NBA

Boston Celtics All-Star wing Jaylen Brown said Saturday that he is almost fully healthy ahead of the team's second-round playoff series against the New York Knicks.

While speaking to the media Saturday (h/t RealGM), Brown provided a positive update on the bone bruise in his right knee, saying he is trending toward 100 percent.

Jaylen Brown with a positive injury update, says he thinks he’s trending toward 100%:

“I think I’m starting to turn the curve. Structurally, everything is fine. I’ve had some other stuff going on, but I think I’m trending in the right direction.”

(Q: @RealBobManning) pic.twitter.com/DCFDckmVsd

— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) May 3, 2025

Brown added: "I'm taking it one day at a time. I think I’m starting to turn the curve. Structurally, everything is fine. I've had some other stuff going on, but I think I'm trending in the right direction."

Despite being questionable for each game during Boston's first-round playoff series against Orlando, Brown did not miss any time.

The Celtics eliminated the Magic in five games, and Brown was the team's second-leading scorer with 23.0 points per game to go along with 7.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.6 three-pointers made and 1.2 steals.

Brown was also highly efficient, shooting 49.4 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from beyond the arc, which suggests the injury did little to impact his play.

Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 31.3 points per game during the first round, but he missed a game due to a bone bruise in his wrist, necessitating Brown and others to step up.

Brown has been named an All-Star in each of the past three seasons and four times overall, and he is no stranger to postseason excellence.

The 28-year-old veteran was named the Eastern Conference Finals MVP and NBA Finals MVP during last year's playoffs en route to the Celtics winning their first championship since 2008.

If the Celtics beat the Knicks in the second round, it will mark their fourth straight trip to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Boston went 61-21 this season after going 64-18 in 2023-24, and it has long felt like the Celtics are on an Eastern Conference collision course with the Cleveland Cavaliers, who led the East this season with a 64-18 mark.

Game 1 of the Celtics' second-round playoff series against the Knicks is scheduled for Monday night in Boston.

Darius Garland's status for the start of the Eastern Conference semifinals is still shrouded in mystery a little over 24 hours before Game 1 tips off.

Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson told reporters that Garland went through a full practice on Friday and had a scheduled rest day on Saturday, but it remains to be seen if he'll suit up for Game 1.

Kenny Atkinson says that Darius Garland went through a full practice yesterday and had a planned day off from practice today. His status for Game 1 tomorrow against the Pacers is up in the air.

— Danny Cunningham (@RealDCunningham) May 3, 2025

Garland missed Games 3 and 4 of the Cavaliers' first-round series against the Miami Heat due to a toe injury. Cleveland swept Miami and outscored the Heat by a combined 92 points in the games Garland missed.

While Garland's absence was not too damaging to the Cavaliers in the first round, getting him back on the floor will be crucial. He averaged 20.6 points, 6.7 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 75 games during the regular season and averaged 24 points, seven assists and 2.5 rebounds in the first two games against Miami.

Game 1 will tip off on Sunday at 6 p.m. ET.

The first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs is coming to a close, but not before a Game 7 clash between the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers occurred on Saturday night.

The Nuggets ultimately pulled away in the second half before cruising to a 120-101 win led by 16 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists from Nikola Jokić.

WHAT A PASS BY THE JOKER TO BRAUN UP THE COURT 😲

LAC/DEN Game 7 1Q is LIVE on TNT! pic.twitter.com/TtcOTLu8Tv

— NBA (@NBA) May 3, 2025

Here's a closer look at the full NBA playoff picture following Saturday's result as well as the upcoming postseason schedule.

