James chooses 76ers over Cavaliers and Warriors PHILADELPHIA — LeBron James is signing with the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year, $8 million deal with a player option. In a post on X, the 41-year-old said he felt he was done at the end of the season and needed time to evaluate his future.
I thought I was done when the season ended. I wasn't ready to announce it, and I knew I needed some time to really decide, but I was pretty sure I played my last game. I was honest at that last press conference when I said I needed to look at myself and deicide if I still love
James is now chasing a fifth NBA championship with his fourth team after previous stops with the Cavaliers, Heat and Lakers. He also has a chance to help end Philadelphia’s 43-year title drought, much like he did for Cleveland when he led the Cavaliers to the 2016 NBA Finals after a 52-year wait.
In his 23rd season and eighth with Los Angeles, James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game, while shooting 51.5% from the field and 31.7% from three-point range. He joins a revamped 76ers core that includes Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and VJ Edgecombe after Philadelphia’s first-round upset of the No. 2 seed Celtics.
With James in the mix, the 76ers are positioned to contend in the East and could emerge as a favorite for the 2027 NBA championship. At 41 and entering a record-setting 24th season, this may be the final free agency decision of his career.
Kings select Acuff Jr. with No. 7 overall pick BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Razorback freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. was selected in the first round as the 7th overall pick of the 2026 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings to become the 48th Razorback drafted in the NBA, the 17th first round pick and 63rd player under John Calipari to be drafted in Cal’s 33 years as a collegiate head coach. Also, with Acuff going seventh overall, Coach Cal now has 30 all-time Lottery picks, passing Mike Krzyzewski for the most by any collegiate coach.
This past season, Acuff starred for the Razorbacks, averaging over 23 points and six assists per game. He set an SEC record with eight weekly and seven freshman of the week honors and one player of the week honor. He also won the SEC player and freshman of the year, was on the All-SEC First Team, All-SEC freshman team, the SEC Tournament MVP, was named a consensus First Team All-American and the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year. He was also a finalist for the Wooden Award and Naismith Trophy for National Player of the Year.
Acuff set Arkansas single-season records for most points (845) and most assists (232). His 845 points rank 9th on the SEC single-season list and his 232 assists rank 9th (tied) on the SEC single-season list making him the only player to be on the SEC single-season top lists for points and assists. He joined Pete Maravich as the only players in SEC History to lead the league in scoring and assists in the same season.
Acuff, a Detroit native, was a five-star recruit out of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. prior to enrolling at Arkansas for his freshman year.
Thomas, Brazile selected with back-to-back picks Arkansas freshman guard Meleek Thomas and senior forward Trevon Brazile became the 49th and 50th Razorbacks to be selected in the NBA Draft. The pair went in back-to-back picks in the second round. Thomas was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers at 34th overall and Brazile went to the Denver Nuggets a pick later at 35th overall.
The duo become the 64th and 65th John Calipari-coached players selected in the NBA Draft. They join Acuff to give Arkansas at least three NBA selections in the same draft for the fifth time. The trio join the 2023 class (Anthony Black – 1st, Nick Smith Jr. – 1st, and Jordan Walsh – 2nd), 1992 (Todd Day – 1st, Oliver Miller – 1st, Lee Mayberry -1st, and Isaiah Morris-2nd), 1979 (Sidney Moncrief -1st, Steve Schall-5th, and Marvin Delph – 6th) and 1948 (George Kok – 1st, Melvin McGaha – 3rd, and Alvin Williams – 9th).
Thomas was part of the top freshman scoring freshmen duo with Acuff in Division I in Division I since 2019-20 with 1,424 combined points. If Thomas did not play with Acuff, he would have set the Arkansas record for most points by a freshman with 579. He was named the All-SEC Freshman Team.
Thomas scored 20-plus points nine times including a career-high 30 points in the Razorbacks’ regular season finale against Missouri. He almost repeated his performance against the Tigers in the SEC Tournament Semifinals against Ole Miss, when he dropped 29 points, five assists and five rebounds.
The Pittsburgh native shot an Arkansas-record 48.7% (38-78) from 3-point in SEC games only. He led the team in free throw percentage (84.3%) and steals (57) while ranking second on the team in scoring (15.6 ppg), assists (92) and 3-point percentage (41.6%).
Brazile played four of five of his collegiate seasons at Arkansas, winning SEC Player of the week twice as a Razorback (Dec. 4, 2023, vs Duke and Dec. 15, 2025, vs Texas Tech). He was named to the to the 2026 SEC All-Tournament Team, averaging 14.7 points and 10.0 rebounds with two double-doubles.
Brazile played fantastic basketball to finish the season. Brazile averaged 13.8 points and 8.3 rebounds, helping the Razorbacks to a 12-3 record over the final two months of the regular season. During the final four minutes of the SEC Tournament Championship game, scoring eight points in a 12-0 Razorback run, making two 3-pointers and a dunk, while adding a steal, a deflection and a blocked shot.
Brazile broke the 1,000-point barrier for his Razorback career vs Hawai’i in the NCAA Tournament and finished his Arkansas career with 1,029 points (1,195 points for his career). He started 35 of 36 games during his senior season, averaging a career-best 13.0 points and a team-best 7.3 rebounds. In addition, he led the team in blocks (58), second in steals (53), and third in three-pointers made (45), shooting 34.1% from range. In the SEC, he ranked 4th in blocked shots (1.61), 4th in defensive rebounds (5.81), 5th in rebounds (7.3), 5th in double-doubles (7), and 11th in steals (1.47).
After the 2026 NBA Draft: John Calipari has coached 65 players that have been selected in the NBA Draft which is tied for second with North Carolina’s Dean Smith and is right behind Duke’s Mike Kyrzewski (74) at No. 1. is 65 players selected in the first and second rounds are second all-time to Coach K with 66 players selected.
Coach Cal’s 44 players selected in the first round is second to Coach K, who leads with 46 players selected. After Acuff’s selection at 7th by the Kings in this year’s draft, Calipari has now coached 30 lottery picks, which is the most by a collegiate coach, passing Coach K who has 29.
Calipari has a streak of 19 consecutive seasons with at least one player drafted, which is second to Dean Smith, who had a streak of 23 years in a row. He has had at least three players drafted in a season 12 times.
Arkansas has had 50 players have been selected in the NBA Draft (52 picks as Steve Schall and Marvin Delph were drafted twice). 17 Razorbacks have been selected in the first round.
Arkansas has had 11 players drafted over the last 8 seasons and 16 since 2001. The Hogs have had at least three players drafted in the same season (1948, 1979, 1992, 2023 and 2026).
Following Acuff’s selection, Arkansas has now had eight players become lottery picks. George Kok is the highest Razorback to go in the draft as the 2nd overall pick in 1948 however, Sidney Moncrief is the highest-picked Hog as the fifth overall pick in 1979 in the modern era.
In the lottery era, Anthony Black and Joe Kleine are the highest picks, each were the #6 overall picks. Acuff joins Ron Brewer (1978) and Alvin Robertson (1984) as Razorbacks to be the seventh overall pick.
