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.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst theorized yesterday that Warriors coach Steve Kerr may have faked Kevon Looney's illness in Game 2 in an attempt to throw off the Los Angeles Lakers. Looney was a late scratch from the starting lineup due to an undetermined illness, but returned to play 12 minutes and contribute six points and eight rebounds. Windhorst insinuated that the illness might not be real, after Kerr started JaMychal Green in Looney's place. Green scored 15 points, and the Warriors went on to win 127-100 to tie the series at 1-1. Windhorst pointed out that the Lakers will be preparing for Looney in Game 3 and 4, but also suggested that the illness may be true after all. Looney had told reporters that if it had been a regular-season game, he wouldn't have played. The Warriors have not commented on Windhorst's theory. Game 3 of the series takes place on Saturday.

Following the Los Angeles Lakers' second win against the Golden State Warriors, LeBron James emphasized the importance of staying away from TV and social media after a win. He remarked that people perceive a team differently; when they win, everyone sings their praises, but when they lose, they are heavily criticized. He also suggested muting the TV during other playoff games and playing music in the background. This advice comes amidst the unpredictable playoffs series facing the Lakers. Despite being a favorite to win, the team lost their second game against the Warriors, causing fans to doubt them. In their third game, however, Anthony Davis stepped up and proved to be a force on defense, helping to limit the Warriors to 39.6% shooting from the field. The Lakers are looking to take a 2-1 series lead in their next game against the Warriors.

As the dust settles on the Sacramento Kings' playoff exit, old wounds have been brought to the surface. One such wound is the memory of Shaquille O'Neal's infamous freestyle diss of the team back in 2002. In the clip, which has recently resurfaced online, Shaq uses the ringtone of a flip phone as the beat to diss the Kings, with lines about their star player Vlade Divac and his own Laker teammate Kobe Bryant.

But Shaq's takedown of the Kings wasn't just verbal; in the 2002 Western Conference Finals, he dominated the team, scoring 44, 43, and 35 points in key games and ultimately leading the Lakers to a 4-3 series victory. Though the Kings put up a good fight, they were unable to contain the unstoppable force that was Shaq.

Now, as Stephen Curry continues his own reign of dominance in the playoffs, Shaq has weighed in on how to stop the Warriors superstar. According to the former Laker, Curry's off-ball movement is what makes him so unguardable, comparing him to Reggie Miller and Ray Allen on drugs. As the Kings lick their wounds, they can at least hope that Shaq never turns his attention to their new star guard.

ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst insinuated during a recent interview that the Golden State Warriors may have faked Kevon Looney's illness before Game 2 against the Los Angeles Lakers. Looney was initially slated to start in Game 2 until he was removed from the starting lineup due to an illness. Although Looney still played in the game for 12 minutes, he was not effective. ESPN's Windhorst theorized that Warriors coach Steve Kerr may have purposely used this fake illness to throw off the Lakers. Despite the rumors, the Warriors have not commented on the situation.

The Warriors are now heading into a pivotal Game 3 against the Lakers with the series tied at 1-1. With Looney not listed on the injury report, it seems he will be healthy for the upcoming game. The Lakers, meanwhile, are dealing with some injuries of their own with Mo Bamba questionable due to left ankle soreness and Anthony Davis and LeBron James both probable with various foot injuries. The stage is set for an exciting Game 3 between these two Western Conference Semifinal teams.

The Los Angeles Lakers are currently facing the Golden State Warriors in a high-stakes second-round NBA playoffs series, but it’s not too early to start considering the team’s off-season plans. The rumor mill has been churning and there are a few potential targets for the Purple and Gold, such as Donte DiVincenzo. The former Buck signed up with the Warriors on a two-year deal with a player option. While he hasn’t had a meteoric rise with the team, he has certainly improved and thus will likely opt-out. The Lakers could swoop in and potentially get him with the mid-level exception.

Another potential target for LA is Austin Reaves, who has garnered attention from outside suitors. The 25-year-old's stock is worth buying, considering his all-around skill set and potential for years to come. Lastly, the Lakers may look for a new point guard this off-season. The two current point guards - Dennis Schroder and D'Angelo Russel - are both free agents with lackluster playoff performances. Some potential targets for the Lakers include talented playmakers such as Kyle Lowry, Elfrid Payton, TJ McConnell, and George Hill. Only time will tell what moves the Lakers make this off-season and what direction the team decides to take.

