New Orleans Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin appreciates the success of a 49-win season but signaled he's determined to shift away from the current makeup of his roster this summer.

• "Whereas in the past we've always erred on the side of continuity, and our takeaway has been, 'Let's see this group healthy,' I think we've seen it enough," Griffin said at his season-ending press conference Tuesday. "We've had some really, really good opportunity to see Zion (Williamson) play a career high in games. I think we saw it for segments of time well enough to understand we've got a lot of work to do."

  The Pelicans reached the playoffs via the play-in tournament only to fold due to another injury to Williamson. The No. 1 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft is the only lottery pick from that year who hasn't appeared in a playoff game.

  This was the first season Williamson, 23, played more than 61 games, and he flashed MVP-level dominance. Williamson averaged 22.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5.0 assists before he was injured in the play-in tournament with 3:19 left in a 40-point outburst against the Lakers. He called the injury "super-demoralizing."

  Griffin discussed expectations placed on Williamson at his 2023 season-ending press conference when he felt Brandon Ingram was having an All-NBA season with a dominant finish to the regular season while Williamson nursed an injury.

  Griffin didn't indicate he'd rather part with either player. But with Trey Murphy, Herb Jones and Naji Marshall in the fold as primarily wing players, the Pelicans could be in position to consider a trade from a position of strength.

  "He did a remarkable job this year," Griffin said of Williamson, while calling the timing of his latest injury "disheartening" because Williamson responded to coaches suggesting he take more pull-up jump shots. Those shots starting falling, and Williamson's confidence went through the roof.

  "I think you saw so much evolution in his game that came from the evolution (of) his body and the work he put in," Griffin said. "We're really excited about where Zion is and where he intends to go."

  A commitment to Williamson could mean a split with Ingram, who was acquired by New Orleans from the Los Angeles Lakers in the Anthony Davis trade in June 2019.

  Ingram, 26, has averaged at least 20 points in each of his five seasons with the Pelicans.

  New Orleans finished eighth in the West in 2023-24 and last finished higher in the conference standings in 2017-18 (sixth place) with 48 wins.

  From the timing is everything department, Griffin lamented the Pelicans would've been third in the West last season with 47 wins.

  However, he was clear that the Pelicans as constituted delivered a great season by their own recent standards and still landed in the play-in tournament. That's a driving factor in Griffin's mission to seek changes.

  "Because it's a historically good Western Conference -- there's teams that didn't make the playoffs that are going to get radically better this offseason," he said. "We need to do the same. I think you'll see a real sense of urgency from all of us to do that."

  --Field Level Media

Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens was named NBA Executive of the Year on Tuesday.

• Stevens spent the offseason revising the roster of the reigning Eastern Conference champions to create a team that posted an NBA-best 64-18 record in the 2023-24 regular season.

  Trades sent point guard Marcus Smart and backup Malcolm Brogdon away and added point guard Jrue Holiday and forward Kristaps Porzingis.

  Stevens said at the 2024 trade deadline that all of his roster-mending was done with an approach of keeping the "championship window" a moving target. Stevens also signed Jaylen Brown to a long-term contract extension, traded explosive center Robert Williams and sent restricted free agent Grant Williams to the Dallas Mavericks in a sign-and-trade deal.

  Thunder general manager Sam Presti finished second to Stevens in award voting and had four first-place votes to 16 for Stevens. Oklahoma City posted a record of 57-25 and is the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

  Executive of the year voting is conducted by the NBA with only fellow general managers and team presidents submitting ballots.

  "If you're not trying to get better, you're probably getting caught," Stevens said in February.

  Stevens, 47, has been in the front-office role for three years and previously served as head coach of the Celtics for eight seasons.

  NBA Executive of the Year Award winners since 2000:

  2022-23 - Monte McNair, Sacramento Kings

  2021-22 - Zach Kleiman, Memphis Grizzlies

  2020-21 - James Jones, Phoenix Suns

  2019-20 - Lawrence Frank, LA Clippers

  2018-19 - Jon Horst, Milwaukee Bucks

  2017-18 - Daryl Morey, Houston Rockets

  2016-17 - Bob Myers, Golden State Warriors

  2015-16 - R.C. Buford, San Antonio Spurs

  2014-15 - Bob Myers, Golden State Warriors

  2013-14 - R.C. Buford, San Antonio Spurs

  2012-13 - Masai Ujiri, Denver Nuggets

  2011-12 - Larry Bird, Indiana Pacers

  2010-11 - Gar Forman/Pat Riley, Chicago Bulls/Miami Heat

  2009-10 - John Hammond, Milwaukee Bucks

  2008-09 - Mark Warkentien, Denver Nuggets

  2007-08 - Danny Ainge, Boston Celtics

  2006-07 - Bryan Colangelo, Toronto Raptors

  2005-06 - Elgin Baylor, Los Angeles Clippers

  2004-05 - Bryan Colangelo, Phoenix Suns

  2003-04 - Jerry West, Memphis Grizzlies

  2002-03 - Joe Dumars, Detroit Pistons

  2001-02 - Rod Thorn, New Jersey Nets

  2000-01 - Geoff Petrie, Sacramento Kings

  --Field Level Media

With multiple weeks to decide whether to stay in the draft or withdraw, a whopping 195 players filed as early entry candidates for the 2024 NBA Draft.

• There are 60 total picks in the NBA draft and second-round selections sign non-guaranteed contracts.

  The league announced a full list of players who have applied for early entry but maintain the right to withdraw from consideration no later than 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, June 16. Under NCAA rules, in order to retain college basketball eligibility, college players who have entered the draft face an earlier deadline of Wednesday, May 29.

  Seniors are listed with "early entry" prospects because of the existing COVID-era eligibility rule granting players an additional season if they were enrolled during the pandemic.

  It's not uncommon for large numbers of players to "test" the draft process with plans to return.

  College basketball All-Americans in 2023-24 -- Zach Edey (Purdue), Terrence Shannon Jr. (Illinois), Kyle Filipowski (Duke) and Jamal Shead (Houston) -- were in the 2023 NBA Draft class one year ago, but all opted to return to school before the May deadline and helped their teams to the Sweet 16 in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

  Shannon used his COVID year of eligibility last season and is not among the early entry prospects.

  The first round of the draft is scheduled for Wednesday, June 26 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

  The league created a two-day event for the first time this year and will hold the second round on June 27 at ESPN's Seaport District Studios in New York.

  A complete list of early entry and international prospects was sent to NBA teams this week and can be found below.

