Aaron Gordon Available For Game 7 Despite Grade 2 Hamstring Strain
2:07 pm: Gordon has been listed as available for Game 7 (Twitter link). He’ll get the start and will attempt to play through a hamstring injury that typically takes weeks to heal, tweets Charania.
8:56 am: Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 hamstring strain that will likely prevent him from playing in today’s Game 7 at Oklahoma City, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).
Gordon is still hoping to be active for the series-deciding contest, but Charania hears that it’s “becoming physically improbable to do so” because he’ll need several weeks to fully recover from the injury.
Gordon, who hurt his hamstring late in Denver’s Game 6 victory, participated in Saturday’s walkthrough in hopes of receiving medical clearance, writes Bennett Durando of The Denver Post. He is listed as questionable on the team’s official injury report and was expected to be a game-time decision.
“Obviously, (team medical staff) will do whatever they have to do for the safety of a person. But yeah, I don’t know,” interim coach David Adelman responded Saturday when asked about Gordon’s chances to play. “I’m sure the hoops (to jump through in order to play) are probably smaller because the game’s coming so quickly. It’s not a thing where he has three weeks to go through it. So it’ll probably be his comfortability along with the medical staff’s advice on what he can and can’t do. … If they say he’s available, he will start.”
Durando reports that Gordon was already dealing with the remnants of a calf strain that has been affecting him all season.
If Gordon doesn’t receive medical clearance, Durando expects either Russell Westbrook or Peyton Watson to take his place in the starting lineup. Adelman prepared for both scenarios during the walkthrough.
“You talk about plays you’re gonna run early in the game, actions to attack people. Some other guys took (Gordon’s) ball-handling responsibilities in case (he’s out),” Adelman said. “We know that’s where Aaron is so underrated and impactful, when he brings the ball up the court. So the other guys have to know those simple actions, but they’re not simple if you’ve never done them. So we walked through a lot of stuff today with different people. … But like I said, the hope is the responsibilities will be Aaron’s.”
Draymond Green Discusses Decision On Jonathan Kuminga, Offseason Plans
Warriors forward Draymond Green addressed several topics related to the team in his latest podcast, including an upcoming decision on restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga (hat tip to BasketNews).
Kuminga was an impact player for Golden State early in the season, but his role diminished after the team traded for Jimmy Butler in early February. His minutes declined once he returned from an extended absence caused a severe right ankle sprain, and he was barely used in the playoffs until injuries to Butler and Stephen Curry opened up opportunities.
The fourth-year forward is only 22 and provides athleticism and physicality that the Warriors need. However, there are concerns about playing him alongside Green and Butler because none of them are accomplished three-point shooters.
Green admitted it would be a “huge financial commitment” to bring back Kuminga, who is likely to get a significant offer if he reaches the open market. He also singled out Kuminga for dealing with the uncertainty surrounding his playing time and for thanking coach Steve Kerr in his exit interview for helping him develop as a player.
“I love the way he handled it … that was such a responsible, great, well-thought answer,” Green said. “He will get paid here, or he will get paid somewhere else.”
Green talked about the team’s collection of young talent in general, also mentioning Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Gui Santos and Quinten Post. He said they all made progress during the season, but acknowledged that several of them may not return.
“When I look at our young guys, they all show promise,” Green said, “… but just off sheer numbers and the way this business works, probably not all will be back.”
It was an up-and-down season for the Warriors, who started off slowly, then surged once they acquired Butler. They narrowly missed a top-six spot in the West, then defeated Memphis in the play-in tournament and Houston in the first round before being ousted by Minnesota in five games.
Green expects his team to be back in title contention next season and said he, Curry and Butler will provide input to management on possible offseason moves.
“You just got to have a conversation … what can be seen from the stands or from some numbers — it ain’t always what it seems,” he said. “We’ll be in the weeds … trying to make it all make sense. The goals will be the goals — trying to win a championship. I stand on that 100%.”