The western conference champion San Antonio Spurs (62-20) and the eastern conference champion New York Knicks (53-29) will square off in the 2026 NBA Finals at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, home of the Spurs, and Madison Square Garden in New York City, home of the Knicks.
Game 1 between the Spurs and the Knicks will tip-off on Wednesday, June 3, at 7:30 p.m. CT on ABC with Mike Breen (play-by-play), Tim Legler (analyst), Richard Jefferson (analyst) and Lisa Salters (sideline reporter) on the call for the entire best of seven series.
Games 1 and 2 will be played at the Frost Bank Center while games 3 and 4 will be played at Madison Square Garden. If necessary, games 5 and 7 will be played in San Antonio and game six will be played in New York City.
*If necessary
2026 NBA Finals Schedule Wednesday, June 3 Game 1 – New York Knicks at San Antonio Spurs – 7:30 p.m. – ABC
Friday, June 5 Game 2 – New York Knicks at San Antonio Spurs – 7:30 p.m. – ABC
Monday, June 8 Game 3 – San Antonio Spurs at New York Knicks – 7:30 p.m. – ABC
Wednesday, June `10 Game 4 – San Antonio Spurs at New York Knicks – 7:30 p.m. – ABC
Saturday, June 13 Game 5* – New York Knicks at San Antonio Spurs – 7:30 p.m. – ABC
Tuesday, June 16 Game 6* – San Antonio Spurs at New York Knicks – 7:30 p.m. – ABC
Friday, June 19 Game 7* – New York Knicks at San Antonio Spurs – 7:30 p.m. – ABC
The Spurs and Knicks will battle in the 2026 NBA Finals over the next couple of weeks.
Spurs eliminate reigning champion Thunder in 7 gamesin WCF
The San Antonio Spurs have advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014, when they dispatched the Miami Heat in five games.
After legendary head coach Gregg Popovich stepped down following the 2024-2025 season, the Spurs hired Mitch Johnson to replace him.
With 7’4 Victor Wembanyama and talented guards De’Aaron Fix, Stephon Castle, and a group of tremendous role players, Johnson led the Spurs to a 62-20 regular season record. In the opening round of the playoffs, they took down the Portland Trail Blazers in five games before eliminating the Minnesota Timberwolves in six games in the conference semifinals.
In a back and forth Western Conference Finals series, San Antonio defeated the reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder in seven games. Wembanyama averaged 27.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.4 steals and 2.7 blocks in 37.7 minutes on his way to earning the Magic Johnson Trophy, the Western Conference Final’s MVP award.
In game 7 against the Thunder, seven Spurs scored in double figures including all five starters. Wembanyama (22 points and 7 rebounds), Fox (15 points and 5 assists) did what they are supposed to do but guards Stephon Castle (16 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists), Devin Vassell (11 points) and wing Julian Champagnie (20 points and 6 rebounds) powered San Antonio over Oklahoma City.
Dylan Harper (12 points), forward Keldon Johnson (11 points) and center Luke Kornet, who made an incredible block late in the game 7, were huge off the bench for the Spurs.
The Spurs’ series-deciding game seven victory over the Thunder was their first victory on the road in the series. Now, San Antonio prepares for the Finals against a New York Knicks team that no one should look past.
Knicks sweep Cavaliers, advance to first Finals since 1999
After making a miraculous comeback in game 1 against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the New York Knicks dominated the Eastern Conference Finals. In the playoffs’ opening round, the Knicks defeated the Atlanta Hawks in six games in seven games before sweeping the Philadelphia 76ers and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
It is the Knicks’ first NBA Finals appearance since 1999, when they faced the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs won that series in five games. Coach Mike Brown’s team will want to avenge that loss over the next couple of weeks.
Like Mitch Johnson, Brown is in his first year as head coach with his team. Brown has had the benefit of having one of the NBA’s top guards, Jalen Brunson. The Larry Bird Trophy winner as the Eastern Conference Finals MVP averaged 25.5 points, 7.8 assists, and 3.3 rebounds a game as the Knicks dominated the Cavaliers.
Wing OG Anunoby has scored 19.7 points and assisted on over six made baskets per game during the postseason while center Karl-Anthony Towns’ has averaged a double-double with almost 17 points and over 10 rebounds per contest in the playoffs. Towns’ also dishes out over five assists per game and is a tremendous defender, with over one steal and block per game.
Brunson’s backcourt mates and former Villanova teammates Mikal Bridges (14.6 points) and Josh Hart (11.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 7.6 assists) are key cogs as the Knicks look to win an NBA Championship since 1973.
The Knicks will attempt to take full advantage of their first Finals appearance since 1973.
How the series will be won There are two matchups that will determine this series. Who will be able to stop Victor Wembanyama on the Knicks and who will be able to stop Jalen Brunson on the Spurs?
Karl-Anthony Towns has had such a great postseason but Wembanyama is a different animal. He is capable of scoring from anywhere on the court offensively, Towns and Mitchell Robinson will have to step their defense up to another level to stop Wembanyama from getting whatever he wants on the offensive size.
Despite his small stature, Brunson has proven he is the Knicks’ leader, especially as the team’s top scorer. Mitch Johnson can send a number of guys at Brunson on defense, including guards Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, Devin Vassell, and potentially wing Julian Champagnie.
After that, role players will be instrumental in this series as they have been all postseason. The Knicks’ Landry Shamet and the Spurs’ Dylan Harper and Luke Kornet could all be determining factors in who ends up winning the championship.
The Knicks will edge the Spurs in what should be a competitive seven game series. While San Antonio played a seven game series against Oklahoma City in the Western Conference Finals, New York swept Cleveland and are better rested.
In the last few weeks, I have not written an update on the Arkansas men’s basketball off-season. Now, that has changed.
Over the last couple of weeks, four Razorbacks participated in the NBA combine, Miika Muurinen signed his national letter of intent, Kenny Payne bolstered his front court with a commitment, and the NBA Draft Withdrawal Deadline has passed, meaning Meleek Thomas and Billy Richmond III have made decisions on their futures.
Here is everything you need to know about everything going on during the last few weeks in Arkansas men’s basketball:
Billy Richmond III returns to Fayetteville for junior year
On Wednesday, May 27, the NBA Draft Withdrawal Deadline came and went with two Razorbacks making their decisions on whether they want to stay in the draft or come back to Fayetteville for another season.
Arkansas wing Billy Richmond III will return to Fayetteville for his junior season, as confirmed by a university source. CBS College Basketball Insider Jon Rothstein originally reported that Richmond was going to stay in the 2026 NBA Draft. However, Rothstein later reported that “Richmond has just switched course and will return to Arkansas next season, per his agent Bill Duffy of WME.”
Richmond scored 11.2 points, added 4.3 rebounds, and two assists per game while shooting 56.3% from the field. He scored in double-digits four of the last five games of the season.
The Memphis native waited until the final day for prospects to withdraw from the NBA Draft for his decision to be made public.
