During his formal introduction as the New Orleans Pelicans’ executive vice president of basketball operations, Joe Dumars was tight-lipped about the futures of both Zion Williamson and head coach Willie Green. When asked about Williamson, Dumars acknowledged previous conversations with the star forward but declined to provide specifics. Dumars said, “I won’t go into those conversations,” referencing his past interactions with Williamson in the NBA. However, he did not offer any clear direction on the 24-year-old’s future with the team. Williamson has shown flashes of greatness with a career average of 24.7 points per game. His injuries have kept him sidelined for 258 regular-season games. His off-the-court issues have also raised concerns in recent years. And with the Pelicans coming off their worst season in two decades, the futures of both Williamson and Green remain uncertain.

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum missed his first ever playoff  game on Wednesday night due to a bone bruise. The injury occurred when Tatum was hit hard by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope during a dunk attempt in Game 1. The six-time All-Star was ruled out an hour before tipoff of Game 2 in their match against the Orlando Magic. Tatum sustained the injury in the fourth quarter of the game on Sunday. Despite Tatum’s absence, the Celtics secured a 109-100 victory, with All-Star Jaylen Brown leading the charge. Tatum cheered on his teammates from the bench and engaged with them during timeouts. Tatum, who had been listed as doubtful before the game. Coach Joe Mazzulla confirmed that Tatum was doing everything possible to be ready to play and was considered day-to-day. Though Tatum finished the game, an MRI revealed the bone bruise. The series now shifts to Orlando for Game 3 on Friday.

Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards has been fined $50,000 by the NBA. He was fined for using obscene gesture toward a fan during the Timberwolves’ 117-95 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. The incident occurred with 4:33 remaining in the third quarter of the game. Byron Spruell, the President of League Operations, confirmed the penalty. Edwards’ fine served as a reminder of the importance of maintaining respectful behavior both on and off the court. The NBA has a strict code of conduct for players, ensuring that all actions align with the league’s standards for sportsmanship and professionalism.

Logan Thompson’s determination paid off in a big way during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First Round on Wednesday. Thompson stopped all 14 shots he faced in the third period to secure a 3-1 victory for the Capitals. Thompson’s stellar performance kept the Canadiens from capitalizing on their opportunities. His saves, including a glove stop on Josh Anderson during a 2-on-0 and a left skate save on Christian Dvorak’s deflection, were pivotal in preserving the lead. Connor McMichael’s empty-net goal with two seconds left sealed the win, giving Washington a 2-0 series lead. “I thought he was unbelievable, especially in the last five minutes,” said Capitals center Dylan Strome. “We were obviously just hanging on there.” Coach Spencer Carbery praised Thompson’s resilience, stating, “He wins us that game in the third period,”.

Gabriel Landeskog’s  return to the ice after nearly three years was a moment of triumph for both the player and the Colorado Avalanche. The captain, who had battled knee injuries, surgeries, finally made his comeback in Game 3 of the Western Conference First Round against the Dallas Stars. “It’s playoffs, so not a whole lot of time to think about what’s going on, how it’s feeling, how long you’ve been gone for,” Landeskog said. “It’s just kind of like, get into it and get playing. So, yeah, honestly, it felt pretty good.” Landeskog’s performance spoke for itself. In the emotional 2-1 overtime loss, he led the Avalanche with six hits in just 13:16 of ice time. Coach Jared Bednar praised his captain, saying, “He was physical right away, involved right away in a lot of different aspects of our game.” This was Landeskog’s first NHL game since June 26, 2022, when the Avalanche clinched the Stanley Cup, and his first game in 1,032 days. He became only the fifth player in NHL history to return after such a long absence. Reflecting on the night, Landeskog said, “It was a memory of a lifetime for me. It was very special,” even as the game ended in a loss.