The Washington Commanders as soon as once more have turned to a dual-threat quarterback coming off a Heisman Trophy to assist revitalize their franchise.

The Commanders chosen LSU’s Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 choose within the NFL draft Thursday, ending months of hypothesis — and intense privateness by the group.

It’s the highest Washington has drafted a quarterback since Robert Griffin III was picked with the second choice in 2012. Like Griffin, Daniels additionally gained the Heisman Trophy and can enter the NFL as a risk to harm groups along with his arm and legs. Washington additionally thought of North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye and Michigan signal-caller J.J. McCarthy.

Because the draft drew nearer, it turned clear that Daniels was Washington’s favourite; a number of league sources anticipated him to go at No. 2, and staff sources anticipated it as effectively.

“We knew it was Jayden for some time,” Commanders basic supervisor Adam Peters stated. “It will have taken lots for it to not be Jayden. The entire constructing I’d say was unanimous on that one. It is easy to see why.”

However Daniels wasn’t positive what to anticipate.

“They did a reasonably good job of not displaying their hand an excessive amount of,” Daniels stated Thursday. “[But] I used to be fairly assured off the conversations I had. I am right here now and I can not wait to get to work.”

As a fifth-year senior for LSU final season, Daniels threw for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns with solely 4 interceptions. He additionally ran 135 occasions for 1,134 yards and eight touchdowns. He began 55 video games in his faculty profession, together with all 29 contests he performed over three seasons at Arizona State, which is the place he started his faculty profession.

When requested why Daniels, Peters responded, “Why not Jayden?

“To us, he was particular in each method, on the sphere and off the sphere,” he stated.

Peters added he didn’t begin severe scouting of the school quarterbacks till early January, when he was being wooed after which employed by Washington.

“I turned on Jayden for the primary time and I could not imagine how good he was,” Peters stated. “He was actually good, the way in which he can course of, the way in which he can see the sphere, the way in which he goes by means of his reads, the way in which he delivers [the ball] on time. He is the perfect deep ball thrower within the draft — and that is even earlier than we begin watching him run and the way in which he runs, he simply takes your soul as a protection. You suppose you bought him after which impulsively he rips off a 40-yard run. And that is towards the SEC — the perfect of the perfect.”

Peters stated Daniels has “nice velocity and acceleration; he is additionally a extremely, actually instinctive gifted runner.”

However with the operating comes potential for giant hits.

“With any quarterback, not simply Jayden, you need to inform to get down, not take the hit, which is that if that is your largest drawback with any individual, then it is a fairly whole lot there,” Peters stated. “We are going to encourage him to not take these hits. However he is so aggressive, he is so robust. He bought up each time. No questions on his toughness or his sturdiness. Simply wanting him to play 17 to twenty plus video games yearly, I need to make sure that he takes care of his physique.”

The Commanders are hoping that Daniels can fill the group’s largest on-field gap for many of the previous three many years. Washington has began 33 quarterbacks because it final gained the Tremendous Bowl after the 1991 season — and eight previously 4 years. If Daniels succeeds, he can breathe new life into the group on the sphere, after it has undergone an overhaul off the sphere.

Up to now eight months, Washington has gotten a brand new proprietor in Josh Harris, a brand new GM in Peters and coach in Dan Quinn. However for the franchise to develop into a title contender once more, it should obtain higher play from the quarterback place.

“It simply begins with I am simply coming in to compete,” Daniels stated. “I am coming in and attempting to play my position no matter that’s. I simply need to be the perfect teammate, assist the staff win and we will convey again some victories to Washington and we will have some enjoyable.”

The Commanders group hasn’t had a profitable file since 2016, hasn’t gained a playoff recreation because the 2005 season and hasn’t had an 11-win season since 1991 — additionally the final season it gained a Tremendous Bowl. Washington went 10-6 and gained the NFC East in Griffin’s rookie season. However within the subsequent 11 seasons, the group ranked twenty eighth in cumulative whole quarterback ranking and profitable share (.380) with no double-digit win finishes.

Daniels’ activity is to be a key piece to any on-field rejuvenation.