Richmond’s decision to return is huge for Arkansas’ chances to contend for an SEC Championship and compete in another NCAA Tournament next spring.
Arkansas guard Meleek Thomas is staying in the 2026 NBA Draft and he will not return for his sophomore season.
Thomas was huge for the Razorbacks he averaged 15.6 points, 3.8 points, and 2.5 assists per game during his freshman season.
The Overtime Elite Alum scored 17 points or more in each of Arkansas’ three NCAA Tournament games and was named the SEC’s Freshman of the Week the last week of the regular season after averaging 21.5 points in games against Texas and Missouri.
In the SEC Tournament against Ole Miss, he dropped 29 and was 4-7 from three point range. His awesome performances led him to be named to the All-SEC Freshman Team.
The Pittsburgh native has been mocked at the end of the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft. He performed in the NBA Combine before making his decision to stay in the draft and measured at 6-foot-2 inches, 185.8 pounds, had a wingspan of 6-foot-7 inches and a standing reach of 8-foot-2.5 inches. He didn’t play in any of the combine scrimmages.
Five-star forward Miika Muurinen has officially signed his national letter of intent, it was confirmed by the official Arkansas Razorbacks athletics website.
Muurinen, a Järvenpää, Finland native, was rated a five-star prospect by ESPN and 247 Sports. The Rivals/On3 Industry ranks him a four-star, the No. 15 prospect in the country and No. 2 power forward in the 2026 class.
On the Finland National Team, Muurinen was named as the first ever FIBA EuroBasket Rising Star award winner after helping Finland to a historic fourth place finish at the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket Championship. He averaged 6.6 points and 1.9 rebounds in eight games. He played 12 minutes with nine points as Finland upset a Nikola Jokic-led Serbia team 92-86 in the Round of 16. In the third place game, he played 10 minutes and scored five points as his team lost to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Greece.
During the 2025-2026 season, Muurinen played with Partizan KK, a club competing in the EuroLeague and the ABA League (Adriatic League). His first ABA League game was a win against Krka on Oct. 6, where he recorded seven points, two rebounds, two assists and one block in 17 minutes. In one of his final games with Partizan KK (Dec. 28, 2025), scored a season-best 10 points vs KK Split.
Overall, he played minutes in 14 games for with Partizan KK 8 in ABA and 6 in EuroLeague games. He scored 33 points with 23 rebounds in ABA games and scored 1 point in EuroLeague games. He left Partizan in late-February 2026 to pursue playing collegiately in the NCAA.
As a sophomore in 2023-2024, Muurinen moved to the United States and played at Sunrise Christian Academy in Kansas. he played for Arizona Compass Prep for his junior season in 2024-2025. Before leaving the United States to play for Partizan KK, he played for Bradley Beal U16 Elite and won the Nike EYBL Peach Jam tournament, scoring 21 points in the final. He was joined by fellow freshman Razorback teammate JJ Andrews on the Bradley Beal Elite roster.
Muurinen originally committed to Arkansas back on Monday, April 27.
Maper Maker makes visit to Fayetteville; commits to Arkansas
Arkansas hosted center Maper Maker on a campus visit the weekend of May 8-10. Maker played for Bella Vista Prep in California and was a four-star recruit in the class of 2025.
Coming out of high school, he held offers from Arizona State and Oregon. He played last season for AUNZ Prep in Australia.
Earlier this year, the team played in a three-day showcase in Mesa, Arizona, and Maker scored 35 points in a win over Arizona Compass.
On Sunday, May 24, Maker committed to play for Arkansas in an Instagram post.
Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. and forward Trevon Brazile joined Richmond III and Thomas at the 2026 NBA Combine a few weeks ago.
At the combine, Acuff Jr. measured in at 6-foot-2 barefoot and weighs 185.8 pounds. He has a wingspan of 6-foot-7 and a standing reach of 8-foot-2.5. Brazile measured in at 6-foot-9.5 and weighs 225.6 pounds. He has a wingspan of 7-foot-3.5 and a standing reach of 9-foot-1.
Acuff Jr. is a projected top ten pick in the NBA Draft. Brazile is supposed to be selected somewhere in the second round.
Billy Richmond III declares for 2026 NBA Draft Arkansas wing Billy Richmond III declared for the NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility, he announced. Richmond III announced the news on his Instagram Friday night ahead of the draft entry deadline.
The sophomore wing averaged 11.2 points, added 4.3 rebounds, and two assists per game over the 2025-2026 season.
Richmond III joins freshman guards Meleek Thomas, who also kept his college eligibility, and Darius Acuff Jr. as Razorbacks that have entered the NBA Draft. Forward Trevon Brazile and center Nick Pringle have exhausted their eligibility.
Wing Isaiah Sealy and center Paulo Semedo have announced that they will return for their second seasons in Fayetteville, joining incoming freshmen Jordan Smith Jr., JJ Andrews, and Abdou Torre and transfers Cooper Bowser and Jeremiah Wilkinson.
Now that John Calipari has Richmond III’s news, he can put his full focus on building a front court with Bowser and Semedo the only two options on the roster currently.
Darius Acuff Jr. declares for the 2026 NBA Draft Arkansas freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. announced his intentions to declare for the 2026 NBA Draft today on ESPN’s NBA Today.
Acuff Jr. scored 23.5 points, added 6.4 assists, 3.1 rebounds, and shot an impressive 48.4% per contest. In the SEC Tournament Championship game, he helped the Razorbacks to an 86-75 win against Vanderbilt with a double-double by scoring 30 points and adding 11 assists.
The unanimous All-American helped Arkansas reach their fifth Sweet 16 appearance in six seasons with 36 points and six assists to help the Razorbacks overcome High Point.
Acuff Jr. swept the honors as SEC Player of the Year, SEC Freshman of the Year, SEC Tournament Most Outstanding Player, a member of the All-SEC First Team, and was the Bob Cousy Award winner as the nation’s top point guard.
The Detroit native joins fellow freshman guard Meleek Thomas in the NBA Draft, however he kept his collegiate eligibility unlike Acuff Jr., who did not. John Calipari and the Razorback staff await Billy Richmond III’s decision on his future, whether he will join Thomas and Acuff Jr. or return for his junior season.
High-end five-star guard Jordan Smith Jr. is expected to replace Acuff Jr. as the top player for Arkansas as Calipari fills the roster following the transfer portal closing last night. Fellow freshmen JJ Andrews and Abdou Torre and incoming transfers Cooper Bowser, Jeremiah Wilkinson join Smith Jr. on the current Arkansas roster.
Wing Karter Knox, guard DJ Wagner, forward Karim Rtail, center Elmir Dzafic, guard Jaden Karuletwa, and center Malique Ewin have exited the program via the transfer portal. Forward Trevon Brazile and center Nick Pringle have exhausted their collegiate eligibility after completing the 2025-2026 season with the Razorbacks.
