NBA PLAYOFFS

Immerse yourself in the thrill and fervor of the 2024 NBA Playoffs with our extensive coverage. Stay updated with the most recent news, scores, and analyses.

The 4 teams eliminated

in the second round of the NBA Playoffs

The NBA playoffs started with 16 teams and we’re now down to the final four. While the Minnesota Timberwolves, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics, and Indiana Pacers will battle for a trip to the NBA Finals, 12 other teams are now left to wonder what went wrong and how to fix it. Following the first round, I delved into the eight eliminated teams offseason’, and I’m now going to tackle the four fresh faces to succumb to the playoff crucible.

Eight wins down, eight to go!

The Celtics open the Eastern Conference finals

Boston set as a heavy favorite to advance to the NBA Finals for the second time in three years.

NBA playoffs: Jaylen Brown’s clutch 3 stuns Pacers as Celtics rip Game 1 from Pacers in OT

The Indiana Pacers seemed poised for a Game 1 upset, but Jaylen Brown had a different plan in mind.

Celtics rip Game 1

In the final seconds of regulation, the Boston Celtics All-Star hit a 3-pointer to tie Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals at 117-117 against the Pacers. The game proceeded to overtime, where the Celtics emerged victorious, 132-128, securing a 1-0 series lead. Despite the Pacers leading 115-110 late in the game and holding a 117-114 lead with just 8.5 seconds remaining, a careless inbounds pass resulted in a turnover that rejuvenated the Celtics, allowing Brown to capitalize fully.

The 4 teams eliminated

The Celtics, well-rested after dispatching the Cavaliers in five games nearly a week earlier, are in a favorable position. On the other hand, Indiana has just emerged from a grueling seven-game battle with the Knicks, culminating in a decisive Game 7 victory at Madison Square Garden. Spotrac’s practical cap space encompasses all guaranteed salaries, dead money, estimated options, cap holds, and draft pick holds, representing the upper limit of salary commitments. Conversely, the maximum cap space figure is the lowest possible amount a team can achieve this offseason without engaging in trades. At a pivotal juncture, the Cleveland Cavaliers boast a core group of young and prime-aged talent, including Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, and Donovan Mitchell, all with the potential to reach All-Star or All-NBA status, positioning them as a perennial playoff contender in the Eastern Conference for the foreseeable future.

Reload or Rebuild: What’s next for Nuggets, Thunder, Cavs and Knicks after losing in the NBA playoffs?

The 2024 NBA Playoffs have certainly been eventful. Numerous teams laden with superstars were eliminated much earlier than anticipated, and now the defending champions, along with two other high-seeded teams, have been ousted after just the second round.

The off-season was anticipated to be hectic, and following the recent tough losses, the speculation about major trades is set to intensify. The question now is, what are the next steps for the Nuggets, Thunder, Cavaliers, and Knicks?

Should they initiate a full rebuild, reload and make another attempt, or find a middle ground? We will attempt to determine this as we examine the subsequent steps for each NBA team that has been eliminated in the second round.

Dallas tries to clinch conference finals

Luka Doncic injury update: Dallas Mavericks star dealing with right knee soreness

It’s been Luka Doncic’s world during the NBA playoffs, but now he’s in a world of hurt.

The first-team All-NBA superstar has been beat up throughout the postseason, leading to some questions about his availability throughout the offseason.

While Doncic gutted his way through a number of injuries in the Dallas Mavericks‘ series win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals, those ailments have followed him and the Mavericks into the Western Conference finals vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves.

NBA playoffs 2024: Two under-the-radar trades turned the Mavericks into a real West threat

Holding 3-0 lead in East Finals, Celtics look to finish off Pacers

The Boston Celtics are in the driver’s seat but Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle says his club will be controlling the throttle in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

There’s no reason for Indiana to do anything other than push the pedal to the medal on Monday night in Indianapolis since no team has recovered from a 3-0 deficit in NBA playoff history.

“We’re not going to be deterred,” Carlisle said of the mountain to navigate. “We’re going to be back here Monday night looking to extend the series and we’re going to come at it even harder. We have to. We don’t have a choice. … Believe me, we are going after them.”

