Samwise NBA Newsletter
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Cooper Flagg Named NBA Rookie of the Year in Second-Closest Vote Since 2003
Cooper Flagg, the Dallas Mavericks’ first overall pick in the 2025 draft, was named NBA Rookie of the Year on Monday, edging former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets by just 26 voting points — the second-closest race since the current format began in 2002–03. Flagg averaged 21 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 46.8 percent from the field. He is the second-youngest Rookie of the Year winner in league history behind LeBron James and joins Michael Jordan as the only rookies since 1973–74 to lead their teams in total points, rebounds, assists and steals.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, ESPN, SI.com
Thunder Complete Third Straight First-Round Sweep, Eliminate Suns 4–0
The Oklahoma City Thunder completed a four-game sweep of the Phoenix Suns on Monday, winning Game 4 by a score of 131–122 to advance to the Western Conference Semifinals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points and Chet Holmgren added 24 to power Oklahoma City’s dominant run through the first round. The sweep is the third consecutive first-round sweep for the Thunder under head coach Mark Daigneault, who has not lost a single first-round playoff game in his NBA career. Oklahoma City will face the winner of the Los Angeles Lakers–Houston Rockets series in the second round, where the Lakers hold a 3–1 series lead.
Sources: SI.com, Yahoo Sports
Timberwolves Lose Edwards and DiVincenzo to Injuries, Face Game 6 Severely Shorthanded
The Minnesota Timberwolves suffered a severe injury blow on Monday, with Anthony Edwards confirmed week-to-week after an MRI showed a bone bruise but no structural damage to his left knee, injured in Game 4. Edwards, Minnesota’s leading scorer, could return if the Wolves advance past Denver, but will miss at least the opening games of any second-round series. Teammate Donte DiVincenzo faces a far grimmer prognosis: the guard underwent surgery in New York on Sunday after tearing his right Achilles tendon just one minute and 19 seconds into Game 4, ending his season with his 2026–27 availability in doubt.
Sources: HoopsHype, Yahoo Sports, theScore
Jokić Triple-Double Keeps Nuggets Alive as Short-Handed Timberwolves Fall in Game 5
The Denver Nuggets stayed alive in their first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday, defeating the short-handed visitors 125–113 in Game 5 to cut the series deficit to 3–2. Nikola Jokić was dominant, recording a triple-double with 27 points, 16 assists and 12 rebounds. Minnesota entered without star Anthony Edwards, who suffered a bone bruise in his left knee in Game 4, and also without Donte DiVincenzo, who tore his right Achilles tendon in the same game. Denver will host Game 6 on Thursday in a must-win situation, with the Timberwolves retaining the series advantage.
Sources: Denver Gazette, Yahoo Sports
Magic Defeat Top-Seeded Pistons in Game 4, Take Commanding 3–1 Series Lead
The eighth-seeded Orlando Magic solidified their stunning first-round upset bid on Monday, defeating the top-seeded Detroit Pistons 94–88 in Game 4 to take a 3–1 series lead. Desmond Bane paced Orlando with 22 points, including five three-pointers, in a low-scoring defensive battle. The Magic, who entered the postseason as heavy underdogs against Detroit, have now won three straight games after dropping Game 2 and need one more victory to advance to the second round. Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday in Detroit, where the Pistons will face elimination on their home floor.
Sources: CBS Sports, ESPN
Wembanyama Returns from Concussion, Spurs Rally from 19 Down to Lead Blazers 3–1
Victor Wembanyama returned from a concussion sustained in Game 2 to deliver a dominant performance in Game 4 on Sunday, finishing with 27 points, 11 rebounds, seven blocks, four steals and three assists as the San Antonio Spurs rallied from 19 points down to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers 114–93 and take a 3–1 series lead. Wembanyama sustained the concussion in Game 2 after falling face-first to the court following a foul. Portland’s Scoot Henderson, who scored 31 points in that Game 2 upset, was contained by San Antonio’s defense in Game 4. The Spurs host Game 5 on Tuesday with a chance to advance.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, Yahoo Sports
NBA 2026 Draft Early Entry List Hits Lowest Point Since 2003 With Just 71 Declarations
Only 71 players submitted early entry declarations for the 2026 NBA Draft, the league announced Monday — the lowest total since 2003 and a sharp drop from the 106 who declared a year ago. The decline is linked in part to the growth of NIL compensation in college athletics, which has made returning to school financially attractive for prospects who might previously have tested the draft market. The 2021 early-entry peak reached 363 players. Eligible players have until June 13 to withdraw and maintain NCAA eligibility, and the draft itself will be held June 23–24 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Sources: HoopsHype, Yahoo Sports
NBA Playoffs — First Round (April 28, 2026)
Eastern Conference
(1) Detroit vs (8) Orlando — Magic lead 3–1
(2) Boston vs (7) Philadelphia — Celtics lead 3–1
(3) New York vs (6) Atlanta — Tied 2–2
(4) Cleveland vs (5) Toronto — Tied 2–2
Western Conference
(1) Oklahoma City vs (8) Phoenix — Thunder win 4–0 (SWEEP)
(2) San Antonio vs (7) Portland — Spurs lead 3–1
(3) Denver vs (6) Minnesota — Timberwolves lead 3–2
(4) L.A. Lakers vs (5) Houston — Lakers lead 3–1
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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