International Notes: P. Gasol, Bogut, Nunn, Shorts, Biberovic
Former NBA stars Pau Gasol and Andrew Bogut were welcomed into the FIBA Hall of Fame Saturday night in Bahrain, according to Eurohoops. In addition to their NBA accomplishments, both players had extensive experience in international competitions, with Gasol being Spain’s all-time scoring leader in EuroBasket and Bogut representing Australia in three Summer Olympics.
Gasol, who was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2023, used his speech to reflect on his time with the Spanish national team and share memories of former Lakers teammate Kobe Bryant.
“None was more important than my brother, Kobe,” Gasol told the crowd. “Our connection went far beyond that. He was unique. He challenged me to leave it all on the court every day to make us NBA champions. I’ll never forget how he welcomed me onto the team. We built something special. It wasn’t easy. Trust, accountability, unwavering commitment, and pure determination. I miss him and (his daughter) Gigi terribly.”
Other notable members of this year’s class include former Duke and Team USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski, three-time gold medalist Dawn Staley and WNBA career assists leader Ticha Penicheiro of Portugal.
There’s more international news to pass along:
- Kendrick Nunn is mulling over offers to represent Greece or Turkey at this year’s EuroBasket tournament, according to George Adamopolous of EuroHoops. The former NBA guard, who plays for Panathinaikos in Greece, is the reigning EuroLeague MVP. “There were offers that came on the table to play either for the Greek national team or the Turkish national team,” Nunn said. “It’s still in the air. I haven’t made a decision yet to be honest. I still have time.”
- T.J. Shorts, who has received interest from the Grizzlies, has earned back-to-back MVP honors in the French League, per EuroHoops. The Paris Basketball point guard averaged 16.9 points and 8.0 assists per game in his first season in the league, shooting 59.1% from the field and 38.7% from three-point range. Shorts, 27, will be a free agent this summer.
- Fenerbahce swingman Tarik Biberovic, whose rights are controlled by the Grizzlies, is pondering a move to the NBA and is getting encouragement from teammate Marko Guduric, EuroHoops relays in another piece. “If I’m Fener, I’m obviously trying to keep Tarik,” Guduric said, “but for him, personally, it’s going to be his decision and of his family, whatever is best for them. I told him, if there is an opportunity, maybe you should try.”
Celtics Notes: Kornet, Holiday, Brown, White
With the Celtics looking for ways to cut costs this offseason, it’s possible that re-signing Luke Kornet will be a luxury they can’t afford. The 29-year-old backup center wasn’t ready to address his future at Saturday’s exit interviews, according to Souichi Terada of MassLive.
“Regarding going forward it’s like, I’ll figure out stuff when it kind of comes to it,” Kornet said. “At this point, you’re just kind of trying to unwind and spend some time with family and you don’t even know what everything is gonna look like because you just got done playing. That’s kind of what it is for now.”
Kornet, who has been with the team since being acquired at the 2022 trade deadline, turned out to be a bargain on the one-year, minimum-salary contract he signed last summer. He brought stability to Boston’s frontline, appearing in 73 games and averaging 6.0 points and 5.3 rebounds in 18.6 minutes per night. He helped the Celtics extend their second-round series with a near triple-double in Game 5 and was in the starting lineup for Game 6.
Keeping Kornet could become more important than ever with Al Horford uncertain about returning for another season. Boston owns Kornet’s Bird rights, but second apron restrictions and a huge projected tax bill will likely limit what the team is willing to offer.
“The year, obviously it didn’t ultimately end in what we wanted to do and accomplish,” Kornet added. “It’s like a good deal to look back on well. I mean obviously the day after, that’s a little tough. But I think that it was a little more time to be able to kind of appreciate things for what they were. Obviously we had some good stretches and we ultimately came short, so it’s just kind of the taste in the mouth for the time being.”
There’s more from Boston:
- Jrue Holiday has been mentioned as a potential trade candidate because of his hefty salary, but he believes the Celtics can remain title contenders if the core of the team stays together, Terada states in a separate story. Holiday has three seasons left on his four-year, $134.4MM extension, including a $37.2MM player option in 2027/28. “We still have a really, really great opportunity and a great window to be successful and win a championship again,” he said. “I think the talent that we have on this team, not only on the court, but the coaching staff all the way up to (president of basketball operations Brad Stevens) has been amazing. So, the opportunity to win is now, and I still want to be a part of that.”
