Victor Wembanyama has joined former winners Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic as a finalist for this season’s NBA Most Valuable Player award.
Jokic made history this year by becoming the first player to lead the league in both total assists and rebounds.
The Denver Nuggets centre averaged a remarkable triple-double across the campaign while scoring 27.7 points per game.
Meanwhile, reigning MVP Gilgeous-Alexander posted 31.1 points and 6.6 assists on 55% shooting for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Wembanyama dominates defensive categories
The San Antonio Spurs standout is also the overwhelming favourite to secure the Defensive Player of the Year honour.
The towering Frenchman led the NBA in blocked shots per game for a third consecutive season.
He is joined on the defensive ballot by Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren and Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson.
Award eligibility and the 65-game rule
Gilgeous-Alexander is additionally nominated for the Clutch Player of the Year prize alongside Jamal Murray and Anthony Edwards.
Edwards features on the clutch ballot despite falling short of the league’s 65-game minimum requirement for standard award eligibility.
The Minnesota Timberwolves guard remains eligible for this specific accolade because the nominees are selected directly by head coaches.
Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham also missed the 65-game threshold but successfully appealed under the “extraordinary circumstances” clause to remain on All-NBA ballots.
Rising stars and coaching recognitions
Jalen Duren, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Deni Avdija are the final three contenders for the Most Improved Player award.
Portland’s Avdija earned his first All-Star appearance this year while averaging 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.7 assists.
The Rookie of the Year race will be contested by highly-rated prospects Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel and V.J. Edgecombe.
On the touchline, J.B. Bickerstaff, Mitch Johnson and Joe Mazzulla have been shortlisted for Coach of the Year.
The NBA will begin announcing the official winners prior to evening tip-offs throughout the coming week.
Defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder and the Boston Celtics have both secured dominant home victories to open their respective NBA playoff campaigns.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 25 points as the top-seeded Thunder routed the Phoenix Suns 119-84 in the Western Conference.
The reigning league MVP did the bulk of his damage from the foul line, hitting 15 of his 17 free throws before resting for the entire fourth quarter.
Jalen Williams contributed 22 points and Chet Holmgren added 16 to help the hosts take early control of the series.
Holmgren sparks early surge
Phoenix initially took a 5-0 lead as the home side started slowly following a week off.
However, the momentum shifted when Dillon Brooks was called for a flagrant foul after catching Holmgren in the face during the first quarter.
That incident ignited a 12-2 run for Oklahoma City, capped by a spectacular buzzer-beating three-pointer from the young center to end the opening period.
Devin Booker top-scored for the visitors with 23 points, but the Suns struggled immensely on offense and shot just 34.9% from the field.
Tatum returns to inspire Boston
In the Eastern Conference, Jayson Tatum starred in his first playoff appearance since rupturing his Achilles tendon last season.
The returning forward registered 25 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists to lead the second-seeded Boston Celtics to a 123-91 demolition of the Philadelphia 76ers.
Tatum had played just 17 games during the regular season following surgery last May, but he looked completely back to his best with a 21-point first-half display.
Jaylen Brown led all scorers with 26 points as Boston built a massive 35-point advantage without ever trailing in the contest.
“That was Celtics basketball. We’ve been the harder-playing team all year. That can’t change now that the playoffs have started.” – Jaylen Brown
Philadelphia struggled significantly without their injured talisman Joel Embiid, leaving Tyrese Maxey to carry the scoring burden with a team-high 21 points.
The Boston Celtics secured a commanding 123-91 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.
Taking full advantage of Joel Embiid’s injury absence, the hosts delivered a ruthless wire-to-wire masterclass at TD Garden.
The visiting side struggled immensely without their talismanic big man, converting a dismal four of 23 attempts from beyond the arc.
Conversely, the top seeds aggressively punished every mistake to generate a massive 22-3 advantage in points off turnovers.
Tatum shines in remarkable injury comeback
Jayson Tatum orchestrated the offense brilliantly with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists in just 32 minutes of action.
The superstar forward’s dominant performance marks another major milestone in his impressive recovery from a torn Achilles tendon.
Having only made his season debut in early March, the returning talisman demonstrated supreme fitness as his squad pushed their advantage to a staggering 35 points.
“There were many days where I wasn’t even sure I was going to play this season, let alone get a chance to play today.”
Tatum remarked when questioned about his grueling 48-week rehabilitation journey.
He added that understanding the magnitude of the injury has made him incredibly grateful simply to participate in the post-season.
A historic rivalry heavily skewed
History weighs heavily on this current series, with the Massachusetts franchise having won all six playoff encounters against their division rivals since 1982.
Despite the offensive explosion, key figures within the locker room remain entirely focused on maintaining strict defensive discipline.
“Our offense can’t win us this series. I mean, our offense is important, but we got to make sure we guard.”
Jaylen Brown emphasised following the final buzzer.
The home side now possesses a vital opportunity in Tuesday’s Game 2 to push their historic adversaries into a deep, early hole.
