It’s NBA awards time! This is my 10th year as one of the league’s voters, and these were some of the toughest choices I’ve ever had to make. Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year, in particular, were incredibly difficult. Here’s my official ballot and the reasons behind every single choice.

• Knueppel’s most memorable moment of the year came in the head-to-head against Flagg. Mavericks-Hornets, their first time matching up, Flagg with the ball late in the game, Knueppel read the play, jumped the passing lane, stole the ball, and got fouled going the other way. He iced the game from the line for his 33rd and 34th points in the game. It’s the kind of defensive play his critics swore he couldn’t make.

  The steal wasn’t a fluke either. He’s a smart help defender, knows how to funnel his man into traffic, and is active in the passing lanes. That said, Knueppel is not a perfect defender. Of the 100 players to defend the most isolations this season, Knueppel ranked 65th in points allowed per play, in the same neighborhood as Dončić and Brandon Ingram. He’s not a stopper, but he’s definitely not a liability either.

  Flagg is a different tier entirely. He racks up chasedown blocks, can strongly contest shots on-ball, has the awareness to get in the passing lanes, and has the strength and quickness to switch across positions. Of those same 100 isolation defenders, Flagg ranked 15th — one spot behind first-team All-Defensive candidate Chet Holmgren, and in the same statistical ballpark as Evan Mobley and Derrick White. That’s a 50-spot gap between Flagg and Knueppel, and it shows up on tape every night and he’s doing it with no defensive help around him.

  And then there’s the degree-of-difficulty factor. Without Kon’s diverse offensive skill-set and his elite trait as a shooter, there is no chance the Hornets would have climbed up the standings. But he was also the third or fourth, maybe even fifth, most important player on Charlotte. Definitely behind LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, probably behind Miles Bridges because of his two-way impact, and possibly even behind Moussa Diabate because of his at-rim finishing, screening, and switchability on defense. Flagg was unambiguously the best player on his team.

  Flagg put up better numbers on a team built to lose. The Hornets weren’t supposed to win either, and Knueppel helped them turn their season around. But Flagg carried a heavier offensive load against tougher coverages, and he was the better defender. I would not fault anyone for voting for Knueppel. I almost did it too. But Flagg’s got my vote.

  All-Rookie First Team

  Cooper Flagg, Mavericks
  Kon Knueppel, Hornets
  VJ Edgecombe, Sixers
  Dylan Harper, Spurs
  Cedric Coward, Grizzlies

  Edgecombe had one hell of a year: 16 points per game plus 5.6 boards, 4.2 assists, on pretty good efficiency, with some explosive performances. Scoring 34 points on opening night still blows my mind. If he keeps improving his on-ball creation (shoots 35% out of pick-and-rolls), he has a chance to be a superstar. 

  Harper was one of the best paint penetrators in the entire league even as a rookie, had more than double the assists to turnovers, and was a really hard-nosed defender. Plus, he began to answer the biggest question about his game: Shooting. Harper made 39.6% of catch-and-shoot 3s and 44.7% of pull-up 2s. If his range off the dribble eventually extends behind the arc, it’s going to get extra scary in San Antonio. 

  Coward averaged 13.6 points and ripped down 5.9 rebounds per game, often looking like one of the best rebounding wings in the league. He’s an underrated passer too (2.8 assists to only 1.7 turnovers). After getting picked 11th, the Grizzlies look like they’ve found a steal. 

  All-Rookie Second Team

  Ace Bailey, Jazz
  Hugo Gonzalez, Celtics
  Collin Murray-Boyles, Raptors
  Maxime Raynaud, Kings
  Jeremiah Fears, Pelicans

  Bailey put up 13.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists on a Jazz team that finished tied for the worst record in the West. He began to look like a foundational piece over the second half of the season, averaging 18.3 points on great efficiency.

  Gonzalez has the strangest case on either ballot. He averaged 3.9 points and 3.3 rebounds in 14.6 minutes a night, but finished with a +246 raw plus-minus. That’s third in the league behind Knueppel and Harper, which speaks to his defensive impact. He’d defend guards like Cade Cunningham and bigs like Karl-Anthony Towns, and he made constant hustle plays blocking corner 3s and chasing down transition attacks.

  Murray-Boyles played the connector role as well as any rookie this year: 8.5 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.9 assists on 57.9% shooting, with a defensive motor that showed up on a nightly basis. When Jakob Poeltl went down and Toronto threw him into the starting lineup, he continued to excel despite a lack of size on the roster, which speaks to his blossoming versatility.

  Raynaud is the only second rounder on this ballot, which is a credit to the Kings for finding him with the 42nd pick. Raynaud averaged 12.5 points while spacing the floor from 3, making plays off the dribble, and finishing nearly 70% of his shots at the rim. Sacramento has a hit in Raynaud.

  Fears closed his rookie year averaging 14.3 points, 3.7 boards, and 3.4 assists with 1.2 steals while playing all 82 games. He averaged 30 points over his final six games to help seal the deal for this 10th and final spot.

  All-Rookie honorable mentions: Derik Queen, Tre Johnson, Nique Clifford, Will Riley, Carter Bryant, Mohamed Diawara, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Kobe Sanders, Ryan Nembhard, Egor Dёmin, Yanic Konan Niederhäuser

  ---

  Sixth Man of the Year

  1. Keldon Johnson, Spurs
  2. Tim Hardaway Jr., Nuggets
  3. Ayo Dosunmu, Timberwolves

  Johnson is my pick, and the case starts with a line on his game log that looks like a typo these days: 82. He played all 82 games. And he was as consistent as any role player in the league. He averaged 13.2 points and 5.4 rebounds a night, with a freight-train downhill ability for attacking closeouts, a beautifully soft floater in the paint, and a nose for the offensive glass as sharp as any wing in the league. He is a genuine Swiss Army Knife off San Antonio’s bench, and he brings the energy every single night.

  Hardaway signed for the veteran minimum last summer after two down years in Dallas and Detroit. Then he turned in his best campaign in years: 13.5 points on 40.7% from 3 on 6.9 attempts a night. He was a perfect fit from the jump, flying around screens and handoffs, and relocating with an ease that made him look like a guy that had played in Denver for years.

  Dosunmu is the tricky one because he spent the first half of the season in Chicago having a full-on breakout — 15 points on 51/45/86 splits — before the Bulls blew up their roster. Post-trade in Minnesota, he continued scoring the hell out of the ball — 15 points on 52/41/93 splits — and he was vital in helping Minnesota stay afloat while Anthony Edwards was sidelined with an uptick in playmaking and relentless defense. He started 19 of 69 games this year, so maybe this is stretching the Sixth Man definition. But to me, one of the hallmark qualities of a sixth man is the ability to step up when a starter is injured. And that’s exactly what Dosunmu did in some of the biggest games of the year.