  Player, Team, Height, Eligibility Status

  Achor Achor, Samford, 6-9, Senior

  Chibuzo Agbo, Boise State, 6-7, Senior

  Abdullah Ahmed, Westchester Knicks (G League), 6-10, 2003 DOB

  Jonas Aidoo, Tennessee, 6-11, Junior

  Michael Ajayi, Pepperdine, 6-7, Junior

  Posh Alexander, Butler, 6-0, Senior

  Trey Alexander, Creighton, 6-4, Junior

  Izan Almansa, G League Ignite, 6-10, 2005 DOB

  Mark Armstrong, Villanova, 6-2, Sophomore

  Adama Bal, Santa Clara, 6-6, Junior

  Joe Bamisile, VCU, 6-4, Senior

  Aziz Bandaogo, Cincinnati, 7-0, Senior

  Brooks Barnhizer, Northwestern, 6-6, Junior

  Reece Beekman, Virginia, 6-3, Senior

  Jesse Bingham II, Indianapolis, 6-6, Senior

  Jalen Blackmon, Stetson, 6-3, Junior

  Adem Bona, UCLA, 6-10, Sophomore

  Malik Bowman, Overtime Elite/Lusitania (Portugal) 6-8, 2004 DOB

  Jaden Bradley, Arizona, 6-3, Sophomore

  Trevon Brazile, Arkansas, 6-10, Sophomore

  Koby Brea, Dayton, 6-6, Senior

  Jack Brestel, Roanoke College, 6-5, Senior

  Jalen Bridges, Baylor, 6-9, Senior

  Dion Brown, UMBC, 6-3, Sophomore

  Nimari Burnett, Michigan, 6-4, Junior

  Markus Burton, Notre Dame, 5-11, Freshman

  Lamont Butler Jr., San Diego State, 6-2, Senior

  Matas Buzelis, G League Ignite, 6-10, 2004 DOB

  Wesley Cardet Jr., Chicago State, 6-6, Junior

  Andrew Carr, Wake Forest, 6-11, Senior

  Carlton Carrington, Pittsburgh, 6-4, Freshman

  Devin Carter, Providence, 6-3, Junior

  Stephon Castle, Connecticut, 6-6, Freshman

  Cam Christie, Minnesota, 6-6, Freshman

  Nique Clifford, Colorado State, 6-6, Senior

  Donovan Clingan, Connecticut, 7-2, Sophomore

  Isaiah Collier, USC, 6-5, Freshman

  Jalen Cook, LSU, 6-0, Senior

  Cedric Coward, Eastern Washington, 6-6, Junior

  Isaiah Crawford, Louisiana Tech, 6-6, Senior

  Somto Cyril, Overtime Elite, 6-10, 2005 DOB

  Thierry Darlan, G League Ignite, 6-8, 2004 DOB

  Tristan Da Silva, Colorado, 6-9, Senior

  DJ Davis, Butler, 6-1, Senior

  Johnell Davis, Florida Atlantic, 6-4, Senior

  Anthony Dell'Orso, Campbell, 6-6, Sophomore

  Mohamed Diarra, NC State, 6-10, Junior

  Rob Dillingham, Kentucky, 6-2, Freshman

  Eric Dixon, Villanova, 6-8, Senior

  Reynan Dos Santos, Overtime Elite, 6-5, 2004 DOB

  Garwey Dual, Providence, 6-5, Freshman

  Ryan Dunn, Virginia, 6-8, Sophomore

  Xavier DuSell, Fresno State, 6-4, Senior

  Zach Edey, Purdue, 7-4, Senior

  Justin Edwards, Kentucky, 6-8, Freshman

  Noah Farrakhan, West Virginia, 6-2, Senior

  RJ Felton, East Carolina, 6-3, Junior

  Frankie Fidler, Omaha, 6-7, Junior

  Kyle Filipowski, Duke, 7-0, Sophomore

  Rasheer Fleming, St. Joseph's, 6-9, Sophomore

  Trentyn Flowers, Adelaide (Australia), 6-8, 2005 DOB

  Johnny Furphy, Kansas, 6-9, Freshman

  Eric Gaines, UAB, 6-2, Senior

  Kyshawn George, Miami, 6-8, Freshman

  Tyon Grant-Foster, Grand Canyon, 6-7, Senior

  Keyshawn Hall, George Mason, 6-7, Sophomore

  PJ Hall, Clemson, 6-10, Senior

  Tyler Harris, Portland, 6-8, Freshman

  Coleman Hawkins, Illinois, 6-10, Senior

  A.J. Hoggard, Michigan State, 6-3, Senior

  Ron Holland II, G League Ignite, 6-8, 2005 DOB

  DaRon Holmes II, Dayton, 6-10, Junior

  Ben Humrichous, Evansville, 6-9, Senior

  Chase Hunter, Clemson, 6-4, Senior

  CJ Huntley, Appalachian State, 6-10, Senior

  Oso Ighodaro, Marquette, 6-9, Senior

  Harrison Ingram, North Carolina, 6-8, Junior

  Jahzare Jackson, Overtime Elite, 7-0, 2004 DOB

  Andrej Jakimovski, Washington State, 6-8, Senior

  Bronny James, USC, 6-4, Freshman

  Sion James, Tulane, 6-5, Senior

  AJ Johnson, Illawarra (Australia), 6-6, 2004 DOB

  Meechie Johnson, South Carolina, 6-3, Senior

  David Jones, Memphis, 6-6, Senior

  Dillon Jones, Weber State, 6-6, Senior

  Dordije Jovanovic, Ontario Clippers (G League) 6-7, 2003 DOB

  Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton, 7-0, Senior

  Arthur Kaluma, Kansas State, 6-7, Junior

  Alex Karaban, Connecticut, 6-8, Sophomore

  Miles Kelly, Georgia Tech, 6-4, Junior

  Bobi Klintman, Cairns (Australia), 6-10, 2003 DOB

  Tyler Kolek, Marquette, 6-3, Senior

  Chaz Lanier, North Florida, 6-4, Senior

  Pelle Larrson, Arizona, 6-5, Senior

  Toibu Lawal, VCU, 6-8, Sophomore

  Xaivian Lee, Princeton, 6-3, Sophomore

  Jalen Lewis, Overtime Elite, 6-10, 2005 DOB

  KJ Lewis, Arizona, 6-4, Freshman

  Malique Lewis, Mexico City Capitanes (G League) 6-8, 2004 DOB

  Kino Lilly Jr., Brown, 6-0, Junior

  Jared McCain, Duke, 6-3, Freshman

  Javian McCollum, Oklahoma, 6-2, Junior

  Robert McCray V, Jacksonville, 6-4, Sophomore

  Scotty Middleton, Ohio State, 6-6, Freshman

  Igor Milicic Jr., Charlotte, 6-10, Junior

