CJ McCollum hit a fadeaway jumper with 12.5 seconds remaining to secure a 109-108 victory for the Atlanta Hawks over the New York Knicks in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday.
Following his stellar performance in Game 2 at Madison Square Garden, the veteran guard delivered again by sinking a 15-foot shot to finish with 23 points.
The hosts had controlled the majority of the contest at State Farm Arena, establishing a commanding 18-point advantage in the first half.
Late drama seals dramatic finish
However, the visitors mounted a fierce comeback, edging ahead 108-105 when Jalen Brunson completed a crucial three-point play with just over a minute left.
Jalen Johnson, who top-scored for the Georgia franchise with 24 points, subsequently closed the gap with a composed finish inside the paint.
A missed three-point attempt by Josh Hart gave the home side an opening, and despite securing the offensive rebound, the away side committed a costly shot-clock violation.
Kuminga impact stunts Knicks revival
Following McCollum’s decisive strike, Jonathan Kuminga stripped the ball from Brunson to ensure time expired before a final response could be launched.
Kuminga proved instrumental off the bench, contributing 21 vital points to halt the momentum of the recovering New York roster.
OG Anunoby was the standout offensive performer for the losing team with a game-high 29 points, while Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns added 26 and 21 respectively.
First-half dominance establishes foundation
The foundations for the narrow victory were laid early, as the home team outscored their opponents 27-12 over the final seven minutes of the first quarter.
That commanding stretch featured three consecutive shots from beyond the arc, initiated by little-used center Mouhamed Gueye.
The defensive prowess of the match-winner was also on full display, notably blocking a clear drive to the basket by Hart to regain possession during a crucial exchange.
Game 4 of this tightly contested postseason battle will take place on Saturday in Atlanta.
The result leaves the Eastern Conference challengers facing a crucial weekend clash to avoid falling into an almost insurmountable 3-1 series deficit.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves has been upgraded to questionable for Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets following an oblique injury.
The 27-year-old has been sidelined since 2 April when he suffered a Grade 2 left oblique strain during a heavy defeat by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
His potential return offers a significant boost for the Californian franchise, who currently lead the best-of-seven series 2-0.
Durant doubt compounds Houston concerns
The Rockets are facing their own major injury concerns with veteran forward Kevin Durant listed as questionable due to a sprained left ankle.
The 37-year-old missed the series opener with a right knee contusion before returning to lead his team in scoring during Game 2.
However, the forward struggled in the second half of Tuesday’s 101-94 loss, committing a post-season career-worst nine turnovers.
Doncic remains sidelined for Lakers
While Reaves nears a return, the visitors will remain without star playmaker Luka Doncic.
The Slovenian international sustained a Grade 2 left hamstring strain in the same regular-season fixture that claimed Reaves.
Without their starting backcourt, L.A. slipped from the third seed to fourth in the Western Conference standings to set up this clash with Houston.
Reaves ramps up recovery
Lakers head coach JJ Redick confirmed that Reaves had begun his return-to-play programme earlier this week.
The dynamic guard enjoyed a stellar regular season, averaging a career-best 23.3 points alongside 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game.
Meanwhile, backup forward Jake LaRavia will be available for Friday’s clash in Texas despite suffering an ankle sprain in Game 2.
Redick described LaRavia’s issue as a very low-grade, minor sprain, noting that an MRI scan returned clean results.
The Milwaukee Bucks are finalising an agreement to appoint Taylor Jenkins as their new head coach following the departure of Doc Rivers.
The former assistant previously served with the franchise under Mike Budenholzer during the 2018-19 campaign.
He arrives having established himself as the all-time winningest manager in Memphis Grizzlies history with a 250-214 record.
The experienced tactician guided his former employers to three playoff appearances across six seasons before being dismissed in March 2025.
Rebuilding a fractured culture
Franchise ownership identified the highly regarded manager as their top available target due to his strong pedigree in player development.
Executives met with him personally in Memphis last week before securing a final commitment during further discussions in Wisconsin on Tuesday.
He inherits a roster that slumped to a dismal 32-50 record this season, snapping a formidable nine-year streak of consecutive postseason appearances.
Uncertainty surrounds Antetokounmpo
The new appointment follows the ousting of Rivers, who managed a lacklustre 97-103 record across his three-year tenure.
