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Deadspin | Report: Aliyah Boston, Fever agree to richest deal in WNBA history  Sep 28, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever forward Aliyah Boston (7) celebrates a made basket in the second half during game four against the Las Vegas Aces of the second round for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images   Aliyah Boston and the Indiana Fever agreed to a four-year, .3 million extension on Friday, according to ESPN, which is the richest contract in the league’s history.  “I’m super blessed and grateful for this opportunity and to continue my journey here with the Fever. God is good!” Boston said. “I’m excited for the future ahead for both myself and for our team, and I can’t wait to keep building upon everything we have accomplished so far. Go Fever!”  To help the Fever pay other players on the roster, Boston, a 6-foot-5 forward, agreed to earn  million in 2026, less than the .19 million she was eligible for. Boston is set to earn 20% of the Fever’s cap each year through 2029.  “Entering just her fourth season, Aliyah is already one of the best players in the WNBA. She’s been a foundational piece of the Indiana Fever since she was drafted here in 2023,” Fever general manager Amber Cox said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to be able to reward her with this new contract and make history, and most importantly, lock her in as a cornerstone of the Fever for years to come.”   A three-time All-Star, Boston has averaged 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists while shooting 54.7% for the Fever, who chose Boston with first overall pick in 2023. Boston averaged 15.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 2025, tying for sixth in MVP balloting while landing on the All-WNBA and All-Defensive second teams. The Fever reached the semifinals, losing to Las Vegas, which won its third league championship in four years.  Boston’s extension comes a week after Indiana retained another three-time All-Star by signing Kelsey Mitchell to a one-year, .4 million supermax deal.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Report #Aliyah #Boston #Fever #agree #richest #deal #WNBA #history

Deadspin | Report: Aliyah Boston, Fever agree to richest deal in WNBA history
Deadspin | Report: Aliyah Boston, Fever agree to richest deal in WNBA history  Sep 28, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever forward Aliyah Boston (7) celebrates a made basket in the second half during game four against the Las Vegas Aces of the second round for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images   Aliyah Boston and the Indiana Fever agreed to a four-year, .3 million extension on Friday, according to ESPN, which is the richest contract in the league’s history.  “I’m super blessed and grateful for this opportunity and to continue my journey here with the Fever. God is good!” Boston said. “I’m excited for the future ahead for both myself and for our team, and I can’t wait to keep building upon everything we have accomplished so far. Go Fever!”  To help the Fever pay other players on the roster, Boston, a 6-foot-5 forward, agreed to earn  million in 2026, less than the .19 million she was eligible for. Boston is set to earn 20% of the Fever’s cap each year through 2029.  “Entering just her fourth season, Aliyah is already one of the best players in the WNBA. She’s been a foundational piece of the Indiana Fever since she was drafted here in 2023,” Fever general manager Amber Cox said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to be able to reward her with this new contract and make history, and most importantly, lock her in as a cornerstone of the Fever for years to come.”   A three-time All-Star, Boston has averaged 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists while shooting 54.7% for the Fever, who chose Boston with first overall pick in 2023. Boston averaged 15.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 2025, tying for sixth in MVP balloting while landing on the All-WNBA and All-Defensive second teams. The Fever reached the semifinals, losing to Las Vegas, which won its third league championship in four years.  Boston’s extension comes a week after Indiana retained another three-time All-Star by signing Kelsey Mitchell to a one-year, .4 million supermax deal.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Report #Aliyah #Boston #Fever #agree #richest #deal #WNBA #historySep 28, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever forward Aliyah Boston (7) celebrates a made basket in the second half during game four against the Las Vegas Aces of the second round for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Aliyah Boston and the Indiana Fever agreed to a four-year, $6.3 million extension on Friday, according to ESPN, which is the richest contract in the league’s history.

“I’m super blessed and grateful for this opportunity and to continue my journey here with the Fever. God is good!” Boston said. “I’m excited for the future ahead for both myself and for our team, and I can’t wait to keep building upon everything we have accomplished so far. Go Fever!”

To help the Fever pay other players on the roster, Boston, a 6-foot-5 forward, agreed to earn $1 million in 2026, less than the $1.19 million she was eligible for. Boston is set to earn 20% of the Fever’s cap each year through 2029.


“Entering just her fourth season, Aliyah is already one of the best players in the WNBA. She’s been a foundational piece of the Indiana Fever since she was drafted here in 2023,” Fever general manager Amber Cox said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to be able to reward her with this new contract and make history, and most importantly, lock her in as a cornerstone of the Fever for years to come.”

A three-time All-Star, Boston has averaged 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists while shooting 54.7% for the Fever, who chose Boston with first overall pick in 2023. Boston averaged 15.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 2025, tying for sixth in MVP balloting while landing on the All-WNBA and All-Defensive second teams. The Fever reached the semifinals, losing to Las Vegas, which won its third league championship in four years.

