IME UDOKA

After the Brooklyn Nets and former head coach Steve Nash parted ways, the franchise named longtime assistant Jacque Vaughn as acting head coach, as opposed to the interim title Vaughn received when he filled Kenny Atkinson’s first chair during the disjointed 2019-20 season. “I guess I was the write-in candidate, in the minds of the elections right now, but I’m OK with that,” Vaughn teased reporters. This will be Vaughn’s second tenure as a head coach following two-plus seasons at the helm of Orlando from 2012-15. Vaughn was particularly effective in maximizing Caris LeVert, one of the young Nets gems mined during this Brooklyn regime’s original feel-good rebuild. How Ben Simmons returns into the fold will play a significant ingredient in the Nets’ success under Vaughn.

The Nets made Jacque Vaughn their head coach, promoting Steve Nash’s replacement instead of hiring suspended Boston coach Ime Udoka.

NEW YORK — (AP) — The Brooklyn Nets made Jacque Vaughn their head coach Wednesday, promoting Steve Nash's replacement instead of hiring suspended Boston coach Ime Udoka. Vaughn has gone 2-2 as acting coach since the Nets and Nash parted ways on Nov. 1. His first game as the head coach will be Wednesday night at home against the New York Knicks. “He has a proven ability to get the best out of our players, hold them accountable and play a cohesive, team-first style of basketball.”After moving on from Nash, the Nets had been in discussions with Udoka, who along with Vaughn had been a Nets assistant before taking the Boston job. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

The Brooklyn Nets have made Jacque Vaughn their head coach, promoting Steve Nash’s replacement instead of hiring suspended Boston coach Ime Udoka.

The Brooklyn Nets pivoted amid reports that they intended to hire suspended Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka, instead lifting the interim tag from Jacque Vaughn's title as their replacement for Steve Nash. "Jacque’s basketball acumen, competitiveness and intimate knowledge of our team and organization make him the clear-cut best person to lead our group moving forward,” Nets general manager Sean Marks said in a statement. “He has a proven ability to get the best out of our players, hold them accountable and play a cohesive, team-first style of basketball.”Check back soon for more details.

As one East contender is on the rise, the class of the West is off to a forgettable start, Yaron Weitzman writes.

ESPN analyst Jalen Rose found himself quickly apologizing on the air Friday for an aside about suspended Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka. Speaking during ESPN's "NBA Countdown" show before a game between the Celtics and Chicago Bulls, Rose questioned why the woman at the center of the sexual misconduct allegations against Udoka had not been publicly identified:"We know [Udoka's] name. I feel like we should know her name publicly as well." I questioned why a woman's name, who had an alleged affair with Celtics head coach Ime Udoka, was not made public. Why alleged victims of sexual misconduct aren't publicly identifiedIt is common practice in journalism, and in most legal cases, to not publicly identify alleged victims of sexual misconduct.

ESPN's Jalen Rose apologized to viewers Friday night for suggesting the name of the woman former Boston Celtics Coach Ime Udoka had an affair with should be released.

Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart expressed surprise and disappointment that suspended head coach Ime Udoka will reportedly be hired by the Brooklyn Nets.

At worst, the Nets are actively promoting antisemitism and predatory behavior. And not two months later, the Nets are essentially saying, "Give us that guy." Imagine how the woman on the other end of these allegations feels if the Nets so swiftly empower a man who abused his power. Udoka's coaching success is grounded in his ability to hold players accountable, only Brooklyn is holding him to a different standard. However you interpret Irving's words, he and the Nets surely hoped their donations would make us forget.

Steve Nash’s tenure as head coach of the Brooklyn Nets was in jeopardy. The now-former Brooklyn coach had been in ongoing dialogue with Marks about his effectiveness reaching Nets players. And there has been no taller task than with these Brooklyn Nets. His time helming the Boston bench was all but over, and the Celtics’ confidence in interim head coach Joe Mazzulla has rung loudly. Jacque Vaughn will serve as the Nets’ acting head coach until Udoka’s expected hiring is completed.

The Celtics would go 33-10 the rest of the way , with far and away the NBA's best defense and its no. That unlocked Boston’s best self; no team switched more picks last season, or allowed fewer points per chance on switches, than the Celtics. That's the kind of impact that Marks and Co. seem to be banking on Udoka making in Brooklyn. Udoka takes over a Brooklyn team that has mostly been a defensive disaster to start the season . They have been bad in just about every way a defense can be bad.

