Grant Williams could feel the Celtics' season teetering through 20 games. Far from the team on display beating the Nets through two games in the first round, Boston missed 11 of its first 12 shots to begin a late-November game at San Antonio. They made a second-half comeback, taking a lead on Williams' three-pointer midway through the fourth, only to allow a 15-0 Spurs burst and Dejounte Murray game-winner in the final minute and lose.
Grant had played well. So he spoke up, part of a leadership-by-committee approach. He took matters into his own hands despite his own unproven track record following a sophomore season where he regularly got lost in the rotation. It could've fallen shallow if not for his productive start to the season.
"When our defense is the best, our offense follows suit," Williams said. "We're defending and the other team's working for every basket. That's something that we have to put our focal point on, because when we're a top-three defense in the league, there's no much you can do against that. We have all the capable guys. We have the team that we need. We have the scorers. We have the playmakers. We have the defenders. We have the shooters, and I trust every single one of the guys on this team can do their job. It's a matter of going out there and executing with one another and not letting our youth allow us to make excuses for one another. We have to challenge ourselves and understand that since we have that talent, we have that ability, we have that potential, it has to be now. Not three years from now. Not next year. This is the time."
That all proved to be true, among numerous wakeup calls from the first half of the season that eventually translated into the dominance on display through two games against the Brooklyn Nets in the playoffs. The contrast against last year's playoff series against the Nets couldn't be greater for Williams, who played 23 minutes combined in the first three games of that matchup, averaging 11.4 minutes and 3.4 points. He surpassed that playing time in Game 2 with 32 minutes alone on Wednesday, becoming a rotation staple as Daniel Theis faced more foul trouble and Robert Williams III sat injured. Williams kept the Celtics in the game at the end of the first quarter, hitting back-to-back threes as Jayson Tatum faced double teams, then another to begin the second quarter to pull Boston back within 33-27 in their eventual 114-107 win.
His Celtics teammates haven't heard the end of it all year, through Williams' 41.1% three-point shooting regular season and into a 42.9% start to the playoffs for the newfound marksman.
“His success, guys are happy for him, but I think it goes to his head at times," Ime Udoka quipped at practice this week. "So they love to bring him down back to earth. (Williams is) needed for us. He’s a guy, for me, I probably see some similarities in myself. A role player that can impact the game. As much as I hold Jayson and Jaylen to a higher standard, I do him as well as the rest of the group. His job is pretty simple in my eyes and when he deviates from that, quick to let him know, but I think the team is happy for his success, but wants to keep him in check because it can go to his head pretty quickly.”
Al Horford didn't know Williams upon arriving in Boston outside of having played against him in the Bubble series between the 76ers and Celtics. Back then, he played more of a post role, guarding opposing centers like Horford and making up for his height deficiency with strength inside. His offensive game hadn't rounded out and center depth became a fatal flaw for the Celtics on their way to a six-game loss in the east finals. Horford knew he saw a different player upon arriving in camp.
Williams, for one, lost weight after mentioning being stuck in-between a perimeter and interior role during the 2020-21 season. He proved too slow to defend perimeter players and still too small guard the paint. He spoke with Udoka immediately after the new coach got hired and asked what he could do to help the team, and that's when he got assigned that narrow role. Like with Marcus Smart, switching everything proved to be a natural fit for Williams alongside moving to the perimeter with the return of Horford and Williams III's ascension inside.
"He just came in different," Horford told Boston Sports Journal this week. "(I) haven’t been around him much before this, but I could just tell that he put in a lot of work in the summertime. It’s very obvious, the way he’s been able to shoot the ball. We’ve known Grant’s ability to defend, to do other things, but even this year as the year went on, he has improved tremendously. His feel defensively. As an offensive player, knowing where he needs to be and the spots that he needs to shoot from. Doing the things that we ask of him and we ask a lot out of him. He’s been great for us, just his physicality."