Boston’s extension comes a week after Indiana retained another three-time All-Star by signing Kelsey Mitchell to a one-year, $1.4 million supermax deal.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Report #Aliyah #Boston #Fever #agree #richest #deal #WNBA #history

Sep 28, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever forward Aliyah Boston (7) celebrates a made basket in the second half during game four against the Las Vegas Aces of the second round for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Aliyah Boston and the Indiana Fever agreed to a four-year, $6.3 million extension on Friday, according to ESPN, which is the richest contract in the league’s history.

“I’m super blessed and grateful for this opportunity and to continue my journey here with the Fever. God is good!” Boston said. “I’m excited for the future ahead for both myself and for our team, and I can’t wait to keep building upon everything we have accomplished so far. Go Fever!”

To help the Fever pay other players on the roster, Boston, a 6-foot-5 forward, agreed to earn $1 million in 2026, less than the $1.19 million she was eligible for. Boston is set to earn 20% of the Fever’s cap each year through 2029.

“Entering just her fourth season, Aliyah is already one of the best players in the WNBA. She’s been a foundational piece of the Indiana Fever since she was drafted here in 2023,” Fever general manager Amber Cox said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to be able to reward her with this new contract and make history, and most importantly, lock her in as a cornerstone of the Fever for years to come.”

A three-time All-Star, Boston has averaged 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists while shooting 54.7% for the Fever, who chose Boston with first overall pick in 2023. Boston averaged 15.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 2025, tying for sixth in MVP balloting while landing on the All-WNBA and All-Defensive second teams. The Fever reached the semifinals, losing to Las Vegas, which won its third league championship in four years.

Boston’s extension comes a week after Indiana retained another three-time All-Star by signing Kelsey Mitchell to a one-year, $1.4 million supermax deal.

