In South Asia, the season of festivals turns on two ancient elements: fire and water.
The festival of Dussehra ends with flames, as enormous effigies of the demon King Ravana collapse in roaring pyres, a dramatic celebration of Hindu deity Lord Rama’s victory and a reminder that arrogance and cruelty can be consumed by fire. Smoke and thunder echo through the night, blending devotion and spectacle.
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Hindu women smear vermillion on each other on the final day of the Durga Puja festival in Mumbai, India, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)
Devotees carry an idol of the Hindu goddess Durga in a boat for immersion in the Buriganga River marking the end of Durga Puja in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
Devotees carry an idol of the Hindu goddess Durga for immersion in the Buriganga River marking the end of Durga Puja in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
Myanmar Hindu devotees take part in the last day of the 'Durga Puja' festival in Yangon, Myanmar, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw)
Myanmar Hindu devotees take part in the last day of the 'Durga Puja' festival in Yangon, Myanmar, Thursday, October. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw)
Devotees carry an idol of the Hindu goddess Durga in a boat for immersion in the Buriganga River marking the end of Durga Puja in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
Devotees carry an idol of Hindu goddess Durga to immerse in river Brahmaputra in Guwahati, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Municipal workers carry an idol of Hindu goddess Durga to immerse in river Brahmaputra in Guwahati, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Devotees carry an idol of Hindu goddess Durga to emmers in river Brahmaputra in Guwahati, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Devotees with color-smeared faces dance on a road during a procession for immersion of an idol of Hindu goddess Durga in Guwahati, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Indian people watch an effigy of demon king Ravana's son Meghnath go up in flames marking the end of Dussehra festival in Jammu, India, Thursday, Oct.2, 2025.(AP Photo/Channi Anand)
People watch a procession during Dussehra festival in Jammu, India, Thursday, Oct.2, 2025.(AP Photo/Channi Anand)
Effigies of demon king Ravana, centre, his son Meghnad and brother Kumbhkarna are set on fire, marking the end of Dussehra festival in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025.(AP Photo/Deepanshu Aggarwal)
An effigy of mythical demon king Ravana goes up in flames marking the end of Dussehra festival in Jammu, India, Thursday, Oct.2, 2025.(AP Photo/Channi Anand)
Artists dressed up as Hindu gods shout religious slogans during Dussehra festivities in Jammu, India, Thursday, Oct.2, 2025.(AP Photo/Channi Anand)
Organizers shelter under umbrellas and plastic sheeting as a sudden rain and thunderstorm causes the effigy of demon king Ravan and others to fall and sustain water damage during the Hindu festival of Dussehra in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Organizers shelter under umbrellas and plastic sheeting as a sudden rain and thunderstorm causes the effigy of demon king Ravan and others to fall and sustain water damage during the Hindu festival of Dussehra in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
A priest worship an idol of goddess Durga on the second day of Hindu festival Durga Puja at a makeshift worsip venue, in Kolkata, India, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)
Municipal employees carry an idol of Hindu goddess Durga to emmers in river Brahmaputra in Guwahati, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Devotees prepare to immerse an idol of Hindu goddess Durga in a makeshift water pit at the end of Durga Puja festival in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Devotees immerse an idol of Hindu goddess Durga in a makeshift water pit at the end of Durga Puja festival in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Durga Puja closes with a different crescendo. The festival celebrates the feminine divine by venerating Goddess Durga, who is worshipped as the mother of the universe and for her triumph over the mythological demon Mahishasura.
Across eastern India, Bangladesh and parts of Myanmar, the festival ended with vibrant processions — music pounding, drums rolling, crowds chanting — carrying statues of the goddess Durga to rivers and ponds. There, amid song and splashing water, her clay form is immersed, dissolving into the currents. The ritual is both a farewell and a renewal, a riot of sound and color.
One ends in fire, the other in water. Both seek to convey the same message: the struggle between good and evil is eternal, and the rituals are its living memory.