That improvement, paired with an emphasis on trust, strung together to make the Celtics a top-10 team on offense and defense this season. Tatum didn't score in either first quarter of the Celtics' past two wins, once a death sentence for Boston's chances at scoring, he's now comfortably passing out of double teams to find Williams and more recently Payton Pritchard as finishers.
Williams can drill threes at a high rate. That led to more attention and closeouts, and in turn Williams evolved mid-season to attack those closeouts off the dribble and finish off the rim. He noted earlier this season that he needed to improve his finishing and playing off two feet, and already in this series we've witnessed him beat Durant from the corner for a dunk and finish multiple fast-break layups.
"He took a huge leap," Udoka told BSJ. "The way we’re defending may be more beneficial to him, a lot of the switching and him being able to guard to the perimeter as opposed to the post or a traditional drop coverage with bigs or whatever it may be. His shooting, obviously that’s a benefit for us, (against) a team that really loads up and tries to take Jayson and Jaylen out, at times. You want to have Payton and Grant and guys that can space the floor. So all those things factor into him being a big key to this series."
Defensively, the Celtics decided they weren't going to double Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving outright on the perimeter and give role players like Seth Curry and Bruce Brown opportunities to burn them. That meant trusting players like Williams to defend when switched onto the perimeter. The perimeter defenders got tasked with guiding Durant, in particular, into Theis and Horford help around the interior.
A player always awaits to meet Durant in his mid-range sweet spots, while the perimeter players fly in to further contest the shots and play him tight. Udoka, imparting his knowledge as a former role player to Williams and Pritchard, also drew from his own experience guarding Durant when he was a Supersonics rookie. Pressure comes at the right moment, and outside of a 60% shooting first-half on Wednesday, the Nets have struggled to pass out of that pressure in the paint. Boston's perimeter players stay home, then pinch the paint at the right time, and Durant began the series 31.7% from the field.
“It’s kind of cool to see the progression I’ve had in my career," Williams told BSJ after Game 2. "I remember my rookie year, guys used to call me up and isolate me and I kind of got better throughout the year. Now, I think that’s the biggest thing, being able to defend. Knocking down shots too. I made my shots tonight and it helped translate on the other end. So for me, it’s kind of a testament to the growth I’ve had over the years, but also a credit to the team and how we’ve grown together.”
The Celtics will take more Williams production, but with it they need to incur more talking. It never ends. Teammates hear it on the defensive side of the floor. Referees routinely receive his complaints and jokes, which became more important as Boston tries to establish a physical brand of basketball through a wave of foul calls early in the series.
Boston sent Durant to the free-throw line 20 times in Game 2. They'll live with some of that, while also needing to adjust to how calls evolve throughout games. Williams might mention something to an official that they'll check at halftime, delivering back the good or bad news. Referees know he's a goofy guy, Grant notes, so they don't take it personally. Udoka benched Williams in the preseason for complaining, another area he and others had to improve their composure over, along with dealing with the defensive pressure a player like Durant can inflict. Murray's individual play devastated the Celtics in the aforementioned loss to the Spurs.
“It’s not going to be all rose petals and giggles," Williams told BSJ at practice this week.
The Celtics didn't name a captain after Udoka initially pitched the idea early in his tenure. Williams likely would've taken it if asked, because when the team turned toward a shared leadership responsibility he stepped into that void.
Jaylen Brown and Horford have discussed picking their spots for when to speak up. Brown did during the Game 1 near-collapse in the second half in a huddle, and also shared some words with the team when they trailed by 10 points at halftime during Game 2. Williams speaks more liberally, Udoka laughing when asked about his role in the leadership hierarchy before the Celtics faced the bucks earlier this month.
"Grant's a vocal guy," Udoka told BSJ. "He's always been that ... we really wanted Jayson, Jaylen, those guys to be more vocal, with some of the vets leading the team the past few years. They’ve done that. To your point, it comes from a lot of places. There was Marcus, who was vocal, naturally, Al at times and Grant and some of the guys you mentioned have done a great job. So it’s been by committee. What I told them early in the year was you guys hold each other accountable, not just from me and the staff all the time and Grant’s a guy who voices his opinion frequently, and it’s welcomed -- at times.”
