Denver still has the best player in the world in Nikola Jokić. With a exception of a down postseason from his running mate in 2024, Jokić and Jamal Murray are among the league's bigger playoff risers. And the Nuggets ending the season 3-0 under their interim coach could be more than the typical "new coach bump."

In perhaps the most anticipated first-round matchup, it's LeBron James and Luka Doncic vs. Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves.

Now that (most) first-round matchups are set, the CBS Sports NBA staff went matchup-by-matchup to make our pic

Luka Dončić isn't a fan of the way Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison has addressed his surprising trade to the Los Angeles Lakers. "It’s just sad the way he’s talking right now," Dončić told ESPN's Malika Andrews. "I never said anything bad about him and I just want to move on."

Luka Dončić had a strong reaction when he found out the Dallas Mavericks were trading him to the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 1. Upon learning of the shocking move a little before midnight, Dončić threw his iPhone, which resulted in a spiderweb of cracks along the back of the device.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed but the general manager since 2017 is now president of basketball operations.

General manager Rob Pelinka has received a contract extension from the Los Angeles Lakers less than three months after he acquired Luka Doncic

The Lakers announced no details of the extension for Pelinka, the longtime player agent who joined the Lakers’ front office in February 2017.

The trade for Luka Doncic and immediate connection he made with LeBron James has transformed the Lakers into legitimate title contenders.

The Los Angeles Lakers secured the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference playoffs, earning them a matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the postseason. And superstar Luka Dončić believes the team has the goods to make a title run: The Dončić addition has certainly helped.

Doncic, known for thriving on the biggest stages, reiterated his love for postseason basketball during a recent interview ahead of the Lakers’ playoff opener. “Mostly just preparing for Timberwolves," Doncic said.