For the Lakers, the playoffs started with a crash, not a stumble. A 22-point blowout loss to Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves silenced Crypto.com Arena. Luka Doncic lit it up with 37 points on 12-of-22 shooting in his Lakers playoff debut, but the Wolves took control in the second quarter and never looked back. Still, while others wrote the Lakers off, Chennedy Carter didn’t blink. The WNBA guard is rooting for something more than just good basketball—she’s pulling for home. And when it comes to her NBA playoff picks, she’s not playing it safe.
You wouldn’t expect playoff predictions to turn into viral clips, but when Carter sat down with celebrity YouTuber N3on after a 1v1 showdown, a casual post-game chat quickly became a full-on declaration of basketball loyalty. Asked about her pick to win it all, the 2020 WNBA All-Rookie Team guard didn’t even blink: “I like the Lakers. Going for the- .”
Before she could even finish, N3on cut in—”Bandwagon”—loud and quick.
But Carter didn’t blink. Cool as ever, she shot back: “No, I live in LA.”And she meant it—just check her X profile. Los Angeles, CA. It’s home turf.
Then, when N3on chimed in, proudly claiming LA roots too, Carter smoothly shifted the conversation to his pick, “Who you going for?” N3on didn’t hesitate either. “I mean, it’s pretty obvious. The Rockets are gonna win it all.” Carter raised an eyebrow and countered, “But who, if they don’t? So you really think the Rockets are gonna beat the Rockets?”
And just like that, the vibe shifted—from casual convo to full-on basketball crossfire. To be fair, N3on’s pick wasn’t out of bounds. Houston finished second in the West, dropping a strong 52-30 record. A legit contender. But Carter wasn’t letting him off easy. The debate was on.
N3on doubled down again. “Yeah, so the young core is so good… we’re very fresh on our legs.” He added, “Shout out to the fucking Rockets, man.” Carter didn’t bother arguing. She just smiled. “I can’t wait to see you.”
N3on: “Where?”
Carter replied snarkily with perfect timing: “After that game, on Instagram. Disappointed.” Then came the clincher. “I got the Warriors beating the Rockets for sure, though. I know that for sure.” And just like she said, Curry showed up. With 31 points on 12-of-19 shooting, including 5-of-9 from deep, Steph led the Warriors past Houston 95-85. Jimmy Butler dropped 25 points and five steals. Draymond Green summed it up: “In order for us to win basketball games it requires Steph Curry to be great. And he was just that.”
It wasn’t just a prediction—it was a pulse read. Carter, like a seasoned player and floor general, called the play before it happened.
Curry’s Masterclass, Carter’s Clapback, and the Sky’s Turmoil: A Tale of Talent and Tension
Well, Carter may have called it, but Curry delivered—Game 1 was his stage. A 26-foot dagger to silence Houston’s surge? That wasn’t just a bucket, it was a statement. And Jimmy Butler III? He made sure the world heard it loud and clear. “Steph’s gonna be the reason we win it all,” Butler III said postgame, still lit from Curry’s cold-blooded brilliance. “We’ve got to protect him at all costs.” He even knighted him: Batman.
Apr 8, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
But while Curry lit up the floor, Butler wasn’t just a sidekick—he snatched 7 boards, dished 6 assists, and stole the show 5 times in his playoff debut with the team. Together? They scored 56 points and enough swagger to fuel an arena.
Meanwhile, across the league and across the basketball world, Chennedy Carter’s insight popped in a viral back-and-forth with N3on—her hoops IQ sharp as ever. But off the court, Carter’s name has been buzzing for all the wrong reasons. She has not been approached by the Unrivaled and Chicago Sky GM, who considers her a flight risk not worth resigning.
In January 2025, WNBA insider Annie Costabile reported that Carter’s release from the Chicago Sky had less to do with talent and more with locker room dynamics. “Players were unhappy with the dynamic created… due to Carter’s behavior,” Costabile wrote.
Despite Sky GM Jeff Pagliocca praising her elite upside a few days prior to this decision, the 26-year-old was let go. Carter, never one to stay silent, clapped back on X: “I think the ability to consistently make layups just puts anyone in a different tier! So important to score easy!”
Hours later, Angel Reese added fuel: “What’s understood don’t need to be explained!” With the WNBA season fast approaching and Carter still without a team, the off-court drama is getting just as intense as the playoffs.
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