Knicks defeat Hawks 113-102 in playoff series opener at home
Knicks win playoff opener 113-102 over Hawks behind strong defense at home.
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NBA 2024-2025 Season
New York Knicks playoff coverage and other NBA 2024-2025 season developments
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2026-08-18 to 2026-11-15 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 28 Mar, 14:36 UTC
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What happened
Knicks host Game 2 of playoff series against Hawks on Monday
The New York Knicks will host Game 2 of their Eastern Conference playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks are the No. 3 seed in the East.
Knicks display strong defensive performance in playoff win
The Knicks demonstrated strong defensive capabilities in their Game 1 victory, holding the sixth-best defense in the NBA since January 1. In the second half, the Hawks scored just 32 points over 19 minutes on 37.1% shooting and went 3-of-15 from three-point range. The Knicks' defensive pressure limited Atlanta's offensive consistency throughout the game.
New York Knicks defeat Atlanta Hawks 113-102 in Game 1 of Eastern Conference playoff series
The New York Knicks defeated the Atlanta Hawks 113-102 on Saturday night in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference playoff series. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 28 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 25 points with 19 coming in the second half. OG Anunoby added 19 points and Josh Hart had 10 points and 14 rebounds for the Knicks. The Hawks were led by CJ McCollum with 26 points and Jalen Johnson with 23 points.
Anthony Edwards' extraordinary circumstances appeal for award eligibility denied
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards' extraordinary circumstances challenge to qualify for 2025-26 season awards was denied by an independent arbitrator. Edwards appeared in 60 games during the regular season, falling five games short of the 65-game minimum requirement for award eligibility, and remains ineligible for major individual awards.
NBA and NBPA rule Cade Cunningham eligible for awards after extraordinary circumstances appeal
The NBA and National Basketball Players Association approved an extraordinary circumstances challenge filed by Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham, making him eligible for 2025-26 season awards including MVP and All-NBA teams. Cunningham appeared in 63 games during the regular season, falling two games short of the 65-game minimum requirement. He missed 12 games after being diagnosed with a collapsed lung on March 17 but returned for the final three games of the season.
Multiple NBA stars ineligible for awards due to 65-game rule
Several NBA players are ineligible for end-of-season awards due to the 65-game minimum requirement, including Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, whose 21-year consecutive All-NBA selection streak will end; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo; and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry. Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic became eligible on the final day of the regular season after appearing in 65 games, while San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama reached the threshold in the Spurs' second-to-last game.
NBA and NBPA rule Luka Dončić eligible for awards after extraordinary circumstances appeal
The NBA and National Basketball Players Association approved an extraordinary circumstances challenge filed by Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Dončić, making him eligible for 2025-26 season awards including MVP and All-NBA teams. Dončić appeared in 64 games during the regular season, falling one game short of the 65-game minimum requirement. He missed two games in December to attend the birth of his daughter in Slovenia and missed the final five games due to a hamstring strain sustained on April 2.
Joel Embiid averages 26.9 points in 38 games this season
Joel Embiid has appeared in 38 games for the 76ers this season, averaging 26.9 points and 7.7 rebounds per game while playing 31.6 minutes per game. This represents his attempt to return to MVP-level performance after a limited 19-game season last year due to left knee issues.
76ers at risk of play-in tournament with Embiid sidelined
The Philadelphia 76ers enter the final three games of the regular season at 43-36, one game behind the sixth-place Toronto Raptors. With Embiid's uncertain status, the team faces increased risk of finishing seventh or lower in the Eastern Conference and being forced into the play-in tournament rather than securing a direct playoff spot.
Joel Embiid's return timeline uncertain following appendicitis surgery
The 76ers provided no timeline for Joel Embiid's return to play following his emergency appendicitis surgery. The timing is critical as only three regular season games remain before the playoffs, and the Sixers are fighting to avoid the play-in tournament.
Joel Embiid diagnosed with appendicitis and undergoes emergency surgery
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid was diagnosed with appendicitis on Thursday and underwent emergency surgery in Houston. Embiid was initially added to the injury report as out with an illness hours before the team's scheduled game against the Rockets, with the appendicitis diagnosis announced approximately two hours later.
Luka Doncic had prior left hamstring strain before All-Star break
Luka Doncic had missed four games with a left hamstring strain immediately before the All-Star break but returned to the lineup after the break. He also was listed on the injury report for left hamstring soreness before a March 27 home game against the Nets but played after being listed as questionable, scoring 41 points in 39 minutes.