  Baba Miller, Florida State, 6-11, Sophomore

  Judah Mintz, Syracuse, 6-3, Sophomore

  Yves Missi, Baylor, 7-0, Freshman

  Ajay Mitchell, Santa Barbara, 6-4, Junior

  Jonathan Mogbo, San Francisco, 6-8, Senior

  Jalon Moore, Oklahoma, 6-6, Junior

  Shahid Muhammad, Southern Idaho, 6-10, Sophomore

  Matthew Murrell, Mississippi, 6-4, Senior

  Baye Ndongo, Georgia Tech, 6-9, Freshman

  Carlos Nichols, Southern Crescent Tech (GA) 6-5, Freshman

  Zarique Nutter, Northern Illinois, 6-7, Senior

  Toby Okani, UIC, 6-7, Senior

  Norchad Omier, Miami, 6-7, Senior

  Great Osobor, Utah State, 6-8, Junior

  Wooga Poplar, Miami, 6-5, Junior

  Kasean Pryor, South Florida, 6-9, Senior

  Will Richard, Florida, 6-4, Junior

  Jordan Riley, Temple, 6-4, Junior

  Jeremy Roach, Duke, 6-2, Senior

  Jaxson Robinson, BYU, 6-7, Senior

  Payton Sandfort, Iowa, 6-7, Junior

  Babacar Sane, G League Ignite, 6-8, 2003 DOB

  Mark Sears, Alabama, 6-1, Senior

  Jamal Shead, Houston, 6-1, Senior

  Reed Sheppard, Kentucky, 6-3, Freshman

  Max Shulga, VCU, 6-5, Senior

  KJ Simpson, Colorado, 6-2, Junior

  Tyler Smith, G League Ignite, 6-9, 2004 DOB

  Jason Spurgin, Bowling Green, 6-11, Senior

  A.J. Staton-McCray, Samford, 6-5, Junior

  Jarin Stevenson, Alabama, 6-11, Freshman

  AJ Storr, Wisconsin, 6-7, Sophomore

  Jahmyl Telfort, Butler, 6-7, Senior

  Saint Thomas, Northern Colorado, 6-7, Junior

  JT Toppin, New Mexico, 6-9, Freshman

  Yacine Toumi, Evansville, 6-9, Senior

  Trey Townsend, Oakland, 6-6, Senior

  Jaylon Tyson, California, 6-7, Junior

  Milos Uzan, Oklahoma, 6-4, Sophomore

  Ja'Kobe Walter, Baylor, , 6-5, Freshman

  Jaykwon Walton, Memphis, 6-7, Senior

  Kel'el Ware, Indiana, , 7-0, Sophomore

  Bryson Warren, Sioux Falls Skyforce (G League) 6-2, 2004 DOB

  Marques Warrick, Northern Kentucky, 6-2, Senior

  Deshawndre Washington New Mexico State, 6-7, Junior

  Jamir Watkins, Florida State, 6-7, Junior

  Jaylen Wells, Washington State, 6-8, Junior

  Amari Williams, Drexel, , 6-10, Senior

  Cody Williams, Colorado, 6-8, Freshman

  Terrance Williams II, Michigan, 6-7, Senior

  Joseph Zaher, Bowling Green, 6-0, Sophomore

  Below is the list of international players who have applied for early entry into NBA Draft 2024.

  Player, Team/Country of Team, Height, Eligibility Status

  Melvin Ajinca, Saint Quentin (France) 6-8, 2004 DOB

  Miguel Allen, Joventut (Spain), 6-8, 2003 DOB

  Roberts Blums, VEF Riga (Latvia), 6-4, 2005 DOB

  Luka Bogavac, Derby Podgorica (Montenegro), 6-5, 2003 DOB

  Gael Bonilla, Caceres (Spain), 6-9, 2003 DOB

  Michael Caicedo, Girona (Spain), 6-6, 2003 DOB

  Milhan Charles, BAL Weert (Holland), 6-7, 2004 DOB

  Ulrich Chomche, NBA Academy (Africa) 6-11, 2005 DOB

  Yongxi Cui, Guangzhou (China), 6-6, 2003 DOB

  Pacome Dadiet, Ulm (Germany), 6-8, 2005 DOB

  Thijs De Ridder, Bilbao (Spain), 6-8, 2003 DOB

  Brice Dessert, Blois (France), 6-11, 2003 DOB

  Mohamed Diawara, Poitiers (France), 6-8, 2005 DOB

  Nikola Djurisic, Mega (Serbia), 6-8, 2004 DOB

  Ruben Dominguez, Castello (Spain), 6-5, 2003 DOB

  Ugo Doumbia, Chalons-Reims (France) 6-4, 2003 DOB

  Lucas Dufeal, Vichy Clermont (France) 6-9, 2003 DOB

  Quinn Ellis, Trento (Italy), 6-4, 2003 DOB

  Mouhamed Faye, Reggio Emilia (Italy), 6-10, 2005 DOB

  Andrija Jelavic, Mega (Serbia), 6-10, 2004 DOB

  Ilias Kamardine, Vichy Clermont (France) 6-4, 2003 DOB

  Gustav Knudsen, Bakken (Denmark), 6-8, 2003 DOB

  Konstantin Kostadinov Alicante (Spain), 6-8, 2003 DOB

  Liutauras Lelevicius, Lietkabelis (Lithuania) 6-7, 2003 DOB

  Timotej Malovec, Mega (Serbia), 6-7, 2004 DOB

  Bogoljub Markovic, Beograd (Serbia), 6-9, 2005 DOB

  Eli John Ndiaye, Real Madrid (Spain), 6-8, 2004 DOB

  Ousmane Ndiaye, Palencia (Spain), 6-11, 2004 DOB

  Juan Nunez, Ulm (Germany), 6-4, 2004 DOB

  Noah Penda, Vichy Clermont (France) 6-8, 2005 DOB

  Zacharie Perrin, Antibes (France), 6-9, 2004 DOB

  Zaccharie Risacher, Bourg (France), 6-9, 2005 DOB

  Musa Sagnia, Manresa (Spain), 6-8, 2003 DOB

  Tidjane Salaun, Cholet (France), 6-9, 2005 DOB

  Alexandre Sarr, Perth (Australia), 7-0, 2005 DOB

  Nikola Topic, Crvena Zvezda (Serbia) 6-6, 2005 DOB

  Armel Traore, Blois (France), 6-9, 2003 DOB

  Cezar Unitu, Constanta (Romania), 6-2, 2005 DOB

  Fedor Zugic, Goettingen (Germany), 6-5, 2003 DOB

  --Field Level Media

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid and guard Kelly Oubre Jr. missed shootaround on Tuesday morning, creating questions about their availability for Game 5 of their Eastern Conference first-round series against the host New York Knicks.