And Durant has been in the penthouse many times over to know this has no chance of turning around. Perhaps foolishly, Marks believes Ime Udoka can rescue his franchise — the same way Marks is rescuing Udoka from the shame of misconduct in Boston. The Nets made Durant acquiesce over the summer, especially after Utah’s Danny Ainge got the farm for Rudy Gobert, driving up the expected return for Durant. And this is what Marks is giving Durant, as he’s stewarding these precious years of Durant’s career. Right now, it’s time for a boom box and a bullhorn before Durant is wasted one more night.

The Brooklyn Nets are planning to hire suspended Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka after parting ways with Steve Nash Tuesday during Nash's third season as coach.

After parting ways with Steve Nash on Tuesday, the Nets are reportedly set to hire the Celtics' Ime Udoka.

Assistant Jacque Vaughn will take over as interim head coach, but the team is reportedly planning to hire suspended Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka to take his place. The Athletic's Shams Charania reports that the two sides are already engaged in discussions and planning to make the hire. The Celtics will reportedly let Udoka out of his contract to take another job. If Udoka is the next Nets coach, he brings his own set of baggage into an already tumultuous situation. But he's suspended for the season for reportedly having "an improper intimate and consensual relationship with a female member of the team staff."

Steve Nash is out as Brooklyn Nets coach after a disappointing start and more controversy surrounding Kyrie Irving.

The Boston Celtics beat the Miami Heat 111-104 Friday night to move to 2-0 on the season. The Celtics suspended head coach Ime Udoka for the season in September.

Detroit Pistons assistant GM Rob Murphy was reportedly placed on administrative leave after a workplace misconduct allegation by a former female employee ignited a probe.

BOSTON — (AP) — Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown each scored 35 points and the Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 126-117 on Tuesday night in the opening game of the NBA regular season. Mazzulla successfully led a Celtics team that very much resembled the one that made a surprise run to the NBA Finals a season ago. James Harden scored 35 points — his most since joining the 76ers last season — including 12 of 12 from the free throw line. The smaller group sped Philadelphia up at times, forcing the 76ers into 14 turnovers for the game, leading to 22 Boston points. GETTING HEATEDTempers flared briefly in the third quarter when Smart took issue with Embiid standing over him following a rebound.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown each scored 35 points and the Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 126-117 in the opening game of the NBA regular season.

The 2022-23 NBA season begins Tuesday night with a pair of games featuring last season's NBA Finals participants. The Boston Celtics, last season's runner-up, host the Philadelphia 76ers at 7:30 p.m. The Celtics have their core back, save for head coach Ime Udoka, who is serving a season-long suspension for inappropriate workplace conduct. In his place is interim head coach Joe Mazzulla, 34, who was an assistant on the Celtics' staff. Live updates from 76ers at Celtics2022-23 NBA season preview from Yahoo SportsEverything you need to know about the 2022-23 NBA season, including Yahoo Sports' predictions for MVP, Rookie of the Year, NBA Finals matchup and who will raise the Larry O'Brien Trophy next June.

A little more detail has been revealed in why the Boston Celtics opted to suspend head coach Ime Udoka for an entire season over an alleged workplace relationship. According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the independent law firm hired by the Celtics to investigate Udoka found that the coach used crude language while speaking with a female subordinate prior to the start of an improper workplace relationship with the same woman. Ime Udoka's future with the Celtics is extremely uncertainUdoka is ineligible to coach for the Celtics until June 30, 2023. In the meantime, assistant head coach Joe Mazzulla has been promoted to interim head coach, despite some pastlegal troublesof his own. Even if Udoka were to remain with the Celtics until the end of his suspension, one year is an extremely long time in the NBA.

Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka used crude language to a female staffer he began a relationship with, which led to the severity of his suspension, according to a new report.

The Ime Udoka and Adam Levine infidelity scandals were brought up on Shaquille O'Neal's podcast, but because of his own experiences, he remained silent.

Never has the discussion been focused so little on basketball during the NBA's annual media day. 'That's not the Robert Sarver that I know'We are two weeks removed from the NBA suspending Phoenix Suns managing partner Robert Sarver for the season following an investigation into allegations of racism, misogyny and other workplace misconduct. "It's tough for me, because that's not the Robert Sarver that I know," Suns star Devin Booker told reporters. The team's statement read, "We are aware of the charges that were filed today against Miles Bridges. He has conducted a news conference once over a tumultuous two years in the league's biggest media market.

