Philadelphia 76ers’ forward P.J. Tucker achieved a unique record in Game 1 of the NBA playoffs against the Boston Celtics. Tucker played for nearly 37 minutes but, surprisingly, didn't score any points or shoot a free throw. This performance is, in fact, the most minutes played by a player in an NBA playoff match without shooting a field goal or free throw. The previous record was held by Bruce Bowen of the San Antonio Spurs back in 2006. The 76ers, however, won the game against the Boston Celtics with a score of 117-98. Despite not scoring, Tucker played an important supporting role in the game, with the 76ers being victorious with a comfortable margin. This is not, however, an unusual occurrence for Tucker, who has put up 0’s in over a quarter of all games the 76ers have played this season. Although he is a starting player, the 76ers are 17-6 in games where Tucker does not score. This remarkable feat in Game 1 of the playoffs, therefore, is not entirely unexpected.

Boston Celtics' star Jayson Tatum finished fourth in the NBA MVP race, but it doesn't mean he has lost hope in winning the title in the future. The 26-year-old guard has been in the league for six years and has already broken many records including becoming the first Celtics player ever to average 30-plus points a game. Tatum's scoring averages have gone up each year he has been in the NBA. Though Tatum commented that he had at least 15 years left in him, he shortly backtracked and said he had at least 10 years left for sure. Tatum, who made the All-NBA first team last year, might earn this honor again as he continues to produce stellar performances. Although Tatum no longer seems to be in the running for the MVP title this year, his focus is on the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy.

Furthermore, Tatum drew inspiration from his fatherhood journey alongside his son Deuce Tatum, who is now five years old. Despite Tatum's initial struggle to balance his responsibilities as a father and a rookie in the NBA, he now enjoys a unique chemistry with his son on and off the court.

The Boston Celtics are set to visit the Philadelphia 76ers in a crucial Game 3, with the series tied at 1-1 after both teams won their respective home games. The Celtics appear to be getting a boost with the availability of All-Star forward, Jaylen Brown, for the matchup. Brown has been instrumental in the post-season, averaging 26.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, shooting an impressive 55.7% from the field in the first eight games. He also played a vital role in the massive 121-87 victory in Game 2 over the 76ers, scoring 25 points and contributing defensively to limit James Harden to just 12 points on 2 of 14 shooting. With Brown back in the lineup, the second seed in the East will rely on him to lead the charge against the 76ers. However, winning in Philly has been a big ask for the Celtics historically, with a meager 14-68 record in all games played in the City of Brotherly Love since 2000. Celtics coach Nick Nurse will be hoping that Brown's exceptional form will help them buck the trend and regain the advantage in the series. Will Jaylen Brown's return end the Boston Celtics' struggles in Philadelphia?

The Sixers returned to Philly with the series against the Celtics tied at 1-1, but it doesn't feel like all is well with the team. Despite the return of Joel Embiid in game 2, the team lost by 34 points to the Celtics, and the ramp-up time to get back into the groove for Embiid and his teammates wasn't sufficient. However, fans shouldn't abandon the Sixers just yet, since everyone knew this wasn't going to be an easy series. If the Sixers want to transition to a series lead in Game 3, they'll need to regain their earlier rhythm through a combination of factors, including a better shooting game, and improvement of Embiid's condition. The Sixers have the support of their fans, and they are sure to bring pressure on the Celtics during the third game of the series at home court. Fans are eagerly preparing for the Friday game to return to their rhythm and help their team win against the Celtics, but will the Sixers deliver the goods?

According to recent reports, Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers did not have any issue with James Harden's trip to Las Vegas in the middle of the playoffs. Rivers even mentioned that he had told Harden to "do whatever they want" since they had three days off. The backlash that Harden received for his trip was due to the fact that it occurred during the team's first-round playoff series against the Nets. Despite the public's criticism, Harden maintained his calm and put up an impressive performance during Game 1 of the team's series against the Boston Celtics. He scored 45 points and helped lead the 76ers to a victory. Rivers, who previously said he would have "overreacted" to such an incident when he was a younger coach, seems to have a new attitude as he gets older and more experienced in coaching adults. With the 76ers tied 1-1 heading home for Game 3 against the Boston Celtics, it remains to be seen if Harden's trip will have any further impact on his performance and the team's success in the playoffs.

Marcus Smart has been named the 2022-23 NBA Hustle Award winner, the second consecutive season he has done so and the third time in the last five years. The award is given to the player who makes impactful effort plays that may not appear in traditional statistics. Among the NBA's leaders in drawing charges, deflections, and recovered loose balls, Smart is the only player to win the award multiple times. He had a crucial role during the Celtics' impressive 57-25 regular season, their best since 2008-09, leading them with his physical commitment and intense defense. Despite struggling somewhat with defense this season, his toughness and hustle cannot be ignored, as he averaged 15.9 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game, shooting 50% from the field.

Smart has taken his game to another level in the playoffs, helping the Celtics tie the second-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers at 1-1 with a 15-point, five-rebound, and one-block performance in a 121-87 Game 2 win. His relentless energy, hustle, and willingness to dive on the floor for loose balls have become a hallmark of his gameplay, causing a stir among Celtics fans and earning him yet another achievement in his decorated career.

As the NBA playoffs continue, two second-round matchups tip off tonight with critical Game 3s. The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers are tied 1-1, with Boston now heading to Philadelphia as 2.5-point road favorites. According to betting trends, Jaylen Brown, who has been playing incredibly well from outside the arc, is expected to make over 2.5 three-pointers tonight. The Celtics, who have the best offense in the playoffs so far, are also expected to score over 108.5 points tonight in Philadelphia. In the other matchup of the night, the Denver Nuggets are aiming for their third-straight win over the Phoenix Suns, but are still underdogs tonight. Nikola Jokic, who has been the key to the Nuggets' success so far, is considered a top cash game pick. Devin Booker, who will be the primary ball-handler for the Suns with Chris Paul out, is also expected to perform well tonight.