• Embiid, who is questionable for the game on Tuesday night with left knee injury management, was absent from shootaround with a migraine.

  Oubre is dealing with an illness. He was added to the injury report as probable to play for the Sixers, who trail 3-1 in the best-of-seven series.

  Embiid, the reigning NBA MVP, has averaged 35.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists in the first four games of the series.

  Oubre is contributing 12.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists this series.

  --Field Level Media

Reports of an imminent divorce between the Los Angeles Lakers and Darvin Ham multiplied on Tuesday in the aftermath of the season-ending loss to the Denver Nuggets.

• Denver bounced the Lakers from the postseason with a 4-1 series victory and the second buzzer-beating win of the first-round matchup delivered from Jamal Murray on Monday night. The defending champion Nuggets also defeated the Lakers in the Western Conference finals last season.

  Nuggets coach Michael Malone said Ham, previously an assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks, deserves to be coaching.

  "I think Darvin Ham is a hell of a coach," Malone said. "That's not an easy job. I think Darvin does it with class. He's a good man, good coach, and I wish him all the best. Hopefully, he'll be around there for a long time because he deserves to be."

  Ham, 50, has a 90-74 record in two seasons.

  Turmoil between Ham and the Lakers' stars was first reported late last season and resurfaced in December 2023. Ham defended some of his decisions after a Jan. 5 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies and reminded the fan base the season is "a marathon."

  Lakers fans chanted "Fire Darvin Ham" during Game 3 and as All-Star Anthony Davis said the Lakers "don't know what we're doing on both ends of the floor" for stretches of games.

  "It's been a hell of a two years sitting in this seat, I'll tell you that. It's been a hell of a two years," Ham said Monday after the Game 5 loss.

  --Field Level Media

Post-operative protocol could push Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch from the bench to an off-court location for Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals at Denver on Saturday.

• Finch is scheduled for surgery to repair his right patellar tendon on Wednesday, an injury suffered in the final minutes of Game 4 at Phoenix when he collided with Timberwolves point guard Mike Conley.

  Minnesota swept the Suns and plays the first two games of the series with the defending champion Nuggets on the road. Finch, according to ESPN and NBA TV, would be permitted to communicate with assistant coaches from the locker room if he's unable to be on the bench due to physical limitations. The procedure requires Finch to keep his right leg immobilized, and he is unlikely to be fully cleared to travel with the team until after the operation.

  The Timberwolves haven't announced any contingency plans if Finch isn't available or would be unable to travel.

  ESPN reported assistant coach Micah Nori would be the choice to run the team from the sideline.

  Finch, 54, was third in the NBA Coach of the Year voting after leading Minnesota to a 56-26 regular-season record.

  Denver split four games with the Timberwolves this season, including Minnesota's 111-98 win on March 29 at Denver and the April 10 game on the same court that went to the Nuggets, 116-107.

  --Field Level Media

LeBron James wouldn't address his future plans in the wake of the Los Angeles Lakers' season-ending loss on Monday.

• Shortly after the host Denver Nuggets edged Los Angeles 108-106 on a late, tiebreaking basket by Jamal Murray to end their first-round Western Conference playoff series in five games, James was asked if there any thought he might have played his last game with the Lakers.

  James paused a long time before replying, "Uhhh, I'm not gonna answer that."

  As to whether he plans to plan another season, the 39-year-old veteran replied, "I don't have an answer ... to be honest. I haven't given it much thought."

  Asked about taking any confidence moving forward from the Lakers pushing the defending champion Nuggets, James said, "No, 'cause we lost. ... I'm not a 'participation' guy. We lost and you move on and see how you can get better.

  "Our season has been derailed all season with ... injuries and guys in and out. I talked about it all year. ... It's hard to say who we are, what we can be 'cause we have yet to be whole. I think we were only probably whole one or two times this year. I know one of them was during the in-season tournament, we got whole and we showed what we (are) capable of doing.

  "But we were just hit with injuries after injuries after injuries, and it's just hard to come back from that."

  The Lakers won the inaugural in-season tournament, beating the Indiana Pacers 123-109 in the final at Las Vegas on Dec. 9. James was selected the tournament's Most Valuable Player.

  If he decides to come back, James could decide whether to hit free agency or to pick up a $51.4 million player option for the last year of his deal with the Lakers.

  James just completed his 21st NBA season, which included his 20th consecutive All-Star Game selection. He is a four-time NBA champion, a four-time NBA Finals MVP and a four-time regular-season MVP.

  On Monday, James amassed 30 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds. That ended a campaign in which he averaged 25.7 points, 8.3 assists and 7.3 rebounds in the regular season, then 27.8 points, 8.8 assists and 6.8 rebounds in the Lakers' five playoff games.

  The Akron, Ohio, native is the league's all-time leading scorer, having passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for that distinction last November.

  --Field Level Media

Jamal Murray hit a tiebreaking 14-footer with four seconds left to send the host Denver Nuggets to the Western Conference semifinals with a 108-106 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 of a first-round playoff series on Monday.

• The second-seeded Nuggets won the best-of-seven series 4-1 and will face the third-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference semifinals beginning Saturday in Denver.

  As he did in Game 2, Murray came alive in the fourth quarter and beat Los Angeles with a clutch jumper. He finished with a game-high 32 points, 12 in the fourth quarter, despite playing on a strained left calf.

  Nikola Jokic had 25 points, 20 rebounds, nine assists and seven turnovers, Michael Porter Jr. scored 26 points and Aaron Gordon grabbed 13 rebounds for the Nuggets.

  LeBron James put up 30 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds for the seventh-seeded Lakers. Anthony Davis had 17 points and 15 rebounds while playing through an injured left shoulder. Taurean Prince missed a long 3-point attempt for the win at the buzzer.

  Celtics 102, Heat 88

  Derrick White scored a career-high 38 points on 15-for-26 shooting, including 8-for-15 success from 3-point range, and Boston cruised to a win at Miami.

