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The Luka Dončić trade alone won’t make the Lakers title contenders: Why JJ Redick went all-in

With the Lakers’ season very likely on the line on Sunday — down three at half on the road against the tough-as-hell Timberwolves, just 24 minutes away from either snatching back home-court advantage or falling into a 3-1 hole that NBA teams climb out of just 4.5% of the time — L.A. head coach JJ Redick decided to damn the torpedoes. No more Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt or Jordan Goodwin, who’d gone scoreless in the first half of Game 4. No more Jaxson Hayes, who’d produced more personal fouls (eight) than points (seven) through the first three-plus games of the series.

Redick would roll the rest of the way with LeBron James, Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Dorian Finney-Smith — the only five guys he felt like he could trust to create and make shots against an excellent Minnesota defense, and to hold up against the onslaught of size, athleticism and physicality brought to bear by Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle, Jaden McDaniels and a ravenous Wolves team. No bench; none at all.

Redick’s gamble didn’t pay off. After storming back to take a 10-point lead into the fourth quarter, the Lakers’ five-man band got, in Edwards’ words, “gassed going down the stretch,” shooting just 5-for-18 in the fourth and 3-for-9 in the final 5:05 of regulation to open the door for Minnesota — led by Ant, who’s burnishing his reputation as a stone-cold killer in the playoff crucible — to put the higher-seeded and favored Lakers on the brink of an early exit and a long offseason.

The first-year head coach invited no shortage of criticism for deciding to turn off subs in favor of riding a 40-year-old who’d logged 41 minutes two nights earlier and a dude shouldering almost all of L.A.’s offensive workload who’d just played 40 minutes through a stomach virus all the way to the finish line. If the Lakers come out for Wednesday’s do-or-die Game 5 looking spent, Redick will likely be raked over the coals … especially if the Wolves, whose minutes distribution looks downright socialist by comparison, hit the ground running and looking like the fresher team.

“We go 8-9-10 deep, with guys that continue to fight and find ways to impact the game,” Wolves point guard Mike Conley Jr. said after Sunday’s win. The Lakers, though … well, they don’t. Not right now, anyway — not after the trade to bring in Dončić also shipped out Anthony Davis and Max Christie, after they scuttled their planned post-AD-pivot deal for Hornets center Mark Williams over medical concerns, and after all they found on the buyout market was Alex Len.

You don’t play the same lineup for the entire second half of a playoff game because you want to; you do it because you feel like you have to. And with Hayes underwhelming against Gobert, with Vincent, Vanderbilt and Goodwin shooting a combined 8-for-22 in the series, and with the Wolves applying relentless pressure on both ends — especially when they can ignore Vanderbilt and Goodwin to pack the paint, or attack the smaller Vincent in isolation — Redick clearly feels like he has to.

“It wasn’t planned,” Redick told reporters after the game. “We just made the decision at halftime.”

The Minnesota matchup is laying bare the Lakers’ lack of size and depth, and this was always one of the prospective downsides of a midstream mega-deal like the one that brought Luka to L.A. Sea-change shake-ups like Rasheed Wallace propelling the Pistons or Marc Gasol revamping the Raptors are much more the exception than the rule; midseason roster moves this dramatic rarely lead to instant championship contention. More often than not, the overhauling team needs either time to gel, another roster-management cycle to add talent or both. Even the Lakers’ previous gold standard for in-season swaps, adding Pau Gasol in 2008, didn’t immediately produce a title. (That took a year.)

“We know that our roster has continued work to do to be complete,” Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said after the Dončić trade. “We’re going to build a roster that fits JJ Redick’s basketball philosophy.”

That intention doesn’t really help the Lakers in the present tense, though. As tantalizing as the offensive partnership between Dončić and James was, as impressive as Reaves looked late in the season as a third option, and as potent as the small-ball five-out look flanking that trio with Hachimura and Finney-Smith could be, the glass-

SAN FRANCISCO — Game 3 of the Golden State Warriors’ first-round series with the Houston Rockets on Saturday was nothing short of a slugfest. They took part in a physical battle all night with bodies hitting the floor from the opening tip through the final buzzer.

Missing Jimmy Butler, the Warriors relied on their depth and defense, while the Rockets couldn’t contain Stephen Curry or buy a bucket late in the contest. By night’s end, one team’s poise and a familiar superstar’s brilliance proved to be the difference as Golden State secured a 104-93 victory and a 2-1 series lead.

Another ‘Stephortless’ performance

Curry did that thing where he takes over a game in its most pivotal moments — hitting dagger 3s, converting crafty layups and exploiting any mismatch on a big.

