NBA playoffs

Charlotte Hornets guard Tre Mann is determined to return next season as a better player than he is today, and he blames himself for his team not making the playoffs. The Hornets were on the wrong side of NBA history in a 121-90 blowout loss to the Orlando Magic. Heading into the offseason, Mann reflected […] The post Tre Mann blames himself for Hornets’ shortcomings appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Rockets Make Statement on Kevin Durant Injury Timeline vs Lakers

Apr 18, 2026 @ 9:21pm

BasketballNBANew York Knicks

The Houston Rockets are starting the 2026 NBA Playoffs shorthanded. On Saturday night, the Rockets are going to pay a visit to the Los Angeles Lakers without Kevin Durant in the lineup. While Durant’s absence isn’t a total surprise, the recent downgrade on the injury report has come as a bit of a mystery. All […] The post Rockets Make Statement on Kevin Durant Injury Timeline vs Lakers appeared first on Heavy Sports.

OG Anunoby’s ankle doesn’t slow him down in emphatic return to Knicks lineup

Apr 18, 2026 @ 9:20pm

NY Post Sports

The Knicks’ star wing injured the ankle in the second-to-last game of the regular season and sat out the finale. It didn’t slow him down in the Knicks playoff opener.

Zaccharie Risacher Benched All Game After Embarrassing Mistake

Apr 18, 2026 @ 9:09pm

BasketballNBAAtlanta HawksNew York Knicks

BasketballNBAGolden State WarriorsLos Angeles ClippersPhoenix Suns

The Atlanta Hawks lost all confidence in former number one pick Zaccharie Risacher after he missed two consecutive layups in Game 1 against the New York Knicks. Atlanta hoped to keep Risacher in the rotation off the bench, like their regular season game plan. However, the youngster’s embarrassing mistake of missing two consecutive layups led […] The post Zaccharie Risacher Benched All Game After Embarrassing Mistake appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Ayesha Curry Had Five Words for Steph Curry After Warriors' Loss

Apr 18, 2026 @ 8:02pm

Athlon Sports

The season did not end as planned for Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors. This is after the Dubs suffered a season-ending defeat at the hands of the Phoenix Suns on Friday, 111-96. The Suns booked their spot in the NBA playoffs as the No. 8 seed in the West after beating the Warriors. ...

Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray make statement in Game 1 win vs. Timberwolves

Apr 18, 2026 @ 7:30pm

BasketballNBADenver NuggetsMinnesota Timberwolves

Since last offseason, the general consensus has been that the Denver Nuggets cannot contend for another championship unless their supporting cast rises to the occasion. That opinion still holds true in the beginning of the 2026 NBA playoffs, but the foundational pieces must also excel if this squad is going to survive the Minnesota Timberwolves, […] The post Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray make statement in Game 1 win vs. Timberwolves appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Will Luka Dončić Return During the First Round? Lakers Superstar Gets Promising Update Ahead of Game 1 vs. Rockets

Apr 18, 2026 @ 7:30pm

BasketballNBAHouston Rockets

Pro Football Network

Luka Dončić is out for Game 1 between the Lakers and Rockets, but does he have a chance of returning at some point in the first round?

Surprising news emerges about Kevin Durant’s injury

Apr 18, 2026 @ 7:22pm

Larry Brown Sports

The Houston Rockets are suddenly dealing with an injury to Kevin Durant for the start of the NBA Playoffs. Durant will not play in Saturday’s Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals due to a knee injury, coach Ime Udoka revealed. The team is optimistic that Durant will only have to miss one game due … The post Surprising news emerges about Kevin Durant’s injury appeared first on Larry Brown Sports.

Lakers’ JJ Redick Announces Luka Doncic Update Before Rockets Game

Apr 18, 2026 @ 7:13pm

BasketballNBAOklahoma City ThunderPortland Trail BlazersSan Antonio Spurs

Athlon Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers face a tough test against the Houston Rockets without Luka Doncic.

Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama delivers truth bomb ahead of first playoffs

Apr 18, 2026 @ 6:56pm

BasketballNBAMinnesota Timberwolves

Supported by a team that sports the NBA’s second best record and armed with size/skill set combination never seen in basketball, Victor Wembanyama has visions of grandeur. Especially considering the San Antonio Spurs domination of the Oklahoma City Thunder this season, it’s realistic to think the start of the playoffs could serve as the launch […] The post Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama delivers truth bomb ahead of first playoffs appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Anthony Edwards had a curious reaction to Timberwolves’ loss

Apr 18, 2026 @ 6:50pm

Larry Brown Sports

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Anthony Edwards was caught reacting in an unusual way to his team’s Game 1 loss to the Denver Nuggets. Edwards appeared to be visibly laughing on the bench during a timeout with 52 seconds left in the Nuggets’ 116-105 win in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals at Ball Arena in … The post Anthony Edwards had a curious reaction to Timberwolves’ loss appeared first on Larry Brown Sports.

Cavs’ Evan Mobley drops ‘perfect time’ claim on NBA playoffs after Game 1 win vs. Raptors

Apr 18, 2026 @ 6:18pm

BasketballNBACleveland CavaliersToronto Raptors

The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Toronto Raptors in Game 1 behind a team-wide performance 126-113. Donovan Mitchell and James Harden led the way, Max Strus brought infectious energy off the bench, and Dean Wade defended his tail off against Brandon Ingram, but Evan Mobley’s approach to the game in all facets showcased the poise and […] The post Cavs’ Evan Mobley drops ‘perfect time’ claim on NBA playoffs after Game 1 win vs. Raptors appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Lakers Receive Huge Luka Doncic Update Just Before Game 1 vs Rockets

Apr 18, 2026 @ 5:29pm

BasketballNBALos Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers have been without superstar point guard Luka Doncic since April 2. Doncic is 16 days into an injury that typically necessitates a monthlong recovery timeline, but there is still hope around the Lakers organization that Doncic can return to the court even sometime during the first round. Doncic, 27, incurred a […] The post Lakers Receive Huge Luka Doncic Update Just Before Game 1 vs Rockets appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Lakers’ Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton eager to be back in NBA playoffs

Apr 18, 2026 @ 5:24pm

NY Post Sports

The thought of being back on this stage had Deandre Ayton’s blood boiling. He quipped that he was ready to do backflips out of excitement because of what was ahead for him and the Lakers. That’s how much Ayton is relishing the opportunity to be a part of the NBA playoffs again, with the Lakers...

Donovan Mitchell makes honest admission after defeating Raptors in Game 1

Apr 18, 2026 @ 5:18pm

BasketballNBACleveland CavaliersToronto Raptors

BasketballNBAGolden State WarriorsOklahoma City ThunderPhoenix Suns

The Cleveland Cavaliers struck first in Game 1 of their opening round playoff series against the Toronto Raptors with Cavs star Donovan Mitchell leading the way with a game-high 32 points. Mitchell and James Harden combined for 54 points as the Cavs set the tone early. But it wasn’t Donovan Mitchell’s scoring that he was […] The post Donovan Mitchell makes honest admission after defeating Raptors in Game 1 appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Steph Curry Sends Message to Suns Star After Warriors’ Play-In Loss

Apr 18, 2026 @ 5:04pm