Basketball News · LatestThursday, Apr 16, 2026

Alperen Sengun previews the Rockets' upcoming matchup with the Lakers; says they will come out all guns blazing since they are shorthanded.

The Hornets could be missing their starting center when they play at Orlando on Friday to determine the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Moussa Diabate is questionable to suit up for the elimination game due to left hip soreness, Charlotte announced (via Twitter). A French big man, Diabate recorded eight points, 14 […]

MIAMI – While the Miami Heat were hurt by a ton of factors this year, as the team missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2018-19 season, the positive takeaway was the development of key young players. As Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. is in line to contend for Sixth Man of the […] The post How Heat’s Bam Adebayo helps Kel’el Ware handle Erik Spoelstra’s coaching appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Tyronn Lue and Darius Garland are the only two confirmed pieces of the Los Angeles Clippers' future following their play-in elimination loss to the Golden State Warriors, as the franchise heads into an offseason clouded by roster uncertainty and an ongoing NBA investigation. Lue is under contract as head coach through 2029. Garland, acquired at the February trade deadline from the Cleveland Cavaliers in the James Harden deal, is signed through 2028. A league source told The Athletic that both...

The Knicks’ regular season was good, but irrelevant. Their own team owner set the bar as championship or bust, so the measuring starts now.

Kawhi Leonard could re-join the trade block following the latest failed season for the Clippers.

There is a longstanding belief that an NBA team usually needs to come of age before competing for a championship. The San Antonio Spurs went six consecutive seasons without winning even 35 games in a single campaign, so just making the playoffs would have been considered a big step in the right direction, Instead, they […] The post The Hakeem Olajuwon advice that hit Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama hard appeared first on ClutchPoints.

MIAMI – With potential big changes coming to the Miami Heat this offseason after being eliminated from the play-in tournament at the hands of the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday, there were many disappointing aspects to the team’s 2025-26 season. One area was the Heat’s guard duo of Norman Powell and Tyler Herro, one that head […] The post The ‘unfortunate’ Tyler Herro-Norman Powell situation that hurt the Heat appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Ever since Michael Jordan, Nike has become the NBA’s most synonymous brand. Many of the games’ biggest names have had their signature brand shoe. However, the iconic brand has been taking a hit on Wall Street. On the Hoops Tonight Podcast, NBA on ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst openly stated that Nike stock has taken a […] The post Nike stock drop sparks debate over NBA player popularity appeared first on ClutchPoints.

LOS ANGELES – Coming into Game 1 of their opening round series of the NBA playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers know they need to rebound well in order to have a chance at winning. Lakers head coach JJ Redick stressed boxing out as one of two key areas the team needs to focus on to […] The post LeBron James drops NSFW message ahead of Game 1 vs. Rockets appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Finding a potential playoff hero outside of the Spurs’ rotation is not an easy task.

The Clippers checked one box late in the season. They found something that worked. At least they did until getting eliminated in the play-in tournament. That came courtesy of major blown lead against the Warriors. Still, since Dec. 19, the Clippers went 36-19, one of the better marks in the West over that stretch. It […] The post Clippers enter offseason with questions, starting with Kawhi Leonard appeared first on Hoops Wire.

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s trade of Paul George to the LA Clippers is the gift that keeps giving after their 126-121 Play-In Tournament loss to the Golden State Warriors ended their 2025-26 campaign. By not reaching the playoffs, the Clippers forfeit their first-round pick to the Thunder. The defending champion Thunder now has three first-round […] The post 3 Thunder early 2026 NBA Draft targets with lottery pick they just got from Clippers appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Fourth quarters, and specifically clutch situations down the stretch, have become an undeniable strength for the Knicks.

Napheesa Collier is signing a one-year, $1.4 million supermax contract to return to the Minnesota Lynx, sources told ESPN.

Napheesa Collier helped negotiate higher salaries in the CBA this offseason.

John and Nate look ahead to the playoffs, picking all 4 rounds and the eventual champions. Plus, they pick their: Most interesting series Least interesting series Best Individual Matchup Star player with the toughest matchup Star player with the easiest matchup Best coaching matchup Biggest coaching mismatch Series with the most variables Rotation players most likely to have their roles cut Deep rotation players who could emerge Most important non-star player Best playoff defense Best playoff...