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Hindu women smear vermillion on each other on the final day of the Durga Puja festival in Mumbai, India, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)
Devotees carry an idol of the Hindu goddess Durga in a boat for immersion in the Buriganga River marking the end of Durga Puja in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
Devotees carry an idol of the Hindu goddess Durga for immersion in the Buriganga River marking the end of Durga Puja in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
Myanmar Hindu devotees take part in the last day of the 'Durga Puja' festival in Yangon, Myanmar, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw)
Myanmar Hindu devotees take part in the last day of the 'Durga Puja' festival in Yangon, Myanmar, Thursday, October. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw)
Devotees carry an idol of the Hindu goddess Durga in a boat for immersion in the Buriganga River marking the end of Durga Puja in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
Devotees carry an idol of Hindu goddess Durga to immerse in river Brahmaputra in Guwahati, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Municipal workers carry an idol of Hindu goddess Durga to immerse in river Brahmaputra in Guwahati, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Devotees carry an idol of Hindu goddess Durga to emmers in river Brahmaputra in Guwahati, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Devotees with color-smeared faces dance on a road during a procession for immersion of an idol of Hindu goddess Durga in Guwahati, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Indian people watch an effigy of demon king Ravana's son Meghnath go up in flames marking the end of Dussehra festival in Jammu, India, Thursday, Oct.2, 2025.(AP Photo/Channi Anand)
People watch a procession during Dussehra festival in Jammu, India, Thursday, Oct.2, 2025.(AP Photo/Channi Anand)
Effigies of demon king Ravana, centre, his son Meghnad and brother Kumbhkarna are set on fire, marking the end of Dussehra festival in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025.(AP Photo/Deepanshu Aggarwal)
An effigy of mythical demon king Ravana goes up in flames marking the end of Dussehra festival in Jammu, India, Thursday, Oct.2, 2025.(AP Photo/Channi Anand)
Artists dressed up as Hindu gods shout religious slogans during Dussehra festivities in Jammu, India, Thursday, Oct.2, 2025.(AP Photo/Channi Anand)
Organizers shelter under umbrellas and plastic sheeting as a sudden rain and thunderstorm causes the effigy of demon king Ravan and others to fall and sustain water damage during the Hindu festival of Dussehra in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Organizers shelter under umbrellas and plastic sheeting as a sudden rain and thunderstorm causes the effigy of demon king Ravan and others to fall and sustain water damage during the Hindu festival of Dussehra in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
A priest worship an idol of goddess Durga on the second day of Hindu festival Durga Puja at a makeshift worsip venue, in Kolkata, India, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)
Municipal employees carry an idol of Hindu goddess Durga to emmers in river Brahmaputra in Guwahati, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Devotees prepare to immerse an idol of Hindu goddess Durga in a makeshift water pit at the end of Durga Puja festival in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Devotees immerse an idol of Hindu goddess Durga in a makeshift water pit at the end of Durga Puja festival in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
What a difference a year makes.
Home teams are 7-1 entering Friday in the conference semifinals. Detroit is up 2-0 on Cleveland, Oklahoma City is up 2-0 on the Los Angeles Lakers, New York is up 2-0 on Philadelphia and San Antonio got a 1-1 split with Minnesota.
In other words, games went largely as seedings suggested they would.
That wasn't the case last season, when home teams went 2-6 in Games 1 and 2 of the conference semifinals. This is only the third time in the last 16 postseasons when home teams went 7-1 to start Round 2.
On Friday, it's a pair of Game 3s: New York at Philadelphia and San Antonio at Minnesota.
— Game 3, New York at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. EDT (Prime)
Series: New York leads 2-0.
Odds: 76ers by 1.5.
An overlooked part of New York's Game 2 win: After three consecutive blowout victories by the Knicks going back to Round 1, they dug deep in the fourth quarter — holding Philadelphia to 4 for 19 shooting in the final 12 minutes on Wednesday night.
— Game 3, San Antonio at Minnesota, 9:30 p.m. EDT (Prime)
Series: Tied 1-1.
Odds: Spurs by 4.5.
Expect a bounceback game from Anthony Edwards, if his knee allows. He was never in rhythm in Game 2 (at least, not the way he was at times in the Game 1 win) and the Timberwolves were minus-33 in his 24 minutes.
— Game 3, Detroit at Cleveland, 3 p.m. EDT (NBC/Peacock)
Series: Detroit, 2-0.
Odds: Cleveland by 4.5.
The Pistons have won five consecutive postseason games for the first time since 2008 — and three of them were while facing elimination in Round 1. Cleveland is now 2-10 in conference semifinal games over the past three seasons.
— Game 3, Oklahoma City at LA Lakers, 8:30 p.m. EDT (ABC)
Series: Oklahoma City, 2-0.
Odds: Oklahoma City by 8.5.
The Lakers are furious with elements of the officiating right now, and that might go one of two ways in Game 3. They'll either come out inspired on Saturday and make this a series, or the anger could work against them.
— Pistons 107, Cavaliers 97 for 2-0 series lead.
— Thunder 125, Lakers 107 for 2-0 series lead. The Lakers are angry.
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: Detroit's J.B. Bickerstaff, San Antonio's Mitch Johnson 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 (+325), New York (+800), Detroit (+1500), Minnesota (+5000), Cleveland (+6000), Los Angeles Lakers (+10000) and Philadelphia (+10000).
Favorites are 34-22 through Thursday in the 2026 NBA playoffs, a .607 winning percentage that might look pretty good on paper.
That is, until one looks at other recent playoff seasons.
Underdogs are on pace to have their best winning percentage in a playoff season in more than a decade. The last time underdogs won outright this often was the 2014 playoffs, when they won 44.9% of the time.
— Sunday: NBA draft lottery.
— May 10-17: 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
“LeBron has the worst whistle of any star player I've ever seen.” — Lakers coach JJ Redick, on how LeBron James is officiated.
— LeBron James has attempted five free throws in the first two games of the series against Oklahoma City. It's the second fewest he's ever taken in the first two games of any of his 57 career playoff series. He took four in Games 1 and 2 vs. Golden State in 2023.
— The Pistons are 25-4 this season when Duncan Robinson makes at least four 3-pointers.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba
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)
