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NBA Playoffs: Thunder sweep Suns, Denver avoids ouster, Pistons on the brink  Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points and the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder swept into the second round of the NBA playoffs on Monday with a 131-122 victory at Phoenix.The top-seeded Thunder captured the Western Conference best-of-seven series 4-0, completing a third consecutive sweep in the opening round.“We just came in ready,” said Gilgeous-Alexander. “Love to play basketball, a group full of great kids that have fun together.“We do it for each other. None of us are selfish. We all want the next man to succeed and when you have those three things and put them together you get success.”Oklahoma City will meet either Los Angeles Lakers or Houston Rockets in a second-round series. The Lakers lead that matchup 3-1.“Ultimately, we’ve got to get better in the days between our next opponent,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.The Thunder became the first team to reach the second round on the same night the upstart Orlando Magic pushed Eastern Conference top seed Detroit to the brink of elimination with a 94-88 triumph to seize a 3-1 series advantage.Denver Nuggets avoided an early exit as Serbian center Nikola Jokic had a triple double with 27 points, 16 assists and 12 rebounds to spark the hosts over Minnesota 125-113, pulling Denver within 3-2 against the Timberwolves.Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player who had a playoff career high 42 points in a game three victory, added eight assists to spark a visiting Thunder squad that boasts the top post-season scoring attack and defensive statistics.Chet Holmgren added 24 points and 12 rebounds for the Thunder, who also had 22 points from Ajay Mitchell and 18 points and 12 rebounds from Isaiah Hartenstein.Devin Booker led Phoenix with 24 points.At Orlando, Desmond Bane scored 22 points, hitting 5-of-10 shots from three-point range to lead the Magic, who can send off the Pistons with a victory on Wednesday in Detroit.Franz Wagner scored 19 points for Orlando before being benched with a sore right calf while Paolo Banchero added 18 and grabbed eight rebounds.The Pistons, whose 60-22 record topped the East, must win three in a row to avoid an epic ouster at the hands of eighth seed Orlando, which went 45-37.Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 25 points while Tobias Harris added 20 for the Pistons, who committed 20 turnovers, twice as many as Orlando.The Magic have not reached the second round of the playoffs since 2010, dropping six series in the first round and missing the post-season nine times.The Pistons have not reached the second round since 2008, dropping four first-round matchups and missing the playoffs 13 times.Bank open for BaneBane banked in a three-point shot with 1:16 remaining to give the Magic a 92-86 lead and Orlando added late free throws to seal Detroit’s fate, the Pistons going more than five minutes without a basket from the floor.At Denver, the Nuggets forced a game six at Minnesota on Thursday with a blowout triumph thanks to three-time NBA MVP Jokic and his teammates.Jamal Murray scored 24 points, Spencer Jones had 20 and Cameron Johnson added 18 for Denver while Julius Randle led Minnesota with 27 points.“We did a good job of bringing the energy for 48 minutes,” Murray said. “We’ve got to be poised and relaxed when we go to their building.”The T-Wolves were without two top guards. Anthony Edwards is out with a bone bruise and hyper-extended left knee while Donte DiVincenzo will miss the remainder of the playoffs with a ruptured right Achilles tendon.Published on Apr 28, 2026  #NBA #Playoffs #Thunder #sweep #Suns #Denver #avoids #ouster #Pistons #brink

NBA Playoffs: Thunder sweep Suns, Denver avoids ouster, Pistons on the brink

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points and the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder swept into the second round of the NBA playoffs on Monday with a 131-122 victory at Phoenix.

The top-seeded Thunder captured the Western Conference best-of-seven series 4-0, completing a third consecutive sweep in the opening round.

“We just came in ready,” said Gilgeous-Alexander. “Love to play basketball, a group full of great kids that have fun together.

“We do it for each other. None of us are selfish. We all want the next man to succeed and when you have those three things and put them together you get success.”

Oklahoma City will meet either Los Angeles Lakers or Houston Rockets in a second-round series. The Lakers lead that matchup 3-1.

“Ultimately, we’ve got to get better in the days between our next opponent,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.

