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🏀 Good morning to all, however particularly to …

THE NEW YORK KNICKS AND THE MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES …

The Knicks have not been to the convention finals since 2000. They’re 48 minutes away from altering that after their third stirring comeback in 4 video games. New York overcame a 14-point third quarter deficit to beat the Celtics, 121-113, behind late-game explosions from, properly, just about everybody.

• Jalen Brunson completed with 39 factors — 26 of which got here after halftime — and his 102 fourth-quarter factors this postseason are essentially the most by anybody via a crew’s first 10 playoff video games of a single marketing campaign.
• One might argue the scoring Brunson did not should do was the important thing. Mikal Bridges went for 23 factors — 10 within the fourth quarter — Karl-Anthony Cities racked up 23 factors and 11 rebounds, and OG Anunoby added 20 factors.
• Jayson Tatum was magnificent for Boston till his night time took a probably disastrous flip. Sitting on 42 factors late within the fourth quarter, Tatum suffered a decrease physique harm and is ready for an MRI at this time.

We’ll get to extra on Tatum in a bit. However even when he exited the sport with underneath three minutes left, New York led by 9. I am so impressed, clearly, by Brunson, however actually by Bridges and Anunoby. Bridges hit a number of powerful midrange pictures within the fourth, and Anunoby shot an ideal 4 for 4 within the last body.

These guys have been introduced in primarily to defend Tatum and Jaylen Brown (they have been wonderful on the latter), however they’re exhibiting spectacular offensive repertoires, too.

The Timberwolves, in the meantime, are additionally one sport away from the convention finals after a 117-110 win over the Warriors, and for the second straight sport, Anthony Edwards‘ mesmerizing expertise turned the sport on its head. Edwards scored 16 factors within the third quarter, practically outscoring Golden State by himself, as Minnesota turned a 60-58 halftime deficit into an 87-67 lead.

Edwards completed with 30 factors, and Julius Randle had 31. Minnesota shot 16 for 34 (47%) from 3, whereas a Stephen Curry-less Golden State was 8 for 27 (30%) from deep. Jimmy Butler (14 factors) continues to be far too passive in Curry’s absence, Brad Botkin writes.

… AND ALSO A GOOD MORNING TO THE DALLAS MAVERICKS …

From a 1.8% probability to the 100% unmitigated pleasure: The Mavericks gained the NBA Draft lottery — and the correct to draft Cooper Flagg — in a surprising flip of occasions, particularly given the carnage of the Luka Dončić commerce.

• The Mavericks had the Eleventh-best odds (1.8%) to win the lottery. That is the fourth-lowest share ever to win.
• Sure, these are the identical Mavericks who dealt Dončić for Anthony Davis on the commerce deadline — a transfer ridiculed by many — then noticed Kyrie Irving tear his ACL. Nonetheless, Dallas made the Play-In Event. Now they’ve the No. 1 decide.
• It will get even wilder: The Mavericks solely had these odds because of a coin flip and one other crew making the playoffs.
• Here is how much-maligned GM Nico Harrison and the remainder of the entrance workplace reacted. It is a second probability Harrison does not deserve, Jasmyn Wimbish writes.

It is also one which utterly reshapes the Mavericks’ outlook, Sam Quinn writes.

Here is the highest 4:

1. Mavericks
2. Spurs
3. 76ers
4. Hornets

You will discover neither the Jazz nor the Wizards — homeowners of the 2 worst information within the NBA — aren’t there. They’re fifth and sixth, respectively, and we’ll focus on them in a bit. You will discover, too, that the Spurs moved up, and the 76ers not solely moved up however get to maintain their decide, placing each amongst Brad Botkin’s lottery winners.

Flagg, the Nationwide Participant of the 12 months, is superior. Flat-out superior. He averaged 19.2 factors, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists in a single season at Duke — a season he reclassified up one yr for. He’s a dynamic scorer, great defender, excellent shooter (38.5% from 3), excellent athlete and dogged competitor. With him alongside Davis and fellow former Blue Satan Dereck Energetic II, Dallas has a monstrous protection within the making.