“They are going to get somebody that is a competitor that wishes to win it doesn’t matter what,” Daniels stated. “I need to assist the staff win and sooner or later sooner or later, we’ll get this factor rotated.”

Washington has tried to unravel the quarterback gap in a number of methods through the years, together with 4 first-round picks from 2002 to 2015. The franchise didn’t preserve Kirk Cousins, permitting him to depart through free company after the 2017 season — after buying and selling for Alex Smith. They signed free brokers resembling Ryan Fitzpatrick and purchased Carson Wentz through commerce.

Nothing has labored. The final time Washington had a quarterback open consecutive seasons because the starter was 2016-17 with Cousins. The Commanders will make it seven consecutive campaigns with a brand new Week 1 starter this 12 months, and no quarterback has served as the principle starter for 4 consecutive seasons since Mark Rypien did it from 1989 to 1993.

The Commanders traded final 12 months’s beginning quarterback, Sam Howell, to the Seattle Seahawks within the offseason. Washington already had three quarterbacks on its roster: Marcus Mariota, Jeff Driskel and Jake Fromm. On the homeowners conferences final month, Peters stated he could be comfy if Mariota needed to begin for an prolonged interval.

However Daniels stated he likes what the Commanders have in place, rattling off the names of a few of his new weapons on offense like receivers Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson, tight finish Zach Ertz and operating backs Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler. Daniels additionally pointed to these in cost, together with Quinn and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.

“Dan Quinn is a good man and lots communicate extremely of who he’s as an individual and the way he cares about his gamers,” Daniels stated. “Their monitor file speaks for itself. Kliff Kingsbury was with Kyler [Murray in Arizona], and for a time he had Kyler within the MVP dialog so I used to be excited to cut it up and speak ball with him.”

Daniels additionally appreciated his dealings with Peters.

“Yeah AP — he is a dude,” Daniels stated. “I am very assured in him that he’ll get this factor modified round.”

The Denver Broncos’ decision-makers stated over and over within the weeks main as much as Thursday’s first spherical of the NFL draft they might not “drive” a call at quarterback.

Whether or not or not the Broncos certainly compelled the problem stays to be seen, however what the Broncos did do is make historical past once they made Oregon’s Bo Nix the sixth quarterback off the board Thursday night time. Nix’s choice tied the report of six quarterbacks chosen within the first spherical, set in 1983 when Broncos Corridor of Famer John Elway was the No. 1 choose of the draft (by the Baltimore Colts).

In all, a report 23 offensive gamers — together with the primary 14 picks off the board — have been chosen within the first spherical, breaking the earlier mark of 19.

Nix’s choice with the No. 12 choose was the best the Broncos have taken a quarterback since they drafted Jay Cutler at No. 11 in 2006.

Basic supervisor George Paton would not say Thursday whether or not the Broncos had six quarterbacks among the many prime 12 gamers on their draft board. He did say the group had six quarterbacks graded as first-round picks.

Coach Sean Payton stated the Broncos have been involved that they may not get Nix “when Atlanta took [Michael] Penix [Jr.]. … It acquired somewhat loopy there for a minute.”

Nix stated he believed the Broncos had some curiosity in him throughout the pre-draft windup, however that “you by no means know till you get the cellphone name,” Nix stated.

“I will be in a very good scenario to study and develop,” Nix added.

“While you take a look at their scheme, there’s plenty of ideas, plenty of issues I’ve run up to now,” Nix stated.

Paton stated Nix “was simply a great match for what we would like right here.”

After saying they’d be keen to maneuver up or transfer down within the first spherical if the precise alternative introduced itself, the Broncos stayed put at No. 12, even because the quarterbacks got here off the board at an unprecedented charge. When the Minnesota Vikings moved up from No. 11 to No. 10 to pick Michigan signal-caller J.J. McCarthy, the Broncos have been confronted with taking a talent place participant, the highest-rated defensive prospect on their board or the sixth quarterback in Nix.

