Samwise NBA Newsletter
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Wembanyama and Fox Lead Spurs Past Trail Blazers, Advance to Semifinals for First Time Since 2017
The San Antonio Spurs eliminated the Portland Trail Blazers 114-95 in Game 5 on Tuesday, advancing to the Western Conference Semifinals for the first time since 2017. Victor Wembanyama, who sat out Game 3 with a concussion, returned with 17 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 blocks in the series clincher, while De’Aaron Fox contributed 21 points and nine assists, including 13 in the fourth quarter as Portland cut into a 28-point halftime deficit. Six Spurs players finished in double figures. San Antonio joins Oklahoma City as the second Western Conference team to advance and will face either Denver or Minnesota in the next round.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, NBA.com
Embiid’s 33-Point Night Keeps 76ers Season Alive in Game 5 Road Win Over Celtics
Joel Embiid scored 33 points on 12-of-23 shooting and added eight assists, four rebounds, and nine free throws in 39 minutes, leading the Philadelphia 76ers to a 113-97 road victory over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday and forcing a Game 6. Embiid left briefly with a leg issue but returned and attacked the paint throughout, recording his eighth 30-point playoff game against Boston, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain for that mark as a Sixer. Tyrese Maxey added 25 points and 10 rebounds. Jayson Tatum had 24 points and 16 rebounds for Boston, who remain up 3-2 heading into Thursday’s Game 6 in Philadelphia.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, Yahoo Sports
Brunson Scores 39 Points as Knicks Dominate Hawks at MSG to Take 3-2 Series Lead
Jalen Brunson scored 39 points on 15-of-23 shooting, including 17 in the fourth quarter, and added eight assists with just one turnover as the New York Knicks routed the Atlanta Hawks 126-97 at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, taking a 3-2 first-round series lead. Karl-Anthony Towns posted 16 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists in New York’s most dominant outing of the series. The Knicks shot 57 percent from the field and held a 60-42 advantage in points in the paint. Jalen Johnson led Atlanta with 18 points. Game 6 is scheduled for Thursday in Atlanta.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, NBA.com
Kevin Durant Ruled Out for Game 5 vs. Lakers as Rockets Face Must-Win in Houston on Wednesday
The Houston Rockets announced Tuesday that Kevin Durant will miss Wednesday’s Game 5 against the Los Angeles Lakers due to a left ankle sprain and bone bruise, his third consecutive absence. Head coach Ime Udoka said the bone bruise remains the limiting factor, and Durant has yet to return to full on-court workouts despite progressing on an anti-gravity treadmill. Los Angeles confirmed Austin Reaves, who sat out Game 4, is expected to return Wednesday. Houston won Game 4 without Durant to trim the series deficit to 3-1 and must win Game 5 in Houston to force a Game 6. The Lakers lead the series 3-1.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, NBA.com
Franz Wagner Doubtful for Game 5 vs. Pistons After MRI Reveals Right Calf Strain
Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner is doubtful for Wednesday’s Game 5 against the Detroit Pistons after an MRI on Tuesday confirmed a right calf strain, the team announced. Wagner left Game 4 in the third quarter with the injury after posting 19 points, five rebounds, and four steals in 24 minutes, and did not return. Despite his exit, Orlando held on for a 94-88 victory to take a commanding 3-1 series lead. Wagner’s potential absence is a significant concern as the Magic attempt to close out the top-seeded Pistons on their home court, which would mark Orlando’s first series victory since 2010.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, Yahoo Sports
Immanuel Quickley Ruled Out for Rest of Raptors-Cavaliers Series After Aggravating Hamstring
Toronto Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley has been ruled out for the remainder of the first-round playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers after aggravating his right hamstring strain during rehabilitation, the team announced Tuesday. Quickley, who missed each of the first three games of the series, suffered a setback while working to return and will not be available for Game 5 on Wednesday or any subsequent games. The loss is a significant blow to Toronto, which battled back from a 2-1 deficit by winning Game 4 and now enters Wednesday’s contest in Cleveland tied 2-2. Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, and RJ Barrett will need to compensate for Quickley’s scoring and playmaking.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, NBA.com
Shams: Timberwolves Expect Anthony Edwards to Miss at Least Two Weeks, Second Round Return Possible
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday that the Minnesota Timberwolves are expecting Anthony Edwards to miss at least two weeks with a left knee bone bruise, with the injury timeline pointing to a potential conference semifinals return if Minnesota advances. Edwards was officially listed week-to-week after sustaining a hyperextension in Game 4 and will miss Game 6 against Denver on Thursday. Head coach Chris Finch said Edwards generally returns ahead of schedule from injuries and expressed guarded optimism. The Timberwolves still lead Denver 3-2 and are one win from the second round, where Edwards could potentially rejoin the roster by early May.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, NBA.com
Injury Wave Reshapes 2026 NBA Playoffs: Doncic, Durant, Edwards, and DiVincenzo All Sidelined in First Round
The 2026 NBA Playoffs first round has been defined as much by absences as by performances, with significant contributors sidelined across multiple Western Conference series. The Los Angeles Lakers built a 3-1 lead over Houston despite playing without Luka Doncic, who has been sidelined since April 2 with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. The Rockets have played three straight games without Kevin Durant due to a left ankle bone bruise. Minnesota has lost both Anthony Edwards to a knee injury and Donte DiVincenzo to a torn Achilles tendon, yet still leads Denver 3-2. Roster depth and coaching adjustments have separated advancing teams from those on the brink.
Sources: SI.com, Yahoo Sports
2026 NBA Playoffs — First Round
Eastern Conference
(8) Orlando Magic vs (1) Detroit Pistons — Magic lead 3–1
(7) Philadelphia 76ers vs (2) Boston Celtics — Celtics lead 3–2
(6) Atlanta Hawks vs (3) New York Knicks — Knicks lead 3–2
(5) Toronto Raptors vs (4) Cleveland Cavaliers — Series tied 2–2
Western Conference
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder — Advanced (swept Phoenix 4–0)
(2) San Antonio Spurs — Advanced (def. Portland 4–1)
(6) Minnesota Timberwolves vs (3) Denver Nuggets — Wolves lead 3–2
(5) Houston Rockets vs (4) Los Angeles Lakers — Lakers lead 3–1
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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