The 2025 NBA Playoffs have commenced, and the Indiana Pacers have secured the first victory. Guided by the efforts of Pascal Siakam, the Pacers successfully defended their home arena, overpowering the Milwaukee Bucks with a score of 117–98, despite impressive statistics from Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Greek superstar achieved a double-double, scoring 36 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, yet he struggled …

**Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets (Watch Live on ESPN)** **Detroit Pistons vs. New York Knicks (6:00 ET on ESPN)** **Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers (8:30 ET on ESPN)** **Current Score: Clippers 35, Nuggets 27** Despite playing away from home and at a higher elevation, the Clippers are holding their own in Denver, showcasing a solid first quarter. James …

Similar to his compatriot and the former No. 1 overall selection in the last NBA Draft, Victor Wembanyama, Zaccharie Risacher will not participate in the Playoffs during his rookie year. The Atlanta Hawks came tantalizingly close, ultimately falling to the Miami Heat in overtime with a score of 123-114, which ends their season here. Regrettably, the French prospect had a …

• Get the NBA App The Oklahoma City Thunder are coming off an impressive season and are set for a significant playoff journey. Based on their performance over the past six months, they appear to be a formidable No. 1 seed, and it would indeed be a major surprise if they do not advance into May. Regarding the Memphis Grizzlies, …

Following Izan Almansa, yet another promising Spanish player is preparing to enter the 2025 NBA Draft. As reported by Jonathan Givony, Real Madrid’s forward Hugo Gonzalez is poised to announce his decision to join the draft. At just 19 years old, Gonzalez featured prominently in Real Madrid’s lineup this season, recording averages of 3.0 points and 1.8 rebounds in 10 …

Luka Dončić appears unfazed on his journey towards NBA greatness. Despite navigating a tumultuous season and year, he concluded the regular season among the top five scorers per game and is now preparing for a playoff run as the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. Dončić’s basketball journey is captured in Episode 4 of “Pass The Rock: Season 3.” …

Exactly 77 days following Luka Doncic’s trade to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Dallas Mavericks have officially been eliminated from NBA Playoff contention after falling in their final Play-In match. Competing against the Memphis Grizzlies on the road, Jason Kidd’s squad was unable to secure a victory, suffering a 120-106 loss. As a result, the Grizzlies progressed to the Playoffs …

It’s time to hit the floor! The Playoffs are set to begin in just a matter of hours. **5 HEADLINES FOR TODAY’S ISSUE** 🏀 April 19, 2025 **Wolves-Lakers:** Luka, LeBron, and the Lakers welcome Ant and the Wolves for Game 1. **Bucks-Pacers:** A rematch of last year’s first round in this escalating rivalry. **Clippers-Nuggets:** The fiery Clippers go head-to-head with …

Filip Petrusev emerged as a key player for Crvena Zvezda in the EuroLeague this season, where he was on loan from Olympiacos, contributing an average of 14.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. Despite having a contract with Olympiacos for the upcoming season, Petrusev expressed to Serbian publication “Sportski Zurnal” that he hopes to secure another opportunity in the NBA …

ATLANTA (AP)— In the initial two quarters of the NBA Play-In Tournament elimination match against Atlanta, Miami’s backup guard Davion Mitchell appeared far from being a standout performer. During the first half, Mitchell failed to convert any of his four attempts and managed to score just a single point. At the conclusion of regulation, his tally stood at a mere …

Gregg Popovich is still facing health challenges. After experiencing a mild stroke in November, which led him to sit out the remainder of the season with the San Antonio Spurs, he recently had a medical episode in public. As reported by sources like TMZ and ESPN, the renowned head coach collapsed while dining in a San Antonio restaurant. Following his …

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Damian Lillard, the guard for the Milwaukee Bucks, is uncertain about when he will return to the court, but he is thankful that it will happen sooner than anyone anticipated. This week, Lillard received clearance for full basketball activities and was taken off blood-thinning medication after spending the past month sidelined due to deep vein thrombosis in …