Jalen Brunson scored 28 points to guide the New York Knicks to a physical 113-102 victory over the Atlanta Hawks in the opening game of their Eastern Conference first-round play-off series at Madison Square Garden.
The All-Star point guard dominated early, racking up 22 points before half-time as the hosts built a commanding 19-point advantage.
Despite enduring a difficult second half where he failed to hit a single shot from seven attempts, the former Dallas Maverick facilitated effectively to keep the visitors at bay.
A brutal and bruising encounter
The matchup proved to be a punishing affair with several high-impact collisions overshadowing the later stages.
The Knicks’ star talisman was inadvertently kicked in the groin area by C.J. McCollum during the third quarter, resulting in a technical foul.
Karl-Anthony Towns also absorbed a heavy blow to the head from Jonathan Kuminga on a rebound, while backup centre Mitchell Robinson was struck on a drive to the basket.
“It was a hard-fought win. It was physical. It was a grind-it-out game.”
Those were the thoughts of the New York floor general, who emphasised the importance of finding alternative ways to impact the game when his shooting cooled.
Towns and tenacious defence secure the win
With their primary scorer struggling after the break, the home side relied on their supporting cast and formidable perimeter defence.
Towns stepped up significantly in the closing stages, finishing the night with 25 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
On the defensive end, the hosts successfully stifled Most Improved Player candidate Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
The dangerous Atlanta guard, who averaged almost 21 points during the regular season, was restricted to just 17 points on six-for-17 shooting.
Snyder’s unwanted sense of deja vu
The standout performance fell exactly four years after Brunson registered his first 40-point play-off game against a Utah Jazz side managed by current Atlanta head coach Quin Snyder.
“It was in some ways foreshadowing, you could feel it. You knew when he was doing some of the things he was doing in that series, it was there.”
Snyder reflected before tip-off on the early glimpses of brilliance that have now fully blossomed in the Big Apple.
While scoring remains his primary weapon, the versatile playmaker has increasingly embraced a distributor role, averaging nearly nine assists per game since the beginning of March.
Jamal Murray scored 30 points as the Denver Nuggets defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-105 to take a 1-0 lead in their Western Conference first-round playoff series.
The first-time All-Star produced a flawless 16-for-16 performance from the free-throw line to propel the hosts to an opening victory on Saturday.
Aaron Gordon encountered early foul trouble, forcing Denver to rely heavily on their dynamic point guard in the opening stages.
Jokic makes NBA playoff history
Nikola Jokic overcame a sluggish start to register his 22nd career postseason triple-double.
The Serbian center finished with 25 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists.
His remarkable playoff tally now ranks third in NBA history behind only Magic Johnson and LeBron James.
Decisive third-quarter surge
The pivotal moment arrived after half-time when the third seeds unleashed a devastating 14-0 run.
Minnesota endured a barren spell during this period, missing nine consecutive field-goal attempts.
Anthony Edwards led the scoring for the visitors with 22 points during his 37 minutes on court.
However, the Timberwolves guard was resting on the bench during the decisive Denver scoring streak.
Managing injuries and looking ahead
The 22-year-old continues to manage pain in his right knee and will play through the issue for the remainder of the postseason.
These two franchises have developed an intense rivalry, playing each other more than any other pair of teams over the last three seasons.
Denver now holds a narrow 15-14 advantage in those recent head-to-head meetings.
Minnesota will need to improve their perimeter defence without drawing whistles when the series resumes on Monday.
The entire visiting roster shot just 19 free throws compared to the individual record-breaking tally of 16 from the Canadian playmaker.
Depleted Lakers host Rockets
Elsewhere in the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers are preparing to host the Houston Rockets.
The home side will rely heavily on veteran forward LeBron James after losing Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to indefinite injuries.
Houston may also be missing key personnel for the late tip-off in California.
Star forward Kevin Durant is listed as questionable for the visitors after sustaining a knee contusion.
Hall of Fame coach Gregg Popovich addressed the San Antonio Spurs ahead of their playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers while continuing his recovery from a stroke.
The 77-year-old remains a regular fixture at the franchise’s practice facility following his health scare in November 2024.
His presence provides a significant boost to a young roster featuring Victor Wembanyama, who will make his postseason debut on Sunday.
Words of wisdom for a youthful squad
Guard Stephon Castle revealed the five-time NBA champion urged the players to maintain their current identity.
“Just to be us, not to really do anything different from what we’ve been doing all season.”
“He gave us another perspective on how well we’ve been playing and the position we’ve put ourselves in.”
The Texas-based team finished the regular season with a formidable 62-20 record, securing the Southwest Division title for the first time since 2017.
Praise from the locker room
De’Aaron Fox acknowledged the immense value of receiving guidance from one of basketball’s most successful tactical minds.
“He’s one of the winningest coaches ever, one of the coaches with the most rings ever.”
“So it’s only right that he felt like he needed to come in and preach to the choir.”
