![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/download-2026-04-26T035719.168.gif\")
<\/p>\nThe NBA Nightly Recap for April 25, 2026.<\/p>\n
Forty-plus points on 75+% shooting. Twice in one day.<\/p>\n
For the first time in NBA Playoff history, two players have achieved this feat on the same day.<\/p>\n
One, the reigning Kia MVP. The other, the first bench player to drop 40 in the Playoffs in 10 years.<\/p>\n
Read on for history from SGA & Ayo, along with big Ws for the Knicks & Magic and 4 more showdowns today across NBC\/Peacock & ESPN.<\/p>\n
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5 STORIES IN TODAY\u2019S EDITION \ud83c\udfc0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Ayo Game\u201d: Dosunmu erupts for career-high 43 and 3-1 lead, after Ant & Donte exit<\/p>\n
Thunder Up 3-0: Shai\u2019s efficient 40-ball puts Thunder in control of Suns series<\/p>\n
East Answers: Magic survive Cade\u2019s late rally for 2-1 edge, KAT\u2019s triple-double gets Knicks even<\/p>\n
West Game 4s: LeBron\u2019s experience key to series clinch, while Spurs lead with youth<\/p>\n
East Game 4s: Tatum prepped for Playoff challenges on long road to return; Barnes-Mobley rivalry in focus<\/p>\n
BUT FIRST \u2026 \u23f0<\/p>\n
Sunday\u2019s four Game 4s\u2026<\/p>\n
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The NBA Playoffs<\/a> continue today with four Game 4s and one potential sweep:<\/p>\n ESPN Doubleheader: No. 4 Cleveland at No. 5 Toronto (1 ET | Tap To Watch<\/a>), followed by No. 2 San Antonio at No. 7 Portland (3:30 ET | Tap To Watch<\/a>) Durant\u2019s Game 4 Status: Rockets coach Ime Udoka said on Saturday KD is receiving treatment on his sprained left ankle \u201caround the clock\u201d but his status is still unclear<\/a>.<\/p>\n 1. DOSUNMU STEPS UP FOR INJURED WOLVES WITH CAREER-HIGH 43 David Sherman\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n Minnesota\u2019s deadline-addition 6th man Ayo Dosunmu aced Thursday\u2019s Game 3 with 25 big points off the bench.<\/p>\n Saturday in Game 4, he went full superstar mode \u2013 and the Wolves needed every point.<\/p>\n Wolves 112, Nuggets 96: Dosunmu (13-17, 76.5 FG%) struck for a career-high 43 points with five made 3s, after Minnesota lost<\/a> Donte DiVincenzo (lower leg) and Anthony Edwards (knee) to injuries. The Wolves took their third straight game in the series to move within one win of advancing.<\/p>\n Jamal Murray (30 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast) and Nikola Joki\u0107 (24 pts, 15 reb, 9 ast<\/a>) led Denver but combined for just six made field goals in the 2nd half, as the Nuggets head home for Game 5 facing elimination. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n Pick-Up Points: Dosunmu scored the first bucket after Ant left the game with 2:36 to go in the 1st half, and ignited for 29 of his 43 from there \u201cI was heartbroken. This is for them: Ant, Donte,\u201d Dosunmu said postgame. \u201cThey mean so much to the organization\u2026 This game, personally, was for them.\u201d<\/p>\n David Berding\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n Ayo\u2019s 43 \u2013 a high for him across pro and college level \u2013\u00a0are the 2nd-most points off the bench in NBA Playoff history, behind Fred Brown\u2019s 45 for Seattle in 1976 \u201cThis definitely ranks No. 1,\u201d Dosunmu said when asked where this performance ranks<\/a> in his basketball life. \u201cYou play the game for moments like this\u2026 It\u2019s a dream [I had] as a kid.\u201d<\/p>\n Minnesota can advance with a win in Denver Monday (10:30 ET, NBC & Peacock).\u00a0Check NBA.com<\/a> and the NBA App for official injury updates<\/a> on Edwards and DiVincenzo as available.<\/p>\n 2. SGA\u2019S 42 POINTS PUT THUNDER UP 3-0 IN PHOENIX Christian Petersen\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n Last year, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander totaled 15 30+ point games in OKC\u2019s championship run \u2013 tied for 2nd-most in any Playoff run in league history.<\/p>\n This year, SGA\u2019s back at it, following up Game 2\u2019s 37 points with a 40-ball.<\/p>\n And the Thunder as a whole? Off to a second straight 3-0 postseason start.<\/p>\n Thunder 121, Suns 109: Shai piled up 42 points and shot 15-of-18 from the field (83.3 FG%) to lead OKC without Jalen Williams (hamstring), as the Thunder go up 3-0 and can clinch the series in Game 4 on Monday.<\/p>\n Dillon Brooks (33 pts, 7 reb) and Jalen Green (26 pts, 5 reb, 6 ast) logged big nights to pace the Suns, who must extend the series with a win at home Monday. