The Boston Celtics will have to attempt to close out their third consecutive series without their starting center. Kristaps Porzingis was ruled out for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals due to a strained right calf.

The Celtics lead the Indiana Pacers 3-0, which means Boston can afford to play it safe with Porzingis. He's been out since getting injured in Game 4 of the first round against the Miami Heat on April 29.

If Boston closes out Indiana in Game 4, their next game won't be until Game 1 of the NBA Finals on June 6. If the Pacers win, the series shifts back to Boston and Porzingis could play in Game 5 on Wednesday, May 29.

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton is listed as questionable for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Haliburton is dealing with a sore left hamstring. The re-injury occurred in the third quarter of Game 2. Haliburton missed Game 3 due to the injury.

It's been reported that Haliburton is unlikely to play in Game 4. The Pacers trail the Boston Celtics 3-0 in the series.

The NBA on TNT is running an alternate broadcast during the Western Conference Finals. Instead of traditional play-by-play and analysis, the broadcast on truTV is conversational and there are a variety of guests.

During Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals, one of the guests was Rich Paul of Klutch Sports. Paul is perhaps most famously known at LeBron James' agent, and he may have given some insight into James' initial plans for this offseason.

"LeBron is a free agent," Paul said about his most famous client. Paul then clarified that the Los Angeles Lakers have to hire who they want as their next head coach and that James has always played for whoever his coach is.

When asked by TNT's Chris Haynes to clarify if that meant it was decided that James would decline his player option for the 2024-25 season with the Lakers, Paul said that decision hadn't been made yet. James can decline his option and become a free agent. He's also eligible to pick up the option and to sign an extension.

"I don't know what he's gonna do," Paul said. "We're gonna do what we do every year. We're gonna evaluate the situation and we're gonna make the best decision."

JJ Redick would target Sam Cassell, James Borrego, and Jared Dudley as his assistants should he be named the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Borrego is currently with the Pelicans, with Cassell with the Celtics. Dudley is an assistant with the Mavs.

Cassell is also reportedly being targeted as an assistant for Doc Rivers' staff with the Bucks.

The Lakers are said to be "infatuated" with the idea of hiring Redick. 

The New Orleans Pelicans had trade talks with the Atlanta Hawks for both Dejounte Murray and Trae Young ahead of the trade deadline. Those talks are expected to resume this summer.

While New Orleans has interest in both Hawks point guards, sources indicate that the Pelicans prefer to swing a deal for Murray. Murray has a more team-friendly contract, and he's a better defender than Young is.

Some have suggested that New Orleans star Zion Williamson would like to play with Young. The star guard's father even went on social media making a similar suggest that Young and Williamson would like to play together.

The New Orleans Pelicans are reportedly looking to upgrade their guard rotation. The Pelicans are looking at trading for a point guard. The team is expected to resume trade talks with the Cleveland Cavaliers, after discussing deals ahead of the trade deadline.

The Pelicans target is reportedly Darius Garland. It's been reported that Garland will seek a trade from the Cavaliers if the team extends Donovan Mitchell. It's likely that a New Orleans offer for the veteran guard would involve Brandon Ingram and his $36 million expiring contract.

Garland has four years and $163.2 million left on his contract. The deal is fully guaranteed with no options, with $36.7 million owed in 2024-25.

Golden State Warriors assistant coach Kenny Atkinson is considered to be the leader to be the next Cleveland Cavaliers head coach. Atkinson worked with Cavaliers players Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert when he was the Brooklyn Nets head coach.

Another candidate to keep an eye on is New York Knicks assistant coach Johnnie Bryant. Bryant was an assistant with the Utah Jazz when current Cleveland guard Donovan Mitchell was there.

Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert is also reportedly more involved in hiring the team's next head coach than originally anticipated. Gilbert has been heavily involved in the hiring process at other points during his tenure. However, Gilbert was relatively hands-off when Cleveland hired JB Bickerstaff as the full-time head coach four years ago.

The Los Angeles Clippers are interested in Chris Paul and Kyle Lowry, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

The Warriors currently have until June 28 to guarantee Paul's $30 million contract for next season.

Paul and the Warriors have discussed moving back the deadline with the possibility of using his salary in a trade.

Russell Westbrook also has until June 29 to decide his $4 million player option with the Clippers for next year.

Maxi Kleber could return to the Dallas Mavericks lineup for the NBA Finals, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Kleber has been out since suffering a separated shoulder during Game 6 of the first round.

The Mavs are currently up 3-0 against the Wolves.

The NBA Finals will start on June 6. 

Panathinaikos won the 2024 EuroLeague Championship with a 95-80 victory over Real Madrid on Sunday. This is the seventh EuroLeague title for Panathinaikos 

Guard Kostas Sloukas was named the EuroLeague Final Four MVP. He finished with 24 points in the title game. Kendrick Nunn scored 21 points, Mathias Lessort scored 17 points, while Jerian Grant added 11 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Dzanan Musa led Real Madrid with 15 points.