Steph Curry's daughter, Riley, is growing up quickly. From stealing the show during her dad's post-game conferences at just two years old to cooking a full meal for her family at just nine years old, she is a force to be reckoned with. In April 2022, the now 10-year-old cooked up a storm by making a chicken piccata with mashed potatoes and honey roasted carrots. The meal was a hit with the family, and her aunt Janiece could be seen complimenting her spread. Riley's culinary skills come from her celebrity chef mother, Ayesha Curry, who has been documenting their family's fun life on social media. However, Steph Curry's focus is on giving his kids the best chance at success and seeing the world in the proper way. Before having his son Canon, he was a proud "Girl Dad" and represents his daughters every chance he gets. Despite his focus, it's clear that Riley has a bright future ahead of her in the culinary world if she chooses to pursue it.

Golden State Warriors' star guard, Steph Curry, had a solid performance with 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 12 assists in Game 2 against the Lakers. In Game 3, Curry faces a tough challenge from a resilient Lakers defense that contested him well. However, according to the experts from the Action Network PRO Projections, Curry's player prop shows a B+ edge for over 5.5 assists, which is projected to be around 7.1. Despite an inflated number, the projection indicates Curry's ability to be a facilitator and create scoring opportunities for his teammates. The Lakers' defense is not at the top of the league in assists, thus, opening a potential window for Curry to exceed the predicted number. NBA fans can check out the daily player props lines and projections on the NBA props page. While Curry's last game was impressive, it remains to be seen whether he can deliver a similar performance in Game 3 and help the Warriors tie the series.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The 149th annual Kentucky Derby, the first leg of the Triple Crown, takes place on May 6, with an expected post time of 6:57 p.m. ET. With Florida Derby winner Forte out due to injury, favorites like Practical Move, Angel of Empire, and Tapit Trice are expected to contend for the win. Horse racing fans can watch the event on NBC via cable, or live stream the Kentucky Derby on NBCSports.com or via the NBC Sports app with a cable login. Cord-cutters can watch by subscribing to Peacock Premium for $4.99 a month or Peacock Plus for $9.99 a month, or through subscription services such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Fubo. Jack Harlow, a Louisville-based rapper and fixture at last year's event, walked the red carpet but declined interviews. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear expressed his admiration for Harlow, revealing their unexpected friendship and Harlow's choice to move back to Louisville on the song "It Can't Be" from his third album, "Jackman."

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.

With the Kentucky Derby only a few days away, Mage is one of the leading contenders in the field of 20. Having won two out of three career starts, including the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park in March, Mage is trained by Gustavo Delgado and ridden by jockey Luis Saez. The three-year-old thoroughbred racehorse is known for his consistent and impressive stride, which was displayed during his final serious work at Churchill Downs. During the work, Mage completed six furlongs in 1:16 4/5, following his Florida Derby (G1) runner-up finish. According to Delgado, Mage's six-furlong move is designed to build stamina, and the colt is expected to cover the 1 1/4-mile Kentucky Derby distance in just his fourth career start. Mage is currently listed at 15-1 odds to win the Kentucky Derby. As the countdown to the Kentucky Derby continues, it remains to be seen if Mage can cast his spell and emerge victorious in what promises to be a thrilling race at Churchill Downs on May 6th.

Laurel Park hosted the first juvenile race of the season in Maryland this year. Low Mileage, the daughter of 2003 Horse of the Year Mineshaft, emerged victorious in the maiden special weight for 2-year-old fillies, ridden by Jevian Toledo and trained by John Salzman Jr. Low Mileage completed the 4 1/2 furlongs over a fast main track in 53.46 seconds, winning by 1 1/4 lengths over the 2-1 favorite Buckin' Great. Low Mileage broke slowly from the rail position but Toledo stayed patient and allowed the horse to drop back to trail her six rivals approaching the far turn. The jockey then tipped out at the top of the stretch and Low Mileage came with a steady run to win the race. Low Mileage was bred in Virginia by Audrey Farm Equine and had breezed at Laurel thrice before the debut. The horse is out of the Distorted Humor mare Chabeso. The Elkstone Group's two-time Maryland champion homebred Joe is set to make his 4-year-old debut in Saturday's featured Race 9.