Williams doesn't take himself too seriously off the court, and that's loosened a team that frequently became tight through its worst moments. He'll take the shots from all angles in the locker room. Since he's proven himself on the court, there's a greater willingness to listen to Williams' input in the room.
There's always a limit though. After the Celtics beat the Nuggets in Denver, Williams keying a lockdown effort on Nikola Jokic, Williams told Brown to alert the media that his new nickname is Batman, a play on his efforts against the Joker. Brown reluctantly followed through, with the caveat that he wasn't sure that one would stick. Tatum, upon hearing the idea, made sure it wouldn't.
“I can’t understand why Grant would want to be called Batman," Tatum said, pausing in confusion. "I’m sure Imma ask him when I get on the bus. Grant played great tonight, but Imma call him Grant. Not no damn Batman.”
Here's what else happened in the NBA this week...
Atlanta (down 1-2 vs. Miami): Yielded 115 points in consecutive games to the Heat. Trae Young got completely shut off in Game 1. He recovered in Game 2, scoring 25 points on 10-for-20 shooting, but he turned the ball over 10 times in another blowout loss. Losing Clint Capela to a hyperextended knee in the play-in round proved devastating for a team already facing a talent and physicality deficit to Miami. John Collins' return hasn't closed that, despite a double-double in his Game 2 spot start. The Hawks shot 22-for-76 from three (28.9%) in Miami, before Young salvaged Game 3 with a late go-ahead floater to secure a comeback win, their 21st over their last 24 at home.
Boston (ahead 2-0 vs. Brooklyn): Scored four straight points trailing by three points late in an instant classic Game 1 after blowing a 15-point lead against the Nets. Then, they overcame a 17-point deficit and won Game 2 thanks to a fourth-quarter rout. Boston's aggressive defense trapped, bodied and held Kevin Durant to 13-for-41 shooting (31.7%). Robert Williams III will reportedly rejoin the lineup for Game 3 after a three-week recovery from meniscus surgery, and reunite with a starting lineup that outscored opponents by 24.6 points per 100 possessions during the regular season. Al Horford scored 36 points and grabbed 21 rebounds in Games 1 and 2 filling in for Williams III at center.
Brooklyn (down 0-2 vs. Boston): Durant is struggling against one-on-one coverage from Tatum as well as switches and post double-teams from Horford and Williams. Kyrie Irving went off for 39 points in Game 1, flipping off multiple fans and clapping back at fans with expletives as Celtics fans again barraged him with Kyrie sucks and more explicit heckling, Irving said after. The NBA fined Irving $50,000 for his antics, before he struggled and scored 10 points in a more mellow appearance at TD Garden. Goran Dragic gave Brooklyn a bench boost and Bruce Brown scored well in Game 2, but Brooklyn collapsed in the second half against Boston's defensive pressure. Ben Simmons may return in Game 4 to help them solidify their own defense, but aside from the first half on Wednesday the Celtics' defense has shuttered the Nets' explosive offense.
“Ime knows us really well,” Irving said. “He coached on our staff last year, so I think he has some keys in the treasure chest that he’s telling those guys. We’ve just got to be better moving forward coming out of that halftime when we have the lead against a great team like Boston. We’ve just got to take advantage of it.”
Charlotte: Fired head coach James Borrego after going 138-163 in four seasons, fading late in the past two after hotter starts. Gordon Hayward's foot and ankle injuries were common denominators in both collapses, going 16-20 this year and 8-16 last year before consecutive blowout losses in the play-in tournament.
Hayward's future and Miles Bridges' restricted free agency will become their next priorities, along with finding a way to upgrade their interior. Fired Lakers head coach Frank Vogel is a possible defensive option for a team that finished 22nd in defense this season.