–Field Level Media

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NBA Playoffs’ 50 best players, ranked for 2026 postseason <div id="zephr-anchor"><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Welcome to one of the larger and more preposterous playoff preview power poll projects I’ve ever attempted. We are ranking the Top 50 players in the NBA Playoffs, an utterly ridiculous effort that is, frankly, not possible to do responsibly. There is no methodology so sound that one person can rank 50 people; there is no theory so ironclad that it can avoid the rampant, harmful subjectivity of the recesses of my troubled mind. So, without meaningfully explaining my definition of “Top 50” or a philosophy of value or any kind of scientific method, I’m going to do it anyway. Also check<a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/1111095/nba-playoffs-teams-rankings-2026-championship-chances"> out our rankings of every team in the field by their championship chances</a>.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">In an effort to not make this a million words, I have only given the Top 25 (spoiler alert: it’s actually 26, you’ll see why) players their own blurbs, and then grouped the back 25 (spoiler alert: it’s 24) together in some loose categories that I think capture the spirit of the exercise. In any case, lots about this will be demonstrably wrong, and I apologize that there is absolutely no way to avoid that. Onwards!</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander</strong></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>Made up award: </strong>The 2019 <a href="https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/game/_/gameId/401123383/purdue-virginia">Carsen Edwards vs. Virginia</a> “That shot is just going in” Award</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The best player in the world until someone else feels sufficiently inevitable with the ball in their hands. Shai has achieved peak scoring excellence in that you just think his shot is always going in, and he scores at a volume, efficiency and location (<a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/players/shots-general?CF=FGA*G*15&dir=D&sort=FG_PCT">over 77 percent of his shots are twos</a> and he shoots 55.3 percent from the field … he’s a guard!) that simply shouldn’t be possible. He has the belt.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>Made up award: </strong>The Novak Djokovic Lifetime Achievement Award for Serbian Sports Excellence</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">I debated whether Jokic or Victor Wembanyama would get the second spot, but their <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48400333/jokic-outduels-wembanyama-amazing-ot-thriller">majestic head-to-head</a> battle clinched it for the Joker. The San Antonio Spurs are contenders for a number of reasons, the biggest (and tallest) one being Wemby. The Denver Nuggets are contenders for one reason and one reason only: Jokic, who could enter some seriously hallowed all-time ground if he grabs a second ring in a stacked West.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>Made up award: </strong>Voted “Most likely to record a quadruple double in the playoffs”</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Wemby and his precarious health have been treated carefully this year to maximize his impact and longevity, but the kid gloves are going to have to come off eventually. When they do, he’s such an outlier that I would believe any statistical achievement if he plays 43 minutes. There have only been <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/44371126/which-nba-players-recorded-quadruple-double">four quadruple doubles in NBA history</a>, and yet I’d somehow be surprised if he wasn’t the fifth.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>Made up award: </strong>The Bitcoin Award for Player Who Can Swing the Market the Most</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Luka’s availability after an unbelievably poorly timed hamstring injury is the great question mark of these playoffs. If he can return, and actually be Luka Doncic, before the Lakers are eliminated? It’s a whole new ballgame for everyone.</p></div><div class="duet--article--block-placement jgpyd51 jgpyd50 duet--article--article-body-component"><div style="position:relative"><div class="_1nfb3k4j"><div class=""><div style="background-image:none" class="duet--media--content-warning _1i91r6b0"><div class="duet--article--image-gallery-image _1eezmj00" style="aspect-ratio:1.499678" id="c2IyOmltYWdlOjExMTEzNzI="><a class="_1eezmj01" href="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270806799.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" data-pswp-height="3104" data-pswp-width="4655" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer"><img alt="HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 10: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves brings the ball up court against the Houston Rockets during the second half at Toyota Center on April 10, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)" data-chromatic="ignore" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="w91vxg0" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url("data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' %3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'/%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mN8+R8AAtcB6oaHtZcAAAAASUVORK5CYII='/%3E%3C/svg%3E")" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 100vw, (max-width: 1023px) 50vw, 700px" srcset="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270806799.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=256 256w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270806799.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=376 376w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270806799.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=384 384w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270806799.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=415 415w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270806799.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=480 480w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270806799.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=540 540w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270806799.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=640 640w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270806799.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=750 750w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270806799.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=828 828w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270806799.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1080 1080w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270806799.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1200 1200w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270806799.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1440 1440w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270806799.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1920 1920w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270806799.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2048 2048w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270806799.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400 2400w" src="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270806799.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400"/></a></div></div></div><p><figcaption class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup ls9zuh2 rzoxl5a">HOUSTON, TEXAS – APRIL 10: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves brings the ball up court against the Houston Rockets during the second half at Toyota Center on April 10, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)</figcaption> <cite class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup ls9zuh2 rzoxl55">Getty Images</cite></p></div></div></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>Made up award:</strong> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Henry_(folklore)">The John Henry</a> Award for Potentially Having to Dig a Tunnel through a Mountain</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Edwards is everyone’s favorite young player who might be the next Michael Jordan — he’s electrifying and displays two-way brilliance that is rare for the modern scoring guard. But he has his work positively cut out for him in these playoffs, needing to shake off some late-season injuries and then probably beat Denver, San Antonio and OKC all in a row just to <em>make </em>the NBA Finals. Best of luck.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>Made up award: </strong>The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_awards_and_nominations_received_by_Ralph_Fiennes">Ralph Fiennes </a>“We need to get this guy an Oscar” Award</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">This is a guy who has made the playoffs every year of his career but never made the Conference Finals, so fans are <em>crying </em>out for him to please get some hardware this time around. I’ve always been bullish on Mitchell as an elite playoff guy, whose highs are high enough to beat literally anyone single-handedly. But he will need to do that consistently for once to get over the hump.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>Made up award: </strong>The Cade Cunningham “so likeable that his injury might kill the 65 game rule” Award</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Everyone was so in agreement that Cunningham deserved to be on the All-NBA First Team that <a href="https://fansided.com/nba/nba-65-game-rule-should-stay-in-place-but-it-cant-stay-the-same">we all collectively freaked out </a>about the 65-game rule to try to salvage his candidacy before he was granted an exemption (which is probably the best reason to kill the rule). Cunningham was the twin-turbo V8 engine that drove the Pistons to the number one seed, but may be leaned on too heavily to create shots with Detroit lacking a second scorer.