They don't know, either. Which is why it is hard to believe Celtics players are not as informed, but that is the position they are taking. "I don't know, so it's hard for me to answer if things were handled the right way or if they weren't, because I don't know all the details." "I don't know. The sum total of what the Celtics are willing to share certainly suggests Udoka will never coach them again.

Marcus Smart has been in Boston long enough to appreciate what Bill Russell meant to the Celtics, the city and the country.

You can’t rush any of that,” he said to a packed room at Celtics media day on Monday. That’s what I have to focus on.”Mazzulla has been a Celtics assistant for two seasons. He will take charge of a Celtics roster that features only one player, 36-year-old Al Horford, his senior. None of the players who addressed the media Monday had spoken with Udoka since his suspension was announced. All-Star Jayson Tatum said the fact that Mazzulla was so intricately involved from a basketball standpoint in helping the Celtics make the on-court jump they did under Udoka is key.

— (AP) — Boston Celtics interim coach Joe Mazzulla said he will take his time giving people time to “feel and heal” after predecessor Ime Udoka was suspended for the season for an inappropriate relationship with a woman in the organization. “You can’t rush trust. You can’t rush healing. You can’t rush any of that,” he said to a packed room at Celtics media day on Monday, three days after he was elevated to interim head coach. Mazzulla, 34, had been a Celtics assistant for two seasons.

The Celtics were supposed to enter the preseason as one of the favorites to emerge from the Eastern Conference on the heels of their surprise run to the NBA Finals last season under rookie head coach Ime Udoka.

Udoka put the Celtics in an impossible situation. You cannot hit the pause button on a championship favorite and expect to pick up where you left off. Udoka may take umbrage with the nature of his sanctions, regardless of how "accepting" Grousbeck says he has been. It is difficult to imagine what could have warranted a year-long suspension and not Udoka's firing. They will not divulge the terms of his suspension, and they have made no decisions about what criteria he must meet to return.

The Boston Celtics reportedly suspended head coach Ime Udoka for one year effective immediately and tabbed Celtics assistant head coach Joe Mazzulla as the interim head coach for the 2022-2023 season. Training camp is only a couple of weeks away, and the Celtics will lose their head coach and center Robert Williams to start the season in a matter of days. But from a fantasy perspective, I think the value and outlook for Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart and Al Horford remain status quo. So the good news is, I don't expect the Celtics game plan to change under Joe Mazzulla — he was the top assistant to Ime Udoka after Will Hardy's departure. At 34 years old, he is the youngest head coach in the NBA, along with Will Hardy.

Boston Celtics center Robert Williams underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Thursday and is expected to miss 8-12 weeks as he recovers.

Coach Ime Udoka was suspended for the entire upcoming season for allegedly having an inappropriate relationship with a woman in the organization.

The Celtics officially suspended Udoka on Thursday night "for violations of team policies." Stevens confirmed that assistant Joe Mazzulla will serve as interim head coach in Udoka's absence. He previously assisted Boston's G League affiliate in Maine during the 2016-17 season and spent two seasons as head coach of West Virginia's Fairmont State University, making a Division II NCAA tournament appearance. I believe strongly that shaped him into who he is today in a really, really good way, but he’ll be the first to tell you he’s 110% accountable for that, and I’ll be the first to tell you I believe in him." Grousbeck said he had a "brief conversation" about the possibility of Stevens returning to the Celtics' bench as head coach.

The Boston Celtics announced that head coach Ime Udoka was suspended for the 2022-23 season after a "thorough investigation" which began over the summer.

BOSTON — (AP) — The Boston Celtics suspended coach Ime Udoka for the upcoming season after a months-long investigation by an external law firm that found multiple violations of team policies, team owner Wyc Grousbeck said Friday. A person with knowledge of the matter, speaking on the condition of anonymity because the details were not made public, told The Associated Press on Thursday that it involved an inappropriate relationship with a woman in the organization. Grousbeck said no one else from the organization is facing punishment. No decision has been made about Udoka's possible return at the end of his punishment, Grousbeck said. ___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

The Boston Celtics suspended coach Ime Udoka for the upcoming season after a months-long investigation by an external law firm that found multiple violations of team policies.