Chicago (down 1-2 vs. Milwaukee): Hit the Bucks' defense hard in Milwaukee and stole Game 2, receiving 41 points and four assists from DeMar DeRozan and 10 assists from Alex Caruso in a 114-110 upset. The Bucks lost Khris Middleton to an MCL tear in the game, and he's since been ruled out for the series. Milwaukee still has enough depth to win, but their ability to account for both Zach LaVine and DeRozan has been compromised. The pair shot 12-for-44 in Game 1, and will make or break the Bulls' chances in the series on their shooting. They lost Game 3 in blowout fashion, 111-81.
Cleveland: The Cavaliers leap into a busy offseason needing to address Collin Sexton's restricted free agency and Caris LeVert's extension eligibility. It only feels like this team has room for one of them, and LeVert's inconsistent finish probably extinguished his value entering his contract year making over $18-million. Sexton can still be a powerful sign-and-trade tool for Cleveland in a market without cap space. First, it's worth acknowledging the progress the Cavaliers made this year. Darius Garland finished as a finalist for most improved player, Evan Mobley for rookie of the year, Kevin Love for sixth man of the year, while J.B. Bickerstaff made some coach of the year ballots. They tied the Suns for most award finalists.
Dallas (ahead 2-1 vs. Utah): Luka Doncic (calf) missed the first three games of the Mavericks' first-round series against the Jazz, but began five-on-five work at practice and enters Game 4 questionable. Dallas sustained without him thanks to 72 points from Jalen Brunson in the team's wins. Maxi Kleber spaced Rudy Gobert out of effectiveness with 8-for-11 shooting in Game 2 and Spencer Dinwiddie dunked on Gobert in Game 3. Dallas flashed its offensive versatility and defensive prowess, two past areas of weakness on a team that fully relied on Doncic once, Dorian Finney-Smith quickly joining the league's most underrated players as a 3-and-D threat who piled up 14 points, eight rebounds and four steals in Thursday's win.
Denver (down 0-3 vs. Golden State): Michael Malone unsuccessfully pleased again for role players to step up and help Nikola Jokic, who's shooting 36% against Draymond Green through their first three meetings this season. The Warriors' three-guard lineup unloaded 122.3 points per game on the Nuggets through three games and Denver sits on the verge of elimination. Only Will Barton in Game 1 and Aaron Gordon in Game 3 reached the 15-point mark alongside Jokic, underscoring the weight the MVP candidate had to carry all season. While I expected a more competitive series than this, there's no MVP vote regret here. Jokic carried this team alone.
Detroit: Cade Cunningham unsurprisingly joined his fellow front-runners Scottie Barnes and Mobley as rookie of the year finalists. Elsewhere, the thought did come up this week as the Celtics faced the Nets: how did Detroit trade Bruce Brown on his rookie deal for Dzanan Musa and a second-round pick? Brown would be the perfect hard-nosed, mini big man for the Pistons' offense as they form an identity around scrappiness. He'll be an unrestricted free agent this summer and Detroit has cap space after Blake Griffin's deal expires. Look out for that reunion.
Golden State (lead 3-0 vs. Denver): Assumed west favorite status again quickly into round one with Steph Curry's triumphant return from injury to score 34 points off the Warriors' bench in 22 minutes to take a 2-0 lead over Denver. Steve Kerr originally brought Curry off the bench to stagger his minutes, but stuck with it after Jordan Poole score 59 points combined in Games 1 and 2 starting next to Klay Thompson.
The trio come together into a new era death lineup with Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green to mash the Nuggets late, and appear on the verge of earning some rest while the Grizzlies and Timberwolves beat each other up in the 2-7 west series. Green's dominance defensively against Jokic bodes well if they inevitably face Phoenix, whose loss of Devin Booker to injury also played into the Warriors' leap to west favorite status.
Houston: The Rockets' G-League affiliate Vipers claimed the championship this week, which bodes well alongside Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun's rookie development for the youth movement in Houston. Rio Grande featured Anthony Lamb, Mfiondu Kabengele, Daishen Nix and Gerald Green attempting his NBA comeback. While the team veers on the older side, Nix stood among the G-League's Ignite prospects entering last year's draft and is only 20-years-old. He posted 51 points, 23 rebounds and 19 assists on 20-for-50 shooting in the two championship games.