Saturday Scores

Game 7: Denver Nuggets def. Los Angeles Clippers, 120-101

Western Conference First Round

No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 8 Memphis Grizzlies (OKC wins series 4-0)

No. 4 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 5 Los Angeles Clippers (DEN wins 4-3)

No. 2 Houston Rockets vs. No. 7 Golden State Warriors (series tied 3-3)

No. 3 Los Angeles Lakers vs. No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves (MIN wins series 4-1)

Western Conference Semifinal Matchups

No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves vs. No. 7 Golden State Warriors/No. 2 Houston Rockets

No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 4 Denver Nuggets

Eastern Conference First Round

No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 8 Miami Heat (CLE wins series 4-0)

No. 4 Indiana Pacers vs. No. 5 Milwaukee Bucks (IND wins series 4-1)

No. 3 New York Knicks vs. No. 6 Detroit Pistons (NYK wins series 4-2)

No. 2 Boston Celtics vs. No. 7 Orlando Magic (BOS wins series 4-1)

Eastern Conference Semifinal Matchups

No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 4 Indiana Pacers

No. 2 Boston Celtics vs. No. 3 New York Knicks

Upcoming Playoff Schedule: Sunday, May 4

Game 1: Indiana Pacers at Cleveland Cavaliers, 6 p.m. ET

Game 7: Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets, 8:30 p.m. ET

Saturday Results

Denver Nuggets 120, Los Angeles Clippers 101

The final score of Saturday's contest didn't seem like it would be as lopsided as it eventually was in the first quarter, with the Clippers scoring the first six points of the game and taking a 26-21 lead entering the second.

Los Angeles eventually fell behind 46-43 before Denver closed the first half on a 12-4 run.

11-2 RUN FOR THE NUGGETS AFTER THIS MURRAY LAYUP 👀

📺 Game 7 on TNT pic.twitter.com/HbfwVYJpd5

— NBA (@NBA) May 4, 2025

The Nuggets went on another 17-3 run to open the second half that put the game out of reach for the Clippers, leading by as many as 35 points.

15-0 NUGGETS RUN 🔥 pic.twitter.com/S6zYz4gX3q

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 4, 2025

Denver won with a balanced scoring effort, as six players finished with at least 15 points. Aaron Gordon scored a team-high 22 points on 9-of-16 shooting, grabbing four rebounds and dishing out five assists.

JOKER COURT VISION ➡️ AG SLAM

12 points on 4-8 FGM for Aaron!

LAC/DEN I 3Q of Game 7 on TNT pic.twitter.com/R7YAUx4sbU

— NBA (@NBA) May 4, 2025

The Nuggets were efficient from all areas of the floor, scoring 66 points in the paint while also shooting 37.9 percent from three-point territory as a team.

For the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard scored 22 points despite none of his teammates recording more than 13. James Harden racked up 13 assists compared to two turnovers, but dropped a mere seven points while shooting 2-of-8 from the field.

Denver will now travel to face Oklahoma City in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals on Monday at 9:30 p.m. ET.

The Los Angeles Lakers' 2024-25 season came to an end in the first round of the playoffs, and several important organizational figures were seen meeting together in the aftermath of their exit at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Superstar Luka Dončić, head coach JJ Redick and general manager Rob Pelinka were all spotted leaving dinner in Los Angeles on Friday night in a video that made the rounds on social media.

Luka, JJ, and Rob were seen leaving dinner together last night in LA…

Looks like they were discussing some sort of business 👀

(via HollywoodFamous323/TT) pic.twitter.com/YnZ0M05B8g

— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) May 3, 2025

While fellow superstar LeBron James will also factor into Los Angeles' plans for the 2025-26 season with his looming player option, the team's long-term goals will primarily revolve around the 26-year-old that they shockingly acquired from the Dallas Mavericks ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline.

Jovan Buha and Sam Amick of The Athletic reported that the Lakers will be going to "great lengths to make Dončić aware that they want him to lead the way in their next era."

The five-time All-Star is set to make roughly $46 million during his 2025-26 campaign before holding a $48.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season, but he's eligible to receive a four-year, $229 million extension from Los Angeles on Aug. 2 (h/t ESPN's Dave McMenamin).

Dončić can also sign a three-year extension worth $165 million that has a player option in 2028.

While he took some time to adjust to his new team following the change of scenery, he still averaged 28.2 points and 8.1 rebounds to go along with 7.5 assists per game on 43.8/37.9/79.1 shooting splits in Los Angeles.

