MONTREAL (AP) — George Russell won his first race of the Formula 1 season as the Mercedes driver held off defending race winner Max Verstappen at the Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday.
It was the fourth victory of Russell’s career, and the race ended under yellow when McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris staged a wheel-to-wheel late battle that ended with Norris hitting the wall.
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McLaren driver, Britain's Lando Norris walks away from his car following a collision during the F1 Canadian Grand Prix auto race in Montreal, Sunday, June 15, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)
Mercedes driver, Britain's George Russell leads Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen, of the Netherlands, through the hairpin during Formula One auto racing action at the Canadian Grand Prix, in Montreal on Sunday, June 15, 2025. (Evan Buhler/The Canadian Press via AP)
Mercedes driver, Britain's George Russell is sprayed by teammate Kimi Antonelli, right, of Italy, after winning the F1 Canadian Grand Prix auto race in Montreal, Sunday, June 15, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
Mercedes driver, Britain's George Russell jumps off his car after winning the F1 Canadian Grand Prix auto race in Montreal, Sunday, June 15, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
Mercedes driver George Russell, front, of the United Kingdom, takes a turn ahead of the pack during the F1 Canadian Grand Prix auto race in Montreal, Sunday, June 15, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
Mercedes driver George Russell, center front, of the United Kingdom, leads the pack during the F1 Canadian Grand Prix auto race in Montreal, Sunday, June 15, 2025. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press via AP)
Mercedes driver George Russell, of the United Kingdom, leads the pack during the F1 Canadian Grand Prix auto race in Montreal, Sunday, June 15, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)
Mercedes driver George Russell, center right, of the United Kingdom, celebrates after winning the F1 Canadian Grand Prix auto race in Montreal, Sunday, June 15, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)
Mercedes driver George Russell, of the United Kingdom, celebrates after winning the F1 Canadian Grand Prix auto race in Montreal, Sunday, June 15, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)
“It's amazing to be back on the top step,” Russell said. “I felt last year was a victory lost, so to get the victory and see (teammate) Kimi (Antonelli) on the podium, too, is an amazing day for the team. I think it shows the strength of our cars in the cooler conditions, so let's see in the coming races.”
Russell started on pole for the second consecutive year in Montreal and held the advantage for most of the race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The British driver became the fourth race winner this year, joining points leader leader Piastri, Norris and Verstappen, the four-time reigning F1 champion.
Verstappen, who has one more race to go before points drop off his license and eliminate the possibility of a one-race suspension, was satisfied with his second-place finish.
“Was quite a good race, even though in the first two stints we were struggling with the tires,” the Dutchman said. “We hung in there in the final stint. That was the maximum we could have achieved today.”
Mercedes rookie Antonelli finished third behind Verstappen for his first F1 podium.
“A really good day. It was absolutely victory on merit,” Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said. "We controlled the race all the way. George drove brilliantly and Kimi didn't crack under pressure, even with the McLaren right behind him.
“It's been a while since we've had two cars on the podium with a win and that's why everyone is delighted.”
The two McLarens came together when Norris, then in fifth, attempted to pass Piastri multiple times on the 67th lap out of 70. Norris ultimately ran into Piastri and bounced into the wall, drawing a safety car for the final laps.
“I was defending the inside, then I felt a small touch,” Piastri said. “That's all I've got to go on at the moment. It's a shame for the team.”
Norris received a 5-second penalty for contact with Piastri after the race and took responsibility.
“I just went for it. I thought Oscar would move a bit more to the right, not leave a gap,” Norris said. “I wasn't expecting anything easy from him. But in the end, it was all my mistake. I take full blame and I want to apologize to my whole team and to Oscar for attempting something like that.”
Piastri finished fourth, ending an eight-race podium streak dating back to the second race of the season. McLaren as a team failed to reach the top three for the first time this year.
“We never want to see a McLaren car involved in an accident and definitely not contact between our two cars,” team principal Andrea Stella said. "This is a situation we know is not acceptable. At the same time, we appreciate that Lando immediately owned it.
“He raised his hand, as you should, and apologized to the team. For us, that sort of resets the situation. I'm sure there's an important learning point for him from this race. He's paid a price the championship and we value the way he handled it.”
Piastri arrived in Montreal — the 10th of 24 stops this season — with a 10-point lead over Norris amid a dominant season for the papaya-colored cars.
The Australian driver extended his advantage to 22 points over his British teammate. Verstappen, ranked third in the drivers’ championship, now trails Norris by 21 points. A race win is worth 25.
Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were fifth and sixth. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg, Haas’ Esteban Ocon and Williams’ Carlos Sainz Jr. rounded out the top 10.
Leclerc, after holding off on a second pit stop, was the leader until the 54th lap when he finally swapped tires.
