RADIO
Brandon Clarke Dies at Age 29
Memphis Grizzlies forward/center Brandon Clarke has died at age 29. LAPD sources told ABC News that Clarke died of a possible drug overdose on Monday, with narcotics found at the scene and no indication of foul play. The news of his death comes six weeks after Clarke was arrested for speeding and possession of a controlled substance. The incident occurred in Arkansas on April 1, a few days after it was announced that Clarke had been shut down for the rest of the season due to a calf injury. He was released on bond the following day. In 2019, Clarke was drafted out of Gonzaga as a first-round pick. He was named to the 2019-20 NBA All-Rookie First Team and spent his entire NBA career with the Grizzlies, appearing in 309 games. Clarke averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Luka Doncic Admits He Wasn't Close to Returning Before Season Ended
Los Angeles Lakers point guard Luka Doncic (hamstring) wasn't close to returning before the team's season ended on Monday night. "I know some people wanted me (to come) back, but obviously I wasn't close to clearing," Doncic said. "If I could be out there, I would be, 100%. Everybody in that room knows this is really tough. This is the best time to play basketball." Doncic missed the Lakers' entire postseason campaign after suffering a Grade 2 hamstring strain on April 2. He said he is running and shooting but hasn't progressed to contact work in practice. Losing Doncic for the playoffs was a massive blow to the Lakers. During his first full season in Los Angeles, Doncic averaged a league-high 33.5 points, along with 7.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 1.6 steals. Having turned only 27 earlier this year, he is set to remain a fantasy stalwart for the foreseeable future.
Source: Associated Press
Source: Associated Press
LeBron James Uncertain About Future After Season-Ending Loss
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James has yet to make plans for his future after his 23rd NBA campaign ended with a 115-110 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, ESPN's Dave McMenamin reports. "I think you guys asked me about [retirement], and I've answered questions. I don't think I've come out and been like, 'Oh, retirement is coming,'" James said postgame. "With my future, I don't know, honestly. It's, obviously it's still fresh from, obviously losing [the series]. And I don't know. I don't know what the future holds for me." James, who turned 41 in December, was the Lakers' highest-paid player this term, earning $52.6 million. He doesn't have a contract or a contract option for next season. In 2025-26, James proved he can still be a highly impactful player, averaging 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.2 steals.
Source: Dave McMenamin
Source: Dave McMenamin
Ajay Mitchell Continues to Excel for Thunder
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell wrapped up the second-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers with a 28-point effort in Monday's 115-110 win. The 23-year-old sophomore had the best postseason scoring performance of his young career and also made a mark defensively, recording four steals. He had an outstanding 12-for-19 record from the field, though Mitchell made only one of four three-point attempts. He grabbed three rebounds and delivered four assists. The defending champions lost Jalen Williams (hamstring) in Round 1, but thanks to Mitchell's emergence, the team has done just fine without him. Since taking over Williams' spot in the starting lineup, Mitchell has averaged 21.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Posts 35 Points in Series Clincher
Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 35 points as the defending champions completed their second-round sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers with a 115-110 road win on Monday night. He also had one rebound, eight assists, and one steal, finishing 11-for-22 from the field and 12-for-15 at the free-throw line. This was by far Gilgeous-Alexander's best game of the series, but it's scary that the Thunder didn't need the reigning MVP to be at his best to extend their postseason-opening winning streak to eight games. Mark Daigneault's team is looking unstoppable, though the Thunder could face difficulties in the Conference Finals if they meet San Antonio -- they have lost four of five meetings with the Spurs this season, including the NBA Cup semifinal.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Cade Cunningham Struggles in Game 4 Loss
Detroit Pistons point guard Cade Cunningham couldn't get going in Monday's Game 4 against the Cleveland Cavaliers, finishing a 112-103 loss with 19 points, three rebounds, six assists, one steal, and five turnovers. He had a solid 2-for-5 record from deep but went 7-for-16 overall from the field. The 19-point effort marks Cunningham's postseason career low. Cunningham posted a triple-double in Game 3, but he had a tough time on the road, going 39.5% from the field. In Game 5, Cunningham will be back at home, where he has recorded a 50.0 field-goal percentage.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
James Harden Records 40th Postseason Double-Double
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden logged his 40th postseason double-double in Monday's 113-103 victory over the Detroit Pistons, scoring 24 points and handing out 11 assists. He also made a significant impact defensively, recording three steals and one block. Harden notched 15 of his points in the first half. The former MVP let Donovan Mitchell take over the offense after the break -- Mitchell tied an all-time postseason record with 39 second-half points. While Harden posted a strong line, he went only 5-for-14 from the field, missing all five two-point attempts. The Pistons have disrupted Harden's offensive rhythm, limiting him to a 39.3 field-goal percentage. Still, Harden has made big plays in recent games and remains vital to Cleveland's success.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Donovan Mitchell Ties NBA Playoff Record With 39 Second-Half Points