Immediate attention will now turn to the future of star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo amidst significant questions regarding the organisation’s overall direction.
When pressed on his future earlier this month, the two-time Most Valuable Player refused to rule out signing a contract extension in October.
“That’s a very good question,” Antetokounmpo said when asked whether he has played his last game in a Milwaukee uniform.
“I don’t know. It’s not up to me. We’ll see.”
Victor Wembanyama will travel with the San Antonio Spurs to Portland for this weekend’s play-off games despite remaining in the league’s concussion protocol.
The towering Frenchman suffered a head injury during Tuesday’s Game 2 loss to the Trail Blazers and was forced to leave the court in the second quarter.
San Antonio head coach Mitch Johnson confirmed his player is making positive strides, but his availability for Friday’s crucial Game 3 remains undetermined.
He is progressing.
Mitch Johnson
Strict return-to-play process
The 7-foot-4 centre must clear several specific neurological milestones before being permitted to return to competitive action.
This rigorous recovery process begins with light exertion, which includes riding a stationary bike, jogging and non-contact agility drills.
Medical staff will continuously compare the unanimous Defensive Player of the Year’s current test results against his pre-season baseline evaluations.
The first-round play-off series is currently delicately poised at one game apiece ahead of Friday’s fixture, with Game 4 following on Sunday.
A pivotal absence for San Antonio
Losing their franchise cornerstone for an extended period would serve as a massive blow to the Spurs’ postseason ambitions.
The team finished the regular season with the second-best record in the standings, driven heavily by their talisman’s historic performances.
During his dominant campaign, the MVP finalist averaged 25 points, 11.5 rebounds, and a league-leading 3.1 blocks per game.
However, San Antonio have proven they can remain competitive without him, recording 12 wins and six losses during his regular-season absences.
Karl-Anthony Towns faces mounting pressure to deliver for the New York Knicks as their finely-poised first-round playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks heads into a crucial Game 3.
The 30-year-old center showcased his devastating potential during Saturday’s opening 113-102 victory, overpowering defenders to score 19 of his 25 points in the second half.
However, the franchise squandered a 14-point advantage in Monday’s Game 2, leaving the Eastern Conference matchup tied at one game apiece.
Finding the right tactical balance for the versatile big man remains an ongoing challenge for head coach Mike Brown.
Mandate from the top
Owner James Dolan has reportedly issued a direct ultimatum for the organisation to reach their first NBA Finals since 1999.
That expectation weighs heavily on Brown, who replaced the controversial Tom Thibodeau on the bench last June.
It also places intense scrutiny on the roster’s high-profile additions, particularly the former Minnesota star and wing Mikal Bridges.
Despite his undeniable talent, the four-time All-Star recorded a career-low 13.8 shot attempts per game during the regular season, marking his lowest scoring output since his rookie year.
A matchup nightmare
When fully integrated into the offensive scheme, the 7-foot forward poses a significant conundrum for opposing defences.
Atlanta coach Quin Snyder acknowledged the immense difficulty of containing such a dynamic perimeter and post threat.
“It’s a little bit of pick your poison. How do you handle him on the post with a mismatch? How do you handle him on the pick-and-roll?”
“There are times where it’s good defense, better offense.”
The Hawks have certainly felt that offensive power, with the Dominican-American international averaging an astonishing 28.5 points against them this season.
Yet, the New York coaching staff must now figure out how to consistently deploy their marquee acquisition to ensure their championship ambitions stay alive.
Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks have heavily criticised the officiating after the Phoenix Suns suffered a 120-107 play-off defeat against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday.
The loss leaves Phoenix trailing 2-0 in the best-of-seven series against the reigning title holders.
Booker, an 11-year league veteran, was particularly angered by a technical foul he received in the third quarter.
The Phoenix star singled out crew chief James Williams by name, suggesting the integrity of the sport is at stake.
“It’s bad for the sport, bad for the integrity of the sport. People are going to start viewing this as a WWE if they’re not held responsible.”
Devin Booker
Brooks questions physicality
Suns forward Brooks also expressed immense frustration after fouling out in the closing moments of the contest despite scoring 30 points.
The Canadian international directed his ire towards the whistle blown for his national team-mate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning Most Valuable Player, scored a game-high 37 points and converted all nine of his free-throw attempts.
