Little-known ahead Jamal Cain posterized Jalen Duren final night time, serving as a simple metaphor for the first-round collection between the No. 8 Orlando Magic and No. 1 Detroit Pistons. Orlando beat Detroit final night time to take a 3-1 lead within the collection and push the Pistons to the brink of elimination.
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In different NBA information, the league introduced the Rookie of the Year in one of many nearer award races of the season. It’s a hoop-focused e-newsletter immediately, and we’ll proceed to maintain you knowledgeable all through the NBA playoffs, right here and on the NBC News website.
NBA Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons received 60 video games this season and had been the highest group within the Eastern Conference primarily the whole season. Now, after shedding to the Orlando Magic, 94-88, final night time, they’re on the verge of exiting the playoffs within the first spherical.
The Pistons’ fall from grace begins with their disappearing offense. During the common season, Detroit completed tenth in offensive score, averaging 117.3 factors per 100 possessions. Against the Magic within the first spherical? The Pistons have the worst offense of any playoff group, mustering solely 100.3 factors per 100.
Detroit’s stars have struggled. Cade Cunningham is capturing underneath 43% from the sector and has a whopping 27 turnovers by means of 4 video games. Meanwhile, Jalen Duren’s scoring common has dipped from 19.35 within the common season to 9.8 towards Orlando.
In the second half of Monday’s recreation, the Pistons scored solely 36 factors as a group. (The Magic solely scored 40, but it surely was sufficient to win.)
“Back’s against the wall. Whatcha gonna do? You’re gonna fight,” Pistons ahead Isaiah Stewart mentioned after yesterday’s loss. “You have to fight until the end, so let’s get back to the crib, protect the crib and take it one game at a time. The series is not over.”
The No. 3 Denver Nuggets had been additionally dealing with elimination, however they defeated the No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves yesterday, 125-113. Now the collection goes to a sixth recreation, with Minnesota main 3-2. Outside of a really temporary scare within the fourth quarter, it was a breezy victory for the Nuggets, who had been enjoying a Timberwolves group lacking its beginning guards Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo.
Rookie of the Year
All season, two pals and former Duke teammates appeared to trip with one another, jockeying for the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award — the No. 1 decide Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks, and No. 4 decide Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets.
Last night time, the league introduced that Flagg had received, barely edging out Knueppel by 26 voting factors. Of the 100 voters, Flagg obtained 56 first-place votes and Knueppel acquired the opposite 44.
It was the second-closest vote of the final twenty years. Back in 2022, Scottie Barnes beat out Evan Mobley for the award by 15 factors.
This season, Flagg principally lived as much as expectations as the highest decide. He averaged 21 factors per recreation to steer all rookies and he turned the primary teenager to attain 50 factors in a recreation. He additionally led the Mavericks in factors, rebounds, assists and steals — and was the primary rookie to steer his group in all these classes since Michael Jordan.
Meanwhile, Knueppel led the whole league in made 3-pointers, as he shot 42.5% from deep. He averaged 18.5 factors and 5.3 rebounds per recreation, and was a key a part of the Hornets’ resurgence as they made the NBA play-in match.
Like everybody else, Flagg was watching Knueppel all through the season, monitoring the race.
“I see the games every night. I can check the box scores. I see it on Instagram, whatever,” Flagg mentioned on Peacock. “But also, I was watching Kon just because that’s one of my brothers.
“We have such a good connection, and we’re going to be there for each other the rest of our lives. I was watching him as a fan as well. But there’s obviously that competition at the same time.”
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What We’re Reading
Former NBA participant Damon Jones pleaded responsible to $10 million sports betting and poker scams.
NBC Sports’ Tim Layden writes about the magic of “Derby Day,” aka the Kentucky Derby, coming Saturday, an occasion he has coated 21 instances previously 23 years.
Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby is getting into a treatment program for playing dependancy.
The Philadelphia Phillies fired supervisor Rob Thomson after losing 11 of their last 12 games.
WNBA star Caitlin Clark is publishing a children’s book.
Paige Bueckers addressed her relationship with teammate and new draft decide Azzi Fudd.
Ty Simpson revealed that he secretly met with Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay, earlier than the group shocked everybody by drafting Simpson within the first spherical.
LIV Golf is suspending its New Orleans cease, sources told ESPN.
Allyson Felix is eyeing a comeback for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
What We’re Watching
On NBC/Peacock tonight, an enormous recreation within the Eastern Conference: Game 5 between the New York Knicks and the Atlanta Hawks, in a collection tied 2-2. Knicks star Jalen Brunson has performed his half this collection, averaging 25.5 factors and 5.3 assists per recreation. If his co-stars come to play, New York is perhaps onerous to beat.
Both No. 2 seeds even have an opportunity to shut out their respective collection. We’re curious to see Victor Wembanyama, too, after he scored 27 factors and made 7 blocks after getting back from a concussion.
All instances are Eastern:
- 7 p.m.: No. 2 Boston Celtics vs. No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers, on ESPN
- 8 p.m.: No. 3 New York Knicks vs. No. 6 Atlanta Hawks, on NBC/Peacock
- 9:30 p.m.: No. 2 San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 7 Portland Trail Blazers, on ESPN
That’s it for now! We’ll be again tomorrow.