Cavaliers' Mitchell, Warriors' Curry and Celtics' Tatum in the spotlight going into Game 2s

Cleveland's Donovan Mitchell, Golden State's Stephen Curry and Boston's Jayson Tatum have been the driving forces for their teams throughout the season.

It is no surprise that all three are in the spotlight going into their respective Game 2s of the NBA Playoffs on Wednesday night.

Mitchell scored 30 points in the top-seeded Cavaliers 121-100 victory over the Miami Heat on Sunday night. It was the 26th time in 55 playoff games that the all-star guard has had at least 30 points. Mitchell's 28.1 points per game in the playoffs is seventh all-time among players with at least 50 postseason games and he is averaging 34.6 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists in Cleveland's last seven playoff contests.

Mitchell knows he is viewed as a scorer, but he is hoping his defense and forcing steals begin to stand out more against the Heat.

“Obviously, the 30 is cool. I mean that’s what I’m known for but I think for me it’s just steals, being in the passing lanes, getting on the boards, boxing out, diving on loose balls, different things like that. That’s really what’s going to continue to take us to that next level,” he said.

Curry needs three points to become the 11th player in league history to reach 4,000 points in the playoffs. The superstar guard led Golden State with 31 points in Sunday night’s 95-85 win at the Houston Rockets that included two off-balance 3-pointers in the second half.

The seventh-seeded Warriors — who are used to the rigors of postseason play — look to go up two games on a Rockets squad in the playoffs for the first time since 2020.

“I think the only real advantage is you don't get rattled if there's runs. The composure matters because then you can make plays down the stretch,” said Curry, who needs 49 points to surpass Tony Parker for 10th on the career playoff scoring list.

Tatum has 2,728 points — seventh-most by a player in NBA history before turning 28. But the all-star forward is listed as doubtful against the Orlando Magic with a bone bruise in his right wrist.

He suffered the injury during the fourth quarter of the Celtics' 103-86 victory on Sunday when he went up for a dunk and landed awkwardly after being hit hard by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

Asked about Tatum’s status after the Celtics practiced Tuesday morning, coach Joe Mazzulla said the All-Star was limited, and day-to-day.

Boston veteran Al Horford called the play excessive.

“There was something extra there,” Horford said. “It was about the second or third time he especially KCP went at (Tatum) in that way.”

When/Where to Watch: Game 2, 7 p.m. EDT (TNT)

Series: Celtics lead, 1-0

BetMGM says: Celtics by 12.5.

What to Know: The Celtics trailed by a point at halftime in Game 1 before using a 30-18 third quarter to take control in a 103-86 win. Derrick White had 30 points and Payton Pritchard added 19 off the bench to lift a Boston team that started slowly but finished with 16 3-pointers. The Magic — who are 1-12 on the road all time in Game 2s — came in allowing opponents an NBA-low 11.4 3-pointers per game but were hurt more by their 15 turnovers which led to 24 Boston points.

When/Where to Watch: Game 2, 7:30 p.m. EDT (NBA TV)

Series: Cavaliers lead, 1-0

BetMGM says: Cavaliers by 12.5.

What to Know: Cleveland pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 21-point victory in Game 1. Cleveland was led by Mitchell (30 points), Ty Jerome (28 points) and Darius Garland (27 points), marking the first time in franchise history three players scored at least 27 points in a playoff game. It is expected to be another physical matchup in the paint between Miami's Bam Adebayo and Cleveland’s Evan Mobley. Adebayo held Mobley to three points in the 6:24 they were matched up against each other while Adebayo scored six points in 6:49.

When/Where to Watch: Game 2, 9:30 p.m. EDT (TNT)

Series: Warriors lead, 1-0

BetMGM says: Rockets by 2.5.

What to Know: Jimmy Butler returned to “Playoff Jimmy” with 25 points, seven rebounds and six assists as the Warriors stole home court from the Rockets 95-85 in Game 1. Houston needs better execution from guards Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green, who were 7 of 34 from the field. Houston made just 6 of 29 from beyond the arc and was 11 of 20 from the foul line. The Rockets grabbed 22 offensive rebounds and got 23 points from their bench. With another win, Golden State coach Steve Kerr would take sole possession of sixth place in most playoff victories. Kerr and Larry Brown are tied with 100.

AP Sports Writer Kyle Hightower contributed to this report.

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

Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown (7), left, and Jayson Tatum (0) play against the Orlando Magic during the first half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoff basketball series Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) smiles from the bench during the second half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets in Houston, Sunday, April 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins, right, reaches for the ball as Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) heads up the court in the second half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

CINCINNATI (AP) — After opening the season as the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns facing the Cincinnati Bengals, Joe Flacco will close the season as the backup for the Bengals as they face the Browns on Sunday.

Flacco was dealt to the Bengals in October and made six starts for the Bengals while Joe Burrow was out with a toe injury.

“I don’t really think about putting a label on it,” Flacco said. “It’s crazy. Seasons always go by quick once they’ve started. But the way that this one went, it seems like it flew by.”

During the summer, in Cleveland Browns training camp, Flacco won a competition for the starting quarterback job and made four starts for Cleveland. In Week 1 against the Bengals, Flacco threw for 290 yards.

He said that over the past 17 weeks, he has seen improvement from the Bengals defense. Now, he refers to the Bengals defense as his team’s defense.

“We’re stopping the run,” Flacco said. “We’re getting more pressure on the quarterback. When you combine those two things, it’s going to help you out.”

While Flacco went 1-5 as a starter in Cincinnati, the 40-year-old played well. He threw for at least 200 yards in four of his six starts, and the Bengals offense averaged more than 27 points per game.

Flacco said that he developed a lot of respect for Bengals coach Zac Taylor.

“He has a lot of strengths,” Flacco said. “He’s really good at what he does. His demeanor, his overall personality and the way he leads men is really good. The way he puts game plans together. Also, he’s willing to allow it to be collaborative. That’s a strength. His game day play-calling is also something he does really well.”

Burrow took over as the starter when he returned on Thanksgiving, and Flacco has been the backup over the past month.

Flacco will be a free agent again at the end of the season. As he evaluates his options, he’s hoping to find another chance to play and to start.

“That’s always a priority,” Flacco said. “I’m somebody who wants to play football. You’ve got to assess and see whatever is thrown your way. You have to go from there and see what you can do about it.”

He said that he’d be open to returning to the Bengals, but he’ll weigh several factors.

“I haven’t really thought about it,” Flacco said. “I don’t hope to do anything. I have an idea of maybe of what some goals would be. I’ll go from there and see what happens.”

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco throws during pregame warmups before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) calls a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)