Here is the highest 5 from Kyle Boone’s mock draft …

1. Mavericks: SF Cooper Flagg, Duke
2. Spurs: PG Dylan Harper, Rutgers
3. 76ers: SF Ace Bailey, Rutgers
4. Hornets: SG VJ Edgecombe, Baylor
5. Jazz: SG Tre Johnson, Texas

… and here is the total draft order.

👍 Honorable mentions

🏀 And never such a very good morning for …

JAYSON TATUM AND THE BOSTON CELTICS …

We do not know the severity of Tatum’s harm for sure, however it wasn’t a very promising sight. He writhed on the bottom, obtained carried off the ground and was wheelchaired out, stuffed with feelings.

If it is as severe because it seems to be, it has devastating impacts, clearly within the brief time period but in addition in the long run. The Celtics have been already going to have hassle preserving their championship core collectively, and a prolonged Tatum absence might speed up that dismantling.

Brief-term, the Celtics shedding this one stings, particularly given Tatum’s excellence. Brown faltered because the second star, James Herbert writes.

• Herbert: “Brown dedicated 4 turnovers on Monday, however he additionally missed three pictures when attacking the basket, all of which successfully functioned as live-ball turnovers as a result of New York was in a position to run the opposite means with a bonus. A number of of his off-the-dribble 3s have been ill-advised, too. Foul hassle restricted him to 33 minutes …”

… AND IT’S ALSO NOT SUCH A GOOD MORNING FOR THE UTAH JAZZ AND THE WASHINGTON WIZARDS

The Jazz and the Wizards getting the fifth and sixth picks, respectively — the worst decide both might have gotten — is brutal.

It continues an terrible run of lottery luck, not just for the Jazz however for the NBA’s worst groups of late. Because the league modified its lottery odds format in 2019 to discourage tanking, the No. 1 decide is but to go to the league’s worst crew, I famous.

• Pereles: “Maybe karma got here for the Jazz, who have been, in spite of everything, fined $100,000 for violating the league’s participant participation coverage through the season for resting star Lauri Markkanen. … Then again, the Jazz have by no means moved up within the draft lottery, which was instituted in 1985, nor have they ever had the No. 1 decide within the NBA Draft.”

The Wizards truly performed their guys however are merely unhealthy after years of entrance workplace mismanagement.

The NBA’s worst crew has fallen to No. 5 three years in a row. A play-in crew has gained the lottery two years in a row. It is time for one more lottery reform, particularly contemplating the present ones aren’t working, and Sam has one main change to start out.

👎 Not so honorable mentions

⛳ PGA Championship preview: Can Rory McIlroy return to again?

With two playoffs and the NBA Draft lottery happening, it is easy to overlook we’re two days away from the PGA Championship.

Rory McIlroy was the story getting into The Masters, and he delivered, ending the profession Grand Slam along with his first main title since 2014 and successful at a spot that had prompted him nightmares. Now, he is at a spot he loves: Quail Hole, the place he earned his first PGA Tour win and likewise gained final yr.

So are we in for a Rory run of two straight? That leads Patrick McDonald’s storylines, and McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler have the 2 shortest odds, adopted carefully by Bryson DeChambeau.

McIlroy is not the one one feeling at dwelling this week, Robby Kalland notes in his sleepers.

• Kalland: “Max Homa is a two-time winner of the Wells Fargo, and whereas solely a type of got here at Quail Hole, he is obtained an important observe report on the course. On high of his win there in 2019, he has back-to-back T8 finishes in 2023-24. We noticed on the Masters how a return to a course he is had some success on can convey among the constructive vibes …”

Here is extra:

📺 What we’re watching Tuesday

⚾ Pink Sox at Tigers, 6:40 p.m. on TBS
🏀 Pacers at Cavaliers (Pacers lead 3-1), 7 p.m. on TNT/truTV
🏒 Jets at Stars (Stars lead 2-1), 8 p.m. on ESPN
🏀 Nuggets at Thunder (Sequence tied 2-2), 9:30 p.m. on TNT/truTV