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The Chicago Bulls have locked up the ninth seed in the NBA playoffs, setting them up for a play-in showdown with the Miami Heat.
The Bulls secured ninth with a victory over the Washington Wizards on Friday night. Chicago had a slight chance at jumping up to ninth, but the Atlanta Hawks bested the Philadelphia 76ers to put themselves in eighth.
The Bulls have one more game remaining on Sunday against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Despite the fact that they can't move up in the standings, head coach Billy Donovan stated, “I would expect all of our guys to play.”
Billy Donovan on what to expect re: load management on Sunday: “I would expect all of our guys to play.”
— Julia Poe (@byjuliapoe) April 12, 2025
Minutes load will likely be lighter for starters, but he says the guys need the reps.
Every Bulls starter played at least 28 minutes on Friday's win over the Wizards. Matas Buzelis led all starters with 32 minutes played while Kevin Huerter played 31 minutes. Julian Phillips, Nikola Vucevic, and Coby White all played 28 minutes.
Usual starter Josh Giddey did not play.
The Bulls cruised to victory against the Wizards, scoring 52 points in the paint compared to 36 for the Wizards. Phillips led all Bulls scorers with 23 points on 7-11 shooting. Buzelis had 20 points, while Vucevic had 15 points and White had 16 points.
Chicago got 38 points from their bench led by Talen Horton-Tucker with 12.
The Bulls won the season series against Miami, 3-0. The two teams met on April 9, a 119-111 victory for Chicago.
Giddey secured a triple double in the contest with 28 points, 16 rebounds, and 11 assists.
More must-reads:
- Nikola Jokic’s agent sparks LeBron James to Denver speculation with Instagram post
- Bulls sign HC Billy Donovan to multiyear extension
- The 'NBA Summer League MVPs' quiz
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Warriors and Lakers call about Derrick White, Celtics respond fast with demand for ‘Rudy Gobert package’
Derrick White and Jaylen Brown have become hot topics this offseason following significant changes to the Boston Celtics roster. The Boston Celtics entered rebuild mode after Jayson Tatum suffered a serious injury that will sideline him for the entire season. The Celtics responded by trading key players Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis during free agency. These moves sparked rumors that Boston would consider trading Derrick White and Jaylen Brown as well. Multiple teams inquired about both players’ availability throughout the summer. White particularly attracted interest from contending franchises seeking backcourt upgrades. Three top teams, including Warriors and Lakers, pursue White trade aggressively NBA insider Brett Siegel revealed that more teams called about White than Brown, with Western Conference contenders leading the pursuit of the veteran guard. Siegel identified the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Golden State Warriors as the primary suitors for White. All three franchises made formal inquiries about potential trade scenarios. “There just wasn’t really anything brewing on that front. You had multiple teams calling about Brown, even more teams calling about Derrick White, especially in the Western Conference,” Siegel reported. “You can look up and down the list from teams like the Rockets, Warriors. I’m sure the Lakers probably made a call there. They’re always involved in those trade talks. But I do know that the Warriors and the Rockets were two teams that inquired about Derrick White and put out feelers to see what it would take to get him,” Siegel added. Celtics instantly reject multiple first-round pick offers Boston immediately turned down initial proposals despite multiple first-round picks being included in the packages. The Celtics established an extremely high compensation threshold for any potential White trade. The organization views White as untouchable alongside Brown, despite their willingness to consider massive offers. Only historic trade packages would change their position. “And the Celtics did have an offer on the table that involved multiple first round picks. They did not want to trade Derrick White. He’s a player that they viewed as untouchable just like Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum,” Siegel explained. Boston’s resistance reflects their valuation of White as a crucial piece rather than expendable asset during their roster transition. Celtics demand Rudy Gobert-level compensation package Siegel compared Boston’s asking price to the massive package Utah received for Rudy Gobert from Minnesota. The Celtics would only consider deals matching that historic precedent. “Again, untouchable in quotes because if you get a package like a Rudy Gobert type package that the Utah Jazz got a few years ago when you’re getting pretty much every team’s round pick and a young talent to build with, something that you have to consider,” Siegel added. The Gobert trade included Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Leandro Bolmaro, Walker Kessler, Jarred Vanderbilt, four first-round picks, and one pick swap. The massive haul set unprecedented standards for star player compensation, even for a player like Gobert—who recently criticized by NBA legend Shaquille O‘Neil. Interested teams lack sufficient trade assets The Warriors, Lakers, and Rockets likely cannot assemble packages matching Boston’s Gobert-level demands. Golden State possesses limited draft capital and aging roster assets. The Lakers face similar constraints with minimal young talent and protected future picks. Houston maintains more flexibility but already constructed a balanced roster for next season. The gap between Boston’s asking price and available offers ensures White remains with the Celtics during their rebuild. The franchise’s historic compensation demands effectively remove him from realistic trade discussions despite widespread interest from contending teams.
