Southwest Notes: Ujiri, Schmitz, Sweeney, Popovich, Rockets
Christian Clark of The Athletic profiles new Mavericks president of basketball operations and alternate governor Masai Ujiri, writing that the veteran executive got his NBA start as an unpaid scout with Orlando in 2002 prior to landing a paid scouting job with Denver the following year.
Seven years later, Ujiri was named the Nuggets’ general manager, winning the Executive of the Year award in 2012/13 and then leaving for the top front office job in Toronto shortly thereafter. The Raptors made the playoffs in eight of Ujiri’s 12 seasons, winning the title in 2019, before the two sides parted ways last summer.
Ujiri’s first major move in Dallas was hiring Mike Schmitz to be his top lieutenant, with a title of general manager. Schmitz, who was most recently the Trail Blazers’ assistant GM, was also a draft analyst for several years before joining Portland, Clark notes.
“I’ve known him for many, many years,” Ujiri said of Schmitz. “Incredible scout. Incredible leader. Just digs deep into work, data and what you want to know about: really scouting players, team building, all those things, you know? Treating people well. Staff organizing. Managing people. It’s a whole package.”
Here’s more from the Southwest:
- Within a feature story on Spurs associate head coach Sean Sweeney, Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News (subscriber link) refers to the 41-year-old as the “unsung star” of the team’s playoff run. Sweeney, who has been linked to multiple head coaching vacancies this spring, is known as a defensive guru — the Spurs had the fifth-worst defensive rating in the NBA in 2024/25 but had the third-best mark in 2025/26, McDonald writes. Several members of the team praised Sweeney’s preparedness, competitiveness and basketball acumen, and unanimous Defensive Player of the Year Victor Wembanyama said Sweeney deserved “all of” the credit for San Antonio’s defensive turnaround this season, according to McDonald. “His attention to detail on everything and the way he can explain things to make it make sense for us (is big),” guard Stephon Castle said. “He’s a big reason we’re one of the top defenses in the West.”
- Although he formally stepped down as the Spurs‘ head coach at the end of last season after suffering a stroke in November 2024, Gregg Popovich has quietly been around the team throughout 2025/26, Jared Weiss of The Athletic writes, providing honest feedback and support to several players on the roster. “He’s been a big part of this whole year,” rookie Carter Bryant told The Athletic. “It’s been amazing. Not everybody has the greatest coach of all time just kind of sitting there in their laps. I just try to take it up as much as I can.” Popovich’s technical title is president of basketball operations, but it sounds like he’s been more of a coaching adviser, Weiss adds. “I think that’s one big thing, respecting the game and not taking any of this for granted,” Devin Vassell said. “And just with life, he’s taught me so much stuff off the court, whether it’s family or giving back in the community, he’s always had that at his forefront, and I appreciate him for that.”
- Varun Shankar of The Houston Chronicle (subscription required) shares some Rockets-related chatter from the combine. People around the league don’t expect Amen Thompson to sign a rookie scale max extension this offseason, according to Shankar, who suggests Thompson might receive something like 20-23% of the salary cap instead of the full 25%. Shankar also hears Tari Eason‘s next contract could come in around $22MM annually. Eason will be a restricted free agent this summer if he’s given a qualifying offer, as expected.
Spurs Notes: Wembanyama, Harper, K. Johnson, M. Johnson
Victor Wembanyama realized that he lost his composure when he was ejected from Game 4 for knocking down Naz Reid with an elbow, so he didn’t let anything bother him when the series resumed Tuesday night, writes Jared Weiss of The Athletic. Wembanyama had interactions with Jaden McDaniels, Ayo Dosunmu and Anthony Edwards early in the game, but he just smiled and played through them as the Spurs rolled to a 29-point victory.
“I feel like the rage baiting would have been maybe one of their strategies,” Wembanyama said. “I just feel like we need to stay composed as a team.”
Instead of getting upset, Wembanyama responded by torching the Timberwolves for 27 points, 17 rebounds, five assists, three blocks and two three-pointers, a combined stat line that no one else has ever reached in the playoffs. Prior to the game, Devin Vassell said he was looking for “Angry Vic,” but coach Mitch Johnson was relieved that “Mature Vic” showed up instead. Wembanyama believes he brought a little bit of both, and the combination was too much for Minnesota.
“I feel like we got the Vic that you’ve seen all year. I think his maturity level was off the charts,” Stephon Castle said. “When he’s playing like that, playing aggressive with everything he brings for us defensively, I feel like we’re pretty hard to beat.”
