Basketball Intelligence For 4/28/26
Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis
THE PLAYOFFS
The first round so far
Henry Abbott/David Thorpe, True Hoop
The NBA rookie trio of Dylan Harper, VJ Edgecombe, and Collin Murray-Boyles are leveling up their games in meaningful ways during the 2026 NBA Playoffs
Nathan Grubel, No Ceilings
1(ish) stat explaining each first-round series
Mike Shearer, Basketball Poetry
Recapping Monday’s Games
Dustin Brewer, HOOPS
BOS-PHI
Jordan Walsh has been the unsung hero of the Celtics’ playoff success so far
Trevor Hass, Celtics Blog
Now facing elimination, the Sixers must play ‘desperate’ to extend their season beyond Game 5 in Boston
Gina Mizell, The Inquirer
LAL-HOU
How Reed Sheppard blocked the ‘noise’ of a disappointing NBA start to earn Rockets’ trust
Shakeia Taylor, The Athletic
Luke Kennard once lit up Ohio. Now he’s doing it for LeBron James’ Lakers
Dan Woike, The Athletic
MIN-DEN
Nuggets wallop Timberwolves in Game 5, keep series alive: Takeaways
The Athletic
Nuggets cruise to Game 5 win over Timberwolves, staving off elimination in NBA playoffs
Bennett Durando, Denver Post
Spencer Jones saved the Nuggets’ season. Then he had to wait for a ride home
Jason Quick, The Athletic
Nuggets take big step toward another 3-1 comeback with 125-113 win in Game 5
Vinny Bennedetto, Denver Gazette
Timberwolves don’t feel defeated, blame themselves for Game 5 loss
Chris Hine, Star Tribune
NYK-ATL
The Knicks’ offense flowed with Karl-Anthony Towns as the hub. Can they keep it up?
Fred Katz, The Athletic
What’s Up With Jalen?
Jonathan Macri, Knicks Film School
In Game 5 against Knicks, Hawks will have to raise their level of intensity
Lauren Williams, AJC
Landry Shamet falling out of Knicks’ rotation has led to a Jose Alvarado uptick
Jared Schwartz, NY Post
Breaking up the wings might save the Knicks’ season
Max Wildstein, The Strick.land
OKC-PHX
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander fuels OKC Thunder past Phoenix Suns for sweep in NBA Playoffs
Justin Martinez, The Oklahoman
What’s next for Suns?
Duane Rankin, Arizona Republic
Thunder complete sweep over Suns: Game 4 takeaways
The Athletic
Chet Holmgren Showing ‘Urgency With Patience’
Mark Medina, Forbes
Suns were an unexpected playoff team, then learned just how far they have to go
Doug Haller, The Athletic
Thunder complete sweep of Suns to reach Western Conference semis
Tim MacMahon, ESPN
ORL-DET
Thanks to Jamal Cain, the underdog Magic are on the verge eliminating Pistons
Josh Robbins, The Athletic
The Magic are overcoming one of their biggest flaws
Philip Rossman-Reich, World R Squared
Magic take 3-1 series lead, have No. 1 seed Pistons on the brink of elimination: Takeaways
The Athletic
Three Reasons the Magic Are One Game Away From Eliminating the Top-Seeded Pistons
Blake Silverman, Sports Illustrated
Pistons’ season on the brink against Magic
Hunter Patterson, The Athletic
Pistons, East top seed, face elimination after loss
Ohm Youngmisuk, ESPN
Magic take commanding 3-1 series lead over No. 1 Pistons
Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel
Another Magic touch
Juri Bilcich
Pistons’ strengths in regular season turning into weaknesses
Omari Sankofa II, Free Press
SAS-POR
How Wemby and Fox Dominated in the Paint During Game 4
Paul Garcia, The Spot Up Shot
Keldon Johnson’s move to the bench kick-started San Antonio’s resurgence
Michael C. Wright, ESPN
TOR-CLE
How Collin Murray-Boyles this NBA rookie is wrecking the Cavs
Jeremias Engelmann, 5x5
Collin Murray-Boyles is the latest gem from NBA’s outstanding rookie class
Eric Koreen, The Athletic
Raptors’ Jamal Shead impacting playoff basketball beyond the box score
Kai Gammage, Sportsnet
TEAM-SPECIFIC
BKN: How the Nets are prepared to ace the NBA draft lottery — even more so than the last time they won it
Brian Lewis, NY Post
CHA: 2026 Offseason Preview
Yossi Gozlan, Third Apron
CHI: The Bulls can hire anyone they want. The real question is whether Michael Reinsdorf will spend
Nick Friedell, The Athletic
OKC: How a trade 19 years ago is still helping OKC and its title hopes
Baxter Holmes, OKC
SAC: Vlade Divac explains why Kings didn’t draft Luka Doncic, admits he made mistake
Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee
BI Note: Trying to make sense of Vlade’s “reasoning” makes my head hurt.
THE DRAFT
2026 NBA mock draft: Risers, fallers ahead of the May 10 lottery
Jeremy Woo, ESPN
NBA mock draft 2026: Update after college basketball entry deadline with final lottery odds
Ricky O’Donnell, SBNation
New 2026 NBA Mock Draft
Zach Buckley, Bleacher Report
10 CBB transfer portal moves with huge NBA Draft implications
Christopher Kline, Fansided
NBA Draft lottery proposals don’t address the underlying reason behind tanking
David Aldridge The Athletic