  Jayson Tatum added 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Celtics, who seized a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference quarterfinal series. However, Boston lost Kristaps Porzingis to a calf injury in the first half.

  Bam Adebayo led the Heat with 25 points, 17 rebounds and five assists. Tyler Herro contributed 19 points and Caleb Martin had 18 for Miami.

  Thunder 97, Pelicans 89

  Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams scored 24 points each, Gilgeous-Alexander added 10 rebounds and visiting Oklahoma City completed a first-round playoff sweep of New Orleans.

  Williams put up eight of his points during a pivotal 10-0 fourth-quarter run for the top-seeded Thunder, who advance to face either the fourth-seeded Los Angeles Clippers or the fifth-seeded Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference semifinals.

  CJ McCollum registered 20 points while Jonas Valanciunas had 19 points and 13 rebounds for the eighth-seeded Pelicans, who didn't score more than 92 points in any game of the series.

  --Field Level Media

Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis injured his right calf in the second quarter of Game 4 against the host Miami Heat on Monday and was listed as doubtful to return, per the team.

• The Celtics announced that Porzingis, who exited with 2:27 left in the first half, was dealing with right calf tightness.

  Boston beat Miami 102-88 to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven, Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.

  On the play in which he was injured, Porzingis caught a pass from Jaylen Brown and began to drive before giving it back to Brown and hobbling off the court and into the locker room. It didn't appear that anyone made contact with Porzingis on the play.

  Per ESPN, it didn't appear that Porzingis injured his Achilles tendon. The veteran center reportedly will undergo testing on Tuesday.

  Al Horford started the second half in place of Porzingis.

  In his first season with the Celtics after an offseason trade, Porzingis has been a key piece to the team's success, averaging 20.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game in the regular season.

  He had seven points and three rebounds in 14 minutes on Monday, dropping his playoff averages to 12.3 points and five rebounds per contest in the Miami series.

  --Field Level Media

When the Minnesota Timberwolves begin the second round of the playoffs this week, they'll have one more active observer tuning in to see what Anthony Edwards does next.

• "So impressed with Ant. My favorite player to watch," Suns All-Star Kevin Durant said Sunday night.

  "Just grown so much since he came into the league. His love for the game shines so bright. That's one of the reasons I like him the most. He just loves basketball. He's grateful to be in this position. He's taken advantage of every opportunity that he's gotten. Love everything about Ant ... everything. I'll be watching going forward. I was really impressed with him. It's going to be somebody I'm following the rest of his career."

  Durant and Edwards are part of Team USA this summer, but the 22-year-old has more work to do before getting to Paris for the Summer Olympics.

  Edwards led the Timberwolves to a four-game sweep of the Suns, who had taken all three games from Minnesota in the regular season. Head coach Frank Vogel used a swarm defense to hold Edwards to fewer than 15 points per game in the regular season.

  But Edwards turned the playoff series into a personal highlight tape. In Game 4, he transitioned quickly from denying All-Star and Olympic teammate Devin Booker at the rim to throwing one down over Durant at the other end of the court.

  "Certain players get into a zone," Vogel said. "He's got to see five defenders."

  Booker scored 49 points in Game 4, but Edwards had 40 of his own and pushed Minnesota into the Western Conference semifinals for the first time since 2004 with the first playoff sweep in franchise history.

  Now the Timberwolves transition into another unfamiliar feeling -- how to fill the next seven days without a game. Likely to begin the second round on the road with the Denver Nuggets leading the Los Angeles Lakers (3-1), the earliest possible start date for the Timberwolves' next series is Saturday.

  Edwards said last season he wouldn't view himself as a player who reached star status until he gets the job done in the playoffs.

  "He's the face of the league," Timberwolves big man Karl-Anthony Towns said. "He hates when I say it, but it's true. Like I said, 'Future so bright, got to put the sunglasses on.'"

  --Field Level Media

Victor Wembanyama will return to his native France next year to lead the San Antonio Spurs in two regular-season games against the Indiana Pacers.

• The NBA Paris Games 2025 will take place on Jan. 23 and 25, the league announced Monday.

  Wembanyama, the presumptive 2023-24 NBA Rookie of the Year, was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft after starring for Metropolitans 92 in the French capital.

  Wembanyama, 20, averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists and a league-leading 3.6 blocks per game this season. The 7-foot-4 center averaged 29.7 minutes in 71 games (all starts).

  These will be third and fourth games for the Spurs in Paris, having last played there in a 2006 preseason game. Indiana has never played a game in France.

  --Field Level Media

Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch sustained a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee during a sideline collision Sunday night.

• Multiple reports Monday said Finch will likely have surgery between playoff rounds, then faces a recovery period of six months to one year.

  Finch had to be helped off the court late in Minnesota's series-clinching 122-116 win at Phoenix. Timberwolves guard Mike Conley crashed into Finch after being forced out of bounds by Suns guard Devin Booker, who was whistled for a personal foul.

  Assistant coach Micah Nori took over after Finch was injured with 1:41 remaining in the game.

  "Everybody has their role, everybody has each other's back," Nori said. "I know it sounds corny, but it's just next man up -- even with the coaching staff."

  Minnesota's four-game sweep in the first-round Western Conference series was the team's first playoff series win since 2003-04.

  Finch, 54, guided the Timberwolves to a 56-26 record and the No. 3 seed in the West this season. He is 160-127 since replacing Ryan Saunders in February 2021.

  Finch finished third in the NBA Coach of the Year voting on Sunday behind winner Mark Daigneault of the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Orlando Magic's Jamahl Mosley.

  --Field Level Media

Anthony Edwards scored 31 of his 40 points in the second half and the Minnesota Timberwolves completed a four-game sweep of the host Phoenix Suns with a 122-116 victory on Sunday night in their Western Conference first-round series.

• Edwards made seven 3-pointers and had nine rebounds and six assists for the third-seeded Timberwolves. Karl-Anthony Towns added 28 points and 10 rebounds as Minnesota won a playoff series for the first time in 20 years.

  Jaden McDaniels added 18 points and Mike Conley had 10 points and seven assists for the Timberwolves, who will face either the Denver Nuggets or Los Angeles Lakers in the second round.

  Devin Booker scored a playoff-career-high 49 points for the sixth-seeded Suns. Booker made 13 of 21 shots from the floor and hit 20 of 21 free-throw attempts. Kevin Durant added 33 points on 12-of-17 shooting for Phoenix. He also had nine rebounds, five assists and four blocked shots.