The Thunder became the first team to reach the second round on the same night the upstart Orlando Magic pushed Eastern Conference top seed Detroit to the brink of elimination with a 94-88 triumph to seize a 3-1 series advantage.

Denver Nuggets avoided an early exit as Serbian center Nikola Jokic had a triple double with 27 points, 16 assists and 12 rebounds to spark the hosts over Minnesota 125-113, pulling Denver within 3-2 against the Timberwolves.

Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player who had a playoff career high 42 points in a game three victory, added eight assists to spark a visiting Thunder squad that boasts the top post-season scoring attack and defensive statistics.

Chet Holmgren added 24 points and 12 rebounds for the Thunder, who also had 22 points from Ajay Mitchell and 18 points and 12 rebounds from Isaiah Hartenstein.

Devin Booker led Phoenix with 24 points.

At Orlando, Desmond Bane scored 22 points, hitting 5-of-10 shots from three-point range to lead the Magic, who can send off the Pistons with a victory on Wednesday in Detroit.

Franz Wagner scored 19 points for Orlando before being benched with a sore right calf while Paolo Banchero added 18 and grabbed eight rebounds.

The Pistons, whose 60-22 record topped the East, must win three in a row to avoid an epic ouster at the hands of eighth seed Orlando, which went 45-37.

Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 25 points while Tobias Harris added 20 for the Pistons, who committed 20 turnovers, twice as many as Orlando.

The Magic have not reached the second round of the playoffs since 2010, dropping six series in the first round and missing the post-season nine times.

The Pistons have not reached the second round since 2008, dropping four first-round matchups and missing the playoffs 13 times.

Bank open for Bane

Bane banked in a three-point shot with 1:16 remaining to give the Magic a 92-86 lead and Orlando added late free throws to seal Detroit’s fate, the Pistons going more than five minutes without a basket from the floor.

At Denver, the Nuggets forced a game six at Minnesota on Thursday with a blowout triumph thanks to three-time NBA MVP Jokic and his teammates.

Jamal Murray scored 24 points, Spencer Jones had 20 and Cameron Johnson added 18 for Denver while Julius Randle led Minnesota with 27 points.

“We did a good job of bringing the energy for 48 minutes,” Murray said. “We’ve got to be poised and relaxed when we go to their building.”

The T-Wolves were without two top guards. Anthony Edwards is out with a bone bruise and hyper-extended left knee while Donte DiVincenzo will miss the remainder of the playoffs with a ruptured right Achilles tendon.

Published on Apr 28, 2026

#NBA #Playoffs #Thunder #sweep #Suns #Denver #avoids #ouster #Pistons #brink

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points and the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder swept into the second round of the NBA playoffs on Monday with a 131-122 victory at Phoenix.

The top-seeded Thunder captured the Western Conference best-of-seven series 4-0, completing a third consecutive sweep in the opening round.

“We just came in ready,” said Gilgeous-Alexander. “Love to play basketball, a group full of great kids that have fun together.

“We do it for each other. None of us are selfish. We all want the next man to succeed and when you have those three things and put them together you get success.”

Oklahoma City will meet either Los Angeles Lakers or Houston Rockets in a second-round series. The Lakers lead that matchup 3-1.

“Ultimately, we’ve got to get better in the days between our next opponent,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.

The Thunder became the first team to reach the second round on the same night the upstart Orlando Magic pushed Eastern Conference top seed Detroit to the brink of elimination with a 94-88 triumph to seize a 3-1 series advantage.

Denver Nuggets avoided an early exit as Serbian center Nikola Jokic had a triple double with 27 points, 16 assists and 12 rebounds to spark the hosts over Minnesota 125-113, pulling Denver within 3-2 against the Timberwolves.

Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player who had a playoff career high 42 points in a game three victory, added eight assists to spark a visiting Thunder squad that boasts the top post-season scoring attack and defensive statistics.

Chet Holmgren added 24 points and 12 rebounds for the Thunder, who also had 22 points from Ajay Mitchell and 18 points and 12 rebounds from Isaiah Hartenstein.

Devin Booker led Phoenix with 24 points.

At Orlando, Desmond Bane scored 22 points, hitting 5-of-10 shots from three-point range to lead the Magic, who can send off the Pistons with a victory on Wednesday in Detroit.

