On April 27 Beijing time, ESPN's renowned reporter Shams reported that the Rockets will face a crucial elimination game today—a loss would end their playoff run—but their top scorer Durant will be unavailable. Shams indicated that Durant is expected to remain sidelined for Game 4 of the series. Durant initially missed the first game due to a right knee injury, and upon returning for Game 2, he suffered a left ankle sprain.

Congratulations, congratulations~ He Xining became the first player in Shenzhen men's basketball team history to be elected MVP. In this season's regular games, he averaged 20.1 points, 5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, shooting 3.1 three-pointers per game with a 41.4% hit rate, leading the team to achieve 30 wins and 12 losses, ranking third in the league and advancing to the playoffs.

On April 26, Dosunmu, coming off the bench, scored 43 points on 13-of-17 shooting, becoming the key contributor in the Timberwolves' victory over the Nuggets. The question then arises: what price must be paid to re-sign Dosunmu? If the Timberwolves view Dosunmu as a starting point guard to develop, they must match that level with a corresponding salary this summer.

OMG~ In Game 3, Alexander shot 18 for 15, with an astonishing ~83% shooting accuracy, exploding for 42 points, 4 rebounds, and 8 assists, leading the Thunder to a 121-109 victory over the Suns on the road. The series now stands at 3-0, giving them a commanding lead and securing the playoff point. So far in this year's playoffs, Alexander averages 34.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 8 assists per game, with a shooting percentage of 54.1%. He steps up to the free-throw line 12.7 times per game, converting 11.7 of those attempts.

If a team loses its most important perimeter defender within 79 seconds of the opening, and its core player exits injured before halftime, the only script left for this team seems to be "honorable defeat." But today, the Timberwolves tore up that predetermined script themselves, once again clamping down on the Nuggets in the same manner.

Who would have thought that the Lakers, missing two key players like Doncic and Reaves, could become the first team this postseason to lead 3-0. The Rockets are already teetering on the edge of the cliff; without exaggeration, we can bid them farewell—their season has effectively ended. Throughout NBA history, there have been 159 instances of a team trailing 0-3 in the playoffs, and none have ever managed to overcome it.

On April 26, Beijing time, the NBA playoffs continued. The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 112-96 at home, taking a 3-1 lead in the series. The Timberwolves suffered consecutive injury setbacks during the game, with DiVincenzo (Achilles tear, season-ending) and Edwards (left knee injury) both exiting. The Nuggets led by 4 points at halftime, but the Timberwolves overtook them in the second half and secured the win. Jokic contributed 24 points, 15 rebounds, and 9 assists.

On April 26, in Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs first round, the Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 112-96, taking a 3-1 series lead. In this game, DiVincenzo suffered a torn Achilles tendon after just 79 seconds, ending his season, while Edwards left the game due to a left knee injury. Dosunmu scored a career-high 43 points.

On April 26 Beijing time, the Spurs updated their injury report, stating that star player Wembanyama is still undergoing the concussion safety evaluation process, and his status for Game 4 is questionable. In Game 3, Wembanyama was initially listed as questionable and downgraded to out before the game. This Defensive Player of the Year has been sidelined since hitting his head on the floor during the second quarter of Game 2.

On April 26 Beijing time, the Spurs' official social media posted multiple photos of Duncan with the caption: "Tim Duncan, happy birthday! Let's all wish this 'Big Fundamental' a happy birthday!" The Spurs official account also forwarded Ginobili's blessing. Ginobili shared a blurry photo of the two and wrote: "Happy birthday to the 50-year-old old man!