Tyrese Maxey has been named the NBA's Most Improved Player for the 23-24 season.

Maxey’s scoring rose for the third consecutive year, and he finished the regular season averaging 25.9 points, 6.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game.

“It feels great,” Maxey said on the TNT broadcast where the award was announced. “Somebody like myself, who prides myself on putting in a lot of work and outworking people and finding ways to get 1% better every single time I step in the gym, it feels good for that to come to light, honestly.”

Maxey received just over half of the first-place votes.

Coby White finished second while Alperen Sengun was voted third.

The rest of the voting: Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams was fourth, Jalen Brunson was fifth, Washington’s Deni Avdija sixth, Brooklyn’s Cam Thomas seventh, Orlando’s Jalen Suggs eighth, Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton ninth, Phoenix’s Grayson Allen and Miami’s Duncan Robinson tied for 10th, San Antonio’s Devin Vassell and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tied for 12th, and Indiana’s Aaron Nesmith was 14th.

What happened in three snapshots in the NBA Playoffs on Monday, April 22, 2024.

Zion Williamson spoke with the media on Tuesday and said there's a "realistic" chance he returns from his hamstring injury during the playoffs.

Williamson suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of the New Orleans Pelicans loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Play-In last Tuesday.

Williamson said the extent of the injury isn't as bad as the one he suffered last year.

The NBA and Denver police are investigating an incident in which one of Nikola Jokic's brothers was seen a punching a fan after the Denver Nuggets defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 2.

In videos shared by TMZ and other outlets, the man is seen climbing over seats to confront another person at Ball Arena, who he then punches in the face.

The Denver police media relations unit said in an email sent to The Associated Press that it is investigating the incident, but said it was not reported to the Denver police at the arena or after the game.

"At this time, no one has come forward as a victim of this incident," the email said. "The Department is looking into this incident, is actively working to identify the person in the video who was struck, and encourages anyone who was involved or witnessed this firsthand to contact the Denver Police Department."

Zach Edey has declared for the 2024 NBA draft. 

"I felt like it was time," Edey said. "I showed that I'm a physical presence on offense this season," Edey said. "I also showed I can play defense. I can guard in space, even defend guards."

Edey is one of the most decorated players in college basketball history, the first to win unanimous National Player of the Year honors since Bill Walton in 1973. He led the nation in scoring at 24.9 points per game, and finished third in rebounding at 12.2.

ESPN ranks Edey as the 14th best prospect in the draft class.

The Philadelphia 76ers trail the New York Knicks 0-2 in their first round series after losing two close games at Madison Square Garden, but Joel Embiid remains optimistic his team can win four out of the next five games.

"We're good," Embiid said. "We're going to win this series.

"We are going to win this. We know what we got to fix. We did a better job today, so we are going to fix it.

"We are the better team. We are going to keep fighting."

Embiid had 34 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in the game.

Malik Monk would like to stay with the Sacramento Kings. The Sacramento Kings would like to retain Malik Monk. Unfortunately, the Kings may have to fend off some suitors who can make Monk larger offers in free agency.

Sacramento is limited to re-signing Monk using his Early Bird rights, as they are expected to be an over-the-cap team this summer. That means the Kings can offer Monk a contract that caps out at nearly $78 million over four seasons.

Given his skills as a shooter, scorer and playmaker, and Monk's ability to perform at a high level off the bench, the veteran guard is one of the better free agents this summer. Teams that project to have cap space could give Monk an offer that beats what Sacramento can offer.

But Monk said in a perfect world that he'd "definitely" return to the Kings. Monk emphasized that he knows he can always make more money, but he'll be prioritizing fit this summer. Monk added, "I think it's going to play out the right way."

The San Antonio Spurs do not see Trae Young as a fit next to Victor Wembanyama, sources told Kurt Helin of NBC Sports.

Helin adds that the Spurs could be interested in Dejounte Murray instead.

The Hawks are likely to trade one of either Young or Murray this summer, according to reports. 

The Spurs could also pursue Chris Paul in free agency.

Kawhi Leonard is questionable for Tuesday night's Game 2 against the Dallas Mavericks.

"He's going to go through practice today and we'll see," said head coach Ty Lue on Monday.

Leonard has missed the last nine games with inflammation in his right knee.

The Clippers are up 1-0 in the series. 

Jarred Vanderbilt is looking to return to the Los Angeles Lakers lineup for Game 3 on Thursday, sources told ESPN.

Vanderbilt, who is out due to a right foot sprain, has been increasing his workout intensity over the last two weeks.

Vanderbilt and Christian Wood have not been cleared for Game 3, though the Lakers are hopeful that both will be back for Thursday.

The Lakers are down 2-0 in the series.