Franz Wagner scored 19 points for Orlando before being benched with a sore right calf while Paolo Banchero added 18 and grabbed eight rebounds.

The Pistons, whose 60-22 record topped the East, must win three in a row to avoid an epic ouster at the hands of eighth seed Orlando, which went 45-37.

Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 25 points while Tobias Harris added 20 for the Pistons, who committed 20 turnovers, twice as many as Orlando.

The Magic have not reached the second round of the playoffs since 2010, dropping six series in the first round and missing the post-season nine times.

The Pistons have not reached the second round since 2008, dropping four first-round matchups and missing the playoffs 13 times.

Bank open for Bane

Bane banked in a three-point shot with 1:16 remaining to give the Magic a 92-86 lead and Orlando added late free throws to seal Detroit’s fate, the Pistons going more than five minutes without a basket from the floor.

At Denver, the Nuggets forced a game six at Minnesota on Thursday with a blowout triumph thanks to three-time NBA MVP Jokic and his teammates.

Jamal Murray scored 24 points, Spencer Jones had 20 and Cameron Johnson added 18 for Denver while Julius Randle led Minnesota with 27 points.

“We did a good job of bringing the energy for 48 minutes,” Murray said. “We’ve got to be poised and relaxed when we go to their building.”

The T-Wolves were without two top guards. Anthony Edwards is out with a bone bruise and hyper-extended left knee while Donte DiVincenzo will miss the remainder of the playoffs with a ruptured right Achilles tendon.

Published on Apr 28, 2026

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#NBA #Playoffs #Thunder #sweep #Suns #Denver #avoids #ouster #Pistons #brink

Deadspin | NBA roundup: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder close out sweep of Suns  Apr 27, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) greets Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) after advancing in a four game sweep of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images   Shai Gilgeous-Alexander recorded 31 points and eight assists as the Oklahoma City Thunder finished off a four-game first-round playoff sweep with a 131-122 victory over the host Phoenix Suns on Monday night.    Chet Holmgren added 24 points and 12 rebounds and Ajay Mitchell had 22 points and six assists as the top-seeded Thunder swept their opening Western Conference series for the third straight season.    Isaiah Hartenstein produced 18 points and 12 rebounds and Alex Caruso added 14 points off the bench for Oklahoma City. Mitchell and Caruso each made four 3-pointers for the Thunder, who will face either the Los Angeles Lakers or Houston Rockets in the second round.    Devin Booker scored 24 points and Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green added 23 apiece for the Suns, who were swept in the first round for the second straight playoff appearance, the other occurring in 2024. Phoenix has lost 10 consecutive playoff games dating back to 2023.    Nuggets 125, Timberwolves 113    Nikola Jokic recorded 27 points, 16 assists and 12 rebounds as host Denver stayed alive with a win over Minnesota in Game 5 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series.     Jamal Murray scored 24 points, Spencer Jones posted a playoff career-high 20 points and Cameron Johnson finished with 18 for third-seeded Denver, which had lost three straight following a Game 1 home victory.    Julius Randle led Minnesota with 27 points and nine rebounds. Bones Hyland and Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 15 apiece. Jaden McDaniels, loudly booed whenever he possessed the ball, added 13 points for the Timberwolves, who committed 25 turnovers.  Magic 94, Pistons 88    Desmond Bane scored 22 points and made one of his five 3-pointers with 1:16 left as Orlando beat visiting Detroit to take a 3-1 lead in their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series.    Orlando forward Franz Wagner had 19 points before exiting late in the third period due to right calf soreness. Paolo Banchero scored 18 points, and Wendell Carter Jr. had 12 points and 11 rebounds.    The top-seeded Pistons were held without a field goal in the final five minutes before Isaiah Stewart scored at the buzzer. Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 25 points, nine rebounds, six assists and eight turnovers.   –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #NBA #roundup #Shai #GilgeousAlexander #Thunder #close #sweep #SunsApr 27, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) greets Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) after advancing in a four game sweep of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander recorded 31 points and eight assists as the Oklahoma City Thunder finished off a four-game first-round playoff sweep with a 131-122 victory over the host Phoenix Suns on Monday night.