There’s more from San Antonio:
- Dylan Harper‘s highlight dunk in the fourth quarter provided an exclamation point for his high-level performance throughout the postseason, observes Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic. Harper was a plus-13 on Tuesday, and the Spurs have outscored opponents by 73 combined points in the playoffs when he’s been on the court. “If he played for any other team in the league,” Carter Bryant said, “he’d be starting and probably be winning the Rookie of the Year right now. And to see how he’s sacrificed and bought into his role, it’s amazing.”
- Keldon Johnson has mostly been held in check during the postseason, but he displayed his Sixth Man of the Year credentials in Game 5, Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News notes in a subscriber-only story. Johnson, who was limited to 31 total points in the five games against Portland and 35 in the first four games of this series, went 8-of-11 from the field on his way to a 21-point night.
- Prior to Game 4, Mitch Johnson talked about the team’s chances to be a title contender for years to come with a youthful core of Wembanyama (22), Castle (21), Harper (20) and Bryant (20), relays Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News (subscription required). “We have a lot of young players I don’t think are anywhere near reaching their ceiling or optimal level of playing,” Johnson said. “And we’re still learning about each other and ourselves. The coach has room to grow and get better. So, yeah, I just don’t think we’re anywhere near being a finished product by any means. There’s a lot of room to improve.”
Timberwolves Notes: Edwards, Reid, Wembanyama, Gobert
Anthony Edwards left his teammates in awe by scoring 36 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, during Game 4 of the Timberwolves’ second-round series against the Spurs, according to The Associated Press’ Dave Campbell.
Edwards missed the clinching Game 5 against Denver in the first round due to a hyperextended left knee and bone bruise. He’s gutted through all four games against San Antonio, playing 40 and 41 minutes in the past two games entering Tuesday’s Game 5.
“Honestly, I think he would just now be coming back if he was like a normal human being, but he’s not,” guard Mike Conley said. “We’re thankful for what he’s sacrificing for us and putting us on his back,” Conley added. “We expect it from him. He expects it. So we just try to keep him healthy, keep him going forward.”
“We’re lucky to have him. He’s special, no doubt, especially given what he’s been fighting through over the last month and a half,” coach Chris Finch added.
Here’s more on the Timberwolves:
- Edwards drew some extra motivation on Sunday. His thoughts centered around his mother, Yvette Edwards, who died from cancer on Jan. 5, 2015. It was his first career win on Mother’s Day. “I just wanted to win for my mom,” he said, per Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic. “It was that simple.”
- Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama was ejected in the first half of Game 4 after elbowing Naz Reid. It was a powerful blow but Reid wound up playing 31 minutes and contributing 15 points, nine rebounds and four assists. “If only y’all knew who my mom and my grandmother are,” he told Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. “I get a lot of my toughness from them. My mom used to walk damn near an hour and 45 minutes to work. That’s what my mom taught me. You get knocked down, get right back up.”
- Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert have a deep bond. Gobert first met the Spurs star when the latter was 13 years old. The Frenchmen have had to put their friendship aside in this series, Anthony Slater of ESPN writes. “[We talk] in regular times. We say ‘hi’ [on the court]. Our families see each other. But we are focused,” Gobert said.
Wembanyama Escapes Fine, Suspension After Game 4 Ejection
The Spurs lost Game 4 of the conference semifinals to the Timberwolves on Sunday night after Victor Wembanyama was tossed for elbowing Naz Reid during the first half. The superstar big man will not face an additional penalty, ESPN’s Shams Charania tweets.
Wembanyama will not be suspended or fined by the league in the aftermath of the ejection, according to Charania, and will be eligible to play against the Timberwolves on Tuesday night in San Antonio.
Minnesota outscored San Antonio 34-25 in the fourth quarter of a 114-109 victory that knotted the series at 2-apiece. The Timberwolves will have to deal with Wembanyama’s towering presence in the pivotal Game 5. The Spurs center was coming off a huge 39-point, 15-rebound, 5-block performance in Game 3 when San Antonio grabbed a 2-1 lead in the series.
Wembanyama was initially called for an offensive foul during the second quarter incident in Game 4 but it was upgraded to a flagrant 2, which comes with an automatic ejection, upon review. The NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year only had four points and four rebounds in 12 minutes prior to the ejection.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson commented afterward that a possible suspension for Wembanyama “would be ridiculous.” That is no longer a concern.