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n Special Start: Shai started out hitting his first nine shots on the way to a 17-point 1st half, with 25 more coming after halftime, helping OKC overcome an early 24-15 hole \u201cWe did a good job of just staying true to who we are,\u201d Shai said. \u201cThrough the adversity, through the crowd, through a really good team, on the road\u2026 and we came out of here with a W.\u201d<\/p>\n OKC\u2019s Finest: SGA joins Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook as the only OKC players with multiple 40+ point Playoff games \u2013 and the first to do it on 80% shooting \u201cWe looked pretty good out there.\u201d \u2013 Shai.<\/p>\n OKC can end the series on the road Monday night (9:30 ET, Peacock & NBCSN).<\/p>\n 3. EAST ANSWERS: MAGIC SURVIVE LATE, KNICKS GET EVEN Gary Bassing\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n Up by 17, the 8-seed Magic were 8:42 away from a 2-1 lead over the 1-seed Pistons.<\/p>\n But with 2:52 to go, they found themselves down 1.<\/p>\n Then, Franz and Paolo came to the rescue.<\/p>\n Magic 113, Pistons 105: Franz Wagner (17 ps, 5 reb, 6 ast) sank two quick shots to go back up for good, and Paolo Banchero (25 pts, 12 reb, 9 ast, 3 stl) dropped a high-bouncing dagger 3<\/a> as Orlando recovered with a 9-0 closeout to take Game 3 at home. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n Focal Point: After 10 1st-half lead changes, Orlando controlled until late, holding Cade Cunningham to 5-of-17 shooting and 15 points through 3 quarters \u201cWe\u2019re looking forward to Monday. These fans are awesome.\u201d<\/p>\n Orlando is just the third 8-seed in the last decade to take a 2-1 series lead over the 1-seed, going for 3-1 in Game 5 (8 ET, NBC & Peacock).<\/p>\n 109-108, 107-106.<\/p>\n After back-to-back one-point losses, the Knicks made sure Game 4 had some breathing room.<\/p>\n Knicks 114, Hawks 98: Karl-Anthony Towns (20 pts, 10 reb, 10 ast<\/a>) collected his first-career Playoff triple-double and OG Anunoby (22 pts, 10 reb) led all scorers as New York never trailed past 6 minutes in to even the series 2-2.<\/p>\n CJ McCollum (17 pts) led six Hawks in double-figures, but the Knicks D prevented him from making any 3s (0-4) after he hit nine in the series\u2019 first three games. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cMy teammates made it happen,\u201d Towns said of his triple-double. \u201cGreat cuts by OG and curls and all those things that allowed me to playmake. I was aggressive in my playmaking today.\u201d New York brings the 2-2 series back to its home fans on Tuesday (8 ET, NBC & Peacock).<\/p>\n 4. WEST GAME 4s: LEBRON, LAKERS CAN ADVANCE, SPURS LEAD WITH YOUTH Kenneth Richmond + Michael Gonzales\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n The first-timers\u2026\u00a0and the first to get there 19 times.<\/p>\n Today\u2019s West series leaders are proving postseason wins can come from opposite ends of the experience spectrum:<\/p>\n Historic Youth: In driving San Antonio\u2019s Game 3 win, Stephon Castle (21y, 174d) and Dylan Harper (20y, 53d) became the youngest duo in NBA history to each score 25+ points in a postseason game Sunday brings another chance for each to make a statement against time.<\/p>\n Lakers at Rockets (9:30 ET, NBC & Peacock): Up 3-0, the 4-seed Lakers are on the cusp of the West Semis for the first time since the 2022-23 season.<\/p>\n This season\u2019s best team in the Clutch (22-8) struck again Friday, as L.A. became just the second Playoff team since 1997-98 to win after trailing by 6+ with 30 seconds left in regulation.<\/p>\n The quick-strike comeback required quicker thinking and floor awareness, two signature traits of one the most cerebral players the game has ever known.<\/p>\n LeBron\u2019s playmaking and basketball IQ have been on full display in this series:<\/p>\n Playing off-ball, LeBron anticipates where his driving teammates will need an open target to kick to, and cuts to that spot<\/p>\n Playing off-ball, LeBron anticipates where his driving teammates will need an open target to kick to, and cuts to that spot.<\/p>\n In the pick-and-roll set, LeBron reads the help defenders and reacts accordingly, passing out to shooters when the help stays, or playing downhill when they sag.<\/p>\n Houston was 30 seconds away from a 2-1 series. Now, facing elimination with KD\u2019s status (ankle) unclear, the hosts have a near-win Game 3 rally they can take a few keys from.<\/p>\n The Climb Back: Rallying from a 15-point deficit, the Rockets won the 2nd half 49-38, holding the Lakers to fewer points than they scored in the 1st quarter (39) Grant Burke\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n In Sunday\u2019s other West series, the Spurs are buzzing from the Game 3 play of their breakout backcourt, whose combined age equals LeBron\u2019s 41 years.