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Posts tagged as “Basketball”

Clark lead Fever win over Sparks (87 – 78)

May 14, 2026

Caitlin Clark just silenced doubters in the Indiana Fever’s 87–78 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks. Following a stellar 20-point season opener, Clark dismantled the Sparks’ defense with 24 points and 9 assists, showcasing the elite vision and scoring punch that defined her collegiate career.

Fully recovered from the groin injury that sidelined her for much of 2025, Clark looked every bit the superstar Indiana envisioned. She was flanked by a scorching Kelsey Mitchell, who poured in 23 points on 9-of-17 shooting, helping the Fever shoot 49% as a team. The game also featured the debut of Monique Billings, scoring 9 points with 8 rebounds, who was signed by the team in the off season alongside Sophie Cunningham, who added 12 points and 7 rebounds.

Despite Sparks multiple veteran presence, they could not keep up with the Fever’s fast paced tempo. Kelsey Plum lead the Sparks with 25 points and 4 assists, while Dearica Hamby and Cameron Brink added 16 points and 11 points, respectively.

Game highlights;

Indiana will face the Washington Mystics this Saturday to kick off a four-game homestand. Meanwhile, the Sparks will look to rebound at home with two upcoming games against the Toronto Tempo on May 15 and 17.

ICYMI: Kate Martin signed by Los Angeles Sparks to Player Development Pool

May 13, 2026

After being waived by the Valkyries, Kate Martin was pickup by Los Angeles Sparks to a player development contract.

In their announcement, “Kate is a gifted shooter, whose grittiness and winning history mesh well with Sparks basketball,” said Sparks General Manager Raegan Pebley. “She’s confident in her shot, plays tenacious defense and is an unselfish, high-energy teammate. We’re eager to watch Kate develop within our system.”

WNBA teams can now maintain two developmental players who train in-house and receive benefits without hitting the salary cap. These players act as a talent reserve, eligible for activation in up to 12 games to provide critical roster depth.

Spurs routs Timberwolves to Lead the Series 3 – 2

May 13, 2026

Raul Dominguez, reporting for Associated Press and published on NBA.COM;

Victor Wembanyama atoned for his first career ejection with another huge performance, finishing with 27 points, 17 rebounds, five assists and three blocks as the San Antonio Spurs beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 126-97 on Tuesday night to take a 3-2 lead in their second-round series.

The two wins by the Timberwolves prove that they can only win this series if they can stop Wemby from playing, which is what happened in Game 1 and Game 4.

Even without Wembanyama, Minnesota’s win felt more like a war than a walk in the park. It is a testament to how deep the Spurs are.

Game highlights;

Game 5 will be back in Minnesota, where the Timberwolves will look to tie the series and the Spurs will look to advance to the Western Conference Finals, where OKC is waiting for them.

ICYMI: Full Result of the NBA Draft Lottery 2026

May 12, 2026

Here’s the complete order for the 2026 NBA Draft.

First Round Draft Order

  1. Washington
  2. Utah
  3. Memphis
  4. Chicago
  5. LA Clippers (from Indiana)
  6. Brooklyn
  7. Sacramento
  8. Atlanta (from New Orleans)
  9. Dallas
  10. Milwaukee
  11. Golden State
  12. Oklahoma City (from the LA Clippers)
  13. Miami
  14. Charlotte
  15. Chicago (from Portland)
  16. Memphis (from Phoenix via Orlando)
  17. Oklahoma City (from Philadelphia)
  18. Charlotte (from Orlando via Phoenix)
  19. Toronto
  20. San Antonio (from Atlanta)
  21. Detroit (from Minnesota)
  22. Philadelphia (from Houston via Oklahoma City)
  23. Atlanta (from Cleveland)
  24. New York
  25. Los Angeles Lakers
  26. Denver
  27. Boston
  28. Minnesota (from Detroit)
  29. Cleveland (from San Antonio via Atlanta)
  30. Dallas (from Oklahoma City via WAS and PHI