Indiana: Marc Stein followed several reports signaling the Pacers' intent to explore trading Malcolm Brogdon when he becomes eligible this offseason. The guard signed a $45-million extension that begins in 2023-24 and he'll make roughly $22-million for each of the next three seasons. Brodgon played only 36 games in another injury-plagued campaign, averaging 19.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG and 5.9 APG on 44.8% shooting. Buddy Hield could also be had, Stein noted, after a 36.6% three-point shooting season. He makes $20.5-million next year. There's been some speculation this could be the Russell Westbrook dump package, but that's unlikely.
Clippers: Their potential roster next season: Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Norman Powell, Marcus Morris, Ivica Zubac, Reggie Jackson, Terrance Mann, Luke Kennard, Jason Preston and B.J. Boston. They also could feasibly retain one of Robert Covington or Nic Batum. It wouldn't be surprising if Isaiah Hartenstein, statistically the strongest rim protector last season, outgrew his salary and role as he hits the market. Nonetheless, this Clippers roster is loaded, and with a full offseason and training camp ahead for Leonard there'll be no excuse for this group not being in play for the NBA Finals after a series of unfortunate events through George and Leonard's first three seasons together. Leonard continues to progress in his recovery.
Lakers: Trading Russell Westbrook feels like an inevitable first move alongside hiring a new head coach after a disastrous 2022 in Los Angeles. Nick Nurse, Quin Snyder, Mike Brown, Doc Rivers, Terry Stotts, Mark Jackson and Juwan Howard have all been mentioned as potential targets since the Lakers fired Frank Vogel. The most likely early Westbrook dump possibilities center around giving up a first-round pick or two and taking back bad salary from the Pacers, Hornets, Trail Blazers and, of course, the Rockets if both sides revisit the John Wall discussion. Having their 2029 first-round pick at their disposal could help there, but the Lakers would be seriously jeopardizing their future after Lebron James. Stretching Westbrook's $47-million salary might be the best bet.
Memphis (lead 2-1 vs. Minnesota): The Grizzlies suffered a shocking Game 1 set back against the Timberwolves before launching back into control of the series by scoring 124 points in a Game 2 blowout win and coming back on a 26-2 run to stun Minnesota in Game 3. The Wolves led by 21 points late in the third quarter with the Target Center rocking, which Ja Morant cut to 11 with a trio of scoring plays, then Tyus Jones, Brandon Clarke and the second unit finished the job. The Grizzlies tied the game at 88, not allowed a basket on their run, finishing the win on a 16-7 run. Morant scored 55 points in Games 1 and 2, before posting a 16-point triple-double on Thursday. Jaren Jackson Jr. has faced foul trouble, but helped effectively take Karl-Anthony Towns out of the past two games while Dillon Brooks' size and scoring ability have been a welcome addition.
Miami (lead 2-1 vs. Atlanta): Blew an 84-68 second-half lead after a 21-0 run that could've sent the Heat cruising to a 3-0 lead in the first round. Their defense had suffocated Trae Young, and Jimmy Butler and Max Strus continued their success alongside Tyler Herro off the bench. Depth and half court scoring remain concerns for this group though, with inconsistent starts to the postseason from Duncan Robinson and Bam Adebayo. P.J. Tucker scored 11 points on 4-for-6 shooting while defending Young well.
Milwaukee (ahead 2-1 vs. Chicago): Suffered the most consequential loss short of Giannis Antetokounmpo when Khris Middleton exited Wednesday's loss to Chicago with an MCL sprain that'll reportedly sideline him for 3-4 weeks, ending his first round and extending into the second. He hopes to only miss two weeks. Middleton keyed Milwaukee's crunch time offense, hitting 40% of his threes in the clutch. Jrue Holiday and Antetokounmpo can pick up much of the slack, but the wing depth to fill Middleton's defense and shooting on the wing revolves around Pat Connaughton and Wes Matthews, along with the smaller Grayson Allen. Allen scored 22 points on 8-for-12 shooting in Game 3. Matthews started and scored three points.