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>Made up award: </strong>The Captain Phillips “I am the captain now” Award</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Brown has improved his game in ways I simply did not believe were possible at this point in his career. With Jayson Tatum out most of the year, he proved he could be the First Violin in a world-class orchestra that’s about to go on tour. Truly a spectacular season for one of my favorite players.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>Made up award: </strong>The Second Round Pick Award for second-best second-round pick of all time</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Behind only Nikola Jokic in second round pick achievement, Brunson is of course an elite first option, an elite shot creator and an elite foul-sponge, a critical skill in the playoffs with tighter whistles across the board. It’s worth wondering, though, if the Knicks can actually win the East with Brunson at this kind of usage. I think they can, but the rest of the roster will need to take on part of the burden.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>Made up award:</strong> The Patriots-Falcons 28-3 Super Bowl Award for Best Comeback</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Almost an unfathomably great result for Tatum, who tore his Achilles less than a year ago and now stands poised for his <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/tatumja01/gamelog-playoffs/">122nd career playoff game and counting</a>. He and Brown are two of the most successful playoff guys in terms of number of games played to start their careers, and Tatum is a championship-winning first option when healthy. We shall see how much strain he’s ready to take.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>Made up award: </strong>The Damian Lillard “You might need to demand a trade at some point” Award</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Booker seems committed to Phoenix financially and competitively, and it’s impressive work that such a flawed team made the playoffs. But the Suns spent all their draft capital and young pieces to build a team, tear it down and now is staring down mediocrity for the foreseeable future. There are plenty of ways to pivot around such a great player, but there’s a chance this gets 2021ish Damian Lillard. Just a chance.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>Made up award:</strong> The Lightning McQueen “Ka-Chow” Award for Being Fast</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">There is <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/players/speed-distance?dir=D&sort=AVG_SPEED_OFF">no correlation between average player speed</a> and… being a good player, which is why Maxey is my pick for fastest NBA player in lieu of data. This is purely in terms of visually explosive burst in transition and on drives. The Celtics have struggled to contain Maxey for years, and he is Philly’s singular win condition.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>Made up award: </strong>The Al Horford “should we talk about how old this guy is more?” Award</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Durant is still putting ball in hoop like no other in year 19 which is, somehow, still not discussed nearly enough. LeBron James cornered the market on “wow he’s <em>how old” </em>discussions, but Durant is casually averaging 26 a game in 36 minutes in<em> 78 games played. </em>In the playoffs, you often need a bucket. For all the stuff that comes with the Durant experience, he is still <em>the </em>bucket.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>Made up award: </strong>The Jaylen Brown Award for scoring leap I didn’t see coming</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Did you know this was Murray’s first career All-Star season? Somehow, some way, Murray became a<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/murraja01.html"> far more efficient shooter this season </a>and ratcheted up his scoring to over 25 a game. He and Jokic have a premier partnership that we already know can win a title. Will they win another?</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>Made up award: </strong>The Casual NBA Fan award for “<em>WHO </em>are you saying is three whole spots better than LeBron?”</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Many NBA fans may have missed this development, but Jalen Johnson has been soaring up the superstar boards all season, <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/johnsja05.html">basically getting better and better for five straight years</a> … all the way to somehow looking like an All-NBA first option. Trae Young’s departure took off the training wheels, and now we’re flying.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>Made up award: </strong>The Banana Boat Award for going from Third to Second Banana</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Holmgren is a first-time All-Star who made a serious leap over Jalen Williams, whose injury-laden season saw Chet take on a bigger role. He’s a cornerstone defensive force and exactly what the Thunder need to dynasty this thing up.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>Made up award:</strong> The Eye Test Award for being better than your stats</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Barnes’ <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/barnesc01.html">Basketball Reference page</a> doesn’t really suggest he improved much as a scorer, but he shot the ball <em>much </em>better and was a major part of a pretty spicy Toronto team that is looking to spoil some fun in Round One.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>Made up award: </strong>The “Lock In” Award for potentially most epic lock-in</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">If LeBron James can carry the Los Angeles Lakers out of the first round without their two best scorers — Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves — that would be one of the premier lock-ins of all time. I’m a Celtics fan, but I’m going to be rooting for this.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>Made up award:</strong> The Lucy Pulling the Football Award for most consistent playoff disappointment</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Not generally the most reliable guy in the playoffs, the Cleveland Cavaliers nonetheless traded Darius Garland for Harden in a last-ditch effort to salvage their meh season. It could work; Harden is a good player. But nothing historically suggests it <em>will.</em></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>Made up award:</strong> The “Most Improved Player Award” Award for exemplifying what that award is supposed to mean</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/durenja01.html">Duren almost doubled his scoring output</a> this season and was the second-biggest reason the Pistons took the league by storm. He is a dominating force on the glass and a pretty solid interior scorer, given his complete lack of a jumpshot. I’m a big fan of Duren.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>Made up award: </strong>The Zion Williamson “I’m going to the rim no matter what” Award</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Deni isn’t Williamson, who <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/players/shots-general?CF=FGA*G*12&dir=D&sort=FG2A_FREQUENCY">actually does not shoot threes at all anymore by the way</a>, but he is at his best when he is trying to get downhill on every possession. He was a one-man wrecking crew in the first Play-In game, but we will see if that works against Wembanyama, whose 872-foot wingspan might cause problems.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>Made up award:</strong> The James Harden “not sure how reliable this guy is” Award</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Towns’ <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/townska01/gamelog-playoffs/">playoff plus/minus stats</a> are not what you want out of your supposed second option, but it has proved difficult for the Knicks to keep both he and Brunson on the court and survive defensively. To avoid becoming the next Harden, towns will need a moment.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>Made up award:</strong> The Kevin McHale Award for 2020s Post Bag</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Sengun is a legitimately great post scorer in the year 2026, and it’s pretty fun to watch him eviscerate rim protectors who haven’t had to deal with that since 1987. Balancing his and Durant’s shot diets is the real challenge.</p></div><div class="duet--article--block-placement jgpyd51 jgpyd50 duet--article--article-body-component"><div style="position:relative"><div class="_1nfb3k4j"><div class=""><div style="background-image:none" class="duet--media--content-warning _1i91r6b0"><div class="duet--article--image-gallery-image _1eezmj00" style="aspect-ratio:1.499268" id="c2IyOmltYWdlOjExMTEzNzM="><a class="_1eezmj01" href="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269871550.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" data-pswp-height="5464" data-pswp-width="8192" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer"><img alt="DENVER, CO - APRIL 4: Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles up the court during the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on April 4, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. The Nuggets won the game 136-134 in overtime. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)" data-chromatic="ignore" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="w91vxg0" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url("data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' %3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'/%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mN8+R8AAtcB6oaHtZcAAAAASUVORK5CYII='/%3E%3C/svg%3E")" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 100vw, (max-width: 1023px) 50vw, 700px" srcset="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269871550.