Second Round Draft Order

  1. New York (from Washington via Oklahoma City and Houston)
  2. Memphis (from Indiana via Milwaukee)
  3. Brooklyn
  4. Sacramento
  5. San Antonio (from Utah via Minnesota)
  6. LA Clippers (from Memphis via Atlanta and Utah)
  7. Oklahoma City (from Dallas)
  8. Chicago (from New Orleans via Boston, Detroit, and Portland)
  9. Houston (from Chicago via Washington)
  10. Boston (from Milwaukee via Orlando)
  11. Miami (from Golden State via CHA, NYK, OKC, and ATL)
  12. San Antonio (from Portland via New Orleans)
  13. Brooklyn (from the LA Clippers via Houston)
  14. San Antonio (from Miami via Indiana)
  15. Sacramento (from Charlotte via SAS, ATL, and NYK)
  16. Orlando
  17. Phoenix (from Philadelphia via Houston and Oklahoma City)
  18. Dallas (from Phoenix via Washington)
  19. Denver (from Atlanta via Brooklyn and Golden State)
  20. Toronto
  21. Washington (from Minnesota via Detroit and New York)
  22. LA Clippers (from Cleveland)
  23. Houston
  24. Golden State (from the Los Angeles Lakers via TOR, MIA and CLE)
  25. New York
  26. Chicago (from Denver via MIN, PHX, CHA, and PHX)
  27. Atlanta (from Boston)
  28. New Orleans (from Detroit via NYK, BKN, PHX, ORL, and LAC)
  29. Minnesota (from San Antonio via Indiana)
  30. Washington (from Oklahoma City via San Antonio and Miami)

The 2026 NBA Draft will be held on June 23rd in New York, while the Draft Combine in Chicago is set to begin on Monday, May 18th.

Source: NBA

Dallas Wings vs. Indiana Fever Full Game Highlights

May 11, 2026

The Dallas Wings hold on and defeat the Indiana Fever 107-104 in their first game of the regular season 👏

They had three players score 20 points or more!

Arike Ogunbowale: 22 PTS | 5 AST | 3 3PM
Paige Bueckers: 20 PTS | 4 AST | 3 REB
Odyssey Sims: 20 PTS | 2 AST | 2 STL | 2 REB | 2 3PM

Mercury spoil Aces’ ‘super-cool’ ring ceremony with blowout win  

May 11, 2026

This is awkward!

Michael Voepel reporting for ESPN;

The Aces got their 2025 WNBA championship rings before Saturday afternoon’s season opener at T-Mobile Arena. But their bling day turned into a blowout for the Mercury.

The Mercury, who were swept by the Aces in the WNBA Finals last year, won 99-66, the largest margin of victory in a season opener for Phoenix. It was also the largest margin of defeat by a defending champion in its season opener in WNBA history.

The Phoenix Mercury defeat the Aces, 99-66, in their 2025 Finals rematch to open the regular season!

Alyssa Thomas: 20 PTS | 9 AST | 6 REB | 3 STL
Jovana Nogić: 19 PTS | 4 3PM | 4 AST | 2 STL
DeWanna Bonner: 13 PTS | 7 REB | 3 3PM | 2 BLK
Natasha Mack: 10 PTS | 15 REB

Caitlin Clark Sets WNBA Record: 1,000 Points, 250 Rebounds, 250 Assists in 54 Games

May 11, 2026

Despite the loss, Caitlin Clark just became the fastest player in WNBA history to record 1,000+ points, 250+ rebounds, and 250+ assists. She reached this milestone in just 54 games, shattering the previous record of 62 games.

Clark’s scoring and playmaking have transformed the league. This record proves she’s an all-around force and the new face of professional basketball.

Indiana Fever lose to Dallas Wings in a Thrilling Season Opener (107 – 104)

May 9, 2026

The Indiana Fever dropped a heart-breaker in their season opener, falling 107–104 to the Dallas Wings in a game defined by relentless back-and-forth action. The contest was a statistical dead heat for much of the night, featuring 12 lead changes and 8 ties, with neither team able to carve out a double-digit advantage.