Nix, together with his three seasons at Auburn and two at Oregon, was one of the vital skilled gamers within the draft. He had 61 video games, with at the very least 10 performed in all 5 of his seasons. His two seasons at Oregon have been a revelation, with 74 of his 113 profession landing passes in addition to back-to-back campaigns with at the very least a 71% completion charge.

Payton stated the Broncos evaluated Nix’s work on the intermediate and deep components of the sector individually, given that just about a 3rd of his completions final season have been at or behind the road of scrimmage.

“Let’s do one other passing statistic and take away plenty of the quick, beneath throws,” Payton stated. “Clearly that was a part of what they do offensively, however should you take away that and are available again with the analytics [he is] nonetheless first. I might say his arm energy, you noticed it on the professional day, however even on the personal exercise it was excellent. He is tremendous good.

“Man, we’re excited. … We’re glad it labored out the best way it did.”

The Broncos have missed the playoffs in every of the previous eight seasons with 5 totally different head coaches, Payton included, and 12 quarterbacks (throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, operating again Phillip Lindsay began a sport behind middle, so there have been technically 13). Denver has simply two of its personal first-round picks on the present roster — cornerback Pat Surtain II and deal with Garett Bolles — and wishes influence gamers all around the depth chart.

Nix joins a quarterback room that features Zach Wilson, whom the Broncos acquired in a commerce earlier this week, and Jarrett Stidham, who began the ultimate two video games of the 2023 season after Payton benched Russell Wilson. Zach Wilson was the No. 2 choose of the 2021 draft.

The New York Jets, after Wilson’s rocky three-season tenure with the group, had advised him and his representatives that they might attempt to discover him a brand new soccer dwelling.

Wilson, given his on-field struggles — a 57% completion charge with 25 interceptions and simply 23 landing passes — is a little bit of a reclamation mission, because the 24-year-old will get a recent begin. Payton has persistently stated he would usher in competitors for Stidham. Wilson, and now Nix, are a part of that within the quick time period with Nix the potential long-term resolution.

Joel Embiid’s push to play by a knee damage this postseason additionally featured one other behind-the-scenes well being scare.

The 76ers star has navigated what ESPN described as a gentle case of Bell’s palsy, which, in response to the Mayo Clinic, “causes sudden weak point within the muscle tissues on one aspect of the face” — with that aspect showing “to droop” and resulting in difficulties with shutting that aspect’s eye.

“Fairly annoying with my left aspect of my face, my mouth and my eye,” Embiid advised reporters after the 76ers’ 125-114 victory in opposition to the Knicks on Thursday in Sport 3 of their first-round collection.

“It’s been robust, however I’m not a quitter, so gotta maintain preventing.”

Embiid’s situation was revealed after Philadelphia’s win that trimmed its collection deficit to 2-1.

He set a playoff profession excessive with 50 factors and have become the primary 76ers participant to achieve that threshold in a postseason sport since Allen Iverson within the 2003 playoffs.

The signs started with migraines a day or two earlier than their play-in win in opposition to the Warmth — after they clinched the Jap Convention’s No. 7 seed to arrange the first-round collection with the Knicks — however at first, Embiid thought they have been “nothing.”

That outlook modified, although. He knew his physique wasn’t proper in that Miami sport, when he collected 23 factors and 15 rebounds.

“Simply not feeling it,” Embiid stated, however ESPN reported that he “needed to maintain it personal to keep away from distractions for his staff” within the playoffs.

The reigning MVP missed a bit of time through the common season whereas coping with a knee damage, and it instantly impacted the 76ers’ probabilities of securing the next seed within the convention.

They have been 31-8 with Embiid of their lineup. That file dipped to 16-27 with out him.

Embiid has continued to combat by the lingering knee problem through the postseason, too. He was a game-time resolution in Sport 2 earlier than combining with Tyrese Maxey — the 76ers’ different star — for 69 factors of their loss to the Knicks.

And three days later, whereas nonetheless navigating his Bell’s palsy situation, Embiid helped the 76ers earn a victory after the collection shifted again to Philadelphia.

“It’s unlucky,” Embiid stated of coping with Bell’s palsy. “That’s the way in which I have a look at it. However that’s not an excuse. Gotta maintain pushing.”

