Samwise NBA Newsletter
Friday, May 1, 2026
Knicks Set NBA Record with 47-Point Halftime Lead in 140-89 Demolition of Hawks
The New York Knicks advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals Thursday, beating the Atlanta Hawks 140-89 in a historic Game 6 blowout. New York led by 47 points at halftime — the largest halftime lead in NBA playoff history — building an 83-36 advantage before the break. OG Anunoby paced the Knicks with 26 points while Karl-Anthony Towns recorded a triple-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. All 15 New York players scored on the night. Mitchell Robinson and Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels were both ejected in the second quarter. The Knicks will await the winner of the Celtics–76ers series in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, ESPN, Sports Illustrated
Shorthanded Timberwolves Eliminate Nuggets 110-98 in Game 6, Advance to West Semis
The Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated the Denver Nuggets 110-98 in Game 6 Thursday night, winning the Western Conference first-round series 4-2 without their star guard Anthony Edwards. Jaden McDaniels led Minnesota with 32 points and 10 rebounds, while Terrence Shannon Jr., making a surprise start, added 24 points. The Wolves became the first team in NBA playoff history to win a game missing three rotation players who had each averaged at least 10 points per series. Minnesota advances to face the second-seeded San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals beginning Monday. Edwards will target a return early in the second round after suffering a bone bruise in his left knee.
Maxey Drops 30 as 76ers Dominate Celtics 106-93 to Force Game 7
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Boston Celtics 106-93 in Game 6 Thursday night, forcing a decisive Game 7 in Boston on Saturday. Tyrese Maxey led all scorers with 30 points on 11-of-22 shooting, adding five assists and two steals. Joel Embiid posted 19 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists, while Paul George added 23 points on 8-of-17 shooting, including five three-pointers. Philadelphia outscored Boston 62-40 across the second and third quarters to seize control. The Celtics pulled their starters with more than 10 minutes remaining after falling behind by 23. The winner of Saturday’s Game 7 will face the New York Knicks in the second round.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, theScore, Sports Illustrated
Edwards Ruled Out, DiVincenzo Done for Season as Timberwolves Absorb Injury Wave
Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards will miss the rest of the first round after being ruled out for Game 6 against Denver with a bone bruise and hyperextension in his left knee, sustained in Game 4. Team doctors confirmed no ligament damage and project a potential return early in the second round, at minimum two weeks out. Separately, guard Donte DiVincenzo has been ruled out for the season after tearing his right Achilles tendon. With Edwards, DiVincenzo, and Ayo Dosunmu all sidelined Thursday night, the Wolves became the first team in playoff history to eliminate an opponent while missing three key contributors each averaging 10 or more points in the series.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, ESPN
Kevin Durant Upgraded to Doubtful for Lakers-Rockets Game 6, Possible Game 7 Return
Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant remains doubtful for Friday’s Game 6 against the Los Angeles Lakers, still sidelined with a left ankle sprain and bone bruise from Game 2 on April 21. Durant has missed Games 3, 4, and 5. Despite his absence, Houston rallied to win consecutive games and trim the Lakers’ series lead to 3-2. Durant — averaging 26 points per game in his first season with the Rockets after a trade from Phoenix — could potentially return for Game 7 on Sunday if healthy. His injury status was upgraded from out to doubtful Thursday, the most encouraging sign yet for his chances of playing in the series.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, ESPN
Doncic Begins Return Protocol but Will Not Play in Lakers-Rockets Series
Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic has begun his return-to-play protocol for a Grade 2 left hamstring strain sustained on April 2, but will not return during the first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets regardless of series length. Doncic traveled to Madrid shortly after the injury for specialized stem cell treatment before rejoining the team. Coach JJ Redick confirmed this week that Doncic is lightly moving on the court but has not yet advanced to one-on-one work. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Doncic is unlikely to return even in a potential second-round series, though the timeline could improve if the Lakers advance deep into the playoffs.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, Yahoo Sports
Three First-Round Series on the Line Tonight: Magic, Cavaliers, Lakers All Look to Advance
Three NBA first-round series reach potential closing moments Friday, May 1. In the East, the top-seeded Detroit Pistons host the eighth-seeded Orlando Magic with the series tied 3-2 — the Magic opened with a stunning wire-to-wire Game 1 victory over the top seed. Also in the East, the fourth-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers face the Toronto Raptors with Cleveland holding a 3-2 series lead. In the West, the fourth-seeded Los Angeles Lakers look to close out the Houston Rockets in Game 6 in Houston, with both Kevin Durant and Luka Doncic sidelined. Four teams have already advanced: the Knicks, Timberwolves, Thunder, and Spurs all clinched their first-round series.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, Yahoo Sports
2026 NBA Playoffs — First Round
Eastern Conference
(1) Pistons vs (8) Magic — Magic lead 3–2 (Game 6 tonight)
(2) Celtics vs (7) 76ers — Tied 3–3 (Game 7 Saturday)
(3) Knicks vs (6) Hawks — Knicks advance 4–2 ✓
(4) Cavaliers vs (5) Raptors — Cavaliers lead 3–2 (Game 6 tonight)
Western Conference
(1) Thunder vs (8) Suns — Thunder advance 4–0 ✓
(2) Spurs vs (7) Trail Blazers — Spurs advance 4–1 ✓
(3) Nuggets vs (6) Timberwolves — Timberwolves advance 4–2 ✓
(4) Lakers vs (5) Rockets — Lakers lead 3–2 (Game 6 tonight)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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