- Jaylen Brown, who has been diagnosed with a partially torn meniscus, offered a message of hope to Celtics fans after being eliminated, Terada adds in another piece. Brown expects the team to bounce back quickly, even though Jayson Tatum is sidelined indefinitely after having surgery to repair a torn Achilles. “This journey is not the end; it’s not the end for me,” Brown said. “I’m looking forward to coming back stronger, so you just take this with your chin up. I know Boston, it looks gloomy right now, obviously with JT being out and us kind of ending the year. But it’s a lot to look forward to. I want the city to feel excited about that. This is not the end, so I’m looking forward to what’s next.”
- Derrick White appears likely to stay in Boston because he’s delivering good value on his contract, observes Brian Robb of MassLive. White acknowledged that changes are likely coming to the team, adding that his priority will be improving during the summer. “I just gotta focus on what I need to focus on, which is obviously I have a lot of room for improvement,” White said. “So I gotta get better. People are going to do their jobs and my job right now is to get better.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo To Meet With Bucks Next Week
A meeting has been set up between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bucks management that could affect the future of the franchise and possibly set off one of the hottest NBA trade sweepstakes in years. According to veteran reporter Chris Haynes (Twitter video link), Bucks officials contacted Antetokounmpo and his representatives Saturday morning, and the parties will get together “mid next week.”
It’s an event that could have huge ramifications across the NBA landscape if the team isn’t able to convince Antetokounmpo that he can compete for more championships in Milwaukee. There has been speculation for weeks that the two-time MVP might ask for a trade, and a report on Monday indicated that he has become open-minded about pursuing opportunities elsewhere.
The Bucks’ challenge of convincing Antetokounmpo that they can field a title-worthy team around him became more difficult after they were ousted in the first round for the third consecutive year and Damian Lillard was lost with a torn left Achilles.
The injury may keep Lillard out of action for all of next season, but his $54.1MM salary will remain on the books and he holds a $58.5MM player option for 2026/27, making it difficult for the front office to acquire any more high-priced talent.
Rumors have been flying about Antetokounmpo’s potential next destination, with a report this week suggesting the Rockets and Spurs are in position to make the best offers for the two-time MVP. That came out before San Antonio moved up to second in Monday night’s draft lottery, creating another valuable trade chip that could be included in any offer. Houston is also awash in young talent and draft assets and may be willing to include All-Star center Alperen Sengun as part of a package to Milwaukee.
The Nets, Heat and Hawks have also been mentioned as possible suitors, while the Pelicans could get involved either directly or as a third team to facilitate a deal because they have the ability to swap picks with Milwaukee in both 2026 and 2027 (top-four protected).
The Thunder are another team with a large collection of draft assets, and they could be motivated to make a play for Antetokounmpo if they fall short of a title after winning 68 games this season.
Antetokounmpo developed into one of the greatest players in franchise history after being selected with the 15th pick in the 2013 draft. He was the cornerstone of the 2021 team that brought Milwaukee its first NBA title in 50 years, but that group has largely been broken up with Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton already being traded away.
Anyone who trades for Antetokounmpo would be getting an all-time great who’s still in his prime without having to worry about re-signing him right away. At age 30, he’s a finalist for MVP honors this year after averaging 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists in 67 games and shooting 60.1% from the field. He’s under contract for $54.1MM next season and $58.5MM in 2026/27 while possessing a $62.8MM player option for 2027/28.
Al Horford Will Take Time To Decide On NBA Future
Major roster changes are expected for the Celtics this summer, and speculation has already started about whether those changes will include Al Horford‘s retirement, writes Jay King of The Athletic.
Horford, who will turn 39 next month, is headed for free agency after the expiration of the two-year contract he signed in 2023. He has been a fixture with the organization since returning in 2021 and played an important role with last year’s championship team, but he hasn’t decided if he wants to continue his NBA career.
