The final day of the NBA regular season is here and after a year which has seen nearly nine teams trying to out-tank each other in a bid to secure the best lottery odds, the playoffs can’t come soon enough.
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The match-ups are also locked in, both for the play-in tournament and playoffs, with Australian duo Dyson Daniels and Jock Landale facing the New York Knicks.
The Nuggets and Timberwolves, meanwhile, will renew their modern-day rivalry after their epic 2024 Western Conference semi-finals series which saw Minnesota overcome a 20-point deficit in Denver in Game 7.
The injury-hit Lakers, meanwhile, face Kevin Durant and the Rockets while the Cavaliers play the Raptors.
The other playoffs match-ups are yet to be decided, with the play-in tournament to determine who the top two seeds from both conferences will face.
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The end of the regular season, however, could also coincide with a number of teams parting with their head coaches and on Monday Milwaukee was the first team to make the call.
ESPN reported that Rivers was stepping down as head coach after a disappointing 32-50 season.
Rivers had another season remaining on the $40 million contract he signed when hired in January of 2024 and according to The Athletic, he will be paid out for the final season of his deal.
Monday’s development was not all that surprising after Rivers hinted at stepping away from coaching in an honest interview with local media after the Bucks’ season-ending loss to the 76ers.
“I can tell you we’re all on the same page,” he said.
“We’ve talked about it, and we want it out pretty quick. I just want them to do it, it’s better. But I think you guys pretty much know.”
It is expected Rivers will take on another role with the Bucks moving forward, although he may decide to take a break first to reset before returning to the organisation.
It is the start of what is expected to be a dramatic summer for Milwaukee, with two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future the biggest talking point moving forward.
Antetokounmpo can sign an extension with the Bucks, but he won’t be able to do so until October, with the chance he is instead traded to a rival team before then.
NBA PLAY-IN TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE (All times AEST)
Wednesday April 15
76ers vs Magic, 9.30am — Loser is eliminated from postseason
Suns vs. Trail Blazers, 12pm — Winner gets West No. 7 seed
Thursday, April 16
Hornets vs Heat, 9.30am — Winner gets East No. 7 seed
Clippers vs. Warriors, 12pm — Loser is eliminated
Saturday, April 18
TBD vs. TBD, 9.30am — Winner gets East No. 8 seed, loser is eliminated
TBD vs. TBD, 12pm — Winner gets West No. 8 seed, loser is eliminated
NBA PLAYOFFS
Eastern Conference
(1) Pistons vs. No. 8 seed
(2) Celtics vs. No. 7 seed
(3) Knicks vs. (6) Hawks
(4) Cavaliers vs. (5) Raptors
Western Conference
(1) Thunder vs. No. 8 seed
(2) Spurs vs. No. 7 seed
(3) Nuggets vs. (6) Timberwolves
(4) Lakers vs. (5) Rockets
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