Lakers announce Luka Doncic sidelined for remainder of regular season
The Los Angeles Lakers announced on Friday that Luka Doncic will miss the rest of the regular season due to his Grade 2 left hamstring strain. The Lakers have five games remaining before the postseason begins. Doncic, the NBA's top scorer and Western Conference player of the month for March, was averaging 33.5 points, 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds per game and was a driving force in the Lakers' surge to third place in the Western Conference standings.
Luka Doncic suffers Grade 2 left hamstring strain during Lakers loss to Thunder
NBA scoring leader Luka Doncic suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring strain during the third quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers' blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday. An MRI examination confirmed the severity of the injury. Doncic initially appeared to injure the hamstring in the first half but was cleared to return, lasting only about four minutes before going down in pain and exiting the game.
Lakers face injury concerns with multiple key players sidelined this season
The Los Angeles Lakers have dealt with multiple injury setbacks during the 2025-26 season. LeBron James missed the first 14 games of the year and has missed additional time in February due to foot arthritis. Austin Reaves, who is enjoying the best season of his career, missed more than a month because of a left calf injury. Dončić previously exited the Lakers' February 5 matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers with a hamstring strain, missing several games before returning on February 20.
Luka Dončić suffers left hamstring injury in Lakers-Thunder game
Los Angeles Lakers star point guard Luka Dončić left Thursday's matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the third quarter after suffering a left hamstring injury. Dončić pulled up while dribbling into the paint with 7:39 remaining in the third quarter, immediately grabbed his left hamstring, and fell to the court in visible pain. He was ruled out for the remainder of the game after exiting with 12 points, seven assists, and four rebounds in 26 minutes of play.
Lakers trail Thunder by 10 games in Western Conference standings
The Los Angeles Lakers are positioned as the third seed in the Western Conference with a 50-26 record. The Oklahoma City Thunder hold the first seed with a comfortable 10-game lead over the Lakers. The San Antonio Spurs sit in second place at 50-26, trailing the Lakers by 8.0 games, while the Denver Nuggets are fourth at 49-28, within 1.5 games of the Lakers heading into Thursday's game.
Luka Dončić averaging career-high 33.8 points per game in MVP-caliber season
Luka Dončić is putting together a career year in his first full season with the Los Angeles Lakers after being acquired from the Dallas Mavericks in a blockbuster trade. Heading into Thursday's game, Dončić was averaging 33.8 points per game, 8.3 assists, and 7.8 rebounds while shooting 47.7% from the field and 36.8% from three-point range across 63 games played. He topped 600 points in March, becoming the 10th player in NBA history to score that many points in a single calendar month.
Dončić at 64 games, approaching NBA postseason award eligibility threshold
Luka Dončić has appeared in 64 games as of Thursday's matchup against the Thunder. The NBA has instituted a 65-game minimum eligibility requirement for postseason awards including MVP and All-NBA team selections. If Dončić's hamstring injury is serious enough to keep him sidelined for the remainder of the season, he would not reach the 65-game threshold and would become ineligible for year-end honors.
Jaylen Brown scores 20 points in first quarter for Celtics
Jaylen Brown scored 20 points in the first quarter of the Celtics game against Miami Heat, marking the ninth 20-point quarter of his career including playoffs.
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2 alternative perspectives
Dončić and Cunningham gain award eligibility; Edwards appeal denied
Dončić and Cunningham gain award eligibility via extraordinary circumstances; Edwards' appeal denied.
Embiid's appendicitis surgery threatens 76ers playoff positioning
Embiid's appendicitis surgery and unclear return timeline risk 76ers playoff seeding.
Dončić sidelined for season with Grade 2 hamstring strain
Dončić sidelined for season with Grade 2 hamstring strain in pivotal playoff positioning window.
Lakers battle injuries while playoff seeding slips against Western Conference rivals
Lakers struggle with injuries and trail Thunder by 10 games in playoff race.
Dončić's MVP season threatened by hamstring injury
Dončić's hamstring injury threatens his MVP-caliber 33.8 ppg season as he nears award eligibility.
Celtics explode for 53-point first quarter against Heat
Celtics score 53 first-quarter points, second-most in NBA regular season history.
LeBron James reaches 125th triple-double at age 41, ties Kareem's wins record
LeBron James becomes oldest player with 125 triple-doubles and ties Kareem's all-time wins record.
Lakers edge Nets 116-99, solidify Western Conference third seed
Lakers beat Nets 116-99, securing Western Conference third seed with 48-26 record.
LeBron makes historic assist to Bronny in father-son NBA milestone
LeBron made the first-ever father-to-son assist in NBA history when Bronny dunked against the Pacers.
Doncic suspended one game after recording 16th technical foul
Doncic suspended one game after recording his 16th technical foul of the season.
Lakers secure third seed as Doncic leads Nets rout
Lakers clinch third Western Conference seed following dominant win over Nets.