“I’m going to take some time here with my wife and my kids and just (do) that,” Horford said at Saturday’s exit interviews. “It has not even been a day (since Boston’s playoff run ended), so there’s still a lot for me to process and just feeling everything out from last night, that was difficult.”
King notes that Horford has previously said he plans to keep playing as long as he feels good physically and can continue to contribute. A report last week from ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said Horford wasn’t ready to retire and was hoping for a new contract with the Celtics, but the veteran center sounded less certain after Friday’s Game 6 loss at New York.
“I’m just not ready to talk about that right now,” he told reporters. “I just need some time with my wife and my family, and that’s what I plan on doing these next few weeks.”
There were already rumors that Boston was planning to trim salary this summer to reduce its tax bill, and that strategy became more likely with the loss of Jayson Tatum to a torn Achilles that could sideline him for all of next season. The organization projects to be well over the second apron and is facing record-breaking tax penalties if the current roster remains together.
The Celtics have made a few concessions to Horford’s age, like not using him in both ends of back-to-backs, but he remains a vital part of the team’s success. He appeared in 60 games this season, starting 42 and averaging 9.0 points and 6.2 rebounds in 27.7 minutes per night. He also fits in with the team’s three-point philosophy by shooting 36.3% from beyond the arc.
Horford made $9.5MM this year, so it shouldn’t be expensive to bring him back if he decides to continue playing.
King adds that Horford has also been a tremendous locker room leader, with players such as Luke Kornet and Sam Hauser raving about his influence.
“He’s one of the best teammates I’ve ever had at any single level,” Hauser said. “What I learned from him the most was just being routined and being efficient with your time. In my first two years, I watched him from afar a lot. And I don’t even know if he knows this, but I took a lot of mental notes about how he operated on a day-to-day basis.
“He’s got five kids at home, he’s gotta be really efficient when he’s here, but he’s always in early getting his pre-court in and getting his rehab in, getting his treatment in, getting his shots up, doing whatever it takes to be prepared on the court but then also knowing he’s gotta be a father at home too for five kids. Now, having a kid, just one, I mean, it’s a lot.
“We would love to have him back, but I’m sure he’s going to take his time and do what’s right for him. Whatever he decides, that’s the right decision.”
Mavs’ Marshall Discusses Losing Doncic, Landing Flagg
Like virtually everyone else in Dallas, Naji Marshall was in disbelief when he heard that the Mavericks had traded Luka Doncic to the Lakers, writes Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal (subscription required). For Marshall, the move meant not only losing the cornerstone of the franchise, but also parting with a close friend and someone who impacted his game during their brief time together.
Marshall arrived in Dallas last summer, signing a three-year, $27MM contract in free agency after spending his first four NBA seasons in New Orleans. He wound up playing just 17 games alongside Doncic before the trade, but he said they quickly formed a connection on the court.
“I mean, I understood that, like, business is business as far as the NBA, but I was hurt, man,” Marshall said during a recent appearance on The Old Man and the Three podcast. “Luka’s my dawg, for real. And I love (Anthony Davis). That’s my guy right there. Like, he’s been great with us. You know, he welcomed us with open arms. … But as far as just personally, like, I just was hurt to lose Luka, man.”
Marshall added that Doncic’s welcoming nature became apparent shortly after he joined the Mavericks. He called Doncic a great communicator who knew how to connect with his teammates.
“Luka is just the chillest guy ever, bro. You just feel like his best friend from day one,” Marshall continued. “He’s just a great dude. Never mad, just always happy. And just a Hall of Fame flamethrower when it comes to basketball.”
Marshall also shared his memories of Doncic’s emotional return to Dallas on April 9. After being moved to tears by a pregame tribute video, Doncic proceeded to shred his former team with 45 points, eight rebounds, six assists and four steals in a 112-97 victory. Marshall, who led the Mavs with 23 points and eight assists in that game, said it was “beautiful” to watch Doncic back in action at American Airlines Center.