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers All-Star middle Joel Embiid has been recognized with Bell’s palsy, a type of facial paralysis he says has affected him since earlier than the play-in match.

Embiid wore sun shades to the rostrum after he scored 50 factors within the Sixers’ Sport 3 win over the New York Knicks and mentioned he’s handled varied signs akin to blurred imaginative and prescient and dry eyes.

Embiid mentioned he first began noticing the affliction a couple of “day or two” earlier than the Sixers performed the Miami Warmth on April 17 within the play-in match. Embiid had 23 factors and 15 rebounds within the win that despatched the Sixers to the playoffs.

Embiid complained of migraines however “thought it was nothing” earlier than he lastly notified docs he wasn’t feeling properly.

“My physique was simply, I used to be simply not feeling it,” Embiid mentioned. “Sure, it’s fairly annoying. My left facet of my face, my mouth and my eye. It’s been robust. However I’m not a quitter. I’m going to maintain preventing by means of something. It’s unlucky, that’s the best way I have a look at it. However it’s not an excuse. I’ve received to maintain pushing.”

Final season’s NBA MVP, Embiid was 13 of 19 from the ground, made 19 of 21 free throws and hit 5 3-pointers in Sport 3.

The Knicks lead the collection 2-1 and Sport 4 is Sunday in Philadelphia.

Embiid had been sporting sun shades all through the collection and carried out a Sport 2 postgame interview along with his head down in entrance of his locker to cover his signs.

Embiid mentioned he has no timetable on how lengthy it might take to get well from Bell’s palsy.

“It hasn’t actually essentially gotten higher,” he mentioned. “With the conversations that I’ve had, it may very well be weeks, it may very well be months. I simply hope that it stays like this. I’ve received a gorgeous face. I don’t like when my mouth is wanting the opposite method. Unlucky scenario however every thing occurs for a motive.” ___

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

Melo shot “effectively” in solely three of these 21 video games, with the Knicks successful two of them. The one loss was an enormous one, although – eradicated by the Pacers in 2013. In the meantime, in Ewing’s 135 postseason video games as a Knick, he shot poorly 23 instances, or 17% of them, versus taking pictures effectively 47% of the time. The Knicks had been 11-12 within the former video games, 36-28 within the latter. The takeaway from these numbers could inform us one thing about these gamers, however forensically their actual significance is what they reveal about these groups. 

Within the 1983 Japanese semis, the penultimate Knicks/Sixers playoff matchup, half the non-King starters shot 40% or worse (Rory Sparrow, Paul Westphal). The one two different Knicks who shot effectively – Invoice Cartwright and Trent Tucker – mixed to attain 18 factors a recreation. The tragic irony of Ewing is the one time his Herculean feats lifted the Knicks within reach of Olympus, Derek Harper and John Starks (exterior Recreation 1 and Recreation 7) stepped up, but it surely was the large man who had his worst-shooting collection ever within the Finals. Even within the magical 2013 season, have a look at the Knick playoff taking pictures towards Indiana. Jason Kidd took eight pictures all the six-game collection and missed all of them. J.R. Smith? 29% from the sphere. Iman Shumpert? 38% – and he was considered one of their hotter guards that collection. Pablo Prigioni’s intention was high-quality, although he averaged fewer than three makes an attempt a recreation. Looking back, Raymond Felton’s 41% deserves a banner at MSG.

Issues are totally different now. Whereas Brunson’s struggled mightily towards a Sixer protection keyed in on him, 5 of the opposite seven Knicks who’ve performed are averaging double-figures – six when you spherical up Bojan Bogdanović’s 9.5 per recreation. Although Brunson’s made simply two of his 12 3-pointers, the remainder of the Knicks are taking pictures 44% past the arc. 

Within the decisive fourth quarter of Recreation 1, Josh Hart, Miles McBride, Mitchell Robinson and OG Anunoby mixed for 27 of New York’s 32 factors; Deuce and Hart each completed with 20+. In Recreation 2’s fourth quarter, 20 of the Knicks’ 25 factors got here from folks not associated to Rick Brunson. All 5 starters hit double-figures, with Hart once more breaking 20 and Donte DiVincenzo netting 19, together with this three you will have heard point out of.