Following in the footsteps of his Israeli teammate Ben Saraf, French forward Noa Essengue has declared his intention to participate in the 2025 NBA draft. “Since childhood, it has been my aspiration to be selected by an NBA team,” Essengue shared with ESPN as he revealed his decision. “My aim now is to become a top-10 pick. While I am …

Karl-Anthony Towns felt his mind swirling with thoughts. The reality of being traded just before the onset of training camp last fall from the only NBA franchise he had ever known, the Minnesota Timberwolves, to the New York Knicks, struck him deeply both intellectually and emotionally. Images and ideas flooded his mind, each one quickly replaced by the next—a rapid …

As the Dallas Mavericks prepare to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of their best-of-seven playoff series, Luka Doncic is set to go up against Rudy Gobert in the opening round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google. Having led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2024, Doncic’s memorable moment came from hitting a game-winning three-pointer over …

•Get the NBA App INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP)—This year, Kawhi Leonard is feeling revitalized both physically and mentally, no longer confined to watching from the sidelines as the LA Clippers gear up for the playoffs. After being limited to just two playoff appearances over the last two seasons, the 33-year-old two-time Finals MVP is back to full health and performing like …

Promising young talent Ben Saraf has officially announced his intention to enter the 2025 NBA draft. “This feels like the perfect moment for me,” shared the 19-year-old Israeli combo guard with ESPN while disclosing his decision on Friday. “Having competed at the highest levels of European basketball, I’m eager for the draft, but my primary focus now is to ensure …

Nikola Pekovic, a former professional basketball player, has reportedly been implicated in a criminal organization by the Montenegrin Police Directorate. During a raid across 11 sites in the northern part of Montenegro, law enforcement made two arrests and issued multiple misdemeanor citations. According to the Montenegrin news outlet Vijesti, one of the vehicles that was confiscated during the operation was …

Occasionally, the writers at NBA.com will share their insights on notable narratives or popular topics within the league. Who should earn a spot on the All-NBA teams for the upcoming 2024-25 season? It’s no surprise that after embracing the “positionless” structure for these teams (a concept I resisted last year), my First Team ends up resembling what I would have …

Marc Gasol made an appearance on the “Out of the Mud” podcast, where he caught up with his former teammates Zach Randolph and Tony Allen, sharing a comical story involving himself, Nikola Jokic, and his two siblings. Gasol recounted that he first encountered Jokic’s brothers at Darko Milicic’s wedding in Serbia. “I’m at Darko’s wedding, and I spot these two …

• Download the NBA App The concluding day of this year’s SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament will finalize the No. 8 seeds for each conference. Prepare for the excitement with detailed previews and forecasts for Friday’s games. The victor: Will progress to face Cleveland in the opening round as the No. 8 seed. The defeated: Will be eliminated. Regular-season outcomes: Tied, …

Monte McNair is no longer the general manager for the Sacramento Kings, following a mutual decision made by both parties, as reported by Shams Charania and various U.S. news sources. The Kings’ defeat to the Mavericks in the opening round of the Western Conference Play-In Tournament served as the catalyst for this parting of ways. During his final year, McNair …

•Download the NBA App•2025 NBA Playoffs Schedule•NBA Playoffs: Complete Bracket and Coverage Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard has received medical clearance regarding the deep vein thrombosis affecting his right calf, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Although Lillard will sit out Game 1 against the Pacers, he has a window to return to contact practices and prepare for a comeback, Charania …

NBA icon Carmelo Anthony has made his entry into the cannabis sector with his new brand, STAYME7O (pronounced “Stay Melo”). This brand is a part of his recently established enterprise, Grand National, formed in collaboration with cannabis innovator Jesce Horton and marketer Brandon Drew Jordan Pierce. STAYME7O made its initial launch in Portland, Oregon, and is now set to expand …

NEW ORLEANS – Today, Gayle Benson, the Governor of the New Orleans Pelicans, announced the appointment of Joe Dumars as the team’s Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, effective April 21. Dumars comes with over 30 years of extensive experience, having established an illustrious career as a Hall of Fame player, NBA champion, and notable executive within the league and …