The Thunder’s roster cost a manageable $186.7 million this season. It’s currently projected to spike toward $250 million next season, deep into the second apron. ESPN story on the real question ahead for OKC and its ownership group

Here is some Devin Vassell sound from a lively Spurs shootaround this morning. He mentioned the Cavaliers-Warriors a decade ago as his most memorable Game 7. Feels like a similarly important result tonight for direction of league.

Steve Kerr is returning for his 13th season as Warriors head coach and was critical of his 12th season: “I have to be better.” ESPN story on Kerr and Mike Dunleavy’s press conferences this afternoon

Mike Dunleavy said the Warriors will look at all options with the 11th pick. Using it in a “strong draft” or: “If there’s offers for the pick to move up, move back, trade for a veteran player that can help us.”

Mike Dunleavy: “This isn’t about the roster frankly. This year, I don’t think we came up short because of the talent on the roster. It was injuries and things we can control.”

The Warriors are losing their top two assistant coaches. Terry Stotts and Jerry Stackhouse are departing the franchise, sources told ESPN. Their contracts expired and both are interested in pursuing head coaching opportunities. Full details here

Mike Conley on the non-suspension for Wembanyama: “I don’t think we thought about it at all. Once the ruling came down, we expected that. Move forward. We don’t want guys to miss games. We want to play against the best.”

Here’s a quick NBA Today hit on the Steve Kerr negotiation and decision to return. Ultimately there was a consensus agreement that Kerr remains the right coach to help guide out the Steph Curry era. How it ends matters to the franchise.

The Warriors stick at the 11th spot in the draft. They had a 9.4 percent chance of jumping into the top four, but no lottery luck. It's considered a deep draft. Still a high-value pick that could be used on an intriguing late lottery prospect or as a trade chip.

Steve Kerr is remaining with the Warriors on a two-year deal that keeps him as the highest paid coach in the NBA. Full ESPN story with @ShamsCharania and @ramonashelburne www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...

Jaden McDaniels on Victor Wembanyama: “He’s eight feet tall. He contests everything. He’s just good at his job.” “When I see myself on film next to him, he look tall as hell.”

Pregame report from San Antonio. Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves are getting healthier and Chris Finch is lobbying for goaltend calls.

Anthony Edwards is cleared for Game 2. He played 25 minutes in Game 1. Chris Finch: “He might be able to play a few more minutes.”

The Timberwolves felt "at least four" of Victor Wembanyama's 12 blocks were goaltends. Chris Finch: "You know the value of eight points in an NBA game? That's 33 percent of his blocks." Rudy Gobert joked: "I want that type of treatment, too."

Victor Wembanyama has six blocks his first 14 minutes of the series. Nikola Jokic had five total blocks over the six games vs Minnesota. Timberwolves facing some rim protection whiplash early.

Anthony Edwards (on a minutes restriction) is coming off the bench in Game 1. The Timberwolves are starting Mike Conley, Terrence Shannon Jr., Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert.

Timberwolves list Anthony Edwards and Ayo Dosunmu as questionable for Game 1 vs Spurs tomorrow night. Edwards hasn't practiced yet, but is pushing to expedite recovery timeline. Hyperextension/bone bruise in left knee occurred eight days ago.

Here’s the friendly postgame scene between the Nuggets and Timberwolves beginning with Jokic and McDaniels

Nikola Jokic: “We just lost in the first round. I think we are far away.” Changes needed? “That’s not my decision. Definitely, if we were in Serbia, we would all be fired.”

Ayo Dosunmu is a game-time decision for the Timberwolves, per Chris Finch. Showed up on the injury report this morning with right calf soreness. Kyle Anderson is out with an illness. Shorthanded Timberwolves trying to close out Nuggets.

Aaron Gordon has officially been ruled out tonight for Game 5 with his calf injury.

Nikola Jokic called his play in this series “average,” but it’s been far below his average. Career 56% FG Once shot 63% for full season Never below 47% in a playoff series This series vs Minnesota: 39% Against Gobert: 33% SportsCenter hit on the pressure Jokic faces

Nikola Jokic said "I don't regret" going after Jaden McDaniels in the closing seconds: "Because he scored after everybody stopped playing." Asked if he felt it was an unwritten rule to let the clock run out: "Yeah." He said it wasn't about firing his own team up.

Jaden McDaniels on the late layup that incited a skirmish: “Clock still be running. So I’m going to go score.” Did Nikola Jokic say anything to him? “I don’t know what he said, to be honest. I just seen someone who was big as hell.”

Anthony Edwards is out for the rest of the game with that left knee hyperextension, per Timberwolves.

Aaron Gordon is warming up prior to Game 4 in Minnesota with the intent to play. Calf issue is clearly a tricky one. Nuggets coach David Adelman: “If he plays, we’ll see how it goes.” Minutes/limitations would be based on how it feels/responds.