Milwaukee may need to play bigger with Bobby Portis, a precarious task against Chicago's twitchier wings, but potentially advantageous against Boston if they meet in round two. The Bucks struggled to stop Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan in their Game 2 loss, continuing their season-long run of spot lapses on that end of the floor.
Minnesota (down 1-2 vs. Memphis): This column has been filled with cautious optimism all season regarding the Timberwolves. Whether it was Karl-Anthony Towns' likely All-NBA Third Team campaign, Anthony Edwards' dazzling bursts to the rim or a rejuvenated D'Angelo Russell, this group took on Patrick Beverley's barking persona and looked dangerous after a Game 1 stunner over Memphis. The old Wolves lurked closely around the corner. Getting lit up in Game 2 as Towns' foul trouble removed him from the game.
A hot start dissolved into one of the worst fourth quarters in playoff history, Minnesota scoring nine points and melting down ahead by 21 on its home court. It's hard to imagine this group getting up from that. Their only hope is Towns finding a way to stay in the game and Jaren Jackson Jr.'s own foul trouble continuing and forcing more Steven Adams minutes.
New Orleans (down 1-2 vs. Phoenix): Lost a chance to take a series lead at home following Devin Booker's injury, allowing Chris Paul to unleash on their defense off the dribble despite double teams. Jaxson Hayes got ejected for a scuffle 10 minutes in, and poor showings from Trey Murphy III and Larry Nance Jr. squandered another excellent Brandon Ingram performance.
New York: Julius Randle and other Knicks brass casually took in the Jazz and Mavericks' first playoff game last week. Randle is a Dallas native, while New York's scouts undoubtedly had their eyes on Jalen Brunson, who will command a hefty price in unrestricted free agency. The Knicks can only offer roughly $20-million without a sign-and-trade, raising intrigue over how Randle could factor into the team's ability to upgrade at point guard. Randle's value fell after a struggle and frustration-filled 2022, but his extension still could present some value for teams that need a mix of perimeter and interior scoring from a sizable four. He could play off Luka Doncic in Dallas and no longer face the defensive pressure he did in New York as their first option.
Oklahoma City: Sam Presti hosted an expansive, two-hour press conference previewing the Thunder's offseason, with a priority on clearing cap space for the 2023 offseason once Kemba Walker's salary comes off the books. That goal could supersede extending Lu Dort or Darius Bazley, both eligible this offseason, but Presti said the team will engage both. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's five-year, $176.9-million extension begins with a $30.5-million salary next season.
“When you’re at the stage where we are, like you said, going into our second draft, we reposition the team financially on and off the floor, but the thing that really shapes everything in every sport is what are the rules that are governing the CBA essentially,” said Presti. “The CBA, and obviously that could change in 2023, revenue sharing is tied to that, digital media deal could be a factor."
Orlando: While Mo Bamba's best bet could be a continued role with the rebuilding Magic, veteran wing Terrence Ross once again stated his desire to get out of Orlando. The Magic have requested a first-round pick through two consecutive trade deadlines for Ross and retained him without receiving that offer. Keith Smith noted that Ross is far more likely to be dealt into 2023, when his deal becomes an expiring $11.5-million salary.
Philadelphia (lead 3-0 vs. Toronto): Continued their first-round dominance on the road with a sharp after timeout play from Doc Rivers to set Joel Embiid up for a game-winning three that all but clinched the first-round series for the 76ers. The win proved even more important as news emerged that Embiid might've torn a ligament in his right finger. Embiid is available for Game 4, but is reportedly suffering significant pain. The injury places more pressure on James Harden, who's taken a step back as a scorer late in his inefficient shooting season, posting 14, six and 10 assists in Philadelphia's three wins while shooting 41%. Tyrese Maxey picked up the scoring slack, averaging 26.7 PPG after a 38-point effort in Game 1. They could face Miami in round two.