“He’s a little frail, and that’s what the refs are going to call. I got to be smarter about it, but this is the playoffs. It’s a man’s game.”
Dillon Brooks
The former Memphis Grizzlies defender pleaded for a return to the physical style of past play-off eras, questioning why flopping is tolerated.
Gilgeous-Alexander unfazed
Despite the verbal barbs, Gilgeous-Alexander refused to be drawn into a war of words with his summer international colleague.
The Oklahoma City standout had previously attempted 17 free throws in his team’s blowout victory in Game 1.
He insisted his sole focus remains on securing victories for his franchise as they look to defend their crown.
“I can’t control what Dillon or anybody else on the other side is going to complain about. All I can do is try to go out there and win basketball games for my team.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
The Thunder guard concluded by praising the energy his opponent brought to the court, noting that he loves the competitive nature of their match-ups.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams sustained a left hamstring injury during a 120-107 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, overshadowing his team’s 2-0 lead in the first-round playoff series.
The breakout star was forced to leave the court with just over six minutes remaining in the third quarter after attempting a contested fast-break layup.
He immediately grabbed his leg, motioned toward the bench, and intentionally committed a foul shortly after to ensure a swift exit to the locker room.
Injury woes continue for All-NBA forward
“We think he aggravated his left hamstring,” head coach Mark Daigneault said.
“We’ll take a look at it in the next couple of days, and we’ll update you guys appropriately.”
Before his premature departure, the former third-team All-NBA selection had already registered 19 points on an efficient 7-of-11 shooting display in just 23 minutes of action.
His dominant form followed a spectacular series opener where he amassed 22 points, seven rebounds, and six assists to help Oklahoma City seize early control of the matchup.
A history of physical setbacks
This latest setback adds to a frustratingly fragmented campaign for the dynamic scorer, who was restricted to a mere 33 appearances during the regular season.
He missed the opening 19 games while recovering from surgery on a torn wrist ligament, a severe issue he bravely played through during Oklahoma City’s postseason run last year.
The talented wing also endured two extended absences earlier this year due to a separate strain in his right hamstring, which he notably aggravated against Phoenix in February.
The Western Conference contenders will now anxiously await medical updates as they prepare to travel to Arizona for Game 3 on Saturday.
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson has been named the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year after a historic season coming off the bench.
The seventh-year veteran became the first player in franchise history to score at least 1,000 points as a substitute in a single campaign.
His impressive total of 1,081 points ranked as the second-highest among all reserve players in the league this year.
A challenging transition
The move to a reserve role was initially difficult for a player who had started 205 games over his first four professional seasons.
Following a 2022-23 campaign where he led the Texas franchise with a career-high 22 points per game, former head coach Gregg Popovich asked him to step out of the starting five.
The American forward admitted his ego took an initial hit upon hearing the news, but he ultimately trusted the coaching staff’s vision.
“It hasn’t always been easy, but it never deterred me, never steered me away,” Johnson told ESPN.
“Being Sixth Man of the Year is just a testament to that, to my supporting cast, to the Spurs and how much they’ve trusted and believed in me.”
‘The soul of this team’
His teammates and coaches were quick to praise his selfless attitude and relentless physical energy on the court.
Star centre Victor Wembanyama, who was recently named Defensive Player of the Year, highlighted the crucial impact of his veteran teammate.
“He has sacrificed more than anybody on this team in my opinion in terms of stats and playing time,” Wembanyama said.
“He brings energy, no matter what time of the day, and he deserves to be the Sixth Man of the Year.”
Historic statistical impact
The longest-tenured player on the roster registered 13 performances of 20 points or more as a substitute during the regular season.
That achievement tied for the third-most in franchise history and is the highest total since Manu Ginobili’s renowned 2006-07 season.
He also ranked in the top five among all NBA bench players in total rebounds, free throws made, and plus-minus statistics.
Current Spurs coach Mitch Johnson described the dynamic wing as the absolute heart and soul of the roster.
“He puts his body in harm’s way for the betterment of the team every game,” the coach noted.
Rookie guard Dylan Harper echoed those sentiments, calling the veteran a vital unifying presence within the locker room.
“The role he’s taken and how he thrives in his role is the best thing ever for us,” Harper concluded.