse Newsletter ???? | This is The Athletic’s daily sports newsletter. Sign up here to receive The Pulse directly in your inbox. Good morning! Don’t fight a gorilla today.
In Monday's NBA Playoffs action, Cleveland is one game away from a sweep and Golden State can take a 3-1 lead.
Jayson Tatum scored 37 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, to give the Celtics a 3-1 series lead over the Magic -- and showcased a new celebration featuring his injured right wrist.
Former NBA player and Oregon star Stan Love, the brother of Beach Boys singer Mike Love and the father of Miami Heat player Kevin Love, has died. He was 76.
Boston got supporting help for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Now Orlando must do the same for Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.
"It's not very promising," Bucks coach Doc Rivers said after Damian Lillard was helped off Sunday.
Anthony Edwards was able to "keep my foot on the pedal" and take advantage of a gassed Lakers team to the tune of 16 points in the fourth quarter.
Star guard hurt in Game 4 loss to Pacers, will have imagining on leg Monday.
Damian Lillard exited Game 4 of the Milwaukee Bucks' first round series against the Indiana Pacers in the first quarter with a potentially severe lower left leg injury.
Damian Lillard exited Game 4 of the Milwaukee Bucks' first round series against the Indiana Pacers in the first quarter with a potentially severe non-contact lower left leg injury.
MINNEAPOLIS — Exhausted, weary and frustrated, the Los Angeles Lakers are on the brink. Elimination is staring them in the face, an unexpected development considering how well the LeBron James-Luka Dončić partnership has worked in a few short months.
The Boston Celtics didn't make it easy, but they are now just a single game away from closing out their opening-round playoff series. The Celtics held on late to grab a 107-98 win over the Orlando Magic in Game 4 of their series on Sunday night at the Kia Center.
Indiana guard Bennedict Mathurin didn't play in Game 4 of the Pacers' first-round series with the Bucks on Sunday night due to an abdominal bruise.
Dick Barnett, a basketball Hall of Famer who played on both New York Knicks NBA championship teams, has died. He was 88.
Trae Young appears to have locked his position as the Atlanta Hawks' cornerstone following a strong 2024-25 campaign that has quieted previous trade speculation, reports The Stein Line.
Scott Perry will not tear down the Sacramento Kings roster this offseason, sources told Jake Fischer of The People's Insider. Perry replaced Monte McNair as the general manager of the team this offseason.
Scott Perry will not tear down the Sacramento Kings' roster this offseason, sources told Jake Fischer of The People's Insider. Perry replaced Monte McNair as the general manager of the team this offseason.
The Phoenix Suns are looking to restructure their front office before deciding on a new head coach to replace Mike Budenholzer, according to Jake Fischer of The People's Insider. James Jones is currently leading the search for the next head coach of the team.
Joe Dumars will retain Bryson Graham as the general manager of the New Orleans Pelicans, sources told Jake Fischer of The People's Insider. The confirmation comes following several changes to the Pelicans front office thus far this offseason.
The Los Angeles Lakers are on the brink of elimination from the NBA playoffs as the Minnesota Timberwolves claimed 116-113 victory on their home court to take a 3-1 lead in the first round Western Conference match up.
At one point Sunday, it was unclear whether Brunson would even finish Game 4. Unfortunately for Detroit, he did.
. Perhaps in response to Anthony Edwards big game and feeling a sense of desperation, Lakers coach JJ Redick took a major gamble Sunday. It didn't pay off.
. Perhaps in response to Anthony Edwards' big game and feeling a sense of desperation, Lakers coach JJ Redick took a major gamble Sunday. It didn't pay off.
Around-the-league NBA notes on a Sunday?. On the day after the first buzzer-beating dunk in NBA playoff history?. As it should be!. And, no, we haven't gotten so swept up in Aaron Gordon's heroics at the horn Saturday night that we forgot about Deandre Ayton's Valley Oop (hat-tip to NBA TV's Matt Winer) that helped fuel the Phoenix Suns' run to the NBA Finals in 2020-21. Oft-misremembered in the wake of the heartbreak that Ayton slammed upon the LA Clippers: 0.7 seconds were thrown back on the clock in that instance to keep him out of the NBA record books.
A high-scoring guard, he played on New York’s two title-winning teams in the 1970s. He was remembered for his “fall back, baby” shooting style.
Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard was helped off the court during game four of their series against the Indiana Pacers in a huge blow.
Duke big man Khaman Maluach is jumping to the NBA, where he is a potential top-10 pick after helping the Blue Devils reach the Final Four.
Crew chief David Guthrie said referees missed Knicks guard Josh Hart's foul of Detroit's Tim Hardaway Jr. on the final shot of the Pistons' loss to the Knicks in Game 4 on Sunday.
After the game, Tim Hardaway Jr. called the missed call "blatant.".
Duke freshman Khaman Maluach declared for the NBA Draft on Sunday. Maluach, who averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, could be a top-10 pick in the upcoming draft. "I can't wait to see what he's going to do because he's just scratching the surface," said Jon Scheyer.
The Wolves take 3-1 lead over the Lakers, while the Knicks grab a 3-1 edge over the Pistons.
Indiana, Boston, Minnesota and New York all move within a game of advancing to the second round.
The New York Knicks escaped Detroit on Sunday afternoon with a wild one-point win, which pushed them to a 3-1 lead in their opening-round playoff series with the Pistons.
Karl-Anthony Towns' deep 3-pointer with 47 seconds remaining in regulation Sunday gave the New York Knicks a one-point lead in an eventual 94-93 victory in Game 4 of their first-round NBA playoff series with the Detroit Pistons.
Jaden Ivey has been progressing in his recovery from a broken leg and has been cleared for 1-on-1 drills. Ivey suffered the injury on January 1. Ivey averaged 17.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 30 games (all starts) this season.
Isaiah Stewart is out for Game 4 against the New York Knicks due to a knee injury. Stewart, who played in the series opener, will now miss his third straight game. J.B. Bickerstaff said that Stewart may not be able to return in the first round.
Pistons center Isaiah Stewart, who hasn't played since Game 1 of the first-round series vs. the Knicks because of right knee inflammation, will not return for Game 4.
Luka Doncic is "feeling much better" ahead of Game 4 between the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. "Luka Doncic is rested. He's feeling much better.
The 7-foot-2 Maluach, who started every game for the Blue Devils this season, is one of the best bigs available in this class.
"He's huge in the locker room," Draymond Green added of Hield. "He's huge on the plane. Just for the aura of this team, he's big.".
Led by Steph Curry, the Warriors took a 2-1 series lead over the Rockets thanks to a 104-93 win in Game 3 of their first-round series.
With Jimmy Butler out, the burden fell to Steph Curry to carry the Warriors in Game 3. And he did what he's done so many times before.
“I think every chance you don't win a game you feel like you could win is a missed opportunity,” Fred VanVleet said.
What happened in four snapshots in the NBA Playoffs on Saturday, April 26, 2025.
"Growing up, the Pistons, for me, were like the one thing I'd look forward to every day," said Jack Kelly, who grew up in Melbourne.
In all four Sunday games, teams have a shot to even their series to 2-2 or head into Game 5 in a must-win scenario.
Stephen Curry had 36 points, and the Warriors delivered perhaps their gutsiest performance of the season in a 104-93 win to take a 2-1 series lead over the Rockets.
"This is what we want," Norman Powell said. "No team willing to give an inch, no team willing to back down.".
