{"id":599692,"date":"2026-04-22T14:13:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T14:13:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/599692\/"},"modified":"2026-04-22T14:13:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T14:13:10","slug":"starting-5-portland-philly-forge-ties-lakers-go-up-2-0","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/599692\/","title":{"rendered":"Starting 5: Portland & Philly forge ties, Lakers go up 2-0"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n

Lakers take 2-0 lead over Rockets, while 76ers & Blazers earn road wins to even their respective series on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n

Soaring. Flying. Tying.<\/p>\n

VJ Edgecombe & Tyrese Maxey\u00a0rose up when the Sixers needed it most, beating the Celtics to level the series at 1-1.<\/p>\n

Keep reading for more from Tuesday, with the Blazers pulling even with the Spurs and LeBron (somehow) reaching another level to put the Lakers up 2-0.<\/p>\n

\"Tyrese<\/p>\n

5 STORIES IN TODAY\u2019S EDITION \ud83c\udfc0<\/p>\n

LeBron Lifts Lakers: The King comes through again as L.A. tops Houston for 2-0 series lead<\/p>\n

Sixers Strike Back: Edgecombe & Maxey take over, Philly evens series in Boston<\/p>\n

Blazers Rally:\u00a0Scoot goes off as Portland takes Game 2 after Wemby exits<\/p>\n

Suns at Thunder: Kia Clutch POY SGA and Thunder look for 2-0 edge over Suns<\/p>\n

Magic at Pistons: Detroit seeks a Game 2 rebound after Orlando\u2019s stunning opener<\/p>\n

BUT FIRST \u2026 \u23f0<\/p>\n

\"Scores<\/p>\n

The NBA Playoffs<\/a> continue tonight on ESPN, as the Pistons host the Magic (7 ET<\/a> | Tap to Watch<\/a>), before the Suns visit the Thunder (9:30 ET<\/a> | Tap to Watch<\/a>), with Detroit and Phoenix looking to even the series 1-1.<\/p>\n

SGA Wins Kia CPOY: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been named the 2025-26 Kia NBA Clutch Player of the Year<\/a>, earning the Jerry West Trophy.<\/p>\n

The Kia Sixth Man of the Year will be revealed tonight at 6 ET on ESPN ahead of Magic-Pistons (7 ET). See the full NBA Awards announcement schedule here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"CPOY<\/p>\n

1. LEBRON LIFTS LAKERS PAST ROCKETS FOR 2-0 SERIES LEAD<\/p>\n

\"LeBron<\/p>\n

Two Playoff games shorthanded. Two Lakers wins. One ageless answer.<\/p>\n

Lakers 101, Rockets 94: With Luka Don\u010di\u0107 (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) still out, LeBron James leveled up again<\/a>, posting a game-high 28 points, 8 boards and 7 dimes.<\/p>\n

Marcus Smart added to the fire (25 pts, 7 ast, 5 stl, 5 3s), while Luke Kennard kept rolling (23 pts, 6 reb) as the Lakers edged Kevin Durant (23 pts) and the Rockets to take a 2-0 series lead. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Defense First: After seeing a 15-point lead evaporate in the 2nd quarter, the Lakers clamped down in the 3rd, holding Houston to 17 points to regain control
\nTakeover Next: Los Angeles never looked back, with James (9 pts), Smart (6 pts) and Kennard (6 pts) combining for 21 of the Lakers\u2019 final 23 points in the 4th
\nThe Closeout: Smart scored six straight in crunch time, including a massive 3 with 2:23 left that stretched the lead to eight
\nThe Dagger: With 50 ticks left and the Rockets down five, Smart found James barreling down the lane for a two-handed hammer \u2013 bringing the house down<\/a> and putting the Lakers up 2-0<\/p>\n

\"LeBron<\/p>\n

The King\u2019s Call: Down a combined 56.8 ppg from Don\u010di\u0107 (33.5 ppg) and Reaves (23.3), the Lakers have turned to their 41-year-old leader to take control in their two biggest games of the season.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s answered with a two-game stretch unlike anything the league has ever seen from a player anywhere near his age.<\/p>\n

The Distributor: In Game 1, James (19 pts, 8 reb, 13 ast) joined John Stockton as the only players 40 or older to dish out 10+ assists in a Playoff game
\nThe Scorer: In Game 2, James\u2019 28 points moved him past Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the highest-scoring postseason game by anyone 41 or older
\nThe History: His averages across both games \u2013 23.5 pts, 8 reb, 10 ast \u2013 are unmatched by any player in their 40s across a two-game span in the Playoffs
\nThe Absurdity: Only one other player 35 or older has hit those averages across a two-game Playoff span: James, in 2023 and 2020
\n\u201cOur group\u2019s leaned on LeBron\u2019s otherworldly experience in this league,\u201d said Lakers coach JJ Redick postgame. \u201cObviously, we\u2019ve had to do that, and he\u2019s captained this team.\u201d<\/p>\n

Up Next: Durant, Alperen Sengun (20 pts, 11 ast) and the Rockets now head home looking to rebound in Game 3 on Friday (8 ET, Prime).<\/p>\n