  Sixth Man honorable mentions: Sandro Mamukelashvili, Jaime Jaquez, Naz Reid, Mitchell Robinson, Dylan Harper, Reed Sheppard, Isaiah Stewart, Alex Caruso

  ---

  Defensive Player of the Year

  1. Victor Wembanyama, Spurs
  2. Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves
  3. Chet Holmgren, Thunder

  Wembanyama is only in his third season and already the best defender in the NBA by an extremely wide margin. The Spurs posted a 103.2 defensive rating with him on the floor and 113.4 without him — the largest on/off swing in the league. He led everyone with 3.1 blocks per game. Opponents shot 8.7% worse with him as the closest defender. And they didn’t just shoot worse against him. Teams stopped trying to get to the rim at all.

  Opponents took 40.1% of their shots in the paint with Wemby on the floor. With him off? That rose to 48.4%. It doesn’t take stats to understand what the eyes can already see, when ball-handlers drive toward the paint and then turn away the second Wemby is lurking. But this 8.3% differential is an extreme outlier compared to his DPOY peers. In Rudy Gobert’s four DPOY years combined, his differential was 3.5%. Evan Mobley: 3.1%. Jaren Jackson Jr.: 0.8%. Giannis Antetokounmpo: 1.4%. All four of those guys had seasons worthy of winning the award. None of them was within shouting distance of what Wembanyama is doing at the rim.

  He guards two players at once. He contests shots at the rim using his 8-foot wingspan with his feet still planted in a help position. He closes 15 feet of ground in two steps. He baits drivers into thinking the lane is open, lets them commit, and arrives at the rim a half-second before the ball does. He is the most disruptive defender the league has produced in a generation, and the terrifying part is that he isn’t at his peak yet. If Wembanyama is not the NBA’s first unanimous DPOY this year, he will be someday.

  ---

  All-Defensive First Team

  Victor Wembanyama, Spurs
  Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves
  Chet Holmgren, Thunder
  Derrick White, Celtics
  Ausar Thompson, Pistons

  Wemby is the only thing standing between Gobert and a fifth DPOY trophy that would put him alone atop the all-time list. The Timberwolves are 7.9 points per 100 possessions better on defense with Gobert out there. And he’s not just a rim protector. Gobert has held opponents to 0.77 points per isolation, the best mark of any player to defend at least 200 isolations.

  Holmgren is the defensive backbone of the best team in basketball; the Thunder had their best defensive rating (102.3) with him on the floor. Opponents struggle to score near him at the basket, and he’s a stopper out on a switch too. 

  White takes the toughest perimeter assignment on most nights, led all guards in blocks this season with 98, and sets the tone every night with his hustle. He made one of the plays of the season, sprinting full court with 1.5 seconds left in the first half to block a shot in transition. While the Celtics were up 23. Because White never stops bringing it.

  Thompson led the NBA in steals per game, guarded point guards, centers, chased shooters off screens, teleported for chasedown blocks, and did just about everything you could ask for from a 6-foot-7 defender.

  ---

  All-Defensive Second Team

  Cason Wallace, Thunder
  Scottie Barnes, Raptors
  Amen Thompson, Rockets
  Dyson Daniels, Hawks
  OG Anunoby, Knicks

  Wallace stands at only 6-foot-3 but plays bigger than his body as an on-ball defender. He mirrors guards and bigger wings, and served as Mark Daigneault’s weapon any time the Thunder needed a stop. He also led the NBA in deflections.

  Barnes led the league in stocks behind only Wemby. He can defend across positions, made clutch defensive stops throughout the season, and was the anchor of a Raptors defense that ranked fifth.

  Thompson got my vote for Defensive Player of the Year last season. He wasn’t quite the same this year, in part due to injury. But he remains a positionless defender who can erase an opponent’s offensive actions and harass their stars.

  Daniels set the tone for the Hawks defense with his feisty point-of-attack defense, and he was a constant menace in the passing lanes while tallying 4.1 deflections and two steals per game.

  Anunoby somehow has only one All-Defensive honors in his eight NBA seasons, but this year should be his second. Against a sampling of All-Stars, here’s the field-goal percentage he held them to: Donovan Mitchell: 37.5%. Deni Avdija: 30.8%. Cade: 41.7%. Luka: 36.4%. Paolo Banchero: 27.3%. What’s impressive is the range of player styles there. Small, quick guards like Mitchell. Big, bruising forwards like Banchero. And elite talents like Doncic. OG can slow down anyone.

  All-Defense honorable mentions: Stephon Castle, Bam Adebayo, Moussa Diabate, Ron Holland, Draymond Green, Kawhi Leonard, Kris Dunn, Jordan Goodwin, Toumani Camara, Donovan Clingan

  ---

  Coach of the Year

  1. Joe Mazzulla, Celtics
  2. Mitch Johnson, Spurs
  3. JB Bickerstaff, Pistons

  Look at what Mazzulla lost. Jayson Tatum to a torn Achilles. Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis shipped out in cap-driven moves before the season started. Al Horford left in free agency. The Celtics were supposed to drift into the play-in tier and wait for Tatum to heal. Derrick White said before the season Mazzulla called him and said: “Everybody thinks we’re going to suck. I love it.”

  They did not suck. The Celtics are the second seed in the East. Mazzulla rebuilt the offense around Jaylen Brown and gave real minutes to guys like Baylor Scheierman, Luka Garza and Ron Harper Jr.

  If you want one possession that captures it, go to Brooklyn on January 23. Celtics were down three in overtime with 2.5 seconds left, and Amari Williams — a two-way center — was on the floor. Mazzulla read Brooklyn’s coverage, didn’t like the matchup and called a timeout to pull Williams for 19-year-old rookie wing Hugo Gonzalez. Scheierman threw a pass to the corner, Gonzalez drilled it, and the Celtics won in double overtime. 

  And now the Celtics are in a position to win a championship. This is one of the easiest choices on the entire ballot.

  None of this is to say it’s a weak field. Just the opposite. Bickerstaff positioned the Pistons to win the No. 1 seed in the East, and Johnson perfectly built a system around Wemby’s current skill set and helped guide the Spurs to a massive increase in wins — just like Bickerstaff did one year ago. Both of them are also deserving. But Mazzulla was the best of the bunch.

  Coach of the Year honorable mentions: Quin Snyder, Mark Daigneault, Jordan Ott

  ---

  Most Improved Player of the Year

  1. Jalen Duren, Pistons
  2. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Hawks
  3. Deni Avdija, Blazers

  This is incredibly difficult. There are players who went from nobodies to key players on playoff teams. There are young guys who have made improvements. And then there are the three names I put in my top three: veterans who took a huge step forward. I believe going from good to great is a lot more impressive of a step in the best basketball league in the world, so that’s why these three got the edge.

  Choosing between them is a coin flip. I put Avdija third because his leap actually began to happen during the second half of last season when the Blazers began to feature him on offense. Still, he truly became the guy this year in Portland. Duren gets the tiny edge over NAW because he not only took a more significant role offensively, showing an ability to handle a larger workload, but he also became a dominant defender and the anchor of an elite Pistons defense.