<\/p>\n Spurs at Blazers (3:30 ET, ESPN): With Wemby (concussion protocol) questionable, San Antonio has shown it can win multiple ways, looking for a commanding 3-1 edge, while Portland can still channel homecourt advantage to reset the series.<\/p>\n Game 3\u2019s two-man takeover made Castle the youngest Spur to ever score 30+ points in a postseason game, 5. EAST GAME 4s: TATUM DELIVERING IN TIGHT SERIES, BARNES & MOBLEY\u2019S RIVALRY<\/p>\n What\u2019s more thrilling than draining a Playoff dagger 3 on the road for a Game 3 win?<\/p>\n For Jayson Tatum, 51 days into his NBA return, it\u2019s a thrill just to be on the court.<\/p>\n Celtics at Sixers (7 ET, NBC & Peacock): With Boston leading 2-1, Game 4 marks the 120th head-to-head postseason matchup between these rivals, with an all-time average margin of victory of just 3.4 points.<\/p>\n Close finishes have been this matchup\u2019s theme all season, and Game 3 was a 1-point contest with under 2 to play when Tatum called game In his 19th game back from his Achilles injury (21.9 ppg in 19 games), Tatum said he\u2019s kept that journey top-of-mind throughout his comeback.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been able to do a really good job of just keeping things in perspective,\u201d Tatum said. \u201cIt was a very very long time for me not to be doing what I love\u2026 Just being out there with my teammates is all I can think about.\u201d Defense will be a key for Maxey (27.0 ppg this series) and the Sixers in Game 4, who\u2019ve held the Celtics under 100 points once in this series; their Game 2 win.<\/p>\n Cole Burston\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n In The North, the Raptors look to even a 2-1 series that may have just found its next breakout star.<\/p>\n Cavaliers at Raptors (1 ET, ESPN): After Scottie Barnes went wild in front of Jurassic Park with a Playoff career-high 33 points in a Game 3 win, Cleveland will turn to last season\u2019s Kia Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley to prevent a repeat.<\/p>\n From Under-19 World Cup teammates for Team USA in 2019, to draft neighbors, Rookie of the Year Award rivals, and now, First Round opponents, Barnes and Mobley seem constantly linked in basketball.<\/p>\n As Eric Koreen writes for The Athletic and NBA.com, the first one to break away \u2013 and break through, on the heightened Playoffs stage \u2013\u00a0could win this series for his team:<\/p>\n \u201cTheir careers, dating back to the draft in 2021, have lined up nicely. Mobley went third in the draft, while Barnes went fourth. Barnes edged out Mobley for Rookie of the Year in one of the closest votes for the award ever [2022].<\/p>\n \u2018Scottie was boisterous. He was talking.\u2019 said Bruce Weber\u2026 head coach for that Under-19 team. <\/p>\n \u2018You knew when Scottie came into the building,\u2019 Weber said. \u2018Evan could sneak in, even at 6-10, 6-11. He could sneak in quietly, and you wouldn\u2019t even know he\u2019s there.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018I said, \u2018That\u2019s what it had to look like when Wilt (Chamberlain) played,\u2019\u2019 said LeVelle Moten, an assistant coach on that team\u2026 \u2018That\u2019s how dominant he was.\u2019\u201d | Read More<\/a><\/p>\n Toronto can send the series back to Cleveland tied, while the Cavs go for a commanding 3-1 series lead.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n
\nSunday Night Basketball On NBC & Peacock: No. 2 Boston at No. 7 Philly (7 ET | Tap To Watch<\/a>), before the No. 4 Lakers look to advance vs. No. 5 Houston (9:30 ET | Tap To Watch<\/a>)<\/p>\n![\"Playoff](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1777259120_952_original.jpg\")
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\n![\"Ayo](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1777259120_2_original.jpg\")
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\nTeam Tribute: The Wolves rallied as a unit after that moment, outscoring Denver by 21 the rest of the way and holding the Nuggets to 42 2nd-half points<\/p>\n![\"Mike](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1777259120_754_original.jpg\")
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\nInstant Legend: Dosunmu came within one point of Edwards\u2019 franchise Playoff-high of 44 points, recording just the third 40+ point Playoff game in Wolves history
\n\u201cHe makes big shots. He\u2019s not afraid,\u201d coach Chris Finch said of Dosunmu. \u201cJust was going to ride him until he collapsed, really.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n![\"Shai](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1777259121_265_original.jpg\")
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\nSGA became just the fifth player in NBA history to collect 40+ points on 80% shooting in a Playoff game, joining Elton Brand, Dirk Nowitzki, Terry Porter and his opponent Devin Booker