“First game home … Luka wanted to be in Dallas. He probably never thought he was gonna leave,” Marshall said. “To see him cry before the game — like, I don’t know what he was feeling, but I could just imagine what that moment felt like for him.”
Another topic during the podcast was the Mavericks’ remarkable lottery luck, which saw them rise from No. 11 to land the top pick and the chance to draft Cooper Flagg. Marshall said he was overcome with excitement while watching the broadcast as envelopes continued to be opened without Dallas’ logo coming up.
Marshall believes Flagg can be an impact player right away as the Mavs try to establish themselves as contenders again following a disastrous season.
“I love his game, honestly,” Marshall said. “Like, for real… He’s a winner. I love how he hoop. … The dog he has. I’m a dog, so that’s what I’m really looking for, and he’s a dog, too. I’m excited, bro. I’m excited to see him grow—become a star in the league.”
Knicks Notes: Game 6, Hart, Towns, Players’ Meeting
There were celebrations inside and outside of Madison Square Garden Friday night as the Knicks disposed of the Celtics in their second-round series, but players and coaches realize their job is only half done, writes Steve Popper of Newsday. With New York headed to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years, the focus is preparing for Indiana rather than celebrating the achievement.
“I think the way you have to look at it is whatever your ceiling is, that’s what you’re striving for,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “You’re trying to go past whatever the expectations are for you. If everyone commits to that, the challenge is to bring the best out of everybody. The goal is always to win a championship. We’ve got eight wins. We need 16. And each one gets harder and harder. So you’ve got to keep fighting and you’ve got to understand how important that is. “
Popper notes that while fans were savoring the moment, the Knicks were reserved after closing out Boston with a resounding 38-point win. The four starters who participated in the post-game press conference were relatively emotionless, while the fifth, OG Anunoby, didn’t have much to say to reporters in the locker room.
“Obviously, I’m new here, but I just know how much New York loves their sports, especially the Knicks, so just all excited to be a part of it,” Mikal Bridges said. “They’re enjoying it now for us, but we have way more to go. Yeah, there’s more to do. We’re not done. That’s what it is. We came out there tonight to play hard and handle business, but our season’s not over. We’ve got so much more to go and we play on Wednesday, so get ready to prepare for them. Whole different team and a whole new series.”
There’s more from New York:
- Friday’s game was especially memorable for Josh Hart, who posted the first triple-double in Knicks’ playoff history since Walt Frazier did it in 1972, per Zach Braziller of The New York Post. Hart finished with 10 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists along with a plus-24 rating in 33 minutes. “That’s who he is. He impacts the game in a lot of different ways,” Thibodeau said. “Sometimes people get stuck on, ‘Well, he didn’t shoot the ball, or he didn’t do this.’ “Well, what he is is a basketball player, so it’s transition. It’s the pace. It’s playing out of pocket. It’s making corner threes. It’s doing all the dribble-handoff, hustle plays, offensive rebounds. And then, defensively being everywhere and coming up with big rebounds. I think when you play with that kind of effort, it’s inspiring to the team.”
- Karl-Anthony Towns had been in a slump for much of the series, but he broke out in a big way with 21 points and 12 rebounds in Game 6, notes Peter Botte of The New York Post. Towns led the charge with 16 first-half points as the Knicks held a 27-point lead at intermission. “My teammates trusted me in positions to score, and I’m glad I was able to repay their trust with some buckets,” he said. “So it’s really a testament to my teammates keeping me involved and allowing me to be aggressive.”
- Fred Katz of The Athletic takes a look inside a players-only meeting held after the Game 5 loss in Boston. There was a feeling that the team let up in the wake of Jayson Tatum‘s Achilles tear and didn’t approach the game with enough intensity, according to Katz. “The whole day of Game 5, it just wasn’t us,” Jalen Brunson said. “And we knew that. We reflected on it, and we came back and we said, ‘We need to be ready. We need to be better.’ The way we prepared, the way we talked out there, the way we made it an emphasis to have each other’s back and to continue to cover for each other … focus on the little things, and we did that.”