  Most Improved honorable mentions: Neemias Queta, Jaime Jaquez, Collin Gillespie, Reed Sheppard, Ryan Rollins, Matas Buzelis

  ---

  Clutch Player of the Year

  1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder
  2. Jamal Murray, Nuggets
  3. Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves

  SGA was a more midrange-reliant player last season, but his trademark game-winner this year came behind the line when he drilled a step-back triple at the buzzer to sink the Nuggets on March 9. Whether it is that lethal efficiency or the poise to hit clutch go-ahead jumpers like the ones he used to dismantle the Celtics the next game after his game-winner, he has reached a level of late-game inevitability.

  ---

  Most Valuable Player

  1. Victor Wembanyama, Spurs
  2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder
  3. Nikola Jokić, Nuggets
  4. Luka Dončić, Lakers
  5. Cade Cunningham, Pistons

  This year’s MVP was the hardest choice I’ve ever had to make in my 10 years as a voter. It’s the first time with four MVP-worthy candidates. SGA averaged 31.6 points on a 66.5% true shooting mark, the second-most efficient season any 30-point scorer has ever had, trailing only the 2015-16 Steph Curry year that broke people’s brains. Jokić had 28/13/11 and made the game look easy again. And Luka put up 33.5 points while playing the best defense of his life. Wemby should be the first ever consensus Defensive Player of the Year and he put up 25 points per game on offense.

  All are worthy candidates. But Jokić and Luka weren’t on the same defensive level as SGA and Wemby, so I narrowed it down to them. I wrote super in-depth about my decision to choose Wembanyama over SGA. But in summary: 

  SGA carries his team in the most visible way the sport allows. The ball is in his hands. The points are on his line. The clutch buckets go viral before he’s back in the locker room. Wemby carries his in ways that sometimes don’t show up anywhere. The sprints into the paint. The gravity of his shooting. The threat of his verticality. That’s the whole debate.

  Wemby just bent the entire geometry of an NBA floor in both directions. When he’s defending the paint, opponents avoid him. When he’s lurking in the paint on offense, opponents flock to him. Wembanyama was by far the league’s best defender, put up overwhelming raw offensive numbers on top of that, and somehow his most valuable contributions are still the ones the box score refuses to acknowledge. In a race this close, that’s the difference.

  For more on how Wemby earned my vote, read my MVP column.

  All-NBA First Team

  Victor Wembanyama, Spurs
  Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder
  Nikola Jokić, Nuggets
  Luka Dončić, Lakers
  Cade Cunningham, Pistons

  Wemby, SGA, Jokic and Luka are all on a tier of their own, as I said above. There was no question that Dončić would make it once the NBA approved his “extraordinary circumstances” contest on the 65-game rule. I suppose the birth of a child is a miracle. Cade got approved because of a lung issue … I guess? That ruling is a bit more strange. But since he did get it, he received the nod over Brown for first team because he was the engine of the Pistons, while also operating as a highly effective defender.

  All-NBA Second Team

  Jaylen Brown, Celtics
  Kawhi Leonard, Clippers
  Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers
  Jamal Murray, Nuggets
  Jalen Duren, Pistons

  The Tatum Achilles tear turned Boston’s season into a year-long referendum on Brown. And after all the skepticism that he could be a first option, he answered by averaging 28.7 points, 6.9 boards, and 5.1 assists while playing great defense over 71 games. It was a remarkable season for Brown, and if it weren’t for a dip in scoring efficiency midway through the year he likely would’ve gotten the first team nod over Cade, who carried a much heavier playmaking load.

  Kawhi similarly had an outstanding two-way season. Somehow, at age 34, it was the best regular season of his career with 27.9 points on 62.9% true shooting. And all it came with the controversy of the Aspiration scandal, which in no way negatively impacted his performance on the court. The only thing holding back his spot on the first team is a lack of responsibility as a passer.

  Mitchell had the best season of his career. He’s always put up big-time offensive numbers and this year he took on an even greater importance with Darius Garland missing for large portions of the season. The Cavaliers had a 122.4 offensive rating with Mitchell on the floor to 114.9 without him. Even after the addition of James Harden, Cleveland posted only a 116.2 offensive rating in his minutes without Mitchell, which speaks to how vital Mitchell is to Cleveland’s offense.

  Murray was great enough this season to earn his first nod as an All-Star, and he should be a lock for All-NBA too because he never slowed down. Murray averaged 24.4 points on a career-high 62.2% true shooting. He also tacked on 7.1 assists while carrying a massive load in late-game scenarios.

  Duren is my Most Improved Player of the Year after going from a solid role player to an All-NBA player for the Pistons. He was indispensable on both ends of the floor this season, operating as the primary screener for Cunningham while also absorbing a heavier offensive load than ever before. When Cade got sidelined late in the year, the Pistons could have collapsed. But Duren helped them keep winning games by averaging 22.8 points down the stretch.

  All-NBA Third Team

  Chet Holmgren, Thunder
  Jalen Johnson, Hawks
  Kevin Durant, Rockets
  Deni Avdija, Blazers
  Tyrese Maxey, Sixers

  Holmgren was a dominant rim protector and switch defender, while also turning in the most complete offensive season of his career, scoring a career-high 17.1 points on a career-high 65.3% true shooting. 

  The Trae Young trade could have derailed the Hawks. But Johnson kept them alive by averaging 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 7.9 assists — all career highs. He also made so many winning plays on offense that go beyond the box score with screens, cuts, tip-out offensive boards and extra passes. 

  Durant is 37, played 78 games and logged the second-most minutes in the league. It’s amazing how he just keeps on going with another 26/5/5 season.

  Avdija took another leap this season after showing flashes of stardom to end last year. He had five games with 35 or more points and 12 games with 10 or more assists, while averaging 24/7/7. 

  The Sixers would’ve been in the lottery if it weren’t for Maxey’s efforts, averaging 28.3 points and 6.6 assists. He’s a sparkplug shot creator, but he’s also a super active defender despite his lack of size. 

  All-NBA honorable mentions: Scottie Barnes, Jalen Brunson, LaMelo Ball, Alperen Şengün, Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns, Derrick White, Stephon Castle, Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

It’s NBA awards time! This is my 10th year as one of the league’s voters, and these were some of the toughest choices I’ve ever had to make. Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year, in particular, were incredibly difficult. Here’s my official ballot and the reasons behind every single choice.

• Knueppel’s most memorable moment of the year came in the head-to-head against Flagg. Mavericks-Hornets, their first time matching up, Flagg with the ball late in the game, Knueppel read the play, jumped the passing lane, stole the ball, and got fouled going the other way. He iced the game from the line for his 33rd and 34th points in the game. It’s the kind of defensive play his critics swore he couldn’t make.

  The steal wasn’t a fluke either. He’s a smart help defender, knows how to funnel his man into traffic, and is active in the passing lanes. That said, Knueppel is not a perfect defender. Of the 100 players to defend the most isolations this season, Knueppel ranked 65th in points allowed per play, in the same neighborhood as Dončić and Brandon Ingram. He’s not a stopper, but he’s definitely not a liability either.