As for a fine, Wembanyama will face the standard $2K penalty for any flagrant or technical foul, but Charania’s reporting indicates the NBA won’t be assessing any additional fine on top of that after reviewing the incident.
Victor Wembanyama Ejected From Game 4 As Wolves Even Series
The Spurs lost Victor Wembanyama to his first career ejection after he received a flagrant foul 2 following an elbow to the neck and jaw of Timberwolves big man Naz Reid, writes Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com. The incident occurred with 8:39 remaining the second quarter of Sunday’s Game 4 in Minnesota (YouTube link), which the Wolves went on to win to even the series at two games apiece.
According to Wright, Wembanyama was initially called for an offensive foul but it was upgraded to a flagrant 2, which comes with an automatic ejection, upon review. The star center seemed confused about the penalty on the broadcast, appearing to ask teammate Harrison Barnes what it meant, Wright notes.
The NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year only had four points and four rebounds in 12 minutes after dominating and joining exclusive company in Game 3 with 39 points (on 13-of-18 shooting), 15 rebounds and five blocks in 37 minutes.
The incident will be reviewed further by the league office to determine if additional punishment may be warranted.
After the five-point loss, Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson defended the 22-year-old big man, according to Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News (Twitter links). While Johnson didn’t condone the elbow to Reid, he said Wembanyama was defending himself.
“It’s getting to a point that if the people that are in charge of controlling the game and protecting the physicality of the game don’t do that, then at some point he’s going to have to protect himself,” Johnson said. “… He’s going to have to protect himself if they’re not…It’s disgusting….I just think that the amount of physicality that people play with him at some level you have to protect yourself.”
Johnson added that he thought a possible suspension for Wembanyama “would be ridiculous.”
“There was zero intent,” he said (Twitter link via Orsborn).
Spurs Notes: Wemby, Edwards, Bryant, Two-Way Players
Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson made the “ultimate gamble” on Friday when he decided to leave Victor Wembanyama in the game after the star center picked up his fifth personal foul with six-plus minutes remaining, writes Jared Weiss of The Athletic. Instead of backfiring, the decision paid dividends, as San Antonio defeated Minnesota by seven points to regain home-court advantage in the Western Conference semifinals.
Wembanyama put up incredible numbers in the victory, recording 39 points (on 13-of-18 shooting), 15 rebounds and five blocks in 37 minutes. The Spurs were plus-16 when he was on the court and minus-nine in the 11 minutes he didn’t play.
“It’s the feeling I get before games, I dunno, this excitement, this heat in my heart,” Wembanyama told “NBA on Prime Video” after the Spurs’ win. “It just gets stronger and stronger as the game goes on. I’m built for this. I love this more than anything else.”
According to Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com, Wembanyama became the fourth player since blocks became an official statistic in 1973/74 to record a 35-15-5 stat line in the playoffs, joining Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O’Neal and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The French big man also limited his opponents to 4-of-21 shooting on field goals he contested, Wright adds.
“He really imposed himself on the game,” Johnson said. “He established himself dominating the paint and rim on both ends. When he does that, it kind of feels like everything opens up for himself and his teammates. Then he gets some shots on the perimeter. He gets some closeouts. He gets the gravity in terms of teams trying to be physical with him. He did a good job of playing though contact and not expecting calls. [He] just met the physicality with the proper execution.”
Here’s more on the Spurs, who are now up 2-1 in the second-round series:
- After Anthony Edwards scored 27 points through three quarters, Devin Vassell and Stephon Castle helped limit the Timberwolves star to five points in the final frame, per Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News. “We know he likes to get to that left-hand step back for sure, so we just tried to pressure him and make him go right,” Vassell said. “And then sending doubles, and doing stuff like that. But ultimately it was to wear him down all through the game, so at the end of the game, he wasn’t feeling comfortable.”
- Rookie forward Carter Bryant only played eight minutes in Game 3, but he made the most of his opportunity, knocking down both of his three-point attempts in the second quarter, Orsborn notes in another story. “I think the biggest thing is just coming in and just doing my job,” Bryant told the San Antonio Express-News. “Sometimes it calls for me to hit those two shots. Sometimes I miss those two shots, but I’m playing spectacular defense on the other end. So it’s just understanding you can’t allow yourself to get out of the game. Just something as simple as that.”
