Steph Curry made NBA playoff history during Game 7 between the Golden State Warriors and the Sacramento Kings. Curry's 21-point performance in the game elevated him to 13th place on the all-time playoff scoring list, ahead of Hall of Famer John Havlicek. He now has 3,777 playoff points and is set to surpass Larry Bird's 3,897 points next. The Warriors faced a possible elimination, but Curry's performance helped lead them to a win, advancing them to the second round of playoffs. The team will now face LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. Curry's excellent season continues, with superb performances so far in the playoffs, averaging 31.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists. Curry, a two-time MVP and nine-time All-Star, has been with the Warriors for 14 seasons and led them to the NBA championship four times in the previous eight seasons. The win marked an important milestone for Curry as he continues to elevate his legacy as one of basketball’s all-time greats.

As the Golden State Warriors face off against the Los Angeles Lakers in the second-round playoff series, many are focused on the headlining discussions surrounding Steph Curry and LeBron James. However, X-factors like Kevon Looney could prove key to determining the outcome of the series. Looney's performance is crucial for optimizing both single- and dual-big lineups, especially as he battles on the boards alongside Anthony Davis. Keeping Davis under control will fall predominantly to Looney, making their matchup a crucial one to watch. On offense, Looney lacks the range to yank Davis away from the basket, but he will still need to pitch in against LeBron James. If Looney can hold his own against AD, the Lakers' defensive disruption will be more controlled, and the Warriors can pull Green elsewhere. As both teams enter the game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, every player's performance will be critical to winning this best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series.

After a dominant performance by Anthony Davis in Game 1 of the Lakers-Warriors Western Conference semifinals series, the Lakers are looking to take a 2-0 lead over the Golden State Warriors before heading back to Los Angeles. Davis had an impressive stat line with 30 points, 23 rebounds, five assists, and four blocked shots. The Lakers are hoping to avoid a repeat of their first-round playoff series with the Memphis Grizzlies, where they dropped Game 2 after winning Game 1. Davis emphasized the importance of being "greedy" and not settling for a split with the Warriors. The Lakers understand the threat that the Warriors pose and are looking to bring their best defensive effort in Game 2 to secure another victory. Kerr acknowledges the difficulty of facing Davis and says, "You can see it on tape, but you got to feel it in order to understand how to attack." With Davis and LeBron James leading the Lakers, they are aiming to make a deep playoff run and cement Davis's legacy as a franchise great.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt has taken on the challenge of defending Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry throughout the second-round playoff series. Vanderbilt, who guarded Ja Morant in the series against the Memphis Grizzlies, held his own against Curry in Game 1, where he was credited with allowing only one 3-point attempt, which Curry made. Curry still managed to score 27 points, but he worked hard for them due to Vanderbilt's defense, which hounded him into committing three turnovers. The Lakers won the game 117-112.

Vanderbilt welcomed the assignment, stating that this was his calling and what he was brought to the team to do. He also credited the team effort and various bodies thrown at Curry, including reserve point guard Dennis Schroder. Vanderbilt's 6'9" frame and 7'1 wingspan gave him an advantage in dictating where he wanted to send Curry and forcing him inside the 3-point line. Vanderbilt's versatility as a defender, capable of guarding all five positions, impressed Lakers coach Frank Vogel.

The Lakers will look to maintain this level of defense and take a 2-0 series lead in Game 2 against the Warriors.

LeBron James has changed his playing style since joining the Lakers, as noted by Warriors' Draymond Green. Green stated that LeBron "is playing a totally different style, totally different game than he's ever played before." LeBron's usage rate in the playoffs is 27.2%, considerably lower than his regular season rate of 33.3%, and in his first game against the Warriors in the regular season, his role had changed drastically. This adjustment is partly due to the Lakers' strong roster which gives LeBron more flexibility and the opportunity to take a back seat when necessary. LeBron has also been dealing with a foot tendon injury that has limited him through the playoffs. Although he has been effective with the injury, the Lakers' new playing style complements this, rather than relying on him to carry extra weight. Draymond's observation shows how this Lakers' team is shaping up as one of LeBron's most offensively talented teams; his ability to be a fourth-option offensively is indicative of this.