\nD-Book\u2019s Counter: Booker (16 pts, 7 ast) dealt with an ankle injury in the 3rd, returning to the game with five quick points to pull the Suns within six at 75-69
\nBut OKC responded again, draining the next six points to pull away into a 4th quarter where they never trailed
\nFeeling It: Shai didn\u2019t miss a shot until the 8:19 mark of the 3rd quarter, and missed only one attempt inside the arc all game<\/p>\n![\"Shai](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1777259121_147_original.jpg\")
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\n\u201cJust trying to let the game come to me,\u201d Shai said of his approach. \u201cUse my teammates out there as weapons\u2026 making the defense have to pick their poison.\u201d
\n\u201cHe\u2019s the MVP for a reason,\u201d Alex Caruso said postgame. \u201cThat\u2019s what he does. He leads us every night.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n![\"Franz](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1777259121_654_original.jpg\")
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\nCade Breaks Loose: Cunningham (27 pts, 5 reb, 9 ast) pushed back in the 4th for 12 points, driving the Pistons\u2019 26-8 rally for the late lead
\nOrlando Answers: The pair of big 3s from Wagner and Banchero in the 9-0 run ignited the home crowd<\/a>, lifting the Magic to a 7-1 mark in their last eight postseason home games
\n\u201cThis is super great,\u201d Banchero said postgame. \u201cEarly afternoon game here in Orlando, you can hear the crowd\u2026 Excited to get back here in front of these fans\u2026
\nOne dime shy of a triple double, Banchero\u2019s 9 assists were a Playoff career-high, and Desmond Bane (25 pts, 7 reb, 7 3s) tied Dennis Scott\u2019s record for most 3s in a Magic postseason game<\/p>\n![\"Karl-Anthony](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1777259121_739_original.jpg\")
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\n\u201cIt\u2019s one of the coolest things that I\u2019ll always remember when I\u2019m done playing,\u201d Jalen Brunson (19 pts) said of the Knicks\u2019 traveling fans, who got loud in the 4th with a 20+ point lead
\nMost Improved History: Newly-named Kia Most Improved Player Nickeil Alexander-Walker (15 pts, 5 3s) made history in the second-ever starting lineup to feature three MIP Award winners, with Dyson Daniels and McCollum<\/p>\n
\n![\"LeBron](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1777259122_512_original.jpg\")
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\nHistorically Seasoned: Having scored more postseason points than anyone in NBA history, LeBron James added two more clutch Playoff field goals in L.A.\u2019s Game 3 win to his all-time lead in that category as well (151)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/download-100.gif\")
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\nClutch Candidate: Alperen Sengun stepped up to fill KD\u2019s closer role with 12 of his 33 points in the 4th, rattling off 8 in a row for the late two-possession lead
\nBuilt To Bother: Houston\u2019s length and athleticism forced LeBron, L.A.\u2019s primary playmaker, into four 4th-quarter turnovers, including two in the final minute \u2014 before Bron helped ignite the historic comeback<\/p>\n![\"Stephon](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1777259126_2_original.jpg\")
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\nAt the same time, Harper became the second-youngest player ever to score 20+ off the bench in the postseason, behind Kobe Bryant
\nPortland\u2019s Tandem: Jrue Holiday (29 pts) provided a scoring lift while San Antonio keyed on Deni Avdija (3-15 FG) with double-teams
\nFocus On Finishing: After winning the 1st half, the Blazers were up 82-67 with 17 minutes to go, before the Spurs closed Game 3 with a 53-26 sprint to victory<\/p>\n![\"Jayson](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1777259126_814_original.jpg\")
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\nIn his 19th career Playoff game against Philly, Tatum hit two clutch 3s in 90 seconds and crossed the 3,000 career Playoff-point mark, joining Larry Bird, John Havlicek and Kevin McHale as the only Celtics to do so in the postseason<\/p>\n
\nJust weeks away from the one-year mark since his injury, Tatum matched season minutes leader Tyrese Maxey (38.0 mpg) with 42 minutes played in Game 3
\n\u201cI\u2019ve been here before,\u201d Tatum said with a grin after being asked about meeting the moment on the road in Game 3<\/p>\n![\"Evan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1777259127_357_original.jpg\")
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