Boston opened the 2020 East semifinals with a 112-94 win over Toronto in the NBA bubble, led by 21-point nights from Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart, plus 18 from Kemba Walker with 10 assists. Jaylen Brown contributed 17 and 5, Daniel Theis added 13 and 15 rebounds, and Robert Williams III chipped in 10 and 5 off the bench as the Celtics cruised from start to finish.

The Raptors, defending champions, never locked in and trailed all game, while Boston’s depth and late-game efficiency gave the series a 1-0 edge. The win came amid a pandemic-era playoff landscape at the Wide World of Sports Complex, and also coincided with the birthday of Celtics icon Robert Parish, a reminder of the franchise’s rich history even as the present game unfolded with a new normal.

Daniel Theis moved from New Orleans to Oklahoma City in a February cash dump, clearing salary for New Orleans while signaling a potential pivot in frontcourt plans. Tom Thibodeau chased Theis as insurance for Mitchell Robinson’s ankle issues, but Theis chose Monaco over the Knicks, weighing life, school, and long-term chances over money. In Monaco, he posted 11.7 points and 5.5 rebounds in 23 minutes, shooting efficiently and thriving under Spanoulis. The Knicks then tapped PJ Tucker to bolster wing defense after Theis left. The departure leaves Robinson’s health as the central fantasy variable; with Theis out, Robinson’s floor could rise when healthy, while Tucker’s arrival reshapes the Knicks’ frontcourt dynamics and minutes for other bigs. The overall effect is a shift in Knicks’ defensive versatility and rotation, with Robinson’s health dictating the ceiling for a still-unclear big-man landscape.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have maintained a low profile this offseason, opting for continuity following their championship season. The team extended contracts for their star trio: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren, securing their core for the upcoming seasons as they aim for consecutive titles. Williams, a breakout star last season, is recuperating from wrist surgery but is expected to be ready by training camp. His recent homage to Kobe Bryant, recreating an iconic photo while recovering, highlights his dedication and connection to the game's history.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have come under scrutiny for a series of draft decisions viewed as significant misses in the 2020s, particularly in ESPN's recent retrospective. Among these, the decision not to draft Alperen Sengun, who has blossomed into a valuable player for the Houston Rockets, stands out as a glaring error. Thunder GM Sam Presti's aggressive drafting strategy has led to some notable trades, including moving up to select Aleksej Pokusevski while passing on potential stars like Immanuel Quickley and Jaden McDaniels.

Despite the criticism, the team's fortunes appear bright, bolstered by the emergence of Chet Holmgren, who was selected second overall in 2022 and has quickly established himself as a defensive powerhouse. The Thunder's recent success, including a championship run, has tempered the sting of missing out on Sengun, highlighting a broader narrative of strategic risk-taking during a rebuilding phase.