Game 3 was no different. While both teams had their struggles early on, Curry took over in the second half, accounting for 80% of the team’s points in the third quarter (12 points, two assists, four points created from assists) and 61.8% of the team’s points in the fourth quarter (eight points, five assists, 13 points created from assists). He was brilliant, pouring in 36 points, dishing out nine assists with seven rebounds, and finishing +18 on the night, leading his Warriors to a much-needed victory.

When asked about Curry’s performance, the coach said, “I don’t know. Whatever I said these past 11 years, I don’t know. Copy and paste, he’s incredible.”

On a night when both teams struggled through sloppy play, Curry broke through in the clutch. The Rockets schemed frequent blitzes and double teams all night, but Curry was able to find the open man and capitalize on the gravity he created. With Butler out, the Warriors needed Curry to be flawless. And like clockwork, he delivered.

Warriors’ defense and role players answer the call

Without Butler, the Warriors leaned into a full-team effort on defense. The Warriors upped their force at the point of attack, holding Jalen Green, Fred VanVleet and Amen Thompson to 14-of-41 shooting. The Warriors limited Houston to 39.5% shooting as a team with a 19:14 assist-to-turnover ratio. Another component of the Warriors’ success was reducing the Rockets’ second-chance points, winning that battle 18-to-11.

Draymond Green must be singled out for his defense in the interior, holding Alperen Şengün to 2-of-8 shooting in over six minutes of guarding the opposing big man. While his offensive output was modest, he added three blocks and two steals in 34 minutes.

“What kept us in the game was our defense,” the coach said.

Then there were the role players: Gary Payton II, Buddy Hield and Quinten Post.

“Buddy flipped [the switch], but GP also flipped it,” the coach said. “Playoffs are about injuries and players stepping up. With Jimmy being out, you have to be able to withstand that.”

Payton scored 11 of his 16 points in the final frame and was the beneficiary of four of Curry’s nine assists. Hield paced the Warriors’ reserves, dropping 17 points with five 3s and an uncharacteristic three steals in 29 minutes. The Warriors’ bench outscored the Rockets 42-28, a margin that proved invaluable with Butler sidelined.

“Robin’s out tonight, so I had to step up,” Hield said, leaning into the Batman and Robin analogy.

Considering how much the Rockets impose their size and physicality, Post, a rookie, made an impact on the glass, pulling down 12 rebounds (three offensive). This is where leadership and experience mattered, and top down, the Warriors understood the assignment.

Rockets’ offense falls flat

For the Rockets, this loss came down to missed opportunities. Their offensive inefficiency was glaring throughout the night, as they posted an uninspiring 46% effective field-goal percentage and a 47% true shooting percentage. Even at the free-throw line, where they dominated in attempts — 24 to Golden State’s 15 — they left points on the table, making just 14. Houston was the worst free-throw shooting team during the regular season, so this remains an area of concern at the worst possible time, summed up by Şengün’s 1-of-6 performance at the line.

The lone bright spot was Jabari Smith Jr. The reserve big man played 26 minutes, contributing 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting. For the series, he’s shooting 60% from the field and 55.6% from 3

NBA playoffs: Karl-Anthony Towns’ deep 3-pointer, late no-call give Knicks 94-93 win over Pistons in Game 4

Karl-Anthony Towns’ deep 3-pointer with 47 seconds remaining in regulation Sunday gave the New York Knicks a one-point lead in an eventual 94-93 victory in Game 4 of their first-round NBA playoff series with the Detroit Pistons. The Knicks lead the series 3-1 and can close out the series in Game 5, scheduled for Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.

Detroit had two opportunities to take the lead, but Cade Cunningham lost the ball while driving to the basket following Towns’ 3-pointer. After Jalen Brunson missed a floater with 13 seconds left, the Pistons had one last shot. But Cade Cunningham missed a jumper from the foul line. Tim Hardaway Jr. appeared to be fouled on a follow-up shot attempt from the corner, but no call was made.

Towns finished with 27 points and nine rebounds, nailing 5-of-7 3-pointers. He scored the Knicks’ final five points, hitting a fallaway baseline jumper from a tough angle to cut Detroit’s lead to 93-91 before his game-winning shot.

Jalen Brunson left game with leg injury, but scored 13 points after returning

Brunson left Sunday’s game with a leg injury late in the second half, but eventually returned.

With approximately three minutes remaining in the third quarter, Brunson got tangled up with Detroit’s Dennis Schröder while attempting to bring the ball upcourt. The ball was stolen by Schroder, who dished off to Cade Cunningham for a dunk, which extended the Pistons’ lead to 65-61.

