Warriors Top Rockets, Cavaliers Sweep Heat, Early 2026 NFL Mock Draft

🏀 Good morning to all, but especially to …

THE GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS …

Stephen Curry was key in Game 3, but in Game 4, with Jimmy Butler back, the Warriors got contributions from stars and the supporting cast for a 109-106 win over the Rockets, taking a 3-1 series lead.

• Butler scored five points in the final minute, all from free throws, after Fred VanVleet tied the game at 104. Butler was perfect from the line (12/12), while Golden State shot well as a team (20/22). Houston struggled (19/31).
• After three Butler free throws with 58 seconds left, Alperen Sengun scored to make it 107-106, and Butler missed a jumper. The Rockets called a timeout. Sengun drove against Draymond Green, who held his ground and effectively contested Sengun`s shot, giving it no chance.
• Butler made two more free throws. VanVleet`s potential game-tying shot at the buzzer was on line but short.

While Butler and Green were clutch late with Curry (17 points) having a quiet scoring night, Brandin Podziemski was outstanding with 26 points. Sam Quinn notes he`s developing into the player the Warriors expected, which is why they kept him off-limits in trade talks.

• Quinn: `The Warriors showed enough patience to position themselves for what appears to be a promising playoff run. The lesson is sometimes the best move is the one you don`t make. Many teams can learn from this, especially Golden State`s first-round opponent: the Rockets.`

… AND THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

The Cavaliers didn`t just sweep the Heat; they did it historically. Their 138-83 Game 4 victory is the largest margin in closeout game history. This follows a 124-87 win in Game 3, marking the two biggest playoff losses in Heat history. (Miami was outscored 262 to 170 over two home playoff games – ouch!)

Cleveland had the second-best offensive rating in NBA history this season and dismantled the Heat defense. Overall, Cleveland outscored Miami by 122 points in the series, the widest margin in any playoff series ever. These statistics are remarkable, and the Cavaliers hope this performance continues in the second round against the Pacers-Bucks winner.

Conversely, Sam Quinn observes that `Heat Culture` is showing significant vulnerabilities.

😁 Honorable mentions

• The Commanders are preparing to return to Washington, D.C.
• The Eagles, without several key players, visited the White House.
• Brandon Nimmo matched a Mets single-game record with nine RBI in a win over the Nationals.
• Sacramento State hired Shaquille O`Neal as GM, whose son Shaqir is on the team.
• Plenty of talent remains in the college football transfer portal.
• Some running backs could have breakout years in 2026.
• With WNBA training camps starting, we reviewed league rosters and key questions for each team.
• Dawn Staley is set to receive a statue.
• Several men`s college basketball coaches shone in their first seasons.
• Here`s Gary Parrish`s latest NBA mock draft.
• The Panthers, Stars, Capitals, Hurricanes, and Maple Leafs are all one win away from advancing to the second round.

🏀 And not such a good morning for …

DAMIAN LILLARD, GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO AND THE MILWAUKEE BUCKS

Damian Lillard did indeed tear his Achilles in the Bucks` Game 4 loss to the Pacers. He will miss the remainder of this season – which might end very soon as Milwaukee trails 3-1 – and a considerable part of next season.

As discussed yesterday, this is a tough end to a very disappointing prime for a former premier star. Lillard, turning 35 this summer, was loyal (perhaps overly so) to the Trail Blazers. They reached the conference finals only once in his 11 years there, getting swept. When he sought a trade, he reportedly only wanted one destination: Miami. This made ending up in Milwaukee awkward, and the fit with Giannis Antetokounmpo never fully materialized.

Now, with Lillard facing a long recovery and Milwaukee on the verge of another early exit, Sam Quinn argues this offseason is the time to trade Antetokounmpo.

• Quinn: `Antetokounmpo has essentially seen what post-Lillard life in Milwaukee looks like this series. He has 135 points in the first four games against Indiana. His next highest scorer, Gary Trent Jr., has less than half that at 61. Spending more time on such a depleted roster would waste his talent… Teams want to trade for a 30-year-old Giannis, not a 33-year-old one. They`ll pay significantly more now, and there`s a clear incentive for them to do so.`

So, which teams are potential destinations? Sam also provides that answer.