The coach — who led the Celtics to the NBA finals last season — says he accepts the team's decision. The organization cited "violations of team policies" but did not give specifics.

BOSTON — Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka was suspended for the 2022-23 season on Thursday after reports of an improper relationship with a female member of the organization, the team said. He led the Celtics to a 51-31 regular-season record in 2021-22 and was a two-time winner of Eastern Conference coach of the month awards. “I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organization, and my family for letting them down,” Udoka said. Out of respect for everyone involved, I will have no further comment.”NEW: Statement from Celtics coach Ime Udoka pic.twitter.com/MFutFx7c3l — Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) September 23, 2022Before coaching the Celtics, Udoka was an assistant coach for the Brooklyn Nets in 2020-21. Udoka also served as a USA Basketball assistant under Spurs coach Gregg Popovich during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Boston Celtics Coach Ime Udoka has been suspended by the team for a consensual intimate relationship with a woman employed by the franchise.

BOSTON — (AP) — The Boston Celtics have suspended coach Ime Udoka for the 2022-23 season, effective immediately, and with no guarantee he will be back with the franchise in the future. The Celtics said Thursday night that Udoka was suspended for “violations of team policies." “A decision about his future with the Celtics beyond this season will be made at a later date," the Celtics said. “I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organization, and my family for letting them down. One of the people who spoke with The AP said Celtics assistant coach Joe Mazzulla will take over on an interim basis.

Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka may be suspended over an inappropriate relationship with a female staffer, and Stephen A. Smith of ESPN has a theory about the ordeal.

Ime Udoka is apparently in hot water over reports that he broke Boston Celtics' rules for having a relationship with a female staff member.

Ime Udoka is trending on Twitter, and it’s not because of the Boston Celtics.

The Boston Celtics are planning to discipline coach Ime Udoka, likely with a suspension, because of an improper relationship with a member of the organization, two people with knowledge of the matter told The Associated Press on Thursday. The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the reigning Eastern Conference champions have not revealed any details publicly. ESPN first reported Wednesday night that a suspension was under consideration for the team policy violation. ESPN and The Athletic later reported that the Celtics’ investigation revolves around whether Udoka had an inappropriate relationship with a member of the organization. If Udoka will not be allowed to lead the team, the task would almost certainly fall to one of his assistants.

The Boston Celtics have suspended coach Ime Udoka for the 2022-23 season.

Ime Udoka is facing a possible suspension for violating organization guidelines, ESPN reports. A suspension could be announced as early as Thursday.

Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka is facing possible disciplinary action for an unspecified violation of organization guidelines, including a "significant suspension," according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Specifics of the violations are not known, and internal discussions are reportedly ongoing. ESPN Sources: Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka is facing possible disciplinary action – including a significant suspension – for an unspecified violation of organizational guidelines. Discussions are ongoing within the Celtics on a final determination. pic.twitter.com/1QZb0k326F — Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 22, 2022Udoka is getting ready for his second season leading the Celtics.

As the Utah Jazz spent time talking to candidates to become their next coach, Will Hardy quickly rose to the top of their list.

A person with knowledge of the negotiations says Boston Celtics assistant Will Hardy has accepted an offer to become the coach of the Utah Jazz.

NBA Finals Warriors Celtics Basketball Boston Celtics guard Derrick White, left, and Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams (12) react in the closing second against the Golden State Warriors during Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, June 16, 2022, in Boston. Let this fuel you throughout the offseason into next year.”When Udoka took over the coaching reins from Brad Stevens this past offseason, the Celtics were a team in transition. Stevens, it seemed, had gotten the Celtics as far as he could during eight seasons on the bench. He took Boston to three conference finals but failed to help its youthful core led by budding All-Stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown get over the hump. The Celtics took an early 2-1 finals lead on Golden State but ultimately couldn’t sidestep its propensity for self-inflicted mistakes against the Warriors.

The Celtics made an NBA Finals run nobody saw coming, going from a team that was three games under.

Stephen Curry and the Warriors have been within a game of clinching a championship in three of Golden State’s previous five trips to the NBA Finals during his 13-year NBA career.