Aaron Gordon is questionable for the Nuggets in Game 4. Walked through at practice today. Iced his calf afterward. Peyton Watson remains out. Did more individual court work. Anthony Edwards isn't even listed on the Timberwolves injury report for the first time this series.

Timberwolves blowout the Nuggets in Game 3. Dreadful night for Nikola Jokic: 7-of-26 FG, three assists, four turnovers. Lowest number of makes in his career when attempting at least 26 shots. First time all season he's had more turnovers than assists. Minnesota up 2-1 in series.

Aaron Gordon officially out tonight for Game 3. Calf tightness pooped up after Game 2. Didn’t improve enough last 48 hours. Nuggets without Gordon and Peyton Watson in pivotal road game vs Wolves. David Adelman: “It’s a downer.”

Steve Kerr has made no decision yet in regard to his future coaching the Warriors and the two sides don't expect to come to any firm determination until next week at the earliest, I'm told. One source: "It's April. We don't need to rush."

Nuggets coach David Adelman on Jaden McDaniels calling the Nuggets defenders out by name “I can’t wait for his podcast.” “It’ll help his social media.” “What’s our defensive rating in this series?” 109 “How is that?” Sixth best in the playoffs “Ok. Next.”

Latest on Steve Kerr and the Warriors as they step into an uncertain offseason NBA Today hit

The Warriors signed general manager Mike Dunleavy to an extension months ago, per sources. They remain committed to him as the top voice in the front office. More on GSW’s future here.

The Warriors enter a seismic offseason this week. That begins with Steve Kerr’s looming uncertainty. Here’s the latest with @RamonaShelburne

Steve Kerr acknowledged after Friday’s elimination his time with the Warriors could be done. He will take some time before a decision with management. “These jobs all have an expiration date.” ESPN story

Steve Kerr said he will take a week or two to think about his future and discuss it with Joe Lacob and Mike Dunleavy. He acknowledged there is an “expiration date” on the job and it’s possible new blood is needed. Said he may return or may not. Doesn’t know yet. Full sound

Steph Curry said he sees multiple years remaining in his career and “for sure” would be interested in an extension with the Warriors this summer.

The Warriors season is over. They lock in the 11th spot in the lottery. They have a 9.4 percent chance of jumping into the top-four, a 77.6 percent chance of sticking at the 11th pick and a 12.6 percent chance of dropping to 12th. The lottery is on May 10th.

Extended sideline conversation between Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Steve Kerr and then a hug between the three. This is the conclusion of their 12th season together.

Warriors starters Steph Curry Brandin Podziemski Gui Santos Draymond Green Kristaps Porzingis Suns starters Jalen Green Devin Booker Jordan Goodwin Dillon Brooks Ogo Ighodaro

Kristaps Porzingis is officially available for the Warriors tonight. Right ankle was clearly bothering him during warmup. He chatted with Rick Celebrini afterward. But he is in against Suns in an elimination game.

Mark Williams is out tonight for the Suns. Phoenix without their starting center. Grayson Allen remains questionable. Jordan Ott said he will warm up before decision.

Kristaps Porzingis is questionable against the Suns tomorrow night with right ankle soreness. Was limping a bit postgame last night. No other surprises on Warriors injury report.

Warriors starters Steph Curry Brandin Podziemski Gui Santos Draymond Green Kristaps Porzingis Clippers starters Darius Garland Kris Dunn Derrick Jones Jr. Kawhi Leonard Brook Lopez

The veteran Warriors are motivated to win twice and get through the play-in this week, but it’s fair to wonder whether a loss is actually better for the organizational outlook. The Mavericks last April are a good example. NBA Today segment on it

Steph Curry goes for 24 points in 29 minutes in his fourth game back. Warriors now get two practice days in Los Angeles prior to an elimination game on Wednesday against the Clippers. Curry should be able to stretch minute total into the 30s.

It’ll be Warriors-Clippers in the 9 v 10 play-in game on Wednesday night in Los Angeles. Winner gets the loser of Blazers-Suns on Friday night for the 8th seed.

Warriors starters tonight at Clippers Steph Curry Brandin Podziemski De’Anthony Melton Kristaps Porzingis Al Horford Kerr thinks Curry can get up to 30 minutes

Steph Curry wants to play “my normal minutes” on Sunday vs Clippers. So the 32-34 range. Said the knee felt “pretty good, better than last game” and he isn’t worried about the ankle tweak. “I’ve been dealing with ankles forever.” Full Curry soundbite

Portland beats the Clippers. If the Blazers beat the Kings on Sunday in Portland, they'll clinch the #8 seed and set up a Warriors vs Clippers 9 vs 10 play-in game on Wednesday night in Los Angeles.