While the half-court battle remained even, Dallas found their edge in transition. The Wings dominated the fast-break points category, outscoring the Fever 25–12. This ability to push the pace allowed Dallas to capitalize on Indiana’s defensive rotations and keep the pressure on the Fever’s backcourt.

Kelsey Mitchell put on a masterclass for Indiana, leading all scorers with a blistering 30 points. She was supported by Aliyah Boston, who anchored the interior with 23 points. Caitlin Clark finished with a quiet but efficient stat line of 20 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds, facilitating the offense through heavy defensive pressure.

For the Wings, Arike Ogunbowale proved once again why she is one of the league’s premier finishers. Ogunbowale led Dallas with 22 points, including a clutch, go-ahead step-back three-pointer in the final seconds that effectively sealed the game. Paige Bueckers debuted with a strong 20-point performance, while former Fever guard Odyssey Sims haunted her old team with 20 points of her own.

The Fever had opportunities to force overtime in the closing seconds. Both Mitchell and Clark had looks from beyond the arc to tie the game, but their attempts failed to find the mark.

Game highlights;

Indiana will look to bounce back as they travel to Los Angeles for a Wednesday night matchup. Meanwhile, the Wings remain at home to host the Atlanta Dream this Wednesday evening.

OKC win over the Lakers to secure Home court (125 – 107)

May 9, 2026

Jeff Zillgitt, reporting for NBA.COM;

The Los Angeles Lakers led the Oklahoma City Thunder at halftime and had a five-point lead early in the third quarter.

It looked like the Lakers were playing well enough to make it anyone’s game in the fourth quarter. That didn’t happen because the Thunder did what they have done all season – control the third quarter.

The Thunder owned the league’s best third-quarter net rating during the regular season, outscoring opponents by 10.9 points per 100 possessions.

By the time the third quarter ended, the Thunder were up 13 points – and on their way to a 125-107 victory over the Lakers in Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series Thursday.

Game 3 and 4 will be Los Angeles, which will give the Lakers, especially the bench, some confidence to face the defending champs.

Game highlights;

Golden State Valkyries waived Kate Martin

May 7, 2026

The Golden State Valkyries waived Kate Martin on May 7, 2026, as the expansion franchise finalized its inaugural 12-player roster. Martin’s professional journey began on 2024 Draft Day, where she was selected 18th overall by the Las Vegas Aces while attending the event as a spectator to support teammate Caitlin Clark.

During her 2024 rookie season with the Aces, Martin became a fan favorite, appearing in 34 games and contributing to the team’s deep playoff run. She joined Golden State via the 2025 Expansion Draft, where she averaged 6.2 points per game before a quad injury hampered her 2026 preseason.

Hailey Van Lith Joins the Connecticut Sun’s 2026 WNBA Roster

May 7, 2026

The Connecticut Sun have officially announced the acquisition of 5’9” guard Hailey Van Lith, adding one of the most decorated collegiate players in history and a recent Olympic medalist to their 2026 roster.

Van Lith joins the Sun following a stint with the Chicago Sky, where she was selected as the No. 11 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, then was waived by the Sky before the start of the 2026 WNBA Season.

After appearing in 29 games during her rookie campaign with Chicago, Van Lith showed significant flashes of elite efficiency during the most recent preseason. In two outings with the Sky, she averaged 12.5 points and 4.5 assists, shooting a blistering 71.4% from the field.

Beyond the WNBA, Van Lith has already proven herself on the world stage. She represented the United States at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she earned a bronze medal as a key member of the USA 3×3 Women’s National Team.