The Los Angeles Lakers host the Denver Nuggets at the moment for Sport 3 of the primary spherical of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. The Lakers had been swept by the Nuggets of their four-game sequence in final yr’s postseason, and within the groups’ three-game sequence in the course of the 2023-24 common season. LeBron James’ Lakers are actually down two video games and in want of a win at the moment if they do not need to get swept once more.

Hold studying for the way and when to look at the Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers NBA Playoffs sport.

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How and when to look at the Nuggets vs. Lakers sport

Sport 3 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs sequence between the Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers will probably be performed on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 10:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. PT). The sport will air on TNT and stream on Sling TV and the platforms featured under.

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The best way to watch the Nuggets vs. Lakers sport with out cable

In case your cable subscription would not carry TNT otherwise you’ve reduce the twine together with your cable firm, you’ll be able to nonetheless watch at the moment’s sport. Under are the platforms on which you’ll be able to watch at the moment’s sport stay. 

Sling TV: Essentially the most cost-effective method to stream the Nuggets vs. Lakers sport

Probably the most cost-effective methods to stream at the moment’s NBA playoff sport is thru a subscription to Sling TV. To look at at the moment’s sport, you will want a subscription to the Orange tier, which incorporates TNT and ESPN. For entry to extra NBA playoff video games, improve to the Orange + Blue tier (really helpful), which incorporates the video games performed on ABC.

The Orange tier is often $40 per 30 days, however Sling TV has a suggestion for brand new subscribers the place you may get your first month for $15. The Orange + Blue tier prices $35 in your first month, and $60 per 30 days after that. There’s additionally an NBA playoffs bundle deal the place it can save you $30 if you pre-pay for 3 months of service on any tier. You’ll be able to cancel anytime.

Be aware: As a result of Sling TV would not carry CBS, you will not be capable to watch CBS-aired stay sports activities, together with the NFL. In case you’re on the lookout for one stay TV streaming platform to look at all of your favourite sports activities, we propose a subscription to Hulu + Dwell TV.

Prime options of Sling TV Orange + Blue tier:

• There are 46 channels to look at in complete, together with ABC, ESPN and TNT.
• You get entry to NFL video games airing on ESPN subsequent season on the lowest value.
• All subscription tiers embody 50 hours of cloud-based DVR storage.

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Hulu + Dwell TV/ESPN+ bundle: Watch the Nuggets vs. Lakers sport stay without cost

You’ll be able to watch at the moment’s sport with the Hulu + Dwell TV/ESPN+ bundle. The bundle options 95 channels, together with ABC, TNT, native community associates and ESPN. It additionally consists of the ESPN+ streaming service. Limitless DVR storage can also be included. Watch at the moment’s sport, the 2024 NBA playoffs, MLB this season and network-aired NFL video games subsequent season with Hulu + Dwell TV/ESPN+ bundle.

Hulu + Dwell TV comes bundled with ESPN+ and Disney+. It is priced at $77 after a three-day free trial.

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2024 NBA Playoffs: Full playoff schedule

The primary spherical of the 2024 NBA Playoffs will begin April 20.

First spherical schedule

Under are the dates, instances and networks airing every sport of the primary spherical of the NBA Playoffs.  All instances Japanese.

Japanese Convention

Japanese Convention

(1) Boston Celtics vs. (8) Miami Warmth

• Sport 1: Warmth vs. Celtics; Sunday, April 21 (1 p.m. ET on ABC) Celtics 114-94
• Sport 2: Warmth vs. Celtics; Wednesday, April 24 (7 p.m. ET on TNT, TruTV)
• Sport 3: Celtics vs. Warmth; Saturday, April 27 (6 p.m. ET on TNT, TruTV)
• Sport 4: Celtics vs. Warmth; Monday, April 29 (TBD, TBD)
• Sport 5: Warmth vs. Celtics; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Sport 6: Celtics vs. Warmth; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Sport 7: Warmth vs. Celtics; TBD (TBD, TBD)*