Andrew Wiggins has played a crucial role in the Warriors' playoff push, and he believes they're ready to defend their championship crown. Wiggins' return from a 23-game absence due to a family matter has given the Warriors a much-needed boost in scoring and rebounding. He's averaging 18.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, 1.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game in the series against the Kings. Wiggins' performance has been a welcome sight for the defending champions, who struggled with consistency throughout the regular season. His solid all-around stat line in Game 6 (13 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 steals) proves that he's back to his pre-absence form.

According to Wiggins, "We've got the pieces. We know we got the coaching for it. We've got the fans. I feel like we're in good shape. I feel like this series has prepared us, because this was tough. It was a dogfight, every game. It was hard." With his impressive performance so far in the playoffs, Wiggins may just be the key to the Warriors' championship aspirations.

Jonathan Kuminga, the seventh pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, has found himself out of the Golden State Warriors' rotation lately, and he has expressed his struggle with this situation. He played only a total of 27 minutes in the first four playoff games, and he had a DNP-CD in the Warriors' series-opening loss against the Los Angeles Lakers. However, experts say that the decision to not play Kuminga is not a failure on the youngster's end. The Warriors' veteran players, like Draymond Green, are coming back to full strength, resulting in Kuminga's reduction in minutes. But, bringing Kuminga back in the rotation, especially in the second-round playoff series against the Lakers, could provide the Warriors with a new dimension of play.

Kuminga's athleticism and budding skills could make him a valuable asset in some of Golden State's better bench lineups, and his ability to block and score at an above-average rate as a pick-and-roll player should be explored. Moreover, playing Kuminga will not have to kill spacing either. The Lakers may leave him outside, but Kuminga's ability to shoot is above average, which becomes an advantage for Golden State. Thus, the Warriors' coach, Steve Kerr, must consider employing Jonathan Kuminga against the Lakers.

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is on track to earn almost $14 million through Instagram posts in 2023, more than double the earning of the next athlete on the list. A study by Betting.com shows that James reportedly earns $380,501 per post, a sum greater than what he is paid per game in the 2022-23 NBA season. The study also showed that the athletes with the highest earning power on Instagram are all current and former NBA players. James' earning from Instagram will likely decrease with every game he plays in the playoffs, but this is still a huge figure for posting on social media. It is clear that James' offseason activities have proved immensely profitable, as he also turned down a $15 million extension from McDonald's in order to grow his stake in Blaze Pizzas, a decision now resulting in earnings of $35-40 million.

Former Golden State Warriors forward Juan Toscano-Anderson certainly thinks so, noting that Looney has been a crucial part of the team's success over the years. Looney's contributions were on full display in Game 5 against the Sacramento Kings, where he outrebounded Sacramento's Domantas Sabonis to the tune of 22 rebounds, seven assists, and four points.

Looney has now recorded multiple 20-rebound games in the same playoff series, joining the ranks of Warriors greats Wilt Chamberlain and Nate Thurmond. Despite being undersized and lacking athleticism, Looney uses his impeccable nose for the ball to make himself indispensable. His value to the Warriors both on and off the court has not gone unnoticed, with former teammates and coaches singing his praises.

While it remains to be seen whether Looney's number will join the seven already retired by the Warriors, his teammates are glad to see him recognized for his hard work and selflessness. For now, Looney's focus is on helping the Warriors continue their playoff success and possibly securing his team a championship ring.

The Miami Heat have made NBA history as the fifth eighth-seeded team to defeat a first seed in the playoffs. Now they face their next challenge - the team that was the only eighth seed in NBA history to make it to the Finals. That team? The 1998-1999 New York Knicks.

Led by defensive anchor Dikembe Mutombo and Steve Smith, the Knicks also made it as an eight-seed in the Eastern Conference. Like the Heat, they struggled with consistency in the regular season but were able to change gears in the playoffs. After a hard-fought series against the Heat, the Knicks achieved their own magical run, beating out higher-seeded teams such as the Hawks and Pacers to make it to the Finals. Even though it has been 22 years since the Knicks' run, it remains one of the greatest upsets in NBA Playoff history.

Now, the Heat face the same challenge against a heavyweight team that the Knicks once conquered. The Heat have already shown that they have what it takes to upset a top seed, but will they be able to follow in the Knicks' footsteps and make history as the second eighth-seeded team to ever reach the NBA Finals? Only time will tell, but as history has shown us, anything can happen in the NBA Playoffs.

