NBA News · LatestFriday, Apr 17, 2026

The Lakers spent six months building and working toward the opportunity to make some noise in the playoffs. Luka Doncic made a move toward the Thunder's basket, but stopped suddenly and hopped gingerly off the floor with a strained hamstring. Austin Reaves had already been looking uncomfortable, periodically grabbing at the oblique muscles in his side, and he also left the court for good a few minutes later.

Erik Spoelstra wants Nikola Jovic to duplicate what Jaime Jaquez Jr. did last offseason.

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Send in your questions now for this week’s episode of The Pindown: A Detroit Pistons Podcast to discuss everything Pistons. Submit your question to the comments section here or on X/Twitter to @TheRealWesD3 and/or @blakesilverman. Join us live on Saturday afternoon for the show where we’ll preview the Pistons’ postseason. We’ll know who the Pistons play in the first round […]

The post Steve Kerr on Steph Curry: “If he can compete, he’s going to compete” appeared first on TalkBasket.net.

According to the Associated Press, the former player and assistant coach is expected to become the first defendant to plead guilty in the federal case opened last fall L'articolo Damon Jones expected to plead guilty: former NBA player set to admit guilt in gambling case proviene da Sportando.

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LeBron James will be under the spotlight anew as he tries to lead the Los Angeles Lakers versus the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs, with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves likely to miss the entire series. The obvious question is, can James still carry a team at 41 years old? In […] The post Lakers’ JJ Redick suggests what LeBron James is ‘addicted to’ ahead of series vs. Rockets appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Alperen Sengun and the Houston Rockets are gearing up for their best-of-seven series against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs. It is Sengun’s second straight appearance in the playoffs, and he is expected to carry a heavy load for the fifth-seeded Rockets, who will have homecourt disadvantage. […] The post How facing Draymond Green, Warriors changed Alperen Sengun’s playoff approach appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Atlanta Hawks center Jock Landale will be out at least two more weeks due to a high ankle sprain. With the Hawks set to play the Knicks in the first round, Game 4 is scheduled to take place on April 25. The series could stretch to Game 7 on May 2. Landale is averaging 10.6 points and 5.7 rebounds on the year.

Houston Rockets (52-30, fifth in the Western Conference) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (53-29, fourth in the Western Conference) Los Angeles; Saturday, 8:30 p.m. EDT LINE: Rockets -5.5; over/under is 207.5 WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Lakers host first series matchup BOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Lakers host the Houston Rockets to open the Western Conference first round. Los Angeles went 2-1 against Houston during the regular season. The Lakers won the last regular season matchup 124-116 on Thursd...

Toronto Raptors (46-36, fifth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (52-30, fourth in the Eastern Conference) Cleveland; Saturday, 1 p.m. EDT LINE: Cavaliers -8.5; over/under is 219.5 EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Cavaliers host first series matchup BOTTOM LINE: The Cleveland Cavaliers host the Toronto Raptors to open the Eastern Conference first round. Toronto went 3-0 against Cleveland during the regular season. The Raptors won the last regular season matchup 110-99 on Tuesda...

Golden State Warriors (37-45, 10th in the Western Conference) vs. Phoenix Suns (45-37, seventh in the Western Conference) Phoenix; Friday, 10 p.m. EDT LINE: Suns -3.5; over/under is 219.5 PLAY-IN GAME: The Suns and Warriors square off to decide the eighth seed in the Western Conference. BOTTOM LINE: The Phoenix Suns host the Golden State Warriors for the NBA Playoffs Play-In Tournament. The winner earns the eighth seed in the Western Conference Playoffs. The Suns are 10-7 against division opp...

Charlotte Hornets (44-38, ninth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Orlando Magic (45-37, eighth in the Eastern Conference) Orlando, Florida; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EDT LINE: Hornets -3.5; over/under is 218 PLAY-IN GAME: The Magic and Hornets square off to decide the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. BOTTOM LINE: The Orlando Magic and the Charlotte Hornets take the court for the NBA Playoffs Play-In Tournament. The winner claims the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. The Magic are 26-...

Atlanta Hawks (46-36, sixth in the Eastern Conference) vs. New York Knicks (53-29, third in the Eastern Conference) New York; Saturday, 6 p.m. EDT LINE: Knicks -5.5; over/under is 216.5 EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Knicks host first series matchup BOTTOM LINE: The New York Knicks host the Atlanta Hawks to open the Eastern Conference first round. New York went 2-1 against Atlanta during the regular season. The Knicks won the last regular season meeting 108-105 on Monday, April 6 led by 30 p...

Fans of the Miami Heat were almost inconsolable after the team lost to the Charlotte Hornets by a solitary point in overtime, 127-126, in the Play-In Tournament on Tuesday. The painful defeat ended the Heat’s season. They failed to qualify for the playoffs, snapping their six-year streak, as they bowed out in the Play-In Tournament […] The post Heat’s Erik Spoelstra fires back at narrative after painful play-in exit appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s days with the Milwaukee Bucks are clearly numbered. Antetokounmpo has been expressing his discontent with how the Bucks handled his injury status in a multitude of ways before the 2025-26 season ended, and with the Greek Freak being featured prominently in trade talks prior to the deadline, it makes sense for the Bucks […] The post 3 players Bucks must trade as Giannis Antetokounmpo situation comes to a head appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Stephen A. Smith tears into Kawhi Leonard; says he is no longer capable of being a franchise player for the Clippers and maybe never was.