  Flagg is a different tier entirely. He racks up chasedown blocks, can strongly contest shots on-ball, has the awareness to get in the passing lanes, and has the strength and quickness to switch across positions. Of those same 100 isolation defenders, Flagg ranked 15th — one spot behind first-team All-Defensive candidate Chet Holmgren, and in the same statistical ballpark as Evan Mobley and Derrick White. That’s a 50-spot gap between Flagg and Knueppel, and it shows up on tape every night and he’s doing it with no defensive help around him.

  And then there’s the degree-of-difficulty factor. Without Kon’s diverse offensive skill-set and his elite trait as a shooter, there is no chance the Hornets would have climbed up the standings. But he was also the third or fourth, maybe even fifth, most important player on Charlotte. Definitely behind LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, probably behind Miles Bridges because of his two-way impact, and possibly even behind Moussa Diabate because of his at-rim finishing, screening, and switchability on defense. Flagg was unambiguously the best player on his team.

  Flagg put up better numbers on a team built to lose. The Hornets weren’t supposed to win either, and Knueppel helped them turn their season around. But Flagg carried a heavier offensive load against tougher coverages, and he was the better defender. I would not fault anyone for voting for Knueppel. I almost did it too. But Flagg’s got my vote.

  All-Rookie First Team

  Cooper Flagg, Mavericks
  Kon Knueppel, Hornets
  VJ Edgecombe, Sixers
  Dylan Harper, Spurs
  Cedric Coward, Grizzlies

  Edgecombe had one hell of a year: 16 points per game plus 5.6 boards, 4.2 assists, on pretty good efficiency, with some explosive performances. Scoring 34 points on opening night still blows my mind. If he keeps improving his on-ball creation (shoots 35% out of pick-and-rolls), he has a chance to be a superstar. 

  Harper was one of the best paint penetrators in the entire league even as a rookie, had more than double the assists to turnovers, and was a really hard-nosed defender. Plus, he began to answer the biggest question about his game: Shooting. Harper made 39.6% of catch-and-shoot 3s and 44.7% of pull-up 2s. If his range off the dribble eventually extends behind the arc, it’s going to get extra scary in San Antonio. 

  Coward averaged 13.6 points and ripped down 5.9 rebounds per game, often looking like one of the best rebounding wings in the league. He’s an underrated passer too (2.8 assists to only 1.7 turnovers). After getting picked 11th, the Grizzlies look like they’ve found a steal. 

  All-Rookie Second Team

  Ace Bailey, Jazz
  Hugo Gonzalez, Celtics
  Collin Murray-Boyles, Raptors
  Maxime Raynaud, Kings
  Jeremiah Fears, Pelicans

  Bailey put up 13.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists on a Jazz team that finished tied for the worst record in the West. He began to look like a foundational piece over the second half of the season, averaging 18.3 points on great efficiency.

  Gonzalez has the strangest case on either ballot. He averaged 3.9 points and 3.3 rebounds in 14.6 minutes a night, but finished with a +246 raw plus-minus. That’s third in the league behind Knueppel and Harper, which speaks to his defensive impact. He’d defend guards like Cade Cunningham and bigs like Karl-Anthony Towns, and he made constant hustle plays blocking corner 3s and chasing down transition attacks.

  Murray-Boyles played the connector role as well as any rookie this year: 8.5 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.9 assists on 57.9% shooting, with a defensive motor that showed up on a nightly basis. When Jakob Poeltl went down and Toronto threw him into the starting lineup, he continued to excel despite a lack of size on the roster, which speaks to his blossoming versatility.

  Raynaud is the only second rounder on this ballot, which is a credit to the Kings for finding him with the 42nd pick. Raynaud averaged 12.5 points while spacing the floor from 3, making plays off the dribble, and finishing nearly 70% of his shots at the rim. Sacramento has a hit in Raynaud.

  Fears closed his rookie year averaging 14.3 points, 3.7 boards, and 3.4 assists with 1.2 steals while playing all 82 games. He averaged 30 points over his final six games to help seal the deal for this 10th and final spot.

  All-Rookie honorable mentions: Derik Queen, Tre Johnson, Nique Clifford, Will Riley, Carter Bryant, Mohamed Diawara, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Kobe Sanders, Ryan Nembhard, Egor Dёmin, Yanic Konan Niederhäuser

  ---

  Sixth Man of the Year

  1. Keldon Johnson, Spurs
  2. Tim Hardaway Jr., Nuggets
  3. Ayo Dosunmu, Timberwolves

  Johnson is my pick, and the case starts with a line on his game log that looks like a typo these days: 82. He played all 82 games. And he was as consistent as any role player in the league. He averaged 13.2 points and 5.4 rebounds a night, with a freight-train downhill ability for attacking closeouts, a beautifully soft floater in the paint, and a nose for the offensive glass as sharp as any wing in the league. He is a genuine Swiss Army Knife off San Antonio’s bench, and he brings the energy every single night.

  Hardaway signed for the veteran minimum last summer after two down years in Dallas and Detroit. Then he turned in his best campaign in years: 13.5 points on 40.7% from 3 on 6.9 attempts a night. He was a perfect fit from the jump, flying around screens and handoffs, and relocating with an ease that made him look like a guy that had played in Denver for years.

  Dosunmu is the tricky one because he spent the first half of the season in Chicago having a full-on breakout — 15 points on 51/45/86 splits — before the Bulls blew up their roster. Post-trade in Minnesota, he continued scoring the hell out of the ball — 15 points on 52/41/93 splits — and he was vital in helping Minnesota stay afloat while Anthony Edwards was sidelined with an uptick in playmaking and relentless defense. He started 19 of 69 games this year, so maybe this is stretching the Sixth Man definition. But to me, one of the hallmark qualities of a sixth man is the ability to step up when a starter is injured. And that’s exactly what Dosunmu did in some of the biggest games of the year.

  Sixth Man honorable mentions: Sandro Mamukelashvili, Jaime Jaquez, Naz Reid, Mitchell Robinson, Dylan Harper, Reed Sheppard, Isaiah Stewart, Alex Caruso

  ---

  Defensive Player of the Year

  1. Victor Wembanyama, Spurs
  2. Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves
  3. Chet Holmgren, Thunder

  Wembanyama is only in his third season and already the best defender in the NBA by an extremely wide margin. The Spurs posted a 103.2 defensive rating with him on the floor and 113.4 without him — the largest on/off swing in the league. He led everyone with 3.1 blocks per game. Opponents shot 8.7% worse with him as the closest defender. And they didn’t just shoot worse against him. Teams stopped trying to get to the rim at all.

  Opponents took 40.1% of their shots in the paint with Wemby on the floor. With him off? That rose to 48.4%. It doesn’t take stats to understand what the eyes can already see, when ball-handlers drive toward the paint and then turn away the second Wemby is lurking. But this 8.3% differential is an extreme outlier compared to his DPOY peers. In Rudy Gobert’s four DPOY years combined, his differential was 3.5%. Evan Mobley: 3.1%. Jaren Jackson Jr.: 0.8%. Giannis Antetokounmpo: 1.4%. All four of those guys had seasons worthy of winning the award. None of them was within shouting distance of what Wembanyama is doing at the rim.