😟 Not so honorable mentions

• The NBA`s Last Two Minute Report confirmed Luka Dončić was tripped and should have received free throws late in the Lakers` Game 4 loss to the Timberwolves.
• Brandon Beane criticized some Buffalo radio hosts for their opinions on the Bills` wide receivers.
• MLB is still figuring out if players can participate in the 2028 Olympics.
• Tyler Glasnow is the eighth Dodgers starting pitcher currently on the Injured List.
• The Rockies have the worst start in NL history and are on pace for the worst record ever.
• It seems the College Football Playoff format won`t change much in 2025.

🏈 Way-too-early 2026 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks returning to prominence?

For only the third time in the last 20 years, the recent NFL Draft featured just one first-round quarterback: Cam Ward went first overall to the Titans.

The previous two times this occurred, multiple quarterbacks were taken in the first round the following year. Will this pattern continue into 2026? In his very early 2026 mock draft, Josh Edwards projects five quarterbacks in the first round:

• 1. Saints: QB Arch Manning, Texas
• 2. Browns: QB Drew Allar, Penn State
• 6. Raiders: QB LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
• 12. Rams: QB Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
• 16. Steelers: QB Nico Iamaleava, UCLA

Yes, that includes Manning – who currently has only one college start – potentially going to his grandfather Archie`s former team. Of course, this is just a projection. In fact, Blake Brockermeyer`s mock draft doesn`t even list Manning in the first round.

There`s also the question of whether Manning will even declare for the draft, as Will Backus points out.

• Backus: `His uncle, Peyton, chose to return for his senior season at Tennessee in 1997 despite having started for two years and being seen by many as a top-10 pick in the 1997 NFL Draft… Arch`s other well-known uncle, Eli, spent five years in college at Ole Miss… Neither Peyton nor Eli benefited from name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities in college, which the younger Manning already has.`

If you think five first-round quarterbacks is a high number, Cameron Salerno suggests several more could rise into the top 32.

Finally, here`s more analysis to wrap up the 2025 draft:

• Best, worst, and most interesting picks: NFC | AFC
• Draft superlatives and lessons learned.
• Boomer Esiason claims many NFL teams completely removed Shedeur Sanders from their draft boards. Cody Benjamin, however, believes the slide could ultimately benefit Sanders.
• Here`s how Quinn Ewers went from the No. 1 recruit to a seventh-round pick. Another former highly-rated recruit, D.J. Uiagalelei, went undrafted and signed with the Chargers.
• Jaxson Dart is a big fan of his new teammate.

⚽ Arsenal-PSG UEFA Champions League semifinal preview

It`s a top-tier matchup. Arsenal and PSG face off today in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal, a clash between two European powerhouses playing excellent soccer.

This game offers many interesting dynamics, from the midfield battle to potential lineup decisions and the stakes: This is Arsenal`s last chance for a trophy this season, while PSG is still pursuing a treble (domestic league, domestic cup, and continental title).

Our experts` predictions and best bets are split, but here`s why Pardeep Cattry favors PSG:

• Cattry: `Arsenal 1, Paris Saint-Germain 2 — While Arsenal won their earlier league phase match against PSG 2-0, this version of Luis Enrique`s side is significantly different from the one that visited North London in October. The French champions have steadily become Europe`s most exciting team, uniquely managed by Enrique in a way that makes them difficult to beat. Expect a competitive match at the Emirates Stadium, but one that ultimately swings PSG`s way due to their superior attacking power, potentially aided by goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma after his strong performance two weeks ago.`

📺 What we`re watching Tuesday

Today`s notable sports schedule:

• ⚽ Arsenal vs. PSG, 3 p.m. on CBS/Paramount+
• 🏀 Bucks at Pacers (Pacers lead 3-1), 6 p.m. on NBA TV
• 🏒 Senators at Maple Leafs (Maple Leafs led 3-1), 7 p.m. on ESPN
• 🏀 Pistons at Knicks (Knicks lead 3-1), 7:30 p.m. on TNT
• 🏒 Devils at Hurricanes (Hurricanes lead 3-1), 7:30 p.m. on TBS
• 🏀 Magic at Celtics (Celtics lead 3-1), 8:30 p.m. on NBA TV
• 🏒 Wild at Golden Knights (Series tied 2-2), 9:30 p.m. on ESPN
• 🏀 Clippers at Nuggets (Series tied 2-2), 10 p.m. on TNT
• 🏒 Oilers at Kings (Series tied 2-2), 10 p.m. on TBS