NBA Finals Celtics Warriors Basketball Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, middle, shoots against Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins, rear, and center Kevon Looney (5) during the second half of Game 5 of basketball's NBA Finals in San Francisco, Monday, June 13, 2022. Tired legs have led to shots falling short down the stretch in back-to-back losses that have left the Celtics on the brink of elimination heading into Game 6 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night in Boston. The Celtics missed 11 of 15 shots in the fourth quarter of a 104-94 loss to the Golden State Warriors in Game 5 on Monday night. Give yourself a chance.”The Celtics are the 12th team in NBA history to win Game 7s in back-to-back series before the finals, with nine of the previous 11 losing their next series. Running mate Jaylen Brown went just 1 for 4 in the fourth quarter Monday with both stars playing more than 44 minutes.

The wear and tear from back-to-back seven-game series seems to be taking its toll on the Boston Celtics at the worst possible time.

The Boston Celtics couldn’t make a 3-pointer to start the game and found themselves in a deep hole.

The Boston Celtics couldn't make a 3-pointer to start the game and found themselves in a deep hole. The Celtics went on an outside shooting rollercoaster ride never seen before in the NBA Finals, becoming the first team ever to miss its first 12 shots from long range and then the first team to make eight straight from 3, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The Celtics will look to turn things around and force a decisive seventh game on Sunday back in San Francisco but will need much more consistency from 3.

NBA Finals Warriors Celtics Basketball Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry, 30, reacts after hitting a three pointer during the fourth quarter of Game 4 of basketball's NBA Finals, in Boston, Mass., on Friday, June 10, 2022. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP) (Carlos Avila Gonzalez)SAN FRANCISCO — (AP) — As the Boston Celtics search for answers in an effort to stop Stephen Curry in these NBA Finals, they know even their best defense won't always be good enough. So, was watching the film session from Friday's game almost as fun for Curry as what he did during it? Thompson's 35.8% shooting is the lowest for any NBA Finals he has played, and he is making just 34.2% from deep — down from 58.5% on 3s in the 2019 finals. CURRY'S KICKSWhen told he is 3-0 in his purple game sneakers, Curry could only laugh and hope he hadn't now been jinxed.

The Boston Celtics realize they must find an answer to Stephen Curry and do a better job making things difficult for the two-time MVP.

Boston's Jayson Tatum disappeared in crunch time during the NBA Finals, contributing to paralyzing fourth-quarter scoring drought as the Celtics squandered an opportunity to take stranglehold on the series.

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry says there's no doubt that he'll play in Game 4 of the NBA Finals against Boston.

There was a time when the narrative surrounding Jaylen Brown was that he was a redundant player on a Celtics team shaping its identity around budding superstar Jayson Tatum.

Jayson Tatum found his scoring touch after a rare poor shooting night in Game 1 of the NBA Finals but it was the rest of his Boston Celtics teammates who went missing.

In Game 1, Boston showed its resilience.

Al Attles and Lenny Wilkens were the next two Black coaches to get opportunities; they would eventually become champions as well. But most of those Black coaches have either lasted in their first job no more than three years or not gotten a second chance at leading a team. Out of that meeting, the NBA Coaches Equality Initiative was born. There are three Black coaches in the NFL: Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin, Houston’s Lovie Smith and Tampa Bay’s Todd Bowles. “I’m particularly proud of numbers and roughly 50% of our head coaches are Black now, the goal is that that's not newsworthy," Silver said.

In the last 12 months, eight coaching jobs have been filled by Black candidates — and for the first time, half the league’s franchises, 15 of the 30, have Black head coaches. Al Attles and Lenny Wilkens were the next two Black coaches to get opportunities; they would eventually become champions as well. But most of those Black coaches have either lasted in their first job no more than three years or not gotten a second chance at leading a team. Out of that meeting, the NBA Coaches Equality Initiative was born. There are three Black coaches in the NFL — Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin, Houston’s Lovie Smith and Tampa Bay’s Todd Bowles.

The last 12 months have been a transformative year in the NBA when it comes to diversity among coaches.

Jaylen Brown is starting the NBA Finals on the road.

Celtics Heat Basketball Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka speaks to Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) and guard Jaylen Brown (7) during the second half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball Eastern Conference finals playoff series against the Miami Heat, Tuesday, May 17, 2022, in Miami. “He’s taught us things that we could learn and we taught him things,” point guard Marcus Smart said. That’s just how it is, and that’s just the team we are, and that’s the mentality we picked up from him. Along the way the Celtics brought in All-Stars like Kyrie Irving and Kemba Walker. As the Celtics prepare to return to the Finals, Udoka is adamant that this group hasn’t reached its peak.

