Top Stories

• Sixers are saved by … Nic Batum?

• Bulls eliminate Hawks

• Final Play-In matchups set

• NO GAMES TONIGHT

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Games of the day

Last Night’s Top Games! (link to the box scores of every game from yesterday)

The 76ers earned the No. 7 seed and advanced to play the second-seeded New York Knicks in the opening round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Game 1 is Saturday at Madison Square Garden. The Heat — who went from the play-in tourney to the NBA Finals a year ago — host the winner of the night's late play-in game between Chicago and Atlanta on Friday night, with the winner getting the No. 8 seed. Batum — acquired in the James Harden deal with the Clippers — hit three 3s in the 3rd quarter that brought the Sixers within one possession of a tie game three times. He finished with 20 points, when he’s averaged 5.2 ppg all season. Without his timely threes, Philly likely wouldn’t have won this game.

Coby White scored a career-high 42 points, and the Chicago Bulls advanced in the play-in tournament, knocking out the Atlanta Hawks with a 131-116 victory. White, whose previous high was 37, went hard at the rim throughout the game and had fans chanting his name down the stretch as the Bulls rolled past the Hawks. Chicago visits Miami on Friday for a shot at the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs and a first-round matchup with Boston. The Heat lost 105-104 to Philadelphia. Dejounte Murray led Atlanta with 30 points. But the Hawks collapsed again after dropping their final six regular-season games.

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League News

Around the League

• Nikola Jokic and Jalen Brunson have been named Players of The Week for Week 25.

• The Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks seasons are both done. Klay Thompson is a free agent, and his return to the Warriors is up in the air. Obviously both the organization and his teammates want him to return, as Thompson has expressed his desire to be a Warrior for life. But at 34 years old, having 2 major lower body injuries, as well as seemingly losing his shot, will they be able to come to an agreement to keep Klay? The 0-10, 0 point performance might unfortunately be our final memory of the Splash Brothers playing together. Atlanta has the opposite kind of problem. It’s time to split up Trae and Dejounte, as the pairing obviously won’t win together. Each guard plays best without the other, so something has to change. After getting embarrassed by a 42 point performance from Coby White, Atlanta needs to consider a complete reset, if they don’t want to have to pick one guard to keep.

• Injury Updates: Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) is likely to miss game 1 of the Indiana series. Alex Caruso (foot) is doubtful for Friday’s game against Miami. Jimmy Butler (knee) will undergo an MRI today. Zion Williamson (hamstring) will miss Friday’s matchup with Sacramento. Julius Randle (shoulder) is out for the season. Malik Monk (knee) will miss 4-6 weeks. Kevin Huerter (shoulder) is out for the season. Christian Wood (knee) underwent surgery and will be out multiple weeks. Benedict Mathurin (shoulder) underwent surgery and is out for the season. Josh Richardson (shoulder) had surgery and will be out for the season. Jarred Vanderbilt (foot) will miss at least 1 more week. We wish all these guys speedy and successful recoveries.

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NBA MVP Race

1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Last week’s ranking: No. 1

Season stats: 26.6 ppg, 12.4 rpg, 9 apg

His case: Jokic ranks first in total plus-minus (664), second in total assists (691), third in total rebounds (954) and fifth in total points (2,048). The vet also ranks among the top 10 in a few hustle stats as well.

Then, take a look at statistics like true shooting percentage in clutch situations (69.8%) in evaluating Jokic’s case, or player impact estimate. Jokic checks most of the boxes, and, if the Nuggets win out, his case becomes even more airtight.

2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Last week’s ranking: No. 3

Season stats: 30.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 6.2 apg

His case: Tough decision here, given all the momentum Luka Doncic generated with wins and eye-popping numbers while Gilgeous-Alexander missed six of OKC’s last nine games. SGA has still played three more contests than Doncic, leading a team of virtual unknowns into Western Conference contention.

Despite the injury’s absence, Gilgeous-Alexander’s smoothness was displayed in Wednesday’s win over San Antonio. The two-way star has scored 66 total points in two outings since returning to the lineup.

3. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

Last week’s ranking: No. 2

Season stats: 33.9 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 9.8 apg

His case: That Doncic thrived during a chaotic season in Dallas shouldn’t be overlooked with the Mavericks winning 16 of their last 18 games, including last Wednesday’s 111-92 triumph at Miami. Doncic lit up the Heat for 13 points in the first quarter en route to a 29-point night.

There’s no disagreement here if you’ve got Doncic at No. 2. He’s trekked a tougher road while cranking out more production than Gilgeous-Alexander. But he also plays alongside a future Hall of Famer, too.

 4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Last week’s ranking: No. 4

Season stats: 30.4 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 6.5 apg

His case: Like Doncic, Antetokounmpo has excelled despite adverse circumstances, flashing mind-boggling efficiency while averaging more than 30 points, 11.5 rebounds and a career-high 6.5 assists. He’s out for the remainder of the regular season due to a left soleus strain.

5. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Last week’s ranking: No. 5

Season stats: 26.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 4.9 apg

His case: Maybe Anthony Edwards or Jalen Brunson belong in this spot. But it’s tough to downplay Tatum’s impact on a team that has been historically dominant this season. Boston locked up No. 1 in the Eastern Conference and the NBA a while ago and the maturing Tatum is the main reason for that.

Say what you want about the supporting cast. But Tatum has knocked down more 3-pointers (1,239) than any player before his 26th birthday (March 3) while ranking fifth in regular-season victories (327) over that span.

The Next Five

6. Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings (Last week’s ranking: No. 6)
7. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves (Last week’s ranking: No. 9)
8. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks (Last week’s ranking: unranked)
9. Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns (Last week’s ranking: unranked)
10. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns (Last week’s ranking: No. 7)

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Overtime Thoughts

Hoopgrids

Hoopgrids is a daily basketball trivia game. You cross match each category to find a player that fits both. The rarer the player, the lower the score. The goal is to get the lowest rarity score possible.