Author: Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY

When the Boston Celtics acquired Malcolm Brogdon in an offseason trade, they wanted to make him a reserve and bolster their bench. The plan worked.

Add the Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard to the growing list of key players who will miss time on the court during these NBA playoffs.

The Lakers got little from players not named LeBron James as they missed an opportunity to go up 2-0 on a Grizzlies team missing Ja Morant.

Negligent. Senseless. Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau risked injury to his star players by leaving them on the court at end of NBA playoff blowout loss.

Three factors influenced the decision to suspend Golden State’s Draymond Green, but on-court punishment for Sacramento’s Domantas Sabonis was enough.

With the game on the line, Sacramento wanted the ball in De’Aaron Fox’s hands. The guard makes big-time shots in crunch time.

Draymond Green stomped on Domantas Sabonis’ chest and should be suspended for Game 3. The Warriors should prep for another playoff game without him.

Jaren Jackson Jr. was a shot-blocking, shot-altering, rim-protecting force for the Grizzlies. The All-Star, 23, won the award for the first time.