2. EDGECOMBE & MAXEY ERUPT, SIXERS STRIKE BACK<\/p>\n

\"Tyrese<\/p>\n

A 32-point loss on Sunday. A tied series on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

Two nights after one of their largest Playoff defeats in franchise history, the Sixers came out firing \u2013 and leveled the series behind their two young stars.<\/p>\n

76ers 111, Celtics 97: VJ Edgecombe (30 pts, 10 reb, 6 3s) and Tyrese Maxey (29 pts, 9 ast, 5 3s) put on a show<\/a>, combining for 59 points as the Sixers closed the game on a 20-8 run to beat Jaylen Brown (36 pts, 7 reb) and the Celtics, evening the series 1-1. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Leading Edge: After falling into an early 26-13 hole, Edgecombe erupted for 16 in the 2nd quarter, as Philly outscored Boston 37-26 to take an eight-point edge into the half
\nJays Respond: Brown and Jayson Tatum (19 pts, 14 reb, 9 ast) willed Boston back, cutting the deficit to two with 6:25 left in the 4th
\nBut Then, Maxey: The 2x All-Star buried back-to-back triples to spark an 11-0 burst, before Edgecombe splashed another trey, putting Philly up 13 with 3:13 remaining
\nGame Time: Moments later, Maxey converted an and-one, then drilled a dagger 3 with 1:09 left to even the series \u2b07\ufe0f<\/p>\n

\"Tyrese<\/p>\n

Deciding Factor: After Philly went 4-of-23 from 3 in Game 1, Maxey stressed the need for better looks from deep.<\/p>\n

Facing a potential 2-0 deficit, the Sixers answered, going 19-of-39 (48.7%) from 3, while holding Boston to 13-of-50 (26%).<\/p>\n

And as the margin beyond the arc flipped, so did the series.<\/p>\n

Winning Formula: Philly and Boston are now 3-3 against each other this season. The team with more made 3s has won in all six meetings
\nWinning Swing: The Sixers owned a 57-39 edge in points from 3 last night, an 18-point difference in a 14-point game
\nWinning Catalysts: Eleven of Philly\u2019s 19 triples came from Edgecombe (6-9 3pm) and Maxey (5-12 3pm), with the rookie hitting four treys in the 1st half, before Maxey iced the game with three in the 4th<\/p>\n

\"VJ<\/p>\n

Twin Turn-Ups: With the performance, Edgecombe (20y, 265d) became the youngest player in NBA history to total 30+ points and 10+ rebounds in a Playoff game, surpassing Magic Johnson (20y, 276d).<\/p>\n

Maxey closed with 12 points in the final 5:39 \u2013 matching his most ever in the final six minutes of a Playoff game \u2013 to steal homecourt before the series shifts to Philly on Friday (7 ET, Prime).<\/p>\n

Maxey On The Response: \u201cThis is who we are.\u201d<\/p>\n

3. BLAZERS RALLY PAST SPURS, EVEN SERIES AS WEMBY EXITS<\/p>\n

\"Defensive<\/p>\n

Game 2 in San Antonio began with 2023\u2019s top draft pick hoisting the Kia Defensive Player of the Year Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy.<\/p>\n

It ended with that draft\u2019s third overall pick holding up a W.<\/p>\n

Blazers 106, Spurs 103: Scoot Henderson led all scorers with postseason career-highs of 31 points and five 3s<\/a> as Portland struck back from a 14-point 4th-quarter deficit to even the series 1-1.<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama (5 pts, 4 reb, 12 min) left the game with a concussion<\/a> following a 2nd-quarter fall. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Spurs Respond: In Wemby\u2019s absence, San Antonio used a 20-8 run to regain the lead, before hitting halftime tied at 57. By the 4th, the Spurs had built a 14-point cushion<\/p>\n

But the game\u2019s closing minutes belonged to the Blazers, who rallied to deal the Spurs their first Playoff loss after having led by 14+ in the 4th since 2003.<\/p>\n

\"Deni<\/p>\n

Rip City Run: Portland started chipping away early in the 4th and locked in with a 16-4 run over the final five<\/a> minutes. San Antonio was held without a field goal after the 3:37 mark
\nLob To Rob: Nine straight Blazers\u2019 points got them the lead for good<\/a>, with Robert Williams III (11 pts, 9 reb) punctuating this final charge with an and-one slam<\/a> from a Deni Avdija lob
\nUpper Hand: Up 106-103, Portland sealed the win with one last defensive stand, as Matisse Thybulle got up to contest<\/a> Devin Vassell\u2019s potential game-tying 3<\/p>\n

\u201cJust being aggressive, on both sides of the floor,\u201d Henderson said of Portland\u2019s effort. \u201cTaking the punch to them, and they\u2019re gonna punch back, obviously \u2026 So, we gotta be able to weave it and hit right back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Up To Speed: Drafted two spots behind Wemby in 2023, Henderson logged his first 30+ point outing of this season, following his Feb. 6 return from a hamstring injury
\nBlazers\u2019 Royalty: His 49 points so far in the series tie Damian Lillard for the 2nd-most since 2000 for a Blazer in their first two Playoff games, trailing only Brandon Roy\u2019s 63<\/p>\n

