Samwise NBA Newsletter
Monday, April 27, 2026
Dosunmu’s 43-Point Masterpiece Lifts Shorthanded Timberwolves Past Nuggets in Game 4
Minnesota absorbed two devastating first-half injuries Saturday to take a 3-1 first-round series lead over Denver with a 112–96 victory. Ayo Dosunmu delivered one of the great bench performances in playoff history, scoring a career-high 43 points on 13-for-17 shooting — including a flawless 5-for-5 from three and 12-for-12 from the free-throw line — the second-highest bench scoring total in NBA postseason history. Anthony Edwards exited with a left knee bone bruise and hyperextension, while Donte DiVincenzo tore his right Achilles just 79 seconds in. Nikola Jokić and Julius Randle were ejected after a shoving incident in the game’s final seconds. Game 5 is Monday in Denver.
Sources: theScore, Yahoo Sports
Celtics Rout 76ers 128–96 Despite Embiid’s Return, Take Commanding 3-1 Lead
Boston torched Philadelphia 128–96 Sunday night to claim a commanding 3-1 first-round series lead, even as Joel Embiid returned after missing seven games following an emergency appendectomy. Embiid contributed a gutsy 26 points and 10 rebounds in 34 minutes, but the Celtics delivered a withering 22-5 run to close the first quarter and never led by fewer than 14 points thereafter. Jayson Tatum added 30 points and Payton Pritchard poured in 32 off the bench, with Boston outscoring Philadelphia 72–27 from three-point range — 10 different Celtics contributing to that total. Jaylen Brown added 20 points and seven rebounds. Game 5 is set for Tuesday in Boston.
Sources: NBA.com, Yahoo Sports
Wembanyama Returns from Concussion as Spurs Erase 19-Point Deficit, Lead Blazers 3-1
Victor Wembanyama returned from a concussion protocol to author one of the great playoff comebacks in recent memory, leading San Antonio from 19 points down to a 114–93 demolition of Portland Sunday afternoon. The Spurs became the first team in NBA playoff history to trail by 15 or more at halftime and win by 15 or more — finishing on a 73–35 second-half run. Wembanyama posted 27 points, 10 rebounds, and seven blocks — the first player since Bill Walton in 1977 to record 20-plus points, 10-plus rebounds, and five-plus blocks in a road playoff game. De’Aaron Fox scored 28 to pace the offense. San Antonio leads the series 3-1.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, Sports Illustrated
Edwards Out Multiple Weeks, DiVincenzo Tears Achilles as Timberwolves Face Injury Crisis
Minnesota faces a mounting injury crisis heading into Game 5 against Denver after losing both stars in Saturday’s Game 4. Donte DiVincenzo tore his right Achilles tendon just 79 seconds into the game, ending his season and threatening his availability for 2026–27. Anthony Edwards suffered a left knee bone bruise and hyperextension; while MRI results ruled out a structural tear, team officials confirmed he will miss multiple weeks. The Timberwolves, holding a 3-1 series lead, will now depend heavily on Ayo Dosunmu and their supporting cast to eliminate Denver in Game 5 on Monday. The NBA is also reviewing the Jokić–Randle ejection for possible further discipline.
Sources: NBA.com, Yahoo Sports
Rockets Stave Off Lakers Sweep with 115-96 Game 4 Victory; LeBron Struggles, KD Sidelined
Houston avoided a first-round sweep Sunday, defeating Los Angeles 115–96 in Game 4 to cut the Lakers’ series lead to 3-1. The Rockets delivered their most complete performance of the postseason despite Kevin Durant sitting out with a left ankle bone bruise. Amen Thompson led Houston with 23 points, seven assists, and four rebounds; Alperen Sengun added 19 points and six rebounds. LeBron James endured his worst game of the series and sat the final 7:25 of the fourth quarter. DeAndre Ayton produced 19 points and 10 rebounds before ejection for a flagrant foul-2 in the third. Game 5 is Wednesday in Los Angeles.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, ESPN
SGA Drops Career Playoff-High 42 as Thunder Close In on Suns Sweep
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander produced the finest individual performance of the 2026 playoffs Saturday, scoring a career playoff-high 42 points on 15-for-18 shooting with eight assists as Oklahoma City moved to the brink of a first-round sweep over Phoenix. The game was just the seventh 40-point playoff effort in NBA history with a true shooting percentage above 90 percent. The Thunder improved to 10-0 in first-round playoff games, winning those contests by an average of 18.9 points, and lead the postseason in both offensive and defensive rating. Game 4 is Monday in Phoenix, with OKC seeking to sweep the Suns and advance to the second round.
Sources: NBA.com
Scottie Barnes Clutch Down Stretch as Raptors Outlast Cavaliers 93-89, Tie Series 2-2
Toronto erased a five-point deficit in the final 2:30 to defeat Cleveland 93–89 Sunday, tying their first-round series at two games apiece. The clubs combined to shoot 30 percent from the field in the first half and went 7-for-39 from three — the fewest combined first-half points in a playoff game in a decade. Scottie Barnes led all scorers with 23 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and three blocks, stifling James Harden into six first-half turnovers. Donovan Mitchell shot just 2-for-11 in the opening half, with sophomore Ja’Kobe Walter harassing him throughout. Collin Murray-Boyles added 15 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. Game 5 returns to Cleveland on Wednesday.
Sources: Yahoo News Canada, NBA.com
Anunoby’s Historic Triple-Double Powers Knicks to 114-98 Win, Evening Hawks Series 2-2
New York leveled its first-round series against Atlanta at two games apiece Saturday, winning 114–98 behind a breakout performance from OG Anunoby. The veteran forward posted the first triple-double of his playoff career, recording 10 rebounds and 10 assists while also serving as Atlanta’s primary defensive assignment on the offensive end, finishing with the game’s highest plus-minus at plus-19. Jalen Brunson contributed 19 points on 7-for-18 shooting as New York built its lead primarily through defense in the second half. The Hawks, despite posting a negative net rating in the series, had entered with a 2-1 series advantage. Game 5 returns to Madison Square Garden on Wednesday.
Sources: ESPN, Yahoo Sports
2026 NBA Playoffs — First Round
Eastern Conference
(1) Detroit Pistons vs (8) Orlando Magic — Magic lead 2–1
(2) Boston Celtics vs (7) Philadelphia 76ers — Celtics lead 3–1
(3) New York Knicks vs (6) Atlanta Hawks — Series tied 2–2
(4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs (5) Toronto Raptors — Series tied 2–2
Western Conference
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs (8) Phoenix Suns — Thunder lead 3–0
(2) San Antonio Spurs vs (7) Portland Trail Blazers — Spurs lead 3–1
(3) Denver Nuggets vs (6) Minnesota Timberwolves — Wolves lead 3–1
(4) Los Angeles Lakers vs (5) Houston Rockets — Lakers lead 3–1
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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