Indiana Fever announces Official 2026 WNBA Roster

May 7, 2026

Indiana Fever has officially announced the 2026 Roster

  • #0 Kelsey Mitchell: Guard
  • #2 Myisha Hines-Allen: Forward
  • #3 Raven Johnson: Guard
  • #7 Aliyah Boston: Center-Forward
  • #8 Sophie Cunningham: Guard
  • #10 Lexie Hull: Guard
  • #12 Damiris Dantas: Center-Forward
  • #13 Justine Pissott: Guard-Forward
  • #21 Makayla Timpson: Forward-Center
  • #22 Caitlin Clark: Guard
  • #25 Monique Billings: Forward
  • #32 Shatori Walker-Kimbrough: Guard
  • #52 Tyasha Harris: Guard

Stephanie White will be the Fever’s head coach, while Briann January, Karima Christmas-Kelly, and Austin Kelly will be the assistant coaches, along with trainers Alexis Gholston and Todd Champlin.

In related news, Indiana also announced that the team have waived Megan McConnell, Jessica Timmons and Kayana Traylor.

Brunson-Led Knicks Secure Home-Court Advantage Against 76ers (108–102)

May 7, 2026

Ben Lambert, reporting for NBA.Com;

The Knicks defeat the Sixers 108-102, as Jalen Brunson (26 pts) took them home, scoring six of their last nine points to earn a clutch win at Madison Square Garden.

The game included 25 lead changes and 14 ties, as both teams vied back-and-forth for control.

The Sixers ran out of gas late, scoring just three points in the last 6:52 of the game. Tyrese Maxey (26 pts) was their top scorer.

Patrick Ewing and John Starks sat side-by-side on the baseline during the contest, watching New York take a 2-0 lead with a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals in the offing. Now, the series shifts back to Philadelphia.

So far, one of the best game of the 2026 NBA Playoff. Joel Embiid did not play in the game due to a bruised right hip injury.

Similar to Spurs – Wolves series, Game 3 and 4 will now move to Philadelphia.

Here’s the final 4-mins of Game 2 of the East Conference Semifinals; 76ERS – Knicks

The Knicks defeated the 76ers, 108-102 tonight in New York. Jalen Brunson led the way for the Knicks with 26 points on 9-21 from the field (1-5 from 3) to go along with 6 assists. For the 76ers, Tyrese Maxey had a team-high 26 points on 9-23 from the field (1-6 from 3). The Knicks lead the series 2-0

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Spurs Blows Out Wolves to even series (133 – 95)

May 7, 2026

Ben Lambert, reporting for NBA.Com;

A dominant performance from San Antonio.

Stephon Castle (21 pts) led six Spurs in double figures. They were in control from the early minutes, holding the Timberwolves to 38.8% shooting.

“We don’t care (about their experience advantage),” said Victor Wembanyama (19 pts, 15 reb, 1 stl, 2 blk).

San Antonio earned a 58-36 advantage in points in the paint and outran the Wolves for a 29-5 margin in fast break points.

Minnesota turned the ball over 22 times — that’s tied for the second-most they committed this season.

As expected, the Spurs made sure Game 2 went in their favor; I’m certain the Game 1 loss left a bad taste in their mouths.

The series now shifts to Minnesota for Games 3 and 4; the Spurs have yet to secure a win at the Target Center during the 2025–2026 season.

Game 3 will be this Friday evening.

Game highlights;

Chet Holmgren leads OKC in a win over Lakers (108 – 90)

May 6, 2026

AP on ESPN;

Chet Holmgren had 24 points and 12 rebounds, and the Oklahoma City Thunder routed the Los Angeles Lakers 108-90 on Tuesday night in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ajay Mitchell each added 18 points for the Thunder. The defending champions improved to 5-0 in the playoffs, despite missing 2025 All-Star Jalen Williams with an injured left hamstring for the third straight game. The Thunder shot 49.4% from the field and made 13 of 30 3-pointers.

Oklahoma City will host Game 2 on Thursday.

It was a close game, with OKC holding only a 10-point lead entering the second half. The Lakers even cut the deficit to just four points (64–68) midway through the third quarter, but that’s when the Thunder stepped on the gas. They built a 12-point cushion heading into the fourth and were never threatened again.

Game highlights;

Chicago Sky Waived 2nd year Hailey Van Lith  

May 5, 2026

Kendra Andrews, reporting for ESPN;

In a separate move, Chicago waived Hailey Van Lith, with sources telling ESPN that the decision was based on the coaching staff’s “style-of-play preference.”