  Knicks 97, 76ers 92

  Jalen Brunson scored a career playoff-high 47 points to go along with 10 assists as New York defeated host Philadelphia in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first-round series.

  Brunson set a franchise playoff scoring record and also became the first player in franchise history to post at least 30 points and 10 assists in consecutive playoff games. The Knicks lead the series 3-1 with Game 5 set for Tuesday in New York.

  Brunson, who shot 18 of 34 from the field and 9 of 11 from the free-throw line, knocked down two free throws with 5.2 seconds remaining for a 97-92 lead. OG Anunoby added 16 points and 14 rebounds, Miles McBride scored 13 and Josh Hart pulled down 17 rebounds.

  Joel Embiid led Philadelphia with 27 points, 10 rebounds and two blocked shots. Tyrese Maxey scored 23 points, Kelly Oubre Jr. added 19 and Tobias Harris had 10. Embiid had scored a playoff career-high 50 points despite struggling on his surgically repaired left knee in the Sixers' win over the Knicks in Game 3 on Thursday.

  Pacers 126, Bucks 113

  Myles Turner scored 29 points and Tyrese Haliburton added 24 to fuel Indiana to a victory over undermanned Milwaukee in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference first-round series in Indianapolis.

  Turner sank seven 3-pointers for the sixth-seeded Pacers, who shot 51.2 percent from beyond the arc and 51.7 percent overall to seize a 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven series. Game 5 is Tuesday in Milwaukee. Haliburton made five 3-pointers despite being added to the injury report as questionable approximately 90 minutes before tipoff due to a balky back.

  Milwaukee's Brook Lopez recorded 27 points and nine rebounds and Khris Middleton added 25 and 10, respectively. Malik Beasley added 20 points for the third-seeded Bucks, who were short-handed due to the early ejection of Bobby Portis in addition to the absences of injured stars Damian Lillard and two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

  Clippers 116, Mavericks 111

  Paul George and James Harden each scored 33 points and Los Angeles rallied after coughing up a 31-point lead to beat host Dallas Mavericks in Game 4, evening the Western Conference first-round playoff series.

  Luka Doncic finished with 29 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the Mavericks. Kyrie Irving scored a game-high 40 points on 14-of-25 shooting from the floor, including 6-of-12 from 3-point range. The rest of the Mavericks shot only 5-of-21 from deep, including 1-of-9 from Doncic.

  The series, which is tied 2-2, heads back to Los Angeles for Wednesday's Game 5.

  --Field Level Media

Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault was named the NBA Coach of the Year on Sunday.

• Daigneault, 39, guided the Thunder to the Western Conference's best record and top playoff seed with a 57-25 mark. He did that despite coaching the league's youngest roster coming into the season.

  This season, the Thunder became the youngest No. 1 seed since 1970-71 (the first season the league had Eastern and Western conferences), while boasting a top five offensive rating and top five defensive rating.

  The Thunder made the playoffs for the first time since 2020 and enjoyed a 17-win improvement over 2023.

  Daigneault finished runner-up for the award last season after guiding the Thunder to a 40-42 record -- a 16-win improvement over the previous season -- and a play-in victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.

  Daigneault, who is in his fourth season as coach, signed a multi-year contract extension last summer.

  Daigneault owns a 143-175 record with the Thunder since being named the team's head coach on Nov. 11, 2020. He has a 3-0 record in the playoffs, with all three wins coming against the Pelicans this season.

  --Field Level Media

Los Angeles Clippers star forward Kawhi Leonard has been ruled out of Sunday's Game 4 of the Western Conference first-round series versus the Dallas Mavericks due to inflammation in his right knee.

• Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank made the announcement on Leonard, who had nine points in 25 minutes during Los Angeles' 101-90 setback in Game 3 on Friday. The Clippers trail 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.

  "He's not playing today. He wants to play," Frank said on Sunday afternoon. "It was obvious in Game 3 that his mobility was severely restricted. So organizationally we just made a decision that he is out.

  "The obvious question is coming so I'll beat you to it. When is he coming back? Can't tell you a timeline. (I) wish I had a crystal ball. Until he can show that he can make all the movements that he needs to make, that's when he will come back."

  Amir Coffey will start in place of Leonard, per coach Tyronn Lue.

  The injury forced Leonard out of the Clippers' final eight regular-season games and Game 1 of this series. It also continues a trend of knee issues keeping the two-time NBA champion out of recent playoff series.

  Knee injuries knocked Leonard out of the 2021 and 2023 playoffs, with the Clippers quickly eliminated after his departures. When knee surgery kept him out of the 2021-22 season, Los Angeles didn't even make the playoffs.

  Leonard, 32, averaged 23.7 points with 6.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 68 games this season. In 696 regular-season games over 12 seasons, Leonard has averaged 20.0 points with 6.4 boards and 3.0 assists.

  Leonard won NBA titles in 2014 with the San Antonio Spurs and 2019 with the Toronto Raptors. He was named the MVP of the NBA Finals both years.

  A six-time All-Star, Leonard has been named to the All-NBA first team three times. The veteran was recently included on the Team USA roster for the upcoming Paris Olympics.

  --Field Level Media

New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson has been ruled out for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first-round series against the host Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday due to a sprained left ankle.

• The decision was made after Robinson participated in pre-game warmups.

  Robinson sustained the injury in the first half of New York's 125-114 loss to Philadelphia in Game 3 on Thursday. He did not play in the second half for the Knicks, who hold a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

  Robinson, 26, recently returned to the court after a 50-game absence due to an ankle injury. He initially was injured on Dec. 8 and required surgery.

  Precious Achiuwa likely will see more playing time in the absence of Robinson, who averaged 5.6 points and 8.5 rebounds in 31 games this season.

  The 7-footer owns career averages of 8.0 points and 7.9 rebounds in 320 games (196 starts) since New York drafted him in the second round in 2018.

  --Field Level Media

Milwaukee Bucks stars Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo officially have been ruled out for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first-round series against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday in Indianapolis.

• Lillard aggravated an Achilles tendon injury during the late stages of the fourth quarter in Friday's 121-118 overtime loss to the Pacers. Indiana holds a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

  An eight-time All-Star, Lillard was seen in a walking boot on his right foot on Saturday.

  Lillard, 33, is averaging 32.3 points, 5.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals in three games during this series.

  A two-time NBA MVP, Antetokounmpo hasn't played since straining his left calf in a game on April 9.

  The series returns to Milwaukee for Game 5 on Tuesday.