Browns make curious decision with rookie QB Shedeur Sanders
The Cleveland Browns are giving Shedeur Sanders special treatment in training camp, but it's not the type of favoritism the fifth-round pick would necessarily want. Per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN, Sanders is the only Browns quarterback who has not been taking reps with the first-team offense during OTAs or the first two practices of training camp. Former Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Kenny Pickett, veteran Joe Flacco and rookie Dillon Gabriel have all split reps with the first team. Despite being asked to throw passes to members of the equipment staff amid a shortage of professional pass-catchers for a four-quarterback roster, Sanders said he's thankful for the opportunity to show the Browns coaching staff his talents. "I feel like that it's not in my control, so I'm not going to think about that or even have that in my thought process of why it is," Sanders said to a question as to why he's not getting first-team reps. "There's a lot of people who want to have the opportunity to be at this level, and I'm here and I'm thankful to have the opportunity. So, whenever that is, that is." Sanders, 23, believes that he can contribute more to the Browns than what the coaching staff is asking of him. "It doesn't make me feel down or left out because I know who I am as a person," Sanders said. "I know who I am as an individual and I know what I could bring to this team. So, I can never feel less than any circumstance." The Browns selected Sanders with the No. 144 pick in April's draft. As a player whom many draft analysts thought was a first-round talent, Cleveland took what could be the steal of the draft in the fifth round. It's curious why the Browns aren't giving Sanders a shot with the first team early in training camp before the quarterback race becomes more serious. Cleveland should see what Sanders has to offer this summer. Flacco, 40, isn't a long-term solution at the position. Pickett failed in Pittsburgh. The Browns need to gauge what rookies Gabriel and Sanders can do with the first team. Having Sanders throw balls to the equipment staff is a waste of everyone's time. But then again, Cleveland has wasted plenty of quarterbacks.
Observations from Dallas Cowboys' first padded practice: Tyler Booker handles business, late-round rookie impresses, and more
The Dallas Cowboys got one step closer to regular season form by wearing pads for the first time in training camp. Below are some of the main takeaways from Sunday's practice in Oxnard, California, starting off with a couple of notes on rookies. Jaydon Blue's skills translate with pads on Blue was turning heads early in camp but it's always hard to tell the difference between a tackle or a big play when defenders are essentially playing tag instead of hitting players. Well, Blue looked promising even in pads, with the play below being the highlight of the day as he jukes Markquese Bell to break free for the extra yardage. The fifth-round rookie also showed off his speed as a receiver more than once. Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders are seeing the most playing time with the starters but Blue is off to a great start. Tyler Booker stacks highlights vs. Osa Odighizuwa It was a good day for the Cowboys' first-round rookie and projected starting right guard Tyler Booker. The play that stood out the most was a reach block on Osa Odighizuwa that sent the defensive lineman to the ground, opening a hole for Javonte Williams. ln a play-action play, Booker joined forces with center Cooper Beebe to take Odighizuwa out of the play. After a double block sent the defender to the ground, Booker blocked Odighizuwa with fully-extended arms to keep him away from Dak Prescott. Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer said ahead of practice that Booker had hit a bit of a wall leading to him working with the second-team the day before. He sure bounced back. Cowboys showing off a jumbo package Schottenheimer and offensive coordinator Klayton Adams have said the Cowboys will run a physical offense. In short yardage situations, that might mean running six offensive lineman onto the field. Asim Richards and Saahdiq Charles have both been used as a sixth OL/TE at practice. Below is a play where Charles even motions from one side to the OL to the other. The personnel grouping below includes fullback Hunter Luepke leading the way for the running back. Terence Steele participates in pads Earlier in training camp, right tackle Terence Steele suffered an ankle sprain that knocked him out of practice, raising concern for his availability moving forward. That concern is turning out to be short-lived. Steele was back Sunday, a major development for the first practice in pads. However, he didn't participate in team drills. Even so, the Cowboys appear to have dodged a major bullet as the injury was a high ankle sprain, which can be a headache for players. Steele wore tape on his ankle Sunday.
Chicago Sky Announce Angel Reese Update for Indiana Fever Game
Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese missed Thursday night's game against the Seattle Storm due to a back injury. It was the second blowout loss in as many games for the Sky, who now sit at 7-17 on the WNBA season, five losses back of a postseason spot. The injury to Reese is a concerning development for a Sky team with little to no margin for error right now. An All-Star for the second straight season, Reese has averaged 13.8 points and 12.5 rebounds in 22 games for Chicago in 2025. As they eye a date with the Indiana Fever on Sunday, the Sky have announced an official Reese update. Seen going through individual drills on Saturday, Reese was on the court seemingly testing out her back ahead of Sunday's afternoon affair in Chicago. Following her morning work, Reese was officially listed as questionable on the injury report. Reese is joined on the injury report by several of her teammates, including rookie guard Hailey Van Lith who was a surprise addition with an ankle injury. As it pertains to Reese, this update should not come as much of a surprise. While she was eventually ruled out against Seattle, she did start the day questionable, which is the same approach Chicago is taking on its latest injury report. That said, Reese not being ruled out a day in advance is good news. It indicates she has a chance to play, which also suggests the injury is not too serious — aligning with comments made by head coach Tyler Marsh who has been reiterating Reese is day-to-day with this back injury. With Caitlin Clark expected to miss this game with a groin injury, the contest could be without both she and Reese.
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