Van Lith was selected by the Sky with the 11th pick in the 2025 draft and averaged 3.5 points per game in 12.4 minutes during her rookie campaign. The 5-foot-9 guard was limited to 29 games last season as she dealt with an ankle injury throughout the year, but she is healthy after spending the summer rehabbing, per sources.

Van Lith now enters a 48-hour waiver period. If a team with cap space claims her, they inherit her rookie contract; otherwise, she becomes an unrestricted free agent. With several teams reportedly expressing interest in her scoring potential, Van Lith is expected to find a new home quickly as rosters finalize across the league.

Sky also waived Latasha Lattimore and Tonie Morgan, both were drafted this year.

Timberwolves Stun Spurs in Game 1 Thriller (104 – 102)

May 5, 2026

The Western Conference Semifinals kicked off with an absolute classic as the Minnesota Timberwolves steal one from the San Antonio Spurs 104-102 in a nail-biting Game 1. The night was defined by a stunning medical turnaround: Anthony Edwards, previously sidelined with a knee injury, made a surprise return to score 18 points, including 11 in a decisive fourth-quarter surge.

While Edwards provided the spark, the Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama delivered a historic performance, the Defensive Player of the Year recorded a rare triple-double, setting an NBA postseason record with 12 blocks with 11 points and 15 rebounds. Despite his dominance at the rim, San Antonio struggled to find consistent scoring late in the game.

Julius Randle led Minnesota with 21 points and 10 rebounds, helping the 6th-seeded Wolves maintain their poise after a frantic late-game steal by Devin Vassell. A missed buzzer-beater by Julian Champagnie ultimately sealed the win for Minnesota, handing the 2nd-seeded Spurs a rare home loss to open the series.

You can watch the last 2-mins of the game below;

Game 2 will remain in San Antonio this Wednesday evening.

Game highlights;

Pistons Advance to Conference Semis After Historic Comeback against Orlando Magic (116 – 94)

May 4, 2026

The Detroit Pistons completed a historic comeback on May 3, 2026, defeating the Orlando Magic 116–94 in a decisive Game 7. After trailing 3–1 in the series, the top-seeded Pistons rallied to win three straight elimination games, securing their first playoff series victory in 18 years.

Cade Cunningham lead Detroit with a dominant performance scoring 32 points and 12 assists, while Tobias Harris provided the much needed help to the Pistons by adding 30 points and 9 rebounds. Together, they became the first Detroit teammates to score 30+ points in a playoff game since 1977. Defensively, the Pistons stifled Orlando, limiting them to just 15 points in the third quarter.

While Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 38 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists, Orlando’s offense struggled following an injury to Franz Wagner earlier in the series and could not get other Magic player in rhythm to help Banchero.

Game highlights;

Detroit now advances to the Eastern Conference semifinals to face the Cleveland Cavaliers who also just concluded a game 7 win against the Raptors.

2026 NBA Conference Semifinals Matchups

May 4, 2026
2026 NBA Conference Semifinals Matchups

The second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs (Conference Semifinals) is set to begin on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. The first round concluded on Sunday, May 3, featuring a historic night of Game 7s. In the East, both the Detroit Pistons and Philadelphia 76ers completed rare comebacks from 3–1 series deficits to advance.

Eastern Conference Matchups

  • (1) Detroit Pistons vs. (4) Cleveland Cavaliers
  • (3) New York Knicks vs. (7) Philadelphia 76ers

Western Conference Matchups

  • (1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (4) L.A. Lakers
  • (2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves

ICYMI: Lakers advance to the second round of the NBA Playoffs after win over Rockets (98–78)

May 3, 2026

Jeff Zillgitt, writing for NBA.Com;

The fourth-seeded Lakers took control of Game 6 in the second quarter, built a 25-point lead in the third and advanced to the conference semifinals with a 98-78 victory against the fifth-seeded Rockets on Friday.

