playoffs Page 4 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights

Led by CJ McCollum, Hawks look to seize series lead vs. Knicks
CJ McCollum is filling the exact role the Atlanta Hawks had in mind when they acquired him in January. The veteran is not only scoring plenty of points, but he's also providing an experienced presence for a young team.,McCollum scored 32 points on Tuesday to spark Atlanta's fourth-quarter comeback a...
At 41, LeBron James Is Still Dominating the NBA Playoffs
LeBron James leads the Lakers to a 2-0 series lead with a historic playoff performance at age 41....
Top Seeds in Eastern Conference in Trouble During NBA Playoffs Round 1
The Knicks and Pistons are already feeling playoff pressure—here’s what their Game 2 struggles mean moving forward....
NBA Playoff Picks: Rockets vs Lakers & Spurs vs Blazers Best Bets
Get the best NBA playoff betting picks for Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs vs Portland Trail Blazers with expert analysis....
NBA Playoff Picks: Best Bets for Nuggets vs Timberwolves & Knicks vs Hawks
Get the best NBA playoff betting picks for Monday, including Nuggets vs Timberwolves and Knicks vs Hawks predictions....
These NHL Playoff Sleepers Shouldn’t Be Counted Out
From the Canadiens to the Wild, here are the most dangerous underdogs in the Stanley Cup Playoffs....
Are the Detroit Pistons in Trouble After a Rough Game 1?
Orlando Magic stun the Pistons in Game 1. Full breakdown of the upset and what it means....
Which NBA Playoffs Game 1 Loser Is Most Likely To Win Their Series?
Breaking down NBA teams that still have a chance to win their series after Game 1 losses....

Nikola Jokic posts triple-double as Nuggets outlast Wolves in Game 1
Nikola Jokic had 25 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists, Jamal Murray scored a game-high 30 points and the host Denver Nuggets beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-105 on Saturday to take a 1-0 lead in their first-round Western Conference playoff series.,Murray was perfect from the line, hitting a car...
Three NBA Playoff Teams Likely to Be Eliminated Early
Breaking down three NBA teams that could be eliminated early in the 2026 playoffs, including the Lakers and 76ers....

Celtics, 76ers renew acquaintances in series opener
Although the Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers met four times during the regular season, each team will have a different look Sunday afternoon when they meet in Boston for Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first-round series., ,Boston and Philadelphia split their four games in the regular season, but ...

Oddsmakers favor Presidents' Trophy-winning Avs to win Stanley Cup
The Colorado Avalanche, out to end the miserable postseason history for Presidents' Trophy winners, are the unanimous favorite to lift the Stanley Cup with the playoffs about to start.,The regular season concluded Thursday night, and the final two first-round playoff matchups were confirmed.,The Edm...

Stanley Cup playoffs to open with Saturday tripleheader
The Stanley Cup playoffs won't have every seed finalized until later Thursday night, when the final batch of Western Conference games sorts out three remaining teams. But the NHL has revealed how the postseason will start.,Game 1 between the Ottawa Senators and Eastern Conference top seed Carolina H...
LeBron James Needs One More Miracle To Carry Lakers Without Doncic, Reaves
With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves out, the Lakers will rely heavily on LeBron James in a tough first-round matchup vs the Rockets....

Stars coach: Roope Hintz out of Games 1, 2 vs. Wild
Dallas Stars forward Roope Hintz will not play in the first two games of the Western Conference first-round series against the Minnesota Wild due to a lower-body injury, head coach Glen Gulutzan announced.,Hintz has been sidelined since sustaining his injury while jostling along the boards with Colo...
Why the NHL Shouldn’t Expand the Playoffs Despite League Growth
The NHL has expanded to 32 teams—but its playoff format hasn’t. Here’s why that’s a good thing....

After dominant regular season, Thunder big favorite to hold onto NBA crown
Oddsmakers really like Oklahoma City Thunder to continue their reign over the NBA and successfully defend their championship.,The Thunder, who concluded the regular season on Sunday with the league's best record at 64-18 (.780), are the clear favorite to keep the Larry O'Brien Trophy at a range of +...
Three MLB Contenders That Need Answers Before It’s Too Late
Three MLB contenders are underperforming early in 2026—here’s what’s going wrong and why it matters....

Five NHL teams could clinch playoff spots Saturday
Some further clarity about the NHL playoff picture could come Saturday.,Nine of the 16 postseason spots have been clinched. As many as five more could be clinched depending on results from the crowded slate of 15 games that kicks off the final weekend of the regular season.,In the Eastern Conference...

Lakers add big-ticket courtside seats for playoffs
The Los Angeles Lakers are making room for more movers and shakers -- and celebrities -- this playoff season.,The team announced Thursday the availability of additional floor seats, where Jack Nicholson, Denzel Washington, Will Ferrell, Ice Cube, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kim Kardashian and fellow celebrit...