While the Pacers will stay off the brakes, the Celtics will be trying to close the door on the series.

Top-seeded Boston moved within one victory of advancing to the East finals for the second time in three seasons by rallying from an 18-point, third-quarter deficit to post a 114-111 road victory in Game 3 on Saturday.

“We’ve met every challenge,” Celtics star Jayson Tatum said. “We’re in great position right now, one win away from the finals. But we can’t look past Monday or anything like that, and we have a special opportunity to go back to the finals.”

Indiana played without All-NBA third-team selection Tyrese Haliburton in Game 3 and also could be without the star point guard’s services on Monday. Carlisle said he had no injury update to provide during his Sunday media availability.

Haliburton injured his left hamstring in the first half of Game 2 and exited for good in the third quarter. In Game 1, he had 25 points and 10 assists when the Pacers fell 133-128 in overtime.

Haliburton was missed down the stretch in Game 3. Indiana led by eight with 2:38 to play before Boston closed the game with a decisive 13-2 burst.

Celtics point guard Jrue Holiday, who was ill most of the day, was fully revved up for the finish line.

Holiday converted a go-ahead three-point play with 38 seconds left and added a key steal with 3.3 seconds to play when he forced the ball away from Indiana’s Andrew Nembhard. Holiday added two free throws with 1.7 seconds remaining for the final margin.

NBA free agency 2024: Latest signings, news, buzz and report

With the 2024 NBA Finals set, most NBA decision-makers have their eyes set on the draft and free agency.

The free agency window will open June 30 at 6 p.m. ET, but teams and players are already hinting at what could be an impactful summer of moves and contract extensions.

The free agency pool this summer could be loaded with big names such as LeBron James and Paul George, who both could decline the final year of their respective deals and test the waters. Other stars such as Klay Thompson and James Harden will enter the summer as unrestricted free agents.

Our NBA insiders will be tracking all of the latest signings, buzz, news and reports throughout the summer and into free agency, so stay tuned as we report on the biggest moves that will shape the league. 

Speaking on the “Pat McAfee Show,” ESPN insider Brian Windhorst said Paul George‘s looming decision will affect the rest of the NBA’s free agency market.

Windhorst detailed that the LA Clippers star swingman could opt out of the final year of his current deal to become an unrestricted free agent. The two teams that have an interest in George are the Philadelphia 76ers and the Orlando Magic. Both were eliminated in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, have the salary cap space and the need for an additional playmaker like George.

Windhorst said George could also opt into his contract and get traded to a team of his choice so that the Clippers don’t lose him without getting something in return.

Lastly, George could also simply sign an extension with the Clippers, but Windhorst said the two sides are currently “not on the same page.”

9:45 a.m. ET: Speaking to ESPN Cleveland on Tuesday, ESPN insider Brian Windhorst explained that Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman’s recent remarks that he isn’t interested in trading Darius Garland has made an impact around the league.

Garland has been linked with a move from Cleveland this summer but Windhorst said that could hinge on two factors: who the team hires as its next head coach and whether Donovan Mitchell commits his future with the franchise beyond next season.

The team fired J.B. Bickerstaff last month after four seasons despite a trip to the Eastern Conference semifinals this postseason.

Tatum, Brown help Celtics hold off huge Dallas rally for 106-99 win, 3-0 lead in NBA Finals

Jayson Tatum scored 31, Jaylen Brown had 30 and the Boston Celtics held off a furious Dallas rally to reach the brink of a record 18th championship with a 106-99 victory over the Mavericks on Wednesday night for a 3-0 lead in the NBA Finals.

BornJuly 2, 1994 · Parker, Colorado, U.S.

Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)

Listed weight190 lb (86 kg)

PositionShooting guard / point guard

LeagueNBA

High schoolLegend (Parker, Colorado)

CollegeUCCS (2012–2015) · Colorado (2016–2017)

NBA draft2017: 1st round, 29th overall pick

Derrick Richard White is an American professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association. He played three years of college basketball in Division II for the UCCS Mountain Lions before transferring to the Division I Colorado Buffaloes for his final year.

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