That set up a five-man race to the finish involving Russell, Verstappen, Antonelli, Piastri and Norris in the final 16 laps. A little more than five seconds separated the drivers.
Lance Stroll, the lone Canadian on the 20-driver grid, finished 17th after starting 18th. The Aston Martin driver received a 10-second penalty for forcing Alpine’s Pierre Gasly off the track on the 47th lap.
The Canadian GP returns to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve next year. The next F1 race is the Austrian Grand Prix on June 29.
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
McLaren driver, Britain's Lando Norris walks away from his car following a collision during the F1 Canadian Grand Prix auto race in Montreal, Sunday, June 15, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)
Mercedes driver, Britain's George Russell leads Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen, of the Netherlands, through the hairpin during Formula One auto racing action at the Canadian Grand Prix, in Montreal on Sunday, June 15, 2025. (Evan Buhler/The Canadian Press via AP)
Mercedes driver, Britain's George Russell is sprayed by teammate Kimi Antonelli, right, of Italy, after winning the F1 Canadian Grand Prix auto race in Montreal, Sunday, June 15, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
Mercedes driver, Britain's George Russell jumps off his car after winning the F1 Canadian Grand Prix auto race in Montreal, Sunday, June 15, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
Mercedes driver George Russell, front, of the United Kingdom, takes a turn ahead of the pack during the F1 Canadian Grand Prix auto race in Montreal, Sunday, June 15, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
Mercedes driver George Russell, center front, of the United Kingdom, leads the pack during the F1 Canadian Grand Prix auto race in Montreal, Sunday, June 15, 2025. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press via AP)
Mercedes driver George Russell, of the United Kingdom, leads the pack during the F1 Canadian Grand Prix auto race in Montreal, Sunday, June 15, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)
Mercedes driver George Russell, center right, of the United Kingdom, celebrates after winning the F1 Canadian Grand Prix auto race in Montreal, Sunday, June 15, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)
Mercedes driver George Russell, of the United Kingdom, celebrates after winning the F1 Canadian Grand Prix auto race in Montreal, Sunday, June 15, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)
Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks are back in the conference finals, making some scoring history along the way. The San Antonio Spurs will have to work a little harder to get there after the Minnesota Timberwolves evened their series at 2-2 after Victor Wembanyama was tossed from the game.
The Knicks swept the Philadelphia 76ers 4-0 on the road Sunday behind another impressive offensive performance, tying the NBA postseason record with 25 3-pointers in a 144-114 rout.
New York's 19.4 point-per-game margin of victory is the largest through the first two rounds of the NBA playoffs since the league expanded to 16 teams in 1984.
The Knicks have won seven straight.
“It’s just us being very locked into the moment,” Knicks forward Karl-Anthony Towns said.
New York awaits the winner of the Cleveland-Detroit series, which the Pistons lead 2-1.
The win gives the Knicks multiple days to rest up, get healthy and focus on avenging last season's disappointing 4-2 series loss to the Indiana Pacers in the East finals.
The Spurs were winning by two when Wembanyama was ejected for a flagrant 2 foul for throwing an elbow. Minnesota took advantage and Anthony Edwards had 16 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter for a 114-109 win.
On Monday, the Thunder will look to sweep the Los Angeles Lakers and return to the Western Conference finals. Detroit is at Cleveland in the earlier game.
— Game 4, Detroit at Cleveland, 8 p.m. EDT (NBC/Peacock)
Series: Detroit, 2-1.
Odds: Cleveland by 3.5.
The Cavaliers are favored in their home arena, where they are 5-0 in the playoffs. Detroit could be thin in the backcourt as Caris LeVert (right heel contusion) and Kevin Huerter (left adductor strain) are questionable.
— Game 4, Oklahoma City at Los Angeles Lakers, 10:30 p.m. EDT (Prime Video)
Series: Oklahoma City, 3-0.
Odds: Oklahoma City by 10.5.
Things don't look promising for Los Angeles in what could be LeBron James' last game in a Lakers uniform. The Lakers have lost all three games by least 18 points — and OKC's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hasn't even played all that well. Luka Doncic is still out and Austin Reeves hasn't been productive since returning from an oblique injury.
— Game 5, Minnesota at San Antonio, 8 p.m. EDT (NBC, Peacock)
Series: Tied, 2-2.
Odds: San Antonio by 9.5.
Victor Wembanyama will look to control his emotions — and flying elbows — and the Spurs hope to regain the upper hand in the series when the return home.
— Knicks 144, 76ers, 114 to sweep the series 4-0. The Knicks are back in the Eastern Conference finals.
— Timberwolves 114, Spurs 109 to even series at 2-2. Victor Wembanyama gets ejected.