Brunson had to be helped to his feet and had difficulty putting weight on his right leg as he went to the locker room. However, he returned to the bench during the fourth quarter and didn’t appear to have any issues. Brunson re-entered the game two minutes into the frame and quickly took two shots, making one.

The Knicks point guard went on to score 13 points after returning, hitting 4-of-5 shots. He finished with a game-high 32 points (4-of-7 3s) and 11 assists.

Detroit shakes off rough start

Perhaps the Pistons were nervous while beginning what could be their final home game of the season. Maybe they were fatigued from a longer season than last year. Or maybe a strong defensive effort from the Knicks set the early tone.

But New York looked like a team ready to take control of this series after three close games and continue the long playoff run expected of them before the season. They made four of their first five 3-point attempts, lifting them to a 29-19 lead at the end of the first quarter.

On the other side, Detroit appeared to be overwhelmed by the moment, like a young team experiencing postseason pressure for the first time. Six turnovers demonstrated the Pistons’ difficulty in running their offense and helped the Knicks build a lead.

However, the Pistons chipped away and cut the margin to 50-43 at halftime. That fueled a third-quarter surge during which Detroit outscored New York 28-14 and took a one-point lead into the final frame.

Cunningham posted a triple-double for the Pistons, scoring 25 points with 10 rebounds and 10 assists and adding four blocks. But he got off to a slow start and wasn’t a factor at all with his outside shooting, going 0-of-3 from behind the arc. Tobias Harris added 18 points with eight rebounds, while Jalen Duren grabbed 17 rebounds with two blocks.

NBA Playoffs: Knicks Beat Pistons in Game 4 After Controversial No-Call

The New York Knicks secured a narrow one-point victory over the Detroit Pistons, advancing to a 3-1 lead in their opening-round playoff series. The game, held at Little Caesars Arena, concluded with a contentious no-call in the final seconds, sparking outrage from Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff.

With 11.1 seconds remaining and the Pistons trailing by a point, Cade Cunningham’s shot missed, leading to a scramble for the ball. Tim Hardaway Jr. received the pass in the corner and attempted a buzzer-beater, but was fouled by Josh Hart. Despite significant contact, no foul was called, allowing the Knicks to win 94-93.

Post-game, the officials admitted their error. Crew chief David Guthrie stated, “After postgame review, we observed that Hart makes body contact that is more than marginal to Hardaway Jr. and a foul should have been called.” Hart acknowledged the contact but questioned its legality.

Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 32 points and 11 assists, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 27 points and nine rebounds. Despite the win, the Pistons outrebounded the Knicks by 16 and outscored them in the paint by 16 points. Cade Cunningham recorded a triple-double with 25 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds for Detroit.

The Knicks have the opportunity to close out the series in Game 5 at Madison Square Garden.

NBA Playoffs: Lakers Coach JJ Redick’s Refusal to Sub Players in Second Half, Anthony Edwards’ 43 Points Put L.A. on Brink of Elimination

The Lakers fell just short of the win after a late foul on LeBron James.

April 28, 2025 at 12:23 AM UTC·5 min read

Perhaps in response to Anthony Edwards’ big game and feeling a sense of desperation, Lakers coach JJ Redick took a major gamble Sunday. It didn’t pay off.

Redick played the same five players the entire second half in Game 4 as the Los Angeles Lakers ran out of gas and fell to the Timberwolves 116-113, as Minnesota took a commanding 3-1 lead in the first-round series.

Edwards scored 43 points — 16 in the fourth quarter — and added nine rebounds and six assists, but it was Redick’s decision that was perhaps the key factor. Redick said postgame he decided to not sub out anyone during halftime, keeping the five-man lineup of LeBron James, Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Rui Hachimura on the floor for the entirety of the second half.

“We certainly played well enough to win, and we gave the effort to win. It’s not a planned thing to play five guys [for] an entire second half,” Redick said. “[I] asked them at the beginning of the fourth quarter, told them we had two extra timeouts, if you need a sub let us know. Those guys gave a lot.”

When asked if he was worried about overworking his players, Redick said he trusted them to speak up if they needed to come out. “Once you’ve kind of made that decision and they all are in, you’ve just gotta trust them,” he said.

As expected, the reaction to Redick’s strategy was quite strong: The Lakers did open the second half with a 14-0 run and quieted the Minnesota home crowd. But the Timberwolves started to push back, fueled by a stellar second half from Edwards — and perhaps some fatigue on the Lakers’ side. A wide-open 3 from Naz Reid with four minutes remaining in the game got Minnesota within two points after the team trailed by as many as 12 points late in the third quarter and entered the fourth down by 10.