Second-year Lakers coach JJ Redick earned his first playoff series victory. “Gratitude, it’s the biggest thing,” Redick said. “It’s been my word for the entire season. Part of my existence in life is gratitude. I’m so grateful to represent the Lakers. I’m so grateful for our players. I’m so grateful for our staff. Doing this is such a collective effort. I wish people understood how many people put their heart and soul into something just to try to go win a basketball game.”

Los Angeles will play the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder for a spot in the West finals.

Game highlights;

Game 1 of the West SemiFinals will this May 5th at the Paycom Center, OKC.

Indiana Fever Finished the Season with a 2-1 Record

May 3, 2026

The Indiana Fever wrapped up their preseason with a promising 2-1 record, signaling a shift in momentum for the franchise. Led by a blend of veteran leadership and high-caliber rookie talent, the team showcased a more fluid offensive rhythm and improved defensive communication.

First game, Indiana Fever win against the New York Liberty;

The Indiana Fever defeated the New York Liberty, 109-91, to pick up their first preseason win!

Shatori Walker-Kimbrough: 18 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL
Kelsey Mitchell: 18 PTS, 2 3PM
Han Xu: 20 PTS, 2 REB
Breanna Stewart: 16 PTS, 2 3PM, 6 REB

Their second game was against the Dallas Wings but was defeated despite a great game by Caitlin Clark.

The Dallas Wings defeat the Indiana Fever, 95–80, in their first preseason game of the season!

Paige Bueckers: 20 PTS | 3 AST | 4 3PM
Maddy Siegrist: 18 PTS | 11 REB
Aziaha James: 17 PTS | 7 REB | 3 AST
Odyssey Sims: 9 PTS | 3 REB | 4 AST

The Wings move to 1–0 in preseason play.

AS for their last game, they rout the Nigeria National Team;

The Indiana Fever defeat the Nigeria National Team, 105-57, in their final preseason game! 👏

Kelsey Mitchell: 17 PTS, 3 3PM, 2 REB, 2 AST
Damiris Dantas: 16 PTS, 4 3PM, 5 REB, 3 AST
Caitlin Clark: 12 PTS, 2 REB, 4 AST
Makayla Timpson: 12 PTS, 5 REB

Indiana Fever will face the Dallas Wings for their highly anticipated season opener this Saturday, May 9th at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Knicks dismantle Hawks in game 6 to advance to Semis of 2026 NBA Playoffs

May 1, 2026

With a stellar first half, the Knicks set multiple postseason franchise records for totals in a half during the play-by-play era.

PTS: 83 (Franchise record in a half) *T-4th most in a half all-time by any team
FGM: 28 (3rd most FGM in a half)
AST: 21 (Franchise record in a half)
STL: 12 (Franchise record in a half)
PT. DIFF: 47 Pts (League record for largest lead at HT) *All-Time

To say that the Knicks destroyed the Hawks would be an understatement. The game technically finished in the 1st half after limiting Atlanta to a 15 pointsm and 21 points, while scoring 40 points and 43 points, in the first two quarters.

NY Knicks will face the winner between Celtics and 76sers, is headed to a game 7.

Brian Martin, reporting for NBA.com;

Paced by the ultra-efficient wing combo of OG Anunoby (29 points, 11-for-14 FGs) and Mikal Bridges (24 points, 10-12 FGs), and a triple-double from Karl-Anthony Towns (12 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists), the Knicks earned a 140-89 Game 6 victory to advance, ending Atlanta’s season.

After suffering back-to-back one-point losses in Games 2 and 3 to go down 2-1 in the series, the Knicks never lost again. They posted one dominant win after another — a 16-point victory in Game 4 in Atlanta, a 29-point triumph in Game 5 in New York, and an emphatic 51-point closeout victory in Game 6 on the road.

Game highlights;

Rockets extends series in win over Lakers (99 – 93)

April 30, 2026

Greg Beacham, AP Sports Writer and published on NBA.Com;

Jabari Smith Jr. scored 22 points, Tari Eason added 18 and the Houston Rockets avoided playoff elimination for the second straight game with a 99-93 victory over the Lakers in Game 5 on Wednesday night, trimming Los Angeles’ lead in the first-round series to 3-2.