— Washington has the first pick in the NBA draft in what many view as the most talented class in years.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson wasn't upset at Wembanyama for getting ejected on Sunday for a flagrant 2 foul for throwing an elbow — in fact, quite the contrary.
Johnson said Wembanyama needs to “protect himself,” while adding that officials are not doing enough to look out for the 7-foot-4 league MVP finalist as teams get physical with him.
“The level of physicality that opponents have been trying to impose on him since his first days in the league, combined with the lack of protection from the referees, is really disappointing,” Johnson said. “And to a certain extent, it’s starting to become downright nauseating."
Wembanyama finished with four points, four rebounds and three fouls in 13 minutes.
A breakdown of this season's NBA awards:
— Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year: DeAndre Jordan, New Orleans.
— Hustle Award: Moussa Diabaté, Charlotte.
— Defensive Player of the Year: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio.
— Clutch Player of the Year: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City.
— Sixth Man of the Year: Keldon Johnson, San Antonio.
— Sportsmanship Award: Derrick White, Boston.
— Most Improved Player: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Atlanta.
— Rookie of the Year: Cooper Flagg, Dallas.
— Executive of the Year: Brad Stevens, Boston.
Among the announcements still to come:
— Most Valuable Player: Gilgeous-Alexander, Wembanyama or Denver's Nikola Jokic.
— Coach of the Year: Johnson, Detroit's J.B. Bickerstaff, or Boston's Joe Mazzulla.
Defending champion Oklahoma City (-165) is favored to win the NBA title, according to oddsmakers.
The Thunder are followed by San Antonio (+350), New York (+650), Detroit (+1800), Minnesota (+5000), Cleveland (+6000) and the Los Angeles Lakers (+50000).
— Monday through May 17: NBA draft combine.
— May 17 or 19: Eastern Conference finals begin on ESPN and ABC.
— May 18 or 20: Western Conference finals begin on NBC and Peacock.
— June 3: Game 1, NBA Finals on ABC. (Other finals dates: June 5, June 8, June 10, June 13, June 16 and June 19).
— June 23: Round 1, NBA draft.
— June 24: Round 2, NBA draft.
“I used to think Philly was a sports town, I don’t know if it is anymore,” Knicks guard Josh Hart said after the 76ers and the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers were both swept out of the second round.
— Minnesota's Anthony Edwards (302 points) became the sixth player in the play-by-play statistical era (1997-98) to record 300-plus fourth quarter points in the postseason before turning 25. The others are Kobe Bryant (625), James (493), Jayson Tatum (388), Kevin Durant (388) and Dwyane Wade (357).
— The Knicks' 144 points were most in franchise history in a postseason game.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba
A person attends the NBA basketball draft lottery in Chicago, Sunday, May 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Duke forward Cameron Boozer talks to media during the NBA basketball draft lottery in Chicago, Sunday, May 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James wipes his eye in the closing minutes in the second half of Game 3 in a second-round NBA basketball playoffs series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, left, passes as Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart defends during the second half of Game 3 in a second-round NBA basketball playoffs series Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) falls to the court after he was fouled by San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) as he and forward Jaden McDaniels (3) battled for a rebound during the first half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball second-round playoffs series in Minneapolis, Sunday, May 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson reacts after scoring during the second half of Game 4 against the Philadelphia 76ers in a second-round NBA basketball playoffs series Sunday, May 10, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New York Knicks' Mikal Bridges, right, goes up for a shot against Philadelphia 76ers' Tyrese Maxey during the second half of Game 3 in a second-round NBA basketball playoff series Friday, May 8, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus (2) celebrates a turnover by the Detroit Pistons in the first half of Game 3 of a second-round NBA playoffs basketball series Saturday, May 9, 2026 in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) dunks as Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) defends in the second half of Game 3 of a second-round NBA playoffs basketball series Saturday, May 9, 2026 in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, takes a pass as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander defends during the first half of Game 3 in a second-round NBA basketball playoffs series Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander passes the ball during the second half of Game 3 in a second-round NBA basketball playoffs series against the Los Angeles Lakers, Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
New York Knicks' fan react during the second half of Game 3 in a second-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers Friday, May 8, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson reacts during the second half of Game 3 in a second-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers Friday, May 8, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama, left, is fouled by Minnesota Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (1) as he drives to the basket during the second half of Game 3 of a NBA basketball second-round playoff series in Minneapolis, Friday, May 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) blocks a shot attempted by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dennis Schroder (8) during the second half in Game 2 of a second-round NBA playoffs basketball series, Thursday, May 7, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) is fouled driving to the basket by Los Angeles Lakers' Austin Reaves (15) as LeBron James, right rear, follows behind on the play in the second half of Game 2 in a second-round NBA basketball playoffs series Thursday, May 7, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Philadelphia 76ers' Adem Bona, top, fouls New York Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns during the second half of Game 1 in a second-round NBA basketball playoffs series Monday, May 4, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (1), front, handles the ball as San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2), middle, and forward-center Victor Wembanyama (1), back, defend during the second half in Game 1 of a second-round NBA playoffs basketball series in San Antonio, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) and fans celebrate a basket in the second half of Game 1 in a second-round NBA basketball playoffs series against the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday, May 5, 2026 in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, right, drives to the basket as Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves, left, defends second half of Game 1 in a second-round NBA basketball playoffs series Tuesday, May 5, 2026 in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) blocks a shot by Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) during the first half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series in Houston, Friday, May 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Toronto Raptors' RJ Barrett (9) celebrates with fans after a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6 in the first round of an NBA basketball playoffs series in Toronto, Friday, May 1, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors' RJ Barrett (9) celebrates after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in overtime of Game 6 in the first round of an NBA basketball playoffs series in Toronto on Friday, May 1, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) celebrates during the second half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Houston Rockets in Houston, Friday, May 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid celebrates following his team's victory over the Boston Celtics after the Game 7 in a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Saturday, May 2, 2026 in Boston. (AP Photo/Jim Davis)
Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid celebrates following his team's victory over the Boston Celtics after the Game 7 in a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Saturday, May 2, 2026 in Boston. (AP Photo/Jim Davis)
New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) shoots during Game 6 in a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jaylen Clark (22) celebrates a basket against the Denver Nuggets during the second half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jaylen Clark (22) get into an altercation during the second half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (1) celebrates his three-point basket against the Denver Nuggets during the second half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum goes up for a dunk during the second half of Game 6 in a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander celebrates a scores against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of Game 4 in a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series, Monday, April 27, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander celebrates with fans after Game 4 in a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Phoenix Suns, Monday, April 27, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr., left, celebrates as Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves walks off after the Rockets defeated the Lakers in Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
San Antonio Spurs forward/guard Keldon Johnson (3) celebrates with teammates after Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Portland Trail Blazers in San Antonio, Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (12) celebrates after scoring against the Orlando Magic during the fourth quarter in Game 5 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Fans watch Portland Trail Blazers player introductions before Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series against the San Antonio Spurs, in Portland, Ore., Sunday, April 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum, right, tries to get past Philadelphia 76ers' Kelly Oubre Jr. during the second half of Game 4 in a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series Sunday, April 26, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia 76ers' Paul George (8) and Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown (7) reach for a loose ball during the first half of Game 4 in a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series Sunday, April 26, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. dives for a loose ball during the first half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Detroit Pistons, Monday, April 27, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane (3) goes after a loose ball against Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson during the second half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series, Monday, April 27, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylin Williams (6) scores against Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale during the second half of Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama reacts after a shot during the first half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series against the Portland Trail Blazers, in Portland, Ore., Sunday, April 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards kneels on the court after sustaining an injury during the first half of Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots against Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) during the first half of Game 4 in a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots against Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) during the first half of Game 4 in a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle dunks during the second half of Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) sits on the court after sustaining an injury during the first half of Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum, left, goes up for a shot past Philadelphia 76ers' Adem Bona during the second half of Game 3 in a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday, April 24, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama, center, wears street cloths on the bench as he sits out Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Portland Trail Blazers in Portland, Ore, Friday, April 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, talks to guard Bronny James during the first half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Houston Rockets, Saturday, April 18, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff cheers on the Detroit Piston during the second half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series against the Orlando Magic Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) passes over Phoenix Suns forward Oso Ighodaro (11) during the second half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)
San Antonio Spurs guard De'aaron Fox (4) drives to the basket past Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant, left, during the second half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series in San Antonio, Sunday, April 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) blocks a shot by Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) in the second half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series in Cleveland, Monday, April 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) sits on the court after a hard fall during the first half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Portland Trail Blazers in San Antonio, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) gestures to the crowd in the first half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series against the Toronto Raptors in Cleveland, Monday, April 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Toronto Raptors guard Ja'kobe Walter (14) and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) reach for the ball in the second half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series in Cleveland, Monday, April 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) drives past Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) during the second half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series in San Antonio, Sunday, April 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, talks to his son guard Bronny James during the first half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Houston Rockets, Saturday, April 18, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) and forward Tristan da Silva (23) celebrate after a win over the Detroit Pistons in Game 1 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Sunday, April 19, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry celebrates after scoring during the second half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game against the against the Los Angeles Clippers, Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) lies on the court during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer watches in the closing minutes of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game between the Clippers and the Golden State Warriors Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James looks to make a pass during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