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=256 256w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269871550.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=376 376w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269871550.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=384 384w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269871550.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=415 415w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269871550.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=480 480w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269871550.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=540 540w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269871550.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=640 640w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269871550.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=750 750w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269871550.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=828 828w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269871550.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1080 1080w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269871550.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1200 1200w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269871550.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1440 1440w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269871550.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1920 1920w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269871550.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2048 2048w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269871550.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400 2400w" src="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2269871550.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400"/></a></div></div></div><p><figcaption class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup ls9zuh2 rzoxl5a">DENVER, CO – APRIL 4: Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles up the court during the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on April 4, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. The Nuggets won the game 136-134 in overtime. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)</figcaption> <cite class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup ls9zuh2 rzoxl55">Getty Images</cite></p></div></div></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>Made up award:</strong> The Jayson Tatum “he’s <em>HOW </em>young?” award for only being 21</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Castle is so far beyond what I could have ever expected out of him at his age, and looks like a potential future star. <a href="https://fansided.com/mlb/roman-anthony-shouldn-t-have-to-clean-up-a-red-sox-mess-craig-breslow-created-01kng9f3ed23">To quote myself </a>when I was talking about Roman Anthony, I am two years older than Stephon Castle. I am not old.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>Made up award: </strong>The Not-Tim Duncan Award for player who is not Tim Duncan</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">One of my favorite niche NBA media moments of the last five years was <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/billsimmons/comments/18gx9s8/tim_duncan_got_thrown_around_quite_a_bit/">this strange series of Bill Simmons podcasts </a>circa 2022 where he and Ryen Russillo kept referring to Mobley as potentially the next Tim Duncan. I was also supremely in on Evan Mobley, and have not quite made back my investment either. He’s a really good player and a beast defensively, but he’s been too inconsistent, especially on offense, to go any higher.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>(Bonus solo blurb, it was going to be the Top 25 get their own blurbs but I literally forgot about Jalen Brunson when I wrote this the first time and refuse to bump DWhite)</strong></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>Made up award: </strong>The Matisse Thybulle Award for Blocking Threes</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Derrick White has <a href="https://www.pbpstats.com/totals/nba/player?Season=2025-26&SeasonType=Regular%2BSeason">blocked nine threes this year</a>. That isn’t quite the most, but he’s consistently up there in three-blocking, a skill that I’m just not sure how you teach or learn. Stuff like that is what makes White so valuable, because he’s also a great scorer and creator. What a player.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>The “How healthy will you be?” Group</strong></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Three players who are <em>critically </em>important to their respective teams that either haven’t been healthy for much of the year or may not be healthy going forward. Gordon and Williams seem fine at the moment, with Gordon in particular coming back in force, but none of their respective lineups are the same without them. Only the Thunder could hope to survive an extended absence of any of these three.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>The “We need offense, do you have offense?” Group </strong></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Four guys that have had up and down offensive years and four guys who will have to be on the <em>up </em>part of the up and down for the playoffs if their team has any big-time goals. Specifically, I’m looking at Randle as a primo candidate to sink or swim his whole team. Edwards can’t be the only creator for Minnesota, since Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels are not reliable offensively. Thompson may get exposed for his poor shooting, but is capital R required for Houston with their relative lack of ball handlers.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>The “Actually, we’re good on offense, can you just play defense?” Group</strong></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Perhaps the two most important defensive players in these playoffs because of their matchups. Anunoby is going to have to guard some of the best wings in the league throughout the Knicks’ run, and the Eastern Conference might as well be a Wingstop with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Scottie Barnes, Jalen Johnson, they’re everywhere. Gobert, meanwhile, has Wembanyama and Jokic coming at him like a train. He will have to go <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRhRZB-nqOU">full Tobey Maguire Spider-Man</a> to stop them.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">These guys could score in bunches and swing a series by themselves or completely disappear and … swing a series by themselves. Ingram is a player that I wasn’t particularly interested in anymore after his Pelicans tenure expired, but he had a really nice year in Toronto and got back to the All-Star game for the first time since 2020. Both these guys are important bucket-getters on teams without an embarrassment of creators, so lock in.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>The Guy I Couldn’t Put in a Group </strong></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Embiid is a player I continue to feel bad for, and <a href="https://ftw.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2026/04/15/joel-embiid-injury-return-appendectomy-76ers-playoffs/89632414007/">having an appendectomy right before the postseason</a> is the worst luck imaginable for a guy who has had a career of the worst luck imaginable. I’ve tried to make this list relatively injury-agnostic, but I didn’t want to speculate at all for Embiid, whose playoff impact I can’t really measure or project whatsoever. So here he is in his own group, presented essentially without comment.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">39. Nickeil Alexander-Walker</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">It physically hurt me to put Alexander-Walker this low since he has more than doubled his scoring this season and is unironically shooting 50-40-90 Bridges and McDaniels are both <em>critical </em>players for their teams, but just feel like a lesser version of what they could be; especially Bridges, who was a legit first-option in Brooklyn for a minute there. But wings are king, and these guys will play<em> a lot. </em></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>Important Players on Important Teams</strong></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">A bit of a grab bag here, but these are essential players on teams with championship aspirations. Ausar is definitely still a work in progress offensively but he is also one of the best defensive players in the league, an accolade you could also toss on Caruso, a peak pot-stirrer that somehow makes all of his opponents worse at basketball. Allen, meanwhile, <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/jarrett-allen-provides-injured-knee-234500708.html">is battling a knee injury</a> but is a massive non-negotiable for the Cavs given how small the rest of their lineup is.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Quite the collection of dudes here, all of whom could be described as “oh (insert name from this group), I really like that guy.” They all play pretty different games, but their teams would not be the same without them.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">50. Dillon Brooks/Paul George/Peyton Watson/Cason Wallace/RJ Barrett/Donovan Clingan/Desmond Bane/whoever else you want</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">It’s pretty funny that in a Top 50 players list I had a pretty easy time coming up with the Top 49 but really couldn’t pick the last guy in. This is basically the free space in bingo; just put whoever you want here. I, for one, <em>really </em>wanted to put Baylor Scheierman or Neemias Queta here, but decided against it. Let me know in the comments who you’d put at 50, and what I messed up. If everyone just agrees with me, something went horribly wrong.</p></div></div> #NBA #Playoffs #players #ranked #postseason