A decision on Steve Kerr’s future as Warriors coach isn’t coming immediately. Kerr, who is on an expiring contract, is expected to take some time after the season before determining his next step, according to Anthony Slater of ESPN. There won’t be clarity on Steve Kerr’s coaching future in the immediate aftermath of the season. […] The post Warriors’ Steve Kerr expected to take time deciding future after season appeared first on Hoops Wire.

While Erik Spoelstra was upset on Tuesday about the “dangerous play” from LaMelo Ball that caused Bam Adebayo to injure his lower back, the Heat‘s head coach was calmer when he was asked about the incident in Thursday’s exit interviews, per Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald. “I’m not really thinking about that anymore,” Spoelstra […]

New York's Mayor Zohran Mamdani pokes fun at Trae Young ahead of the Knicks' playoff series against the Hawks.

Jalen Green didn't shrink from the moment and that might be his biggest win of the season.

The NBA on Thursday ruled in favor of the appeals of Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham and Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic regarding the 65-game rule, making them eligible for the individual awards despite not meeting the minimum threshold. The league cited the “extraordinary circumstances” clause in the collective bargaining agreement in its decision. […] The post How Pistons’ Cade Cunningham becoming award eligible could cost Jalen Duren appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Toronto Raptors are coming into their opening round series of the NBA playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers without home-court advantage. The Cavs are the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference and the Raptors are the No. 5 seed. But consider Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic as one who is unmoved by the Cavs’ […] The post Darko Rajakovic shows zero fear over Cavs’ home-court advantage appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Lakers star LeBron James responds to Bronny being in the mix for playoff rotation minutes.

The Washington Wizards finished the 2025-26 season with the worst record in the NBA, winning just 17 out of their 82 games. Plenty of Wizards core players took strides, with Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George establishing themselves as long-term keepers for the team, and the front office took the opportunity to surround those young players […] The post 3 players Wizards must trade to clean up roster for Anthony Davis, Trae Young era appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Golden State Warriors kept their playoff hopes alive yesterday with a spirited comeback against the Los Angeles Clippers. Despite being down by nine points in the fourth quarter, the team rallied behind Stephen Curry’s immaculate performance in the second half. Now, the Warriors are getting ready to clash with the Phoenix Suns for the […] The post Warriors’ Kristaps Porzingis in danger of missing Suns play-in clash with injury appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Toronto Raptors return to the NBA Playoffs spotlight for the first time since 2021-2022. Many across the roundball universe believe the No. 4 seeded Cleveland Cavaliers are the far superior team, however. Brandon Ingram isn’t buying into the social media criticism of the fifth-seeded Raptors, though. Ingram put the internet critics on blast Thursday […] The post Raptors’ Brandon Ingram fires savage response to ‘idiots on social media’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Many knew that the Indiana Pacers were in for a significant fall-off following their miracle run to the 2026 NBA Finals that ended in heartbreak. Devastation might be the more apt word; not only did they lose to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a hard-fought seven-game series, they also lost Tyrese Haliburton to a ruptured […] The post 2 players Pacers must trade to prepare for Tyrese Haliburton’s return appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Phoenix Suns will face off against the Golden State Warriors in the final play-in game for the right to earn the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference standings. The Suns were waiting for the opponent in the play-in following their loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, and count Suns veteran Dillon Brooks as […] The post Dillon Brooks reveals why he sided with Warriors in play-in vs. Clippers appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Charlotte Hornets are brimming with confidence and rightfully so. On Tuesday, the Hornets eeked out a huge 127-126 overtime victory over the Miami Heat in the NBA Play-In tournament. The catalyst came with Coby White’s game-tying 3-pointer, LaMelo Ball’s game-winning bucket, and Miles Bridges’ game-ending block. But largely left out of the fun was […] The post Kon Knueppel still has teammate’s confidence after ugly play-in showing appeared first on ClutchPoints.