Samwise NBA Newsletter
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Knicks Rout 76ers 137–98 in Game 1, Continue Historic Playoff Run
The New York Knicks delivered another dominant performance Monday, routing the Philadelphia 76ers 137-98 in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Semifinals series at Madison Square Garden. Jalen Brunson led all scorers with 35 points on 12-of-18 shooting, including 27 in the first half, while OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Karl-Anthony Towns combined 21-of-29 from the field. New York shot 61.4 percent overall, becoming the first team in NBA history to win three consecutive playoff games by 25 or more points. The Knicks have outscored opponents by an average of 20.6 points across seven postseason games this year. Game 2 is scheduled for Thursday at Madison Square Garden.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, Sports Illustrated
Wembanyama Sets All-Time Playoff Blocks Record with 12, But Spurs Fall 104–102
Victor Wembanyama made defensive history Monday night, recording 12 blocked shots in San Antonio’s 104-102 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals. The 22-year-old center surpassed the previous NBA Playoffs single-game blocks record of 10, finishing with 11 points and 15 rebounds for a rare points-rebounds-blocks triple-double. Wembanyama matched the prior record through three quarters before breaking it early in the fourth. Anthony Edwards, returning from a first-round knee injury, scored 18 points including 11 in the fourth quarter for Minnesota. The Wolves survived Julian Champagnie’s buzzer three-point attempt to steal Game 1 on the road in San Antonio.
Sources: Sports Illustrated, Yahoo Sports
Anthony Edwards Returns 10 Days Early from Knee Injury, Lifts Wolves in Game 1
Anthony Edwards delivered one of the postseason’s most unexpected comebacks Monday, suiting up for Minnesota’s Game 1 against the San Antonio Spurs just 10 days after hyperextending his left knee in Game 4 against Denver. Edwards suffered a bone bruise alongside the hyperextension on April 25 and had been projected to miss at least the first two games of the Western Conference Semifinals. He entered off the bench, played 25 minutes, and contributed critical scoring down the stretch to help Minnesota seal the 104-102 road victory. Edwards credited an aggressive recovery program, including daily hyperbaric chamber sessions, for his faster-than-expected return to the lineup.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, Yahoo Sports
Luka Doncic Ruled Out for Game 1 vs. Thunder as Hamstring Recovery Continues
Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic has been ruled out for Tuesday’s Game 1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, extending his absence past a month following a Grade 2 left hamstring strain suffered April 2. The Lakers are evaluating Doncic on a week-to-week basis and confirmed he has not started the contact ramp-up phase required before returning. Doncic traveled to Madrid for stem cell treatment shortly after the diagnosis, with standard Grade 2 hamstring recovery running four to eight weeks. LeBron James, who averaged 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 8.5 assists against Houston in Round 1, will carry the offensive load as Los Angeles faces the defending champion Thunder.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, Sports Illustrated
Cavaliers and Pistons Open Eastern Semifinals Tonight After Twin Game 7 Victories
The Detroit Pistons host the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET. Both franchises survived first-round Game 7s—Detroit over Orlando, Cleveland over Toronto—before meeting for just the fifth time in playoff history. Detroit opens as a 3.5-point home favorite, led by Cade Cunningham, the second-youngest player in NBA history to record 30 points and 10 assists in a Game 7. Cleveland counters with frontcourt depth in Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. The Pistons held Orlando to 45.6 percent shooting from the paint in Round 1, the worst such mark for a playoff opponent in seven years.
Sources: NBA.com, Yahoo Sports
Defending Champions Thunder Host Lakers Tonight with Both Teams Missing Star Players
The Oklahoma City Thunder, defending NBA champions, open their Western Conference Semifinals against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. ET on NBC. Both teams enter shorthanded: Luka Doncic remains out for Los Angeles with a Grade 2 hamstring strain, while Thunder guard Jalen Williams has been ruled out for Game 1 with a Grade 1 hamstring strain suffered in the first-round sweep of Phoenix. Oklahoma City swept Los Angeles 4-0 in the regular season and rank first in defensive efficiency at 106.5 points allowed per 100 possessions. LeBron James, averaging 26 points in Round 1, and Chet Holmgren headline the series’ most compelling individual matchup.
Sources: NBA.com, Yahoo Sports
NBA Invites 73 Prospects to 2026 Draft Combine, Headlined by Dybantsa, Peterson, and Boozer
The NBA announced 73 players have been invited to the 2026 AWS NBA Draft Combine, scheduled for May 10–17 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. The class is headlined by BYU forward AJ Dybantsa, Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, and Duke forward Cameron Boozer, considered the top tier of the 2026 draft class. An additional 44 players have been invited to the NBA G League Draft Combine, running May 8–10 at the same venue; standout performers will receive invitations to the full NBA combine. Teams will conduct interviews, medical evaluations, and on-court workouts with prospects throughout the multi-day event ahead of the June draft.
Sources: Sports Illustrated, Yahoo Sports
NBA Playoffs — Conference Semifinals
Eastern Conference
New York Knicks vs Philadelphia 76ers — Knicks lead 1–0
Detroit Pistons vs Cleveland Cavaliers — Series tied 0–0 (Game 1 tonight)
Western Conference
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Los Angeles Lakers — Series tied 0–0 (Game 1 tonight)
Minnesota Timberwolves vs San Antonio Spurs — Wolves lead 1–0
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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