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U Mumba TT retains title-winning coaching duo; Chakraborty set for UTT debut in Season 7 <div id="content-body-70877651" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Reigning champion U Mumba TT will return with its title-winning coaching combination of Jay Modak and John Murphy, while national team coach Sourav Chakraborty will be among four new faces making their Butterfly Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) debut, as all seven teams confirmed their coaching line-ups for Season 7, set to be held in Goa in July 2026.</p><p>Chakraborty will take charge of Ahmedabad APL Pipers in his first stint in the league, while former Season 1 player Abhishek Yadav returns in a coaching role with UP Prometheans. Dabang Delhi TTC will field an entirely new coaching set-up, with Czech Republic’s Petr David, a three-time Czech men’s doubles champion and two-time mixed doubles champion, joining Indian tactician Srivatsa Chakravarthy.</p><p>The franchise-based league, promoted by Niraj Bajaj and Vita Dani under the aegis of the Table Tennis Federation of India, will continue to showcase top-tier coaching talent, with a blend of continuity and fresh faces across teams. Matches will be streamed on JioHotstar and broadcast on the Star Sports network.</p><p>Commenting on the coaching line-ups, Butterfly UTT co-promoter Vita Dani said: “It’s exciting to see such a strong blend of continuity and fresh perspectives across teams this season.</p><p>Coaches are central to how teams prepare, adapt and perform, and this mix of experienced names and new entrants will raise the overall level of competition. We’re looking forward to another closely fought season with high-quality table tennis.”</p><p><b>ALSO READ: <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/chess/as-sharvaanica-wins-under-12-fide-world-rapid-championship-2nd-worlds-title/article70876770.ece#google_vignette" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">A. S. Sharvaanica crowned FIDE World Rapid Under-12 Girls’ Champion</a></b></p><p>At U Mumba TT, the title-winning duo of Modak and Murphy continues, with Modak’s work in nurturing young talent complemented by Murphy’s international experience. UP Prometheans will see Yadav step into a coaching role alongside the returning Chris Pfeiffer, while Ahmedabad APL Pipers welcome back former champion Francisco Santos after a season away, partnering with Chakraborty.</p><p>Among the continuing combinations, Dempo Goa Challengers have retained Parag Agarwal and Elena Timina. Sachin Shetty, extending his run of appearing in every UTT season so far, returns alongside Frenchman Julien Girard for PBG Pune Jaguars, while Kolkata Thunderblades continue with the pairing of Jubin Kumar and Tobias Bergman.</p><p>The seventh season of India’s premier table tennis league will feature seven teams in a round-robin format, with each team playing the others once. After 21 matches, the top four will advance to the semi-finals.</p><div class="fact-box"><h5 class="main-title"> Coaches for upcoming season </h5><p> A <b>hmedabad APL Pipers </b>– Sourav Chakraborty (Indian), Francisco Santos (Foreign) </p><p> P <b>BG Pune Jaguars </b>– Sachin Shetty (Indian), Julien Girard (Foreign) </p><p> D <b>empo Goa Challengers </b>– Parag Agarwal (Indian), Elena Timina (Foreign) </p><p> D <b>abang Delhi TTC </b>– Srivatsa Chakravarthy (Indian), Petr David (Foreign) </p><p> K <b>olkata Thunderblades </b>– Jubin Kumar (Indian), Tobias Bergman (Foreign) </p><p> U <b> Mumba TT </b>– Jay Modak (Indian), John Murphy (Foreign) </p><p> U <b>P Prometheans </b>– Abhishek Yadav (Indian), Chris Pfeiffer (Foreign) </p><h5 class="sub-title"/></div><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 18, 2026</p></div> #Mumba #retains #titlewinning #coaching #duo #Chakraborty #set #UTT #debut #Season