Chet Holmgren added 24 points and 12 rebounds and Ajay Mitchell had 22 points and six assists as the top-seeded Thunder swept their opening Western Conference series for the third straight season.

Isaiah Hartenstein produced 18 points and 12 rebounds and Alex Caruso added 14 points off the bench for Oklahoma City. Mitchell and Caruso each made four 3-pointers for the Thunder, who will face either the Los Angeles Lakers or Houston Rockets in the second round.

Devin Booker scored 24 points and Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green added 23 apiece for the Suns, who were swept in the first round for the second straight playoff appearance, the other occurring in 2024. Phoenix has lost 10 consecutive playoff games dating back to 2023.

Nuggets 125, Timberwolves 113

Nikola Jokic recorded 27 points, 16 assists and 12 rebounds as host Denver stayed alive with a win over Minnesota in Game 5 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series.


Jamal Murray scored 24 points, Spencer Jones posted a playoff career-high 20 points and Cameron Johnson finished with 18 for third-seeded Denver, which had lost three straight following a Game 1 home victory.

Julius Randle led Minnesota with 27 points and nine rebounds. Bones Hyland and Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 15 apiece. Jaden McDaniels, loudly booed whenever he possessed the ball, added 13 points for the Timberwolves, who committed 25 turnovers.

Magic 94, Pistons 88

Desmond Bane scored 22 points and made one of his five 3-pointers with 1:16 left as Orlando beat visiting Detroit to take a 3-1 lead in their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series.

Orlando forward Franz Wagner had 19 points before exiting late in the third period due to right calf soreness. Paolo Banchero scored 18 points, and Wendell Carter Jr. had 12 points and 11 rebounds.

The top-seeded Pistons were held without a field goal in the final five minutes before Isaiah Stewart scored at the buzzer. Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 25 points, nine rebounds, six assists and eight turnovers.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #NBA #roundup #Shai #GilgeousAlexander #Thunder #close #sweep #Suns">Deadspin | NBA roundup: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder close out sweep of Suns  Apr 27, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) greets Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) after advancing in a four game sweep of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images   Shai Gilgeous-Alexander recorded 31 points and eight assists as the Oklahoma City Thunder finished off a four-game first-round playoff sweep with a 131-122 victory over the host Phoenix Suns on Monday night.    Chet Holmgren added 24 points and 12 rebounds and Ajay Mitchell had 22 points and six assists as the top-seeded Thunder swept their opening Western Conference series for the third straight season.    Isaiah Hartenstein produced 18 points and 12 rebounds and Alex Caruso added 14 points off the bench for Oklahoma City. Mitchell and Caruso each made four 3-pointers for the Thunder, who will face either the Los Angeles Lakers or Houston Rockets in the second round.    Devin Booker scored 24 points and Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green added 23 apiece for the Suns, who were swept in the first round for the second straight playoff appearance, the other occurring in 2024. Phoenix has lost 10 consecutive playoff games dating back to 2023.    Nuggets 125, Timberwolves 113    Nikola Jokic recorded 27 points, 16 assists and 12 rebounds as host Denver stayed alive with a win over Minnesota in Game 5 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series.     Jamal Murray scored 24 points, Spencer Jones posted a playoff career-high 20 points and Cameron Johnson finished with 18 for third-seeded Denver, which had lost three straight following a Game 1 home victory.    Julius Randle led Minnesota with 27 points and nine rebounds. Bones Hyland and Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 15 apiece. Jaden McDaniels, loudly booed whenever he possessed the ball, added 13 points for the Timberwolves, who committed 25 turnovers.  Magic 94, Pistons 88    Desmond Bane scored 22 points and made one of his five 3-pointers with 1:16 left as Orlando beat visiting Detroit to take a 3-1 lead in their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series.    Orlando forward Franz Wagner had 19 points before exiting late in the third period due to right calf soreness. Paolo Banchero scored 18 points, and Wendell Carter Jr. had 12 points and 11 rebounds.    The top-seeded Pistons were held without a field goal in the final five minutes before Isaiah Stewart scored at the buzzer. Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 25 points, nine rebounds, six assists and eight turnovers.   –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #NBA #roundup #Shai #GilgeousAlexander #Thunder #close #sweep #Suns