Pelinka and the Lakers will have several important roster decisions to make during the offseason, with the future of Dončić among them.

Former NBA guard Danny Green praised his former San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich following the announcement he will leave the sidelines and become the team's president of basketball operations, calling him the "GOAT" and thanking the five-time NBA champion for inspiring him and others.

Pop,

Where do I begin…I came into this league as a late 2nd round pick with a lot to prove and you welcomed me in and taught me how to be a pro on and off the court. 7+ seasons later, I’m so grateful for all the success, experiences, and memories we shared. pic.twitter.com/z0hrc0V6U3

— Danny Green (@DGreen_14) May 3, 2025

I owe so much of my career to you. After 29 years, your legacy as the greatest coach this game has ever seen is forever. You define what it means to be a winner. Beyond coaching, you cared deeply about every player, coach, colleague on a personal level. Thank you for inspiring us

— Danny Green (@DGreen_14) May 3, 2025

G. O. A. T. 🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐

— Danny Green (@DGreen_14) May 3, 2025

Green played on the Spurs for eight seasons from 2010-2018 and made the postseason every year with the team. He was a member of the 2014 Spurs team that defeated LeBron James and the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.

Green once enjoyed great success with San Antonio, perhaps nevermore than when he hit 27 three-pointers in the 2013 NBA Finals, setting a record for the championship series until it was broken by the Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry in 2016.

He's a three-time champion who was an integral and invaluable part of the Spurs' success throughout the 2010s, and he ended up with a 15-year NBA career. So his words hold tremendous weight as a legend of the game retires from the sidelines to the next chapter of his NBA life.

Green also spoke about his love for Popovich in an interview with CBS Sports, calling him a "great father figure" and a "perfectionist."

Of course, Green was one of many who expressed well-wishes to Popovich as he officially ended his coaching career, with examples including Kevin Garnett, Lil' Wayne and Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama.

And on Friday, both Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and forward Draymond Green spoke about how much Popovich meant to them as well.

Steve Kerr with a statement on Gregg Popovich’s retirement from coaching

“Pop’s gonna kill me for wearing this shirt. He’d call me a hapless rube.” pic.twitter.com/iE3Ez9MNoE

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 2, 2025

“I just wish I had one last time to go hug him on the sideline before a game.”

Draymond got emotional talking about Pop retiring from coaching 🙏 pic.twitter.com/GDcQpydUe8

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 3, 2025

Popovich, 76, leaves the sidelines as a five-time NBA champion and three-time NBA Coach of the Year. He also led Team USA men's basketball to gold at the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Golden State Warriors veteran forward Draymond Green was nearly moved to tears Friday while discussing longtime San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich's retirement from coaching.

While discussing Popovich's decision to step away, Green said, "It sucks to see him go," before mentioning that he had "the ultimate honor" of playing under Popovich at the Olympics:

“I just wish I had one last time to go hug him on the sideline before a game.”

Draymond got emotional talking about Pop retiring from coaching 🙏 pic.twitter.com/GDcQpydUe8

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 3, 2025

The Spurs announced Friday that Popovich was transitioning to the role of president of basketball operations. The 76-year-old spent 29 seasons as San Antonio's head coach, winning five NBA championships along the way.

Popovich suffered a mild stroke in November, which prompted him to step away from coaching. Mitch Johnson took over as acting head coach, and he was named the Spurs' full-time head coach on Friday.

At the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, which took place in 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic, Popovich was the head coach of the United States men's basketball team.

With Popovich leading the way, a roster comprised of Green, Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker and a host of other stars won the gold medal.

Green called Popovich "one of the most incredible human beings," noting that while he may come across as a "mean old man" to outsiders, he is actually "the nicest person you ever want to be around."

Green also mentioned that he cherished his pre-game hugs with Popovich ever since he got the chance to play for him at the Olympics.

"I just wish I had one last time to go hug him on the sideline before a game," Green said.

