Boston Celtics guard/forward Jaylen Brown put up a game-high 36 points in Tuesday's 111-97 Game 2 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Boston had a chance to take a 2-0 series lead on home court, but everyone on the team except Brown struggled to score. The 2024 Finals MVP went 11-for-24 from the field, including 5-for-12 from three-point range. He took 12 of the Celtics' 18 free-throw attempts, making nine of them. Brown completed his line with seven rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block. Tuesday's loss was a setback for the Celtics, but they can still feel confident about advancing to Round 2, with Brown in top form. He has led his team in scoring in both of the first two games of the matchup, averaging 31.0 points.

Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe scored a team-high 30 points in Tuesday's 111-97 Game 2 victory over the Boston Celtics. The 20-year-old also notched 10 rebounds, two assists, and two steals, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to record a playoff double-double with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds. After finishing 0-for-5 from downtown in Game 1, Edgecombe made six of his 10 attempts from deep. He had a 12-for-20 record overall from the field. This was a hugely impressive performance from Edgecombe, particularly since he was hurt on a fall early in the game and went to the locker room twice.

Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added another individual award to his growing collection on Tuesday, having been named the 2025-26 NBA Clutch Player of the Year. The reigning MVP led the league with 175 points in clutch times and helped his team to a 20-7 record in clutch games this season. In these games, the Thunder outscored the opposition by 93 points in clutch situations with Gilgeous-Alexander on the court. The NBA introduced the Clutch Player of the Year award in 2023, and past winners include De'Aaron Fox, Stephen Curry, and Jalen Brunson. Gilgeous-Alexander also hopes to win his second MVP trophy this year.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (oblique) has begun a return-to-play protocol on the practice court, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports. Lakers head coach JJ Redick provided this update ahead of Tuesday's Game 2 against the Houston Rockets. Redick reiterated that there is no change to Reaves' initial return timeline. The Lakers ruled Reaves out for 4-6 weeks on April 4 due to a Grade 2 oblique strain. Earlier Tuesday, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Reaves is on track to return late in the first-round series. He is reportedly further along in his rehab than Luka Doncic (hamstring). Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart have more responsibilities in the backcourt until Reaves and Doncic return.