The transfer portal has been open for a full week and Arkansas finally received a commitment from a prospective player. There has been some movement for the Razorbacks with an NBA Draft decision, getting their first transfer on campus for a visit, an assistant coach is on his way out, and two Arkansas bigs are ‘portaling’ after limited roles during their freshmen seasons.
With one week left for players to enter the transfer portal, there should be much more action this week in Fayetteville with transfer visits and NBA Draft decisions. Enjoy the recap of this last week below:
Razorbacks get first transfer on campusfor visitand a commitment
Arkansas is hosting 6’11 Furman forward Cooper Bowser for an official visit. Bowser began his visit yesterday and will exit campus today after meeting with the coaches and touring the campus and facility.
Bowser scored 13.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and shot an incredible 76.6% from the field during his junior season in Greenville, South Carolina. His height would fill the Razorbacks’ need but he would need to get in the gym and get bigger if he wants to join John Calipari’s squad and play meaningful minutes as a senior in Fayetteville.
His visit ended with a commitment on Tuesday morning. Bowser pledged to Arkansas in an Instagram post.
Meleek Thomas declares for NBA Draft but keeps options open
Arkansas guard Meleek Thomas announced his plans to declare for the 2026 NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility on Monday, April 13 in an Instagram post.
Thomas averaged 15.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game and shot 43.5% from the field this season. The freshman has until May 27, the NBA Draft deadline, to decide if he wants to fully to become a professional or return for his sophomore season in Fayetteville.
One of Calipari’s assistants joining Malone in Chapel Hill
On Tuesday, April 7, North Carolina named former Denver Nuggets’ head coach Michael Malone as their new head man. A day later, reports surfaced that Arkansas assistant Chuck Martin would join Malone with the Tar Heels.
Martin previously worked with Malone from 1999-2000 at the University of Manhattan and will rejoin him as his associate head coach in Chapel Hill.
Martin leaves Calipari’s staff after three seasons working under him. He spent one season with him in Lexington at Kentucky and the next two in Fayetteville at Arkansas.
Calipari will have to find a new recruiting director after Martin got the Wildcats the No. 2 ranked recruiting class in 2024, and back to back top ten ranked classes for the Razorbacks in 2025 and 2026.
On the same day Malone was hired in Chapel Hill, Razorback forward Karim Rtail entered the transfer portal. Rtail did not play this season for Arkansas and decided to redshirt after season-ending back surgery.
The freshman from Lebanon previously played in the National Basketball League in Lithuania before enrolling in Fayetteville. He played in 35 games in 2024-2025, averaging 8.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.
He will have four years of eligibility remaining after redshirting the 2025-2026 season.
That same night, Razorback center Elmir Dzafic became the fourth Arkansas player to enter the transfer portal. Dzafic saw limited action in his first season of collegiate action behind Nick Pringle and Malique Ewin.
The Bosnian scored under a point and a rebound per contest in his one season on “The Hill”. Before his time in Fayetteville, he spent two seasons with KK Bosna Sarajeva (2023-2024 and 2024-2025), the top-tier professional league in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
He becomes the fourth Arkansas player to enter the portal. He will have three seasons of collegiate eligibility remaining.
2025 NBA Finals 1.Oklahoma City Thunder (68-14) 4.Indiana Pacers (50-32)
Schedule *If necessary* Game 1: June 5, 8:30 PM ET, ABC (Oklahoma City; Paycom Center) Game 2: June 8, 8 PM ET, ABC (Oklahoma City; Paycom Center) Game 3: June 11, 8:30 PM ET, ABC (Indianapolis; Gainbridge Fieldhouse) Game 4: June 13, 8:30 PM ET, ABC (Indianapolis; Gainbridge Fieldhouse) *Game 5: June 16, 8:30 PM ET, ABC (Oklahoma City; Paycom Center)* *Game 6: June 19, 8:30 PM ET, ABC (Indianapolis; Gainbridge Fieldhouse)* *Game 7: June 22, 8 PM ET, ABC (Oklahoma City; Paycom Center)*
The NBA season concludes in the next few weeks with the NBA Finals between the Western Conference champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Eastern Conference champions, the Indiana Pacers. The Thunder went 68–14 in the regular season, setting an all-time franchise record after dominating throughout. They swept the eighth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies to open the Western Conference Quarterfinals before facing the fourth-seeded Denver Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokić, the runner-up for this season’s NBA MVP Award. The winner of the award was Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The former Kentucky Wildcat led his team through a tough seven-game series against their division rivals. Gilgeous-Alexander has averaged nearly 30 points and 4 assists throughout the playoffs.
The Thunder then advanced to the Western Conference Finals, where they faced the Minnesota Timberwolves, who were making their second consecutive appearance after losing to the Dallas Mavericks in the same round last May. Western Conference Finals MVP Gilgeous-Alexander, along with Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and Luguentz Dort, helped the Thunder prevent the Timberwolves from reaching the NBA Finals again, closing the series in a gentleman’s sweep (five games).
On the other side of the bracket, the Indiana Pacers eliminated their Central Division rival, the Milwaukee Bucks, for the second consecutive season in the first round before dispatching the East’s top seed, the Cleveland Cavaliers—another division rival of the Pacers, who had competed with the Thunder for the league’s best record for much of the regular season. The Pacers advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second straight year after beating the Cavaliers in just five games.
Indiana forward Pascal Siakam, who won an NBA Championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019, helped lead his team to the Finals and earned Eastern Conference Finals MVP honors with terrific performances throughout the series against the New York Knicks, an old rival the Pacers have faced many times in this round in the past. Siakam scored 39 points in Game 2, 30 in Game 4, and 31 in Game 6 to close out the Knicks in six games.
It wasn’t all on Siakam, though. Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton starred in their comeback win in Game 1 and followed up with 32 and 21 points in two more victories in games 4 and 6 respectively. Outside of Siakam and Haliburton, the hot shooting of Aaron Nesmith will be essential for Indiana during potential cold spells. Additionally, big men like Myles Turner and Thomas Bryant will need to contend with the talents of the Thunder’s Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein on both ends of the court.
Bench guards such as Indiana’s T.J. McConnell and Bennedict Mathurin will be expected to provide key minutes for Haliburton and Nesmith. Likewise, Oklahoma City will look to Alex Caruso and Isaiah Joe to spell Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams. Jalen Williams is the Thunder’s second scoring option on the perimeter, and Lu Dort remains one of the best wing defenders in basketball. It will be up to versatile pieces like Jarace Walker and Obi Toppin for the Pacers to deal with Williams, Dort, and the three point shooting of Joe.
With that being said, I feel confident in picking the Thunder to win the NBA Finals in six games over the Pacers. If they can hold Siakam from getting in the paint and attempting the shots he wants to take, it will be easy to stymie the Pacers offense if Haliburton and Nesmith’s shooting has gone cold.