Sixers Notes: Yabusele, Embiid, George, Bailey
Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey is making it known that re-signing free agent forward Guerschon Yabusele will be an offseason priority. In a recent appearance on the Rights to Ricky Sanchez podcast, Morey was asked if he had a message for Yabusele, who was slated to join the hosts on draft lottery night (hat tip to HoopsHype).
“He’s really embraced Philly, which is exciting,” Morey responded. “He’s going to have many great options—I mean, he’s very valued around the league. So, hopefully he understands how important he is to us and to the fans of Philly. Him being at your event—I think you might actually help us in free agency by having him there.”
Morey delivered a similar message with “Kincade and Salciunas” on 97.5 The Fanatic (hat tip to Sportando), saying, “Yabusele’s an unrestricted free agent so we will look to re-sign him, but historically in the league, that tends to be a harder situation, but it would be awesome if we could get him back.”
Yabusele played two years in Boston, then spent five seasons in Europe before rekindling NBA interest with a strong performance in the Summer Olympics. He signed a one-year deal with Philadelphia last August and was one of the few bright spots in an injury-filled season, averaging 11.0 points and 5.6 rebounds per night in 70 games.
The Sixers only hold Yabusele’s Non-Bird rights, so they’re limited to offering him a 120% raise above his minimum salary unless they use part of their mid-level exception. He has expressed a desire to remain in Philadelphia, but he may get better offers on the open market.
There’s more on the Sixers:
- Morey has expressed optimism that Joel Embiid can return to his MVP form, but the odds are against it, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer states in a mailbag column. Embiid, 32, is coming off two significant operations on his left knee within 14 months. The star center’s recovery progress this summer will be closely watched, but it’s possible that knee issues will continue to bother him for the rest of his career.
- There won’t be much of a market if the team tries to unload Paul George‘s contract during the offseason, Pompey predicts in the same piece. Injuries limited George to 41 games this season, and he still has three years and $162.3MM left on the contract he signed as a free agent last summer. Age is another concern as he turned 35 earlier this month, and Pompey notes that any executive would be risking his job by trading for George if it doesn’t work out.
- Ace Bailey, who’s considered a strong possibility to be selected by the Sixers with the No. 3 pick, listed George as one of his player comparisons in an interview at the draft combine (Twitter video link from Michael Scotto of HoopsHype). “Big three. KD (Kevin Durant), Paul George and Jayson Tatum,” Bailey said. “George and Tatum, their creation for them to get their shot off is unbelievable. I see myself doing the same thing. KD in the mid post with one, two dribbles, or less is straight buckets.”
Jaylen Brown May Need Surgery For Partially Torn Meniscus
Surgery may be the next step for Jaylen Brown now that the Celtics have been eliminated from the playoffs, writes Ramona Shelburne of ESPN. Sources tell Shelburne that the nagging knee pain Brown has been experiencing over the past few weeks is caused by a partially torn right meniscus.
Brown will be evaluated this week to see if surgery or rest is the best course of action, according to Shelburne’s sources, who say he has been receiving pain management injections in the knee since March.
Along with the injections, Brown has been adjusting his style of play to avoid putting undue strain on the knee. He admitted that he doesn’t have his usual explosiveness around the rim, but he still found a way to be effective, averaging 22.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 10 playoff games, which were similar to his numbers from last year’s postseason when he was named MVP of the Eastern Conference Finals and NBA Finals.
Brown was asked about the condition of his knee after Boston’s Game 6 loss Friday night in New York.
“I don’t make excuses,” he told reporters. “Obviously, it’s tough the way we went out like tonight, but the way we finished the year, personally, the way I finished the year, persevering through some physical stuff that I was battling through, I’m proud of our group.”
Brown’s future will be one of many intriguing Celtics storylines to watch this summer. The team is expected to cut payroll with Jayson Tatum set to miss most or all of next season with a torn Achilles, and Brown’s super-max contract makes him a potential trade candidate. He’s owed $53.1MM next season and $236.2MM over the next four years.