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell led his team to a series-tying 112-103 win over the Detroit Pistons on Monday, scoring 43 points with a 13-for-26 effort from the field. Detroit limited Mitchell to just four first-half points before he ran amok in the second half. With 39 points, Mitchell tied the NBA record for most second-half points. He went 13-for-15 at the charity stripe, but one of Mitchell's misses came late in the game when he had a chance to break the record set by Eric Floyd in 1987. Mitchell, who finished 4-for-12 from downtown, added five rebounds, two assists, and one steal to his line. After a quiet spell in the playoffs, Mitchell has averaged 36.3 points over his last three games. He'll look to stay hot in Game 5 on Wednesday night.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Draymond Green Set to Stay With Warriors
Golden State Warriors forward/center Draymond Green is expected to remain with the team in 2026-27. His name popped up in trade rumors during the season, but the Warriors seem ready to move forward with their core group. Head coach Steve Kerr has just signed a new two-year contract, and there are reportedly extension talks planned with Stephen Curry. Green holds a $27.6 million player option for 2026-27. Even at 36, Green has remained an effective player, providing a little bit of everything. This season, he averaged 8.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 0.9 steals in 27.5 minutes per game.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Warriors Looking to Extend Stephen Curry in Offseason
The Golden State Warriors are expected to engage in extension talks with point guard Stephen Curry this offseason. The two-time MVP is currently under contract for one more season, but the team appears determined to keep him around for longer. Head coach Steve Kerr has just signed up for two more years with the Warriors, and it's reasonable to assume Curry will also stick around until at least 2028. Late next season, Curry will turn 39, and age could eventually affect his play. So far, Curry has continued to post world-class numbers. However, due to health problems, he played in just 43 games this season, and Curry's fantasy stock will decline if he continues to struggle to stay on the court.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Bucks Listening to Offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks forward/center Giannis Antetokounmpo seems closer than ever to leaving the team. On Monday, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the Bucks are open to trade offers for Antetokounmpo. The team is looking for a young blue-chip talent and/or a surplus of draft picks in a potential deal. The Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and Los Angeles Lakers reportedly pursued Antetokounmpo at the February trade deadline. He should also draw plenty of interest in the offseason leading up to the 2026 draft. Wherever he lands, Antetokounmpo will aim to deliver a bounce-back campaign in 2025-26 after health issues limited him to 36 appearances this season.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
OG Anunoby Expected to Be Ready for Game 1 of East Finals
New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (hamstring) is expected to be healthy for the start of the Eastern Conference Finals, Ian Begley of SNY reports. "OG Anunoby will play in Game 1," Begley said on Monday. "I feel very comfortable saying that, just because of where this thing was in the day or two days after it happened." Anunoby, who is chasing his second championship ring, missed the last two games of New York's second-round sweep against the Philadelphia 76ers. In eight postseason appearances, Anunoby has impressed with high-level production, averaging 21.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, and 1.9 steals per game. His return to action would send Miles McBride back to the second unit.
Source: Ian Begley
Source: Ian Begley
De'Aaron Fox Listed as Questionable for Game 5
San Antonio Spurs point guard De'Aaron Fox (ankle) is considered questionable for Tuesday's Game 5 tilt against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Fox injured his right ankle in Game 4 but had no issues finishing the game. Yet he has landed on the injury report before Tuesday's contest, leaving his status uncertain. The two-time All-Star posted 24 points, four rebounds, three assists, and three steals in 37 minutes in San Antonio's 114-109 Game 4 loss. If Fox can't suit up on Tuesday, the Spurs will hope to get more production from Keldon Johnson and Dylan Harper. Harper, who also had a good two-way showing in Game 4, would be the likely replacement for Fox in the starting unit.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Kevin Huerter to Remain Sidelined in Game 4
Detroit Pistons guard Kevin Huerter (adductor) has been ruled out ahead of Monday's Game 4 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Huerter remains on the sideline and hasn't appeared in a contest since Game 4 of the first-round series. It's unclear when Huerter will return, with him being listed as questionable coming into this game. His continued absence should mean Caris LeVert and Daniss Jenkins continue to have increased roles in the rotation.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Caris LeVert is Cleared for Game 4 on Monday
Detroit Pistons guard Caris LeVert (heel) has been upgraded to available ahead of Monday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. LeVert was questionable coming into this game due to a right heel contusion. He played 17 minutes on Saturday, finishing with six points, four rebounds, and four steals in the loss. The expectation is that LeVert will continue to play minutes in the teens. The four-steal performance was nice to see, but DFS managers can't expect that to happen every game. LeVert isn't an ideal streaming option with him only playing minutes in the teens right now.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