Alperen Sengun had 14 points, nine rebounds and eight assists for the fifth-seeded Rockets, who sent the series back to Houston for Game 6 on Friday night with a gritty performance to overcome Austin Reaves’ return to the Lakers.

Houston has won two straight even without top scorer Kevin Durant, who has missed four of the series’ five games with injuries.

The Rockets’ Game 3 blunder is the only reason the Lakers aren’t the ones on the verge of elimination.

Game 6 will be back in Houston this Friday night.

Game highlights;

The Rockets defeated the Lakers, 99-93 tonight in Los Angeles. Jabari Smith Jr. led the Rockets with 22 points to go with 7 rebounds and 4 three pointers, while Tari Eason contributed 18 points (6-11 FG, 2-6 3P) in the game. LeBron James finished with a team-high 25 points along with 7 assists for the Lakers in the losing effort. The Lakers lead the series 3-2.

Indiana Fever exercised Caitlin Clark’s 4th Year Option

April 30, 2026

The Indiana Fever officially exercised the fourth-year option on Caitlin Clark’s rookie contract, securing her through the 2027 season. While routine for top picks, this move is a strategic necessity for the franchise to lock in their star player and continue to capitalize on her historic impact.

Under the WNBA’s current Collective Bargaining Agreement, exercising this option triggers the EPIC (Exceptional Performance on Initial Contract) provision. Because Clark earned All-WNBA honors as a rookie, this allows her to renegotiate her fourth-year salary to a much higher figure and potentially sign a multi-year supermax extension. Her compensation is projected to jump from roughly $78,000 in 2025 to over $500,000 in 2026, with the 2027 option year serving as the foundation for a future max-level contract, this is similar to the deal that Aliyah Boston, Clark’s teammate, signed two weeks ago.

By finalizing this team option, the Fever ensure roster stability and eliminate any risk of Clark becoming an unrestricted free agency after 2026. This allows the franchise to focus on their upcoming season, which starts this May 9th, and build long-term around their core talent. This basically confirms that Clark will remain as the face of Indiana franchise for the foreseeable future while receiving a significant pay raise.

Spurs advances to the 2nd round after routing the Trail Blazers (114 – 95)

April 29, 2026

Spurs will advance to the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs as they dispose the Portland Trail Blazers 114 – 95 in Game 5 on Tuesday night. Played in front of Spurs homecourt, the Frost Bank Center, the victory sealed a 4-1 series gentleman’s sweep for the Spurs, fueled by a balanced offensive attack and suffocating defense against the Trail Blazers.

De’Aaron Fox led the scoring with 21 points and 9 assists, while Julian Champagnie provided a massive spark from the perimeter, knocking down five three-pointers for 19 points. Victor Wembanyama anchored the interior defense, recording a double-double with 17 points and 14 rebounds alongside a dominant 6 blocks.

Portland struggled to find a rhythm throughout the contest, trailing by 20 points at halftime. Despite a valiant 22-point effort from Deni Avdija, the Blazers couldn’t overcome San Antonio’s efficiency. The Spurs now look ahead to the Western Conference Semifinals waiting for the winner between the Nuggets and Timberwolves.

Game highlights

OKC Sweeps Phoenix Suns (131 – 122)

April 28, 2026

DAVID BRANDT – AP Sports Writer and as posted on NBA.com;

The Thunder closed the series with an overwhelming offensive performance – making 17 of 34 (50%) 3-pointers – and their big men played particularly well. The 7-foot-1 Holmgren shot 9 of 16 from the field and grabbed 12 rebounds, while the 7-foot Isaiah Hartenstein added 18 points and 12 rebounds, including seven on the offensive end.

OKC will face the winner of Lakers – Rockets match for their opponent in 2nd round of the NBA Playoffs.

Cooper Flagg Is The 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year!