- Two-way players aren’t eligible to compete in the postseason, but Emanuel Miller, Harrison Ingram and David Jones Garcia are viewing this playoff run as an opportunity to learn and improve their games, according to Orsborn. “It’s something you can’t really put into words, seeing what we’re doing (to prepare),” said Miller. “It’s been a blessing, a learning experience for sure, learning from the best coaches, learning from (president Gregg Popovich), learning from the players, learning how to attack each game, how to attack each series and how they attack, really, each day.”
Wolves Notes: Edwards, Dosunmu, Finch, Randle
According to Timberwolves guard Mike Conley, “nobody” expected Anthony Edwards to be available for Game 1 of the second round on Monday after he suffered a left knee injury just nine days earlier that was projected to sideline him for multiple weeks.
However, as Anthony Slater of ESPN writes, Edwards made significant progress in his recovery over the weekend and was upgraded to questionable before being listed as available. The star guard was limited to 25 minutes off the bench, but scored 18 points on 8-of-13 shooting as Minnesota became the only one of four road teams to win Game 1.
“I know for a fact that me being out there calms everybody down,” Edwards said after the victory.
While Edwards presumably isn’t feeling 100%, he came through Game 1 with no setbacks, head coach Chris Finch said on Tuesday. According to Slater (Twitter link), it remains to be seen whether Edwards will be able to increase his minutes limit beyond that range of 25 in Game 2, but the plan was for him to do some light work and receive treatment on Tuesday in preparation for Wednesday’s contest.
Here’s more on the Wolves:
- Both Edwards and guard Ayo Dosunmu (right calf) are listed as questionable to play in Game 3, the Wolves announced (via Twitter). Dosunmu missed Game 6 of the first round vs. Denver as well as Game 1 vs. San Antonio due to that calf issue.
- Although the Wolves won Monday’s game, head coach Chris Finch is doing what he can to make sure the officials keep a closer eye on Spurs star Victor Wembanyama after the Defensive Player of the Year registered a playoff-record 12 blocked shots in Game 1. Speaking on Tuesday to reporters, including Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, Finch said he thought at least four of those 12 blocks should have been goaltends. “Maybe even a fifth,” he said. “To me, it’s a little alarming that none of them were called. Here’s a generational shot blocker who is 7-6, who goes after everything, and there’s no heightened awareness that these blocks could be goaltends?”
- With Edwards leading the offense, Rudy Gobert anchoring the defense, and Jaden McDaniels emerging as a two-way star, Julius Randle has flown somewhat under the radar in Minnesota this spring. However, the three-time All-Star forward is a crucial part of the Wolves’ game plan against San Antonio due to his ability to be physical with Wembanyama and the Spurs’ front line, writes Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic. “He’s the strongest player on the floor,” teammate Terrence Shannon Jr. said of Randle. “You know he can use his physicality against anybody. Any of them.”
Spurs Notes: Wembanyama, Bryant, Johnson, Team Chemistry
Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert have a long history together, with Gobert serving as something of a mentor for the Spurs‘ superstar as he was growing up, Tim Reynolds writes for The Associated Press.
“He’s meant a lot as a role model,” Wembanyama said. “There’s lots of (ways) that he inspired me and I think he should inspire more people in terms of taking care of your body. He should be a model for all big men. So, I would say that’s the main thing.”
Gobert was similarly complimentary of his fellow Frenchman, both on and off the court.
“I’m very excited to watch him grow every day, to see his work paying off,” Gobert said. “Outside of the talent, he’s someone that has a very unique soul, a very unique mind and nothing is an accident. It’s not an accident that he’s having the success that he’s having.”
Now the two Defensive Player of the Year winners are set to face off in Round 2 of the NBA playoffs, with Game 1 on Monday, and Wembanyama is excited to go up against a player he has long looked up to.
“It’s even more fun if I’m meant to play against Rudy,” he said, per Johnny Askounis of Eurohoops.
We have more Spurs news:
- Rookie forward Carter Bryant is being listed as questionable for Game 1 on Monday with a right foot sprain after the team had previously stated that everyone was healthy heading into the second round, Tom Orsborn writes for the San Antonio Express-News. Bryant played 9.2 minutes per game in the first round, hitting four of his nine three-point tries.
- Head coach Mitch Johnson wants his team, and himself, to “embrace the mundane” and not get caught up in the ups and downs of a playoff series, Orsborn writes. “I think the one thing that stuck with me at times is as much as you want to do (more) and as far as your mind wanders, you just keep doing the same thing (you did in the regular season) and do it better,” Johnson said. This is the message that Johnson has preached since the season started, and it becomes even more important in the playoffs. Stephon Castle had a simpler way of putting it. “Don’t get lackadaisical, don’t get satisfied, just stick to what is working,” Castle said. “Don’t get bored of doing things the right way.”
