What happened in four snapshots in the NBA Playoffs on Saturday, April 27, 2024.

Los Angeles Lakers big man Christian Wood is available to play in Game 4. Wood hasn't played since February 14, due to a knee injury.

Los Angeles had hoped he might be available for Game 3, but Wood wasn't quite ready to return. The Lakers are down 3-0 against the Denver Nuggets entering Game 4 of the first round.

In his first season with Los Angeles, Wood averaged 6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds in 17.4 minutes per game. Wood mostly came off the bench, starting in just one of his 50 appearances for the Lakers.

What happened in three snapshots in the NBA Playoffs on Friday, April 26, 2024.

The Milwaukee Bucks are potentially down a second superstar, with Damian Lillard battling an Achilles strain. Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers doesn't think Giannis Antetokounmpo, the first injured Bucks superstar, will be back for Game 4 either.

When asked where Antetokounmpo is at with rehabbing his strained calf, Rivers said "He’s working out tomorrow. Going to go hard, early and then we’re going to make a decision".

Rivers was asked if Antetokounmpo works out before Sunday's Game 4 if the star forward would play. Rivers didn't commit, but seemed to lean towards Antetokounmpo not playing.

"I doubt it," Rivers said. "But we’ll see."

The Indiana Pacers lead the series 2-1, with Game 4 in Indiana on Sunday. The series shifts back to Milwaukee for Game 5 on Tuesday.

Damian Lillard has suffered a strained Achilles. Lillard is in a walking boot and is doubtful for Game 4 of the Milwaukee Bucks' first round series against the Indiana Pacers.

Lillard has been playing through Achilles soreness for several weeks. He re-aggravated the injury in the fourth quarter of Friday's game. He finished the overtime loss but was spotted limping at several different points. Following the game, Bucks coach Doc Rivers said Lillard had an Achilles injury, but he didn't know the extent at that time.

The Pacers took a 2-1 series lead with the victory on Friday night. Game 4 will be Sunday night in Indiana. The series will then shift back to Milwaukee for Game 5 on Tuesday.

After returning for Game 2 of the LA Clippers first round series against the Dallas Mavericks, Kawhi Leonard also played in Game 3. However, Leonard said his right knee is still giving him some issues.

When asked about his knee, Leonard said that it "just didn't respond the way we wanted" after he returned for Game 2 of the series. Leonard said he still plans to play in Game 4.

"Yeah," Leonard said about playing on Sunday afternoon. "Right now, I'll see [how it feels] tomorrow. But I want to play."

The Clippers lost Game 3 in Dallas. That gave the Mavericks a 2-1 series lead. Game 4 is Sunday at 3:30 PM ET.

Damian Lillard aggravated an Achilles injury in the fourth quarter of the Milwaukee Bucks' overtime loss to the Indiana Pacers in Game 3.

Lillard, who finished with 28 points, did not take a shot in overtime.

"I just wanted to be on the floor in case opportunity came up or however I could help," said Lillard.

Lillard added that his Achilles had been sore since the Bucks' regular season finale.

With the Bucks down 2-1 in the series, Game 4 is on Sunday.

"We're gonna get back and just have to get ahead of it because that's not something that you want to play with ... we have a couple of days to start and try to get ahead of it. Get it feeling better and get ready for Sunday," said Lillard. 

Juwan Howard will be an assistant coach with the Brooklyn Nets next season, sources told Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Howard was most recently fired by Michigan after five seasons with the program.

Howard joins Steve Hetzel on Jordi Fernandez's staff. 

Liam McNeeley has committed to Connecticut as part of the incoming class of 2024.

McNeeley, ESPN's No. 9 prospect in the class of 2024, was named a McDonald's All American after helping Montverde Academy to a perfect 33-0 season

McNeeley, a 6-foot-7 wing from Richardson, Texas, picked the Huskies over Arkansas, Kentucky, Alabama, Michigan and others. 

McNeeley is considered arguably the best perimeter shooter in his class. 

McNeeley was a projected lottery pick in ESPN's first 2025 mock draft, released in January.

The NBA and ESPN have agreed on the framework on a new broadcast deal that will allow the network to retain The Finals.

ESPN and TNT had exclusive negotiating rights with the NBA until this week.

ESPN became home of the NBA Finals in 2002 after they replaced NBC.