The Timberwolves pulled to a two-possession lead with two minutes left after a huge and-1 from Donte DiVincenzo, but 3-pointers from Reaves and Finney-Smith pulled the Lakers back in front. Then, in the final minute, Reaves fouled Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels for an and-1 opportunity, earning his fifth foul as McDaniels converted the free throw to give Minnesota a 114-113 lead.

With less than 10 seconds remaining, James slapped the ball out of Edwards’ hands in what was initially ruled a turnover, leading to a Minnesota challenge and a lengthy review. An overhead video angle made it clear James made contact with Edwards’ wrist, resulting in a foul. Edwards hit both free throws, giving the Timberwolves the 116-113 lead. Reaves had a chance for a game-tying 3, but it bounced out of the basket.

After the game, Redick’s selected five all said that they were fine with staying in for so long, but that it was a “tough” loss. Reaves said postgame that he was fine to do “whatever coach needed me to do,” and that he had gotten enough rest during the first half; Hachimura said that he was “ready to play the whole game,” but admitted that the initial chemistry between the five of them started to fall apart towards the end.

Finney-Smith added that he was also “always ready” but admitted that he didn’t think they would use that strategy for Game 5. “It was tough, you know, but it’s playoffs,” Finney-Smith said of playing the entire second half. “I don’t think nobody wanted to come out of the game anyway. I don’t think nobody’s gonna use that as an excuse.”

And for James, the Lakers team leader said that he thought the team’s second-half struggles had more to do with failing to take advantage of opportunities rather than tiring out. “I don’t think fatigue had anything to do with it,” he said. “Just missing some point-blank shots.”

The Lakers certainly had a chance to win, but what many will be questioning is Redick’s decision to ride the same five players for the entire second half. The Lakers’ lack of depth was always going to be a problem this series, but Redick couldn’t have been more clear about who on his roster he trusts.

The Lakers entered Sunday’s contest off one day of rest and are now a

NBA Playoffs: Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis hang on late to lift Celtics past Magic in Game 4

Jayson Tatum had his second-straight 30-point game on Sunday night.

April 28, 2025 at 1:54 AM UTC·3 min read

The Boston Celtics didn’t make it easy, but they are now just a single game away from closing out their opening-round playoff series.

The Celtics held on late to grab a 107-98 win over the Orlando Magic in Game 4 of their series on Sunday night at the Kia Center. That gave Boston a 3-1 series lead and will send it back home with the opportunity to close out the series at TD Garden on Tuesday night and keep its quest to defend last season’s championship alive.

The Magic kept things close for much of the night. They tried several times to mount a comeback, and nearly did so late in the fourth quarter, too. The Magic tied things up late in the final period after a huge Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 3-pointer and then a tip-in from Wendell Carter Jr. It marked the first tie in the game since late in the second quarter.

But that was as close as the Magic got. The Celtics rattled off a quick 10-1 run, and only gave up the single free throw after an Al Horford technical foul, to pick up the nine-point win. Kristaps Porziņģis kicked that run off with a huge and-one dunk and then Jayson Tatum drilled a fadeaway jumper over Paolo Banchero.

From there, Boston hit several free throws and kept the Magic’s offense largely stagnant in the final few minutes to grab the win. Banchero led Orlando with 31 points and seven rebounds in the loss. Franz Wagner finished with 24 points and seven assists, and Cory Joseph added 12 points and six assists.

Tatum finished with 37 points and 14 rebounds despite shooting just 3-of-10 from behind the arc. He now has 32 career playoff games with at least 30 points, which is the second-most in team history, and he went a perfect 14-of-14 from the stripe. Jaylen Brown added 21 points and 11 rebounds, and Derrick White finished with 18 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Boston went just 9-of-31 from the 3-point line as a team, but it only missed two free throws as a group.

The Celtics were without Jrue Holiday once again on Sunday. Holiday, who also missed Game 3, is dealing with a right hamstring injury. It’s unclear how long he’ll be sidelined.

Porziņģis’ health may be something to watch for the Celtics in the near future.

Porzingis did not take the floor with the Celtics to start the second half, and was instead riding the stationary bike in the tunnel just off of the court. He was spotted with a wrap on his right calf on the bench, too.

Porziņģis ended up returning to the game. He finished with 19 points and five rebounds, and was in foul trouble all night, but he appeared to be fine. The Celtics seemed to have a big spark when he came back off the bench in the fourth quarter, too. The injury, though, is just the latest he’s faced so far this series. He was on the wrong end of a flagrant foul in Game 2 when he took an elbow to the forehead, which left him bloodied and bandaged.