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.

Despite some doubts at the end of the season, Trae Young has proven his abilities to lead his team to victory in a high-pressure game. While the Hawks ultimately lost the series against the Celtics, Young was the standout player in at least two, if not three, of the games. Although his season was marked by struggles to build synergy with newly-acquired player Dejounte Murray, these concerns have been put to rest after Young showed his tenacity in the final four games of the series. While there may still be some chatter in the media regarding a potential trade, true basketball fans know that trading Young would be a delusional move. Admittedly, there are still some flaws in the Hawks' gameplay, such as their point-of-attack defense that allowed the Celtics to score so easily. However, the talent that Young possesses when he is at his best is undeniable, and it's clear that when surrounded by the right pieces, he has the potential to lead his team all the way to a championship. With the official announcement of the end of the season, Young is already looking ahead to next year, eager to continue growing and improving his game.

James Harden, NBA star and player for the Philadelphia 76ers, has invited shooting survivor John Hao to attend Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Boston Celtics. Hao was one of the victims of the mass shooting incident at Michigan State University in February of this year. Previously paralyzed from the waist down, Hao has made a remarkable recovery and can now attend the game to watch his favorite player in action. Harden had promised Hao that he would invite him to a game as soon as he was able to attend. The star player had previously sent Hao a pair of game-worn shoes, among other memorabilia, and offered words of encouragement via Facetime. With the series tied at 1-1, Game 3 proves crucial for the 76ers who seek a win against the Celtics.

Grant Williams is currently playing his fourth season with the Boston Celtics, with his contract set to expire after the season. The forward joined the Celtics in 2019 after he was selected 22nd in the NBA draft, and he signed a four-year contract worth $11.8 million. Currently, Grant Williams is in the final season of his contract with the Celtics and is set to become a restricted free agent after the postseason concludes. His club option for the 2021-22 season was worth $2.61 million, and he opted to accept another club option this year, which will earn him $4.3 million before his contract expires. Furthermore, the Celtics offered him a qualifying offer worth $6.23 million, but as he is already a starter for the team, the offer increased to $8.48 million for one season.

During his rookie season, Grant Williams played 15.1 minutes per game, while in his second season, his numbers remained the same. However, in his third season, his growth as a player was noticed, as he became a knockdown shooter. This season, he has proved himself to be an important role player for the Celtics, currently averaging 8.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists, shooting an efficient 45.4% from the field. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla praised Williams for bringing a level of physicality and poise to the team, and his knack for contributing and turning something good into something great.

Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid has been named the NBA's Most Valuable Player for the 2022-23 season, after a scattering start to his career. He underwent foot surgery and then had to be benched again due to a knee injury. But doubts about his ability to fully recover from these injuries were laid to rest as he led the NBA in scoring for a second straight year. This is also a boost to what the Sixers called The Process, which was initiated in the 2010s and was seen as a way to lose numerous games so that they could land young prospects like Embiid. The move was met with criticism and the term 'tanking' was coined afterwards. In the first two rounds of the NBA playoffs, the 76ers was undefeated. Embiid is the fifth 76er ever to win the NBA MVP, following in the footsteps of legends Wilt Chamberlain, Moses Malone, Julius Erving, and Allen Iverson.

The Suns have punched their ticket to the second round, but they face a tall order in taking down the top-seeded Denver Nuggets. After dispatching the Clippers in a high-scoring Game 5, Phoenix looks to dethrone a Nuggets' squad led by Nikola Jokic. The Nuggets' superstar has taken notice of the Suns' talent, singling them out as the favorites to win it all. However, the Suns' impressive line-up, including Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and Deandre Ayton, could swing the series in their favor. The teams split their four-game regular-season series, with injuries and lineup changes factoring in. Therefore, this semi-final showdown represents the first time these Western Conference powers will be at full strength, adding another layer of intrigue to the matchup. The best individual performer in this series, whether Booker, Durant, Jokic, or Murray, could be the deciding factor in who advances. With such an impressive stable of talent on the court, the Suns' bid to dethrone the top-seeded Nuggets is more than just a hopeful possibility. It is simply a must-see matchup.

Four horses have died at Churchill Downs over the past five days, overshadowing this year’s Kentucky Derby. Two were horses trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. Two others had musculoskeletal injuries and were euthanized after being transported to Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital. Joel Marr’s Wild on Ice was being prepared for the Derby when he fractured his hind leg and was put down. There is little public information regarding Kentucky’s transparency with regaling horses’ injuries, deaths or which horses have died during Derby training. In a statement, Churchill Downs expressed concern and stated that officials would press for answers. The fact that the deaths happened in different manners points to stall factors being the cause – not just the racing surface. Meanwhile, as the race itself approaches, all focus has been shifted to who will win, who to bet on and who has the best hat.

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.

After going viral for displaying his undying passion during a recent Warriors game against the Kings, lifelong Warriors fan Christian Gamboa was gifted a pair of game-worn shoes by none other than Steph Curry himself. Gamboa, who waved his 2017 NBA Finals "strength in numbers" towel in the game, went on to attend the Warriors' Game 2 win over the Lakers at Chase Center, only to be gifted Curry's shoes after the game. Curry personally sought Gamboa out to deliver his gift, walking the floors in his socks after the game in search of the viral fan before having his security team track him down. Gamboa later expressed gratitude for the gift, calling it "a once-in-a-lifetime experience" and thanking his family for their support. With Gamboa's passion and energy becoming a key rallying point for Warriors fans this season, Curry's gift to the superfan further highlights the tight-knit relationship between the team and its supporters.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.