* = If essential

(2) New York Knicks vs. (7) Philadelphia 76ers

• Sport 1: 76ers vs. Knicks; Saturday, April 20 (6 p.m. ET on ESPN) Knicks 111-104
• Sport 2: 76ers vs. Knicks; Monday, April 22 (7:30 p.m. on TNT, TruTV) Knicks 104-101
• Sport 3: Knicks vs. 76ers; Thursday, April 25 (7:30 p.m. ET on TNT, TruTV)
• Sport 4: Knicks vs. 76ers; Sunday, April 28 (1 p.m. on ABC)
• Sport 5: 76ers vs. Knicks; Tuesday, April 30 (TBD, TBD)*
• Sport 6: Knicks vs. 76ers; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Sport 7: 76ers vs. Knicks; TBD (TBD, TBD)*

* = If essential

(3) Milwaukee Bucks vs. (6) Indiana Pacers

• Sport 1: Pacers vs. Bucks; Sunday, April 21 (7 p.m. on TNT, TruTV) Bucks 109-94
• Sport 2: Pacers vs. Bucks; Tuesday, April 23 (8:30 p.m. on NBA TV) Pacers 125-108
• Sport 3: Bucks vs. Pacers; Friday, April 26 (5:30 p.m. on ESPN)
• Sport 4: Bucks vs. Pacers; Sunday, April 28 (7 p.m. on TNT)
• Sport 5: Pacers vs. Bucks; Tuesday, April 30 (TBD, TBD)*
• Sport 6: Bucks vs. Pacers; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Sport 7: Pacers vs. Bucks; TBD (TBD, TBD)*

* = If essential

(4) Cleveland vs. (5) Orlando

• Sport 1: Magic vs. Cavaliers; Saturday, April 20 (1 p.m. on ESPN) Cavaliers 97-83
• Sport 2: Magic vs. Cavaliers; Monday, April 22 (7 p.m. on NBA TV) Cavaliers 96-86
• Sport 3: Cavaliers vs. Magic; Thursday, April 25 (7 p.m. on NBA TV)
• Sport 4: Cavaliers vs. Magic; Saturday, April 27 (1 p.m. on TNT)
• Sport 5: Magic vs. Cavaliers; Tuesday, April 30 (TBD, TBD)*
• Sport 6: Cavaliers vs. Magic; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Sport 7: Magic vs. Cavaliers; TBD (TBD, TBD)* 

* = If essential

Western Convention

(1) Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder vs. (8) New Orleans Pelicans

• Sport 1: Pelicans vs. Thunder; Sunday, April 21 (9:30 p.m. ET on TNT, TruTV) OKC 94-92
• Sport 2: Pelicans vs. Thunder; Wednesday, April 24 (9:30 p.m. on TNT, TruTV) OKC 124-92
• Sport 3: Thunder vs. Pelicans; Saturday, April 27 (3:30 p.m. on TNT)
• Sport 4: Thunder vs. Pelicans; Monday, April 29 (TBD, TBD)
• Sport 5: Pelicans vs. Thunder; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Sport 6: Thunder vs. Pelicans; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Sport 7: Pelicans vs. Thunder; TBD (TBD, TBD)*

* = If essential

(2) Denver Nuggets vs. (7) Los Angeles Lakers

• Sport 1: Lakers vs. Nuggets; Saturday, April 20 (8 p.m. on ABC) Nuggets 114-103
• Sport 2: Lakers vs. Nuggets; Monday, April 22 (10 p.m. on Spectrum Sportsnet+) Nuggets 101-99
• Sport 3: Nuggets vs. Lakers; Thursday, April 25 (10 p.m. on Spectrum Sportsnet+)
• Sport 4: Nuggets vs. Lakers; Saturday, April 27 (8:30 p.m. on ABC)
• Sport 5: Lakers vs. Nuggets; Monday, April 29 (TBD, TBD)*
• Sport 6: Nuggets vs. Lakers; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Sport 7: Lakers vs. Nuggets; TBD (TBD, TBD)*