The Celtics’ transition from a team that has gone from just outside the top tier of the Eastern Conference to one that's four wins way from the franchise’s 18th NBA championship began the moment Ime Udoka took the microphone at his introductory news conference.

Al Horford is turning 36 this week.

Somewhere, Gregg Popovich must be pleased.

Heat guard Tyler Herro remained sidelined because of a strained left groin as Miami tries to stave off elimination in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Jaylen Brown scored 25 points, Jayson Tatum added 22 and the Boston Celtics moved to the brink of a berth in the NBA Finals, running away after halftime to beat the Miami Heat 93-80 and take a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference title series.

The Eastern Conference finals between the Heat and Celtics are as close as can be, heading back to Miami all tied up at two wins apiece.

Celtics point guard and Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart was ruled out for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals against Miami.

The Celtics will be without center Robert Williams III for Game 3 of their Eastern Conference finals matchup with the Heat due to soreness and swelling in his left knee.

The Boston Celtics got outworked by the Miami Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals but returned the favor in Game 2.

Jayson Tatum scored 27 points, Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown each scored 24 and the Boston Celtics dominated the first half to roll past the Miami Heat 127-102 and tie the Eastern Conference finals at a game apiece.

Al Horford and Marcus Smart are coming back.

Things have been working out just fine so far in this postseason for Jimmy Butler and the top-seeded Miami Heat.

Jimmy Butler scored 41 points, and the Miami Heat turned things around with a huge third quarter on the way to beating the shorthanded Boston Celtics 118-107 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals on Tuesday night.

Boston will be without two starters for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, with Al Horford entering the NBA’s health and safety protocols and Marcus Smart unable to play because of a mid-foot sprain.

Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka and Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra have enormous respect for each other and a bond that stems from their shared history in the sport.

Grant Williams scored a career-high 27 points and hit seven 3-pointers, Jayson Tatum added 23 and the Boston Celtics set a Game 7 record with 22 3-pointers to eliminate the NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks 109-81 on Sunday in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The NBA’s long regular season can be tedious, but make no mistake, it matters.

Jayson Tatum scored 46 points, outdueling Giannis Antetokounmpo and making sure there wouldn’t be another Milwaukee Bucks fourth-quarter comeback, and the Boston Celtics beat the defending champions 108-95 to force a seventh game in their Eastern Conference semifinal.

The Milwaukee Bucks want to build off the momentum from a thrilling comeback.

Al Horford and Jayson Tatum scored 30 points each and led the Boston Celtics’ fourth-quarter comeback in a 116-108 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks that tied their Eastern Conference semifinal at two games apiece.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 42 points and made the go-ahead basket with 44.3 seconds left and the Milwaukee Bucks withstood a frantic flurry of shots in the final seconds to beat the Boston Celtics 103-101 on Saturday in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinal.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton will miss at least two more games in the Eastern Conference semifinal series with the Boston Celtics as he recovers from a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee.

Jaylen Brown scored 25 of his 30 points in the first half, and the Boston Celtics beat the Milwaukee Bucks 109-86 to even their second-round playoff at one game apiece.

Game 1 showed that whoever wins the 1-on-1 scoring battle between Memphis’ Ja Morant and Stephen Curry of the Warriors doesn’t mean their team will win the game or their Western Conference semifinal.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had his second career postseason triple-double to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 101-89 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series.

The only team to register a first-round sweep, the Boston Celtics enter their Eastern Conference semifinals matchup with the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks loaded with confidence.

Jaylen Brown scored 22 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter, and the Boston Celtics rallied from 17 points down to beat the Brooklyn Nets 114-107 and take a 2-0 lead in their first-round series.

Jayson Tatum scored 34 points and Jaylen Brown had 31 points and 10 rebounds to help the Boston Celtics coast to a 134-112 over the Minnesota Timberwolves and take over the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

Luka Doncic returned from a hamstring scare to hit a tying 3-pointer with a 1:21 left, Spencer Dinwiddie made the winner with nine seconds to play and the Dallas Mavericks spoiled Kevin Garnett’s special day by beating the Boston Celtics 95-92 on Sunday.