While Popovich's coaching career is over, he has left an indelible mark on the NBA, as the all-time leader in career regular-season coaching wins with 1,422, along with being third in career playoff wins and tied for third in championships as a head coach.

With Popovich riding off into retirement, Erik Spoelstra is now the NBA's longest-tenured, active head coach, having coached the Miami Heat since 2008.

The Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly not planning to trade superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason unless he requests it.

Per NBA insider Marc Stein on the ALL NBA Podcast (h/t RealGM), it is not expected that the Bucks will choose to trade Giannis without a push from him and his camp due to his importance to the organization:

"I don't think Giannis himself does not want to go to the Bucks and say, 'Trade me.' But next year there's no way with Damian Lillard carrying a salary of nearly 60 million they don't have control of their own first round pick till 2031, they don't have a pathway to build a contender around him at this point. But the rumbles that you always hear are that just having Giannis is so important to them financially. They're not going to trade him unless he pushes it."

The 30-year-old veteran is coming off another dominant season, as he averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.2 blocks per game, while earning a ninth consecutive All-Star selection.

Despite his play, the Bucks only managed to secure a somewhat disappointing fifth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Lillard missed the first game of the Bucks' first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers and then suffered a season-ending torn Achilles in Game 3, leading Indiana to win the series 4-1.

With Lillard potentially set to miss most or all of the 2025-26 season, and Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis potentially both in line to hit free agency, it is tough to envision a path toward the Bucks contending for a championship next season.

The NBA is undoubtedly aware of that, and Stein noted that teams are waiting to see if that fact compels the Bucks to trade Giannis, saying:

"The whole league is on edge waiting to see will Giannis' representatives go to the Bucks and say, 'It's time. Move us, hold the auction, and start over.' I don't think the Bucks want to do that. You could make the case that they should want to do that, that they should say, 'Let's go out and get the largest haul we can get back for Giannis,' but I don't think the Bucks are there. We're going to see where Giannis is."

Antetokounmpo was originally selected 15th overall by the Bucks in the 2013 NBA draft, and he went on to become one of the all-time greats and a future Hall of Famer.

Giannis is a two-time NBA MVP and he won the NBA Finals MVP in 2021 when he led the Bucks to their first championship since 1971.

Trading a player who is that deeply ingrained in the franchise is never an easy decision, but given the type of trade package he would likely bring back for the Bucks, it is a move that should at last be heavily considered.

After missing another chance to close out their first-round series against the Houston Rockets, Jimmy Butler remains confident the Golden State Warriors will prevail in Game 7 on Sunday.

Speaking to reporters following the Warriors' 115-107 loss in Game 6, Butler said the Warriors will "win together" because they are ready for the challenge that lies ahead:

"So we're going to win together, we're going to lose together. I know we're definitely going to win together come Sunday. We're good. We're smiling. We're listening to our music, celebrating life. We're ready to compete. We were ready to compete tonight. Things didn't go our way. OK, we're going to be ready to compete on Sunday. We're going to make the game go our way."

Coming off a 15-point loss in Game 5 at the Toyota Center, the Warriors looked to be in good shape on Friday night playing at home with a chance to end the series.

Things did not go as planned, as the Rockets led virtually the entire way. They went on a 14-1 run midway through the fourth quarter to turn a four point lead into a 106-89 score.

Golden State's defense, which had been the key to its turnaround after acquiring Butler, has really struggled. The Rockets are shooting 50.0 percent in the last two games, 25-of-60 from three-point range.

Stephen Curry's efficiency has dipped as he deals with a thumb injury. The two-time MVP is shooting 39.6 percent from the field in the last three games. He made 52.6 percent of his attempts in the first three games (45.2 percent from three).

This is not an unfamiliar spot for the Warriors to be in. They were on the losing end of arguably the most famous 3-1 lead in NBA history against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2016 Finals.

A loss on Sunday will make the Warriors the first team since the 2020 Los Angeles Clippers to blow a 3-1 series lead.

Golden State and Houston will play Game 7 on Sunday at 8:30 p.m. ET.