  He guards two players at once. He contests shots at the rim using his 8-foot wingspan with his feet still planted in a help position. He closes 15 feet of ground in two steps. He baits drivers into thinking the lane is open, lets them commit, and arrives at the rim a half-second before the ball does. He is the most disruptive defender the league has produced in a generation, and the terrifying part is that he isn’t at his peak yet. If Wembanyama is not the NBA’s first unanimous DPOY this year, he will be someday.

  ---

  All-Defensive First Team

  Victor Wembanyama, Spurs
  Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves
  Chet Holmgren, Thunder
  Derrick White, Celtics
  Ausar Thompson, Pistons

  Wemby is the only thing standing between Gobert and a fifth DPOY trophy that would put him alone atop the all-time list. The Timberwolves are 7.9 points per 100 possessions better on defense with Gobert out there. And he’s not just a rim protector. Gobert has held opponents to 0.77 points per isolation, the best mark of any player to defend at least 200 isolations.

  Holmgren is the defensive backbone of the best team in basketball; the Thunder had their best defensive rating (102.3) with him on the floor. Opponents struggle to score near him at the basket, and he’s a stopper out on a switch too. 

  White takes the toughest perimeter assignment on most nights, led all guards in blocks this season with 98, and sets the tone every night with his hustle. He made one of the plays of the season, sprinting full court with 1.5 seconds left in the first half to block a shot in transition. While the Celtics were up 23. Because White never stops bringing it.

  Thompson led the NBA in steals per game, guarded point guards, centers, chased shooters off screens, teleported for chasedown blocks, and did just about everything you could ask for from a 6-foot-7 defender.

  ---

  All-Defensive Second Team

  Cason Wallace, Thunder
  Scottie Barnes, Raptors
  Amen Thompson, Rockets
  Dyson Daniels, Hawks
  OG Anunoby, Knicks

  Wallace stands at only 6-foot-3 but plays bigger than his body as an on-ball defender. He mirrors guards and bigger wings, and served as Mark Daigneault’s weapon any time the Thunder needed a stop. He also led the NBA in deflections.

  Barnes led the league in stocks behind only Wemby. He can defend across positions, made clutch defensive stops throughout the season, and was the anchor of a Raptors defense that ranked fifth.

  Thompson got my vote for Defensive Player of the Year last season. He wasn’t quite the same this year, in part due to injury. But he remains a positionless defender who can erase an opponent’s offensive actions and harass their stars.

  Daniels set the tone for the Hawks defense with his feisty point-of-attack defense, and he was a constant menace in the passing lanes while tallying 4.1 deflections and two steals per game.

  Anunoby somehow has only one All-Defensive honors in his eight NBA seasons, but this year should be his second. Against a sampling of All-Stars, here’s the field-goal percentage he held them to: Donovan Mitchell: 37.5%. Deni Avdija: 30.8%. Cade: 41.7%. Luka: 36.4%. Paolo Banchero: 27.3%. What’s impressive is the range of player styles there. Small, quick guards like Mitchell. Big, bruising forwards like Banchero. And elite talents like Doncic. OG can slow down anyone.

  All-Defense honorable mentions: Stephon Castle, Bam Adebayo, Moussa Diabate, Ron Holland, Draymond Green, Kawhi Leonard, Kris Dunn, Jordan Goodwin, Toumani Camara, Donovan Clingan

  ---

  Coach of the Year

  1. Joe Mazzulla, Celtics
  2. Mitch Johnson, Spurs
  3. JB Bickerstaff, Pistons

  Look at what Mazzulla lost. Jayson Tatum to a torn Achilles. Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis shipped out in cap-driven moves before the season started. Al Horford left in free agency. The Celtics were supposed to drift into the play-in tier and wait for Tatum to heal. Derrick White said before the season Mazzulla called him and said: “Everybody thinks we’re going to suck. I love it.”

  They did not suck. The Celtics are the second seed in the East. Mazzulla rebuilt the offense around Jaylen Brown and gave real minutes to guys like Baylor Scheierman, Luka Garza and Ron Harper Jr.

  If you want one possession that captures it, go to Brooklyn on January 23. Celtics were down three in overtime with 2.5 seconds left, and Amari Williams — a two-way center — was on the floor. Mazzulla read Brooklyn’s coverage, didn’t like the matchup and called a timeout to pull Williams for 19-year-old rookie wing Hugo Gonzalez. Scheierman threw a pass to the corner, Gonzalez drilled it, and the Celtics won in double overtime. 

  And now the Celtics are in a position to win a championship. This is one of the easiest choices on the entire ballot.

  None of this is to say it’s a weak field. Just the opposite. Bickerstaff positioned the Pistons to win the No. 1 seed in the East, and Johnson perfectly built a system around Wemby’s current skill set and helped guide the Spurs to a massive increase in wins — just like Bickerstaff did one year ago. Both of them are also deserving. But Mazzulla was the best of the bunch.

  Coach of the Year honorable mentions: Quin Snyder, Mark Daigneault, Jordan Ott

  ---

  Most Improved Player of the Year

  1. Jalen Duren, Pistons
  2. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Hawks
  3. Deni Avdija, Blazers

  This is incredibly difficult. There are players who went from nobodies to key players on playoff teams. There are young guys who have made improvements. And then there are the three names I put in my top three: veterans who took a huge step forward. I believe going from good to great is a lot more impressive of a step in the best basketball league in the world, so that’s why these three got the edge.

  Choosing between them is a coin flip. I put Avdija third because his leap actually began to happen during the second half of last season when the Blazers began to feature him on offense. Still, he truly became the guy this year in Portland. Duren gets the tiny edge over NAW because he not only took a more significant role offensively, showing an ability to handle a larger workload, but he also became a dominant defender and the anchor of an elite Pistons defense.

  Most Improved honorable mentions: Neemias Queta, Jaime Jaquez, Collin Gillespie, Reed Sheppard, Ryan Rollins, Matas Buzelis

  ---

  Clutch Player of the Year

  1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder
  2. Jamal Murray, Nuggets
  3. Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves

  SGA was a more midrange-reliant player last season, but his trademark game-winner this year came behind the line when he drilled a step-back triple at the buzzer to sink the Nuggets on March 9. Whether it is that lethal efficiency or the poise to hit clutch go-ahead jumpers like the ones he used to dismantle the Celtics the next game after his game-winner, he has reached a level of late-game inevitability.

  ---

  Most Valuable Player

  1. Victor Wembanyama, Spurs
  2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder
  3. Nikola Jokić, Nuggets
  4. Luka Dončić, Lakers
  5. Cade Cunningham, Pistons

  This year’s MVP was the hardest choice I’ve ever had to make in my 10 years as a voter. It’s the first time with four MVP-worthy candidates. SGA averaged 31.6 points on a 66.5% true shooting mark, the second-most efficient season any 30-point scorer has ever had, trailing only the 2015-16 Steph Curry year that broke people’s brains. Jokić had 28/13/11 and made the game look easy again. And Luka put up 33.5 points while playing the best defense of his life. Wemby should be the first ever consensus Defensive Player of the Year and he put up 25 points per game on offense.