- While it’s unclear where the 2025/26 Spurs will rank in team history in terms of greatness, it’s increasingly clear they’re one of the franchise’s most close-knit teams ever, Orsborn writes in a separate piece. “Guys like being around each other,” De’Aaron Fox said. “Guys like hanging out.” The Spurs look to be well-rested heading into the series.
Victor Wembanyama Calls NBA’s Handling Of Concussion Protocol ‘Disappointing’
After a dominant performance in the Spurs‘ Game 4 victory at Portland on Sunday, Victor Wembanyama expressed disappointment about not being cleared from concussion protocol ahead of Game 3, writes Jared Weiss of The Athletic.
The French star received clearance from San Antonio’s medical staff and sought league approval ahead of Friday’s contest, according to Weiss. When he was turned down by the director of the NBA’s concussion program, Wembanyama asked for an examination by an independent neurologist. He participated in an interview regarding his symptoms and told the neurologist that he felt fine to play, a source tells Weiss, but the league refused to grant clearance.
Wembanyama addressed the situation after Sunday’s game, saying he never received a firm reason for why he wasn’t permitted to play in Game 3.
“I’m not saying that not playing was a good or bad decision,” he told reporters. “It was a decision. I’m not saying it was good or bad. But the way the situation was handled, very disappointing.”
Wembanyama refused to go into detail about why he’s unhappy with how the league handled the situation, saying he doesn’t want it to become a distraction and he’ll address it further after the playoffs end. He added that he was satisfied with how medical personnel from both the team and the league conducted the process.
“The doctors all around, they were great. Took great care of me,” Wembanyama said. “But the way the situation was handled was very disappointing.”
Weiss notes that Wembanyama has built a reputation during his three NBA seasons for being “abundantly confident” in the way he takes care of himself and often argues that he’s able to play when the Spurs’ medical staff determines otherwise. Wembanyama said that being in concussion protocol didn’t affect his preparation for Sunday’s game.
“I’ve been feeling great,” he added. “Even conditioning-wise, I did some cardio two days ago, so I’m fine.”
Wembanyama suffered the concussion when he took a hard fall in the second quarter of Tuesday’s Game 2 and struck his chin on the court. He was ruled out for the remainder of the game, and Portland picked up its only victory so far in the series.
Wembanyama didn’t seem to be affected by any lingering symptoms on Sunday as he posted 27 points, 12 rebounds, seven blocks and four steals in 34 minutes. The Spurs overcame a 19-point deficit late in the first half and wound up winning by 21 to take a commanding 3-1 series lead.
Weiss notes that Wembanyama was knocked to the court a few times on Sunday, but coach Mitch Johnson was never worried about his condition.
“I didn’t, to be honest. I’ve learned to trust that young man,” Johnson said. “I think the challenge now is for him to continue to play the way he did in the second half for the whole game. When he does that, we’ll be tough. But if he doesn’t do that, there’s a ripple effect for our team. That’s the responsibility that comes with being the face of the franchise and the best player.”
Victor Wembanyama Cleared To Return Sunday
Spurs center Victor Wembanyama has cleared the NBA’s concussion protocol and will return to action on Sunday for Game 4 of the first-round series vs. Portland, according to Shams Charania and Malika Andrews of ESPN (Twitter link).
The Spurs confirmed the news in their latest injury report, tweets Mark Medina.
Wembanyama has been in the protocol since Tuesday, when he suffered a concussion after hitting his head on the court during a hard fall in the second quarter of Game 2. Portland was able to even the series by winning that night, but San Antonio responded by pulling away late in Game 3 to retake home court advantage.
The French star lobbied to play in Game 3 after going through his normal workout routine ahead of Friday’s contest, league sources tell Jared Weiss of The Athletic, but he wasn’t cleared by the Spurs or the NBA until Sunday, says Charania (Twitter link).
Wembanyama became the youngest player in NBA history to be named Defensive Player of the Year on Tuesday. He was also the first unanimous winner in league history.
Wembanyama recorded 35 points, five rebounds and two blocks in 33 minutes in his playoff debut last Sunday. The 22-year-old big man had five points, four rebounds and a block in 12 minutes on Tuesday prior to the concussion.
With Wembanyama back in action, veteran center Luke Kornet will likely come off the bench for San Antonio after starting in Game 3.