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Today, it’s all about going home.

Today’s Lineup

🎉 Happy birthday to journeyman legend Ramon Sessions and Enjoyers Brian and Aidan! 🎉

Game Recaps

Luka returns to Dallas, drops 45 PTS in 112-97 Lakers win

Sometimes, the stories just write themselves.

In his first game against the team that traded him away in one of the craziest trades in NBA history, Luka Doncic (45 PTS, 8 REB, 6 AST) absolutely cooked and helped the Lakers to a crucial 15-point win over the Mavericks. He also became the only player besides Wilt Chamberlain to have a 45-point game for and against the same team in a single season—insane stuff.

It was great to see an outpouring of support for Luka back in Dallas as he made his emotional return home to the city that introduced him to the NBA, and we Enjoy-ed every second of it!

Harrison Barnes hits game-winning three over former team, Spurs beat Warriors 114-111

Luka wasn’t the only one who won an impressive game against his former squad this week!

With the Warriors stuck in the middle of the Western Conference playoff/play-in race, this game against the lottery-level Spurs probably felt like a “must-win” one. But even after Steph Curry (30 PTS) helped stretch the Dubs’ lead to 14 points late in the third quarter, there was still a little wind left in San Antonio’s sails.

Keldon Johnson (21 PTS) and Julian Champagnie (14 PTS) helped the Spurs surge back into the game in the final period, and it was former Warrior Harrison Barnes (20 PTS, 6 3PM) who sank the game-winning triple to beat Golden State. This is why we love the NBA!

Elsewhere around the NBA…

• Minnesota grabbed a clutch 141-125 win over Memphis last night thanks to 44 PTS from Anthony Edwards and a double-double from Julius Randle (31 PTS, 10 REB). Ja Morant (36 PTS, 6 AST) led the Grizzlies in scoring.

• In the Hawks’ 133-109 win over Brooklyn, Zaccharie Risacher (38 PTS) put up one of the best rookie performances of the season, helping the Hawks to a decisive win alongside Onyeka Okongwu (14 PTS, 15 REB) and Trae Young (24 PTS, 12 AST).

• The Pistons continued their dominance over the Knicks this season, beating New York 115-106 behind 36 PTS from Cade Cunningham. New York and Detroit currently sit at 3rd and 6th in the East, respectively—what a playoff series this would be!

• Josh Giddey (28 PTS, 16 REB, 11 AST, 3 BLK) continued his and the Bulls’ recent hot streak with a triple-double in Chicago’s 119-111 win over Miami. Matas Buzelis (17 PTS, 16.2 PPG over last 10) kept his good vibes going as well—could Chicago surprise people out of the Play-In? More on that later…

• And in the midst of an unbelievably close Western Conference playoff race, James Harden (35 PTS, 10 AST) lifted the Clippers to their sixth straight win, a 134-117 W over Houston. Ivica Zubac (20 PTS, 11 REB, 10 AST) recorded the first triple-double of his career as the Clippers inched closer to first-round home-court advantage.

Around The League

Jaylen Wells discharged from hospital after scary fall during Grizzlies-Hornets

Good news time! After leaving Tuesday night’s game against Charlotte in a stretcher, Grizzlies guard Jaylen Wells was recently discharged from the hospital. The rookie sustained a broken right wrist after a dunk attempt and will continue to receive outpatient medical care. Wells is all but surely out for the entirety of the postseason, so he’ll get a summer of recovery before suiting up for the Grizz again.

Despite it all, Wells was spotted at shootaround with his Memphis teammates yesterday. All the love in the world to the rook! 💙

Pistons’ Ivey cleared for basketball activity, opening possibility for playoff return

Yesterday, the Pistons released a medical update on Jaden Ivey, who has been out since January with a broken fibula. Ivey has officially been “cleared for basketball activity” and will be starting a reconditioning program, with another update to come in two weeks.

Ivey averaged just under 18 points per game in the thirty games he played for the Pistons this season, and he’d be a huge offensive addition to this team that has already exceeded expectations. If Detroit survives their first round matchup, we could see Ivey suit up in the playoffs…

Top Five Friday

During the playoffs, a lot of the focus (obviously!) is on the high-seeded contenders. But isn’t it the Cinderella stories that really make postseason basketball exciting? Here are five play-in teams we think could make a surprise run come playoff time:

1. Orlando Magic: Make no mistake—this Orlando squad has plenty of star talent that should be able to take over postseason games if necessary. Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero are averaging over 50 PPG as Orlando’s top two options, and they already have a taste of the playoffs from last year’s seven-game series against Cleveland. Franz and P5 could be back for more…

2. Miami Heat: There’s no Jimmy Butler this year, but the 2023 Miami Heat still remain the only play-in team to make a Finals appearance. Bam Adebayo has put up another DPOY-level season, and we’re excited to see whether he and All-Star Tyler Herro can recreate some of that 2023 magic.

3. Chicago Bulls: Watch out for the Bulls! Josh Giddey, Coby White, and Matas Buzelis are ready to bring playoff basketball back to Chicago. Winners of four of their last five, the Bulls are a surging young team that could catch a top seed by surprise—we’re honestly just happy for our guy Kenny.

4. Sacramento Kings: SacTown’s personnel looks completely different than it did on opening day, from the roster to the coaching staff. But this team still has talent, headlined by the trio of Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Domantas Sabonis. LaVine and DeRozan already have play-in experience together with the Bulls!

5. Minnesota Timberwolves: The Wolves occupy the last spot on this list because, well, they’re barely a play-in team. Anthony Edwards and the rest of Minnesota’s squad would sit at 5th place in the Eastern Conference, but life’s tough out West. With their surprise series victory over the then-reigning-champion Nuggets last year, there’s no limit to what the Ant-Man is capable of come playoff time.

Three in the Key

Signing Off

This week has been a great reminder that no matter how far you travel, you’ll always feel better when you feel at home. See you Monday!

Austin Zeglis