The Golden State Warriors are set to face off against the Los Angeles Lakers in the conference semi-finals, and Klay Thompson couldn't be more excited. In a recent press conference, Thompson described playing against the Lakers in the playoffs as a "dream come true." The last time these two California-based franchises met in the postseason was back in 1991 when Thompson was just a year old. This will also mark the first playoff rematch between the Warriors and Lebron James since he left the Cavaliers in 2018. It's the fifth time the Warriors have faced James in the playoffs, with him being one of the greatest players to ever play the game.

One notable storyline is the Warriors' historical record against the Lakers, having only won one playoff series against them in 1967. However, Thompson is determined to make his mark in the upcoming series. He has scored at least 22 points in five of his last seven games, and he's eager to continue his hot streak against the Lakers. The first game is set for Tuesday night, and fans eagerly anticipate the showdown between these two legendary franchises.

Former Udinese striker, Antonio Di Natale, has compared Napoli's Victor Osimhen with his former teammate, Vincenzo Iaquinta, and expressed his admiration for the Nigerian striker’s performance this season. The Ivorian striker has been instrumental to Napoli's successful run this season, scoring 26 goals and five assists in 33 appearances. He has caught the attention of several European football giants, including PSG, Bayern Munich, and Manchester United, all interested in signing him. Osimhen is a right-footed attacker who is known for his pace and finishing abilities. At 24 years old, he's being compared to Iaquinta, a former Juventus player who scored 89 goals and 25 assists in 269 Serie A games and helped Italy win the 2006 World Cup. In his interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Natale explained his admiration for Osimhen's game, praising his ability to attack the space, which he said reminded him of Iaquinta. Napoli could be crowned Serie A Champions if they avoid defeat against Udinese on Thursday.

Manchester United's manager, Erik ten Hag, has reportedly won the battle to keep Alejandro Garnacho at Old Trafford for their season-finale. The Argentine Football Association had requested that the 18-year-old be allowed to represent his country in the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup, but Ten Hag stated that he would not be releasing the United academy graduate. This decision has led to Garnacho being left out of the Albiceleste's U20 World Cup squad, forcing the football association to tweak the squad. Since Garnacho's injury, United's attacking prowess has lacked the same impact. Ten Hag has praised Garnacho's fearlessness and his ability to get the better of opposition late in games. Manchester United has important games coming up, including the all-important FA Cup final scheduled for June 3, so the decision to keep Garnacho will be welcomed by fans. Moreover, the player recently signed a new contract extension with the Reds after an inspiring speech from Ten Hag to the player and his family.

Ohio gambling regulators ordered the state's licensed sportsbooks to stop accepting bets on college baseball games that involve Alabama following suspicious betting activity. This comes after US Integrity, the Las Vegas-based firm, reported "suspicious wagering activity" on the Crimson Tide's game against top-ranked LSU last Friday. The Louisiana Gaming Control Board revealed that two specific bets, made in Cincinnati, Ohio, triggered the suspicious activity alert—a parlay bet on the LSU-Alabama game and one on the money line. Following the alert, Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) issued an emergency order, which Ohio Casino Control Commission executive director Matthew T. Schuler instructed sportsbooks to follow, prohibiting "acceptance of any wagers on University of Alabama baseball effective immediately." Because there is no national gaming regulator, a halt on wagering typically happens on a state-by-state basis. As a precautionary measure, Sportsbook FanDuel has removed Alabama baseball games from its betting menu across all states. The NCAA responded to the incident by stating that it is taking sports wagering very seriously and is committed to the protection of student-athlete well-being and the integrity of competition.

Arizona Diamondbacks' top pitching prospect Brandon Pfaadt had a tough time in his Major League debut against the Texas Rangers, giving up seven earned runs in 4 2/3 innings. Despite this, the D-backs pulled off a 12-7 win against the Rangers in a slugfest on Wednesday. Pfaadt allowed nine hits, a walk and struck out three batters, while also giving up four home runs and two doubles. However, he took the loss in stride and appreciated the support from his fans. Meanwhile, infielder Seth Beer was designated for assignment to make way for Pfaadt's spot on the 40-man roster, while right-hander Peter Solomon was optioned to Triple-A Reno to make room for Pfaadt on the 26-man roster. Beer, who was acquired from the Houston Astros in a 2019 trade, has yet to appear in the majors this season and Registered a .200 batting average with two homers and 12 RBIs in 70 at-bats.