  All are worthy candidates. But Jokić and Luka weren’t on the same defensive level as SGA and Wemby, so I narrowed it down to them. I wrote super in-depth about my decision to choose Wembanyama over SGA. But in summary: 

  SGA carries his team in the most visible way the sport allows. The ball is in his hands. The points are on his line. The clutch buckets go viral before he’s back in the locker room. Wemby carries his in ways that sometimes don’t show up anywhere. The sprints into the paint. The gravity of his shooting. The threat of his verticality. That’s the whole debate.

  Wemby just bent the entire geometry of an NBA floor in both directions. When he’s defending the paint, opponents avoid him. When he’s lurking in the paint on offense, opponents flock to him. Wembanyama was by far the league’s best defender, put up overwhelming raw offensive numbers on top of that, and somehow his most valuable contributions are still the ones the box score refuses to acknowledge. In a race this close, that’s the difference.

  For more on how Wemby earned my vote, read my MVP column.

  All-NBA First Team

  Victor Wembanyama, Spurs
  Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder
  Nikola Jokić, Nuggets
  Luka Dončić, Lakers
  Cade Cunningham, Pistons

  Wemby, SGA, Jokic and Luka are all on a tier of their own, as I said above. There was no question that Dončić would make it once the NBA approved his “extraordinary circumstances” contest on the 65-game rule. I suppose the birth of a child is a miracle. Cade got approved because of a lung issue … I guess? That ruling is a bit more strange. But since he did get it, he received the nod over Brown for first team because he was the engine of the Pistons, while also operating as a highly effective defender.

  All-NBA Second Team

  Jaylen Brown, Celtics
  Kawhi Leonard, Clippers
  Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers
  Jamal Murray, Nuggets
  Jalen Duren, Pistons

  The Tatum Achilles tear turned Boston’s season into a year-long referendum on Brown. And after all the skepticism that he could be a first option, he answered by averaging 28.7 points, 6.9 boards, and 5.1 assists while playing great defense over 71 games. It was a remarkable season for Brown, and if it weren’t for a dip in scoring efficiency midway through the year he likely would’ve gotten the first team nod over Cade, who carried a much heavier playmaking load.

  Kawhi similarly had an outstanding two-way season. Somehow, at age 34, it was the best regular season of his career with 27.9 points on 62.9% true shooting. And all it came with the controversy of the Aspiration scandal, which in no way negatively impacted his performance on the court. The only thing holding back his spot on the first team is a lack of responsibility as a passer.

  Mitchell had the best season of his career. He’s always put up big-time offensive numbers and this year he took on an even greater importance with Darius Garland missing for large portions of the season. The Cavaliers had a 122.4 offensive rating with Mitchell on the floor to 114.9 without him. Even after the addition of James Harden, Cleveland posted only a 116.2 offensive rating in his minutes without Mitchell, which speaks to how vital Mitchell is to Cleveland’s offense.

  Murray was great enough this season to earn his first nod as an All-Star, and he should be a lock for All-NBA too because he never slowed down. Murray averaged 24.4 points on a career-high 62.2% true shooting. He also tacked on 7.1 assists while carrying a massive load in late-game scenarios.

  Duren is my Most Improved Player of the Year after going from a solid role player to an All-NBA player for the Pistons. He was indispensable on both ends of the floor this season, operating as the primary screener for Cunningham while also absorbing a heavier offensive load than ever before. When Cade got sidelined late in the year, the Pistons could have collapsed. But Duren helped them keep winning games by averaging 22.8 points down the stretch.

  All-NBA Third Team

  Chet Holmgren, Thunder
  Jalen Johnson, Hawks
  Kevin Durant, Rockets
  Deni Avdija, Blazers
  Tyrese Maxey, Sixers

  Holmgren was a dominant rim protector and switch defender, while also turning in the most complete offensive season of his career, scoring a career-high 17.1 points on a career-high 65.3% true shooting. 

  The Trae Young trade could have derailed the Hawks. But Johnson kept them alive by averaging 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 7.9 assists — all career highs. He also made so many winning plays on offense that go beyond the box score with screens, cuts, tip-out offensive boards and extra passes. 

  Durant is 37, played 78 games and logged the second-most minutes in the league. It’s amazing how he just keeps on going with another 26/5/5 season.

  Avdija took another leap this season after showing flashes of stardom to end last year. He had five games with 35 or more points and 12 games with 10 or more assists, while averaging 24/7/7. 

  The Sixers would’ve been in the lottery if it weren’t for Maxey’s efforts, averaging 28.3 points and 6.6 assists. He’s a sparkplug shot creator, but he’s also a super active defender despite his lack of size. 

  All-NBA honorable mentions: Scottie Barnes, Jalen Brunson, LaMelo Ball, Alperen Şengün, Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns, Derrick White, Stephon Castle, Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

The Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns collide in a win-or-go-home showdown tonight, with the winner punching a ticket to the playoffs and the loser sent packing.

The Suns may be priced as favorites, but that number carries less weight in a win-or-go-home spot, where rotations shrink, stars take over, and variance swings harder than the market accounts for.

With prediction markets like Kalshi offering a sharper, real-time read on sentiment, we’re breaking down the latest Warriors vs. Suns predictions and best NBA picks for this high-stakes clash.

Who will win Warriors vs Suns?

Warriors win probability:43% (+133)
Suns win probability:59% (-144)

The Phoenix Suns come in as slight favorites at 59% (-144), while the Golden State Warriors sit at 43% (+133), setting up a tight game that will likely come down to which superstar — Devin Booker or Stephen Curry — takes over when it matters most.

Our prediction:Suns to win

Covers NBA expert Jason Logan says “The Suns are being discounted after running into a hot Portland squad on Tuesday, and the Golden State Warriors will show their age in a tough travel spot Friday.”

Read more in Jason Logan’s full Warriors vs. Suns predictions.

More Warriors vs Suns prediction markets

You’re certainly not limited to the main game outcome for Warriors vs. Suns at Kalshi; you also have options to trade on the spread, total, and more, among other NBA odds markets.

You can buy either side of a market — for example, “Yes” on the Suns -2.5 spread means the Suns will cover, while “No” means the Warriors will cover — with each side priced based on the implied probability (which can be converted to American, Decimal, or Fraction odds using the Covers odds converter).

Warriors vs Suns spread and total at prediction markets

Our predictions:Suns -2.5— Yes and Over 218.5 points — No

That potential for a faceplant isn’t the only reason I’m fading Golden State. The Warriors will now hit the road for the fourth time in eight days, which is a lot of wear and tear on the aging legs of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Al Horford, and Kristaps Porzingis.

The Phoenix Suns, on the other hand, get to stay home and enjoy an added day of rest and prep. Phoenix is being discounted after running into a red-hot Portland squad in the Play-In and has shown an ability to bounce back from poor performances, going 22-15 SU and 21-16 ATS when coming off a loss.