Phoenix (ahead 2-1 vs. New Orleans): Lost Devin Booker for 2-3 weeks after he suffered a right hamstring injury in the Suns' Game 2 loss to the Pelicans. That's the one thing Phoenix couldn't afford to do in what looked like the largest mismatch of any of the league's first round series. Booker had shot 7-for-11 from three before exiting, with Chris Paul now thrust into a larger scoring role. He scored 30 points and 10 assists in Game 1 and can handle it while setting up Cam Johnson, Deandre Ayton and others for shots, then slammed the door with 19 points in the fourth quarter of Game 3.
This series shouldn't be in question, but the door opened for a red-hot Brandon Ingram and company to believe now. Phoenix scored 9.1 more points per 100 possessions with Booker on the floor this year, but fared better defensively without him by 5.5 points.
Portland: Damian Lillard's future will be one of the top offseason storylines, and the star continued to tip-toe around it by saying he won't ask for a trade, but wouldn't fight it if the Trail Blazers pursue it. The timing could make sense for both sides to part ways, setting Portland up with assets and allowing them to fully embrace what looks like a long rebuild even given their massive cap space this summer. Taking on contracts like Russell Westbrook or Rudy Gobert could net the team multiple future first-round picks, the new key to rebuilds. Anfernee Simons plans to return to Portland in free agency, and could be the franchise's new face.
Sacramento: Celtics assistant coach Will Hardy is on the Kings' early list of head coaching candidates, alongside veterans Mark Jackson, Mike D'Antoni and Steve Clifford. Darvin Ham and Charles Lee unsurprisingly will be popular names again after interviewing for jobs last summer before eventually returning to the Bucks' staff under Mike Budenholzer. The Hardy report could be an early sign that Boston's assistants will field interest for promotions after a highly successful first season under Ime Udoka.
San Antonio: Gregg Popovich watch continues and will dominate the Spurs' early offseason before the NBA Draft. While Popovich, who would enter his 27th season as San Antonio's head coach next year, wouldn't answer a question about his future after last week's play-in loss, he did acknowledge the Spurs' draft preparation. The longer this draws out, the more likely it is Popovich could rejoin the team for one more ride. Josh Richardson and Jakob Poetl's future will be among the top offseason priorities after staying with the team beyond the trade deadline. The Spurs have to balance unexpectedly quick winning with a likely influx of young talent entering.
Toronto (down 0-3 vs. Philadelphia): On the verge of elimination after a hot finish to the regular season, losing Scottie Barnes in Game 2 to an ankle injury. He's doubtful for Game 4 on Saturday, only receiving some relief in Joel Embiid's thumb injury that could hamper him. Toronto has also struggled to guard Tobias Harris, Tyrese Maxey and James Harden, while Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet both shoot worse than 41%. The team's lack of interior presence, offensive rebounding and scrambling defensive approach met its match in Harden and Embiid, and a surprising first season after Kyle Lowry's departure appears finished.
Utah (down 1-2 vs. Dallas): Like last year when Kawhi Leonard went down, the Jazz have been unable to capitalize with Luka Doncic injured for the Mavericks. Donovan Mitchell and the perimeter defenders haven't held up. Rudy Gobert is getting dunked on and spaced off the floor. Mike Conley is shooting 12-for-33 in the series and didn't score a point in Game 2. A video also showed Danuel House, Bojan Bogdanovic and others arguing on the bench. Something's felt wrong with this team all season, and if they lose after being handed a massive break from an opponent's injury, they'll be major changes, up to and including moving on Quin Snyder as head coach, Mitchell and Gobert. Danny Ainge will have a heavy hand in those decisions as CEO.
Washington: Bradley Beal (wrist) is cleared to begin rehab after tearing a ligament in January that required pins that were removed this week. He can sign a five-year, $248-million contract with the Wizards, the largest in NBA history, this offseason. That salary bump would push the Wizards within $4-million of the cap, and account for 35% of the team's cap.