Arterio Morris, a former Texas basketball transfer, has committed to the University of Kansas Jayhawks, becoming the second transfer commitment for the team this offseason. Morris, a five-star recruit out of high school, finds himself ranked as the No. 1 point guard in the 2022 class. While at Texas, he averaged 4.6 points and 1.4 rebounds in nearly 12 minutes per game. His addition to the Jayhawks has garnered some controversy due to an alleged misdemeanor assault charge stemming from a physical altercation with his ex-girlfriend. The transfer guard has yet to be officially announced by the team, and thus his status with the team remains unclear. However, he is expected to arrive in June in Lawrence, and has received public support from his future teammates. Morris joins Nicolas Timberlake as one of the transfer additions to the Jayhawks team for the coming season after they lost key players Jalen Wilson, David McCormack and Ochai Agbaji to the NBA draft.

Ferrari, the most successful team in Formula 1 history, is off to a terrible start this season. Through the first four races, they have failed to put one of their drivers on the podium. Carlos Sainz Jr. finished fourth in Bahrain, and sixth in Jeddah. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc's engine gave out in Bahrain, and he was knocked out on the opening lap in Melbourne. He only has a seventh-place finish in Jeddah. Ferrari sits fourth in the constructor standings, already almost 100 points behind Red Bull. They haven't won the constructor title since 2008 and haven't had one of their drivers win the world title since 2007. However, Emerson Fittipaldi, a former F1 champion, has no major concerns for the Scuderia under Frederic Vasseur's stewardship. He believes that with all the potential behind Vasseur at Team Ferrari, they will put their act together soon. Ferrari's dilemma will come under the spotlight in Autosport magazine this week, where they explore how far Ferrari can take the concept and if the team might decide to change direction.

UC Santa Barbara's basketball team has added another talented transfer to its roster in the form of Zach Clemence, a 6-foot-10, 230-pound incoming junior from Kansas. Clemence is an excellent shooter and a skilled three-level scorer, and will be expected to help fill the void left by All-Big West forward Miles Norris, who is graduating next month. Clemence had a good high school career, leading Sunrise Christian to a 21-4 record and a runner-up finish in the 2021 GEICO High School National Championships while averaging 10.5 points and 5.0 rebounds. Injuries, unfortunately, limited his play at Kansas, where he only saw action in 12 of the Jayhawks' first 14 games of their NCAA championship season of 2022, but a foot injury sidelined him for a majority of the Big 12 season. Clemence is the third highly rated transfer to join UCSB's team this spring, joining Yohan Traore and Ben Shtolzberg. UCSB won a school-record 27 games last season and will be hoping that their new recruits can help take them even further next year.

During the First Take show on Wednesday, JJ Redick threw shade at Boston Celtics' legend, Bob Cousy, by referencing his bad performance in an elimination game back in 1954. Although Cousy was one of the greatest players in NBA history, Redick spoke of him disdainfully. His remarks were made during the intro of the show, where he also gave a hilarious impression of Stephen A. Smith. Redick's comments might not have been appreciated by some fans, but his humor and antics are characteristic of the highly entertaining First Take show. While Cousy spent 13 years of his professional career leading the Boston Celtics to win six championships in seven years, Redick never won a championship during his decade-long NBA career. However, he made significant contributions to the teams he played for. Redick's introduction to the show, which included the sly criticism of Cousy, was filled with laughter from his co-hosts and audiences.

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum joined an elite group of active players in Game 1 of the playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers, tying Paul George for having 6 career postseason games with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds, according to NBA.com. George has endorsed Tatum for the MVP race with admiration for his game, and referring to Tatum as “incredible.” At only 25, Tatum has already become one of the best players in the NBA, and he still has room to grow. As the playoffs continue, Tatum is poised to climb even further up the impressive playoff list. In Game 1 against the 76ers, the Celtics collapsed over the final few minutes, losing to the Sixers 102-104, and Tatum found himself the victim of a non-basketball act by Philadelphia’s PJ Tucker. A wild swing by Tucker caught Tatum below the belt, but to the Celtics’ dismay, the officiating crew failed to call a foul. Nevertheless, the Celtics will look to bounce back and Tatum will continue to prove his worth as one of the most elite players in the association.

