On April 28 Beijing time, the NBA officially announced that Mavericks top draft pick Flag was selected as the 2025-26 season Rookie of the Year, becoming the third player in Mavericks history to win this award. Jason Kidd in the 1994-95 season and Luka Doncic in the 2018-19 season had previously received this honor. Flag defeated the Hornets' Knuppel and the 76ers' Edgecombe to secure the award.

On April 28 Beijing time, according to The Ringer reporter Michael Pina, if Rockets star Kevin Durant is traded in the offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers are one of the many teams interested in acquiring him. Currently in the first round of the playoffs, the Lakers lead the Rockets 3-1. Durant missed three of those games due to injury and was also absent in the Rockets' fourth victory.

The Chinese Men's Basketball Team has announced the short-term training camp roster, with a total of 19 players selected, as follows: Liao Sanning (Beijing Control); Jiang Weize (Jilin); Jiang Haoran, Pang Zhenglin (Jiangsu); Zhao Baiqing (Tongxi); Zou Yang, Liu Jinyu, Yang Xihao (Fujian); Duan Ruiqi (Sichuan); Li Yanze, Qi Lin, Feng Ao, Aizimaiti, Yili Fulati, Yang Rui (Xinjiang); Xian Taicheng, Shi Kui (Tsinghua University); Zhao Weilun, Wang Junjie (overseas players).

On April 27 Beijing time, according to renowned reporter Sam Amick, the NBA's draft system reform is about to take a crucial step. The league will hold an online general managers meeting on Wednesday, with management from all 30 teams participating to advance this far-reaching rule adjustment. The rampant tanking phenomenon this season has severely damaged the league's image. Among the three reform proposals aimed at curbing deliberate tanking, Proposal One has become the dominant alternative.

On April 27 Beijing time, the Rockets defeated the Lakers 115-96, tying the series score to 1-3 and avoiding a sweep. ESPN revealed the key to the Rockets' big win, highlighting Sengun's pre-game speech that boosted the team's morale. According to the report, after the morning shooting practice, Sengun gathered the team and reminded everyone that the Rockets still have abundant talent and strength.

WOW~ It's serious, Coach Rondo is about to be online. Reporter Stein: Rondo is one of the candidates for the Pelicans' new head coach and has already been interviewed. The Pelicans only achieved a 26-56 record in the regular season this year, ranking 11th in the West and missing the playoffs, having previously fired Will Green, with James Borrego serving as interim head coach.

On April 27 Beijing time, in Game 4 of the Western Conference first-round series, the Lakers suffered a 96-115 crushing defeat to the Rockets. James took responsibility for the loss, committing 8 turnovers throughout the game while scoring only 10 points; his turnovers nearly matched his scoring output as the team endured a heavy loss. The Rockets secured their first win in this series, changing the overall score to 1-3. After the game, James admitted: "The problem obviously starts with me. My turnovers are completely unacceptable."

Today, the Lakers faced the Rockets away in Game 3 of their series. A win would have secured a sweep for the Lakers. Durant remained sidelined due to injury, and Reaves was also unavailable. The Lakers starting lineup consisted of Smart, Kennard, Hachimura, James, and Ayton. The Rockets starters were Sheppard, Amen, Eason, Jabari Smith, and Sengun.

It's likely nobody anticipated Embiid would return in Game 4 of the first round, drastically shortening his recovery time after appendectomy surgery. Recall that in 2019, OG missed the entire playoffs after surgery. Embiid underwent surgery on April 10th; just 17 days later, he chose to return for the playoffs.

On April 27, in Game 4 of the Western Conference first-round NBA playoffs, the Rockets defeated the Lakers 115-96 at home, avoiding a sweep and tying the series at 1-3. The game was intense, with Ayton, Diello, and Holiday ejected successively.