 = If essential

(3) Minnesota Timberwolves vs. (6) Phoenix Suns

• Sport 1: Suns vs. Timberwolves; Saturday, April 20 (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) Timberwolves 120-95
• Sport 2: Suns vs. Timberwolves; Tuesday, April 23 (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT) Timberwolves 105-93
• Sport 3: Timberwolves vs. Suns; Friday, April 26 (10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
• Sport 4: Timberwolves vs. Suns; Sunday, April 28 (9:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
• Sport 5: Suns vs. Timberwolves; Tuesday, April 30 (TBD, TBD)*
• Sport 6: Timberwolves vs. Suns; Thursday, Might 2 (TBD, TBD)*
• Sport 7: Suns vs. Timberwolves; Saturday, Might 4 (TBD, TBD)* 

* = If essential

(4) LA Clippers vs. (5) Dallas Mavericks

• Sport 1: Mavericks vs. Clippers; Sunday, April 21 (3:30 p.m. on ABC) Clippers 109-97
• Sport 2: Mavericks vs. Clippers, Tuesday, April 23 (10 p.m. on Clippervision) Mavericks 96-93
• Sport 3: Clippers vs. Mavericks, Friday, April 26 (8 p.m. on Clippervision)
• Sport 4: Clippers vs. Mavericks, Sunday, April 28 (3:30 p.m. on ABC)
• Sport 5: Mavericks vs. Clippers, TBD (TBD, TBD)
• Sport 6: Clippers vs. Mavericks, TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Sport 7: Mavericks vs. Clippers, TBD (TBD, TBD)*

* = If essential

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Convention semifinals schedule

The convention semifinals will start Might 6-7, however can transfer as much as Might 4-5 if the prior spherical’s sequence ends early.

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Convention finals schedule

The convention finals will start Might 21-22, however can transfer as much as Might 19-20 if the prior spherical’s sequence ends early.

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NBA Finals schedule

The 2024 NBA Finals will start on June 6, airing on ABC.

• Sunday, June 9: Sport 2
• Wednesday, June 12: Sport 3
• Friday, June 14: Sport 4
• Monday, June 17: Sport 5 (if essential)
• Thursday, June 20: Sport 6 (if essential)
• Sunday, June 23: Sport 7 (if essential)

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The Los Angeles Lakers enter Thursday night time’s Sport 3 towards the Denver Nuggets in determined want of a win. The Lakers, who blew a 20-point lead in Monday’s Sport 2, discover themselves down 0-2 within the first-round playoff collection and with out solutions of how one can notch a win towards the reigning champion Nuggets. Denver has gained 10 video games in a row towards L.A., together with six consecutive victories within the postseason.

Jamal Murray was the hero for the Nuggets in Sport 2, hitting a buzzer-beating game-winner over Anthony Davis to offer Denver a 101-99 win in a recreation the Lakers led almost the complete night time. It was a demoralizing loss for the Lakers, who will host Video games 3 and 4 in L.A., needing not less than one win to maintain their season alive.

“It is all about sustainability,” LeBron James instructed reporters after Sport 2. “It would not matter what you are able to do all through the primary 47.5 minutes. You bought to shut the sport, which we did not do. We received to do a greater job of that. However among the issues that we have accomplished over the primary couple video games, we’re very excited and blissful about these. However we received to do a greater job of closing it.”

Here is what to find out about Thursday night time’s Sport 3:

Lakers vs. Nuggets — Sport 3 data

Time: 10 p.m. ET | Date: Thursday, April 25
Location: Crypto.com Area, Los Angeles
TV channel: TNT | Reside stream: TNT app
Odds: Lakers -1, O/U: 217

Storylines

Nuggets: It has been begin to the playoffs for the champs as they fought again for a Sport 2 victory and stored home-court benefit on this first-round collection. Nikola Jokic is almost averaging a triple-double within the collection with 29.5 factors, 16 rebounds and eight.5 assists per recreation to date. Murray has solely shot 37.5% from the ground, however he hit the most important shot of the collection. Michael Porter Jr. has added 41 factors within the two video games, whereas the Nuggets have restricted the Lakers to 101 factors per recreation.