2024 NBA Finals 1.Boston Celtics (64-18) 5.Dallas Mavericks (50-32)
Schedule *If necessary* Game 1: June 6, 8:30 PM ET, ABC (Boston; TD Garden) Game 2: June 9, 8 PM ET, ABC (Boston; TD Garden) Game 3: June 12, 8:30 PM ET, ABC (Dallas; American Airlines Center) Game 4: June 14, 8:30 PM ET, ABC (Dallas; American Airlines Center) *Game 5*: June 17, 8:30 PM ET, ABC (Boston; TD Garden) *Game 6*: June 20, 8:30 PM ET, ABC (Dallas; American Airlines Center) *Game 7*: June 23, 8 PM ET, ABC (Boston; TD Garden)
The Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics and the Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks meet in the 2024 NBA Finals, beginning tomorrow night at TD Garden in Boston. The Celtics handled the eastern conference playoffs relatively easily, defeating the Miami Heat in the quarterfinals, the Cleveland Cavaliers in the semifinals, and the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. A common denominator can be found in all three of the teams that Boston beat; injuries to their star player. Miami’s Jimmy Butler, Cleveland’s Donavan Mitchell, and Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton all were out injured during some or all of the Celtics’ series wins during the 2024 NBA playoffs up to this point. But, to all of the people on social media saying Boston only won because of their opponents’ injured stars, it was not because of a lack of a great performance by the Celtics. Led by Eastern Conference Finals MVP (guard/forward) Jaylen Brown (25 points and 6.1 rebounds per game during the playoffs), forward Jayson Tatum (26 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 5.9 assists), guard Derrick White (17.8 points and 4.6 assists), and guard Jrue Holiday (12.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.3 steals) Boston advanced to play Dallas in the Finals. In addition, star Boston forward Kristaps Porzingis is expected to return to the court for game 1 the Finals from a “strained soleus” injury. Porzingis, a former Dallas Maverick, play his first game since game four of their first round series against the Miami Heat on April 29th. For Dallas, the mid-season additions at the trade deadline of former Charlotte Hornets forward PJ Washington (13.6 points and 6.7 rebounds) former Washington Wizards forward/center Daniel Gafford (9.2 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks) helped support guards (and Western Conference Finals MVP) Luka Doncic (28.8 points, 9.6 points, and 8.8 rebounds) and Kyrie Irving (22.8 points and 5.2 assistants) on their run through the western conference playoffs for their first Finals appearance since 2011, where they upset the “Big 3” Miami Heat led by LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. The Mavericks defeated the Los Angeles Clippers to open the playoffs in the quarterfinals before taking down the top seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the semifinal, and finally eliminating the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals. The guard match up between Luke Doncic and Kyrie Irving and Derrick White and Jrue Holiday should be fantastic. Dallas will need to find match ups defensively for Boston’s pairing of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum without a true shutdown wing defender on their roster. The hot scoring duo Doncic and Irving in the Dallas backcourt will be challenged when they face two All-NBA defenders in Holiday and White for Boston. The coaching battle of Boston’s Joe Mazzula and Dallas’ Jason Kidd will be one of the best in recent in memory. The strategy on each coach’s clip board will be important in determining the winner of a series that should be close. With each team having a prominent player on their roster that played for the other team previously (Dallas’ Kyrie Irving and Boston’s Kristaps Porzingis), this should be an intense series that goes at least six or seven games.
Eastern Conference 9.Chicago Bulls (39-43) 10.Atlanta Hawks (36-46) Eliminated (Winner to play loser of 7./8. game for eight seed)
7.Philadelphia 76ers (47-35) 8.Miami Heat (46-36) (Winner to be seven seed)
8.Miami Heat 9.Chicago Bulls Eliminated (Winner to be eight seed)
Western Conference 9.Sacramento Kings (46-36) 10.Golden State Warriors (46-36) Eliminated (Winner to play loser of 7./8. game for eight seed)
7.New Orleans Pelicans (49-33) 8.Los Angeles Lakers (47-35) (Winner to be seven seed)
7.New Orleans Pelicans (49-33) 9.Sacramento Kings (46-36) Eliminated (Winner to be eight seed)
Conference Quarterfinals
Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals 1.Boston Celtics (64-18) 4 8.Miami Heat (46-36) 2 The expectation from fans for Boston following their dominant regular season is another Finals appearance. Star Jayson Tatum, wing Jaylen Brown, forward Kristaps Porzingis, guard Derrick White, and guard Jrue Holiday make the Celtics a hard team to beat. The Heat upset the top seeded Bucks a season ago in the playoffs as the eight seed but that will not happen. Celtics move on in six games.
4.Cleveland Cavaliers (48-34) 4 5.Orlando Magic (47-35) 3 In what could be an even series, two young teams battle it out. Donovan Mitchell leads a group of younger players including Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, and Evan Mobley. Wing Caris Levert will also be crucial in this series against the Magic. Orlando is finally back in the playoffs, being led by last season’s rookie of the year, Paolo Banchero. Outside of the former Duke Blue Devil, there is balanced scoring between multiple players including Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony, Wendell Carter, and Mo Wagner. The Cavs have been here before so give me them to win the series in seven games.
3.Milwaukee Bucks (49-33) 3 6.Indiana Pacers (47-35) 4 I want to pick an upset in this series just because of the lack of success Doc Rivers has had as head coach of the Bucks since taking over after the All-Star break. Pascal Siakam, Tyrese Haliburton, and Myles Turner have been fantastic this season and if they can keep Giannis Antentokounmpo and Damian Lillard from getting what they want offensively, they can win this series.
2.New York Knicks (50-32) 4 7.Philadelphia 76ers (47-35) 3 New York’s Jalen Brunson has been terrific this season. They have the tremendously tough job of handling a now healthy Joel Embiid with a reenergized 76ers team. The Sixers’ now on a nine game win streak, will give the Knicks problems but not enough to eliminate them. Knicks win the series in seven games.
Western Conference 1.Oklahoma City Thunder (57-25) 4 8.New Orleans Pelicans (49-33) 2 OKC’s young core, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and others put themselves in first place in the western conference and above the reigning champion Nuggets, as they clinched another Northwest division championship. New Orlean’s defense is good but with star Zion Williamson’s injury concerns, they will be reliant Brandom Ingram to be consistent. The Thunder advance to the western semifinals.
4.Los Angeles Clippers (51-31) 3 5.Dallas Mavericks (50-32) 4 The Clippers and Mavericks match up again earlier in the playoffs and it should be another entertaining series. Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and James Harden lead the way but watch out for Norman Powell, Russell Westbrook, and Ivica Zubac to make some noise against an offensive led Dallas team. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving continue to do great things for the Mavericks while the addition of Daniel Gafford during the trade deadline has really helped their offense. The Mavs must win this series if they want to consider themselves legitimate western conference contenders.
3.Minnesota Timberwolves (56-26) 4 6.Phoenix Suns (49-33) 3 The Timberwolves trio of Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Rudy Gobert will be challenging for a Suns roster that does not have much depth outside of stars Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. Three offensive superstars is hard to beat but the defense of Jaden McDaniels will be important against Phoenix’s great wings. Minnesota wins a close series over Phoenix.