Despite playing a playoff career-high 31 minutes against the Heat, Obi Toppin was yanked out early in the fourth quarter and never returned, with Tom Thibodeau opting to stick with Josh Hart instead. While Toppin played well, he has yet to earn Thibodeau's trust to close out important games. A veteran NBA scout is pessimistic about Toppin's future with the Knicks, citing the limited role he plays under Thibodeau and the coach's apparent lack of interest in Toppin. However, the scout is still intrigued about Toppin's untapped potential, particularly his athletic ability and improved shooting. The Knicks had reportedly engaged in trade talks surrounding Toppin with the Indiana Pacers last December, with the Pacers intrigued by his rim-running ability to slot in next to center Myles Turner. Toppin is now extension-eligible this summer, but it remains to be seen if he and the Knicks will strike an extension contract soon. As the Knicks enter the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Heat, there are questions about Toppin's future in New York and the trust he has earned from his coach.

Actress and businesswoman Jessica Alba set social media on fire after being spotted courtside at the Knicks game. Fans couldn't help but notice how the talented actress looked as beautiful as ever and hasn't aged a day since her fame in the early 2000s. Despite her successful career in business with her co-owned company, The Honest Company, Alba still managed to command the spotlight with her brief appearance on the jumbotron. Fans took to Twitter to share their admiration for the Hollywood star, with one fan saying they would have surely dropped 50 points if they were playing in front of Jessica Alba. Another fan pointed out that after seeing Alba courtside, Jalen Brunson scored 23 points. The pop culture realm was smitten by this strong and confident appearance, where Alba reminded everyone she's still capable of captivating the internet's attention and looking as radiant as ever.

In a semifinal that only they could have predicted, Jimmy Butler and Tom Thibodeau will face off again in the Knicks-Heat semifinals. Their relationship started in Chicago when Thibodeau first coached Butler, and the two developed a winning relationship. But when Butler's rise to greatness caused friction within the Bulls' locker room, Thibodeau was fired. Later, in Minnesota, the two rekindled their relationship, leading the Timberwolves to their first postseason appearance in 13 years. However, Butler's frustration with his teammates led him to trade to Philadelphia, ending their reunion. Now, reunited in the playoffs, Butler and Thibodeau must navigate a rivalry filled with humor, obscenities, and intensity to succeed. Both teams have overcome adversity to reach this point, and their success can be attributed to the close relationship formed between the players and their coach. As the semifinals approach, fans wonder if Butler and Thibodeau can rekindle their winning relationship and lead the Heat to a championship.

The much-anticipated 149th edition of the Kentucky Derby has witnessed a major setback as the leading horse and heavy favorite Forte has been forced out of the race due to a bruised right front foot. The Churchill Downs management team made the announcement after its Saturday morning workout. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission state veterinarian acted on the decision and scratched the Todd Pletcher-trained horse. The scratch came as a major shock to the audience as Forte was the 3-1 morning line favorite to win the first leg of the Triple Crown. The horse, who had Irad Ortiz Jr. as its rider, was expected to win the race as he had proven his mettle in the previous races. Forte's exit means that the number of horses in the race has been reduced to 18, a significant drop from the initial field of 23. This marks the first time since 1936 that five horses have been scratched from the Derby. The legendary race is set to air in the US on NBC, Peacock, the NBC website, and its app with coverage of all of Saturday's races starting at midday, with the iconic race itself starting at 6:57 pm ET.

As the NBA playoffs continue to deliver standout performances, fans are left wondering if these postseason games count towards the season's Most Valuable Player award. The answer is no, as the NBA MVP award is presented annually to the player who made the biggest impact on their team's success throughout the regular season. This highly respected individual award is decided by a panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters who cover the NBA in the US and Canada, with each expert selecting their top five candidates. The player with the highest point total is awarded the MVP, an award in which each first-place vote is worth 10 points. Since 2010, fans have been given the opportunity to cast their ballot and have a say in the MVP with online voting. While standout performances continue to make headlines in the postseason, only the regular season is considered for the MVP award. On Tuesday, the NBA is expected to name the season's MVP among finalists Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Denver Nuggets star Jamal Murray has spoken out about the hard foul he received from Phoenix Suns' Chris Paul during Game One of their series. After the match, Murray went on record to suggest that people should examine Paul's history when it comes to hard fouls. His comments have raised the question of whether referee officials should be monitoring Paul's actions more closely. The Suns' point guard has been known to push players hard in the past, including Giannis Antetokounmpo during Game 5 of the NBA Finals. However, Paul did not have the best of games himself, scoring just 11 points on 5-11 shooting and one steal.

At present, the series stands at 2-0, with Denver having won both games. During Game Two, Paul left the match after suffering a groin injury and did not return. The Suns are hoping he can return in time for Game Three but are bracing themselves for the possibility that he may not. Phoenix will need to make a comeback if they are to stand a chance of sending Denver home and progressing in the playoffs, with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker needing strong performances.