Veteran forward Keldon Johnson confirmed the legendary tactician remains in frequent contact with the locker room.
“He looks amazing. He’s doing great. It’s always good to see him.”
An athletic core chasing postseason glory
The current squad boasts an energetic core that secured third place in both offensive and defensive efficiency rankings this year.
Several key contributors, including Devin Vassell and Julian Champagnie, are stepping onto the playoff stage for the very first time alongside Wembanyama.
Castle added that the former head coach continues to serve as an invaluable mentor through both triumphs and setbacks.
“Whether games are going good, games are going bad, just knowing Pop, he’ll always tell you the real.”
Johnson reiterated that the respected veteran’s sharp intellect remains completely intact.
“He’s definitely still himself. He’s still sharp. He’s still very much Pop. He has not skipped a beat at all.”
The Oklahoma City Thunder will enter the NBA playoffs as clear betting favourites to retain their championship, though bookmakers face significant liabilities from the San Antonio Spurs and Boston Celtics.
DraftKings currently lists the defending champions at +110 to secure another Finals victory.
They are closely followed by the San Antonio Spurs at +500 and the Boston Celtics at +550.
The Denver Nuggets complete the top tier of contenders, presently priced at +900.
There is a significant gap in the market before the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks factor into the odds.
Sportsbooks welcome Thunder success
Despite attracting considerable financial backing, a consecutive triumph for Oklahoma City would represent a positive outcome for oddsmakers.
Their consistently short odds throughout the campaign mean they do not present a substantial financial risk.
“Among the true contenders, OKC is the best result on the futures market. The sportsbook is in the enviable position of getting to cheer for the favourite to win it all.”
– Anthony Parenti, BetMGM sports trader
Instead, betting companies face massive payouts if either San Antonio or Boston manage to secure the title.
Both franchises began the campaign as extreme outsiders before morphing into genuine championship threats.
Wembanyama fuels San Antonio surge
The Texan outfit have enjoyed a remarkable breakout season, driven by the exceptional form of Victor Wembanyama.
Bookmakers initially assigned the 2023 first-overall draft pick and his team conservative championship odds of 65-1.
However, astute punters recognised the potential early and heavily backed the towering French phenomenon.
San Antonio currently draw the highest volume of championship bets across major betting platforms.
“We were super aggressive in lowering them because Wembanyama was playing so well, and we still have quite a bit of money on them.”
– David Lieberman, Caesars Sportsbook lead NBA trader
Celtics overcome injury woes
Boston were initially expected to endure a transitional year after undergoing significant roster turnover.
The storied Eastern Conference franchise also lost superstar Jayson Tatum to a serious Achilles injury for most of the season.
Consequently, oddsmakers offered generous 60-1 prices on the team during the pre-season.
Despite a depleted roster, the resilient squad remained highly competitive throughout the campaign.
They are now firm favourites to win the East following the timely return of their prolific forward.
The Phoenix Suns have secured the eighth and final seed in the Western Conference playoffs after eliminating the Golden State Warriors with a decisive 111-96 home victory on Friday.
Jalen Green orchestrated the triumph with an outstanding 36-point performance, ensuring his team advances to face the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round.
The result prematurely ends the campaign for the visitors, marking a disappointing conclusion to their season.
Devin Booker contributed a valuable 20 points before being ejected late in the fourth quarter following a heated altercation with Draymond Green.
Curry stifled as hosts dominate early
The home defence successfully contained Stephen Curry throughout the high-stakes encounter, restricting the 38-year-old guard to just 17 points on 4-of-16 shooting.
Brandin Podziemski provided the main offensive resistance for the eliminated squad, leading their scoring efforts with 23 points.
A commanding start saw the Arizona franchise capitalise on four early turnovers to establish a dominant 33-15 lead by the end of the opening quarter.
Despite shooting just 30% from the field initially, the visitors rallied impressively to reduce the deficit to five points heading into the halftime break.
Late ejections and staved-off comebacks
Momentum shifted back towards the hosts in the third quarter when a fast-break layup by Royce O’Neale extended their advantage to 16 points.
Fears of a late collapse loomed momentarily as Curry connected on a crucial three-pointer to cut the gap to 85-78 with under ten minutes remaining.
However, the home side responded with seven consecutive points to firmly shut the door on any potential comeback.
The tension boiled over in the closing stages when both Booker and the Warriors’ veteran power forward were assessed double technical fouls and subsequently dismissed from the court.
Injury concerns and defensive masterclasses
Jordan Goodwin proved instrumental to the defensive masterclass, accumulating 19 points, nine rebounds, and six crucial steals.
The losing side’s challenges were compounded by fitness issues, with Kristaps Porzingis restricted to just 15 minutes of action due to an ankle problem sustained earlier in the week.
By securing this crucial win, the Suns successfully avoided the unwanted historical distinction of losing consecutive home play-in tournament fixtures.
They will now immediately turn their attention to a challenging series against the top-seeded Thunder, which commences on Sunday.