2.Denver Nuggets (57-25) 4 7.Los Angeles Lakers (47-35) 2 The reigning NBA Finals Champions were not able to clinch the West’s top seed in 2024 following their run in 2023. I still believe the Nuggets have a great chance to go back to back. Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope all played on the championship team last season as leaders on the team. Veteran guard Reggie Jackson has come in and has been a steadying force for the Nuggets off the bench. The Nuggets advance but it will not be after a six or seven game series against a Lakers team led by Anthony Davis and LeBron James.
Conference Semifinals
Eastern Conference 1.Boston Celtics 4 4.Cleveland Cavaliers 2 Boston will defeat Cleveland in six games. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will be too much for a Cavs team that does not have the playoff experience outside of Donavan Mitchell that Boston has.
2.New York Knicks 4 6.Indiana Pacers 2 The point guard match up between New York’s Jalen Brunson and Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton will be fantastic. Outside of that, it will be up to the role players to determine this series. It will take them six games, but the Knicks will move to the Eastern Conference Finals over the Pacers.
Western Conference 1.Oklahoma City Thunder 3 5.Dallas Mavericks 4 OKC is the youngest team in the league. Their balanced approach offensively outside of star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander makes them hard to beat but defense in the playoffs improves dramatically. Plus, two of the league’s best offensive players, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are on the Mavs’ side. Give me Dallas to move on to the conference finals for the second time in three seasons.
2.Denver Nuggets 4 3.Minnesota Timberwolves 3 Minnesota will make it tough but Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets will move one step closer to back to back championships with a seven game series over over their rivals. The Timberwolves have improved so much this season with the addition of Rudy Gobert inside.
Conference Finals
Eastern Conference 1.Boston Celtics 4 2.New York Knicks 2 New York will challenge Boston but the Celtics’ depth is too good to not make the NBA Finals this postseason.
Western Conference 2.Denver Nuggets 4 5.Dallas Mavericks 2 Dallas was a step away from the NBA Finals in 2022 when they lost to Golden State in the western finals. They again will fall a step short in this round, this time against a Nuggets team that will be hungry to get to another NBA Finals.
Projected 2024 NBA Finals: 1.Boston Celtics versus 2.Denver Nuggets
The 2024 NBA Finals Preview will be published on June 5 at 2 PM CT.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) aims to score as Miami Heat guard Max Strus (31) defends during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Image Courtesy:Dallas Morning News
The Denver Nuggets will look to defend their NBA title in what could be the most competitive season in the league in years. The competition in the west should be quality with the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, and others having retooled their rosters. A three team trade around star point guard Damian Lillard trade from the Portland Trail Blazers to the Milwaukee Bucks has put the Bucks again as the east favorites. The trade sent terrific Milwaukee defensive point guard Jrue Holiday andPhoenix Suns big man DeAndre Ayton to the Trail Blazers. The Suns gained more depth by finally moving Ayton, adding Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic, wing Nassir Little, guard Keon Johnson, and Bucks guard Grayson Allen. This vastly improves the Suns roster alongside stars Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. Holiday was moved to the Bucks’ biggest competitors in the east, the Boston Celtics. They will be the favorite to represent the conference in the Finals despite losing to Miami in the last two East Finals back to back in late May outside of the Bucks with Lillard now on the roster. Celtics forward Jayson Tatum has been the focal point for Boston as he looks like a true MVP candidate but it was fellow wing Jaylen Brown that got paid “the bag” this off-season. Outside of the Heat and Celtics, Milwaukee will look to make a better postseason run in 2024 after being eliminated early in the playoffs after entering the 2023 playoffs as the league’s best team. If the Bucks can’t make a deep run again, superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo may reconsider his future with the team. With the new in season tournament coming this November and December, the league should have a very entertaining season in 2023-2024.
2024 NBA Playoffs Projection
Eastern Conference 1.Milwaukee Bucks (58-24) With Damian Lillard on the roster, the Bucks are title favorites coming into the season. But, they must get by an improved Celtics team, that added former Bucks guard Jrue Holiday. 2.Boston Celtics (55-27) Boston has been very successful in the playoffs, making the eastern conference finals in 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2023. But, they have only made the Finals once (2022) out of those four years. With an upgraded roster, including forward Kristaps Porzingis and guard Jrue Holiday to All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum and wing Jaylen Brown. 3.Philadelphia 76ers (52-30) Can the Sixers finally get things figured out with James Harden and reigning MVP Joel Embiid in the playoffs? With new coach Nick Nurse, they should be refocused and ready to make a run. 4.Miami Heat (47-35) Miami has made the Finals in 2020 and 2023 but has fallen both times against the Lakers and Nuggets respectively. Without landing stars Bradley Beal or Damian Lillard through the trade market, the Heat must again rely on Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo to make another deep run in the playoffs. 5.New York Knicks (46-38) The Knicks’ core of Jalen Brunson, RJ Barrett, and Julius Randle got them to the Eastern Conference Semifinals last season. But with most of the eastern conference improving during the summer, they will need to be focused on improving as the season gets closer and closer. 6.Brooklyn Nets (45-37) Since dealing Kevin Durant away to the Suns for wings Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, the Nets have looked like a surefire playoff team. Bridges continues to shine defensively but an uptick in his offensive game has Brooklyn looking scary ahead of the 2023-2024 campaign. 7.Cleveland Cavaliers (43-39) Cleveland’s core of Donavan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Caris Levert is great but the Cavs have not proved they can win in the post LeBron era. 8.Toronto Raptors (41-41) A retooled roster in Toronto with forwards Scottie Barnes, Pascal Siakam, and OG Anunoby will pose challenges up front. But new rookie guard Gradey Dick will have to help replace the production of Fred VanVleet, who headed to Houston in the off-season. 9.Indiana Pacers (41-41) Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton makes things go for the Pacers. Outside of that, this roster does not look qualified for a great season. 10.Atlanta Hawks (40-42) Trae Young and Dejounte Murray struggled in their first season together leading the Hawks. Is a rebound season in line for the two talented guards coming up?