Deadspin | Warriors’ Steve Kerr to ponder future for a week or two  Apr 10, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr looks on before the start of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images   Warriors coach Steve Kerr wants to contemplate his situation for a week or two before discussing his future plans with Golden State officials.  Kerr, 60, has guided the Warriors to four championships — the most recent one in 2022. Friday night’s play-in loss to the Phoenix Suns marked the second time in three years that Golden State failed to reach the playoffs.  “I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Kerr said after the 111-96 loss in Phoenix. “I still love coaching, but I get it. These jobs all have an expiration date. There is a run that happens, and when the run ends, sometimes it’s time for new blood and new ideas.”  Kerr, who is in the final year of his contract, has coached the Warriors since the 2014-15 season. He has compiled a record of 604-353 (.631) during a dynastic run that also included titles in 2015, 2017 and 2018.  Golden State has not advanced past the second round of the playoffs since lifting the trophy in 2022.  “If (my time is done), then I will be nothing but grateful for the most amazing opportunity any person could have to coach this franchise in front of our fans and to coach Steph Curry, (Draymond Green), the whole group,” Kerr said. “It may still go on. It may not. I don’t know at this point. But we all need to step away a little bit and then reconvene.”  Aging and injuries took a heavy toll on the Warriors this season, with Jimmy Butler III tearing his right ACL in January and 38-year-old superstar Stephen Curry dealing with a knee injury and playing only 43 games.  Kerr subbed out Curry and Green — who have been with Golden State since 2009-10 and 2012-13, respectively — in the closing seconds of Friday’s season-ending defeat.   “I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but I love you guys to death. Thank you,” Kerr said he told them after a group hug.  Curry has one season and .6 million left on his contract and said he is open to extension talks this offseason. Green, 36, has a .7 million player option for next season and said postgame that he does not plan to retire.  Kerr said if he coaches next season, it will be with Curry and the Warriors.  “That’s part of the equation,” he said. “I don’t want to walk away from Steph. I’m definitely not going and coaching somewhere else next year in the NBA. I would never walk away from Steph. But all this stuff has to be aligned and right. Those are all discussions that will be had.”  Whatever Kerr decides, Curry said he just wants the former NBA Coach of the Year to be happy.  “I want him to be excited for the job,” Curry said. “I want him to believe he’s the right guy for the job. I want him to have an opportunity to enjoy what he does, whatever that means for him. Everybody’s plan is their own. He knows how I feel about him.”  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Warriors #Steve #Kerr #ponder #future #weekApr 10, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr looks on before the start of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images