Wemby\u2019s Status: Now in the league\u2019s concussion protocol, Wembanyama cannot return to competition for at least 48 hours (Game 3, at 10:30 ET Friday, falls outside of that window), and must complete the required return-to-participation process before doing so.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has a concussion, and he\u2019s in the protocol, and we\u2019ll obviously take the proper and appropriate steps,\u201d coach Mitch Johnson said.<\/p>\n

4. ON ESPN: SHAI & OKC SEEK 2-0 EDGE VS. PHOENIX<\/p>\n

\"Shai<\/p>\n

A league-high 175 total clutch points.<\/p>\n

Shooting 51.5% from the field in the game\u2019s most nerve-racking moments.<\/p>\n

Has not missed a shot in the 4th quarter or OT in a month.<\/p>\n

Reigning Kia MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the Kia NBA Clutch Player of the Year for 2025-26<\/a>. Relive some of the pivotal moments Shai stamped his name on this season:<\/p>\n

\"Shai<\/p>\n

\u201cThose are the moments you live for,\u201d SGA said. \u201cClock\u2019s winding down, you\u2019re in your driveway, you\u2019re like 7 years old, making a big shot. I worked my whole life for those moments\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the funnest part of the game.\u201d<\/p>\n

Special Occasion: With OKC leading the league in win margin (+11.1) for a second straight season, Shai led all clutch scorers despite sitting out 26 4th quarters
\nMaking The Most: In the 42 he played in, 27 of which were clutch games, SGA averaged an NBA-best 7.7 ppg
\n\u201cHe\u2019s carried us to victories. He\u2019s been the most clutch player in the NBA,\u201d Aaron Wiggins said of SGA. \u201cHis lack of \u2026 ability to flinch \u2026 whatever the challenge might be in front of him, I think, allows for him to be poised in the situation.\u201d
\nClutch Key: OKC was 20-7 in the clutch with Shai (74.1 win%), as he helped them to the 2nd-best clutch record (24-10) of the season
\n\u201cAs a team, obviously, we take the win, but some of these he\u2019s really pulling out on his own, and we\u2019re behind him,\u201d Wiggins said of Shai\u2019s clutch play
\nFor Your Consideration: Shai closed his clutch season with an exclamation point, shooting 100% (11-11 FG) from the field in the 4th and OT over the final 13 games<\/p>\n

SGA & OKC now look to go up 2-0 on Phoenix tonight (9:30 ET, ESPN), with the Suns turning to their own well-respected closer, Devin Booker.<\/p>\n

Clutch Competition: Booker\u2019s 101 clutch points this season ranked 12th-most in the league, pushing the Suns to 14 clutch wins
\nAfter SGA sat out the 4th in the series opener, can Phoenix put SGA\u2019s clutch cred to the test tonight?<\/p>\n

5. MORE ON ESPN: PISTONS SEEK CRUCIAL WIN VS. MAGIC<\/p>\n

\"Paolo<\/p>\n

It\u2019s all in the name.<\/p>\n

The Magic reached deep into their hat for Game 1, pulling out a victory against the top-seeded Pistons.<\/p>\n

Tonight (7 ET, ESPN), they meet for Game 2. For Detroit, it\u2019s an opportunity to level the series.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got to be better \u2013 will be better,\u201d said Cade Cunningham. \u201cI\u2019m still very excited about this series and where it\u2019s going to push this team.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Stakes: Teams that fall behind 0-2 at home in a best-of-seven series are just 5-33 all-time in those series (13.2%)
\nDetroit Muscle: Stifling defense was crucial for the Pistons en route to 60 wins, becoming the first team in 30 years to average 10+ steals and 6+ blocks in a season
\nTables Turned: But the Magic put on a clinic of their own by forcing 14 turnovers and holding the East\u2019s No. 1 seed to 40.3% shooting Sunday<\/p>\n

\"Franz<\/p>\n

The Pistons rode a hard-nosed identity to the East\u2019s best record. In Game 1, Orlando answered with toughness of its own \u2013 and then some.<\/p>\n

In The Paint: The Magic outscored the Pistons 54-34 in Game 1. Although both teams took 36 shots in that area, Orlando shot 20% better
\nOn The Glass: Orlando limited Detroit to six offensive rebounds, seven fewer than its regular-season average (13.1), which ranked 3rd in the NBA<\/p>\n

The Magic also answered two key Pistons runs with bursts of their own: a 14-5 surge in the 1st half after Detroit cut the lead to 2, and a decisive 16-7 run in the 4th after the Pistons made it a 4-point game.<\/p>\n

It resulted in Orlando becoming the first No. 8 seed in the play-by-play era to win a Playoff opener over a No. 1 seed without ever trailing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think everybody knows we\u2019ve got a really talented team,\u201d said Franz Wagner. \u201cAnd I think we showed (Monday) that we belong here.\u201d<\/p>\n

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