Lakers: The Lakers’ stars have shined within the collection. LeBron has been sharp, with 26.5 factors and 10 assists per recreation. Davis has been the very best scorer of the collection with 64 factors to date. And D’Angelo Russell had a stable Sport 2 after struggling in Sport 1. Nonetheless it hasn’t equaled a victory, and the Lakers will want extra manufacturing from gamers like Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura in the event that they wish to flip this right into a aggressive collection.

Prediction

The Nuggets simply maintain discovering methods to beat the Lakers, particularly in shut video games. It looks like if the Lakers are going to take a recreation towards the Nuggets, they should take it and make it a runaway earlier than fourth-quarter Jokic can get his workforce again within the recreation. Do not count on that to occur in Sport 3 as Denver makes it 11 in a row and pushes L.A. to the brink of elimination: Decide: Nuggets +1

Former Pittsburgh Steelers star Merril Hoge directed some sharply pointed criticism towards NFL Draft prospect Drake Maye.

Whereas Maye is broadly projected to listen to his identify referred to as in some unspecified time in the future throughout the first ten picks Thursday evening, Hoge will not be bought on the quarterback’s capability to play at a excessive stage as soon as he reaches the NFL.  

“He’s marginal at greatest,” Hoge mentioned throughout a current look on New England sports activities radio station WEEI.

Hoge pointed to Maye’s inconsistent play throughout his time at North Carolina, suggesting it might be one of many causes the quarterback won’t excel within the NFL.

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“Inconsistency alone, the inconsistency in throwing the soccer and processing, that’s simply a number of the issues,” Hoge added. “There’s a complete litany of issues you must right.”

2024 NFL DRAFT GUIDE: QUARTERBACKS HEADLINE DRAFT CLASS; WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT ORDER

The New England Patriots maintain the third general choose on this yr’s draft, and Maye has been linked to the crew. 

Earlier this month, Sports Illustrated reported that the Patriots hosted Maye for a pre-draft go to. The crew additionally met with Maye on the NFL Scouting Mix in Indianapolis and despatched representatives to his professional day in Chapel Hill.

Hoge additionally asserted his perception that whereas sure points of a participant’s sport will be improved on the NFL stage, coaches will be unable to rework Maye right into a extra constant and extra correct passer.

“You may dial it in slightly bit,” Hoge mentioned. “However in case you’re not an correct passer, you’re an inconsistent passer — that’s going to be magnified within the Nationwide Soccer League.”

Hoge additionally strongly disagreed with the comparisons some have drawn between Maye and two-time Professional Bowl quarterback Josh Allen.

“He isn’t even near Josh Allen,” Hoge mentioned. “I see nothing about Josh Allen. … There’s nothing, like nothing, however that’s what individuals are going to anticipate.”

This isn’t the primary time Hoge has criticized Maye. Earlier this month, he issued a stern warning to any entrance workplace considering utilizing a prime choose on the previous Tar Heels signal-caller.

“Drake Maye is the type of participant that may get you fired,” Hoge instructed WCCO radio. “Particularly in case you draft him within the prime 5 or prime three. He’s going to get you fired.”

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Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Michael Penix Jr., J.J. McCarthy and Bo Nix spherical out the record of prime quarterback prospects on this yr’s draft class. 

Williams is the overwhelming favourite to change into the primary participant chosen Thursday evening. However Hoge can be not a believer in Williams. The Chicago Bears maintain the highest general choose tonight.

“The one factor that’s clear, he isn’t particular,” Hoge mentioned on NBC Sports Chicago in February. “He isn’t one thing distinctive like a Patrick Mahomes. And I hope the Bears do not assume, ‘Effectively let’s attempt to make up for our mistake after we handed up Patrick Mahomes and go get the Patrick Mahomes.’ The child will not be Patrick Mahomes. Ain’t even remotely near that.”

The primary spherical of the 2024 NFL Draft begins Thursday at 8 p.m. ET. The second and third rounds happen Friday, and rounds 4 by way of seven occur Saturday.

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