April 28, 2026

Cooper Flagg’s rookie stats are; 21 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 4.5 APG on a 46.8 FG%. He beat out his fellow Duke roommate Kon Knueppel for the award.

Tim MacMahon, reporting for ESPN;

Flagg edged Knueppel by 26 points in the voting by a panel of 100 media members. Flagg received 56 first-place votes, with the rest going to Knueppel. Flagg had 44 second-place votes, while Knueppel received 55 second-place votes and one third place.

Flagg has the making of an NBA Supper star and barring injury, the Mavs are in a good place right now, considering what happened to them last year.

Spurs routs Trail Blazers to take 3-1 series lead (114 – 93)

April 27, 2026

Returning from injury with a vengeance, Wembanyama’s 27-point, 7-block performance fueled the Spurs’ 114-93 victory on Sunday. San Antonio are now one win away from clinching the series against Portland. As the video description says “Spurs victory is the second-largest comeback in franchise postseason history in the play-by-play era.”

De’Aaron Fox added 28 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists for the Spurs, who will return home for Game 5 on Tuesday night.

Portland led by as many as 19 points in the first half, even holding the Spurs to just 18 points in the second quarter. However, San Antonio turned the tables in the second half, stifling the Trail Blazers to 16 and 19 points in the final two frames while scoring for 33 and 40 points of their own.

Despite 26 points from Avdija and 20 from Holiday, Portland couldn’t overcome the Spurs’ defensive pressure. San Antonio dominated the hustle stats, out-blocking Portland 10–5 and winning the turnover battle with 13 steals to the Blazers’ 6.

The series shifts back to San Antonio for Game 5, giving the Spurs an opportunity to close out the series at home.

Game Highlights

Timberwolves beat Nuggets 112-96 for 3-1 lead

April 26, 2026

The Minnesota Timberwolves pushed the Denver Nuggets to the brink of elimination after defeating them 112–96, Saturday evening. The win was fueled by a historic performance from Ayo Dosunmu, who erupted for a career-high 43 points off the bench—the highest-scoring playoff game by a reserve in 50 years.

What’s impressive about this win is that the Timberwolves did it without two of their starters; Donte DiVincenzo left the game due to a torn right Achilles tendon, while Anthony Edwards sustained a hyperextension of the knee after contesting a layup late in the second quarter.

Even though they’re missing two starters, the Wolves stifled Denver’s offense, holding the Nuggets to 22% from deep. The game ended in a heated skirmish resulting in ejections for Nikola Jokic and Julius Randle. Minnesota now looks to close out the series Monday night in Denver.

Game Highlights;

Indiana Fever Dominates NY Liberty in Preseason Opener (109 – 91)

April 26, 2026

The Indiana Fever had a strong start to their 2026 campaign with a commanding 109–91 victory over the New York Liberty at Barclays Center on Saturday. While exhibition games often focus on roster experimentation, the Fever showcased a high-octane offense that left the Liberty scrambling to keep pace.

Indiana’s victory was fueled by a balanced scoring effort as Kelsey Mitchell and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough led the charge with 18 points each, demonstrating the backcourt depth the team has assembled in the off-season. Raven Johnson, the No. 10 overall pick, shut critics down by making a game-high eight assists and proving she is ready for the professional spotlight. Caitlin Clark back from her USA basketball, ignited the crowd in her return to action, finishing with seven points and four assists in 17 minutes.

The Liberty, playing without their full starting rotation, saw strong flashes from Han Xu, who recorded 20 points and was a defensive presence with 2 blocks, and Breanna Stewart, who added 16. However, Indiana’s fast paced-game game and 32-point first-quarter explosion proved too much to overcome. The Fever now look toward their next preseason test against the Dallas Wings on May 1st.

Game Highlights;

The Indiana Fever defeated the New York Liberty, 109-91, to pick up their first preseason win!

Shatori Walker-Kimbrough: 18 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL
Kelsey Mitchell: 18 PTS, 2 3PM
Han Xu: 20 PTS, 2 REB
Breanna Stewart: 16 PTS, 2 3PM, 6 REB