The perception that the Edmonton Oilers are a one or two-man team is not entirely accurate as their depth players proved to be a key factor to their first-round series win against the Los Angeles Kings. Although Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl played big roles, it was the entire Oilers squad that contributed to the victory. In fact, McDavid himself acknowledged that the Oilers are not just a two or three-man team. In their recent game against the Vegas Golden Knights, Draisaitl scored all four of Edmonton's goals, but it wasn't enough to secure a win. While Draisaitl's performance was impressive, he still made significant mistakes on the ice that led to goals against. The Oilers need consistent contributions from their entire lineup if they hope to advance in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Sources suggest that the Oilers' success in the playoffs will depend on their ability to move beyond their reliance on McDavid and Draisaitl. The team has depth and key contributors like Zach Hyman and Kailer Yamamoto should not be overlooked. The Oilers can prove to be a threat in the playoffs if they can continue to get strong performances from their team as a whole.

Jaylen Brown led all scorers with 32 points, helping Boston Celtics defeat Atlanta Hawks 128-120 in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. Brown made 13 of his 25 field goal attempts and 6-of-8 threes to help the Celtics advance to the second round where they will face the Philadelphia 76ers. With four out of five Celtics starters, including Brown, shooting over 50% from the field, they were able to resist the late comeback by the Hawks. Atlanta's general manager, Landry Fields, talked about John Collins' future during an end-of-season press conference, stating that the team values Collins, but is not willing to give him away. Collins has been subject to trade rumors in each transaction window over the last two years. Jaylen Brown, along with the team's inability to maintain a late lead, was also a focus after Game 1 against the 76ers, where the Celtics lost 119-115. Brown, however, disagreed that his slowing transition play had a significant part in the outcome of the game.

The Boston Celtics have once again stumbled, losing their second-round playoff opener against the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday. Analysts are now questioning the Celtics’ championship DNA after the team’s lethargic loss to the undermanned Sixers. James Harden led the way for Philadelphia with 45 points, while Boston failed to muster any defensive stoppage. Moreover, Boston has developed a pattern of nearly losing to weaker teams resulting in questions on whether it has championship DNA. The Celtics finished second in the Eastern Conference this season and are still expected to advance based on their excellent form during the regular season. However, the team seems to be making it difficult for themselves in the postseason. As they head into games 3 and 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Boston needs to rekindle their intense and competitive spirit if they are to retake the series lead against the surging Sixers.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker, Shaquil Barrett, experienced a devastating tragedy on Sunday after his 2-year-old daughter drowned in their family pool after falling in. Tampa Fire Rescue was able to get a pulse back after performing CPR on the child and transported her to Tampa General Hospital. Unfortunately, she later passed away. The Buccaneers released a statement offering their condolences to Shaq and his family, stating "Our thoughts and prayers are with Shaq, Jordanna, and the entire Barrett family during this unimaginably difficult time. While no words can provide true comfort at a time such as this, we offer our support and love as they begin to process this very profound loss of their beloved Arrayah." It is unclear what led to the accident, and police confirm the circumstances don't appear suspicious.

Arrayah celebrated her second birthday on April 19, and Shaquil posted an adorable tribute to her on Instagram. Shaquil and his wife, Jordanna, are parents to three other children together. This is undoubtedly a heartbreaking loss for the family, and they are in the thoughts and prayers of many during this difficult time.

Jamal Murray is known for performing exceptionally well in high-pressure situations during the playoffs. However, in the recent game against the Phoenix Suns, Murray couldn't seem to sink a basket, finishing 0-for-9 from 3-point range. Although he is clearly critical of himself and his performance, Murray has not lost his passion for basketball, nor is he too concerned about this one missed opportunity. He joked that he tried to pretend that he was sinking those same attempts during practice, even if that was not the case. Murray has always been diligent in his training, as evidenced by his consistent practice on difficult, almost impossible shots, including those behind the backboard.

Murray's perseverance has paid off during this postseason, in which his professional skills have been on full display. Against the Minnesota Timberwolves, he achieved an impressive five-game series sweep. In the current second-round series against the Phoenix Suns, Murray scored 34 points in Game 1, enough to give the Nuggets a 1-0 lead in the Western Conference second-round series. Although Murray's recent performance was not at its best, it is not surprising that he may still make an even stronger comeback in future games.