Other Warriors vs Suns prediction markets available

• Devin Booker 25+ points (Yes: 64¢)
• Steph Curry 25% points (Yes: 70¢)
• Draymond Green double-double (Yes: 17¢)

What is Kalshi and how does it work?

Kalshi is a federally regulated U.S. exchange where you trade directly on the outcome of real-world future events. Instead of traditional bets, you trade “Event Contracts” which are simple Yes/No questions like “Will the Suns win tonight?” These events are priced between $0.01 and $0.99, and the prices reflect the market’s estimated probability of that event occurring. For instance, $0.55 equals a 55% chance. If your prediction is correct, the contract pays out exactly $1.00; if not, it settles at $0. Kalshi is essentially a stock market for reality.

How does Kalshi differ from sportsbooks?

In a sportsbook, you bet against the bookmaker, who sets fixed odds and takes a “vig,” which is a kind of commission. On Kalshi, you trade against other users. This peer-to-peer model means prices are driven by supply and demand, often resulting in fairer odds. Additionally, because these are financial derivatives, you can exit your position early. If your team takes a 14-point lead, the contract price will rise, allowing you to sell your “Yes” shares for a profit before the final whistle even blows.

Why should I wager on Warriors vs Suns at Kalshi?

Kalshi offers four unique advantages over traditional sportsbooks:

1. Flexibility: Unlike a “locked-in” bet, you can sell your contract at any time.
2. Transparency: You trade against other users, which can allow you to find better value.
3. Federal regulation: As a CFTC-regulated exchange, your funds are held in a secure, transparent environment.
4. Availability: Kalshi is available in 49 states (excluding Nevada) and D.C., including many regions where traditional sportsbooks aren’t yet legal.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

Basketball nostalgia is a potent drug. I’ve spent hours watching highlights from the past, reminiscing on the glory days of NBA action.

Hoop heads got a strong dose of just that on Wednesday, when the Golden State Warriors erupted for 43 points in the fourth quarter to stun the L.A. Clippers.

Stephen Curry’s 3-point barrage, Draymond Green’s lockdown defense, and the Dubs digging themselves out of a 13-point hole stirred up memories of Golden State’s past postseason dominance and sets up a Play-In Tournament tilt with the Phoenix Suns.

But despite what my retro-heavy sneaker collection would tell you, I’m not buying this throwback.

Our Warriors vs. Suns predictions are being realistic about Golden State’s tough situational spot on Friday, and my NBA picks are siding with an undervalued home team.

Warriors vs Suns prediction

Who will win Warriors vs Suns?

Suns: Not to tip my hand on the “best bet” but I like the Phoenix Suns to win this Play-In tilt and take the No. 8 seed in the West. The Suns are being discounted after running into a hot Portland squad on Tuesday and the Golden State Warriors will show their age in a tough travel spot Friday.

Warriors vs Suns best bet: Suns -3 (-110)

I’m a big fan of situational betting, and after hearing Golden State head coach Steve Kerr, following his team’s comeback in L.A., my “spot betting sense” is tingling.

“For one night, we’re us. We’re champions again,” Kerr told reporters. “I know that that may sound crazy to everybody out there, but it’s a play-in game. I don’t care.”

The Warriors’ motivations were already mixed heading into the Play-In Tournament, but after such a wild win and that statement from Kerr, it really feels like the Dubs are ripe for a massive letdown in Phoenix on Friday.

If you can separate from that nostalgic joy for a second, you’ll remember Golden State backed into the postseason with one win in its final eight games. The Warriors were the ninth-worst defense since the All-Star break and finished 4-10 SU in their final 14 road games.

That potential for a faceplant isn’t the only reason I’m fading Golden State. The Warriors will now hit the road for the fourth time in eight days, which is a lot of wear and tear on the aging legs of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Al Horford, and Kristaps Porzingis. 

The Phoenix Suns, on the other hand, get to stay home and enjoy an added day of rest and prep. Phoenix is being discounted after running into a red-hot Portland squad in the Play-In and has shown an ability to bounce back from poor performances, going 22-15 SU and 21-16 ATS when coming off a loss.

Warriors vs Suns same-game parlay

If the Suns are going to get right and put away the Warriors, it will be with defense. Phoenix plays a methodical pace and ranks among the stingier home teams in the league, allowing just 108.5 points against inside Mortgage Matchup Center, and they are 15-27 Over/Under at home this season.

Jalen Green looked great coming back from a knee injury against Portland, exploding for 35 points in the Play-In loss. He’s scored 20+ points in 15 of his last 21 games and is projected for 20 points versus the Warriors on Friday.

Warriors vs Suns SGP

• Suns -3
• Under 220
• Jalen Green Over 18.5 points

Our “from downtown” SGP: Green monsters

These Green guys can pack the box score for both teams. Draymond gets after it on the glass against the Suns’ small-ball lineup while Jalen keeps up his play-in performances with another huge game for Phoenix.

Warriors vs Suns SGP

• Jalen Green Over 18.5 points
• Jalen Green Over 4.5 rebounds
• Draymond Green Over 8.5 points
• Draymond Green Over 5.5 rebounds

Warriors vs Suns odds

• Spread: Warriors +3 | Suns -3
• Moneyline: Warriors +135 | Suns -150
• Over/Under: Over 220 | Under 220

Warriors vs Suns betting trend to know

Favorites of -3 or shorter are 9-4 SU and ATS in the current format of the NBA Play-In Tournament (since 2021). Find more NBA betting trends for Warriors vs. Suns.

How to watch Warriors vs Suns

Warriors vs Suns latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James and Kevin Durant first faced each other in the playoffs way back in 2012, when the Miami Heat beat the Oklahoma City Thunder to win James’ first NBA championship.

The superstars met again in 2017 and 2018, and Durant’s Golden State Warriors beat James’ Cleveland Cavaliers to win Durant’s two rings.

The two greatest scorers of this generation are matched up once again in the postseason this weekend when Durant and his Houston Rockets visit James’ Los Angeles Lakers. Game 1 is Saturday night in the latest chapter of this friendly rivalry, and the basketball world will be watching.

“It’s prime time,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “Two of the best, and still doing it at this stage in their careers. And they have had some battles in the playoffs, but not a ton being in the East and the West a lot. So that part alone has a lot of storylines, a lot of history. I’m sure this will add to their chapters.”

The 41-year-old James is the top scorer in NBA history, and the 37-year-old Durant is fifth. While this fourth engagement might turn out to be their final spring meeting — and maybe even James’ final playoff appearance, who knows? — they’re both thinking mostly about the task before them, not the history behind them.

“It’s always great playing against great players,” Durant said. “You feel their presence on the floor, even if you’re not matched up with them. But it’s just like all basketball players know, it’s much more than just one player. You need a whole group of guys to go out there and win … but yeah, the matchup is definitely fun. Two great players who’ve been in the league for a long time. But everybody who’s involved in this series knows it’s much deeper than that.”

Indeed, their shared playoff history only underlines the importance of a supporting cast, even for players of their stature.

