YESTERDAY’S GAMES
Hawks pull one back at home, Knicks swarm Cavs, Nuggets go up 3-0
Ric Bucher/John Fanta, Fox Sports
Knicks stage ’90s party at MSG; injuries take center stage; Hawks, Nuggets roll
John Hollinger, The Athletic
ATL 130, BOS 122
Hawks feed off home crowd as they down Celtics in Game 3
Lauren Williams, AJC
Hawks beat Celtics in Game 3 with impressive shot making
Jared Weiss, The Athletic
Mazzulla expected ‘a big punch’ from Hawks, and that’s what Celtics were hit with
Adam Himmelsbach, Boston Globe
Trae Young, Dejounte Murray give the Hawks life – and something to think about
Jeff Schultz, The Athletic
How the Hawks rebounded to turn back the Celtics in Game 3
Adam Himmelsbach, Boston Globe
Grant Williams’ performance provides a positive note in an ugly Celtics loss
Jack Simone, Celtics Blog
Celtics’ defense was missing in action as the Hawks got back into the series
Keith Smith, Celtics Blog
DEN 120, MIN 111
Nuggets win Game 3 with poise and execution
Tony Jones, The Athletic
Despite Anthony Edwards' 36 points, Timberwolves fall to Denver and trail 3-0
Chris Hine, Star Tribune
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Identity-less Timberwolves fall into 3-0 hole
Jace Frederick, Pioneer Press
Jokic on Game 3 win over Timberwolves: “We didn’t want to give them life”
Mike Singer, Denver Post
NYK 99, CLE 79
Cavs have worst offensive performance this season in Game 3 loss to Knicks
Kelsey Russo, The Athletic
Barrett made shots, played dogged defense and his finding open teammates when he drove into the heart of the Cleveland defense was crucial
Tommy Beer, What’s On Tap
How Knicks’ Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein smothered the Cavs
Fred Katz, The Athletic
Cavs set new mark for futility in Game 3 loss to the Knicks
Chris Fedor, cleveland.com
THE OTHER SERIES
BKN-PHI
Maxey Is The Sixers’ Star Of Today And Tomorrow
Jackson Frank, DIME
GSW-SAC
Why Game 3 raises red flags for Sacramento
Sam Amick, The Athletic
When Mike Brown left Warriors, Jama Mahlalela took over as master of detail
Connor Letourneau, SF Chronicle
Kings struggled with physicality in Game 3 loss
James Ham, The Kings Beat
LAC-PHO
With Kawhi Leonard out, Norman Powell is ready for latest Clippers crisis
Andrew Greif, LA Times
With Leonard day-to-day, Clippers hope (game) time is on their side this weekend
Law Murray, The Athletic
Devin Booker Is Proving He’s A Force To Be Reckoned With
Shane Young, Forbes
MIA-MIL
Connaughton rediscovered his rhythm in Game 2
Eric Nehm, The Athletic
TEAM-SPECIFIC STORIES
BOS: Before landing with the Celtics, 6MOY Malcolm Brogdon reassessed his place in NBA
Adam Himmelsbach, Boston Globe
DAL: 5 roster upgrades the Mavericks must make this offseason
Tyler Watts, The Smoking Cuban
DET: Pistons head coach search: Three candidates have emerged as early front-runners
James Edwards III, The Athletic
OKC: The Making Of A Star: SGA’s Work Behind The Scenes Continues To Pay Off
Nick Crain, Forbes
ORL: 3 would-be X-factors for the Magic’s future playoff runs
Philip Rossman-Reich, Orlando Magic Daily
TOR: Nurse’s exit shouldn’t be only step in Masai Ujiri’s Raptors reimagining
Eric Koreen, The Athletic
TOR: Nurse firing indicates Raptors are ready to move past their championship glory
Josh Lewenberg, TSN
TOR: Where Raptors go next isn't clear
Michael Grange, Sportsnet
TOR: Ujiri is honest about team’s failures, but recommits to team’s philosophy
Louis Zatzman, Raptors Republic
LEAGUE-WIDE STORIES
Why the NBA got serious about mental health
Joe Vardon, The Athletic
VYING FOR VICTOR
Wembanyama officially declares for NBA draft
Jonathan Givony, ESPN
At 7-foot-5, with an 8-foot wingspan, Wembanyama will immediately be the tallest and longest player in the NBA, but he also brings the skill set of a guard, regularly being tasked with bringing the ball up the court for his team, initiating offense and shooting 3-pointers from all over the floor. The timing, instincts and anticipation he shows defensively with his ability to cover ground fluidly and change the geometry of the game with his dimensions give him game-changing potential on that end of the floor as well.
Wembanyama is in the midst of a historic season in France, averaging 21.5 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.1 blocks and 2.3 assists per game and leading the French league in virtually every statistical category despite being only 19 years old, making him the runaway favorite for MVP honors. He has surprised many by leading one of the youngest teams in the league to a 19-10 record that puts it in second place currently, potentially setting up a deep playoff run that could extend past the date of the NBA draft on June 22.
THE DRAFT
Dereck Lively is the Perfect Modern NBA Center
Chris Keesee/Rafael Barlowe, NBA Big Board
FROM THE ARCHIVES: four years ago today
Today’s BI is dedicated to the memory of Ernie Barrett
Paulian Dedaj, Fox Sports