Oklahoma City Thunder GM Sam Presti expressed strong concerns regarding the NBA's handling of injury discussions, especially the rising frequency of Achilles injuries among players. Presti highlighted that dismissing the correlation between player load and injuries is 'almost insulting.' He referenced recent incidents where stars like Tyrese Haliburton suffered significant injuries during the playoffs, raising alarms about the impact of the league's condensed schedule and increased physicality.

While NBA Commissioner Adam Silver argues there's no clear link between the number of games and injuries, Presti emphasized that the game has evolved significantly in recent years, leading to heightened physical demands on players. He called for a more collaborative and rational approach to understanding and addressing the injury issue.

The Brooklyn Nets have a rich jersey history dating back to their inception in 1967 as the New Jersey Americans in the ABA. Over the years, 52 different jersey numbers have been worn by more than 600 players. Among these, jersey No. 14 has seen a total of 29 players don the Nets' colors, with Kessler Edwards being one notable name during the Brooklyn era.

Selected 44th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, Edwards played two seasons with the Nets before being traded to the Sacramento Kings in 2023. He averaged 4.8 points and 3.0 rebounds per game while wearing jersey No. 14, contributing steadily during his tenure. This jersey's legacy is a testament to the variety of talent that has passed through the franchise.

On this day in Celtics history, we celebrate the birthdays of two influential figures, Kevin Garnett and Bill Fitch. Garnett, a Hall of Fame big man, was born and later became a transformative player in the NBA, joining the Celtics in 2007 after a successful stint with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He led the Celtics to an NBA Championship in 2008, averaging impressive numbers throughout his tenure. Meanwhile, Bill Fitch, also born on this day, was a defining coach for the Celtics during the 1980s, guiding them to win the championship in 1981. His coaching helped shape Larry Bird's legendary work ethic. Additionally, today marks the anniversary of Bird's remarkable triple-double against the Detroit Pistons in the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals.

Gregg Popovich, the legendary coach of the San Antonio Spurs, transitions to the role of president of basketball operations, marking a significant change for the franchise. Meanwhile, Jalen Brunson's clutch 3-pointer propels the New York Knicks to eliminate the Detroit Pistons from the playoffs. LeBron James reflects on his uncertain future after the Los Angeles Lakers’ playoff exit, while Tyrese Haliburton leads the Indiana Pacers to a thrilling overtime victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, ending their playoff run. The Sacramento Kings are set to appoint Doug Christie as their next head coach, and UConn's Alex Karaban opts to return for his senior season instead of entering the NBA Draft.

Jimmy Butler shines in the second half, lifting the Golden State Warriors to a commanding playoff lead. However, Damian Lillard's injury raises concerns for the Milwaukee Bucks as they face elimination. Anthony Edwards delivers a spectacular performance for the Minnesota Timberwolves, overcoming the Lakers in a playoff matchup. Meanwhile, Chet Holmgren's stunning comeback from a 29-point deficit leads the Oklahoma City Thunder to a surprising win over the Memphis Grizzlies in their first-round series.

The Los Angeles Clippers faced a disappointing end to their playoff journey, succumbing to the Denver Nuggets in a blowout Game 7 loss. Despite a promising start with a 26-21 lead after the first quarter, the Clippers lost control as the Nuggets dominated the remainder of the game. This defeat adds to the mounting frustrations surrounding head coach Tyronn Lue, whose tenure has seen high expectations yet disappointing results. Social media is abuzz with calls for a coaching change, as fans express their desire for a new direction following Lue's inability to capitalize on the team's talent, including stars Kawhi Leonard and James Harden.