Western Conference 1.Denver Nuggets (57-25) Denver lost a few pieces to bigger contracts elsewhere after winning the Finals at the beginning of the summer. But, with two time MVP Nikola Jokic, Michael Porter Jr., and Jamal Murray returning they should be the favorites to return to the Finals in the west. 2.Phoenix Suns (56-26) Phoenix’s super three of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and new Sun Bradley Beal will be tough to stop offensively. But, until the recent Damian Lillard trade, the Suns had no depth. Adding veteran center Jusuf Nurkic was a huge win to replace DeAndre Ayton, who they had been looking to trade for most of the off-season. In addition, the Suns added perimeter pieces Nassir Little, Keon Johnson, and Grayson Allen to come off the bench. 3.Los Angeles Lakers (52-30) With LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Austin Reaves back, the Lakers will look to return to the Western Conference Finals and win it this time to make it to the playoffs. With new pieces such as guard Gabe Vicent, big man Jaxson Hayes, and big man Christian Wood. With new big men depth on the bench, Anthony Davis can avoid worrying about spending almost full games on the court and not be worried about injuries. 4.Golden State Warriors (49-33) Golden State added Chris Paul this off-season as they look to make it back to the Finals for the first time since they won it all in 2022. So, having Paul as an option to replace superstar Stephen Curry will be nice for Steve Kerr and the Warriors coaching staff. 5.Los Angeles Clippers (48-34) The Clippers are yet to have any playoff success with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George at the helm as their leaders. Is this the year they can finally do it? 6.Sacramento Kings (46-36) De’Aaron Fox, Domantis Sabonis, and Malik Monk played very well last season, giving the Kings a playoff run. If they continue to play this well, you’re looking at a team that can make another run. 7.Dallas Mavericks (45-37) With Kyrie Irving refocused and Luka Doncic’s continued phenomenal play, the Mavericks will just need to focus on their defense to have a successful season. Without a successful defense, they will not be able to beat teams out west consistently. 8.Oklahoma City Thunder (42-40) OKC’s young core of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Josh Giddey finally get to play with former Gonzaga star Chet Holmgren after he returns from his injury. Another fun season in Thunder country awaits. 9.Memphis Grizzlies (42-40) After being the two seed and getting eliminated by LeBron James and the Lakers last season in the first round of the playoffs and Ja Morant being suspended for 25 games, the Grizzlies must refocus. Because of that, I see an underwhelming play-in appearance season for Memphis this upcoming season. 10.Minnesota Timberwolves (41-41) Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns playing well, the Timberwolves can contend in the West. However, with the talent of other rosters in the west, the Timberwolves must play well night in and night out to win games.
Projected 2024 NBA Finals Boston Celtics 4 Denver Nuggets 3
Projected Award Winners Most Valuable Player: Jayson Tatum, Forward, Boston Celtics Defensive Player of the Year: Jaren Jackson, Forward, Memphis Grizzlies Most Improved Player: Bobby Portis, Forward, Milwaukee Bucks Coach of the Year: Mike Malone, Denver Nuggets
After years of consideration, NBA commissioner Adam Silver has finally decided to bring an in-season tournament the league. Will this tournament be important enough to contending teams to win games?Based on the format below, there are pros and cons to that answer. Here is what the NBA’s announcement stated on their Instagram page: All 30 teams are divided into six groups of five teams. The groups were determined by draw based on each team’s 2022-2023 regular season record. “Tournament nights” will occur every Tuesday and Friday from November 3-28 (with the exception of November 7, Election Day, when no games will be played). Each team will play the four teams in its group once (two home games and two away games). All tournament games will count toward the regular season standings, except the championship round. The quarterfinals will take place on December 4-5 at the home city of the higher seed. The final four of the tournament is set for December 7 and December 9 in Las Vegas. Statistics will count for the league’s regular season except for the championship game of the event. Teams will be competing for the NBA Cup. The NBA will name the most valuable player of the in-season tournament and the all-tournament team. A prize pool will be allocated to the players on the teams that participate in the knockout rounds.
Groups:
Eastern Conference
A Atlanta Hawks Cleveland Cavaliers Detroit Pistons Indiana Pacers Philadelphia 76ers
B Charlotte Hornets Miami Heat Milwaukee Bucks New York Knicks Washignton Wizards
C Boston Celtics Brooklyn Nets Chicago Cubs Orlando Magic Toronto Raptors
Western Conference
A Los Angeles Lakers Memphis Grizzlies Phoenix Suns Portland Trail Blazers Utah Jazz
B Dallas Mavericks Denver Nuggets Houston Rockets Los Angeles Clippers New Orleans Pelicans
C Golden State Warriors Minnesota Timberwolves Oklahoma City Thunder Sacramento Kings San Antonio Spurs
The Final Four of the tournament is set for December 7 and December 9 in Las Vegas. Statistics will count for the league’s regular season except for the championship game of the event.
1.San Antonio Spurs Victor Wembanyama, Center, France The talented 7’4 big man will be the first selection with his height and growing potential. 2.Charlotte Hornets Brandon Miller, Forward, Alabama (Freshman) Miller’s scoring ability makes him a great option at number two and may be the best option. 3.Portland Trail Blazers Scoot Henderson, Guard, NBA G-League Ignite If Henderson, does not get picked at two, he will likely be picked at three. However, the Blazers already have Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons so this pick may be traded. 4.Houston Rockets Amen Thompson, Guard, Overtime Elite If the Rockets don’t want their former star, James Harden, back Thompson is the obvious pick here. 5.Detroit Pistons Cam Whitmore, Guard/Forward, Villanova (Freshman) The Villanova wing’s upside fits perfectly next to Cade Cunningham in Detroit. 6.Orlando Magic Ausar Thompson, Guard, Overtime Elite If Amen goes four to Houston, Orlando will get the other brother, Ausar, as the Magic would continue to look like a terrific young team with him on the roster next to 2023 Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero and guards Cole Anthony and Markelle Fultz. 7.Indiana Pacers Jarace Walker, Forward, Houston (Freshman) Walker’s tremendous athleticism is something the Pacers have been missing. He is a perfect fit for this team. 8.Washington Wizards Anthony Black, Guard, Arkansas (Freshman) Black’s high basketball IQ and terrific passing ability make him someone that could be drafted even higher. The only thing I would worry about is him not having a consistent shot, which he has improved a bit. 9.Utah Jazz Taylor Hendricks, Forward, Central Florida (Freshman) The Jazz need a versatile forward to pair with leading scorer Lauri Markannen and so they should draft Taylor Hendricks if the draft looks like this. 10.Dallas Mavericks Cason Wallace, Guard, Kentucky (Freshman) If Kyrie Irving is headed out the door, the Mavs need a point guard. Cason Wallace, another guard that does not have a great shot, should be the pick here. 11.Orlando Magic Gradey Dick, Guard, Kansas (Freshman) The Magic need shooting and adding Gradey Dick, the talented shooter fo Kansas, will be a good selection. 12.Oklahoma City Thunder Leonard Miller, Forward, NBA G-League Ignite The Thunder add another versatile forward to their roster with the selection of Leonard Miller. 13.Toronto Raptors Jalen Hood-Schifino, Guard, Indiana (Freshman) Hood-Schifino’s scoring and passing ability would fit great in Toronto as they look to replace Kyle Lowry, who left to go to the Heat a few seasons ago. 14.New Orleans Pelicans Nick Smith Jr., Guard, Arkansas (Freshman) Smith might have been hurt and in and out of the lineup in his one season at Arkansas but his potential and floor is higher than most with his will to win and score the basketball.
