CLEWISTON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 11, 2026--
U.S. Sugar today announced the launch of the largest commercial use of autonomous tractors in the American sugar industry, deploying a fleet of unmanned John Deere tractors within its 255,000 acres of farmland in South Florida. The autonomous fleet is fitted with American technology developed by Autonomous Solutions, Inc. (ASI) and secured with support from Florida John Deere distributor Everglades Equipment Group.
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U.S. Sugar’s new autonomous fleet includes four John Deere 8R Series tractors and one John Deere 9R Series tractor operating in sugarcane fields up to 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The tractors, which are traditionally manually operated, are fitted with ASI’s Vehicle Automation Kit (VAK), to operate autonomously with oversight from a central command station, where a single operator will oversee multiple vehicles at once using Mobius, ASI’s autonomous fleet management platform.
“U.S. Sugar has always believed that combining innovation with hard work is the best way to keep feeding American families,” said Ken McDuffie, president and CEO of U.S. Sugar. “By leveraging American technology to increase efficiency and maximize productivity, we are also increasing reliability in our domestic food supply while creating new, higher-skilled opportunities for our employees.”
The autonomous tractors deliver measurable benefits across U.S. Sugar’s farms, including improved accuracy, higher production, enhanced sustainability and increased reliability in land preparation. The technology was piloted on U.S. Sugar’s farmlands during an 18-month research and development phase.
As the company incorporates its autonomous fleet, U.S. Sugar is working to retain all current employees through additional training and support in new roles, including in autonomous tractor operations. The company is committed to hiring employees for the knowledge-based skills this state-of-the-art technology requires.
U.S. Sugar selected ASI, a worldwide leader in industrial off-road vehicle automation, to develop, test and customize the autonomous system to U.S. Sugar’s operations. ASI partners with various commercial industries, including logistics, heavy construction and landscaping to enhance efficiency, safety and workforce productivity. ASI’s solution integrates with the tractors’ existing drive-by-wire system, turning familiar John Deere platforms into fully autonomous workhorses capable of continuous, precise operation.
“At ASI, our mission is to help you reach your potential through innovative robotic solutions, and U.S. Sugar is a powerful example of that mission in action,” said ASI CEO Mel Torrie. “This deployment demonstrates that autonomy is not a futuristic concept. It is a practical, scalable tool that helps American farmers do more with less, improve safety in the field and keep pace with global demand.”
U.S. Sugar is leveraging this autonomous technology on state-of-art tractors purchased from Everglades Equipment Group, a company headquartered in Florida and known for its expertise in large scale farming machinery.
“Everglades Equipment Group is proud to stand alongside U.S. Sugar and ASI in bringing this next-generation of agricultural technology to South Florida’s fields,” said Mike Schlechter, president at Everglades Equipment Group. “By pairing John Deere’s trusted equipment with cutting-edge autonomous systems, we are helping growers boost productivity, improve accuracy and reduce resource use, all while keeping American agriculture at the forefront of innovation.”
The decision to expand use of autonomous tractors within the company’s farming operations was determined after its successful pilot during the fall prep season.
Over the next decade, the technology will be deployed within U.S. Sugar’s 255,000 acres of farmland, which is nearly 400 square miles, equivalent to nearly 200,000 football fields or more than 10 times the size of Miami. The technology is currently used for sugarcane land preparation and cultivation, and the company intends to potentially expand the technology for other types of farming, including sweet corn and green bean land preparation and cultivation in the future.
About U.S. Sugar
U.S. Sugar is a South Florida-based farming and processing company that sustainably grows sugarcane, citrus, sweet corn and other winter and spring vegetables that feed American families. The company was founded in 1931 by Charles Stewart Mott, a visionary leader who hailed from a long line of farmers.
Since the beginning, the company’s success has been rooted in traditional farming values and respect for the land. U.S. Sugar also operates a sugar refinery in Savannah, Georgia that produces retail and store-brand sugar for customers throughout the southeast.
Along with operating its 300-mile railroad, in total, U.S. Sugar sustainably farms 255,000 acres in Highlands, Glades, Hendry, Palm Beach and Martin counties in Florida and serves as a vital part of our rural communities, providing 2,000 jobs, community leadership, and philanthropic support. For more information, please visit www.ussugar.com.
About Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
Autonomous Solutions, Inc. (ASI), worldwide leader of industrial vehicle automation, developed the Mobius® autonomous fleet management system. ASI’s innovative, proprietary robotic hardware and software make any fleet, large and small, operate autonomously. Trusted by global Fortune 500 companies across various sectors, such as heavy construction, agriculture, logistics, and landscaping, ASI transforms the dirty, dull, and dangerous into efficient, scalable, accurate, and reliably productive operations. Founded in 2000 by a group of engineers who took technologies developed at Utah State University into the commercial sector, ASI has grown to become one of the largest privately held robotics-focused companies anywhere and continues to rapidly scale. Homebase is ASI’s 150-acre proving ground in Northern Utah with offices in Salt Lake City, Utah, Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, and Longmont, Colorado. For more information, visit asirobots.com or follow ASI on LinkedIn.
About Everglades Equipment Group
Founded in 1963, Everglades Equipment Group is a family-owned and operated full-service John Deere dealership with 19 locations across Central and South Florida. The company serves a wide range of customers, from some of the largest agricultural producers of sugar, citrus, and vegetables to individual farmers, golf courses, nurseries, landscape management companies, construction businesses, and property owners. For more information, visit evergladesfarmequipment.com.
Multimedia
Photos
Videos
The unmanned, autonomous tractor is directed by an operator. U.S. Sugar, in partnership Autonomous Solutions, Inc. (ASI) and Everglades Equipment Group, has deployed a fleet of autonomous tractors within its 255,000 acres in South Florida. This represents the largest commercial use of autonomous tractors in the American sugar industry.
The cab of this autonomous tractor is empty as it discs a U.S. Sugar field in South Florida. The tractor is one of a fleet deployed by U.S. Sugar, in partnership with Autonomous Solutions, Inc. (ASI) and Everglades Equipment Group. This represents the largest commercial use of autonomous tractors in the American sugar industry.
Drone photography features an autonomous tractor at work, one of a fleet deployed by U.S. Sugar, in partnership with Autonomous Solutions, Inc. (ASI) and Everglades Equipment Group. This represents the largest commercial use of autonomous tractors in the American sugar industry.
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)