  --Field Level Media

Anthony Davis had 25 points and 23 rebounds, and LeBron James added 30 points as the Los Angeles Lakers avoided elimination in a first-round Western Conference playoff series with a 119-108 Game 4 victory over the visiting Denver Nuggets on Saturday.

• D'Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves each scored 21 points as the Lakers avoided being swept by the Nuggets for the second straight year. They head back to Denver for Game 5 on Monday with the Nuggets leading 3-1 in the series.

  Los Angeles shot 52.2 percent from the floor as it ended an 11-game losing streak to Denver. Russell was 8 of 15 shooting and 4 of 8 from 3-point range after missing all seven of his shots from the floor in Game 3.

  Nikola Jokic put together his second triple-double of the series with 33 points, 14 rebounds and 14 assists. Michael Porter Jr. added 27 points and 11 rebounds as the Nuggets fell to the Lakers for the first time since December 2022.

  Celtics 104, Heat 84

  Jayson Tatum posted 22 points, 11 rebounds and six assists as visiting Boston regained home-court advantage in its first-round playoff series with Miami, routing the Heat in Game 3.

  Boston, the NBA's top seed, leads the best-of-seven series 2-1 with Game 4 set for Monday in Miami. After losing Game 2 in Boston, the Celtics never trailed in this battle against the eighth-seeded Heat.

  The Celtics also got 22 points from Jaylen Brown, who added eight rebounds. Kristaps Porzingis added 18 points and Derrick White added 16 points.

  The Heat again played without injured standouts Jimmy Butler (knee) and Terry Rozier (neck). Bam Adebayo led the Heat with 20 points and nine rebounds. Nikola Jovic and Tyler Herro added 15 points each.

  Magic 112, Cavaliers 89

  Orlando rode a dominant third quarter to emphatically even its best-of-seven Eastern Conference first-round series with visiting Cleveland, shellacking the Cavs in Game 4.

  Franz Wagner had 12 of his game-high 34 points and three teammates chipped in with a combined five 3-pointers in the third, which turned a 60-51 Cavaliers advantage at the break into an 88-70 Magic romp by the third quarter's end.

  Game 5 in a series dominated by the home team is scheduled for Tuesday at Cleveland.

  Donovan Mitchell had 18 points and teammates Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley combined for 28 while missing just three shots in a first half in which Cleveland led by as many as 10. But Mitchell never scored again. In fact, the Cavaliers only made four field goals in the entire third quarter.

  Thunder 106, Pelicans 85

  Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 24 points and visiting Oklahoma City took a 3-0 series lead by routing New Orleans.

  Josh Giddey and Jalen Williams added 21 points each and Luguentz Dort had 12 for the No. 1 seed Thunder, who will try to complete a sweep of the Western Conference first-round series Monday night in New Orleans.

  Brandon Ingram scored 19 points, CJ McCollum had 16, Herb Jones added 15 and Trey Murphy III chipped in 10. New Orleans' offense continued to struggle in the absence of injured leading scorer Zion Williamson. The Pelicans fell short of the 92 points they scored in each of the first two losses, shooting just 38.1 percent from the floor and 28.1 percent on 3-pointers.

  --Field Level Media

Bucks star Damian Lillard was in a walking boot Saturday because of a strained right Achilles tendon, according to multiple reports, making his availability for Milwaukee's playoff game against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday a question mark.

• On Friday, Lillard clutched at his leg in pain after a foul on Aaron Nesmith with 6.2 seconds left in regulation of Game 3 of the team's first-round series against the Pacers. Lillard remained in the game into overtime but was scoreless in the extra period and had zero shot attempts as the Bucks fell to the Pacers 121-118.

  Lillard has been dealing with Achilles discomfort for several weeks, he revealed after the team's last regular-season game. He sat out the first few playoff practices for rest.

  Lillard's status for Game 4 of the Western Conference matchup at Indiana is unclear.

  The Bucks trail in the best-of-seven series 2-1 and are already without former two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has yet to appear in the playoffs due to a calf strain.

  Lillard was 6 of 20 from the floor for 28 points in Game 3, adding eight assists and three steals. He finished the regular season averaging 24.3 points, 7.0 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game.

  --Field Level Media

Tyrese Haliburton converted a three-point play with 1.6 seconds left in overtime, lifting the Indiana Pacers to a 121-118 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series in Indianapolis.

• Haliburton gained separation after using a nifty crossover on Patrick Beverley before sinking a shot from the foul line. He added a free throw to complete his 18-point, 16-assist, 10-rebound performance and overcome a scintillating 42-point effort by Milwaukee's Khris Middleton.

  Myles Turner collected 29 points and nine rebounds and Pascal Siakam added 17 points and nine rebounds to help the sixth-seeded Pacers seize a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven series. Game 4 is Sunday in Indianapolis.

  Damian Lillard, slowed by an ailing Achilles tendon, overcame an apparent left leg injury late in the first quarter to finish with 28 points, eight assists and three steals. Bobby Portis collected 17 points and 18 rebounds for the third-seeded Bucks, who played their sixth straight game without two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo (left calf strain).

  Mavericks 101, Clippers 90

  Luka Doncic had 22 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists to help Dallas beat visiting Los Angeles in Game 3 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series.

  Kyrie Irving scored 19 of his 21 points in the final 14 minutes for the Mavericks, who lead the best-of-seven series 2-1. Game 4 is set for Sunday in Dallas.

  Norman Powell and James Harden each had 21 points for the Clippers, who committed 19 turnovers. Ivica Zubac added 19 points and eight rebounds.

  Timberwolves 126, Suns 109

  Anthony Edwards recorded 36 points and nine rebounds as Minnesota beat host Phoenix to take a 3-0 playoff series lead for the first time in franchise history.

  The Timberwolves will aim for a sweep in Game 4 of the best-of-seven, first-round Western Conference series on Sunday night at Phoenix. Rudy Gobert added 19 points and 14 rebounds and Karl-Anthony Towns added 18 points and 13 boards for third-seeded Minnesota.

  Bradley Beal scored 28 points, Kevin Durant added 25 and Devin Booker registered 23 points and eight assists for the sixth-seeded Suns.

  --Field Level Media

The Brooklyn Nets are hiring Juwan Howard as an assistant coach, ESPN reported Friday.

• The Nets recently hired Jordi Fernandez as their new head coach, and Howard will bring NBA experience to Fernandez's staff. Howard spent 2013-19 as an assistant for the Miami Heat before taking over his alma mater, Michigan.