Deadspin | Lawyer: Lawrence Taylor still hospitalized with stomach-related issue  Lawrence Taylor is surrounded by fans Giants during Fan Fest at MetLife Stadium to celebrate 100 Seasons of the New York Giants, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024.   A week after Lawrence Taylor was first hospitalized, the Pro Football Hall of Famer is still being treated for “a stomach-related issue,” his attorney said Monday.  The announcement was the first official news about the condition of Taylor, 67, since he reportedly arrived at the emergency room on April 20 before being admitted.  Attorney Mark Eiglarsh said of Taylor, “At this time, the condition does not appear to be life-threatening. He remains under medical observation and is showing signs of improvement.”  A potential discharge date remains unknown.  Eiglarsh added, “Lawrence asks that I convey his sincere gratitude to everyone who has been thinking of him and keeping him in their prayers during this challenging time.”   Considered one of the top defensive players in NFL history, Taylor was a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, eight-time All-Pro and 10-time Pro Bowl selection during his 13-year career with the New York Giants.  In 1986, Taylor recorded 20.5 sacks en route to being named the NFL MVP.  Taylor, a key part of two Super Bowl championship runs for New York, was selected by the Giants with the second overall pick of the 1981 NFL Draft out of North Carolina.  After leaving the NFL, Taylor publicly battled substance abuse issues.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Lawyer #Lawrence #Taylor #hospitalized #stomachrelated #issueLawrence Taylor is surrounded by fans Giants during Fan Fest at MetLife Stadium to celebrate 100 Seasons of the New York Giants, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024.

A week after Lawrence Taylor was first hospitalized, the Pro Football Hall of Famer is still being treated for “a stomach-related issue,” his attorney said Monday.

The announcement was the first official news about the condition of Taylor, 67, since he reportedly arrived at the emergency room on April 20 before being admitted.

Attorney Mark Eiglarsh said of Taylor, “At this time, the condition does not appear to be life-threatening. He remains under medical observation and is showing signs of improvement.”

A potential discharge date remains unknown.


Eiglarsh added, “Lawrence asks that I convey his sincere gratitude to everyone who has been thinking of him and keeping him in their prayers during this challenging time.”

Considered one of the top defensive players in NFL history, Taylor was a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, eight-time All-Pro and 10-time Pro Bowl selection during his 13-year career with the New York Giants.

In 1986, Taylor recorded 20.5 sacks en route to being named the NFL MVP.

Taylor, a key part of two Super Bowl championship runs for New York, was selected by the Giants with the second overall pick of the 1981 NFL Draft out of North Carolina.

After leaving the NFL, Taylor publicly battled substance abuse issues.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Lawyer #Lawrence #Taylor #hospitalized #stomachrelated #issue">Deadspin | Lawyer: Lawrence Taylor still hospitalized with stomach-related issue  Lawrence Taylor is surrounded by fans Giants during Fan Fest at MetLife Stadium to celebrate 100 Seasons of the New York Giants, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024.   A week after Lawrence Taylor was first hospitalized, the Pro Football Hall of Famer is still being treated for “a stomach-related issue,” his attorney said Monday.  The announcement was the first official news about the condition of Taylor, 67, since he reportedly arrived at the emergency room on April 20 before being admitted.  Attorney Mark Eiglarsh said of Taylor, “At this time, the condition does not appear to be life-threatening. He remains under medical observation and is showing signs of improvement.”  A potential discharge date remains unknown.  Eiglarsh added, “Lawrence asks that I convey his sincere gratitude to everyone who has been thinking of him and keeping him in their prayers during this challenging time.”   Considered one of the top defensive players in NFL history, Taylor was a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, eight-time All-Pro and 10-time Pro Bowl selection during his 13-year career with the New York Giants.  In 1986, Taylor recorded 20.5 sacks en route to being named the NFL MVP.  Taylor, a key part of two Super Bowl championship runs for New York, was selected by the Giants with the second overall pick of the 1981 NFL Draft out of North Carolina.  After leaving the NFL, Taylor publicly battled substance abuse issues.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Lawyer #Lawrence #Taylor #hospitalized #stomachrelated #issue

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