Warriors coach Steve Kerr wants to contemplate his situation for a week or two before discussing his future plans with Golden State officials.

Kerr, 60, has guided the Warriors to four championships — the most recent one in 2022. Friday night’s play-in loss to the Phoenix Suns marked the second time in three years that Golden State failed to reach the playoffs.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Kerr said after the 111-96 loss in Phoenix. “I still love coaching, but I get it. These jobs all have an expiration date. There is a run that happens, and when the run ends, sometimes it’s time for new blood and new ideas.”

Kerr, who is in the final year of his contract, has coached the Warriors since the 2014-15 season. He has compiled a record of 604-353 (.631) during a dynastic run that also included titles in 2015, 2017 and 2018.

Golden State has not advanced past the second round of the playoffs since lifting the trophy in 2022.

“If (my time is done), then I will be nothing but grateful for the most amazing opportunity any person could have to coach this franchise in front of our fans and to coach Steph Curry, (Draymond Green), the whole group,” Kerr said. “It may still go on. It may not. I don’t know at this point. But we all need to step away a little bit and then reconvene.”

Aging and injuries took a heavy toll on the Warriors this season, with Jimmy Butler III tearing his right ACL in January and 38-year-old superstar Stephen Curry dealing with a knee injury and playing only 43 games.


Kerr subbed out Curry and Green — who have been with Golden State since 2009-10 and 2012-13, respectively — in the closing seconds of Friday’s season-ending defeat.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but I love you guys to death. Thank you,” Kerr said he told them after a group hug.

Curry has one season and $62.6 million left on his contract and said he is open to extension talks this offseason. Green, 36, has a $27.7 million player option for next season and said postgame that he does not plan to retire.

Kerr said if he coaches next season, it will be with Curry and the Warriors.

“That’s part of the equation,” he said. “I don’t want to walk away from Steph. I’m definitely not going and coaching somewhere else next year in the NBA. I would never walk away from Steph. But all this stuff has to be aligned and right. Those are all discussions that will be had.”

Whatever Kerr decides, Curry said he just wants the former NBA Coach of the Year to be happy.

“I want him to be excited for the job,” Curry said. “I want him to believe he’s the right guy for the job. I want him to have an opportunity to enjoy what he does, whatever that means for him. Everybody’s plan is their own. He knows how I feel about him.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Warriors #Steve #Kerr #ponder #future #week">Deadspin | Warriors’ Steve Kerr to ponder future for a week or two  Apr 10, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr looks on before the start of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images   Warriors coach Steve Kerr wants to contemplate his situation for a week or two before discussing his future plans with Golden State officials.  Kerr, 60, has guided the Warriors to four championships — the most recent one in 2022. Friday night’s play-in loss to the Phoenix Suns marked the second time in three years that Golden State failed to reach the playoffs.  “I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Kerr said after the 111-96 loss in Phoenix. “I still love coaching, but I get it. These jobs all have an expiration date. There is a run that happens, and when the run ends, sometimes it’s time for new blood and new ideas.”  Kerr, who is in the final year of his contract, has coached the Warriors since the 2014-15 season. He has compiled a record of 604-353 (.631) during a dynastic run that also included titles in 2015, 2017 and 2018.  Golden State has not advanced past the second round of the playoffs since lifting the trophy in 2022.  “If (my time is done), then I will be nothing but grateful for the most amazing opportunity any person could have to coach this franchise in front of our fans and to coach Steph Curry, (Draymond Green), the whole group,” Kerr said. “It may still go on. It may not. I don’t know at this point. But we all need to step away a little bit and then reconvene.”  Aging and injuries took a heavy toll on the Warriors this season, with Jimmy Butler III tearing his right ACL in January and 38-year-old superstar Stephen Curry dealing with a knee injury and playing only 43 games.  Kerr subbed out Curry and Green — who have been with Golden State since 2009-10 and 2012-13, respectively — in the closing seconds of Friday’s season-ending defeat.   “I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but I love you guys to death. Thank you,” Kerr said he told them after a group hug.  Curry has one season and .6 million left on his contract and said he is open to extension talks this offseason. Green, 36, has a .7 million player option for next season and said postgame that he does not plan to retire.  Kerr said if he coaches next season, it will be with Curry and the Warriors.  “That’s part of the equation,” he said. “I don’t want to walk away from Steph. I’m definitely not going and coaching somewhere else next year in the NBA. I would never walk away from Steph. But all this stuff has to be aligned and right. Those are all discussions that will be had.”  Whatever Kerr decides, Curry said he just wants the former NBA Coach of the Year to be happy.  “I want him to be excited for the job,” Curry said. “I want him to believe he’s the right guy for the job. I want him to have an opportunity to enjoy what he does, whatever that means for him. Everybody’s plan is their own. He knows how I feel about him.”  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Warriors #Steve #Kerr #ponder #future #week

Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon (by Walker Clement at Cat Scratch Reader)

Thieneman represents more of a wishlist prospect than an expectation with the 19th overall pick. He is a big, athletic safety who would slot in as the only true free safety on the Panthers roster, immediately upgrading Carolina’s secondary. The Panthers have not prioritized the idea of a free safety in three years of Ejiro Evero’s defense. This is their opportunity to improve their entire defense with one pick by making the jobs of everyone, from Jaelan Phillips to Tre’von Moerhig, that much easier.

#Cat #Scratch #Reader #selects #Dillon #Thieneman #Panthers #20th #annual #Nation #community #mock #draft">Cat Scratch Reader selects Dillon Thieneman for Panthers in 20th annual SB Nation community mock draft  Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon (by Walker Clement at Cat Scratch Reader)Thieneman represents more of a wishlist prospect than an expectation with the 19th overall pick. He is a big, athletic safety who would slot in as the only true free safety on the Panthers roster, immediately upgrading Carolina’s secondary. The Panthers have not prioritized the idea of a free safety in three years of Ejiro Evero’s defense. This is their opportunity to improve their entire defense with one pick by making the jobs of everyone, from Jaelan Phillips to Tre’von Moerhig, that much easier.  #Cat #Scratch #Reader #selects #Dillon #Thieneman #Panthers #20th #annual #Nation #community #mock #draft

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