  Howard, 51, took the Wolverines to an Elite Eight and a Sweet 16 during his five-year stint, but he was also suspended for five games in February 2022 for striking a Wisconsin assistant coach in the face amid a postgame altercation.

  Howard was also involved in an incident with the team's strength coach, Jon Sanderson, this past season that led to Sanderson resigning. Sanderson claimed that Howard "aggressively" pursued a fight with Sanderson after Sanderson was reprimanding Howard's son for being disrespectful to a trainer.

  Michigan cleared Howard of wrongdoing in a review. After an 8-24 season in 2023-24, by far the worst of his tenure, Howard was fired.

  Howard went 87-72 as Michigan's coach.

  Fernandez, 41, hails from Spain and was most recently the associate head coach of the Sacramento Kings.

  --Field Level Media

The NBA television rights landscape is changing, with The Athletic reporting Friday that Amazon Prime Video has the "framework of a deal" in place with the league.

• The outlet reported sources saying the streaming service is set to become an NBA destination platform with the contract beginning with the 2025-26 season expected to feature both regular-season and playoff games.

  Meanwhile, Puck reported Friday that the league and long-time partner ESPN have "essentially come to terms" on a new agreement that keeps the network in possession of exclusive rights to the NBA Finals.

  Both agreements are expected to be at least 10 years in duration.

  Another long-time league partner, TNT, is not likely to be left out in the cold, though it reportedly faces a challenge from NBA/Peacock. TNT, as well as ESPN, reportedly have the right to match any offer.

  The Athletic said the NBA, Amazon and ESPN declined comment.

  The league's current nine-year contracts with ESPN and TNT are set to expire after the 2024-25 season.

  With fewer games included in the new deals - one estimate has ESPN moving from 100 games to 80 and TNT aimed for a similar reduction - the NBA cleared the way for a third partner now likely to be Amazon Prime Video.

  The Athletic report suggested Amazon's regular-season games could land on Thursday nights, a natural fit because Amazon has NFL games on Thursdays from September through early January.

  The Street reported the NBA is likely expecting to double the $2.7 billion annual average that it has been receiving from ESPN and Turner.

  -Field Level Media

Milwaukee is taking the floor in Indianapolis on Friday night without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was ruled out for the sixth consecutive game with a strained left calf.

• Antetokounmpo was ruled out Friday at shootaround with Khris Middleton (right ankle) questionable.

  The Bucks, the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, and sixth-seeded Pacers are tied 1-1 in the best-of-seven first-round series with Game 3 on Friday night.

  Middleton scored 23 points in Game 1 and had 15 points and six assists in Game 2. He was listed Thursday as doubtful for Game 3, but head coach Doc Rivers said the former All-Star was able to do light work on Friday.

  Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday night in Indianapolis before the series shifts back to Milwaukee for Game 5 on Tuesday (April 30).

  Antetokounmpo was sidelined for the final three games of the regular season after the two-time MVP exited the April 9 win over the Boston Celtics.

  The Pacers dominated the regular-season series with the Bucks, going 4-1. In Milwaukee's lone win this season over Indiana on Dec. 13, Antetokounmpo scored 64 points with 14 rebounds and four steals to carry the Bucks to a 140-126 victory.

  Antetokounmpo, 29, played in 73 regular-season games and the eight-time All-Star averaged 30.4 points, 11.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists on a career-best 61.1 percent shooting from the field.

  --Field Level Media

Joel Embiid set a playoff career high with 50 points to lift host Philadelphia past the New York Knicks 125-114 on Thursday, cutting the 76ers' deficit in the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series to 2-1.

• Embiid shot 13 of 19 from the field and 19 of 21 from the free-throw line.

  Tyrese Maxey added 25 points, Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 15 and Cameron Payne had 11 for the Sixers, who dropped two close games in New York to start the best-of-seven series.

  Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 39 points and 13 assists. Josh Hart added 20 points and OG Anunoby had 17. Isaiah Hartenstein chipped in with 14.

  Magic 121, Cavaliers 83

  Paolo Banchero collected 31 points and 14 rebounds to fuel host Orlando past Cleveland in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.

  Banchero sank four 3-pointers and had seven rebounds on the offensive glass for the fifth-seeded Magic, who trail 2-1 in the best-of-seven series. After scoring just 83 and 86 points in the first two games of the series, the Magic had 96 at the end of three quarters.

  Jarrett Allen collected 15 points and eight rebounds and Caris LeVert added 15 points off the bench for Cleveland, whose 38-point loss is the worst in the club's postseason history.

  Nuggets 112, Lakers 105

  Nikola Jokic compiled 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists as Denver moved one win away from the Western Conference semifinals with a victory at Los Angeles.

  Aaron Gordon added 29 points with 15 rebounds as the Nuggets grabbed a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Jamal Murray scored 22 points and Michael Porter Jr. added 20 points and 10 rebounds to help the Nuggets extend their winning streak over the Lakers to 11 games.

  Los Angeles' Anthony Davis logged 33 points and 15 rebounds, while LeBron James produced 26 points and nine assists. The Lakers are on their first losing streak of at least three games since the start of the new year, when they were in the midst of a four-game skid.

  --Field Level Media

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid produced his best-ever postseason performance on Thursday despite dealing with the facial condition Bell's palsy.

• The problem began more than a week ago.

  "Pretty annoying with the left side of my face, my mouth and my eye," Embiid said after scoring a playoff-career-high 50 points in Philadelphia's 125-114 Game 3 win over the visiting New York Knicks. "It's been tough, but I'm not a quitter. Gotta keep fighting through anything. It's unfortunate, that's the way I look at it. But that's not an excuse. Gotta keep pushing."

  Bell's palsy causes facial muscle weakness or paralysis, affecting the muscles on one side of the face. It often begins suddenly and worsens over the course of several days, stemming from damage to the facial nerve.

  The symptoms typically begin to lessen within a few weeks, with complete recovery generally occurring by six months.

  Embiid had noticeable moments of his face appearing to droop to one side during the game.

  "I think it started a day or two before the Miami game," Embiid said, referring to the 76ers' play-in win over the Miami Heat on April 17. "I battled migraines and thought it was nothing. Usually I like to tough out, but for some reason I ended up having to tell somebody. That's why that Miami game, my body, I just was not feeling (good)."

  Embiid still finished with team highs of 23 points and 15 rebounds in that game.

  In the first two games of the New York series, both won by the Knicks, Embiid averaged 31.5 points and nine rebounds.

  --Field Level Media