James’ Heatles were too much for a young Thunder group led by Durant, James Harden and Russell Westbrook. The Warriors then became arguably the most loaded team in recent NBA history when Durant chose to join Stephen Curry, and it was too much even for James, who moved to the Lakers a few weeks after his Cavs fell to Golden State for the third time in four years.

The importance of a supporting cast is the reason fifth-seeded Houston is the prohibitive favorite in this series, of course.

The Lakers lost NBA scoring champion Luka Doncic and prolific guard Austin Reaves to injuries two weeks ago, and they’re both out indefinitely.

So while James is once again attempting to carry an inferior roster to places it would never otherwise go, the hard-working Rockets are healthier around Durant, who wants his first postseason with Houston to be memorable.

“Obviously, we know that’s the head of the snake,” James said of Durant. “But it’s the Houston Rockets, and they have some damn good players on their team. It’s not just a KD team. It’s the whole group. Like I said, KD is gonna do what KD does. He’s a Hall of Famer. We know that. So we have to prepare not only for him, but for the whole group.”

Hanging in

The Lakers aren’t publicly predicting when their top two scorers will return, if at all. The injuries to Doncic (Grade 2 hamstring strain) and Reaves (Grade 2 oblique strain) typically take several weeks to heal. The first-round schedule has a few extra days off, but that’s no guarantee.

“We’re going try to make this season as long as possible so that we can get those guys back at some point,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “We don’t know what that is, but that’s just our job. And their job is to do everything they can to be in a position to come back at some point. It may not work, but that’s what we’re trying to do.”

Tough out

Hard-working, resourceful Houston would be a tough matchup even under ideal circumstances for the Lakers, but the Rockets know they’re facing a competent opponent playing with extra fire from the widespread perception that this short-handed team can’t hang with them.

The Lakers have home-court advantage because they won 53 games, including two in Houston last month.

“Even though they got injuries, we’re not looking at this team like they’re not a good team,” Durant said. “We have to show the proper respect to them as NBA players and then into the game as well. We’ve got to come out and respect these guys, because they can have that impact if we let them.”

Fifth starter?

Udoka wouldn’t say this week who will join Durant, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson as his team’s fifth starter in this series. Down the stretch, Udoka started Tari Eason, Josh Okogie and Reed Sheppard, depending on the matchup. Okogie could be the top option in this series for his defense, but he is averaging just 4.5 points a game, making him a less desirable option offensively than Sheppard (13.5 points a game) or Eason (10.5).

Hit the boards

Redick is aware of the Rockets’ historic dominance as a rebounding team, so he addressed it from the first day of practice this week by putting the Lakers through fundamental rebounding and boxing-out drills that reminded his players of junior high.

“Taking care of the basketball and boxing out. That’s the series,” Redick said. “Scheme, personnel, obviously important. But if we don’t take care of the basketball and we don’t box out, we’re not going to win the series.”

Houston led the NBA in total rebounds (48.1 per game) and offensive rebounds (15.0), That proficiency powered much of the Rockets’ offensive production, while the Lakers obviously depended on Doncic’s brilliance for a big chunk of their scoring.

___

AP Sports Writer Kristie Rieken in Houston contributed.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

The Golden State Warriors will determine the fate of their season Friday night as they face the Phoenix Suns in the second round of the Play-In Tournament. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM PT in Phoenix and can be watched on Prime Video.

Previously with the Warriors:

The Warriors kept their season alive on Wednesday night with a 126-121 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. Los Angeles led for most of the game, but Golden State never let it get out of reach as they responded to every run to stay within striking distance.

Trailing by six entering the fourth quarter, the Warriors flipped the game behind a huge stretch from Al Horford, who knocked down four straight threes to swing the momentum in Golden State’s favor.

When it mattered most, the Warriors turned to their stars to close it out. Steph Curry delivered with a clutch three-pointer as part of his 35-point night to give Golden State the lead. Draymond Green, meanwhile, came up with several key defensive stops, including two big steals in the game’s final moments to seal the victory.

What to watch for tonight:

The Warriors’ season hangs in the balance Friday night, and the biggest question for them will be health. Kristaps Porzingis is the primary concern after scoring 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting against the Clippers, as he’s now listed as questionable with ankle soreness.

Another storyline to monitor is the matchup with Suns forward Dillon Brooks. Golden State has plenty of history with Brooks, and he’s already made it clear he’s looking forward to the matchup against the Warriors’ stars.

With both teams fighting to keep their seasons alive, tonight’s game is expected to be physical. For the Warriors, the key will be maintaining their composure and avoiding any emotional letdown after Wednesday’s win. Golden State went 3-1 against Phoenix during the regular season, so if they can match the urgency and focus they showed against the Clippers, they should be able to punch their ticket to the postseason.

Enjoy the game Dub Nation. GO WARRIORS!!! 

Projected Starters

Warriors: Steph Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos, Draymond Green, Kristaps Porzingis

Suns: Devin Booker, Jalen Green, Jordan Goodwin, Dillon Brooks, Mark Williams

How to watch Play-In Tournament Round 2

Who: Golden State Warriors (1 – 0) vs. Phoenix Suns (0 – 1)

When: Friday, April 17th, at 7:00 p.m. PT

Where: PHX Arena — Phoenix, Arizona

TV and Streaming: Prime Video (available on fuboTV)

Doc Rivers has been an NBA head coach for five teams across 27 seasons. It looks like those are no longer running totals.

A few days after stepping down as head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks during a season spent entirely on the hot seat, the longtime coach addressed his coaching future during an appearance on “The Bill Simmons Podcast.”

When asked if he was done coaching, Rivers all but confirmed he intends to retire:

“We met about seven weeks ago, me and ownership. We had a great meeting. They asked me what I wanted to do. One of the owners says one plan is, ‘If we do this, you can hang in there for a year or two.’ I literally said, ‘Oh, no, no, no.’

“I told my coaches, I’m done. I loved coaching. Loved it. I had a lot of success at it, had way more ups than downs. But at the end of the day, I’ve given 47 years or whatever, I don’t even know how old I am … with no off time. I just wanted a break. I want to get away. The grandkids and just life in general, man. Right now, I can tell you, Bill, I think it was time, so I’d be surprised if I coached another game, I’ll put it that way.”

Rivers has served as head coach for the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks, winning the NBA championship in 2008 with the Celtics and reaching the playoffs 21 times, including all but two of his seasons since that Celtics title.

He holds a 1,194-866 career record, putting him sixth on the NBA’s all-time wins list.

If it’s indeed the end of his career, it was a bumpy way out. Rivers actually seemed done coaching after getting fired by the Sixers in 2023, taking a color commentary job with ESPN the following season. However, the Bucks fired rookie head coach Adrian Griffin and coaxed Rivers out of the broadcasting booth.

The hope was clearly winning an NBA title with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, but Milwaukee never made it past the first round with that pairing. Lillard tore his Achilles last postseason and is back with the Portland Trail Blazers.

This season was spent in that awkward space where an all-in bet clearly went bust, and that ended up being it for Rivers.