Lead Briefing
Detroit's Game 5 problem is not whether Donovan Mitchell can get hot. It is whether the Pistons can make Cleveland solve a different defensive picture.
How can the Pistons defend Donovan Mitchell?
Hot topics
Fresh coverage
Team Pulse
The Lakers' offseason question is how long their roster logic can stay conditional on LeBron James while Luka Doncic waits for a clearer build.
Team Pulse
Slowing Anthony Edwards is not a one-defender assignment for the Spurs. It starts with shrinking his first lane before Minnesota can play out of advantage.
Debate
The Thunder sweep exposed the Lakers' bigger offensive problem: one close Game 4 finish did not prove Los Angeles had enough clean playoff answers.
Team Pulse
Detroit can like Ausar Thompson and still ask the colder question: do his closing minutes make Cade Cunningham's late-game job easier or harder?
Team Pulse
Cleveland's depth matters if it keeps Detroit from turning the series into a simpler, narrower scouting problem.
Explainer
Playoff injuries change rotations by changing spacing, matchups, ballhandling cover, and who opponents can hunt.
Team Pulse
A Spurs keepers-board answer for which non-Wembanyama pieces should matter next: trust the roles that survive a real roster audit, not the nicest short-term story.