Schedule *If necessary* Game 1: June 1, 8:30 PM ET, ABC (Denver; Ball Arena) Game 2: June 4, 8 PM ET, ABC (Denver; Ball Arena) Game 3: June 7, 8:30 PM ET, ABC (Miami; American Airlines Arena) Game 4: June 9, 8:30 PM ET, ABC (Miami; American Airlines Arena) *Game 5*: June 13, 8:30 PM ET, ABC (Denver; Ball Arena) *Game 6*: June 15, 8:30 PM ET, ABC (Miami; American Airlines Arena) *Game 7*: June 18, 8 PM ET, ABC (Denver; Ball Arena)
The one seeded Denver Nuggets ran through the Western Conference playoffs with relative ease. They beat the Timberwolves in five games in the first round, took care of the Suns in six games in the conference semis, and swept LeBron James and the Lakers in the conference finals. Big man Nikola Jokic should have won a third consecutive NBA MVP with his playoff numbers because he has averaged a triple double with almost 30 points, over 13 rebounds, and over 10 assists a game. In addition, star guard Jamal Murray has heated up from the field, averaging over 27 points a game as well. In addition to Jokic and Murray, wings Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon help lead a tremendous defensive squad. The Miami Heat almost blew a 3-0 lead to the Boston Celtics but will appear in their second NBA Finals in the last three seasons. Playoff superstar Jimmy Butler has been at the forefront for the Heat, averaging almost 29 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists per game. Center Bam Adebayo has been up and down in the Boston series but he has been huge for Miami when he’s been lights out, averaging over 17 points, 9 rebounds, and a steal a game. Guards Gabe Vincent and Caleb Martin (13 points per game each) have each shined in their roles in the playoffs. When it comes to the coaching match up this series, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has won two NBA championships in five Finals appearances while this will be the Nuggets’ Mike Malone first opportunity to win a championship. The coaching edge here has to go to Miami with their experience in the finals but the dynamic duo of Jokic and Murray will be hard for the Heat to handle. Spoelstra will have to decide who will match up with the talented pair defensively. That decision will determine the outcome of this series.
9.New Orleans Pelicans (42-40) 10.Oklahoma City Thunder (40-42) Advanced (Winner to play loser of 7./8. game for eight seed)
7.Los Angeles Lakers (43-39) Advanced 8.Minnesota Timberwolves (42-40) (Winner to be seven seed)
8.Minnesota Timberwolves (42-40) Advanced 9.Oklahoma City Thunder (40-42)
Conference Quarterfinals
Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals 1.Milwaukee Bucks (58-24) 4 8.Miami Heat (44-38) 1 Led by another MVP-like season by Giannis Antentokounmpo, the Bucks should take care of business and make the second round yet again. Heat wing Jimmy Butler should lead Miami to at least a win in the series but this one should be all Bucks.
4.Cleveland Cavaliers (51-31) 4 5.New York Knicks (47-35) 2 In what should be a very close series, Donavan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and the Cavs core should continue their season after dispatching Julius Randle and the Knicks.
3.Philadelphia 76ers (54-28) 4 6.Brooklyn Nets (45-37) 2 Likely MVP Joel Embiid and guard James Harden have been terrific all season. Since getting rid of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, the Nets gained Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson from the Suns. Bridges, a Philadelphia native and former Villanova Wildcat, has been the main scorer for the Nets since the trade.
2.Boston Celtics (57-25) 4 7.Atlanta Hawks (41-41) 1 Boston should take care of Atlanta pretty easily as the Hawks do not play great defense. The Hawks’ best hope is to win games at home because it will be hard to go into TD Garden and win multiple games.
Western Conference 1.Denver Nuggets (53-29) 4 8.Minnesota Timberwolves (42-40) 2 Could Nikola Jokic win his third consecutive MVP in Denver? It is definitely a possibility. The way this Nuggets team has played so far has been great but they can be vulnerable against a Timberwolves team that plays great inside out ball with guard Anthony Edwards and big men Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert. The Nuggets should take the series in at least six games but it will be interesting to see how the Nuggets match up with the two Minnesota big men.
4.Phoenix Suns (45-37) 4 5.Los Angeles Clippers (44-38) 2 Phoenix has been absolutely tremendous since adding superstar forward Kevin Durant. The Clippers picked up his former teammate Russell Westbrook after the trade deadline and also locked up a playoff spot. While it is hard to see the Suns lose with an almost unbeatable record with KD, the Clippers have the pieces like Kawhi Leonard to make it a competitive series.
3.Sacramento Kings (48-34) 3 6.Golden State Warriors (44-38) 4 Sacramento has been terrific under new head coach Mike Brown who was previously on the Warrior’s staff. De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and the Kings have had their best season in a very long time, reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2006. They match up with a Warriors team that has been very up and down this season even with their championship pedigree. I believe guard Stephen Curry, guard Klay Thompson, and forward Draymond Green will step up and eliminate the Kings in the first round.
2.Memphis Grizzlies (51-31) 3 7.Los Angeles Lakers (43-39) 4 The Grizzlies, led by guard Ja Morant and forward Jaren Jackson, are the second seed just like in the 2022 playoffs but are matched up with LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and D’Angelo Russell and the Lakers. While Los Angeles has been up and down like Golden State this season, a fully healthy Lakers roster will be hard to beat.
Conference Semifinals
Eastern Conference 1.Milwaukee Bucks (58-24) 4 4.Cleveland Cavaliers (51-31) 2 Milwaukee has Giannis and Cleveland does not. It is pretty simple. The Cavs have a good team but not one that will be able to handle the Greek Freak, Khris Middleton, and Jrue Holiday in a seven game series.
2.Boston Celtics (57-25) 4 3.Philadelphia 76ers (54-28) 3 Philadelphia fails to make a deep run in the playoffs again and Jayson Tatum will lead the Celtics into another conference finals after a fun seven games series with the Sixers. This series is up to the play of James Harden because if he turns the ball over it will hurt Philadelphia’s chances of a deep postseason run a lot.
Western Conference 1.Denver Nuggets (53-29) 3 4.Phoenix Suns (45-37) 4 The Suns will upset the Nuggets led by Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. It is uncommon to see two scorers like them both on the same team. Nikola Jokic will have to dominate inside for the Nuggets to win the series but it is hard to see that countering the Suns dynamic duo as well as veteran point guard Chris Paul.
6.Golden State Warriors (44-38) 4 7.Los Angeles Lakers (43-39) 2 The Golden State Warriors will win the series’ first two games at home in San Francisco and beat the Lakers in six games. The durability of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, D’Angelo Russell, and Dennis Schröder will be important like I mentioned earlier and I doubt they are fully healthy at this point.
Conference Finals
Eastern Conference 1.Milwaukee Bucks (58-24) 4 2.Boston Celtics (57-25) 3 The Bucks and Celtics will meet again in the Eastern Conference Finals. Without wing Khris Middleton in this series, the Bucks fell in seven games to Boston. With him, they will take care of the Jayson Tatum, Jaylin Brown and the Celtics.
Western Conference 4.Phoenix Suns (45-37) 4 6.Golden State Warriors (43-39) 2 In what many people think is the Warriors’ last chance at a title with their current roster, their chance to win back to back ends in the Western Conference Finals. In the end, this Sun’s roster is too talented for a Golden State roster that has not played to its full potential this season.
The 2023 NBA Finals Preview will be published on May 31 at 2 PM CT.