The Celtics are undoubtedly better when Porziņģis is both healthy and out of foul trouble. If they’re going to close the series out on Tuesday night, it’ll be much easier with Porziņģis fully available.

Exhausted, weary, and frustrated, the Los Angeles Lakers are on the brink of elimination. Facing an unexpected 3-1 series deficit against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Lakers find themselves staring at elimination, a stark contrast to the promising partnership between LeBron James and Luka Dončić.

The Lakers’ inability to secure a single win on the road against the Timberwolves, a team once perceived as immature and unserious, has put them in this precarious position. However, the primary reason for their predicament is Anthony Edwards, whose mental and physical stamina have outmatched the Lakers’ stars.

In Game 4, the Lakers faltered down the stretch, losing 116-113 and allowing the Timberwolves to take a commanding series lead. Edwards was pivotal, scoring 16 of his 43 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Timberwolves’ comeback from a 10-point deficit. His performance, including nine rebounds and six assists, showcased his determination to prove his worth against the league’s elite.

Edwards’ respect for James and Dončić is evident, yet he aims to assert his own standing by defeating them. His strategic approach in the game, lulling the Lakers’ stars into a false sense of security before pouncing in the final period, highlights his growing maturity and basketball IQ.

The Lakers’ Game 4 loss was marked by critical missed opportunities and a second-half performance where James and Dončić struggled. Despite James playing 46 minutes and Dončić 45, their contributions waned in the latter stages, underscoring the Lakers’ reliance on their stars and the absence of supporting cast contributions.

The Timberwolves, with their playoff experience from last season’s run to the Western Conference finals, exhibit a resilience and collective belief that the Lakers currently lack. As the series shifts to Crypto.com Arena for Game 5, the Lakers must find a way to counter Edwards’ dominance and rally from the brink of elimination.

Miami Heat forward Kevin Love announced the passing of his father, former NBA player Stan Love, on Sunday. Stan, who was 76, had a four-season career in the NBA, playing for the Baltimore Bullets, Los Angeles Lakers, and San Antonio Spurs. Kevin, who has been away from the Heat for personal reasons, shared the news on Instagram, referring to Stan as his “greatest teacher.” In his post, Kevin reflected on his father’s teachings, including respect, kindness, humor, ambition, work ethic, and the value of time. Kevin last played for the Heat on March 21 and has been away from the team due to personal matters. The Heat are currently trailing the Cleveland Cavaliers 3-0 in the first round of the NBA postseason. During his time with the Heat this season, Kevin averaged 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in 23 games.

Damian Lillard’s devastating Achilles injury has significantly impacted the Milwaukee Bucks and their star guard. The rupture of his left Achilles tendon not only alters Lillard’s career but also jeopardizes the Bucks’ championship aspirations during Giannis Antetokounmpo’s prime. Lillard, who was crucial for reducing the scoring and shot-creation burden on Antetokounmpo, is now out, leaving the Bucks without their best offensive option. This injury comes at a critical time, as the Bucks face a 3-1 deficit against the Pacers in the first round of the playoffs.

The loss of Lillard exacerbates Milwaukee’s defensive struggles against the younger and more explosive Pacers, who have scored 120.2 points per 100 possessions in the series. With Lillard out, the Bucks’ chances of mounting a comeback are slim, potentially leaving them without a playoff series victory for three years. This situation also complicates the Bucks’ roster management, as they face unrestricted free agency for key players like Brook Lopez, Taurean Prince, and Gary Trent Jr., and limited draft assets due to previous trades.

Financially, the Bucks are projected to have $133.7 million in salary for just three players next season: Antetokounmpo, Lillard, and Kyle Kuzma. This roster-building nightmare, coupled with Lillard’s injury, may force Milwaukee to consider drastic measures. On a personal level, Lillard’s injury is particularly cruel, coming less than a week after he returned from a blood clot in his calf. His spirited comeback attempt was cut short, evoking memories of Kevin Durant’s similar injury and recovery.

While Durant managed to return to form post-injury, Lillard faces a steeper challenge due to his reliance on quickness and agility, attributes less likely to recover fully after an Achilles rupture. At 35, Lillard is older than Durant was when he sustained his injury, making his road to recovery even more daunting. Comparisons to Kobe Bryant, who never fully recovered from a similar injury, further highlight the severity of Lillard’s situation.

Lillard’s journey back to the court will be one of his toughest challenges, requiring the same mental toughness that has defined his career. Despite the odds, Antetokounmpo believes in Lillard’s resilience, hoping he can overcome this significant obstacle.